Commentary

Commentary: Forget Debates, Here's Five New Ideas For California Candidates

Joe Matthews — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:36:58 +0000

Last week, I watched a debate between Los Angeles mayoral candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, and a clear winner emerged: Warren Olney, the moderator. I’m not saying that Olney’s fine grilling made the experience worthwhile, though, because nothing could. The California political debate is dead. When was the last time you heard one with an argument that convinced you of anything? Heck, when was the last time you heard an argument made in any political debate anywhere?

Commentary: When Things Go Wrong, Corporations Need to Take Responsibility

Ida Jones — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:46:25 +0000

What happens when society fails to care about people? And why do our priorities as individuals differ so much from our actions as businesses and lawmakers? In this edition of Valley Public Radio's commentary series “The Moral Is” Fresno State business law professor Ida Jones says that uncontrolled greed and a civilized society are incompatible.

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Commentary: Time For Fresno to Embrace Food Culture, Not Just Commerce

Nikiko Masumoto — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:18:00 +0000

Earlier this year, the Fresno Food Expo brought together valley food businesses with regional and national buyers, as well as hundreds of ordinary local residents. But Del Rey farmer and guest commentator Nikiko Masumoto says all the buzz about food products, left her dreaming of something more meaningful, a focus on local food culture.

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Commentary: New Curriculum Needs to Focus On the Arts

Kaye Bonner Cummings — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:37:40 +0000

Later this year, when students return to the classroom after summer break, they’ll be greeted by a new curriculum that aims to replace the goals of No Child Left Behind. On this edition of Valley Public Radio’s commentary series “The Moral Is” Kaye Bonner Cummings says this presents a great opportunity to put the arts back in education.

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Commentary: Attitudes About Role of First Lady Reflect Cultural Expectations

Diane Blair — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:56:01 +0000

Shortly after First Lady Michelle Obama took the stage at this year’s Academy Awards, commentators from both Hollywood and inside the beltway erupted with criticism. It was just the latest chapter in a decades old debate about the proper role of the first lady in contemporary society. On this edition of FM89’s commentary series The Moral Is, Fresno State communication professor Diane Blair says that when it comes to public praise or criticism, it often tells us more about society as a whole than about the first lady herself.

Commentary: The Problem with Universal Preschool

Jacques Benninga — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:57:13 +0000

There’s a lot of talk about the importance of “high quality preschool.” But are politicians and the tax-paying public willing to foot the bill? On this edition of FM89’s commentary series The Moral Is, Fresno State education professor Jack Benninga says this new effort may fail if it’s not properly funded.

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Commentary: Should We Worry About Cosmic Calamity?

Andrew Fiala — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:00:03 +0000

From the effects of climate change to the threat posed by a giant asteroid, there’s a lot of things that we as humans worry about. But when faced with the possibility that humans may suffer the same fate as the dinosaurs, what should our rational response be? On this edition of our commentary series The Moral Is, Fresno State philosophy professor Andrew Fiala points to a pessimistic conclusion.

Commentary: Don't Deduct the Fine After Doing the Crime

Ida Jones — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:33:08 +0000

From the financial crisis of 2008 to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – recent events have put corporate crimes in the spotlight. But what happens when corporations try to use the tax code to skirt their criminal responsibilities? On this edition of FM89's commentary series "The Moral Is," Fresno State business professor Ida Jones says it’s time for companies to pay up.

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Commentary: Time To Turn Off Our Sprinklers, Fresno

Madhusudan Katti — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 21:28:42 +0000

The San Joaquin Valley’s communities and farms all blossomed our of a desert landscape thanks to available water supplies. But with an increasing population, and global warming, how we use this most precious resource is becoming more and more important. In this edition of FM89’s commentary series "The Moral Is", Fresno State biology professor Madhusudan Katti says it’s time for us to turn off our sprinklers.

Commentary: Political Civility Requires More Than Respect

Diane Blair — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:56:00 +0000

With today's poisonous atmosphere in Washington, D.C., calls for a return to politeness and civility in politics are common. But in this edition of our commentary series The Moral Is, Fresno State professor Diane Blair says the real issue is the ability to compromise.