Opinion – The Columbian

Opinion – The Columbian https://www.columbian.com Fri, 17 Jul 2026 20:29:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/columbian-insignia-2025-1-150x150.png Opinion – The Columbian https://www.columbian.com 32 32 In Our View: Perez, Braun for 3rd Congressional District https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/in-our-view-perez-braun-for-3rd-congressional-district/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:03:58 +0000 In the race for representative from Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and John Braun stand as the strongest candidates in the August primary. They also stand as each party’s best hope for winning the November general election.

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]]> Harrop: Lindsey Graham played the long game https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/harrop-lindsey-graham-played-the-long-game/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:01:59 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786695 On Feb. 22, 2022, two days before Vladimir Putin sent his tanks rumbling toward Ukraine’s capital, Donald Trump said of the Russian leader: “This is genius. … Here’s a guy who’s very savvy.”

]]> Letter: Toll roads fit our system https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/letter-toll-roads-fit-our-system/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:53 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786596 I have been thinking about the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement starting with the only thing that we seem to agree on, and that is “no tolls.” Although I am not sure that we all agree on anything, but this is a common thread of every discussion about the bridge, much like talking about the weather. However, we have chosen a for-profit system. So, we have for-profit food distribution and for-profit energy distribution, for-profit housing and for-profit healthcare, for-profit air pollution, for-profit water pollution, and for-profit politicians.

]]> Letter: Financial literacy pays for lifetime https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/letter-financial-literacy-pays-for-lifetime/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:46 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786585 I was heartened to read that our educators are considering requiring that high school students be taught basic tools for personal finance. Great idea! The knowledge they could gain from such a class would stick with them for their whole life. Schools could call upon bankers, CPAs and many other financial professionals who would gladly participate in the process. What great tools for our kids.

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]]> Letter: Perez listens to constituents https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/letter-perez-listens-to-constituents/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:33 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786365 I am writing in support of Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez after reading words of both criticism and support. Her record indicates she does not vote a straight party ticket but demonstrates bipartisanship. After all, our representative must fairly represent the needs of all constituents.

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]]> Letter: Parts of city suffer from neglect https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/letter-parts-of-city-suffer-from-neglect/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:28 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786592 On a recent Sunday morning we decided to splurge, going out for doughnuts. Our plan was to enjoy them at Leverich Park with fond memories of how pleasant and lovely it was years ago. It seemed a little odd that no other cars were in the parking lot. Then, we noticed the bed areas beside the grass were full of tall weeds and it all generally looked unkempt.

]]> Letter: Screening can save lives https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/letter-screening-can-save-lives/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:28 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786594 Low-dose CT for detecting lung cancer has saved my life. It takes less than a minute, and is as easy as having your temperature taken. I did not qualify to take this test. I had to argue my way into getting this test as my smoking history is too scant (play the radon card, if you say you believe you have been exposed to radon it can’t be argued you weren’t).

]]> Letter: Support Kelly for auditor https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/letter-support-kelly-for-auditor-4/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:16 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786598 With years of auditor, reporting, and analysis experience, the unsurpassed choice for Clark County auditor is Mitchell Kelly. Working with him prior to my retirement, I observed his impeccable work ethic. Once, when my department needed an approval from Mitchell to meet a deadline, he did so electronically while at the airport awaiting his flight.

]]> Letter: President ignores the future https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/17/letter-president-ignores-the-future/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:00:02 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786589 Capitalism reveres and celebrates $300 million yachts, $30 million weddings, spending thousands of dollars to watch a soccer match and unlimited government spending on the whimsical dismantling of the nation’s capital to reflect the questionable taste of any current, reigning monarch … oops, I meant to say president. Unlimited spending on random international conflicts is a given.

]]> In Our View: Budget crunch fix laudable, now focus on future https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/in-our-view-budget-crunch-fix-laudable-now-focus-on-future/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:03:25 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786469 Like seemingly all government entities, the city of Vancouver is facing a budget crunch. The latest proposal presented to the city council appears to be a responsible approach — provided it is grounded in reality.

]]> Jarvis: Small act, big difference in heat https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/jarvis-small-act-big-difference-in-heat/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:01:34 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786362 As yet another heat dome settles over part of the U.S., a depressingly predictable news cycle is unfolding. This week, the headlines will warn of dangerously high temperatures; next week, they’ll chronicle the human toll.

]]> Letter: Vote against cruelty https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/letter-vote-against-cruelty/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:49 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786253 Good news. Washington has just won two preliminary injunctions against The GEO Group in which a federal judge said the company is likely to lose its fight to try to prevent Washington State Department of Health inspectors from entering its detention facility in Tacoma.

