It is very difficult living on the streets; I know this firsthand. It is also difficult being a soldier; I know this firsthand. Soldiers are treated like second-class citizens. Unfortunately, they are deemed disposable. More than 6,000 of our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, have recently been sent to their graves prematurely because […]
Opinion
Posted inOpinion
I will be proud and ashamed
Paso Robles
In our world of triumphs, who have we left behind? Let’s not reenact our disgraceful home coming of our Vietnam vets. Just as in the past, we put our selfish interests ahead of what’s really right. We have large parades for winning sport teams, closing entire cities down, but fail to recognize the men and […]
Posted inOpinion
An open letter to Ron Paul
Templeton
After reading this letter, I hope you have already considered my suggestions to you. First of all, I think you should run as a “third party” candidate in November. Secondly, I think you should choose Bill Richardson as your running mate. He is a Democrat, thereby allowing the left as well as the right to […]
Posted inOpinion
Why do we allow Diablo to operate?
Nipomo
Many local residents are in favor of Diablo. Most residents around Fukushima felt the same way about their plant prior to the earthquake. If you are saying we need the electricity, does your roof look like mine—covered with photovoltaic and solar panels? Germany and Switzerland are phasing out all their nuclear power. Diablo is storing […]
Posted inOpinion
We shouldn’t spread ourselves too thin
Be realistic; elected officials have to do the best they can with what they have to work with
In their opinion piece, “One Step Toward Fairness,” (March 25), the Santa Maria Times editorial writers unwittingly identified, arguably, the single largest problem in politics today. Namely, it is the idea that whatever services exist today, because they exist, the citizens have become accustomed to their availability and therefore have a “right” to have them […]
Posted inOpinion
Spring is for detox
Use the new season as an opportunity to cleanse your body
When I take a deep breath, I smell spring in the air. Join me and take a deep breath to awaken your senses. Inhale the cool air, fragrant with blossoming flowers and budding trees. Smell the freshly cut grass, hear the birds singing their sweet, melodic songs. Spring is in the air. The days have […]
Posted inOpinion
If we gave you $100 to spend in 10 seconds, what’s the first thing that comes to mind to spend it on?
Juan Esquivias certified nursing assistant student “Clothes.” Angel Nevarez certified nursing assistant student “Food!” Kimber Castaneda certified nursing assistant student “Baby stuff. Diapers.” Kyle Rantz student “Music equipment.”
Posted inOpinion
What was your New Year’s resolution, and how has it been holding up so far?
Nadine Salutan hostess “Stop gossiping; I’ve only been doing a little since.” Mary Sivongsa student “To stop eating fast food; I’ve been trying, but it’s kind of hard when you work at In-n-Out.” Carl Lozano hip-hop beat conductor “It was to finish all my projects that I’ve been working on. I’m taking my time on […]
Posted inOpinion
Really, I don’t like him
San Luis Obispo
Rush Limbaugh is a limp-legged Viagra swiller who has more in common with the Taliban male than the majority of American males. Quite pathetic those who still adhere to his hateful and anti-feminist swill.
Posted inOpinion
Just say no to the oil industry
Arroyo Grande
This area lays claim to three of the largest on-shore oil spills in North America: Tank Farm, Avila, and Guadalupe Dunes. A 1998 federal study analyzing oil industry activity in San Luis Obispo County from 1950 to 1998 concluded “the region would have been equally as well off economically had there been no such activity.” […]
Posted inOpinion
Otters get all the awards
San Luis Obispo
Well, it’s almost spring, and awards for the most important animal in the ocean are being given out again. And the winner is: The sea otter! But of course, the sea otter wins every year. First, Toola died. The surrogate sea otter mom from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Sympathy Award. Next, white sharks are munching […]
Posted inOpinion
Dear Canary,
Santa Maria
Just read your column (“Where have all the leaders gone?” March 8). A couple of things struck me. You get uncomfortable when you see a cop talking to a homeless guy? Why? I get uncomfortable when the guys with the signs hit me up, every time I go to CVS on Broadway—same guys, every day. […]
