FresnoBee.com: Opinion http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/index.xml News, sports and entertainment from FresnoBee.com in California's Central Valley en-us Copyright 2006 FresnoBee.com Opinion 60 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:34:21 PDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy's PubSys jward@fresnobee.com It's not about which statistics to believe -- just reduce dropouts http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/736853.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/736853.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:03:30 PDT Summer is the season for sporting diversions, and the state's educational researchers are caught up in the fever. No give and take on either side in state's budget negotiations http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/736854.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/736854.html Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:03:30 PDT Eighteen days into the new fiscal year, the state has no budget and there's no agreement in sight. It's no wonder that Californians, many struggling with their own financial woes, are frustrated with their legislators. Spend money that has already been approved for water projects http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/734855.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/734855.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:34:40 PDT A bond measure to address California's water needs was proposed last week by a couple of the state's political heavyweights. It deserves careful consideration. But there's more that could be done right now to address the water crisis that's upon us. There are quicker ways than drilling offshore to get more oil http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/734853.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/734853.html Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:34:40 PDT Even if oil companies get the green light to drill for oil off the coasts of California or Florida, as the Bush administration advocates, oil industry experts say it would take at least seven years before any oil would be flowing. End of talks with Iraqi leadership frees next U.S. president's hands http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/732949.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/732949.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:53:57 PDT The United States and Iraq have abandoned efforts to conclude a long-term troop agreement before the end of the Bush presidency, reports the Washington Post. The collapse of these talks is a good thing. GOP meddles with rail bill http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/732945.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/732945.html Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:53:56 PDT Last-minute haggling over details threatens to make passage of the high-speed rail bond in November even more of an uphill struggle. Questions about oversight of the project are the ostensible cause of the delay, but there are underlying ideological differences that have more to do with the vision of California's transportation future than with the details of this bond measure. A welcome crackdown on illegal snowcone vendors http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/730542.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/730542.html Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:54:08 PDT Fresno's code enforcers recently -- and quickly -- zeroed in on a target that represented a clear and present danger to the safety and welfare of city residents. Wanted: Younger voters http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/730543.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/730543.html Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:54:08 PDT Try this one on your teenager: What does "democracy" mean? Those who can't avoid heat's dangers must use caution http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/727802.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/727802.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:24:22 PDT The heat and smoke were so oppressive last week that day-care operators kept kids inside; athletes curtailed outdoor practice; restaurants closed their patio seating. Bill to increase vehicle fees is fair way to share cost of cleaning air http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/727069.html http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/story/727069.html Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:44:20 PDT Valley drivers would pay a little more to operate their vehicles if a bill now in the Legislature is passed and signed. That's a bitter pill to swallow in a time when gasoline costs $4.50 a gallon and is headed higher. But it's a necessary expense if we are to address the Valley's poor air quality.