Author: Tom Purcell
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All Along, Google’s Been Googling Me
I thought Facebook knew too much about me, but it turns out Google is even worse. Google, like Facebook, makes its money by targeting ads at us that reflect our interests and needs. The more both know about us, the better they’re able to target us …
Categories: Columns
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I’m Dreaming of a Debt-Free Christmas
Merry debt-fueled Christmas, America! According to a recent NerdWallet study, nearly 40 million Americans are still struggling to pay off credit-card debts from last Christmas. Here’s what’s worse: NerdWallet finds that this Christmas, “American …
Categories: Columns
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Good Grief! Critics Miss Christmas Specials’ Points
Good grief! With everything in everyday American life politicized, count on someone, somewhere, being offended by something, anything – even classic Christmas TV specials. A recent Huffington Post tweet promoting a video about a holiday classic s…
Categories: Columns
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Concierge Doc Shows Way to Lower Health-Care Costs
As physicals go, it was the most thorough I’d ever gotten. My new primary care doctor is a “concierge” doctor. Much like small-town doctors years ago, he isn’t paid by a third-party insurance firm. He’s paid by me, directly, at a reasonable $115 mon…
Categories: Columns
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Give More Thanks – It’s Good for You
“Thanksgiving is the time of year when we reflect on our incredible blessings, but many Americans aren’t feeling very thankful?” “That’s what an interesting Harris poll survey conducted a few years ago for American Greetings found. Psychotherapist A…
Categories: Columns
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Effective Wit a Dying Art in Politics
Among today’s most regrettable trends is the dying art of effective humor and satire in politics. During 1984’s second debate between President Reagan and Democratic nominee Walter Mondale, moderators rightfully asked Reagan, then 73, if he had enou…
Categories: Columns
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Smaller American Towns Connect in Ways Washingtonians Don’t
After living in Washington, D.C., for nearly 8 years, I love being back home in Pittsburgh. I met many interesting people in the D.C. region, but one thing was missing there that’s common in places such as Pittsburgh: a basic connection among people…
Categories: Columns
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After Pittsburgh’s Synagogue Tragedy, Start with Mister Rogers
Saturday morning is normally my favorite morning of the week. Usually, I sit in a festive coffee shop near downtown Pittsburgh, working on a novel, a love story, I’m eager to complete. Last Saturday morning, I heard police cars and ambulances rac…
Categories: Columns
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After Saudi Visit, ‘Freedom’ Just another Word for Home Sweet Home
Like millions of Americans, I often took my incredible freedoms for granted – until I visited Saudi Arabia. For years, I’ve done marketing communications work for technology companies. Four years ago, a client asked me if I was interested in joinin…
Categories: Columns
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Dietary Scientists, Make up Your Minds!
Say it ain’t so: Alcohol in moderation is bad for us again! According to a recent study published in the journal Alcoholism, low-level alcohol use – one or two snorts of hooch on occasion – may benefit cardiovascular disease, but it increases the ri…
Categories: Columns
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