Although significant progress has been made in restoring San Diego's financial health, the overhanging pension fund liability of $1.2 billion remains a pressing threat to long-term recovery. That's why it is absolutely imperative that the City Council adopt real pension reforms despite heavy counter pressures from public employee unions, which wield enormous influence over the council.

Sheriff Bill Kolender and county officials must act swiftly to implement a new system to ensure that inmates can have confidential telephone conversations with their lawyers. As Union-Tribune reporters Greg Moran and Kristina Davis disclosed, the Sheriff's Department has recorded some of those calls – no one knows how many – even though attorney-client conversations are considered privileged.

TIJUANA – Mexico and the United States have a twisted relationship. Dysfunctional: Each country likes to blame the other for its problems, and neither is eager to accept responsibility. Making matters worse, history comes with hard feelings; the United States claimed it was “manifest destiny” to conquer half of Mexico in 1848.