Opinion
Not a Clue
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Feb. 27, 2021
Surely politicians wouldn't be so clueless that they'd lie about COVID-19 deaths or take a vacation during a statewide emergency or spend taxpayer money on expensive groceries and booze for themselves. Of course they would. Let us pause, then, for a moment to consider the braindead behavior of Andrew Cuomo, Ted Cruz, and Michelle Lujam Grisham, the three best current examples of actions absent thought. We'll start with Grisham, the Democratic governor ... Read More >>
Respecting the River
Guest Opinion
By David Arroyo | Feb. 27, 2021
Forever, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) has regarded the water — and the Boardman/Ottaway River — as most would view the closest of family: beloved relatives. As tribal chairman, I wish to express deep support for all efforts that protect, preserve and restore our shared freshwater resources, including FishPass, which calls for the replacement of the deteriorating Union Street Dam in downtown Traverse City with an improved ... Read More >>
Look Up
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Feb. 20, 2021
Now that we've solved all our earthly problems, perhaps we should look skyward. There are issues lurking up there. This all started in October 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, which did nothing more than blink and send a simple radio signal. Many alive at the time watched the little orb whizzing across the night sky, a marvel of sorts. The United States joined the party by launching Explorer 1 ... Read More >>
The Power of Our Example
Guest Opinion
By Jack Segal | Feb. 20, 2021
Every new president faces a daunting array of problems, but 2021 will go down in the history books: Our country is under siege from a virus that has killed 485,000 Americans; Congress is locked in partisan struggles over the election, the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and another stimulus bill; and our people are deeply divided. These domestic challenges would have been plenty for President Biden to tackle. But having been ... Read More >>
More Voters ... or Less
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Feb. 13, 2021
Legislators are busy at work trying to change the voting systems they created. About 500 bills have been introduced across the nation, and more than 100 of them, in 28 states, would restrict our ability to vote. According to the Brennan Center for Justice — and full credit to them for the following information — the restrictive proposals fall into four broad categories. First, there is a blizzard of bills designed to ... Read More >>
That Good Thing That Trump Did
Guest Opinion
By Isiah Smith | Feb. 13, 2021
“Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done.” — Bryan Stevenson, in his 2014 memoir, "Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption." Leo Tolstoy wrote, “There are no conditions to which a man may not become accustomed, particularly if he sees that they are accepted by those around him.” Tolstoy’s prophetic words are especially insightful when considered in connection with America’s deplorable, and woefully discriminatory, criminal justice system. ... Read More >>
No Future
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Feb. 6, 2021
If she's the future of the Republican Party, the party is in deep trouble. By now, you've likely heard of Marjorie Taylor Greene, the new congresswoman from Georgia. Her connection to reality or, for that matter, sanity, is limited. Taylor Greene has an interesting habit of saying or posting outlandish conspiracy theories and offering “likes” to even more offensive posts, only to walk them back once they've been exposed. She was a ... Read More >>
Escape the Echo Chamber
Guest Opinion
By Cathye Williams | Feb. 6, 2021
Trying to cut down on some clutter, I found myself leafing through years worth of back issues of a local magazine, one always full of stories and images that highlight the best our region has to offer. Instead of eliminating piles, however, I found myself staring out my frosty window and daydreaming about my bare toes buried in the warm sand. Unfortunately, one particular photo, a stunning aerial shot of Torch Lake, ... Read More >>
Quite a Month
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Jan. 30, 2021
Well, that was quite a month for at least some members of the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners. First, Commissioner Brad Jewett introduced a resolution opposing the latest pandemic restrictions issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The totally pointless document claims the orders are unconstitutional because the legislature did not authorize them. But a previous legislature most certainly did give the MDHHS the authority to issue ... Read More >>
Peekaboo, America
Guest Opinion
By Mary Keyes Rogers | Jan. 30, 2021
As infants, we take delight in playing the timeless game of peekaboo. Mommy or Daddy’s happy, loving, and reassuring face momentarily disappears, only to return with a loving smile and a happy face when we uncover our eyes. This is more than just fun and folly. In playing this game, babies learn the lesson of object permanence, the concept that even though you can’t see Mommy with your eyes, she still exists. ... Read More >>
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