2013 Opinion Archive Stories

The U.S. Post Office is not a part of the U.S. government. It is, however, overseen and subsidized by it.If the high-ranking officials in our government are so concerned about our burning of fossil fuels to power our cars, why don't they pressure the post office to buy electric delivery vehicles?Just think of the jobs and

Watching the latest House hearing on the activities of the IRS revealed two starkly different groups in their attempt to learn what IRS employees did for the past two years.One group of questioners attempted to get the facts while the responder offers volumes of meaningless verbiage. What I learned from this was everyone in a positio

When is this country going to wake up to the fact that the U.N. is just a waste of U.S. taxpayers money? It was commendable idea in the 1940s when it was conceived, but in practice it has become a money pit which does nothing to better our country. We pay the most per country to keep this ineffectual entity going and get the least benefits from

At the Yuma City Council work session on May 14, I had the opportunity to suggest to the council that the population growth of feral cats in our community might be further decreased by using the current voucher system to also offer a TNR $20 coupon (trap, neuter and return) by amending the city code to allow the $20 voucher to be used to reduce

Yuma is taking a major step forward with the Yuma Regional Cancer Center.With it, cancer patients in Yuma will be able to undergo treatments right here in Yuma, with state-of-the-art facilities. Yuma Regional Medical Center is now part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which brings a higher level of care to patients by providing speci

Technically in Yuma, it's always sunscreen season. But just as the heat is settling in to stay, experts are issuing some new guidelines on that oh-so-important summer staple.New federal requirements ban terminology such as “waterproof” because it's misleading to consumers, according to the Associated Press. Sunscreens mus

The mayoral campaign seemed to capture the attention of Somerton voters this year, to the exclusion of the city council seats that were also being contested. Given that the mayoral race was decided in the primary back in March, the runoffs for two remaining council seats in this Tuesday’s general election may seem anti-cli

In an effort to speed up the boarding process, American Airlines is testing out something new. Passengers who can fit their items under the seat (thus not using the overhead bin space) get to board first.Got a bag that you planned on carrying on in order to avoid paying baggage fees? They will let you check it for free at the gate.

Decision by Disney to modify character doesn't make senseStep back, Disney.That was the message from parents after the children's entertainment powerhouse decided to revamp the image of Merida, the animated princess from “Brave.”Merida's makeover included a slimmer figure, fuller bust, more exposed

Some towns are just plain better at making headlines than others. That’s why Eugene, Ore., ought to win some kind of award. Their latest newsmaking ditty is one that I kinda enjoy. A funeral home there has a new hearse. Not newsworthy, you think, until you read that it’s three wheeled and pedal powered. Yup, they&rsqu

As one that has already experienced the problem, I would hope everyone checks around for prices being charged for all of their medications. As they do differ depending on the medication. Some pharmacies in our area charge much more than they should, according to my paperwork. There is at least $2-$3 difference sometimes. As prices go up

Evolution makes no sense to me and if Darwin didn’t believe it, why should I? Darwin came up with it for the money and the blind masses bought into it. There is no other explanation for us being here except through Creation. There is too much evidence to even entertain the thought of evolution. As far as how old the universe is, only three

Based on local letters to your paper, I am going to write a book. The working title will be “ Everything I need to know I learned in Sunday School and That’s All You Need To Know Too.” Lola DurazoSomerton

Does it seem like your smartphone is attached to your hand? Can't go an hour without checking Facebook or Twitter? You're not alone!According to a CNN report, a new summer camp is designed to help adults take a break from technology. Organizers promise a weekend free from cell phones, gadgets and Wi-Fi. Talking about work is not allo

Well, last week added more misery to the misery. They did a real nice slurry coat to Foothills Boulevard. It is the kind of good work that should have occurred on the frontage roads.I guess the businesses on Foothills rank higher on the list then those on the Frontage Road. I did see the water truck wash the sand again th

I see that our once libertarian paper has yet again written placidly about the ever-growing police state (even implicitly supporting the use of drones to spy on private citizens), which makes Orwell seem ever more prescient. There was nary a reference to the 4th, 10th, or 14th amendments. Must all of those be perpetually sacrificed to the false

I just wanted to point something out, in hopes that businesses here in Yuma will read this. And I do mean from major department stores to grocery stores and so on. To me as an AMERICAN, it is as I put it.I was born in the United States, I am not Mexican American, I am not Hispanic. Even though I am fluently bilingual, I was still bor

First I want to make clear that I am truly saddened by news of another good citizen being killed in what seems to be a senseless “accident” on our streets and highways. The services being held in his honor are no doubt deserved, and are hardly enough thanks for his years of service and ultimate sacrifice.That said, I am a

Today is a special one, although we haven't heard much about it in media reports or around the city lately.May 18 is Armed Forces Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May.According to defense.gov, President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to thank our militar

A couple of months ago, our online commenters had a lively discussion about bullying in schools. One woman essentially said that bullying is just part of life, builds character and makes the victims stronger.I could not disagree more, especially when talking about children who are mentally incapable of handling repeated physical and

Imagine if you learned you carried a gene that gave you an 87 percent chance of developing cancer.Actress Angelina Jolie faced those odds, and took what many call a courageous step: she opted for a double mastectomy. But taking the step is not the only courageous thing she did – she also took her decision public, in the hopes o

When teachers leave college, they are prepared to teach the academic subjects that have become traditional in public schools, including the famous “Three R's” – reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic.Those skills are the essentials of an education and have served students very well over the years.Bu

I've spent the last week struggling to recover from the flu.I haven't had it in years, which after the last week, I now realize is a blessing.Since my daughter was born, I've been very proactive about health issues. She had bad allergies as an infant, and for her, getting sick usually meant breathing treatments, which was

Back in 2002, a young journalist from Back East came to work at the Yuma Sun and brought her mother along to see what this city in the desert Southwest was all about.When the journalist arrived, her supervisor was away, so I took it upon myself to take our new hire and her mother to lunch. While dining, the young woman's mother asked

At some point this year, either the Federal Reserve or Congress, or even the president of the United States, is going to have to tell the American public what is going on. The American news media has been muzzled about what is happening to our currency. The printing presses are still going full stroke and we are awash in dollars. The stock marke