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ALBERT ABRAMS: Lesson of Spain's rail system strengthens HSR argument
The recent article by Dr. Girish Patel concerning the California high-speed rail project based much of its argument on the high-speed rail system in Spain ("Learning from experience: Some thoughts on Spain's HSR," Community Voices, Jan. 19). The major argument seemed to be that the Spanish system is not financially self-sufficient. I believe that an examination of commuter...
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Thursday, Feb 09 2012 11:05 PM
Sharing college notes: Objective simply to learn
Regarding the Feb. 6 news story "Selling class notes becomes legal issue at CSU, UC": Somewhere in all that, I fail to see attention to the main objective, which is to impart knowledge.
If a teacher doesn't want students reading and using other students' notes to learn the material, then perhaps he should hand out or post the notes he would like them to use. If a student uses poor notes from an unauthorized source, then his grade for a test on the material should convince him that that was a poor decision. Likewise, why pay for unauthorized notes when accurate notes, prepared by the instructor, are available at no cost?
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Thursday, Feb 09 2012 11:04 PM
A better experience
In response to the Feb. 8 letter "We're paying taxes for this ?," I've had to call the Code Enforcement Division numerous times and always receive a timely response, with great results.
It's a shame we have to keep calling them on the same business time and time again, but we will do so until they get the message we are not putting up with their trash. Code Enforcement has been excellent!
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Thursday, Feb 09 2012 11:03 PM
Euthanization and breeders
I picked up Thursday's Californian to find the front-page headline "Set to die: Kern County's euthanization rate rising."
Was I surprised? No. Was I frustrated and discouraged? Yes! I turned the newspaper over to the Classified section to find the usual pages full of ads of puppies for sale. Gee, do you think there might be a connection?
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Thursday, Feb 09 2012 11:02 PM
She'd hire Duquette
I was distressed to read a recent letter to the editor that painted Diane Duquette, the former Kern County library administrator, in a very negative light ("Diane Duquette fiasco swept under the rug," Jan. 22).
As a retired university library administrator myself, I have a pretty good understanding of what makes an effective and efficient librarian. I used Beale Library myself a number of times and found it very well-run; I worked with Diane when Tehachapi was next on the list to get state bond money for a new library (the money that a former supervisor sent to Frazier Park for a library instead), and I found her always to be helpful, honest and ethical -- she helped me get my own paperwork ready for Tehachapi to apply for the bond money.
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Thursday, Feb 09 2012 11:01 PM
Obama's disappointing term
There are many celebrities who are nice-looking, charming, funny and have great families; President Obama has all that. But what he doesn't have are qualifications to make him a successful president. I enjoy listening to Barack and Michelle Obama speak; both are eloquent and charming. They are great examples as parents and qualify to be mentors for all families. But I cannot support Obama for a second term.
His record in office has been terrible. Decisions he's made (or not made) have fundamentally put our country on a path to destruction. He has divided the people, both by political party and now class. Good leaders unite; dictators divide. Obama promised to be bipartisan; he's not. He promised to create jobs; he hasn't. His demeanor changed from someone who "acted" like he cared about the American people to someone who listens to only himself -- a dictator. We need a leader.
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Thursday, Feb 09 2012 11:00 PM
Spare the beaver
I believe we need to share the earth with all the creatures God put on this earth. For the people who want to shoot the beaver that has been gnawing on trees near Truxtun Lake: Your humanity obviously is in your bank account only. Shame on you.
Candace Bunes
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Wednesday, Feb 08 2012 11:02 PM
Would Callista Gingrich fit the bill as first lady?
Recent comments by members of The Californian's Sounding Board have focused on the pros and cons of the presidential candidacy of Newt Gingrich, but at least one comment mentioned his wife, Callista. It occurred to me that we seldom reflect on the woman in this picture. Certainly she knew he was a married man when their relationship began. Did she know his daughters?
Thoughts of former first ladies came to mind: Mamie Eisenhower, with her bangs and her unaffected dignity; Rosalynn Carter and her gentle but stedfast support of the South; Barbara Bush, with her pearls and her views on women's rights; Hillary Clinton, with her pantsuits, her "stand by my man" attitude and, of course, the failed health care plan; and Laura Bush and her teaching skills, which did not include teaching her husband.
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Wednesday, Feb 08 2012 11:01 PM
Clarifications on ethics charges
One of the recent Sounding Board comments about presidential candidate Newt Gingrich requires two clarifications ("Presidential morality counts, but how much?," Feb. 6). First, Gingrich was charged with 84 ethics violations -- yet was ultimately found guilty of none -- and there was no fine or penalty; he agreed as a portion of the settlement agreement to pay $300,000 to reimburse the costs of the investigation. Those two clarifications certainty take the sting out of what was intended as a total hatchet piece by someone who needs to check his facts.
John Michael Henry
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Wednesday, Feb 08 2012 11:00 PM
If you support it, implement it
While I am sure Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson is a fine human being, his opinion about random drug testing in his department is appalling ("I support random drug testing of BPD officers," Local, Feb. 6). First, if he cannot get an employee he is charged with to give a drug testing sample on demand, then he is not effective as a high-ranking city official and public servant. His column did demonstrate that he is, however, a fine union patsy. Secondly, his "lesson in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights" is flawed on so many levels, I could never point them out in 250 words. How many citizens has his department denied the right to due process today?
Mr. Williamson: Test your employees, and get rid of the ones that have betrayed you, your department and the community they serve. If I can't smoke a joint and go to work in the oil patch, you and your officers shouldn't be able to smoke a joint and carry a gun!
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Tuesday, Feb 07 2012 11:06 PM
Let's build HSR over those mountains first
The California High-Speed Rail Authority should build the Bakersfield-Palmdale-Los Angeles route first, instead of the planned train to nowhere.
There are a number of good reasons for building this route first:
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Tuesday, Feb 07 2012 11:05 PM
Supervisors jump gun on HSR
High-speed rail is a project that will take time to plan and develop. We haven't seen the final plan, and that's why I agree with The Californian, as stated in its Feb. 5 editorial "Supervisors' HSR vote is premature," that Kern County supervisors are jumping the gun in voting on high-speed rail.
We have too many jobs at stake, and the economic growth resulting from this system could transform our entire economy. We must be careful to study the facts and make right decisions. A vote now is premature.
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Tuesday, Feb 07 2012 11:04 PM
HSR, whether we want it or not
As I was watching Fox News the other day, they were talking about how many people lie to prove a point. You can add Gov. Jerry Brown to that list when he says the high-speed rail will cost less than $100 billion. Whether we like it or not, he is going cram it down our throats, just like his other agendas. Wake up, people -- the state of California is being "Jerry-rigged."
Kenneth Brewton
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