Guest Op-Eds
From time to time the Coeur d'Alene Press publishes guest opinions as op-eds (opposite the editorial page) in the print edition. These guest op-eds are accepted for consideration from business, government or community organization leaders, current or former elected officials, and Idaho syndicated and Kootenai County local opinion writers we have agreements with. For consideration, submit to mdolan@cdapress.com.
OPINION: A letter of thanks
As another school year winds down, we reflect on the tremendous growth and progress our students, teachers, and ...
OPINION: Don't listen to misinformation about Cd'A school levy
There’s a Greek proverb that says: “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they will never sit.”
OPINION: KCRCC requires Nevada astroturf to fight Idaho’s grassroots
People are surprised to learn Idaho candidates and the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee use an out-of-state political strategist to attack other ...
OPINION: National ideas and local politics
I don’t have any brilliant suggestions for solving gun violence in America, but I do have some observations about the issue and how this issue and many others fuel the rise of the extreme wings of both parties, i...
OPINION: Bringing facts to the levy discussion
Last month the Coeur d'Alene School District proposed a $25 million perpetual supplemental levy and a $5 million school plant facility levy. Both levy reques...
OPINION: Rotary is nonpolitical, nonreligious with no secret objectives
Some local political activists have made repeated attacks against members of our local Rotary clubs. They assert Rotarians are some sort of cabal with secretive and suspicious intentions. These assertions are bla...
OPINION: Idaho at the epicenter of American Redoubt, white Christian nationalism movement
It’s not often I read a book about our challenging times and find Idaho prominently featured, but that’s how things turned out when I read “Preparing for War...
OPINION: Don’t be a useful idiot
When any political supporters blindly follow the lead of the authoritarians in charge, and don’t question or understand the reasons, yet still carry out thei...
OPINION: Survey results on doctors leaving the state due to abortion laws
Not six months after Roe v. Wade was overruled, and only a few weeks after Idaho’s abortion laws became effective, I was scheduled to teach a course entitled...
OPINION: Idaho needs a major reset on education choice conversation
The 2023 Idaho legislative session is ready to adjourn with barely any movement on advancing education choice options for families.
OPINION: IFF files, Part 8: Donations and conversations
Idaho Freedom Foundation’s board member, Heather Lauer, tried to twist the truth and misstate my intentions. She wrote a quick response to my column last wee...
OPINION: PUPF CEO responds to Souza
Mary Souza inadvertently made a strong case in her latest column for why nonprofit donor privacy is an essential First Amendment right to defend.
OPINION: IFF files, Part 7: Don’t take our sunshine away
There’s a bold new strategy in Idaho politics: Avoid reporting donations. Idaho’s new People United for Privacy Foundation (PUFPF) wants increased privacy fo...
OPINION: IFF files, Part 6: Why are they hiding?
I’d like to start this column with an apology. I’ve been referring to IFF/KCRCC and their associated groups as Libertarians, and that’s not fair to real Libe...
OPINION: Students: Without support our schools fail
To the Readers of the Coeur d’Alene Press… Education is often hailed as the great equalizer, providing people with the tools they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives. However, the recent fail...
OPINION: Proposal for advisory vote on 'private schools' won’t provide good data
The legislature exists to make the best policies for sometimes complex issues while representing the will of the people. This is why detailed bills go throug...