2nd Thought
Whistling Dixie
Confronting white society’s role in Ferguson.E.R. Bills
This is a strange time in American history. I don’t recognize us. And by us, I mean white people. We seethe with hatred. We’re fed up and embittered. Things aren’t going our way, and somebody needs to pay. Someone deserve...
Armstrong’s Dip
A vast West Texas park was the brainchild of two leaders.DAVE McNEELY
BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK – When Bob Armstrong first experienced the rugged majesty of this huge West Texas ranch in 1970, he told its owner that if he ever wanted to sell, Texas might want to buy. More than four decades afte...
Not So Revolutionary
Conformists may have forgotten what 1776 was all about.GRAYSON HARPER
Grant Wood’s most famous painting features an iconic farmer, his prim daughter and a pitchfork. His most satiric painting is “Daughters of Revolution.” Three white-haired ladies pose with raised teacups before a re-creati...
It’s Not Rocket Science
Being a higher education leader under Perry is tougher than that.DAVE McNEELY
Which is more challenging: performing a liver transplant on a small child or navigating the political rapids of public higher education during the reign of Gov. Rick Perry? Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, who will leave his job as chan...
The Spies Who Wouldn’t Stop
Germany’s trust in the U.S. is at an end.GWYNNE DYER
The question to bear in mind, in reading this sorry tale, is: If Americans are, on average, no stupider than Germans, then why are their intelligence services so stupid? After the most recent revelations about American spying i...
Put Up or Shut Up
Obama suggests Perry use his influence to get help on the border.DAVE McNEELY
President Barack Obama visited Texas last week for some fundraisers and a speech at Austin’s Paramount Theater. Gov. Rick Perry, apparently making another run for the GOP presidential nomination, pointedly turned down the ide...
The Caliphate Returns
The Middle East is getting stranger.GWYNNE DYER
“Listen to your caliph and obey him. Support your state, which grows every day,” said Abu Mohamed al-Adnani, announcing the rebirth of the Caliphate in the broad territory between northern Syria and eastern Iraq. It hasn’...
Their Texas
Davis and Van de Putte hang the Tea Party platform around their opponents’ necks.DAVE McNEELY
The Tea Party had limited success challenging Republican incumbents this election cycle, as business groups finally started fighting back to avoid a repeat of Tea Party gains of the last two elections. A notable exception was t...
It’s Not the Guns
It’s the mentality.FRANK MATTHEWS
I have given this subject far more thought than I normally do on politically charged issues, and I have come up with my own theory about gun violence in this country. The way I see it, the problem isn’t the number of guns out...
Let Them Eat Cake
Off with the heads of the poor.GRAYSON HARPER
I guess the bullies will always be with us. Nowadays they’re targeting the poor. No surprise there. Bullies always single out those who are weaker, more vulnerable than themselves. Dr. Annette Bosworth, a first-time candidate...