What is Saturday Soapbox?

   Saturday Soapbox is a forum for Yakima Herald-Republic readers to offer viewpoints outside the realm of common debate, or to present a different take on a topic that has been discoursed to death.

  Submissions are limited to 500 words and can be e-mailed to opinion@yakimaherald.com; snail-mailed to Saturday Soapbox, Yakima Herald-Republic, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98909; or faxed to 509-577-7767, clearly labeled "Saturday Soapbox."

  For more information, contact editorial page editor Frank Purdy at 509-577-7704 or fpurdy@yakimaherald.com.

Saturday Soapbox - Christianity constructed base of Western civilization - Editor's note: The following is a response to the April 28 Soapbox by Glenn Leuning that ran under the headline, "Nonreligion...
Saturday Soapbox -- Yakima Valley fire departments could use a few good volunteers - Sit back and use your imagination for me. An obnoxiously loud, unfamiliar noise wakes you at 3 a.m. The air is warmer and bre...
Saturday Soapbox -- Attention can help curb youth violence - Getting kids to put down guns and pick up basketballs will take more vigilance in Yakima County and throughout the state of W...
Saturday Soapbox -- Nonreligionist's advice is to create heaven - Having reached the "post-senior" age, and as a nonreligionist knowing fate will have its way, I am loathe to leave with so ma...
Saturday Soapbox -- Pipeline won't solve nation's real problem - As I read Byron York's March 28 column, "Political considerations in the pipeline," for the second time, it became evident th...
Saturday Soapbox -- It's time for an open discussion on racism - Approximately two months ago, people across America and around the world were horrified by the killing of an unarmed, apparen...
Saturday Soapbox -- America's broken health-care system needs serious help - I watch the news and hear Republicans screaming that "Obamacare" is about to impose a new tax that if we don't pay now we wil...
Saturday Soapbox -- Our lives improve when we help others - When we are comfortable and have enough to eat, it's easy to forget that not everyone is as fortunate. As we mark National Vo...
Saturday Soapbox -- Time to redirect our nation's priorities - When Republican President Dwight Eisenhower left office, he warned us to be aware of the growing military industrial complex,...
Saturday Soapbox -- A school takes the next step - "Education is the key to stopping the cycle of poverty." How often do we hear that?
Saturday Soapbox -- West Valley reflects dilemma of funding public education - The recent failure of the West Valley School District levy vote sent a clear message to the district that there is a lack of ...
Saturday Soapbox -- The problem with linking test scores, teacher licenses - Valid, reliable educational tests are useful tools when used for their intended purposes. However, the proposal to unlicense ...
Saturday Soapbox -- How exactly is faith under attack? - When the evangelist knocked on my door the other day, he did not seem at all put off when I told him that I already had a spi...
Saturday Soapbox -- Economic inequality undermines nation's foundation - There are 29 developed countries. Only Poland, Turkey, and (barely) Mexico have higher rates of relative poverty among childr...
Saturday Soapbox -- Here's what Saul Alinsky really said - Who is Saul Alinsky? He died in 1971. Most have never heard of him. Nonetheless, his techniques have come to dominate modern ...
Saturday Soapbox -- Reasons to choose Yakima - I often hear comments like, "Well, what do you expect from Yakima?" I invite you to look at your usual way of talking about o...
Saturday Soapbox -- State's new law infringes on religious right - What the Washington legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire have done in redefining marriage in this state is to move us closer t...
Saturday Soapbox -- For the Bible tells me to teach that we care - In the Feb. 25 Saturday Soapbox, Brenda Hill defended the homosexual lifestyle in marriage. She asked Christians to stop voic...
Saturday Soapbox -- Expensive, extensive primaries not best way to pick a president - There must be a better way to nominate presidential candidates than the primary system! Primaries are intended to allow poten...
Saturday Soapbox -- Take a close look at costs, then need for public services - You have probably received your property tax statement. First: Thanks to the Yakima County Assessor's and Treasurer's offices...
Saturday Soapbox -- With this ring, we can be just like everyone else - I am very sure many people out there are tired of this subject. I ask for your forgiveness. With all the opinions I have been...
Saturday Soapbox | The best path to 'fairness' is economic opportunity - A recent letter in the newspaper (Yakima Herald-Republic, 12/22/11, "Class Warfare") attempted to make the case that class wa...
Saturday Soapbox -- Teacher challenges critic, defends profession - How dare the writer of the Dec. 1 letter, "School money for whom?" suggest that teachers aren't concerned with their students...
Saturday Soapbox: Mr. President, your 'assistant' requires medical help - Dear Mr. President, I m writing to you about your assistant. I know you are busy running the country, but does your assistant...
Saturday Soapbox -- Good hunters need to serve as check on bad - I am not a hunter by nature, but try to respect the laws of the state and respect the rights of the hunters to come out to th...
Saturday Soapbox: Public safety is wrong place for governor to cut budget - By Tom TaaffeHave you ever been a crime victim? Have you ever felt the violation of having your home broken into? Do you know...
Saturday Soapbox: Bonlender's death a loss felt by Yakima Latino community - A community activist is just one of many names that can describe Ron Bonlender.An entrepreneur is another one.To me, the best...
Saturday Soapbox: Tell representatives to unite for good of nation - Spring 2011 saw massive demonstrations erupt across Arab North Africa and the Middle East and was given the name The Arab Spr...
