To the editor- The column by Debra Saunders, The Drug War Body Count, (Mon, March 16, 2009) is a necessary read. The time has come to end this drug war madness. We now have cartels operating with impunity in every major city in the U.S. When legalization is the subject it is not just the pot smokers. Three former Latin American presidents are not lightweight figures by any means. Even the Obama administration is now taking steps, ... [full story]

The economic downturn has affected the average retirement age. Workers over the age of 60 are choosing to stay in the workplace longer in order to retire with some money in the bank. Sixty percent of workers over the age of 60 say, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey that questioned 8,000 employees, retirement isn't in the immediate future. These workers intend to remain in the office due to the impact of the recession on their ... [full story]

Temporary working assignments may bring more hope to those looking for employment. If companies can't hire full-time employees, they tend to employ workers on a short-term basis, according to Robert Half International, a staffing service. These opportunities can provide job candidates with income as well as a chance to network and find new contacts. Robert Half International provides the top project or temporary roles in the present economy: — Credit and collections specialists: Deal with ... [full story]

The future currently does not appear bright for the graduates of 2009. They are entering a very difficult job market — several colleges and universities have experienced a decrease in on-campus recruiting. The highly competitive job market may cause grads to continue with school, work with no pay or look for jobs overseas, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement agency. Or some grads will most likely need to move home with their parents ... [full story]

Now that times are tougher with the economic downturn, it seems more companies are focusing on business manners. It pays to be more polite to workers and clients, according to Lydia Ramsey, author of "Manners that Sell." Proper manners include knowing the rules for company features like e-mail, voice mail and business attire. Many employees don't know how to use e-mail appropriately in the workplace. Ramsey says her list for common e-mail mistakes continues to ... [full story]

Q: I have enclosed a photo of an old phonograph that my mother gave me several years ago. This is a view of the cabinet's exterior with the lid open. I'm glad my mother rescued the phonograph from a woman who was going to throw it away.   A "Diamond Disc" phonograph, made from around 1912 to 1927, would probably be worth $200 to $500.  The wood is oak and in perfect condition. The original red felt ... [full story]

Q: These ironstone mugs belonged to my mother. When we visited her, she always offered my husband a cup of coffee. She would get them out and ask him which one he wanted, the one with the saying "Party Guy" or the "Let's Go Crazy" one. His choice always was "Party Guy." After she passed away, we kept the mugs because using them made us remember the good times.   Vintage mugs, created by Papel Giftware, ... [full story]

Q: My uncle found this covered green vase in a local thrift shop. It is 9 inches tall, glazed on the inside and in excellent condition. Marked on the bottom in a circle are the words: "Cornel & Son Pottery — Hand Made — Byde — Ky." It is difficult to read, but that is what it looks like.   A green pitcher, made by Cornelison Pottery, would probably be worth $125 to $150.  It would be fun ... [full story]

DALLAS -- The wife of running back Ryan Moats says she wants a personal apology from a Dallas police officer who detained her at gunpoint while her mother lay dying. Tamishia Moats, her husband and two other relatives were driving with hazard lights on to Baylor Regional Medical Center when Officer Robert Powell pulled them over outside the hospital, The Dallas Morning News reported Monday. "I was afraid for her because he was pointing a gun ... [full story]

REDMOND, Ore. – A traffic stop in Redmond Friday afternoon led to the discovery of ¾ pound of marijuana and a small quantity of methamphetamine, and ultimately to the arrest of the driver and passenger, police reported.   Jon Joshua Guthrie (left), Amanda Elaine McGee (right) – DCJ photos  According to an Oregon State Police (OSP) news release, Jon Joshua Guthrie, 32, of Milwaukie, and passenger Amanda Elaine McGee, 20, of Sandy, were arrested and charged with possession, ... [full story]