Q: I think my phone is hurting my neck! Have you heard of this complaint from others? A: Technology brings lots of good things to our lives, putting information and communication potential at our fingertips. Technology can also be a pain in the neck. Literally. Many times, I have patients ...
Between the uncontested dunks and the unexplained dismissals, West Virginia’s week of basketball has been weak even by this season’s woebegone standards. A team that started No. 13 in the AP preseason poll now flounders at No. 10 in the Big 12 standings, a precipitous freefall that has ...
Some argue that the proliferation of firearms in public venues curbs gun violence. We think it only triggers it. This week, the House Judiciary Committee hosted a hearing on HB 2519, the so-called "Campus Self Defense Act," or "Campus Carry Bill." The bill would allow, with exceptions, people with concealed carry permits to bring firearms on college campuses. It includes exceptions for events in campus sports arenas with more than 1,500 seats, campus daycare centers, campus police headquarters and private events. The bill, at least for now, does not address firearms in residence ...
It's a common argument against any number of issues. Some call it black-and-white thinking, but in recent years most refer to it as a false choice. You know the drill: We cannot have laws to protect the environment if we want to continue creating jobs. Of course, that's often a deliberate effort to dismiss or obscure other options in the middle ground on an issue. Last week, an example of how to resolve such a problem got our attention in an unlikely place to find the middle ground — the legislature. It's HB 2673, which creates the Oil and Gas Abandoned Well Plugging Fund. This ...
Time's almost up Delegate Eric Porterfield. When news of his hate-filled diatribe was first reported Feb. 6 in a House Government Organization Committee meeting we were appalled. That any public official, who we like to think reflect the dignity and distinction of their office, would resort to such blatant intolerance and incivility was deeply disturbing. Such attempts to bully and intimidate people by publicly disparaging them crosses a lot of red lines. Though it may be in fashion in some quarters in Washington, D.C., we are better than that in West Virginia. Yet, we waited to give ...
Was it personal or was it political? Or was it something else? Many are still unsure what was behind the state Senate's rush job on SB 451, the comprehensive education bill. But a rush job it was. After being introduced in the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 28, a week later it was in the House of Delegates' lap. And the only reason it took that long is the state Constitution requires bills be read three times. The vote on passage takes place on third reading. We must note here the vote for passage of SB 451 was as close as it can get — 18-16 — without resulting in a tie in the ...
