Columns – Page 246

Monday Moan: How to help put the public into a public meeting

January 25, 2015

By Jeff Salisbury Does the Wayland school board have its own agenda? Yes. As a matter of fact it does… every single meeting. Initially, one of the frustrating experiences I struggled with being a new trustee in 2010 was the pace of decision-making. It seemed as though it took an...

The Muck Starts Here: Oh, wither America’s manifest destiny?

January 25, 2015

By Barry Hastings Results of our (ever-so-slowly-ending) business in Afghanistan, and badly-ended fool's errand in Iraq, are not going to be pretty — not even cosmetically tolerable. We took action in two failing states; pushed one over the edge (and into the arms of our enemies), and have little to...

Yes It Is, It’s True: May Wildcat girls continue to defeat selfishness, media hype

January 24, 2015

Members of "The Greatest Generation" have told me "This ain't the same country I remember when I was growing up." Indeed. Things and people change, and sometimes not for the better. One of the most disappointing changes in my lifetime has been an increase in the value of the individual...

Army Bob: Evil genius al-Zawahiri has led Al-Qaeda, not Bin Laden

January 22, 2015

We all have been told ever since Osama Bin Laden was killed that Al-Qaeda was destroyed, on the run or in retreat and generally we have not much to worry about. If only it were true The name Al-Qaeda translates to the list or the roster; think of them as...

DEMOCRACY TREE: Senator wants public funds to pave logging roads

January 22, 2015

by Amy Kerr Hardin One week after Gov. Rick Snyder told Sen. Tom Casperson (R-38, Escanaba) his attack plan on the science behind biodiversity was headed for the veto pile, the lumber baron – birther-wolf crying – lawmaker is at it again. This time he’s resurrected another piece of bad...

The muck starts here: ‘Buckshott, Part Deux’

January 18, 2015

by Barry Hastings ‘War on Terror’ prosecution incompetent The oft repeated question of journalists and citizens today is, "What's our strategy for preventing attacks of the type we're seeing across the globe today, here?" If anyone remotely connected to the matter answers truthfully, he deserves to be shot. Much of...

Yes It Is, It’s True: MLK’s teachings, legacy similar to those of Jesus

January 18, 2015

As the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday approaches, I submit that the way we view Dr. King has some interesting similarities with how we regard Jesus Christ. The most important one is that many of us profess to be followers and admirers of both historical giants, yet too...

DEMOCRACY TREE: It’s illegal in Michigan to take Lord’s name in vain

January 18, 2015

Blasphemy: blas•phe•my [noun] Profane talk of something supposed to be sacred; impious irreverence. (Oxford English Dictionary) Illegal in Michigan? You bet! Well, bloody hell — who knew? Take the Lord’s name in vain in Michigan, among other states, and you’re not only busted by the Third Commandment, but you’re on...

Army Bob: We must take serious and decisive action against ISIS

January 15, 2015

French Philosopher and writer Voltaire is credited with saying, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.” The murders at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in France were designed to violate that rule. Charlie Hebdo is a...

Category: Columns