Opinion

The figure is astounding – more than $11 billion in unemployment funds bilked from the state’s Employment Development Department. Greedy cheaters and prisoners lied about who they were to receive benefits as claims soared amid the pandemic.  At the same time, we saw deserving recipients of EDD struggle to get their much-needed payments. My office is working hard to bring […]

It was shocking to hear of the passing of one of my best friends. A person who could have been my twin brother, except that he was a giant among men. I recently turned 70, as did he, and I started out wanting to be a DJ, as did he. But that is about the end of the similarities. I […]

Republicans, greetings. I know you’re out there . . . and getting irritated by my constantly providing, you might say, “the other side of the story.” So I’m offering you an opportunity. I’d like to hear from you. Specifically, I’d like to hear what you believe your party has recently offered by way of cool new policies or programs that […]

Caveat Emptor, which you may know better as “let the buyer beware.” This is a public service announcement for everyone who uses the internet. Have you received this notice in your email: “Your account locked due security reason. To restore your account you need to verify your identity by clicking the link below”? Well now I certainly don’t want my […]

Lake Wohlford Dam is an important water storage, flood control and recreational facility that has served Escondido for generations. Restoring storage capacity and making it earthquake-safe is critically important, which is why I introduced AB 692.  The dam was originally constructed in 1895 to store water transported via a wooden flume from the San Luis Rey River to Escondido. One […]

It is entirely disingenuous to suggest the “Stop The Steal” march on the Capitol was in any way different than the Civil Rights March in Selma Alabama, and Watts Rebellion in 1965, the Los Angeles Riots in 1992, or the George Floyd riots in Minneapolis last Summer. In fact, all of them have much in common: They were instigated, not […]

It is entirely disingenuous to suggest the “Stop The Steal” march on the Capitol was in any way different than the Civil Rights March in Selma Alabama, and Watts Rebellion in 1965, the Los Angeles Riots in 1992, or the George Floyd riots in Minneapolis last Summer. In fact, all of them have much in common: They were instigated, not […]

Being raised in a traditional Indian family, we were not really encouraged to advocate for ourselves, especially if any prevailing injustice or infraction revolved around a sacred tradition. Generally, it was considered uncouth and ill-mannered for a spritely young Indian girl to advocate for herself. And in short form, inevitably, one would be held in contempt of court if caught […]

Every year I learn something about Escondido that I did not know. The latest is regarding a hospital to serve the residents not only of Escondido but throughout the region including Borrego Springs. Our first hospital opened in 1924 as Escondido Hospital then a newer facility was opened at 125 S. Broadway and the third edition named Palomar Hospital which […]

It was one of our biggest Thanksgiving dinners ever – aunts and uncles, cousins all over the place – and my Aunt Naomi had just announced desert time, taking orders for either cherry or pumpkin pie. Immediately bursting into tears was my daughter, 8 or maybe 9-years-old at the time . . . sobbing. She hadn’t finished her meal, and […]