Opinion
Endangering Us is Not a Right
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | July 4, 2020
We know a little but still don't know much. We know, for example, our refusal to social distance or wear a mask in public spaces makes the spread worse. We know the states that refused to mandate those simple actions are now epicenters of surging infections. We know hot weather doesn't kill it. If it did, there wouldn't be hot spots in hot states like Florida or Texas or, especially, Arizona. ... Read More >>
Libertarian Solutions to Reforming Police State
Guest Opinion
By Donna Gundle-Krieg | July 4, 2020
Americans are finally seeing the need to reform the way our society enforces laws, as the issue of police force has been placed front and center before us. The Libertarian Party has been ahead of the game for decades on the issues of reforming our criminal justice system. Since the 1960s, we have advocated for getting rid of laws that create “victimless crimes.” We have long believed in holding police accountable. Last ... Read More >>
Chickens Not Yet Hatched
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | June 27, 2020
They should just slow down and take a breath. The Biden fans and the anti-Trumpers — they aren't necessarily the same — are all atwitter lately over President Trump's stumbling presidency. They see November hope everywhere, even believing the president's halting walk down a ramp after his speech at West Point was surely a sign of something. To be sure, these are not the best of times for Trump. His late response ... Read More >>
Could our Independence be Problematic?
Guest Opinion
By Mary Keyes Rogers | June 27, 2020
Independence Day, our nation’s birthday party, is almost upon us. This year, it appears that our party balloons are deflated a bit, someone has pawed an early taste of frosting off the cake, and the pretty little candles stand a bit askew. Many party guests are behaving as exhausted children will do after consuming too much sugar. I’m afraid that in reacting to one crisis after another, our understanding of American independence seems ... Read More >>
No Justice, No Earth
Guest Opinion
By Cathye Williams | June 20, 2020
I’m often casting about for environmental writing inspiration. This month, I thought of Northern Michigan exploding into its summer colors, themselves accompanied by the calls of birds, frogs, and coyotes. Working in my garden, I worried about farmers facing uncertainty in the midst of a pandemic. I scanned the news for items that call out for attention and reflection. Let’s see … Line 5 had some important court actions coming up. What ... Read More >>
A Repugnant Cause
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | June 20, 2020
It was a flag of treason waved by traitors. It's hard to see it any other way. The Confederate battle flag is an endangered species headed for public extinction. The Navy, Marines, and even NASCAR have already banned its public display. Others will soon follow. Statues of Confederate generals are coming down, and it's likely U.S. military bases named after Confederate generals will eventually be renamed. We're told all of these things ... Read More >>
The Pandemic, or How People Are Like Butterflies
Guest Essay
June 13, 2020
When did I become more interested in reading about the plague than daily dealings with it? The internet mediates all information. The telephone is part of every conversation. I have not seen a friend face-to-face in so long I can’t remember what it’s like. I am sick and tired of my hot and germ-infested blue-green surgical mask, dangling from one ear when I’m not wearing it, and the pervasive smell of hand ... Read More >>
The Privilege of Assumption
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | June 13, 2020
George Floyd's grotesque killing wasn't the only reason for the explosion of anger. It was just the last spark on a fuse that's been burning a very long time. We say we understand and we sympathize, then we focus on the small group lighting fires and looting. We call them names and point to the extremists involved on the left and the right. We observe, somewhat befuddled from the blissful homogeneity of ... Read More >>
Unprotected Speech and Secure Ballots
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | June 6, 2020
Apparently we have to go over a couple of related items. Again. Your speech is not protected by the First Amendment on social media platforms. There is no widespread, short-spread, or any spread of fraud surrounding mail-in ballots. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that a North Carolina law denying some individuals access to all social media platforms is a violation of the First Amendment's right to free speech. That did ... Read More >>
A Big Dam Problem
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | May 30, 2020
We have a serious dam problem. There are about 90,000 dams in the United States. The number is sketchy because the U.S. government only operates and maintains 1,500 of them, and the rest are operated by the state or private entities. Most are at least 60 years old, and failures are not uncommon. Since 1980, there have been an average of 24 dam failures a year, with at least one ... Read More >>
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