Wading In

Thoughts of violence at the pump By Kelvin Wade | | May 29, 2008 15:53 When I pull into a gas station and see those prices that all start with fours, it's a horrible feeling. I don't want to put too much on it but taking those few steps to the pump, I feel like I know how condemned prisoners feel taking their final steps. The machine seems to open its slit of a mouth wide for my debit card, hungrily devouring the digits. Sliding the pump into my gas tank receptacle, I feel like the other end of the hose might as well be connected directly to my wallet. I squeeze the handle and the numbers start rotating. It's like the total opposite feeling of seeing fruit symbols rotate on a slot machine. With the slot machine, while it's rotating you're hoping and wishing that when it stops, they match and you walk away with a big pile of the casino's cash. With the gas pump, you just want it to stop so you can still walk away with some of your cash. As the ...

I'm not a Democrat. I've been a registered independent for a long time. Long enough to have supported John McCain for President in the California primary in 2000. Of course, that was back when McCain was Mr. Straighttalk before he became Mr. Doubletalk. CLICK HERE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF. So here we are waiting for the remaining Democratic superdelegates to get off their asses, get off the fence and make a decision. They could've made this move weeks ago but the Democratic Party is an invertebrate party. They have no spine. The problem with the Republican Party is they have plenty of spine. They just have their heads up their asses. It's time for change. Here's the list of nutless, gutless superdelegates: Representatives Bud Cramer (AL) Gabrielle Giffords (AZ) Nancy Pelosi (CA) Jerry McNerney (CA) Mike Honda (CA) Sam Farr (CA) Jim Costa (CA) Bob Filner (CA) Susan Davis (CA) Mark Udall (CO) John Salazar (CO) Jim Marshall (GA) Rahm Emanuel (IL) Nancy Boyda (KS) Dennis M...

Graduation requirements strict, but fair By Kelvin Wade | | May 21, 2008 16:15 At first glance, Monday's front page story in the Daily Republic, 'No pomp in these circumstances,' seems a bit harsh. If you go to a local high school and have completed all the required credits but have not passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), you won't get to walk with your graduating class. The Fairfield-Suisun School District's policy is tougher than neighboring districts. But when you look into it, it's tough but fair. I know walking with one's graduating class is a rite of passage. Wearing that cap and gown, sitting there with your friends with butterflies ricocheting in your stomach, with your mother crying out in the audience is standard fare for seniors in June. Taking that walk to get your diploma while wondering just what you're going to do with your life is normal in a ceremony, which is both an ending and a beginning all ...

Time to dispell rumors on Obama By Kelvin Wade | | May 15, 2008 15:52 The misinformation, prejudice and lunacy surrounding the candidacy of Barack Obama have got to end. No one has to support him. But at least base your opposition on facts and substance rather than slack-jawed rumor and innuendo. Yes, his last name rhymes with Osama and his middle name is the same as Saddam's last name. This used to just be something to chuckle about. But there are Americans out there with voting power who actually believes there's some significant to this. You need Paxil, people. According to a recent Washington Post article, an Obama worker was told by a white Pennsylvania voter that he couldn't back Obama because 'White people look out for white people, and black people look out for black people.' So, are you acknowledging that white presidents give white people special privileges? What's up with that? In Indiana, vandals broke windows at Obama headquarte...

Why would anyone beat a camel? By Kelvin Wade | | May 07, 2008 16:10 What the heck is wrong with mankind? Twenty-four-year-old, unemployed Christopher Allen allegedly accepted a dare from friends to climb into a dromedary exhibit at Six Flags in Vallejo and slap the smallest camel on the butt. After the silly deed, Allen reportedly bolted park security and fled with alleged accomplice Chrissy E. Thatcher, 22. It begs the question of just what is going on in your life when you find yourself in a camel exhibit slapping one of the beasts on the posterior? Please use the 'excuse du jour' that you were inebriated or on drugs or somehow out of your right mind. I mean, at age 24 are your life decisions really dictated by the tenet of double-dog dares? You couldn't have spent the day looking for a job, maybe? And for Ms. Thatcher, were your childhood dreams to be the alleged getaway driver for a camel beater? Camels are amazing animals. They've been dom...

No one's forcing you to eat fast food By Kelvin Wade | | May 1, 2008 15:38 A front page story this week said that Solano County is one of the state's worst when it comes to an abundance of fast food restaurants. A new study by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy reveals that we have 5.11 times the number of fast food and convenience stores than grocery stores, more than the statewide average. We rank ninth in obesity and sixth in diabetes. Though I know there are some fine folks working at City Hall trying to make us a tourist destination, the truth is we're a way station. Since we're nestled between the Bay Area and the Sacramento valley, it makes sense that we're heavy on the burgers and tacos. If you stop off Interstate 80 at the Pittman Road exit in Cordelia or the Pitt School Road exit in Dixon you'd think you were in fast food heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective). The study concludes that lives will be saved if ...