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The American public mostly seems to take our freedom of religion for granted. Although this nation was founded by pilgrims from England seeking religious liberty, the colonial Puritans soon turned to persecuting other colonists who disagreed with their beliefs (going so far as to outlaw the celebration of Christmas). Over time, our government has usually attempted to remain neutral in religious affairs, though Muslims may say that increased scrutiny of their community since 9/11 has had a chilling effect on their ability to freely practice Islam.

The historian Thomas F. Madden described the United States as “an empire of trust,” a phrase he fashioned to compare modern America with the golden era of the ancient Roman Republic. According to Madden, both the American and the Roman republics grew into sovereign powerhouses because external threats stimulated the drive to expand their boundaries of geopolitical influence by means of superior military might, used to transform enemies into allies.

I’m looking forward to the next week and a half. It isn’t because the 2011-12 prep sports year is coming to a close, either. Like former Saints and Colts head coach Jim Mora once questioned – playoffs? Yes, coach Mora, playoffs.

San Francisco has stepped up its campaign to lure the Golden State Warriors, potentially complicating Oakland's effort to turn the Coliseum area into a sports and entertainment megaplex with new facilities for its three professional teams.

Still need your tickets for Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero’s July 28 WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship bout versus Selcuk Aydin?

It was a wet and dreary morning when we turned into one of the canyons that funnel storm runoff down the slope of Mt. Tamalpais and into Bolinas Lagoon. We parked near the old white clapboard ranch house and walked to a clearing for a view up the thickly forested canyon. There it was. One Douglas fir, standing high above its neighbors, seemed decorated like a Christmas tree with many large fluffy white ornaments.  

I’ve been thinking about this column ever since my father died in 1998 and my sister, brothers and I went through the house and made “our picks” of the things we wanted to keep.

Anyone can see the effect the recent economic recession has had on public facilities. Falling tax collections have led to budget cuts resulting in layoffs of public workers. Parks, schools, playgrounds and buildings are looking increasingly shabby. But public-spirited volunteers can make a big difference.