Opinion Archives - Page 289 of 321

Tenure institutionalizes bad behavior

College administrators should carefully consider how tenure diminishes civility

by Doug Swanson March 23, 2010August 17, 2023

All of us are aware of the many college students who have fallen victim to gun violence on campuses across America. Each time one of these horrible shootings takes place, university administrators are quick to organize prayer vigils and other ceremonies to honor innocent young people who were killed or wounded. Administrators did not respond […]

Opinion

How do you feel about Daylight Saving Time?

by Sun Staff March 18, 2010January 26, 2023

Gerald Danilewicz musician “I hate it. I hate losing an hour of sleep. I wish it were summer all year long because I love those long days.” Kelsey Johnson student “I have work in the morning, so I don’t like waking up and it is still dark outside.” Murphey Loredo CNA “It’s O.K. I’m looking […]

Opinion

No one is entitled to education

San Luis Obispo

by Joanie Brown March 16, 2010August 17, 2023

A sign promoting the March 4 National Day of Action to Defend Education contained two statements: Education is a Human Right; and Resist, Mobilize, and Transform. The first is false—education is not a human right. We are not born with it; we or our parents earn it! The second, a trio of commands, is contrary […]

Opinion

Study cowboy ethics and vaquero culture

Santa Maria

by Gil Armijo March 16, 2010August 31, 2022

Santa Barbara County, in its present boundary, is actually a parcel within a rich territory of history that has as a foundation the lifestyle of western ranching, sometimes called the ethics of the cowboy or the culture of the vaquero. On Saturday, March 6, two local documentary producers—Susan Jensen and Paul Singer of Santa Barbara—screened […]

Opinion

Supervisors must reduce dunes pollution

Pismo Beach

by Nell Langford March 16, 2010August 31, 2022

The San Luis Obispo Health Commission took a bold, heroic step at its March 8 meeting, regarding the APCD Phase 2 Study. It passed two motions to advise the Board of Supervisors to do everything possible to stop the health-threatening air pollution from the ODSVRA immediately, and to inform the public about the dangers. Among […]

Opinion

Too many Americans are ignorant and lazy

Santa Maria

by Kathleen Boldrick March 16, 2010August 31, 2022

Regarding the American Party commentary (“Think of the country, not the party,” March 11): The Republican Party is closer to honoring our Constitution than the Democrat Party, though it can share plenty of the blame for the present grotesque situation. Voters must not tolerate candidates who, when questioned, mouth generalities and platitudes (e.g., Obama, though […]

Opinion

Do you feel it’s right that California is spending more on the prison system than on the education system?

by Sun Staff March 11, 2010January 26, 2023

Morgan Marcil student “It seems backwards, especially being a student with the tuition always increasing and classes being cancelled. California shouldn’t spend more money on people who have done wrong when they are people like me trying to become better citizens.” Nicole Kelly server “It is a good thing that we keep people from who […]

Opinion

Show Democrats the door in November

Santa Maria

by Larry Bargenquast March 9, 2010August 31, 2022

Obama and the Left are failing at every turn, yet they complain that Conservatives only criticize and never offer solutions. Interesting, considering they themselves are the undeniable masters of criticism and their only solutions involve unprecedented spending, massive deficits, ruinous debt, and higher taxes. Blinded by their ideology and hatred of all things Conservative, these […]

Opinion

Think of the country, not the party

We need someone other than rhetoric-spouting, pork-barrel politicians in charge

by Robert P. Sutton March 9, 2010August 17, 2023

Our governments are in dire need of rehabilitation: our dysfunctional state government and, in particular, our federal government. The U.S. Constitution, which is the blueprint for our form of government, is very good. The primary problem with the way our government functions is our elected officials, the so-called “politicians.” Instead of taking care of our […]

Opinion

How do you feel about red light cameras?

by Sun Staff March 4, 2010January 26, 2023

Jesie Uribe sales representative “They probably reduce red light runs and accidents. I’m sure, though, if they weren’t there people would always run red lights.” Rick Barretto painter “I think that it’s a beautiful thing for our safety, but it is nice to see them go.” Rachele Uribe preschool teacher assistant “I don’t like them […]

Opinion

Diablo is too much of a gamble

Atascadero

by Marty Brown March 2, 2010August 31, 2022

I attended one of the recent meetings held by the NRC regarding re-licensing the Diablo nuclear power plant. My question was concerning the fact that radioactive tritium has been found mysteriously leaking from nuclear plants and ending up in groundwater in nearby towns. I did not speak up as the subject was previously mentioned by […]

Opinion

This budget requires courageous board members

Santa Maria

by Dave Hutton March 2, 2010August 31, 2022

The county is facing a $40 million dollar deficit and the vast majority of it is due to personnel retirement and benefit costs. In the private world the fix would be easy: You pare back those benefits. The Board of Supervisors have now come to the long-feared day of reckoning and must stand up to […]