Opinion

They are a lovable couple--Dr. Chris Liebrum and his wife, Cindyknown for quickly-triggered smiles, positive attitudes, deep faith and commitment to close-knit families.

The state’s construction industry is voicing concern that President- elect Trump’s vow to deport millions of undocumented immigrants would cause major labor shortfalls, according to the Texas Standard. “It would devastate our industry, we wouldn’t finish our highways, we wouldn’t finish our schools,” said Stan Marek, CEO of Marek, a Houston-based commercial and residential construction giant.

Errors committed when speaking sometimes, sadly, result in word entanglements that are simply beyond repair. None of us is immune.

Dancing simulates a relationship between two people. One leads, the other follows, and everyone in proximity watches the drama unfold. When the couple is out of sync, the world watches in uncomfortable derision. When the couple moves in graceful unison, the world watches in blissful admiration. Such is the state of life... we dance, the world watches.

Here comes another “Mother Hubbard” column. That’s how preachers sometimes describe their sermons--comparable to “Mother Hubbard” dresses.

Gov. Greg Abbott issued three executive orders last week targeting the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, The Dallas Morning News reported Abbott said the orders were intended to protect Texans of Chinese descent from “harassment and intimidation” by the Chinese Communist Party and government, and to fight threats to state security.

B Ivens To say that we have had our struggles with out-of-date plumbing would be an understatement. Our ancient farmhouse was, seemingly, pieced together through trial and error.

Texas lawmakers last week filed more than 1,500 bills ahead of the next legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.

Now that the election is over, my ancient Uncle Mort and his domino- playing buddies down in the thicket can resume their usual mostly- minutia confabs that too often lack authenticity. This reminds me of the annual extravaganza birthed in 1929 when old-timers of Burlington, Wisconsin held their first-ever “Liars’ Contest.” They called it “harmless fibs for fun and folly.” The contest caught on nationally, thanks to hundreds of newspapers providing free publicity.

B Ivens Recently, this column has attempted to capture the warrior spirit necessary to battle the inevitable occasions of struggle. Struggle and opposition remain something all human beings must learn to overcome.