Consistent inconsistencies with high court

July 7, 2026

The Second Amendment to the Constitution is a relic of a bygone era of revolution. The Founders could not have contemplated that it would apply to semiautomatic handguns. The Founders absolutely could not have contemplated that it would apply to machine guns. The Founders could not have foreseen mass shootings. It is silly, therefore, to think the Second Amendment applies to present weaponry and situations. Therefore, there must be some other, more specific meaning to the Amendment related to the "well-regulated militia." That is the progressive argument, in a nutshell. The ...

American war of independence was no revolution

July 3, 2026

MECOSTA, Mich.—When this columnist was a newspaper reporter, one of the editors was fond of saying we needed to write in a way that would hold people’s attention when the kids were screaming, the dog was barking, and the television was on. Today’s column doesn’t follow that ...

Sunday was full of high notes

July 2, 2026

Sunday was opening day at Chautauqua, and like all Sundays during the 9-week season, admission was free. Ginger, my BFF from New York City, is visiting us this week for the holiday. She joined me Sunday as the interim president of Chautauqua Institution opened its 153rd season just before the ...

‘Dilapidated’ site gets too much attention

June 27, 2026

This letter is in regard to the dilapidated eyesore building (the “former Eagles Crest property,” as it seems to have no name predating 2018) at Liberty and Market streets. I watched the entirety of the June 10 RDA meeting video regarding its future. First, the first 25 minutes or so involves former and present city leadership arguing with the RDA members largely about procedure. Around that point, the only voice that mattered at that meeting spoke. It was the voice of the owner of Christie’s, Chris Arford. He stated very clearly that the building is an imminent disaster ...

Two decades of madness raging on

June 25, 2026

Most weeks, I like to write about personal experiences that other people can relate to, and imbue them with humor, snide comments, or everyday frustrations. This week is different. I’m mad. It is an anger still festering after 20 years Tom O’Brien, my late husband, died of esophageal ...

Not nodding off on the important questions

June 20, 2026

Questioner: Who won the 2020 Presidential election? Respondent: I did but the outcome was false – “the big steal.” “And everyone knows it.” Q: What happened at the Capitol January 6, 2021? A: Patriots tried to prevent the illegal transfer of governmental power. Q: Can a President, any person, be infallible? Make no mistakes, be the smartest man in all rooms who doesn’t need advice or briefings from others, can correct the Pope’s theology, etc. A: “Yes.” Q: Does your past illegal actions, both court proven and alleged, bother you? A: No. I am ...