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  • Trump Not Benefiting from Economic Boom

    Rich Lowry, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 27, 2018

    President Donald Trump is showing that it's possible to preside over a period of peace and prosperity and still be notably unpopular. Over the past several months, Trump has opened even more of a wedge between the largely benign material conditions in the country and his own political standing, which is precarious and appears to be sliding backward. This isn't how it's supposed to work. Republican politicos believed, reasonably enough, that last year's tax cuts would stoke growth and create a good-news backdrop for Republicans in the midterms....

  • Fair recognition

    Sep 27, 2018

    I want to take a moment to recognize the people who made last week's fair such a great experience. The fairgrounds was beautiful, clean, and had a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The work and devotion of Bill Tensfeld, Janel Goebel, Heather Netz and all of their staff and volunteers, and of volunteer Steve Larkin, did not go unnoticed. --Mellissa Dugger, Garfield...

  • Supports Jamison

    Sep 27, 2018

    I am writing this letter in support of Sandy Jamison as Whitman County auditor. Sandy has the education, experience and practical knowledge for being an excellent auditor for our county. Sandy will "hit the ground running" and I’m sure we will be pleased with her performance and results. I have known Sandy for the past 15 years through our common support of and involvement in both the Whitman County and Washington State Farm Bureaus. I support Washington State Farm Bureau’s formal endorsement of Sandy Jamison's candidacy for Whitman County aud...

  • Boeing's Venture into Hypersonic Jetliners

    Don C. Brunell, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 27, 2018

    Last spring, Boeing revealed its proposed hypersonic passenger airliner which would fly much higher and faster than the Concorde---the only previous supersonic commercial airplane. For reference, supersonic jets fly over the speed of sound (660 mph or Mach 1), while hypersonics surpass Mach 5 or 3,800 mph. Boeing told the annual American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference held in Atlanta its sleek new airplanes would travel at Mach 5, enabling them to cross the Atlantic Ocean...

  • Turmoil over Tariffs

    Frank Watson, Gazette Columnist|Sep 27, 2018

    My first new car was a Chevy Malibu made in Detroit. A few years later, my wife and I bought a few acres north of Airway Heights and thought we needed a small truck. I wouldn’t settle for anything but an American brand and was surprised to find that our new Luv Truck was made in Japan. The only thing American on it was the Chevy emblem. My next truck was a half-ton Chevy made in Canada. It was followed by a Ford made in Mexico. During my rebellious phase, I owned a Harley that was made in Milwaukee. Thus, I was a bit surprised that the l...

  • The Cougs head for L.A.

    Gordon Forgey, Publisher|Sep 20, 2018

    The Cougars will have to be careful Friday night. They are playing the mighty Trojans in the L.A. Coliseum. The last time the two teams played WSU won. A fan was also injured by an USC player after the game. It can get rough on the field. It is not bound to be easier in Los Angeles. USC is mad. They are unsettled. Take for instance the fact that they have been beaten by Texas in two of their last three meetings. They are still steaming over the fact that one of their great stars was unjustly accused of murder. And to make matters worse, they...

  • Pet Peeves & Okeydokes

    Sep 20, 2018

    Okeydokes The delicious seniors breakfast the first day of the fair ... the ladies appreciated the beautiful carnations too! Rosalia Lions Club ice cream at the Steiger Hotel. Flags this weekend in Colfax–WSU, EWU and Colfax Bulldogs....

  • American Slapstick

    Bob Franken, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 20, 2018

    This is one of those "good news, bad news" situations. First, the good news: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has communicated his continuing trust in President Donald Trump to make good on their deal, whatever it is. POTUS reciprocated by going to Twitter to thank Kim for his "unwavering faith." Now the bad news: Faith in Trump is wavering big-time in his own administration. If we can't trust Bob Woodward, who wrote in his new book that Trump's top aides go to huge lengths to block his craziest decisions, then perhaps we can believe Mr. or Ms....

