Recent Blog Posts: Bakersfield.com

does anyone know what's up with bfmc?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:19:15 PDT

about 10 years ago when my mom started working for the state and we finally had medical insurance, we started going to bfmc urgent care and went through them for primary care. in the past few years, it seems our doctors keep moving away and we get assigned to someone else. i just go maybe a few times a year, but consistency with a dr. is important. so is it just my bad luck, or do they all really keep coming and going?

Mondavi Park - burned again, more than $50,000 in damages

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:48:36 PDT

Melted royal blue plastic from what looks like it could have been a slide and twisted metal bars lay in a pile atop charred wood chips and surrounded by bright yellow caution tape.

Ironically, just feet away are yellow letters spelling "Fire Dept." across a red play fire truck.

For the second time in a year, a play structure at Mondavi Park has been burned to the ground.

The fire was reported shortly after midnight on July 4. Four males in a sport utility vehicle are wanted for questioning, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

The North of the River Recreation and Park District board tonight is expected to approve replacement equipment.

The damages exceed $50,000, according to NOR spokesman Roger Perez.

July 18, 2006, a smaller structure at Mondavi was burned at a cost of more than $10,000, Perez said.

Tonight the board will also approve its budget, which includes provisions for security cameras to be placed in parks.

For those among us who believe it can't get any worse.

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:21:13 PDT

What can derail the vicious cycle of drug sales, gun smuggling, violence and poverty? Or rather, are you really so incapable of rational thought when so much is at stake?

Joe Wilson just endorsed Hillary during an ongoing conference call with liberal bloggers.

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:28:39 PDT

TPMCafe noted:

"It's interesting, then, to note that the primary reason Wilson cited for backing Hillary is her view of what should happen after the war -- her awareness, as he sees it, of the need to end the war "in a way that preserves some shred of our strategic position in the region." This, of course, touches on the whole residual force debate, which ironically is something Hillary has taken heat for from bloggers and others whom the Wilson endorsement is most likely to impress."

I guess, I was wrong on Wilson's position of the Iraq invasion :(

wikipedia on Joe Wilson, "After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Wilson supported activist groups like Win Without War, a nonpartisan coalition of groups united in opposition to the Iraq War, has been quoted in the organization's press releases, and has been attacked by conservatives for such anti-war activism.^[19] Nevertheless, according to an article to which Scott Shane and Lynette Clemetson contributed, published in the New York Times: "Despite conservatives' efforts to portray him as a left-wing extremist, [Wilson] insisted he remained a centrist at heart. But after his tangle with the current administration, he admits 'it will be a cold day in hell before I vote for a Republican, even for dog catcher.'"^[20]

Wilson endorses Veterans for a Secure America (VSA).

Water park on tonight's NOR agenda

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:16:32 PDT

One of the first stories I wrote came from a tip that NOR was about to push through a deal with a developer to build a water park in the northwest.

The tip turned out to be far from the truth.

In fact, the developer who came closest to presenting an idea for a deal "vanished" from the NOR radar well before plans were approved.

The story turned out to be that the developer disappeared and while NOR was still interested in a water park, they weren't going to actively pursue anything at this time.

That story generated about six other calls from developers courting the district, according to Colon Bywater, the park district's planning and construction director.

One developer is expected to present a plan at this evening's board meeting. We'll see. He was supposed to come last month but didn't show. Apparently he got the date wrong.

If the board likes the plan it will instruct NOR to begin a sort of investigation into the company and proposal.

The water park, should it ever materialize, would be built at the future Rosedale Park site on Rosedale Highway between West Jewetta Avenue and Old Farm Road.

Take sting out of West Nile

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:11:31 PDT

PUBLISHED 7-17-2007

Kern County is the danger zone for West Nile Virus in the state, with one death among the nine confirmed cases statewide thus far. Eight of the nine cases are in Kern County. The Kern County woman who died was 96 years old. Other counties have suspected cases, but none had been confirmed as of late last week, according to the state Department of Health Services.

Although occasionally fatal — especially to the elderly and peope with immune system disorders — taking basic protective steps can prevent contracting the disease. There is no vaccine against human West Nile Virus, but there is for a similar disease in horses, which should be vaccinated.

West Nile is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds and then bite people. Kern may be especially vulnerable because of its hot weather and potential mosquito breeding areas — livestock watering troughs, canals, standing irrigation water and the like.

Although vector control/mosquito abatement districts are suppressing major mosquito breeding grounds, individuals must protect themselves.

• Avoid places where mosquitoes are likely to breed and congregate.

• Limit outdoor activity, if possible, at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, if possible, during dawn and dusk hours.

• At all times, when outdoors, spray clothes and exposed skin with insect repellent containing DEET. The higher the concentration of DEET the better. Do not be fooled by ads proclaiming to be DEET-free and thus healthier. DEET is generally safe on children 2 months of age and up. Other effective substances include Picaridin (sometimes called KBR3023) and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

• Repair screens on windows and doors.

• Eliminate standing water on your property.

Symptoms of West Nile generally occur from two to 15 days after being bitten.
Most people show no symptoms.

Mild symptoms, which affect 20 percent of people, include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches and sometimes a skin rash. Although the symptoms are similar to Valley Fever and influenza, blood tests can distinguish West Nile.

Severe West Nile infection in 1 in 150 people can lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the nerve system). Both diseases can lead to coma, paralysis and occasionally death. Basic individual preventive steps are vital to being safe this summer, especially here in Kern County.

West Nile is not contagious and blood is screened for evidence of the virus.

Wendy Wayne a good choice

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:06:04 PDT

PUBLISHED 7-17-2007

First 5 Kern commissioners took a good step toward repairing the embattled agency’s image by appointing child advocate Wendy Wayne as its executive director.

Wayne, who established Community Connection for Child Care and spent decades advocating for children’s services in Kern County, was named to the post last week, replacing First 5 Kern’s controversial executive director Steve Ladd.

Unlike Wayne, Ladd had no experience with child care programs when he was named the agency’s first executive director after voters passed Proposition 10 in 1998. Proposition 10 levied a 50-cent a pack tax on tobacco products to pay for programs for children 5 years of age and younger. It established a statewide commission, as well as local commissions in California’s 58 counties that dole out tobacco tax money to support children’s programs. Kern County receives about $10 million to $12 million a year from the tax.

Early on, First 5 Kern was criticized for the way it used the money, with many contending the funds were used to promote individual commissioners and their agendas.

Ladd, a controversial county administrator before being appointed First 5 Kern’s executive director, was known for his combative and arrogant demeanor. He was terminated by commissioners earlier this summer, receiving a severance package criticized as being excessive and self-serving.

