Today's Opinions

Have you been passed up for a job opportunity at a local government agency for someone less qualified? You have the right degrees, years of experience, a record of accomplishments, a great list of references.

But you forgot to do one thing — you didn’t talk with the morning coffee klatch at Hillcrest Restaurant.

Oops. Apparently such a mistake can be a career killer.

The Israeli journalist Gideon Levy a few years ago referred to Israel as a “a loud-mouthed bully who shouldn’t be provoked into anger ... Not that the bully’s not right — someone did harm him.” Following the attack on Gaza this past week, Levy added, “Once again, Israel’s violent responses, even if there is justification for them, exceed all proportion and cross every red line of humaneness, morality, international law and wisdom…. Hamas brought this on itself and on its people, but this does not excuse Israel’s overreaction.”

UP thumb ... READY TO GO. Struggling with broken equipment for months, the management at the city’s recreation center kept its pledge to have all the treadmills operational before the end of the year. Wednesday morning, all the machines appeared to have been working fine.

Let’s hope exercise buffs take advantage of the repaired equipment as they begin their New Year’s resolutions, and that the rec center staff can keep them working throughout the new year.