Columnists

ON MENTAL ILLNESS: Depression of Middle-Aged and Older Men

Jack Bragen
Thursday April 30, 2015 - 03:41:00 PM

In observing the world as anyone may do, to me it is clear that a lot of ordinary men, including those not afflicted with a mental illness, when older become easily irritated, angry and in a bad mood. This is how many men show depression. Depressive symptoms in men may include grumpiness, irritability, and moodiness, sometimes to a point of being abusive. -more-


THE PUBLIC EYE: Vote No On Armageddon

Bob Burnett
Thursday April 30, 2015 - 03:01:00 PM

A recent Bloomberg poll noted a disturbing political fact: Republicans are willing to support Israel even when its objectives diverge from those of the US. This ominous stance is a consequence of the fundamentalist Christian leanings of the GOP. Many Republicans blindly support Israel because they are praying for Armageddon.

The Bloomberg poll examined the deep political divide surrounding US policy on Israel and Iran. The poll asked: “When it comes to relations between the US and Israel, which of the following do you agree with more?” 47 percent of respondents chose, “Israel is an ally but we should pursue America’s interests when we disagree with them.” However, 45 percent chose, “Israel is an important ally, the only democracy in the region, and we should support it even if our interests diverge.”

Whether or not to offer Israel unquestioning support was split along Party lines. 67 percent of Republicans said we should support Israel even when we disagree with them. 64 percent of Democrats said we should pursue America’s interests when we disagree with Israel.

While the Bloomberg poll question may appear theoretical, it’s based upon the reality that Israel’s interests are not always in sync with those of the US. -more-


ECLETIC RANT: Time for Barry Bonds to Come Clean

Ralph E. Stone
Friday May 01, 2015 - 11:40:00 AM

Barry Bonds -- baseball's home run king and steroid user -- had his conviction overturned by the appeals court, who ruled that his evasive answer as to whether Greg Anderson of BALCO gave him performance-enhancing drugs was not perjury. (The prosecutors are considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.) Before the San Francisco Giants even consider bringing Bonds back in any capacity, I would expect them to require Bonds to confess to knowingly using steroids. Remember, Mark McGuire and Alex Rodriguez confessed to using steroids. -more-