Thanks for the tips! Here's one for you! Blind Onion Pizza on Mill Plain and Grand, Rock Wood Fire Pizza on Columbia House Blvd and Grand. :)

HoPe — April 28, 2011 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The Blind Onion is pretty good stuff, Bortalami's ain't bad either. For chain pie I'd go with Round Table and that's about it on the West side as far as I know. Now more to the topic of guidelines. Sometimes, unfortunately, there are some people who frequent this site, that for lack of a better phrase, bring out the worst in me. I've been accused of being an insufferabe bastard, just not as often as I would prefer. Am I being monitored? I'll make a better effort to play nice with others, I promise.

insii — April 28, 2011 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Vancouver Pizza, Blind Onion and Smoky's Hazel Dell are all good, IMHO.

Nice guidelines!

Rory Bowman — April 28, 2011 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

What about privacy? I've read your privacy policy, and nothing seems to protect us from you "outing" us anonymous users. Between our email addresses and ip addresses, the Columbian COULD use that information to identify us and release that information to the world.

If I posted some comment about Company X, and you found out that I worked for Company X, you COULD use that information in a story. Or if I mention a complaint that I have with the City of X Police Department, you COULD publish our info and make us subject to retaliation.

I understand that just because you COULD do something doesn't mean you WOULD, but it would be nice if you built in some sort of protections for your user's anonymity into your privacy policy.

The_Rural_Rebel — April 28, 2011 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thanks for your comment. We understand your concern -- it's a good point. We take privacy seriously, and it's something that we should definitely discuss and address going forward. Thanks for bringing it up.

Matt Wastradowski (Columbian Staff) — April 28, 2011 at 5:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Very reasonable, clear and easy-to-follow. Thanks for the guidelines!

manthou — April 28, 2011 at 8:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thank you.

Sue A — April 28, 2011 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Looks good, Matt

artimus — April 28, 2011 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hey Matt, why don't you invent a category that has no subject and where we can post random subjects. Sometimes there are things going on that you don't cover that we want to talk about.

hawkeye — April 28, 2011 at 11:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Craigslist has one of those, hawkeye. It's called: "Rants".

artimus — April 28, 2011 at 11:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thank you, Matt and Libby. Very clear and precise.

pen — April 28, 2011 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

artimus — April 28, 2011 at 11:44 p.m.

Well then I guess we couldn't have that here then. You know, because you probably wouldn't have anything to say, would you?

So what name do you use on craigslist?

hawkeye — April 29, 2011 at 12:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Hooray!!! Nice one, Matt and Libby!!!

goldenoldie — April 29, 2011 at 6:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thank you Matt & Libby, long overdue and look forward to your supporting the guidelines that you have outlined.

all_sides — April 29, 2011 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

This is great. However I'm confused why you would like this Koski? these new rules will result in removal of most of your posts? are you confused?

artmaximus — April 29, 2011 at 7:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hawkeye, thanks for your suggestion. It's something we'll keep in mind, and if we see enough excitement for that idea, it's definitely something we'll take a look at. No promises, but thanks very much for the idea.

Matt Wastradowski (Columbian Staff) — April 29, 2011 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I'm still waiting to see how you're going to weed out the personal attacks.

artimus — April 29, 2011 at 1:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

artimus — April 29, 2011 at 1:23 p.m

If you keep them up, maybe you'll be the first to find out.

hawkeye — April 29, 2011 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The clever use of a punctuation mark or the omission of a simple noun will create ambiguity, perhaps it is unavoidable.

agourmet — April 29, 2011 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

A great start! The next step is to require an actual name. If you have honest comments, you will have no problem using your real name vs a 'log-in'. I know I quit reading the comments because of the personal attacks and lack of common courtesy. Bruce Cross, Allen, TX.

bndcross — April 29, 2011 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

If the Columbian truly wishes to improve their online comments ONE THING would take care of probably 90% of your problems-

NO MORE ALIASES. REQUIRE THE CONTRIBUTORS TO UTILIZE THEIR OWN REAL NAME.

