http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/index.html en-us Copyright 2013 The Seattle Times Company Sat, 25 May 2013 16:11:19 PDT Sat, 25 May 2013 16:11:19 PDT MattBase 1 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/art/ui/stlogo_231.gif http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052913_edwardleevargasopedxml.html?syndication=rss We should look at school discipline through the prism of racial proportionality and adopt strategies that are more equitable, writes guest columnist Edward Lee Vargas. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052913_edwardleevargasopedxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:01 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052924_robneuopedxml.html?syndication=rss We should automatically enroll students who meet standard or pass the Washington state assessments into our most rigorous classes, writes guest columnist Rob Neu. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052924_robneuopedxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:59 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052933_tamrajacksonopedxml.html?syndication=rss Assessments are gobbling our students’ learning time, writes guest columnist Tamra Jackson. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052933_tamrajacksonopedxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 15:23:36 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021053093_editboyscoutsgaysxml.html?syndication=rss If the Boy Scouts of America want to grow and progress, troop leadership will be open to gay adults and their families. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021053093_editboyscoutsgaysxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 16:44:37 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021053095_editbridgesxml.html?syndication=rss The collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River will draw more attention to the need for transportation infrastructure investment. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021053095_editbridgesxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 19:01:04 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052946_anasofiaknaufswingdancenotebookxml.html?syndication=rss Seattle Times editorial page intern Ana Sofia Knauf marvels at how the fans of the Century Ballroom rallied to pay the dance hall’s unexpected state tax bill. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052946_anasofiaknaufswingdancenotebookxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 18:16:04 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052957_harropcolumnokxml.html?syndication=rss Seeing Oklahomans discuss the tornado’s rampage in a straightforward manner, writes Froma Harrop, was far more moving than a sensational telling favored by the TV cameras. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052957_harropcolumnokxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 18:01:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052943_mikewallinopedxml.html?syndication=rss The foot-dragging on studying environmental impacts of coal trains is holding up a major rural economic-development opportunity in Cowlitz County, writes guest columnist Mike Wallin. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021052943_mikewallinopedxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 18:01:05 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/24/i-5-bridge-collapse-raises-questions-about-washington-state-bridges/?syndication=rss In the aftermath of the collapse of the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River, commuters who cross bridges everyday for work and school took to social media to wonder about the safety of their travel routes. With all of the work and planning being done on the Highway 520 bridge – a floating span&nb Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/24/i-5-bridge-collapse-raises-questions-about-washington-state-bridges/?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 11:46:06 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/24/what-do-you-want-to-hear-from-the-seattle-mayor-candidates/?syndication=rss Before Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess suddenly dropped out of the Mayor’s race, he mostly stuck to his core issues of Seattle Police reforms, better public schools and road maintenance. He led the field in fundraising, but he fared badly in several recent endorsements, including the K Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/24/what-do-you-want-to-hear-from-the-seattle-mayor-candidates/?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 11:46:06 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021045236_columndickiehigheredeconomicimpactxml.html?syndication=rss Lawmakers must acknowledge the role of higher education in the state’s economy, and provide students relief from tuition hikes. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021045236_columndickiehigheredeconomicimpactxml.html?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 10:31:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021045224_editopportunityxml.html?syndication=rss Washington state’s Opportunity Scholarship program is right to turn to its scholars for help broadening and deepening the program’s reach. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021045224_editopportunityxml.html?syndication=rss Thu, 23 May 2013 18:16:04 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021045226_anthonyantonjoegilliamopedxml.html?syndication=rss The 17-percent fee when local retailers and grocers supply liquor to restaurants has left local businesses at a competitive disadvantage, according to guest columnists Anthony Anton and Joe Gilliam. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021045226_anthonyantonjoegilliamopedxml.html?syndication=rss Thu, 23 May 2013 18:01:06 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/seattle-marijuana-zoning-just-words-on-paper-without-enforcement/?syndication=rss The Seattle City Council’s proposed marijuana zoning rules would have been great a year ago. But as I was sitting in on a City Hall news conference yesterday, I wondered what difference it would really make. A year ago, when the 2012 Legislature failed to pass medical marijuana regulations, ci Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/seattle-marijuana-zoning-just-words-on-paper-without-enforcement/?syndication=rss Fri, 24 May 2013 10:16:04 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/apple-juice-on-capitol-hill/?syndication=rss Apple executives were shocked, shocked to find U.S. senators who were amazed at the technology giant’s capacity to avoid taxes. Maybe the incredulous response was appropriate.  