As residents of Humboldt County, we often pride ourselves on being environmentally conscious. Many of us are already taking steps toward living more sustainably. Perhaps you ride your bike (or kinetic sculpture) to school or work, take shorter showers or bring your water bottle wherever you go. Maybe you’ve introduced a compost bin into your […]
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Posted inLetters + Opinion
It’s What, Not How, You Grow
Economics 101 teaches us that carrots are more effective than sticks in encouraging compliance by any industry. So what are the incentives for the cannabis industry? Why is cannabis being regulated more intensely than grapes, cattle or any other agricultural endeavor? And why do we continue to deal with one problem in a piecemeal fashion […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
A Singular Solution
The reason Republicans haven’t come up with a credible plan to replace Obamacare over the last seven years is because they’ve never thought it was important for all Americans to have access to health care. “Replace” was only recently tacked onto their dogged, unthinking attempts to repeal when they realized that taking away health insurance […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
The Need for Sanctuary
Sanctuary city ordinances will be considered soon by the Arcata (April 5 agenda) and Eureka city councils and efforts are also under way to make Humboldt County a sanctuary county. With the current executive orders limiting immigration and targeting undocumented immigrants with deportation, it is important that we take action to protect those among us […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
‘My Hope’
The 2016 presidential race was remarkable for many reasons, but what stood out to me was the level of flat-out lies thrown back and forth and how the media failed miserably at fact checking. Between social, print and electronic media, voters found it hard to determine which statements were true and which were false. Republicans […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Humboldt Harbor: The Heart of Our Community
Humboldt Bay is the heart of our community. Its pulse is the rhythm of the tides. Each tide disperses everything from micronutrients that sustain vital natural resources to cargo destined for international commerce. There are unwritten natural laws and there are legislated laws that guide us through the decision-making process for utilizing our incredibly valuable […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Last Chance
Back in November a dear friend and I took our annual trip to Ashland, Oregon, to enjoy the fall leaves in Lithia Park. I love most of the drive, first up the coast along U.S. Highway 101 and then following the Smith River Valley on U.S. Route 199. But that short distance when you’re on […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Top 10 Dick Moves
Some ill deeds, large or small, illegal or just plain wrong, go unpunished. This year had its share of shady deals and self-serving choices, not to mention a few jackasses who seemed to do wrong for no damn reason. Here we pay tribute to 10 jerks who made us roll our eyes, curl our lips […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Teens These Days
In 1982, I was in my second week speaking from the intimidating side of the podium at Fortuna High School when an unknown high school senior named Barry Mendenhall — who has since become a very good friend — walked up to the front of the class shaking a coffee can. “Mr. Clausen (which isn’t […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Let’s Talk About It: Bridging the Divide
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of opinion pieces solicited by the Journal. In the immediate aftermath of Nov. 8, it became very clear that people need safe spaces to discuss their ideas and feelings, and generally process what was the ugliest and most vitriolic presidential contest in generations. To that end, we […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Let’s Talk About It: Aftermath
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of opinion pieces solicited by the Journal. In the immediate aftermath of Nov. 8, it became very clear that people need safe spaces to discuss their ideas and feelings, and generally process what was the ugliest and most vitriolic presidential contest in generations. To that end, we […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Let’s Talk About It: The Safety Pin
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of opinion pieces solicited by the Journal. In the immediate aftermath of Nov. 8, it became very clear that people need safe spaces to discuss their ideas and feelings, and generally process what was the ugliest and most vitriolic presidential contest in generations. To that end, we […]