Question #1: Education
Rohrabacher- He repeated that education is a local issue, and that the federal government should have no involvement in this. Also, he stated that “education money should not be spent to educate people who are here illegally”... He tried to tie this to "illegal immigration", and said that the US should no longer offer student visas to "students from China who are from a potential enemy country".
Brandt- He tried to tie this to his energy plan. According to Jim, “Energy’s the most important thing affecting us now… If we don’t become fossil fuel-independent by 2020, we’ll have a major problem.” He said that we need a new “Apollo” program, which would sponsor high-performing math and science students to go to college, and be trained to become researchers developing new technology that will bring America into the 21st century. He alsosugested that we get rid of the "No Child Left Behind" Act, because teachers are now having to teach for standardized tests instead of the real world. According to Jim, “We need folks who know how to fit things together. We need to get back to the essay exams. We need to get back to teachers who teach.”
Monday, October 23, 2006
More Photos from the Rally
Top: Our amazing DPOC Executive Director Mike Levin (center) is working hard to make sure the party's message is heard.
Middle: CA State Controller Steve Westly (D) meets the press.
Bottom: State Senator Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey), who also happens to be our nominee for Secretary of State, discusses the many failures of the current Secretary, including ignoring the over 500 confirmed cases of illegal voter switching to Republican. She didn't have much difficulty explaining why we need new leadership in the SoS office.
We Stand Together to Protect the Vote
Top: I'm the one behind the rather large Lou Correa sign. Coast College Trustee Candidate (and OC Precinct Captains Head Honcho) Jim Moreno is to the left of me, while DPOC Webmaster Mike Randall is slightly below and to the right of me.Middle: Phil Angelides mentioned that even if Tan "acted alone" with his disgusting "hate mail", he most likely was inspired by Arnold's past admiration of the Minutemen and his disparaging comments about "Mexicans", as well as Bush & Co's efforts to disenfranchise minority voters in 2000 and 2004.
Bottom: DPOC Chairman Frank Barbaro addresses the crowd.
Angelides and Westly Are Here to Join Us in Protecting the Vote
From Left: CA State Controller Steve Westly (D), CA State Treasurer (and Gubernatorial Candidate) Phil Angelides (D), Santa Ana Mayor Miguel PulidoThis morning, several prominent statewide Democrats joined local Democrats to condemn GOP Congressional Candidate Tan Nguyen's nasty "Immigrants can't vote" intimidation letter, as well as vow not to allow Tan and his extreme right-wing cohorts to succeed in scaring away Latino voters.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
More Tan-o-rama!
Top: A look inside the campaign officeMiddle: David Weichert, Tan's criminal defense attorney, speaks with the press
Bottom: Tan (left) walks to the front door with Bill Braniff (right), the campaign's election attorney
The REAL Tan Letter
Here is a copy of the actual letter that Tan Nguyen sent out to over 14,000 LEGAL REGISTERED VOTERS:
You are receiving this letter because you were recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the U.S. we encourage you to participate in the democratic process.
You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time, and you will be deported for voting without having any right to do so.
At the same time, you are advised that the government of the United States is installing a new computer system to verify all new registered voters who vote in the October and November elections. Anti-immigration organizations can ask for information from this new computer system.
Unlike Mexico, here there is no incentive to vote. There is not a voter registration card in the United States. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States.
Do not pay attention to any politician who tells you the opposite. They are only looking out for their own interests. They only want to win elections without any regard to what happens to you.
You are receiving this letter because you were recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the U.S. we encourage you to participate in the democratic process.
You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time, and you will be deported for voting without having any right to do so.
At the same time, you are advised that the government of the United States is installing a new computer system to verify all new registered voters who vote in the October and November elections. Anti-immigration organizations can ask for information from this new computer system.
Unlike Mexico, here there is no incentive to vote. There is not a voter registration card in the United States. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States.
Do not pay attention to any politician who tells you the opposite. They are only looking out for their own interests. They only want to win elections without any regard to what happens to you.
The Supposed Original Letter
Here's the text of the "supposed original letter" that Tan claims was mistranslated when put into Spanish:
You are receiving this letter because you recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the U.S. we encourage you to participate in the democratic process.
However, if you are here illegally or are just a resident with a green card, you should be advised that voting in any Federal Election is a crime and may result in imprisonment, and WILL result in deportation.
In fact, the U.S. Government is in the process of installing a new computer system which will be used to check and verify all new registrants who vote in the October/November elections. Private anti-immigration organizations may also bring a law suit to have access to this new computer system.
Unlike Mexico, there is NO BENEFIT to voting. There is no VOTER CARD in the USA. It is therefore very stupid to vote in any election if you are not a citizen.
Do not pay attention to any politician who tells you anything contrary. They have THEIR OWN INTERESTS. They just want to win elections. They do not care what happens to you.
You are receiving this letter because you recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the U.S. we encourage you to participate in the democratic process.
However, if you are here illegally or are just a resident with a green card, you should be advised that voting in any Federal Election is a crime and may result in imprisonment, and WILL result in deportation.
In fact, the U.S. Government is in the process of installing a new computer system which will be used to check and verify all new registrants who vote in the October/November elections. Private anti-immigration organizations may also bring a law suit to have access to this new computer system.
Unlike Mexico, there is NO BENEFIT to voting. There is no VOTER CARD in the USA. It is therefore very stupid to vote in any election if you are not a citizen.
Do not pay attention to any politician who tells you anything contrary. They have THEIR OWN INTERESTS. They just want to win elections. They do not care what happens to you.
BS from Tan's lawyer
From left: Bill Braniff, Attorney for Tan Nguyen for Congress campaign; Tan Nguyen, the candidate; David Weichert, Tan Nguyen's personal criminal defense attorneyMr. Braniff, who has now volunteered to represent the campaign, is claiming that the campaign engaged in a legal activity by sending out the now-infamous "Immigrants can't vote" letter. He claimed that Tan did not personally approve of the letter, yet he never explained how the campaign had obtained an English version of the letter. He also never let us know who exactly was behind the letter.
