HoopDance

Popping pills? Suicide? Lethal injections? These are reasons given [CC Times, 11/6/2007, A1] for two mothers’ request for removal of Lois Lowry’s prizewinning novel The Giver from all Mount Diablo Schools reading lists and libraries. Not so fast. Before we “burn” this book, readers should take these out-of-context conclusions, and place the pieces right back in context where they belong, inside the whole story. (Read on …)

It started with a “Boom”! Followed by a long growling rumbling. And just when you thought it would stop, it got jiggy again. An earthquake, 4.2 magnitude. California is famous for this, but I haven’t felt one this size in years. Considering that it was centered only 6 miles from here, and it lasted 15 hip-hopping seconds, it got my attention. As moderate earthquakes go, this one had it all: whole house vibrating; floor jumping up and down; lamps, pictures and walls swaying. And just when you thought it was safe to unfreeze your astonishment to investigate, it starts all over again. Now that is what I call, “Plot! Action!” from Mother Earth. Lest you think all is civilized and normal, SHE will remind you of your relative size and lack of strength in the scheme of nature. Take look at the link below before the USGS removes the map. It shows how far out the motion was felt.

Earthquake Map

To the Editors of the Contra Costa Times

I am tired of apologists for the Bush Administration’s attack on civil liberties, the most recent of which appeared on the Contra Costa Times editorial page as a “Guest Commentary”: /CCTimes/, 1/27/05, A18, titled “Letters on Warrantless Searches on Mail Show Lack of Knowledge” by James Hauck of Brentwood. His use of propaganda and fuzzy thinking should not go unchallenged.

First, he is a computer illiterate when he states that “the United States does not employ vast numbers of people…to open every piece of mail.” James, they don’t have to: they have computers and barcodes on mail. They have “watch lists” that may or may not have anything to do with the reality of terrorist threats. All of the above can be corrupted by (1) incompetence of the investigators, and (2) political gain. All it takes is a change of party in Washington to change the hue of everyone designated a “suspect.” James, you need to consider the bigger picture. (Read on …)