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3 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 Emergency services, March 6 App Finder: Nice nutrition apps Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford A chance to 'feel normal' Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 6 Arkansas man arrested for robbery in Medford Convicted rapist gets life without parole Learn to protect yourself in free class on identity theft Emergency services Politics and Elections Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Education Ashland School District learns why its anti-bullying rating was low Ashland district rethinks transfer approval process MSD to save taxpayers nearly $10.5 million by refinancing Medford schools superintendent gets high marks St. Mary's robotics team qualifies for state competition Environment Catastrophic wildfires expected in Southern Oregon this summer The new normal under climate change? Lost Creek Lake algae bloom subsides Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade State News Eastern Oregon dig uncovers ancient stone tool Team tracks new baby orca Motor-voter bill sent to Gov. Brown Mother blames deputies, stun guns for son's death Officials: High court ruling won't affect Oregon health care Nation - World Obituaries Robert Lee Bennett Paul Orvil Fallgreen Earl Dean King Gary Taylor Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 Moore is better for Bulls Rothfus leads St. Mary's into state semifinals Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Varsity 541 College Sports No. 5 Arizona steamrolls Cal, 99-60 SOU distance relay qualifies for NAIA finals Cougars hold off Ducks in tournament One step at a time Ducks have edge in Civil War victory Pro Sports Blazers downs Mavericks but lose guard Matthews Moore is better for Bulls Manning reworks deal, will be back for Broncs Holmes opens four-shot lead at WGC MLS ready to kick off its 20th season Community Sports Business Latest Stories New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Harry & David announces new president Ride & Drive: 2015 Chrysler 300 Local businesses still feeling effects of port slowdown Real Estate News New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business People in Business Transportation CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Cheers and Jeers Letters to the Editor, March 6 Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness Arthur I. Cyr: Brutal murders in Russia a reminder and challenge Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Editorials Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Take it slow on legal marijuana Our View: Small climate steps add up to big ones Our View: Drawing back the curtain on government Other Views: Brown's list of challenges is lengthy Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 6 Letters to the Editor, March 5 Letters to the Editor, March 4 Letters to the Editor, March 3 Letters to the Editor, March 2 Columns Michael Gerson: Negotiating from weakness George Will: Stopping the IRS Dana Milbank: Netanyahu's fighting words Kathleen Parker: The GOP — A tragedy in 52 acts Michael Gerson: Scott Walker's cynical comments on faith Guest Opinions GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Guest Opinion: Don't overregulate Oregon's hemp industry Guest Opinion: Predatory banking practices bilk citizens Guest Opinion: Is less education the answer? Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Lifestyle Latest stories Fishing Report: Friday, March 6 Looking Up: Fiery red Betelgeuse shines bright Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break Columbia boaters face new distress rules Food Page Onorato: Please don’t take my Goo Goo Clusters away Season Stepp: Celebrate Pi Day with these tasty pie recipes Tammy Kelly: Bring back the potatoes Pantry pride Tips for a Pacific Northwest crab feed Home and Garden Dear Monty: Home seller seeks to start bidding war Paul Rogers: Looking for signs of new life Home Help: Enhance your home-office experience Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Health Health Watch: Get prepped for spring break HealthStyle: Marriage care and maintenance Community blog: How I Became Radical: The Power of Acceptance Community blog: The Guest List: Check! Health Watch: Sticking to your health plan when your family isn’t helping Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs (No heading) Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Milestones and Achievements Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Live Music in Local Clubs Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Theater TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Review: 'Fingersmith' a twisting thriller with love 'Guys and Dolls' a sure bet for dazzling entertainment 'She Stoops' rises on SOU stage Music Live Music in Local Clubs Alice DiMicele plays the Unitarian Fellowship Darrin Wayne steps to the plate at Rising Stars The Farr Side: Another career highlight for Kelly Clarkson Southern Oregon University Wind Ensemble to present 'All American' Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Dining Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Great Outdoor Grill offers healthful options Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout ... Columbia boaters face new distress rules ... Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Biologists and politicians taking turns with trout ... Columbia boaters face new distress rules ... ANOTHER VIEW Kathleen Parker: The GOP — A tragedy in 52 acts MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 4, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Mar. 4, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> I'm getting that deja vu feeling as House Republicans these past several days have failed to alter the public's perception that they're incapable of governing. This week marked Episode 2, Season 2 in the series "Homeland Security Face-Off." Subtitle: "How Republicans Forfeit the White House in 2016." Notwithstanding Tuesday afternoon's vote, which funded the Department of Homeland Security through the end of the fiscal year, last week's high-stakes game of chicken — and this week's near repeat — provides a lesson for future skirmishes. We've seen this all before. House Speaker John Boehner tries to get his conference to act rationally, but the 52 or so whose mission is to act disruptively at any opportunity force the House majority into a "bad deal," to borrow from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's description of our current negotiations with Iran. If I may pause for just a moment. What a strange juxtaposition to have Netanyahu outline worst-case scenarios should our current proposed deal with Iran go through, effectively freeing Iran, a leading instigator of terrorism in the Middle East, to construct nuclear weapons in 10 years — and our own Congress' inability to fund Homeland Security amid a dispute over immigration. Back to our more immediate reality and the prosaic if tawdry machinations of government. President Obama, much of the media and the tea party gang share common cause in placing blame for the House's fumblings on Boehner's leadership. But comparisons to previous speakers are too facile. Times change. Lest the tea party faction or the Freedom Caucus construct an effigy in my image, allow me to note that, yes, they are doing their people's bidding. These folks who prefer shutdowns to compromise were elected to stand on principle, no matter the consequences. Given that most are in no danger of being challenged in their home districts, they seem perfectly content to oblige. They may be viewed as villains in Washington but they're hailed as heroes back home, where hating Beltway insiders is a Campaign Pledge. But principles defended at the expense of pragmatic application is the business of priests. Here on terra firma, if you lose, you lose. You may be re-elected as approval for your zeal as a live-free-or-die, stand-with-Bibi, "Duck Dynasty" patriot, but to what effect, if one's ability to bring about change is neutered in the process? It is fair to note that Boehner hasn't been able to corral enough votes to move forward with any momentum. In 2013, he essentially caved to his members and allowed them to shut down the government. But it is also true that a leader can't lead those whose proudest accomplishment is to not follow. Not even Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who is a member of the tea party, has been able to whip his brethren into line. Herding cats? Loading frogs into a wheelbarrow? There is yet no simile or metaphor adequate to describe the moment. How about this: They are like the football player who intercepts a pass, then turns around and runs the ball over the opposing team's goal line. Insisting that Homeland Security funding be attached to the president's executive actions to curtail deportations of immigrants here illegally — a predictably losing gamble for Republicans — was a touchdown for the other team. Once again, Democrats were handed the opportunity to point out that Republicans aren't in town to govern. They're in town to lose. Last week's "patch," as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi described the seven-day continuing resolution to fund Homeland Security, merely set up this week's repeat. Tuesday morning, Boehner laid it out to his conference: Either pass a clean bill or pass another CR and still lose. Apparently, he was successful in selling the only real deal available. The House passed the clean Senate bill 257-167. Whether this solution changes public perception sufficiently — and whether it can hold through the Republican primary process — is yet to be seen. In the meantime, what we do know is that a Republican can't win the presidency if the party more widely is considered not ready for prime time. Without the 40 percent of the Hispanic vote widely considered necessary to win — and enough independents and moderates who are turned off by the more-righteous-than-thou Freedom Caucus — a Republican doesn't stand a chance.  Kathleen Parker's email address is [email protected]. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 4, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. 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