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.
Religion must not become weapon for discrimination
We fully support the U.S. and Idaho constitutions' guarantee of religious freedom for one to freely believe and worship as he or she chooses. But we oppose any law that permits one's use of his or her religious' be…
Light shed on shooting at long last
Several months ago we had a tragic shooting and a story about it by Cd'A staffer David Cole appeared in The Press, which prompted me to write a letter to The Press expressing disappointment that Mr. Cole had intent…
Extremely weary of extremism
It is a given that very few extremists realize they in fact are out of the mainstream. As a moderate Republican who actually has a few friends that are Democrats, I have observed many in the past months who fit the…
Just asking some hard questions
If you are looking for answers, don't read this. But if you are willing to contemplate controversial questions, read on.
Pitfalls of pot dead ahead
I have a difficult time understanding the thinking of people in the states of Washington and Colorado. For years and at great expense, the drive throughout the U.S. has been for reducing the use of tobacco and deat…
Here's how food bank deals with expired food
In response to the Press photo with the caption "When in doubt, throw it out" dated 12/28/13, I would like to provide clarity on how our Community Action Partnership deals with expired foods.
The liberty amendments: reality check
Is it possible that "Great American," best-intentioned talk show host and author Mark Levin is naive, mis-informed or too trusting? Or is he too caught up in book sales to pursue full understanding of Article V of …
Freedom isn't free, nor is health care
No one wants to pay for the government they want.
Yes, Cd'A has acted responsibly
A regular online Press troll recently asked another contributor with respect to the Coeur d'Alene Mayor and council members, "do you understand the meaning of accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility?…
Short legislative session may not serve the people
The working assumption that this will be a short, relatively uncontroversial legislative session may prove to be true in the end, but a truncated assembly, spurred by incumbents' desire to return to the campaign tr…
Power for a better way of life
NITRO, a pilot program that educates former convicts and repairs their self-esteem, their faith in themselves and their part in something larger than themselves, may be the answer to a desperate situation in Idaho.…
Abolition of reason, part II
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) is well known for his hymnody, his best known hymn being "Joy to the world;" however, most people are unaware that he was also a brilliant educator and logician. In his classic textbook, wri…
Imitation isn't always flattering
After reading Richard Fiscus's Dec. 18 My Turn column, the words of wisdom from Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" immediately came to mind; "If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken, twisted by knaves to make a tr…
A different path for all of Idaho
I love Idaho. Idaho has great people and incredible resources. I am a native of this state and have lived here my entire life. My family has been here since statehood. I grew up on a family farm and was educated in…
Words from Washington still ring true today
I am a descendant of George Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington. Her father, Joseph Ball, was the son of Colonel William Ball, who came to America from England in about 1635. He settled in Lancaster, Virginia…