An Endorsement of Pat Garrahan for Sheriff ~ John MacWillie, PhD

An Endorsement of Pat Garrahan for Sheriff ~ John MacWillie, PhD

Murphys, CA…It is the obligation of every government to provide for the public safety and security of its citizens. For local jurisdictions this responsibility includes the provision of law enforcement, fire protection, and health care. In many localities, such as Calaveras County, the only direct input the public has in how these services are delivered […]

California Needs Action on Flood Insurance Reforms ~ By Steve Ellis

California Needs Action on Flood Insurance Reforms  ~ By Steve Ellis

La Grange, CA…The record-breaking floodwaters that recently soaked Tuolumne County should serve as the latest warning that unless Congress reforms and renews the nation’s debt-ridden flood insurance program, more than 238,900 residents across California may be unable to rebuild after the next storm strikes. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides flood coverage to […]

Dear California Students, Parents & Faculty ~ Letter to the Editor by Dave & Melissa Wagner

Dear California Students, Parents & Faculty  ~ Letter to the Editor by Dave & Melissa Wagner

Arnold, CA…Your Governor has advertised to every mass shooter out there that California schools are now a soft target that will offer no armed resistance to a shooter going for a high body count. He has “outlawed” the right of licensed carry and responsible defensive firearm possession on school campuses (Penal Code 626.9-11). That means […]

Is The Cannabis Ban Kind? ~ Al Segalla

Is The Cannabis Ban Kind? ~ Al Segalla

Copperopolis, CA…Recently the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution supporting Kindness Week. This is a good thing. However, at a previous meeting, they passed a ban on commercial cannabis farming. Also, they stopped the proposal to let the public express their opinion. To me, although I don’t like cannabis, it seems that threatening […]

The Question Democrats Fear Most. ~ Op-Ed by Rep. Tom McClintock CA-04

The Question Democrats Fear Most. ~ Op-Ed by Rep. Tom McClintock  CA-04

Roseville, CA…As the tax reform bill entered its final consideration in December, one congressional Democrat confided to a colleague that the reason they so vehemently opposed it was that they were afraid it would work. With the bill now signed into law over unanimous Democratic opposition, every American family is about to find out. According […]

Is Cannabis Evil? ~ By Al Segalla

Is Cannabis Evil? ~ By Al Segalla

Copperopolis, CA…If it is, then a ban seems to make sense, even if we would violate the Constitution with its protection of the individual rights to Life, Liberty and Property. On the other hand, considering our experience with the ban on alcohol, whereby it was discovered that booze was not evil or bad, but could […]

Preserving the Beauty and Ecology of our Land and Water from Marijuana Cultivation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Foothills ~ Supervisor Dennis Mills

Preserving the Beauty and Ecology of our Land and Water from Marijuana Cultivation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Foothills ~ Supervisor Dennis Mills

San Andreas, CA…If you were following the Calaveras Supervisors meeting yesterday you no doubt heard the presentation of a study from District 4 Supervisor Dennis Mills. The following is a summary from the website silentpoison.com …”This research study was created with the input of dedicated public servants and the public itself. It is not new […]

Regarding the Threatened Teachers Strike ~ Opinion, By Al Segalla

Regarding the Threatened Teachers Strike ~ Opinion, By Al Segalla

Copperopolis, CA…Regarding the threatened teachers strike. Sometimes we forget that threatening harm, such as a strike, is a form of extortion which is defined as: “The obtaining of property from another induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right.” In this case, the victim seems […]

Hard Facts & Truths about Commercial Marijuana ~ By Gary Stevens

Hard Facts & Truths about Commercial Marijuana ~ By Gary Stevens

Both Sides of the Argument: I have been listening to the arguments made by the people supporting commercial marijuana industry and to those opposed in Calaveras County.  Those in favor of commercial marijuana cultivation argue that the ban will fail because there is no money to fund a ban, and the industry should be regulated. Only […]

Time For UN to Draw a Red Line Around North Korea? ~ By John Hamilton

Time For UN to Draw a Red Line Around North Korea?  ~ By John Hamilton

Pyongyang, North Korea….Now that North Korea has successfully tested a Hydrogen Bomb is it time to draw a meaningful “Red Line” around the entire country? With shooting a missile over Japan last week and with this week’s H-Bomb test the window for the international community to act short of military options may be closing. Since […]

On Marijuana Regulation vs Ban ~ Letter to Editor By Sarah Kancianich

On Marijuana Regulation vs Ban ~ Letter to Editor By Sarah Kancianich

San Andreas, CA…Dear Calaveras, I am publishing this letter after doing much research and inquiry into the pros and cons of the current proposed ban ordinance. This topic is extremely polarizing. On one end of the pole you have the “banners”, people who just don’t like it. On the other end you have the growers, […]

