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Politics, News & Issues > US Leaders (Other) Assessing the legitimacy of conspiracy theories: 5 of 38

The terms "conspiracy theorist" and "conspiracy nut" are used frequently to discredit a perceived foe using emotional, rather than logical, appeals. It's important for the sake of true argument that we define the term "conspiracy" and use it appropriately, not as an ad hominem attack on someone whose point of view we don't sh... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environmental Awareness World Water Day 2007: Dealing with water scarcity: 2 of 10
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water today passed a bill that seeks to improve the condition of California's San Joaquin River Delta. Senate Bill 12 by Palo Alto democrat Joe Simitian would enact the Sacramento San Joaquin River Delta, Clean Drinking Water, Water Supply Security, and Environmental Improvement A... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Climate Change California takes lead in climate change legislation: 1 of 5
The California Air Resources Board Thursday approved a landmark regulatory proposal governing carbon emissions that will likely serve as a model for the nation and the world. The "Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) proposal requires all fuel producers in the state to decrease their impact on global warming by effecting a 10% re... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Legalizing medical marijuana: 7 of 34

San Francisco Assembly member Tom Ammiano today reacted to a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) raid on a San Francisco marijuana dispensary only a week after the Obama administration signaled it would cease the federal government's practice of harassing cannabis clubs in states that have legalized the plant for medical use. Ammia... More..
Education > Educational Philosophy The educational costs of standardized testing: 3 of 11
A press release issued today by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass calls into question the validity of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), a standardized test created by the California Department of Education ostensibly to improve academic performance. The test, a creation of then-senator Jack O'Connell who later became C... More..
Personal Finance > Taxes Democrats vs. Republican on taxes: 3 of 10
California's recent budget predicament was aggravated by two major factors. Many people are aware that California is one of only three states still requiring a two-thirds legislative majority to pass a budget, so in California that means a number of republicans must offer their support to obtain the required votes. What compl... More..
Health & Fitness > Drug Legislation & Safety To legalize or to not legalize: Should marijuana be legalized?: 3 of 9

Assembly member Tom Ammiano had only been in office for a few weeks when he introduced AB 390, the Assembly bill that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana in California. Considering the legislation's scope and complexity, it was apparent that someone had been working on the bill's language for a long time. I asked Quin... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Gossip & News Was Miss California wrong for giving a politically incorrect answer?: 1 of 3
"Let me explain to you. She lost, not because she doesn't believe in gay marriage; Miss California lost because she's a dumb b*ch," Perez Hilton ranted on his video blog. There was some foreshadowing of trouble when the pageant's male host announced to Prejean that her question was coming from "Judge #8" and his female count... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Leaders (Other) A look at Obama's decision to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp: 7 of 18
An Assembly resolution that encourages the Obama administration not to relocate terror suspects held at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay to Camp Pendleton Marine Base in southern California has been introduced to the state legislature. Dana Point Republican Diane Harkey's measure, Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (AJR 5), ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 The Obama phenomena and democratization vs. corporatization: 2 of 5
President Obama's inaugural address was one of the most carefully scripted political speeches I've heard in years.There was subtlety even in the visuals. Obama's red tie subliminally tempered his left-of-progressive reputation, stalwart Biden's blue tie helped to offset his more conservative tendencies, and Pelosi's olive-gre... More..