Opinion
Health reform that can works
Health reform that can works
By John Carlson • August 18, 2009 10:24 pm

One of the great things about call-in radio is that you get to hear ordinary people connect reality to public policy.
Take health care. Last week a caller on KOMO Newsradio told of his mother being diagnosed by three different physicians that an ache in her upper chest wasn’t serious. A fourth doctor caught it: cancer. She was instantly admitted for surgery, which was successful.
The caller’s point is that in a world with Obamacare, four different opinions on a medical diagnosis would be out of the question, especially for an elderly patient. That is why he ardently opposes the health care legislation in Congress.

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The search for the perfect praline
The search for the perfect praline
By Dennis Box • August 13, 2009 9:34 pm

The other day I wrote about pralines on my blog, Slow Simmer, which can be found at The Reporter Web site.
I’ve been obsessed with making the perfect praline for some time.
When I had a life in the dim past, I loved praline ice cream, usually at midnight. I would sneak into the kitchen and attack a half gallon with a spoon the size of a table.

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A primary election rundown
A primary election rundown
By John Carlson • August 10, 2009 11:31 pm

Baseball season traditionally opens in early April. The National Football League season starts in mid-September. And Washington’s political season traditionally begins on Labor Day weekend, about two weeks in front of the September primary. That tradition has changed in three ways.

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Readers respond to John Carlson
Readers respond to John Carlson
By John Carlson • August 3, 2009 9:00 pm

Columnists love feedback. It means their work is likely encouraging conversation in the community. A few times a year, starting today, I’m going to share some responses sent to me or The Reporter editor from listeners who took the time to sit down and tell me what they did or didn’t like.

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Bag tax in Seattle is a bad idea
Bag tax in Seattle is a bad idea
By Don Brunell • August 2, 2009 12:54 am

In the Aug. 18 primary Seattle voters will decide whether to reject a new fee aimed at reducing the use of paper and plastic bags.
Referendum 1 would let voters have their say on an ordinance passed last year by the Seattle City Council. The measure would impose a 20-cent fee for each disposable paper and plastic bag dispensed at drug stores, grocery stores and convenience stores. Shopping bags from department stores are exempt, as are bags from “big box” warehouse stores.

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How to have fun growing a baby
How to have fun growing a baby
By Kris Hill • July 28, 2009 9:25 pm

People are freaked out by needles so the reaction when I mention the concept of taking insulin to control my blood sugar is, “Ick!” Or, “Wow, that sucks.”
Now, if I weren’t pregnant, I would be totally resistant to the idea of taking insulin because for more than seven years I’ve managed my Type 2 diabetes through diet and the use of oral medications. As long as my pancreas functions and makes insulin then I’m going to avoid using insulin injections as long as possible.

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Lessons learned after Harvard professor’s arrest
Lessons learned after Harvard professor’s arrest
By John Carlson • July 27, 2009 7:49 pm

It’s being called a “teaching moment”.
But the lesson being learned is not what people thought it would be when it was first reported that Harvard’s Henry Louis Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct after a confrontation at his home with a white police officer investigating a reported break-in.

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Fly me to the moon again, man
Fly me to the moon again, man
By Brian Beckley • July 23, 2009 12:08 am

I have always been something of a space case, I suppose. When I was younger, on one of the court-ordered visitations to Florida, my real father took me to see the fourth-ever launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

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Drowsy driving: A quiet pandemic
Drowsy driving: A quiet pandemic
By William Shaw • July 21, 2009 10:47 pm

Three short years ago this week, an 18-year-old young woman named Laura fell asleep. Her falling asleep quickly resulted in a nightmare.
Recent grads of Issaquah High School, Laura and her two friends Mora and Lindsay had enjoyed an innocent week of sun and water at Laura’s family home in Pateros, Wash. Soon, it was time for them to drive back home. They planned on enjoying the rest of summer and preparing for their first year of college. Although Laura had been awake for more than 24 hours, she chose to drive the nearly 200 miles, across two mountain passes, back home.

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The ultrasound image of Kris Hill's baby girl was taken Thursday.
It’s a baby Hill girl arriving in the...
By Kris Hill • July 6, 2009 10:03 pm

Drum roll, please.
Baby Hill is a girl. And I have the pictures to prove it.
Last Thursday I had a second ultrasound and we were hoping our baby would cooperate so we could find out the gender. Knowing my luck, I was sure our little one would curl up in a ball, stubborn like mommy.

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