By Robert Kosian    The author in front of the Great Pyramids of Egypt. As seen from the Nile, the Ancient Egypt Temple of Esna. IMAGES COURTESY OF THE AUTHOR Fascination with Egypt   Take a big step back in time and remember how Howard Carter’s stunning discovery of the Tomb of the tomb of King Tutankhamun ignited a worldwide Egyptian craze. Like many of us, the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and King Tut’s golden mask are part of our popular culture romanticized in epic movies like Moses and...

Tommy Dew. PHOTO BY TRAVIS DEW By Tommy Dew    In 2016, three applicants failed the Charleston tour guide test, sued the city concerning its legality — and won. The decades-old process, which consisted of a written and oral exam, was deemed unconstitutional by a federal court. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is clear:  “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Trying to control what people say, including historic guides operating in...

Wentworth Street, in front of The Restoration Hotel, looking toward King Street; here we see a combination of missing pavement, old brick and even an old trolley track. By Jay Williams, Jr.    No one can claim that South Carolina is a low-tax state. We’ve got property taxes, state and city sales taxes, an income tax, meals and accommodations tax and a gas tax — not counting fees and other charges on most everything, including parking.   Nonetheless, we absolutely must pass the half-penny...