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Saturday, Jul. 4, 2009

The Portage Daily Register
Portage and Columbia County, WI - News, Sports and Information - Part of WiscNews.com

Opinion
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MURTAGH COLUMN: Relating health, wealth

During last year's presidential election campaign, opinion polls indicated that the public's top concerns were the ending of the U.S.-led March 2003 invasion of Iraq and its six-year tumultuous, death-dealing occupancy, and the need for a U.S. health-care reform. Neither has been enacted as yet.

Posted in Murtagh, Columns, Opinion on Thursday, July 2, 2009 10:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Let's take a look at taxes in history

I see some folks are disappointed in our government. They want the smallest possible government and the least amount of taxes. Dream on, folks.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Thursday, July 2, 2009 10:50 pm.

HENTOFF COLUMN: 'No one feels safe in Zimbabwe. No one'

The BBC's Mike Thomson, in a series of reports from Zimbabwe in early June, spoke to "a Zimbabwean mother and (13-year-old) daughter who are still too afraid to return home after being abducted and repeatedly raped by militiamen from President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party a year ago." (Its symbol is a clenched fist.) Their fear has not lessened despite the new alleged "power-sharing" coalition between Mugabe and the Movement for Democratic Change's Morgan Tsvangirai.

Posted in Hentoff, Columns, Opinion on Thursday, July 2, 2009 10:50 pm.

MAILBAG: Clough not right for county's needs

Since I am Columbia County's building and grounds director, I want to weigh in on the discussion regarding Daniel Garrigan's suggestion that the county purchase the old Clough school building and renovate it to meet the county's future space needs.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 10:00 pm.

LOPEZ COLUMN: Sex abuse in jail makes life a prison

116. That's about how many prisoners in America's jails are raped every day, according to a new report.

Posted in Lopez, Columns, Opinion on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 10:05 pm.

BROMLEY COLUMN: Morgue horror stories

The morgue is no place to be these days. It's just not safe, regardless of whether you're dead or living.

Posted in Bromley, Columns, Opinion on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:00 pm.

MAILBAG: Good Samaritan aided motorist

Let me tell you about one of Portage's good Samaritans.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:00 pm.

MAILBAG: Be careful making animal claims

This is in response to the recent letter regarding the regulation of animal facilities.

Posted in Opinion, Mailbag on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:00 pm.

MAILBAG: Be careful making animal claims

This is in response to the recent letter regarding the regulation of animal facilities.

Posted in Opinion, Mailbag on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:00 pm.

MAILBAG: Stem-cell research has breakthrough

There has been a very exciting development in the field of adult stem-cell research. In two major independent studies in 2007, in Wisconsin and Japan, researchers discovered a way to reprogram adult stem cells taken from a patient's own body and turn them back to the embryonic state with surprising ease.

Posted in Opinion, Mailbag on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 11:00 pm.

MAILBAG: Many helped create Schider benefit

On May 30, a cancer fundraiser was held at Portage Country Club for Ava Schider.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Monday, June 29, 2009 11:50 pm.

MAILBAG: Pet Idol helped aid Humane Society

On behalf of the Columbia County Humane Society, I would like to extend a huge thank-you to everyone at Woodridge School for including us in their recent Pet Idol fundraiser.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Monday, June 29, 2009 11:50 pm.

ROBERTSES COLUMN: 'Only I'm the president'

White House press conferences are often pallid and prescripted affairs. But President Barack Obama's occasionally testy exchange with reporters last week revealed a key dimension of his approach to the presidency.

Posted in Opinion, Columns, Robertses on Monday, June 29, 2009 11:55 pm.

MAILBAG: Many thanks for Bulldog golf event

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the annual Pardeeville Bulldog Support Foundation golf outing June 13.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Sunday, June 28, 2009 11:30 pm.

REAGAN COLUMN: Please tear down the wall?

In conjunction with my Reagan Legacy Foundation, I recently marked the 22nd anniversary of my father's famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin by publicly announcing an agreement with the Mauer Museum to permanently house a wing dedicated to Ronald Reagan and his leading role in ending the Cold War and reuniting the German people.

Posted in Reagan, Columns, Opinion on Sunday, June 28, 2009 11:30 pm.

BRAZILE COLUMN: Here is why Iran matters

I know most people have tuned out to the growing discord in Iran. Turned it off because they have become distracted by other stories like the sordid confessions of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, or the raging partisan debates over the feasibility of health-care reform. But Iran still matters.

Posted in Columns, Opinion on Sunday, June 28, 2009 11:30 pm.

