News Archives
Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, Page 366
“It is strange that the last men of intellectual eminence before the Dark Ages (the fall of the Western Roman Empire came in the fifth century) were concerned not with saving civilization or expeling the barbarians or reforming the abuses of the administration but with preaching the merit of virginity and the damnation of unbaptized infants. Read more »
Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1, Page 339…
“In the matter of slavish imitation, man is the monkey’s superior all the time. The average man is destitute of independence of opinion. He is not interested in contriving an opinion of his own, by study and reflection, but is only anxious to find out what his neighbor’s opinion is and slavishly adopt it. Read more »
Of Mount Lola and Lotta Crabtree’s San Francisco Fountain
At 9,148 feet, Mount Lola is the highest point in Nevada County.
It’s located north of Donner Pass and Interstate-80.
The peak’s namesake is Lola Montez, baroness, collector of men, shrewd entertainer and embellisher of stories, many of which involving her life
Montez portrayed herself as Spanish dancer Maria Dolores de Porris y Montez:
Lola for short. Read more »
Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume 1, Page 306…
Helping to raise $1.8 million for Booker T. Washington and his Tuskegee Institute, at which “students are not merely furnished a book education but are taught 37 useful trades,” the 70-year-old Twain delivers a speech at a Carnegie Hall benefit. Twain wonders aloud what knowledge he can possibly impart that a Tuskegee student would not became aware of as a result of their studies. Read more »
No Compliment But Clearly Said By a Student of the Classics
“Diane Harpy”
— A Legislative Staffer referring to Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, a Laguna Niguel Republican
(Editor’s Note: In Greek mythology a Harpy is a winged creature with a woman’s face. In the Odyssey, they are winds that carry people away. Over time, they evolved into ill-tempered, loathsome, food-stealing monsters. In the lower-case, a harpy is defined as a “harridan” or “shrewish woman.” Read more »
How Many Jobs Do Redevelopment Agencies Actually Create?
According to a report issued December 31, 2010 by the state Controller, California’s 425 redevelopment agencies created 14,723 jobs during the fiscal year running from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
The information is contained in an annual audit of the agencies conducted by Controller John Chiang. The agencies provide him with the information. Read more »
Battle Continues Over the Future of Redevelopment Agencies
A special 10-member, two-house committee began its work February 23 reconciling the differences between spending plans crated by the Senate and the Assembly.
They could be done within days.
Not because an estimated $26 billion gap between state spending commitments and revenue isn’t vexing but because there aren’t many large differences between the two budget plans. Read more »
Senate Wants to Cut Aid to Utility Ratepayers in Budget Plan
Among the strategies employed by the state Senate to close California’s $25.4 billion budget hole is a legally questionable $162 million cut in energy efficiency programs paid for from the Gas Consumption Surcharge Fund.
The fund is created by a fee on residential and commercial users of natural gas.
An annual review of the surcharge is conducted by the Public Utilities Commission, which can then raise or lower the amount. Read more »
The Campaign Site is Up and Debra Bowen Wants More Ideas
If elected to Congress, my top priority will be working to jumpstart our economy. But how do we make sure that happens?
Despite what national Republicans in Washington will tell you, the solution to our current deficit problem isn’t to cut vital services and investments in our future. The best way to balance the nation’s checkbook is to get our economy moving again through job growth and increased economic activity. Read more »
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