Columnists

Dark shadows over Mid-East

Cal Thomas's picture

The opening scene-setter for the 1996 film “Independence Day” might serve as a metaphor for what Egyptians could face if a draft constitution written by a panel dominated by Islamists and based on Sharia law wins approval in a referendum: “A loud rumble is heard. Suddenly, we are covered in darkness as the shadow engulfs us. Only the image of our Earth hangs in the air, until a huge silhouetted object suddenly blocks our view.” Read More»

We must end Medicare as we now know it

Sally C. Pipes's picture

As Republican leaders in Congress prepare to negotiate over the federal budget with their Democratic counterparts in the aftermath of the election, it’s time for everyone to face a hard truth — we must end Medicare as we know it.

The entitlement is bleeding to death. Without major changes, it won’t be around for the next generation of seniors.

Medicare covers approximately 50 million seniors today. But the mass retirement of the Baby Boom generation is just beginning, and skyrocketing healthcare costs have made the program’s finances unsustainable. Read More»

Black voters inspired by school choice

Douglas A. Blackmon's picture

One of the most striking results of the vote on Amendment 1, which was approved by Georgia voters on Nov. 6 and creates an independent commission to authorize public charter schools in the state, is the absolutely extraordinary level of support received from African-American voters. Read More»

For half of America, bigger government sounds good

Robert Schwarzwalder's picture

By Rob Schwarzwalder and Cathy Ruse, J.D.

Among the reactions to the Nov. 6 elections, the most common among conservatives might be shock. That very fact might indicate that too many of us have been living in an echo chamber, reassuring each other about our mutually-held convictions without listening to those who are, at best, ambivalent about conservatism. Read More»

Grooming and the lack of it

Ronda Rich's picture

Not long ago, I was in Los Angeles and visiting Tink on the set of a television show that he was executive producing. We sat side-by-side in director chairs, watching as the scene was set up and actors took their place. I looked across Tink to see a woman studying me carefully. I smiled.

She tilted her head then asked, “Are you Mrs. Tinker?”

I smiled bigger. “Yes, I am.”

She nodded, silently studying me. “I thought so. You’re Southern, right?” There was no smile, no social engaging from her. I felt like a rat in a laboratory examination.

Again, “Yes, I am.” Read More»

Who could ask for more?

Sallie Satterthwaite's picture

We’ve already received the best Christmas gift we could hope for.

Well, almost the best. Mary and Rainer are coming for Christmas.

I haven’t mentioned it before in case they changed their minds, but our ex-pat daughter has bought tickets and given us her flight details. That clinches it for me.

For most of her years living in Europe, we’ve worked out a pattern of getting together about once every two or three years, taking turns as to who travels. This time, we’ve already been together twice, and come Christmas, we’ll make it three visits in two years. Read More»

Making a difference

David Epps's picture

Out of town and staying in a hotel room, I awakened early one morning and made my way to the Starbucks that was open for business in the lobby. On the way, I passed a staff sergeant, a U.S. Marine, seated in the lobby, in his winter green uniform, working at a laptop and engrossed in whatever he was doing. I decided he looked too busy for me to interrupt him. Read More»

Death by hot cocoa

Rick Ryckeley's picture

That’s exactly what happened. In the middle of the living room, I thought I was dying.

There was no help from my brothers or sister as I coughed, gasped for breath, and ran around the room. There was only laughter; lots and lots of laughter.

At 8 years old, it surely was nice to know I could depend on them when my life was quickly fading away.

Dad really didn’t try to poison me. At least that’s what he said for years after the event. To him it was one harmless little sip of his special hot cocoa a few weeks before Christmas. Read More»

Pinning peace hopes on new ‘pharaoh’

Cal Thomas's picture

The diplomatic hosannas for Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi following his brokering of the recent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel were still being heard even as the former head of the Muslim Brotherhood started behaving like a pharaoh. Morsi “temporarily” seized new powers that, among other things, forbid judicial review of his policies. Read More»

Still seeking restoration of ‘our’ kingdom

Dr. Leroy F. Curtis's picture

“Lord, at this time are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” — Acts 1:6 (NIV).

In spite of over three years of constant personal teaching from the Lord, plus another 40-day post-resurrection seminar on the Kingdom of God, the disciples still managed to miss the main point of Christ’s teaching. Read More»