Berkeley Daily Planet

It’s been at least a year since I announced online that the Planet would be taking a brief hiatus. The hiatus turned out to be longer than I had expected. Since the word “hiatus” implies eventual resumption, it’s time to finally decide if this is more than a pause. It turns out that old age is not necessarily a tsunami but is a series of those small drips that end up wearing down a stone. At the moment I don’t walk very well, thanks to arthritis and a broken ankle .

It’s been at least a year since I announced online that the Planet would be taking a brief hiatus. The hiatus turned out to be longer than I had expected. Since the word “hiatus” implies eventual resumption, it’s time to finally decide if this is more than a pause. It turns out that old age is not necessarily a tsunami but is a series of those small drips that end up wearing down a stone. At the moment I don’t walk very well, thanks to arthritis and a broken ankle .

Worth Noting: The most important meeting of the week is the EMBER Community Workshop on ZOOM on Thursday from 6 – 7:30 pm. For program information and to RSVP to receive the ZOOM link or to RSVP for the in person Tuesday, May 27 from 6 – 7:30 pm go to Berkeley Fire Safe website https://www.berkeleyfiresafe.org And, go to the Fire Safe website for details on the EMBER program and resources. The May 20 City Council agenda is available for comment and posted at the bottom of the calendar.

Worth Noting: City Council Summer Recess is July 30 – September 8, 2025. The Evacuation Study is in – “Study stresses need for household fire and evacuation plans” go to web page for all links for Evacuation Study (found in Evacuation Story Maps), Fire Weather Planning, and preparedness Workshops in August.

The case of Jeffrey Epstein is not just a sordid tale of sex trafficking and privilege—it is a window into a justice system rigged to protect the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable. And despite his death nearly six years ago, the true story remains buried beneath a fog of sealed files, silenced voices, and unanswered questions. Julie K.

Donald Trump started his second presidential term on January 20th. Trump has made a lot of news, but what has he accomplished? Let us consider his campaign promises. The Economy: Trump defeated Harris because a majority of voters believed that he would “fix” the economy; that is, Trump would bring down inflation and manage the associated costs such as housing and healthcare. This hasn’t happened.

To invite one of the world’s worst criminals—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—to Washington while ignoring the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant is a stain on America’s moral credibility and its claim to be a nation of laws. Netanyahu is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians, including a staggering number of children, in his relentless military assaults on Gaza. His actions are a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law.

Donald Trump started his second presidential term on January 20th. Trump has made a lot of news, but what has he accomplished? Let us consider his campaign promises. The Economy: Trump defeated Harris because a majority of voters believed that he would “fix” the economy; that is, Trump would bring down inflation and manage the associated costs such as housing and healthcare. This hasn’t happened.

To invite one of the world’s worst criminals—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—to Washington while ignoring the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant is a stain on America’s moral credibility and its claim to be a nation of laws. Netanyahu is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians, including a staggering number of children, in his relentless military assaults on Gaza. His actions are a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law.