Commentary

Commentary: The Secret Potential of Secret Marriage in California

Joe Mathews — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:31:22 +0000

Pssst. Wanna know a secret?

I’m going to let you in on confidential marriage, an only-in-California concoction that is little known but deeply relevant to today’s debates about marriage.

Commentary: Are We To Blame For Bangladesh Garment Factory Collapse?

Madhusudan Katti — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:49:18 +0000

The recent collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh has highlighted the globalized nature of today's apparel industry. On this edition of Valley Public Radio's commentary series The Moral Is, Fresno State professor Madhusudan Katti says that it's time we look at the true cost of fast fashion.

Commentary: To The Class of '13... You Did More With Less

Joe Mathews — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:58:49 +0000

To the distinguished California Public High School Class of 2013.

I’m sorry James Franco canceled at the last minute. I’m even sorrier that you wound up getting me as your substitute commencement speaker, but I was offered gas money plus a free lunch.

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

Joe Mathews — 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?

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.

----

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.

--------------

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.

...

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.

----------

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.