If you ask me, I'm not buying any of Tan's bullshit!
Tan's Trying to Spin It Away
Okay, so here's what Tan Nguyen is saying regarding this incident:
In Tan's own words, here is how he's trying to talk hisway out of total political oblivion:
1. "There was no crime committed."
2. "Someone with the campaign had a copy of the letter [to registered Latino voters] in English... It said that if you're an illegal alien or a resident alien, that you're not allowed to vote... When they translated it into Spanish, they just used 'inmigrado'."
3. Latinos still understand that "inmigrado means an illegal alien or a resident alien who's not a citizen."
4. "All the Democrats, as well as Scott Baugh, the Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, made a rush to judgment... So why is there an investigation?"
5. "I am innocent... There is no way in hell I am quitting."
In Tan's own words, here is how he's trying to talk hisway out of total political oblivion:
1. "There was no crime committed."
2. "Someone with the campaign had a copy of the letter [to registered Latino voters] in English... It said that if you're an illegal alien or a resident alien, that you're not allowed to vote... When they translated it into Spanish, they just used 'inmigrado'."
3. Latinos still understand that "inmigrado means an illegal alien or a resident alien who's not a citizen."
4. "All the Democrats, as well as Scott Baugh, the Chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, made a rush to judgment... So why is there an investigation?"
5. "I am innocent... There is no way in hell I am quitting."
BREAKING: Tan Nguyen Remains in Campaign
Congressional Candidate Tan Nguyen, whose campaign has been implicated in the infamous Orange County "Hate Mail" mailer, has just announced that he will still be running against incumbent Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove). Tan stated that "there is no crime committed", and that "armed police terrorized my family and my campaign" when the police searched his home and his campaign office for evidence.
Stay tuned for more info...
Stay tuned for more info...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Tan Tried to Take Her Down...
(Here I am with my amazing Congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez!) But instead, this happened:
Lesson Learned: Don't Mess With Loretta... Especially If You're Using Sleazy and Illegal Campaign Tactics!So Who's Making the News- More Photos from Yesterday
Top: A reporter from the Vietnamese-American media interviews one of the World Can't Wait protesters.Middle: A Reuters reporter asks Assembly Candidate Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana) about "The Sign".
Bottom: DPOC Chairman Frank Barbaro is being interviewed for CNN.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Even More Pics
Top: An anti-"illegal immigration" individual is engaged in a heated conflict with one of the individuals from World Can't Wait.Bottom: Another photo I snapped of the CA DOJ raid in Tan Nguyen's campaign office.
OK, so this is what happened
Earlier today, CA Attorney General Bill Lockyer obtained a court warrant to search GOP Congressional Cadidate Tan Nguyen's campaign office. So when the previously-scheduled Tan Nguyen press conference was about to begin, Tan could not be found. Instead, CA Department of Justice agents were searching the office for evidence.
Local, national, and internet journalists were there to cover the impromptu raid. OC Democratic Party officials were there to denounce Nguyen's fear-mongering among the Latino community. Minutemen were there to condemn "illegal immigration". World Can't Wait activists were there to condemn GOP tactics of race-baiting.
I was there to take photos. View them on this site, and I will be checking in later to give you further updates.
Local, national, and internet journalists were there to cover the impromptu raid. OC Democratic Party officials were there to denounce Nguyen's fear-mongering among the Latino community. Minutemen were there to condemn "illegal immigration". World Can't Wait activists were there to condemn GOP tactics of race-baiting.
I was there to take photos. View them on this site, and I will be checking in later to give you further updates.
"If you vote..."
OC Democratic Party Chairman Frank Barbaro and OC Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Levin are holding the now-infamous "If you vote, you're thrown out" sign.
More Pics from the "Press Conference"
Top: An anti- "illegal immigration" protester argues with Jay Funsch from OC World Can't Wait.
Middle: OC Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Levin talks with 69th Assembly District Candidate Jose Solorio (D).
Bottom: "Are you a resident or illegal? If you vote, you're thrown out." This sign was posted in a heavily Latino neighborhood in Santa Ana. This is another GOP attempt to intimidate Latino voters.
Middle: OC Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Levin talks with 69th Assembly District Candidate Jose Solorio (D).
Bottom: "Are you a resident or illegal? If you vote, you're thrown out." This sign was posted in a heavily Latino neighborhood in Santa Ana. This is another GOP attempt to intimidate Latino voters.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
BREAKING: Tan Nguyen, GOP Opponent of Loretta Sanchez (47th CD), Behind OC Hate Mail
TAN NGUYEN, GOP candidate for CA-47, has been revealed as "Sergio Ramirez", the maysteriuos individual who sent out all those threatening letters to Central Orange County Latinos.
LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/socal/la-me-letter19oct19,0,4407313.story?coll=la-home-headlines
I never had any respect for Tan.
He threatened a blogger:
http://www.theliberaloc.com/2006/09/congressional-candidates-veiled.html
The local GOP has no respect for him (He tried running as a DEM in another district two years ago):
http://www.ocblog.net/ocblog/2006/07/switching_sides.html
Oh, and most importantly, HE'S RUNNING A DISGUSTING SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST MY TERRIFIC CONGRESSWOMAN, Loretta Sanchez (D)!
But anyways, this guy is a real piece of work. He just won't stop sending my family these ridiculous hit pieces. He accuses Loretta of being a "terrorist sympathizer" because she's a friend of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations, a MAINSTREAM civil rights group). He continually attacks her for "supporting illegal immigration" because she supports comprehensive immigration reform. He's even tried to tie Loretta to the Duke Cunningham and William Jefferson scndals (WHAAAAA??!!).
I already knew this guy is a racist...
And I already knew this guy is nuts...
I just didn't imagine that he is a criminal.
LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/socal/la-me-letter19oct19,0,4407313.story?coll=la-home-headlines
I never had any respect for Tan.
He threatened a blogger:
http://www.theliberaloc.com/2006/09/congressional-candidates-veiled.html
The local GOP has no respect for him (He tried running as a DEM in another district two years ago):
http://www.ocblog.net/ocblog/2006/07/switching_sides.html
Oh, and most importantly, HE'S RUNNING A DISGUSTING SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST MY TERRIFIC CONGRESSWOMAN, Loretta Sanchez (D)!
But anyways, this guy is a real piece of work. He just won't stop sending my family these ridiculous hit pieces. He accuses Loretta of being a "terrorist sympathizer" because she's a friend of CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations, a MAINSTREAM civil rights group). He continually attacks her for "supporting illegal immigration" because she supports comprehensive immigration reform. He's even tried to tie Loretta to the Duke Cunningham and William Jefferson scndals (WHAAAAA??!!).
I already knew this guy is a racist...
And I already knew this guy is nuts...
I just didn't imagine that he is a criminal.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
UPDATE: OC Hate Mail Incident Becoming Huge Stinker
OMG, this is getting big!
The New York Times piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/us/politics/18hispanic.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin
AP Wire: http://www.mercurynews.com/
My friends at Orange Juice and The Liberal OC (for all the latest local buzz on this developing story): http://o-juice.blogspot.com
http://www.theliberaloc.com
Yesterday, all the blogs let you know what was happening with these horrifying pieces of "hate mail" sent to Latino voters in the Orange County cities of Garden Grove and Anaheim. Today, this story is now on the AP Wire, which means this has been sent to numerous newspapers throughout the country. Also, the New York Times has a story on this emerging scandal in today's paper. Unfortunately our local paper, The Register, doesn't seem to have a story on this incident in the paper... All I see is a post on their blog from yesterday. Nonetheless, this "Hate Mail Incident" is clearly becoming the biggest scandal to rock Orange County since... Well, since the OC GOP paid canvassers to ILLEGALLY SWITCH voters' registration to Republican starting about a year ago.
So now for the latest that I've seen on this developing story:
- Lynn Daucher, the Republican Senate candidate in SD-34, has now officially condemned the letter. ( http://www.lynndaucher.com/en/lockyer.jpg )
- Barbara Coe, President of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, denies that her group had anything to do with this letter. Apparently, the letter was written on CCIR letterhead... Hmmm... If this is true, then the perpetraitor could face an additional fraud charge. (See AP Wire)
- Governor Arnold at least has the good sense to call this what it is: A HATE CRIME! And now, he's urging AG Lockyer to prosecute the perpetraitor with just that. (See NY Times)
- The OC Democratic Party is standing up to this nasty intimidation, and is offering a training session on Saturday for attornies, candidates, and community activists, to make sure that ALL VOTES are counted here this November. ( http://www.ocdemocrats.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=135&Itemid=9 )
- My Congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez, on the incident: "Santa Ana and Anaheim are the new Ellis Island of the United States... New people are becoming citizens every day, and who knows the sophistication level when they get a letter like this?”
I'll try to keep you updated as I find out more about this.
- Andrew Davey
Concerned OC Voter
The New York Times piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/us/politics/18hispanic.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin
AP Wire: http://www.mercurynews.com/
My friends at Orange Juice and The Liberal OC (for all the latest local buzz on this developing story): http://o-juice.blogspot.com
http://www.theliberaloc.com
Yesterday, all the blogs let you know what was happening with these horrifying pieces of "hate mail" sent to Latino voters in the Orange County cities of Garden Grove and Anaheim. Today, this story is now on the AP Wire, which means this has been sent to numerous newspapers throughout the country. Also, the New York Times has a story on this emerging scandal in today's paper. Unfortunately our local paper, The Register, doesn't seem to have a story on this incident in the paper... All I see is a post on their blog from yesterday. Nonetheless, this "Hate Mail Incident" is clearly becoming the biggest scandal to rock Orange County since... Well, since the OC GOP paid canvassers to ILLEGALLY SWITCH voters' registration to Republican starting about a year ago.
So now for the latest that I've seen on this developing story:
- Lynn Daucher, the Republican Senate candidate in SD-34, has now officially condemned the letter. ( http://www.lynndaucher.com/en/lockyer.jpg )
- Barbara Coe, President of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, denies that her group had anything to do with this letter. Apparently, the letter was written on CCIR letterhead... Hmmm... If this is true, then the perpetraitor could face an additional fraud charge. (See AP Wire)
- Governor Arnold at least has the good sense to call this what it is: A HATE CRIME! And now, he's urging AG Lockyer to prosecute the perpetraitor with just that. (See NY Times)
- The OC Democratic Party is standing up to this nasty intimidation, and is offering a training session on Saturday for attornies, candidates, and community activists, to make sure that ALL VOTES are counted here this November. ( http://www.ocdemocrats.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=135&Itemid=9 )
- My Congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez, on the incident: "Santa Ana and Anaheim are the new Ellis Island of the United States... New people are becoming citizens every day, and who knows the sophistication level when they get a letter like this?”
I'll try to keep you updated as I find out more about this.
- Andrew Davey
Concerned OC Voter
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Latino Voter Suppression in Orange County SD-34
This is happening in my home district... I know I shouldn't be shocked, but I am!
LA Times story: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-scare17oct17,0,6121284.story?coll=la-home-headlines
My friend Claudio's story on local blog, Orange Juice: http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2006/10/latino-voter-intimidation-in-34th.html
Supposedly, the California Coalitiion for Immigration Reform, a known hate group headed by known racists, has apparently sent a letter to Latino voters in MY STATE SENATE DISTRICT that has threatened "illegal aliens who vote" with arrests... And possible deportation! Here's a sample of the letter:
"You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time..." And remember: This was sent to US CITIZENS, who also happened to be REGISTERED VOTERS!
