On July 16, an 86-year-old man named Russell Weller drove his car into a crowd of people at the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. He killed 10 people, including a 7-month-old boy, and injured more than 50. Read more...

I was given a preview screening of the film “Buffalo Soldiers” on July 1, and I was horrified by what I saw and heard. Before I express my observations and concerns about the film, I will present my credentials. Read more...

With the state’s mind-boggling deficit, not to mention substantial cuts to the UC budget, many Californians wonder if perhaps Gov. Gray Davis will soon face “Judgment Day” at the hands everyone’s favorite hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Read more...

As positive and progressive as are the recent Supreme Court decisions in Lawrence v. Texas and Grutter v. Bollinger, the thin margin of victory in these rulings underscores the need to avoid extreme right-wing nominees who have visions of the Constitution that is narrow, totalitarian and overtly political. Read more...

As the murder trial of Laci Peterson continues, a controversial piece of legislation has been reintroduced in Congress. “Laci and Connor’s Law,” which would make the murder of a pregnant woman punishable as a double homicide, is touted by some as a victory for the rights of the unborn. Read more...

A few weeks ago my brother bought a new CD at Best Buy. This action was apparently a very strange phenomenon. A co-worker of his asked in a strange, almost belittling tone of voice, why he actually paid for his music. Read more...

Gov. Gray Davis messed up. Entering office with a comfortable surplus, he has sunk California into a $38 billion slump. For Davis himself, this will most likely mean a recall vote in the fall while, at the same time, UC students and their parents will be expected to pay in other ways. Read more...