I've been thinking a lot lately about Tom Brokaw's book "The Greatest Generation," that classic about our parents and their incredible sacrifices during World War II. ...more

December 10, 2008 |

We all know that the federal budget deficit is huge and will continue to grow as long as Congress continues to bail out one company after another. So here's a budget item that Congress can freeze immediately if they choose to do so: Both the U.S. House and Senate should vote to forego pay increases for themselves and their staffs until the budget is balanced. ...more

November 28, 2008 |

Columnist David Brooks is the sort of writer who passes for a conservative. ...more

October 15, 2008 |

Congratulations, or perhaps condolences, fellow taxpayers. On Sunday we all became mortgage bankers. ...more

September 9, 2008 |

One of my favorite songs has always been Merle Haggard's "The Fighting Side of Me," in which the country legend sings about the hippie protestors whose politics got on his "fighting side." Recently, my "fighting side" was riled up when I heard of the controversy over the new Ben Stiller comedy, "Tropic Thunder," in which the word "retard" is repeatedly used so as to further ridicule the developmentally disabled. For many, this was the last straw in a history of hurtful insults. ...more

August 22, 2008 |

Seems like a stupid enough question. Of course we care about schools. Aren't we spending numbers that now are in the billions on education? Isn't the state government obsessed with fiddling with the school system? Isn't the University of Florida now the No. 1 party school in the country? Obviously we care about something. ...more

August 1, 2008 |

So, in the first two months of using cameras to surveil certain troublesome intersections, Port Richey has tagged 570 scofflaw drivers for running red lights. ...more

July 6, 2008 |

The '60s, the legendarily spasmodic decade that, even now, looms uncommonly large over life in America, wrought plenty for which its survivors are properly rueful. ...more

July 1, 2008 |

Regarding "Lap Of Luxury" (front page, June 23): As a pet owner and animal lover, I was not surprised to read that people continue to pamper their pets while cutting back on themselves. My wife and I try to provide the very best food and veterinary care for our dog and four cats - all rescues. However, I take exception with some of the excesses. ...more

June 24, 2008 |

The Bush administration is working to combat the country's severe housing crisis but there is no simple solution, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Monday, adding that a correction in the housing market is "inevitable and necessary." ...more

January 8, 2008 |