  • The Blue-Collar Recovery

    Rich Lowry, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 20, 2018

    The economic recovery is really beginning to reach into Trump country. The president is famous for his extravagant promises, involving, invariably, the biggest and the best. The landscape is littered with examples, although he never promised to create blue-collar jobs at the fastest clip since 1984, something he achieved in the first half of 2018. A labor market that has been rocky since the financial crisis, and hasn't truly delivered for many workers for decades, is robust enough to reach all corners of the economy, including Trump areas...

  • Agricultural needs

    Sep 20, 2018

    KREM news recently focused on Washington State’s immigration and agricultural needs by asking the two Congressional candidates, Lisa Brown and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, their views on the subject. Last October, an Agriculture Guest-Worker Act was introduced in the House of Representatives (HR 4092), but there has been little action since its introduction. Washington State is the third-largest agricultural state of our fifty states, and the Washington State Farm Bill committee said Washington state is in its the fifth year of a severe recession i...

  • Google it

    Sep 20, 2018

    Cathy McMorris Rodgers has launched a "Red Scare" attack about Lisa Brown, arguing that Lisa sympathizes with Russian communists because she wrote about Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and Emma Goldman in her economics doctoral dissertation. Had Cathy bothered to "google" their names, she would have found that in the early 1900s, Elizabeth and Emma spoke and wrote about women's rights, birth control, women's right to vote and workers' right to organize. Elizabeth was a founding member of the American Civil Liberty Union which continues to defend the...

  • More taxes

    Sep 20, 2018

    If you want to pay more taxes, vote for Lisa Brown. --David Stueckle, LaCrosse...

  • Avoiding Trouble Tweeting

    Don C. Brunell, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 20, 2018

    Since President Trump took office, the attention to social media has mushroomed. His pointed tweets are often the top news story each day. Twitter, Facebook and the other apps are pervasive and even though Google and some others have their share of problems preventing leaking of private information, they aren’t going away. Hopefully, posting will begin carrying a more responsible, friendly and constructive tone. While President’s unfettered tweets may work to his advantage, it is rarely the cas...

  • The Perils of Plastic

    Frank Watson, Gazette Columnist|Sep 20, 2018

    I received a call from my credit card company last week informing me that my card had been used in Brazil, and I needed to verify a thirty-six cent charge at a fast food outlet in Rio. I have never been to Rio. It is on my list behind Rome, Australia and Christmas Island, so I was pretty sure it wasn't me. My wife went shopping in Spokane that morning, but she hadn’t had time to get to Rio, so I ruled her out too. As neither of us had made the purchase, the agent for the credit card company said they should cancel the card and issue me a new o...

  • Who is to do it?

    Gordon Forgey, Publisher|Sep 13, 2018

    Last week was tough on President Trump. Advance copies of Bob Woodward's new book were released. Then an anonymous letter was published in the New York Times criticizing Trump and declaring that some of his subordinates were actively trying to thwart his agenda. Woodward's book has been roundly attacked by some. Others declare that it is a truthful depiction. As for the anonymous letter, published as an op-ed in the Times, criticism is strong over some of the assertions and the fact the author is undeclared. A wild chase is on to name the...

  • Pet Peeves & Okeydokes

    Sep 13, 2018

    Okeydokes The new digital Gazette. The PDF option is great. The individuals that remembered to put out the flags on Patriot Day....

  • Good Grief, Bad Grief

    Bob Franken, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 13, 2018

    "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Arguably these are even worse times than the mid-19th century, when Charles Dickens wrote his "Tale of Two Cities." In the 21st century, we have effectively divided into two countries, separated by impenetrable fortifications. President Donald Trump heads up the hordes on the right. Those on the left are led by, well, actually they're not really led by anyone. That's a big part of their problem: All they really do is focus their utter contempt on Trump. He's constantly making that easy for...

