Despite what Ellen Goodman and Harry Reid may think, Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican, was the first serious female contender for the presidency. She came in second to Goldwater on the ballot at the Republican convention in San Francisco in 1964. For the arithmetically challenged, that was 44 years ago. Full story » Comments (54)

To those who think that active-duty military personnel favor John McCain, isn't it ironic that Barack Obama has received nearly six times more money from troops deployed overseas than John McCain? Sounds like the "boots on the ground" know which candidate really has their back. Full story » Comments (255)

50-WORD DASH Full story » Comments (25)

50-WORD DASH Full story » Comments (37)

IT’S AN EYESORE: Kudos to the management of the Shasta Community Health Center for their innovative design and budgetary constraint. Putting together two World War II Quonset huts to build the ugliest building will stand as an infamous eyesore in Redding for years to come. Full story » Comments (21)

Wow, we have the audacity to rebuke and criticize Russia for its invasion of the Republic of Georgia, while we are mired in a protracted military occupation of Iraq, a sovereign country. A perfect case of the pot calling the kettle black because one is as wrong as the other. Full story » Comments (40)

There’s not sufficient parking for major activities at Caldwell or Lake Redding parks. Why not use the area between the parks, now an overgrown fire threat, for overflow parking? Everyone would benefit. I’m sure a deal could be reached with the railroad to use its land near the tracks. Full story » Comments (6)

John McCain can't get a break against Barack Obama. His campaign ads poking fun at the media-manufactured celebrities (Hilton/Spears) and the Moses messianic complex (Heston) are perceived by some as racist. Some of us think it is the "One" who overplays the race card. Full story » Comments (115)

When you read an article about how bad the windmills will look on Hatchet Mountain, think about this. Can they look any worse than the leftover, dried out, dead snags from past fires that are still standing because they have not allowed them to be cut for firewood? Maybe the windmills will give us more green power plus bring some needed employment for residents. Full story » Comments (62)

HE FEW, THE THIRSTY: Who's really promoting domestic energy conservation? How soon will we see our armed forces plug in their tanks and Humvees? Full story » Comments (26)

I wonder if all the people who suddenly approve of offshore oil drilling know it will take eight to 10 years before a drill will begin pumping oil — if they find it Full story » Comments (229)

With tens of thousands of acres of burned forest, I would suggest that the burned trees be logged immediately, so as not to lose their value, and the money used to start a firefighting fund. Maybe a quarter of that could go to the school districts in the poorer counties. Full story » Comments (21)

Gas may be $3.98 in Redding, but up here in Burney at the USA station, it’s still a piratical $4.59. Capitalism only works when there’s a choice. Shame on Big Oil for this rapacious gouging, and shame on our government for standing idly by and letting them do it Full story » Comments (44)

Which is worse? A presidential candidate who says mistakenly that Pakistan and Iraq share a border or a presidential candidate who says that there are 58 states? Liberals excused Barack Obama, saying he was “tired,” but criticized John McCain. Where’s the integrity? Even schoolchildren know there are 50 states. Full story » Comments (100)

WALKING-ONLY BRIDGE: An inexpensive logical solution to the Sundial Bridge dilemma would be to place a sign at each end of the bridge stating: “Bicycles must be walked across bridge.” A small inconvenience for some to ensure safety for all. Full story » Comments (33)