Adrienne Ross
Adrienne Ross is owner of Adrienne Ross Communications and a former Southeast Missourian editorial board member.
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My heartfelt thank you as I bid you adieu (3/9/21)It has been my honor to have been a part of the Southeast Missourian community for several years, including serving as an editorial board member and columnist. I have made the decision to move forward now and end this chapter of my story, but I couldn't do so without a farewell to the team and a sincere thank you...
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OPINION: 'If you have nothing nice to say' about Rush, say nothing (2/23/21)Mommas are still the best teachers most of us have ever had, and the lessons they taught us back in the day probably remain some of the best advice we ever received. Let's take a look at this one in light of the sad passing of radio icon Rush Limbaugh: "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all."...
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6 impeachment sham takeaways (2/16/21)The whole thing was a sham. 1. The Constitution does not allow removal from office someone who is no longer in office. Duh! That really should be a no-brainer, right? But folks hell-bent on a diabolical plan don't care about the Constitution they purport to honor...
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Congratulations, Super Bowl LV Champions: the Officials (2/9/21)It's only fitting to extend congratulations to winners of championship battles. The best deserve that. Earning a place in the glorious game all want to participate in but only a few get to experience is quite a feat. A victory is an even greater accomplishment. I, therefore, dedicate this column to the winners of Super Bowl LV: the officials...
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'Get right with God -- and do it now' (2/2/21)I find myself reflecting quite a bit lately. I believe I've had an understanding for a long time of the fragility of life, but it seems to be screaming at me more than usual, especially with the loss of people with whom we are all acquainted. Some of this consciousness results from the dark times we entered in 2020 with the coronavirus and its accompanying questions and quarantines, pain and pandemic; we have all been shaken. ...
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Biden-Harris, this ain't unity (1/26/21)Inauguration Day brought cries of ecstasy as some rejoiced in the transfer of power and voiced their expectation of what the Biden-Harris administration would bring. Others were not necessarily exuberant about the two new leaders but were just giddy the old one is gone. In all of this, the calls for unity and "let the healing begin" reverberated, shallow as they were...
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Self reflection: Does tolerating Facebook make me a hypocrite? (1/19/21)Hypocrisy is not a characteristic I would ever want to apply to myself. But then came Facebook. And as I take personal inventory, I have to be honest and ask myself if I am, in fact, a hypocrite. Anyone paying attention already knows that Mark Zuckerberg and his Facebook crew have for years been censoring voices that don't fit their political agenda. ...
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If race is your religion, victimhood is your reward (1/12/21)What a mess went down Wednesday as miscreants overran the U.S. Capitol, penetrating its premises like knife penetrates butter. Sickening on so many levels, and the truth about who was behind it all, I believe, has yet to come to light. There's more here than meets the eye, so I won't race to comment on that aspect, but I will address the issue of race and its injection into the non-race-related tragedy...
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Twenty Twenty WON: Out with the old, but in with what? (1/7/21)"Out with the old!" Cliche, though it is, it seems to concisely sum up the sentiments abounding at the start of a new year. It's especially poignant now, as many have expressed that 2020 couldn't have ended soon enough. But that saying doesn't end there. "In with the new" usually follows, so this begs the question: "Now what?"...
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20 lessons from 2020 (12/29/20)2020 has been a doozy. Not too many will disagree. Yet like most tough times, it doesn't leave us without lessons learned and truth reiterated. I'll list 20 of them. Think about how these apply to your 2020 experience. 1. Cherish your loved ones: People are leaving here, and by that, I don't mean leaving this area. ...
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Creating Christmas cheer in a coronavirus year (12/22/20)Christmas is just a few days away. It's hard to believe it's here again. Seems like last Christmas was just a blink of an eye away. And many, no doubt, can't wait for this one to be over, too, as they look forward to 2021, reaching with both hands for the start of another year in hopes that it will bring better days. But not so fast. Let's park for a moment and consider how to approach this one, even in the midst of the coronavirus, which has had a huge impact on our entire way of life...
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Sick of leftist social media 'gods' saving us from ourselves (12/15/20)Sick of leftist social media 'gods' saving us from ourselves Who do these social media gods think they are? Who do they think we are -- fragile, frail folks in need of their protection? I am beyond fed up with their Big Brother antics of coming behind Instagram, Facebook and Twitter posts to clean things up for us. It literally -- yes, literally -- makes my stomach churn...
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Why reasonable people resist coronavirus rules (12/8/20)A perfect world. What does it look like? What does it consist of? And can just one thing break the deal? For nearly two decades, I taught the book "The Giver" to seventh-graders. I am currently doing another online book club of this book, which I also did three years ago. ...
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Don't let coronavirus kill your Christmas (12/1/20)I'm torn this year. I've never been much of a Christmas decorator post-childhood, and everybody knows I rail against those Hallmark snow movies, as I call them. Last year, what with the new house and all, I did my thang, and put up not one, but two Christmas trees. That was huge for me. This year, I'm going to do it again -- not because I feel 100% all about it, but because I refuse to give in to the oddity that has been 2020...
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Thankful even in 2020 (11/24/20)If ever there was a year to feel justified for not being thankful, it would be 2020. Let's face it; it's been a year like none of us has ever seen, and it's given us plenty of reasons to be unthankful. Nonetheless, let's not succumb to that mindset...
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'Judgmental' joins 'racist' as insult meant to silence (11/17/20)"Judgmental" has joined "racist" as the ultimate attempt to silence people with differing perspectives. No one wants to be called either, of course, which is exactly what fuels the label-throwers to throw that insult around all willy-nilly. It doesn't work on me. ...
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2020 election: This fight ain't over (11/10/20)What an interesting seven days it has been, wouldn't you say? I could stop right here and everyone would know exactly what I mean. And I do mean "everyone" -- in your house, your city, your state, the country, the globe. And, 'xcuse my bad English, but it's 'bouts to get int'resting-er. The Trump-Biden showdown is just heating up...
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Reflection day (11/3/20)This is as good a day as any to reflect on seven years ago. Monday, Nov. 2, made seven years since I pulled into Southeast Missouri after living my entire life in New York. I am, therefore, designating today Reflection Day. It's hard to believe it was seven years ago when after a two-day trip with my car packed so full of belongings I could barely see out the windows and with the rest of my stuff coming later in a moving pod, I reached my destination. ...
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Praise for 'polarizing' politicians (10/27/20)"He's too polarizing." "She's too divisive." Ever hear those descriptions of politicians or leaders, the purpose of which is to convince people that Mr. or Mrs. So-and-So is too dangerous to even consider supporting? I call nonsense on the whole thing. Who wants to support milquetoast men and women more interested in not being labeled polarizing than in being principled?...
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Do it 'write' now (10/20/20)I was honored to both attend and give a presentation at the Show Me Writers Conference on Saturday, organized by local authors Amanda Flinn and Sarah Geringer. I'm not typically a numbers person, but some alarming statistics grabbed me. Author Karen Sargent shared the following: The percentage of people who say they want to write a book is 81%; of those, 2% start the book; of the 2% who start, 3% complete the book; so that's 97% who do not finish the book...
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VP debate: 'Mansplaining' accusations against Pence insult Harris and all women (10/13/20)The vice presidential debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris on Wednesday has caused quite a bit of discussion of the typical who won/who lost kind. Not surprisingly, it also included another layer: people have made it a woman/man issue. I knew it would be touchy for Pence because that's a popular card folks love to play...
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Be careful what you wish upon the President (10/6/20)I was no Barack Obama fan. I won't even pretend I was. But I never wished ill to him or his family because, well, I'm a decent human being. So what's up with the folks wishing death on President Trump and first lady Melania upon hearing the news early Friday morning that they tested positive for the coronavirus?...
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Mail-in ballots: Voter fraud made easy in New York (9/29/20)Much talk is swirling about the voting process during this coronavirus craziness. Specifically, jabber about mass mail-in voting has been particularly prevalent. Democrats, typically, are for it, heralding the right to vote while accusing Republicans of wanting to suppress that right. Republicans are typically opposed, stating concerns about voter fraud. I'm weighing in as a person who has seen firsthand how easy it would be to do some downright dirty deeds during an election...
