http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped?disp=comments en-US hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/ted_kennedy_and_speaking_ill_of_the_dead#c177862 2009-09-26T13:11:04Z chile74 Very touching, papasan. Ted Kennedy was an arrogant jerk who was placed in a position of authority because of his name. Did he ever "earn" anything the old fashioned way with hard work? Not only was his treatment of Bork despicable but his slander of Justice Alito was just as bad bringing Alito's wife to tears. He was a left wing idealogue through and through. He led a life of luxury that he never deserved and became a cheat, philanderer and a drunk. Yes, nobody is perfect but most people lead a decent and honorable life. Did Teddy? Most people give to charity then let charitable organizations take care of the poor. Rich people like Kennedy want to "take care" of the poor and middle class with government money which means higher taxes on the middle class. Higher taxes wouldn't affect Kennedy's lifestyle but it would affect most of us. People feel good about themselves when they are working, not when they are on welfare. Ted Kennedy never earned my respect or admiration like Senators Hatch, Nelson and many others. May he rest in peace. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2007/10/10/hot_barista#c177857 2009-09-25T16:28:08Z weaverofthemind I have been raised on coffee. I know that there are certain coffee stands that serve really good coffee and the employees know how it should take the grounds to steam through before the coffee is burned. I dont think that bikinis make it better coffee. If the women that work there are willing to do that, then so be it. But I do believe there is a place for that kind of working person and it is not next to a day care, school or otherwise. though the mis conception that shielding children from a coffee stand will keep them nieve to this. Cable TV is more revieling then anything they where at a coffee stand. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/29/ballot_no_place_for_propaganda#c177528 2009-09-02T04:56:20Z ktcmairman Well, the way I see it and hear it. This would give the current office holders a reset on the clock, move the elections to years where most of the people don't vote, and srew the rest of us as subjects. You think of extending the term limits??? Just drive past the dump at 304th and Meridian. Now Lemay sold out to the Mafia with such a sweet contract. 28 yr extention with an automatic 6% or more increase in rates, that's every year compounded mind you, If that wasn't payback to us who live here, what the hell is??? They are sore losers and think, I mean we have been dumb enough to continue to elect the idiot's over and over again, we will be dumb enough to extend their current terms.. People of Pierce Co. prove me wrong!!! SAY NO! They are sore losers and think, I mean we have been dumb enough to continue to elect the idiot's over and over again, we will be dumb enough to extend their current terms.. People of Pierce Co. prove me wrong!!! SAY NO!]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/30/a_lurking_menace_on_the_internet#c177484 2009-09-01T17:16:44Z rosste Dear Patrick: " 'untold' millions"?! If there's a more hackneyed adjective in the English language, I am not aware of it. Ross Taylor
" 'untold' millions"?! If there's a more hackneyed adjective in the English language, I am not aware of it.

