Yep, that’s true. We know that, intellectually. So why does it bother us so much, each time it’s proven true? Some might say that’s the occasion of reaching adulthood, when a young person realizes that “life ain’t fair.” But even as adults, it seems we’re... Continue
Editorials
When is a farm not a farm? So Congress is at work for us – as the saying goes, “They’re here to help.” We’re speaking of the Farm Bill, which might send a small piece of taxpayer money to a few folks in Sonoma Valley... Continue
Shipstad and Johnston? Frick and Frack? Those names from the way-back came to mind this week as news spread of the “ICEcapades” rally at Julliard Park in Santa Rosa last Saturday. Organizers were protesting the collaboration of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s office with the federal... Continue
The dog days of summer In this great democracy of ours, we are all presumably equal. Every citizen is supposed to stop at red lights, pay taxes and show up when called for jury duty. By the same token, we are all supposed to be... Continue
We all enjoy a right to privacy, guaranteed to us as Americans by the U.S. Constitution. Right? Well, actually, that "right" has been divined by judges only in the last 50 years or so, and it has been used to justify other rights, including that... Continue
Much ado was made before the hometown parade on July 4 about water, specifically its projection in balloons or from hoses. In the end, the fire trucks rolled, the hoses sprayed, and no one, so far as we know, complained about that. But we think... Continue
Life Too Fast? With a mid-week holiday on Wednesday, we hope that everyone was able to S L O W down and enjoy some reflective time. This is, of course, the continual pitch from our friend Chris Elms, who preaches the health benefits of living... Continue
We don’t want to overstate its importance, but there is some significance to the victory by Juan Pablo Montoya in Sunday’s NASCAR Nextel Cup Toyota/SaveMart 350 race at Infineon Raceway. Namely, Montoya is Hispanic. He hails from Bogota, Columbia, and was already an accomplished international... Continue
“You’ve got to turn off the Spanish television set” and avoid Spanish-language books and newspapers, too, according to the recommendation from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to Spanish-speaking immigrants who don’t speak English. His comments came in response to a question about how Hispanic students could improve... Continue
At its meeting last week, the Sonoma City Council talked itself around, after a long discussion, to the right position on an item brought forward by council member Ken Brown. He wanted to establish as an acknowledged board “norm” the ability for any one council... Continue