Story Tools

Email this story | Print this story

Indexes

Today's Stories

Last 7 Days

Top Blogs

• Lodi's latest fruit

• Galt Boys and Girls Club in danger of closing

• Man faces felony charges in Thornton burglary

• Census Bureau seeks to hire local workers

• Tough times put pinch on Tracy's chamber

• Regional Roundup

November 2nd, 2009

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

November 7th, 2009

• Lodi High graduate was at Fort Hood

• Lining up for flu shots in Lodi

• Tour packs buses as birdwatchers admire Sandhill cranes

• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks

• Daytime thieves targeting Lodi homes

• Lodi High School rally featured on 'Good Day Sacramento'

• Out of control

• Homicide suspect Anthony Hubbard arraigned

• Regional Roundup

• New Lodi Memorial rule to combat spread of H1N1: Visitors must be older than 16

November 6th, 2009

• Short sales make up nearly half of Lodi market

• Regional Roundup

• Lodi man accused of smuggling drugs, weapons for inmates at state prison

• 'I-5 Strangler' sentenced to 6 terms of life

• Jury convicts Acampo man of torture, assault of his girlfriend

• Young girl is 200,000th person to assemble AIDS, HIV care kit

• Woman in wheelchair struck by car

November 5th, 2009

• A lower Lodi Lake

• Streetside scarecrows

• San Joaquin County considers moratorium on new Williamson Act contracts

• Speakers address Lodi Unified School District budget shortfalls, plea to keep programs

• Armed robbers still targeting Lodi shops

• Regional Roundup

• California voters have final say over $11 billion water bond

• Weekend bus service to continue until Lodi City Council makes decision

• Paul Tebbel shines spotlight on sandhill cranes

• Your complete guide to Sandhill Crane Festival

• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy

• Man wanted in Acampo homicide gives up to San Joaquin County Sheriff's detectives

November 4th, 2009

• Candle fire

• Rep. Jerry McNerney sets telephone town hall for Thursday

• Jason Behrmann is unanimously named Galt's city manager

• Regional Roundup

• Galt City Council argues over ordinance hiring residents

• San Joaquin County sues state over prison hospital planned for Stockton

• Big win for Allen Baroni in reclamation election

• California sends Democratic loyalist John Garamendi to Congress

• Bicycling father raising awareness of teen suicide

• Lodi City Council weighs raising fares to restore some bus service

November 3rd, 2009

• 500 attend service for Kyle Coumas

• Correction

• Galt considers ordinance that would require city contractors to hire locally

• Regional Roundup

• Have you seen a missing guide dog puppy in Lodi?

• Galt man dies after weekend Highway 12 crash

• Jason Behrmann is top candidate for Galt city manager

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

• Clarification

November 2nd, 2009

• Downtown Lodi trick or treat

• Public Meetings

• Correction

• Kyle Coumas funeral today

• 27-year-old man shot to death Saturday night in front of Acampo home

• Regional Roundup

• Group investigates reports of haunting

• Sandhill Cranes Festival comes to Lodi next weekend

• Lamborghini lovers gather for show, fine wine, luncheon in Woodbridge

• Lodi's 'Biggest Loser' Christy Richesin runs 5K Halloween race

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Bible is entwined with American civic life (135)
• I predict: A conservative tide will rise in 2010 (73)
• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy (70)
• The Treaty of Tripoli hoax (60)
• Universal health care solves big problems (54)
• Here's what my father knew about the assassination of JFK (35)
• Stuck in neutral? Hardly! (35)
• Words from our forefathers (27)
• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks (24)
• Majority cannot deprive the minority (23)

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks to vets, hope for Obama, and a dart for California's politicians

Occasionally enough time elapses between my writings that topics begin to stack up.

This forces me into a course of action only seldom used but widely celebrated among today's tiny attention spans. Please welcome back the combo column.

Thanking veterans

It isn't something you can say too late or too often for that matter. While their holiday has come and gone, every day is a day to pay your respects to veterans at home and abroad.

From those who have passed on to those who have been fortunate enough to live the American dream due to their efforts, I thank you for providing me the opportunity to be inspired, create and be free all my life.

President-elect Obama

If you've read this column or my online blog you'll know how I felt going into the election. Now that a decision has been made I can only cross my fingers and say a prayer for the best.

While he wasn't my choice, Barack Obama continues to speak of how he only wants to unite this country and make it better, valuing American people over their political parties.

If he is in fact being sincere, then I support his quest fully. May president-elect Obama change this country in the right way. I'm not sure this country's citizens could stand another major upset or betrayal.

Arnold's education cuts

Our own state governor wishes to cut funding for California colleges, thus pushing college admission folks to shrink the amount of incoming students.

The governor says the money to pay for the already ailing state deficit needs to come from "somewhere."

Oh, I just had an idea. How about rather than putting a halt on higher education for productive young people, we punish the out of control spenders that put us in this situation in the first place? State suits need their salaries sliced and diced until they turn things around.

I think I speak for everyone when I say we are all sick of paying for Sacramento's mistakes.

And I could have sworn Arnie mentioned that education wasn't going to be on the chopping-block. Interesting.

Speaking of spending

America's economy is in a lot of pain right now. Hearing that Uncle Sam is bailing out those who got in too deep is so inspiring. Not only is our government teaching this generation that fiscal responsibility is only for those who follow through on paying their bills, but with the automakers now also at the back door, I can't wait to hear who else is going to be allowed to stick it to the taxpayer.

Giving thanks

Alright, enough with the politics. Every year my list grows. I am always thinking about it and constantly wondering what tomorrow will add to it. Of course I'm talking about things I am thankful for.

As I grow older I have more to appreciate. It could be as simple as another year under my belt or another breath in my lungs.

But what I am most thankful for this year is staying healthy and lucky during several southern California wildfires that came incredibly close to me. I know of several people who lost their homes and their livelihoods to blazes that came like thieves in the night.

What could have turned out to be a major headache and stressful situation turned out to be an opportunity to help my fellow neighbor. Had it not been for the brave firefighters from all over the country that helped push back the flames, my story could have been a very different one.

Of course, my friends and family are major blessings and I couldn't be who I am today without thanking them.

But most of all, thank you for another wonderful year of readership and allowing me to put my thoughts on your coffee table. It is an honor and privilege to get your e-mail and letters. I truly am humbled knowing that I have a vow of support from my own hometown.

May you be thankful for many wonderful things this Thanksgiving and enjoy your holiday.

Wade Heath of Lodi is a college student studying in Southern California. He can be reached at: reachwade@lycos.com Or visit his online blog at: www.wadewire.blogspot.com.