John Laird
Editorial Page Editor
Email: john.laird@columbian.com
Call: 360-735-4564
Twitter: Follow @JohnLairdColumb
Recent Stories
John Laird: First Citizens consistently support transportation projects
Ever since Meriwether Lewis plopped a paddle onto the banks of the Columbia River 208 years ago near today's Washougal, a segment of our community has dedicated itself to complaining. Fortunately, the naysayers have been more bark than bite. Meanwhile, countless other optimistic and honorable leaders have helped Clark County become the best place in America to live, work and play.
John Laird: Even Texans are acting weird about transportation
Floodgates are opening in Texas, and I'm not talking about an end to the drought there. I'm talking jobs, and the construction boom was evident as soon as I landed recently at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
John Laird: Foxy Don wears ALEC badge in environment henhouse
Putting Don Benton in charge of Clark County's environment is kind of like asking Boss Hogg to chair the Hazzard County Ethics Commission.
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.