Congressional indifference has aided and abetted the scam for years. Apple moves billions of dollars around the Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/apple-juice-on-capitol-hill/?syndication=rss Thu, 23 May 2013 09:16:05 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/congress-supports-an-israeli-defensive-attack-against-iran/?syndication=rss On Wednesday the U.S. Senate approved, 99-0, Senate Resolution 65 urging the U.S. government to offer “diplomatic, military, and economic support to the Government of Israel” in the event that Israel’s government “is compelled to take military action in legitimate self-defens Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/congress-supports-an-israeli-defensive-attack-against-iran/?syndication=rss Thu, 23 May 2013 17:01:06 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/the-house-should-reject-gop-student-loan-bill/?syndication=rss UPDATE: The U.S. House of Representatives voted 221 to 198 in favor of a Republican plan to avert a scheduled doubling of student loan interest rates. The bill now goes to the Senate which is unlikely to take it up anytime soon because of ongoing work on Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/23/the-house-should-reject-gop-student-loan-bill/?syndication=rss Thu, 23 May 2013 18:16:04 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021037379_editbudgetdeadlinexml.html?syndication=rss Washington state lawmakers could face a fine for missing a June 1 deadline for a state budget, but the consequences to government and families would be much worse. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021037379_editbudgetdeadlinexml.html?syndication=rss Wed, 22 May 2013 18:46:06 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021037370_donbrunellmikegempleropedxml.html?syndication=rss Immigration is vital to providing Washington the workforce necessary to grow our economy, according to guest columnists Don Brunell and Mike Gempler. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021037370_donbrunellmikegempleropedxml.html?syndication=rss Wed, 22 May 2013 18:46:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021037361_friedmancolumnsyriaxml.html?syndication=rss In today’s globalized world, you fall behind faster than ever if you are not building the education, infrastructure and economic foundation to take advantage of this world — but you catch up faster if you do. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021037361_friedmancolumnsyriaxml.html?syndication=rss Wed, 22 May 2013 18:46:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021037376_edit23industrialinsurancestructuredsettlementsxml.html?syndication=rss State lawmakers should approve a workers’ compensation reform bill to lessen expected future increases in taxes. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021037376_edit23industrialinsurancestructuredsettlementsxml.html?syndication=rss Wed, 22 May 2013 18:46:06 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/22/do-not-exploit-gay-rights-issue-to-stop-immigration-reform/?syndication=rss The U.S. Senate is on the verge of debating comprehensive immigration reform, and there are signs Republicans and Democrats are cooperating to finally pass a substantial bill.  The Senate Judiciary Committee’s 13-5 decision Monday to send the measure to the floor is a big deal, and though Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/22/do-not-exploit-gay-rights-issue-to-stop-immigration-reform/?syndication=rss Wed, 22 May 2013 14:46:06 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/22/tom-stritikus-susan-enfield-on-overcoming-poverty-and-educating-south-king-county-kids/?syndication=rss Earlier this week, Seattle Times reporter Lornet Turnbull wrote about the growth of poverty in South King County’s suburban communities. She highlighted the findings of a new Brookings Institute study that concludes a lack of affordable housing has led low-income households to move outside Sea Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/22/tom-stritikus-susan-enfield-on-overcoming-poverty-and-educating-south-king-county-kids/?syndication=rss Wed, 22 May 2013 08:16:04 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2021029681_licenselawxml.html?syndication=rss A law signed Tuesday by Gov. Jay Inslee limits distribution of undercover licenses and plates to undercover or covert officers engaged in “law enforcement activities.” Local News http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2021029681_licenselawxml.html?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 23:16:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021029286_editsnohomishreardonxml.html?syndication=rss The Snohomish County Council wanted County Executive Aaron Reardon to formally resign his post. The request should be honored. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021029286_editsnohomishreardonxml.html?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 19:01:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021029304_bruce22educationreformxml.html?syndication=rss Education reform enacted by politicians can go only so far, writes editorial columnist Bruce Ramsey. What happens at home matters too. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021029304_bruce22educationreformxml.html?syndication=rss Wed, 22 May 2013 20:01:06 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021029266_donalperopedxml.html?syndication=rss Adding a U.S.-Canada border fee would have significant negative impacts, writes guest columnist Donald Alper. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021029266_donalperopedxml.html?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 18:31:05 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/the-obama-administrations-war-on-whistle-blowers/?syndication=rss The Obama administration is compiling a dismal record on whistle-blowers, which we editorialized against today, including this appalling fact: more people have been charged with leaking information about U.S.-sponsored torture than have been charged with torturing. (see Steve Coll’s profile of Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/the-obama-administrations-war-on-whistle-blowers/?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 11:31:06 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/auditing-the-irs-scandal-for-details/?syndication=rss The kerfuffle over the Internal Revenue Service’s treatment of tea party groups seeking tax exemptions might be more bureaucratic mush than political malice. A lengthy story Sunday in The New York Times by three reporters describes the implosion that occurred when the Cincinnati IRS offic Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/auditing-the-irs-scandal-for-details/?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 09:31:05 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/bellevue-city-councils-ethics-challenge/?syndication=rss Corrected version The Bellevue City Council needs a strong ethics policy because of the size and scope of the city’s responsibilities.  Three council members have been investigated and cleared of conflicts of interest in recent years.  An outside investigator cleared Bellevue City Co Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/bellevue-city-councils-ethics-challenge/?