HUNTSVILLE TIMES OPINION

Commentary and editorial pieces from the editorial writers at The Huntsville Times

We know how difficult it has been for PACT owners to travel to Montgomery for the state treasurer's board of directors meetings followed by our Save Alabama PACT meetings. Our next meeting will be held in Huntsville on Monday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church, 600 Governors Drive Full story »

The city will consider having one or two park and ride lots next Veterans Day where the public could catch a bus downtown for the annual parade, an official said. Full story »

State Sen. Roger Bedford of Russellville, one of the most powerful Democrats in the Legislature, and two colleagues could have saved us all a lot of excitement if he had tended to business.  But Bedford has given Republicans reason to attack him and raised taxpayers' suspicions about what happened to $800,000 in coal severance tax revenue he and two... Full story »

Thank you Hospice Family Care (and hospices everywhere) for your stewardship of waning days and your example to mankind. Full story »

All UAH freshmen and sophomores will be required to live in campus housing beginning next fall. Currently, only freshmen outside a 30-mile radius must do so. The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, University of Georgia, Tennessee and many other colleges have similar requirements. Auburn University does not. The expanded residency requirement could move UAH from its traditional reputation as a commuter college. The down side is that it could deprive some local students of the UAH experience. Tuition hikes over the years have stretched family budgets, making it all but impossible for many college-bound students to afford away-from-home living expenses.  Full story »

Any experienced physician can attest to the fact that breast cancer occurs in a significant number of women in their 40s and that screening of that population by mammography is essential to the reduction of breast cancer deaths. Additionally, monthly self examination of the breasts is essential to early detection. The current guidelines of yearly mammography, beginning at age 40, and for those with significant family history at age 35 has had a significant effect on reduction of breast cancer deaths.  Full story »

A Huntsville Times editorial written by Mike Hollis: What would you make of a law that takes food away from poor children? What about a law that does the same thing while easing the tax burden on middle- and upper-income taxpayers? Unfortunately, too many people in Alabama for decades have been just fine with the effects of its income tax rates and sales tax on groceries.  Full story »

The Centers for Disease Control tabulates smoking as the No. 1 preventable killer of Americans every year since the first U.S. surgeon general's report in 1964. This has been clarified by a very important report by the Institute of Medicine, a think tank of some of the greatest minds in medicine, who were delegated by the CDC to estimate the impact of public smoke-free legislation on the heart health of Americans. They found that study results consistently indicate that exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 25 to 30 percent. There are increased risks even at the lowest levels of exposure.  Full story »

The city will build a new five-lane Church Street along Orchard Street and Hundley Drive between Pratt and Oakwood avenues in 2011.  Full story »

Today, 37 years after the last of a dozen American men walked on the lunar surface, scientists may have uncovered one of the greatest discoveries of the heavens - the presence of water on the moon Full story »

Madison is not truly big enough to have two high schools. With two high schools we will have a lot less support, leaving most of the programs, both academic and extra curricular, hurting for already needed funds. I am against any form of tax increase from any level of government!  Full story »

Alabama's Forever Wild program has been wildly successful. Since its inception in 1992, Forever Wild has acquired more than 200,000 acres of wild lands for public enjoyment. Now, a "sunset" provision could end Forever Wild unless lawmakers vote to extend it. The official expiration isn't until Oct. 1, 2012, but supporters are already rallying to protect it. A campaign to keep the program alive is taking shape, fueled by worries that other state budget demands could derail Forever Wild.  Full story »

I can understand the school board's decision to consolidate schools, but I hope they will give serious thought before disposing of the property. Full story »

. As my year as a community columnist for The Huntsville Times comes to an end, I wonder if I've helped anyone. I wonder if you've been encouraged to laugh, or think, or cuss, or maybe learn something that you didn't know. Coming up with a good piece is an easy thing for some writers. With me it's more than dithering. I even went to a shrink to find out why I dither. She spent a year studying my problem. Predictability, I have spent even longer trying to decide whether or not to go back and get her recommendations. She didn't dither on billing me. But, I haven't been able to stop dithering long enough to pay her. Full story »

Passing a bicyclist on the double-yellow line of Bankhead Parkway is illegal and police can issue a ticket if they see it happening. Full story »