Opinions
Stop opioids from claiming another generation
CHARLESTON – Opioid abuse is one of the greatest challenges facing our state and nation. Lives are cut short every day. Whether by heroin or prescription painkillers, opioids do not discriminate. These senseless deaths occur across all segments of the population.
Where there's smoke, there's fire – and the Supreme Court warehouse is smoking
Judging by the way defendants plead in court cases, you'd have to conclude that virtually everyone is innocent. That's because the guilty frequently plead not guilty.
Legislature needs to focus on these priorities in 2018
CHARLESTON – As we think about job creation in the new year, we note that private sector employment in West Virginia increased during 2017. Increases in employment can be attributed to growth in mining and logging, construction, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. Combined, these important sectors provided 8,100 new jobs for West Virginia workers.
What a charming personality: quick to criticize and quick to take offense
No one, including presidents, should criticize judges, but judges can say whatever they want about anybody, including presidents, and that's okay.
Malpractice cap laws only help insurance companies
CHARLESTON – I read with interest the recent Charleston Gazette-Mail editorial on quality of life issues relevant to West Virginia’s law placing arbitrary caps on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits, and I wanted to expand on your thoughts if I might.
The state Supreme Court needs a written policy about its furniture
A policy should be established and published so that the justices – and the citizens they work for – will know what it is.
Tax reform will boost United States' economy
CHARLESTON – West Virginians deserve to keep more of their hard-earned income. This is exactly what President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have planned for America.
West Virginia citizens deserve whole Supreme Court story
CHARLESTON – Many have heard or read about the renovations at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. News media have boiled this down to a “he said/he said” situation, but that ignores the clear and critical facts.
Our state Supreme Court justices hold us in contempt
State Senate President Mitch Carmichael's call for a constitutional amendment to give the Legislature authority over the state Supreme Court's budget is gaining support daily as details emerge regarding its extravagant expenditures.
Protecting your personal information from identity theft
CHARLESTON – As the holiday season approaches, it becomes increasingly important for consumers to exercise caution to protect financial information.
Slick Mr. H got a free defense with fringe benefits
Having a sexual relationship with a client can cloud an attorney's judgment, making the presentation of a rational, dispassionate argument in that client's behalf all but impossible. Plus, it puts undue pressure on the client to acquiesce to one's advances, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase, “How would like to pay for that, cash or credit?”
Limiting damage caused by abusive class-action lawsuits
CHARLESTON – Manufacturing is essential to West Virginia’s economy, providing tens of thousands of jobs and more than $4 billion a year in exports. But there’s an import that threatens these West Virginia companies: Class action lawsuits.
The arrogance of our Supreme Court justices is astounding
$111,000. In most parts of West Virginia, you can buy a nice house for less than that. For $300-$500,000, you can get a really nice place … even in Charleston. $111,000 is what was spent to refurbish the office of State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman. That includes more than $8,000 for a sofa – or should we say, divan?
Tax relief will help all West Virginians
WASHINGTON – The year was 1986, Ronald Reagan was president, the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl and Top Gun was the hit movie at the box office — and it was also the last time the federal government reformed the tax code.
Why do slip-and-fall hazards claim so few victims?
The funny thing about slip-and-fall accidents is, there's rarely a pile-up. It's usually one alleged victim, even when the alleged hazard has persisted for some time.
President's tax plan will benefit West Virginians
CHARLESTON – President Donald Trump has demonstrated his commitment to helping West Virginia rescue our economy from the damage inflicted during the Obama administration.
Some people are never satisfied
Greed used to be considered a bad thing, a vice. How often have we heard that line from St. Paul's epistle about the love of money being the root of all evil? How many times have parents and teachers reminded us of Aesop's fable about the dog that lost the bone he had while trying to snag another one from his reflection in a stream?
A national response to the fentanyl epidemic
WASHINGTON – Last month, President Trump brought national attention to an issue affecting West Virginia more than any other state – the fentanyl and opioid crisis. By declaring a public health emergency, new resources and support will be coming to West Virginia to help stop drug trafficking and expand treatment for people struggling with addiction.
Human trafficking can happen here
CHARLESTON – When many hear the phrase “human trafficking,” they may think of people from abroad being smuggled into this country to work.
Attention, Walmart shoppers: check the expiration dates
When you're at the supermarket, do you open a cartons of eggs before adding it to your basket to make sure none are cracked? Do you reach for a jug of milk at the back of the cooler, assuming it will be fresher?