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.
John Laird: Some folks still ignore the value of women in politics
Isolated cases of colossal cluelessness about women continue to weaken America's claim to being one of the world's most advanced societies.
John Laird: Magic solutions, pandering, and wanton data spinning
Notes, quotes and anecdotes while harboring no interest whatsoever in Lance Armstrong or Manti Te'o:
John Laird: Here's a perfect new leader for frustrated conservatives
While city officials meet in Pawnee, Ind., to discuss cost-cutting measures, a gunshot rings out and everyone flinches — except one man. Reaching for his cellphone, Ron Swanson calmly tells his petrified cohorts, "So sorry. New ringtone." He stands and begins to leave the room to take the call, then turns and pleads, "Don't cut anything without me."
John Laird: Ignore the doom-slingers; America's best days are ahead
When you're talkin' about your kids' accomplishments, it ain't braggin'. It's timely reporting of critical news that everyone needs to hear.
John Laird: Rest assured, less-government crowd is alive and kicking
Last month, I speculated about the demise of the Tea Party. Recent departures from elected office of pit bulls Jim DeMint, Allen West, Joe Walsh and others seemed to signal the movement's fade into irrelevance. Then came the fiscal-cliff bill, and now the Tea Party is livelier than ever. After reviewing my Dec. 9 column, a confession is in order:
John Laird: Heck of a rally, bullet-proof incumbents and false alarms
Notes, quotes and anecdotes while wondering how many people who despise publicly subsidized transit systems will change their minds when they get too old to drive:
John Laird: Labor leaders: mad in Michigan, seething in Seattle
Union issues are heating up across America — especially in Michigan but also here in Washington — and it doesn't take a labor-law expert to understand the basics of what's going on.
John Laird: Tea Party: R.I.P., or just reloading for next showdown?
Correctly assuming in the spring of 2009 that the name "Yelling Party" might stifle recruiting, reformists opted for the more patriotic brand "Tea Party." They breached the fortress of civility around the time of the April 15 federal income tax deadline.
John Laird: After an election, lose yourself in the San Juan Islands
Four weeks ago I wrote about temporarily escaping pre-election tensions by taking a walk in Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver. Refreshing as that experience became, it was a walk in the park compared with my post-election sabbatical: three days in the San Juan Islands.
John Laird: Red-faced Rove, red-leaning counties, and rising boats
Notes, quotes and anecdotes while wondering if Karl Rove has called Ohio yet:
John Laird: Frantic finger-pointing in the losers' locker room
C'mon now, let's not be so critical of Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. At least the boys were half-right. They were right about 300-plus electoral votes.
John Laird: Election-related tensions can be buried in autumn leaves
Camaraderie seems to be in short supply these days as tensions tighten leading up to Tuesday's big election.
