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General Time is undefeated in battle

Editorials and columns

I am on a mudslide toward death. Well, we all are, really, when you think about it, but sometimes it just seems you're slipping down the side of the mountain faster than at other times. Like, for example, when you're approaching a birthday that starts with a "fif" and ends with crying in the car because the clouds are moving too quickly overhead. It's not as silly as it sounds -- though it is, admittedly, fairly silly. I had dropped off the kids at camp and was driving back to the house when I got to a stoplight. I looked up and saw shocking blue, scattered white puffballs drifting ...

It's time to pick up the torch of Washington, Lincoln and Kennedy

Editorials and columns

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy secured the top three spots for the most "outstanding" ratings among presidents in a recent survey of U.S. adults. What do the presidencies of the Virginia planter, prairie rail-splitter and Boston war hero have in common? All three laid out a dream for the future that broke with the past. They looked forward, not backward. Washington succeeded King George III as the head of the government of what had been the 13 British colonies. He was awarded that position based on accomplishment rather than heredity, by votes rather than ...

Not following the example of President James K. Polk

Editorials and columns

A president orders the onset of hostilities -- war -- without authorization of Congress and without much in the way of making a case with the public. His troops win important victories and decapitate large parts of the government of the enemy. But in the enemy capital, no one surrenders or ...

Today we focus on you

Editorials and columns

Since I’ve been far too busy lately to write another column for this space, here’s a highly abridged version of the speech I gave at the 2026 Alpena High School graduation held at the stadium. “What a joy to be here. What a privilege to be able to speak to some of my favorite people sitting in front of me today. “You asked me to speak and gave me permission to give you some advice. I’m just going to remind you of three things, but, as it’s already well after 2:00, I won’t be able to make sure you get to the dentist on time.” (I know one shouldn’t explain his jokes, ...