Editorials | The Daily Chronicle

Paperback books sit in boxes inside the Lewis County Mall in this file photo.

Bill Moeller Commentary: Is it Literature or Trash?

Mark Twain said, “A classic is something everybody wants to read and doesn’t want to read.” That’s a good response to one of the most famous books in American literature: … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 8/31/22

Other Views: Lawmakers Must Support Mental Health Care

The history of mental health legislation in the United States demonstrates the difficulty of dealing with the issue as a matter of politics. With the stress of modern life being compounded by the … more

By The Columbian Editorial Board (TNS) | 8/31/22

Julie McDonald Commentary: McAtees, Reinkes Part of Salzer Valley History

Although Salzer Valley was named for the large German family that settled southeast of Centralia, other early families left their mark in the community — and local roads today even bear their … more

By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle | 8/29/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Drained Snake River Reservoirs Would Resemble Parched Rhine Riverbeds

If you want a glimpse of parched river bottoms behind “would be breached” lower Snake River dams, look at recent photos of European rivers and lakes. On parts of the picturesque … more

By Don Brunell | 8/29/22

Jay Inslee takes a tour of a potential COVID-19 quarantine and isolation site at Maple Lane in March 2020.

Other Views: Inslee Should End Emergency Orders — COVID-19 Is Part of Life Now

When Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency on Feb. 29, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the future was uncertain. Two-and-a-half years later, the path forward is clearer. The … more

The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 8/16/22

Ed Johnstone is the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

Being Frank: Tribes Need to Be at the Table to Conserve Wildlife

Treaty tribes have been working for decades to get federal support for our essential wildlife programs. We’re counting on the U.S. Senate to pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act … more

By Ed Johnstone | 8/16/22

Other Views: Herrera Beutler Graceful in Face of Defeat

The ouster of Jaime Herrera Beutler as our congressional representative brings about something increasingly rare in modern politics: A gracious farewell. Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, on … more

The Columbian Editorial Board | 8/11/22

The newly finished dance floor of Swede Hall is pictured in this photograph shared by the Rochester Citizens Group in January.

Bill Moeller Commentary: A Look at the Rich History of Swede Hall

Earlier this year when I was writing about the south Thurston County schoolhouse in what used to be the town of Gate, I was approached by one of the citizens who works toward its maintenance. Her … more

By Bill Moeller / For The Chronicle | 7/27/22

John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.

John McCroskey Commentary: I’m Almost Starting to Miss the Jimmy Carter Years

I survived President Jimmy Carter and the gas rationing, super high home interest rates, unemployment and weakness on the world stage. Those of us who did can see similarities to what’s … more

By John McCroskey / For The Chronicle | 7/27/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Restoring America’s Semiconductor Edge

Surprisingly, recent U.S. presidents and congressional Democrats and Republicans agree America’s economic and national security hinge upon tiny, yet powerful semiconductors. Semiconductor … more

By Don C. Brunell | 7/26/22

Don Brunell Commentary: It’s Time for Congress to Reassert Itself

While critics contend the U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting how the nation’s main anti-air pollution law can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants was a “gut … more

By Don C. Brunell | 7/19/22

Other Views: Combat Organized Retail Theft in Washington With Coordinated, Sustained Effort

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson is creating a statewide Organized Retail Crime Theft Task Force. It remains to be seen whether it will make progress or become just one more committee … more

By The Seattle Times Editorial Board | 7/7/22

Don Brunell Commentary: Drones Can Help Restore Scorched Public Forestlands

Regenerating millions of western forested acres scorched by large wildfires is a herculean task costing hundreds of billions of dollars. However, healthy growing woodlands are essential to reducing … more

By Don C. Brunell | 6/21/22

Commentary: Lower Snake River Dams’ Power Hard to Replace

Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray, both Democrats, issued a draft report which estimates that breaching the four lower Snake River dams and replacing their electricity and other benefits would … more

By Don Brunell | 6/17/22

Silly String and confetti sticks to the caps and gowns of W.F. West graduates at Bearcat Stadium last Saturday in Chehalis.

Brian Mittge Commentary: Building a Piece of Home

It’s graduation season, so many of us are attending parties or giving gifts to our young people as they emerge into the world. That’s gotten me thinking about something, and … more

6/17/22

Bill Moeller Commentary: Cleaning the Desktop — Yup, Again — Is Not For the Timid

I’ve never understood how some people can be sane and methodical when it comes to keeping a desktop orderly and free of clutter, especially when, at the same time, they feel they have to come … more

6/15/22

Sen. Jim McCune Commentary: What the Supreme Court Draft Opinion on Abortion Means for Washington State

Whatever the Supreme Court had to say about abortion, there was bound to be controversy. But I wish everyone with an opinion about the draft ruling in the Dobbs case would take a few minutes to sit … more

By Sen. Jim McCune | 6/14/22 | 1 comment

Julie McDonald Commentary: Braver Angels Seeks to Bridge the Gap Between Red and Blue

The potential overturning of Roe v Wade. Calls for gun control. Disclosures from investigations by the House Jan. 6 Committee. The last few months — especially the last week — show the … more

6/13/22

Bob Mohrbacher is president of Centralia College.

Commentary: Efforts Beyond the Classroom Make a Difference at Centralia College

For many in our community, June is a time of transition. This is most certainly true for the hundreds of Centralia College students who will graduate June 17. They are amazing individuals and … more

By Bob Mohrbacher | 6/13/22

Commentary: Tone-Deaf Politics, Taxes and Regulation Driving State’s Gas Prices Even Higher

For the first time ever, the average price for a gallon of gas in Washington state exceeds five dollars a gallon, an increase of $1.42, or 40%, in just one year. The price is unlikely to hit $10 … more

By Todd Myers / Washington Policy Center | 6/10/22