Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Explosion at Knife River plant blows top off tank Josephine County won't try to tax legal pot Landowner, companies fined for dumping drywall Police release name of woman run over in Hugo area Masked man appears to have second thoughts about robbing Medford Purple Parrot Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Police release name of woman run over in Hugo area Masked man appears to have second thoughts about robbing Medford Purple Parrot Emergency services Alleged bike thieves face charges Medford man accused of raping girl Politics and Elections Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Oregon Legislature convenes, session starts Feb. 12 Councilman stirs online dust-up with anti-marijuana post Education Some gains, some losses Medford reconsiders full-day kindergarten State boosts class time expectation A wealth of experience Ballroom dance class is a hit with North Medford students Environment Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures Mt. Ashland Ski Area crew dips to five Public sounds off on gas pipeline Mt. Ashland ski area announces layoffs Bear cub headed to rehabbers in Idaho State News Clean energy group paid Cylvia Hayes $118,000 Oregon man who killed officer seeks parole Moderate quake strikes NorCal coast Feds issue new policy for snowmobiles Two new wolves confirmed in Southern Oregon, state reviewing status of northeastern packs Nation - World Obituaries Charles Neff Culmer Doris Evelyn Mayfield Robert Don Morgan Death Notices Stephen Allen Davis Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable In memoriam: 2014’s notable deaths Looking back: Do you remember 2014’s biggest stories? Sports Latest Stories Rise and Shine Ashland swim teams record sweep No. 6 Wildcats race away from Ducks No. 2 Raiders return to Riehm McKissic, Arizona State handle Beavers Varsity 541 College Sports No. 6 Wildcats race away from Ducks No. 2 Raiders return to Riehm McKissic, Arizona State handle Beavers Young secondary shown the way SOU names three finalists for coaching job Pro Sports Irving scores 55, Cavs down Blazers Three tied for lead at LPGA season opener Irving's 38 lift Cavs past Pistons Serena advances, Venus out of Aussie Allenby stands by story, says truth will come out Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Blog: Southern Oregon Business Conference 2014: Gross Unadulterated enthusiasm Umpqua now largest community bank on West Coast Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Blog: Radio Shack mall leases could be in demand Real Estate News New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: Home loan rates continue to fall, applications soar Jackson County real estate market headed back to normal People In Business People in Business Transportation The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Medford airport traffic flies to new heights Agriculture Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Jan. 29 Matthew T. Mangino: The Fourth Amendment is going to the dogs Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate Dana Milbank: GOP finds governing ain't easy Letters to the Editor, Jan. 28 Editorials Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate Our View: Updating Oregon's presence in the U.S. Capitol Our View: We're overdue for a big shakeup Our View: Asphalt saga nears end of the road Other Views: Governor should not forget rural Oregon Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Jan. 29 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 28 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 26 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 25 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Market forces work against LNG project's success Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose gas pipeline A fair shot for all: addressing our low-wage crisis Guest Opinion: SOU biomass burner would be big mistake Guest Opinion: Reforms needed to build upon John Day’s success Lifestyle Latest stories Religion briefs Community blog: A Higher Walk To Better Health Marketta Gregory: Time to start Religion News: Thousands of Chechens attend Charlie Hebdo protest 5 Things to Do This Super Bowl Weekend (Jan. 30-Feb. 1) Food Good to the Bone Gail Ciampa: Marcona almonds make this a salad with substance The next Pike Place Market? Food for Thought: These healthy Super Bowl snacks are game-changers Community blog: For light, lacy tempura, minimize mixing batter Home and Garden Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Buying a home? Consider its walkability Home Help: 5 ways to revamp your outdoor living space this year Paint a room or two in a weekend Dear Monty: Sell home now? Or wait until summer? Health Community blog: A Higher Walk To Better Health HealthStyle: Are you in an unhealthy relationship? Community blog: Breathe Away Anxiety Health Watch: Why you should consider the Mediterranean diet Community blog: Best Cities for Aging? - Not Medford Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Old stained-glass windows face threats Churches start new year with messages of hope Milestones and Achievements 50 years and counting: Bulebar Wedding: Lindsey-Maria Rios New arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Eric Church blends rock and country on arena tour Theater Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Rent' Music Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Eric Church blends rock and country on arena tour Bill Frisell turns tunes into art forms Ballyhoo! plays the Brickroom Community Events Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. Ty Barnett and Ian Harris are 'Divided' Dining The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Patty Groth's Morning Glory is still a delight Entertaining with a gift of treasure Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Explosion at Knife River plant blows top off tank ... Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate ... Alleged bike thieves face charges ... Explosion at Knife River plant blows top off tank ... Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate ... Alleged bike thieves face charges ... ANOTHER VIEW George Will: In Kentucky, a constitutional moment Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 23, 2014 @ 12:01 am Posted Oct. 23, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Barack Obama lost Kentucky in 2012 by 23 points, yet the state remains closely divided about re-electing the man whose parliamentary skills uniquely qualify him to restrain Obama's executive overreach. So, Kentucky's Senate contest is a constitutional moment that will determine whether the separation of powers will be reasserted by a Congress revitalized by restoration of the Senate's dignity. Even counting Justice Louis Brandeis as a Kentuckian — at 18 he defected to Harvard and New England — Mitch McConnell, 72, is second only to Henry Clay as the state's most consequential public servant. McConnell's skills have been honed through five terms. He is, however — let us say the worst — not cuddly. National Review has said he has "an owlish, tight-lipped public demeanor reminiscent of George Will." Harsh. But true. On only one significant matter — McConnell opposes increasing the minimum wage, a symbolic issue of negligible economic importance — is he at odds with a large majority of Kentuckians. Thus he surely would be leading by more than a few points if he were less austere and more telegenic. Democrats selected McConnell's opponent, Alison Lundergan Grimes, 35, Kentucky's secretary of state, largely to further their "Republicans loathe women" fable. McConnell, however, is running even with Grimes among women, partly because of the persuasiveness of his wife, Elaine Chao, the longest-serving labor secretary since World War II (2001-2009). In 1952, a Republican member of the Phoenix City Council, Barry Goldwater, defeated U.S. Senate Majority Leader Ernest McFarland. For the next 52 years, until the defeat of Tom Daschle, D-S.D., in 2004, no party's Senate leader was defeated. But political polarization has increased leaders' conspicuousness and vulnerabilities. McConnell, who in 2002 won with 65 percent, won in 2008 with just 53 percent. Grimes' cringe-inducing campaign has depended on a migraine-inducing argument: She broadly disagrees with her party's leader, but it is important that she help perpetuate Harry Reid's iron-fisted shutdown of the Senate for Obama's convenience. Her campaign has raised more money than McConnell's in three consecutive quarters, but money is not magic, which would be needed to make her candidacy coherent. Although Senate races in many states remain close — McConnell remembers Republicans losing control of the Senate in 1986 by about 25,000 votes in five states — he anticipates a Republican majority in 2015. Then, he says, "a lot of institutional repair" will begin. Since Republicans won control of the House in 2010, the Democratic-controlled Senate's function has been obstruction. Reid has prevented bills passed by the Republican House from coming to a vote, and has prevented Republicans — and Democrats, too — from proposing amendments to Senate bills that would be awkward for Democrats to oppose or for Obama to veto. Obama has cast only two vetoes, both for technical reasons on minor matters. Since July 2013, McConnell says, there have been only 22 Senate roll call votes on amendments — and says Alaska Democrat Mark Begich has never in his six Senate years had a roll call vote on an amendment of his. Such paralysis of the Senate leaves Obama uninhibited in his use of executive orders and bureaucratic mission-creep to advance goals that should require legislation. Last January, in the most statesmanlike Senate speech in years, McConnell explained how, under Republican leadership, the Senate would be restored as the creator of consensus: "An executive order can't [create consensus]. The fiat of a nine-person court can't do it. A raucous and precarious partisan majority in the House can't do it. The only institution that can make stable and enduring laws is the one we have in which all 50 states are represented equally, and where every single senator has a say in the laws that we pass." Beneath McConnell's chilly exterior burns indignation about the degradation of the institution to which he has devoted much of his life. The repair of it, in the form of robust committee and amendment processes — and an extended workweek — will benefit Democratic members, too. Kentucky's Senate election is 2014's most important, for a reason rich in irony: Although Grimes considers McConnell the architect of gridlock, electing her to inevitably docile membership in Reid's lockstep ranks would perpetuate this. But a re-elected McConnell, with a Republican majority, would, he says, emulate his model of majority leadership — the 16 years under a Democrat, Montana's Mike Mansfield. He, like McConnell, had a low emotional metabolism but a subtle sense of the Senate's singular role in the nation's constitutional equilibrium. George Will's email address is [email protected]. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 23, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501