Opinion

Editorial: Obama offers budget compromise; Republicans can't wait to reject it

By the Editorial Board - Published: 12:00 am

They're being entirely unreasonable, full of bluster and demonstrating little care for the consequences.

Other views: Politics gets in way of recovery in Haiti

Published: 12:00 am

Sixteen months after Haiti was supposed to hold a critical round of elections, the voting procedure remains on hold. The country's warring political factions can't agree on a date or the membership of the panel that would supervise the process. Even the U.N. Security Council is reaching the end of its tether with Haiti's political leaders.

Viewpoints: On the eve of Brown’s trip to China: Revaluing California’s export trade

By Jock O'Connell - Published: 12:00 am

Last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Division, California's merchandise export trade was valued at somewhere between $124.6 billion and $164.4 billion. It was either up 1.8 percent over the preceding year or down by 6.2 percent.

Viewpoints: Schools need to help kids eat healthy

By Mikki Cichocki - Published: 12:00 am

As a mom and teacher, I am challenged again and again by the amount of junk food in our nation's schools. Like all parents, I want my child to be healthy, happy and successful.

David Brooks: Universities must learn to enhance seminars with technology

By David Brooks - Published: 12:00 am

The best part of the rise of online education is that it forces us to ask: What is a university for?

Coming Sunday in California Forum

Updated: 12:16 am

• Joe Livernois writes about a pleasant hospital billing experience – in Mexico.

Editorial: Would rail cynics have nixed our federal highways?

By the Editorial Board - Published: Friday, April 5 2013 - 12:00 am

The Government Accountability Office injected a sense of realism into the high-speed rail debate, detailing in its March 28 report just how large infrastructure projects of this kind work. But the naysayers led by House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, and Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, don't seem to be listening.

Editorial: Drugs you toss could end up in your water

By the Editorial Board - Published: Friday, April 5 2013 - 12:00 am

There once was a time when your doctor or pharmacist may have advised you to flush any unused prescription drugs down the toilet. Many people still do so out of habit. If you are one of those, please think twice.

The Swarm blog

WIRE OPINION

Leonard Pitts Jr.: Proof that love can overcome evil - Apr 3
Leonard Pitts Jr.: Father, forgive us; for we know not what we do - Mar 31
Bob Ray Sanders: Honoring a revered slain civil rights leader and a special song - Mar 28
Commentary: Longing for a human voice in customer service - Mar 28
Staring down the NRA - Mar 27

We've chosen finalists on "tunnel muck," and it's time for your vote. The winner will receive a signed color print of Steve Greenberg's cartoon with the winning caption Vote for your favorite.

JACK OHMAN / johman@sacbee.com
Jack Ohman / johman@sacbee.com
By Jack Ohman / johman@sacbee.com
Jack Ohman / johman@sacbee.com

Jack Ohman's blog

SIGNE WILKINSON Philadelphia Daily News
DANA SUMMERS Orlando Sentinel
DREW SHENEMAN Tribune Media
DAN WASSERMAN Boston Globe
KEVIN SIERS The Charlotte Observer
WALT HANDELSMAN Newsday
DREW SHENEMAN Tribune Media

Letters to the Editor

Dan Morain

Dan Morain: Mental health care issues in California prisons are rooted in the past

By Dan Morain, Senior editor - Updated: Sunday, March 31 2013 - 7:16 am

At last count, the California state prison system housed 33,777 inmates diagnosed with significant mental illness, including 6,051 with severe conditions such as schizophrenia.

The Conversation

The man who may decide the future of gay rights

By Lawrence C. Levine - Updated: Monday, March 25 2013 - 12:20 am

All eyes will be on Sacramento's own Justice Anthony M. Kennedy this week when the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral argument in two important cases dealing with issues of fairness and equality under the law. These cases ask whether our Constitution allows same-sex relationships to be treated differently than their opposite-sex counterparts.

AP interview: Couple reflects on gay marriage

California Sketches story archive

Joyce Terhaar

From the Executive Editor: Ethics policy ready for a tuneup

Should a reporter disclose to readers that an interview was done via text, instead of in person or on the phone?

Stuart Leavenworth

Stuart Leavenworth: Fifty years later, supporters of 'Gideon' ruling lose their champion, Anthony Lewis

Fifty years ago this month, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a monumental decision, ruling that state courts were required to provide legal counsel in criminal cases for defendants who could not afford to pay for their own lawyers.