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 19:46:04 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/tim-eyman-in-spokane-speaking-for-the-rights-of-the-left/?syndication=rss The state’s master of tax limitation by ballot measure is no lefty, and voters of a progressive stripe typically scorn anything with his name on it. But Tim Eyman of Mukilteo says he’s for the people’s right to vote on ballot measures whether right or left. That is an issue in Spok Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/21/tim-eyman-in-spokane-speaking-for-the-rights-of-the-left/?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 10:01:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021029279_edittornadoxml.html?syndication=rss The devastation caused by Monday’s massive tornado through parts of Oklahoma City and its suburbs calls upon Washingtonians to lend a helping hand. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021029279_edittornadoxml.html?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 18:31:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021023880_hugobaltaopedxml.html?syndication=rss The term “illegal immigrant” is dehumanizing, derogatory and destructive, writes guest columnist Hugo Balta. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021023880_hugobaltaopedxml.html?syndication=rss Mon, 20 May 2013 18:16:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021023871_editassociatedpressxml.html?syndication=rss The Obama administration’s galling record on press freedom requires a reset of the balance between journalists and national security secrecy. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021023871_editassociatedpressxml.html?syndication=rss Mon, 20 May 2013 18:16:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021023873_harropcolumnteapartyxml.html?syndication=rss The IRS scandal over targeting tea-party groups is a boomerang, writes Froma Harrop. Give the tea-party people a boomerang, and moderate Republicans will get hurt. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021023873_harropcolumnteapartyxml.html?syndication=rss Mon, 20 May 2013 18:16:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021023869_editbellevueethicspolicyxml.html?syndication=rss The Bellevue City Council has spent two years in search of a code of ethics policy. Public trust hinges on how soon the council acts on a proposed ethics ordinance. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021023869_editbellevueethicspolicyxml.html?syndication=rss Tue, 21 May 2013 18:31:05 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/commencement-season-is-when-we-celebrate-college-dreams-turned-into-reality/?syndication=rss President Obama’s commencement speech Sunday at Morehouse College in Atlanta underscored the still-vital role of historically black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs. These institutions were created when African Americans and other students of color were shut out of American Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/commencement-season-is-when-we-celebrate-college-dreams-turned-into-reality/?syndication=rss Mon, 20 May 2013 14:16:05 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/wireless-phone-tracking-is-far-too-easy/?syndication=rss The need to update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act to the 21st Century, as the editorial board argued Sunday, is heightened by the willingness by wireless companies to turn over your phone records without a warrant. A recent nationwide project by the American Civil Liberties Union found la Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/wireless-phone-tracking-is-far-too-easy/?syndication=rss Mon, 20 May 2013 10:31:04 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/kenneth-bae-get-him-out-but-also-watch-out/?syndication=rss A sentence of 15 years’ hard labor for American Kenneth Bae is totally disproportionate and inhumane for anything the man may have done. But probably he did do something not too smart for an American in North Korea. I have done some not-smart things myself in places like that. In 1972, traveli Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/kenneth-bae-get-him-out-but-also-watch-out/?syndication=rss Mon, 20 May 2013 10:05:50 PDT http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/seattle-the-newlyweds-city-forget-it/?syndication=rss The apartment-hunter web page Rent.com sent me an email saying it “has compiled a list of the 10 best cities for newlyweds—and Seattle made the cut!” I thought, “You’ve gotta be kidding. In super-singles Seattle? In high-rent Seattle?” I read on: “This list Opinion Northwest http://blogs.seattletimes.com/opinionnw/2013/05/20/seattle-the-newlyweds-city-forget-it/?syndication=rss Mon, 20 May 2013 10:10:13 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007950_dionnecolumndemocracyxml.html?syndication=rss Our obsession with various scandals raises an interesting question, writes E.J. Dionne Jr. Is our democracy becoming dysfunctional? Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007950_dionnecolumndemocracyxml.html?syndication=rss Sun, 19 May 2013 19:01:05 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007982_tomstitikuselhamkazemiopedxml.html?syndication=rss Despite the hard work of thousands of well-meaning adults, children in poverty-impacted schools are still most likely to get lost within the system, according to guest columnists Tom Stritikus and Elham Kazemi. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007982_tomstitikuselhamkazemiopedxml.html?syndication=rss Sun, 19 May 2013 18:16:06 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021007991_editrevenueforecaststatebudgetxml.html?syndication=rss Legislators in Olympia should not wait for the June 18 revenue forecast to reach a budget deal. Editorials http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorials/2021007991_editrevenueforecaststatebudgetxml.html?syndication=rss Sun, 19 May 2013 18:16:06 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007843_pittscolumndeathpenaltyxml.html?syndication=rss Florida Gov. Rick Scott has a bill on his desk that creates a fast track to the death chamber for death-row inmates. Leonard Pitts Jr. asks: How can a state that gets it wrong at least one time in every four want to speed up the process? Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007843_pittscolumndeathpenaltyxml.html?syndication=rss Sun, 19 May 2013 05:15:36 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007856_peircecolumnhousingxml.html?syndication=rss Little has been done to revamp America’s housing-finance policy since rampant speculation and malleable regulations triggered the Great Recession. Now, writes Neal Peirce, a bipartisan commission has a plan to tackle this important issue. Opinion http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2021007856_peircecolumnhousingxml.html?syndication=rss Sat, 18 May 2013 19:01:04 PDT