MAILBAG: Clough plan makes good sense

In the Mailbag section of the June 22 online edition of the Daily Register, Daniel G. Garrigan offered the Columbia County Board of Supervisors the suggestion of having the county purchase the Clough building for $1 and then renovate and convert it to fill the needs for the expansion of county offices.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Friday, June 26, 2009 11:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Thanks for support of troop event

The Rascals and Rockers Dayschool in Cambria would like to thank the following businesses and families for their support at the Peddle for Troops event held May 19:

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Friday, June 26, 2009 11:45 pm.

MALBAG: Brat sale raised River Haven funds

River Haven Homeless Shelter was proud to join with Portage Lumber for a Memorial Day weekend brat sale to raise donations for the shelter.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Friday, June 26, 2009 11:45 pm.

HENTOFF COLUMN: Who are we as Americans?

President Barack Obama, in his May 21 speech at the National Archives Museum in Washington said that "we can defeat al-Qaeda ... if we stay true to who we are... anchored in our timeless ideals." A much more somber note, however, was in a warning by retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter the day before at Georgetown University Law Center.

Posted in Hentoff, Columns, Opinion on Friday, June 26, 2009 11:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Judeo-Christian heritage exists here

On June 10, a reader wrote in berating a previous writer for her ignorance for saying that this nation was founded on the belief in God. Let's look at the history, and you be the judge.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:55 pm.

MAILBAG: Girl Scouts say thanks for support

The Portage Community of Girl Scouts would like to thank everyone who bought cookies and especially those who bought cookies for the Cookie Share Program. All those cookies were sent over to the Portage men and women overseas.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:55 pm.

BROMLEY COLUMN: All hail the king frogs

Citizens of the world, I don't mean to alarm you. But as a respected member of the news media, it's my duty to inform you of a horrible truth: Frogs are taking over the planet.

Posted in Bromley, Columns, Opinion on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:20 pm.

MAILBAG: Once again: Tear down Clough

That Clough building will just not go away, will it? This is in response to Daniel Garrigan's Monday letter regarding the building and the County Board.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:40 pm.

MAILBAG: Help regulate breeding facilities

On May 29, 315 dogs, 23 horses, 21 rabbits, 14 birds, two chinchillas, one cat, one ferret and one rooster were seized from Thyme and Sage Ranch in Richland County.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Gas companies source of problems

Why are we allowing this premeditated crime to go unpunished? It continues to be unstoppable.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:45 pm.

ROBERTSES COLUMN: Studies in friendship

The success of "The Girls from Ames," the best-selling book about the 40-year friendship of a group of women originally from Iowa, has prompted a spate of national news stories about the importance of friendship to emotional and physical well-being. One study shows that if you have lots of friends you're likely to live longer, while another concludes that friends help slow memory loss (boy, do we hope that's true!).

Posted in Robertses, Columns, Opinion on Monday, June 22, 2009 10:00 pm.

LOPEZ COLUMN: One senator's road to redemption

Nevada Republican Sen. John Ensign was unfaithful to his wife; there's no excusing broken vows. But the steps he's taken since the story broke on Wednesday provide a reminder that there is a road to redemption in truth.

Posted in Lopez, Columns, Opinion on Monday, June 22, 2009 10:00 pm.

MAILBAG: Thanks for help with tractor event

On behalf of the Dells Area Old Tractor Enthusiasts, we would like to thank the Columbia County Sheriff's Department, more specifically Deputy Todd Hunt, for his help in making our day memorable and safe.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Monday, June 22, 2009 10:05 pm.

MAILBAG: Clough building perfect for county

This is a letter to the Columbia County Board of Supervisors:

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:50 pm.

MAILBAG: Resolution would hurt consumers

I am opposed to House Resolution 2749. This is a time when our country should be supporting local, sustainable agriculture and the family farmer. But HR 2749 will make that very difficult.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:50 pm.

REAGAN COLUMN: Health-care tax shuffle

Last week I wrote about the serious risks that older Americans and those seriously or terminally ill face in the so-called "efficiencies" that President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats say will fund a large part of their health-care plans.

Posted in Reagan, Columns, Opinion on Sunday, June 21, 2009 11:50 pm.

MAILBAG: We are arrogant around the globe

I would like to thank the Daily Register for printing my letter about our nation's ignorance and lack of thought into what harm we are creating in the world with our neglect and ignorance.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Friday, June 19, 2009 9:05 pm.

MAILBAG: Mrs. Dietsch, thanks for good job

All the staff at John Muir Elementary School would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Sue Dietsch for her commitment and leadership as our principal this past year.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Friday, June 19, 2009 9:05 pm.

