Readers Write: To a free press
Editor: I appreciate you, Jack, for your eloquent contribution to the difference between a free press and silly rants about “fake news.” Diann Coate Idyllwild
Columns
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Readers Write: Somebody should apologize
Editor: KNBC local news should be recognized for its weather reporting. Every evening, it displays a map of its prediction for the “Maximum Temperature for Tomorrow.” It displays various areas around Los Angeles, including one for the Inland Empire: Riverside, San Bernardino, Corona, Hemet, Palm Springs and Idyllwild. During the Cranston Fire, it featured a…
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Dr. Tom: Gratitude …
It is difficult to adequately express my gratitude to the firefighters and other first responders who saved our home from the Cranston Fire. Since we live close to the transfer station, the fire was very close and, were it not for the hard work of many, our home would be toast. I believe, however, that…
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Past Tense: August 30, 2018
70 years ago – 1948 The PTA raised $150 at its first Hill social event. 65 years ago – 1953 The thunderstorm that drenched Idyllwild proceeded northward, leaving 300 lightning strikes in the Six Rivers National Forest. 60 years ago – 1958 Charlotte Gorzny, an eager youthful reader, read 47 books to top all other…
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Creature Corner: August 30, 2018
Last week in “Days of Our Nine Lives,” the ARF cats discussed their fine, adoptable features. Panther: So, in addition to Violet’s being adopted, Jax and Zoey are celebrating their own! Zeus: What great news! So glad they were adopted together. And I’ve heard that ARF is getting a puppy in about a week. Panther:…
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Readers Write: What is Socialism?
Editor: Do you know what Socialism really means? Winston Churchill, years ago, wrote this about socialism: “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.” I can attest to that; I lived under Socialism in East Germany for 10 years….
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Readers Write: Fire breaks saved our cabin
Editor: Maintained fire breaks saved our Westridge cabin. I am grateful to firefighters for maintaining fire breaks and flying retardant drops. A friend told me to read “Granite Mountain,” a story of the 2013 Yarnel Hill Fire near Prescott, Arizona. The book was written by the lone survivor of 20 Hot Shot firefighters. A 2017…
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Readers Write: Some advice for emergencies
Editor: My wife Elaine and I have prepared ourselves for emergency survival for the past 25 years or so, starting with the earthquake in San Fernando Valley. Since then, we have picked up a few tips that some of you might put into practice. Listed below are reflections on our last escape. Divide emergency shelf…
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Readers Write: Angels and heroes among us
Editor’s note: This letter was received before the Cranston Fire of July 25. It was temporarily lost in the scramble of evacuation. Editor: [July 18] was another idyllic day at my little cabin in Mountain Center, where one of my greatest joys is simply leaving cool water out back to see what birds and bunnies…
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Out Loud: Social media, fake news and your local newspaper
Editor’s note: I’m giving Jack a turn again this week. “Fake news” is taken to mean one thing at the national level, but something quite different at the local level. When any newspaper values its reputation, it does not report rumor as news. It uses reliable sources and it verifies them. A reliable news source…
