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Almost perfect presents Look around and be thankful Charities need a break in these tough times A unique way for government to fight blight Schools must cash tech check Adjust system, not just bosses’ salaries City must respect its own history Green jobs can rebuild economy Democrats in power must not overreach Needed: More election staff June 06 July 06 August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 December 09 January 10 February 10 June 06 May 06 April 06 March 06 February 06 January 06 December 05 November 05 October 05 September 05 August 05 July 05 June 05 May 05 April 05 March 05 February 05 Blog RollAsk The Californian Editorials Entertainment Eye of Bakersfield Faith Forum Fired Up! Inside Sports Neighbors Right Thinking Sound Off Talk of the Town 
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PUBLISHED 12/07/08 -----
Barack Obama
Juggling lessons
The president-elect will need to improve his dexterity to deal with all the problems his predecessor leaves him — a nation and world in economic meltdown, two wars and a recent spike in terrorism. Obama will also need yoga instruction to help maintain his renowned calm.
John McCain
Six weeks in Sedona
The Republican standard-bearer has earned a long rest after a gruelling two-year presidential campaign. He shouldn’t...
PUBLISHED 11/30/08 ----
As we wind up this Thanksgiving weekend, The Californian’s Opinion staff reflects on the many things around us we can be thankful for:
While some may be disappointed that the the size of crowds in some stores was not larger, local shoppers showed up on this busy pre-Christmas shopping weekend with their holiday spirits and their wallets open. We urge them to continue supporting local merchants this season. Taxes from retail sales pay for the government...
PUBLISHED 11/26/08 -----
If times are tough for average Americans, how tough can they be for those who are in need, even under good circumstances?
As Kern County charities gear up for the holiday season, it’s an unavoidable question.
Rising unemployment and increasing costs for food and housing are driving up demand for emergency meals from charities and food pantries across the United States. In some corners of the country, donations are failing to keep up.
Demand in the Los...
PUBLISHED 11/25/08 -----
The foreclosure crisis has created a glut of vacant homes around the country, many of which have become increasingly run-down because of vandalism or general neglect.
Vacant homes, especially in more modest neighborhoods, create problems because they are attractive nuisances. One deserted house identifiable by uncut grass or broken windows can bring down a whole street.
Now some U.S. cities are doing something about the problem — and Bakersfield is...
PUBLISHED 11/18/08 ----
It’s a windfall for California public schools: a $250 million grant from Microsoft for new computers, software and training, part of a $1.1-billion class-action lawsuit settlement against the company.
Microsoft allegedly schemed to monopolize parts of the computer industry, and punitive, court-ordered manna for schools — in the form of a voucher program — seemed like an appropriate way to distribute proceeds from the verdict.
But two years...
PUBLISHED 11/18/08 ---
A well-intentioned ordinance designed to exclude Kern County supervisors from setting their own salaries has caused an unintended problem that should be fixed.
But the fix the Board of Supervisors considers today is short-sighted and reactive. A more thoughtful, long-term cure is needed.
Responding to public outrage over the increasing salaries of the five elected supervisors, an earlier Board of Supervisors adopted an automatic formula tying their ...
PUBLISHED 11/14/08 ----
The preservation of older structures sustains a city’s links to the past. No matter how modest, an older building is the product of the cultural heritage of its region, the technology of its period, the workmanship of its builders, and the vision of its designers.
Old buildings give cities historical authenticity.
Bakersfield has lost many such links, whether through the ravages of time, the trauma of fire and earthquake or, on occasion, neglect. This city...
PUBLISHED 11/12/08 -----
California leads the nation in the creation of “green jobs” — employment tied to the emerging fields of alternative fuels and nonfossil energy production. That means California is a leader in environmental stewardship.
It also means the state is making sensible workforce decisions with realistic economic potential.
Energy policies that require cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions, such as AB 32, the state’s groundbreaking environmental...
PUBLISHED 11/10/08 -----
The good news for Democrats is that they will soon control the White House and both houses of Congress.
That’s also the bad news for Democrats — and the hopeful news for conservative Republicans who fear that Democrats, unchecked, could give the U.S. a highly regulated, European-style government.
The U.S. has seen innumerable zigs and zags in economic and social policy over the years, but inevitably the nation returns to a less extreme position,...
PUBLISHED 11/07/09 ------
Mail-in votes were supposed to have made a huge difference in this election by streamlining the process for all concerned.
Indeed they have had an impact — positively and negatively. Mail votes have helped increase voter turnout, but processing problems have gummed up the works.
These advance ballots, once known as absentees, were supposed to have allowed county election offices throughout the state to count as many as half the votes prior to...
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