Editorials
WE CAN ALL SPEAK OUT
Many adults carry the emotional scars of a terrible crime hidden from family and friends for decades. It may have started when they were very young and touched inappropriately. They may have been date-raped as a teenager. They may have been sexually assaulted by a trusted authority figure.Chances are you know someone who has been affected by this crime. Whether it was the trauma of personal experience or the aftermath of it happening to a family member or a friend, this exists in every community… Continue Reading
April 06, 2005
THAT TIME OF YEAR
In â??Life of Augustus,â?? Suetonius Tranquillis wrote that the Roman poet Virgil once held a funeral for a dead fly, complete with pall bearers and eulogies. In ancient Rome, cemetery land was not taxable. By interring a fly on the land surrounding his private villa, the shrewd poet turned his home into a burial ground, thus making it tax-exempt.Some things havenâ??t changed since the days of the Roman Empire. Tax time still inspires â??creativityâ?? on the part of some taxpayers, but more ofte… Continue Reading
March 30, 2005
APRIL IN PARIS
Russian composer Vernon Duke penned the words to the well-known song, â??April in Paris,â?? in 1932. A story is told of a friend of Dukeâ??s who liked the song so much he decided to spend April in--you guessed it--Paris. Many times, art is a reflection of what we would like life to be, not what it actually is, and so it was for Dukeâ??s friend. He returned to report terrible weather. "Whatever made you go to Paris in April?" Duke asked. "Everybody knows the weather is bad then.&qu… Continue Reading
March 23, 2005
SPRING CLEANING
In the Northern Hemisphere, religious and community festivals throughout March and April celebrate new life, renewal and fresh starts. In the early Roman calendar before 150 B.C., March or â??Martiusâ?? was the first month of the year. This is the time when people get into closets, attics and basements to get rid of dust, dirt and things no longer needed. In many places, it is even warm enough to clear the garage, barn or shed of winterâ??s clutter. Spring cleaning is an annual household ritual … Continue Reading
March 18, 2005
A BUDGET BLUEPRINT
Budget season is challenging, especially in lean years. Yet, these challenges inspire us to craft a comprehensive, responsible blueprint to allocate federal tax dollarsâ??one that meets our needs and reduces future indebtedness. The Fiscal Year 2006 Senate Budget Resolution provides for our nationâ??s defense, young people, seniors, vital infrastructure, energy security and agriculture. These initial steps have laid groundwork for important discussions in upcoming weeks. We have a responsibility… Continue Reading
