The Chronicle recommends
California voters have a chance to make two significant changes in the electoral process on June 8. Proposition 14, which calls for an open primary, would allow voters of any party - and the growing number of "decline...

A few thoughts about Measure J
Roger G. Noll
Santa Clara voters decide June 8 whether to subsidize a new NFL stadium. The key issues are the projected cost of the stadium, the realism of this projection, and the outcome if the plan is optimistic. If the financial...

To the Class of 2010: Into a world of change
John Diaz
John Diaz, a 1977 graduate of Humboldt State University, was tapped to deliver the school's 2010 commencement address. Here are excerpts of the speech that was prepared for delivery in Arcata on Saturday: Your...

CHRON QUIZ / Here, piggy, piggy
Marshall Kilduff
1. Who are the "five little pigs?" A: Five Giants pitchers considered undersized for the majors B: Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, whose governments are facing economic collapse. C: Quintet of pork-themed...

'Stick it, A-Rod'
"Stick it, A-Rod." Peggy Lindsey, grandmother of Oakland A's perfect-game pitcher Dallas Braden, who's feuded with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez - "Her Majesty the Queen has asked me to form a new government and I have...

Kagan nomination shows process trumps experience
David Davenport
Washington, we've got a problem. Does anyone really think a young law school administrator, with little courtroom and no judicial experience, is the best possible candidate for a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme...

America's problem Pakistan, not Afghanistan
Joel Brinkley
Here we go again with Pakistan. This isn't deja vu. No, it's now a routine pattern in modern life: An Islamic fundamentalist trains in Pakistan and then flies to America or another Western state to wreak havoc. Look...

Tom Campbell fiery, Steve Poizner disciplined
Debra J. Saunders
Sometime after he bowed out of the governor's race in January and jumped into the GOP primary to challenge Sen. Barbara Boxer, Tom Campbell turned from a mild-mannered law professor into Rambo. Professor Rambo. He wrote...

WHAT'S HOT AT SFGATE / Murder-suicide draws readers
Vlae Kershner
These SFGate.com articles and photo collections received the most page views in the week ending Friday morning at 11: Articles 1. Mother who killed herself, daughter identified 2. Woman slain near Fairfield was suspect'...

Parting shots
GOOD WEEK BAD WEEK Manny Pacquiao Welterweight champion wins election to Congress in the Philippines and gets permission to take on Floyd Mayweather Jr. Could he be the greatest since Ali? Thailand After protests in...