| Teaching the Bible in public schools |
| By State Senator Craig Estes |
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Published Thursday, May 15, 2008
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| "David and his Goliath of ambition." That is how one article during the last session of the Texas Legislature was headlined regarding Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Iraq 'cops' crack down on outlaws |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, May 15, 2008
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| Oh, ye cynics who decry President Bush's debacle in Iraq, let the news go forth that there has been a tremendous breakthrough for civil order in that war torn society. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Waste not, Wise County, for everyone's sake |
| By Brandon Evans |
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Published Sunday, May 11, 2008
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| The ancient Egyptians left behind great pyramids to mark their moment of greatness. Modern man looks to leave behind mountains of waste. |
| Full Editorial... |
| High court allows requiring picture IDs to vote |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, May 11, 2008
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| There is a certain irony to the United States Supreme Court upholding an Indiana law on April 28 requiring showing a photo identification to vote. It has been the high court, after all, that over the years has made it easier to vote, not harder. |
| Full Editorial... |
| For Texans, a "Proposition 13" moment |
| By William Murchison |
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Published Thursday, May 8, 2008
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| Oh, look, it's our friend the postman, bearing to our doorsteps the fragrant tidings of springtime: such as how much we will soon owe the county or the school district in property taxes! |
| Full Editorial... |
| Politics often hinder solutions to problems |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, May 8, 2008
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| Most folks cling to what they know and resist change, probably because it represents things unknown and unfamiliar. Unfortunately, that kind of thinking and reaction often leads to the present condition of our nation and at almost every level of government - a state of rigid political philosophy with no give or take. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Obama/Clinton ticket? Not likely. |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, May 4, 2008
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| Hillary Clinton probably never was going to be considered as a running mate by Barack Obama. He'd get two Clintons for the price of one, and that might be a high price. |
| Full Editorial... |
| The emerging water crisis in the U.S. |
| By Shiney Varghese |
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Published Sunday, May 4, 2008
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| I am amazed: since last summer, almost every day we hear about another water crisis in the U.S. Less access to water is no longer something affecting only poor countries. It is right here in our own backyard. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Wind power whips through Texas |
| By Drew Thornley |
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Published Thursday, May 1, 2008
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| Who knew a "free" source of energy could be so expensive? |
| Full Editorial... |
| Austin makes the terrorist list |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, May 1, 2008
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| People here in my hometown of Austin are not merely excited, we're ecstatic! From every corner of our city, come shouts of hip-hip hooray and hallelujah, because - O, Sweet Jesus - Austin has made "The List!" |
| Full Editorial... |
| Citizens deserve better from Rhome leaders |
| By Brian Knox |
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Published Sunday, April 27, 2008
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Rhome is the center of attention in North Texas and, possibly soon, the state.
But not for good reasons. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Will Perry run again in 2010? |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, April 27, 2008
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| Gov. Rick Perry had hinted he might run again in 2010. But now Perry flatly says he will - regardless of what plans U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst may have. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Hanging up on unwanted phone calls |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, April 24, 2008
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| In the recent primary election season, we all discovered new offenders for the no-call list. |
| Full Editorial... |
| The deliberate deceit of drug ads |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, April 24, 2008
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| Four out of five doctors recommend that you not believe any advertising that makes claims based on the opinions of four out of five doctors. Or, for that matter, ads based on the opinions of even one, well-known doctor. |
| Full Editorial... |
| No child left behind at Mormon sect's ranch |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, April 20, 2008
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| Perhaps someday, the removal of 416 children from an offshoot Mormon sect's compound may be known as "The Eldorado Incident," though its Biblical proportions certainly qualify it to be called something larger than an incident. |
| Full Editorial... |
| An early lesson in private property rights |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Sunday, April 20, 2008
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| Property rights, particularly the intrusion by public entities through eminent domain, has been a frequent news topic over the past year or so. |
| Full Editorial... |
| It's time to ponder presidential legacies |
| By Donald Kaul |
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Published Thursday, April 17, 2008
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| It is at about this time in the election cycle that a sitting, two-term president begins to worry about his legacy, that signal accomplishment for which he will be remembered. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Forest service caters to mining company |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, April 17, 2008
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| What a special joy it is to visit the Grand Canyon. It's awe-inspiring to view the majestic gorge, the powerful river, the gorgeous sunsets. And, of course, the uranium mines. |
| Full Editorial... |
