Salem-News.com California articles Page 58

Only a Fool Would Let Their Kid Play in Irvine`s `Great Park`

Our Environmental Writer Roger Butow describes the conditions at our old base; MCAS El Toro, as "Toxic Soup de jour".

(IRVINE, Calif.) - I can't believe we're still talking about this, and that somehow, some way, the city of Irvine is still trying to place a kids park atop one of the deadliest and most contaminated military bases in the world.

In the past, El Toro was used to kill... I mean, facilitate aviation Marines, like myself and Roger Butow, featured in the interview below.

The Unacceptable Face of Capitalism

What happened to Wall Street?

(ENCINITAS, Calif.) - Before Congress and the eyes of the world the executives of financial giant Goldman Sachs admitted that they bet against America. They created financial instruments that they compared with manure so that they and their clients could place big bets on mortgages and housing.

For the winners there were fortunes to be made, even if our financial system was taken to the point of destruction and our children handed a debt burden of unimaginable proportions.

New Marijuana Ordinance Could Have Disastrous Impact on Los Angeles

By Closing More Than 400 Medical Marijuana Dispensing Collectives, City Will Lose Countless Jobs and Tax Dollars, Force Some Patients Into Black Market.

(LOS ANGELES) - Today, Los Angeles is expected to begin enforcing an ordinance that could shut down more than 400 medical marijuana dispensing collectives within the city.

Marines in Trouble; Politicians & Press Push Corps Toward Truth

Interestingly, American media groups have not been ignoring this story, particularly McClatchy newspapers

(SALEM) - It looks like some jarheads in the nation's capitol may be on the verge of learning some very hard lessons.

It isn't figurative; the Corps has been blocking efforts to bring it to responsibility for the irreversible damage caused by serious water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

California Marijuana Workers Unionize in Oakland

Those involved in the movement say they seek to establish legitimacy in the workplace.

(OAKLAND, Ca.) - Approximately one hundred workers in Oakland's medical marijuana industry voted to join the labor union for Retail, Statewide Agriculture, Food processing and community patient care employees.

In the words of a famous musical artist and songwriter who is often associated with the 1960's, these times they are a changin'.

Amber Alert Canceled for Four-Year Old California Girl

The child was recovered safely.

(NEWPORT BEACH) - The State of California issued the Amber Alert Saturday morning, 5-29-10 after the girl was reportedly abducted in Newport Beach late Friday. The suspect reportedly suffers from mental health issues and the child's safety is of concern.

Charging the Big Swells in the Earthquake Land: Chile

California Big Wave Rider meets Chile Con Carne.

(PUNTA DE LOBOS, Chile) - A recent trip to Chile left amazing memories and impressions, I had a great time paddling the entire trip and shooting an amazing big wave session: the Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta de Lobos Big Wave Event.

The waves in this remote Chilean spot never wer smaller then double overhead, easily 12' to 15'. That was great, but most days were solid 3-4 times over head, with a few bigger days.

Fascinating Facts from Jack Herer: Hemp History Week 2010

Jack Herer Discovers Hemp for Victory.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Things about hemp that were not taught to Jack in school, he tried to teach others. He was a steward of the plant and devoted his life to the support of cannabis as he believed it was the greatest gift the world has ever known.

Hemp for Victory was a 1942 documentary produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage farmers to grow outlawed industrial hemp for the war effort as a way to stabilize America during World War II.

Ode to a Murdered Marine

Two former West Coast Marine veterans team-up to write a poem on the murder of a Marine Corps Colonel.

(SALEM, Ore.) - It’s hard for me to picture two hardnosed Marine veterans as poets. My limited contact with poetry was in college at Temple University in the 1970s. I managed to squeeze by an English poetry course with a gentlemen “C.”

With these credentials, I’m not exactly a poetry expert, but you have to be impressed with the efforts made by Tim King and Luke Easter, two Marine veterans, to honor the memory of Colonel James E. Sabow, USMC.

Stephen Baldwin is a Blatant Racist

"Stay white, stay right, it's the only hope we've got" - Stephen Baldwin

(SALEM, Ore.) - I know a few things in this world, and one, sadly, is the real nature, character, and intelligence level of the actor Stephen Baldwin.

He may or may not remember our encounter; Donny Osmond, I believe clearly would remember it.