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1. 

   INGA BARKS: Shame on the media is right

   By Inga Barks

   Friday, May 24 2013 05:06 PM

   BOY did Sheriff Donny Youngblood tell US how the cow eats the cabbage this week. By "us" I mean we in the media. In his Thursday press conference regarding the death of David Sal Silva, who died after an altercation with sheriff's deputies, Youngblood released results from a coroner's report and the department's investigation, took questions from the press and then excoriated the media for their coverage of the story. And he was absolutely right.

   Check out some of the headlines regarding the Silva death: "Kern County sheriff defends deputies videotaped beating man" -- Los Angeles Times.

   This headline hit on Thursday after the sheriff had his press conference in which he outlined how many times and where Silva was struck. According to...

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2. INGA BARKS: Immigration reform? Pass the salsa

   For the 20 years I've been in radio there are two sure-fire ways to get the talk phones lit up. One of them is the subject of immigration. Comments run the gamut, from calls for amnesty for those illegally here, to full-on deportation, to...

3. INGA BARKS: Stop the madness: Vote Florez

   Boy do we have a boatload of egos motoring around Kern County. Which is why I'm adopting a new motto for the next couple months: "Stop the madness! Vote Fran Florez!" I don't know about you, but I've had about enough of elected officials...

4. INGA BARKS: Gun-control advocates know laws won't work -- and you can't dissuade them

   After months of discussion and debate about gun control following the tragic shootings in Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn., I have come to three conclusions. First, I have concluded that big government politicians lack any sincerity on...

5. New year means new laws -- good and bad

   It's the hap-happiest time of the year for this columnist. Not only because of the holidays but because the end of the year means it's time for my annual hissy fit over the new laws to come down Jan. 1. As I say every year when I write...

6. INGA BARKS: 'Realignment' proves especially frustrating when you're a crime victim

   On Nov. 29, The Californian reported that crime is considerably higher in 2012 than it was in 2011 when state prison realignment -- ultimately resulting in the early release of some criminals -- began. Also on Nov. 29, my house was...

7. INGA BARKS: Three reasons I'm not in post-election despair

   I am not bitter about last week's election. I suppose I should be, but I'm not angry, bitter or disappointed. Why? Three reasons. First, conservatives in California are used to losing. Sometimes we even lose when we win. (The name Arnold...

9. INGA BARKS: Rios should have told us sooner about his immigration history

   The whole "October surprise" thing is horrifying or great, depending on whose ox is getting gored. The case of the revelation that Republican Assembly candidate Pedro Rios came to the United States illegally gores a few oxes on both sides,...

10. INGA BARKS: Obama and Schwarzenegger both were just shiny objects

    Regardless of your politics, President Obama had a bad debate. For many liberal pundits and fans, it came as a shock that this unique and splendid specimen of a genius president had a bit of a "hiccup," if you will. To conservatives it...

11. INGA BARKS: Rural residents being burned by fire "fee"

    A couple weeks ago my best friend and I took a drive up to Kernville for the annual Sierra Art and Craft Fair. I highly recommend it. The drive from our valley floor isn't far, the weather is a tad cooler (and if it isn't, the river feels...

12. INGA BARKS: School bus service was never 'free'

    We all know nothing in life is free. We know the "buy-one-get-one" offer must include a profit to the seller or he wouldn't do it. We know the "Kids under 12 get in free" is because they count on you buying food, drink and souvenirs for...

13. INGA BARKS: Doing business with only like-minded people is too much work

    Kern County has possibly the best location in the country for a Chick-fil-A, especially if you wanted to support or protest the fast food chicken chain this week. The corner of Stockdale Highway and California Avenue has long been a place...

14. INGA BARKS: We can do better out at Buena Vista

    If I'm lucky, twice a month I load up with friends and kids and head out to the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area. Why BV? Because I could walk there if not for the boat. As a kid, leaving southwest Bakersfield for Buena Vista was like...