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A potpourri of random W.Va. thoughts

Local Columns

West Virginians awaiting U.S. Senate confirmations will have to wait a little bit longer. Due to Senate Democrats dragging out votes on President Donald Trump’s appointees, the Republican majority has begun approving appointees in large batches. On Thursday, the Senate approved 48 Trump appointees. The next big block of appointees (hat tip Frank Thorp V at NBC News) will likely occur at the beginning of October, assuming the nation is not dealing with a government shutdown. The next block consists of 59 names, including three West Virginians. State Sen. Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha, ...

Lower the volume, raise the standard

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor, We’ve turned every disagreement into a shouting match. And nobody’s winning. Earlier this week, I walked through the quiet hills of Arlington National Cemetery. Row after row of white headstones, perfectly lined and perfectly silent. In that silence, I heard a truth louder than any headline: our country was built on sacrifice, not spite. Those graves aren’t divided by party or ideology. They stand together, reminding us that freedom has a cost. A cost that was paid for all of us, regardless of our differences. Disagreement has always been part of America. ...

Impact underestimated

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor, “Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent mind.” — Isaac Asimov I never met Charlie Kirk. He was just somebody whose social media “content” I liked. I admired his ability to debate. His courageous presentation of objective facts and truth, to people who resisted it. While I’ve watched and enjoyed his videos, his debates, his podcast, I never would have expected to be feeling the way I do. now. An emotional connection exists, I never realized was there. I’m sad about this; I’m angry. Something in my chest wants to do something ... but what ...

This time of year is always a look at the past

Local Columns

It’s hard to believe it has already been an entire year since I wrote a column about my oldest son, Dylan, turning 32. I blinked. And this week, he turns 33. Still a good age, although it reminds me of how quickly time passes. It also shows me how I am really no further ahead than I was more than three decades ago. And it can hurt terribly. It truly does sadden me at times to realize I didn’t use the life I was given here wisely. But then again, how many of us really do? How many of us take advantage of the life God gave us and use it to our fullest potential? I ...

Guest Opinion: Protecting Medicare Advantage means protecting seniors’ health and well-being

Local Columns

Before, during and after my time in the West Virginia Senate, I’ve been proud to advocate for mental health. The best way to fight illness, physical or mental, is to prevent it before it takes hold. That’s why I believe so strongly in protecting Medicare Advantage and the benefits it brings to our seniors. Medicare Advantage isn’t just another insurance program. It’s a lifeline for more than 34 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands of West Virginia seniors and people with disabilities. Unlike traditional, fee-for-service Medicare, it covers services that keep ...

Guest Opinion: Environmental decisions affecting coal

Local Columns

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has been at the forefront of discussions on the importance of having a reliable energy source for this nation. While never downplaying the importance of all fuels, we consistently advocate for having energy that doesn’t falter when there’s no wind or no sun shining. We’ve found that coal and natural gas, both abundant in the Mountain State, are reliable sources for powering electric generation plants. In support of this idea, the administration in Washington declared a national energy emergency soon after it came into ...