Wayne will bring to the job credibility and a proven ability to work with diverse groups. Her collaborative nature should help heal wounds and move First 5 forward. Wayne has dedicated her life to children. She knows her stuff when it comes to administering and inspiring new programs.

The problem with First 5 Kern has been that commissioners and the executive director have treated the tobacco tax money as their personal slush fund.

The money belongs to Kern County’s kids. We are hopeful that Wayne will ensure they receive it.

World's tallest man meets world's shortest man

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:39:56 PDT

FOXNews.com
World’s tallest man meets world’s shortest man

Oprah.com
Power of words, “I’m Sorry”

Telegraph.co.uk
Bush like Hitler, says first Muslim in Congress

FOXNews.com
Little League umpires abused with pizza

KhaleejTimes.com
A to Z of Harry Potter

WAFB.com
Worms fall from sky in Jennings, La.

CNN.com
‘Torture Porn’ hits a bloody wall

bakersfield.com
Local man describes his battle with West Nile Virus

On Moving

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:25:34 PDT

It had been awhile. Time had passed, the seasons had changed, I had changed, my situation in life had changed, things at work had changed, but in the face of all these changes one thing, as I was to be quiclky reminded, had not changed. Not one bit, and that was that moving still sucks. I was reminded of how much more enjoyable an icepick to the ear would be than to move. It doesn't matter who you are moving, how close or how far you have to go, it still sucks.

Last November it was my Mom moving across town. No big deal you say except that Mom is a pack rat. She has report cards from my sophomore year in High School(1975), one of my first paycheck stubs from the Railroad(1979), and myriad other odds and ends, this's and that's, knicks and knacks and then there are still all of the essentials, of which she had many. In all that stuff, I couldn't find one. Anywhere, and I looked! Not one single icepick to jamb into my ear to get out of helping!

In December I made the first haul to get my daughter and grandson back here from Vegas. It wasn't bad. The weather was cool and we only filled up the back of my pickup. We would return another time for the rest of her things. That time came in April when I borrowed my Grandson Ryan's enclosed bike trailer and returned to Vegas with Cassie to retrieve the rest of her belongings. I had planned to get most of her stuff the day we left but I had a blowout just east of Barstow. Not a good omen! It was late when we got to Vegas so I dropped Cassie off at her Mom's(where she had her things), got a motel room, dropped the trailer, parked the truck and rested(after some gambling, of course).

It wasn't until I backed the trailer into the the no parking zone at the apartments the next morning that it dawned on me that we would be moving all her stuff from an unpstairs apartment. Oh joy! Cassies Mom(my first wife)is also a pack rat and it took us quite awhile to sift through the third grade writing assignments and dolls with missing limbs to get down to just the stuff she actually wanted. When we got to the dresser it was obvious that the women weren't going to be able to help. Thank God for neighbors with nothing better to do. I slipped the guy a twenty and he was more than happy to give any assistance he could in between swigs of the forty he purchased on receipt of my largess, but still I was tired and sweating like the guilty guy in a line up. I scoured Nannette's bathroom and kitchen toward the end and was unable to find a razor or a knife sharp enough to slit my throat and end the misery of the zig-zag staircase and the burden of the loads traversing it and the knowledge of unloading it all at home after a four hour ride.

This weekend it was my girlfriend moving from Dustin Acres to her new apartment in Bakersfield. I should have broken up with her on Friday and made up with her when she was all moved in! I am always amazed at how much stuff people can end up with. You never really know just how much crap you have until you have to move it and when it's someone elses stuff I am REALLY amazed! I am NOT a pack rat. My view is that if I haven't used it in six months, I don't really need it and it will soon be at Goodwill or the landfill, and I wish more people felt the same way! She has three daughters, who have all the requisite stuff daughters should have. Then there was the stuff they DIDN'T need, and in many cases, probably didn't realize they still even had! What a great opportunity to toss a boatload of stuff! Three full loads of everything that would fit in her car, the back seat of my pickup, the back of my picup and a twenty foot trailer, and then she realized that it wasn't all going to fit in her new place, so we have to haul a load back to her Mom's place for storage. All of this in 90-100 degree heat. I'm getting to old(or maybe just lazy)for this crap! I wonder if there is any rope in her stuff.

Schmozing Award

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:25:08 PDT

Well, this is interesting. Let's Talk has honored me with A Schmooze Award. What's interesting is that I grew up very shy, unable to talk to people until I discovered better living through chemistry (drugs and booze.) And now, sober, I seem to be able to talk to people and listen to people without being shy.

According to Mariuca, schmoozing is the natural ability “to converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.” Good schmoozers effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well.

What a surprise!This amazing blogger,DivaJood, http://journeyswithjood.blogspot.com who I met at sirenchronicles ,has named me one of the recipients..now the fun part! I get to name my five recipients and all of my choices come from here at B.com because I am just venturing out into the blogoshere.This is my home~you will always be my soul.I have met some new amazing writers ,women who have stories and hearts ablaze. But these five local bloggers have inspired me,leave smiles,trails of friends~even though some do not agree with me..and that is precisely the point!So here goes... in no particular order

1.NancyII ~Things that interest me~a political grand canyon separates us,but she is warm funny has an amazing family(I envy her that!) and can write from local history,personal stories and politics.

2.CeeCee Howell~ My 2 cents~she is a new participant here but she has left trails of smiles,tolerance and fun after every step i have seen her take

3.Sam~Sam Heath~ He can write circles around anyone I have read,sometimes we agree,sometimes we do not,but he is always a gentleman, will not stand for personal attacks against anyone .I admire him.

4.adamepayne~Jammin with the band~ He is always kind,writes from music to motives to cooperate structure and everything in between.He understands the human condition and sheds light every where he goes.

5.Hardliner4freedom~The Church/State Wall(his new project and of course here)~This man can think,articulate his thoughts and pierce you with his points but is the first one there with stitches and a band aid.

Now ,do not Thank me you five~because now it's time to pay it forward..you must name your own five recipients of the Schmoozing Award.There are of course many others here i could have picked,but I could only choose five,so forgive me if I did not mention you~or be thankful you do not have to pick your five!

http://www.usalone.com/donations_kucinich.php

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:21:52 PDT

NEWS ON "IMPEACH CHENEY?" CAP SHIPMENTS

We are going to be ordering some special Impeach Team varsity
letters, and you can get one for no charge just by helping to gather
votes in the National Cheney Impeachment poll, which passed 90,000
yesterday. And there are now at least 14 co-sponsors of H.Res.333,
the Dennis Kucinich bill to impeach Dick Cheney

But first, news about the custom embroidered "Impeach Cheney?" caps.
If you have not already put in your request, you can get one for no
charge (donation optional) by clicking on the link below, as now over
5,000 of your fellow impeachment advocates already have. If you CAN
make a donation please use the same form to do so, which is what is
making it possible to supply everyone with one who wants one.