I believe you will find most of those nasty, mean spirited, vicious, ill informed writers will go away. People are not nearly so brave when they use their real name.

Also, I think it's an ABSOLUTE CRIME you allow PUBLICLY ELECTED OFFICIALS to send out information about their office and the citizens they represent UNDER ALIASES. This terrible practice helps no one. We out here in Washougal have really suffered under this terrible practice. It is hard to believe any elected official anymore.......... one never knows what other names they speak out with.

Mike Briggs Washougal

Mike — April 29, 2011 at 5:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

How would the moderators or operators of this site verify anyone's identity? What would stop someone from using a false identity that looks real?

I could open an account using the name Barack Hussein Obama, and there would be no way to prove or disprove that as my true name. I could even pick a name that is far from the obvious, but no one would know the difference.

Dan J — April 29, 2011 at 8:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

A member of the community is a member of the community. It's doesn't make one bit of difference what his or her name is for the sake of offering an opinion on any given subject.

Period.

artimus — April 29, 2011 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Matt Wastradowski (Columbian Staff) — April 29, 2011 at 8:46 a.m.

Case in point, Matt. I just got a very large postcard from a group called "60 Plus" about Jamie Herrera-Beutler, wanting me to call her office and tell her just how happy I am that she voted to fix up medicare. I would really like to post something about it somewhere to get some feedback from others, but where? Now they say on the card that they are not-for-profit and non-partisan. I suspect differently.

hawkeye — April 30, 2011 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Medicare is bankrupt, Obamacare wants to destroy what's left of it, so it need to be fixed or dumped.

artimus — April 30, 2011 at 6:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

See that, artie just proved my point. You could call it "Open Forum" and artie can argue with EVERYONE.

hawkeye — May 2, 2011 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The guidelines seem reasonable, however, you will probably need to hire a full-time person just to monitor the sidebar conversations.

I disagree with some here about using names versus aliases. If blog sites required all to use their real identities, no one would post anything - it would be a ghost town. I enjoy reading the comments (positive & negative), and I know that these are people's true thoughts - not something sugar coated. athena.

athena — May 3, 2011 at 10:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Yea I dont see how using you real name here would change anything. Keep it like it is. If someone wants to know my name they can ask me.

JDAWG — May 5, 2011 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Athletic Director, you should be ashamed and embarrassed of your shallow impulsive reaction to a harmless accommodation represented and AGREED to by the Heritage coach. I have been active in youth sports and particularly baseball in Battle Ground for over 15 years. I sponsored and coached Little League teams and have been an active supporter of the BGHS baseball team. I raised 2 sons in the system each Played 4 years for Billy Hayes. We didn't have a Baseball program in this town before Hayes! Do not look at this years record as an indicator of this mans accomplishments. You play the cards your delt and build on them. Billy took us to State in 08. BG has never been there before. Billy's enthusiasm, skill and coaching ability have been a blessing for BG. Billy's moto is Old School Respect The Game. He knew what he did was a violation and a forfeit of the game is appropriate but he being fired, and penalizing the team for 2 years is CRAZY and a vindictive, impulsive, bone headed reaction. The Coach played Luke not to win a game, nor was he snuck in. Coach Hayes wanted to give a graduating senior the opportunity to stand at the plate 1 time in the last inning of the last game he will ever see in high school for the rest of his life! Any harm done is done by our AD!

mat35 — May 9, 2011 at 11:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Appears to me a big city with a "hooterville" rough council member who revealed herself with an over inflated ego and unprofessional attitude. She deserves to be removed, we deserve better.

bluemoon4fun — May 13, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Texans shouldn't complain that they are not getting a Space Shuttle, because it isn't true.

