“Pushing up daisies” may no longer be just a colloquial expression about being dead. It now appears that some of us may, indeed, be pushing up daisies, and vegetables, and palm trees… someday. In Madera County? Well, right next door in Friant. It’s already happening, according to Your Central Valley. This becomes possible because of actions taken by our lawmakers and reported in SFGate. In 2022, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia introduced AB351, which was passed by the legislatu

In times of war, rising oil prices, and sudden market swings, many Americans begin to question whether the stock market truly reflects supply and demand. When retirement accounts fall while energy prices rise, it can feel as if the system is manipulated or disconnected from reality. Yet the truth is more complex. The modern market is shaped by global capital flows, massive investment institutions, and expectations about the future economy. Understanding these forces helps exp

“Twisted” (2019, 337 pages in paperback format) is a bit of a departure from Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series, except… Everything about Twisted is “except,” beginning with the title pages. Pages? Yes, the first title page reads, “Twisted” by Steve Cavanagh.The second title page reads, “Twisted” by J.T. LeBeau. The story begins with Paul Cooper waiting outside a theater where a memorial service is being held for the late J.T. LeBeau, the reclusive author who has sold 75 mil

Last week, we covered the first eleven desirable characteristics of a third political party for the United States. This week, we’ll conclude the platform that I think most Americans would like to see in a viable third party. • The party would be concerned with wasteful spending and the increasing debt that the U.S. is amassing. For years, the U.S. dollar has been the global standard by which other currencies are measured. However, there is no assurance that the U.S. dollar wi

As we approach our nation’s 250th birthday, it’s worth reviewing the evolution of our revolution. Let’s review the status of American rights and obligations. We are at least superficially aware of some of our constitutional and statutory rights. Free speech, the right to bear arms, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion to name a few. Those with whom we politically disagree have those same rights. Not only do we have rights, but we all also have obligations vis-à-vis e

More reasons for Christians not to associate with the Democrat party: The Trans-Gender Movement. Progressives, Democrats, celebrate the transforming of children into the opposite sex. They promote this evil by insisting in the teaching of children as young as kindergarteners about sex. It has become their acceptable pattern for raising children; give them information so they can find out who and what they really are. This pattern only adds to the normal confusion of moving fr

We have been at war with Iran since the end of February. Why? I’m not questioning the war just because it violates the mandates of the U.S. Constitution and The War Powers Act. What would be the point? MAGA posers who pretend to be conservatives gave up conservative law and order values a long time ago.

Judith Ann Jance uses her initials for her pseudonym because a publisher told her that readers might not accept a female author, writing about a male detective.That was about 50 years ago.Since then, she has published 29 best sellers about male cop, J.P. Beaumont, 20 about Ali Reynolds, 22 about Joanna Brady, and 5 in her Walker Family Mysteries series.That’s one heck of a record for an author of any gender, and I’m surprised that I hadn’t discovered her work earlier. I read