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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 Wrap Up, Nov. 28 Jackson County will recount GMO labeling measure next week Nighttime lane closures planned on Medford streets Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Wrap Up, Nov. 28 Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree Be on the lookout for credit card snatching thieves Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Environment Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em State News Bill would tighten limits on license plate readers UO teaching assistants prepared to strike Growers cheer higher Christmas tree prices Police dog fired for poor performance Turkey's great escape foils Thanksgiving plans Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Earle Morgan Swift Jr. Death Notices Lue K. Woolstenhulme Mary "Janet" Kimmons In Appreciation Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Green light Chalmers leads Australian Open; McIlroy shares second No. 12 Arizona takes Pac-12 South Western Kentucky edges No. 19 Marshall — 67-66 — in OT Texas A&M fires defensive coordinator Varsity 541 College Sports Green light No. 12 Arizona takes Pac-12 South Western Kentucky edges No. 19 Marshall — 67-66 — in OT Texas A&M fires defensive coordinator Raiders fend off No. 22 Cal Maritime Pro Sports Chalmers leads Australian Open; McIlroy shares second Ray Rice wins appeal; suspension vacated Sherman’s big night leads Seattle past 49ers again Johnson shines in Detroit’s 34-17 win over Chicago McIlroy, Scott have contrasting Australian Open starts Community Sports RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Blog: 'Twas the 12 Days of Deals... Asante expands cardiac center Jackson County sees workforce and job growth Regional hotels and motels outperformed statewide marks in October Incorrect labeling prompts Kroger ice cream recall Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Agriculture Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Holiday boxes Kent Bush: Ferguson case shows racism belief system still reinforced Maddocks: Republicans claim president overstepped his constitutional powers in pardoning turkeys Amy Gehrt: Justice is not color-blind Our View: Cheers (too thankful for a jeer this week) Editorials Our View: Cheers (too thankful for a jeer this week) Our View: Day of abundance, season of sharing Another View: Logging still has a place in Oregon Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate Other Views: Legislators shbould avoid feel-good distractions Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 28 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 27 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 26 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 24 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 23 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Lifestyle Latest stories Barry Lewis: When in America, do as the Romans do Frank Talk: It was all just a dream Facing Extinction Looking Up: Orion, a starry friend, returns Fishing through readers' stream of consciousness Food Community blog: In soup or salad, savor pumpkin with leeks Be a gravy-making star on Thanksgiving Food for Thought: Add new twists on Thanksgiving favorites Community blog: Feast on this blog's Thanksgiving recipes, tips Kitchen Call: Both sides of the kiddie table Home and Garden 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Home Help: Quick tips for getting your home ready for the holidays Mortgage insurance: Your questions answered Home Help: Spruce up your home with quick DIY painting projects Health Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Community blog: Appreciating Clouds: Year-Round Gratitude Community blog: A Little Toilet Talk 'Tis the season to be jolly Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Wedding: Rogers-Horn Century Club Wedding: Tomlinson-Nowak Local farmers need more products in grocery stores Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Brunch at Loft Brasserie 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas Theater OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' Music Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love The Farr Side: Different artists, common songs Community Events 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas New exhibits highlight Third Fridays Dining Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... Mark Hopkins: Is our nation in decline? By Mark Hopkins More Content Now MailTribune.com By Mark Hopkins More Content Now Posted Nov. 17, 2014 @ 11:58 am By Mark Hopkins More Content Now Posted Nov. 17, 2014 @ 11:58 am » Social News We just finished a national election where fewer than 42 percent of those registered actually voted. The Senate leadership turned over, but many are still convinced that the two dominant political parties can’t work together. Even a casual observer knows that the United States has hit a rough patch of road. We have been driving over the potholes for several months now and the nabobs of negativity, as former Vice President Spiro Agnew used to call them, are beginning to predict our doom. Is it so? History tells us that several great empires have come and gone since history was first recorded. The ancient Persians, Greeks, Romans, Spanish and British all preceded us as world leaders. In modern times, Germany and Russia flourished for a period of time and then faded rapidly. How is the U.S. different from those great empires that fell? For one thing, they all began as smaller units that expanded their borders through conquest. The U.S. began as a group of individual colonies that voluntarily banded together against outside interference. The earlier empires had to defend themselves from others who bordered the conquered territories. By contrast, the borders of the U.S. are largely oceans and only two countries, Mexico and Canada, both long-time allies, touch our borders. When trouble came to those earlier empires, armies had to be sent to hold the conquered territories together. Unlike those empires, Americans tend to draw closer together when trouble comes. We value our independence and individuality but have learned there is safety and strength in pulling together. One of the major differences between the U.S. and those earlier empires relates to what we have come to call the “American spirit.” With few exceptions, Americans came here from all over the world. Shy and retiring people do not venture far from their home fires. There was a confidence, an aggressiveness and a spirit of adventure that must have been present for those brave souls just to get here. It is our diversity and that American spirit that have become our strength and the glue that holds us together. That spirit is in our genes. Are we in decline? Only history will answer that question. But history has taught us at least one pertinent lesson related to our situation. Difficult times do come and are generally followed by a time of peace and prosperity. Our country has faced tough times before. As Robert Schuller of Crystal Cathedral fame, wrote in one of his books, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet Union’s Communist boss of the 1950s, told the U.S. “We will bury you.” Where is the Soviet Union now? To paraphrase the words of American writer Mark Twain, “The report of our decline has been greatly exaggerated.” Dr. Mark L. Hopkins writes for More Content Now and Scripps newspapers. He is past president of colleges and universities in four states and currently serves as executive director of a higher-education consulting service. Contact him at [email protected]. By Mark Hopkins More Content Now MailTribune.com By Mark Hopkins More Content Now Posted Nov. 17, 2014 @ 11:58 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 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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