| What freedom means to me |
| By Jackson Basting |
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Published Sunday, April 13, 2008
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| What freedom means to me is a fair treatment of all others, no matter who you are, where you come from, what religion you believe in or the color of your skin. |
| Full Editorial... |
| When leadership is needed for Texas kids |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, April 13, 2008
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| The Texas Youth Commission has been embroiled in a years-long scandal that has included sexual improprieties with detainees on the part of TYC staff. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Living by the 'Cowboy Code' |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, April 10, 2008
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| Most of us live by some code of order in addition to the laws of the land. Those native to Texas understand that perhaps better than most. |
| Full Editorial... |
| One salary doesn't fit all |
| By Brooke Dollens Terry |
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Published Thursday, April 10, 2008
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| As the cost of food, fuel and electricity continues to increase, school officials inevitably face trying to do more with less. Rising costs and the current pay structure prevents many school districts from giving great teachers a much deserved raise. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Texas Democrats overwhelmed, enthused, by turnout |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, April 6, 2008
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| The Texas Democratic Party finds itself in a position similar to the start-up computer folks who just initiated their first Web site. At first, it's exhilarating when the hits start happening. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Payday loans are legalized usury |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Sunday, April 6, 2008
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| The Bible tells us that Jesus drove the moneychangers out of the temple (for charging less, by the way, than we're now assessed on our Visa and Mastercard bills). |
| Full Editorial... |
| Missing the big picture in insurance debate |
| By Drew Thornley |
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Published Thursday, April 3, 2008
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| Consumers groups are again crying foul about recent statistics from the Texas Department of Insurance, showing Texas homeowners' insurance companies paid out only 36.5 percent of the premiums collected to pay claims in 2008. |
| Full Editorial... |
| To err is human, and sometimes quite humorous |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, April 3, 2008
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| Typographical errors (typos) are the bane of any newspaper person's existence. It is embarrassing for something like that to happen in a function performed by someone who is literate and well educated. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Bob Bullock, the last of the Texas political gunslingers |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, March 30, 2008
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| Bob Bullock, the legendary late Texas lieutenant governor for whom the Texas State History Museum is named, was a legend in his own time. He still is, almost nine years after his death. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Here's a better stimulus plan |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Sunday, March 30, 2008
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Get ready, get set, stimulate!
Washington is about to mail $600 checks to you, me and nearly everyone else (unless you're poor - then you only get half that). The checks are to prompt us to "go shopping," as George W. so eloquently sums up our chief duty as citizens. This is Washington's bipartisan plan to stimulate the American economy and avoid a recession. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Should Texas bureaucrats police roses and tacos? |
| By Marc A. Levin Esq. |
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Published Thursday, March 27, 2008
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| Thorny Texas regulations apply to everyday items like roses and tacos that most Texans would think are the province of the private sector. Moreover, these regulations include criminal penalties, as with 1,700 other state laws and countless city ordinances. |
| Full Editorial... |
| East Texas boxer found success in and out of ring |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, March 27, 2008
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| Most of us are amazed at the huge sums of money professional athletes make today. Twenty million dollars for a season is not unheard of in any of the big three professional sports - football, basketball and baseball. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Obama meets race issue head-on |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, March 23, 2008
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| Barack Obama took what appeared to be a problem for his presidential campaign and turned it into an asset, that underlines his reasons for seeking office in the first place. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Flouting the law while flying the flag |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Sunday, March 23, 2008
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| Should a top federal official who flagrantly violates the law of the land be allowed to wrap himself in the flag? |
| Full Editorial... |
| Dem convention needs Florida and Michigan |
| By Martin Frost |
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Published Thursday, March 20, 2008
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| Former University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal, who relied heavily on the running game for many of his successful seasons, once said that there are three things that can happen when you throw a pass and two of them are bad. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Small papers reveal some unusual stories |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, March 20, 2008
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| Previously, one of my columns was about stories small-town newspapers can't publish because the incident might be embarrassing to some of the participants. Oh, don't worry, every newspaper I know is going to print the hard news regardless of whether some elected official or some lawbreaker (not mutually exclusive, of course) is embarrassed. We're talking about personal type stories that are mostly funny or unusual. The first column involved an unlikely bride and groom. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Wise County weathers political blizzard |
