Opinions
'You can’t have a scofflaw as a judge’
Despite his claims of innocence, suspended state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry should resign “for the common good of the state, the court, and the judiciary.”
Decisions are made by those who show up
CHARLESTON – There’s an old episode of "The West Wing" in which the President stands in front of a crowd of students and tells them, “Decisions are made by those who show up.” It’s a truth I wish our Governor would learn and take to heart.
Getting a class action certified is easy in West Virginia
Three customer complaints – about a nominal environmental fee included in their contracts when they rented U-Haul trucks – have morphed into a class action suit.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds Ohio, West Virginia voter registration process
CHARLESTON – Earlier this month, the United States Supreme Court handed a victory to West Virginia’s efforts to run fair and clean elections. This victory goes to our 55 county clerks and our dedicated elections staff who work day in and day out to ensure the integrity of our voter registration system.
Shale boom could benefit West Virginia economy but hurt landowners
CHARLESTON—The recent shale boom could benefit West Virginia's economy in different ways, but could also harm surface owners' rights.
Do the right thing, Justice Loughry: Resign
Pomp and circumstance have their place. It’s good to show respect for authority figures, even if the persons occupying positions of authority are flawed mortals just like the rest of us, as they always are.
Allen Loughry and 'The Sordid and Continuing History of Political Corruption in WV'
MORGANTOWN – One of the books in my office that I reference often is by Allen Loughry. “Don’t Buy Another Vote. I Won’t Pay for a Landslide. The Sordid and Continuing History of Political Corruption in West Virginia.”
Someone must have left the faucet running
The arrogant justices on the West Virginia Supreme Court felt they had the right to augment their ample salaries with taxpayer-funded perks of their own choosing.
Preserving the Second Amendment
CHARLESTON – Americans who choose to lawfully exercise their right to keep and bear arms should be at liberty to do so.
Speculation rampant over Supreme Court investigation
CHARLESTON – The State Capitol was buzzing with speculation and rumors last week about the West Virginia Supreme Court and a federal grand jury investigation. Reporters were busy trying to separate fact from fiction, and that was a challenge.
If you must go to court, be prepared
You have to wonder why some people bother going to court. It’s not just a matter of luck like the lottery, where all you have to do is buy a ticket and wait for the results to be announced. The process isn’t automated, self-propelled. You can’t file suit and expect the case to win itself.
Why would West Virginians want an independent senator?
Democrat Joe Manchin told voters he would protect our Second Amendment rights if we elected him to the Senate. Once he got in, he proposed more gun control. Manchin also said he would vote to repeal Obamacare. In eight years in Washington, he has declined several opportunities to do so. But my favorite lie from Manchin came last August in an interview with the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Manufacturers should not be liable for harm caused by competitors' products
Three out of five State Supreme Court justices last week declined to expand West Virginia's products liability law and refused to hold a brand-name drug manufacturer responsible for harm allegedly caused by a generic drug made and sold by another company.
West Virginia has lost a great one in Chris Stadelman
CHARLESTON – Our state is rich in natural resources such as coal, gas and timber. But, some people say our best natural resource is our people. If that’s the case (and I happen to think it is), West Virginia lost one of its greatest resources last week.
You may be eligible to help further enrich some wealthy lawyers
Which would you rather be paid – 38 dollars or $9 million? How about getting paid $38 to help someone else make $9 million?
Encouraging entrepreneurship for military spouses
CHARLESTON – Each May we memorialize the men and women who sacrifice their lives defending our freedom. Often forgotten are the military spouses who give their all to maintain households and raise children.
The War on Coal is winding down slowly
The Battle of New Orleans was fought on January 8, 1815, two weeks after the signing of the peace treaty ending the War of 1812. If British General Edward Pakenham had had a cell phone, or even a beeper, he might have received notice of the treaty-signing before the battle began and been able to avoid his embarrassing defeat to Andrew Jackson.
Democrats should not help Don Blankenship
WHEELING – “You can’t shake hands with the devil, and say you’re only kidding.” That’s the line that came to mind when I read about an effort by West Virginia Democrats to help Don Blankenship become the Republican nominee for US Senate by running ads attacking his competition. The scheme has awful risks, and a huge downside even if it “succeeds.”
Whoa! Slow down! The climate-change lawsuits are getting out of control!
It's one thing for state and local governments to sue oil, gas, and coal companies, alleging that their fossil fuels contribute to some nebulous hazard called “global warming” or “climate change” (or “weird weather”) that creates some supposed damage that governments must expend public funds to rectify.
The only issue in November
POCA – As West Virginia Republicans grumble over our choices for the Senate this year, we have to look at the big picture. Judges.