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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Steven A Smith

Steven A. Smith is clinical associate professor emeritus in the School of Journalism and Mass Media at the University of Idaho having retired from full-time teaching at the end of May 2020. He writes a weekly opinion column. Smith is former editor of The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington. As editor, Smith supervised all news and editorial operations on all platforms until his resignation in October 2008. Prior to joining The Spokesman-Review, Smith was editor for two years at the Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon, and was for five years editor and vice president of The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Newspaper Management Center Advanced Executive Program and a mid-career development program at Duke University. He holds an M.A. in communication from The Ohio State University where he was a Kiplinger Fellow, and a B.S. in journalism from the University of Oregon.

Changes Are Happening at FāVS and It’s a Good Thing

Last week, the FāVS News board voted to name me managing editor, responsible for assigning and editing our news report, and also hiring and training additional staff. I had served on the board for more than two years, but now leave to take this position. The fact board members voted unanimously for my appointment is a singular honor and I am grateful.

My Three Years Writing a FāVS News Column

I have been writing a weekly column for FāVS for three years next week. If my count is right, this is my 160th column.

When Trust Is Broken, Renewing Credibility Is Hard but Necessary

Last week, I broke the trust of someone important to me. The details are unimportant. But the principles involved and the road to redemption are worth discussion.

Trump’s Threat to Ukraine, International Peace

At the same time Trump accused his political opponents, particularly Joe Biden, with involvement in Ukrainian corruption, without any evidence. Another of his big lies. And he showed nothing but disdain for Ukrainian leadership at the same time Putin was making his expansionist intentions clear, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine.

A Mustache Is a Mustache

The mustache is the new, hip form of facial hair for American men. And the size, shape, texture and twist of the mustache is the key to a man’s personality. In this hip new world, the mustache is supposed to send a message.

Memorial Day and the Families Left Behind

Memorial Day was first established after the Civil War to honor those Americans killed in service to their country. Since the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, about 7,000 American service members have been added to the rolls of dead. As I watched families laying flowers on graves, it occurred to me that every American family in some way has been touched by war.

‘Lose Weight or Die’

I started in February 2022. No more nighttime chips or nuts or those bags of chocolate chips I snuck from the pantry. No more ice cream. Much smaller portions. More fruit and even some veggies. Less pasta. No Friday pizza.

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