| By Brandon Evans |
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Published Sunday, March 16, 2008
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| The remnants of last week's freak snow storm vanished almost as quickly as it came. After a couple of days, only a few pale patches hiding in the cover of shade remained. |
| Full Editorial... |
| A record primary turnout for Democrats |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, March 16, 2008
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| Texas Democrats were still pinching themselves several days after the March 4 primary. The face-off between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Texas' hybrid primary/caucus system had generated a staggering turnout not just at the polls, but at the precinct caucuses afterward. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Odd couple leads to a little investigative work |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, March 13, 2008
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| Many newspapers say they find and print all the news that's fit to print. Sometimes though there are stories that you "can't print." So, you save them for 50 years and write a column so you can finally tell the stories. There are stories that would have been embarrassing at the time or, while hilariously funny, would have insulted the participating parties. |
| Full Editorial... |
| The war budget could buy a lot |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, March 13, 2008
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| President George W. Bush has now submitted his budget to Congress, and it can be summed up by this lopsided score: Domestic needs, zero. The Pentagon, $515 billion. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Hillary survives perfect storm - for now |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, March 9, 2008
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| Hillary could be forgiven in recent weeks for asking about the interruption to the Clintons' march back to the White House: What Happened? |
| Full Editorial... |
| Preventing the fires of abuse |
| By John Castle, Jim Hine and Catherine Mosbacher |
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Published Sunday, March 9, 2008
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| We all agree that preventing child abuse is better than dealing with its aftermath. It also turns out to be a lot cheaper. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Reaching across the centuries |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Thursday, March 6, 2008
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| Eight years into the new millennium, there are those who can still reach back across a couple of centuries. We can remember parents and grandparents who were born in the late 19th Century. My parents were born in the first 20 years of the 20th Century. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Surrendering to the terrorists |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, March 6, 2008
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Good grief. With Democrats like these, who needs Republicans?
Last week, 19 Democratic senators surrendered to bullying and fear mongering, extending the executive autocracy of the Bush-Cheney regime. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Recycling - it's time for Decatur to pitch in |
| By Brian Knox |
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Published Sunday, March 2, 2008
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Decatur citizens will have a second chance Monday to let the city council hear their thoughts on curbside recycling.
Let's hope more people show up Monday than the group that showed up at last week's meeting. Actually, no one did. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Clinton-Obama debate buzz stirs Texas |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, March 2, 2008
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| There was a buzz around the Austin debate Feb. 21 between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama that hasn't been felt in Texas for a long time. |
| Full Editorial... |
| The economic trepidations of the rich |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, February 28, 2008
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| Time for another peek into the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Cranky." |
| Full Editorial... |
| Texas no longer repeat offender on prisons |
| By Marc A. Levin, Esq. |
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Published Thursday, February 28, 2008
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| "If you do what you've always done," the motivational speaker Anthony Robbins declares, "you'll get what you've always gotten." And in Texas, building more prisons has always led to...building even more prisons. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Big Democratic Primary turnout could affect House races |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, February 24, 2008
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| The Texas Democratic presidential primary election is expected to bring record turnouts, because of the fierce face-off between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the presidential nomination. |
| Full Editorial... |
| We need to break the chain of inaccurate e-mails |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Sunday, February 24, 2008
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| Chain letters have been with us a long time. Now they come at us from every direction on the Internet. I've never been superstitious nor one who relied on something approaching ritualism (and not really holy) to bring luck. To me, chain letters belong in the trash. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Subsidizing manure lagoons |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, February 21, 2008
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Old MacDonald Incorporated, has a farm, and e-i-e-i-o, it stinks and it pollutes!
Washington is about to pass a humongous farm bill, and there has been wide coverage of the fact that the bulk of crop subsidies provided by the bill go to very large agribusiness operations - with 60 percent of family farmers getting not a dime in crop payments. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Publishers Note |
| By Roy J. Eaton |
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Published Thursday, February 21, 2008
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A recent mailing sent to Wise County voters by State Rep. Phil King's campaign uses the Wise County Messenger logo and from that voters might assume that the Messenger has endorsed King. That is not true.
The Messenger does not endorse political candidates and has not endorsed King or his Republican primary challenger Joe Tison.