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Birthday reflections: 5 lessons from this 50-year-old (9/22/20)Fifty years old? How is that possible? Was it not just yesterday that I began counting the days until I became a teenager? And here I am about to turn 50 on Sunday. It's quite a thing, how that happens. I remember turning 30 and being so depressed about being "old." Forty didn't bother me at all. ...
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I'll take the 'bully' and babies over Biden any day (9/15/20)Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president recently. Of course, President Trump being President Trump, he had to say something. His response is what I'd classify as the equivalent of punching down, which, as I've written before, he doesn't need to do. I, on the other hand, have some punching to do...
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Pelosi: Smile; you're on -- maskless -- camera (9/8/20)Who would have thought anyone would be interested enough in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's hair to have even one conversation -- much less several days' worth -- about a trip to a salon? And to think that no one is even discussing her hair. Instead, it's her face getting attention -- her maskless face...
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Dirty politics: Power before people (9/1/20)The streets are burning, people are dying and some are losing hope as they watch it all unfold. Meanwhile, many who claim to have the best interests of the nation in mind say and do nothing because their lust for power is at the heart of every decision they make...
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The cruelty of coronavirus quarantine on the elderly (8/25/20)This seems like a time to remain on the subject of politics, as the Democratic National Convention took place last week, but I will pass on going that route. Though I stayed aware, I didn’t watch one second of it. I have a more pressing issue to discuss (although, honestly, I believe it may have politics at its root also), such as the ongoing response to the coronavirus and, specifically, the disservice it is doing to the elderly. ...
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Kamala Harris hypocrisy: 'Because she's a Black woman' (8/18/20)Joe Biden announced his running mate a week ago. Sen. Kamala Harris was on his shortlist, as her name has been bandied about, so I'm not sure how much of a surprise it was to most, but it certainly was "lit," as they say, with the reaction to the selection appearing to be laced in hypocrisy...
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Coronavirus response: Not the 'school choice' I had in mind (8/11/20)School is starting in just a few days where I live. The last few weeks, or maybe months for some families, conversations about what that looks like have been in the works. I must say that while I have been a proponent of school choice for years, what we will likely see as school commences is not exactly what I had in mind...
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Your [local] vote is your voice (8/4/20)It's time to vote. I'm not talking about the upcoming presidential election. I'm talking about voting taking place in various states across the country. Today's the big day here in Missouri. Maybe you, too, are in a location where people go to the polls today, or maybe that takes place in the days ahead. Either way, my message is a simple one: exercise your right...
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My most important column ever (7/28/20)"Out of sight, out of mind," we flippantly say in reference to things on the back burner of our lives, but when a person begins to get along in years and both sight and mind begin to challenge them, what has not been at the forefront may come back to haunt both them and those who love them...
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Addressing race and identity from biblical perspective (7/21/20)Race is at the forefront of our lives, as much has gone topsy-turvy. Not that we have ever been free of its focus, but its impact these last several months has been of the in-your-face kind. We should all be disgusted by the divide, and people of faith, in particular, ought to be wondering if we have a role to play in the healing. This is the issue I addressed last Monday when I was honored to speak to the Remix ministry at Cape First Church, delivering a message I entitled "Race and Identity."...
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Stand your ground, Goya (7/14/20)What are the chances that we have come to the point that someone's thoughts are subject to the control of others? 100%, apparently. Just ask Goya CEO Bob Unanue. What is wrong with people? How have we reached a place that someone's opinions must line up with another group's opinions? What happened to "live and let live"? What happened to "agree to disagree"? What happened to being free to "think as you please"? Hey, what happened to common sense? Out the window, they have gone. ...
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Mask mania part II: Should you wear one out of 'respect'? (7/7/20)I see that talking about coronavirus mask mania triggers some passionate responses, and I knew it would, of course, when I wrote last week's column. In light of some things I've heard, I'm compelled to follow up. So let's get to it. I'm no politician, and I don't give a flying flip about what politicians say about most things, so my thoughts about masks have nothing to do with politicians. ...
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When will the mask mania end? (6/30/20)I hadn't worn a mask until then, and I hadn't planned on it -- as long as I was in my neck of the woods. But then came the stop in Pennsylvania as I made the road trek to New York. The Keystone State gas station store was one thing: my first experience facing a sign denying me entry without a mask. New York is something else altogether. I'm still here, and I'm still suffocating...
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'Defund the police' hurts those needing the most help (6/23/20)I have found a certain level of peace in remaining out of the thick of things while still maintaining awareness of goings-on. What's going on now that I cannot turn a blind eye to is this movement to defund police departments. Who suffers? The most vulnerable, of course...
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My brother, my superhero: What a real man looks like (6/16/20)My brother, my superhero: What a real man looks like By Adrienne Ross "Being a mother is not easy. If it were easy, fathers would do it." Such a great line from "The Golden Girls," that classic sitcom I love. Everyone gets what the character Dorothy Zbornak, played by Bea Arthur, was saying, so we all laugh. ...
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My 4 unpopular perspectives amid George Floyd protests (6/9/20)The wound that is George Floyd's killing is still raw. It hasn't gone away. Its impact is far-reaching and deep-rooted. From violent riots to peaceful rallies, prayer meetings to Facebook posts, thoughts and feelings are expressed passionately. I've limited my intake because I honestly don't want to feed on it all. But I have strong feelings of my own from what I have observed. Four things, in particular, are worthy of sharing...
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My six George Floyd reflections (6/2/20)I had written something different for this week, but I had to take a hard turn. As much as I did not want to weigh in, and as much I wish there was nothing of this sort to weigh in on, here I am. I have to speak because the George Floyd and all the George Floyds of the world deserve it. Why did I not want to broach this subject? It’s just so painful.
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Conquering coronavirus fear: It won't just go away (5/26/20)Lockdowns are ending as states are loosening restrictions resulting from the Chinese coronavirus. Missouri opened things up a couple of weeks ago. Some are uncomfortable or even downright fearful but are doing their best to resume activities. Then there are those who are not. It is to that latter group I speak...
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Don't believe the [non]hype: It's not too late (5/19/20)"Don't believe the hype!" We've all heard that expression. But what about the [non]hype? How many of us believe that? I challenge each of us, instead, to reject it and do the thing we think is too big, too late, too good to be true. Hyping, to keep it simple, is exaggerating. ...
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Ahmaud Arbery's death proves one thing: Race is complicated (5/12/20)The race issue is a complicated one, even in 2020. Ahmaud Arbery brings this truth to the forefront, reminding me that most things, excuse the pun, are not black and white -- but that's not a prerequisite for justice. When a black man is shot by a white man, immediately, allegations of racism are hurled. ...
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'Me too' Biden hypocrisy should offend you too (5/5/20)I don't know if Joe Biden did it or not -- sexually assault Tara Reade, I mean. What I do know is that hypocrisy turns my stomach. You, too? So Me Too, please hear this. The "believe every woman" Me Too folks do just that -- believe every woman -- if doing so helps their agenda. But they dismiss every woman who hurts their chances of hurting President Donald Trump's chances -- which is their ultimate desire, decency be darned...
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King of confusion Coronavirus response defies common sense (4/28/20)Corona means crown, which makes sense because it's definitely presented itself as the king of confusion. So many mixed messages, and I know I'm not alone when I say that enough is enough. I'm all about taking precautions and using wisdom, but I'm not into ridiculousness, and there's plenty of that right now...
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Post-coronavirus: Businesses won't survive doing business-as-usual (4/21/20)I have thought and prayed quite a bit for businesses as the nation endures the effects of the coronavirus. Many have suffered great loss due to mandatory closures, and others have closed shop for good. In the blink of an eye, life has changed for business owners, who, like the rest of us, did not see this coming. ...
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Coronavirus creates chaos for high school seniors, but there's hope (4/14/20)Children grow up with this moment in mind. They watch their older siblings experiencing it, join with family members preparing for it and even see old pictures of their parents enjoying it. And now that it's their turn, the C-word seems to have ruined it. The senior year, with all of its long-awaited end-of-the-year festivities, has come to a halt for many...
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Celebrating Easter during the coronavirus crisis (4/7/20)Unless something changes in the next few days, this will be an Easter like no one has ever experienced, just as it was a Palm Sunday like no other. The reason for the season is Jesus, of course, as Easter is a celebration of His resurrection. It's also the emergence of spring, vibrant colors and renewal. The coronavirus cloud now hanging over us, however, puts a damper on the usual ways we celebrate, so it's going to take intentionality not to cave to the chaos and its ensuing emotions...
