Opinion
Everson: Senate's comprehensive path to immigration
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 has taken a beating in the current debate over immigration reform. Charles Krauthammer spoke for many this spring when he called the law a "fiasco where amnesty was granted and border enforcement never came." As deputy commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service during the Reagan administration, I oversaw implementation of the 1986 law at the agency. I strongly support the current reform effort, including the amnesty provisions that are generating such controversy.
Letter: $4.8 million is a lot to lose
The Board of County Commissioners by a vote of 2-1 "kills fees in quest for jobs." So any company or corporation building or expanding in the county will not be responsible for the necessary county services that will be needed as a result of their actions. According to the June 12 story, "the county estimates the general fund burden will increase by $4.8 million over the coming year and a half."
Letter: Legislature's duty is clear
Most people agree that it is the job of state government to educate our children and build infrastructure that strengthens our economy. As a representative of the 49th District, I find these are not partisan issues. Our state constitution and state Supreme Court could not be more clear about our duty to fully fund education. Late Thursday night, the Legislature passed a bill that moved beyond one piece of the partisan gridlock that has put us in this second special session. There were very few Republican votes. The hardest part of our job is still in front of us.
Letter: Atheists demand a preference
I agree with Larry Dorr's June 10 letter, "Hope in first step to end bigotry," about needing to define "what equality really means." Yet, he ignores the definition while accusing the Boy Scouts of America of bigotry for allowing openly "gay scouts" but not atheists and gay leaders.
Letter: Revise expectation of protection
Now that we know the NSA and other agencies of the federal government have access to all of our telephone records using the "no expectation of privacy" standard established by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1979 ruling in Smith v. Maryland, and in the wake of revelations of partisan targeting of conservative groups by the IRS, I believe it is time to revisit that "standard." The Fourth Amendment uses the expression, "unreasonable searches and seizures," and requires that warrants describe "the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Letter: Follow the lead of other bridges
It is amazing to me that we here in Portland and Vancouver will spend $3 billion or more to reduce the water clearance of a major bridge from 178 feet to 116 feet.
In Our View: Cheers & Jeers
Washougal gets a dog in this fight;heroin deaths on the rise in Washington
Cheers:To the Washougal City Council for clarifying its ordinance on barking dogs. The city is home to both the West Columbia River Gorge Humane Society and a business called Northwest Underwater Construction. The two enterprises are locked in one of the most bitter neighbor disputes in Clark County over the barking noise emanating from the Humane Society's animal shelter.The city council this week voted to amend its ordinance, specifying that barking dogs are allowed at shelters and animal-related businesses. Even if the clarification doesn't result in a resolution of the dispute, it at least lets both parties know the city's position.
Milbank: For congressional GOP, abortion debate a man's world
Ladies and gentlemen, Republicans are again voting on new abortion restrictions. The House Judiciary Committee gathered Wednesday to pass another anti-abortion bill, and the nameplates on the majority side told the story:
Letter: Time to dissolve teacher unions
Battle Ground taxpayers are still woozy from watching their real estate taxes climb to a new record as a result of the recent unwholesome school levy. Yet, what we find is half-days and waiver days instead of full days of school as the year ends … how can this be?
Letter: Museum diminished under NPS
When the National Park Service began operating Pearson Air Museum in February some asked, "Does it have the unique skills, contacts and credibility within the aviation community to successfully operate an air museum? How many air museums does the Park Service manage within its 400 locations?"
Letter: Our democracy is under siege
There are several actions that must be taken to get us back on track.
Letter: Bridge news can be terrifying
I just wish that everyone in Clark County could have been with me in my Reno hotel room a few weeks ago. I turned on the 11 p.m. news to learn more about a Reno earthquake. The quake was no big deal, but as I started to switch the television off, I heard "Up next, I-5 bridge collapses in Washington."
Letter: Pursue the third-bridge solution
On March 18, I was driving from Vancouver to Portland at 8 a.m. over the Glenn Jackson Bridge and got caught in the huge accident caused by a tractor-trailer that entered the bridge going the wrong way.
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