Sherman R. Frederick Marinscope In the vast expanse of American dumb-assery comes the news that a gender reveal party caused the wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest. These goofy celebrations tell the world about a baby’s genitalia, usually involving an explosion or something … [Read more...] about Gender reveal? More like an IQ reveal
Columns
Screw the politicians and hooray for the scientists
Sherman R. Frederick Marinscope How sad is 2020 politics? So sad that major political parties feel the need to shiv each other even when legit good news comes our way. Consider convalescent plasma. Last week we learned that those suffering from COVID-19 will now have that treatment … [Read more...] about Screw the politicians and hooray for the scientists
Virtual school hurts the poor, sooner and later
Sherman R. Frederick Marinscope As we said last month in this column, the judgment of whether to open public schools for in-person classes would be a tough one throughout the nation, from big cities to rural towns. In addition to the factors involved in the spread of COVID-19, public … [Read more...] about Virtual school hurts the poor, sooner and later
Thinking about gunless police in Marin
Sherman R. Frederick I’m not a cop but I read a lot of cop logs and I can stipulate for the sake of argument that many calls for police help do not require an armed response. For example, this recently graced a cop log I monitor: “A homeless man took a dump in a carport on Locust … [Read more...] about Thinking about gunless police in Marin
A cautionary tale
By Sherman R. Frederick It’s pretty clear now, I am sorry to say, that this COVID-19 pandemic is a ways from running its course. The virus spreads quickly and targets the weaker among us. It did not fade away during the summer and, experts say, there’s a second wave yet to come. While I’d … [Read more...] about A cautionary tale
Marin’s slide into dystopia
By Sherman R. Frederick Marin’s too poor for a 24/7 police presence in West Marin, but flush enough to fund a Rat Patrol that hunts down coronavirus rule breakers? Alas, though I wish I were, I’m not making this up. To cope with a $1.7 million budget cut, Sheriff Robert Doyle said he’s … [Read more...] about Marin’s slide into dystopia
Is it time re-think Marin’s long relationship with Sir Francis Drake?
Update: A Marin County historian, a representative from local indigenous tribes, and a history professor are lined up to be the featured guests for online learning session August 5 about Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, one of Marin’s primary thoroughfares. The session was prompted by a grassroots … [Read more...] about Is it time re-think Marin’s long relationship with Sir Francis Drake?
Jim Steele: Acid oceans and oyster shells
Jim Steele/What’s Natural? Search the internet for “acid oceans” and you’ll find millions of articles suggesting the oceans are becoming more corrosive due the burning of fossil fuels, and “acid oceans” are threatening marine life. Although climate modelers constantly claim the oceans’ surface … [Read more...] about Jim Steele: Acid oceans and oyster shells
In-person school is one hard decision
By Sherman R. Frederick It’s a brave new world out there and nothing illustrates that more than the decision about in-person school this fall. Everyone wants school to resume, of course. But fears of the ill-understood coronavirus make things complicated. America’s pediatricians … [Read more...] about In-person school is one hard decision
Battling racism where none exists
Sherman R. Frederick Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff’s the kind of pandering politician no one needs. She battles racism where none exists. It’s dangerous behavior because racism does exist. Sometimes it’s in plain sight -- ala George Floyd. Most of the time it is embedded in our life together in … [Read more...] about Battling racism where none exists