Zingers, Sound Bites Fly At Gubernatorial Debate – But Who Will Californians Pick?
Editor; Being Californian and with no plans to evacuate to Texas or Florida or any other state telling me things are way better there I tuned in to the debate this week and learned a few things. I learned we’ve learned nothing about debating, finding my interest in the political future of my state focused…
Letters: Protecting The Planet While Feeding The Hungry
Editor; As our community prepares to mark Earth Day, one local nonprofit is quietly executing an unprecedented environmental feat: every single day, Contra Costa-based White Pony Express rescues 10,500 high-quality meals from supermarkets, farmers markets, and restaurants and delivers them to neighbors in need. While we usually think about food recovery as a low cost,…
Swalwell Accusations: Troubling Truths Or Strategic Assassination?
Editor; By now most have heard of the accusations against local congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA14) and have had time to think about the implications and timing of the charges against him. I’ll start by saying I was neither totally in his camp or opposed to his run for governor but I always felt he had…
Have We Outsmarted Ourselves? Will AI Ultimately Crush Us?
Editor; As a working human I have taken an interest in our collective future as really smart people take to talk shows warning of our collective demise at the hands of engines we have built ourselves. Always interested in anecdotal evidence of any trend I’ve noted colleagues remark about the prospect of a tightening job…
Blindsided: How Did A High-Performing Bilingual Program Become Disposable Overnight?
By Elizabeth Silva, Bancroft Elementary Parent On January 28, families at Bancroft Elementary in the Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) received an email that would upend our children’s education. The district announced it would phase out the Two-Way Spanish Dual Immersion program at the school, the longest-running and highest-performing Spanish immersion program in the…
Letter: Relocating Dual Immersion At Bancroft Risks Re-Segregating Walnut Creek Schools
Editor; Walnut Creek has been here before, and our community said no. In 2022, families, educators, and state leaders pushed back against a proposal that would have fractured the Mount Diablo Unified School District and deepened racial and economic segregation. The attempted Northgate secession was rejected by the California State Board of Education because it…
Letters: The 14 Characteristics Of Fascism. How Many Have We Met?
Editor; The fourteen characteristics of fascism. How many have we met? The occupant of the white house is openly stating that elections may be cancelled. Members of the media are being arrested and charged with crimes. The Department of Homeland Security is purchasing warehouses and building concentration camps Immigration and Customs Enforcement is roaming our…
Letters: Daddy’s Hot Diggity Davos!
Editor; Watching the Bloviator In Chief waddle around Davos confusing the names of countries he wants to invade while insulting our allies and conducting the Kremlin’s business was exhausting. I need a rest. I would say the whole charade was eye opening if I hadn’t known this has been the Great Grifter’s MO since about…
Letters: ICE-Storm Threatens Minneapolis After Shooting
Editor; Like most Americans — I hope — I was shocked and appalled by the news and video of today’s shooting in Minnesota. I was doubly horrified and then angered by the response of Ms. Noem and the president as they attempted to spin details of the shooting in favor of armed immigration agents. I…
Letter: Choosing Our Targets And That Whole “Increased Lethality” Thing
Editor; Since September, this administration has struck 30 boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean in a supposed effort to crack down on drug trafficking — our leaders and military ordering the execution of unknown people without evidence or benefit of trials. This approach, by the president’s own admission, has apparently shifted to land-based…