Water Cooler: Should California abandon the death penalty?
Julie Morris: “The death penalty is expensive, fallible and unjust. Since 1978 thirteen executions have cost California taxpayers $4 billion, money siphoned from public safety and schools. We pay roughly $100 million annually for each of the 720 inmates on death row and it takes an average of 25 years to get from conviction to execution, delaying justice for victims' families. California can't afford the death penalty: it's much more cost effective to sentence dangerous criminals to life in prison without possibility of parole and start using taxpayer dollars on programs that benefit law abiding Californians.”
Letter to the editor: Red flag laws offer gun safety band-aid
The latest episodes of gun violence seem to have tapped into a more concerted public discussion of effective strategy among gun control advocates nationwide. Measures discussed recently range from federally enforced background checks to outright bans on certain types of weapons and accessories.
Another idea...
Marty: San Benito County’s budget woes
Unlike the federal government, San Benito County has to balance
Water Cooler: Do you support domestic drones without warrants?
Marty Richman: “We have surveillance cameras everywhere and you have no expectation of privacy in a public place; however, drone systems can follow you around and eavesdrop with enhanced capabilities. This is going to keep the courts and a lot of lawyers busy for a very long time.”
A blanket solution for animals from local giver
Many of us clean out our closets or garages when we get notices
