Here we go again — gangs on the loose in Napa! Despite the online comments expressing surprise at their existence here in this paradise, it’s not new! From when I worked the streets in American Canyon as a deputy in the mid ‘70s to recent events that I’ve seen happen 32 years later, from my perspective as undersheriff, gangs in one form or another have always been here.

What always seems to happen when a large controversial issue hits the news, massive confusion results and everyone relies on their ideological perspective to start criticizing those who have done wrong, or so they feel. People immediately jump in and blame the other side, then rich people, Congress, and whoever else they can get their hands on. It is better not to get too involved at that state because a lot of it turns out to be wrong or in some way off the mark.

It would be lovely to think that remapping California’s legislative districts would solve our political problems.

Dear editor, Sarah Palin’s premier performance as VP-in-training was one for the record books. It was a lot of things but a debate it was not. Webster defines a debate as “a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides.” While Joe Biden answered the questions and showed his command of foreign and domestic policy, Sarah Palin spent the evening delivering her non-sequiturs from her pre-recorded “Chatty Cathy” cachet.

Dear editor, Watching Sarah Palin in the debate, I couldn’t help feeling embarrassed. Her demeanor was more like a competitor on a reality show than that of a person running for the second-highest office of the land.

Dear editor, While it is well and fine to attract more visitors to the Napa Valley, we must do what we can to ensure our visitors will enjoy their time here.

Dear editor, Much has been written about the sub-prime loans scandal and all that has stemmed from it: the collapse of major investment banks and other Wall Street institutions, rip-off severance packages for some of their leaders and the highly questionable $700 billion bailout by taxpayers.

Barack Obama chose Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate ... what do you think of the choice?

(Editor's note: The comments on this crashed about 9:30 a.m Friday, right after McCain's announcement. We were able to rebuild most but not all of the comments)