IMPEACHMENT CAP REQUESTS:
http://www.usalone.com/impeach_cheney_cap.php

We spent the entire weekend working to get your orders out, shipping
starting with the East Coast since that will take a week or so in
transit. New England and down to about New York City was shipped
Saturday, the rest of the seaboard down to mid-Florida is going out
early Monday morning, and we will work our way west and should finish
getting out the first 5,000 by midweek.

We are in a race against time. The latest reports are that Cheney is
pushing harder than ever for an attack on Iran. He has persuaded Bush
that no subsequent president would take such action. What he did not
tell Bush was the reason, that it would be yet another war crime. We
must bring the public momentum for impeachment to a head faster than
they are planning to launch the nukes, and the good news is that with
your help we are doing it. Both Randi Rhodes and Ed Schultz are
making strong statements on air in favor of impeachment. The tide is
turning even now.

GET YOUR IMPEACH TEAM VARSITY LETTER

Now, for those of you collecting more votes in poll with the in
person canvassing sheets we have some special incentive. You remember
how in college or high school in various sports they would award
varsity letters, done in chenille with large bold type to sew on to
your favorite jacket or sweater. And then the world would know that
you had achieved something truly special. Well, we are going to have
some Impeach Team varsity letters made up, and all you have to do to
get one is get a bunch of your friends and neighbors to express their
opinion on whether Cheney should be impeached or not.

CHENEY VOTESHEETS: http://www.usalone.com/cheney_votesheet.php

In the second section down on the page above you will see an artist's
conception of what the Impeach Team varsity letter will look like. In
fact, if you have already ordered your "Impeach Cheney?" cap, what a
perfect thing to wear while collecting your votes. Just wearing one
people will ask what it's about and you'll be gathering votes like
crazy. So print out some vote sheets from the page above, and start
earning your varsity letter today.

KUCINICH DESERVES OUR SUPPORT TOO

Did you hear this week some other candidates whispering about how it
is time to start restricting who can participate in the debates. We
say not so fast. Who else but Dennis Kucinich has been so strong on
issue after issue, to have the courage to stand up for impeachment
when nobody else would raise their hand? Please consider making a
donation to encourage Dennis to continue speaking out on the issues.

http://www.usalone.com/donations_kucinich.php

Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed
to be ours, and forward this message to everyone else you know.

If you would like to get alerts like these, you can do so at
http://www.usalone.com/in.htm

Or if you want to cease receiving our messages, just use the function
at http://www.usalone.com/out.htm

usalone91:24184

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Have Americans lost their sense of humor?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:21:15 PDT

If you have lived long enough to make a qualitative analysis of the subject you realize what passes for commercial humor in America has changed considerably over the past decades, and now it is much safer to engage in the lowest form of what some consider “humor” than what is truly humorous about the human species; and for good reason. America and the rest of the world has become very dangerous, and even gallows humor were it acceptable would not be able to make us feel safer; much in the manner of Thoreau’s comment concerning economics, while it may lend itself to levity it cannot so easily be disposed.

A major factor in the loss of real humor in America has its basis in the words of the Psalmist, “I said in my haste all men are liars.” I recall a preacher years ago commenting on the words of the Psalmist concluding, “You know folks, I haven’t been in any hurry about it, I’ve taken a lot of time to think this over, and I still think all men are liars.”

There is no doubt in my mind Sam Clemens was the most gifted, natural born liar with which this poor, tired old earth has ever been blessed. Not a day goes by that I’m not reminded of the debt America owes this champion of the tall tale, the “stretchers” Sam would tell for the sake of laughter benefiting untold millions of people. Even today this master of the English language and humor continues to be paid homage by millions throughout the world. But the distinction is always there between a lie told to do harm or take advantage, and those told whether for the sake of a tall tale or when one has no choice but to lie.

Which shall it be; keep your friends, keep your job, or speak your mind and to thine own self be true? This much is certain, as little Scout pointed out one must lie under certain circumstances. But it is a personal responsibility to discriminate as to when one must lie and when one must not. And just to the degree we find ourselves making allowances for lying or telling the truth, to that degree we define our own character, all the while acknowledging the fact that one must lie under certain circumstances, just as good manners, proper speech and etiquette are the socially approved method by which civilized people are able to congregate without coming to blows. It was for this reason the champion of the tall tale cautioned one must present their personal opinions carefully perfumed and barbered for the public. And it remains there are three subjects you do not bring up in a bar: Politics, Religion, and the Civil War.

But while Sam was the consummate master of humor, there is no disputing his genius for such humor had its basis in the very darkest of human experiences and emotions, as with all great works of humor exemplified by the Greeks and later by Shakespeare, so much so that he considered death the only pure and unalloyed gift of God. Far from being merely the clown laughing outwardly while crying inwardly, Sam wrote from the depths of human despair; that he was able to turn the tables on such despair of humankind, believing like Franklin it was not worthy of surviving, and laugh at himself while poking fun at others and the human condition was, in my opinion, nothing short of miraculous, his own peculiar spark of divinity.

As Harper Lee so well pointed out, real writers are compelled to write. So long as they write, they live; and they live to write; they could as well stop breathing as to stop writing. It is therefore no wonder that such real writers are also compelled to tell the truth in so many instances when a well-crafted lie might serve them better. Where Sam had the advantage, a product of his singular and unique genius for humor, was being able to plumb the dark side for his well crafted lies that served truth in the end.

Walt Kelly was a gifted humorist, and as such pointed out we should not take life too seriously, since it’s in no wise permanent. Such a point of view one would think should result in honesty. But the real honesty to be found in the best of humor begins with being honest with yourself. To the extent one is dishonest with themselves, to that extent they will find themselves being dishonest with others.

Politicians and the MSM suffer mightily from a lack of both humor and honesty. Emerson had long ago noted no one would become a politician had they a choice of some noble occupation, and I have concluded the same thing holds true for most of those involved with the MSM. How many of these, do you suppose, are really honest with themselves? It’s as though the “professionals” in government and the media have concluded of We the People in the words of Jack Nicholson “You can’t handle the truth!” Perhaps if we were ever told the truth we could put the lie to such a conclusion. But given the track record of politicians and those in the media I hold no hope of this ever happening.