This is a clear attempt to scare Latinos into staying at home next month. Apparently Lynn Daucher, the Republican candidate for State Senate in my district, and her campaign were not involved in this. Also, the CCIR itself is claiming that it had no part in this mailing. Apparently the letter was on CCIR letterhead, and signed off by someone named Sergio Ramirez. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is now investigating this illegal campaign trick.
This is clearly another sign that the local OC right-wing establishment is still trying to suppress the Latino Democratic vote. You see, Orange County right-wingers have a history of In 1988, the OC Republicans paid for security guards to stand near the polling places and intimidate Latinos. In 1996, then-Congressman "B-1" Bob Dornan cried "fraud" when he lost reelection to Democrat Loretta Sanchez. In 2005, the OC Republicans began a paid canvassing effort that paid these folks $13 a head to get new Republican voters... Apparently, several hundred of them were ILLEGALLY SWITCHED! And now, we have to deal with this letter!
This letter is clearly another illegal GOP tactic to suppress our base. They're trying to win my Senate District back after being beaten by progressive Democrat Joe Dunn TWICE (in 1998, and again in 2002)... Also, they're ultimately trying to regain enough momentum in Central OC to knock off Democrat Loretta Sanchez from Congress... Yes, THAT LORETTA SANCHEZ that beat B-1 Bob ten years ago! They know that they can't win my area fair and square, so they have to resort to dirty tricks in order to make inroads here.
If you know anyone in Central Orange County who has recieved this letter, REPORT IT TO THE AUTHORITIES! This just might be a new low in GOP dirty tricks.
LA Times story: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-scare17oct17,0,6121284.story?coll=la-home-headlines
My friend Claudio's story on local blog, Orange Juice: http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2006/10/latino-voter-intimidation-in-34th.html
Supposedly, the California Coalitiion for Immigration Reform, a known hate group headed by known racists, has apparently sent a letter to Latino voters in MY STATE SENATE DISTRICT that has threatened "illegal aliens who vote" with arrests... And possible deportation! Here's a sample of the letter:
"You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time..." And remember: This was sent to US CITIZENS, who also happened to be REGISTERED VOTERS!
This is a clear attempt to scare Latinos into staying at home next month. Apparently Lynn Daucher, the Republican candidate for State Senate in my district, and her campaign were not involved in this. Also, the CCIR itself is claiming that it had no part in this mailing. Apparently the letter was on CCIR letterhead, and signed off by someone named Sergio Ramirez. California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is now investigating this illegal campaign trick.
This is clearly another sign that the local OC right-wing establishment is still trying to suppress the Latino Democratic vote. You see, Orange County right-wingers have a history of In 1988, the OC Republicans paid for security guards to stand near the polling places and intimidate Latinos. In 1996, then-Congressman "B-1" Bob Dornan cried "fraud" when he lost reelection to Democrat Loretta Sanchez. In 2005, the OC Republicans began a paid canvassing effort that paid these folks $13 a head to get new Republican voters... Apparently, several hundred of them were ILLEGALLY SWITCHED! And now, we have to deal with this letter!
This letter is clearly another illegal GOP tactic to suppress our base. They're trying to win my Senate District back after being beaten by progressive Democrat Joe Dunn TWICE (in 1998, and again in 2002)... Also, they're ultimately trying to regain enough momentum in Central OC to knock off Democrat Loretta Sanchez from Congress... Yes, THAT LORETTA SANCHEZ that beat B-1 Bob ten years ago! They know that they can't win my area fair and square, so they have to resort to dirty tricks in order to make inroads here.
If you know anyone in Central Orange County who has recieved this letter, REPORT IT TO THE AUTHORITIES! This just might be a new low in GOP dirty tricks.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
CYD Walk for Lou Correa
The California Young Democrats and the Young Democrats of America are using an innovative new tool to reach out to young voters! With the Peer-to-Peer program, young people talk to fellow young people about the importance of voting in the next election. We can relate to our fellow young voters in ways that mailers and slick TV ads never can!
I'm sure you heard that young voters (age 18-30) were the ONLY age demographic group that broke for John Kerry (nationally) in 2004. If more young people voted, we'd have a Democratic White House today! This is why it's crucial that we turn out young voters in Orange County this year for Phil Angelides for Governor and Lou Correa for State Senate. WE CAN BE THE MARGIN OF VICTORY in this critical race!
Please join us on Saturday as we get out and walk for Democrat Lou Correa in SD 34. This is the closest race in California right now, and the Republicans are dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars here to turn the area "red" again. Now if the Republicans succeed here, they won't stop with our Senate District. They'll knock off our Assembly seat... And ultimately, they will go after my great Congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez (D), once again! Now I know that if we work together, we can keep central Orange County blue... That's why I'm asking for your help this weekend!
If you are interested in being the margin of victory, please contact the Young Democrat Alliance 2006 campaign office at (714) 277-4499 or email campaigndirector@youngdems.org.
I'm sure you heard that young voters (age 18-30) were the ONLY age demographic group that broke for John Kerry (nationally) in 2004. If more young people voted, we'd have a Democratic White House today! This is why it's crucial that we turn out young voters in Orange County this year for Phil Angelides for Governor and Lou Correa for State Senate. WE CAN BE THE MARGIN OF VICTORY in this critical race!
Please join us on Saturday as we get out and walk for Democrat Lou Correa in SD 34. This is the closest race in California right now, and the Republicans are dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars here to turn the area "red" again. Now if the Republicans succeed here, they won't stop with our Senate District. They'll knock off our Assembly seat... And ultimately, they will go after my great Congresswoman, Loretta Sanchez (D), once again! Now I know that if we work together, we can keep central Orange County blue... That's why I'm asking for your help this weekend!
If you are interested in being the margin of victory, please contact the Young Democrat Alliance 2006 campaign office at (714) 277-4499 or email campaigndirector@youngdems.org.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Join Phil Angelides on Saturday in Orange!