  • Neil Armstrong Didn't Forget the Flag

    Rich Lowry, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 13, 2018

    History is usually airbrushed to remove a figure who has fallen out of favor with a dictatorship, or to hide away an episode of national shame. Leave it to Hollywood to erase from a national triumph its most iconic moment. The new movie "First Man," a biopic about the Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, omits the planting of the American flag during his historic walk on the surface of the moon. Ryan Gosling, who plays Armstrong in the film, tried to explain the strange editing of his moonwalk: "This was widely regarded in the end as a human ach...

  • Lampson Beating Odds for Family-owned Business

    Don C. Brunell, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 13, 2018

    When one approaches the Tri Cities, it is impossible to ignore Lampson International’s monstrous cranes in its Pasco assembly yard. Those gantries stand out like the Space Needle in Seattle and reach over 560 feet into the sky. Like the Space Needle, Lampson is built on a solid footing. Last month, Construction Review Online (CRO) ranked Lampson as the world’s third largest crane company. “Lampson International has been a world leader in the Heavy Lift and Transport industry for over 65 years...

  • Can There Be Middle Ground?

    Frank Watson, Gazette Columnist|Sep 13, 2018

    I recently took my grandson back to the Midwest to get better acquainted with some of his relatives. He is only recently aware that he is related to a huge clan of Midwesterners. While there, I watched as two of my kinfolks debated whether or not Brett Kavanaugh should be confirmed to fill the opening on the Supreme Court. The debate gravitated to Roe versus Wade then moved on to the morality of abortion. One was adamantly pro-choice and the other just as firm pro-life. The pro-life asked me if I could think of any situation where it was OK to...

  • Palouse Empire Fair starts today

    Gordon Forgey, Publisher|Sep 6, 2018

    The Palouse Empire Fair begins its run today. This is a traditional event for the county. It is one of the few events that encompasses the entire county, and it has for decades. From all points of the county, youth bring their animals for judging and sale, crafters display their best work, bakers and canners vie for blue ribbons and all sorts of art and photography is hung for inspection and judging. The variety at the fair is wide and interesting. Also, booths are set up for politicians, political issues and commercial enterprises. And, there...

  • Pet Peeves & Okeydokes

    Sep 6, 2018

    Okeydokes Our Colfax police officers for being so proactive & keeping our residence safe!!!!! The lovely beds at the Codger Pole. I’ve seen many visitors admiring them....

  • John McCain, One More Time

    Bob Franken, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 6, 2018

    Others who were fortunate enough to experience John McCain, as I was, have offered their tributes to him, many more eloquently than I ever could. Still, I feel honor bound to try, because, throughout his life, McCain was all about honor. He was not a perfect man. As a reporter, I occasionally tangled with him, and he could display a nasty temper when crossed. But he also was very funny, quick with a devastatingly sarcastic quip. Although complex, he was simply the perfect example of a public servant who believed in public service. In other...

  • The Spirit of 1968

    Rich Lowry, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 6, 2018

    The Battle of Michigan Avenue is finally over, and it was won by the protesters. The lopsided fight between anti-war demonstrators and the brutish police force of Chicago's Democratic mayor Richard Daley the night of Aug. 28, 1968, in the midst of the Democratic convention, was a debacle for the left. The protests didn't stop the Vietnam War or the presumptive Democratic nominee, Hubert Humphrey, the sitting vice president who was much too establishment for the radicals. The event, broadcast on TV -- indeed, unfolding right in front of the...

  • Much Needed Dose of Yogi Berra's Wit and Wisdom

    Don C. Brunell, Syndicated Columnist|Sep 6, 2018

    With today’s tension and rancor, we need a dose of Yogi Berra’s wit and wisdom to put things into perspective. Let’s start with “You can observe a lot by just watching” because seeing what is happening now is very disconcerting. We need less sarcasm and to alleviate the vilification of one another that we constantly witness in the news and on social media. To quote Yogi: “It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much.” Yogi’s humorous way of sizing up a sit...

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