EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA Opinion

Editorial: Health care reforms may cut cost spiral

2012-02-14T03:48:23-05:00

Go into any bank or store in the country and your financial status can be instantly ascertained. But walk into an unfamiliar emergency room or doctor's office, and you're handed a clipboard with a questionnaire asking for the basics of your medical history.

Editorial: Simple rule to save lives: Stay off the tracks

2012-02-14T03:48:04-05:00

A series of accidental deaths in recent years ought to send a clear message: Stay off the railroad tracks.
A number of people have been killed over the years in Haverhill and nearby communities while walking on railroad tracks or across rail bridges.

Column: Jobs remain the Legislature's focus in Concord

2012-02-14T03:48:01-05:00

2011 was a year of extraordinary achievements for this legislature. We committed to voters to live within our means and balance our budget without raising taxes and did an uncommon thing for elected officials — we kept our promises.

Letter: There's no gag order on library director

2012-02-14T03:47:56-05:00

To the editor:
The Plaistow Library Trustees feel it is necessary to correct the misconceptions written in your editorial of Feb. 7.
The Board of Trustees does not have, and never has had, a "gag" order on our director to make announcements about our library. However, we feel that any announcements regarding a controversial matter or matter of extreme importance regarding the library should be reviewed with the board prior to any release of information.

Sound Off

2012-02-14T03:47:53-05:00

Priorities
In Salem, fix our roads, modernize our schools (Salem High) and then we can talk about curbside trash pick-up.
Obama
If it is true that Obama is now refusing to make any more compromises on his decree about contraception, then he has gone beyond arrogance. He has now declared all out war on religion in this country and given notice he is now this country's dictator. I hope all religions will swamp the courts with lawsuits against him to preserve religious freedom. His attack on the Constitution should lead to his impeachment.

Editorial: Some cheers, some jeers for our recent newsmakers

2012-02-13T02:10:49-05:00

CHEERS to students from the Greater Lawrence Technical School, who just completed work on a house in Lawrence.
The students, from the carpentry, plumbing and electrical programs at the school, built the two-story, colonial-style home at 19-21 Lea St. over two years. Students did all the work, from the foundation to the shingles.

Letter: Not all Catholics oppose contraception mandate

2012-02-13T02:10:43-05:00

To the editor:
As a practicing Catholic, I applaud the Obama administration for their recent decision to ensure that everyone has access to affordable birth control. The Catholic bishops who are fighting this decision don't speak for me.

Sound Off

2012-02-13T02:10:38-05:00

Parents' priorities
School receiver Jeff Riley has to get after the parents of failing students in Lawrence because education is not at the top of their priorities. Thirty years ago I could understand this with new immigrants in the city, but we now have second and third generations. There is no excuse. Mr. Riley, it is not the teachers and administrators, it is the parents. I wish you success.

Editorial: Obama's contraception mandate tramples religious freedom

2012-02-12T00:09:00-05:00

President Obama's idea of a compromise with religious organizations opposed to a contraceptive mandate is that they exchange their principles for a lie.
It's the kind of thinking one should expect from our ruling liberal elite, some of whom say they believe that the Constitution that guarantees our freedoms is rather old and tired.

Column: Obama and his rivals spout pious baloney

2012-02-12T00:08:00-05:00

It is time to raise a glass in celebration of bipartisanship: There is at least one thing both political parties have in common.
It is generally called hypocrisy, but former speaker of the House and current GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has a much more entertaining description: Pious baloney.