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Nazis, Communists Are Similar, Not Opposites

If you saw a particular Sunday network-television-news program on Feb. 16, you heard the host say that in Germany, “free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide.” Yes, you read that correctly: “free speech was weaponized to conduct a genocide.” Let’s think that one through. Do you believe that? Does the host have anything to back that up? ♦♦♦ One week later, in the Feb. 23 German federal election, the center-right Christian Democratic Union and its sister party in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union—together called the Union—were the top vote getter. ...

View From Hickory Heights: A Common Invention!

Do you know who Walter Hunt was? I am guessing you probably do not recognize the name, but he made a significant contribution that we all have used. In 1849 he invented the safety pin. He received his patent, but later sold it to satisfy a debt. He received $400 for his patent ending his claim to fame. The article I read had pictures. The safety pin from the time of his patent remained virtually the same as it looks today. I do remember some decorative safety pins from my diaper days. There were some that were bunnies, some ducks, and some that looked like other pets. I also recall ...

Remembering An Old Friend

A few weeks ago, an old friend died—Paul Bush. His passing was not immediately known here. He had quietly lived for many years in Florida in his retirement. He was no longer “making waves” in this community...though, at one time, he had made many. It doesn’t take long for memories to fade. As Alfred Lord Tennyson once poignantly wrote: “The old order changeth, yielding place to new.” But, one advantage in being old, like me, is that I still have vivid memories. I can tell you of being a kid five years old and celebrating the end of World War II in downtown ...

Statistics Don’t Tell Public Safety Story

One of the qualities that makes a community a desirable place to live in is public safety. People want to feel safe walking their streets, going to the store and enjoying a meal at their favorite restaurant, especially on the weekends. This quality-of-life component was present in the Jamestown community decades ago, unfortunately today, our residents are experiencing a public safety crisis. Recent crime statistics demonstrate that the City of Jamestown is not safe contrary to what has been portrayed in the 2025 State of the City report as it pertains to public safety. In fact, ...

Consequences Of State’s Prison Policies

New York state prisons and our correction officers keep us safe from some of the worst criminals; people who not only put their own interests above those of society, but committed heinous and despicable crimes. For years, a concerted effort has been made to dismantle the prison system and to take away the tools CO’s use to maintain the safety of correctional facilities and to prevent further violence in our communities. New York’s prison system is in crisis, and the numbers don’t lie. Seventy-three percent of convicted felons in state prisons are violent felony offenders. In ...

By The Rev. Mel McGinnis

Roasting the governor for the irresponsible handling of the raging fires destroying California, the Babylon Bee ran a headline saying, “Newsom Assures Wildfire Victims He Is Diverting Millions Of Dollars To Emergency DEI Initiatives.” Satire aside, for people victimized, DEI feels more like DIE. Rivaling the recent discovery of FEMA doling out $59 million to New York City for housing illegal aliens in hotels, but quickly clawed back (thanks to DOGE), it did not take long to find out about LA county taxpayer-funded “priorities” like millions for EV’s, millions to the ...