We aren’t the world

By Rich Lowry   To believe his critics, Donald Trump has ripped up the U.S. Constitution and sprinkled its shreds on the smoldering embers of what was once the Statute of Liberty.

The Week Between

By Lynette Sowell It’s that in-between time of year, when the weight of the previous months has piled up behind us. Most of the time, I like the idea of hibernating and doing nothing for that final week of the year. It’s quieter, for one thing. Businesses slow down, some even close for a break.

New ‘open carry’ legislation takes effect on Jan. 1

by Ed Sterling The coming of the 2016 brings heightened interest statewide in two new laws in particular that were passed by the 84th Texas Legislature in June 2015.   The first is HB 910, a law conditionally allowing the “open carry” of handguns in public places.

The Christmas Star

By Renae Brumbaugh I did it. I finally broke down and bought a new star for the top of the tree. For years, an angel has done the honors, regally reigning over all things Christmas. The only problem was, she wasn’t lighted, so when the tree lights came on, she disappeared.

Climate Make-Believe in Paris

By Rich Lowry Saving the planet has never been so easy.   The Paris climate talks concluded in a rousing round of self-congratulation over an agreement that, we are told, is the first step toward keeping Earth habitable.

Secret Santas

By Lynette Sowell   A simple story of an unselfish man has morphed into what we know as Santa Claus today. I love the story of the original Nicholas.

My favorite preacher, Fred Folk: ‘I’m just a sinner’

By Willis Webb   In the rural climes for Freestone County in the late 1940s and 1950s, my first and only church experience for years was The Luna Missionary Baptist Church. Luna was a little crossroads community about eight miles south of Teague.

Celebrate

By Renae Brumbaugh   I am over-the-moon happy! This Christmas, I’ll get to see everyone I love. Well, not everyone . . . I might not see each of you reading this article, and I do love all of you. But I’ll see all the people on my list, all the people I want to celebrate Christmas with.

Cruz vs. Rubio -- A better GOP race

By Rich Lowry   A funny thing is happening on the way to the GOP meltdown.   According to the latest Quinnipiac poll, the two most popular and broadly acceptable candidates in the field are perhaps the most talented and most reliably conservative.

Abbott backs Cruz’s filing of legislation addressing refugees

By Ed Sterling   Gov. Greg Abbott was in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8 to participate in a news conference with U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Ted Cruz, RTexas, who rolled out his proposed State Refugee Security Act.   Abbott said in a Dec.