Categories
John Livingston

In God’s Image

Abortion is a difficult subject to talk about because almost every single adult living in the United States either knows of a family member or a close friend who has had an abortion. One in four women in the United States will have had an abortion by the time they have reached menopause. Since Roe […]

Categories
John Livingston

Turkey Sightings at the Capitol

My wife Lynn and I are privileged to live on The Plantation (now referred to as The River Club) golf course in Garden City. Every year we anxiously await the “coming home to roost” of the wild turkeys. This event seems to coincide with The Idaho Legislature winding down and always occurs during the last […]

Categories
John Livingston

We are a Christian People

Why is it that almost every year as if on cue a legion of pollsters comes out during the Easter season to inform us that church attendance is way down and that our society is becoming less religious? Gallup published such a poll yesterday 4 days prior to Good Friday. Only 21 percent of Christians […]

Categories
John Livingston

One Last Time in Support of Dr. Ryan Cole

Last week I was fortunate to be in the audience for a Capital Clarity function at the Capital that featured Dr. Ryan Cole. His presentation, like all of his professional and political writings and presentations was factual and based on the very best science currently available. All my interactions with Dr. Cole since the beginning […]

Categories
John Livingston

The Politics of Medicaid

Ten years ago, we were told “you can keep your doctor you can keep your plan” and Medicaid expansion will improve “access—quality-and cost” for everyone including those businesses that insure their employees and those individuals and families who insure themselves. Just ask patients in the Treasure Valley about how hard it is to keep your […]

Categories
John Livingston

Product Placement

I remember when I was a young boy the old guard that ruled professional golf criticized the new up and coming golfer Jack Nicklaus because he wore a logo—a “Golden Bear” on his golf shirt. He also signed a contract that year with Hart Schaffner and Marks and started his own clothing line. The old […]

Categories
John Livingston

Upon Further Review

As we get into the last part of the month of March, and our legislators in Boise start getting cabin fever, I thought it would be a good time to see how the agenda that leadership put before us at the beginning of the session is working out. It really seems to me that many […]

Categories
John Livingston

This Ship is Badass!

It oftentimes becomes the job of the poet or great writer to encapsulate a feeling or idea in a few words, so that we can all remember and feel not only the emotion of the thought, but the veracity of what follows: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” — […]

Categories
John Livingston

Idaho Loves Our Military

On Saturday, March 16th the fifth ship carrying the name USS Idaho will be commissioned at Electric Boat in Groton Connecticut. The newest member of the Virginia Class of fast attack subs is SSN 799 USS Idaho. Former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne will lead the Commissioning Committee made up of distinguished Idaho citizens, several who […]

Categories
John Livingston

Always Life First

I believe the progressive wings of the Democratic and Republican parties are going to make women’s rights and specifically access to abortion, a central part of their campaign this year. The issue is not complicated but has become nuanced and conflated with issues of claimed human rights, not necessarily individual rights and responsibilities. G. K. […]

Categories
John Livingston

Facility Parking and Mission Creep

It is becoming more complicated for me to understand what certain people in elite organizations actually do. The mission creep that has occurred in academia with the titles President of University or Provost is making the matter even more difficult. In the military there are charts showing the Chain of Command” which can always be […]

Categories
John Livingston

Healthcare through the eyes of a Physician turned Patient

I am convalescing at home this evening after having undergone my second and hopefully my last total hip surgery. I related in an article 2 months ago how grateful I was to the entire OR crew at St. Luke’s in an article in The Gem State Patriot. My surgeon and friend Dr. Ron Kristenson led […]

Gem State Patriot News