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Women's history month ends, but your honor remains (3/31/20)This is the last day of Women's History Month, and I want to take a moment to show some love to women. What would we do without the mothers, aunties, grandmas, and friends who add value to our lives? Celebrating sisters shouldn't require a disclaimer, but I'll give one anyway because men are often overlooked, the evidence of which is obvious when we compare the vast attention given to Mother's Day to the scant Father's Day focus. ...
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Coronavirus: Best of times, worst of times (3/24/20)Charles Dickens might have been talking about today rather than the 1700s. His classic "A Tale of Two Cities" begins with the words many of us have heard so often we could quote them in our sleep: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." So it is during this coronavirus pandemic that has swept home and abroad...
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Bernie and Biden: The politicians' mouths are moving (3/17/20)Question: "How do you know a politician is lying?" Answer: "His mouth is moving." You've probably heard this before. It's somebody's way of saying you can't trust anything a politician says. But every once in a while, one comes along who means exactly what he says -- which is the problem. Say "hello" (and soon "goodbye") to Sen. Bernie Sanders...
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2020 Ticket: 'Has to be a woman' (3/10/20)Do we owe it to a woman to make sure she's on the ticket to be President of the United States, or should we just concentrate on who is best qualified to lead -- be it man or woman? Martin Luther King addressed racism when he articulated his dream that his "four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." I imagine he also would have wanted his two daughters to be judged by their character also, rather than their gender. ...
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Democrat debate: Save the black folk (3/3/20)Since I filed this column, three "contestants" -- Tom Steyer, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar --have departed the game show stage. Watching Tuesday night's South Carolina Democratic debate was rather fascinating. Actually, it was more of a cross between nauseating and irritating. By irritating, I mean like skin irritating -- kind of made me itch -- in between laughs...
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If adulting were easy, more adults would do it (2/25/20)Adulting isn't easy. If it were, more adults would do it. Now, I've never been a fan of the term. In fact, "adulting" gets under my skin, but I'm in a season of life that has caused me to see that at times, it's the best description of the responsibilities many of us face. And just because one has reached 18 years of age or 25 or 30 or any of the ages we've designated as landmarks of maturity, doesn't mean he or she is engaged in taking on those responsibilities -- of adulting...
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'Black Boy' and 'Black Girl' are not their names (2/18/20)Sometimes, your tribute is not a tribute at all. Lately, I've seen folks supposedly paying homage but, in reality, revealing ignorance. It reminds me of the saying "Don't do me no favors." Two outlets stand out in my mind -- one this year and one from 2018 that has resurfaced...
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State of the Union shame/sham (2/11/20)The conversations following last week's State of the Union address are mostly about a shortened introduction, a hand unshaken and a shredded speech. Are you kidding me? I mean, how old are these people who want to be respected as leaders of our country?...
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Kobe 'Mamba' Mentality: 24 Lessons from No. 24 (2/4/20)I'm not going to write a whole lot this week. I could, but I can't -- not yet. It's too surreal, too raw to say too much. I loved Kobe Bryant. Many times, I've shared my reaction to the first time I ever saw this kid play -- this teenager, who went from high school straight to the NBA: "This is the closest to Michael Jordan we've ever seen," I said. ...
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President Trump, issues — not insults (1/28/20)I've got a name for name-calling: childishness. I'm convinced, however, that more grown folks engage in it than children, especially in politics. "Pencil Neck Adam Schiff." "Mini Mike Bloomberg." "Fauxcahontas Elizabeth Warren." "Racist Fill in the Blank with a Republican name." The list goes on. ...
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A pet, not an experiment (1/21/20)Today, I'm advocating for animals because they cannot advocate for themselves -- and I love them enough to do it for them. Owning a pet is a selfless act because, let's face it, pet ownership is not just a joy; it's a responsibility. Most people understand that. What they may not understand is that not owning a pet is often a selfless act also...
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From Harry and Meg to us: Break free from Big Brother bondage (1/14/20)News broke last week that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are stepping away from the royal palace and pursuing life -- and independence -- elsewhere, reportedly in Canada. This, of course, upsets the order of things and has many around the world abuzz with speculation of why, what for and what not. I don't have the specifics. The only thing royal about me is that I'm a child of the King of kings, so I don't have any more insight than most people on this issue, but I do have some thoughts...
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Absurd and abominable: Trump wants to 'start a war to distract from impeachment' (1/7/20)I got fed up with politics some time ago, and times like these remind me why. The barrage of responses to President Trump's order to kill Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani is expected. But the accusations that he did so to distract from impeachment proceedings are ridiculous and disheartening...
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2020 vision board (12/31/19)A new year has snuck up on us. “Snuck up”? you ask. Not possible: it comes every year. Same time. True, but man, 2019 flew by, didn’t it? The older I get, the faster time flies, and in the metaphoric blink of an eye, we stare into the face of 2020. What do we see?...
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Lamentation is not loyalty: give yourself permission to celebrate (12/17/19)Holidays are a time to celebrate, but they are also a difficult time for many. Instead of rejoicing, some are lamenting loved ones who have passed and reflecting on the traditions that passed with them. This Christmas, it is my prayer that even those who have suffered great loss will give themselves permission to enjoy the holiday. ...
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This Christmas, my friends don't know me (12/10/19)"I don't know you anymore," my friend joked. I had to laugh because I'm starting to wonder if even I know me anymore. 'Tis the season for most to embrace the festivities, the lights, the snow, but not I -- until this year. Look, I'm no Scrooge. I'm no Christmas "hatah." I enjoy seeing the decorations, the pictures of snowfalls (from afar!), the rainbow colors. ...
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Sex with students is not on my teaching resume (12/3/19)How did I manage to avoid having sex with my students during a career that spanned nearly two decades? A facetious and rhetorical question, but with each passing week, it’s one that merits asking. Unfortunately, refraining from such inappropriate behavior reveals itself as more of an accomplishment than simply an expectation...
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Meant for more than Popeyes chicken, Jordan sneakers (11/26/19)I'm a little late to the Popeyes debacle. Only recently did I hear about fights breaking out over -- that's right! -- a chicken sandwich. I'm all about good food, but really? So the backstory, I hear, is that Popeyes created a sandwich that's obviously to die for because some people actually have -- at least one. ...
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All-in or hands off (11/19/19)I returned from New York on Monday. My method of travel was airplane, and, as usual, security was a major responsibility of the TSA. Everyone needs to be safe, so guidelines must be followed. The running joke between those in my circle and myself is that there must be a note on my forehead that says to pull me over and pat me down. ...
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'Harriet,' the movie: 'This is what purpose looks like' (11/12/19)You have got to see it. I’m not a big movie person. It’s rare that I’ll watch one, much less recommend one. But “Harriet” is one you’ve got to see. A week ago, I went to see this movie based on the life of Harriet Tubman, a slave, runaway, abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad. It’s incredible...
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Acquire coffee's acquired taste (11/5/19)A column about coffee? Who does that? Well, until now, I certainly had not, but I realize the subject is not as silly as some would think. Folks are serious about their coffee, which was confirmed for me even more last week. So depending on where you fall on the spectrum, you'll either find value in this article or wonder why I'm not writing about "really important" things going on, like the nonsense in a place called D. ...
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My tears are talking (10/29/19)I find myself back in this place periodically, tears sneaking up on me. I'll be minding my own business, doing what I do. When you do what I do for a living, running smack into tragedy is par for the course. My full-time job as an editor for a major news and politics website entails publishing articles about happenings all over the world -- too much of it sad. You'd think I'd be used to it by now. Apparently not -- and God forbid that ever happens...
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This is what God looks like (10/22/19)Imagine being in debt due to medical bills. Some don't have to imagine; they're living it. Now, imagine that debt being forgiven due to the generosity of others, the generosity of a church that was moved to contribute to the debt cancellation of people they don't even know. That's the love of God, and that's what Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau demonstrated...
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This is what matters (10/15/19)I cannot seem to get away from them. Reminders of the things that matter scream at me from every direction lately, and what matters aren't so much what I find people spending their time on. What matters are the things we often take for granted: the relationships we have, the ones we're working to build and the legacy we want to leave...
