Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sorted by date Results 1891 - 1915 of 3750
As the election approached, my anxiety level was as high as it has ever been. I wondered where our country was going and if it would withstand a presidency of either candidate. As I watched the results pour in on CBS news, I was somehow comforted that my anxiety was due to lack of confidence in the American people. The first thing that struck me was the utter confusion of the CBS commentators. “How could we have gotten it so wrong?” I have thought for some time now that the three long running network news programs should be registered as left w...
Economic assets Once again, the value of the Snake River system is going to be reviewed, but this time with a twist. In May, Judge Simon, in his ruling related to the Snake River Biological Opinion, has now brought the entire river system, including the dams on the Columbia, into the discussion. This is new territory. The public is being given the opportunity, until January 17, 2017, to weigh in on the diverse value of the entire river system. As the dialogue continues with regard to the damage done to salmon numbers, it should be noted that th...
There are two ways of looking at this: Donald Trump's astonishing victory was a devastating repudiation of the status quo, an angry demand for change in a system that average Americans fervently believe is "rigged" in favor of the wealthy and corrupt establishment. But Trump's strength came primarily from the resentment of white American men, less-educated ones. So, the other way of looking at the startling result is that it was an acceptance of bigotry, misogyny, religious intolerance and the leadership of a cruel man who has conducted his...
In the course of about six hours, what was supposed to be a Republican existential crisis turned into a Republican wave. What was supposed to be a victory of the coalition of the ascendant became a dispiriting rout of the coalition that didn't show up. What was supposed to be the crowning political achievement of Barack Obama's presidency set the predicate for the unraveling of his legacy. Since before he was elected president, Obama put down as a marker the transformational example of Ronald Reagan. That entailed moving the political center...
“Not my president” has been chanted across America. Thousands have protested the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States. Outbursts of concern and fear accompanying his election have been widespread. Most of the protests have been peaceful, but some arrests have been made and some violence has occurred. A week after the election, the protests continue. President Obama and others have called for calm, saying that Trump must be given a chance. The need for restraint is evident. The protests could grow in violence. Ind...
When Branch Rickey decided to challenge baseball’s color line in 1947, he had no idea that Jackie Robinson would become a national hero. That was not his intention. He simply wanted the Brooklyn Dodgers to be the best possible baseball team and realized that many of the best players in the country were black. Most other teams quickly followed suit and black players were soon recognized for their playing ability rather than the color of their skin. Four black players earned their positions on the 1949 all-star team and within 10 years the p...
Save our dams Having lived In Whitman County most of my life, near Lacrosse, 17 miles from the Snake River, I have watched the transition of The Snake River System, from a free flowing river to one that has brought irrigation, fishing, transportation, hydropower, recreation and jobs to the Port of Whitman County and the Lewiston-Clarkston area. Consider this water corridor to the Pacific Ocean as just a Highway I-5 that carries commerce to the West side corridor. Taking out the Snake River Dams would be like taking out the bridges on I-5... Full story
Before Democrats burn James Comey in effigy, they should think about how the FBI director came to have an outsized influence in the election in the first place. It's not something Comey sought or welcomed. A law-enforcement official who prizes his reputation, he didn't relish becoming an object of hate for half the country or more. No, the only reason that Comey figures in the election at all is that Democrats knowingly nominated someone under FBI investigation. Once upon a time – namely any presidential election prior to this one – this eno...
The presidential election is over. Donald Trump has been declared the winner against Hillary Clinton. Early counts show a 50/50 voter split with Clinton gaining an infinitesimal lead in the popular vote. These unofficial numbers (early Wednesday morning) will change, but Trump has taken the electoral college count and will be the next president of the United States. Half the country is celebrating. The other half is not. Yet, we can hope that the vitriol and ugliness of the campaigns are over. Now, it is time for the country to assimilate the... Full story
The Clintons aren't the only ones who give speeches. I do, too. The only difference is that my going rate, in case you're interested, ranges from a pittance to nothing. So I feel no obligation to flatter those in the audience. That would include attorney groups, bar-association functions and the like. I particularly enjoy sticking it to lawyers, because so many of them are so ... what's the word ... arrogant. I can always get a rise out of them when I suggest that, when it comes to charges against elected officials, the public's right to know...
Last month while touring Ireland, our guide proudly pointed out Irish whiskey is making a strong comeback and thanked us, Americans, for our hefty contribution to their sales and shipments. Irish whiskey, even though its volumes are less than scotch and bourbon, is the world’s fastest growing major spirit. Production shot up by 130 percent since 2005. Of course, the Irish are quick to point out, the United States’ prohibition laws between 1920 and 1933 were a big reason Ireland’s whiskey sales dried up in the first place. All friendly jousting...
Hillary Clinton may be the first candidate in American history to win a contest of personalities without having one. She has been content to make the election all about Donald Trump's character, and Trump has obliged because, really, what else would he consider as fascinating and important as himself? In a more normal year, Obamacare would be a byword for the failures of liberal technocrat rule. Insurers have been exiting the exchanges, and many of those that are staying are hiking premiums by 20 percent or more. Even a Democratic governor, Mar...
Saving the dams Washington is home to three resident pods of killer whales that spend the summer feeding in Puget Sound. This year, they seem to be having trouble finding food, and whale advocates blame the dams on the lower Snake River for causing a decrease in fish supply. As pressure mounts to tear out the dams, there will be a public hearing held in Spokane on Monday, Nov. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the historic Davenport Hotel. Eastern Washingtonians have not had a chance to be heard on the issue. As multiple authorities – including NOAA ...
