I’m no scientist, but despite predictions of the greatest drought-busting El Nino in memory, it seems we’ve haven’t seen spit here in the Valley. Fortunately, courageous winegrowers – the backbone of our economy -- aren’t intimidated by science, and some plan even more vineyards, wineries... Continue
Snark Infested Waters
Residents annoyed by battleship-sized tour buses, stretch limos and converted produce vans hauling gaggles of tourists through the Valley should consider that those traffic-clogging monstrosities perform an important public service. Namely, keeping inebriated, cluelessly-lost tourists from getting behind the wheel and becoming menaces to themselves... Continue
Campaign logos that ignite supporters and help win elections are usually carefully crafted after weeks of ferreting out the hopes and fears of voters through scientific polling conducted by highly-paid campaign operatives whose job it is to polir l'étron (pardon the French, but this is... Continue
If the news of the American who killed, decapitated and skinned Cecil the lion turned your stomach, you know it’s time to ban hunting. Sadly, in his desire to reduce gun violence after each massacre du jour, our President occasionally considers it necessary to say... Continue
As a public service, let’s examine popular fantasies about the utility of guns for self-defense, in case you’ve had just about all the common sense you can stand for one day. Fact: Every martial artist learns that the ultimate weapon is Surprise, with which the... Continue
As a compassionate community, we should make an effort to reassure those among us who believe the recent Supreme Court decision recognizing same-sex marriage will cast the nation into hellfire and damnation, and “destroy marriage as we know it." “What’s next?” they demand tearfully, “Marrying... Continue
What better example of American Values than if our president pardoned Edward Snowden on the Fourth of July? While that might send local conservatives to the ER with chest pains, it could prove entertaining. Who can forget the outraged lady who, during a Sonoma Fourth... Continue
“This issue is trust. Should voters put their trust in the Board of Supervisors as well as the city councils in the county’s nine incorporated cities, all of which will receive a share of the funds, to spend the money the way it is intended?” --... Continue
A newspaper not-to-be-named recently conducted a survey asking: “Should the city establish, staff and fund a recreation department?” Nearly 70 percent of respondents said “Yes.” Since the entire globe could take the online survey, it was hard to tell if the 107 respondents lived in... Continue
We’ve all heard the latest silliness out of Texas: Gunmen attacked a so-called art exhibit depicting cartoons of the Prophet, M******d, sponsored by right-wingers, some of whom worry that Sharia Law will be imposed on Texas by President Obama. Ironically, typical Sharia Law punishments –... Continue