Shrider: "Seems the protesters were peeved over Warren’s faith-based conviction that marriage is between a man and a woman, a conviction they felt disqualified the pastor from having a role in the inauguration. Never mind that Obama himself has repeatedly said he harbors that same conviction."

Wrong. They were angered that he equated gay marriage to pedophelia and incest.
 

Warren: "I'm opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I'm opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I'm opposed to a guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage."
Interviewer: "Do you think those are equivalent to gays getting married?"
Warren: "Oh, I do."

"Noting numbers that didn’t ring true, Henry did some meticulous reporting and found, among other things, a claim by Cal State Fullerton researchers that 800 valley residents died last year due to dirty air was flat-out false."

There is nothing in Henry's article that proves 800 valley people did not die from dirty air last year.   She only quoted people who have been hired to discredit scientific research whenever it threatens polluting industry profits.  It was anything but meticulous reporting.  I call it unethical reporting to imply our filthy air does not harm public health.

It was a foregone conclusion during the primaries that the next president would be either the first woman or the first black man. McCain assured that outcome when he chose an unqualified religious fanatic for a running mate. McCain admitted in an interview during the campaign that the exclusion of minorities and ethnicities of the GOP was "dismal."  The republican party was in disarray before the campain started. 

Conservatives should feel dejected for taking a major hit in the elections. Fixing it, however, has more to do with remaking a political agenda voters can relate to than Obama being a "rock star." Conservatives have a lot of work to do if they are going to regain credibility. Name calling the president is not going to do that. 

 "Noting numbers that didn’t ring true, Henry did some meticulous reporting and found, among other things, a claim by Cal State Fullerton researchers that 800 valley residents died last year due to dirty air was flat-out false."

My dad died last year and the bad air contributed to his bad health (Valley Fever).  His doctor told him numerous times to leave the valley to prolong his life.  He actually moved to LA (of all places) for a few months and his health improved (weight gain, appetite returned).  He returned to Bakersfield paid for it with his life.  His body couldn't handle the CV dust and particulates in the air

Our air, she found, is cleaner that it’s been in three decades and pollution isn’t causing us to keel over. It’s just that not everyone wants you to know it.

What does that mean other than our air was really crappy 30 years ago?

I think it DOES prove that Lois doesn't just harp the party line.That IS admirable. I also think the air IS cleaner than the 70s. Her mistake was giving credence to a doctor who is nothing more than a shill for big corporations. Just because you perform surgery and remove half the tumor, doesn't mean there isn't still cancer in your system.

And congratz to you Marylee for at least waiting to make a judgement on Obama's presidency. However, what 1st term President elect has NOT been elected based on their promises? The litmus test is not what you say, but what you do. We were given ample time to judge George's.  Read my lips, I've got 100 bucks that says 20 years from now Obama's legacy will be a lot better than W's.

Wrong. They were angered that he equated gay marriage to pedophelia and incest.

Marylee beat Rick Warren to *THAT* months ago. Hating gays seems to be the only thing the Republicans can agree on.

Just what do you have to call yourself "gay"?  Is there a test you have to pass?  Do you have to get a DNA test? Is there a certain "initiation rite" that one must engage in??  Since "gay" is in, can I just declare myself gay and go on with my life as usual?

"Just what do you have to call yourself "gay"?  ...  Since "gay" is in, can I just declare myself gay and go on with my life as usual?"

Yes.

See, Marylee? You keep trying to use the Liberal agenda against Liberals and you will eventually find yourself biting your own tail.

Alright.  I'm gay!!!....I didn't have to smoke someones pickle.....

If anyone needs an expert of sort to explain the quality of our air we breath, it comes down to who is the most convincing,right or wrong., Left or Right. There argument is usually  based on self-interest or ideology. I  don't rely on back and forth  arguments. I have lived on the East side all my life and continue so to this day.From my home I could see Bear Mountain, ridges and all every day , every year except  for 6 or 7 days and that was   due to fog 45 years ago. and now that's how many days  I can see Bear Mountain every year 6 or 7 days and that's when the wind is blowing. Who of you and Columnist  has an explanation for the hide and seek phenomenon of Bear Mountain?   This is not sarcasm , what viable explanation is there other than filthy air.We all are breathing the same air. There will be no solution to this  unless we acknowledge the problem and then we can get  to the task of breathing safely again by doing something about it. Now if you feel that the air is OK to breathe and there is no problem, we can all choke and gasp together. Joey H 

Oh yeah, we have great air here in Bakersfield. That's why most people around here are so overweight, it's from all of that outdoor activity.

Cough, Cough. Maybe Lois and marilee have never driven into the valley from the grapevine. It's nasty. Oooh, maybe they'll team up and write an article about how there's no such thing as Valley Fever.

I saw a pulmonologist the other day for my asthma and, after running a few tests, he said "your lungs are normal for Bakersfield." It left me scratching my head at the "for Bakersfield" qualifier. I know from my time at UC Davis that I have reduced lung capacity (because the health center there practically flipped out at seeing my peak flow reading the first time I went there). But apparently that's "normal for Bakersfield". A bit sad isn't it?