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Use America 250 as opportunity for renewed unity

As our community, our state and our country stand at the starting gate to 2026, the 250th anniversary of the founding of this great nation, myriad opportunities abound. There are opportunities for deep reflection on the bedrock documents and principles that gave rise to the ongoing “great American experiment.” There are opportunities to support and join in joyous patriotic celebrations at a cornucopia of inspiring local, state and national semiquincentennial observances and special events. And, perhaps most importantly, there is a plethora of opportunities to forge a renewed ...

Thank you to my readers

As 2025 comes to an end, I want to thank my readers who have emailed me throughout the year with encouraging and kind words. I truly appreciate the thoughtfulness put into every message. Due to my teaching and grading load, I am not able to respond to every email, but I am deeply moved that people would take the time to write me. I’m also grateful to those who shared their dissenting opinions. I think we can all agree that we need more civil and polite discussions in online spaces. Three recent columns that particularly resonated with readers were my Thanksgiving commentary on ...

Wrong predictions? Never mind

End of the year predictions about the future have been around at least since the days of Nostradamus, but what about past predictions? There were plenty of predictions that electing Donald Trump the first time and then re-electing him would cause economic Armageddon. Democrats and their media mouthpieces have consistently predicted monetary collapse from President Trump’s policies. This year alone, editorials in The New York Times, The Washington Post and most “reporting” by mainstream networks have claimed with absolute certainty that the president’s tariffs would tank the ...

Mike Watson brought joy to Valley children

DEAR EDITOR: For over 40 years there was a very selfless, kind and very merry Santa, who has left us with heavy hearts. We lost Mike Watson, who has been Santa Claus in our Valley every Christmas season, listening to over 2,000 children’s requests for Santa’s presents every year. Naturally, 100,000 children over the years were delighted to hear the ”Ho-Ho-Ho” of a Santa gone way too early — who made children’s hearts light up and whose presence felt so special as he shared their secret requests. A gentle man who has heard the requests of kids — who would hear a ...

To drink or not to drink: Wrong question

For anyone aiming to cut back drinking, January’s arrival times perfectly. Some may have simply overdone it through the long holiday stretch, when alcohol seemed piped into any vaguely celebratory event. Some may worry that they’re beginning to forget the last drink they accepted. Recovering alcoholics or others who don’t drink at all have it easier, in one small way. Their intimates get to know that they do not imbibe — not beer, not wine, not liquor — and so don’t push alcohol in their direction. Those who want a drink now and then — in some cases, every night ...

Give Venezuela’s Maduro the Noriega treatment

DEAR EDITOR: To those who think the U.S. military should take out Venezuelan leader Maduro, accused of stealing the election by military force — know the history. Manuel Noriega, the dictator of Panama, who was trafficking in drugs and racketeering, took refuge in the Vatican Embassy on Dec. 24, 1989, and eventually surrendered. He was captured by U.S. forces and special operations units. Navy Seals and Delta Forces, on Jan. 3, 1990, (I love this part) pressured Noriega with loud music for 10 days. The songs they played were “Voodoo Child,” “You’re No Good” and “I ...