]]> Letter: Support Kelly for auditor https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/letter-support-kelly-for-auditor-3/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:29 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786251 In reviewing the Clark County auditor election: Why would you vote for anyone other than an auditor? There is only one candidate that knows the job — Mitchell Kelly. He is a hands-on, experienced auditor. We don’t need politics in the auditor’s office, we need experience. They don’t make policy, they have a job to do. Vote for the one who can do the best job, Mitchell Kelly.

]]> Letter: Thank you for donation https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/letter-thank-you-for-donation/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:23 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786241 Times are hard. Food and gas are more expensive, housing hard to reach. Sometimes our economic situation can look bleak. But an amazing thing happened here at FISH Food Pantry in Vancouver.

]]> Letter: Maintain nuclear waste standards https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/letter-maintain-nuclear-waste-standards/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:23 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786257 The administration has proposed new rules for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They want to lower the allowable nuclear radiation standards the public is exposed to. Excess nuclear radiation is harmful to human health, especially children and women.

]]> Letter: Insults are not sign of strength https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/letter-insults-are-not-sign-of-strength/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:05 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786255 Thin-skinned President Donald Trump has now created a new nickname for another one of his perceived enemies. Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff now has the nickname of Jon “Osjerkoff.” Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota has been given the name “Tampon Tim.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal is now named “Da Nang Dick.” Trump’s former porn star mistress Stormy Daniels he now refers to as “Horseface.” New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman is now “Maggot Haberman.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren is now known as “Pocahontas,” and Gov. Gavin Newsom is known as “Slimy Newscum.”

]]> Letter: See truth of millionaires tax https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/16/letter-see-truth-of-millionaires-tax/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:04 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786244 In The Columbian on July 8, the story of the proposed ballot initiative to repeal the legislatively passed new law to establish an income tax on households earning more than $1 million, voters need to be aware of the facts and not be misled by misinformation and distrust of government that is being spread by the proponents of the initiative.

]]> In Our View: Pond or Harless best for 49th Legislative District https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/15/in-our-view-pond-or-harless-best-for-49th-legislative-district/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:03:24 +0000 In a three-person race for an open seat in the 49th Legislative District, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Mike Pond or Kim Harless.

]]> Cropf: Stories, not facts, win elections https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/15/cropf-stories-not-facts-win-elections/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:01:47 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2786125 As a student, I was taught that politics is a contest of ideas. Experience has shown me otherwise.

]]> Letter: Information needed in Battle Ground https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/15/letter-information-needed-in-battle-ground/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:00:47 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2785852 In the last two years, Battle Ground has been besieged by Maddox, Spiller and their “Christian” crusaders (two Battle Ground city councilors). During those years, they have quietly bought out at least 30 of our businesses, but only let the community know the extent of their takeover in the past few months. And they aren’t just buying out businesses for money … they have openly stated that they are doing this to “Christianize” Battle Ground.

]]> Letter: Patriotism is more than fireworks https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/15/letter-patriotism-is-more-than-fireworks/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:00:32 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2785999 In his letter to the editor (“Fireworks extravaganza is missed,” Our Readers’ Views, July 9), Mr. Kendall bemoans the lack of professional fireworks shows, especially one that celebrated the 250 years of American independence. He suggests it is actually the way to celebrate patriotism.

]]> Letter: Study candidates for auditor https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/15/letter-study-candidates-for-auditor/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:00:28 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2785995 I haven’t decided who to vote for Clark County auditor, so I’ve combed candidates’ social media and websites for information. Two candidates attended a recent Charter Review Commission meeting in Battle Ground: Mitchell Kelly, who is capably providing financial analyses for charter amendments, and Eileen Quiring O’Brien, who was an hour late. Her Facebook page includes a hit piece on Auditor Greg Kimsey (who has won national auditing awards) and Mr. Kelly, and mostly election fraud conspiracy theories.

]]> Letter: Support Kelly for auditor https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/15/letter-support-kelly-for-auditor-2/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:00:05 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2785989 The best choice for Clark County auditor is hands-down Mitchell Kelly. Working for a local government agency, I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Kelly over the span of several years both when he was with the state Auditor’s Office and with Clark County Financial Services. He is the candidate with the education and financial background to understand and carry out the duties of this position with the highest level of competence.

]]> Letter: Keep Ridgefield residents informed https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/15/letter-keep-ridgefield-residents-informed/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:00:02 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2785992 Along with the robust conversation in Ridgefield about the proposed high-density waterfront development has been talk of what is going to happen to Pioneer Street.

]]> In Our View: Waters or Christly for 17th Legislative District https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jul/14/in-our-view-waters-or-christly-for-17th-legislative-district/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:03:14 +0000 In the race for state representative, Position 1, from the 17th Legislative District, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for Republican incumbent Kevin Waters or Democratic challenger Ben Christly.

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