I wrote science and higher education commentary columns for the Charlotte Observer for several years. Past columns are listed below, followed by links to additional information for some topics. Most of these appear on these Web pages in a form very close to the published version, but there may be small editorial differences. The reader should be aware that the headlines and subheadings as shown were writen by the editors. Since 2007 I have written only occasionally. Beginning March 19, 2012, I will be writing a monthly column in th eSci-Tech section. Columns will be placed on the Web about a week after publication in the Observer. I may be contacted at catondb@appstate.edu

Jan. 4, 1996 - Light Pollution More info ..
Feb.1, 1996 - Computers
March 7, 1996 - This IS Rocket Science!More info ...
April 4, 1996 - Comets Halley and Hyakutake
May 2, 1996 - Tax Day and Scientific Research
June 7, 1996 - NSF Science TestMore info ...
July 5, 1996 - The Cost of CollegeMore info ...
August 1, 1996 - The Search for E.T.More info ...
September 5, 1996 - Evolution More info ...
October 3, 1996 - Scientific Knowledge of Homosexuality
November, 1996 - Scientists are People, Too
December, 1996 - Christmas Miracles: matters of faith, not fact

April, 1997 -- Hale-Bopp and Heavens Gate
July, 1997 -- We Don't Need UNC-Hyperspace
September, 1997 --My Secret Power
November, 1997--Fringes of Science

January 6, 1998 -- Predictions
February 3, 1998 -- Weather and Chaos
February 28, 1998 -- Jury duty and Science
April 7, 1998 -- Cars and Evolution
May 5, 1998 -- Melons, Minds and Time
June 2, 1998 -- A Defense of Bill Gates
July 7, 1998 -- X-Files Travel Guide
August 4, 1998 -- The Real Armageddon
September 1, 1998 -Weather Still Spins out of Human Control
Septmeber 14, 1998 - Faith and Reason: a review of PBS special
October 6, 1998 - Close Encounters of the Skeptical Kind
November 3, 1998 -- Forget the Physics, Baseball's fun
December 1, 1998 -- Exploring a frontier entails sacrifice
Unpublished parody -- The Night Before Christmas

February 13, 1999 -- Searching for Mr. Fusion
March 18, 1999 -- Princess Diana Committed Suicide (SUV's & Seatbelts)
July 3, 1999 -- Let it Go! (Caper Hatteras Lighthouse & HST)

July 18, 2000 -- UFOlogy and its fans resist scientific scrutiny
August 12, 2000 -- Welcome to Harvard (advice to college students)

January 22, 2001 -- Book review of two biographies of Carl Sagan
April 12, 2001 -- "Faith Healer" Benny Hinn
April 23, 2001 -- ""Seat Belts are a Must" (in response to "Seat Belt Nags Should Lay Off")

February 3, 2004 - Don't turn away from the challenge of space
May 14, 2004 - Fill 'er Up!
June 4, 2004 - Movie a wake-up call about climate change

WFAE worth of support - October 25, 2005

January 31, 2006 - Intelligent Design
February 28, 2006 - Grandfather Mountain's winds overblown
March 28, 2006 - Hide the Tuna
April 25, 2006 - Open Letter to Gadhafi
May 23, 2006 - Capture your parents' memories while you can

First page of 1995 article referred to in the column above (posted with permission from the Charlotte Observer)
... second page (You will have to navigate a bit to read after this! Also, this and next three are ~2 Meg images)
... third page
... fourth page
... fifth page
... sixth page - a photo
... last page - another photo

June 28, 2006 - Brown Mountain Lights and the Pseudo-science of "Quantum-Touch"
July 25, 2006 - Bush's Abuse of Science (Stem cell research veto)
August 22, 2006 - Sea Turtles and People: the dangers of light pollution
September 26, 2006 - Astrology
October 24, 2006 - Peace Force
November 28 , 2006 - "I can order it for you ..."
December 26, 2006 - Who was born this year?

February 14, 2007 - A life cut short stirs memories, gives warning (Jan...)
August 7, 2007 - Appalachian Surprise

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