Opinion

First issue of concern is the number of fatalities on our state roads.

Sept. 20, 2011 — Oh, me, oh, my — woe is me.

The biggest political ping-pong balls getting knocked across the fruited plain these days are “entitlements” and “unfunded liabilities.”

Ah, yes, from the most fervent Taxed Enough Already Partier to the staunchest conservative Republican — and now even from a few Democrats — come the cries to cut two terrible, disgusting, socialist programs that are draining the American economy and absolutely destroying our utopian, American, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps way of life.

The state Assembly and Senate have been dragging their feet about releasing records of their members’ spending.

The body usually releases once-a-year figures in November for the previous year.

Under pressure, the Legislature has released some up-to-date figures, but not others.

My Turn

Patrick Shillito

Four years and 10 months ago, the Lassen County Times hired an ambitious 25-year-old boy named Patrick Shillito, barely removed from college, as wet behind the ears as a cub reporter possibly could be.

Since then, it’s been all downhill.

I’m still wet behind the ears, but at least now I know how to wash, rinse and repeat.