Bush the oil man has given his all-clear to plumb for that sweet, sweet stuff off our coasts, despite overwhelming evidence that this is a bad idea. We have capped wells in Alaska, yes, and there are millions of acres of unexplored coastal territory already under lease by the big oil companies.

We’ve endured a lot under George Bush. First it was the stolen election of 2000. Then came the illegal invasion of Iraq. Next was denial of global warming and obstructing development of alternate sources of energy. That was followed by leaving thousands of poor people stranded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the outing of a CIA operative.

Many things in life are either classified as comforting or satisfying. A good meal, a family member who loves you regardless of circumstance, a favorite place, a retreat or hideaway for you… all these are personal, and yet they can mean as much or more to others.

Sometimes you’ve just got to save yourself. Today, Sunday, I did just that. It’s something I almost never do, but it came down to a matter of self-preservation, so I did it. I trashed a column. Got about 200 words into it and dumped that sucker in the slush file.

As the city of Greensboro nears complete certification of more than 30,000 properties in its rental housing stock, the city’s inspections director has signaled to property management industry a willingness to exempt some properties from mandatory...

Dear Sen. McCain: I am deeply honored that you would choose me above all the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other Republicans who are more qualified than I to be your running mate. It is obviously the opportunity of a lifetime, a moment that I will cherish forever.

In an election season with so many surprises, so much pageantry, all this spin, we look to the nation’s bookmakers to get a clear picture of what’s really going on. Last week, as the Republican National Convention came to a close, Americans were treated to some of the best political theater since Mike Dukakis drove a tank.

It was pretty hard to miss the promotion of this show, especially if you live in the Triangle. Cats Cradle (www.catscradle.com) posted a contest for fans to go all out and create their own fancy poster to advertise for the Old Ceremony (www. myspace.com/theoldceremony, www.

So please take measures to vigorously translate your highest ideals into your everyday actions. What would it mean, for example, to invite God to inhabit your lips as you kiss someone? Or to prepare your food as if you were going to offer it to a...