The Obama administration got the attention of America's boardrooms with its largely symbolic firing recently of Rick Wagoner, the General Motors Corp. chief executive. Other CEOs, particularly at the nation's biggest banks, should be wary. There's a new boss in town. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Sunday on the CBS talk show "Face the Nation" that if banks get "exceptional assistance," there might be a need for a management change. Wagoner may have richly deserved ... [full story]

In the face of intense globalization in virtually every level of society, it is important to keep in touch with local news and community events.  It seems that the smaller our world becomes, the more important it is to maintain a feeling of what we can actually see happening around us with our own eyes.  This is precisely the vision of Bend Weekly • keeping journalism local.  Who better to report on the topics that ... [full story]

This country's response to the president on Iran, nuclear-bound and said to be meddling in Iraq, should be crafted around two words: shouldn't and can't. The United States shouldn't jump into any other military adventure on Iran's account for a host of reasons. Key among them is because diplomacy spills no blood and hasn't been given ample opportunity. But also because this country simply can't. It is stretched too thin in Iraq to do anything ... [full story]

Americans need affordable, accessible and high-performing colleges and universities, but the regulations being pushed by the federal government would only hinder reaching that goal. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings is lobbying for congressional approval of the creation of a national database that would track the progress of individual students through college. The information theoretically would be used by consumers to assess the universities' performance. Spellings has been unable to get Congress to pass legislation ... [full story]

In the first of two panels, two men talk across a backyard fence. One says: 'We're all packed and ready to evacuate ...' The others says: 'But there aren't any wildfires around.' In the second panel the first man says: 'We can't afford our property taxes anymore.' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

A woman sits in front of a desk, behind which a man types on a computer keyboard beneath a sign that says: 'Russian Life Insurance Inc.' In the caption, the man asks the woman: 'Do you sky dive? Ever been a critic of Putin?' [full story]

Two polar bears float, facing each other, on small ice floes. One says: 'How's that New Year's resolution coming?' The other answers: 'Still looking for new habitat ...' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

The headline at the top states: 'Three things you'll need if you're running for president in America.' The items shown beneath are a campaign bus, a campaign plane and a campaign bulldozer. The bulldozer is pushing a large pile of campaign money. Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

A family of four sits in an alley across from a skid-row bum. The family man says: 'We had lousy timing. We borrowed against our home's equity at the same time as were buying stocks on margin.' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

A foursome crosses the Swilken Bridge on the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland. The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse is visible inthe background. In the caption one golfer says: 'There's so much history here at St. Andrews. It's were golf was born ... and where Congressman Feeney's reputation died.' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

A man reclines on the office couch of a psychiatrist. He says: 'You know, Doc ... after that shooting rampage at Virginia Tech I don't feel safe around anyone anymore.' The psychiatrist takes notes while peeking arournd the corner at the man on the couch. Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., is represented as a rat wearing scuba gear. He is swimming away from a sunken ship labeled: 'Iraq.' He thinks: 'I hope it's not to late to jump ship.' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]

A couple sits at a table holding hands. A waiter stands nearby. In the caption the woman says: 'I' don't care about roses or chocolates ... How far would you drive for me in a diaper?' Editorial cartoon by Bruce Beattie. [full story]