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Columnists

BOB BROWN: AGING POETICALLY, PART I

Too often, the human race is a race against time. Until recently, I was a sprinter in this race. Nowadays, blessed by the gift of a long life, my...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: Twenty Reasons For Regime Change in Iran

1. The kidnapping of 66 Americans at the U.S. embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979,...

ROBERT L. MARONIC: When Is Trump’s Promise To Iran That “Help Is On The Way” Finally Going To Happen?

There was a horrific, chaotic carnage in the streets of Iran during a nationwide protest on January 8...

FRED FIRST: Missouri’s Capitol City: First-Time Tourist

I could not possibly do justice to my first visit a half hour south of...

BOB BROWN: The Triumph of Terrible Feelings Over Judgment

Today, our way of life is dominated by powerful, fast-moving, extreme emotions — especially anger,...

When Suffering Clouds the Sun

It’s a bright time of year, and the beauty of the greater Roanoke Valley has opened to its full splendor. We are so...

Recipe of the Week: Fish Kebabs

My son suddenly wants to eat lemons! We were at the grocery store the other day and he asked me to buy lemons....

The Oh So Many Joys Of Camping

Although Harry grew up camping with his buddies and the Boy Scouts, I had never spent the night outdoors before we were married....

It’s That Time Again . . . Commencement

There is probably no month that engenders more non-political speechifying than May.  Commencements are all over the place.  Even graduation from pre-K now...

Fine Art of Napping is Mostly Genetic

As time marches on, many people of my age (51) tend to revert to behavior first experienced in their childhood.  Although I have...

Ah, The Unholy Power of Pop Culture

According to the Social Security Administration, the top two baby names of 2009 were Jacob and Isabella.  And how traditional is that?  In...