Plain Speaking

Last week, I attended an event where Ann Coulter was the featured guest. The event was billed as “Hope for Change,” sponsored by radio station KCBQ 1170-AM. Coulter was joined by local conservative talk show host Mark Larson.

On April 5, the California Public Utilities Commission held hearings regarding the “Wildfire Expense Balancing Account” and whether it should apply to San Diego’s 2007 fires. There were two hearings before Public Utilities Commissioner Timothy Simon and an administrative law judge.

Last week, I paid $3.49 per gallon for gas in New Mexico. Throughout the state of New Mexico, the price is about $3.59 per gallon for regular unleaded. Can anyone explain why it is almost $1 per gallon more in San Diego? And typically at least 50 cents more across the United States?

I thought this was all resolved in the United States years ago. But apparently many people want to shrink the rights of American women and control their health and reproductive choices.

Sound familiar? These are the words of the Stephen Stills/Buffalo Springfield song “For what it’s worth” circa 1967-1968. Are we in the new 1960s?

In his inaugural speech, former President John F. Kennedy said, “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans — born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace.”

We hear the term a lot these days. In the newspapers, on TV and especially talk radio. But what does the noun “conservative” mean, and does it mean the same thing to everyone?

Marley was dead. There is no doubt whatever about that. And so was Ebenezer Scrooge. In fact, dead 168 years since that fated Christmas, 1843.

There has been interesting news lately that The San Diego Union-Tribune has been sold to Douglas Manchester — perfect timing for our mayor and his desire to end his tenure with a new library, new football stadium and an expanded convention center.

Watching the GOP presidential debates has been interesting. And reading about usual and recent tactics, a pattern is emerging of how the GOP hopes to retake the White House.

“Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Out of the past come the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse, Silver! The Lone Ranger rides again!”

Headline on Oct. 13, 2011, Union-Tribune: “Sanders seeks plan to finance stadium in East Village.” Editorial of U-T, Oct. 13, 2011, Section B6: “For San Diego Unified, apocalypse now.”