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How old is too old to run for president? (10/8/19)Should there be an age limit to run for President of the United States? The question came to me after learning of Sen. Bernie Sanders' heart procedure. Just last week, I wrote about my own age and various accomplishments in my late 40s. Let's take a look now at age as it relates to running for the highest office in the land, though. Same concept -- or totally different story?...
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Five reflections of my 48th year (10/1/19)Forty-nine years old? When did that happen? I mean, was it not just yesterday I was 21 crossing the stage at college graduation, then 25 walking into the classroom for the first time as a teacher? Ah, I think I remember now: This 49-year-old-thing began when I turned 30 and found myself depressed that I had left my youth behind. But now that I just turned 49 a few days ago, let me share that growing old ain't all bad. I'm just getting started really, and I hope you are, too...
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See You at the Pole: What would happen if? (9/24/19)Prayer changes things. It's more than a slogan. Many of us have witnessed it in our own lives. We can testify God does truly answer prayer. Time and time again, I've seen God move when people pray, and there's something extra special when young people pray. On Wednesday, multitudes will do just that once again as they gather around school flagpoles for the annual See You at the Pole...
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Biden's teeth set mine on edge (9/17/19)Being in the spotlight is a crazy thing. Many look at the lives of famous people and desire to live as they do -- the fame, the fortune, the fan base; it all sounds wonderful -- until it's not. Take Joe Biden, for example. Thursday night's Democratic presidential debate reminds us of how tough it is to be out front. ...
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Banning ‘willful defiance’ suspensions doesn’t help black students (9/10/19)Add California to the list of those committed to "helping" -- with a special focus on providing that "help" to "students of color." Once again, I beg: "Stop 'helping.'" Senate Bill 419 will ban the state's schools from suspending K-8 public and charter school students, as well as grades 9-12 students until 2025 for "willful defiance." This would be an expansion of an existing ban for K-3...
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Pulling the wool off of black sheeps' eyes (9/3/19)It must be tough feeling the need to apologize for and/or repeatedly explain something. This is rampant among politicians who use black people to make gains in the polls by “humbly” going through those motions. We black folks are stepping stones to success, apparently. So why don’t I feel honored?...
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Grow up and slow down (8/27/19)If folks would police themselves, they wouldn't have to be policed. Instead, they won't do right unless someone is waving a badge -- or a stick -- at them. Maybe it's human nature. Most likely, it's immaturity. Whatever it is, I'm finding it to be true in my new living surroundings, as people refuse to drive through this subdivision with any measure of responsibility...
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Three signs you're a political drug addict (8/20/19)Some people are clueless about politics, which is ill-advised; not long ago, I was one of those people. Some stay informed about politics, which is wise. And some smoke politics like an addict smokes weed, which is downright scary. That last group merits attention...
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'I don't know' has got to go (8/13/19)The unpardonable sin of customer service may be summed up in three words: “I don’t know.” Mounted on every wall in every store, office and college dorm throughout the country, if not the world, should be a sign that reads, “‘I don’t know’ with a period on the end is never acceptable. Find the answer.” Teach this rule to young people, and demand they abide by it...
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Pray for victims' loved ones and those using pain for politics (8/6/19)America is reeling again from violence resulting in the deaths of people who were just going about their business. And, as is par for the course, we are witnessing more politicizing of these senseless tragedies. I have not engaged the media in hours of coverage after the shooting at an El Paso Walmart on Saturday and outside a nightclub in Dayton, Ohio, early Sunday morning. ...
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Political lesson from a slimy snake (7/30/19)Everyone has something that challenges them. I hesitate to call it fear because there's such stigma attached to that word, but we each have something that we shun because it makes us uncomfortable. I had to deal with that last week. A month ago, I bought a house. ...
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They asked: "Do you think Trump is a racist?" (7/23/19)"Do you think Trump is a racist?" I was asked twice last week. Several others engaged me in conversation about the president's "racism." The short answer is no. I do not believe the president is a racist any more than the celebs who were in love with him and tried to get in his good graces before he ran for office as a Republican believed he was a racist...
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AOC plays race card -- and loses (7/16/19)I believe in freedom of speech. I also believe in using it wisely and calling out those who do not. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC, as she is called, gives ample opportunities for such calling-out. Since she has stepped into office, I have asked myself many times if there needs to be a silent-time mandate for new people in Congress -- a time when new legislators just sit and listen, learn something. ...
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Fourth of July protests just more anti-Trump antics (7/9/19)The Fourth of July is supposed to be fun, isn't it? Fun and reflective. We get together with family and friends, barbecue, watch fireworks, listen to Lee Greenwood sing "Proud to Be an American." But something has changed. What I once observed as a unifying event where Americans actually did seem proud, I now see something disturbing...
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My top 5 Democratic debate takeaways (7/2/19)I wasn't sure I would do it. While staying abreast, of course, of what is going on politically, I have had no interest in the last year of steeping myself fully into the mix-mess. I ended up doing it, though: I watched the second half of the first Democratic presidential primary debate Wednesday night and all of the second debate on Thursday. Not much has changed since my semi-leave of absence. There I was again, caught up and commenting on social media...
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The law of diminishing intent (6/25/19)Have you ever heard of the law of diminishing intent? I asked this question on social media last week, and while I received feedback from a few, I didn't hear back from many -- which tells me what I already knew: most don't know what it is, although most are living it out every day...
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It's time to let them go, but how? (6/18/19)This is the time of year we focus our attention on high school graduates, as across the nation, students have either just walked across the stage or are about to. Words of wisdom, gifts, and prayers -- appreciated and much needed -- extend from us to them, but maybe we should widen our lenses and bestow the same on another group just as needy during this time...
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Adrienne's top 10 laws of communication (6/11/19)Communication has gone downhill big time. I used to think it was mainly the younger folks who no longer understood the basics, but I've learned that poor communication has become an equal opportunity oppressor. So I dedicate today to some principles that every one of us should apply...
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Does your dad deserve better? (6/4/19)Fathers get the short end of the stick every year. Father's Day hardly gets the hype Mother's Day does. So I decided to do my part early to help dads get some much-deserved recognition. On Mother's Day, moms get showered with flowers, candy, dinner, and gifts people have spent weeks, at least, contemplating. ...
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Politics outweighs faith in spouse selection (5/28/19)I ran across a Pew Research article published recently breaking down “8 facts about love and marriage in America.” One of them really jumped out at me — the willingness people possess to compromise their faith but not their politics. “Sizable minorities of married people are members of a different religious group than their partner, but marriages and partnerships across political party lines are relatively rare,” A.W. Geiger and Gretchen Livingston wrote...
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Tlaib comments, though inartful, taken out of context (5/21/19)I'm not her fan, and I'm not a Democrat, but I don't take stands based on fandom or political parties. I take stands based on what is right, and I'm not afraid to oppose wrong, like the attack on Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib's Holocaust comments. Republicans are slamming her for her "antisemitic" remarks. This is the kind of stuff that turns me off from politics. We could roll out a plethora of crazy things Tlaib has said, but let's stay in the moment...
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You ain't black enough,' says the 'black police' (5/14/19)What do you do when the Black Police come knocking? No, not black police -- the Black Police, the self-appointed officers patrolling the streets, airwaves and Internet for Black Code violators. With the goal "to serve and protect," -- Who? -- they make their presence and authority known...
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Can a woman teach a man? (5/7/19)Mother’s Day is approaching, and there may be no better time to dive into this subject, which I open up with a question: Can men learn from a woman, or is that reserved for baby boys learning to walk, middle-schoolers learning in English class and teenagers learning to cook — with it all ending at graduation?...
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Out with the new, in with Joe Biden (4/30/19)Joe Biden is running for president. The list of Democrat candidates is growing, and with all the choices, the former vice president is soaring at the top of the polls. But why? The announcement Thursday was no shock. None of these announcements are anymore. ...
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Go ahead: Waste my time (4/23/19)You have probably seen studies about the number of hours, days or years we would get back if we had eliminated or added this or that in our lives. Various scenarios flash across our awareness as we realize how much time we spend -- and waste. Perhaps it's the combination of my advancing age and busy schedule that cause these things to stand out to me...
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Student silenced for supporting Trump (4/16/19)Another example of wiping noses and changing diapers in our public schools occurred last week, as a school in New Hampshire put the kibosh on a students' right to freely express herself. This begs the question -- again: Who are we raising -- young people who can thrive in the world or wusses who fall into a fetal position when offended?...
