LETTERS OPINIONS
Mahmoud Khalil has rights, damn it
Mahmoud Khalil could have been cooked up in a lab to offend — no, worse — to disgust me. And yet, despite temptation, I cannot endorse what the Trump administration is doing to him.
Our beautiful economy was a terrible thing to waste
Boy, do I miss Joe Biden. I especially miss the former president when Donald Trump and his bobbleheads unfairly blame him for everything that’s gone wrong since Inauguration Day. Trump has since proven beyond doubt that he can wreck the economy all by his lonesome. And that’s not all he’s …
Protecting Medicaid funding for our communities
To the Editor: Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of Americans, including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It provides essential healthcare services, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our society receive the care they need.
It’s a new session in Madison
Do you know what a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is? You should — they’re controlling your healthcare. This is why I recently introduced Cole’s Act, legislation to reform PBMs and ensure your doctor, not corporations, controls your drug decisions.
Restoring objectivity
A critically important and consequential election is quickly approaching. In less than one month, Wisconsin will decide the future of its justice system. I have raised my family here and built my life right here in Wisconsin, and I am fighting tooth and nail to ensure that we do not …
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Countdown to chaos: courthouse security
To the Editor: How long will it be before someone is murdered in the Oneida County Courthouse? The courthouse has multiple unsecured entrances, and anyone can walk in with a gun or knife. Hopefully no one will ever be killed there, but hoping isn’t a rational strategy.
Pigsty: The world watches the White House turned to trash
“My heart has always been truly convinced,” Marquis de Lafayette declared 250 years ago, “that in serving the cause of America I am fighting for the interests of France.” The French nobleman put his life where his mouth was, volunteering for George Washington’s Continental Army as his country provided critical …
The Democrats in disarray
This week, I had the opportunity to attend President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress as a guest of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. The energy in the room was palpable ... at least on the Republican side.
River News: Our View
President Donald Trump took to the podium for his presidential address Tuesday night and, in typical Trumpian style, he touted his administration’s whirlwind accomplishments over the past six weeks, castigating Democrats (Joe Biden in particular) along the way and even praising the beauty of the word ‘tariff.’
He needed me, but I let him down
The “he” in this case was Rusty, an ornery old mutt who didn’t do the cute doggy things that get clicks on social media videos. He wouldn’t “sit.” He’d rarely lick my face. And if a baby was gurgling nearby, he’d go the other way.
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Defense of DEI
To the Editor: It’s interesting to see you tying yourself up like a pretzel over DEI [editorial, 18 Feb.], trying to value diversity, equity, and inclusion, while condemning DEI, a program that attempts to make those values real. Yet you claim that it was perverse to eliminate one small portion …
Billionaire blunder?
To the Editor: Elon Musk intends to buy Wisconsin. Big money contributions bypass identification. Reporters think at least $1 million of Musk’s money supports Brad Schimel in our Supreme Court race.
James Stilin
James “Jim” P. Stilin, age 91 of Rhinelander, passed away peacefully with his family at his side, on February 27, 2025, in Bonita Springs, Florida. He was born on March 26, 1933, in Ashland, the son of Nick and Mary (Murkovich) Stilin, both immigrants from Croatia (then Austria-Hungary).
Reader expresses support for School District of Rhinelander referendum
To the Editor: As both a foster father to up to five children and a teacher in the School District of Rhinelander, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact our schools have on students’ lives. The district’s commitment to providing resources, opportunities, and a supportive environment has been invaluable — …
Reader offers perspective on government employee cuts
To the Editor: I worked for the Social Security Administration for over 37 years, retiring as the manager of the Rhinelander office. Based on that perspective I’d like to share my views on the current turmoil in federal agencies and the firing of federal employees.
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