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Articles by Rod McCoy
Sex talk: Mixing pleasure with prevention
Avoid death and destruction! STI prevention can be so grim. But it doesn’t have to be. Talking about STIs doesn’t need to fill people with dread. Bringing prevention information out of the dark ages is part of the Sex Talk interview with sexual health activists Damon L. Jacobs and Rodney McCoy, Jr. They illustrate the need to allow the idea of fun and pleasure into the conversation. DAMON JACOBS: We’ve been asked to interview each other on the topic of pleasure and fun in sexual health.
Rethinking aging with HIV
Many of us living with HIV view HIV through the lens of infection, disease, stigma, shame and death. We may also view aging through the lens of unwanted changes, breaking down, fragility, loss and death. While these are valid, for today (and moving forward) I would like to share another way to look at HIV and aging: HIV as an opportunity, and aging as a celebration. HIV as an opportunity is an appropriate time to look at our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial and sexual health.
HIV & Aging | Positively Aware
It’s an opportunity and a celebration, says one long-term survivor ‘There are many added layers and dimensions to consider’ The state of HIV and aging The accomplished actor talks about her new memoir, and how there are gifts in chaos There are a number of ways to look at support “HIV don’t care if you are black or white, or straight or gay.” —Eunice Marshall
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: You don’t actually “need” a truck to enjoy one
Sally Boswell asked in her Aug. 16 commentary why a person who is not a laborer, farmer/rancher or any other kind of working person needs a big, oversized truck. The crux of her question lies in one word. Need. The crux of the answer lies in the statement that “need” has nothing to do with it. I contend this country was not founded on need. It was founded on “want.” Allow me to expound on that idea. We are told that many of the early European settlers came here to obtain freedom of religion.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Rent control in any form a bad idea
I read with interest the article by Timia Cobb (The Texas Tribune) in The Paris News on Feb. 6, 2022, regarding residential rent prices in Texas. The gist of the article appears to be the increases in rental prices and housing price increases in Texas since 2016. OK, so what has not gone up in price since 2016? For that matter, look at how much gasoline has gone up in just the last year. How did that happen? What really caught my eye was the final few paragraphs of the report.
LETTER: Dems don’t have to take companies to control them
I noted with interest that Lamar County’s Republican Party chair, Scott Hommel, made comments concerning American values, Republicans versus Democrats and communism. Apparently, Mr. Gary O’Connor took exception to the Democrats being equated to communists. Mr. O’Connor tried to give us a definition of communism and socialism, and said the Democrats do not advocate taking over factories or the means of production.
LETTER: Lamar County Democrat Party chair should step down, apologize
As I thought over Lamar County Democrat Party chair Gary O’Connor’s recent misstep (“Republican congressman calls for Lamar County Democrat Party chair’s resignation after FB post,” May 2, 2021), I wondered if these words from history might also apply today. On May 7, 1940, the British Conservative MP, Leo Amery, flung these words at Neville Chamberlain during a House of Commons debate on the British-French expedition in Norway that had ended in failure.
LETTER: Shutting down Keystone XL cost jobs
Get ready folks because there is undoubtedly more coming. On his first half day in office, President Joe Biden managed to eliminate 1,000, plus or minus, well-paying jobs in the U.S. (Source: Rob Gilles, Associated Press article Jan. 20, 2021). By executive order, Biden halted the Keystone XL pipeline. The Keystone XL company announced that those jobs will be eliminated in the next few weeks as the company safely shuts down the construction. Now, that’s only the surface folks.
GUEST COMMENTARY: A different wish list for the new year
I read with no small interest Mr. Gary O’Connor’s Christmas wish list (“Christmas wishes for the future,” Dec. 24). I have a wishlist of my own. O’Connor’s wish list included a government where compromise in not a dirty word. Does that include when the Democrats locked Republicans out of discussions while planning the Affordable Care Act? Let’s all watch for O’Connor’s wish that news media only be allowed to report verifiable facts.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Government oversight may be limited by courthouse limitations
In reading the article by reporter Mary Madewell on the plan to limit access to the Lamar County Courthouse (“Lamar County Courthouse access changed by coronavirus; new procedures likely to stay,” May 26, 2020), I became suspicious of what this idea could portend and I have some questions. The idea of limiting access to only two entrances may not be bad and metal detectors may not be bad.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Fellowship, not hostility, needed in politics
I read with disgust that some of the comments on the new Red River Democratic Party Chair were to say the least unflattering. Political commentary should be welcomed by all but to use profanity or threats is uncalled for. Freedom of speech is one one thing and threats are another. Now we need to ask ourselves what could have inspired some of these comments. In a reading of the Texas Democratic Party platform, found on its website for all to view, we might find some answers.
LETTER: Climate change happens without man
During this Washington Games period of he said, she said, let’s take a moment to consider some other, lighter news. That would be news that climate change came at least once before, and I suspect without aid from mankind. In other words, it happened without SUVs, jet planes or any of those type things. However, based on the article in the Health/Science section of The Paris News on Dec. 20, by AP writer Malcolm Ritter, I can’t rule out cow gas because it isn’t mentioned.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Governments don’t like to admit mistakes
I read with interest and some amusement the Our Opinion column of Sunday’s The Paris News regarding government hoodwinking of the public. The column covers the U.S. government’s two decades of playing fast and loose with the facts about our war in Afghanistan, through both Democrat and Republican administrations. I ask “What’s new about that?” I call your attention to the Pentagon Papers as recent historical evidence.