Granted in an America held in bondage to politically correct speech there is no room for any discussion of the truth that does not degenerate into labeling and name-calling it comes down to lying in order to protect one’s rice bowl. Which shall it be; keep your friends, keep your job, or speak your mind and to thine own self be true?

Americans haven’t lost their sense of humor, but the very best of humor has its basis in the truth. And it is this loss of truth I blame for the lack of genuine humor in America, humor that is not degraded by meanness, perversion, or a pernicious attempt to harm or take advantage.

A (free) day of culture in Bakersfield

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:16:45 PDT

If you keep your eyes out around town, you are bound to find lots to do that doesn't cost anything. This was the case for me on Saturday.

I had heard about a belly dancing studio downtown, so I e-mailed one of the dancers asking about beginning classes. Surprisingly, they were hosting a free two-hour workshop and sent me an invitation! So at noon Saturday, I found myself in a room with about 40 women of all ages, shapes and sizes learning undulations and snake arms at Bahiyya Almas. I was awful. But it was so much fun! I may have to try some classes when I am able to afford it.

After that, I went with some friends to CSUB for a Native American Gathering. There was no admission, although I did buy some ice cold water. It was HOT out there! We got there just in time to hear some drumming and singing. I probably could have bargained with some of the vendors who were just trying to reach their goals before packing up and heading out. But I talked myself out of the beautiful basketry and jewelry for sale.

Lastly, we swung south to visit a friend's "farm." He was out of town and his tomatoes needed to get eaten, or go rotten. I ended up with several pounds of tomatoes and made a delicious tomato salad for dinner. Tonight I'll be making spaghetti sauce to freeze with the rest.

On our way home we drove through Sonic for a fresh fruit ice drink. Thanks to my friend who drove, thus saving me gas money, my total spent on this full day of cultural fun was $3. And it was a great day.

My Samson can whip your Spider-Man

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:45:07 PDT

About one-sixth of Wal-mart stores, including the one on Rosedale Highway, will begin selling religious action figures in mid-August.

They will include Samson, Daniel and Jesus, although the manufacturer also makes Esther (queen who saved Jews from genocide), Mary, Moses, Noah and David.

The idea is to give children an option from toys such as Spider-Man, G.I. Joe and Catwoman.

Do you think this is a good idea for our children?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Site Tips: How to upload your photos to blogposts and comments

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:42:50 PDT

Happy Monday, everybody! Instead of just opening the thread to questions about how features of the site work or how to address technical problems encountered here, we're gonna switch things up a bit today. Of course, feel free to ask questions about any problems you've been having on the site or other how-to questions as usual, but we're gonna start off with a little primer on a subject that garners a lot of inquiries from users new and old: how to upload photos to blogposts and comments.

First, on blogposts, you can use our media uploader to put photos from your hard drive in a slideshow to accompany your post text. Right below the text box in which you write the body of your blogpost you'll see a grey box labeled "Add Media." Click browse to locate the files you want on your hard drive, and follow the directions to upload it to your blog. This is a great option for multiple photos, as they'll appear as a playable slideshow (click "larger view" to see the slideshow in a pop-up window, complete with your own captions and photo credits).

The next method works for both blogposts and for comments and allows you to embed photos directly into the body of your text. Using the "insert/edit image" tool in our Rich Text Editor (all those buttons above the box where you compose your comment or post which let you format your text how you want it) requires the URL, or web address, of the picture to be used. If it's a picture already online, you just need to copy and past the URL. If it's a picture on your hard drive, here's what you do:

Once you're logged in, click on "edit my profile and settings." Now that you're in your profile manager, click the blue button on the left-hand side that says "My Media." Now click "Upload Media." Browse for the photo file you want on your hard drive and select it to upload it to your My Media folder. Now click the "My Photos" button and find your photo. Click on it--a new pop-up window will result, with the URL for the photo in the browser window's address field. Copy the URL.

Now, in your blogpost or comment, with the cursor where you want the photo in the text composition box, find and click on the "insert/edit image" button, the little box with the mountain on it on the right-hand side of the second row of icons. Where prompted, paste in the URL of your image. If you want to you, you can use the Border, Hspace, Vspace, and Align fields to further customize the presentation of your image. Border puts a solid black line around your image--enter 3 to create a 3-pixel-width line. Hspace and Vspace create a buffer between your image and the surrounding text, horizontally or vertically--10 pixels usually gives enough space. You can choose to align your image to the left or the right, for example. Once back in the text composition box, you can also use the sliders on the image to adjust the size to fit.

Any questions? (About this, or other site tech stuff?)

Can you know too much?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:36:14 PDT

The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development released hospital and surgeon death rates last week for a common surgical procedure for treating coronary heart disease.

This report is part of a statewide push for more transparency in health care, state officials said. (Read "Hospital rating below average," which was in Saturday's Californian.)

But some hospital officials and surgeons worry that reports like this will push doctors to cherry pick patients, turning away older, riskier patients out of fear they will have more deaths and black marks in future reports.

"People are dying because of what the state of California is doing," said Dr. Ismael Nuno, chief of cardiac surgery service at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, in the San Francisco Chronicle's story. "Surgeons are walking away and saying, 'Tough, it's either my career or your death.'"

Jon Van Boening, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital's president and CEO, shared this sentiment.

His mother was almost turned down for heart surgery a year and a half ago because she was 87 and at higher risk, Van Boening said. She survived, but would have died without the surgery, he said.

"That's what the OSPHD people don't understand," he said. "That's the danger of this statistic."

Memorial was one of six hospitals that got a "worse rating" for it's death rate. The hospital performed 600 bypass graft procedures and had an adjusted death rate of 5.13 percent. The state average was 3.08 percent.

The report takes into account sicker patients, said Joseph Parker, director of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development's Health Care Outcomes Center.

"Some of them have talked about not performing surgery on certain kinds of patients," he said. "Those kinds of reactions come from a misunderstanding of how this report is computed."

Hospital officials are also pointing to the fact that some of the state's best hospitals, which often take on sicker patients, were dinged in this study, such as the UCSF Medical Center.

"Ironically, the state released the report a day before U.S. New & World Report came out with its annual hospital rankings. In the magazine's 'Best Hospitals' edition, UCSF Medical Center earned 'honor roll' status for scoring at or near the top in at least six of 16 specialties," another Chronicle story said. "The flagging of top-flight surgeons and top-flight medical centers has raised the hackles of both doctors and hospitals who have argued for years that the system does not give sufficient weight to those who take on the most difficult cases."

Do you think the potential turning away of sicker patients is a legitimate worry or are hospitals and surgeons stung by this report just lashing out by scaring consumers?