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Women's NCAA Championship brings foul line flashbacks (4/9/19)What a great weekend for women's athletics, as the NCAA Final Four saw defending champion Notre Dame take down UCONN in a repeat of last year's Final Four. It doesn't get much sweeter than that -- unless you're Baylor, who then took down defending champion Notre Dame in the championship...
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Overweight need not apply: what do you think? (4/2/19)"I don't hire overweight people. They're undisciplined." How do you respond to someone who says that? This is a sensitive subject, which is why I've wanted to write about it for some time, and it's also why I've hesitated to write about it. It's something that has intrigued me enough, though, to give the edge to opening it up for discussion...
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Do not embrace the hate (3/26/19)"What the heck is wrong with people?" I asked myself aloud after learning of the hateful words spoken to conservative commentator Eric Bolling last week. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does -- something so inhuman, it shakes you to your core as I was shaken when I learned what occurred at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday...
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The one thing before I die (3/19/19)Tragedy rocked the world as dozens were killed and many wounded when a gunman attacked mosque attendees in New Zealand last week. These acts of violence are all too common, certainly not surprising anymore, but nonetheless jarring. This isn't a column about the sadness of this situation, although it obviously is. ...
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S/heroes among us (3/12/19)Women's History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the many achievements of women and the gains they have made. Are you looking for women to honor this month? You don't have to look far. No doubt, some are thinking the same thing they think during Black History Month. ...
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Jussie Smollett's modern-day lynching (2/26/19)By now, you've heard. Actor Jussie Smollett allegedly staged an anti-gay, racist attack against himself. Happy Black History Month. Now that I've gotten the obligatory "allegedly" out of the way, let me dispense with the word, and let's just say it's, um, implied throughout...
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What kind of person wants to be president? (2/19/19)Presidential candidates galore -- and we have barely gotten started. The prelude to 2020 is shaping up to mirror the 2016 campaign in which about 20 Republicans threw their hats in the ring to succeed Barack Obama. But what kind of person actually wants to be president?...
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Honoring Coach Kitchen: He's still winning (2/12/19)I stood in line at Christ Church of the Heartland on Friday for well over an hour in the crowd wrapping around the inside of the church. We were there to honor the life of Terry Kitchen, affectionately known to all as "Coach." This larger than life man, taken from us too soon, has touched more lives than most people dream. ...
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PORCH and its mission to rebuild a community (2/5/19)You ever miss the good old days? You know, the days when folks sat out on their front porches drinking lemonade, or whatever they had in those glasses, talking to neighbors and laughing. I was reminded on Friday how precious -- and far-gone -- those times are and how needed they are now...
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Legal: Killing babies and their mommas on New York altars (1/29/19)New York's new abortion law is beyond despicable. Really, how else can we describe it? Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who set this in motion, and the lawmakers who sanctioned it should be ashamed -- and those who voted for them should be experiencing deep regret...
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Donald Trump's 'racist' menu (1/22/19)I must be the biggest racist ever -- based on its recent definition. If I'm having a gathering at my house, attendees can be assured of two things: 1) I'll be serving up something quick and easy, like pizza, and 2) I'll be serving up something quick and easy, like pizza. Don't bother rereading; you read it right the first time. Okay, and some wings. I just learned, though, that makes me a racist...
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'Pro-life is pro-science' (1/15/19)Brave warriors hit Washington, D.C., in January to participate in one of the greatest causes of our lifetime — the March for Life. Thousands gather and peacefully make their voices heard for the unborn. This year marks the 46th march and is this week, on Friday...
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Welcome to 2019: Swearing-in, then cussing out (1/8/19)What are you expecting in this new year? Have you thought about it? I'm not talking about another resolution, although if that works for you, go for it. I'm talking about expectations, and I hope yours are not rooted in politicians or the political system because, if so, you've already lost...
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Five lessons 2018 taught me (12/31/18)We have reached the end of the year, and I have learned a few things along the way. I fancy myself to think that what I've learned can be helpful to you as you close out 2018 and look expectantly to the year to come. I gladly share five lessons from my own experience. Happy New Year!...
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The 'underordinary' Christmas story (12/24/18)Christmas is tomorrow, so I take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you have plans with family, friends and food. As for me, I’ll be working, but I’ve decided to be jovial nonetheless. Why? Because I’m making a conscious decision to do so — to allow the reason for the season to also be my reason to rejoice...
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Christmas is ... when? (12/18/18)I write this laughing at myself, but I do issue a serious challenge at the end. I realized a week ago, "Oh, my goodness! Christmas in two weeks away from today!" The revelation nearly knocked me over. How did that happen? While I had picked up a few items, not only was I not done shopping; I wasn't even done figuring what to shop for. The "most wonderful time of the year" can be so ... not-wonderful...
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Presidents cross the aisle for George H.W. Bush funeral (12/11/18)Former President George H.W. Bush was laid to rest last week. The nation mourned his loss, particularly those closest to him: his family and friends, who regarded him as more than the 41st President of the United States; they saw him as a model husband, father, and grandfather. However, the rest of us were privileged to see him on Wednesday as a unifier...
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The politics of 'hatred' and 'right-wing terrorism' (12/4/18)Somebody cue former President Barack Obama and Sen. Elizabeth Warren: The words we speak and the words we embrace have huge implications, and being responsible with both is essential. Hiding behind freedom of speech doesn't change that, either. Former President Barack Obama used his First Amendment last week at Rice University in Houston, Texas, to suggest that a shift has occurred in which "you start getting politics that's based on, 'That person's not like me, and it must be their fault,' and you start getting a politics based on a nationalism that's not pride in country, but hatred for somebody on the other side of the border.". ...
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Remaining thankful beyond the holiday feast (11/27/18)Most find it easy to be thankful on Thanksgiving, and I hope you found that to be so last Thursday. Surrounded by family, friends, and food, we feel the warmth of the day, the kindness of strangers, the joy of the fast-approaching Christmas season. Something about the day puts a smile on our faces and makes it effortless when it's our turn at the table to cite reasons for being thankful...
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Is a president 'owed' respect? (11/20/18)President Trump has been calling out the media for most of his presidency, but things escalated last week when he and CNN reporter Jim Acosta had a heated exchange that resulted in the revocation of Acosta's White House press pass. Since then, a judge ordered Acosta's credentials returned, but let me ask a question that really is the foundation of this whole thing: Is the president of the United States owed respect simply because of the office he holds?...
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Scream 'God, help us!' (11/13/18)"God, help us!" I want to scream this at the top of my lungs off of every rooftop. The unhinged reactions -- nay, the hatred -- people are displaying over political disagreements is, at the very least, concerning, but, more than that, it's downright frightening...
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Make a difference this time around (11/6/18)It’s that time of year again — time for people to shop for Christmas presents, make their own list of wants and lose weight so they can gain it back in the next two months during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. There’s much I do not care for at this time of year — the pushing, shoving, rushing around, the commercialism. But one thing I do love is the opportunity to give to those who are less fortunate, ...
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What really matters (10/30/18)I start with an admission: This particular column is hard to write. It's much easier to pour out pieces that only touch the surface, external words that are like rain hitting the dirt but not penetrating. It's more difficult to be personally vulnerable and transparent. ...
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Take the challenge to find defiant joy (10/23/18)When was the last time you intentionally participated in something that would add joy to your life? When did you shun negativity in favor of the positive? Or do you see such conscious decisions as weird things weird people do? I invite you to take the challenges that were issued to me last week...
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Kavanaugh 'crime' lesson: hurting people hurt people (10/16/18)"Hurting people hurt people." I first heard this years ago in the church. It was true then, and it is no less true today. I've seen it play out often, and the political upheaval we see today highlights it. Unless you are completely disengaged from what is going on in the nation (and if you were, you wouldn't be reading this right now), you see the ongoing shenanigans surrounding the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. ...
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Kavanaugh confirmed, but chaos continues (10/9/18)The Senate confirmed Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday. What a process it was, though. Sexual assault, gang rape and perjury allegations were all part of a process that resembled something of a soap opera, rather than a call to serve on the highest court of the land. ...
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Lindsey Graham calls out Kavanaugh 'sham' (10/2/18)I wrote last week that there was no current evidence to believe Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford. After her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, my position has not changed. I still have no respect for the idea that one person is entitled to belief when that means another person is entitled to disbelief without proof. ...