Join us on Saturday at the Orange County Central Labor Council as we help ALL OUR LOCAL CENTRAL OC CANDIDATES!
From Florice Hoffman's Campaign for Congress in the 40th District:
Precinct Walking, Rally, Bar-B-Q and Fun
Please join the following candidates:
§ Phil Angelides for Governor
§ John Garamendi for Lt. Governor
§ John Chiang for Controller
§ Lou Correa for State Senate
§ Jose Solorio for State Assembly
§ Florice Orea Hoffman for Congress
…and much more!
Where:
Orange County Labor Council
2020 W Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92868
When: 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
To RSVP: email florice@Hoffman2006.com ,
or call Florice at 626-524-5965
http://www.Hoffman2006.com
From Florice Hoffman's Campaign for Congress in the 40th District:
Precinct Walking, Rally, Bar-B-Q and Fun
Please join the following candidates:
§ Phil Angelides for Governor
§ John Garamendi for Lt. Governor
§ John Chiang for Controller
§ Lou Correa for State Senate
§ Jose Solorio for State Assembly
§ Florice Orea Hoffman for Congress
…and much more!
Where:
Orange County Labor Council
2020 W Chapman Ave
Orange, CA 92868
When: 09:00 AM - 01:00 PM
To RSVP: email florice@Hoffman2006.com ,
or call Florice at 626-524-5965
http://www.Hoffman2006.com
Illegal Late-Night Calls in the 50th
Bilbray's campaign is up to their dirty tricks again in the 50th District! They have been "auto dialing" people in the 50th District with a message that sounds like it's a Busby Campaign message. Many of these calls are set to auto-dial late at night, intentionally waking people up.
I got an email from Francine Busby's campaign last night... And they're not happy with this
deceptive move:
"It's unfortunate that Brian Bilbray is resorting to these dirty tricks, but it's an indication of just how nervous he is about this election. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has spent over $140,000 in the last two weeks to attack me with mail pieces, auto-dialed calls and "push" polls (highly negative polls with attack messages imbedded)."
Yep, the GOPers really don't know how to win without getting dirty (and often, illegal)!
On Calitics: http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1181
On Daily Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/13/123912/24
I got an email from Francine Busby's campaign last night... And they're not happy with this
deceptive move:
"It's unfortunate that Brian Bilbray is resorting to these dirty tricks, but it's an indication of just how nervous he is about this election. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has spent over $140,000 in the last two weeks to attack me with mail pieces, auto-dialed calls and "push" polls (highly negative polls with attack messages imbedded)."
Yep, the GOPers really don't know how to win without getting dirty (and often, illegal)!
On Calitics: http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1181
On Daily Kos: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/13/123912/24
Saturday, October 07, 2006
CA-Gov: How 'Bout that Debate?
I just finished watching the Governor's "Debate" on my local PBS station... And I didn't quite expect everything that was coming...
Of course, Ahhnuld talked his usual rhetoric... Now I DID expect that! Yes, he mentioned "tonight's the third anniversary of my election" (the recall). Yes, he constantly brough up "As an immigrant, I..." to answer at least half the question. Yes, he tried to scare us with taxes, saying "I can tell by the joy I see in your eyes that you love to raise taxes... Why don't you just say right now, 'I love increasing your taxes."' Yes, he talked about "bringing together Republicans and Democrats"... And then, he talked about Sargent Shriver's commitment to "giving back to the community" and how he shared his uncle-in-law's views on that! It's funny how he didn't want to talk about taking away rights from workers last year in his bungled special election (which he still describes as "good reform measures")...
Then there was Phil. Our Democratic candidate, Phil Anglides, talked about the failed special election last year. He reminded everyone about Arnold's attempt to privatize retirement benefits for police and fire. He reminded us of the millions of dollars Arnold has been receiving from oil comapnies, HMO companies, private developers, and other special interests that he was supposedly "free from". He reminded us of Arnold's statement to reporters a couple of weeks ago that he "has no plan" to balance the budget...
But more importantly, Phil talked about his plan to balance the budget. Angelides proposed streamlining state government and about $1 billion in waste, ending all corporate tax loopholes, and "asking the richest 1% of Californians to pay their fair share". He also compared his financial plan to Bill Clinton's in 1992... Personally, I think this is quite smart because Clinton is still VERY POPULAR on the "Left Coast"... And Bush & his cronies are not! Phil also continually brought up Arnold's special interest donors... Hmmm, so much for Arnold's "I take no crap from special interests" shtick. Overall, Arnold seemed to stick to his old rhetoric. Phil was strongly challenging Arnold on all his rhetoric and how it doesn't always reflect how he really governs. "It goes to who you can trust and whose bidding you're doing," Angelides said about Arnold's dependence on special interests. Hopefully, "average California voters" will look past the tired, old rhetoric and finally take notice of Phil's plan... And hopefully, this will be the turning point of a floundering Angelides campaign.
The AP's take (Via LA Times):
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-debate8oct08,0,2442105.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Of course, Ahhnuld talked his usual rhetoric... Now I DID expect that! Yes, he mentioned "tonight's the third anniversary of my election" (the recall). Yes, he constantly brough up "As an immigrant, I..." to answer at least half the question. Yes, he tried to scare us with taxes, saying "I can tell by the joy I see in your eyes that you love to raise taxes... Why don't you just say right now, 'I love increasing your taxes."' Yes, he talked about "bringing together Republicans and Democrats"... And then, he talked about Sargent Shriver's commitment to "giving back to the community" and how he shared his uncle-in-law's views on that! It's funny how he didn't want to talk about taking away rights from workers last year in his bungled special election (which he still describes as "good reform measures")...
Then there was Phil. Our Democratic candidate, Phil Anglides, talked about the failed special election last year. He reminded everyone about Arnold's attempt to privatize retirement benefits for police and fire. He reminded us of the millions of dollars Arnold has been receiving from oil comapnies, HMO companies, private developers, and other special interests that he was supposedly "free from". He reminded us of Arnold's statement to reporters a couple of weeks ago that he "has no plan" to balance the budget...
