Articles written by J
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RFK, Jr is a token candidate
Having family at Grand Coulee, I have relatives who work at the dam and it mystifies me how little attention presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., pays to hydro-electric power. True, I mention wind and solar, but rarely... — Updated 5/8/2024
Elementary kids run in 44th Mini Bloomsday
Hundreds of children took part in a 45-year-old tradition Friday by running races on the grass in perfect weather on the athletic field below Lake Roosevelt Schools. The first Mini... — Updated 5/8/2024
Artificial Intelligence is coming, good or bad
Young soldiers sometimes cite a particular military weapon and pose the question: Is that a defensive weapon or an offensive weapon? Almost invariably, the answer is: It depends on the intent of the user. Whether artificial... — Updated 3/27/2024
On Israel and America
The United States recognized the state of Israel 11 minutes after formation of the state was announced in 1948. We have maintained a very close relationship since the founding. Israel is now receiving widespread criticism for its m... — Updated 3/13/2024
Giving back
Have you noticed how many retired school employees regularly volunteer throughout our Okanogan County communities? Retired school employees have told me that helping community members is hard work but extremely satisfying. You may... — Updated 3/6/2024
Amazing teamwork
The picture of the LRHS Boys’ Basketball Team (in color) on the cover of The Star newspaper last week was amazing! They have been exciting to watch all season and this picture captured the joy and fun they’ve shown. So much cla... — Updated 3/6/2024
Religion and women
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all originated in the greater Middle East. The most fundamental believers of each of these religions treat women as second-class citizens. Why? During most of the time that humans have existed,... — Updated 2/28/2024
Oblivious to the obvious
Beware of people who are oblivious to the obvious. People who lose an election, and believe they won. Not based on evidence. But based on what they “feel.” I am a conservative. Many Republicans today delude themselves by calling me... — Updated 2/21/2024
Postal mail still is a portal to the outside world
Having family in Grand Coulee, I read The Grand Coulee Star opinion piece “Those early postal days” (Feb. 7 issue). I can relate to the penny postcards. My late grandmother Dora (White) Marples had a shoebox full of them. Most wer... — Updated 2/14/2024
State of the union: a perspective
Commercial companies, non-profits, government agencies, and military organizations evaluate their performance periodically. The U.S. Constitution requires that the President of the United States “… shall from time to time give to... — Updated 2/1/2024
How I became a cat person
Disclaimer: No pets die in this column (but they sometimes smell like they did). As I write, I’m trying to relax in my recliner on a cold winter’s day next to a roaring fire, yet my feet are freezing because a large, sem... — Updated 1/24/2024
What gift would you give America?
It is the season of giving, forgiving, renewal, and hope. If you could give a gift to America, what gift would you give? We all appreciate our country, and we are grateful for all that it offers. But we also know that there are... — Updated 12/27/2023
Coulee Pride
Remember the Coulee Card. It was handy and fun and I wish it would make a comeback. It is awesome to call the Coulee home. Here are a few people and places I’m proud of that make the Coulee area so special – Caden Portch rep... — Updated 12/27/2023
Local police staffing shortage is unsustainable
The Grand Coulee Police Department is critically understaffed, yet the city council has declared a hiring freeze for an unspecified length of time. Currently, the department has six full-time officers. A fully staffed local police... — Updated 12/15/2023
Parallels in history offer guidance today
At the close of World War II in Europe, the Allied Forces closed on Berlin from the west, and the Russians closed from the east. Control of Berlin became an issue. In 1948, the Russians blockaded Berlin, disallowing the U.S.... — Updated 11/29/2023
On the bright side, we actually live in the best of times
The behavior of individuals and nations sometimes challenges our belief that we are a civilized species. When we feel dismayed by what is happening, it is time to remember the good things we do. Americans donated $484 billion to... — Updated 11/21/2023
Tribal members should be paid for their big fire loss
I have waited approximately eight years for a determination on when we, Colville Tribal Members, were going to be compensated for the 2015 North Star fire. Since I haven’t heard of any compensation, I decided to file a FOIA [... — Updated 11/21/2023
Why do we fall for fall?
Yes, it’s that glorious season that so many pumpkin-spice addicts claim to be their favorite. I must admit that, I, too, succumb each year to the autumnal charms of fall, except for my seemingly never-ending battle with leaves, or,... — Updated 11/15/2023
Recognition due
Congratulations on your prestigious WNPA award. You are sooooo worthy of being recognized for all the hard work you have put into The Star for so many years. We certainly recognize the problems that go with owning a business. But... — Updated 11/8/2023
Border disorder
Immigration has been one of America’s long running problems. Historically, climate irregularities have induced famine, civil conflict, and migration. If scientists are correct about the climate change in our future, the world will... — Updated 10/25/2023
Drone warriors
Elon Musk used his privately owned (satellite) communication relay system called “Star Link” to prevent a Ukrainian marine drone attack on Russian ships. Musk’s stated reasoning was that destruction of Russian ships in the Black... — Updated 9/27/2023
Uncle George's character was real
I don’t think Uncle George did things because of a will to succeed; he did that many times over. I think he was so driven because he saw how never giving up, always stepping up, and always saddling up helped so many others to s... — Updated 9/27/2023
The harness maker
Observers sense American discontent with a rapidly changing world. A recently cited indicator is a suddenly popular song called “Rich Men North of Richmond.” Citizens seeking public office need to be wealthy or sell their all... — Updated 8/30/2023
A good way to love the Coulee
I love this Coulee…the scenery, the climate, the people. It will be my home until I leave this earth. I started running in the Coulee nearly 25 years ago. The Coulee has a way of reaching into your soul to bring peace and calm. R... — Updated 8/9/2023
Why wedge politicians deserve to fail
We are all different. If we were not, it would be impossible to recognize people we know, including our close friends and relatives. Sometimes we don’t like people who are different, whose beliefs differ from ours, or whose b... — Updated 7/26/2023