Breaking Bland

Smoke ‘em if you’ve got ‘em: Tens of thousands of people are expected for Seattle’s Hempfest, the political rally and marijuana county fair now in its 22nd year but its first year following the legalization of pot in the state. Having once enjoyed the festival’s illicit nature, pot smokers now draw a shrug from police, who will be passing out bags of Doritos to the crowd.

To bring back a little of the old allure, Hempfest participants will try to attract the attention of Seattle Police by jaywalking, riding bikes without helmets and not putting recyclables in the proper bin.

Walter White for Mayor: Albuquerque, N.M., backdrop for the series “Breaking Bad,” about a high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin, is going to miss the money and prestige that the AMC series has brought it the past five years. Tourists have come to check out familiar scenery or enjoy a doughnut topped with sugar “meth” crystals.

The current debate among city officials is how to go forward once the production trucks and tourists have left town: Go “cold turkey” or come down gradually by moving Hempfest to Albuquerque.

Meanwhile, in Roswell: For the first time, the CIA has acknowledged the existence of Area 51, with the release of documents about the U-2 spy plane program and the Air Force base there. But the only mention of UFOs come as the CIA notes the increase of such reports during testing of the U-2 and other spy aircraft.

So, the only objects flying out of Area 51 were ours. But as usual, the CIA redacted the parts about the pilot exchange program with Betelgeuse 5.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

^
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, April 20

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

toon
Editorial: A policy wonk’s fight for a climate we can live with

An Earth Day conversation with Paul Roberts on climate change, hope and commitment.

Eco-nomics: What to do for Earth Day? Be a climate hero

Add the good you do as an individual to what others are doing and you will make a difference.

Comment: To save orcas, agencies should supsend salmon fishing

Reports are showing alarming declines among salmon, a vital food source for state’s killer whales.

Comment: 4/20 Day offers chance to talk to kids about drugs

Marijuana use among youths is on the decline, showing the benefit of drug education and discussion.

Dan Hazen
Forum: Growing potatoes proves value in ‘reinventing the wheel’

You can get ‘em cheaper and easier at the store, sure, but then you miss out on spuds’ real perks.

Forum: Supreme Court shouldn’t allow punishment for homelessness

Regardless of the outcome, communities should seek out solutions, not penalties, for homelessness.

RGB version
Editorial cartoons for Friday, April 19

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Snow dusts the treeline near Heather Lake Trailhead in the area of a disputed logging project on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, outside Verlot, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Move ahead with state forests’ carbon credit sales

A judge clears a state program to set aside forestland and sell carbon credits for climate efforts.

Students make their way through a portion of a secure gate a fence at the front of Lakewood Elementary School on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. Fencing the entire campus is something that would hopefully be upgraded with fund from the levy. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Levies in two north county districts deserve support

Lakewood School District is seeking approval of two levies. Fire District 21 seeks a levy increase.

Schwab: Honestly, the lies are coming in thick and sticky

The week in fakery comes with the disturbing news that many say they believe the Trumpian lies.

If grizzlies return, should those areas be off-limits?

We’ve all seen the YouTube videos of how the Yellowstone man-beast encounters… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.