Opinions

Readers speak out on presidential primary process

With the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primaries out of the way, South Carolina was the next stop on the 2024 Presidential primary trail. But are primaries important? Some would argue, due to consistently low percentages of voters engaging, that the system allows for a small percentage of people...

Enjoy these nonfiction and fiction recommendations

The cold, wet weather means more time for reading. In nonfiction: “Flight of the WASP” by Michael Gross provides a detailed socio-political look at our country, beginning with the pilgrims and features outstanding portraits of the men (and they were predominantly men who had power) who...

How good are you at resisting labels?

In a world of vibrant colors, we seem to spend a fair bit of time thinking in black and white. Today we’re unraveling the impact of labels – that is, the words that we privately assign to others and, of course, to ourselves. At their best, labels make it easier for us to navigate the world...

A better way to celebrate love

If you ask so-called experts how to celebrate Valentine’s Day you’ll get some really bad answers. Proflowers.com, for example, suggests setting up an art making experience. “He will love creating something with you that he can see on display every day.” I can see his eyes rolling...

To stop predators from using AI to exploit children, Congress must act

Sexual predators are using a new tool to exploit children -- AI image generators. Users on a dark-web forum shared 3,000 AI-generated images of child sexual abuse in one month, according to the Internet Watch Foundation. Current child sexual abuse laws are outdated. They don’t account for...

Lovely look-alikes

The mother showed up first, but she was soon bringing a young woodpecker with her. It was June of last year when the little black and white birds started frequenting our yard. The mom would visit the bird feeder occasionally, but she spent most of her time on the large oak limbs nearby, showing...

How good are you at procrastinating?

Apparently, procrastination is not about laziness. And it’s not about time-management or self-control. Apparently, procrastination is simply a coping mechanism linked to our emotional state. Explains author Charlotte Lieberman: “People engage in [an] irrational cycle of chronic...

Letters to the Editor

Grateful for Kindness Kindness in this world of ours is all too precious and often all too fleeting. People who exude and exemplify kindness make a profound difference and positively impact their communities in myriad ways. I would like to shine a light on someone who positively impacts...

Readers speak out on Gen Zers living with parents

Comments: • I moved out for work after my degree but with the office closed in 2020 I was able to spend a year with my parents. It was a wonderful time and I cherish it. We spent lots of time together and I could see my presence brought them happiness. I had a feeling of purpose. • As...

It’s a matter of focus

Where focus goes, energy flows. - Tony Robbins On more than one occasion over the years I’ve come away disappointed with what I thought would be a great photograph ruined by one major mistake. It was out of focus. Ugh! You would think after a lifetime of taking pictures and being an...