The current political unrest in Iran is not to be weighed in the minds of American intellectuals; analyzed and packaged as the birth pangs of a new government — one that will greet the United States with open arms and “unclenched fists.” This superficial view comes from an American media[Read More…]
Opinions
All letters to the editor, commentary, opinions, editorial boards, etc. Movie/tv show/book/music reviews should go in arts and life.
Some conspiracy theorists’ Sept. 11 skepticism teeters on idiocy
I am getting really sick and tired of the buffoons among us who still, despite so much evidence and reporting, believe that the September 11 attacks were either staged, known about, or caused by our own government. People are always going to want that “smoking gun,” the point at which[Read More…]
U.S. consumerism hurting Brazilians
It’s purple, small and round, grows in the Amazon and is an example of Brazil’s continuing trouble with balancing economic fairness for small farmers and sustainability of the environment. The açaí berry from the açaí palm tree is a fast-growing staple of Brazilian exports to countries like the United States,[Read More…]
Health care reform not socialist
In the 1980 presidential debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, one critical issue was brought up — health care. The same issue has highlighted every debate ever since. Every president-elect continues to promise a health care reform, one that would be affordable and practicable for Americans. One question, what[Read More…]
Our View-Oil tax not too crude to help save higher education
Probably the most tragic part of the way California’s budget crisis is being dealt with in Sacramento is that all solutions being seriously considered revolve around butchery. The only word that has drawn political consensus is “cut,” a word our actor-turned-governor should be accustomed to hearing. The only real debate[Read More…]
Fantasy football leagues male equivalent to women taking a ‘me’ day
The “fantasy” in fantasy football doesn’t get enough analysis. From early June through late December, men across this steak-eating nation yearn to escape their cubicles and nagging wives by pretending they manage gridiron greats. This is serious business in many circles, as millions of these brave men play for keeps.[Read More…]
Jeremiah Wright’s comments not kosher
Do you ever sit back and take a critical look at the world around you? I often find myself marveling at so many of mankind’s accomplishments in so many arenas. Technologically, for instance, the world is so advanced. We have million-dollar satellites that orbit the globe, computers in just about[Read More…]
Our View: Furlough Friday plan a step closer to shutting CSU
California State University Chancellor Charles Reed is once again complicit with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in trying to exacerbate the deterioration of public higher education. Reed’s recent proposal to force all CSU employees and faculty — except campus safety personnel — to take two-day per month furloughs for the 2009-2010 academic[Read More…]
Our View-State legislators are committing academic genocide
Rather than calling the ongoing slashes to our educational systems an “unwanted and painful necessity,” as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger did last week, we should call it what it really is — California’s academic genocide. We don’t wish to lessen the agonies inflicted on victims and descendents of past atrocities inflicted[Read More…]
Long Beach cops can’t get stories straight in shooting testimony
Cops are such easy targets, aren’t they? Everybody’s got a horror story involving a police officer, whether it’s getting an unwarranted speeding ticket or being harassed by a power-tripper who wants you to “respect his authori-tie.” I’m not one of those people who hates on all cops. I get that[Read More…]