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I read an article in a liberal publication the other day. Although I lean to the right, I try to listen to arguments left of the middle. That is only fair. In this particular article, the author bemoaned the fact that his poor brother-in-law was being victimized by his rich neighbor. The brother-in-law didn’t go to college and had few marketable skills, so he had spent much of his life dependent on public assistance and can barely afford gas for his old Chevy. When he found work, it was usually part time, minimum wage and n...
It is important to know the bills and votes of senators and representatives in Congress. This information is valuable to understand, as much of it is not reported in the regular articles of most papers or over TV or radio. What surprised me recently was our representative for the 5th District, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, voted to oppose a bill for a floor debate that would protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts to balance the budget in a constitutional amendment. In other words, her vote was to allow Social Security...
Few can argue the point these days that the overall atmosphere of this country is volatile. Thin skin abounds and there seems to rarely be time for deep thinking and thorough study of a topic. And heaven forbid trying to find that the truth DOES usually lie in the middle, rather than gobbling up what is spoon fed to us in whatever medium we receive our news and information. I’ve coined the term “skews” which I think adequately covers it on both sides of the ideological aisle...
The late great philosopher Yogi Berra once proclaimed: “The future ain’t what it used to be.” It sure ain’t! Lots has changed over the last 60 years since Yogi was the catcher for the legendary New York Yankees. Hopefully, in the years ahead, we will experience a return of respect for one another and our way of life which has been a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. Today, there is too little civility and the public discourse consists of subtle and not-so-...
I admire leaders who surround themselves with very smart people. Good managers use their experts to make their organizations better. It would seem that President Trump missed that lesson in management class. He has obviously been successful in business, successful enough to fund his own campaign. But managing a private business is different than administrating a government. The profit motive of private business is paramount to all other considerations. Not so in government. Private business is “for the stockholders.” Gov...
I was once reminded that courage comes from the heart, and to never lose the heart to do what is right. As I pondered this, I realized that the heart has throughout the ages been associated with the place where feelings, one’s spirit and confidence comes from. To have courage is to have the greatness of spirit in facing danger, difficult situations or simply doing what is right for the right reason. One of the biggest mistakes people make concerning courage is thinking that having courage means someone is not afraid. Fear a...
For some reason, this winter seemed to be extra long to me. I would dread going outside because I just hate being cold. Every time winter rolls around, I always question myself why I live here. The cold just makes me cranky. The only time that I appreciate the snow is Christmas, so by Dec. 26, I want it to be gone. That never happens though. So this past two weeks, nothing has made me happier than walking outside and feeling the warm sunshine. I guess that is the only positive thing about the dreaded cold months, it makes...
An independent government agency saved Americans from a massive de facto tax hike. Energy Secretary Rick Perry had proposed a multibillion-dollar bailout of failing coal and nuclear power plants. He wanted to give these plants taxpayer-funded subsidies to keep them afloat. Luckily, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) made the right call and quashed the plan. Perry’s proposal — commonly called the notice of proposed rulemaking, or NOPR — would have granted government subsidies to any power plants capable of stori...
I can’t feel sorry for Stormy Daniels. This saga shows American politics at its worse. For those who haven’t followed the scandal in detail, let me recap the sequence of events as I understand them. In 2006, a sleazy British tabloid claimed a professional bad girl had a one-night stand with a rich American tycoon. The bad girl categorically denied the whole thing. Then, 10 years later the tycoon decides to run for president. The bad girl threatens to publicly expose the affair that she earlier denied unless she is paid a who...
“I’ll be the roundabout The words will make you out ‘n’ out I spend the day your way Call it morning driving thru the sound and in and out the valley.” In 1971 while touring Scotland, the English progressive rock band Yes traveled from Aberdeen to Glasgow and went through about “40 or so” roundabouts on the way. Their journey through the traffic calming devices among the mountains, influenced by a little weed, led singer Jon Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe to pen their hit: “Roundabout.” It’s a happy little ditty off th...
Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars’ “Spring Thing” scholarship fundraiser on St. Paddy’s Day was a great success thanks to so many people, organizations and companies. Many thanks to the Board and volunteers who put in many hours; our major donors Medical Lake Dental Clinic, Westwind Kennels, Stimson Construction, Pizza Factory, Wendy Duncan/Horizon Credit Union and Copy Junction. Thanks, too, to the many individuals and organizations that donated gift baskets for the silent/live auctions. Super thanks to Denny Wuestho...
I finished my taxes a few weeks ahead of the deadline. Yippee! Now I can worry about something else. When I talk to my friends, I find I am one of the few who prepares their own tax returns. Most are afraid to make a mistake or decide not to spend the time. The IRS publishes estimates of the time required to prepare each form. They are pretty accurate. By the time I read the instructions, sorted my files into the appropriate piles and completed the forms, I had invested more than three full days. I recall a big IRS push a...
I greatly appreciate the coverage that The Cheney Free Press gives each week for activities in churches here in the West Plains area. I wish more churches would participate so that we all can get to know them better. Most newspapers used to have a dedicated church or faith and values page with lots of information but this has been largely discontinued. In the past couple of decades, God has been systematically shut out of most public venues and our rising generations are becoming increasingly secular. They look to technology...
