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Item: Fresno Citizens for Good Government and another group that is trying to improve Fresno Unified School District have teamed up on a Web site -- Save Fresno Unified. Prominent members of Fresno Citizens for Good Government include James and Coke Hallowell, Pete Weber and Nancy Richardson.

Analysis: The Web site serves at least two purposes: publicizing successful programs and changes at Fresno Unified and goading the district into elevating student performance.

In the past, Fresno Citizens for Good Government has been a big fan of district superintendent Michael Hanson. Weber, in fact, spoke at length in support of Hanson's huge pay raise approved by the district board in January.

By the way, you can access the Fresno Teachers Association Web site here.

Here's a sampling of more response on my column about the Valley's agriculture-based economy. First, a word from one of my critics:

"You attempt to tackle two very complex issues.

"Farm labor: The biggest problem is government involvement and a litigious society. Most farmers care about their employees, but the government often condemns housing as being sub-standard. It may not be perfect, but it's livable. (I know what I speak of as I see it firsthand daily).

"Medical care: Farmers and their wives used to help their farm laborers families until the ACLU and other private organizations and government agencies began suing the farmers and land owners for practicing medicine without a license. Once again the government intervention makes the problem worse. (a workers program could be set-up and provide medical care. However, the free loading illegal aliens are using up our resources).

"Water: Your column is correct about Westlands being down the line in priorities. HOWEVER, report the rest of the story. Because a judge (choosing a nice word for [Oliver] Wanger) cut the pumps off at Tracy to save some fish the San Luis reservoir could not be filled with water purchased from northern California. Quit listening to the liberal whiners and report the facts. Currently we have both a judicial and natural drought. THE FIX IS A PERIPHERAL CANAL. Period!!!!!"

Now, some fan mail:

"Your column today struck a chord. When the 160-acre limit was mishandled and no lawyer was monitoring the purchases 160 acres were allotted not only to immediate family but to distant cousins, family pets, almost anything that had breath.

"Then this lake-bottom land had to be treated, and amended to get rid of the alkali and then cotton was planted, and subsidized! It still is subsidized! Cotton is a greedy user of the water we need to grow food. Remember the COTTON trailers with huge banners saying 'Food grows where water flows? What a joke.

"I've heard of plans to reinstate Tulare Lake as a water storage area. Instead of building more dams let some of this water be insurance against our dry years and still provide a fishing and recreation area for our growing population."

Information on using the Tulare Lake basin for water storage is available here from the San Joaquin Valley Water Leadership Forum.

On the net: On the net: How about Britney Spears and John McCain teaming up on the GOP presidential ticket? View the video at Slate (It's about two-thirds down the page).

Laugh of the Day: "A Republican politician from Idaho has endorsed Barack Obama. The last time a Republican switched sides was in an airport men's room." -- Craig Ferguson, "The Late Late Show."

Quote of the Day: "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." -- Jack London, author of "The Call of the Wild"