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Citizen requests prayers for local pastor

I ignored the first slur. I told myself, “It doesn’t matter.” I resisted the second slur. I urged myself, “Let it go.” But the third time a criticism was lodged against my faithful phone--within the same conversation--I took offense. Yes, I own an android phone. Many days, my phone and I get along famously; we Google and giggle; we search and lurch; we call and stall. On this particular day, however, we were under close scrutiny and criticism, too. “Oh, you have an android,” the voice said. I heard: you’re obviously an inferior second-class citizen.

A longtime friend of mind, whenever he was involved in a detailed discussion that was taking too long for him to understand, would often act as though he had reached a conclusion. Wearing a perfectly serious expression, he would say, “Or would you rather have an orange?” There are some things that just don’t make sense. What is interesting is that many people find those things easy to understand. Attending City Commissioner meetings is one aspect of my work of covering and reporting the news of Ennis. Focusing on the questions asked by Commissioners about the various agenda topics, along with their input, is a shortcut to see who is paying attention and their reasoning in reaching a conclusion.

What difference does it make when a school board does not properly vet someone prior to hiring the individual? Does it make any difference if the person is doing the job well? What if the person comes with an endorsement from a ranking staffer? Since the biggest act a school board is required to do is hire a superintendent, are they not also required to fully vet the applicants? The recent discovery of a school board in Des Moines, Iowa and its choice for Head of Schools, Ian Roberts, found fraudulent - has drawn great attention to the process.

It is a good thing to have cousins tucked into the nooks and crannies of the Southeast.

In the 1986 movie, Heartbreak Ridge, Clint Eastwood plays Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway. He takes command over a lazy and spoiled reconnaissance platoon. The resistance they offered to getting back into military shape made for a memorable movie. Returning to a former level is challenging and resistance is common. It is why many avoid the effort to get back to basics. Some recognize the need to make changes, while those who fight correction are no longer worth retaining. Tuesday in Quantico, Virginia, U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, met with 800 military officials whose rank of onestar general or higher. They were summoned to the Marine Corps base with no advance agenda given. The location, however, should’ve been a clue. The base is the Marines home of Leathernecks, Devil Dogs, Jarheads and Grunts, so it was doubtful that an exchange of pleasantries were in order.

School teachers have been called “the unsung heroes of the world in which we live.“ They challenge, correct and point the next generation toward a better path, while taking roll, changing bus assignments and suggesting, “You should blow your nose.” Teaching is a little like motherhood…but without the umbilical cord. It also seems to extend way beyond a school campus or administrative building for teachers, I believe, make the best traveling companions. Rick Steves, Roads Scholars and Viking would do well to capitalize on this group of organized, capable educators who serve as handwriting detectives and hall monitors while encouraging good citizenship, too. Their skill set is extensive.

“I guess I’m having my second childhood,” said my 90-yearold aunt in our telephone conversation this weekend. “I never had tonsillitis as a child but now I’m on my second week of antibiotics for what they’re calling ‘tonsillitis.’” Since she has been homebound, I called to report what news I could think of, and to learn from her, too. We discussed the calendar, school starts, birthdays and anniversaries.