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To the editor, Political parties were never written into the Constitution, the Founding Fathers feared if they came to exist, they would tear the nation apart. Their worst fears were realized in the Civil War when the Republicans opposed to slavery electorally defeated Democrats who favored slavery in 1860. Today the south once a strong hold for the Democratic party has flipped to a stronghold for Republicans. Political parties and what they stand for are not frozen in time, they change the question is do you. How are Republicans and Democrats...
It is the simple times that mean the most. Simplicity makes complex times in our lives more manageable. Closing our doors and staying at home, avoiding being out in the public, preserving our health and well-being. These have added uncountable complexities to our ability to preserve our society in the manner to which we’ve become accustomed. But, maybe that’s the whole point. Perhaps ridding ourselves of overscheduled busy-ness is one of the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you remember, Christmas started with a simple occasion. The bir...
A. F. Branco...
1. New baler twine to tie up last year’s five-buckle overshoes. 2. Something that will kill Canadian thistle. 3. A hot shot that works for more than a morning. 4. A dog that does more good out of the pickup than in it. 5. A cattle buyer who admits that he likes your calves. 6. A feedlot customer with a bottomless wallet. 7. A molasses salesman who thinks your hay will be adequate without his $200-a-ton supplement. 8. A vet who suggests that you buy your vaccine at the co-op. 9. A teenage d...
The government bureau that oversees Medicare and Medicaid, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is required by law to track waste, fraud, and abuse in the entitlements. The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has identified several parts of the entitlements that are “at-risk” for fraud. CMS recently released its report on improper payments for the past fiscal year. (here) The report states that the improper payments are “not necessarily indicative of, or measu...
To the editor, The attacks from within our country on our free and fair elections must stop. Republicans are being played for donations, rancor and virus spreading acts by the current impeached ‘occupant’ in our White House. In defending Pennsylvania against an attack by the Texas AG, Pennsylvania Attorney General, Josh Shapiro said, “These continued attacks on our fair and free election system are beyond meritless, beyond reckless–they are a scheme by the President of the United States and some in the Republican party to disregard the will of...
A. F. Branco...
Despite the fact state revenues are forecasted to increase 10.7% during this biennia and 7.2% for 2021-23 (showing continued growth every year), a draft bill to impose a statewide "employer compensation tax" is circulating for the 2021 session. The intent of the draft bill is unclear with this current placeholder text: "TBD." According to the draft bill: "Beginning January 1, 2022, an employer compensation tax is imposed on employers engaging in business. The tax imposed by this chapter is levie...
To the editor, Merlin the magician was hired by Doris Democrat, the “election stealing” Donkey, to win 2020 elections. Merlin hired Santa Claus and his tiny reindeer, what better way to cover the entire nation in a night. Merlin had demonstrated to Doris how he could change a ballot marked for Trump or any other Republican into a ballot marked for Biden or any other Democrat. He showed her how he could make sure “dead people” voted and change post marks on ballot envelopes. One of his greatest talents was to cause dedicated election officia...
I’m takin’ you back to the summer of 2003. Out of the blue I got a call from Patrick Gottsch, a member of the well-known Nebraska ag family. He told me he was building a TV channel dedicated solely to agriculture and the rural community. I asked if he had any programs lined up? He said, “Yes, we are filming the entire National FFA Convention!” I admit it made me raise an eyebrow. My Oklahoma family were farmers. It is in my blood. I joined the Las Cruces, New Mexico FFA. On to New Mexico...
I was reading through an obituary for a local woman the other day and read how involved she was during her life. She was a farm wife. She had a career. She went to Kinman Business University and was a secretary. But she was involved in so many clubs. It seems like, for our parents and the early part of my generation, our twenties and thirties, there were groups we could be involved in, somewhere to interact with other people building meaningful relationships and be a part of the community. This type of camaraderie is lacking in the...
A. F. Branco...
Yeah, he wished he was a cowboy but just at times like this (Yup, he’s glad that he’s a cowboy but there’s times on days like this) When he spent the day ahorseback and had time to reminisce (When he spends all day a’horseback thinkin’, ‘Wonder what I’ve missed?’) Never thinkin’ about Monday, ’bout the real life he led (Never knowin’ if it’s Monday, if he’ll ever get ahead) Just the smell of sweaty horses and the peace inside his head (Just the smell of sweaty horses and a blanket for a bed)...
