My Turn
See the latest My Turn columns here!
MY TURN: North Idaho College is proof voting works
There will always be a need to safeguard the gemstone of our community.
Fresh start? It's been 10 years
Here we are at the end of the time frame known as "The 10 year program to eradicate homelessness in North Idaho." At the conception and in discussion I believed an important point toward success was realizing the d…
Veteran applauds local VA health care experience
The formal postal mailing announcement, or was it an "invitation," pronounced my appointment of Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, with the familiar name of the MD clinician, and the 9:30 a.m. time. Great!
Schools: We can do better than 'D'
There was a story in the Jan. 12 Press that said Idaho's public schools get a "D." On the cover of the Jan. 13 paper, Gov. Otter plans to seek more funding for schools. That is always the short term, do something s…
We all should be responsible gun owners
First and foremost, as human beings we are destined to make mistakes, sometimes with tragic consequences. Whether a private citizen or a police officer, like everyone, we are cut from the same cloth, the human race…
About those echeck tax fees
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to respond to the Mike Reno letter of Jan. 4. Over these past 14 years, we have tried hard in this office to be responsive to you, our customers. We have worked to improve all…
What INL means to Idaho and America
The end of 2015 marks the beginning of a new decade for Idaho National Laboratory. Ten years ago, the Department of Energy, with support from Idaho’s congressional delegation and state elected officials, separated …
Who killed Michael Brown?
As a white man, I must admit that I do not have the same black perspective, but I do not think it was only a policeman's bullets that killed Michael Brown. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, I know what it is like to have…
Expert: Sandpoint shooting avoidable
As an experienced police crisis and hostage negotiator for a large metropolitan police department, retired, and 16 years as an expert witness in this field it is my opinion that the shooting death of Jeanette Riley…
Let's go up from here in new year
The silence of a cemetery. A chiseled hand on an old gravestone points upward. "Gone to a better place."
How to gobble wolf myths
To Mr. Kevin Brown author of the guest opinion in the Cd'A Press published Friday, Dec. 19 2014.
Breaking down wolf myths
My friends never pass up a chance to indulge me in the most fear-based wolf stories I have ever heard. Most of these stories get more prolific every time they are told to where the details start to take on a life o…
Both political parties wrong about 'civil rights'
"Civil rights," a philosophical phrase that sounds so simple; yet, it proves to be elusive and divisive. There will always be some real and some perceived inequities.
Not everyone rolls out the welcome mat
Hello to all of you who have opinions about anything; I have some thoughts regarding Millie, her opinions and the comments of those who have responded to her opinions.
Ultimate bully: Eminent domain
If you've visited any of our public schools lately, you've likely noticed a very active campaign against "bullying." But have you ever stopped to think about the biggest bully of all - our government(s)? And one of…
California turns the criminals loose
In the November midterm elections this year, California voters approved Proposition 47, the "Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative." Described as the "Catch and Release Law" by the Modesto Bee, the passage o…