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Current reasons to believe Kavanaugh's accuser (9/25/18)If I had my druthers, you would be looking at a blank space. Instead of reading these words, you would have found nothing under the headline "Current Reasons to Believe Kavanaugh's Accuser." Just a big empty space. Why? Because there are no reasons to believe Christine Blasey Ford -- not yet anyway. ...
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Slaying cyber sissies (9/18/18)Isn't it interesting just how brave people hiding behind their computers can be? I mean, there's just no cause they won't stand up for and no person they won't take down with their words -- as long as they have that screen to guard them and no one to challenge them. The problem for them is if you do challenge them, cowards turn tail and run...
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Mr. President, we welcome you (9/11/18)President Donald Trump will visit Cape Girardeau in just two days to rally for Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, who is running against Claire McCaskill for the U.S. Senate. No matter our political parties, I hope we can all agree having a sitting president grace our area is sort of a big deal...
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In search of Sarah Palin (9/4/18)It may be hard to believe I had already been mulling over this topic and am not writing in response to anything, but it’s true. For weeks, maybe a couple of months, I have considered writing it, thought I was ready for it, pushed it back after the death of Sen. John McCain. ...
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Killing McCain -- because politics is their god (8/28/18)Sen. John McCain passed away Saturday. The senator from Arizona had been battling brain cancer. My heart and prayers go out to his family. My prayers also go out to the people who have used his death to be cruel and score political points. Hiding behind social media to demean and devalue has become the norm. How does one live with himself when he jumps on someone's death to speak ill of him? It makes me sick to my stomach...
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Missouri soldiers enlisting in army of the lord (8/21/18)Our military deserve the utmost respect -- for all they do, for the price they pay, for the sacrifice they make. Yes, they sacrifice so much for us, so it is exciting to hear how many of the lives of troops in Missouri are being transformed by the sacrifice that was made for them...
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Trump: racist or equal opportunity insulter? (8/14/18)I like that President Trump is willing to fight. Fight the mayors' intent on maintaining so-called sanctuary cities. Fight the Chinese with tariffs for trying to take advantage of the United States economically. Fight Turkey for the release of Andrew Brunson, the American pastor held there since 2016. But please -- please! -- stop fighting LeBron James...
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Learn the skill of stepping away (8/7/18)Vacation has not been "a thing" for me throughout most of my years. I didn't grow up going on vacation annually like many families. I remember going to South Carolina twice during my elementary school years, but that's it. I still have never been to Disney World or Disneyland or whatever other Disneys there are. ...
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Climb into his skin and walk around in it (7/31/18)"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view -- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This is one of my favorite lines from "To Kill a Mockingbird." And everyone knows how much I Iove that book...
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Whoopi vs. Pirro: Spare us the View (7/24/18)Blowing up, cussing folks out and kicking guests out of the building are definitely not the way to show you're not suffering from some type of "derangement." It is, however, the way to prove you are. I'm talking about Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of "The View." The diagnosis is acute chronic derangement of the Donald Trump type -- in layman's terms, Trump Derangement Syndrome...
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Serena plays -- and wins -- 'for all the moms out there' (7/17/18)Serena Williams almost did it. Her run at another Wimbledon Grand Slam title just ten months after giving birth to her daughter was nothing short of remarkable. I love the Williams sisters. I've watched Serena and Venus play tennis ever since their teenage years donning beaded braids, looking like they had just stepped off the bus from Compton, which, pretty much, they had...
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Beating down the old, jacking up the young (7/10/18)Remember the time when people had respect for human life? Seems like a lifetime ago -- or science fiction. I am appalled at how little value human life and decency have in today's society. Something has gone terribly wrong. Last week, a 92-year-old man taking a walk was knocked to the ground by a woman with a child, whereupon she and four men attacked him, beating him with a piece of concrete. ...
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Free indeed (7/3/18)Everyone reading this, I imagine, observes the Fourth of July and is eagerly awaiting Wednesday's festivities (or is dreading it because it comes with family gatherings that sometimes provide more reasons to pull apart than get together, but I digress). The tradition, of course, is rooted in celebrating the Declaration of Independence and freedom from British rule...
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Winning arguments, losing humanity (6/26/18)Some folks love winning their arguments even if it means losing their humanity. The need to win at all costs is not confined to a particular arena, such as sports; its rampancy in politics, therefore, should surprise no one. Immigration has long been a source of conversation and was ramped up on June 16, 2015, when Donald Trump announced his candidacy and immediately caused furor with his comments about illegal immigrants -- comments that have been taken out of context ever since. ...
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Mourning the loss social media wrought (6/19/18)I have always been an old-school kind of a girl. I've been called an old soul even when I was a young 'un. And, lately, I think the evidence is piling up. I miss the days when people spoke in complete sentences, said, "Good morning" and asked, "How are you?" Now, I know it's been years -- if it ever happened -- since people who asked how someone is doing actually waited for a reply. ...
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Sports and politics need a divorce (6/12/18)Sports and politics are a large part of American culture; I understand that, but I'm fed up with the marriage of the two. Wasn't there a time when we tuned into athletics to enjoy healthy competition, cheer for our favorite teams, and get away from the seriousness of life we're forced to confront every day? Not that we don't take our sports seriously. We do. But it's a different kind of serious...
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Roseanne Barr: Racist or just rude? (6/5/18)NOTE: Several days elapsed between the start of writing this column and its completion. Take a journey with me as my thoughts ebb and flow and questions form. If you're expecting me to defend Roseanne Barr, you're going to be disappointed. I don't like when people play the race card, I don't like when people purposely use other people's words to trap them, and I don't like when people see racism at every turn -- but Roseanne did this to herself...
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Thank you to our fallen military heroes (5/29/18)I was taught many lessons growing up that have served me well. One was to always say, “Thank you.” It’s a lesson I’ve used all my life. Memorial Day is no exception. In fact, it is one of the most significant days to reflect and express a thankful heart...
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Leftists gang up on Trump's 'Animals' (5/22/18)It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. You've heard it before, and it still rings true. You're playing games, media. You're toying with people's emotions with your faux outrage over your fake news. All along, you knew good and well President Trump was not speaking about all immigrants when he used the term "animals" to describe MS-13 gang members -- and if you didn't, it's because you're too blinded by hate to see -- or hear -- clearly...
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'Sorry' can't fix this (5/15/18)When was the last time something reminded you how fragile life is? For me, it was a little more than a week ago. A 44-year-old friend left his home for a walk and never returned. Just like that, he was gone. Originally, the report was that a distracted, texting driver hit and killed Steve Flesher of Illinois. ...
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Boy Scouts: What's in a name? (5/8/18)Some things guys need other guys for -- without girls. It's why a father occasionally plans a guys' day with his son. They need that time--just the boys. Can't they have that? Apparently, not in the Boy Scouts. In fact, some Boy Scouts can't even just be Boy Scouts anymore. A name change is forthcoming to demonstrate that "let boys be boys" is now passe...
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Kanye West won't be their slave (5/1/18)Excuse the bad English, but why folks hatin' on Kanye West? Y'all know the answer. Folks drinking the Haterade because Kayne done stepped off their plantation -- or they just now realized he was never on their plantation to begin with. Please note: I'm no Kanye fan, so these thoughts don't come from a fan sticking up for the object of her affection. I'm no fan, and there's no affection, but I do call it like I see it...
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Are black parents raising victims or victors? (4/24/18)This is likely to touch some nerves, but I am not averse to offering thoughts that cause people to react. Too many don't think deeply enough. Instead, we take things for granted, see the status quo as the way things must be and never question mindsets we've held all of our lives...
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Are we Facebook phonies or Zuckerberg zombies? (4/17/18)Are we phonies -- you know, charlatans? It's a horrible thing to even suggest, as "phony" cannot be contorted into anything positive, not even by the most masterful wordsmiths. But is it true? Last week, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was the center of attention, spending Tuesday in a hearing before the Senate's Commerce and Judiciary Committees and Wednesday taking questions from the House Energy and Commerce Committee. ...
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God ain't picking your fruit (4/10/18)Someone attempted to school me last week about my column on March Madness. Paraphrased, it was a "We should be concerned about morality and faith rather than sports" comment. While I have respect for people's opinions, mindsets like that really set me off...
