2013 Opinion Archive Stories

I head south in the fall to leave the cold and snow. People ask me why did you pick Yuma and have returned for the past 16 years?A dear friend told us to come to Yuma and directed us to River Front RV Park. I have many fond memories at River Front. My husband and I made many signs that are still at the park.Being widowed

On behalf of The Caballeros de Yuma, we would like to thank the entire staff at Desert Hills for their hosting and exceptional service during our annual golf tournament and meeting, especially Rich Walton, Rita Perez and Bruce Brown. We have been using the Desert Hills Golf Course and Putter Inn for years and they never disappoint. Rich, as alwa

We would like to thank everyone who helped make this year's Victims' Rights Week successful. The annual dinner honoring Yuma County victims of crime was, once again, an expression of solidarity with them while giving tribute to those who support them. We express our appreciation to Rococo Event and Banquet Hall for being the tremendous hosts the

Regarding the flag “tribute” at Cocopah Speedway: no matter how well intentioned, they need to read the U.S. Flag Code.8. Respect for flagNo disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, state flags, and organiza

When I went to a local store in the Foothills area today I saw a lady that was going to leave her dog in the car while she ran in “for just a minute.” When I told her she couldn't do that and I would be happy to watch the dog while she went in, she replied “I will just go someplace else” and drove off. It was 96 degrees o

Sadly, I wasn't surprised when I read the editorial regarding the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi.Yes, it has been eight months since the attack, yet the controversy continues. That, my dear editor, is because the Obama Administration and his State Department have done their absolute best to bury, delay, confuse and stonewall

Isn't government a wonderful thing? We have learned this week that the Justice Department (you know, the folks that brought you “Fast and Furious” – Eric Holder and the death of agent Brian Terry) have secretly been monitoring Associated Press phone records. To what end? We also know that the IRS targeted conservati

Back in the '60s, the sci-fi TV series “The Twilight Zone,” written and narrated by Rod Sterling, would start off a wacko scenario episode by saying “submitted for your approval.” I find myself believing I'm watching an absurd episode about same-sex marriage.According to the 2010 census, less than 4 percent of

It seems like no matter when one takes a look at what is going on in government, there is something disturbing staring back. There is sequestration — a problem that was created for political reasons. We were told it would necessitate large cuts in all sorts of programs, forced unpaid leaves for many employees, etc., when the tr

The constant arguing about the mayor's travel expenses is ridiculous! If I understand correctly, a specified amount was allotted to each member of the council at the beginning of the fiscal year. As the rest of us must do, each member, including the mayor, should look at their travel list comparing it with the allotted amount. If the allotment i

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

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

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

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

I was raised in public schools being taught that people came from the deep blue. That by some anachronistic timetable and natural favor, we were led on a path to intelligence. We were told that there were data and data of empirical proof that these things happened.The truth is, there is not one book in the world that can show or cata

Hypothetical question regarding the Sen. Shooter fiasco.Let's substitute the surname Shooter with Flores (Fuentes, Hernandez, Munoz, Moreno, Mendoza, you get the idea) and change the occupation from state senator to field worker. Now the question: Do you believe that after accosting a teacher in a charter school such a pe

Mr. Mayor, the public display of your “my way or the highway” leadership approach has failed. Your management of your travel budget, as shown by your request to reallocate funds budgeted for other Yuma City Council members, shows your inability to prioritize your duties within budget restraints. Your failure to recognize that managin