February 27, 2008

Bottled water

A story in Monday's Star noted that Los Angeles' tap water was some of the best in the nation (and the world), thanks to the Metropolitan Water District, which also supplies most of Ventura County's water. So why are we spending so much money, and filling so many landfills, with bottled water?

Posted by Steve Greenberg at 6:25 AM

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February 24, 2008

State budget cuts vs. school mandates

Many in the state are upset by the Governator's proposed 10 percent cuts across the board in light of the state's massive deficit, citing voter-passed Prop. 98 which guarantees minimum funding levels for education.

Posted by Steve Greenberg at 6:22 AM

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February 19, 2008

Black hole

The cost of the war in Iraq depends on various factors and is subject to some interpretation (e.g., is rehab for wounded vets part of the total?); the National Priorities project estimates the cost thus far as upwards of $495.4 billion, and estimates from the Congressional Joint Economic Committee (cited in this cartoon) and in The New York Times project a total of $1.2 to $1.3 trillion -- and counting.

Posted by Steve Greenberg at 6:23 AM

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February 15, 2008

Teaching values to your kids

In the aftermath of a junior high school student shooting another junior high school student to death, possible in a "hate crime," perhaps it's time for parents and role models to think about the values being imparted to the younger generations.

Posted by Steve Greenberg at 6:55 AM

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February 12, 2008

Navy sonar and whales

The sonar used by the Navy in conducting training exercises has been found to harm and even kill whales and dolphins (possibly by damaging their eardrums, possibly from physical trauma, possibly by disorienting them). President Bush overrode objections from environmentalists and ordered the sonar back in use, but a federal judge ruled that Bush had no such authority and ordered the sonar use halted again. Both Bush and the Navy proclaim that this is not over.
Oh, "Accelerate your life" is the current Navy recruiting slogan.