| Recent Columns |
| Government secrecy does not protect free speech |
| By Fred B. Hartman | Published Thursday, November 19, 2009 |
| Open government is fundamental to our democratic system and essential for elected officials to be responsible and accountable to the people they serve. |
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| Not fixing healthcare would be a moral failure |
| By William McCartney | Published Thursday, November 19, 2009 |
| Some say if Congress fails to pass meaningful health care reform, it will mean a defeat for President Obama. I'll let the pundits decide that. They love those discussions. |
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| Learning lessons on service from greatest generation |
| By Phil Major | Published Sunday, November 15, 2009 |
What comes to mind when you think of service?
The past week brought a couple of stark reminders, and a sinking feeling that it doesn't quite mean what it once did, at least for many citizens. |
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| 'Junk science' on trial before Senate committee |
| By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, November 15, 2009 |
| With almost as much tension and drama as a death penalty court case, plus some politics, the Texas Senate's Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday grilled the new chairman of a state commission on forensic science. |
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| It is fun when good guy or gal wins |
| By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, November 12, 2009 |
| Many of us see or hear things we think are funny, we wish would happen or maybe even wish we'd do. |
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| Voters have spoken, but what did they say? |
| By Brian Knox | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
One thing is clear after Tuesday's Decatur school bond election for districtwide maintenance improvements and stadium renovations: voters did not support the package presented to them.
After that, it's a little less clear. |
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| Celebration is planned at Big Bend Ranch |
| By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, November 8, 2009 |
| The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is honoring Bob Armstrong and Andrew Sansom for their critical roles in Texas acquiring what is now the Big Bend Ranch State Park near Lajitas. |
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| Time for a middle class revolution? |
| By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, November 5, 2009 |
| Disrespect and incivility have taken over our political/governmental landscape. One can point fingers in all directions to place blame. However, this turkey can be hung around the necks of the middle class. |
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| Visit the Shelf to share your love of a good story |
| By Kristen Tribe | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| I'm the assistant editor of the Wise County Messenger, and when I'm not writing, I'm reading. And when I read a good book, I like to talk about it - with everyone. |
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| Texas Tribune: A new way for reporting Texas politics |
| By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, November 1, 2009 |
| At a journalism conference a year ago at Harvard University, several panels discussed various aspects of the profession. But the underlying question among the crowd at each discussion was, "How do we get people to pay for the journalism?" |
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| Opening pathway to Tier One status will benefit state |
| By David W. Leebron, R. Bowen Loftin and William Powers Jr. | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| We, the leaders of Texas' only Tier One universities, are proud that all Texans will have the opportunity to go to the polls Nov. 3 and vote on Proposition 4, the Tier One constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot. |
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| The 72-Hour Rule: Take time to read the bill |
| By Kathleen Hartnett White | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| When we elect people to serve in Congress, we send them there as our representatives. In exchange for giving them our authority to make national decisions, they have the responsibility to provide us with sufficient information so that we can provide feedback on their decisions and gauge how well they represent us. |
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| Capital Highlights for October 29 |
| By Ed Sterling | Published Thursday, October 29, 2009 |
| More than 200 Texas Department of Public Safety agents, troopers, pilots and Texas Rangers took part in an Oct. 21 sweep targeting the La Familia Michoacana criminal cartel resulting in 81 arrests in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin areas. |
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| What makes America great in spite of its flaws |
| By Dave McNeely | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| State Rep. Mark Strama tells of talking recently to a group of college students from Venezuela who were visiting Texas as part of a trip put on by the United States State Department. |
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| Bringing world class health care to Texas women |
| By Margery Engel Loeb and Camille D. Miller | Published Sunday, October 25, 2009 |
| Texas is home to world-class medical schools and institutions that are known far and wide for their state-of-the-art treatment and expertise. However, many Texans, and especially Texas women, do not have easy access to this remarkable resource. |
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| Mama Bear: 'Good morning, Loves' |
| By Willis Webb | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
| Chris "Mama Bear" Wilson was my introduction to the world of acting and show business. I hadn't thought about her in a while until I read of Patrick Swayze's death in September. Mama Bear passed away in 2002 after more than 40 years in Houston as an actor and drama teacher to future stars at her Chris Wilson Actors' Studio. She performed in movies and on Broadway before returning to her native Texas. She held key roles in Houston theater and then operated the Houston Music Theater in Sharpstown before founding her acting school and theater. |
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| Focus health care reform on patients, not government |
| By Arlene Wohlgemuth | Published Thursday, October 22, 2009 |
| In August, the Texas Public Policy Foundation released a report by internationally renowned economist Dr. Arthur Laffer which concluded that health care reforms based on President Barack Obama's agenda would lead to much higher health-care inflation and slower economic growth; cost every Texas resident an additional $4,265; and still leave roughly 30 million Americans uninsured. |
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| NEW BOUNDARIES - The Decatur School Board last night approved new elementary attendance boundaries to take effect with the opening of the district's third elementary next fall. Generally, areas on the west side of the district are zoned into Rann Elementary, areas on the east side of the district are zoned into Carson Elementary and southern areas of the district including much of the downtown area of Decatur are zoned into Young Elementary. See Sunday's Messenger for a detailed map of the new boundaries. |
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| Chico student athletes Malori Moss, Malanie Gates and Shelby Collins express their emotions at the news that trustees approved a resignation agreement with Pete Hart. |
| Photo by Joe Duty |
| More Photos... |
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| Sutton picks kindness over clock |
| Slidells Staub just misses medal |
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