Scott Sines

Even the humorless holiday cops (see editorial above) would agree it's OK to think about Christmas today. So now that you have their permission, replay the Christmas story in your mind. Bring back your favorite Christmas memories and enjoy them again - even if it makes you ache for those who no longer are with you. This is the time of year when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus with acts of kindness and good will. Words such as helping, giving, family and friends all describe the mood that surrounds the season. And it heals our spirit to bring those words to life. The timing of that spiritual healing is best left to individuals and not regulated by the narrow-minded view of the self-righteous few.

1. Going to the dogs 2. Adios Amigo 3. Price is right

1. He's no Bob Dylan 2. Spit and shame 3. Smoke in their eyes

1. A real Webb site 2. Dolly Rodent 3. Hot Seat for sale

Badges? They don't need no stinking badges. County Commissioner Phil Harris is catching heat for spending $340 of taxpayers' money on gold badges for his fellow commissioners. Steve Hasson paid for his own badge and says he's already used it. George Marlton called the idea ridiculous and won't wear his. Meanwhile, Harris maintains the office needs some recognition. We agree but think badges aren't enough. We think Harris should exchange the badges for Batman and Robin costumes for himself and Hasson. Holy budget, Bat-Phil!

1. Goodbye Kara 2. Rachel's legacy 3. Fuhrman's fan

It's August. Even Congress wants a break. So we pose the question: Is a meticulously tended lawn a thing of beauty? Or is it evidence democracy has gone to seed? Spokane, a good place to raise a ... lawn. Wrong. It's a good place to raise a great lawn. And great lawns are to homes and neighborhoods what the American flag is to freedom. A symbol of pride. A symbol of things that are right with the world. So it follows that those lovable lawn fanatics, those selfless souls who responsibly fertilize and neatly trim their lawns, are true patriots. Just as the flag is protected from desecration, lawn lovers deserve protection from the lazy, yapping ingrates with shabby yards.

1. Big Daddy's back 2. Bad Hair Days? (photo of Albert Einstein) 3. Fletcher's revenge

1. Helms-mania 2. Where's the beef? 3. Fireworks fiasco

People abandon their institutions slowly. It took nearly 50 years for the Democratic Party to alienate the middle class. But finally in 1980 many Democrats decided their party no longer supported middle class values, and the Reagan Democrats were born. Ten years later these Democrats were no better off and still searching for a middle class advocate. They elected Bill Clinton on the promise of change and a return to the Democratic Party they once knew.