But more importantly, Phil talked about his plan to balance the budget. Angelides proposed streamlining state government and about $1 billion in waste, ending all corporate tax loopholes, and "asking the richest 1% of Californians to pay their fair share". He also compared his financial plan to Bill Clinton's in 1992... Personally, I think this is quite smart because Clinton is still VERY POPULAR on the "Left Coast"... And Bush & his cronies are not! Phil also continually brought up Arnold's special interest donors... Hmmm, so much for Arnold's "I take no crap from special interests" shtick. Overall, Arnold seemed to stick to his old rhetoric. Phil was strongly challenging Arnold on all his rhetoric and how it doesn't always reflect how he really governs. "It goes to who you can trust and whose bidding you're doing," Angelides said about Arnold's dependence on special interests. Hopefully, "average California voters" will look past the tired, old rhetoric and finally take notice of Phil's plan... And hopefully, this will be the turning point of a floundering Angelides campaign.
The AP's take (Via LA Times):
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-debate8oct08,0,2442105.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Thursday, October 05, 2006
My Take on Foley-gate
Foley's another embarrassing closet case... And he now wants sympathy from us!
Now I won't try to speak for HRC and the "so-called homosexual agenda", but I am simply disgusted by him! He did nothing to help us when we needed it, and now he's only hurting us by reinforcing the "all gay men are child molesters" stereotype. He's embarrassing, and is not a part of our fine community! Foley has done nothing for our community... If anything, he's helped prop up the party that continually uses us as a "wedge issue" and a "scare tactic".
And now, he wants our help and sympathy?! HELL, NO!
He could have come out of the closet earlier! He could have sought treatment of whatever the hell the has before he started hunting after teenage pages. Many people seek help after being abused, and end up living happy and fulfilling lives. Foley could have sought professional help if he were truly abused in his past, but instead he turned to a life of preying after other young boys. Most importantly, he could have come out of his closet! Many of us do, and have never regretted it since. In fact, quite a few openly queer people are now serving their communities as elected officials. Foley never did that... Instead, he allowed the GOP leadership to keep him in the closet, and then hid behind his "Maf54" screen name to prey after minors. This is simply disgusting.
But he didn't do any of this!
And he gets no sympathy from me!
And he shouldn't get ANY SYMPATHY from any of us in the LGBT community!
He never stood with us... And now knowing all that he's a sexual predator, I don't think we would've ever wanted him standing with us!...
But anyways, we shouldn't feel obligated to stand with this sorry soul.
Now I won't try to speak for HRC and the "so-called homosexual agenda", but I am simply disgusted by him! He did nothing to help us when we needed it, and now he's only hurting us by reinforcing the "all gay men are child molesters" stereotype. He's embarrassing, and is not a part of our fine community! Foley has done nothing for our community... If anything, he's helped prop up the party that continually uses us as a "wedge issue" and a "scare tactic".
And now, he wants our help and sympathy?! HELL, NO!
He could have come out of the closet earlier! He could have sought treatment of whatever the hell the has before he started hunting after teenage pages. Many people seek help after being abused, and end up living happy and fulfilling lives. Foley could have sought professional help if he were truly abused in his past, but instead he turned to a life of preying after other young boys. Most importantly, he could have come out of his closet! Many of us do, and have never regretted it since. In fact, quite a few openly queer people are now serving their communities as elected officials. Foley never did that... Instead, he allowed the GOP leadership to keep him in the closet, and then hid behind his "Maf54" screen name to prey after minors. This is simply disgusting.
But he didn't do any of this!
And he gets no sympathy from me!
And he shouldn't get ANY SYMPATHY from any of us in the LGBT community!
He never stood with us... And now knowing all that he's a sexual predator, I don't think we would've ever wanted him standing with us!...
But anyways, we shouldn't feel obligated to stand with this sorry soul.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Some Thoughts on Abortion, And Being "Pro-life"
"There are some Chruch doctrines that one cannot disagree with without placing oneself outside the Church -- and that direct abortion is the extinguishing of an innocent unborn life is one of those... Ensuring access to affordable healthcare isn't."
- A Prominent Local Blogger
I'm sorry, but I (and many of my Christian friends and family) would beg to differ!
Personally, I feel that Democrats like Lou Correa (my next State Senator!) and Bob Casey (running for US Senate in PA!) show a genuine "pro-life" sentiment that we usually don't see:
They care about mothers before they give birth, as well as after!
Now how can one call him/herself "pro-life", and then cut funding for the Healthy Families program, which provides affordable health insurance to thousands of children in low-income families?
How can one call oneself "pro-life", and then refuse to work to REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS by providing comprehensive sex education in the classroom and in the community, as well as LIMIT THE AVAILABILITY OF CONTRACEPTION... Even outlawing the morning-after pill from being available over-the-counter?
How can one call oneself "pro-life", and limit these kids' future opportunities by cutting Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and other financial aid programs to send these future students to college?
I'm sorry, but I don't understand how these folks can call themselves "pro-life", and stop caring about the lives of women and children after these children are born?
My dad understands this. He's pro-life, and he cares about these kids after they're born as well.
- A Prominent Local Blogger
I'm sorry, but I (and many of my Christian friends and family) would beg to differ!
Personally, I feel that Democrats like Lou Correa (my next State Senator!) and Bob Casey (running for US Senate in PA!) show a genuine "pro-life" sentiment that we usually don't see:
They care about mothers before they give birth, as well as after!
Now how can one call him/herself "pro-life", and then cut funding for the Healthy Families program, which provides affordable health insurance to thousands of children in low-income families?
How can one call oneself "pro-life", and then refuse to work to REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS by providing comprehensive sex education in the classroom and in the community, as well as LIMIT THE AVAILABILITY OF CONTRACEPTION... Even outlawing the morning-after pill from being available over-the-counter?
