The newly released report by the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice can lead the staunchest supporters of capital punishment with only one conclusion: In its current form, the California death penalty policy does not work!

This should prompt death penalty advocates to then ask: How much am...

As the nation commemorates the 232nd anniversary of declaring its independence from British rule, I can think of no better time to ask: what is patriotism? The obvious answer is a love of country; but what exactly does that mean?

Since Thomas Jefferson penned his immortal words in 1776, we...

There are times when the Supreme Court is challenged not only to offer a legal ruling, but such rulings may also require the court's moral force. That was the case when the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 to overturn the de jure segregation of Plessy v. Ferguson in its 1954 ruling...

It seemed appropriate that Barack Obama would talk about absentee fathers on Father's Day. The message, the messenger, and the location were perfectly aligned for the presumptive Democratic nominee to take on arguably the greatest challenge within the African American community.

Back in 2004 when Bill Cosby made similar statements,...

This has turned out to be quite the year for anniversaries and commemorations. In addition to June 6 being the 40th anniversary of Bobby Kennedy's death it also marked the 30th anniversary since California voters passed Proposition 13.

Known today as the "third rail" of California politics, Prop. 13 placed...

For all of the attention that 1968 has justifiably garnered this year let us also remember the acrimony and upheaval that existed in1963. It was 45 years ago that the door officially closed on any notions that we lived in an Ozzie and Harriet society. It was the first time...

California gay couples can officially set a date to be married. Unlike 2004, when an excess of 3,000 couples engaged in an act of civil disobedience by exchanging vows at City Hall in San Francisco, they will have the law on their side.

This week, the California Supreme Court...

With the Democratic primary season finally coming to an official close, I suspect myriad emotions are at work. Disappointment, elation, anger, joy, resentment and ecstasy are among the feelings experienced by Clinton and Obama supporters.

Things said in June, fueled by the open wounds of a tough, contested, historic primary...

As much as I was tempted by the desire to immediately enter my thoughts into the 24-hour news cycle, I was equally compelled by the need to self reflect.

Tuesday night was a great night for America and potentially for the world. It doesn't close a book as much...

Former White House press secretary, Scott McClellan became the dominant subject in this week's conversation with his tell all memoir, What Happened. McClellan alleges the Iraq War was sold to the American people based on a sophisticated "political propaganda campaign" led by the president that manipulated public opinion and downplayed...

Political gaffes come in all shapes and sizes -- ranging from the benign to the malignant.

Who could forget former Senator, Trent Lott's melancholy longing for segregation redux or George Allen's "macaca" statement?

Sometimes the gaffe of honesty can be a candidate's undoing. Walter Mondale promised to raise...

One way to identify when the presidential primary season has become fait accompli is when the dominant issues of discussion take on a more ancillary nature. One such topic is the so-called "Dream-ticket" comprising of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

At first glance, the arguments for this alliance make...

Because no one has ever won a November presidential election in May, any pre-election analysis put forth is at best speculation -- this column being no exception.

Assuming Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, he goes into the general election against John McCain with a number of advantages.

According to...

There are moments in America's brief history when ordinary people do extraordinary things that leave a permanent mark on society. With last week's passing of Mildred Loving we are once again reminded of such an example.

Loving, who was African-American, and her white husband, Richard, changed history in 1967 when...

Whether your heart lies with Clinton or Obama your head has to know tonight was a night for the junior senator from Illinois. Tonight, Monday Night Football's Dandy Don Meredith returned for a one night performance: "Turn out the lights, the party's over, they all say good things must end."

Rev. Jeremiah Wright has proven to be Barack Obama's cross to bear. Wright's recent road show, specifically his National Press Conference speech and subsequent press conference, raises questions for some about Obama.

It may not always be fair, but we are judged by the company we keep. What then does...

With the backdrop of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's recent comments, members of Piedmont Community Church and Imani Community Church of Oakland got together to have a frank conversation about race.

Led by Dr. Bill McNabb, pastor of Piedmont Community and Dr. George Cummings, pastor of Imani, they sought to localize...

Much has been made of whether or not Barack Obama can close the deal against Hilary Clinton, and that his failure to do so raises questions about his viability in the fall assuming he receives the nomination.

Such concerns, though legitimate, miss the more salient point -- there is...

The Rockridge Institute, a liberal think tank in Berkeley, will disband at the end of the month.

From its inception in 1997, Rockridge sought to combat the domination of right-wing think tanks that for more than 35 years have spent billions of dollars shaping the public conversation on issues of...

The Supreme Court this week upheld Kentucky's use of lethal injection, rejecting the claim that it violates the Eighth Amendment's cruel and unusual punishment clause.

At issue was not the constitutionality of lethal injection applied by 35 of the 36 states that apply the death penalty, but rather the...