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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Community Comment archive for Jan. 1, 2010

TUESDAY, FEB. 23, 2010

Rocketsbrain takes a brick... 

Good evening, Netizens... The mouse that roared has once again aroused the powers-that-be in a positive way and, although we haven't heard a final resolution yet, the fact remains authorities have opened an active investigation. The Washington State Board of Accountancy's Executive Director, Rick Sweeney,…

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FRIDAY, FEB. 19, 2010

When does it become terrorism? 

Good morning, Netizens... A. Joseph Stack III put his name in history books yesterday. He began his day by setting fire to his house in Austin, Texas while his wife and family were inside. He capped his morning off by flying his single-engine Piper PA-28…

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Olympics review by David Horsey...

Good morning, Netizens...Cartoonist David Horsey has been attending the Winter Olympics and reports the various ways he has been singing along with the national anthemns as each country won the gold. I had a few permutations of the various anthemns to sing of my own,…

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THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2010

Vote for none of the above... 

Good morning, Netizens... Last night the Washington State House voted by a 51-47 majority to suspend I-960, the initiative that prohibits the state from raising additional taxes, thus clearing the road for Governor Gregoire's hotly-contested tax increases on soda pop, cigarettes, bottled water, candy and…

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17, 2010

A bulldog! A bulldog in our midst! 

Good evening, Netizens... For the edification of those who either haven't been following local news closely or simply no longer care about such things, there is a little bulldog with a big bite running amok in the current office of the County Prosecutor, Steve (Absent-by-design)…

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Gregoire proposes new taxes...

Good evening, Netizens... Governor Christine Gregoire, despite her campaign promise of no new taxes has broken her promise to the voters, yet again, in exchange for a way to reduce her blithering budget shortfall. I remember her statement during the run-up to the election when…

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TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 2010

Bambi for breakfast, anyone?

Good morning, Netizens... [Portions taken from the Spokesman-Review] BOISE - Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Maries, says a constituent of his in North Idaho complained that when he found a bobcat dead in the road near his place, Idaho Fish and Game threatened him with arrest…

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MONDAY, FEB. 15, 2010

Happy Presidents Day...

Good afternoon, everyone... Today, depending whatever state you reside, is Presidents Day. It also may be Washingtons Day or even various other names. Confused? So am I. You can read a bit more about this confusion here: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0215/Presidents-Day-2010-facts-about-a-holiday-with-an-identity-crisis and perhaps this source has their facts…

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SUNDAY, FEB. 14, 2010

(AFP/File/FAROOQ NAEEM)

Absence on Valentines Day... 

Good morning, Netizens... There is a hollowness, an emptiness that takes place on Valentines Day that comes to an unfortunate few, and because most of us are wrapped up in our self-centered celebration of love, we seldom see this woe in others eyes. Those of…

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SATURDAY, FEB. 13, 2010

Exit Realty listing

The Alaskan Tavern burns to the ground...

Good morning, Netizens... Here we have The Alaskan Tavern, a Hillyard edifice as viewed in its better days. This morning, shortly after 5:00 AM, the building was engulfed fully in flames, and by shortly after 9:00 AM, the building formerly at 5108 North Market, was…

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FRIDAY, FEB. 12, 2010

These little stents of mine... 

Good morning, Netizens... "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine..."Author unknown As I expected, they have released Bill Clinton from the hospital this morning after placing 2 stents in his…

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THURSDAY, FEB. 11, 2010

Working Connections to be cut by 30%? 

Good afternoon, Netizens... The Working Connections Child Care Program, underwritten and administered by Washington State's DSHS, helps low-income families pay for their child care while the parents are working. Governor Gregoire has proposed cutting this program by 30% in the current budget proposals. This would…

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Weather report... sort of... 

Good morning, Netizens... As if we did not have enough issues to fill up my INBOX rather nicely, I received an e-mail from an attorney I know in Dallas, Texas, informing me that the schools are mostly closed in Dallas this morning due to an…

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10, 2010

Chicago Sun-Times

A 4.3 shakes Western Chicago suburbs...

Good morning, Netizens... Photo: Chicago Sun-Times A 4.3 earthquake hit the western suburbs of Chicago at 3:59 AM this morning, and although police and other emergency phone lines were swamped with phone calls in the aftermath, there were apparently no reports of damages or injuries.…

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Returning to the fray once more...

Good morning, Netizens... We spent an idyllic day in South Stevens County this last weekend with friends Susan Waters and her extended family, and I must admit I have been playing catch-up with this Blog ever since. Since both Susan and myself are amateur historians,…

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TUESDAY, FEB. 9, 2010

Mark Jordan digs out of snow on Capitol Hill that was left from an intense winter blizzard that hit the nation's capital and much of the Mid Atlantic region yesterday, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. (J. Applewhite / Associated Press)

A snow emergency? 

Good evening, Netizens... Mark Jordan digs out of snow on Capitol Hill that was left from an intense winter blizzard that hit the nation's capital and much of the Mid Atlantic region. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Do you remember last year's snow storms that paralyzed…

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FRIDAY, FEB. 5, 2010

Spokesman-Review

Dave Stevens files for his boss's job... 

Good morning, Netizens... Thanks to John Olsen for forwarding a copy of the Spokesman piece about Steve Tucker and Dave Stevens. However, this Spokesman picture of Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens doesn't really do the job justice after he threw his business card into the ring…

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THURSDAY, FEB. 4, 2010

Dying To Hear You 

I am very interested in a proposal by State Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, to make it a primary offense to talk on a cell phone held to your ear or to engage in text messaging while driving. (http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jan/18/secondary-offense-is-a-primary-concern/)I think it is dangerous, if not…

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Is public education in Spokane on the ropes? 

Good morning, Netizens... It comes with absolute despair that I must announce my granddaughter Lilly probably suffers from that most terrible learning disability, Dyslexia, although given the lack of support on the part of Spokane School District 81, she may never receive the screening she…

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, 2010

Dennis Solbrack, of Spokane’s Arrow Machinery, prepares John Deere equipment Monday for the Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum in the Group Health Pavilion of the Spokane Convention Center. (CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON)

My Kingdom for a Tractor! 

The Ag Show has started and that means one thing. Tractors!!! The tractors are here!!! I love tractors, especially John Deere. I want my own tractor, right here in my yard. I’ll use it, too, if for anything else but especially the sound.There is a…

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Phil arrives at the Virtual Ballroom...

Good morning, Netizens... Yesterday, as you probably know, was Groundhog Day. Ostensibly on that day if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow it means we will have another six weeks of winter weather and, since Phil saw his shadow yesterday, our goose should be cooked and…

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TUESDAY, FEB. 2, 2010

Famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual prediction while being held by Co-Handler Ben Hughes on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, on the 124th Groundhog Day, February 2, 2010. Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
REUTERS/Jason Cohn
Photo Tools
 (Jason Cohn / X01062)

Spokane Stupid, put the marmots to good use...

Good morning, Netizens... Well, it's official, if you can take the word of an East Coast Groundhog. We're in for six more weeks of winter. Famed weather prognosticating groundhog Punxsutawney Phil made his annual prediction while being held by Co-Handler Ben Hughes on Gobbler's Knob…

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In this photo taken in August 2003, cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado are seen walking past the Chapel at the academy. The Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other Earth-centered believers school officials announced on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010.
(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)  (Ed Andrieski / Associated Press)

Religion at the USAF Academy... 10 

Good morning, Netizens... In this photo taken in August 2003, cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado are seen walking past the Chapel at the academy. The Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other Earth-centered believers school…

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Spokesman-Review readers blog about news and issues in Spokane written by Dave Laird.



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