The First Amendment rejects red tape, cover-up and double-speak.

But the fact is, no matter how good the teacher, how small the class, how focused on quality education the school may be none of this matters if we ignore the individual needs of our students.

Traffic is only one of the side effects of growth

We will never forget those like my great-grandfather who fought at Vicksburg.

No one in government should ever think that the citizens they work for can't or won't scrutinize their actions

We are all one - or at least we should be - and it is our job, our duty, and our great challenge to fight the voices of division and seek the salve of reconciliation.

After all, I have spent the better part of my adult life insisting that government be open... that government be accessible... and that government be held accountable to people who voted us into office.