Blue Ridge Muse – News, views and musings from Southwestern Virginia

Saturday, December 5, 2020

DOUG THOMPSON December 4, 2020

Amy and I met in Southern Illinois more than four decades ago and have been together ever since while living in different parts of the nation, seeing a lot of the world, witnessing history and having many adventures.

Losing a spouse and partner adds more pain in these trying times

A sports columnist writes that those who support putting our young on athletic courts or fields are “zombies.”

Before the COVID-19 epidemic disrupted our lives, more than 35 million in America lived alone with no meaningful social contact.

As COVID-19 cases soar, should high school sports resume?

With practice for boys and girls high school basketball set to begin on Monday, Dec. 7, and Coronavirus infections increasing at a rapid rate, are we putting students athletes at risk?

A month to go in a year of destruction, death, depression

It would be nice to begin 2021 with hope and anticipation. Yeah, it would be, but…

Time to abort debate on abortion, move to more important issues

Most polls show most Americans support legal abortion in the United States. Anti-abortionists come from a protestant religion that is now a minority. Time to move on to more important issues.

COVID-19 infections continue to rise at record rates

Floyd County suffered its highest one-day hit of COVID-19 virus infections Saturday with 15 new infections added by the Virginia Department of Health’s daily report

APCo appeals SCC denial of scam rate increase

Apparently, $2 million in profits is not enough for the power-mad utility.

Some stores are closed for the holidays…and afterwards

With so many retail establishments hanging on by a stretched economic threat, this year’s Black Friday is do or die.

NRA tax filing admits misuse of funds by top executives

NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre is paying back hundreds of thousands of dollars of NRA funds he “appropriated” for personal use. The New York State Attorney General says he owes millions more.

Giving thanks for stopping a power utility ripoff attempt

Appalachian Power Company tried to use a shady accounting stunt to justify an unneeded rate increase but the SCC wasn’t buying.

Traveling to visit family this Thanksgiving is a bad idea

With vaccine approval expected soon, those who ignore safety recommendations and regulations continue to drive COVID-19 infections to records highs to bring more infections and deaths from the pandemic.