All Too True…

“Hatred plays the same part in government as acids in chemistry.”

–Winston Churchill, 1929    Read more »

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State Fraud Investigators Not Handsomely Rewarded by the Budget

Among the rake offs used to help restore the cash-starved general fund for the fiscal year that began July 1 is $20 million from the Department of Justice that is part of a recent $241 million settlement with Quest Diagnostics involving overcharges to Medi-Cal, the state’s health care program for the poor.    Read more »

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There’s At Least One Thing Gov. Brown and Former Gov. Schwarzenegger Agree On

A legislative attempt to outlaw prohibitions on the use of artificial turf in condominium complexes and planned communities was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown June 15.

Sponsored by the San Diego Water Authority, the bill would have declared any provision in the governing documents of a homeowner’s association, such as the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, precluding use of Astro Turf or other synthetic surfaces unenforceable.    Read more »

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The Cost of Simply Going to Court

It’s not cheap filing a civil case in California, the nation’s largest court system.

For the past five years, fees for probate, family law matters and civil cases have steadily increased.

A few have doubled.

One batch of increases that took effect in 2009 created a revenue stream to pay debt service on bonds for new courthouse construction.    Read more »

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Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 505

On Machiavelli:

“The Prince is concerned to discover, from history and from contemporary events, how principalities are won, how they are held and how they are lost. Fifteenth century Italy afforded a multitude of examples, both great and small.

“Few rulers were legitimate; even the popes, in many cases, secured election by corrupt means.    Read more »

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Today’s Latin Lesson Describes How Often Lawmakers Talk

Haud Longis Intervallis

“At Frequent Intervals”    Read more »

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Another “Politics on Tap” Conversation with Kim Belshe, Sen. Mimi Walters and Steve Smith    Read more »

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California Place Names: San Quentin — Sans “San” and Avec “San”

Initially Point Quentin, where San Quentin state prison is located, was named for a Miwok Indian warrior named Quentin who was captured there. Quentin fought for Chief Marin.

As it is with San Ramon – first named for Ramon, a local sheepherder – Quentin’s “San” came late.

Saint Quentin is Quintinus, supposedly the son of a Roman senator named Zeno.    Read more »

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Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 476

“The thirteenth century had brought to completion a great synthesis, philosophical, theological, political and social which had been slowly built up by the combination of many elements. The first element was pure Greek philosophy, especially the philosophies of Pythagoras, Parmenides, Plato and Aristotle. Then came, as a result of Alexander’s conquests, a great influx of oriental beliefs.    Read more »

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Another Spanish Explorer’s Contributions to California Place Names

The 1769 expedition led by Gaspar de Portola from San Diego to Monterey, of which Father Junipero Serra was a member, is responsible for a number of California place names.

Spain was eager to establish missions and outposts in what was then Alta California to avoid the territory being claimed by the English, who had recently taken Canada.    Read more »

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