Category Opinion

I like to think that I have lived a fairly interesting life so far, but I am under no illusions that anyone would ever care to read a book or watch a movie about it. It’s a good life and it’s my own, but it…

Jim Scheppke’s recent opinion piece in Salem’s daily paper, Salem needs more branch libraries, is right on the mark. Those who understand the power that libraries bring to people have tried for decades to gain city support for branch libraries in the north and south…

It’s time to call a timeout. Walk to our sidelines and have a chat. As we approach the second anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic we need to talk. For two years we have thanked and supported healthcare workers and they unquestionably deserve it. They are heroes who…

The Keizer Chamber of Commerce announced winners at its annual First Citizen Awards at a banquet Saturday, Jan. 22. While the awards may be presented by the business organization, the honorees should be feted by the whole community for the impact they have had on…

It might sound a bit oxymoronic, but ask any wizard, witch, or Istar and they will tell you that magic needs to follow a certain set of rules. What these rules are varies from work to work, but the underlying principle should stay the same:…

Several weeks ago I wrote about how January brings an opportunity to shape how the new year will be. I am always optimistic that things will turn out alright. What other choice do we have? I am not ready to concede that my optimism was misplaced,…

“We did not come here from some other country like the white men did. We have always been here. Nature placed us in our lands.”         — Yellow Wolf, Nez Perce The original people of North America are known to have been here for the past…

Though there are still plenty of Harry Potter fans in Gen Z, I fear that most of these kids will never appreciate just how bonkers many of their millennial predecessors went for the famous wizarding series back in the day, myself included. How many of…

Poverty is arguably one of our nation’s biggest problems that is yet to be solved. I have seen the attempts at resolving, and observe the many flaws.  In the following ways people are trying to amend poverty: giving out money, privileges and jobs, while also…