Columnists - The Durango Herald

There are many ways to give back to the place you call home

I will soon celebrate my six-year anniversary at United Way of Southwest Colorado. As expected, the work has been challenging and rewarding. Often, people thank me for the work I...

DATE: Dec 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: Creating Community

Trump is bad for Israel – and the entire Mideast

Suppose you’re the type of smart conservative reluctantly inclined to give Donald Trump a pass for his boorish behavior and ideological heresies because you like the way the economy is going...

DATE: Dec 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Unromantic man irks his girlfriend

DEAR ABBY: I am 25 and have been with my boyfriend on and off for five years. I love him very much. I often overthink things, and a constant frustration of mine is that he makes no roman...

DATE: Dec 28, 2018 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Best of 2018 long-form journalism about ideas

At the end of every year I give out the Sidney Awards to celebrate and recommend great examples of long-form journalism. I do it so that we can step out of the daily rush of event...

DATE: Dec 27, 2018 | CATEGORY: David Brooks

Relieve heartburn naturally

When you’re dealing with acid reflux, heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease, it can be difficult to enjoy your favorite meals. The pain associated with these conditions ca...

DATE: Dec 26, 2018 | CATEGORY: Healing Nutrition

Mom drags feet pursuing romance

DEAR ABBY: My dad died when I was young. He and Mom had a beautiful marriage. Mom was in a long relationship after his death and has been single for three years now. She has been spendin...

DATE: Dec 25, 2018 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

America! Here is your case for practical socialism

I’ve had several interviews lately in which I was asked whether capitalism had reached a dead end, and needed to be replaced with something else. I’m never sure what the interview...

DATE: Dec 25, 2018 | CATEGORY: Paul Krugman

Good tidings: There’s a new center being born

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about America’s future? I’m optimistic. I say that because there have been many moments in our history when old ideas and old arrangements stoppe...

DATE: Dec 24, 2018 | CATEGORY: David Brooks

Yuletide doggerel unleashed as poetic license expires

‘Twas the day before Christmas and all through our towns, Events of the past year brought smiles and frowns. Traditions aplenty for this time of year; So her...

DATE: Dec 24, 2018 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Mix-up causes invitation confusion

DEAR ABBY: I recently received an online invitation to a New Year’s Eve party at the home of a dear cousin. Having not heard from her in a while, I decided to call her to express our del...

DATE: Dec 24, 2018 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Flu season arrives; it’s just the beginning

Perhaps you’ve heard of a lump of coal in the stocking on Christmas morning? Well, this unwelcome Christmas gift is worse. It’s not a visit from Scrooge. It’s not the Grinch. It’...

DATE: Dec 23, 2018 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Language apps help travelers – up to a point

My parents moved from New Jersey to Passau, Germany, when I was a toddler. After a few weeks of playing with the neighborhood kids, I spoke fluent, Bavarian-accented German. That’...

DATE: Dec 23, 2018 | CATEGORY: The Travel Troubleshooter