Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
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The middle East is in turmoil. Hatred of all things different seems to be the norm. Tribes fight one another. Ethnicity divides people living as neighbors. Differences in political ideologies are cause for violence. Religious differences are justification for murder and brutality. It is virtually impossible to get a grasp on all the various sects, parties, organizations and groups that are violently warring with one another. Conflict has become a way of life. Many in America look upon the Middle East with dismay. How could such old and proud...
Internet sales tax I send this to you as both a business owner and elected official. As I get my business website up for sales across the nation, I believe that internet sales should be subject to the same sales tax charges that any local retail sales are subject to. Doing sales tax is a “pain” but those dollars are what keep our cities alive. Especially in the difficult economy when cities are not promised anything from the state or federal level. Please consider taking time to contact your representative to express your views on this sub... Full story
It has long been suspected that the Supreme Court hates women, although it took the court’s 5-4 decision in the Hobby Lobby case to fully reveal its blatant misogyny. The court held that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act forbids the administration from forcing Hobby Lobby — an arts-and-crafts chain owned by evangelical Christians — to cover contraceptives that its owners object to on religious grounds (specifically, four drugs that it believes act as abortifacients). If you don’t see the anti-women agenda at work in this decision, you are... Full story
I’m sure you, too, have been caught up in breathless speculation over whether Hillary Clinton will do the deed and actually run for president. That’s all we’re talking about here in D.C., and of course, Washington is so typical of Anytown, USA. A lot of people are rooting for her to run again — certainly a lot of Democrats. And a lot of Republicans. Yes, Republicans. The GOP operatives are licking their chops after watching her performance during her “Hard Choices” book tour. Let’s put this as delicately as possible: She’s stepped in it a...
Tuesday was the first day for legal recreational marijuana sales in the state. Opening day here was introduced with less fanfare than the first day of legal marijuana sales in Colorado. That is because there wasn’t enough marijuana. The new retail outlets had to tightly limit the amount each customer could buy. Some licensed sellers are not even opening until supplies increase. In fact, the legal supply is so low that the retail price for marijuana is three to four times that of the black market price. Washington’s journey to this point has bee...
While much of today’s news deals with America‚’s decline, there is hope we can stimulate our economy, create manufacturing jobs and pay down our national debt by increasing our manufacturing and energy production. While goods were once proudly “Made in America,”‚many of our manufacturing plants are shuttered. When we go to stores today, too often the labels say “Made in China.” How do we turn this around? One company at a time. In January 2013, Walmart announced it will buy an additional $50 billion in U.S. products over the next 10 years i... Full story
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s contribution to the Washington Redskins debate is pettifogging absurdity in the service of rank politically correct bullying. A panel of the office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favor of plaintiffs claiming that the Redskins name “may disparage persons or bring them into contempt, or disrepute,” and therefore stripped the team of six trademarks. In theory, the ruling will hurt the team’s bottom line by making it impossible for it to stop others from selling its merchandise. Exercisin... Full story
I usually hate gloating, but this time I’m doing it. And loving it. That’s because the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office panel has decided that the Washington NFL team no longer has federal trademark protection for its R-word team name. If this stands the test of lawyers, it will mean that the pro football franchise will no longer absolutely control the use of the name or the brand, because it’s “disparaging to Native Americans.” So ruleth two of three members of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, which is the regulatory, uh, referee i...
On the back page of this section is a reproduction of what is called the Dunlap Broadside. It is the first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence. About 200 copies of this version were produced immediately after the Declaration was approved. The iconic, signed parchment copy of the declaration that is so revered came later. The Declaration of Independence includes a statement of the rights of man. But, it is more a listing of grievances intended to justify the dramatic action the colonists were taking. The Declaration is not a... Full story
All too often our network of highways, pipelines, railroads, barges, ship terminals and airports goes unnoticed unless there is an accident. For example, we don’t notice the trains delivering the chlorine that purifies our drinking water. We pay little attention to the trucks transporting gasoline for our cars and propane tanks for backyard barbecues. The fact is without trucks, trains, pipelines, barges, ships and airplanes, we couldn’t survive. They transport everything we use every day and some products are potentially dangerous. Tha...
Frederick Douglass gave one of the great July Fourth orations in American history. Speaking in Rochester, N.Y., in 1852, he hailed the accomplishments and ideals of the Founders, before denouncing the nation’s departures from the faith of the Declaration of Independence with the righteousness and fury of an Old Testament prophet. Douglass is one of the nation’s greatest champions of freedom. The former slave fought for it for himself and for others, and in his speeches and writings left a record of devotion to liberty that will echo thr...
Growing up in the South, I always marveled at how adept everyone was at well-mannered hatefulness. If someone made a stupid comment, the response would never be “What an idiot you are!” Instead it was “Well, ain’t that nice?” or “Why, bless your heart.” When it came to social-grace duplicity, we were the champions. Or so I thought. That was before I came to Washington. It takes a little getting used to, but for the most part, you must accept that people mean the opposite of what they say. If most say “Nice to see you,” they are actually look... Full story
The annual Perkins Ice Cream Social is this Sunday at the Perkins House in Colfax. It is the premier event of the Whitman County Historical Society. For years, the social has shown off the work of the society. It is a special event. The grounds and house are beautiful. Admission is free, the music is free, the tours and the exhibits are free. The fashion show of period dresses is free. There is a slight charge for the ice cream and pie, however. That is only fair, many go back for seconds or more. The social is a pleasant way to spend a Sunday...
