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Embracing the Blessings of Being Americans

In 1905 Leon Trotsky, Russian Communist revolutionary, coined the phrase “permanent revolution.” Trotsky believed that a Communist takeover in Russia would be only the beginning of a permanent process — a total transformation of society from top to bottom. And he hoped that the revolution in Russia would immediately spark revolution everywhere, first and simultaneously in the industrialized countries of Europe, but eventually all over the world. Communism did triumph in Russia in 1917. The Bolshevik party, with Lenin as the head, solidified its power. And after Lenin’s ...

Voting for Amendment One Ensures Your Life Doesn’t Cost Too Much

Meet Barbara Wagner, great-grandmother, at the age of 64. In 2008, she was diagnosed with lung cancer—and was fighting for her life. Her physician recommended chemotherapy, and prescribed Tarceva to extend her life. The drug provided a 30% increased survival rate for patients with advanced lung cancer, and increased the likelihood that she would live another year by 45%. This was the way forward; it was going to be difficult, but Barbara was a fighter. However, Barbara lived in Oregon. She received a devastating letter in the mail—a letter from her health insurance provider. The ...

Marshall Memo: Five-Year Reunion Planned, Books Being Released, JM Fall Production Set

Graduates and friends of the Moundsville High School Alumni Association will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 6 to begin planning the 11th five-year all-school reunion. The committee will meet at the Presbyterian Church on Third Street in Moundsville, and attendees should use the rear entrance by the parking lot. The first all-school reunion was held Labor Day weekend 1975. The next reunion will take place on Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-30, 2025. Each class representative is asked to have an updated address list of class members. All are welcome to be part of this planning session to be part of this ...

Art of Compromise Isn’t Dead, After All

The second special session of 2024 ended Tuesday night with a compromise between Gov. Jim Justice and Republican legislative leadership on an additional 2% cut in personal income tax rates. During an address last Wednesday, Justice did a touchdown dance and criticized those in the Legislature and media who said he would never get a tax cut over the special session finish line. As I don’t make predictions, I never said one way or another whether there would be a tax cut. I only relayed what my sources in the Legislature were saying, which was they did not see a pathway for ...

Marshall Memo: Coaches Named and Halloween Haunts Announced

The Marshall County Board of Education this past Tuesday approved the following coaches: Shawn Ball and Jason Dalesio, assistant baseball coaches, Citizen Coaches, Cameron High School. Adam Angel, Head Baseball Coach at Cameron High (HS). Citizen Coach. Matt Francis, Head Baseball Coach, Cameron High (MS) Citizen Coach. Shawn Fullerton, Boys’ Assistant Track Coach (HS), Cameron High. Citizen Coach. Melissa Burkett, Girls’ Assistant Track Coach (HS), Cameron High. Curtis Mele, Assistant Softball Coach, John Marshall. Citizen Coach. Rodney’s Swoger, Assistant Softball ...

Something May Be Better Than Nothing

After a five-day timeout, both to avoid spending $35,000 per day and to allow negotiations between lawmakers and representatives of the governor’s office toward a 5% personal income tax cut to continue, the Legislature resumed the special session Sunday. Based on some of the rhetoric I heard last week on various talk radio programs, I don’t get the sense we’re any closer to lawmakers giving Gov. Jim Justice what he wants. During his weekly administration briefing last week, it sounds like Justice may be willing to accept a cut of less than 5%. In my opinion, that is the ...