http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinionThe latest Opinion Columns from WCMessenger.comen-gb30 Jul 08 11:13 AMCopyright Opinion29 Nov 08 8:40 AM http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZAZylpuyScQzSNe.php"Sometimes you have to lose everything you've got to get what you want." Those words spoken by Sandra Wright rang through my head the entire time I was covering the Wrights' story. Doug and Sandra Wright lost their house of 22 years and all their possessions in a massive fire in Paradise on Jan. 29, 2008. http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZAZyZZyupLVVLRs.phpOn Dec. 10, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will consider an agenda item to add Wise County to the nine other Metroplex counties currently on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) nonattainment list for air-quality standards. This action, if approved, could cause enormous economic harm to Wise County, its residents and its current and prospective employers. http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZAZyZuFfTmYyaHY.phpJim Mattox, a two-fisted populist, relished fighting for the little guy. As Texas attorney general in the 1980s, he called himself "the people's lawyer." In Congress before that, and in the Texas House of Representatives before that, he never seemed to play it safe. http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZZEEkkpCdnaCpCU.phpMemorable statements using some of our unique Texas language can be funny, descriptive and even ridiculous. Such utterings may have altered your life, as they have mine, in some meaningful way. Some of those offered here are obviously from another era. http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZZEEEAVHoFCvVsA.phpWe think we know the story of Thanksgiving - that the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, faced a harsh winter, famine and disease. Then with the help of friendly natives learned how to survive. It's nice for bedtime stories and feel-good paintings, but it ignores the most important lessons of our early history. http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZuVyAVFsuteUVeD.phpIt's a phrase so old, it's trite. Yet, as we begin the holiday season this year, it's more important than ever. Shop Wise County First! http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZuVyAEuiWTHLCuN.phpIt's time! Time to deck the halls and silence the night and fah-la-la-la-lah until you are blue in the face. Hark! What is that coming toward my ear? It's Christmas time! Bust out the Charlie Brown soundtrack, the hot apple cider and the hideous Christmas sweaters. It's Christmas time! http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZuVyllpuSVRXGZz.phpMost Texans probably don't know, or care, who is speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. But the speaker is one of the three most powerful positions in state government - along with the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Texas Senate, and the governor. http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZEpVFlVyTrweZrw.phpLast November, voters in Hood, Parker, Wise and Montague counties overwhelmingly approved the creation of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. This district was created to help ensure the long-term availability of groundwater resources in those four counties that are experiencing dramatic growth in population and economic activity. http://www.wcmessenger.com/opinion/columns/EkkZEpVFulnTohVhWa.phpWhat's in a name? My first name is one you don't hear every day and, after going through early childhood and puberty, I finally decided it was unique enough that I was proud of it.