On Sunday morning Governor Jay Inslee announced additional restrictions on businesses in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The majority of the restrictions go into effect midnight on Monday, November 16. Specifically, - Restaurants and bars are closed for indoor service. Outdoor dining and to-go service is permitted. (Restrictions on restaurants take effect Tuesday at midnight). - Retail stores, including grocery stores, and malls must limit occupancy to 25% and must close food court...
A. F. Branco...
How do you explain Thanksgiving to a 3 year old? “A long time ago...” “Yesterday?” “No, more than yesterday. A bunch of people came in a big boat...” “Pirates?” “No, good guys and mamas and babies...” “And boys, too?” “Yup, and boys, too. But when they got in the woods they were hungry but they didn’t know what to eat.” “And they had bears in the woods, and tigers.” “Probably, but they didn’t see them. So they were hungry and walked around looking for something to eat. And then came the I...
The problem with relying on government is that you can’t rely on it. Eight months after the governor announced the first strict lockdown in his effort to contain the spread of COVID, he has announced very similar restrictions in response to a rapid increase in cases and hospitalizations. The severity of the restrictions is not only a problem for businesses and workers who are again facing difficult times. It shows that the state has learned very little in the past eight months about what c...
A. F. Branco...
They stood in the back of the room lookin’ like two Oakland Raider linebackers at a preppie quiche-tasting party. They had on unblocked hats with flat brims and each man wore a neck scarf and new Wrangler’s. Steve ambled over and asked where they were from. “Nevada,” they said, “We ranch.” They discussed the cattle business and bad-mouthed the government, as usual. Pretty soon they got to discussin’ mutual acquaintances. Steve had a friend named Pat from way up around Brothers, Oregon. “Quit...
OLYMPIA–On Sunday morning Governor Jay Inslee announced additional restrictions on businesses in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The majority of the restrictions went into effect midnight on Monday, November 16th. Specifically, *Restaurants and bars are closed for indoor service. Outdoor dining and to-go service is permitted. (Restrictions on restaurants take effect Tuesday at midnight). *Retail stores, including grocery stores, and malls must limit occupancy to 25% and must c...
To the editor, I hear Republicans call for patience with the President. Yes, Democrats would like to move past the vitriol of the last four years as we share holidays with Republican loved ones. I am a Democrat. I don’t have two heads or growths on my feet, other than bunions. I love my family, just like Republicans. I am calling the East Washingtonian out on the last couple of cartoons as untrue and inflammatory. On November 5, the cartoon inferred Joe Biden is 100% on board with the Green New Deal and will impose it on all states. He is a...
Editor’s note: Even though this was authored during the Obama years, what is written remains contributable today. By Lou Holtz The Democrats are right, there are two Americas. The America that works and the America that doesn’t. The America that contributes and the America that doesn’t. It’s not the haves and the have nots, it’s the dos and the don’ts. Some people do their duty as Americans, obey the law, support themselves, contribute to society and others don’t. That’s the divide in America. It’s not about income inequality, it’s...
A. F. Branco...
In hunting camp an outfitter reached down and stirred the fire. His client belched contentedly and said, “Might I inquire, That jerky you been chewin’ up… could I just try a bit? I fancy I’m a connoisseur with tongue and palate fit To ferret out the kind of beast, perhaps the cut of meat From whence you carved the bloody strap and held it to the heat.” The packer passed a little piece to test the boastful claim, The hunter in his down-filled vest bit in and then proclaimed, “I taste a hint of k...
The East Washingtonian’s Letter to the Editor space on the opinion page provides a forum for residents of Pomeroy and Garfield County to express their opinions and concerns about matters of public interest as part of the “community conversation.” Letters may be mailed to Editor, East Washingtonian, P.O. Box 70, Pomeroy, WA 99347, or emailed to [email protected]. Please include a telephone number so editors can confirm authorship. Please limit letters to approximately 400 words or less. The East Washingtonian reserves the right to ed...