Columnists

ECLECTIC RANT: The Tenth Anniversary of Rachel Corrie's Death

By Ralph E. Stone
Friday March 22, 2013 - 01:43:00 PM

Rachel Corrie, a 22-year old peace activist from Washington State, was killed on March 16, 2003 by a Caterpillar bulldozer operated by the Israeli military while trying to stop a Palestinian family’s home from being destroyed. Some witnesses claimed she was struck deliberately, but an Israeli inquiry found her death to be an accident. -more-


DISPATCHES FROM THE EDGE; Egypt: A Coup In The Wings?

Conn Hallinan
Friday March 22, 2013 - 12:56:00 PM

When an important leader of the political opposition hints that a military coup might be preferable to the current chaos, and when a major financial organization proposes an economic program certain to spark a social explosion, something is afoot. Is Egypt being primed for a coup? -more-


ON MENTAL ILLNESS: Minimizing Delusions

Jack Bragen
Friday March 22, 2013 - 11:13:00 AM

Treatment for mental illnesses, including that for schizophrenia, is an imperfect deal. Those who are in treatment will almost invariably have some residual symptoms. A person with schizophrenia will sometimes be delusional while taking medication. Sometimes the dosage is wrong, either too low or too high. (Too much medication can be just as bad, sometimes worse, compared to too little medication.) Also, antipsychotic medications do not always work. About a third of people with schizophrenia aren't helped by medication. -more-


THE PUBLIC EYE: What Makes a Republican?

By Bob Burnett
Friday March 22, 2013 - 10:14:00 AM

After two months of the 113th Congress, it’s clear there’s a cadre of Tea Party Republicans blocking most meaningful Federal legislation – jobs, taxes, global climate change, immigration, and gun control. These ultra-conservatives are intent on dismantling the federal government. Where did these Republicans come from and why do they believe government is their enemy? -more-


SENIOR POWER... the dark lady of DNA

By Helen Rippier Wheeler, pen136@dslextreme.com
Friday March 22, 2013 - 11:06:00 AM

Herstory was coined to emphasize that women’s and girls’ lives, deeds, and participation in human affairs have been neglected, undervalued, or distorted in standard works. “Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics” is the theme of this year’s Women’s History Month, March 2013. -more-


SOCIAL NOTES FROM ALL OVER: It Was A Lovely Party at A Berkeley Hot Spot

By Grace Underpressure (PST)
Friday March 22, 2013 - 08:06:00 PM

When the pesky poor people panhandling underneath the Berkeley Central high-rise luxury apartments at get clonked on the head with a stray wineglass, at least they'll note the quality of the Cabernet thanks to the concerted efforts of the dashing developers at the new residences’ high-end helm.

“We’re setting a tone,” explained one of Berkeley Central’s “brand ambassadors” at the ribbon cutting ceremony where swells stood in an uneasy row under the “luxury apartments” sign listening to each other’s euphemisms about the “new” people they hope to drag into town to replace the scruffy bunch they have right now. -more-