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It’s becoming troubling for all to determine truth

It has come to this point: Just who and what are we supposed to believe anymore? Are we all more susceptible to conspiracy theories now? I worry that we might be. And I worry that those of us who are normally rational, logical thinkers, will find it easier to believe there are connections where there is coincidence, planning where there is actually lack of planning. Why is this happening? President Donald Trump is a big part of it. The groundwork has been laid for him to say and do whatever he wants, and there are those who will accept it blindly. There are those who go along for ...

Southern Poverty Law Center indicted

MONTGOMERY, Ala.—When there’s news about an indictment, it’s always good to remember that an indictment is not — repeat, is not — a conviction. To oversimplify the matter, the existence of an indictment merely means that a grand jury has found that the criminal case may proceed. It doesn’t mean the defendant will be convicted. It doesn’t even mean the allegations in the indictment are true. Criminal defendants are presumed innocent. Prosecutors must prove each case not by a preponderance of the evidence but beyond a reasonable doubt. ≤ ≤ ≤ With that in mind, ...

It Was Better Than Broadway

Recently, we attended a musical put on at the high school where our grandkids attend—in this case, Maple Grove. During the spring, musicals are being conducted at many of our local schools. As usual, I was “blown away” by the level of skill and professionalism displayed in the performance. It is hard to believe that kids ranging from 9th to 12th grade could put on such a performance. At intermission, I went up to the teacher and producer of the production and said: “This is better than Broadway,” and it was. There was a moving stage, a skilled ensemble playing the music...and ...

It’s not just inflation, it’s the way of life

One topic of conversation among all my friends and acquaintances is the shock of today’s prices – for everything. When I was a kid, I remember vividly that Saturday movies cost 12 cents. Granted, that was 70 years ago, but it was for three cartoons, the Movietone news of the day, two movies, with the continuing serial at the end. Looking back at it now, that was an afternoon’s entertainment for 3 cents an hour. Today it costs me 3 cents every time I sneeze – just for the Kleenex. I bought ginormous Milky Ways whenever I could scrounge up a nickel. Today’s movies cost $8. ...

Give and take on recent issues

Once again I’m offering my take on several issues. — I very much liked Star Parker’s recent column on Social Security because I remember looking at my paychecks, in those days before direct deposit, thinking that if I could have taken my contributions to Social Security and Medicare and invested them in the stock market. I would not have needed Social Security and Medicare because I would have retired as a very wealthy man. The stock market, even with periodic downturns like the 1929 and 2008 crashes, historically increases in value at a fairly steady rate, despite what ...

Funds for war could help needy in U.S.

A recent report on ABC indicated that as of April 18, the Iran War cost an estimated $50 billion. The president earlier requested a trillion dollars from Congress to cover future war costs. Readers understand that they’re paying the bill. The boss did say that part of the expense could be covered by defraying monies intended for education, health care and other programs affecting detrimentally people who most need them. But that’s OK because who cares about the poor? Hidden away in urban ghettoes and rural hollows, they lack the voices to make much noise about the cuts. Those ...