Is there a negative side to having medical information at your fingertips?

President Bush got a lesson from a group of recent high school graduates.

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:35:53 PDT

President Bush got a lesson from a group of recent high school graduates. They were Presidential Scholars, a program designed "to recognize and provide leadership development experiences for some of America's most outstanding graduating high-school seniors."

The 141 Presidential Scholars were being honored at the White House. One of them, Mari Oye, from Wellesley, Mass., describes what happened: "The president walked in and gave us a short speech saying that as we went on into our careers, it was important to treat others as we would like to be treated. And he told us that we would have to make choices we would be able to live with for the rest of our lives. And so, I said to the president, 'Several of us made a choice, and we would like you to have this,' and handed him the letter." It was a letter Mari had handwritten. It read:

"As members of the Presidential Scholars class of 2007, we have been told that we represent the best and brightest of our nation. Therefore, we believe we have a responsibility to voice our convictions. We do not want America to represent torture. We urge you to do all in your power to stop violations of the human rights of detainees, to cease illegal renditions and to apply the Geneva Convention to all detainees, including those designated enemy combatants."

The letter was signed by close to 50 of the students, more than a third of the Presidential Scholars.

Mari described Bush's reaction to the letter: "He read down the letter. He got to the part about torture. He looked up, and he said, 'America doesn't torture people.' And I said, 'If you look specifically at what we said, we said, we ask you to cease illegal renditions. Please remove your signing statement to the McCain anti-torture bill.'

"At that point, he just said, 'America doesn't torture people' again."

An Amy Goodmans story

Amy Goodman is the host of “Democracy Now!,” a daily international TV/radio news hour airing on 500 stations in North America.

http://www.usalone.com/donations_kucinich.php

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:35:41 PDT

Guidance From The Lives Of The Saints.

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:15:11 PDT

July 16

1. THE PRIESTLY-MARTYR ATHENOGENES, BISHOP OF SEBASTE IN ARMENIA

Athenogenes lived in a monastery near the town of Sebaste with ten of his disciples. During the reign of Diocletian, Philomarchus, a cruel persecutor of Christians, came to Sebaste. He arrested and murdered many Christians in the town. When he saw Athenogenes and his disciples, he told the elder to offer a sacrifice to the idols so as not to be slain as were the other Christians. Athenogenes replied to him: "O persecutor, those whom you mention as being slain are not slain (dead) but rather are in the heavens and rejoice with the angels." It was a touching sight to see a female deer, whom the merciful Athenogenes fed with his own hand, run up to him and seeing him in misery began to shed tears. Even the wild beasts of the mountain had greater pity toward the martyrs of Christ than the heathens! After cruel tortures, during which an angel of God comforted the martyrs, they were all beheaded; at first the priests and all co-laborers of Athenogenes and after that, Athenogenes himself. All were received into the heavenly fatherland in the year 311 A.D.

2. THE HOLY FEMALE MARTYR JULIA THE VIRGIN

Julia was born in Carthage of distinguished lineage. When the Persians captured Carthage many people were taken into slavery. Saint Julia was captured, enslaved and fell into the hands of a merchant in Syria. That merchant was a pagan. Seeing that Julia was a Christian, he counseled her on many occasions to deny Christ and become one in faith with him but Julia could never agree to this. Since Julia was faithful and trustworthy in service, the merchant left her in peace and did not speak to her about faith again. On one occasion, the merchant loaded the boat with goods and took Julia along with him and sailed to distant lands on business. When they arrived at Corsica, there was a pagan feast and the merchant joined in this blasphemous offering of sacrifice but Julia remained aboard the boat weeping because so many men lived in foolish error and did not know the truth. Somehow the pagans found out about her, removed her from the boat, even though her master objected to this, and then began to brutally torture her. They severed her breasts and threw them on a rock and, after that, they crucified her on a cross, upon which St. Julia gave up her soul to God. Her death was revealed by an angel of God to the monks on the nearby island of Margarita or Gorgona and the monks came and honorably buried the body of the martyr. Many miracles appeared at the grave of St. Julia throughout the centuries and from the other world she herself appeared to some. She suffered honorably in the sixth century. After many years, the faithful wanted to erect a new church in another place in honor of St. Julia because the old church had become too small and dilapidated. Therefore, they gathered building material on a new site: stone, bricks, sand and all else that is required. It so happened that at night, on the eve of the day when they intended to lay the foundation, all of this material was moved to the site of the old church by an invisible hand. In confusion, the men again carried the materials to the new site but the same thing happened again: the material was removed to the old site alongside the old church. The night watchman saw a young maiden "all aglow" on white oxen, carrying the material to the old church. From this everyone understood that St. Julia did not wish that her church be built in another place, so they demolished the old church and on that same site built a new one.

3. THE HOLY 15,000 MARTYRS

These fifteen thousand martyrs were beheaded for the Faith of Christ in Persia.

4. THE HOLY MARTYR ATHENOGENES

Athenogenes was the author of the hymn sung at Vespers: "O Gladsome Light" - "Svete Tihi" Fos Ilaron." He died for Christ by fire and was made worthy of eternal glory in the Kingdom of God.

5. THE COMMEMORATION OF THE SIX ECUMENICAL COUNCILS

This common commemoration of the first Six Ecumenical Councils is held on the Sunday between the 13th and the 19th of July.

HYMN OF PRAISE

THE HOLY MARTYR JULIA THE VIRGIN

The martyr Julia,

For her, Christ was crucified,

The power of Christ, she invokes,

The power of the Honorable Tree.

Blood poured from six wounds,

With blood, stained the earth,

For, in Christ she believed,

Her faith, she did not conceal.

Nor did Christ conceal her,

To the entire world, proclaimed her,

And in the Kingdom Immortal

In heaven, glorified her

When Julia expired

Her spirit, pure and holy,

From her mouth, a white dove

To the heights soared

When men saw this

All in fear, cried out:

"Woe to the evil judges"

That righteous blood, they shed!

REFLECTION

The Ecumenical Councils are the greatest battles of Orthodoxy with heretics. Under today's date, the Church jointly commemorates the first Six Ecumenical Councils:

1. The First Ecumenical Council in Nicea, 325 A.D. with 318 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on May 29 and on the Seventh Sunday after Easter. This Council refuted the heresy of Arius against the Son of God.

2. The Second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, 381 A.D. with 150 holy fathers attending. This Council is commemorated separately on May 22. This Council refuted the heresy of Macedonius against God, the Holy Spirit.

