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.
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.
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.
I bought a new bed for my dog, Yodie the Yorkie from the underworld. I only call her a (dog)…
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.
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.
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.
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.
Underfunded or poorly run? Two wildly different pictures about King County government are being painted by the current King County Executive and one of the contenders who wants to succeed him.
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.
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.
I have been observing this pregnancy thing over the past couple of months and I think God gypped men.
My colleague and the much better half of the editorial staff, Kris Hill, is on the verge of Baby World I.
Yes, we live better lives – in some cases much better lives – because of technology. But when does a…
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.
Here’s some happy news: most felonies are going down in King County. The one glaring exception: burglary, where the increase, while small, defies this downward trend.
Over Father’s Day weekend I was able to enjoy two of my favorite things – baseball and golf. The Mariners…
Bradwell elementary school in Chicago has announced that 44 of its 77 students will not pass eighth grade this year,…
I’ve had a lot of haircuts in my life, including one of the best when I was invited to boot…
Sometimes life will smack you upside the head and other times you only get subtle clues. During the past few…
When it comes to politics, do voters around here still want change? We’ll know later this summer, specifically Aug. 18….