100 Years in Space?
NASA might have some job openings in about 100 years and the perks look pretty cool. You get to travel millions of miles into space and land on another planet – probably Mars – where you'll help colonize a new planet in the name of human beings. Oh, but there's a drawback. You never get to come back. And if you conceive a child while en route or perhaps living on the Red Planet, that kid probably won't set foot on Earth either.
Pigs in Space, Stewart vs. Stu on the Mall, and more!
Mt. Bachelor Boot Was Off Target
Upon reading your article written two weeks ago about the unfortunate situation and outcome of the previously named Mt. Bachelor Academy, I couldn’t help but read it and feel an injustice was happening before my eyes. I now understand what went on and appreciated the article's informational content. However, I felt ashamed – like seeing that kid from math class getting picked on and not doing anything. It was easy for you to go that route and in but a few words you had delicately slain the dedicated life's work of many.
Bulletin Letter Was Simply Racist
On Oct. 30 The Bulletin published a letter from Margaret Dement. This letter blamed American bedbug problems on “multiculturalism and mass immigration.” I have questions for Ms. Dement and The Bulletin:
Illicit Party Made A Mess of Meissner
The Tumalo Langlauf Club has worked diligently this fall to get the Meissner Community Ski Area ready for winter. Yesterday, some partiers visited the Meissner Shelter and managed to trash the place and leave beer bottles and cans and, most sadly, burn up a quantity of the wood that had been split and stored for wintertime visitors.
Parkway Safety Starts With Landscaping
We've all been hearing about tragedies on the south end of Bend's parkway. We don't want to have people needlessly killed and injured here, or have Bend be known for its highway death trap. Certainly, an over-the-road pedestrian bridge would save lives. Considering where our tax dollars get wasted, this would be a smart alternative. But, something needs to be done now. I'm not a politician or business executive, but I've been a landscaper here since the 1970s.
A Quick Local Election Round-up
(Update: Final numbers, or at least what appeared to be final this a.m.
Ramsay Lets the Cat Out of the Teabag
Bend City Council candidate Scott Ramsay has invited all his fellow Tea Partiers to an “election results rally” tonight at the Sun Mountain Fun Center.
You say you didn’t know Ramsay was a Tea Partier? That’s not surprising – neither did we.
Is the Tower Theatre Haunted?
On Friday evening, I paraded around downtown Bend with a group of folks in search of haunted buildings. It wasn’t one of those night-vision investigations, but rather the Des Chutes Historical Society’s tour of haunted buildings.
Regarding Bedbugs (as in “Crazy as a … “)
Whenever I feel in need of a dose of right-wing nuttiness, The Bulletin's editorial page never lets me down. If the editorials themselves fail to deliver, the “In My View” pieces or letters to the editor always come through.
We're Number 14 in Business Tax Ratings
The Tax Foundation has released its 2011 ratings of state tax business tax climates, and Oregon is holding its own at Number 14 – the same position as last year.
The non-partisan but conservative-leaning foundation ranks states according to five factors: corporate tax rates, individual income tax rates, sales taxes, unemployment insurance taxes and property taxes.

