http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/ All columnists, Morning File en-us Copyright 2012, post-gazette.com. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:09:56 -0500 15 http://www.post-gazette.com/includes/2007design/images/150x30pg_now_logo.gif http://www.post-gazette.com/ 144 39 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12041/1209240-294-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml Sandy and I had dated a number of years, and there was no doubt that we loved one another. Nevertheless, every time the subject of marriage came up, she was ready whenever I wasn't and vice versa. The last time this occurred, I had the cold feet, and much to my chagrin, she purchased a Gibsonia townhouse without telling me, which was the cause of several disagreements. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12041/1209241-153-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml When I heard that Karl Rove was offended by a TV ad that ran during the Super Bowl, there was a brief moment of dread when I thought we finally had something in common. I, too, was offended by an ad that ran during the holiest of American high holidays. Alas, Mr. Rove and I were offended by two different ads. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12040/1209018-294-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml As an under-5-foot tall, 77-year-old senior citizen, I would like to thank all the shoppers at Shop 'n Save in South Fayette and the Giant Eagle at Chartiers Valley Shopping Center who help me reach things on top shelves. Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:46:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12040/1209123-151-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml We've all heard of, if not ventured across, the soda/pop divide. In Pittsburgh, we're close enough that it's a day trip and doesn't even require the wagon trains of old. Thu, 9 Feb 2012 04:59:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12040/1209016-155-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml The Bonusgate scandal is winding down in Harrisburg even as the list of convicted lawmakers grows, but there's still one item that isn't quite resolved: bonuses themselves. Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12039/1208782-294-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml Our first year of dating was like boot camp. Each summer weekend of 1997, Greg and I matched our skills in running, hiking, biking, swimming and rock climbing. We trained at the Mt. Lebanon track and entered 5K races on weekends. My heart rate soared, trying to keep up with his hiking pace. I admired his muscular back during climbing; he liked my long legs on the bike. Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:20:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12039/1208783-154-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml The expression "political football" refers to something kicked around for political effect. But, nowadays, everything is kicked around for political effect. In truth, politics has become football, as the Super Bowl ended up proving. Consider that politics and football are both contact sports. Both involve lots of money. Both encourage blind allegiance to a team. Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208559-294-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml One morning last fall, I signed onto my computer at work and began the process of getting rid of one after another worthless email -- delete, delete, delete, delete ... David Aschkenas. I gasped. A respite from delete. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 05:55:00 -0500 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12038/1208561-153-0.stm?cmpid=columnists.xml When a co-worker brought "Letter from a Freedman to His Old Master" to my attention last week, I was immediately intrigued. The letter purports to be from Jourdon Anderson, a runaway slave, to his former "owner," Col. P.H. Anderson. It was written on Aug. 7, 1865, several months after the end of the Civil War. Jourdan lived in Dayton, Ohio. The colonel lived in Big Spring, Tenn. Tue, 7 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500