Throughout the month of August, defenders of the healthcare status quo have assailed efforts to reform a system in crisis. They have raised any number of spurious claims ranging from the absurd to the macabre in a desperate attempt to stand between 47 million uninsured Americans and their doctors. But the debate over reforming America's broken healthcare system ...

But some so-called animal rights hypocrites remain critical of Vick while refusing to challenge state laws that provide licenses to those who hunt deer and other innocent animals. And the "animal rights" groups are not the only cowards.

I am fascinated by the town hall meetings that are happening around the country and the ire, real or imagined, that is being heaped on members of Congress who are simply attempting to share information with their constituencies about ways our government hopes to help 50 million uninsured Americans get health insurance.

In 2009, more than ever, Portland needs strong, effective leadership. The current economic downturn shows no sign of letting up - at least as far as jobs are concerned. Oregon has the second highest rate of joblessness in the nation. Poverty is rising, pushing families into crisis and onto the streets. Not to mention the serious long-term challenges of climate change and energy ...

Picture yourself with a serious health problem and no medical care. This is not difficult to imagine for anyone without health insurance or with substandard coverage. Fortunately, my partner Debra, and I were in excellent health when we departed the U.S. ...

One-hundred years ago, on July 17, 1909, Sen. William E. Borah (R-ID) wrote the words, \"The income tax is the fairest and most equitable of the taxes. It is the one tax which approaches us in the hour of prosperity and departs in the hour of adversity. Certainly, it will be conceded by all that the great expense of government is in the protection of property and wealth ...

A few days after Michael Jackson died, US Magazine profiled his physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. Since I'm not a regular reader of US, I didn't get 'the word' until a friend shared that they described Dr. Murray as a graduate of 'little known' Meharry School of Medicine. The US description says more about them than it does ...

Like so many throughout the world, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Joseph Jackson the "King of Pop." I cry not only because I will miss his music, his dancing, his giving and generous sprit, I cry because his death represents a very real and everyday tragedy among us - untreated mental illness. For the last few decades Michael appeared to be losing his mind right before our eyes ...

This made me so angry: Since Michael Jackson died I have not watched the news. I have just been so disgusted at how the mainstream media has riddled this family with disrespect, and no matter what anyone, you or I included, might have thought of him, the truth of the matter is this - the man was still a human being and his kids and family deserve some privacy and space. . . .

Last week President Obama spoke boldly about persistent racial discrimination and criticized the "structural inequality" that presents "the steepest barrier" to African American equality in the 21st century. Speaking before a crowd at the centennial convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, he highlighted the need for government action to help tear down these barriers. . . .