Opinion

Editorials

We Need More Jobs, Yes, But What Kind of Jobs?

By Becky O'Malley
Wednesday March 10, 2010 - 03:11:00 PM

Last week the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a (privately-funded) program for what used to be called old folks (people my age) which operates on and around the UC Berkeley campus, staged an afternoon event in the glamorous new (privately funded) Freight and Salvage auditorium. -more-


Cartoons

O'Neill

By Dan O’Neill
Wednesday March 10, 2010 - 08:50:00 PM

Public Comment

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Wednesday March 10, 2010 - 10:28:00 PM

The Feb 11 edition of BDP included yet again another extremely lengthy commentary by small school zealot Rick Ayers. Typical of Ayer's diatribe was a reference to the “factory model” in an attempt to make a distinction between small schools and the traditional comprehensive structure. I have never found Ayers reference meaningful. In fact I find the local discussion about educational equity to be superficial, racially divisive, and missing a clear focus on true educational equity which requires administrative oversight ensuring all students access to quality content and instruction. So I was pleased to read the March 5th editorial from Ayers' home town paper, the Chicago Tribune, “Keep the best teachers”, with this ironic and inspired use of the “factory model” reference. -more-


Berkeley's Refuse-Recycling Budgeting and Fiscal Planning Reflects A Failure in Economic Thinking

Bruce A. Smith, Ph.D.
Thursday March 11, 2010 - 05:51:00 PM

Berkeley's refuse-recycling budget deficit has been on the minds of a growing number of people, including me. Stories have appeared in the Planet and other newspapers about the topic. Based on what I've read, it appears public decision-makers are economically clueless in Berkeley. -more-


Learning on the March

By Michael Diehl
Thursday March 11, 2010 - 06:18:00 PM

I decided to join the student march from UC Berkeley down to Oakland's Frank Ogawa Plaza. From there I joined the contingent that went by the UC administration building in downtown Oakland on Franklin and continued to follow when they headed to what turned out to be highway entrance to 880 on 11th St., not knowing the intention was to march on the highway and to block traffic during rush hour at 5pm. -more-


A New Challenge to Stadium Project

by Nigel Guest
Wednesday March 10, 2010 - 06:45:00 PM

An open letter to Mayor Bates and City Council Members: We note with interest that UC Berkeley’s Vice-Chancellor wrote you on December 14, 2009, addressing what we believe to be an unconstitutional exemption that UC has recently obtained from California’s premier earthquake protection statute. He stated: ‘The exemption is also consistent with and supportive of Alquist-Priolo's primary purpose: "to provide the citizens of California with increased safety and to minimize the loss of life during and immediately following earthquakes …"’. This is a clear contradiction in terms. An exemption from a safety-related statute cannot be consistent with ensuring public safety. -more-


Marijuana, Bipolar, and the Governor

by Jack Bragen
Wednesday March 10, 2010 - 06:35:00 PM

The Governor's wish to legalize pot has some problems that people ought to think about. While the illegality of marijuana resembles an unnecessary restriction like that of Prohibition, making it legal could cause unforeseen problems. -more-


Acceleration Blues: Berkeley Incident Ignored by Toyota Corporation

By Dorothy Snodgrass
Wednesday March 10, 2010 - 06:21:00 PM

For the past several weeks we've been inundated with newspaper stories and TV coverage of the Toyota acceleration problem -- hapless drivers doing over 100 miles per hour on freeways, unable to stop. Let me tell you about my own personal experience -- one that's left me shaken after three weeks. -more-


Disputed Facts Re Lawrence Lab Transportation

By Nikki Frenney
Wednesday March 10, 2010 - 06:55:00 PM

A February 11 Letter to the Editor regarding MV Transportation and the transit service we provide for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory wholly mischaracterized our company and safety performance. In fact, the letter completely misrepresented the facts. -more-