Attitudes and the law about domestic violence have changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Officers no longer have the option of whether they respond, whether they intervene at all in someone beating up their partner, or whether they want to bother with filing a written report.

• Intimidation: Recognizing the signs of domestic violence

It is time, long past time, for some common sense to enter into the debate over a new City Hall. Now that there are hard, reliable numbers to consider, it's time to get beyond the petty sniping at San Diego's justifiably unpopular City Council. No, this isn't a Taj Mahal being planned for the aggrandizement of the City Council. In truth, every member of this City Council will be termed out of office long before this project is realized.

Modern public-sector decision-making is divided into “silos.” This government-by-specialization has always been favored by special interests. However, as we enter an era of diminishing resources, the weakness of this structure becomes apparent. Simply put, we cannot afford a decision-making focus so narrow that it misses potential synergies that could otherwise make it possible to “do more with less.”

While vacationing in his native Hawaii, Barack Obama said he wanted to enjoy some local cuisine – a plate lunch, shave ice, the noodle dish Zip Min – and relax with a little bodysurfing “at an undisclosed location.” Good for him. Obama needed the rest and refueling.