3. The Third Ecumenical Council in Ephesus, 431 A.D. with 200 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on September 9. This Council refuted the heresy of Nestorius against the Mother of God.

4. The Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, 451 A.D. with 630 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on July 16. This Council refuted the Monophysite heresy.

5. The Fifth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, 553 A.D. with 160 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on July 25. This Council refuted the heresy of Origen.

6. The Sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, 691 A.D. with 170 holy fathers participating. This Council is commemorated separately on January 23. This Council refuted the Monothelite heresy.

7. The Seventh Ecumenical Council which was convened in 878 A.D. with 367 holy fathers participating. This Council is not commemorated at this time but is commemorated separately on October 11. This Council refuted the heresy of Iconoclasm.

At these Councils, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, all these heresies were condemned and the Faith of Orthodoxy was defined and confirmed for all time.

CONTEMPLATION

To contemplate the miraculous bring forth of water from the rock in Kadesh (Numbers 20):

1. How Moses, at God's command struck the rock with his rod but without faith and, how through the will of God, water flowed;

2. How God punished Moses and Aaron because of their lack of faith, and He did not permit them to enter into the Promised Land;

3. How this, shows that even a great righteous one as was Moses, is prone to sin that no mortal should be carried away by his virtues.

HOMILY

About the participation of the faithful in God's nature

"That by these you might be partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).

Brethren, how can mortal man have a part in God's nature? How can eternity be a companion of time and glory with unglory, the incorruptible with the corruptible, the pure with the impure? They cannot without particular conditions and these conditions the Apostle Peter mentions: one condition on the part of God and the other on the part of men. As a condition on God's part, the apostle mentions: "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). As a condition on the part of man: "having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:4). God has fulfilled His condition and gave us His power. "Through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). Now it is man's turn to fulfill his condition, i.e., to know Christ the Lord is to escape from the bodily desires of this world. The Lord Christ first opened heaven and all the treasures of heaven and then He called mankind to draw near and to receive those treasures. How did He invite them? Did He invite them only by words? In words, but not only words but also "called us to glory and virtue"; glory, i.e., by His glorious resurrection; virtue, i.e., by His miraculous service and suffering. By this He invited us to receive the exceeding great promises that, by them, we may partake in God's nature. But in order that we may know Christ and to hear His invitation, we must first escape from all physical desires of this world. If we do not escape, then we will remain blind before Him, before His glory and virtue and deaf to His invitation!

O brethren, how enormous is the mercy of God toward us! According to this great mercy, God offers to us mortals adoption by the Immortal One and to us sinners to be built up into the glorified Body of the Lord Jesus. But, only under one condition, which is neither a great yoke nor a heavy cross.

O Lord Jesus, the Fulfillment of all promises and the Source of all good, heal us from our blindness and deafness and grant us power to escape the physical desires of this world.

To You be glory and thanks always. Amen.

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Todays Epistle And Gospel.

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:13:45 PDT

EPISTLE READING

The Reading is from St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians 9:13-18

BRETHREN, do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this to secure any provision. For I would rather die than have any one deprive me of my ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel.

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GOSPEL READING

8th Monday after Pentecost

The Reading is from Matthew 16:1-6

At that time, the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather; for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and departed.

When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Did you have to detail dog's destruction?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:57:43 PDT

Sound Off

Batch Data Processor | Saturday, Jul 14 2007 9:40 PM

Last Updated: Saturday, Jul 14 2007 9:43 PM

Reader: I just wanted to write regarding last Saturday's story about the death of a dachshund at the Centennial dog park.

I think that this article is absolutely appalling! There is no reason that every detail describing this dog's horrible death was written. Down to the noises he was making as he died! Give me a break, how can you in your right mind even think that would make for a good article? Just because it was an animal there is no reason to describe it with such crudeness, or describe it at all.

You would have never done this with a person, death is death regardless. What about this dog's poor owners who have to see and read the disgusting details you have written. Trying to be dramatic for an impact or just writing the news is one thing, but this is totally over the line! This was NOT news!!

What about the youth who are encouraged through school to read YOUR paper, look for an article to share, etc.? How do you know that a child didn't stumble across this article? It would scar them. I was in tears reading this article, and not just because I am a pet owner.

I can tell you that I am glad that I DO NOT have a subscription for your paper anymore; if I did I would cancel it immediately due to this inappropriateness!

Thank you for your time, and I hope you take this matter seriously.

--Veronica Slaton

Jenner: We do take it seriously. In fact, the level of detail was carefully weighed in the writing and editing of this story.

I asked reporter Felix Doligosa Jr. to share the thought process he went through in reporting the story and in choosing what to include.

Here's what he had to say:

"The dog owner wanted to tell me the details. He said it felt good to talk about it, even though he sometimes choked or his voice cracked over the phone.

"He wanted me to know how bad it was because he didn't want dog owners to suffer like he did. He felt it was important that others know about the risks of having a small dog around big dogs in a dog park.

"I hate to admit this, but when I was writing the part of when the couple hurried to take Grr to the hospital, I started choking up. I didn't really think about how sad it was until I wrote it. I'm a small-dog owner and I wouldn't want that to happen to my baby."

As for how the owners of the dog felt about the story, here's an e-mail they sent Felix after it was published:

"Thank you for writing the article about Grr. We really appreciate that you kept it in the spirit of what we wanted to say. Our esteem for your newspaper has gone up tremendously.

Thanks again,

Sarah and Spencer Schluter"

My take: The description of the attack and Grr's death were a minute portion of this story, and was tastefully handled.

I'm sorry you found the story so disturbing, but it was a disturbing event, and I thought Felix handled it well.

Reader: Thank you reporter Jason Kotowski for your follow-up story about the extraordinary actions of the two men who performed an amazing rescue of two people involved in the head-on crash on Granite Road last Sunday. William Roper and Ray Haycock are true heroes and deserve such recognition.

I was one of the drivers who happened on the accident, but was stopped several vehicles back so I had no view of the actual scene. I did learn it was a head-on crash and shuddered at the thought. It wasn't until I read reporter Louis Medina's account of the accident on Monday that I learned about unnamed passers-by rescuing the two drivers.

Why am I not really surprised? Their actions are pretty indicative of what you would expect in our area. Thank goodness Kern County is still a place where people care enough to become involved, even at their own risk. Their quick thinking and resourceful actions saved two people. I'm grateful such men live among us.

-- Mary K. Shell

Jenner: Your comments about Kern County still being a place where people will put themselves at risk to help others are right on, and we love to celebrate such heroes on the front page.

I invite readers to tell us about such heroes and suggest such stories by calling the News Desk at 395-7384 or by e-mailing local@bakersfield.com.