Sickness Unto Death Part VIII: No One Dies From the Lack of Health Care? ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Sickness Unto Death Part VIII: No One Dies From the Lack of Health Care? ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Murphys, CA…On May 7, 2017, Congressman Raul Labrador (R-ID) spoke at a town hall meeting with his constituents. He exemplifies the chutzpah of many in Congress: “No one dies because they don’t have access to health care”. Then there is the case of Chris Collins (R-NY). Just after the House of Representatives voted to “repeal” […]

An Open Letter To Calaveras County Board of Supervisors ~ David Tunno

An Open Letter To Calaveras County Board of Supervisors ~ David Tunno

Valley Springs, CA…You are faced with a decision that you, and the County, has been fretting over for more than a year. A decision, at least for elected leaders, is quite simple. You took oaths to uphold federal law. Marijuana, and everything on the Calaveras County list having to do with marijuana, including money laundering, […]

Sickness Unto Death Part VII: Health Care — Right or Responsibility? ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Sickness Unto Death Part VII: Health Care — Right or Responsibility? ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Murphys, CA…The United States Declaration of Independence declares “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Without good health, where is the possibility for the pursuit of happiness? […]

Sickness Unto Death Part V: Why Rural America is So Sick ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Sickness Unto Death Part V: Why Rural America is So Sick ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Murphys, CA…The health of rural Americans is worse than those who live in cities, in part because rural health care systems are collapsing. This is a problem that has been long in the making. America shifted from a predominantly rural population to one that was more urban in 1920. This pattern continues today. In 1990, […]

Sickness Unto Death Part III: Why Katsu is Healthier Than Carl? ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Sickness Unto Death Part III: Why Katsu is Healthier Than Carl? ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Murphys, CA…Americans like to think of themselves as the wealthiest, healthiest, and luckiest country in the world. I won’t debate the first and last points here, but, the United States is decidedly not the healthiest. How do we know that? Americans like to think of themselves as the wealthiest, healthiest, and luckiest country in the […]

Sickness Unto Death Part II: Who Knew It Could Be So Complicated? ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Sickness Unto Death Part II: Who Knew It Could Be So Complicated?  ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Murphys, CA…Ever been to a hospital? Apparently, not President Trump. How else to explain his apology for not initially getting a “repeal and replace” bill through Congress, by incredulously asking of healthcare, “who knew it was so complicated?” This is a series of eight articles on a single theme to be released once a week. […]

Sickness Unto Death: An American Dilemma. Part One ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Sickness Unto Death:  An American Dilemma.  Part One  ~ By John MacWillie, Ph.D.

Murphys, CA…Introduction: The United States is alone among industrialized nations in using wealth as a gatekeeper for access to health care. The wealthier you are, the more and better health care you get. The national debate that is now taking place focuses on whether every individual, irrespective of their income, should have access to great […]

Week Five Op-Ed By Former Calaveras County Supervisor Tom Tryon On The “War On Drugs”

Week Five Op-Ed By Former Calaveras County Supervisor Tom Tryon On The “War On Drugs”

Angels Camp, CA…Open letter to Assemblyman Norman Waters in the summer of 1985: I read your recent letter concerning the Tri County Narcotics Task Force with great interest. While you correctly point out the economic and human costs associated with drug abuse and that the problem of drug abuse is increasing, you fail to conclude […]

Week Four Op-Ed By Former Calaveras County Supervisor Tom Tryon On The “War On Drugs”

Week Four Op-Ed By Former Calaveras County Supervisor Tom Tryon On The “War On Drugs”

Angels Camp, CA…Letter written to the Editor in the summer of 1985: I would like to comment on President Bush’s latest proposals for escalating the so called “War on Drugs”. One must assume this effort has been very successful to justify such an escalation! As noted in earlier articles, the effort is not a war […]

Week Two Op-Ed By Former Calaveras County Supervisor Tom Tryon On The “War On Drugs”

Week Two Op-Ed By Former Calaveras County Supervisor Tom Tryon On The “War On Drugs”

Angels Camp, CA….Letter written by Tom Tryon to the Citizens of Calaveras County in the summer of 1985: In recent weeks I have been asked by many of my constituents to respond to statements I have made as a County Supervisor regarding the legalization of illicit drugs. Let me state emphatically I am not in […]

Letter To The Editor On Measure B ~ By Vicky Reinke

Letter To The Editor On Measure B ~ By Vicky Reinke

Angels Camp, CA…It is important to understand who we are dealing with when it comes to the marijuana industry. They are an all cash huge profit business with large amounts of money and will stop at nothing to get their way. They do not want the good citizens of Calaveras to have a chance to […]