Saturday Soapbox: Is east-west arterial worth cost? - Re: The Sept. 26 Yakima Herald-Republic article, "Plans for east-west route moves ahead."Roundabout envy!The Yakima County co...
SOAPBOX | Valley needs bold ideas to increase recycling - I was walking in Franklin Park with my dogs, thinking how lucky we are to have such a nice park for families, when I noticed ...
SOAPBOX | A cold, dark economic struggle - Winter's onset marked by All Hollow's Eve, or as some call it "dia de los muertos or the days of death," are apt metaphors in...
Saturday Soapbox: Kittitas water transfers require scrutiny - To the editor -- I enjoyed the "More Users, More Conflicts" articles pertaining to the water in our Yakima River Basin. In th...
Saturday Soapbox: Humans stand in way of predator management - This is in response to the article by Darryl Fears of the Washington Post on July 15, "The decline of the predators."The auth...
Saturday Soapbox-- A little work in the garden daily pays off - While mowing, I wondered what I'd say if people asked the secret of my yard's success and why I am so happy working in it.My ...
Saturday Soapbox -- Deal averts default but abdicates long-term responsibility - "Debt-limit bill passes" and "The default crisis is over" bellow the media. I believe I will scrutinize these initial reports...
Saturday Soapbox -- Folly in female follicles - First, I assure all those who have lost much of their hair and are considered bald, that the following remarks do not pertain...
Saturday Soapbox: Wolves benefit habitat, and there are ways to aid ranchers - News of discovery of wolves in the Teanaway River area of the Washington Cascades is celebrated by all who understand the im...
Saturday Soapbox -- Proud to serve, even in society that dismisses worth of military - In reflection on the recent 235th birthday of our great nation and as an active duty Marine officer currently forward deploye...
Saturday Soapbox -- Protection of citizens should be government's priority - Death and taxes. Both are inevitable, they say.
Saturday Soapbox -- Tax-and-spend mantra takes us in wrong direction - A recent letter to the editor confidently stating that tax cuts "to the rich" just don't work is incorrect.
Saturday Soapbox -- New stadium would be investment in future - I wanted to sound off on the Yakima Bears issue. First off, I am not a baseball fan, so I don't go see games, and I don't wat...
Saturday Soapbox-- When camping, think of fellow campers - Why is it some people have no common sense or courtesy?
Saturday Soapbox -- It's time for America to redirect spending priorities - Medicare and Social Security are either essential to the health of our nation or the ruin, depending on who does the talking.
Saturday Soapbox -- Expand our appreciation of cultures - How unfair and illogical to have full, daily coverage of sports, both local and around the world, plus an abundance of war ne...
Saturday Soapbox -- Kids' oral health efforts work, but we need to do more - Children's oral health has long been a problem in Washington. Historically, the rates of decay in our state have been higher ...
Saturday Soapbox -- National leaders wanted, must have spine and American values - Front page headline of the Yakima Herald-Republic of April 9: "Government shutdown averted." My Saturday Soapbox opinion? O...
Saturday Soapbox -- Can we put others first, or do the I's have it? - I may be cynical. I am definitely my worst enemy. I have felt that I must write (or attempt to) a Saturday Soapbox.
Saturday Soapbox -- About-face for military draft? - Does a military draft have a good influence on the U.S.?
Saturday Soapbox-- Positive options for youths more than pay for themselves - By Greg Spearing A spate of recent guilty verdicts covered by the Herald-Republic has resulted in sentences of 30 to 50 year...
Saturday Soapbox: Yakima city manager responds to budgeting allegations - By Dick Zais In the Feb. 26 Herald-Republic Soapbox editorial submitted by Gregory Bohn, several improper budgeting practice...
Saturday Soapbox -- Call it prayer or moment of silence, we're better off with it - Oh my, where do we start this month? To pray or not to pray, this is a tough question ... or maybe not. I have never been one...
Saturday Soapbox -- Teachers seek benefits that match their efforts, education - I am a 26-year-plus veteran teacher. I am making payments on a $12,000 school loan for a master's degree that I completed two...
Saturday Soapbox: The money shell games that city government plays - For the Yakima Herald-Republic City management practices various fiscal shell games. The principal shell game is known as "s...
Saturday Soapbox -- Poor sportsmanship sets poor example - I have been a huge sports fan my entire life and I have been excited and thrilled that my young son has started playing team ...
Saturday Soapbox -- Let market realize true cost of fossil fuels - I recently made a presentation to the Yakima Audubon Society on global warming. I showed a lot of technical material but trie...
Saturday Soapbox -- Clowns, jokers who 'lead' us should remember who they serve - By BILL SEDA A 1970s song lamented the plight of the protagonist with clowns to the left of him and jokers to the right; I d...
Saturday Soapbox: Screenings prove terrorists achieving goals - By Alan Finch Enhanced Transportation Security Administration screenings: What's the big deal? This is a question many are ...
History's on the side of expanded gay rights - By Greg Spearing An act of Congress and signature by President Barack Obama have repealed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy f...
Ten resolutions that show your kids you care - Raising children is the most challenging and wonderful endeavor of my life. Raising children in our world today takes skill, ...
We can choose to continue Valley's success - In reading Jared Diamond's book, "Collapse," I could not help thinking what a good choice my wife and I made when we moved o...
Kindle's a versatile literary device - It's just my opinion, but a lot of people out there are complaining about the Kindle and how it will never do away with print...