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Women make me mad (4/3/18)I always get annoyed this time of year. Every single year. I know I shouldn't. I should be used to it by now, but I'm not. I'm talking about March Madness; how women are treated during this time makes me ... mad. As a basketball enthusiast, I have played the game against guys and girls. ...
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Resurrecting hope: An Easter invitation (3/27/18)Sunday is Easter, or Resurrection Day as I call it. It comes early this year, but it's right on time. Easter is an appropriate time to take a look at what matters most, and we sure need the reflection. For Christians, the resurrection is the most powerful aspect of our faith. ...
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Turning pupils into protesters (3/20/18)Is it my imagination or are children being used to promote an agenda? I don't think it's my imagination, and I don't like it. On March 14, students across the nation participated in school walkouts on the one-month anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 innocents were murdered by Nikolas Cruz. Yes, students are rising up and speaking out...
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Joy makes peace with Pence (3/13/18)Joy Behar, co-host of ABC's "The View," has reportedly apologized to Vice President Mike Pence for disparaging his Christian faith, equating it with "mental illness." Behar's apology came via a personal telephone call to Pence, during which she apparently acknowledged the error of her ways. Recently, on the television talk show, Behar said, "It's one thing to talk to Jesus. It's another thing when Jesus talks to you. That's called mental illness, if I'm not correct -- hearing voices."...
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Well done, Billy Graham (3/6/18)Rev. Billy Graham was laid to rest on Friday. About 2,000 attended the funeral, and multitudes more watched it via livestream and television, many of whom had been touched by the ministry of "America's Pastor." Since his passing on Feb. 21, people have shared their stories of his imprint on their lives...
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Arming ‘underpaid, disrespected, and overstressed’ teachers (2/27/18)More details have trickled in about the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, the most disturbing of which, besides the shooting itself, is the allegation that four Broward County deputies were outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the massacre but did not enter. This should help us understand why President Trump spent last week emphasizing the need to have teachers armed inside of schools...
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Schools, unveil your plan to protect our kids (2/20/18)Another tragic school shooting has shaken the nation. Nineteen-year-old Nikolas Cruz allegedly entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Wednesday and took the lives of 17 innocent people, leaving families and a community shattered and investigators seeking answers. My heart and prayers go out to those who are hurting from the loss of life and those who are still fighting for their lives...
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Killing 'To Kill a Mockingbird' on the altar of comfort (2/13/18)Here we go again. Every once in a while, I have to deal with this topic: school districts deciding to remove "To Kill a Mockingbird" from their reading lists because people who totally miss the point complain about it. The newest complainant is a school district in Duluth, Minnesota. ...
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Shame on Congressional Black Caucus (2/6/18)The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) should be ashamed of themselves. They showed up at Tuesday's State of the Union address, donned in kente cloth to protest President Trump's alleged "s-hole" comment about African countries and Haiti. That part is fine, I suppose, if they think that helps. ...
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Unapologetically 'America First' (1/30/18)No woman marries a man because he promises to take care of other families first and then take care of theirs. No company hires an adviser who vows to counsel another business, then tend to theirs. And no homeowner hires a security officer who declares he will monitor the neighbor's house before guarding the home he is tasked with protecting. ...
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Do your principles trump Trump? (1/23/18)I am always amazed at how people respond -- or not -- depending on who is speaking, especially when it involves something we profess is significant to us. Do our passions dissipate when we don't like the person discussing them? Friday was the 45th Annual March for Life in Washington, DC, and President Donald Trump became the first sitting president to address the pro-life march live, delivering his remarks from the Rose Garden via satellite...
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Trump's 'hole' and other headlines (1/16/18)President Donald Trump found himself in unfamiliar territory last week as some on both sides of the aisle showered him with praise for the bipartisan immigration meeting he allowed the world to see. Media personalities used the term "unprecedented" and "remarkable." One even said he showed "command of the issues." Not everyone agrees with everything Trump has started saying about immigration, and some are downright angry at his "bill of love" comment; it reminds them of Jeb Bush's calling illegal immigration an "act of love" -- a comment Trump criticized. ...
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I quit: So long to soap opera politics (1/9/18)People have heard me say for years that my dream job is to one day be a White House press secretary or a politician's speechwriter. Nix that! I am growing increasingly fed up with politics. Or maybe it's just the politics of politics -- the soap opera-ness of it all -- that has turned my head...
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Start anew in the New Year (1/3/18)Whoever said the older you get, the faster time flies sure wasn't lying. Doesn't it seem like we just rang in 2017 an eye blink ago? And yet here we already are -- in 2018. Every new year elicits expectations of starting anew -- new beginnings, new opportunities, new horizons. ...
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Pot calls kettle a 'black ... prop' (12/27/17)I confess I pondered whether to write this because the dude apologized. But I've chosen to move ahead for two reasons: 1) it might enlighten others and 2) it doesn't seem he has learned his lesson. Last week was a major moment in the U.S, as President Donald Trump scored a victory when Congress signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and he signed it. ...
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'Ain't none of yo' birthday' (12/19/17)"Ain't none of yo' birthday." I've heard these words much of my life, spoken repeatedly by Aunt Alma. Translation of a southern aunt's dialect: "Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, not you!" Even as she made Christmas as special as possible for those around her, she made sure everyone, my siblings and I, in particular, knew the reason for the season...
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Don't let your political party ruin the Christmas party (12/12/17)There's something to be said for the art of avoidance, and if you haven't yet learned to master it, perhaps you'll gain some wisdom from me today, delivered lightheartedly. Grab a pen and paper, an iPad or even a typewriter if that's all you've got -- but for the love of all things holy, grab something and take notes on a subject that just might save your Christmas and maybe a relationship or two...
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Decent dudes, don't let the perverts prevail (12/5/17)All these sexual harassment and abuse allegations are enough to make one's head spin. Almost every day, we awake to another accusation or confession. Then there's the convoluted combination of both, which I call an accufession -- an accusation followed by an "I don't remember it the way she remembers it, but I'm sorry" confession. With all the craziness, I find myself contemplating how this affects the decent men among us...
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Letter to President Trump: Drop the Ball (11/28/17)I like a president with some fight in him, and President Donald Trump certainly has plenty of that. One of the common criticisms about former President George W. Bush was that he wasn't willing to push back. A criticism about former President Barack Obama was that he was too interested in being liked around the world to raise a fuss. President Trump cannot be accused of either, but is he choosing his battles wisely?...
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Because she's a woman (11/21/17)What a mess this whole sexual harassment stuff is: Roy Moore, Al Franken and even a revisit of allegations against Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. It appears the whole lot of humanity is just one huge helping of hormonal perversion. I wasn't there, so I don't know, but as an outside observer, based on Moore's interview with Sean Hannity, one would think that either he had to be lying or he just had to be telling the truth -- because no one could lie that bad. ...
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Guns in the house of God (11/14/17)My heart breaks for what happened in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Nov. 5. The senseless slaughter of people engaged in worship is just pure evil. I once again shake my head at the idea of a multitude of people being terrorized by one person because that one has a gun and the multitude does not...
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The Giver: From science fiction to nonfiction (11/7/17)Spoiler Alert: If you have never read The Giver by Lois Lowry and intend to do so, you don't want to read this article. Some science fiction is not so sci-fi-ey anymore. Take "The Giver" by Lois Lowry as an example. When I first started teaching that novel to seventh-graders 20 years ago, it was the most fascinating, entertaining, engaging -- and far-fetched book to which I could have exposed my students. It was great for classroom discussions. But reality? Not so much. Until recent years...
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Exploiting tragedy to excoriate Trump (10/24/17)I'm all about holding leaders' feet to the fire, even taking it to them hard if necessary. Being subject to a critical eye is part of their job, and it is our job as responsible citizens to hold them accountable. So yeah, I like it. What I don't like, however, is the abandonment of decency and truth for partisan political advantage. This is exactly what we are witnessing in this firestorm that Rep. Frederica Wilson has ignited with President Trump...
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Second Annual Freedom Fest a celebration of heroes (10/17/17)We're doing it again. Last year was the inaugural Freedom Fest at Christ Church of the Heartland in Cape Girardeau, an event to honor our first responders and to serve our community. No doubt, some of you attended. You ate. You laughed. You won prizes. ...
