Opinion

poll: Do you think the Ann Arbor airport should expand?

Government reporter Ryan Stanton's story on whether the Ann Arbor airport should expand elicited quite a bit of discussion over the weekend on AnnArbor.com.

Jeff Mortimer

At age 1, MIra has beat the odds, but a new wait begins

Katie and Jeremy Larrison had a birthday party several Saturdays ago for their younger daughter, Mira, who turned a year old. That sounds routine enough, but very little about Mira’s life so far has been routine.

Letters to the editor

Single-payer healthcare insurance is the only way

The majority of Americans already agree on the subject of healthcare - single payer is the only way. We're the only industrialized country in the workd that doesn't have it, and anyone that tries to pull the "government making healthcare decisions" card doesn't know the facts, period.

Letters to the editor

Cabaret, dinner at Ann Arbor's Cafe Zola was a wonderful experience

In a city that offers non-stop wonderful events and experiences it would be hard to top the Cafe Zola dinner and Caberet that my husband and I and 98 others enjoyed last night.

The students in U of M's top-rated Musical Theatre Program provided the incredibly talented Caberet show during dinner. We will look forward to seeing them again on Broadway. They are truly fantastic.

Letters to the editor

Honor our wounded veterans with a visit to Ann Arbor VA hospital

Proud young American military men and women are serving and sacrificing for freedom around the world. Many of these veterans are coming to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with special needs and challenges that require the hearts and hands of a new generation of VA volunteers.

We at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System are honored to spend our days providing veterans the best quality healthcare available as a way of demonstrating our gratitude for their service.

Letters to the editor

Put the conference center at 415 W. Washington instead of Library Lot

The recent discussion of the library lot's use has given me an idea. Why not put the conference center in 415 W. Washington Street, instead of on the library lot.

There are several arguments in favor of this:

Guest Column - Janelle Baranowski

Political blog got Ann Arbor talking, thinking about local issues

The cat's out of the bag. The anonymous blogger behind A2Politico.com has revealed herself.

As many political insiders suspected, Patricia Lesko was the infamous writer behind the mask. However, for most people, the question was, "Who in the heck is Pat Lesko?"

Lesko admitted she is A2politico.com this past week as she announced her plans to run for mayor in the Democratic primary election against our current mayor, John Hieftje.

High-speed rail would get Michigan's economy back on track

Michigan rode the automobile to prosperity in the 1950s and ‘60s. But now we find ourselves falling further and further behind in the new economy. If we hope to catch up, one of the answers has to be high-speed rail.

Will you watch the Super Bowl?

Will you let your kids watch Super Bowl ads?

Jen Eyer today writes about how Super Bowl advertisements contain sex, violence and this year, discussion about abortion.

poll: What do you think of the Michigan football team's recruiting class?

The Rio Lindas Rush Limbaugh never knew

AP photo

After extensive tests proved negative I thought our premier pundit might have a change of heart regarding the possibility of universal health care. But Limbaugh came out swinging and proclaimed we have the “best health care the world has to offer.” No need to change what is already perfect, I guess.

Following the Jan. 14th Haitian earthquake, Rush continued undaunted into the fray. Our compassionate spin-meister once again confronted death through his distinctive political lens. “This will play right into Obama’s hands … they’ll use this to burnish their, uh, shall we say, credibility with the black community, both light-skinned and black community in the country. That’s why he (Obama) couldn’t wait to get out there.” I am certain multi-millionaire Limbaugh, especially given his own brush with eternity, opened up the checkbook and contributed hundreds of thousands to our relief efforts. No dithering on his part as homeless and orphaned children roam Port au Prince streets.

Guest Column: House Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes

Lifetime health care for lawmakers is just not right

Across Michigan, residents are working hard, stretching their checks as far as they can go during these difficult times. Institutions that make up the foundation of our society and are key to our success, from schools to manufacturers and small businesses, are cutting back. In 1997, state lawmakers were offered retiree health care benefits when their retirement plans were changed from defined benefit to defined contribution.

Poll: Would you use an Ann Arbor-to-Detroit commuter rail line?

Project managers for a planned Ann Arbor-to-Detroit commuter train say it could be a reality by the end of the year.

Reflection - Lon Horwedel

A winter kiss: Mother Nature makes up for a broken elbow

WINTER WONDERLAND: A rare, hoar frost transformed the entire neighborhood from ugly gray to virgin white, dressing the naked trees in a brand new skin that made them look both brand new and really old all at the same time.

Lon Howedel | AnnArbor.com

In just seven days, the hard-packed snow and ice that broke my wing had been replaced by a true Mother Nature masterpiece. And it’s not like we get a lot of those around here, especially in the dead of winter. You know, the stuff jigsaw puzzles and postcards are made of - real Currier & Ives material.