Opinion – The Columbian

In Our View: Let’s talk about protecting freedom of speech

The Columbian — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:03:45 +0000

With the United States approaching its 250th birthday, there likely is no better time to examine the meaning of free speech and the role it plays in the American experiment.

Harrop: Dems, don’t embrace far left

Froma Harrop — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:01:09 +0000

Yes, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s socialist picks just knocked off some Democratic incumbents in New York City. They included surprising defeats, especially that of Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Espaillat lost to Darializa Avila Chevalier, whose social media swims with past calls to abolish the police, free prisoners and stop deportations for any reason, presumably including murder.

Drucker: Economic pivot isn’t coming

David M. Drucker — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:01:00 +0000

For Republicans in Congress who have been clinging to hope that President Donald Trump might finally focus on the economy ahead of the midterm elections, their time might be better spent searching for proof that the tooth fairy is real.

Letter: Mayor, council unwilling to listen

Mark Christopher, Vancouver — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:00:45 +0000

In 2022, the Vancouver City Council restricted public comment to agenda items only, effectively ending residents’ ability to speak freely at meetings. On Nov. 22, 2024, The Columbian reported growing frustration from citizens who simply want the chance to address their elected officials — something Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle, in office since 2018, has consistently refused to allow.

In Our View: SNAP ruling shows Congress needs to weigh in

The Columbian — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:03:10 +0000

A federal court ruling involving the use of food stamps raises interesting questions about government oversight and the United States’ safety net. Most importantly, it serves as another example of how Congress has abdicated its powers.

Mantella: Graduates cheer affirmation of humans over AI

Philomena V. Mantella — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:01:19 +0000

I was seated onstage at Grand Valley State University’s commencement when Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak leaned into the microphone and reframed the entire conversation about artificial intelligence in six words.

Rubin: Trump fails on security needs

Trudy Rubin — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:01:09 +0000

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, the political party that brags of its patriotism is actively undercutting national security.

Letter: Grid scale batteries are the future

Don Steinke, Vancouver — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:00:42 +0000

We need grid scale batteries. They save money and help prevent brownouts. Texas has installed 15,000 mW of battery capacity and California 14,000 mW. Texas plans to add 12,000 mW this year alone. Washington has almost none.

In Our View: Monitor program beneficial but requires funding

The Columbian — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:03:32 +0000

A program designed to protect victims of domestic violence appears to be effective and warrants support from Clark County. At the same time, the issue adds to frustration regarding the Legislature’s habit of supporting valuable ideas without providing funding.

Harrop: We should vote on ideas

Froma Harrop — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:01:46 +0000

Commentator Ali Velshi of MS NOW was not alone in complaining that women are “underrepresented” in Congress. It is true that women account for 51 percent of the U.S. population but only 29 percent of the House members.

Letter: Trump is venal, evil

Peter Brown, Vancouver — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:42 +0000

I know a country whose criminally indicted president has murdered innocent people, stolen from the taxpayers, molested young women, accepted bribes, destroyed hundreds of national monuments, started major wars (ongoing), sexually assaulted a woman in a major store in New York, and incited his followers to take over the country and murder the vice president, then gave himself an unconditional pardon for more crimes than Al Capone ever could come close to match.

Letter: People welcome in Battle Ground

Richard Perry, Battle Ground — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:39 +0000

To the people of Battle Ground who came here from other places, to families who love and support each other but don’t fit the so-called “traditional” mold, and to those who protest actions and policies with which you disagree, welcome. It can be discouraging to see so much hate and cruelty based on bigotry and lies, but know that many of us see the good people you are and wish you well.

