Editorials
Re-elect Vegas, Hampton to KHSD board
Chad Vegas has become a lightning rod for controversy, much of it of his own making.
Vote early; vote by mail
Monday was Election Day, in a very real sense. State officials formally opened the gates, allowing vote-by-mail voters to start turning in advance ballots for this, one of the country's most historic presidential elections.
Ballot-box budgeting: Vote NO on Props 6 and 9
The ink is still wet on the $103.4 billion state budget that Gov. Schwarzenegger and legislators signed a couple of weeks ago, but we are now told California's financial house of cards is collapsing.
Don't cheapen Amber Alerts
The state's financial situation is a mess, but Californians can't be this bad off.
Who wants 10-digit number?
Some choice. Dial 10 digits for a simple local call or change to a new area code entirely -- and pay for it by reprinting business cards and letterhead.
Those were mighty pricey bricks
Richard Jennings should be angry. The rest of us should be scared. What happened to Jennings could happen to any of us.
Debate sequel tonight
The tone should be considerably more combative tonight when America gets another side-by-side look at John McCain and Barack Obama. The second presidential debate, which airs live at 6 p.m. from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., comes a day on the heels of new charges from each camp.
Governor’s veto ‘record’ sends sober message
When the deadline passed last week to sign legislation, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger set a record. He vetoed more bills this session than his predecessors had vetoed in four decades.
Open season on campaign theft
Mind if we kidnap your big-screen TV while you're at work today? We'll bring it back right after the football season. Promise. Oh, and can you manage without your spiffy little classic Porsche this weekend? A few days at the coast and we'll have it back in your driveway without a scratch. Really. Assuming all goes well.
Palin can make it 'better' tonight
The past couple of weeks have not gone well for Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for vice-president. Her interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson was bumpy, her sit-down with CBS's Katie Couric disastrous, and leading conservatives continue to question her credentials for the office.
No on Proposition 7
Seldom have we seen a ballot measure unite so many often-warring interests utility companies, environmental groups, government energy regulators, alternative energy producers and both political parties.
How does Interstate 7 sound?
Now that the state's budgetary smoke has begun to clear, expect the long-discussed conversion of Highway 99 from a state route to a federal interstate to come back to the table.
How is your driving?
Tuesday morning: A local pest control company truck was headed southbound in Fairfax Road's center lane.
Quit posturing and get it done
House Republicans gave voice to millions of angry, frustrated Americans when they voted Monday to reject the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street.
Repair this practice
How do you know the new fender on your recently repaired car is the manufacturer-authorized part you assume you just paid for?
Modified bailout must go forward
Ordinary taxpayers have every right to be outraged by the prospect of the proposed $700 billion bailout of the financial industry, even if they may reluctantly agree that such action is necessary.
Making a difference
Home foreclosures in Bakersfield are soaring. People are losing their jobs. Businesses are struggling to keep doors open. The list of "bad news" is long and depressing. We are tempted to wallow in our misery.
Tonight's debate must go forward
The government's proposed bailout of Wall Street merits the attention of every legislator, economist and administration official in Washington. That doesn't mean two senators can't pull away from it for a half a day to take part in another important piece of the people's business: the electing of a president.
Safety must be top concern
Lord knows, Kern County can use more jobs. And the money poured into the local economy from expansion of the Big West refinery would be a godsend in these dire economic times.
Make commuter rail safer
It's one thing to look back on a tragedy and wonder what might have been if technology capable of averting the disaster had been reality and not just theory.