Start with trust. It’s Better Business Bureau’s tagline, and consequently, the first of eight of BBB’s Standards of Trust. Trust is a buzzword, easily tossed around and much harder to define. But, it is at the core of much of what we do on a daily basis. Consider this: It’s Tuesday, and you’re driving around, rushing between work, errands and family commitments. Suddenly, that dreaded check engine light pops up. Inevitably, you think you do not have the time, and possibly the money, to deal with this. Nonetheless, you drop...
Perhaps the following belongs on the sports page? Maybe in Neighbors or in obits? Or possibly nowhere on these pages? But in what I always call a “target-rich” environment for op-ed, the opportunity to reflect is a great way to shift gears, let the high revving motor of our daily lives run at idle and have the tires cool down. What a perfect segue. For the better part of two hours last Saturday I sat in a pew at a Spokane Valley church listening to stories. And if told in a c...
I was glad to attend Cathy McMorris Rodger’s “Top O’ The Morning Breakfast” on Thursday, March 29, at the Grand Davenport Hotel. I was very happy that Cathy had copies of the Constitution placed at every place setting. While there, I was happy to see Sheriff (Ozzie) Knezovich had shed 40 pounds — I told him he looks good; I was happy to hear pastor Joe of the huge Life Center Church tell me fidelity is very important for married politicians and that he has been preaching about that lately. I was very happy (state) Sen. (Mic...
I have followed Mark Rypien’s denunciation of the NFL, and football in general, as the cause of his mental illness. I have no doubt that his condition is genuine, and there may be some merit to his claims; the courts think so anyway. His lawsuit against the NFL resulted in a $765 million dollar judgment and initiated a strict concussion protocol. His cause is supported by Dr. Bennet Omalu, author of the book “Concussion.” Omalu warns parents against allowing children to play any contact sport. He would have us believe that...
Jeers Jeers to the thieves seen taking my trailer and a load of stuff 1:30 a.m. on March 20. Driving a 1994 Chevy Suburban Idaho plate ILOVEU. Please email one cheer and/or one jeer to [email protected]. Space is limited, so we ask you keep it short, 20-25 words max. We want to hear from you. If you would like to take a jab at something you don’t like, or give a shout out to something or someone you do, please email one cheer and/or one jeer to [email protected]. Space is limited, so we ask you keep it short, 2...
As we deal with our population growth, we must address sufficient supplies of drinkable fresh water for residential, commercial, agriculture, fisheries and industrial needs. Not only will our numbers continue to climb, but so will competing pressures for fresh water. While demographers can project population growth fairly accurately and planners are good at assessing future needs, nature controls the supply of rainfall and mountain snowpack; and, when it occurs. Too often prec...
It has been over a month now since I found out about getting accepted into graduate school, so I think it is finally safe to talk – or write – about it. I was kind of undecided on what I wanted to do after graduating Eastern Washington University this fall, but I thought I would go out on a limb and apply to my dream graduate school, the University of Tennessee, just to see if I could get in. And when I say dream school, I really do mean it. I knew I have always wanted to attend the university ever since I first visited it...
Many issues surrounding conservation are decided at the time of farm bill renewal. Working lands conservation programs in the farm bill offer an important opportunity for farmers and ranchers to increase stewardship on their land without impacting their bottom lines. For example, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program support farmers in implementing new conservation practices, and the Conservation Reserve Program offers valuable options for enrolling marginally productive lands....
I have watched with interest as students across the country demonstrated to bring attention to the rising number of senseless school shootings. The national media reported these demonstrations as anti-gun protests. I listened closely to student interviews and for the most part they didn’t advocate bans on guns or even reform of laws allowing gun ownership. They asked for an end to the violence. An end to violence does not equate to a ban on guns except for those who are predisposed to ban guns anyway. It could very well be t...
Most of the 2.5 million annual Alamo visitors focus on the epic 1836 battle in which a small band of brave Texans was eventually overrun by the Mexican army. Folk heroes like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis were among the Texans killed while fighting for independence from Mexico. However, the Alamo is more than a small Spanish-style church depicted on tourism brochures which barely withstood a 13-day pummeling from Mexican cannons. It is a large complex built...
Last week I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with three Cheney High School students who are involved in the student-led movement that emerged in response to the shootings at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Fla. Feb. 14. The three young women, who I won’t name right now, organized a walkout and a 17-minute period of silence at the school in remembrance of those killed last month. And they took part in last Saturday’s Spokane-area edition of the national March for Our Lives, organized by Parkland sur...
By PAUL DELANEY Staff Reporter Pick a week and the jury of studies is either in or out on the benefits of any number of products or activities. On a rotating basis — whose frequency varies as widely as results of studies presented — data will tell us that beer or wine is either good or bad for us. No data comes to mind recently on any benefits of hard alcohol, but periodically comes the story of someone who turns 100 and claims their longevity is due in part to an occasional nip of whiskey. But last week, nearly 50 peo...
