<![CDATA[Valley Star - Columns RSS]]> /se/valley-star-columns-rss-1.1173096 en-us Sun, 5 Feb 2012 60 <![CDATA[The Sky is Falling]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/the-sky-is-falling-1.2256429 J.P. Spence | Managing Editor
By: J.P. Spence | Managing EditorIt’s hard to tell if Harold Camping is Chicken Little or the boy who cried wolf.

There's a joke that goes, 'A doctor gave some guy six months to live. The guy came back to said doctor because he couldn't pay his bill so the doctor gave him another six months.' Someone should tell heretic Harold Camping that life doesn't work th...

]]> Wed, 25 May 2011 1.2256429 Columns J.P. Spence | Managing Editor Columns <![CDATA[ANALYZE THIS: “The King” Still Has a Lot to Learn]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/analyze-this-the-king-still-has-a-lot-to-learn-1.2256399 Lucas Thompson | Editor-in-Chief
By: Lucas Thompson | Editor-in-ChiefDespite the success LeBron James and the Miami Heat have displayed during this season’s NBA playoffs

Since LeBron James entered the NBA in 2003, he's been crowned 'King James,' and referred to as 'LBJ,' or the 'chosen one.' Though cute, nicknames do not equal success and what James has not been crowned with is an NBA title. He has not answered t...

]]> Wed, 25 May 2011 1.2256399 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-in-Chief Columns <![CDATA[TWO CENTS FROM SPENCE: Pretty Vacant]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/two-cents-from-spence-pretty-vacant-1.2230825 Josh Spence | Managing Editor
By: Josh Spence | Managing EditorRepublicans contenders for 2012,not only have no bark, they have no bite.

There is still a good year to go before the first republican primary for the 2012 presidential election takes place and the early candidates have already chosen their weapons of choice: smoke and mirrors. It's just so infuriating to keep listening ...

]]> Thu, 19 May 2011 1.2230825 Columns Josh Spence | Managing Editor Columns <![CDATA[ANALYZE THIS: The Mavericks Have What It Takes]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/analyze-this-the-mavericks-have-what-it-takes-1.2230811 Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief
By: Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-ChiefDespite the fact that two of the four teams remaining in the NBA playoffs being “young teams.”

When the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs were eliminated from this season's NBA playoffs, and the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls advanced to the Western and Eastern Conference Finals, the predictions started to come out that a 'young ...

]]> Thu, 19 May 2011 1.2230811 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief Columns <![CDATA[TWO CENTS FROM SPENCE : Excess Baggage]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/two-cents-from-spence-excess-baggage-1.2219966 J.P. Spence | Managing Editor
By: J.P. Spence | Managing Editor With the death of America’s biggest villain, hopefully our country can move forward.

Americans have asked each other the same question for the past decade: 'Where were you when 9/11 happened?' It only seems fitting now that question is book-ended with 'Where were you when you found out Osama bin Laden was killed?' As with most wate...

]]> Wed, 4 May 2011 1.2219966 Columns J.P. Spence | Managing Editor Columns <![CDATA[ANALYZE THIS: Uniting Through Tragedy]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/analyze-this-uniting-through-tragedy-1.2219960 Lucas Thompson | Editor-in-Chief
By: Lucas Thompson | Editor-in-ChiefIn tragedy there are many lessons ... even for sports.

It was just 10 years ago when America stood still. Flights from airports were halted, professional sports games canceled, and the nation stood gasping as we watched the unfathomable images that consumed our television screens on that early September mo...

]]> Wed, 4 May 2011 1.2219960 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-in-Chief Columns <![CDATA[Analyze This: Dodger Dogs, Peanuts and Comas]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/analyze-this-dodger-dogs-peanuts-and-comas-1.2145609 Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief
By: Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-ChiefThe recent beating of a San Francisco native at Chavez Ravine shows, once again, the unintelligible

If you attend a Los Angeles Dodgers games sporting the 'LA' logo tattooed on your neck, spend all of your paycheck on alcohol during the game, and feel it necessary to proclaim how much the 'Giants sucks' between each sip of your beer and hellip; then I c...

]]> Wed, 6 Apr 2011 1.2145609 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief Columns <![CDATA[Two Cents From Spence: Killing In The Name Of]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/two-cents-from-spence-killing-in-the-name-of-1.2145552 J.P. Spence | Managing Editor
By: J.P. Spence | Managing Editor Quran-burning pastor from Florida is the epitome of ignorance.

It's really hard for us Americans to act as superior as we think we are and be the world's police when we're too busy trying to be complete intolerant, ignorant dolts. Sixteen people were needlessly killed over the weekend in Kandahar, Afghanistan ...

]]> Wed, 6 Apr 2011 1.2145552 Columns J.P. Spence | Managing Editor Columns <![CDATA[ANALYZE THIS: Don’t Count Seeds In This Madness]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/analyze-this-don-t-count-seeds-in-this-madness-1.2136103 Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief
By: Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-ChiefWith both Butler and Virginia Commonwealth making appearances in the Final Four.

...

]]> Thu, 31 Mar 2011 1.2136103 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief Columns <![CDATA[SO IT GOES...Running With The Devil]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/so-it-goes-running-with-the-devil-1.2136080 David Motte | Staff Writer
By: David Motte | Staff Writer When tourists and paparazzi join forces, there is no longer anywhere for celebrities to hide.

