Columnists Archives - HeraldNet.com

Welch: Washington has five years to get redistricting right

none — Wed, 13 May 2026 08:30:00 +0000

On April 29, the Supreme Court ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that intentionally drawing legislative districts based on race violates the Equal Protection Clause, even when done in the name of compliance with the Voting Rights Act. Justice Alito wrote that allowing race to play any part in government decision-making departs from the constitutional rule that applies in almost every other context.

Forum: The importance and love of packing a good lunch

none — Sat, 09 May 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Give me dishes to wash, laundry to fold, or garbage to take out.

Burke: …And they vote?!

none — Wed, 06 May 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Yes, it’s a mind-numbing lot to keep track of, but Americans must pay attention to protect democracy.

Forum: ‘Customer Service’ is just another invasive species

none — Sat, 02 May 2026 08:30:00 +0000

A fella named Luther Burbank was, I’m sure, convinced he was doing us a favor when, in 1895, he introduced the Himalayan Blackberry to the Puget Sound region. Invasive species always begin their take-over blessed by the good intentions of those who launched them. I’m sure there’s a well-intentioned story behind the arrival of Morning Glory, Japanese Knot-Weed, Marsh Buttercup, Southern Californians (JK) and European Green crabs, too.

Welch: Washington does not need a new Department of Housing

none — Sat, 02 May 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Washington has a housing problem. That much is clear. Rents are high, homeownership is increasingly out of reach, homelessness remains visible in communities across the state, and local governments are under constant pressure to approve more housing while also protecting infrastructure, neighborhoods, taxpayers, and public services.

Schwab: H is for hypocrisy

none — Fri, 01 May 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Can anyone imagine the reaction from the right if Presidents Barack Obama or Joe Biden has done the same?

Welch: Stop starving local government: Olympia must share the wealth

none — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Across Washington, taxpayers are feeling the squeeze from every direction. Property tax bills rise each year. Sales taxes remain among the highest in the country. Fees for everything from permits to utilities continue to climb. And at the local level, voters are being asked again and again to approve new or renewed levies just to maintain basic services.

Schwab: Lucy Van Pelt is Iran. The football is the Strait of Hormuz. And Trump is, well, Trump.

none — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000

As he decompensates while his stupid war spins out of control like a buzz-bomb firecracker, it’s obvious that Iranian leaders have figured him out. It’s the B-side of what other world leaders have recognized and used to their advantage: praise him like a child who used a potty, flatter him with participation trophies, and get what they want. Iran’s insight is to lie to him like he lies to everyone, get him to announce the latest “agreement,” deny it exists, induce him to make ridiculous, madman threats, announce more agreements, threaten more war crimes, back off, produce deadlines, rescind them, while they enjoy the result as he looks more out of touch, less and less powerful, and definitely not in control of anything; least of all, himself. Watch as the world backs away from him in dismay. This is what Trump has done to America’s once-admirable standing in the world.

Burke: Donald Trump — Evil, sick, stupid, old or just burned toast?

none — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000

“Everything Trump Touches Dies” was the title of a 2018 book by well-known Republican strategist and Never Trumper, Rick Wilson.

Schwab: Holy crap. Trump sees himself as Christlike.

none — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000

By Sid Schwab / Herald Columnist