MAILBAG: Story about Oneida Street well-written

If there is a competition someplace for a well-written story, I would enter the Daily Register story about the two police officers who started the Onieda Street investigation.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Friday, June 19, 2009 9:10 pm.

HENTOFF COLUMN: 'Detention' un-American?

Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once warned: "Throughout the world today there are men, women and children interned indefinitely, awaiting trials which may never come or which may be a mockery of the word, because their governments believe them to be 'dangerous.' Our Constitution...can shelter us forever against the dangers of such unchecked power" (dissenting, U.S. v. Salerno, 1987).

Posted in Hentoff, Columns, Opinion on Friday, June 19, 2009 9:10 pm.

MURTAGH COLUMN: Is a corporation a person?

Is a corporation like a real person? Someone who worries about dandruff, dyspepsia and duodenal disorders?

Posted in Murtagh, Columns, Opinion on Thursday, June 18, 2009 9:20 pm.

MAILBAG: Peterson caused some resentment

From the vantage point of a former Pardeeville High School student, I am personally quite happy to see Mr. Paul Peterson leave his role as principal. I am not particularly angry with him, although I've severely disagreed with his professional philosophy so many times.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Thursday, June 18, 2009 9:20 pm.

MAILBAG: God knows who is stealing flowers

Well, it seems Portage has a plethora of grave robbers. This is one more letter filled with pity for the "non-caring" who took a hanging basket and a plant with stand from my family's gravesite at Silver Lake Cemetery.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Thursday, June 18, 2009 9:25 pm.

LYONS COLUMN: Death as infotainment wrong, period

Since when do imprisoned terrorists get to hold press conferences? I speak of Scott Roeder, the accused assassin of Dr. George Tiller. Roeder's alleged crime was also a sacrilege: He gunned the physician down during Sunday worship services at Reformation Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher.

Posted in Columns, Opinion on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 11:45 pm.

BROMLEY COLUMN: Brett, go away already

A year ago, Brett Favre came off as the ex-girlfriend who dumped us and then suddenly wanted us back after we had moved on with someone else. He since has become that annoying, ever-present ex who we wish would just go away.

Posted in Bromley, Columns, Opinion on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:40 pm.

MAILBAG: Cemetery vandals are widespread

After reading about the several cases being reported on cemetery vandalism, I thought I would also share the misfortune our family has felt in the past two years.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Thank you for great benefit event

Thank you, Suzy Stover and Portage Country Club, for making May 30 one of the most unforgettable days of my life.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Column funny, global warming not

This letter is in regards to Ben Bromley's column "Cows turning planet into gas chamber" appearing June 9.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Recent letters were right on target

I want to write in appreciation of three writers of recent letters to the editor.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:45 pm.

MAILBAG: Gibraltar Rock event was a smash

It was a glorious day on the top of Gibraltar Rock a couple of weeks ago. More than 100 folks who were able to return to that favorite spot on May 30 enjoyed the opportunity to revisit the incredible view and remember days past when friends and families made regular trips there. Many funny and poignant Gibraltar Rock stories were shared throughout the day.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Monday, June 15, 2009 9:20 pm.

ROBERTSES COLUMN: Sonia from the block

In her now-famous speech at the University of California in 2001, Judge Sonia Sotomayor probably made a political mistake. She spoke the truth.

Posted in Robertses, Columns, Opinion on Monday, June 15, 2009 9:20 pm.

LOPEZ COLUMN: Putting the life back in 'pro-life'

Anyone paying attention to the news can't be blamed for thinking that those who defend the lives of the unborn by opposing legal abortion are not the most loving bunch, and perhaps not the most sane. But undue focus on the aberrant acts of a crazed few can overshadow the goodness of the many.

Posted in Lopez, Columns, Opinion on Monday, June 15, 2009 9:20 pm.

REAGAN COLUMN: Ugly national health care

President Barack Obama has undertaken the expansion of health care to the roughly 45 million Americans who do not have health insurance. Having about one American in seven with no health insurance is undeniably an undesirable situation that deserves our attention and concern.

Posted in Reagan, Columns, Opinion on Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:50 pm.

MAILBAG: Great job, Portage High School staff

Last Friday night, I attended my last Portage High School graduation ceremony as a parent. As I sat waiting for "Pomp and Circumstance," I reminisced about sporting events, proms, plays, concerts, banquets, parent-teacher conferences and award ceremonies.

Posted in Mailbag, Opinion on Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:55 pm.