Happy New Year 2010, the end of one decade and a fresh start for the next!
If I may say so, the first decade of the 21st century couldn’t end soon enough…
Author: <span>Ron Charest</span>
It’s early Saturday morning here in our nation’s capital, and we’re having the storm of the century. It started snowing early last night and it’s still snowing this morning even as I write. Judging by the snow piled up on the picnic table, visible just outside our basement door, we already have at least six inches and more to come.
So, what to do on a snowed-in Saturday morning? How about a little multi-cultural music fun?
Well, it’s that time of year again. The time of year when everyone suddenly finds value in acting good and nice towards their fellow persons. Almost as if someone like Santa Claus was watching. Besides the delightful (not!) cold weather, we have the wonderful opportunity to listen to yet another go-around of music designed to get us into the holiday spirit.
Once again, it’s Thanksgiving day and my favorite holiday of the year. While I’m waiting for the turkey to finish up cooking (as we all know, a turkey always cooks in its own time) and the guests to arrive, I want to reflect for a minute on all we have to be thankful for.
Awhile back, I submitted a column to our local newspaper, now named “InsideNoVa.com,” formerly “The Potomac News.” My column submission was triggered by a report that about 80 percent of Prince William County were “OK” with the way our police department were handling the anti-Hispanic immigration resolution passed by our Board of County Supervisors back in 2007.
I was deeply offended by this information, and submitted my column.
I suspect that our many loyal readers may have noticed that I haven’t posted much of anything over the past year. Well, there was a reason for that, and not just because I didn’t feel like writing.
We had an interesting nature call this past spring. It seems a pair of birds decided to build a nest, lay their eggs, and raise their young right over the outside light next to our basement patio door.
I had the chance to make a quick trip to my former hometown of Gautier, Mississippi, this past week. It was a quick 6 hour visit made on the spur of the moment while in New Orleans, Louisiana, on a business trip. Although it felt good to be back in my former home town even for a short while and visit with old friends, I also felt a small bit melancholy.
Back on December 28, 2008, I had my latest letter to the editor (LTE) published in our local newspaper the Potomac News. This letter was a rebuttal and answer to our local columnist James Simpson. Mr. Simpson subsequently promised a rebuttal to my answer, and this week he did just that.
Not much of a surprise there, but what did pleasantly surprise me was his tone. He actually wrote a respectful response laying out his opinions without any hint of mocking me.
About Taxes
I wrote this column in August, with the intention of submitting it as freelance to our local newspaper “InsideNoVA.com.” I never submitted it, as a result of my previous submission on the immigration resolution not being published. Perhaps I should have anyway, but I can also use the excuse that Winnie and I were just too busy in the final throes of rebuilding our second property.
So, for your reading pleasure, the first time in publication ever, you can read my thoughts on taxes.
Opinions & Commentary
Letters To The Editor Politics Potomac News Taxes