OPINION — The terrorists won the battle of Boston, not because of the bombing of the Boston Marathon, but because of what happened afterwards.

American law enforcement — in a number estimated to be beyond 8,000, about the size of an Army infantry division — shut down a major American city on an April Friday.

Why did they shut down Boston and its suburbs and order citizens to “shelter in place”?

Because one armed 19-year-old man was on the loose.

Was this 19-year-old carrying a suitcase nuclear weapon? Read More»

Pastors get some of the most interesting questions from people they meet and people in their congregations.  Here are a few that I have gotten during my years of ministry and via email for this column.

Dear Father Paul:  Same-sex marriage is very much in the news right now and the Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether it is to become legal or not in the United States.  A decision is expected no later than the end of June.  Does the Bible address this issue?  What do you say? —  Sean
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By temperament and educational training, I’ve learned not to over-react when I hear something second-hand. There are always two sides of every story. Until you go to the primary source, you truly don’t know what really happened (my children have taught me this first hand).

Such was the case, when I heard about a commercial by cable channel MSNBC host, Melissa Harris-Perry which advocates that “your children don’t belong to you.” Read More»

The concept of a public school system partnering with local industries is still new to many of us. The very idea of changing the 100-year-old institution of public education is sure to evolve slowly.

But the Fayette community continues our learning process to better understand what a college and career academy (CCA) could provide Fayette students and the community.

Presenting ... “myth-busters.” Let’s clear up some of the misunderstandings about a CCA.

Myth #1 — A college and career academy involves building another high school. Read More»

I’m currently a sophomore in high school and, as long as I can remember, I have been taught about firearm safety.

Over the years I have learned to respect the power a gun holds, gun owner responsibility and my Second Amendment right.

Looking forward to college, I was glad to see the recent push for concealed carry on college campuses defeated. I know there is a self-defense issue, but on campus, student maturity is still developing, weapons training and experience are limited and alcohol use is frequent — lousy ingredients for gun safety. Read More»

On Monday, April 15, there will be only 30 days of school left for Fayette County until next year and forever for Fayette Middle School. Luckily, we have a ton of stuff packed into those 30 days.

Before anything else, we have to finish the CRCT (Boooo!).

For me, in comparison to the rest of the year, the biggest events are happening in chorus. First we are going to have “Gospel on the Green” April 24. It is a FCHS event at the amphitheater and will include performances from many famous gospel singers including one with whom FMS chorus will perform. Read More»

Mama’s favorite phrase when I was growing up — particularly during the defiant teenage years, especially when I sassed her — was “you’re gonna pay for your raising one day, little lady. Let me assure you of that. You just wait until you have children and see how they behave.” Read More»

A few days after the makeup session, I met Wendy, Joanne, and a couple of other women at now-defunct Banker‘s Note. We were each to pick out a casual and a dressy outfit for the church women‘s fashion show.

Joanne, a stunning woman of a certain age (meaning near mine), snatched two dresses off the racks, emerged a moment later wearing one, said “What do you think?“ to the rest of us. She did the same thing with the other outfit, and was done.

In five minutes, she was done. And she looked gorgeous in both choices. Read More»

A terrible incident, which could have resulted in multiple murders, occurred a few days ago in Texas.

A 20-year-old man went on a rampage at a Texas community college and attacked and wounded at least 14 people. Several had to be life-flighted to an area hospital as the young man went from building to building seeking targets of opportunity.

What makes this attack stand out from similar attacks elsewhere is that the weapon the man brandished was not a firearm. It was a knife. Read More»

It was 40 miles to nowhere. The car was running on empty and so was the driver. The detour off the main highway eventually led down a country road with little signage except one announcing a barbecue joint five miles ahead: “Next right: Bud’s Barbecue. We got the best butts and gas in town.”

Amused, the driver turned down the old road. Besides, for what lay ahead, he would need all his strength. With still another hour of traveling, a good meal would go a long way in helping him feel better. Read More»