One wonders when the Wisconsin Public Employee Union and its supporters clamor for “Power to the People” and “Democracy Now!” if these people are unaware that America is not a democracy, but a republic. Do they know that the word “democracy” is not mentioned anywhere in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, or that […]
Union demonstrators: This is not a democracy
Posted inOpinion
Compare what legislators say and do for veterans
A recent analysis by HUD and the VA has revealed the distressing statistic that military veterans make up 16 percent of our nation’s homeless, while comprising only 10 percent of its adult population—a problem that is worsening as vets return from Afghanistan and Iraq. While there are many forces underlying this disproportion, congressional reluctance to […]
Posted inOpinion
A corporation bought the House Energy and Commerce Committee
A corporation bought the House Energy and Commerce Committee They waited until the election was over and the dirty deed done, but a few weeks ago, L.A. Times’ reporters finally revealed how the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring corporation’s “persons” who could give unlimited funds to politicians of their choice helped one corporation buy the House […]
Posted inOpinion
Watch how Gov. Brown handles the pension issue
Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown is gasping in Sacramento as he and his Democrat legislature observe the emerging national revolt against state and local government unions. Brown was elected and the Democrats retained legislative control because of the union vote. But California’s budget problem caused by union-pensions far exceeds any other state. Nationwide, state and local […]
Posted inOpinion
Conservatives don’t want rules to trip up profits
In a recent issue of the Sun (March 3) there is a letter written by Mr. Larry Bargenquast: “Liberals need to grow into responsible adults.” This letter says that liberals hate conservatives as people and are reduced to a state of rage when exposed to conservative ideas with which they—liberals—disagree. Reduced to rage? I don’t […]
Posted inOpinion
My fresh, electric start
In the fourth grade, my friend Michael would sneak a pack of Kents from his mother’s carton and, after school, a bunch of us would go to the woods by Nichols Park and light up. We used the code word “Superman” to refer to the Kent cigarettes, with Superman being Clark Kent. I stopped smoking […]
Posted inNews
Doing it for themselves
Anyone can publish a book these days. Some writers simply sell their books to family and friends and never get beyond that. Others gain local exposure. A few find their way to a national audience. And they do it all themselves. Because the self-publishing trend is growing so quickly, there’s little in the way of […]
Posted inNews
Adventure time!
Anyone who wants to go on safari and bring home some precious game should keep April 10 open for the fifth annual Santa Maria Safari. The museum-themed adventure begins at noon at base camp—Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall—and children will receive a free copy of Zoobooks Magazine, courtesy of Altrusa International of the Central […]
Posted inNews
PG&E officials say it won’t happen here
According to officials from Pacific Gas & Electric, the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant isn’t susceptible to the same catastrophic failures as Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi, which is currently belching out radioactive material after several of its units exploded. “There are some very significant differences,” John Conway, PG&E senior vice president and chief nuclear officer, said […]
Posted inNews
Committee donates to VTC
The Committee to Improve North County announced the presentation of a $500 donation to VTC Enterprises on behalf of the late Harrell Fletcher, a longtime community leader. VTC Enterprises is one of Santa Maria’s 10 largest employers and is currently in the process of constructing a new building, campaigning to raise $1.3 million to complete […]
Posted inNews
Nominations needed for ag awards
The 37th District Agricultural Association is looking for nominations of people who’ve made important contributions to the county’s agricultural industry for its annual Agriculture Recognition Awards. Awards will be distributed at July’s Santa Barbara County Fair in the categories of Agri-Business Person of the Year, Farmer of the Year, and Livestock Producer of the Year. […]
Posted inNews
Nipomo nurseries open doors
Four Nipomo plant nurseries are scheduled to open their doors to the general public as part of the Central Coast Greenhouse Growers’ Association’s 10th annual Open House on April 2. The event is an opportunity to visit with growers and learn about care and handling of plants and flowers. Clearwater Nursery, Eufloria Flowers, Pacific Sun […]