Letter: Trump fails as deal maker

Russell Vilhauer, Vancouver — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:26 +0000

The White House East Wing ballroom is only going to cost the American taxpayers $300 million, a number that pales in comparison to the $300 billion (with the same “B” our president likes to emphasize in his “Dumbocrats” dig) as part of his taxpayer pony-up Iran deal. His failure as a deal maker prompts the question: Where have you gone Monty Hall? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

Letter: America’s team draws cheers

Norm Krasne, Vancouver — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:10 +0000

As the country moves relentlessly toward its 250th birthday, the American people have collectively been inundated with bad news … about our involvement in the war in the Middle East, the soaring price of oil and gas, ever-higher food prices and the daily shenanigans of our president.

Letter: Tax opponents use scare tactics

Larry Mastin, Vancouver — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:09 +0000

In his letter of June 15, Conrad Swartz argues that the millionaires tax would “repel married physicians” from Washington because surgeons’ salaries “average nearly $1 million yearly” and “physicians tend to marry other physicians,” implying that married couples would make well over the $1 million tax threshold (“Millionaires tax is thoughtless,” Our Readers’ Views).

Letter: Enforce traffic laws

Les Actkinson, Vancouver — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:09 +0000

Cars, motor scooters running up and down city streets, cars without license plates, outdated tags as far back as 2001. I again like to see if a traffic enforcement vehicle can be on the streets on shifts that cover a 24-hour period.

In Our View: U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade pact merits renewal

The Columbian — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:03:15 +0000

Even as the United States, Canada and Mexico co-host the world’s largest sporting event, President Donald Trump is providing little hope for renewed cooperation between the nations.

Schmidt: D‑Day leadership shows what America has lost

Lynn Schmidt — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:01:54 +0000

On the anniversary of D-Day, I sat down to watch a movie and found myself unexpectedly in tears.

Letter: Monitor rural highway traffic

Ceci Ryan Smith, Vancouver — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:00:34 +0000

If Clark County is serious about slowing traffic, it should monitor the Lucia Falls Highway. I have seen motorcycle deaths, speeding vehicles, ambulances but never a police presence between Battle Ground, across the Heisson Bridge and north.

Letter: Battle Ground leaders violate duty

Rev. Kate Lore, Battle Ground — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:00:24 +0000

Battle Ground’s recent “Traditional Nuclear Family Proclamation” raises an important question: What role should religion play in local government?

Letter: Reject costly ballroom

Natalie Richards, Vancouver — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:00:24 +0000

As a concerned taxpayer, the recently reported $307 million taxpayer-funded allocation for the construction of a new ballroom at the White House ticks me off. I do not support funding this allocation and feel that no taxpayer funding should be used.

Letter: Congratulations to Evergreen

Morgan Holmgren, Camas — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:00:03 +0000

In my time living in Vancouver, Evergreen Public Schools and the Evergreen Education Association have not negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement without there being a strike, until now (“Evergreen Public Schools, teachers union agree on five-year contract,” The Columbian, June 18).

In Our View: Cheers & Jeers: High achievers; driving risks

The Columbian — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:03:20 +0000

Cheers: To high achievers. As recent articles demonstrate, Clark County is home to many exceptional young people. Five local high school students have been selected as National Merit Scholarship winners — Jonah C. Cady (Cedar Tree Classical Christian), Nicholas R. Farmer (Skyview High), Shangqiu Li (Camas High), Ethan Tay (Mountain View High) and Suzanne Xu (Union High). The program honors 2,500 high academic achievers nationally, including 88 in Washington. Meanwhile, Jaila Ellis of Heritage and Tommie Vick of Prairie have been honored as The Columbian’s Multisport Athletes of the Year.

Leubsdorf: Bipartisan fix for Social Security

Carl P. Leubsdorf — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:01:57 +0000

Once again, the Social Security system’s managers are warning that the nation’s main retirement fund is running out of money so that, without action, benefits will have to be cut for millions of retirees.

Other Papers Say: Iran deal is not a win

Bloomberg Opinion — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:01:46 +0000

If the deal the U.S. has struck with Iran to end hostilities in the Persian Gulf is welcome, it’s far from a victory. Any hopes of achieving more rest on whether the White House is willing to learn from this self-created mess.