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
Opinion
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
Send backup: Rat trapped in bathroom!
Sausalito July 23 - 28, 2020 You Dirty Rat: A citizen called police to let them know that she had a rat trapped in her bathroom and needed backup. Police gently let her know that they don’t send backup for such matters, as disturbing as they may be to some, but they talked the resident through … [Read more...] about Send backup: Rat trapped in bathroom!
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: Turtle-paced recoveries
Jim Steele/What’s Natural? Many humans are working hard to prevent any further extinctions of our plants and animals and with growing success. Pelicans are increasing and no longer endangered. Humpback whales are increasing at a rate of 12 percent per year. Mountain lions and bald eagles are … [Read more...] about Jim Steele: Turtle-paced recoveries
Coronavirus shutdown: Climbing walls while sitting in a chair
By W.S. Robinson/Writers on the Range Reclining in my favorite chair recently in vanishingly small Inez, Wyoming, I found myself close to tears. My wife Maria sat beside me to ask what was troubling me. Suddenly tears flowed. “Geez, you could say I squashed a bug.” I’d pinched a queen … [Read more...] about Coronavirus shutdown: Climbing walls while sitting in a chair
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
The Woke Inquisition (and it’s still unexpected)
By Sherman R. Frederick No one expects the Spanish Inquisition, as the classic Monty Python skit goes. The National Football League’s Washington Redskins found that out first hand when their team name -- the Redskins -- fell to the Inquisition of the Woke last week. Not sure what the … [Read more...] about The Woke Inquisition (and it’s still unexpected)
Dance of death
Dear editor, I am horrified at the instant outpouring of fanatic anti-Russian hatred following incompletely substantiated claims by undisclosed government sources that Russia and President Putin are once again responsible for acting against the United States -- this time through bounty … [Read more...] about Dance of death