How can one call oneself "pro-life", and limit these kids' future opportunities by cutting Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and other financial aid programs to send these future students to college?
I'm sorry, but I don't understand how these folks can call themselves "pro-life", and stop caring about the lives of women and children after these children are born?
My dad understands this. He's pro-life, and he cares about these kids after they're born as well.
Friday, September 29, 2006
My Continued Frustration with Our Leadership
Now I hope that this torture bill eventually reaches a wonderful demise in the hands of a principled Supreme Court and a reinvigorated Democratic Congress... I really do!
It's just that these DC Dems have been breaking my will, and breaking my heart, for too long.
First, no challenge to Selection 2000.
Then, the Bush Tax Scam.
Then, the PATRIOT Act.
Then, the Iraq War.
And the late-term abortion ban.
And the bankruptcy bill.
And Roberts... Oh, and let's not forget Scalito.
And now, this.
OK, so perhaps I'm whining too much right now...
But I think we all have A RIGHT TO MOURN FOR OUR CONSTITUTUION RIGHT NOW!
Now I hope that the Supremes muster up the huevos that our lame-ass Congress couldn't, and this torture act comes to an end.
It's just that these DC Dems have been breaking my will, and breaking my heart, for too long.
First, no challenge to Selection 2000.
Then, the Bush Tax Scam.
Then, the PATRIOT Act.
Then, the Iraq War.
And the late-term abortion ban.
And the bankruptcy bill.
And Roberts... Oh, and let's not forget Scalito.
And now, this.
OK, so perhaps I'm whining too much right now...
But I think we all have A RIGHT TO MOURN FOR OUR CONSTITUTUION RIGHT NOW!
Now I hope that the Supremes muster up the huevos that our lame-ass Congress couldn't, and this torture act comes to an end.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Is This White House "Devilish"?
What happened to our nation? How could we even be considering legalizing torture, for goodness sakes? How could we stoop this low?
Oh, thats right... We have those crooks in the White House!
At first I thought Hugo Chavez was off his rocker when he called Bush "the Devil"... Now I think he's onto something!
Bush & Co have to turn around and try to legalize torture! This administration is now trying to destroy the basic principles of this nation. They are trying to turn our open society into a tyrrannical police state!
I love this nation, and want to continue seeing it as a beacon of liberty and justice for all...That's why I'm sickened by this attempt to rip our Constitution to shreds.
Oh, thats right... We have those crooks in the White House!
At first I thought Hugo Chavez was off his rocker when he called Bush "the Devil"... Now I think he's onto something!
Bush & Co have to turn around and try to legalize torture! This administration is now trying to destroy the basic principles of this nation. They are trying to turn our open society into a tyrrannical police state!
I love this nation, and want to continue seeing it as a beacon of liberty and justice for all...That's why I'm sickened by this attempt to rip our Constitution to shreds.
Say No to Torture!
Here's a copy of the email I sent to my members of Congress regarding this sham "torture compromise" that will be voted on in Congress shortly. I hope this inspires you to call on your members of Congress to reject this "compormise" of our basic American values. Oh, and use this to look up your representatives in Washington:
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=508&pg=makeACall&JServSessionIdr006=3ot54jssm2.app20a
I am extremely concerned about the proposed "torture compromise" that was made last week. Apparently, Sens. McCain, Graham, and Warner now have no problem rendering Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions unenforceable. Apparently, they no longer have a problem allowing the White House to decide for itself whether or not it "wants to" abide by the Geneva Conventions. Apparently, "a little bit of torture" isn't so bad to them now.
How dare anyone propose "compromising" our core principle of human rights! How dare we even consider rewriting our laws on torture when we have condemned numerous other nations for violating these same principles. This nation has always stood for the principle of "liberty and justice for all" for many years now. We may not be perfect, but at least we've tried. Now all of this may be lost. This may be a dangerously slippery slope. If we allow "compromise" on this, then which basic American value will be next?
Please, I urge you to reject this watered-down "compromise" on torture. We were all disgusted by Abu Ghraib. We've been disheartened by Guantanamo. We've been embarrassed by "extraordinary renditions". Now the White House has claimed that these actions "make us safer". This could not be farther from the truth! If anything, these actions inflict serious scars on our reputation among the global community. These actions do not protect us from terror, but rather encourage acts of terror. If we do not treat our detainees humanely, then what will stop our enemies from abusing our troops? Let's not allow this White House to trample upon the Constitution, and endanger our troops and citizens, any longer.
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?alertId=508&pg=makeACall&JServSessionIdr006=3ot54jssm2.app20a
I am extremely concerned about the proposed "torture compromise" that was made last week. Apparently, Sens. McCain, Graham, and Warner now have no problem rendering Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions unenforceable. Apparently, they no longer have a problem allowing the White House to decide for itself whether or not it "wants to" abide by the Geneva Conventions. Apparently, "a little bit of torture" isn't so bad to them now.
How dare anyone propose "compromising" our core principle of human rights! How dare we even consider rewriting our laws on torture when we have condemned numerous other nations for violating these same principles. This nation has always stood for the principle of "liberty and justice for all" for many years now. We may not be perfect, but at least we've tried. Now all of this may be lost. This may be a dangerously slippery slope. If we allow "compromise" on this, then which basic American value will be next?
Please, I urge you to reject this watered-down "compromise" on torture. We were all disgusted by Abu Ghraib. We've been disheartened by Guantanamo. We've been embarrassed by "extraordinary renditions". Now the White House has claimed that these actions "make us safer". This could not be farther from the truth! If anything, these actions inflict serious scars on our reputation among the global community. These actions do not protect us from terror, but rather encourage acts of terror. If we do not treat our detainees humanely, then what will stop our enemies from abusing our troops? Let's not allow this White House to trample upon the Constitution, and endanger our troops and citizens, any longer.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Facts About SD 34
Okay, so in case any of you don't know, I live in CA's 34th State Senate District... Basically, this will be the most competitive legislative race in the state. Now I understand that many of my Repug friends would like to say that Lynn Daucher (the R candidiate) has the upper hand in this race (To her credit, she already has a $400k war chest, while we're still catching up), I would beg to differ. Here are some plain facts about this race:
Fact: SD 34 is a minority-majority district. Lou Correa (the Democrat) is a Latino who has lived in the area his whole life, while Daucher is coming here from "lily-white" Brea.
