Rosa Parks, Thoreau and civil disobedience
As random thoughts led to other random thoughts, local columnist T.J. Ray recalled one of his attempts at teaching Henry David Thoreau and civil disobedience to college students years ago. Ray writes about the lesson and how it relates to today. (May 18, 2012, Page 4A)
You Shall Receive
Local columnist Jimmy Reed knows God has more important things to do than to give him a long-wanted Harley-Davidson. However, as he relates in this week’s column, there’s always hope because prayers are answered and miracles do happen. (May 15, 2012, Page 4)
Censorship is still 50 shades of wrong
With libraries in multiple states deciding not to put the latest sex novel, E L James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey,” on their shelves, local columnist Deidra Jackson writes about censorship and its effect on readers and the public. (May 10, 2012, Page 4)
A reminder
Local columnist T.J. Ray introduces an assignment about budgets, debt and the government’s role and looks at how well we’re doing. The interesting thing is when the assignment was actually first introduced. (May 9, 2012, Page 4)
Thanks, Mama
To honor his mother on upcoming Mother’s Day, local columnist Jimmy Reed offers a few of the countless thanks he owes her. (May 8, 2012, Page 4)
Is it puzzles and numbers, or puzzling numbers?
Ever since his geometry teachers introduced him to pi, local columnist T.J. Ray has had his share of troubles with numbers. Ray asks some hard questions related, of course, to numbers that puzzle him. (May 2, 2012, Page 4)
Ignunt
Local columnist Jimmy Reed, after watching his grandson improperly deal with a sneeze, writes about how so many people – not only youngsters – just follow the lead of others even if what they’re doing is wrong. (May 1, 2012, Page 4)
Thanks, social media; we’re plugged in but tuned out
Local columnist Deidra Jackson sees it every morning on her commute to town – people conversing on their cellphones. Who are they talking to and what are they talking about – and is it really something that’s meaningful? Real moments and memories, she writes, are what’s really important. (April 26, 2012, Page 4)
Job’s Job
Local columnist Jimmy Reed, while battling flu-like symptoms and other issues, was reminded of the real tribulations that Job went through and resolved to overcome any self-pity he might have had. (April 24, 2012, Page 4)
A special day
A phone call from a stranger about a photo that ran in The LafaShopper News produced an eventful trip and new friends for local columnist T.J. Ray, who relates details about his recent trip to Harmontown. (April 17, 2012, Page 4)
