Opinion

OUR VIEW: Help Big 3: Auto bailout a gamble, but no worse than helping financial institutions. Do it now! Although bankruptcy would give the American automobile companies an opportunity to restructure, the process of their doing so looks so painful...  Read Story.

OUR VIEW: Fall from grace Greed doomed Alaska's Ted Stevens Sen. Ted Stevens' career in Alaska politics preceded the Last Frontier's statehood. He was longest-serving Republican senator in history. So great was his fame that he once was named "Alaskan...  Read Story.

I noticed I closed the last meeting of "Rednecks Against Pink" a little too soon after my latest shopping...  Read Story.

Pay-to-stay 'scam' Inmates soon will have to pay $100 a day to stay in the Portage County Jail. This policy was implemented a couple of months ago but was put on hold because the judges wanted to know more about this wonderful idea. It's big business...  Read Story.

Defends Smeiles One can hardly blame citizens without college-aged children for confusing welfare, Workforce Investment Act grants and tuition assistance. The writer of a recent letter ("Is it time for term limits in Portage?" Record-Courier, Nov. 18)...  Read Story. (1 comment)

Successful move This week the staff of the Portage County Prosecutor's Office was thrilled to move into our newly remodeled offices across the street from the county courthouse. Over the past several decades, the prosecutor's office has grown in its...  Read Story.

Standing Rock is a famous natural monument in Kent, located in the middle of the Cuyahoga River about a mile north of the downtown area. It was one of the natural markers used by the pioneer settlers who were using the Great Indian Trail (Big Trail) to...  Read Story.

Having lost the White House and both the Senate and the House of Representatives, some thoughtful Republicans correctly sense that being out of power is an excellent time to re-think the party's goals and agenda. While Republicans often speak of less government, the fact is that under nearly every recent Republican president, the role of government has grown. Under George...  Read Story.

By Dan Thomasson Scripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON " This could only happen in America. The insurance giant AIG that is more than a little responsible for the current economic crisis reportedly has decided to lay out $503 million of early deferred compensation to top employees so they won't abandon a ship that is being kept afloat only by billions...  Read Story.

BONNIE ERBE: What Obama owes Hillary: More respect By Bonnie Erbe Scripps Howard News Service I recommend to you an article on Politico.com that reports on the latest contretemps between the Obamas and the Clintons---a tricky-track of a relationship if...  Read Story.

DAN THOMASSON: Great pay for a lousy job: $503 million for AIG execs more mind-boggling excess By Dan Thomasson Scripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON -- This could only happen in America. The insurance giant AIG that is more than a little responsible...  Read Story.

OUR VIEW: Opportunity for GOP: Out of power, Republicans need to reformulate, rejuvenate party Having lost the White House and both the Senate and the House of Representatives, some thoughtful Republicans correctly sense that being out of power is an...  Read Story.

BONNIE ERBE: What Obama owes Hillary: More respect By Bonnie Erbe Scripps Howard News Service I recommend to you an article on Politico.com that reports on the latest contretemps between the Obamas and the Clintons---a tricky-track of a relationship if...  Read Story.

OUR VIEW: No time for timidity: President-elect has mandate for broad, progressive agenda, analyst contends While conventional wisdom seems to hold that President-elect Barack Obama must attempt to govern from the middle of the political road, a case...  Read Story.

DAVID BRODER: Hillary Clinton wrong choice for State By David Broder Washington Post Writers Syndicate WASHINGTON -- It may be moot and it certainly is presumptuous, but I would be less than honest with readers if I did not say what I believe: Making...  Read Story.

ALONG THE WAY: Dave O'Brien By Dave O'Brien Record-Courier staff writer Kent State University is being asked to give more accountability to the University System of Ohio and the Ohio Board of Regents, led by Chancellor Eric Fingerhut, as well as...  Read Story.

Grateful to voters Thank you to voters on behalf of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County for the decisive passage of Issue 36, the renewal of a 0.5-mill levy for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Funds from Issue 36 provide...  Read Story.

OTHER VOICES: Auto industry must change That GM, Ford and Chrysler need help is undisputed. What form the help should take, and under what conditions, is another matter. The U.S. auto industry built much of the economy the nation enjoys today. ...  Read Story.

OUR VIEW: Detroit bailout Taxpayer rescue of Big Three likely, but can automakers be competitive? For better or worse, or whether it's throwing good money after bad, momentum is building in Washington for an auto industry bailout, much larger than...  Read Story.

OUR VIEW: Expanding early voting: Successful usage this year strengthens Brunner's bid to expand polling sites Thousands of Ohioans cast their ballots long before the Nov. 4 election, thanks to the early-voting option permitted under the state's...  Read Story.