journalism blog

When someone leaves you, there are always questions you wished you would have asked. Sometimes there are things you find out after their death that raises even more questions. My father died suddenly 15 years ago next month. He had been retired for many years after a career in television news. The last 23 years

When I saw Justin Timberlake’s rousing opening dance number at the Academy Awards, I have to confess I’d never heard it before. I usually don’t watch the Grammys because, while I recognize some of the artists, I’m embarrassed to say I hardly know any of the songs. Growing up in the sixties, I knew every

There are big milestone events in everyone’s life. Going off to college. Starting a career. Getting married. Having kids. They grow up and get married and give you grandkids. Retirement. Now, I want to add moving. In today’s mobile society, people move more than ever. We have only moved three times. The first time, after

One of Donald Trump’s favorite phrases is “fake news” which is any news that he doesn’t like, or is critical of him. He doesn’t use the term when he makes up fake or “alternate facts” to justify his position on anything. He uses this charge to attack the main stream news media when it calls him out on his

It’s happened to all of us. It robs us of time we will never get back. It’s frustrating. It’s maddening. I think it would be easier to communicate with aliens from another planet. It’s the phone call you never want to make. You’ve probably guessed. You’re getting aggravated just because I’m bringing it up. Dealing

The long holiday weekend honoring presidents is here. Growing up we used to have two president’s birthdays in February. Lincoln on February 12th and Washington February 22nd. Washington’s was a federal holiday because he was the first guy to hold the job, and many feel he was the greatest and most important. Lincoln never got

It always seems easier and more convenient to fly out of smaller airports. Easier parking. Fewer people. Getting through security is much quicker, especially if you are lucky enough to get TSA pre-check. So this past week my wife and I flew out of Atlantic International Airport for a vacation in Florida. Since it was

It has taken a few days for the words to sink in. I have read many reactions and analysis of Donald Trump’s inaugural address. I’m still shocked by the breathtaking crudeness of its language and its delivery. I completely disagree with Trump on just about everything, and don’t think he’s qualified to be president, and have

You start to notice the beauty even before you get there. As you head west from Las Vegas, you have to cross the Spring Mountains. The day my wife and I set out, it was clear and bright. But as we approached the mountains, we could see dark, brooding clouds overhead. We were concerned that rain

This is the time of year when journalists and writers look back and tell us what they thought was the best and worst of everything. I’ve tried to make this space about the four things that I feel are important issues, and can be viewed as a common denominator for many of us. Journalism, politics, language,