LETTER: Wishing Brandon Gonzales well in his new life
I have learned over the years that there is always more to the story. After I read the Our Opinion column in Wednesday’s The Paris News regarding the Brandon Gonzales’ arrest and subsequent release. it would appear that young Mr. Gonzales, 23, is attempting to rebuild his life. That is as it should be because life goes on. With the aid of a Dallas law firm, Mr. Gonzales might have financial help if he sues Hunt County for damages and wins. Time will tell.
GUEST COMMENTARY: The Second Amendment has been under attack for decades
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to Wendy Hamaker and the declaration that the Second Amendment is not under attack (Oct. 15). The Second Amendment is under attack and has been for decades. The first reference is to a supposed “they’re coming for your guns” not being a true statement. I beg to differ. Robert F. O’Rourke quite clearly said he was going to take away your ARs and your AKs. If that’s not coming for your guns, I have no idea what is.
OPINION: VA care is nearby with prescription help a phone call away
I read with interest Mr. Harris’, of Quitman, letter (Sept. 19) regarding the Veterans Administration Choice Program and his need for a medication. My purpose in responding to his letter is to hopefully help him and other eligible veterans. He is correct in that the Choice Card Program has expired. That program was never intended to be permanent. It was a stop gap measure to rapidly address shortcomings in VA services until a better program could be designed, funded by Congress and implemented.
COMMENTARY: Beto O’Rourke exposes Democrat plan to take guns
For those who know me I know this will sound very strange indeed, but let me extend a very heartfelt “thank you” to Robert Francis O’Rourke. Mr. O’Rourke, who would have you believe his name is Beto, has laid out in the open what the Democrats will take away from you first. So far this political season, the Democrats have been playing a game of trying to see who could promise more of everything to everybody. Free college? You got it! Free health care? You got it! Free housing? You got it.
GUEST COMMENTARY: There’s no ‘loophole’ in federal law for gun transactions
I noticed an incorrect statement of fact put out by the Associated Press and carried by The Paris News on Sept. 4, page 3, and feel compelled to respond. The report concerning the Odessa shooting mentioned the “so called ‘gunshow’ loophole.” There is no such thing as a “loophole.” What you might call a “loophole” is merely what you see as a lax or non-existing portion of a given law, and you don’t agree with the provision. Just because AP puts it out doesn’t mean it’s true.
GUEST COLUMNIST: Battle of Athens is why Second Amendment is needed
In an earlier letter, I had mentioned the Battle of Athens, Tennessee, as a reason for the Second Amendment. The actual battle, Aug. 1-2, 1946, was a long time in coming. Political cliques had over a period of years, beginning in 1936, gained control of both Athens and McMinn county elective offices. With that control came the power to hand out jobs and perks. As soldiers returned from WWII, it became evident the established powers would probably lose their offices.
LETTER: Tyranny has happened in America
In Jack L. Thomson’s letter (Aug. 12), I noticed he referenced the “undereducated” who say “This could never happen in America” regarding tyranny by such as government and government officials. Mr. Thomson references tyrants such as King George III and Nicholas Maduro of Venezuela. Almost ancient history or outside this country. Let’s look at why the Second Amendment is needed even in this day and age in this country.
GUEST COMMENARY: No such thing as a free lunch
I recently watched a clip of Democrat Bernie Sanders continuing to advocate for free stuff. This was a clip that included the news that the University of Texas at Austin would now be offering “free” tuition to students whose families earned less than a certain amount so that was very recent news. Notice that good ol’ Bernie hasn’t offered a dime of his money as he has three multi-million dollar homes to pay for but saying that more needed to be done.
LETTER: Texas Department of Public Safety redirect to Dallas thins local law enforcement
I noted with some interest that Gov. Greg Abbott has been requested, and has agreed, to send Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to the City of Dallas to help quell a surge in criminal activity. Let’s take a look at a couple of facts here and just for fun see if we can connect any dots. Earlier this year, the Dallas County District Attorney announced a policy of not prosecuting minor crimes. Implication to citizens of Dallas County: You are on your own.
LETTER: Security cameras are not a defense
Images taken by “security cameras” as mentioned in the May 15, 2019, edition of this paper got my attention. “Security refers to all the measures that are taken to protect a place, or to ensure that only people with permission enter it or leave it,” states Collins Dictionary. From the looks of things, those cameras didn’t do a very good job of security. They basically took very poor quality pictures of people who appear to need a shave, haircut and a better wardrobe.
Support efforts to secure voting process
The subject of voting as addressed by Texas SB-9 should be of interest to all. I have served as an election judge several times, and it was an eye opener each time. After those experiences, I certainly believe that every step should be taken to ensure the integrity of our voting process. The Democrats claim voter fraud is nearly non-existent may hold water.
LETTER: President’s stance on illegal immigrants, sanctuary cities should please Democrats
I read with interest the Party Views columns (April 21, 2019). I have much to say to our Democrat friends, but today will be condensed. Immigration reform is not needed. We have the laws on our books to handle this ongoing nightmare. That was handled by the Democrats in 1985 with immigration reform then. Just enforce what they enacted.
LETTER: Remember that illegal immigration is a crime
I was all set to comment on the illegal immigration problem plaguing our nation when lo and behold U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement acted in Allen. Some of our politicians say there is no crisis at our border. ICE on Wednesday gathered up at latest count 280 illegal aliens at one stop. I say there is a crisis. Based on what I am about to say, the illegal aliens who were rounded up should be grateful they crossed into the USA in these times.
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