When I was a kid, there was a local guy who we used to see when my parents drove us into town on a rural road. This man had apparently had a long-term drinking problem and had his license taken away. He still wanted to drive from his farm into town, probably to have a drink or two, and he wouldn’t walk the seven miles. A logical answer? Drive the lawn mower. He would mount up the John Deere and rumble along the shoulder of the road, day or night, snow or sunshine.
Thanks to Kent Police Chief Strachan for his article on the Miranda decision and its impact on law enforcement and the criminal justice system in the United States. I applaud the chief’s efforts and intentions in opening up the communication and dialogue with the people of our community and in maintaining a professional police department. However, I have a different perspective on the Miranda decision and its impact on law-enforcement practices and policies.
In 1854, a cholera epidemic struck London, England. Thousands of people were dying and no one could determine the cause. Doctors were stumped as deathly ill adults and children filed into the overcrowded hospitals.
I’m planning to write one of those self-help, motivational books one of these days. That is, if I can get up for it. I almost got around to it yesterday, but I got invited to a chili feed at the last moment.
A few weeks ago I surveyed the major contenders be named for Barack Obama’s running mate and concluded that he will likely select a popular Governor in a swing state. Why a governor? Because anything associated with Washington, D.C. is toxic. President Bush’s popularity is in the 20s and the popular rating for Congress is 9 percent!
Leave it to our state’s major political parties to not know the meaning of “no.”
Editor’s note: The following is a speech given by 2008 Kentridge High School graduate Todd Lane at the Rotary Club of Kent spring scholarship banquet based on the prompt, “My hopes for the future.” Lane was one of eight district students to be presented with a $3,000 scholarship at the event.
Many of us will be waking on the Fourth to the opening salvo of gunpowder.
The size and shape of a pea.
Only it’s not a pea.
It is in my breast and there is a person with an ultrasound device watching it on a screen.
Barack Obama and “Change.” The two are inextricably linked. In his remarkably successful run for the Democratic nomination for president, regardless of where he campaigns, the senator constantly, ceaselessly promises change.
Last month the City of Puyallup announced that it had issued 2,165 tickets for the month of May from red light traffic cameras.
The fines totaled $268,460 in revenue for the city.
Is this just another example of George Orwell’s “1984” coming to fruition? Or is it just another means for raising some cash for the city coffers? Or could it be the best reason for the traffic cameras is that they save lives?
Can you spot the sentence that is not contained within our nation’s Declaration of Independence?
Do you see any problem with our state’s ban on smoking in public places? What about Seattle’s prohibition on restaurants using trans fats? These laws may make us feel more comfortable or healthy, but is it the role of government to micro-manage our personal health choices?
Earlier this month, the King County executive, along with the sheriff, prosecuting attorney and judges from around the county, revealed that King County is facing a budget crisis of great magnitude. This year alone, we may have to cut $20 million from the $660 million general fund. An additional deficit between $40 million and $70 million is predicted in 2009.
The Kent School District Board of Directors, administration, and staff are committed to providing the best educational experience possible to successfully prepare our children for their future.
The other day, I thought of a new law that ought to be enacted.
My heroes always have been cowboys.
Whenever you watch a crime show on TV or in the movies there is almost inevitably that portion of the program where one of the detectives says, “you have the right to remain silent…” It means the cops have got the goods. It creates dramatic finality and seems to suggest that the bad guy is headed for the Graybar Hilton for a long, long time.
So what does it really mean to be healthy?
Most of us would probably think of a fitness program, or a diet – something that involves losing weight and getting stronger.
That, of course, is part of the deal.
But if you stop and think, good health is a bigger equation than subtracting inches from your waistline. And if you take one more step back, you can see it involves your whole community.
Among the sights I have yet to see is that of a protestor marching in front of the corporate headquarters of Raid, carrying a placard that says, “End the killing of spiders, fleas, houseflies, chiggers, mealworms and cockroaches!”
