As the first CNN GOP presidential debate approached and unfolded last night, the network's exclusion of Gov. Gary Johnson was brought to light by two rival networks known more for their boisterous partisanship than for giving voice to such "lesser-known" candidates.

For far too long, California political districts have been created by whoever was in power. Oddly-shaped gerrymandered districts carved out safe areas for the party in control. Loyal members got safe districts, making it easy to get re-elected. Maverick politicians were doled out less safe areas.

A bipartisan group of six representatives, led by presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-Texas), released a letter on Thursday calling on President Obama and Congress to scale back military commitments abroad and reduce war spending.

California's cherry harvest resumed June 8 after several days of down time assessing the substantial damage caused by weekend rains. According to Jim Culbertson, executive manager of the California Cherry Advisory Board, about 30 percent of California's cherry crop has been lost.

As the internet shapes up to play a bigger role in 2012, Republican candidates Gov. Gary Johnson and Rep. Ron Paul are using the medium to challenge the mainstream media and their own GOP presidential colleagues.

When economies sour and budgets fail, people look for answers.  And as California's financial misery continues, some are looking to identify the guilty party, but perhaps the system itself is the real culprit.