Educational attainment, or the lack of it, has long been a problem for Merced and other Northern San Joaquin Valley counties. It's that lack of academic firepower that often gets the blame for the region's inability to attract businesses that could provide the economic diversity needed to help insulate the valley from severe downturns in the future. But the graduation of more than 1,000 students at UC Merced and another 1,000-plus from Merced College in the last week is proof young people and their families have embraced the value of higher education. And while there's still much work to be done, it's essential to acknowledge the accomplishments of those students and the progress they've brought to the region. Young people from throughout Merced County, the rest of the valley and state are being attracted to the educational opportunities here, whether it's UC Merced or Merced College. That's the kind of academic awakening that promises to improve prospects for students, their families and the entire community. These graduates have laid an important foundation that those who follow them can build upon. They are to be commended for their hard work, dedication and commitment in pursuing their educations. For that, we salute them.
A new era in the history of California State University, Stanislaus, has begun. Some would argue it began with the departure of the previous president; we think it began when Joseph Sheley first stepped onto the campus as interim president.
Since the infamous 2010 Citizens United ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, our elections have been inundated with gobs of secret donations for spending by outside groups on political ads.
Meeting the Labor Day deadline for opening the long-delayed eastern span of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge must no longer be the singular focus of Caltrans.
The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Friday, May 24:
The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday, May 23:
Apparently, May was Harass Your Female Subordinates Month in the U.S. military. I didn't get the press release, but a number of news items brought me up to speed.
Shell Oil Co. did something for one of my classmates at LSU in 1971. He was a remarkable undergraduate engineering student with a military commitment upon graduation. Shell signed him to a contract to come to work for the company when he completed his military duty.
Mr. Obama: As you can see, I did not, nor will I ever again, call you Mr. President. I would like to know how you could let four Americans die and if that's not bad enough you and your staff have lied about the entire situation in Benghazi.
People think it is cool, breaking glass on the paths, but when people take their dogs for a walk, it ruins it for them.
As a 1980 graduate of the U.C. Berkeley School of Political Science, with an emphasis on comparative communism, I know creeping socialism and Marxism when I see it. I remember walking through the coffee houses on Telegraph Avenue watching the Marxist students holding court, smoking European cigarettes, wearing "little Lenin" hats and talking of the military complex and the corruption of capitalism.
Let's see now, at least 134 citizens of Mexico and U.S. border agent Brian Terry are dead due to Fast and Furious; four dead Americans, including one of our ambassador to Benghazi; IRS targeting of conservatives and the tea party during the presidential campaign and election of 2010; and the broad-brush approach to confiscating the telephone records of The Associated Press in the name of national security.
Are you aware of the national program, Common Core, that is beginning to be implemented in your school? It is a program handed down to the states by the federal government. Congress, state legislators and our own local school boards were bypassed. Why? Money! Governors were enticed to sign on by grants and a waiver to get out of "No Child Left Behind." The estimated cost for this program from the Department of Education is $760 million. Outside sources estimate the cost at $1.6 billion.
Saving our youth today is a puzzle and a challenge. They have nobody to guide them and locking them up doesn't help.
This is in reply to "SPCA disappoints" (April 29) from a writer disappointed that the SPCA would not help pay her daughter's vet bill.
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Blog: Health in Merced County |
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Lunden Souza: Just start small, work your way up |
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The Old Trainer: Tricks are easy, as long as dog is willing |
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Brigitte Bowers: Every kid deserves a place to splash |
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Croft: Mariposa garden tour highlights low-water beauty |
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Sarah Lim: Musicians found a home in Merced |
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Wine Line: Enjoying Temecula's sights and sounds |
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Families have lots of options to ride rails |
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Doane Yawger: California Automobile Museum in Old Town Sacramento worth a visit |
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Alma Fausto: Occupy movement needs a clear objective |
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NORTH: HUNTER'S ESCAPE HITS OBSTACLE |
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Jay Sousa: Start thinking about summer travel plans |
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Blog: Health in Merced County |
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Lunden Souza: Just start small, work your way up |
|
The Old Trainer: Tricks are easy, as long as dog is willing |
|
Brigitte Bowers: Every kid deserves a place to splash |
|
Croft: Mariposa garden tour highlights low-water beauty |
|
Sarah Lim: Musicians found a home in Merced |
|
Wine Line: Enjoying Temecula's sights and sounds |
|
Families have lots of options to ride rails |
|
Doane Yawger: California Automobile Museum in Old Town Sacramento worth a visit |
|
Alma Fausto: Occupy movement needs a clear objective |
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NORTH: HUNTER'S ESCAPE HITS OBSTACLE |
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Jay Sousa: Start thinking about summer travel plans |
How about some good news? How about a glass half-full? Aren't we all tired of the lousy lists we've made the past few years?
The political "gotcha" began just hours after a tornado ripped through Moore, Okla., on Monday, killing at least 24 people, including nine children at the Plaza Towers Elementary School. The state's senators, James Inhofe and Tom Coburn, have consistently voted against federal funding to support disaster relief, including for victims of Hurricane Sandy. What hypocrites, right?
The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Friday, May 24:
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Blog: Health in Merced County |
|
Lunden Souza: Just start small, work your way up |
|
The Old Trainer: Tricks are easy, as long as dog is willing |
|
Brigitte Bowers: Every kid deserves a place to splash |
|
Croft: Mariposa garden tour highlights low-water beauty |
|
Sarah Lim: Musicians found a home in Merced |
|
Wine Line: Enjoying Temecula's sights and sounds |
|
Families have lots of options to ride rails |
|
Doane Yawger: California Automobile Museum in Old Town Sacramento worth a visit |
|
Alma Fausto: Occupy movement needs a clear objective |
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NORTH: HUNTER'S ESCAPE HITS OBSTACLE |
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Jay Sousa: Start thinking about summer travel plans |