Below the newspaper logo, the mailing uses copy from a letter to the editor from King supporter Brenda Bosecker that was published in February. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Will King lose his golden touch with voters? |
| By Brandon Evans |
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Published Sunday, February 17, 2008
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| Our own King has appeared to dilute his golden reputation recently. State Rep. Phil King's shining aura seems a bit tarnished in the wake of recent illuminations. |
| Full Editorial... |
| They're coming to Texas |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, February 17, 2008
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| Usually by the time the Texas political primaries roll around, they're greeted with a large yawn. That's because the major party nominees for president have already been decided by voters in states that held earlier primaries or caucuses. |
| Full Editorial... |
| In health care, government is the problem |
| By Mary Katherine Stout |
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Published Thursday, February 14, 2008
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| As the presidential candidates discuss their plans for the American health care system, they point their fingers of blame in several directions - toward insurers, toward employers and even toward over-eaters and non-exercisers. But none of the leading candidates are pointing toward the main culprit - the government. |
| Full Editorial... |
| The Olympics: Let the spying begin |
| By Thursday, February 14, 2008 |
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Published Jim Hightower
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| It's another Olympic year - that quadrennial spectacular of athletic prowess, international goodwill and government spying on all who attend. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Movie reminds us of those who fought for equality |
| By Willis Webb |
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Published Sunday, February 10, 2008
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| Retirement provides more opportunity for two favorite pastimes, reading books and going to movies. Both of those resurrect memories, invoke comparisons and bring analysis of some human condition. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Bush's economic plan worked |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Sunday, February 10, 2008
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| At last, economists have discovered that America is tumbling into a recession. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Money for nothing, rings for free |
| By Michael Quinn Sullivan |
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Published Thursday, February 6, 2008
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| Texas taxpayers are a generous lot. Just ask the good folks at Windstream Communications, who state bureaucrats say improperly received more than $6 million from Texans over the last seven years. Operating then under the name Valor Telecommunications, the company is accused by regulators of taking advantage of the outdated, unaccountable Texas Universal Service Fund - one of the dizzying array of fees and charges on your monthly phone bill. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Don't blame China for taxes - blame us |
| By Jim Hightower |
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Published Thursday, February 6, 2008
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| "Made in China" has become a warning label. Look out - toxics in toothpaste, arsenic in shrimp, lead in toys! |
| Full Editorial... |
| Rescue workers respond to fire, even if technology doesn't |
| By Brian Knox |
|
Published Sunday, February 3, 2008
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Sometimes technology fails us when we need it most - thank goodness firemen and law enforcement officers don't.
Tuesday was the latest example of how important it is to have people committed to volunteering their time to risk their life to save the lives and properties of others. Volunteer firemen from all across the county responded to the call of fast-moving grass fires near Paradise, Chico, Lake Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Rhome and Greenwood, just to name a few. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Travis County Democrats will pick new ethics enforcer |
| By Dave McNeely |
|
Published Sunday, February 3, 2008
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| Many Texans may not realize it, but the voters in the Travis County Democratic primary are about to pick a new enforcer for Texas ethics laws. |
| Full Editorial... |
| 2008 presidential ad wars hatched in Austin? |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, January 27, 2008
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| GSD&M media guru Roy Spence of Austin, a longtime buddy of Hillary and Bill Clinton, has become more involved in helping Hillary's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Cleaner energy means cleaner air |
| By Bill Peacock |
|
Published Thursday, January 24, 2008
|
| Conflicts over energy production go back as far as the 13th century when the English nobility attempted to stop commoners from burning what was then known as sea coal for warmth because of the soot it produced. |
| Full Editorial... |
| The cost of living extremely well |
| By Jim Hightower |
|
Published Thursday, January 24, 2008
|
Time for another peek into the "Lifestyles of the Rich and Cranky."
The vast majority of Americans - those making $50,000 a year or less - are stretching to make ends meet these days, but I'll bet they never pause to think about how hard life is for their fellow citizens who're immensely rich. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Health care for all should be part of the general welfare |
| By Brandon Evans |
|
Published Sunday, January 20, 2008
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| On a cold and dry day in north Wise County, a circling phalanx of turkey vultures settle one-by-one into a pasture alongside a gravel-covered county road. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Rick Noriega would be smart to debate |
| By Dave McNeely |
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Published Sunday, January 20, 2008
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| There's sort of a rule in the gamesmanship of politics: if you are the frontrunner, you don't want to accept debate challenges from your lesser-known opponents. |
| Full Editorial... |
| I buy, therefore I am |
| By Donald Kaul |
|
Published Thursday, January 17, 2008
|
| Did you see that the price of oil got up over $100-a-barrel the other day, before falling back a few cents? If you didn't, don't worry about it; you'll get another chance. Soon. |
| Full Editorial... |
| Lawsuit could be key to limiting gov't growth, new tax |
| By Michael Quinn Sullivan |
|
Published Thursday, January 17, 2008
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| Texans' looking for last-ditch relief from the new gross margins tax might find it in a lawsuit awaiting trail in Austin. With small business (and therefore the state's economy) bracing for the onset of the new business tax, even this hope is welcome. |
| Full Editorial... |
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Inside Wise