Texas did get a shuttle, in 2003, inadvertently.

socalvic — May 13, 2011 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

"Respect Privacy" - You better change to the old format...Facebook is the opposite of privacy.

seamuscallan — June 7, 2011 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

can't seem to post anything

fanofpanthers — October 3, 2011 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

except that

fanofpanthers — October 3, 2011 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Well "stupid stuff" is a matter of opinion. As an Editor of any news source ought to know. My bright interpretations might be "stupid stuff" to a conservative editor of the Columbian paper, for example. I learned that in high school.

Also, as a man with degrees in communication, I recognize that the very best literature often seems off point to the uninitiated. Take "Naked Lunch" by William S. Burroughs or Henry Miller's "Tropic of Cancer". Who without some study of the matter could tell what they are about? Or how would anyone know that "The Crucible" by Aurthur Miller, set in Puritan New England, is about the repression of free thought by the McCarthyism?

aintnogod — March 15, 2012 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Thomas Sowell is a right wing idealogue who spouts whatever line the republicans are at the moment spouting.

gingerella — March 22, 2012 at 10:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

From Hawkeye:

I would really like to post something about it somewhere to get some feedback from others, but where? Now they say on the card that they are not-for-profit and non-partisan. I suspect differently.

To Hawkeye: Right on. My feedback agrees with yours. Herrera Beutler is just a tea-party shill. The lies that the repubs come up with "not-for-profit" and "non-partisan" are just totally laughable.

Of course they are "not-for-profit" the Koch spending machine is funding them. "Non-partisan" I'd like to see and read the fine print on anything that claims to be "non-partisan" and in the same paragraph tells us that Herrera Beutler is "SAVING" Medicare by voting to kill it.

What a bucket of pig slop. She's going to have to try some other line.

gingerella — March 22, 2012 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

When are you going to get rid of facebook so that people can comment on your articles?

gingerella — April 1, 2012 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

When are you going to get rid of facebook so people can participate? We hate facebook even though the Columbian THINKS it sells story.

yellowbird — April 3, 2012 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Just remember what your stand WAS when the first bus stop full of kids is wiped out.

Bigmeat — April 4, 2012 at 4:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Oh yea..facebbok sucks

Bigmeat — April 4, 2012 at 4:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bla bla bla

bigmaxx — April 4, 2012 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I disagree with the writer where she states the food is 'bland'. I've had almost everything on the new menu and find it flavorful and exciting! Plus, she didn't even try the dishes that are spicy. Try the Chili Chicken if you're in the mood for spicy! The new version of this restaurant is a definite upgrade from the old Twin Dragons...give it a try!

lacenterdiner — April 6, 2012 at 11:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

John do you really think that Obamacare is equivalent to local fire protection? It seems to me that there has always been wide spread support for fire protection. I also get to vote regularly on funding levels for fire protection. I don't remember any fire regulations consisting of a 2500 page document that was forced on the people by legislators who hadn't even read what was in it.

For sure health care in this country needs a serious overhaul but it needs to be done during the light of day with bipartisan support and with the full knowledge and review of the American people. Despite all the rhetoric our current President doesn't have a clue why his "Chicago Style" politics doesn't fly with the majority of the American people.

Happy Easter

Bob Dean — April 8, 2012 at 6:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

VANCOUVER CITY COUNCEL, LISTEN UP!!! WE DON'T WANT LIGHTRAIL FROM ANYWHERE INTO VANCOUVER. WE HAVE ENOUGH CRIME HERE ALREADY AND WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. WE HAVE 13.9% UNEMPLOYMENT IN CLARK COUNTRY, THOUSANDS HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS AND THEIR HOMES, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING ALL OVER TOWN. You people need to realize the well is dry, you have taxed, fee'd, permitted, licensed and inspected us to death. Your increases in property taxes when the value dropped..is outrageous. We don't want you to keep spending our dwindling tax dollars like drunken sailors. We want you to wake up and cut spending, close useless government offices, cut taxes across the board, and STOP SPENDING. Why is it that government grows like a vicious cancer devouring everything in it's path?? If you vote for light rail, you will be voted out of office.

