TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Recent Stories

1. 

   CARMELLA GUTIERREZ: Taking care of Mom close to home

   Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:00 PM

   Many of us know what it's like to see a loved one grow older. We see the joys that a grandparent experiences, but also the hardships that come with health issues and becoming more dependent on others. Often, we ride the "roller coaster of health" with them. As we do, it can be difficult to know how to best help our loved ones continue to live long, healthy and fulfilling lives.

   The answer often lies in finding the best care close to home and family. And identifying the right doctor, nursing facility or hospital is a big decision -- one that takes time. Family members who live nearby often lend support during this process, not to mention providing other help, like running errands and companionship. That's why we are concerned about...

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2. 

   CONNECTING CALIFORNIA: You'll need to be tough, high school graduates

   To the distinguished California Public High School Class of 2013: I'm sorry James Franco canceled at the last minute. I'm even sorrier you wound up getting me as your substitute commencement speaker, but I was offered gas money plus a...

3. DOUGLAS BORER: On expanding freedom in Mideast, be careful what you wish for, Mr. Bush

   At the opening of his new presidential library in Dallas last week, George W. Bush offered the phrase "we expanded freedom" to sum up his legacy. I say to those who agree: "Be careful what you wish for." Freedom is a fine evocative word,...

4. SOUNDING BOARD: Big Brother is our friend, in some cases

   We're being watched -- by the IRS and by private business, on the street and in the solitude of our own homes. Is comprehensive surveillance, both online and in the flesh, worth the price of Americans' privacy? Or does a world full of...

5. SOUNDING BOARD: People must draw line on government surveillance

   America is a watched nation. Our lives are monitored daily, from street-corner surveillance cameras to law enforcement drones. Much of this surveillance is done in the name of security, but many people find ongoing surveillance creepy and...

6. SOUNDING BOARD: '1984' scenario in our future seems unlikely

   America is a watched nation. Our lives are monitored daily, from street-corner surveillance cameras to law enforcement drones. Much of this surveillance is done in the name of security, but many people find ongoing surveillance creepy and...
7. 

   CONNECTING CALIFORNIA: Debate is dead -- we need new test of politicians' mettle

   Last week, I watched a debate between Los Angeles mayoral candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, and a clear winner emerged: Warren Olney, the moderator. I'm not saying that Olney's fine grilling made the experience worthwhile, though,...

9. SOUNDING BOARD: Trading a little privacy for security seems fair

   Americans are seeing an increase in the monitoring of their daily lives, from street corner surveillance cameras to law enforcement drones to cyber fingerprinting by private corporations. Much of this surveillance is done in the name of...

10. SOUNDING BOARD: Privacy and security in a burgeoning surveillance society

    The Boston Marathon bombers were identified with the help of video surveillance cameras, a fact that underscores the likelihood that Americans will start to see an increase in the government's monitoring of their daily lives. Surveillance...
11. 

    SCOTT SUCKOW: Let's restore intent of state's WIC program

    Sometimes when the government attempts to protect the integrity of one of its programs, it's possible to unintentionally harm the people that program is supposed to serve. That's certainly the case for the Women, Infants and Children...
12. 

    CONNECTING CALIFORNIA: Koch brothers could be what the LA Times needs

    As you read this, I am surely reading emails from my former Los Angeles Times colleagues angry about the following sentence: I'm rooting for the Koch brothers to buy the L.A. Times. For the record, I am no fan of Charles and David Koch,...
13. 

    CONNECTING CALIFORNIA: Delta water deal demands on-the-spot discussion

    There's consensus that California needs a big new deal to govern water. There's no consensus on what should be in it. Habitat restoration? Rebuilt levees to withstand earthquakes? Or new tunnels to divert water from the Sacramento River to...
14. 

    WILLIAM DICKINSON: Overpopulation and the 'baby bust' fallacy

    I was born 82 years ago into a world of 2 billion people. The planet holds 7.3 billion of us today, and despite lower birthrates we are headed for 9 billion by midcentury. For decades, the emphasis by environmentalists has been on...