Crane: Here we go again …

The new U.S. House Speaker, Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana, is about to experience the first major test of his mettle and abilities.

Rich: Southern gothic murder (Part Three)

There is not a Southern Gothic story, murder, or else, without the Devil in a starring role.

Yarbrough: Why Israel has a right to defend itself

When I reflected in this space recently about having lost a grandson some 15 years ago, I received a lot of responses, including from those who had shared a similar experience of losing a child or grandchild of their own. One particular note stood out.

Crane: A true, heartfelt salute

My paternal great-grandfather, Charles C. Crane, nearly lost his life during World War I. I can still recall as a child, him telling me haunting stories of war. My paternal and maternal grandfathers, William C. Crane and Leonard W. Ready, respectively, served in the Army and Navy during WWII.

Crane: So, what is a RICO?

Rico Carty was my favorite Atlanta Brave when I was a kid, along with Hank Aaron. Carty was among the first Dominicans to play in MLB and was part of the Atlanta Braves team that won its first National DivisionWestern League title in 1969.No, not that Rico.

Southern gothic murder (part one)

The first time I ever sat in a courtroom for a Southern Gothic murder trial, I was 17. Back then, I didn’t know there was a name for it because I had yet to read “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner or “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” by Flannery O’Connor.

I stand with Israel

As a world leader, the United States has plenty of conditional allies and even occasionally helpful “frenemies,” but when the chips are down that list of nations that always have our backs gets pretty short pretty quickly.Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, and most of the time Australia.

Scott a good role model for GOP

Georgia Congressman Austin Scott of Tifton is what a Republican should be – and used to be – before the right-wing crowd took control.

Just a little talk

Tink enjoys looking out a window to see me meandering through the yard, talking to imaginary people. Usually, I’m working out a story but, not infrequently, I’m talking to someone special. Recently, I was out in the yard, picking up limbs from River Birch trees which prune themselves, constantly.

No Nobel Literature Prize – again

Rats!Can you believe it?Once again, I have been passed over for the Nobel Prize in Literature.This is beginning to get on my nerves.Some guy named Jon Olav Fosse won it this year.As you may know, the Nobel Committee is located in Sweden and the award went to a Norwegian.