Reader: I think you should publish the morning and afternoon television programs at least for Saturday and Sunday. This aspect is pretty important to the sports buffs in town. If I can't dig the channel and time for an NFL game from the sports page, where do I go?

-- Norm Barone

Jenner: We do publish the listings for televised sports every weekend. A full slate is available in Friday's paper, and on Saturday and Sunday we list that day's programming in Sports.

Reader: While I didn't like your decision to cancel the weekly TV guide, I can live with the current daily TV page with one change: If the listing doesn't indicate whether or not the program is new, the page is useless. I am sure I am not alone in refusing to watch what the TV industry euphemistically calls "encore presentations." The L.A. Times seems to be able to do this and I see no reason why you can't do so also.

Sincerely,

-- Glenn Wells

Jenner: I see no reason why we can't do it, either. Our listings provider tells us they can distinguish between new and recycled programming, and we've asked them to begin making that distinction in the listings. Look for this feature to begin in the next week or so.

Reader: "Fiery head-on crash injures 2" (last Sunday, Page B4): Right next to the Sound Off column, which has some items regarding goofs, appear the words: "Byrd was removed the vehicle Kern County firefighters, Arnold said." That is not a sentence. Are you eliminating prepositions as a cost-saving measure?

"Wildfires rage ..." (Page A11):

This is an Associated Press article, so you're not solely to blame, but it refers to "Highway 395, which runs along the eastern spine of the mountain range ..." This makes it sound as if 395 is in or very near the Sierras in the area being discussed when the highway is actually several miles away from the (high) mountains.

The article is not very clearly written in that it's quite vague as to where the fire is. There are hand-waving references to the John Muir Wilderness area but it's uncertain if the fire is in the wilderness or just somewhere nearby. The article mentions 395 being closed between Big Pine and Lone Pine but doesn't say why it's closed.

All in all, a not very well-written article.

-- Everett Greene

Jenner: Ugh! It always makes us cringe when we have errors of any kind in the paper, or when stories are vague. Thanks for reading us closely.

Reader: I would like to thank everyone for the article regarding the stolen palms, especially the diligent California Highway Patrol for their watchful eyes.

I would also like to thank the owner of the property, Dick Watson, for giving me palms to replace the stolen ones. To some it might have seemed trivial but to those of us that have had things stolen it was quite personal.

Thank you also to Californian reporter Maggie Anderson for her hard work in gathering all the information. It is nice to know that people still read the paper.

-- Shirley Brown

Reader: I would like to thank the Californian's Eye Cook crew and Urner's for doing such a good job Saturday, June 30. They were all very courteous and helpful. Also a thank- you goes to the other sponsors. I met some very nice cooks and employees.

And last but not least, a great big thank you goes to the judges: Herb, Merv and Myles.

-- Doris Patrick

Le Tour: Monday, rest day!

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:36:40 PDT

How are your picks doing?

Here's how The Californian's office pool is playing out so far (details in this blog's Profile):

4. Valverde, Glenn's pick, is 4th overall, at 2 minutes 51 seconds behind the leader (Rasmussen)
10. Menchov, Gretchen's pick, 3:19
11. Sastre, Vanessa's pick, 3:35
13. Leipheimer, Jeff's pick, 3:53
14. Pereiro, Erin's pick, 3:54
22. Vinokourov, John's pick, 5:23
166. Hushovd, Guillermo's pick, 1:11:35

O'Grady broke nine ribs, punctured a lung and dislocated a shoulder Sunday. Rogers dislocated his shoulder (I haven't found any info about his wrist, which commentators speculated may have been injured because of how he was holding his thumb on the handlebars).

Just another day at the office!

Can Ras keep yellow until Paris?

Any predictions about Tuesday's Alpine stage?

Photo credit: Associated Press.

Mosquitoes, an out of town experience

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:29:58 PDT

Californian reporter James Geluso wrote a story about how the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District kills mosquitoes or their larvae.

While fascinating in the sense of "The Shooter" movie and how Mark Wahlberg was going to eliminate all the bad guys, the point of this blog is whether you actually ever get bit by a mosquito in Bakersfield.

And my experience over the past 29 years is no.

One year maybe about 15 years ago or so, there was a horrendous mosquito problem at the North Kern Golf Course and you couldn't go out there to play without repellent.

But that's about it.

Earlier this year, we had what was first believed to be mosquitoes congregating on our stucco, but those turned out to be midges, which look like mosquitoes, but they don't suck your blood. (we live near a sump by Stockdale High School).

So the question is, have you been bitten by mosquitoes in Bakersfield? Or any city in Kern County? Or do you have to go out of town to have a need for Off?

This may be a backhanded way of saying the mosquito district is doing a great job.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

The Chickens Are Coming Home To Roost

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 07:23:28 PDT

After numerous warmings over the years to "TURN THAT MUSIC DOWN", the chickens are coming home to roost for many people. When I hear before I see a car, I often wonder what kind of damage is being done to fragile eardrums, but that's after I wonder how long I can take this guy being on my last nerve of course.

Here is an interesting article on the subject titled in the paper this weekend as "Generation 'huh?' drives industry."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/fashion/12hearing.html?_r=1&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fR%2fRosenbloom%2c%20Stephanie&oref=slogin

6 Year Old Runner Up To Sing For The Queen

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:29:24 PDT

I happened across this and had to give it a listen. Even if you have an intense dislike tor talent shows and Simon Cowel, you owe it to yourself to listen to this 6 year old girl. I think you'll find her as amazing as I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En0A8KGMgq8

You can go to the site and see her other performances as well as the cell phone salesman who sang opera and beat this litle girl out of a chance to sing for the queen. My guess is that she'll get to do that anyway.

MUSINGS, RANDOM AND OTHERWISE Jeff Jacoby Boston Globe

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:22:19 PDT

MUSINGS, RANDOM AND OTHERWISE

By Jeff Jacoby

The Boston Globe

Sunday, July 15, 2007

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2007/07/15/musings_random_and_otherwise/

Twenty years ago the Federal Communications Commission scrapped the never-very-fair Fairness Doctrine. Now talk of a revival is in the air as Democrats, complaining that talk radio is dominated by conservatives, have started lobbying for Washington to get back in the business of refereeing public discourse.

"It's time to reintroduce the Fairness Doctrine," Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois announced on June 27. Similar noises have been made by Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and California’s Diane Feinstein. From across the aisle, meanwhile, there has been some pushback: On Wednesday, GOP Senators Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Jim DeMint of South Carolina offered legislation to block the FCC from resurrecting the Fairness Doctrine.

