Comments by Ex_Inmate
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Posted on July 18 at 5:20 a.m.
I am all for eliminating gangs and believe those who commit crimes should pay. I don't like gangs in any way, shape, or form. What surprises me is that people are advocating activities that violate the constitution. There are laws here that have nothing to do with the police, mayor, or gangs. You cannot arrest someone or harass someone without just cause. Wearing gang banger clothing is not just cause. LIke it or not, it is also a fashion thing and not everyone who wears those awful clothes are gang bangers. You can't discriminate against someone because they are gay, black ,or brown, or may have gang affiliation. Remember, like it or not the laws are for EVERYONE. This is what makes gangs so frustrating. You can assume the person is probably conducting illegal activities, but unless you have some evidence that they are doing it, our laws provide a measure of protection.
Larger cities than SB are struggling with this issue. They have far more resources and still cannot get rid of the gangs. The authorities also have to deal with drug dealing, theft, murder and the rest, besides gangs. It is a cop out to blame the mayor and police for not solving gang problem.
Personally, I would run them out of town but I prefer to live in a democratic society. This is not the only country dealing with such issues. Are you willing to give up some of your freedoms to remedy the gag situation like you did for 9/11? What other rights are you willing to give away? These are difficult questions and not easily answered if you take the time to really think about it.
Posted on July 5 at 7:46 a.m.
Sounds like environmental nirvana. This country could learn a lot from the Swedes but until you can get the population to buy into a program like this, it will never happen here. You don't mention the costs of implementation or tax rates for individuals in Sweden. I imagine all this is expensive, but the Swedes have decided it is worth the investment. Until oil is so expensive that Americans have no choice but to actively invest in alternative sources of energy, I can't see this country doing anything serious about it. Ethanol is not that great and production has seriously hurt small farmers by reducing the supply of feed grains, but our leaders hold it up as some great example of this country's effort to go green. I have been a promoter of gas from waste since the beginning as it works on 2 problems, renewable energy and waste management, but good luck getting the City of LA to actually do more than bury their trash.
On Sweden: Where Environmental Vision and Pragmatism Make an Irresistible Coupling
Posted on July 5 at 7:20 a.m.
I rarely buy bottled water. I purposely bought a refrigerator with a filtered water system and fill my own containers before leaving home. If I do buy a bottle of water, I bring the bottle home and reuse the bottle several times. You can do the same thing with other types of filtration systems and reduce your consumption of bottled water dramatically.
Posted on June 13 at 4:30 a.m.
I never did care too much for tiaras and sequins, but like you, I spent many happy hours at Dizzyland. That has to be one of the all time great advantages of growing up in So Cal. It has been almost 50 years since I first visited the park, and I never get tired of the magic. Disney was a true genius.
Posted on May 27 at 4:41 a.m.
It is moments like Obama's gaff that you see glimpses into the real man. I can't say I am impressed with the man. He came to far, too fast for my liking. I think he is a party mouthpiece, the new Kennedy. You may not like Hilary, but she is tough and has weathered many a storm. McCain is a bit hawkish for my likes, but I think he has integrity and toughness earned the hard way. The job of president requires intelligence, finesse and good management skills. We have had 8 years of a president who possesses none of those skills and yet the country has survived. This shows how well our system of government really works as no branch has absolute power over another. Regardless of who wins, I will be really glad to see Bush/Cheney out!
Posted on March 8 at 10:54 a.m.
What do ex employees need to do in order to take advantage of the settlement?
Posted on May 20 at 6:06 a.m.
You cannot judge a "line" employee by the situation at the NP. That
is unfair. All new employees make mistakes, good supervision and mentoring helps them learn and grow. Reporters are given neither at the NP. Give the lady a chance to grow professionally before you judge her. As far as being a scab, I know too many people who have families that are dependent on their incomes and insurance. Regardless of their personal views regarding McCaw and her goons, they stay and try to do a good job so they can continue to feed their families. They just keep their heads down and survive until they can leave or something better comes along. That is not being a scab! It is survival.
I know there is a lot of anger over this situation but being petty and nasty will only succeed in alienating people that might otherwise be supportive. We need to take the high road as the union has done and allow them to do their job legally. How can we contrast ourselves to Wendy, Nipper, Travis, Scott and the rest of Wendy's goons, if we do not function at a higher level. Give Leana a chance to grow and prove herself in her new job. Should she fail, then criticize her professionally based on facts.
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Posted on August 6 at 7:08 a.m.
So handing out union leaflets is worse than being accosted by people peddling the NP or trying to get you to register to vote or sign a petition? Don't forget the do gooders like the Salvation Army at Christmas and the other groups asking for donations. As long as the NP people do not block doorways or accost shoppers, they have the right to distribute literature regarding their cause. It is ethical to distribute information regarding the issues and ask people for support as long as you leave it at that, and allow people to make up their own minds based on the information they receive. The NP is doing the same thing with their inserts, they are just using a different means of distribution. The Teamsters tactics are in no way related to Nazi's, and that is a very poor choice of comparisons. Just ask those who were subjected to their tyranny in Europe. Considering the fact that the NP refuses to negotiate in good faith with the union justifies the union putting pressure on the NP. It is the NP's choice to prolong this situation, not the union's.
On News-Press Op-Ed Compares Teamsters to Nazis