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Why evil will never win (10/10/17)It will never work. Not in America. Evil will never win because Americans are … well, Americans. Let me explain. We hear it repeatedly. Whether we’re talking about terrorism in the sense of an organized group perpetrating horrific acts or the looser definition of terrorism that involves a lone individual targeting people at a theater or church or concert, we hear that the goal is to incite fear, the result of which is a complete change in our way of life. ...
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I stand because I don't have to (10/3/17)I could go in a totally different direction with this column, but I feel to come from the positive rather than the negative perspective I could easily take. So much could be said, and so much has been said -- and I've said a lot of it myself. Much of it has been out of anger and frustration at the position people have chosen to take. Not today...
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The U.N. speech far-left liberals wanted Trump to give (9/26/17)President Trump delivered his first address to the United Nations General Assembly last Tuesday. While it received a plethora of praise, some far-left liberals were livid. How dare the president speak so strongly, utter "America first" and specifically call out North Korea? They would rather he had delivered a milquetoast message apologizing for our past, promising evil regimes our patience and denying our nation's prowess. ...
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Lessons from Venus (9/19/17)When you have spent about two decades following her career, cheering her on in front of a television screen, and admiring the class with which she experiences victory and defeat, the only thing that would be better than seeing Venus Williams live would be meeting her and shaking her hand. ...
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She killed herself (9/12/17)Eric Bolling, the former Fox News host, received the tragic news this weekend that his son, Eric Chase Bolling, 19, was found dead in his bed Friday afternoon. The 19-year-old was a student at the University of Colorado Boulder. The young man's death reportedly came shortly after his father parted ways with Fox News in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. ...
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When tragedy strikes (9/6/17)A tragedy has again caused the heart of America to beat with love and compassion. The worst circumstances have stirred the best in people, as we have seen repeatedly. Hurricane Harvey, with all its fury and devastation, has brought countless stories of selflessness and courage...
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You're worth the challenge (8/29/17)Americans are notorious for being incessantly on the go. We did not, after all, become the greatest nation on the face of the earth because our citizens sat back and did nothing. How many of us, however, have sacrificed our well-being for the American Dream we've been conditioned to pursue, then awoke to the realization that we need to take better care of ourselves? Count me as one. For me, this great awakening has manifested itself in something called the Cape Girardeau Boot Camp Challenge...
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Destroying our past won't perfect our present (8/22/17)We can talk about many things in the wake of the tragedy of Charlottesville, Virginia, and we have. It's been a week of talk and talk and more talk. With all our talk, however, I'm not sure we've reached any meaningful conclusions, but I am sure we are severely distracted in the process...
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Professor's 'stress-reduction' policy gets failing grade (8/15/17)Just in time for the school year to kick off, education took center stage as a professor attempted to implement a controversial policy. Common sense prevailed, but the idea that it was even a consideration is alarming and another example of our cultural decline...
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No tenure in Trump administration (8/8/17)The only job security in a President Trump administration isÂ…well, doing a good job -- or at least the job one is expected to do. I find this incredibly refreshing. As a teacher by profession, I have seen what such security -- also known as tenure -- looks like. It is and will always be a controversial subject. Every teacher knows at least one other teacher who, but for tenure, would have gotten the boot a long time ago...
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Class is in Sessions (8/1/17)What in the world is going on? That's not a new question in the President Trump era. People were asking that throughout his presidential campaign and many more times since his inauguration, but it certainly is a more pressing question now that he has chosen to use social media to berate Attorney General Jeff Sessions. So what is going on?...
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A week of takeaways from the news (7/25/17)What a week it has been in news and politics. So many takeaways. Let's start with the news that Sen. John McCain has been diagnosed with brain cancer. My heart goes out to the senator from Arizona, and he has my prayers. I have a bone to pick with how the media have handled the news. Never before have I seen such eulogizing of someone who was just diagnosed...
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Laying hands on President Trump (7/18/17)First things first Meeting and re-meeting some of you at my Barnes & Noble book signing Friday night was an honor. Thank you for the encouraging words, book purchases and continued support. Your kindness makes me want to push forward. n Last Tuesday, Johnnie Moore, president of The Kairos Company, tweeted a photograph of President Donald Trump surrounded by people praying for him in the Oval Office while laying hands on him. ...
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See you at Barnes & Noble Friday (7/11/17)You saved the date, and it's just a few days away. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Barnes & Noble book signing this Friday evening. Stop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. at the West Park Mall. On sale will be my three books, which include two #AuntAlma picture books and my inspirational work. ...
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'Children' choosing service over self (7/5/17)Parents are exercising their bragging rights by posting pictures of their children embarking on new seasons in their lives. It began as high school commencements approached and young men and women showed up in everyone's social media newsfeeds, compliments of their moms and dads oozing with pride. ...
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Wishing Hudson's class of 2017 well (6/27/17)I have been in New York state for more than a week. My old stomping grounds. I was honored to deliver the commencement address to Hudson City School District's (HCSD) class of 2017 on Friday. I taught in the district for more than 17 years, and many of the students who graduated Friday were in my class. ...
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His suicide, her responsibility? (6/20/17)NOTE: I put fingers to keyboard prior to the verdict in this case. The verdict has now been rendered. Read on for my pre-verdict thoughts, and read my "Followup" for my thoughts after the verdict. I am not a lawyer. I write this, therefore, not from the perspective of one deeply entrenched in the law, but as one immersed in common sense...
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Christians need not apply (6/13/17)Does former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders believe Christians should be disqualified from holding public office? It sure sounds like it. During a Senate Budget Committee hearing last week, he attacked Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's selection for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, suggesting that he is unfit for the position because, as a Christian, he has stated that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. ...
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Clinton's covfefe (6/6/17)When Hillary Clinton lost the presidency, I was relieved the nation was spared the leftist agenda she would have implemented. It never dawned on me that almost as painful would be her incessant complaining and finger-pointing about why she lost. Have we ever seen anything like it?...
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Congratulations on your commencement (5/30/17)Being from New York, I have yet to get used to May commencement ceremonies that accompany the early end of the school year. Where I’m from, another month remains before school concludes., However, the pictures posted online remind me that here in the Midwest, it’s that time...
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Their Mission, Our Mess (5/23/17)As Memorial Day approaches and chaos continues in Washington, DC, it's a good time to remember the price that our United States servicemembers pay to keep our nation afloat and defend our freedom. All kinds of mess transpires with politicians and pundits, yet patriotism is found in the hearts of the men and women who wear the uniform, and honor is due those who died doing so...
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I will not be silenced (5/16/17)Again, the left has done what they do when they run into a black conservative they cannot control. The script never flips. The narrative never changes. On Thursday, Breitbart News released its latest video in a series we have been running. Each video features a person on the Breitbart team speaking about a particular subject -- their unique story, their passion, their take on an issue. ...
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Ain't go'n be good if you drop the Mother's Day Ball (5/9/17)Mother's Day is Sunday, so I am likely among the first to wish moms a happy day. This is a holiday that gets quite a bit of attention -- more than Father's Day for sure. In fact, Sunday in church, our pastors reminded the husbands and children to do what they have to do this week in preparation to treat their mothers and wives well. "You've got a week" was the message. In other words, "It ain't go'n be good if you drop the ball on this one!"...
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Time to Flourish and be empowered (5/2/17)It's time. Thursday is the Flourish Women's Summit: A Leadership and Empowerment Event. Flourish, the Southeast Missourian and rustmedia have been preparing for this and announcing it for months, and now, we're at the door. I am growing excited in anticipation of delivering the keynote address. ...
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Announcing my two new books (4/25/17)I am excited to announce the publication of my two new books! A week ago, I launched "Push Your Way to Purpose: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You're Meant to Be" and "#AuntAlma Unleashed: Old, Bold, and Out of Control." "Push" is a powerful, inspirational book that will speak to everyone wherever they are in life. Already, I have received feedback about its positive effect on readers. I want this book in every person's hands. The back cover book description states:...
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We should celebrate Easter every day (4/18/17)We celebrated Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter, just two days ago. To many, Easter means spring, blossoming flowers, renewal. To Christians, it's the holiest of holidays, the most special day of the year. To committed Christians, it's not just a once-a-year-observance. We celebrate the resurrection every day. Without a resurrected Savior, there is no Christianity...