Opinion

The historian Thomas F. Madden described the United States as “an empire of trust,” a phrase he fashioned to compare modern America with the golden era of the ancient Roman Republic. According to Madden, both the American and the Roman republics grew into sovereign powerhouses because external threats stimulated the drive to expand their boundaries of geopolitical influence by means of superior military might, used to transform enemies into allies.

I have been thinking a lot lately about what can only be described as the schizophrenic nature of the teaching experience in America today.

Morgan Hill is currently drawing up a contract with Calfire to provide fire protection services to the city and it’s something other cities in the county should seriously consider.

People who are getting ready to wrap up their careers and leave the working world often refer to retirement as “a new chapter” or “the next act” in their lives – and rightly so. As a pre-retiree, you may have even used those analogies yourself. That said, it’s helpful, and often invaluable, to play a leading role in determining how your retirement story will unfold. 

Never again. That should be the determined motto of California legislators who will set dates for this state’s future primary elections, now that it’s perfectly clear the June 5 California Republican presidential primary election will mean little or nothing, just like all other June primaries contested here since 1972.

Anyone can see the effect the recent economic recession has had on public facilities. Falling tax collections have led to budget cuts resulting in layoffs of public workers. Parks, schools, playgrounds and buildings are looking increasingly shabby. But public-spirited volunteers can make a big difference.

Shangri La in the Blue Mountains

There’s a unique story out of Japan about a lost parakeet reunited with its owner. It all occurred in a small town outside of Tokyo, where a parakeet named Piko-chan escaped out the window of his home. He flew the coop, so to speak, and landed on the shoulder of a startled guest at a nearby hotel. The police were called and at first, Piko-chan was quiet. But after a few days at the station, he started talking.