I have now published 50 columns in this newspaper on subjects as far ranging as gun control, individual rights, death, taxes and so on.

Jason Campbell is not the only person in Washington whose ability is being questioned; medical insurance companies are being criticized more heavily than ever. Why?

On Sept. 15, 1787, George Mason and James Madison were delegates from Virginia to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which was presided over by their fellow Virginian, George Washington.

A few years ago, NBA stars Charles Barkley and Dwyane Wade drummed up business for T-Mobile by posing the question “Who’s in your 5?” Now, blogger and former retailer Cinda Baxter is hoping to have a much bigger impact by asking “Who’s in your 3?”

Some six months ago I wrote a column asking the question “Why Afghanistan?” and have been following events there since that time.

According to the Washington Post, the Obama administration is pushing to transfer some of the terrorist detainees currently held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, into Virginia for trial in a U.S. federal criminal court, possibly in Alexandria.

Note: Inspired by President Barack Obama’s recent speech to the nation’s school children, columnist Scott Hollifield decided to give his own back-to-school address. So far, no schools have accepted his offer and all media outlets have ignored him, but that did not stop him from releasing this transcript of his prepared remarks in an effort to stave off criticism and outrage that has not yet materialized.

Both newspapers and broadcast TV will look a lot different in the next few decades, but I think the changes in TV will come a lot more rapidly than for newspapers.

Afghanistan is about as removed as one could imagine from being at the center of a First Amendment controversy.

Remember what U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said about the health care reform bill at the National Press Club on Aug. 4?

Culpeper has been so swept up in Martin’s-mania lately, it’s hard to remember that it is just a grocery store. And a pharmacy. And a gas station! Oh my! How did we ever live here without this store?

“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal ... ”

I had a tough time writing this week’s column. You see, next week is the four-year anniversary of my dad’s sudden passing.

I find it interesting how Gordon Meriwether viewed intimidation in his column Aug. 20 (“Intimidation taking the place of civil discourse in health care debate”).

Death is such a strange companion, but a constant companion of life. Just as life and the joy of living lift us, then comes death and the agony of loss.

Athletes and celebrities have a unique opportunity to be role models, to be heroes.

Until the Revolution, the Church of England was Virginia’s “established” church, and everyone in Virginia was required by the General Assembly to attend Anglican church services at least once every four weeks.

While Americans might always remember John Edwards for his $400 haircut or his infidelity to his ailing wife, the message of his presidential campaigns has long been forgotten: that 37 million of our neighbors shouldn’t be living in poverty in the richest country in the world.

The government printing presses continue to pump out currency with the backing of the Federal Reserve and, as a result, a bottomless pit is being created for all of us.

Having lived in the area for 18 years now, I can’t tell you how excited I was when I heard about Martin’s coming to Culpeper.

Saying that someone deserves to be killed certainly gets anyone’s attention.

And kids left in cars? Here’s a gem for you that I found on MSNBC.com this week: “Man leaves kids in car while visiting strip club.” Yes, Culpeper, these people are reproducing.

This Saturday marks the 42nd anniversary of what was perhaps the biggest Culpeper news story of the past century.

Local heroes can come in many forms

Cumberland George began preaching in 1817, and he was ordained by the Baptist Church in Fredericksburg on March 12, 1819. From that time until his death on Aug. 25, 1863, he pastored at least 10 churches in Virginia’s Piedmont region.

Let’s look at health care reform, “Jeopardy” style.

Hello, reader! I am excited by the prospect of sharing my thoughts with you each week, regardless of how disturbing they might be.

Six years ago, on June 30, 2003, State Senator Obama spoke to the Illinois AFL-CIO saying: “I happen to be a proponent of a single payer universal health care program. ….

On their 10th anniversary last week, my sister and brother-in-law finally had their wedding.

Battle lines are being drawn in Texas for a protracted fight over what gets taught in the state’s social studies classrooms.