Category Archives: Opinions
A much broader perspective on history
When you get as old as I am — which is really not extremely old, but fairly well-seasoned — it gives you a much 
broader perspective on the grand sweep of historical time.
For example, when I was in elementary school in the early to mid-1960s, World War II was “20 years ago.” That seemed like an eon ago. Now, 20 years ago was 2002. That may seem like a very long time to you if you’re a Millennial, but not to me.
This idea of collapsing and expanding time comes up in my mind all
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Write to Ron Barnett at rbarnett@thepccourier.com.
God searches for those who drift
No matter where we come from or how we have been taught, we are responsible for what we think, what we say and how we act.
As optimism and pessimism are learned behaviors, we know that our conduct and worldviews can be changed and controlled if this is our desire. Our spiritual understanding about who God is and who we are in Him must become more than a hope or a chance of fate. Having a
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Courier Letters to the Editor 3-9-22
Playing Games?
Dear Editor,
In an article concerning her non re-appointment to the Pickens County elections board, Lillian Boatwright blames Sen. Rice for this action. Let me remind your readers that 979 people signed a petition to have her removed in 2020, when she blatantly proved she could not have self control and gave the public the perception she was clearly biased
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Pension shortfall demands attention from lawmakers
It definitely doesn’t get the attention it deserves, but it’s among the most severe financial problems facing South Carolina today: The state retiree pension plan is underfunded by a whopping $25 billion. That means, as things 
currently stand, the state is obligated to eventually pay out $25 billion more in pension benefits than the plan will have on hand to make those payments.
Twenty-five billion dollars is a whole lot of money — nearly two and a half times the state’s general operating budget — and there are no painless
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Hope springs eternal each year
I could write about war and conflict, inflation and greed. I decided against it, because it’s just the same story told 
through the centuries, over and over. The plot stays the same, but the characters are different.
Putin is probably no different from Stalin, Hitler, Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun and a host of other tyrants. Until we learn from history, we’re doomed
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A testimony about a miraculous healing
I want to share a praise report of God healing someone I know personally. We hear about sickness and disease and the endless cries of why, but rarely do we learn about miracles when God intervenes and touches a person with His creative and restoring authority.
In the New Testament, there are true accounts of Jesus asking what He can do for those who were suffering, and when they told Him their request, He said, “I will.” As Christians, we pray because we believe
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Praying in the wake of Putin’s power play
A few years ago, Paul McCartney did a concert in Moscow. Red Square was packed with fans, who, like much of the rest of the world, love his music and appreciate the Beatles’ role in leading a countercultural revolution in the 1960s.
I watched it on TV. It was a great show, and it included interviews with fans who, back in the ‘60s, went to great lengths to acquire Beatles records. Their music was
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What lurks in the mind of a dog?
Have you ever wondered about a dog’s decision-making ability? About what moves them to action and what they perceive as a threat?
We all know that dogs are territorial and interested in protecting the people in their lives. Yes, sometimes they don’t use good judgment. But who among us can claim that humans always do?
Boomer, our boxer bulldog, is one of the sweetest dogs we’ve ever owned. His temperament is laid back, friendly
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Those who have an ear, let them hear
One of the greatest mysteries is the perplexing relationship between God and humans. I cannot think of a more glorious yet frustrating subject. Especially when it comes to people trying to find answers when all they have is questions.
I’ve counseled and given psychological first aid to those who have gone through a traumatic crisis, and I’ve listened to people in hospital waiting rooms repeat that age-old question, “Why is this happening?” They cry and beg, but many times they cannot hear a sound from Heaven, and usually neither can anyone else.
I’m thankful for the holy scriptures that are wonderful promises, but nothing would be better than to sit
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VA expands services for senior vets
Services for senior veterans have been expanded, including home-based primary care, veteran-directed care and medical foster homes. The plan is to make these services — 75 home-based primary care teams, 58 medical foster homes and 70 veteran-directed care programs — available at all Department of 
Veterans Affairs medical centers in the next few years.
The purpose of these programs is to allow senior veterans to either delay going into a nursing home and select the care environment that they prefer, or to age in place at home. What they’ve discovered is that veterans who use these services have fewer trips to the emergency room, fewer
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