Ross Taylor]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/29/ballot_no_place_for_propaganda#c177437 2009-08-31T17:29:16Z ldozy1234 From now on, I believe if the County cannot follow sunshine rules and really do its job without all the games, it ought to come out of each county dept budget for the legal fee's these games cause. Maybe if the depts have to place their working budgets on the line, some forced honesty might start showing up here. Let THEM put their BUDGET money where their games are and foot the whole bill for the garbage. Also add a rule that these budgets cannot be increased due to legal costs. Maybe then they'll learn to at least try and play fair. Let THEM put their BUDGET money where their games are and foot the whole bill for the garbage. Also add a rule that these budgets cannot be increased due to legal costs. Maybe then they'll learn to at least try and play fair.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/28/coming_to_a_park_near_you_high_school#c177430 2009-08-31T12:43:50Z papasan My son just returned from the Black Lake Bible Camp along with the rest of the 450+ SOTA kids. He spent 3 days in a "wagon" that had an interior roof (they are made of canvass) covered in orange and black mold. Since he returned home, he has had a fever, cough, sneezing all typical symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. He will miss his first day of class on Monday and possibly Tuesday. This was his third and last camp at Black Lake Bible Camp. He has been miserable all three times that he went. I'm sorry to see them start this "tradition" with SAMI. It should be scrapped. I nearly kept him home anyway because $140 is a lot of money to spend for us to send him out, have him miss celebrating his birthday, loose sleep and feel miserable for the next week. They accomplish nothing educationally while there. What's the point?? SAMI students and parents should seriously just stay home. The boys, at least. It seems that all the good accomodations are given to the girls. SOTA/SAMI should scrap this whole nonsensical field trip as it is a waste of time and money. This was his third and last camp at Black Lake Bible Camp. He has been miserable all three times that he went. I'm sorry to see them start this "tradition" with SAMI. It should be scrapped. I nearly kept him home anyway because $140 is a lot of money to spend for us to send him out, have him miss celebrating his birthday, loose sleep and feel miserable for the next week. They accomplish nothing educationally while there. What's the point??
SAMI students and parents should seriously just stay home. The boys, at least. It seems that all the good accomodations are given to the girls.
SOTA/SAMI should scrap this whole nonsensical field trip as it is a waste of time and money.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/ted_kennedy_and_speaking_ill_of_the_dead#c177429 2009-08-31T12:28:55Z papasan Dave touched on it a little bit. It's about respect. Respect for a man that spent his life doing a job in which his two older brothers were assassinated. Like him or not, Ted did a great deal of goof for the poor and middle class in this nation. Was he perfect? of course not, who is? Mistakes? Many. I think that what he did for our Nations poor and for trying to see that EVERY American has some sort of Health Insurance plan. That is deserving of respect and if you can't take just a couple minutes to hear it, turn your radio off. Like him or not, Ted did a great deal of goof for the poor and middle class in this nation. Was he perfect? of course not, who is? Mistakes? Many. I think that what he did for our Nations poor and for trying to see that EVERY American has some sort of Health Insurance plan. That is deserving of respect and if you can't take just a couple minutes to hear it, turn your radio off.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/29/ballot_no_place_for_propaganda#c177428 2009-08-31T12:19:14Z papasan "Should the County ' Leadership' be taken to the woodshed, forcibly required to drop their dungarees, bend forward at the waist and receive a stern "paddlin" as was administered to school students that can't seem to behave and follow the rules? ____ Affirmative ____Nope I know it's a bit sincere and I'm the biggest nay-sayer when it comes to corporal punishment in schools, But why is it that every time they get it wrong, WE have to pay for it in the form of court time, lawyers fees etc. Enough, already! Play nice or go to your room ____ Affirmative
____Nope
I know it's a bit sincere and I'm the biggest nay-sayer when it comes to corporal punishment in schools, But why is it that every time they get it wrong, WE have to pay for it in the form of court time, lawyers fees etc.
Enough, already! Play nice or go to your room]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/ted_kennedy_and_speaking_ill_of_the_dead#c177425 2009-08-31T06:39:32Z SaveMe Diana West speaks the truth on this. But, does it really matter any more? The younger generation hasn't got a clue, and anyone who points to the sordid aspects of the man's life are likely to get no response other than that they are "hateful" right-wing nuts.Can't you just hear Rachel Maddow and Keith Oberlin now, faking outrage at the notion that anyone could not adore this man. Well, rest in peace, Senator. There are redemptive aspects to his career and life, and you've got to admire the zest for life and politics he brought to the scene. Being of the generation that was wowed by JFK in 1960, I feel sad that they're all gone now. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/29/ballot_no_place_for_propaganda#c177401 2009-08-30T19:05:07Z ldozy1234 IMHO, there's been a lot wrong with this ballot since its conception. Placing multiple items like all three amendments , delays in getting the information out, poor choice in wording, having the Prosecutors office write the title, wording etc. Sad to see Mark Lindquest also choose to be associated with this ballot. Someone should fire his campaign advisers. It stinks to begin with and for me adds a question mark on my decision when the election for his position come up. Too bad- The whole mess seems too much of Pierce County politics as usual- misleading, suspect and shoved at the voters full of usual controversy. Sad to see Mark Lindquest also choose to be associated with this ballot. Someone should fire his campaign advisers.
It stinks to begin with and for me adds a question mark on my decision when the election for his position come up. Too bad-
The whole mess seems too much of Pierce County politics as usual- misleading, suspect and shoved at the voters full of usual controversy.]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/ted_kennedy_and_speaking_ill_of_the_dead#c177387 2009-08-30T02:17:45Z Dave98373 I find it highly hypocritical that the same people who complain that one may not speak ill of the dead yet, at the same time use his death to further a cause. In this case health care. I was never a fan of Sen. Kennedy. But at least I have some common courtesy to respect his life and his family. We all need a break from politics. Even more so during mourning whether you liked him or not. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/24/mini_van_brings_the_health_care_crisis_h#c177380 2009-08-29T22:48:43Z rosste Dear Ms. Irwin: I have read your columns before, but thought that you were something of a libertarian, frequently seeming to display little compassion for others. Maybe I was wrong. This column is tremendous -- concise, and very much to the point, with an easily understood analogy. Keep up the good work.
I have read your columns before, but thought that you were something of a libertarian, frequently seeming to display little compassion for others.

Maybe I was wrong. This column is tremendous -- concise, and very much to the point, with an easily understood analogy.

