We West Virginians can be excused for puffing out our chests a little bit over the recent news that Eric Eyre, a reporter for the Charleston Gazette-Mail won a Pulitzer Prize recently for investigative reporting. Especially since such awards routinely go to staffers from the New York Times, Washington Post and other major newspapers with…
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With the blessed warmth of May settling over us, we’re drawing closer to summer fair season and the ever-present games of Whac-A-Mole. Despite this popular arcade game celebrating its 40th anniversary last year, I’ve never played it—just watched other carnival-goers smashing away in efforts to wallop the furry critters so they can add to their…
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The recent United Airlines dust-up over the passenger who wound up injured after refusing to give up his seat generated all kinds of advice about crisis management and other topics. For me, it brought back all kinds of memories. The most prominent: the time I declined a $400 travel voucher. Like Dr. David Dao, I…
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Our nation is in trouble—financially, at least. The national debt is about to tip $20 trillion, which reminds me of the financial investment expert I interviewed years ago. The point he made in our discussion was that we pay too much attention to our nation’s deficits without considering the assets that are worth far more.…
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Since anti-immigrant fervor has risen at various times in America’s past, I can’t say that the current groundswell is any worse or different than before. Yet, in the wake of the Islamic radical attacks that have claimed dozens of lives in places like Orlando, Boston and San Bernardino, California, it’s easy to understand. The only…
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President Donald Trump recently made headlines when he announced his intentions to repeal the so-called Johnson Amendment. The rule got its name from former President Lyndon B. Johnson. In the mid-1950s, then-Sen. Johnson successfully proposed a rule prohibiting churches and non-profits from endorsing political candidates if they wanted to retain tax-exempt status with the Internal…
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In just over a week, the nation will observe the most hypocritical holiday of the year. That’s when atheists, humanists and agnostics will start their three-day spring weekend by enjoying Good Friday, even though it draws its name from the Person they claim doesn’t exist. Easter weekend will bring out a separate group, often dubbed…
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It’s been more than 35 years since we toured the Hearst Castle. Still, our visit to William Randolph Heart’s estate instantly came to mind when I saw a story recently about a modern-day imitator. This four-level, 38,000-square-foot mansion is listed at a cool $250 million, making it the most expensive home in the United States.…
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Whether the rash of post-Christmas violence at shopping malls nationwide, increasing incidents of air rage, or other acts of irrational behavior, our society appears to have become unhinged. While I’m sure the causes and effects will be debated for years to come, I think the loss of simple words like “sin” and “blame” are behind…
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Eighteenth-century English poet Alexander Pope penned the phrase, “ To err is human, ” a truism that has occupied center stage internationally in recent weeks. First came the infamous mistake at the Academy Awards, when actor Faye Dunaway—partnered with Warren Beatty—announced that La La Land had won Best Picture. Moments later, the movie’s producer, Jordan Horowitz announced, “I’m…
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