Opinion

Editorials

Endorsements: What They Mean and Who's Doing It

By Becky O'Malley
Tuesday September 28, 2010 - 10:13:00 AM

Because of the hallowed California tradition of “non-partisan” local elections, it’s hard for the infrequent voter to figure out which candidate to vote for. In Berkeley the local elections, which used to be held in the spring, have been added to the huge November ballot. As a result, a lot of occasional voters here will be confronted on election day with a list of unfamiliar local names and incomprehensible local proposals when they show up to cast their Democratic ballots for statewide offices (as we dearly hope they will). -more-


The Editor's Back Fence

Now Read This: A Random Selection of Articles Elsewhere about Berkeley and Environs

Tuesday September 28, 2010 - 10:50:00 PM

UC's Media Relations Department points with pride to two young faculty members who've named MacArthur Foundation fellows, complete with YouTube videos.

Bay Area News Group investigative reporter Thomas Peele endorses the Sunshine Ordinance proposed for Berkeley.

Berkeley's Angela Arnold thrills the opera crowd at the ballpark on Friday.

Mercury critic gives Koh top marks, Berkeley Symphony orchestra a bit less.

Bayer Stays but Jobs Go, says The Bay Citizen.

Someone who's caught the city of Berkeley planning department violating its own zoning rules has put her findings online for all to see. -more-


Cartoons

Odd Bodkins: Maybe not tell the children

Dan O'Neill
Monday September 27, 2010 - 11:11:00 PM

BOUNCE: Fall in love or fall in line

Joseph Young
Wednesday September 29, 2010 - 12:25:00 AM

BOUNCE: Nugget

Joseph Young
Tuesday September 28, 2010 - 01:29:00 PM

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Monday September 27, 2010 - 08:30:00 PM

Where Have All the Drugstores Gone? -more-


Jobs Seem to be the Issue in Richmond Mayor's Race

By Tom Butt
Monday September 27, 2010 - 06:59:00 PM

It’s interesting that the mayoral challengers have chosen to make this election about jobs, probably the one issue that the mayor has the least ability to influence. We are part of a regional economy that is well above the national average in unemployment, largely because of the bubble bursting in California’s overinflated housing market. This was not a city-driven phenomenon, nor will there be a city-driven solution. -more-


Comparing Jean Quan with the Other Frontrunners in the Oakland Mayor's Race

By Joyce Roy
Monday September 27, 2010 - 05:21:00 PM

Some assertions by Councilmember Jean Quan in her Sept. 20th commentary need to be corrected. -more-


Journalism, Ethics, and the KPFA Board Election

By Don Goldmacher
Tuesday September 28, 2010 - 11:48:00 AM

KPFA Radio, America's first listener-sponsored station, has an impressive history of groundbreaking journalism. Throughout its 61 years, the station has been justly famous for hard-nosed reporting, award-winning radio documentaries, cutting edge and wide ranging music, and coverage of some of the key events of our time—whether Iran Contra or the Iraq War. -more-


The SOSIP Rejects Bicycle Safety Downtown

By Charles Siegel
Tuesday September 28, 2010 - 11:08:00 AM

The city is about to solicit public comment on a draft of the Streets and Open Space Improvement Program (SOSIP) for downtown Berkeley. -more-


It's Time to Admit that the Iraq War was a Hoax

By Ralph E. Stone
Sunday September 26, 2010 - 09:05:00 AM

Recently, President Obama announced the reduction of our military presence in Iraq to 50,000. What we now need is a U.S. acknowledgement that the Iraq war was a hoax on the American people and the world so the country can move on. -more-


Promoting Creative Use of Berkeley’s Vacant Storefronts

By Sally Hindman
Tuesday September 28, 2010 - 11:47:00 AM

When last I counted there were over 100 vacant commercial storefronts in our community. That’s a total of well over 200,000 sq. ft. of storefront space that sits unused for any purpose whatsoever in Berkeley on any given day. Calling commercial realtors and landlords to pitch ideas for use of vacant space does just about NOTHING to change the status quo. In the last three years I have made over eighty calls to commercial realtors and landlords proposing innovative, yet practical and aesthetically pleasing uses of space for exhibits of artwork by homeless and low-income participants in the program I run, Youth Spirit Artworks. When I’ve been lucky enough to get a call back I’ve have heard countless POOR EXCUSES for why it wouldn’t be possible to engage a space that’s currently for rent…even when the property has sat vacant for three or more SOLID years. -more-