We’ve been at war with other countries over the last sixty years where outcomes have not been as predicted and promises unfulfilled. They have brought huge losses in military and collateral lives and devastated our treasury. Meanwhile, needs at home go unattended. Objective observers promise that a war with Iran will be[Read More…]

How one responds to the Republican state senators hightailing it out of the capital to deny a quorum during the debate and vote for the cap and trade bill likely depends on one’s ideological bent. The right cheered on the maneuver; the left disparaged the move. To deny ruling Democrats[Read More…]

Some of the best learning is done when we don’t think we’re learning. Kids think that all education must cease for the summer—June through August is for fun and frolicking. Experienced parents know the truth. When a human is in their teenage years, every day is a time for learning[Read More…]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a report that is the closest thing we have to the quantification of despair. Between 1999 and 2017, suicide rates in America rose to their highest level since World War II. The increase can be found among women and men,[Read More…]

An aching heart is the result of daily news reports that, while my government ignores the fact-based warnings that climate change, global warming, the greenhouse effect, no matter its name, means that, if we continue as we’re going now, it will not be possible for the human species to survive[Read More…]

In case you missed it, Sine Die has been declared imminent by both the Senate and House leadership…meaning notice to announce work sessions in order to further legislation is now suspended. In other words, legislation can move very quickly and the 80th Legislative Session is getting closer to adjournment. Constitutionally,[Read More…]

The last of the meetings for stakeholders regarding the Keizer Revitalization Plan along Keizer’s main thoroughfare was held this week. The plan will provide a vision for revitalization of one of Keizer’s major commercial areas: River Road and Cherry Avenue. The plan, which will incorporate recommendations to the city council[Read More…]

There have been reports that some of the world’s important historical and tourist spots are being overwhelmed by visitors. The globe’s burgeoning middle class has discovered its wings and has joined First World tourists to cram such draws as Machu Picchu in Peru and Venice, Italy.  Machu Picchu, the ancient[Read More…]

Do you build the economy from the top down or from the bottom up? And is the main purpose of the economy the production of things or the enhancement of life? I can imagine immediate objections to both questions. Don’t all successful economies involve bottom-up and top-down elements? Doesn’t everybody[Read More…]

Trade secret: We in the news media often hate the media, too.  I had such a moment Tuesday at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation’s annual summit when CNN senior congressional respondent Manu Raju interviewed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  The topic was supposed to be “fiscal sustainability”—a Washington phrase for curbing[Read More…]