Later this year, Alan Mulally will leave Ford Motor Company. On July 1, he turns the reins over to 53-year old Mark Fields, closing a storied career at Ford and Boeing. While he hasn’t divulged his plans, hopefully he will bring his talents to government. Mulally inspires people with his confidence, humility and charisma. His turnaround of Ford has been spectacular. Yes, government is different than the private sector, but anyone who can bring together people with diverse interests and varied backgrounds during a crisis has the ability to h...
The Barack Obama presidency is in fundamental trouble. According to a new Fox News poll, more Americans than not question his ability to be effective in his job. This time it’s not Fox anti-Obama hysteria. The result tracks what other surveys are finding. According to this one, not only does a majority consider the Obama administration less capable than Bill Clinton’s, but a 48 percent to 42 percent plurality finds it less competent than George W. Bush’s. Furthermore, 55 percent say the current leadership has made the nation weaker, versu... Full story
For people who use the word “science” as a bludgeon and trumpet their strict commitment to fact and reason, the Obama administration and its supporters are strangely incapable of rational analysis of new climate-change regulations. President Barack Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency released draft rules earlier this month to create a vast new regulatory apparatus with no input from Congress — in other words, to govern in its accustomed highhanded, undemocratic manner. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants,... Full story
Colfax Food Bank Praise There are some volunteers, who I feel, don’t get enough recognition or praise for what they do. I am talking about the folks at the Colfax Food Bank. These people work very hard to provide assistance to those in need of food and other household supplies. I have been in there multiple times and have always been treated with respect and dignity. They are friendly, helpful and just a fun group of people to be around. I just want to say thank you for helping me and especially helping this community. You are a blessing to u...
It has been a long time since Americans have been asked to do much more for their country than pay taxes. It is time for America to ask for more from its citizens. The perfect way would be to establish universal national service. Everyone upon reaching a certain age or education level would give time to their country and their fellow citizens. It would be like the draft, but not limited to military service. Depending on their abilities, needs and desires, young citizens could assist others and the country in a variety of ways. They could serve...
We’re all familiar with car loans and home mortgages. They make it possible for consumers to make major purchases without paying cash up front. Responsibly done, everyone benefits – the purchasers, car dealers, autoworkers, realtors, construction crews and suppliers. Uncle Sam does the same thing on an international scale with the Export-Import Bank. Since 1935, the Ex-Im Bank has provided financing to foreign companies seeking to purchase American goods. Everyone benefits. The purchasers buy needed products and American companies export bil... Full story
NATA Day June 19th marks National Attachment Trauma Awareness Day – a time for awareness of children having a difficult start in life. Many experienced early neglect or abuse and end up in foster care – some eventually are adopted by a new family. Some are orphans from faraway places, while others may have needed painful medical procedures or were separated from their parents for health reasons. Yet in nearly all cases, the lasting effects of trauma remain easily misunderstood by those outside the home. In fact, some children struggle with the...
It takes a nearly impenetrable obtuseness to conclude that the most salient thing to know about University of California Santa Barbara killer Elliot Rodger is that he was a white male who didn’t like women. Yet many liberal commentators have managed it in the painful festival of stupidity that has followed his horrific act of mass murder. The reaction has featured rants about sexism, white privilege and Hollywood, all of which are absurdly detached from the reality of what happened at UCSB. It is usually only the details of these sorts of r... Full story
We just fester with prejudice. As deep-seated as racial and sexual biases are, at least we’re dealing with them, and most of us understand that they’re wrong. But when it comes to our intolerance of weight, we don’t give a second thought. Our body bigotry is so ingrained that we consider it completely acceptable to make fun of fat people and to consider those who are overweight to be lesser people. What’s really ridiculous is that the contempt is aimed at an awful lot of us. A brand-new study tallies the rate of obesity in the United States at... Full story
Friday was the 70th anniversary of D- Day. the day American and Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, during World War II. The landings were audacious and fraught with danger. The Germans had spent four years constructing what they called Fortress Europe, massive coastal defenses designed to defeat any attempted invasion. It took less than a day for allied troops to overcome these defenses. The cost in lives was great, especially on the beach code- named Omaha. The bravery, determination and innovativeness of individual... Full story
President Obama is expected to announce a new set of regulations to limit carbon emissions from coal-powered power plants — the nation’s single largest source of affordable electricity. The impact won’t hit just coal; these regulations will affect every energy user, including you. According the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Obama administration’s new regulations could drain $50 billion a year from the economy through 2030. The President’s goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 42 percent over the next 16 years, despite the fact that U.S. emis... Full story
For the left, the Department of Veterans Affairs is how health care is ideally supposed to work. No insurance companies, no private doctors, no competition — just the government and the patient. The VA is an island of socialism in American health care. It generally provides adequate care — to a limited universe of people and for only certain conditions — but has long been plagued by scandal. It is perhaps the worst bureaucracy in the federal government. As with all such single-payer-type systems, the cost of the notionally free health care... Full story
