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Columnists

BOB BROWN: “Portraits of the Human Person”

On the night of June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump said all seven B2 Bombers had safely returned from an unprecedented successful attack on Iran’s fortresses of nuclear weapon...

BECKY MAUPIN: The After Bedtime Search

Picture this: You manage to get everyone fed and the dinner aftermath cleaned up. Then...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Israel’s Second Sum Of All Fears

I first heard about a dirty bomb in early September 1993 when an IBM coworker,...

BOB BROWN: What Happened to Happiness?

We can quibble about the origin, even the definition or meaning of “happiness,” but I’m...

FRED FIRST: Homeward Bound

It would happen: the trip back to Floyd. And then it wouldn’t. And then it...

For Those Troubled with Plenitude: The Reign of Quackery in a Modern World

by H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. As some of my readers know, I’m a founding member of The Curiosity Society: a small group of collectors...

New World View: Flying Over the Smoky Mountains

by Fred First She couldn't have known how essential a window seat is for me on my rare air travels. But then again, since...

The Death of Osama bin Laden by Reverend Barkley Thompson

The first thing you notice is the whiteness of the nurse’s uniform.  Against the grey of the background, it’s as vivid as fresh...

Digging for Memories

by John Robinson Wow, I can hardly believe my eyes ... an old inkwell sitting right on top of a mound of earth next...

Recipe of the Week: The Extraordinary Gift of Homemade Bread

by Leigh Sackett I recently ran into an old friend who is going through a very difficult time. In the short time we visited I...

“I Thought You Said . . . ”

by Mary Jo Shannon In the early 60’s when my oldest son was in elementary school, he was obviously quite disturbed after hearing a...