Better than a debate over the Fairness Doctrine, though, would be a debate over whether radio and television should be regulated by government in the first place. The standard justification for such regulation is that the airwaves are public property. There are only a finite number of broadcast frequencies, the statists say. If the government didn't own and license them, the result would be chaos.

Well, the supply of land is finite, too. Yet no one argues that real estate should be nationalized and licensed by the feds. It is obvious that land can be bought and sold in a free market without resulting in anarchy. Why should the broadcast spectrum be any different?

(*) (*) (*)

The Democratic presidential candidates have agreed to another televised debate, this one focusing on issues related to homosexuality. The sponsors are the Human Rights Campaign, a gay activist lobby, and Logo, a gay-themed cable channel, which will broadcast the event live from Los Angeles on Aug. 9. Human Rights Campaign chairman Joe Solmonese will moderate, along with lesbian rocker Melissa Etheridge.

They can call it a "debate," but it will undoubtedly be a pander-palooza, with each candidate trying to outdo the others in pledging fealty to the gay-left agenda. Well, why not -- if I were a Democratic candidate, I'd also grab the chance for some face time before a friendly audience. Indeed, if I were a Republican candidate, I'd take part -- why pass up the free publicity and a chance to be seen and heard?

These are the same Democrats, of course, who refuse to debate on the Fox News Channel because they object to its political agenda. So be it. But what does it say about their priorities that they gladly court Logo's niche viewers, yet snub the far larger mainstream audience that watches Fox?

(*) (*) (*)

More evidence that the immigration crisis is really an assimilation crisis: the current flap in Boston over whether the names of candidates on Chinese-language ballots should be printed in English or transliterated into Chinese. Because such transliterations can have ludicrous unintended meanings -- Mayor Thomas Menino's name, for instance, could be read as "Barbarian Mud No Mind of His Own" -- the state's top election official is insisting that the names remain in English. The US Justice Department and Chinese community activists insist that they be rendered in Chinese. Apparently nobody insists that American citizens voting in American elections should do so in the language of American civic life.

Bilingual ballots, mandated by the 1992 amendments to the federal Voting Rights Act, are incompatible with the American tradition of *E Pluribus Unum*. A multitude of proud ethnic identities make up this country's vibrant cultural mosaic, but superseding them is a shared American identity indispensable to full-fledged citizenship. A crucial element of that identity is proficiency in English -- an element we undercut when we provide foreign-language ballots to citizens who don't share the common tongue.

Immigrants know that to follow a Patriots game, read a Boston street map, or order off the menu at Legal Sea Foods, learning English is a prerequisite. If that effort is worth making for football or a cup of chowder, surely it's worth making for the right to vote.

(*) (*) (*)

Journalists know their profession is not held in high esteem. Poll after poll confirms it. In Britain last November, for example, a national survey measuring the trustworthiness of 19 professions found that journalists ranked dead last. Even politicians managed to edge them out.

But it's one thing to know it in the abstract. It's something else to unexpectedly get your nose rubbed in it, as Diane Sawyer can attest.

"I wanted to sit on a jury once," Sawyer mentioned on "Good Morning America" last Thursday, "and the judge said to me, 'Can you tell the truth and be fair?' And I said, 'That's what journalists do.' And everybody in the courtroom laughed! It was the most hurtful moment I think I've ever had."

The more the press proclaims itself accurate and unbiased, the less the public seems to agree. It isn't clear that Sawyer grasped it, but there was a message in that laughter.

(Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe.)

Teachers really do make a difference

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:01:41 PDT

In light of another's blog I decided to make a list of the teachers that made a difference in my education and why. I only hope these teachers are well, happy and living a blessed and full life with full knowledge that they did not sacrifice their energy and time in vain.
Frank West
Mr. K. Smith 3rd grade - Thank you for teaching me about gravity, and letting me experience the fun of a science experiment at such a young age. Thank you also for introducing me to my first real friend, whom I still know and love.
Mr. Hopwood 4th grade - Everyone thought you were mean, so did I. But then you showed compassion and love to a student when her own family didn't, and cared enough to laminate it so that it would last forever. Thank you for being more than a teacher that year.

Rosedale Middle
Mr. Huckert 7th grade, Science- Thank you for teaching your class with such enthusiasm and patience. And I remember to this day all of the jars of pickled creatures. I’m just glad I never had to cut one up;)
Mr. T. Smith 8th grade, Woodshop- Who would have thought that a bridge made out of small, weak, pieces of wood could be so strong? I still have my cutting board and my mirror frame, I think I might have my CO2 rocket and car too! Because of your class, I know what a rasp, planer, and drill press are, thanks;)

South High

Mr. Fulton 9th grade, English- Thank you for introducing me to my favorite book of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird. I re-read it regularly and try to never forget the importance of the lesson. And thank you for introducing me to the best friend I have or will ever have, my husband. For that I cannot thank you enough.
Mrs. Knight, 9th grade, Science- Thank you for thinking outside of the box and using a new teaching tool. I still remember the videos that taught me about catalysts. Also, thanks for giving us the opportunity to watch the O.J. Simpson verdict live, I will always remember taking honest bets with you and the other students about whether or not he was guilty.
Mr. Brown, 10th grade, Math- You did an amazing job, going out of your way to make sure we understood what it was you were teaching us. Thank you for taking the time and making such an effort. Where others failed you succeeded.
Miss. Oxley 10th grade, Biology- Your humor and participation with us students made your class fun and exciting. I have very fond memories of it and would love to be able to tell you in person what a difference you made to a girl who was taken away from everything she knew. Your words encouraged me for many years. Thank you.
Mr. McClanahan 10th grade, Business- Thank you for teaching me how to type and showing me what a computer was;)

Hinkley High

Mrs. Thornton 10th grade, English- Thank you for being supportive, and encouraging me to write. Thank you also for being mean to me at first, it made all the difference when I graduated and we were friends.
Mr. Pounder 11th grade, History- Thank you for pushing me when no one else did. You told me once that I had too much potential and I was wasting it all, I wish I had listened.

To all of the educators that make a difference in our lives, because they care, because they are involved and because they take their job seriously. Thank you for all of your hard work and for your sincerity. I applaud you!

New weather report location

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:53:18 PDT

I do not like the new location or format of the weather page. You have left out half of the towns that I used to look at, and the map is useless, since it is all black. Please put back the towns, and put the map in color so it might have some meaning. The temperatures for the Kern cities on the map were very difficult to read also. They were much easier to read with a white background as they used to be listed. The weather page has always been one of the primary things that I read in the paper, and I like it in the Local section.