One of my all-time favorite reads is “Growing Up” by Russell Baker, a Pulitzer-Prize winning autobiography in which Baker writes beautifully and often hilariously about life — his and mine and yours.
Americans could scarcely be blamed for feeling confused about whether or not to wear a mask right now. A week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended into May a nationwide mask mandate for travel on airplanes, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation. Then on Monday, a federal judge in Florida struck it down.
I think I’ve finally figured it out. Superman stands for truth, justice and the American way, all of which are lovely, but what are We the People really looking for? We’re on a journey and not, we tell ourselves, to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
DEAR ABBY: I am an old man, married to a wonderful woman who does everything for me. I’m in poor health and don’t expect to live much longer. My wife is a youthful 80. She’s trim, pretty, active, hardworking, loving and sexy. She enjoys skiing, fishing, gardening, board games, puzzles etc. She is the most organized person I have ever known. She likes to cook and entertain and is excellent at both.
BA.2, the newest subvariant of omicron, is highly transmissible and accounts for 55% of COVID-19 infections in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It has been classified as a variant of concern, and it’s causing the majority of cases of COVID worldwide and here in the United States.
The prime ministers of Sweden and Finland, Magdalena Andersson and Sanna Marin, both signaled last week that they will likely be applying for membership in NATO. The “prospect” is most “welcome,” says The Washington Post: “Finland and Sweden Should Join NATO.” The editorial was headlined “A Way to Punish Putin.” Before joining the rejoicing in NATO capitals, we might inspect what NATO membership for these two Nordic nations would mean for the United States.
An extraordinary thing happened earlier this month on the floor of the U.S. Senate. A Democratic senator from Hawaii, about as far as you can get from Missouri, dispensed with decorum and launched into a withering attack on Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. Floor speeches typically are reserved for the debate of issues and bills but rarely devolve into direct personal attacks. Hawley’s divisive antics over the past year, however, apparently have pushed Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz too far.
Although real estate is usually the most significant asset an individual owns, it is often overlooked as a vehicle for giving. The process may be a bit complicated, but donating real estate is an extremely tax-smart way to contribute to your favorite charity.
Can major parts of Independence be run better, to the long-term benefit of the community? Yes, they can. Independence appears to be on the path to reviewing its City Charter, an idea endorsed by the Independence Chamber of Commerce.
A resigned sigh is the adult response to this week’s announcement that air travelers must continue donning face masks amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. What’s not welcome: entitled bellyaching.