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November 30, 2008
Voting Is Society’s Most Important Civil Ritual
Voting is the most important ritual in the civic liturgy of the Republic, our great secular political order that itself is part of the larger, older miracle of free government, freely chosen by a free people.
SUZANNE TATE: Special Requests For Food, Travel Honored At Thanksgiving
Devilled eggs and pumpkin pie were the two insistent Thanksgiving menu requests from my sons.
November 23, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Thankful To See World Through Eyes, Minds Of Sons
Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to talk about Batman and what kind of underwear he dons beneath his tights and cape. But my pint-sized inquisitor won’t let me off the hook.
SUZANNE TATE: Are You Hooked? Watching TV Can Become Addictive
An extensive study has discovered what your mom was trying to tell you for years – shutting off the TV is better for you and could even make you happier.
November 16, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Readers Say Obama Front Page Fell Short
One of the many wonderful things about putting out a newspaper is that the canvas is always blank when you get to work each day.
SUZANNE TATE: Great American Smokeout Four Days Away; Will You Do It?
Ten years ago I wrote my first column reminding people of the Great American Smokeout.
November 09, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Will GOP Continue To Isolate Itself With Vocal Base?
Racism in 2008 doesn’t wear a hooded sheet, or come with a shaved head and jack boots. It’s not a “whites only” sign above a public water fountain or a fire hose aimed at civil rights marchers. It’s not a burning cross or the n-word.
SUZANNE TATE: Kids Speak Freely When Talking About Presidential Candidates
Pollsters seem to talk less of race and gender because adults, with their more finely tuned filtering systems, posture and fawn their way through answers.
October 26, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: With Clothing Spree, Palin Shows She’s No Jane Six-Pack
The difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom is not just lipstick, but a lot of lipstick. And a lot of fancy duds apparently.
Obama Supports Coal Industry
Much attention has been focused recently on which of the candidates for President has a record of supporting a strong future for coal – an industry which is vital to the economy of Southwest Virginia.
October 19, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: We Chose McCain Because Too Much At State Under One-Party Rule
If several of you readers were betting men and women, you’d owe me enough cash to bail out one of these failed financial firms – or at least enough to send the company’s disgraced executives to a posh spa for the weekend.
SUZANNE TATE: October Is Month To Focus On Breast Cancer Risks, Testing, Prevention
It’s hard to get excited about any medical visit or screening, but the month of October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness, a designation designed to increase awareness about the disease and encourage women to have regular screenings.
Government Needs A Watchdog
Who shall guard the guardians?
October 12, 2008
To retain credibility, information must be verified
October 06, 2008
Less Tax Would Benefit Nation
“Give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry uttered this famous statement as he joined an early minority of American colonists in support of declaring independence from the control of King George
October 05, 2008
SUZANNE TATE: Recession Offers Chance, Or Forces Us, To Change Lives
Perhaps it’s hard to see it that way – the recession as a gift – but environmentalists, authors, financial planners and others who teach self-reliance point out that financial hard times force us to look at our lives in new ways.
J. TODD FOSTER: Reaching Into The Federal Piggy Bank
What does a $192 million tax rebate for rum producers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have to do with saving America’s financial system from collapse?
Santa Pal Inc. Embarks On 82nd Year Of Service
Santa Pal Inc. is embarking on its 82nd year of service in Bristol Tenn./Va. and select areas of Sullivan County.
September 28, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Obits Moving Back To A2, Cheers Expected To Follow
For the nearly two years I’ve edited your newspaper, I’ve secretly longed to move the obituaries from the B section back to their rightful place on A2 so readers would regard me as a conquering hero and toss rose petals at my feet – or at least stop criticizing me for a decision that predates my arrival here.
SUZANNE TATE: To Get Letters Published, Must Comply With Paper’s Policy
Before I slip into my office each morning, I stop off at my mailbox in the newsroom to retrieve a handful of letters from readers.
September 26, 2008
McCain A Friend To Region
This year’s presidential candidates, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, could not offer two more definitive visions for the people of western Virginia.
September 21, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Straight Talk About A Contentious Campaign
Typically I wouldn’t write this many columns on the national election, but no other issue has galvanized local readers this much since the 2004 recall election in Bristol, Tenn.
SUZANNE TATE: Trading Old Memories In Norfolk For New Ones Here
By the time you read these words, I should be moved into my new home in Bristol, Va., and most of the stress should be behind me.
I Support Obama To Preserve The U. S. Constitution
If this message sounds the least vituperative, please know I do not mean it to be that way.
September 14, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Neither Major Party Has Cornered Integrity
Is it racist to question Sen. Barack Obama’s thin résumé?
SUZANNE TATE: Journalists’ Job To Listen, Be Fair, Include Everyone
The caller was insistent and quickly came to her point: “So, do you just pick stories that make Sarah Palin look bad?”
September 10, 2008
9-11 Significant Throughout History
The anniversary of Sept. 11 is tomorrow, a date that marked a horrendous triumph for Muslim terrorists.
September 07, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Sorry, Folks, Bias Charge Doesn’t Hold Up To Fact Check
About every two weeks, a Southwest Virginia guy named Dick calls me to leave hateful voicemails.
New Opinion Page Editor Pleased To Return To Region
I started my career about 60 miles away – a cub reporter assigned to cover the coal industry, without any real understanding of its importance.
August 31, 2008
J. TODD FOSTER: Yard Sales: How Cheap And Tacky Can We Go?
Everyone should try this at least once, if for no other reason than to bite off a real slice of Americana pie.
