When I was a boy, my family routinely gathered for dinner each evening, normally around six o’clock. My Dad, who was a physician, would arrive shortly after five, grab the evening newspaper—we had such things in those days—while my Mom would finish preparing the meal. The table was always set Read more
Some years ago—when I was immersed in political campaigns and trying to win—I began to take account of how I was appealing to the younger generations. So, what did I do? You guessed it: I checked in with the younger cohort. I have always been of the view that if Read more
What will our descendants say of those born to the Greatest Generation, those who bravely fought to save the world from Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan? Did the “Boomer” generation measure up? We Boomers, eager to shed the fetters of traditionalism, raised our children as free spirits. We were disinclined Read more
Sometimes politicians and—by extension—their supporters are referred to as left- or right-leaning ideologues. They might further be described as far left- or right-wing, even earning the adjective “extremist,” to remove all doubt concerning their ideological bent. When I was a legislator, some in the press would refer to me as Read more
Vacations have three parts: the trip there, the stay, and the trip home. All have their moments of trial and enjoyment. But for us it’s been a marvelous time spent in Rosemary Beach, Florida. Getting There From Woodbridge, Virginia, we took I-95 south. So do most Americans residing along the Read more
It’s vacation season. And like many of you, Shelley and I are off to enjoy a week with kids and grandkids at the beach. We would be just as happy to have that rendezvous on the Potomac River, where we spend many days in the summer with family. Yet, we’ve Read more
Political parties are sometimes not parties at all. They may have a “party” when they are triumphant in an election, but frequently their “parties ” are not celebrations, particularly when they are at each other’s throats. In such cases, they are at best more like a messy family reunion and Read more
Recently, I watched a very interesting documentary on American horses. I am not a horseman by any means. What I know about horses is how they were generally used in warfare. I like military history, as I am sure many of you do. And horses, until the era of motorization, Read more
Compared to Mother’s Day, Father’s Day plays a second fiddle in the orchestra of special days. Some years ago, I read that Hallmark Cards—founded in 1910—offered free Mother’s Day cards to prisoners. It was a raging success, with many inmates sending cards to their mothers. Assuming the offer for Father’s Read more
