What’s Important To You?

Thu., Feb. 29, 1996

Doug Floyd Interactive Editor

Now that incumbent Mike Lowry is formally out of the picture for this fall’s gubernatorial race in Washington state, the lineup of likely successors is stretching around the block.

In Tuesday’s paper, you may have seen the story about King County Executive Gary Locke’s announcement that he’s a Democratic candidate for the office.

Nearby was a story about Republican candidate Jim Waldo’s statement during a Spokane visit that Washington state should commit more money to higher education.

As the two articles noted, Waldo is one of at least six Republicans who may be running for governor, and Locke is one of at least four prospective Democratic candidates.

To spend $600 million a biennium more for colleges and universities, Waldo said, he’s ready to spend less on the Department of Social and Health Services and prison inmates.

Locke said his campaign will push environmental issues, education, transportation, work training and abortion rights.

Does that tell voters as much as they need to know about these candidates’ stands on those issues? Are those even the issues voters want to talk about?

The campaigns are fairly low-key now, but that won’t last forever. If you want the candidates for governor or other offices to talk about the issues that matter to you, start letting “Bagpipes” know now.

Something about freedom of assembly, expression, association?

Kenneth Stern, author of “A Force Upon the Plain,” says militia organizations such as the one that’s attracted so much notoriety in Montana are so dangerous that they should be banned by federal law.

Does one risk being called a sympathizer to stand up for an odious organization’s right to exist as long as it’s not breaking the laws that already exist? And if such organizations, or their members, break current laws, why not just enforce those rather than write new ones that could set ugly precedents?

Sentence made a statement about law of the West

Ken Arrasmith got life in prison without chance for parole for the vigilantelike slaying of a Lewiston couple who had abused and raped his daughter.

Was the judge too harsh, or did justice prevail?

, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone; or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.

“Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone; or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.

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