The streets of Hollywood have been polluted with paparazzi and tourists since the golden age of cinema, both equally eager to annoy and harass celebrities with their cameras and autograph books. Now the two parasites can team up on a new tour of ...

]]> Thu, 31 Mar 2011 1.2136080 Columns David Motte | Staff Writer Columns <![CDATA[SO IT GOES: Broadway Gets Broader ]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/so-it-goes-broadway-gets-broader-1.2109221 David Motte | Valley Life Editor
By: David Motte | Valley Life Editor Spider-Man leads the way for the unorthodox stage shows on the great white way.

As Spider-Man usurps the Broadway spotlight from singing cats and dancing witches, many other unorthodox stage shows are following in the web-slinger's footsteps. Here's a look at what may be Broadway's zaniest season ever. Pee-Wee Herman, Th...

]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2011 1.2109221 Columns David Motte | Valley Life Editor Columns <![CDATA[ANALYZE THIS: NFL Owners: Strap on Your Jock Straps]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/analyze-this-nfl-owners-strap-on-your-jock-straps-1.2109190 Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief
By: Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-ChiefThe decision made by NFL owners not to show the players union the books shows the organizations true

It may be time to begin outfitting NFL league owners with mouthpieces, jock straps and Troy Polamalu wigs after they requested that players take a pay cut for the 2011 season due to low profits in the nation's most popular and lucrative sport. Desp...

]]> Wed, 16 Mar 2011 1.2109190 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief Columns <![CDATA[Analyze This: Celebrity Driven Prices]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/analyze-this-celebrity-driven-prices-1.2103741 Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief
By: Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-ChiefThe infatuation with the new celebrity athlete hit Lakers fans wear it hurts.

A couple of months ago I decided to splurge a little. I had never seen the Los Angeles Lakers play and I was absolutely determined to watch the purple and gold live from the Staples Center. Unfortunately after leaving the arena I realized two things: t...

]]> Thu, 10 Mar 2011 1.2103741 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief Columns <![CDATA[TWO CENTS FROM SPENCE: You Can't Cure Hubris ]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/two-cents-from-spence-you-can-t-cure-hubris-1.2043714 J.P Spence | Managing Editor
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss try for one last shot of glory. Even if it's completely idiotic.

The funny thing about revisionist history is that it becomes the only way history is remembered. Then again, maybe David Fincher was being fairly accurate in 'The Social Network.' Now that practically everyone has seen the Academy -Award -winning f...

]]> Wed, 2 Mar 2011 1.2043714 Columns J.P Spence | Managing Editor Columns <![CDATA[Two Cents From Spence: Taco Bell Is Full Of Bull ]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/two-cents-from-spence-taco-bell-is-full-of-bull-1.2001152 J.P. SPence | Managing Editor
By: J.P. SPence | Managing Editor We know we’re eating crap but does Taco Bell have to rub it in our faces?

It's not even so much as 'Where's the beef?' anymore because people have become accustomed to eating total crap,but the hubris Taco Bell has had during their 'Thank You For Suing Us Campaign' is downright ugly. Okay, some context just incase you've...

]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 1.2001152 Columns J.P. SPence | Managing Editor Columns <![CDATA[SO IT GOES: The Rush For Hollywood Gold ]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/so-it-goes-the-rush-for-hollywood-gold-1.2000583 David Motte | Staff Writer
By: David Motte | Staff Writer Valley Life Editor analyzes some of the 83rd Academy Awards tougher calls.

The Academy Awards are upon us once again as Hollywood's elite campaign for themselves and their peers to win the Oscar gold. The best films of 2010 will compete in 24 categories at the 83rd Academy Awards which will air on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. Here'...

]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 1.2000583 Columns David Motte | Staff Writer Columns <![CDATA[ANAYLYZE THIS: Amazing But Not Unstoppable]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/anaylyze-this-amazing-but-not-unstoppable-1.1831231 Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief
Michael Vick, though amazing, is not a Super Bowl quarterback.

When Michael Vick posted 59 points, including 28 in the first quarter, against the Washington Redskins earlier this season, all the bandwagon fans, fantasy league junkies, and dog haters started lobbying for Michael Vick as MVP. Not so fast... Let'...

]]> Wed, 15 Dec 2010 1.1831231 Columns Lucas Thompson | Editor-In-Chief Columns <![CDATA[TWO CENTS FROM SPENCE: Getting Away With Murder]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/two-cents-from-spence-getting-away-with-murder-1.1831206 J.p. Spence | Managing Editor
Recent TV dramas shine a dark light into the American psyche.

Showtime drama 'Dexter' wrapped up on Sunday to the highest ratings ever for the show and for the network itself. This column isn't necessarily about how great the show is and how everyone needs to watch it, which they do. Instead, during t...

]]> Wed, 15 Dec 2010 1.1831206 Columns J.p. Spence | Managing Editor Columns <![CDATA[THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID: More Bang For The Buck]]> http://www.lavalleystar.com/sections/column/that-s-what-she-said-more-bang-for-the-buck-1.1831164 Kelly Davis | Opinion Editor
With new security regulations in place this holiday season.

As holiday travel picks up, those of us jetting off to celebrate with family and friends can look forward to an extra special gift, courtesy of the Transportation Security Administration. A degrading physical search of private parts awaits the lu...

]]> Wed, 15 Dec 2010 1.1831164 Columns Kelly Davis | Opinion Editor Columns