The Back Page began with a request that readers send us their thoughts, and they did. In February 1985 one asked in an essay, “If God Isn’t a Tar Heel […]
Reflections on Oliver Hill's first century.
It would be nice if we could count on the honesty of our public figures and not read about congressmen whose ice chests seem to conceal thousands of dollars.
Our Language and how it works.
Under Social Security, domestics, maintenance workers and others in low-paying jobs can in retirement live in some dignity and not, as in the past, depend on charity.
If only those who can pay lawyers can use the system to try to solve their legal problems, our system of government won’t last long.
Like most literate non-Eskimo-speaking Americans, Rosie has believed that Alaskan Native languages have 14 words for snow. She was startled recently to find that Stephen Pinker, professor and director of […]
Rosie turned to a friend who has taught writing, and he told her, “I put a comma in when I feel like it.” No help.Norm Goldstein, editor of the AP […]
Gradually, however, the tone of the musings took on a controversial tone, and the Back Page developed its mission, which is to provide a venue for opinions that can’t find […]





