A wish list for 2012

Resolve to improve

Fix system first

Simply buy the peak

Article does harm

Your article “SLO County ends year with 5 homicides: Mental illness might have played a part in three of the incidents” (Dec. 31) contained careless references to mental illness and violence that seem to imply that illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in and of themselves, predispose a person to violent behavior.

Online accountability

Thoughts on rail

Lawbreaking pass

Requirement is necessary for the many

Unequal justice

Militarizing society

Back in 1776, we found common ground around “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Today, while we respect and honor our Americanism, we tend to find ourselves belonging to an ever-evolving variety of diverse groups. How we increase our capacity to recognize common ground when our groups honor a cornucopia of different values and missions can seem daunting at times.

Tired and hackneyed

Public face

I have been working for years to build our dream home on Cerrito Peak in Morro Bay, but I never expected to be berated by three-time Grammy winner Kent Nagano, slammed by self-proclaimed Chumash leader Fred Collins, yelled at by neighbors who live on the peak, beat down ... wait a minute. I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning:

Slow genocide

As 2011 comes to a close, I appreciate the opportunity to extend my gratitude to those who have made my first year as the mayor of Pismo Beach extraordinary.

Don’t lose progress

A musical treat