The May 24 thread
Put your random thoughts here for the week.
Matter of Opinion Gary Crooks
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011
The May 16 thread
Plenty of issues. We're sure you have answers. Discuss them here.
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011
The May 9 week thread
Topic choice is yours. Have at it.
Budget cuts and school changes
What kind of changes are you hearing about at your kids' schools due to budget cuts? I'm hearing larger class sizes by combining grades, as in first-graders and second-graders in the same class and 3-4, 5-6 combos. Then upwards of 31 kids in the room.…
MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011
Osama bin Laden is dead
What are your thoughts about the operation and its significance?
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2011
April 25 thread
Open discussion. Put your thoughts here.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011
Who says legislators aren't funny?
Oregon lawmakers work song lyrics into floor speeches. Then produce this video.
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2011
Abortion and Idaho
Here is our view. What this bill really represents is an effort to circumvent the standard of fetus viability established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which is generally around 22 to 24 weeks. Resetting the point where states could intervene to 20 weeks…
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
Time to cut taxes?
1. Should Olympia and Boise cut taxes as they work on filling their respective budget holes? 2. Should Congress cut taxes as it works on solutions to the debt and deficit? 3. Should households facing large bills decide to bring in less money?
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2011
Shut down the govt. -- yes or no?
Campaign for Liberty says if the cuts aren't deep enough, shut down government. House Republican leaders offer these cuts. Nobody is following the deficit commission, though Dems tout that work on the tax side, and Republicans tout that work on the spending cuts side. So,…
Smart Bombs: Price is Right
My Sunday column. Comment here. From the comments thus far posted after the column, some points: 1. Yes, third-party payers drive up costs. I've yet to see the "free market solution" that drives up access. Costs are lower -- much lower -- in other countries…
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2011
No damages for wrongly convicted man
Man spends 14 years on Death Row. Prosecutors hid exculpatory evidence. Man is freed and sues. He wins, but U.S. Supreme Court overturns that ruling. Thoughts on cases like this? Just how bad does government need to act before being held accountable for nearly executing…
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011
The March 28 week thread
While I dream of what might have been, you can post on the topics of your choice here.
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011
Obama vs. ??? in 2012
I pose this question to the distinguished posters here ... and to the rest of you. Who will Obama face in the next election? Recent Pew Poll has likely foes ranked thusly (first number is all voters: second number is Republican respondents): Mitt Romney --…
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011
The March 21 week thread
What March madness would you like to point out this week?
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011
Ex-S-R photographer runs for her life
Via Huckleberries Online, here is a shot of former S-R photographer Holly Pickett (front and center) running from from unfriendly fire in Libya. She is safe and back in Egypt, according to her Facebook page. Two of the photographers in that photo are among the…
Marijuana, medicine and politics
Good articles today on medical marijuana dispensaries and possible legalization. Plus, our editorial on codifying what the voters wanted when they passed an initiative in 1998. What are your thoughts on this topic?
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2011
Gullible's Travels
Got this in the email copied to me today. “Obama cancels National Day of Prayer.” Sent the sender this. Think the sender will send out a mass correction? Or is it already: mission accomplished?
March 7 week thread
Blame the jobless. Or not. Or talk about anything else you'd like.
MONDAY, FEB. 28, 2011
Feb. 28 week thread
Guess it's going to blow in like a lion. Looking forward to a lamb-like exit. Interesting to see all of these freedom movements spring up without the help of the U.S. military. What's on your mind?
THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011
Ten Years After
Boeing wins the big air refueling tanker a decade after it was initially awarded it. Since Washington state came out on top, the process must've been pristine. :) U.S. Sen. Patty Murray hailed the decision as a victory for American workers. Well, not all of…
Region's tax burden
According to the Tax Foundation, Washington is 29th in the country when it comes to state and local tax burden. Idaho is 28th. Nationwide, these taxes fell, on average. We already know the federal burden is lower. Note that taxes have fallen more than income.…
TUESDAY, FEB. 22, 2011
State budgets/collective bargaining
The budget battle taking place in The Cheddar State is whipping up a sharp divide nationwide on the issue of public employee pay and collective bargaining rights. Gov. Walker could accept union concessions and call it a victory, but he's angling for more. Meanwhile, here's…
MONDAY, FEB. 21, 2011
The Feb. 21 week thread
Open forum.
MONDAY, FEB. 14, 2011
The Valentine's week thread
Where is the love? House GOP is hammering out a spending plan. The president released his budget plan. Looks like both sides are waiting for the other to go first when it comes to addressing the big budget drivers: SS, Medicare, defense, tax rates.
Gary Crooks joined The Spokesman-Review in 1997. He is editor of the Opinion section and a member of the Editorial Board.