clairedupont — April 10, 2012 at 3:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I believe they found the vehicle...a Civic with major front damage was towed away from my neighborhood. So terribly sad!

iamV — May 3, 2012 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The fees must be adequate to replace the lost revenue to the City of Vancouver. As I understand from a story in the paper recently, the city stands to lose yet another 800,000 dollars when the new system is put into place. Hit after hit to our safety net over the last decade, taxes at their lowest in half of century and we can't afford to take care of our elderly, our handicapped, our city employees, our students...? Where has the conscience of our citizens gone?

aintnogod — May 5, 2012 at 2:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Well, Obama has cynically decided that public opinion has shifted enough in favor of gay marriage that it is now politically palatable to support gay marriage.

No big surprise. But of course Romney shows no courage on this issue either, basing his stance on political opportunism just like Obama.

lance_sjogren — May 10, 2012 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

90 days for $120K. I'd do 90 days in jail for that much money.

Then move to another state when I got out. Restitute This! I would say.

So why are the senteancing guidelines so light?

darkxid — May 16, 2012 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I don't think people understand the full implications of Coal transport, it's dusty, covered or not. It has to be sampled for sulfur content and before loading on ships. If it is to hot, it is raised by buckets and dropped to cool off, or constantly moved by Dozers on the mound, IE dust everywhere. There was a ship about 15 years back that loaded at IMT "International Marine Terminals" south of New Orleans, got part way across the Pacific and started heating up. This threatened to break the ship in half. Think "tire fire, compost heap" The crew sprayed water on it, creating sulfuric acid, making the problem worse. Jezz, it rains here. I just don't know if you want these kind of jobs that destroy the environment. Maybe your reporter could take a trip and look at IMT and see the yellow tinge in the puddles around Coal Storage mounds, see a bucket or two just dumped in the Mississippi, take a bath and try to get the coal dust off him so he doesn't look like he has Mascara on and come back and think this is a Great Idea for the Columbia.

chossmat — June 24, 2012 at 1:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

How do you comment without a facebook account???

RJ

bluedog — July 2, 2012 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

You have to be kidding me. Elected officials are playing with foam balls at an off-site government meeting, at tax payer expense (how many of you in the private sector can relate to just this portion of the story?). Previous to this play event, one of the esteemed attendees filed personal bankruptcy, and yet continued to serve as a stewart of the public treasury (how can anyone with a clear mind feel qualified to vote in matters involving revenue or expenditures when they can't control their own finances?). Finally, to top things off, this same attendee files a damage lawsuit in order to recover a $500K judgement, which ultimately will be paid by the taxpayer. Ms. Harris is an embarrassment even by local political standards.

tomami20x — July 5, 2012 at 7:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Very sad to hear of this death, but the sadness is exaserbated by the lousy, biased "reporting" above. For people who don't know, the majority of auto/MC accidents, by far, are caused by a car not yielding the right-of-way to a MC, most commonly turning left into their path. But without knowing ANY specifics about this incident, you've shown ignorance about motorcycles, to the point of using an inflammatory description (a "Ninja-like" bike): to the non-riding public that means something fast. You don't even know how to properly describe what a motorcyclist does -- they ride, and not drive, a MC. If you're going to make suppositions without knowing the facts, how about trying your bias the other way. For instance, say, a woman in an SUV drove into the path of a young motorcyclist riding SB on 136th. He was unable to stop, and was pronounced dead on the scene. See how that works? If a proper investigation is done, electronic forensics can determine from his digital speedometer how fast he was riding at the time. The non-riding publics has absolutely no clue about the speed of modern motorcycles. Just because they are capable of going fast doesn't mean it happens all the time, everywhere. How much do you want to bet the first thing out of that woman's mouth was, "Oh Officer, I didn't see him." Well, people, START SEEING MOTORCYCLES.

