Columns

William F. Buckley’s dad, a sharp-tongued Texan who always spoke his mind, reviled Mexican revolutionaries as south-of-theborder Bolsheviks in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Dec. 13, 1919.

Years ago, I had a relative by marriage who could be painfully honest, even if in a kidding way. For instance, upon arrival for a three day holiday gathering at their home, he announced as we came up the front steps with five year old Melissa in tow, “Welcome! We’re always glad to see you come.

Dec. 1, 1972 Santa Claus sent official word that he would arrive on the Square in La Grange on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to my recent argument against the Fed raising interest rates that only serve to penalize working families and small business owners and for systemic economic reforms needed in America to reduce the big ticket living and operating expenses of families and small business owners that makes the rate of inflation itself pale in comparison are the following additional and long overdue inflation remedies: There is a need for a clean energy and domestic natural gas economy in the U.S. to substantially reduce the cost of living and the cost of operating a small business. The cost of investing in such clean energy economy in the U.S. could be quickly paid for in the short term by ending the huge annual funding of the free security of international oil companies in the Middle East by U.S. taxpayers (e.g., the $7 trillion cost of the needless Iraqi War II). Those annual savings would enable U.S. taxpayer investment in public research and development in areas that the private sector will not risk (e.g. pandemic vaccines, the internet, weather and communication satellites, clean and efficient energy production, and hydraulic fracturing and how to environmentally control its harmful elements and public education, especially pre-K education that is essential for a economically disadvantaged child’s later success in life.)

My compliments to the Record for providing section front space to the 14 student quotes of Mr. Cauthern’s speech class. No doubt, these students, to a great extent, represent La Grange HS and the type of influence the teachers are having on the next generation, our future leaders.

In a previous letter I quoted, “At some point we may start to acknowledge that both political parties are responsible in some measure for the challenges we face in our society. And at some point we might begin to address those challenges. But we won’t be able to do that if we cannot even agree on what words mean.”

Fall must have arrived, because the leaves are changing color and falling off the trees. Here in Central Texas, we don’t usually see a whole lot of fall color.

The ‘holiday blues’ is more than just an expression; unfortunately, it is a very real experience for many. As the holiday season arrives, all the happiness and excitement that goes with the gatherings and festivities that are meant to bring joy, fun and pleasure, serve as painful reminders of our losses. And often, ‘the blues’ or depression and anxiety follow.

A report submitted to state leaders ahead of the 88th legislative session’s opening in January urges lawmakers to develop “an innovative new model” to fund community colleges. The Texas Commission on Community College Finance, established last year by the Legislature and consisting of 12 lawmakers, business leaders and community college leaders, offered three sets of recommendations for supporting the state’s strategic plan for higher education: • Reward community colleges for positive student outcomes • Increase affordability and financial aid • Increase capacity at colleges to meet changing workforce needs “We need a funding model for our 50 community college districts that is bold, strategic and fully aligned with our emerging workforce needs,” said Woody Hunt, a member of the commission and longtime business leader.

The vote for the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the best college football player in the land, was announced on Dec. 5, 1950, and Kyle Rote of SMU did himself proud by coming in second.