Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Looking ahead to Thursday’s vice presidential debate, I’m going to differ with my colleague Paul Gullixson who says both candidates lost the first presidential debate. I don’t think either candidate “won,” but Barack Obama passed a significant test. He spoke credibly on foreign policy, which is clearly John McCain’s … Read More »

So what now? Clearly Wall Street was not impressed with a 228-205 House vote today to reject the $700 billion bailout plan. The Dow plummeted 777 points, its largest single-day points decline ever. Both of our local Congressional representatives, Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, and Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, joined an odd, bipartisan consortium of legislators in opposing the plan. We tried to reach Woolsey and Thompson this afternoon to discuss their … Read More »

So who won that first debate? Both lost. Both missed an opportunity to connect with voters at a critical time when everyone is worried about the economy. Both were more focused on policy than people, and neither showed much of a human side. John McCain clearly had a better command on foreign policy. But he came across as ornery in refusing to even look at Barack Obama, … Read More »

We met with former Assistant District Attorney Greg Jacobs Thursday, and he told us that a group of retired Sonoma County workers are so angry about the county’s recent decision to cut health benefits that they plan to take legal action. They plan to sue the county, claiming that they had an implied contract that was breached and a “vested right” to health insurance. … Read More »

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} The Internet has proven to be a valuable but humbling tool for me as a writer. As I read comments left on my editorials and blog posts, I realize that sometimes what I write isn’t as clear as I think. A case in point is Saturday’s editorial about volunteer programs and … Read More »

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} You can’t cover a political campaign – or even pay much attention to one – without hearing someone say that government needs to run more like a business. Well, there’s at least one way where government seems to be doing that. But it may make you wonder about the wisdom … Read More »

This story just moved on the Associated Press wire. You can file this one under “Thanks, but this is probably not going to be a problem from now on . . . “ SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ” Train operators in California are nowbanned from cell phone use while on duty, under a temporary order by state regulators.The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously passed an emergency order Thursday to … Read More »

Earlier today, I was invited to speak on a panel at Sonoma State University titled “War and the Economy” (the first in SSU’s “It Matters” pre-election lecture series) David McCuan, associate professor of political science moderated the discussion while Steve Cuellar, associate economics professor was the other panelist. As can be expected, given the news of late, we talked much more about the economy … Read More »

Are we heading back to square one? Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this afternoon that he will veto the budget deal that the state Legislature approved about 2 a.m. today.He called the budget compromise irresponsible and criticized it for not containing the reform measures he demanded. Among other things, he wants a rainy day fund. “I say enough is enough,” Schwarzenegger said. “California has been put through this … Read More »

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Here’s a frightening thought to start the day: In just 15 weeks, we get to start the state budget process all over. If that’s not enough to spoil a Monday morning, try this: None of the underlying problems with the state’s budget are solved with the get-out-town deal cut over … Read More »