Bottom Lines A Satirical Look At Topics In The News

Sun., Sept. 28, 1997

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

If I were a defendant, I would find this a bad sign

I have no idea whether Brian Ratigan is guilty in the Valley bombing case. All I can say is: It has to be discouraging when your mother takes the stand, and it’s for the prosecution.

The wild and wacky world of white supremacy

My favorite “slice of life” from the trial so far: Ratigan got in trouble with his fellow supremacists for treating his wife improperly: He got her a cup of coffee. Hey! That ain’t no way to treat a chattel.

Cue ball in the left front pocket

Speaking of neo-Nazi creep-boys, I love the way murder suspect Danny Lee got his nickname, “Cyclops.” He lost his eye when hit by a cue ball during a Spokane bar fight. And people say Spokane has no nightlife.

Spokane and Istanbul share many of the same public nuisances

Here’s a story out of Istanbul that Spokanites can relate to: The Turkish government wants to build a new multi-million dollar bridge over the Bosporus, but many Istanbul residents say it will ruin the views and damage the city’s historical heritage. The most amazing coincidence: Steve Eugster is leading the protests.

A hard look at the Lincoln Street Bridge project

Speaking of that controversial Lincoln Street Bridge project, the city is taking another hard look at it. Who knows? They may discover that it mars the view of the falls, costs huge amounts of federal dollars and that nobody particularly wants or needs it. In other words, they’ll approve it.

, DataTimes MEMO: Bottom Lines is Jim Kershner’s look at issues in the news. The views are the writer’s.

Bottom Lines is Jim Kershner’s look at issues in the news. The views are the writer’s.

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