I have read literally hundreds of articles across the country, and despite actual evidence to the contrary, have seen over and over again the description blaming a MC. Motorcyclists are constantly marginalized in this manner, and as supposedly professional reporters, you should be better than that.

My condolences to the family of this young man.

judyhawkins — July 9, 2012 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

While you're at it....... I'd prefer to ban all BBQ's, camp fires, and any fun in general. Because everything that ever contacts fire is carcinogenic, run for the hills.

nwmaster — July 26, 2012 at 9:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

One aspect of ObamaCare will reduce overall healthcare costs.

For supporters of the Democratic politicians, almost all who defend ObamaCare, do you agree with permanent sterilization of minor girls? Did you know the HHS ruling, which took effect Aug 1, says in part, “must provide coverage, without cost-sharing, for sterilizations and all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives to “all women with reproductive capacity.” In practical terms that means girls as young as 12. Is your minor daughter sufficiently mature to understand the consequences of opting for permanent sterilization?

How the law is effected in each state is unclear but “under Oregon law, girls from 15-years of age and up are given complete control over whether to be sterilized or not. The parents or guardians of a minor girl--between 15 and 18--can neither grant nor deny consent for a sterilization.”

Is freedom of choice the reason progressives so desperately want to allow minors to be sterilized or are there more insidious reasons. A few come to mind. First, many progressives want to undermine the family. What better way that to drive a wedge between parents and children. Doing so gives government more influence. Second, some people want more sexual freedom but without pregnancy consequences. Thus, no longer would preventative measures be needed, even if it helps reduce sexually transmitted diseases. And of course the sex trade benefits. Third, environmentalists want to reduce carbon emissions and have postulated that every child not born saves 9,440 metric tons of carbon emissions over the person’s lifetime and of those descendents who now wouldn’t be born. And last, the UN has a goal to reduce humanity to two or three billion – this is one means to accomplish that. Once ‘voluntary’ sterilization becomes standard practice, where will it stop? Ask China, which forcibly sterilizes women.

Ask your favorite pro-ObamaCare candidates whether they support your minor daughter receiving free sterilization without your consent. Read the article here for more information and how several Democrat politicians refuse to discuss the issue. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/obamacare-mandate-sterilize-15-year-old-girls-free-without-parental-consent.

randydutton — August 14, 2012 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I would like to ask all of you to use some critical thinking skills whe it comes to this article. 1. Many blood pressure medications including the one I take costs 3.00 dollars per month. She states her blood pressure medication is hard to afford. Can she find a cheaper medicine? 2. Her husband is without a job because the real estate market is down and he is a handyman. He can work at Walmart for the same amount he gets for his handyman job and get health insurance.nwould this be possible? 3.She states she works hard but then states she can only work part time due to watching her sister with Downs Syndrome. I know there are many local and federal programs for day care programs for the handicap in our communities. Could she possibly look into these programs enabling her o work full time or could her husband watch her sister? He is unemployed. Finally, just so you know I am not voting for MItt. I just would like to see these articles written better and the reporters asking the tough questions and finding the real stories behind the story.

speakup1 — August 14, 2012 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Do your guidelines include deleting comments from citizens you disagree with? If that is not the case show me where the comment I posted on the subject of the Chamber of Commerce withdrawing support from the light-rail tax disappeared to... Mike Murray, Vancouver Resident, FORMER Columbian Subscriber

fomalhaut — September 8, 2012 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I love this place. Generous wine pours, outstanding home-style food, not bad at all for a small, packed place with only one server. That's right, the "ratio" five nights out of six, is one server, and she rocks.

I've never noticed if she dumped a teaspoon of leftover olive oil but she is always accommodating and friendly. I think calling the server who works harder than the minimum wage they are paid, to give you professional service with a smile, "tacky", is a bit tacky, pretentious.

