Tuesday loose thread
One caller already said she doesn't like the layout of our letters page.What are you having an opinion about today?
Matter of Opinion archive for Jan. 1, 2008
TUESDAY, FEB. 5, 2008
MONDAY, FEB. 4, 2008
What's in your rebate?
( AP file photo of minivan equipped with a microwave oven and washer/dryer)Our front page story Sunday included interviews with folks who said what they'd do with any economic stimulus rebate. Short answer: They'd spend it.Today, we got a press release from Consumer Credit Counseling…
Ambassador Crocker in Spokane
Ryan Crocker, who was named ambassador to Iraq just over a year ago, is in Spokane, where his mother still lives. He will visit with the editorial board tomorrow. What questions would you ask him? (S-R photo from 2007, Brian Plonka: A sign at McDonald…
Editorial: Go Giants -- er, North Spokane Corridor
Today's editorial highlights the need for the state and the federal government to spell out what exactly is expected of locals in order to get a major transportation project (item: the North Spokane Corridor) completed. And they're going to have to kick in their share.
FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 2008
Good Discussion Alert
We've got a good conversation going at the post "Our View: Leadership Alert" below. Join in and have a safe Drive at 5.
Loose Thread Friday
Always to want togo back, to correctan error, ease a guilt, see how a friendis doing. And yet,one doesn't, exceptin memory, in dreams.The land remains desolate.-- From "The Tortoise" by Cid Corman( J.BART RAYNIAK photo/The Spokesman-Review)It's Friday. The land remains desolate outside. What's on your…
THURSDAY, JAN. 31, 2008
Spokane soldier killed in Iraq
Another war death hits home.An Army sergeant from Spokane was killed along with four other 4th Infantry Division soldiers on Monday when a roadside bomb exploded, destroying their vehicle in Mosul, Iraq.Sgt. James E. Craig, 26, was married in Spokane in July and deployed in…
Spin Control v. 2.0
Jim Camden's blog is a must for political junkies. Check it out.
Our View: Leadership is adrift
Yes, there's an unusual amount of snow, but so much that schools need to close for an entire week? So much that vulnerable people are reduced to being shut-ins? So much that commerce must grind to a veritable stop?No. In today's editorial, we make the…
Letter: Thumbs down on stimulus plan
The plan is simply election-year pork we'll all have to pay back, with interest, someday in the future. Therefore, I can't support it. It's thinly disguised income redistribution; tax the "rich" and give it to the middle and working class. While this is a noble…
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30, 2008
Our View: Law laboratories
Travel can be broadening. It's also a good way to pick up ideas that work elsewhere, in Our View. Excerpt:No more plastic bags? Ultra-clean vehicles? Imagine. But remember when it seemed beyond imagination that states would ban smoking in bars? Or make it illegal to…
Terrible news on the charity front
St. Vincent de Paul's Family Services to close due to financial difficultiesThis is a huge blow to the city. Excerpt:The service center, which provided food and other emergency services to 60,000 people a year at North Regal Street and Trent Avenue, will close Feb. 29,…
Good morning, Snowkane! (loose thread)
Yeah, I swiped that from weatherman Brian Albrecht.So, last night on the drive home I became that other driver you need to look out for. I took my usual safe route up the South Hill, Cedar, which is a gradual climb. I usually turn left…
TUESDAY, JAN. 29, 2008
Downtown Spokane: Share your vision
(Christopher Anderson photo/S-R)Three of the folks working hard on the updated Downtown Spokane Plan -- Downtown Spokane Partnership President Marty Dickinson, Melissa Eadie, a Spokane city planner on loan to the updated plan process and Jeffrey Callahan Nave, a member of the DSP board, met…
Confusion over school libraries
This line in Sunday's Our View editorial has caused much consternation.Lawmakers are considering two bills. The Senate version would mandate that districts use a specific formula for spending on libraries. The result would be more money for librarians, but Spokane Public Schools says that would…
Our View: Be Prepared
Governments had a spotty performance in dealing with the snow. That's too bad, because it was a chance to demonstrate the allure of alternative transportation, namely the bus.
Letter: Just say no to war spending
Who is winning this war? Private contractors and Cheney's old company. We the people have invested almost $700 billion for war since 9/11. Do you feel a trillion dollars safer? I think our actions have fueled the hatred in the world, not abated it. And…
MONDAY, JAN. 28, 2008
Boomer U: What are your college regrets?
In my Sunday column, I said most boomers have one of two regrets about their college years. Those who partied too much wish they'd studied more.Those who studied too much wish they'd partied more. Boomer U will make wishes come true.My idea is to let…
First Amendment for students, too
In Monday's editorial, we advocate legislation that would allow student journalists to deal with real-world First Amendment challenges.We agree that there ought to be some boundaries -- obsenity, libel, privacy -- that adults must supervise, but censorship based on truths that cause discomfort is going…
Smart Bombs: Next sure thing?
Mr. Smart Bombs weighs in on the subprime lending mess and wonders whether the country will fall for the next too-good-to-be true trend in the economy?What do you think?UPDATE: A "recovering banker" named Richard Martens (see his blog here) sent me this YouTube link to…
Weekend letter: Spokane slow on snow
One of our writers appears to have had an inkling about what was coming over the weekend:Being a newcomer, I need to further my education about Northwest ways. I moved here from the Midwest, and I am accustomed to snow, cold weather and icy conditions.…
SATURDAY, JAN. 26, 2008
Loose (and slippery) thread
The snow has begun and is falling steadily enough to convince me the 2- to 4-inch prediction I heard is credible. Enough to drive me inside from an apple tree pruning chore I've been putting off. Got far enough into it to discover that today's…
FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 2008
TGIF: Thread Goes In, Finally
It's after 9 and today's Loose Thread is just now being posted. Round up your favorite topics, click on "Comments" and post away.
THURSDAY, JAN. 24, 2008
Loose thread for Thursday
Ah, but which loose thread? The kind in which you can click on "comments" and start a blog conversation...or the British rock group?
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23, 2008
Thoughts to share?
Here's a loose thread you can pick at without fear of coming unraveled. Just click and post.
A Matter of Opinion is really a matter of three opinions – those held by the people responsible for the opinion pages of The Spokesman-Review. Check in regularly to find out what they’re up to, what they think and where they differ and to joust with them if you want.
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