Cheers: To bright futures. Washougal High School recently held a “signing day” to celebrate the future plans of graduating seniors. No, not just the star quarterback or softball pitcher, but all students who have made a commitment to their future — be it a four-year college, two-year college, trade school or the military.
It has become tradition for schools to hold ceremonies for athletes who are committing to play a sport in college, but many other students also have made plans to pursue their dreams and map out a successful future. In addition to honoring the students moving on to bigger and better things, the ceremony served another purpose. “This was not only about celebrating our seniors, but inspiring younger students to grasp what comes after high school,” Superintendent Mary Templeton said. It is a great idea that should be embraced by all high schools.
Jeers: To a needless study. In signing the two-year state budget this week, Gov. Jay Inslee approved $750,000 to study the removal of four dams along the Lower Snake River. We’re all in favor of seeking information, but there are a couple problems with this proposal: Breaching the dams has been studied several times, and the federal government is undertaking another study; and states have no authority to breach the federally owned dams.
Because of that, the proposal amounts to a waste of time and money. Rather than lobbying the state, proponents of dam removal should be dealing with the federal government, which actually has a say in the process.
Cheers, we think: To the composting of bodies. Washington has become the first state to approve the composting of human bodies. No, that does mean you can bury somebody in your backyard. But it does mean you can have a licensed facility bury a body for “natural organic reduction,” which turns remains into soil in the span of several weeks.
While the new law might take some getting used to, proponents say it is more environmentally friendly and that it can turn remains into something useful. Loved ones may keep the soil and spread it the same way they would spread ashes of a cremated body. The death of a loved one can be traumatic; if some people find comfort in having a new option, then it is worth a try.
Jeers: To jail deaths. Columbia Legal Services, a Seattle-based nonprofit law firm, has issued a report identifying 210 people who died in Washington jails from January 2005 to June 2016. Clark County had 22 deaths, which tied for the second-highest total behind King County.
“Many of these deaths are entirely avoidable, caused in part by society’s failure to properly care for the many people with mental illness,” the report states. This year’s Legislature took steps to overhaul how the state cares for mentally ill citizens. We hope one impact of those changes is to reduce the number of jail deaths.
Cheers: To the Portland Trail Blazers. The local National Basketball Association team saw its season come to an end this week with a loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals. But what a season it was.
The Blazers reached the NBA’s final four for the first time since 2000, and in the process they rekindled the region’s love affair with the franchise. This year’s team demonstrated uncommon grit in overcoming injuries and exceeding expectations by playing brilliantly as a unit. In the process, the Blazers generated a level of enthusiasm among local basketball fans that has been absent for many years.
