April 12 2021
James L. Buchal is a Portland lawyer who has recently retired from his role as chairman of the Multnomah County Republican Party.
Perhaps the most fundamental role of government, historically, has been to protect citizens from the few among us who endanger public welfare by violating society s laws. Today there is a robust debate on how to best accomplish that goal.
Traditional public safety policy is structured to deter others from violating society s laws by actually enforcing them. Progressive reformers, by contrast, believe addressing the needs of offenders is the best way to prevent them from repeating their criminal conduct.
Culver High students win Voice of Democracy contest
Two Culver High School students recently won the VFW Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest.
Senior Arianna Reyes earned a $500 scholarship from the Madras Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12141 for her first-place entry. Junior Evan Powell received a $200 scholarship.
The students were honored with checks and certificates during a presentation at Culver High School on Dec. 10.
Established in 1947, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the opportunity to express themselves in a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.
Students were asked to prepare an original essay on this year s theme, Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned? Students then submitted a three-to-five-minute audio recording of their essay.