News Archives
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 »
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 »
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 »
Will California’s Other Deficit Be Eliminated by the Federal Government?
While a new state budget is in place, California has done nothing to eliminate its other deficit – a $10.6 billion-and-climbing hole in the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
Insolvent since January 2009 and kept afloat through federal loans, the fund pays weekly benefits of up to 99 weeks to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Read more »
From the Truth-Way-Stranger-Than-Fiction File: Man Survives Sixth Time Being Hit By Lightening Read more »
The Oracle of Omaha in Berkshire Hathaway’s Annual Report
“Throughout my lifetime, politicians and pundits have constantly moaned about terrifying problems facing America. Yet our citizens now live an astonishing six times better than when I was born.
“The prophets of doom have overlooked the all-important factor that is certain: Human potential is far from exhausted and the American system for unleashing that potential — a system that has worked wonders for over two centuries despite frequent interruptions for recessions and even a Civil War — remains alive and effective. Read more »
Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 637
On John Locke:
“(Locke) makes a great deal of the imperishable character of the precious metals, which, he says, are the source of money and inequality of fortune.
“He seems, in an abstract and academic way, to regret economic inequality but he certainly does not think that it would be wise to take such measures as might prevent it. Read more »
“Government Nannyism” for Nannies and Babysitters?
Opponents call it the ultimate government nannyism legislation because it gives nannies, babysitters and other caregivers overtime, meal breaks and paid vacation benefits.
Irrational and impractical, opponents say of the bill, AB 889 by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat.
Equity and fairness for domestic workers, counter Ammiano and the bill’s backers which include the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. Read more »
How Would Someone Characterize This in Their Modeling Portfolio?
“I was the Whore of Babylon in the Life’s Greatest Battle mailer advertising a series of talks starting with ‘Unsealing Daniel’s Mysteries’ and answering questions about ‘Revelation’s Lake of Fire,’ ‘America in Prophecy,’ and ‘Armageddon and the Seven Last Plagues.’
Free Admission. Free Bible. Free Children’s Program, too.
Every Little Bit Helps — June Tax Collections Above Estimates
State tax collections for June helped move the state toward the $4 billion in additional unexpected revenue the new spending plan is premised on.
June income tax collections were $3.8 billion — $655 million more than the $3.2 billion Gov. Jerry Brown’s Department of Finance predicted the Franchise Tax Board would collect for the month. Read more »
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