Kalamazoo Opinion

Editorial: Curl up with a good book by a local author

2009-11-20T14:02:09Z

Read any good books lately? We ask because it's been a great time recently for literary pursuits in West Michigan.

Viewpoint: More than 3,800 children are seeking new parents

2009-11-21T13:00:20Z

The Michigan Supreme Court has designated Tuesday as Michigan Adoption Day. This event is co-sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Department of Human Services. With more than 30 counties participating, Michigan Adoption Day is poised to be the nation’s largest Adoption Day event for the seventh year in a row.

Viewpoint: Animals get more respect and attention than unborn humans

2009-11-21T13:00:20Z

The comedian Rodney Dangerfield would always complain, "I get no respect." Today there is the increasing trend to show love for our pets but at the same time to ignore human beings. For example, on Oct. 4, 400 people from 30 churches stretched two miles down Westnedge Avenue in silent memory of unborn children lost in abortion clinics.

Viewpoint: Christians waving signs against abortion just don't get it

2009-11-21T13:00:20Z

When I was growing up, the conservative mantra was "those welfare women." My entire childhood was met alternatively with judgmental Christians who marginalized my mother for having children out of wedlock or, on the other hand, complete disinterest in helping my mother cope with the incredible burden of raising children by herself.

Our Turn: What role does gender still play today?

2009-11-21T13:00:10Z

Reading a magazine or watching TV, you see that women are still seen as sex objects and less than equal in status.

Letters: "Adequate health care is a universal right" and more

2009-11-21T13:00:00Z

On Dec. 10, 1948, the United States voted in favor of adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 25 of the Declaration states: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care." Almost 61 years later we have yet to live up to this international standard.

Viewpoint: It's time for United States to get our troops out of Afghanistan

2009-11-20T13:58:43Z

"Out of Afghanistan." You might see these hand-painted signs, held up by a friendly group, in front of the federal building, if you happen to drive down Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo between noon and 1 p.m. on any given Sunday.

Letters: "Be wary of companies that advertise as Medicare" and more

2009-11-20T13:47:28Z

I recently received a card in the mail addressed to me. For the return address, it said 2009 Medicare health plan update, dated Oct. 26, 2009. Senior citizens beware, this card did not come from Medicare. It is an effort to sell you insurance.

Editorial: Bookmobile decision regrettable, but prudent

2009-11-19T17:04:48Z

The decision by the Kalamazoo Public Library to end its Bookmobile service was a difficult one. Nevertheless, the library board acted responsibly Oct. 26 in recognizing fiscal realities and deciding to shut down its operations by June of next year.

Letters: An extra $250 is not a good idea at this time

2009-11-19T16:27:58Z

We are not going to get an increase in Social Security this year and I empathize with my fellow seniors.

Letters: Congress doesn't have right to take our money

2009-11-19T16:22:55Z

I keep hearing commentators on the national news networks talking about Tea Party members with a sneer in their voices like we’re something disgusting they’re trying to wipe off the bottom of their shoes.

Editorial: Invest in ending Medicare fraud

2009-11-19T16:14:55Z

Medicare is not the major part of sweeping health-care changes that have been passed in the U.S. House and are pending in the Senate. However, Medicare fraud is a troubling aspect of the current federal insurance plan that covers more than 44 million senior citizens. By the year 2030, that number could reach 79 million.

Column: 'Tis the season for two small but important words

2009-11-18T16:49:26Z

Thank you. See it's not that difficult.

Letters: Reform must be about patients, not politics

2009-11-18T14:51:55Z

As a cancer caregiver, I know that patients can encounter all of the major problems in the health care system today. They are often denied coverage because of pre-existing condition exclusions or charged more than they can afford for critical care simply because they have cancer. Many are forced to delay or skip screenings because they cannot afford them.

Column: Family support essential to a student's success

2009-11-18T14:42:50Z

I had dinner with two graduating seniors who, in a few days, would walk across the stage in Miller Auditorium to receive their bachelor's degrees.

Viewpoint: Fire all the bureaucrats, hire downsizing experts

2009-11-18T14:40:54Z

A Midwest professor has said, “Send the bureaucrats home and turn Washington, D.C., into Disneyland.” Goofy could be the tour guide. Bureaucrats should all be fired and returned to their home states to suffer the consequences.

Editorial: Stryker's John Brown is a community giant

2009-11-18T14:34:02Z

On July 25, 1976, a twin-engine airplane piloted by Kalamazooan L. Lee Stryker and carrying his wife, Nancy, and two other passengers crashed in northwestern Wyoming.

Column: Fried chicken an unhealthy pleasure for my cousin and many others

2009-11-18T12:04:52Z

He is probably like a lot of other people who have favorite foods and who stick to those foods. It is convenient and becomes part of a person's routine.

Letters: "Collections for the sick contain sad message" and more

2009-11-17T13:00:00Z

Recently I was in a restaurant at the cash register when I noticed a can on the counter with a picture of a young man and an explanation that the young man has cancer and needs money to pay his medical bills. I saw a similar "donation jar" for a different young man with cancer this summer at a liquor store.

Column: A dog named Christmas has become my St. Nick

2009-11-17T05:06:23Z

I know, everyone thinks their dog is the greatest. It's OK if you still want to think that, but here's what Nicky has to recommend him.

Viewpoint: Imagine a conservatory instead of an arena in downtown Kalamazoo

2009-11-16T12:31:05Z

Let's think outside the box - the big box. What if voters decide that an arena, (or an "events center" as they now wish to call it) is not what Kalamazoo needs right now? What do you do with the land?