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By George B. Kauffman
George Kaufman
Earth Day, the world’s largest secular holiday and the only event celebrated by more than a half billion people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities, is sponsored by many national and international organizations with outreach programs showcasing the positive contributions that environmental science makes to improve the health of our planet and its citizens.
In 1969, the wide extent of the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations convinced the late U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D–WI) and U.S. Rep. Pete McCloskey (R–CA) to organize a huge grassroots protest over what was happening to …[Read the details]
By Vic Bedoian
Organic farmer Tom Willey and his family—circa 1998
Organic farmers will appeal a federal court ruling that dismissed a legal action against Monsanto Corporation. Dozens of organic farms, seed companies and businesses sought legal protection against lawsuits for patent infringement, should their crops be contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically modified seed. But U.S. District Judge Naomi Buchwald found the claims “unsubstantiated.”
The plaintiffs were represented by the Public Patent Foundation in New York. Daniel Ravicher, executive director, promises an appeal, “While I have great respect for Judge Buchwald, her decision to deny farmers …[Read the details]
By Mike Rhodes
On Nov. 8, 2011, this homeless man held a handmade sign on Santa Clara Street as City of Fresno workers destroyed his shelter. Now the homeless are fighting back with a lawsuit alleging that the City of Fresno and Caltrans took and destroyed their property.
Attorneys for homeless residents of Fresno announced the filing of nine lawsuits on March 22, brought on behalf of 12 individual homeless residents of Fresno arising out of the demolition and destruction of their dwellings and personal property beginning on Oct. 27, 2011, and continuing through the …[Read the details]
Mike Rhodes
I spoke at the Unitarian Universalist Church Town Hall the other day. I was asked to talk about “How Progressives Can Bring Social Justice to Fresno.” Without trying to be too flippant, I said that progressives need to be more “effective” at what we are doing if we are going to succeed in achieving social, economic and environmental justice in this community. We also need to think more strategically about what we are doing.
I have lived in Fresno all of my life. My family goes back generations in this area and, having …[Read the details]
By Michael D. Evans
With the California Primary Election scheduled for June 5, it appears that most of the exciting national drama will play out long before we go to the polls. Nevertheless, there will be presidential primary elections for Republicans and Democrats, as well as a new twist with the open primary for Congressional, State Senate and State Assembly races.
With only two propositions on the June ballot, and neither particularly controversial, the national agenda will likely be what drives turnout. It will be interesting to see how California, and specifically the Central Valley, responds to the right …[Read the details]
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