• At UW, Hostility to Dissent Is Spreading Silence

    When I was a graduate student at the University of Washington in 2005, I was told by a professor that the department was gossiping about me. My crime? Read the rest at Puget Sound Business Journal.

  • We Lost Models of Civility in 2018

    On Feb. 3, 1959, singers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” died in a plane crash. That tragedy became known as The Day the Music Died. Similarly, though there was no single catastrophic event, 2018 may become known as The Year Civility Died. Read the rest at Puget Sound Business Journal.

  • How Many Have to be Hospitalized for Salmonella, E. coli Before We Try Food Irradiation?

    The United States is being hit by two large foodborne illness outbreaks — first, the E. coli outbreak in romaine lettuce, and now a salmonella outbreak in beef that has sickened more than 200 people. These high-profile cases underscore the inadequacy of the safety measures meant to protect our food supply. If we are serious about addressing this issue, we must implement…

  • Seattle City Council’s Ideological Mission Interferes with Good Governance

    Is there a major city in America more overtly hostile to small businesses than Seattle? If there is one, I don’t know what it could be. Read the rest at Puget Sound Business Journal.

  • La Croix Is the Latest Victim of a Junk Science Lawsuit

    La Croix, a popular and “naturally” flavored sparkling water distributed by the National Beverage Corp., has been sued for including synthetic ingredients, among them a cockroach insecticide. This is yet another example of trial lawyers using junk science in an attempt to score a jackpot verdict, and the outcome of the trial has implications for…

  • Shoddy UW Study Threatens Washington Wine Industry

    The University of Washington has just released a study that boldly declares there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. If true, this would have a profound impact on the Washington state wine industry. But is it true? Read the rest at Puget Sound Business Journal.