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What being a lifelong learner looks like

When it comes to learning, technology can be very helpful. But we can’t put so much emphasis on tech that we stop learning from others in our field. We win on ideas and what we can learn from each other. We need to be lifelong learners—and it’s important to go to where ideas are flowing in our industry.  Yes, reading and listening are big parts of lifelong learning. That means books, blogs, articles, and podcasts both in your field and outside of it. Find a few authors and podcasters you like and commit to regular reading or listening—however you best learn—about issues ...

Barbour County welcomes in Barktober, Halloween

Hello from Barbour County. We have received some much-needed rain recently, but the river is still pretty low. Animal Friends of Barbour County will be having Barktober Fest today at 17 North in Philippi. Come on out for music, food and fun. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. The Mikey Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund will be having its annual purse Bingo at the Junior Volunteer Fire Department on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1:30 p.m., with doors opening at 12:30. For more information, contact Judy at 304-614-3118. Out of the Darkness Community Walk is coming to Philippi on Sunday, Oct. 12. ...

Is this all necessary?

As the retribution tour hits the road in cities such as Chicago and Portland, tensions are increasing between Democrats and Republicans. The question must be asked: “Is all this necessary?” as well as the use of National Guard personnel, which is an unnecessary strain on the military. Soldiers are not police officers, and this places them in a vulnerable position. And of course, the role of ICE in all this places the military in a dicey situation due to the public reaction. Now the Trump administration has a point in arguing that open borders made all this necessary. Moreover, ...

Speech to the military

President Donald Trump’s speech to military leaders at Quantico once again made him appear unserious. US generals are loyal to the Constitution, not the president. Trump treated them to a campaign speech. They responded with silence, and after the speech, some hinted that his address was disjointed and disturbing. For openers, Trump made references to an “enemy within,” which suggests that his opponents are adversaries of the United States because they are critical of his government. He also meandered, stating that the army could be politically beneficial as if the military were ...

Keeping government open

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, one of my primary responsibilities is ensuring that our government is responsibly funded so it remains open and working for the people we represent, including the hardworking West Virginians. That’s why I’m deeply disappointed to see Washington once again stumble into a completely avoidable government shutdown—this time because Senate Democrats have refused to join Republicans in supporting a commonsense, short-term measure that would keep the government open. Let’s be clear about what this measure—known as a ...

Reading comprehension

Much like a lot of things these days, a speech given last week by West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty has become a Rorschach test depending on where you stand on the issue of public education versus “school choice.” During the state Board of Education’s regular meeting last week, Hardesty’s message was simple: if you believe in the notion of competition improving the quality of education, then lawmakers need to untie the hands of their local teachers and educators so they can better compete with private schools and home schooling. To demonstrate how ...