This review, while not all negative seems to nit-pick in comparison to her review on Provecho's in Vancouver,(which is surprisingly much more positive) THEIR service wait is unreasonable, food is boring at best, and the 2-3 servers rotating your table all have amnesia. It's like watching the movie "Memento" only you paid $70 and the meal sucked. So on all the negativity to P.S.C, really consider the source.

I digress, P.S.C is still the only reason I would drive to Ridgefield to eat.

Give em' some love, and keep a good place open.

henrykrinkle — September 21, 2012 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TEST

blanche — October 11, 2012 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Is there no way to post a comment without a facebook account? I just created a Columbian account, why isn't that adequate?

brianpotter — October 15, 2012 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

When I want to read comments about a particular news item, why do I keep getting this "please take a second to review our community guidelines" message? It appears there is some sort of bug in the Columbian's software that prevents people from accessing comments.

lance_sjogren — November 5, 2012 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

How are those Madore paid tickets Cory? Of course you want to keep driving. I would to if I didn't have to pay my own fines.

ffzilla — November 6, 2012 at 11:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I've often wondered if those calling the light rail the "crime train" have ever actually been across the river and ridden the MAX. I have taken every line from end to end just for fun with my grandkids. Have they ever been to any vibrant big city and seen the benefits mass transit provides? I have been hoping for 20 years to see light rail come to Vancouver. I still hope to see it before I am too old to climb aboard. I was fully on board for the original plan that was going to go right up main street and all the way to WSU Vancouver. I can hardly imagine the cost savings and financial benefits to Vancouver had we built that original plan. Unless everyone who lives here wants to drive their 18 year old kids to the state border and never let them, or their new families come back there is no stopping growth. We can do it right....or keep building roads that are full the instant they are completed. (Drove right under that SR 503 new St. Johns overpass tonight --I love it---and a 1/4 of a mile east had to slam on my brakes for the 1/2 mile of traffic backed up at Falk Road.) Ok....I'm rambling.....but I would happily pay more taxes for a great light rail/bus system. "Crime Train"....really???.... I looked up all the national studies, and there is not evidence to support those claims. Its PORTLAND...where many of us work and play.....not an alien world.

grokstar — November 7, 2012 at 10:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Are you kidding me, do we really condone CTRAN's board having to attend a "retreat" to plan for future operations? sit down in the conference rooms available in your building and do the job!

There's an entirely over the top chiefs vs. indians ratio in place within that organization, just look at the fiscal report rating CTRAN dead last in worker/operations percentage of budget allocation. Stop thinking in grandiose fashion (crap like retreats) and start living within your available budget.

g_c — November 14, 2012 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The real issue is jobs and economic survival. IF the full value of what is suspected were quantified (Copper is nearly $4/pound X 8 billion = $32 billion; Gold is $1733/ounce X 8 million = $13.8 billion), the retail mineral value would be $45 billion and I only counted the copper and gold, and left off the molybdenum and silver. If 30% of the gross revenue flowed to government in the form of taxes, and that’s a conservative percentage, the amount of all tax revenue would exceed $13.5 billion. That should impress any politician in a state with a current $1.5 billion deficit. But let’s downgrade mineral expectation to recover only 10% of what’s possible. That’s still $1.35 billion. Now equate that to jobs. If $100,000 is the full cost of each teacher job per year, then IF this is developed into a mine, and there’s no assurance it would, 13,500 teacher years could be funded just from this project. So before you condemn this project because it might require digging up the Earth is a small area, which later would be restored, consider the children. Do you support schools? Do you support good livable jobs in Washington State? Do you support America being resource independent?

If you hate this project because it would develop resources, then why stop there? You should oppose all fishing & hunting, all farming & logging, all port facility construction, all roads, and all devices that require electricity. America is getting very close to following bankrupt Greece, which is now being dictated to it by the EU. Greece is being told that no matter what political party takes over, they must adhere to the financial rules of outsiders to survive.

