A necessity of responsible statecraft is to stay off political bandwagons, especially if you’re deluding yourself into thinking you’re driving one. Sometimes bandwagons seem to be powered by scientific consensus. They can be the most perilous of all.
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Police on Monday started investigating rumors of possibly fraudulent solicitations for money from a person or group working under the guise of a group trying to launch a charter school.Two Foster City Islander columns written this month by publisheremeritus Sam Felser and Councilwoman Pam Frisella report that a brochure soliciting donations is circulating in town, but no one has been able to locate an actual brochure or find out for sure if it exists, police Capt. Jon Froomin said.
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In August of 2004, Steven Petrilli turned 18. As far as the criminal justice system is concerned, he received a clean slate for his future criminal behavior.From Dec. 9, 2004, through June 5, 2006, Petrilli was arrested 12 times, charged with 18 felonies and 11 misdemeanors.In this period of 18 months, he served no more then 35 days in jail.
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The 19 most important transportation projects in the Bay Area are facing a $2.3 billion shortfall in construction costs, and the funding gap will continue growing larger as long as building expenses keep rising while the projects are delayed.Put at risk by the ongoing delays are such important projects as the new Muni Central Subway, the Transbay Terminal and the long-awaited electrification of Caltrain, which would all significantly enhance Bay Area transportation during the next 25 years.
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By Scott HaugeCalifornia’s Global Warming Solutions Act, A.B. 32, is a critical piece of legislation that positions our state as an international leader in addressing global warming. But recent news reports leave theaverage reader with the impression that a war is brewing between business and environmentalists over this measure. Nothing could be further from the truth. Big oil companies may not like having to monitor, report and curtail their emissions, but they do not speak for everyone — especially not small businesses in California.
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Yes, the Bay Area’s home-price boom is over. But that does not mean a real estate crash is on the way. What’s happening now is more like a return to normal market conditions. Such conditions existed for decades prior to the late, lamented dot-com bonanza that ushered in the 21st century locally.
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The bumpy and circuitous process of dismantling the California Legislature’s corrupting power to draw its own election district boundaries lurched forward one small step on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Sacramento insiders see the mini-progress as largely symbolic.With a 27-11 bipartisan vote, the state Senate barely attained the minimum 27 votes necessary to call a statewide ballot for a constitutional amendment. Gov. Schwarzenegger has already said he would sign SCA 3 if it reaches his desk.
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It’s hard not to pity Phil Angelides, the Democrats’ pick to terminate the Terminator. In some ways, if you think about it, his dilemma was forged by Walter Mondale, the national party’s pick to stop the Gipper.
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San Francisco is a city known internationally for its ultra-unique character. In this age of big-box retail and cookie-cutter cafés, to what can San Francisco attribute its perpetually distinct identity? A huge part of what shapes our City and contributes so deeply to our quality of life is undoubtedly the neighborhood business.The neighborhood business — the mom-and-pop shop down the block that sells fresh produce; the dance studio that teaches kids hip-hop; the café on the corner where local artists exhibit their work and musicians meet to play bluegrass.
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In the Golden State, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on July 22 his new discount drug plan, described as a "voluntary" agreement between pharmaceutical companies and the state of California. But it’s more like a raw deal. What he is really selling is price controls on pharmaceuticals. The California Prescription Drug Initiative calls upon drug manufacturers to offer 5 million low-income Californians major discounts on prescription medications — up to 40 percent on brand-name drugs and a whopping 60 percent on generics.
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