Keep up the good work. ]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/20/snake_river_dams_bad_for_fish_good_for_p#c177361 2009-08-29T19:21:22Z pika I take the gist of this editorial as saying that we should accept destroying major salmon runs and an important component of the regional environment (and culture and economy) in order to help protect the global environment. I accept that a certain amount of triage may be necessary in the fight against global warming, but "destroying the environment to save it" is dangerous path to choose when another path is available. In this case it's feasible at a relatively small price for this region to wean itself off carbon-producing power and remove its most destructive, least beneficial dams -- with the lower Snake dams as the largest examples of dams that ought to be removed given the balance of their costs and benefits.
I accept that a certain amount of triage may be necessary in the fight against global warming, but "destroying the environment to save it" is dangerous path to choose when another path is available.

In this case it's feasible at a relatively small price for this region to wean itself off carbon-producing power and remove its most destructive, least beneficial dams -- with the lower Snake dams as the largest examples of dams that ought to be removed given the balance of their costs and benefits.

]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/25/that_aamp_editorial_about_the_snake_rive#c177360 2009-08-29T19:04:41Z pika Patrick, what is your reaction to the "Bright Future" report referenced by Sara Patton in her recent op-ed? It seems to me that lays out a clear case for how we can get rid of those four dams and meet our regional carbon reduction goals affordably and practically. Yes, replacing the dams will make the carbon reduction challenge marginally more challenging, but only marginally. At the same time, if the dams remain in place, the ability of Snake River salmon to withstand the amount of already inevitable climate change will be severely compromised. Kind of ironic, isn't it? We have the ability to reconfigure our energy system in a way that works for salmon and our energy system (with wind, conservation, perhaps even new off-channel pump storage hydro projects). Why shouldn't we do that instead of assume it's an either/or choice?
We have the ability to reconfigure our energy system in a way that works for salmon and our energy system (with wind, conservation, perhaps even new off-channel pump storage hydro projects). Why shouldn't we do that instead of assume it's an either/or choice?]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/an_easy_constitutional_fix_for_top_two#c177329 2009-08-29T01:18:21Z waino O'Callahan is right about this. But there's even more potential legal problems with the Top-Two. The Top-Two, and even non-partisan ballots for US House / Senate races - with an August primary - might be running afoul federal statues regarding congressional elections. It's clear that the Elections Clause of the Constitution provides that "the Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations" In Foster v. Love, Louisiana had to stop having the first stage of the election (Primary) in October for their Federal races because it wasn't on the day in November that Congress prescribed. Louisiana may have a runoff later in November or December for these races. Instead of the low turnout August Vacation Primary, we could have the December holiday runoff for our Federal elections!
The Top-Two, and even non-partisan ballots for US House / Senate races - with an August primary - might be running afoul federal statues regarding congressional elections. It's clear that the Elections Clause of the Constitution provides that "the Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations"

In Foster v. Love, Louisiana had to stop having the first stage of the election (Primary) in October for their Federal races because it wasn't on the day in November that Congress prescribed. Louisiana may have a runoff later in November or December for these races.

Instead of the low turnout August Vacation Primary, we could have the December holiday runoff for our Federal elections!]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/28/coming_to_a_park_near_you_high_school#c177327 2009-08-29T00:52:22Z crusader This sounds like a great program to provide education on curriculum that can help students succeed in the real world. Hopefully it doesn't get bogged down due to "diversity" issues. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/26/horne_disputes_numbers#c177316 2009-08-28T19:34:56Z dltooley3 Given the just now documented practices of both private and public sector 'old Takhoma' abusers how many new offenders are being created from among those unable to walk away..... http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/an_easy_constitutional_fix_for_top_two#c177315 2009-08-28T19:30:51Z dltooley3 This is a sensible suggestion, but frankly, until both parties stop harrassing individuals who choose NOT to identify with either party and their affiliated $ interests I don't give a darn. http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/an_easy_constitutional_fix_for_top_two#c177302 2009-08-28T03:50:52Z jimkingjr Or maybe just omit any partisan reference at all? Let the parties carry the burden of the expense of identifying THEIR candidates. Let them disavow anyone they want- at THEIR expense. Keep the ballot clear of any partisan clutter, just like city ballots (for example).
Keep the ballot clear of any partisan clutter, just like city ballots (for example).]]> http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/oped/2009/08/27/ted_kennedy_and_speaking_ill_of_the_dead#c177292 2009-08-28T01:39:52Z bbqbeaver Interesting to note that when Ronald Reagan died, the left never mentioned any of his many foibles: Iran contra, his first marriage, his sorted affairs, his alienation of his gay son, his lies and so called faulty memory, his attack on the american worker, his tax avoidance, the list could go on and on. Looks obvious who has the moral high road.