A blog about Kern County, Politics, and Religion & Faith.
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We must learn to live within our means Absence of newspapers hurts communities Once again: Harvey Milk Day is a bad idea Student's freedom quashed in college classroom Flood of hope Hold on to at least some library services Tech ed a big win for students KHSD belt-tightening riles up parents One crazy week for this conservative Why not enforce the smoking laws we already have? 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 June 06 May 06 April 06 March 06 February 06 January 06 December 05 November 05 October 05 September 05 August 05 July 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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Teachers who participated in my informal survey on school apathy, the results of which ran in my Saturday column, cited too many tests and too few parents as the cause.
Those who wrote or called in are men and women who work at elementary, junior high and high schools throughout the county. They were a diverse bunch, but when it came to student apathy -- its cause and its cure -- they were nearly unanimous.
Standards are necessary, they said. Just make them realistic.
Yes, we do get...
My question two weeks ago to teachers on how to fix apathy in our schools triggered a number of varied and passionate responses, but the teachers who called or wrote have three things in common --they're tired, they're frustrated and they absolutely love teaching our kids.
A total of 45 local educators participated in the survey and each had much to say on the subject of student and teacher apathy. Their passion was so great; in fact, I came to regret not setting a word limit of, say...
Anniversaries are generally something to celebrate, but there was little jubilation Monday in connection with the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, even from those who champion the cause.
There were a number of raucous demonstrations around the country, some marches and a few angry speeches, of course, but not much in the way of revelry.
We are a careful people when it comes to semantics so it's telling that we generally "mark," "recognize" or even...
Moms and dads who believe toddlers benefit from an occasional spanking might want to close the curtains and soundproof the house. If a certain Sacramento busybody has her way, parents who slap hands or swat fannies could end up in jail.
To spank or not to spank is a decision most parents are capable of making without the government's help, but Mountain View Assemblywoman Sally Lieber believes when it comes to our kids the Legislature knows best.
Lieber plans to introduce a bill next...
If there's one thing I've always grudgingly admired about our state Sen. Dean Florez, it's his seemingly intuitive knack for doing the politically prudent thing at the politically opportune moment.
Which is why I was taken aback last week by his return of a $200 donation to former Mayor Mary K. Shell after she publicly criticized the senator for spending thousands of dollars of sludge-fighting funds on Christmas cards.
Shell's donation was returned to her with little explanation, save for...
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kicked off the new year by flexing the muscles he's famous for, proposing to save millions in the state budget by terminating welfare benefits for families when parents won't work.
The proposal, crafted by someone who's serious about welfare reform, also will cut welfare benefits to children of illegal immigrants if their parents haven't become citizens after five years. It's a tough plan, but reasonable, practical and long overdue.
Naturally, legislative...
It's no secret that teachers everywhere spend a lot of time looking for better ways to educate kids. My sister, a reading and language arts eacher at a Tennessee middle school, is no exception.
She and her fellow teachers spent the first day of this new semester studying a districtwide program on ways to improve their school.
The teachers spent the day poring over graphs and diagrams, reading parent surveys, scrutinizing the latest technological advances and tutoring programs and going...
Presidents, governors and other prominent politicos seem to blitz through Bakersfield on a regular basis these days, but in 1975, when President Gerald Ford flew into town, it was a rare and historic event.
The day was clear and cold, but the atmosphere was festive, as local business leaders and elected officials -- including a young Bill Thomas -- mingled with the huge crowd that gathered at Meadows Field Airport to welcome the president.
I don't recall what business brought the...
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