‘Guest column’ Archives
The Social Security Institute’s Questionnaire
The Social Security Institute's Questionnaire For Presidential Candidates by Lawrence Hunter The more the presidential candidates talk, the less we seem to know about their views on Social Security. For example, does Mitt Romney really believe, “There are (sic) one of two ways you can make Social Security work forever:” Raise the retirement age or means test the program by “having slower growth in inflating the benefits of higher-income of (sic) Social ... Full Story
Life’s Outtakes: A little bit of motivation
By Daris Howard Arden stormed into the house and dropped into a chair, tired and discouraged. His wife, Rachel, brought him a cold drink of water. “How’s the harvest going, Dear?” He shook his head. “Not well. With all of the men gone off to fight Hitler, getting the beets topped and off to market seems impossible. I thought it was an answer to my prayers when they decided to let the schools out for harvest so the boys could help. But they have no motivation to ... Full Story
A Technology World
By Daris Howard I had been grading papers all day, and I was exhausted. As the work day ended and I left my office, it felt good to step out into the fresh air. I decided to take a longer route to the parking lot to see if I could clear the cobwebs from my head. As I turned the last corner, about 100 yards from where I was parked, I joined a couple of young men who were coming from the lower part of campus. Their clothes were rough and their appearance unkempt. They looked ... Full Story
Slices of Life: There’s an app for that
By: Jill Pertler I come from a generation where an application was something you filled out when you wanted a job. TV (all five channels of it) was in 2D. Phones were unitaskers and could hardly be described as smart. Times have changed. At least they are changing at my house. This week, we got our first smartphone – which, by logical inference, makes us a “smartfamily.” Or, since the phone belongs to my husband, maybe he’s the smart one. We’re not sure, because ... Full Story
Troy Davis Should Not Be Put to Death
By John W. Whitehead September 14, 2011 "Troy Davis has three major strikes against him. First, he is an African-American man. Second, he was charged with killing a white police officer. And third, he is in Georgia."—Author and journalist Amy Goodman There is nothing moral or just about the death penalty—certainly not the way it is implemented in America, and anyone who says otherwise is either deluding themselves or trying to get elected by appearing ... Full Story
VICTORY: Affirming Free Speech,
Circuit Court Judge Dismisses Case Against Iraq War Veteran Charged with Disorderly Conduct RICHMOND, Va. — In a victory for free speech, Judge Stoudt of the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond has dismissed the Commonwealth of Virginia's case against Nathan Cox, an Iraq War veteran and civil activist, who was issued a citation for disorderly conduct after he used a bullhorn to call out to a police officer who appeared to be conducting a traffic stop, remarking, "Stop harassing ... Full Story
Ten Years After 9/11
Have We Become the Enemy of Freedom? By John W. Whitehead September 6, 2011 When the World Trade Center crumbled to the ground on September 11, 2001, it took with it any illusions Americans might have harbored about the nation's invincibility, leaving many feeling vulnerable, scared and angry. Yet in that moment of weakness, while most of us were still reeling from the terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of some 3,000 Americans, we managed to draw strength from and comfort each ... Full Story
Where have all the heroes gone?
Rev. James L. Snyder In celebrating the 10th anniversary of one of the most horrific events in the history of the United States one cannot help but reflect back on the past decade. We have come a long way, but I am wondering if we have gone the right way. My wife and I were thinking about this the other night and she startled me with a question. Most of the time she just startles me, but this time she had substance in the form of a question. "I wonder," she said rather thoughtfully, "where all ... Full Story
Media choice: Economics or Bachmann’s outfit?
The election game is back as the media turns away from political economics and towards the banality of politicians. "]And so it came to pass, as predicted, projected, and warned about, that the economy is about to tank again. No less an authority than Nouriel Roubini, once dismissed as "Dr Doom" for his predictions - entirely accurate - of the 2008 financial crisis, is shaking his head and pointing his finger again. In intellectual circles, there is more and more talk about the ... Full Story
