CBW WEEKLY UPDATES

I recall many trying days in America in my youth and developing years.  Growing up, I saw the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.  I was just 12 years old when I was ushered into the seriousness of Read more

In the 16 years I was a legislator, I think I personally signed over 50,000 letters.  That does not include the thousands of routine items of correspondence penned to this or that agency or jurisdiction.  I didn’t have an autopen, Read more

In 2007, Virginia celebrated the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.  It was a grand event.  The highpoint was when Queen Elizabeth II addressed a joint session of the General Assembly.  As a small gesture, the Jamestown Foundation gave Read more

I’m alone this week back in Virginia while my wife Shelley remains in Kansas City to care for our grandchildren when their mom and dad are in a busy season.  So, in the quiet of our home, I have time Read more

It took being elected to the Virginia General Assembly for me to appreciate how politicians corrupt the English language to enable profligate spending.  You often see this when legislators spend our money on their priorities to get them reelected.  To Read more

So, what’s ahead? For me it’s a long drive from Missouri to Virginia this coming weekend. Shelley will remain in Kansas City with the kids and grandkids for a few weeks. The drive will be lonely without my co-pilot. That’s Read more

Travelling halfway across America in two days can be an eye-opener.  Shelley and I generally like a long drive, as tiresome as that can be at time.  I suppose the pace of life—that is, they way you take in the Read more

Each year Shelley and I travel to Kansas to attend the Officers of the First Division Annual Dinner. It’s been a tradition in the “Big Red One” since the end of WWI for those who served with the division in Read more

True confession.  I am an internationalist.  Bear with me.  That does NOT mean I am not also very supportive of being a nationalist—indeed of being “America First.”  Nor does it mean I am a “neocon” in the sense of one Read more

Maybe you have taken note.  Those on the far left of the political spectrum in America are unhappy.  No, actually they are apoplectic.  They are in high dudgeon having lost to President Donald Trump a second time.  Moreover, he defeated Read more