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Thinking Out Loud:Importing Need

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In September, the Department of Homeland Security announced a proposed change in the "Public Charge" rule, one that would have immigration officials factor in potential and past benefits use and income when deciding to grant a visa. In other words, a large component of what some call a "merit-based" or "means tested" system.

Thinking Out Loud: Importing Need

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In September, the Department of Homeland Security announced a proposed change in the "Public Charge" rule, one that would have immigration officials factor in potential and past benefits use and income when deciding to grant a visa. In other words, a large component of what some call a "merit-based" or "means tested" system. 

Musings by Marilou: That Goofy Cat

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At 2 a.m. Saturday morning, our backyard frozen and laced with snow, I stood barefoot in the alley between my house and the park frantically calling for Shadow.  For a split second I actually wondered why I had been so adamant about having a cat.

Wright's Words: Christmas Calendar Anxiety

I live by the calendar. 

Like most of you, I have certain things take place on certain days. So, like most of you, I keep a close eye on the calendar. 

With that said, I was taken back when I looked at the bottom right corner of my computer screen on Monday afternoon -- December 10th by the way if you're keeping an eye on your calendar -- when the anxiety-driven thought hit me: "The Christmas holiday shopping season is almost over."

Local Journalism Can Upend the ‘Fake News’ Narrative

“For the first time media is the least trusted institution globally,” Edelman, the global PR and marketing firm concluded in its annual worldwide study on trust in institutions like the media, business and government. These international findings are in line with recent data coming out of the U.S. A 2016 Gallup poll reported that just 32 percent of Americans trusted the mass media, while an Ipsos poll from summer 2018 found that nearly one-third of Americans agreed that the news media is the “enemy of the people.”

How did it come to this?

Thinking Out Loud:

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I've never paid a whole lot of attention to celebrities. Or as my mother used to say, "they're not worth a hill of beans." Funny, coming from a woman whose family's survival can be attributed, in large part, to a very large hill of beans.

Not that my mother or I would ever diminish the achievements of those who become celebrities. It's just that, over time, people often begin to celebrate celebrity for celebrity's sake, and forget what it was that the person was actually good at.

Wright's Words: Honor, Respect and Integrity

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I was saddened late Friday evening to hear of the passing of our 41st President, George H.W. Bush. 

Being just 35-years of age, President Bush was the first Commander in Chief I can remember from my youth. Although I don't remember much about his presidency as a child, I have learned a lot about the man over the years in both my school studies and through findings I have researched.

Musings by Marilou: Remembering Mark

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Despite the passage of some 40-plus years, there are two things forever etched in my memory. One is my first schoolgirl crush and the other is the only time I ever saw my father cry.

I will admit that I was completely ga-ga over my brother’s best high school friend, Mark Wilkinson.  Unfortunately, the admiration was never returned. I was merely his friend’s bratty, youngster sister.

Thinking Out Loud: Donald and the King

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Well, that President of ours has gone and done it now. 

Of all the beefs that the mainstream mediacrats have droned on about in the recent past concerning all things El Presidente, surely grievance No. 1134 (or is it 11,034?) is bound to permanently discredit him. 

It seems that our President is guilty by association to a racist cultural appropriator named... Elvis.

At least, according to the Washington Post.

Yes, President Trump has awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom to Elvis Presley, posthumously. 

Letter to the Editor: Reader Thanks Sentinel Staff for Role Model Feature

Dear Editor,

I just wanted to send a note of thanks for the story you recently ran about inspirational role models and specifically Coach Jackie Horton.

This story was refreshing on so many levels. First of all, it is great to have a positive role model and story be the headline instead of some of the more negative things that have had to unfortunately be the lead of late. Troubles at the hospital, recent murder trials and those about the injury to a child have highlighted some of the ugliness that we unfortunately live with in today’s society.