John Laird: Geezers, grouches, gay marriage and going in circles
Notes, quotes and anecdotes while wondering how Don Benton plans to pay for and build a bistate third bridge without the other state's permission:
John Laird: Community's embarrassment rooted in voters' inaction
Don't blame Republicans for the statewide and even national embarrassment that David Madore has brought upon our beloved Clark County.
John Laird: Focusing the fire extinguisher on complaints about CRC
Today's accompanying mug shot illustrates the horrid consequences of repeatedly setting one's hair on fire. Like Obama, I'm not the strapping young Muslim socialist I used to be and, alas, growing bangs is out of the question.
John Laird: Does Clark County remind anyone else of Rock Ridge?
The meeting took place in a crowded saloon in 1913. But, ideologically speaking, many of the folks in the room were still stuck in the 1800s. This crowd was a throwback to the rowdy Rock Ridge residents in "Blazing Saddles." The 20th century hadn't even entered their minds.
John Laird: You don't have to be a music virtuoso to soothe the savage
Some columns write themselves. And so it was, near the end of an excruciating week for all Americans.
John Laird: Cockroaches, taxes, grammar and other despicable topics
Notes, quotes and anecdotes while wondering how the gas-tax haters propose we pay for new roads and bridges:
John Laird: We should all live as long as the Third Bridge Cockroach
Much like the indefatigable insect that crawls out as the lone survivor of some nuclear holocaust, the Third Bridge Cockroach refuses to die.
John Laird: Wrong side of history: humiliating, but you're never alone
Snickering Democrats would be wise to contain their delight as Republicans continue nursing self-inflicted wounds. Politics is cyclical and -- just as I have learned to never mock another man's hilariously errant tee shot until after I hit my own down the fairway -- gloating can backfire if it's poorly timed.
John Laird: From the fury of a campaign, to the real need to govern
Rick Scott, David Madore and Bill Turlay are learning there's a big difference between complaining and actually governing. Each man used a raucous condemnation of Big Government to win elections to their respective offices of Florida governor, Clark County commissioner and Vancouver city councilor. But after taking office, each has discovered that, while squawking might work in campaigns, it doesn't accomplish much when the real work begins.
John Laird: Passion of the people must not obliterate the rule of law
Beware the fickle supermajority requirement. It can be your BFF one moment, then that second F — "forever" — vanishes, and suddenly a mere one-third of the voters can ruin your life.
John Laird: Praying politicians, vindictive voters and transit taxes
Notes, quotes and anecdotes while wondering what we do if some folks in one state oppose a bistate bridge but more folks in the other state support the same bistate bridge:
John Laird: Confession: It's time to pull a switcheroo on term limits
Last Wednesday marked the 62nd anniversary of the ratification of the 22nd Amendment, which restricts the president to two terms. Nowhere else in our city, county or state government are voters forbidden to vote for an incumbent.
John Laird: Answering the call of grandkids, golf and gardening
Now seems to be the proper time to inform readers that, after 45 years in journalism, I will retire at the end of July.
John Laird: It's a shame when 'BFF' turns into 'Bitterly Fought Feud'
For years, most of us thought the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and Pearson Air Museum were friends, partners in promoting two things everyone loves: history and aviation.
John Laird: 40 states ignored during 2012 presidential campaign
Our nation's Founding Fathers knew what they were doing when they created the Electoral College. Their noble, intended purpose was to keep heavily populated states from running roughshod over small states while selecting what would become the world's most powerful leader.
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