Want to check the numbers? Go to http://www.ascotresources.ca/s/MtMargaret.asp?reportid=493881 and do your own research.

randydutton — December 5, 2012 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

As with the myriad of other questionable and/or outright unconstitutional funding schemes being lauded by the LEFT...the Frankenstein's Monster CRC Project begs only one significant answer...who pays? All of you who deem this project to be the greatest thing since sliced bread...PONY UP THE DOUGH! As for me....I'll be glad to paint a few lanes on existing streets...and buy buses...at a fraction of the cost.

fomalhaut — January 12, 2013 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Has anyone else been unable to comment on stories? I can't even find the comments section anymore.

Oh and Vancouver Pizza on Main near Harry's Lock.

investrite — January 19, 2013 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

An article in the Columbian in 2011 noted that "Clark County has highest property tax levy rate in state: Drop in values, increase in voter-approved levies result in dubious distinction". (http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/au...

On the other hand, a recent editorial in the Columbian argued persuasively that the replacement school levies are necessary. ( http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/ja... )

For voters to concur, the ballots and accompanying documents need to answer the obvious questions: 1. How much are the current levies that are about to expire? 2. What percentage of total revenue for the school district comes from these levies that are about to expire? (the above cited editorial reported that the expiring levy accounts for 19% of total revenue for the Vancouver school district. What about for the Camas and other school districts? Why isn't this information included with the ballot?) 3. Why is it appropriate for the levy (at least for proposition number 1) to increase each year per $1,000 of assessed value? (Note that for the next several years inflation in assessed values will probably exceed the general rate of inflation as property values recover from the real estate bust).

Finally, it would be ideal if voters could be informed about and compare the annual expenditure per pupil in various local school districts.

I can believe that there are few good alternatives to the renewed levies. However, voters should be provided with better information before making this decision. Hopefully the Columbian will help answer such questions in the coming days.

bob_pond — January 26, 2013 at 1:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Columbian: WHY is it that one can not read the comments to each story you publish and instead must come to this messy place..... I will check for your response later today.

louiejo — February 2, 2013 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Comments no longer showing up under the news article? What's going on?

WashougalResident — February 2, 2013 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

5 days and no response to my question. I checked out the Columbian FB page and it was just as disorganized and cluttered as this place......It's too bad we cant' comment and discuss on the stories and articles of the day......

louiejo — February 7, 2013 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

With the money that US Congress sends Israel annually in direct aid ($4 billion in 2012) a new bridge could be constructed every year. Add to that the hundreds of billions also spent on wars for Israel and for securing and maintaining oil and gas fields and supply conduits keeping carbon flowing west instead of east, and we could probably build one bridge per day. We need neither massive quantities of carbon fuel, nor the burden of belligerant Israel, as the US has thousands of times the energy to meed current needs, right under our feet. Please see the following links:

http://www.energyboom.com/geothermal/mit-study-says-investments-geothermal-will-reap-major-energy-rewards

http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/hydrogen-powered-cars-mainstream-2015-article-1.1215420

Note: DC current + water = hydrogen and oxygen

wiserman — February 9, 2013 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I would suggest readers of this article seriously consider going to the link provided and read the actual statute. The writer's interpretation is badly flawed.

dan42day — February 13, 2013 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I just noticed that this comment board appears to be screwed up. My previous post was regarding the article on legal use of deadly force.

dan42day — February 13, 2013 at 10:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Good shot.

mikerst — February 18, 2013 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Gotta love the overly educated people coming out to protect their gun rights that have in no way been reduced or taken away from them. Pretty sure most intelligent people understand new gun laws will not curb the violence and no one will loose the right to bear arms. I would be the first to fight that one, but spending all the time talking about what if is getting to be a laughable issue. Guess I better stay indoors because I could be hit by a bus. I own guns but am not worried they will be taken away, guess there seems to be many other things to worry about, maybe working, paying the bills and raising my child.

comeon — February 19, 2013 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Test

man — March 5, 2013 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

why do I keep getting this message "Please Review our Community Guidelines?"