By now you probably have heard the story from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, telling of a moment before the Al Smith dinner in New York where Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump briefly met with him as they were about to enter. Dolan asked the two to pray with him, which they did, and then Trump, well ... why don't we let Cardinal Dolan tell it: "[He] turned to Clinton and said, 'You know, you are one tough and talented woman,'" adding, "This has been a good experience –– this whole campaign –– as tough as it's been." "Whatever happens, we need to work...
One former U.S. Representative said if Donald Trump loses the election he was going to get out his musket. In Oregon, a resident with his last name on personalized license plates was threatened on the highway. His last name was Trump. Joe Biden, vice-president, said that if he were still in high school he’d take Trump out behind the gym. Trump, in return, basically said bring it on. We have already seen violence at rallies, a fire bombing and other examples of politically inspired law breaking. The heated rhetoric, personal attacks and s...
It’s D-Day for American voters. With Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump carrying unusually low approval ratings and having a deep antipathy for one another, no matter which one ultimately is elected, the nation will be bitterly polarized. Hopefully, each has a plan to bring us back together after Nov. 8. America thrives on a peaceful transfer of power. It is one of the important traditions which has been handed down since John Adams succeeded George Washington on March 4, 1797. For guidance, Clinton and Trump ought to look to Gerald Ford. F...
Cleaner future path Milton Friedman, an economist and conservative icon, asserted years ago, “If you have a pollution problem, don’t regulate it, tax it.” Most economists now agree. Raising the price of something we don’t want, like pollution, is the best way to encourage consumers to switch to less-polluting choices and to reward innovation and investment in cleaner alternatives. Voters in Washington have a unique opportunity to embrace this market-based approach for mitigating risks from climate change and providing our children a brighte... Full story
The website PolitiFact jumped all over Rudy Giuliani earlier this year when he said, "Hillary Clinton is for open borders." It spent about 700 words sifting through the evidence, and ended up rating the former New York City mayor's claim "false." Now we know that PolitiFact blew its call because it lacked access to the most important datum – Hillary Clinton's real view. For that, it would have had to be present at one of her paid speeches at a major financial institution, in this case the Brazilian bank Banco Itau. In May 2013, Clinton told her... Full story
It's hard to believe, but Donald Trump's extraordinarily obnoxious quest to become president has deteriorated into something quite ordinary, your standard plain old campaign conniption fit. Like any other 70-year-old spoiled kid who isn't getting his way, he's throwing a temper tantrum. He's lashing out at anyone who crosses him, which is everybody but his staff members (some of them) and the craven politicians of his party who are afraid to drop him like a stone because doing so might offend the all-important Republican "deplorable" base. Now...
The four lower Snake River dams are in the spotlight again. The push to dismantle them continues. Reportedly, one of the new reasons for breaching them is global warming. The warming of the atmosphere is predicted to adversely affect migratory fish habitats. The Snake, it is said by dam-breaching advocates, is one of the few habitats most likely to resist the climate changes. So, the argument goes, they must be returned to their natural state. Countering this argument is the fact that the dams generate power without any carbon releases. They...
Uncoupling state timber sales revenue from public school construction funding doesn’t make sense. It is akin to killing the goose laying the golden eggs. That idea came up during this year’s campaign for public lands commissioner. Democrat Hilary Franz, a Seattle environmental attorney, and Republican Steve McLaughlin, a retired Navy Commander, are the finalists. Franz stated her position in a candidate questionnaire, according to the business publication, Lens. She wrote the state mandate to use revenue from timber sales on public lands to...
Backs Pakootas The ballots will shortly be in the mail, and kindly cast your vote for Joe Pakootas for the U.S. Congress, House of Representatives. Joe is a true leader. He managed the bankrupt Colville Confederated Tribes as a new CEO and created a $10,000,000 turnaround in a short time. Joe is not a poser as our currently “do Nothing but Pose” representative does. Joe Pakootas desires to rebuild our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and create greater opportunities for our agriculture industry. He will fight to strengthen Medicare and Veter... Full story
Donald Trump has stated repeatedly that his brand is all-important. Well, if what he says in that infamous recorded open-mic conversation with Billy Bush in 2005 about grabbing women's crotches uninvited is true, then his brand should be his prison number. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations for sexual-assault charges in California, where he confessed to that crime, apparently has run out. He didn't help himself at the second presidential debate with Hillary Clinton, which was as down and dirty as it could be. How's that for... Full story
Less than a month before the election, the Republican speaker of the House says he won't defend or campaign with his party's presidential nominee. The nominee has responded by slamming the speaker on Twitter, and his campaign manager is accusing some (unnamed) elected Republicans of sexual harassment against her. The Donald Trump campaign and the Republican Party show every sign of entering into an ugly death spiral. The revelation of the Trump "Access Hollywood" tape occasioned a historic rupture, with elected Republicans around the country...
This is not about politics. Yet, it is all about politics. We have had some rough and tumble presidential campaigns in the past. Dirty tricks, sly innuendos and dishonesty have marked previous races for the White House. This campaign has the same disagreeable elements, but it is also different. There is one thing missing in this election that may have defined some others. It is a simple thing. It is something that rarely takes the spotlight, and it is something that is not often discussed. This simple thing is common decency. Kurt Vonnegut,...
