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You’ll Freeze In The Dark!

Last Sunday, Mother’s Day, made me think how my mom warned me, as a young teen: “Work hard! Or you’ll freeze in the dark!” Sometimes, the warning ended, “Or you’ll starve in the cold.” She grew up during the depression. She and her peers were sensibly worried about freezing in the dark. The message scared me, and I worked hard in school. When I got my first job, I always put some pay in a savings account, even when (OK, it was long ago) I made only $132 a week. I feared a bad future, and I wanted to make sure I could support myself. This wasn’t all good. I’ve ...

NYS Has Just Outdone Itself

For decades, high-tax, big-spending, and big-regulation policies from New York state government have decimated much of New York. These policies have hurt people, particularly young people. Many who grew up here, and benefited from our tremendous schools, have fled New York. Pick any label you like for these policies. Discouraging, callous, and outrageous are among those that fit. It’s not the label that matters though. It’s the policies. They’re the principal reason for decades of decline in jobs in much of New York, notwithstanding tremendous efforts of many. We know ...

The Similarities Between COVID-19 In Us, CWD In Deer

Why doesn’t the Game Commission put facemasks onto Pennsylvania’s deer? People are wearing facemasks to lessen the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Shouldn’t deer wear facemasks to lessen the spread of chronic wasting disease? Well, no. I made that “face masks for deer” suggestion as a joke. I just chuckle at the mental image. The serious reality is that chronic wasting disease is showing up in deer disturbingly close to hunting grounds in west-central Pennsylvania, including Clearfield and Jefferson counties. The Game Commission is asking for comments, according to ...

Man Worries As His Partner’s Mood Sours For An Extended Period Of Time

I had just finished lunch at my desk and had time for a short siesta. I leaned back in my chair and placed my feet on the desk. Yes, I put my feet up on the coffee table sans shoes at home. I closed my eyes and then I heard a voice yell out “Hello, anyone here? Hello!” So much for the rest. Occasionally, salespeople walk in to market a product. I was tempted to reply no one’s home. The words never got out of my mouth. A man stood in the office doorway and peered at me. “Hello, sorry if I’m bothering you, sir. Are you the counselor?” Yes, I am. How do you do? “I was on a ...

After Years, Who Are We Now?

A week after Donald Trump was elected president, writer and scholar Sarah Kendzior, who had predicted in 2015 that he would win, wrote a public letter to the American public. “My fellow Americans,” it began. “I have a favor to ask you. ... I want you to write about who you are, what you have experienced, and what you have endured.” She saw dark days coming, and, in the remaining time before Trump’s inauguration, she wanted Americans to take stock of themselves and document it for future reference. What and who did they believe in? What were their values and their beliefs, ...

Let’s Not Waste A Crisis

Former Barack Obama adviser Rahm Emanuel, during a recent interview, reminded us of his 2008 financial crisis quotation, “Never allow a crisis to go to waste.” The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a wonderful opportunity for those of us who want greater control over our lives. Sadly, too many Americans have already taken the bait. We’ve allowed politicians and bureaucrats to dictate to us what’s an essential business and what isn’t, who has access to hospitals and who hasn’t, and a host of minor and major dictates. Leftist politicians who want to get into our pocketbooks are ...