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Determined to divide

Columnists

George M. Cohan, an American songwriter, penned “You’re a Grand Old Flag” on the eve of America’s entry into World War I. Somewhere in this ditty, he celebrated the country where there was “never a boast nor brag”. Irving Berlin celebrated the United States in the epic “God Bless America.” The themes of both songs stressed the importance of America being both modest and mighty. Oh, how things have changed. Braggadocio has replaced the sweet, dulcet tones of Kate Smith, who sang “God Bless America” in the 1930’s. Again, the USA was representing a better world that ...

Highways

Editorials

West Virginia’s roads haven’t quite driven us to prosperity just yet, but they ARE better than they used to be, according to a report by the Reason Foundation. Its 29th Annual Highway Report showed the Mountain State moved up just a little — from 33rd to 30th. That still leaves us worse off than Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky, but better than Pennsylvania and Maryland. (Would that be the Blacktop Brawl?) Tragically, West Virginia worsened in its urban fatality rate, from 13th to 34th. The state also ranked 49th in the other fatality rate category. But, West Virginia improved in ...

Screenings

Editorials

If the sight of a giant inflatable colon catches you off guard, good. Perhaps the image will stick and serve as a reminder to keep up with colon cancer (and other) screenings. WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center is using the prop to help raise awareness about colon cancer and colon health, and encourage them to ask questions in an atmosphere that is perhaps a little less daunting than the doctor’s office. The “Strollin’ Colon” is hard to ignore. Colon health is nothing to ignore, either. “Everybody, regardless of family history, should start screening for colon ...

2026 Session Potpourri

Columnists

Normally my column immediately after the end of the legislative session focuses on final thoughts, but I needed to write about the Raylee’s Law debacle that occurred in the final hours on March 14. So, consider the following my 2026 legislative session final thoughts. -- If the budget bill this year was a staring contest between Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the Legislature, then Morrisey blinked first. Much has been made of the House of Delegates and the state Senate getting Senate Bill 250, setting the general revenue budget for fiscal year 2027 beginning on July 1, out the door ...

Uncertainty remains

Columnists

Four years and 25 days. Twenty days. There’s a huge difference between those two numbers. The first number — 1,486 days altogether — is the length of time since Russian troops crossed the Ukraine border on Feb. 22, 2022, and headed for Kyiv. The second number — just 20 days — is the number of days since U.S. and Israeli forces on Feb. 28 began bombing strategic targets in Iran. The two attacks have this in common: Their initial responses were far different from what many experts, in the United States and beyond, expected and predicted. Back in 2022, the conventional wisdom ...

No longer just dysfunction; it is danger

Columnists

When a Transportation Security Administration official warns that airports could “quite literally shut down,” we are no longer talking about inconvenience, delays or political theater. We are talking about vulnerability in one of the most sensitive and critical systems in our country. Aviation security is not just another government function. It is a frontline defense. And when that defense shows signs of strain, every American should pay attention. Let’s speak plainly. When security systems are stretched thin, when agents are overwhelmed, when focus is fractured, the margin for ...