http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/index.php Portland and surrounding area community news and information http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=121927848237695500 As August scurries along, the reality of another school year being right around the corner sinks in even more. Students know all too well that summer is just about over, and our teachers are already gearing up for the start of the ’08/’09 academic year. Our schools’ faculty ... http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=121927835304141100 America will get the president it deserves Barack Obama should be elected president for three reasons: his economic plan, his health care plan and his rational mind. Critics indicate that he has not defined his economic goals, where he has said numerous times that he will increase taxes on ... http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=121927820187237300 The final stronghold for smokers – the neighborhood dive bar – is about to be remade. But we cannot say we’ll feel much nostalgia come January when a new anti-smoking law takes effect. The latest law, approved by the 2007 Legislature, provides the ultimate conclusion to a process ... http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=121883622498614800 Governor Kulongoski recently unveiled a new plan for creating jobs in Oregon. Not just any old jobs, but “green” jobs. While many people will focus on the “green” part of the governor’s plan, it may be more instructive to challenge the very concept that our goal should ... http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=121883593641869100 Global warming is not in our hands Barbara Wilson is convinced we are heating up (“Global warming is a widely-accepted fact that we should act on,” Beaverton Valley Times, Aug. 7). I read her Soapbox last week, and I had a cotton sweater on because it was unusually cool for August, and ... http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=121883552640838300 A state lawmaker’s proposal to require adult bicycle riders in Oregon to wear helmets unfortunately disappeared earlier this month almost as soon as it was floated. We don’t understand why Democratic Sen. Floyd Prozanski of Eugene crumbled so fast in the face of criticism from bicycle ...