Most Americans have felt the sting of rising health care costs at one point or another. Those most affected, however, by skyrocketing medical fees, pricey prescription drugs and expensive insurance premiums are society's most vulnerable: children and seniors.

October was a month marked by many college reunions. As I reflect on the 35 years since graduating from Stanford University, the usual thoughts people associate with this milestone run through my mind.
These include fond memories about friends and events, marvels about how much time has passed since "just yesterday," sorrow about some good people who have — figuratively and literally — lost their lives

Employees of public institutions readily recognize that things change at work every time someone new gets elected to a governing body — be it the school board, city or county council, state Legislature or the federal government.
As a former public employee and elected official with 35 years' experience in public schools, county and state government, I can attest to the ever-nebulous reality that runs through the halls of government.

Judge Samuel Alito isn't what he claims to be. And he's a lot more of a threat than the pundit class suggests. Yes, he's anti-abortion, and will swing the balance of the Supreme Court if he is confirmed to take the place of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
But Alito is more than a threat to women's right to choose. He's the standard-bearer for the new conservative order . . .

They were just ordinary toys — a set of Black and White dolls that cost 50 cents each at the…

Amidst the monstrously large suitcases there was an air of excitement and great expectation among the international travelers. The hotel lobby was large and grand. Eager to get to my room, I anxiously watched while one of the elevators quickly filled, and then quickly stepped into the next one that arrived.
There we were, alone, on the elevator together. He was an older, distinguished and handsome gentleman . . .

Let's be clear. Get Rich or Die Tryin', the semi-autobiographical movie that tracks the life of gangster rap icon Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson from street thug to musical superstar, is not going to send young Blacks sprinting from the theaters to commit murder and mayhem in their neighborhoods.
It's a movie, and there's no smoking gun connection between violence on the big screen and bodies in the streets.

An e-mail chain currently making the rounds asks the question: "What do you love about America?" There are some terrific answers. Among my favorites are: The Grambling State University Marching Band, Times Square, overpriced coffee, 7th Avenue Park Slope, Thelonius Monk, Johnny Cash, Sandra Bullock and — of course — The Cosby Show.
To this growing list I would add: Western films, cheeseburgers, the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, Count Basie. . .

Rosa Parks died on this past month at the age of 92. She will be missed by millions of people for…

It was one of those days. The children were getting on my nerves and I was in the doghouse with my wife. Nothing seemed to be going my way. I was staring at a stack of bills on the desk and yet hadn't heard from my agent in what seemed like months.