Pull that ripcord
Scottish scientist James Dewar said, "Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they're open."Unfurl yours here at Friday's loose thread, open wide for your opinion of the day.
Matter of Opinion archive for Sept. 2007
FRIDAY, SEPT. 28, 2007
Letter: Suing ourselves?
Seems to me, Gov. Gregoire is a typical conniving attorney. According to The Spokesman-Review today, she is entertaining ideas about filing a lawsuit against us for health care coverage for the poor and public employees ("Gregoire threatens lawsuit over kids’ health," Sept. 25). Lawyers spend…
THURSDAY, SEPT. 27, 2007
Death penalty for Yates
The Washington Supreme Court decided this morning to uphold Pierce County's death sentence for Spokane serial killer Robert Lee Yates Jr.Read Richard Roesler's story.In a Spokane case, Yates was sentenced to 408 years in prison for other killings.Please join the debate. What do you think…
Letters: Growth, not blight
(...) More houses per acre is not a good environmental solution. It increases human waste, it increases traffic that ruins our roads and adds to our already suffering air quality, it strains our natural resources, looks terrible and yes, destroys the quality of life here.Some…
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 26, 2007
Governor taps emergency fund to monitor sex offenders
This morning's news includes this announcement from the Washington governor's office.Gov. Chris Gregoire plans to spend $400,000 to ramp up the electronic monitoring of the state's high-risk sex offenders.Read the story here.How do you think the state should deal with high-risk sex offenders who have…
TUESDAY, SEPT. 25, 2007
Bill O'Reilly said what?
Seems the Fox News commentator had a racial epiphany while dining at a soul-food restaurant. Excerpt: After eating dinner at a famed Harlem restaurant recently, Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly told a radio audience he "couldn't get over the fact" that there was no difference…
Mars Attacks! Iran next?
Been tracking the visit to New York of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. And the images from his visit connect in my weird brain with the 1996 Tim Burton sci-fi spoof movie Mars Attacks! in which the president, Congress and ambassador types are very friendly to…
Letter: Freeway too pricey
(...) The data contained in the Urban Mobility Report, released Tuesday by Texas A&M University, supports what a local nonprofit group has been preaching since the beginning of the new millennium: our regional traffic congestion can’t be used to justify spending billions of dollars on…
MONDAY, SEPT. 24, 2007
Iraq: Up Close and Spokane Personal
On Wednesday, for one hour, Lt. Darel Maxfield and his wife Lesley visited editorial board members. Maxfield is on leave from Iraq. Maxfield, a social studies teacher at Ferris High School in Spokane, is a member of the Army Reserves and is training Iraqi soldiers…
Downtown housing crisis
This Sunday's editorial examined the low-income housing crisis Spokane faces now that Otis Hotel residents have received eviction notices.It calls for tackling the problem with creativity and innovation. The bottom line is this: The entire city loses if more people are forced to sleep on…
FRIDAY, SEPT. 21, 2007
Letter: Human values paramount
Steve Adams has posed an important question ("Arts readers turned off," Sept. 16): Is The Spokesman-Review’s reduction of visual arts and RV lifestyle coverage consistent with the paper’s aim "to reflect the life of our community every day in all of its wholeness and complexity"?Desultory…
THURSDAY, SEPT. 20, 2007
Loose thread -- TGIAF
Thank God it's almost Friday! I tried to include a picture on one of the posts today and it didn't work for an unknown reason.But that won't keep you from bringing up what bugged you today. And here's the place.
Our View: Give cleaner cars a green light
Today's editorial urges the EPA to act on the waiver California and other states seek in order to set their own emissions standards for vehicles. None of the arguments against this state right hold water, in our opinion.Would a higher gas tax be an incentive…
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 2007
Letter: No reason to lie
How many of us would gladly and freely compromise our integrity? I think the answer would be "very few." This is why I am appalled at the response from the Democratic Congress (and a few Republicans) regarding the accusation that Gen. Petraeus is lying when…
Human rights forum
Chief Kirkpatrick is hosting a human rights forum this evening. Will you be attending? If so, what's your main concern?"Come prepared to voice your opinions on tolerance, diversity, respect and dignity in interactions between police officers and the public," Kirkpatrick wrote in a letter sent…
TUESDAY, SEPT. 18, 2007
Digital Immigrant: Transistor stories anyone?
My Sunday column was about those of us who didn't grow up on computers but now live in the digital world the way immigrants reside in their new cultures. Here's an excerpt: I am a digital immigrant who grew up on record players, tape recorders…
Let teachers pack heat?
Battleground: Ashland, Ore. A teacher is battling for her right to bring a gun to school.Her catalyst is an abusive relationship, but she thinks it's a good idea in general for school safety.That would be illegal in Washington state. Should she be able to?
Gimme an 'A'!
Avista wants to cut natural gas rates. How many letters to the editor do you suppose this will generate? My guess is nowhere near as many as when they raise rates.Why is that? Your theories are welcome here.
Letter: Widen political gene pool
Career and politician: two words that should never have found their way into the same sentence. Freshmen in Congress are seldom involved in the scandals that plague seasoned bureaucrats. Seniority often leads to contemptuous behavior and the delusion of being above reproach.Headlines of unsavory conduct…
MONDAY, SEPT. 17, 2007
School levies
The editorial board just finished meeting with proponents of the simple majority requirement for school levies. They said equity was the main goal of the proposal; schools shouldn't have to drum up more support than local governments, the Legislature or anyone else when they need…
Monday's Loose Thread
How about them Cougs! How about them Seahawks! How about them Mariners! Well, 1 out of 3 ain't bad.How about some thoughts from you on the topic of your choice?
SUNDAY, SEPT. 16, 2007
weekend loose thread
If you have something for us and other readers to chew on, post a loose thread here. Or would a loose thread to chew on be better described as floss?
SATURDAY, SEPT. 15, 2007
Can we rescue Rescue?
Saturday's Our view has its fingers crossed that some hopeful steps in Congress will forestall the removal of Fairchild Air Force Base's 36th Rescue Flight.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 14, 2007
OJ: If he did it, part 2
Looks like O.J. Simpson is back in hot water with police, according to BBC News. Sounds like Simpson is saying it was all a misunderstanding, but either way it should boost sales of "If I Did It," published by Beaufort Books yesterday.
Your daily loose thread
What should we be talking about on this blog? Here's your chance to expand the menu.
A Matter of Opinion is really a matter of three opinions – those held by the people responsible for the opinion pages of The Spokesman-Review. Check in regularly to find out what they’re up to, what they think and where they differ and to joust with them if you want.
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