When it comes to a free press, Americans still like the idea —  but after that, well, there are questions.

Just when I was wondering if they were still in vogue, I received a call to participate in a political poll last week.

As John Keats famously wrote . . .

If I had to tell you all of the stores in Old Town Manassas that have disappeared since I moved here in 2006, I probably couldn’t do it off the top of my head. 

A lot of British men are going to brow bars to get threaded.

Recently I received a letter from the Prince William County Service Authority — the people who bring you water and flush toilets — proudly announcing that customers could now pay their bill online.

As lawmakers in Richmond continue searching for creative ways to save money in this fitfully cantankerous economy, let’s hope one of their stunts doesn’t replicate the irresponsible gesture that the
District of Columbia just committed.

Despite a maiden voyage that took nearly twice as long as anticipated, Prince William County officials are still considering support for a commuter ferry that could link Quantico and/or Woodbridge with Washington, D.C.

It seems like just last year Metro was raising rider fares.  Oh wait a minute; that was last year. 

I think it is fascinating when a social trend reverses itself, especially when that reversal is for the better. Take walking and running for exercise as an example. 

In the spirit of Woodstock and the return of Beatlemania, here’s another blast from the past: “Don’t trust anybody over 30!”

I may be signing my own pink slip with this column, but here it goes anyway.

Note: Inspired by President Barack Obama’s recent speech to the nation’s school children, columnist Scott Hollifield decided to give his own back-to-school address.

Last week a group of retired military leaders held a press conference to make a novel pitch for a surprising cause: early childhood education.

Afghanistan is about as removed as one could imagine from being at the center of a First Amendment controversy.

Friday is the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on our country. This is a day to remember — remember the loss of too many of our fellow citizens, and the sacrifice of brave men and women dealing with the aftermath.

Here we go again. Another political campaign and another poor attempt at gotcha politics. This time it is happening in the Virginia governor’s race.

I love back-to-school time. It’s refreshing to be back in the classroom, ready for new students with new ideas learned from activities over the summer.

As Paulette gave my hair a late-summer trim, I asked what she thinks now of the president who won her vote.

This week marks the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our nation. 

I enjoy office supply stores. There’s something about all those instruments and materials used in writing that appeals to me.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will pay fines totaling $3.2 billion for, among other irregularities, plying doctors with golf outings, massages and lavish vacations to encourage them to prescribe medications for uses other than intended, which may explain why I received a Viagra prescription for post-nasal drip.

The race for governor of Virginia has heated up this week. For those who are just hearing about the ruckus — a 1989 Thesis by Bob McDonnell has made its way into the debate and it contains some statements that the Creigh Deeds campaign has latched onto like a snapping turtle.

Last Sunday Bob McDonnell sat behind me in church and he didn’t appear the least bit suicidal. McDonnell didn’t sing too loud or try to address the congregation when he was introduced, which went a long way toward winning my vote.

One of the convenient blessings of the digital age is that if you happen to be a writer — or have written anything on any topic that others had access to — then the chances of it being retrievable via the Internet are extremely good.

Virginia voters sleeping through this year’s Ambien-laced gubernatorial campaign were given a quick shot of Red Bull this week when the Washington Post dusted off Republican Bob McDonnell’s 20-year-old political manifesto.

You’ve likely read by now that immigration issues have become part of the national dialogue in the health care reform debate. The primary issue concerns who will benefit if a national plan is put in place.

Our president is finishing up his summer vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, where he and his family found a modest $35,000 a week rental unit.

Atheists are on the bus in Des Moines, Iowa — and that’s good news for freedom of speech in America.

If you want good television drama don’t watch the usual prime time channels. Instead, just tune into C-SPAN for a health care town hall meeting.