Inga Barks
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INGA BARKS: Do we really need this whopping school bond?
This week I received a survey in the mail from the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District asking my opinion of the schools. Having three children who went from K-8 in the district, I DO have an opinion. In fact, since my husband and I worked our buns off to ensure our children were in the PBVSD, I have multiple opinions! Funny thing, though: All the questions in the survey were about infrastructure. Would I like to see new roofs and bike paths? New computers and drainage systems? And of course, how do I rank green energy on my list of priorities?
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INGA BARKS: Unenamored with the primary line-up? Then I'm your gal
I'm not sure of the count of county supervisor candidates, but I think the list vying to replace Jon McQuiston alone brings the figure to 50. OK, maybe not that many. But there are a goodly amount fighting for your vote right now.
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INGA BARKS: Schools could learn discipline lessons from back in 'the day'
A recent opinion piece in The Californian calls for the Kern High School District to explain the current expulsion rate in local schools. I don't know that the district has an answer that will suffice, but in the meantime, I have a few theories.
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INGA BARKS: Kiddie condoms program lacks oversight, undermines parents
BY INGA BARKS
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INGA BARKS: The Arthur E. Wallace Federal Courthouse has the best ring to it
When the Bakersfield City Council voted to name a Highway 58 interchange after Rosa Parks, I argued against it. Not because of any lack of respect for Rosa Parks. She was an undisputed mother of an era of the civil rights movement in a watershed time.
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INGA BARKS: Long-gun ban only threatens our free speech rights
I don't mean to brag, but my boys are awesome with a shotgun. When the twins were old enough, we took an NRA-sponsored women and children shotgun class out at Five Dogs Shooting Range.
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INGA BARKS: Rubio earns my respect and prayers in new role
I recently asked a friend why he got out of politics. He said, "because politics makes nice people mean." Boy, he's not kidding! In the 20 years that I've paid attention, I've seen friendships destroyed, loyalties violated and careers hurt by the ego, ambition and power that come with politics. There's nothing wrong with ambition and ego in politics. In fact, they're almost necessary for success.
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INGA BARKS: Our statement of loyalty should only be made in English
Usually when I disagree with Californian Opinion Editor Robert Price, I chalk his "wrongness" up to the trauma he experienced during the two soccer seasons that the poor man coached my twin boys.
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INGA BARKS: State pay raises reek of hypocrisy
Let me guess, this Thanksgiving at dinner tables everywhere, the conversation went a little like this:
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INGA BARKS: Some new laws read like a nightmare, not dream
First, a very sincere and heartfelt disclaimer:I acknowledge that many laws are written by well-meaning lawmakers, inspired by a tale of woe. Many bills that hope to become California laws begin with personal experience in which someone fell through a legal crack, and the new laws seek to remedy those loopholes.
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INGA BARKS: Air board members don't walk the walk
It all started when I caught sight of a billboard asking me to make a difference. I'd heard and seen the commercials by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District about cleaning our air. I'd also heard warnings that the valley will continue to face steep federal fines if we don't curb our greenhouse emissions.
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INGA BARKS: High-speed rail 'great idea!' -- for some
I've been wracking my brain, trying to understand why no matter what anyone says about California high-speed rail, supporters come back with a stepford wife-like response about how great it is. How they trust in a government project, by the very government that's been working on variations of this train since the 1990s, only to come up with 190 miles of an 800-mile route, and local civic leaders who admitted this week that they can't run a dog pound!
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INGA BARKS: There are enough Cesar Chavez namesakes already
George Foreman seems like a good guy, with a distinguished boxing career and a grill known round the world. He also named all of his children George. Now I guess with the first child it's cute. With the second and third and fifth and even the girls, it starts getting a little weird if not obnoxious.
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INGA BARKS: Why 'The Donald' got under Obama's skin
President Obama might have called him a "carnival barker" this week on national television, but when he did it he was giving credence and publicity to said carnival barker, Donald Trump, who had been demanding that Obama release his birth certificate. Which he did.
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INGA BARKS: Don't give Sacramento more money to squander
God forbid your stockbroker ever calls you to report that he lost all your money investing in a car called the Edsel II. But if he did, would you give him more of your nest egg? What if your precious child came to you and told you that she spent her lunch money on gummy bears? Would you break out the wallet and replenish her account? If you're sane you'd fire the broker, and show your precious child where you keep the lunch sacks!
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INGA BARKS: Protesters and seat-fillers have much in common
If you catch the Academy Awards Sunday night, watch for a behind-the-scenes trick: the seat filler. The seat filler patiently stands for hours in formal wear, waiting for the winner to collect his or her Oscar or for someone famous to run to the bathroom -- at which time the seat filler makes a mad dash to the empty seat before the camera pans the room.
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INGA BARKS: Don't trick drivers into breaking law
You're driving down the road, minding your own business, when suddenly a Bakersfield Police officer flags you down. You pull over, wondering to yourself, "Was I speeding? Did I make an illegal turn or run a light?" Your answer to yourself is, "No, no, and no."
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INGA BARKS: Some of these new laws are just absurd
Despite being called the "Party of No," Republicans (conservatives) aren't opposed to law and governance. Just ridiculous and unnecessary law and governance.
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INGA BARKS: High-speed rail a 'Simpsons'-like scam
Former Gov. Gray Davis once dismissed California high-speed rail as something out of "Buck Rogers," but I prefer to liken it to a season four episode of "The Simpsons" in which a music man-like shyster complete with straw hat, bow tie and suspenders sings and dances his way into the city coffers by convincing the good people of Springfield that what they really need to invest in is a train system that is quiet, fast and will create jobs.
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INGA BARKS: Teen's suicide shouldn't just be blamed on others
When I was 18 years old, my friend Mark committed suicide and I think it's safe to say that to that point, nothing so awful had ever happened in my young life.
