Where are the “silver linings” for the Ahwatukee Foothills area from the proposed South Mountain Freeway?

Any chance of cities or counties conducting future gun-buyback programs is about to evaporate.

The gentleman produced a well-written, cogent commentary (“Can anyone seriously argue that the Iraq War was truly justified?” AFN, March 27) on the wisdom of the Iraq War. However, isn’t the Iraq War old news? Unless, perhaps, one wants to review the Iraqi constitution, which is a perfect example of a theocratic state. That constitution specifically says Islam is the national religion. Somewhat contrary to our Constitution, which supports religious freedom. How is it possible to have a free democracy when the government tells you who to worship as your spiritual savior?

As we survey the panoply of absurd ideas our legislators, both state and national, face from special interest groups these days, we have to wonder what has become of that rare commodity: common sense.

If your goal is to lose weight, look and feel your best and live a healthy, vibrant life, be aware of the damaging additives and synthetic chemicals in the foods you buy and eat. Seventy-five percent of the average American diet is from processed and packaged foods, which equates to approximately 10 pounds of additives eaten annually.

The media loosely throws around the word “sociopath.” Many people don’t understand what being a sociopath means. But, if recent studies are correct, 1 in 25 people are considered to be sociopathic. That tells us that most of us will meet several sociopaths in our lifetime. The goal is meet them, work with them, pray with them, but do not get into a relationship with them. Attempting to have a relationship with an emotionally unavailable person will ultimately be psychologically destructive.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself sitting near a horse the next time you dine out.

Noah Miller is in a perpetual fight with his own body.

Everyone has that one person they just can’t stand. Not for any particular reason other than “you just don’t.” That’s OK, we are human after all.

The walls are white, the chairs are plastic, and the smiles are few. As you head down a hallway, cell blocks to the left and a gated recreation area at right, hearing bursts of laughter and lively chatter coming from a small room in front of you is slightly jarring, especially seeing as the boisterous classroom is inside Estrella Women’s Jail in central Phoenix.

Police in Arizona remain free to use drones -- assuming they have them -- to spy on people.

The state House voted Thursday to slam the door on gun buyback programs — even when the owners specifically ask that their weapons be destroyed.

Forget the ferrets. Cancel the cats. And don't even discuss the ducks.

It's supposed to be a parody of itself, right?

‘One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. Which road do I take? She asked. Where do you want to go? was his response. I don’t know, Alice answered. Then, said the cat, it doesn’t matter.”

She’s young, tall-model-slender, beautiful and with a song bird voice. I’ll call her Annie. And, today she sits in jail, serving a lengthy term for her history with drugs. Like so many others, her road to trouble started with alcohol.

For the first time in recent memory, getting the state to cut taxes is not at the top of the legislative agenda for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It may sound like a movie title. But the issues that are going to dominate the upcoming legislative session are guns and money.

To play a mother torn from her husband and sons by the 2004 tsunami, Naomi Watts sure wasn’t going Method.

The proposed Loop 202 extension through Ahwatukee Foothills or the Gila River Indian Community would have destructive impacts on the land and the people, according to speakers at “The Price of Progress,” a panel discussion at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Why should government take so much of the bread of our labor? Are we to be slaves? Can’t we just tax the rich? The answer is: not really. Ask yourself: from where do the rich get their money? The rich get their money from us. When we purchase various products, we pay the seller; and the seller delivers a product. How does government taxation compare? We give our tax dollars to the government, but what do we receive?

I am not sure when you will be reading this, but chances are good that you have already voted, or it could be that the votes have been counted and the election is over. Regardless of the outcome I am pretty certain of two things. First, whichever candidate won, whether you voted that way or not, is likely not nearly as bad as his or her opponent told you. No matter what has been written by those who frequently write letters to the editor, no elected official is loosing a lot of sleep trying to design ways to destroy the country. The second thing I am pretty certain about is that whichever candidate won, whether you voted that way or not, is likely not a savior either.

‘Wreck-It Ralph’

The community is invited to the Third Annual Palo Verde Award Gala on Saturday, Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m., at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass, 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd. in Chandler. The event will feature the presentation of the Palo Verde Award, honoring the 2012 Business Woman of the Year and recognizing a female chamber member’s personal achievements in business and community service.