Shouldn't it only be necessary to review them once?

lance_sjogren — March 6, 2013 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

wiseman:

Hydrogen has been batted around for decades but has major shortcomings and most people who study it as an energy alternative conclude it is not practical in the forseeable future.

I particularly recommend "The Hype about Hydrogen" by Joseph Romm, published 2005.

Sure you can always find cheerleader web sites for any technology, that doesn't make them workable.

lance_sjogren — March 6, 2013 at 8:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

he will not be deported, Russia/Ukraine does not accept people back..........so he is ok, he will just never become an American citizen .............its very very sad, for everyone involved no matter how u look at it..........so don’t judge anyone can be in either shoes, just plain sad.

annatolo — March 28, 2013 at 1:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Seriously....at some point in time don't you think that a little COMMON SENSE should take over. You are writing tickets to people for not allowing a precious resource to go to waste. Am I the only one left in this ridiculously over regulated country that sees how ignorant this really is. People can use these dead fish as bait, but the WDFW would rather see them lay on the banks and rot. What has this country come to......

straight_shot — March 29, 2013 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

I am totally appalled by the amount of money,fireman, policeman and certain City Officials are taking as "Entitlements" from Washington State.
Accountants and Budget Specialist for the state are screaming "We are broke". Our classrooms are getting larger, activities are being cut, resources for mental health issues/help go by the sidelines as $37,476 is given out to one individual for overtime. Not a years worth of overtime but 3 month, approximately, 198 hours at $189.00 an hour! And now the retirement benefits which is just another slap in taxpayers face. Whoever has the responsibility of monitoring such expenditures not only fell down on the job, they fell out of everyday reality and should not be allowed back to that position.
Aren't there laws that allow the government to take from an individual in order to benefit many?

tomthumb — April 10, 2013 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Some questipons: 1) The a writer says that alternative forms of transportation are essential for the future. Why and what is the source of that opinion?

2) A growth of 89.6% is indeed impressive but based on what beginning? It's easy to have a large increase if the baseline is low. Is using a statistic to paint a positive picture appropriate without context?

3) Why has the growth occurred? Is it because of low cost and would that change if the system wasn't heavily subsidized? Would people still use and/or would growth occur if the riders had to pay market prices?

Rather than a puff piece would the readership be better served by an investigative report that sought answers to questions without starting with an opinion?

williamtell — April 14, 2013 at 8:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Some questions:

1) The a writer says that alternative forms of transportation are essential for the future. Why and what is the source of that opinion?

2) A growth of 89.6% is indeed impressive but based on what beginning? It's easy to have a large increase if the baseline is low. Is using a statistic to paint a positive picture appropriate without context?

3) Why has the growth occurred? Is it because of low cost and would that change if the system wasn't heavily subsidized? Would people still use and/or would growth occur if the riders had to pay market prices?

Rather than a puff piece would the readership be better served by an investigative report that sought answers to questions without starting with an opinion?

williamtell — April 14, 2013 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

This is ridiculous. The kids worked hard on something that made the art fun for the community, in a way that didn't damage it, until it could be repaired. I personally like the Bender head better than the original! I guess the lesson is "don't bother, kids!" Sad.

sbairey — May 23, 2013 at 7:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pretty sure my husband spotted this and took several pictures of it with his cell phone while we were at Lake Merwin on Sunday.. Glad to know what it was.

rfreeman — June 11, 2013 at 2:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Oh please! Graduation requirements are more difficult today? I-don't-think-so! HS is NOT that hard people. It’s really not a major accomplishment to graduate, but it is something a reasonably competent person can and should do. And if you can't read at a minimum level, you shouldn't graduate!

I can understand new immigrants to this country getting all excited that their child graduates, and I suppose some minorities that get wild with excitement when their kid graduates. But really - high school is a step in the right direction, that's all. Call me when they get their (NOT AA!) bachelors degree.

tdfagain — June 14, 2013 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )