argus Hamilton HOLLYWOOD -- God bless America, and how’s everybody? President Obama ignited a firestorm Saturday when he bowed low to the Emperor of Japan in Tokyo. Nobody’s ever seen an American president do this. President George W. Bush once bowed low to Arnold Palmer, but he swears he was just picking up his ball. Published in The Messenger 11.19.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

The vocal plurality By DOUGLAS COHN and ELEANOR CLIFT WASHINGTON – When the Big Tent gets too big, it collapses. When it becomes too small, it vanishes. Such are the dilemmas for the Democratic and Republican parties and the reason why the fastest growing political movement in America is not even a party. Published in The Messenger 11.19.09 Read More ... Douglas Cohn and Eleanor Clift

A Crusader's View - Who's in your manger? “Who’s in your manger?” Once again it is that time of great hustle and bustle. A time when we look forward to the roasting turkey, while we keep one ear alert for the prancing of reindeer. Yes before we know it, our feast of Thanksgiving will be devoured and its scraps will live on in festive “Gladware.”  Read More ... Jeremy Thayer, Guest Columnist

Plain Talk - War on Christmas “War on Christmas” My opinion about Nativity displays on public land? Here’s a solution to consider - each year hold a special election, vote to pass a surcharge for funding and maintenance of religious holiday displays and if it passes - divvy up the available revenue and land among all of the religious groups who choose to participate. Read More ... Nicolle Crist, Guest Columnist

Letters to the editor Checking facts important step To the Editor: Great and educational editorial (in The Messenger Friday) by Glenda Caudle as usual. In this day of massive information, it is indeed necessary to do some checking to separate fact from opinion. Not all information is factual and most information (other than the most bare of facts) is tinged with the opinion of the presenter. Published in The Messenger 11.18.09 Read More ...

Health care misinformation on both sides, but column was one-sided By RICHARD CHESTEEN Special to The Messenger As a person who takes considerable interest in national health care reform, I read with interest (Messenger Special Features Editor) Glenda Caudle’s remarks in her front page column in The Messenger Friday. Glenda’s concern that in the intense debate on health care legislation we not be led astray in our thinking was appreciated. My problem is this, however. I know there are going to be winners and losers in whatever happens. Published in The Messenger 11.18.09 Read More ... Richard Chesteen

Argus Hamilton HOLLYWOOD -- God bless America, and how’s everybody? Los Angeles magazine reported that young singles in Southern California prefer Internet dating sites over singles bars as places to hook up. They’re fearless. The Internet is a place where men are men, women are men, and children are FBI agents. Published in The Messenger 11.17.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

Democratic v. authoritarian capitalism By DOUGLAS COHN and ELEANOR CLIFT WASHINGTON — President Obama’s 10-day trip to Asia is another reminder of the shift in focus away from Europe and toward China in particular. China is the modern power house, and for Obama’s policies to succeed on a range of issues, he needs cooperation from Chinese leaders. Without their buy-in on economic recovery and climate change, Obama and indeed the world face a much steeper challenge in stabilizing world markets and averting the worst aspects of a warming planet.Published in The Messenger 11.17.09 Read More ... Douglas Cohn and Eleanor Clift

Argus Hamilton BEVERLY HILLS — God bless America, and how’s everybody? South Carolina can’t place a cross on their state license plate after a Muslim group filed a suit and won in U.S. court Tuesday. Security was tight when the ruling was announced. Everyone was afraid the South Carolinians would shoot up the courtroom. Published in The Messenger 11.16.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

Obama must face reality to protect America By FLOYD and MARY BETH BROWN President Obama needs to throw his “Muslims can do no evil” rose-colored glasses off and see the real world. After listening to remarks by Barack Hussein Obama in Fort Hood, Texas, we were struck by how unemotional he is to tragedy. Published in The Messenger 11.16.09 Read More ... Floyd and Mary Beth Brown

Argus Hamilton 11.13.09 HOLLYWOOD — God bless America, and how’s everybody? Heathrow Airport police arrested a United pilot for trying to fly while drunk from London to Chicago. He could have killed everyone onboard.  Read More ...

Argus Hamilton HOLLYWOOD -- God bless America, and how’s everybody? The Minnesota Vikings with Brett Favre entered November as the NFL’s number-one draw in TV ratings. He’s a white Southern cotton farmer from Mississippi and his television ratings go up every week. President Obama’s starting to take it personally. Published in The Messenger 11.12.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

Argus Hamilton HOLLYWOOD — God bless America, and how’s everybody? Hurricane Ida began approaching the Gulf Coast Monday. Everyone is bracing for the destruction. The governors mobilized the National Guard, the people packed sandbags and President Obama called for multicultural understanding of wind and water. Published in The Messenger 11.11.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

Real troop support By TOM PURCELL Ah, Veterans Day is upon us. What better time to show our support for our men and women in uniform? But have we really been supporting them? Sure, we thank them when we see them at the airport. Published in The Messenger 11.11.09 Read More ... Tom Purcell

Honoring our veterans By U.S. Rep. JOHN TANNER This is an important time for Tennessee families to remember their loved ones, neighbors and others who have served, or are serving, our country in uniform. I wanted to take a moment to update you on recent action in the U.S. House of Representatives to help honor and thank those families who have made sacrifices to serve in the Armed Forces. Published in The Messenger 11.11.09 Read More ... Rep. John Tanner

Conservative resurgence begins By FLOYD and MARY BETH BROWN The American people have spoken, and a wave of change has begun. After last Tuesday’s election, Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tried to claim victory. The left-wing media tried portraying the Republicans as a party at war. But the American people, specifically moderates and independents, swung towards the Republicans in significant numbers. Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ... Floyd and Mary Beth Brown

Argus Hamilton HOLLYWOOD -- God bless America, and how’s everybody? President Obama went to Capitol Hill Saturday and pressured reluctant Democrats to vote for health care reform. He told them votes like this are the reason they went into public service. Actually, they went into public service for the health insurance benefits and they don’t want to lose their job. Published in The Messenger 11.10.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

Argus Hamilton BEVERLY HILLS — God bless America, and how’s everybody? George W. Bush’s debate with Bill Clinton at Radio City Music Hall in February had to be canceled Friday. What a shame. When George W. Bush saw Rockettes printed on the dressing room door he would have thought he finally found the weapons of mass destruction. Published in The Messenger 11.9.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

Making sense — What a difference a year makes! By MICHAEL REAGAN One year ago Barack Obama turned the political establishment upside down with a resounding national election that, according to so-called experts, spelled the end of influence and legitimacy for the GOP for years, perhaps decades to come. However, a mere 12 months later, Republicans have dramatically turned around their fortunes with two high-profile gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey -- both by comfortable margins. In Virginia, Republicans won the top three offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General) in Virginia by sweeping margins. Republican Bob McDonnell won the gubernatorial race by a shattering 17 percent margin over Democrat Creigh Deeds. Published in The Messenger 11.9.09 Read More ... Michael Reagan

Argus Hamilton HOLLYWOOD -- God bless America, and how’s everybody? New York Yankee fans paid ticket scalpers twenty thousand a seat to watch Game Six Wednesday. The bonus checks cleared. If a bomb had fallen on that stadium every investment banker in New York would have been killed, for the second time in one year. Published in The Messenger 11.6.09 Read More ... Argus Hamilton

He who would tax By DOUGLAS COHN and ELEANOR CLIFT WASHINGTON — Only one major candidate won by a landslide on Tuesday, Bob McDonnell, former Attorney General of Virginia and now the state’s next governor. He upheld Virginia’s 30-year tradition of backing the party that doesn’t hold the White House, a form of pushback that President Obama must find especially disappointing, having just brought Virginia into the Democrat Published in The Messenger 11.6.09 Read More ... Douglas Cohn and Eleanor Clift