This recent guest column by Dr. Leonard Peikoff was a very interesting, thought-provoking read. His historical timelines and explanations were well researched, easy to follow and shed light on many of the Christmas traditions that we enjoy today. His comment of "let's take the Christ out of Christmas, and turn the holiday into a guiltlessly egoistic, pro-reason, this-worldly, commercial celebration," made me ponder if that hadn't actually already been accomplished. Many no doubt find themselves experiencing Dr. Peikoff's kind of Christmas year after year. While they attempt to have a joyous, bountiful holiday, filled with the mirth and overindulgence they see marketed all around them, they later find themselves feeling empty as they clean up the discarded papers, wash loads of dishes and berate themselves for eating or drinking too much once again. The end result winds up being the same year after year; more debt, more pounds to lose and children who still desire the latest, greatest thing, even in the midst of their overabundance. ...more

December 24, 2007

Thousands of Sudanese, many armed with clubs and swords and beating drums, burned pictures of a British teacher Friday and demanded her execution for insulting Islam by letting her students name a teddy bear Muhammad. ...more

December 1, 2007

You can't have the Seffner Elementary School in Brandon. That was one of the arguments from residents last week to try to persuade county officials to move the southern boundary of the Seffner Community Plan to Windhorst Road. ...more

November 24, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - At the end of Monday's practice, Land O' Lakes players hit the five-man sled with a fervor that probably hasn't engulfed the squad in some time. ...more

November 4, 2007

"Last Night I Dreamed of Peace: The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram" (Harmony Books, $19.95) ...more

November 4, 2007

Google's stock price barreled through $700 for the first time Wednesday, propelled by a belief that the Internet search leader will become even more profitable as it plants its products and services in new markets. ...more

November 1, 2007

Killer-turned-artist Manny Hernandez on the prison where he's finishing an eight-year term: 'It's a blessing to be here.' ...more

October 14, 2007

For the Florida Gators, the setting couldn't be more intimidating. ...more

October 5, 2007

Myanmar's military government issued a threat Monday to the barefoot Buddhist monks who led 100,000 people marching through a major city in the strongest protests against the repressive regime for two decades. ...more

September 25, 2007