Fact: Eminent domain can be a big issue in Central OC. While Correa has been on the record opposing eminent domain abuse, Daucher abused eminent domain herself while on the Brea City Council.
Fact: Correa has numerous volunteers walking for him every weekend, as well as calling every evening. Now Daucher... I have no clue.
Fact: The CDP (state Dems) just opened an office in Anaheim, and they're "ready to rumble". Hmmm... Does Team GOP even have an office near SD 34?
Fact: Don Perata's ready to go "all in" for Lou, while Dick Ackerman's already "all in" for Lynn.
Fact: Arnold doesn't seem to have coattails with any other GOP candidates (save possibly McPherson and Poizner... and Poizner's now in deep s*** over lying about insurance co donations)... But anyways, Loretta always seems to ahve coattails in Central OC! And Loretta wants to make sure SD 34 stays blue.
So while Lou may have to fight hard to win this seat, he probably still has the upper hand. Especially now that the CDP is going all out on this one, you better believe they won't stop fighting until they see victory on Nov 7.
Fact: SD 34 is a minority-majority district. Lou Correa (the Democrat) is a Latino who has lived in the area his whole life, while Daucher is coming here from "lily-white" Brea.
Fact: Eminent domain can be a big issue in Central OC. While Correa has been on the record opposing eminent domain abuse, Daucher abused eminent domain herself while on the Brea City Council.
Fact: Correa has numerous volunteers walking for him every weekend, as well as calling every evening. Now Daucher... I have no clue.
Fact: The CDP (state Dems) just opened an office in Anaheim, and they're "ready to rumble". Hmmm... Does Team GOP even have an office near SD 34?
Fact: Don Perata's ready to go "all in" for Lou, while Dick Ackerman's already "all in" for Lynn.
Fact: Arnold doesn't seem to have coattails with any other GOP candidates (save possibly McPherson and Poizner... and Poizner's now in deep s*** over lying about insurance co donations)... But anyways, Loretta always seems to ahve coattails in Central OC! And Loretta wants to make sure SD 34 stays blue.
So while Lou may have to fight hard to win this seat, he probably still has the upper hand. Especially now that the CDP is going all out on this one, you better believe they won't stop fighting until they see victory on Nov 7.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Thoughts on Peace
I just watched an interesting video on YouTube about the principle of peace...
Go ahead and watch it for yourself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEOcu5eBDUE
jpwipf brought up an interesting point, and I'd like to add my two cents to this:
All we want is an end to this horrible war.
All the Iraqis want is an end to this horrible war.
The Israelis want to live peacefully and securely in their own land. The Palestineans want this as well.
Another world is possible. Sometimes we forget to realize that while we allow ourselves to be scared by so-called "leaders" who coerce us into supporting this perpetual cycle of violence. Sometimes we forget as our so-called "leaders" scare us with "terror alerts", visions of "mushroom clouds", and "bogeymen".
We are coerced into fearing our fellow humankind beacause they are "different", and therefore they are "dangerous".
We are convinced that we need to sacrifice our liberties for the sake of security, but in the end we have neither.
We are convinced that by fighting perpetual war, we will one day obtain peace. What type of bizarre logic is that?
Another world is possible. We just need to stop and think.
Go ahead and watch it for yourself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEOcu5eBDUE
jpwipf brought up an interesting point, and I'd like to add my two cents to this:
All we want is an end to this horrible war.
All the Iraqis want is an end to this horrible war.
The Israelis want to live peacefully and securely in their own land. The Palestineans want this as well.
Another world is possible. Sometimes we forget to realize that while we allow ourselves to be scared by so-called "leaders" who coerce us into supporting this perpetual cycle of violence. Sometimes we forget as our so-called "leaders" scare us with "terror alerts", visions of "mushroom clouds", and "bogeymen".
We are coerced into fearing our fellow humankind beacause they are "different", and therefore they are "dangerous".
We are convinced that we need to sacrifice our liberties for the sake of security, but in the end we have neither.
We are convinced that by fighting perpetual war, we will one day obtain peace. What type of bizarre logic is that?
Another world is possible. We just need to stop and think.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
A Great American Hero(ine) Has Passed
A great American leader has left our planet earth today. Former Texas Governor Anne Richards made history, well... why dont we call it "HER STORY"?!... by being the first woman to win TX Governor in half a century, appointing more women and minorities to state posts than any of her predecessors, and let's face it... She was just amazing.
I mean, who else would say this when asked what she might have done differently as Governor:
"Oh, I would probably have raised more hell."
We'll all miss you, Ann.- Andrew : )
Oh, and read the full obit piece on Austin American-Statesman' s website: http://www.statesma n.com/news/ content/gen/ ap/TX_Obit_ Richards. html?COXnetJSessionIDbui ld161=FISMq3j3zH s2sKF7kFTwEBhAKn t5xyWYWKAIp1jBO9 Pn4Qp1d6N8!499531734& UrAuth=`NXNUObNW UbTTUWUXUWUZTYU_ UWUcU\UZU]UZUcTYWYWZV& urcm=y
I mean, who else would say this when asked what she might have done differently as Governor:
"Oh, I would probably have raised more hell."
We'll all miss you, Ann.- Andrew : )
Oh, and read the full obit piece on Austin American-Statesman' s website: http://www.statesma n.com/news/ content/gen/ ap/TX_Obit_ Richards. html?COXnetJSessionIDbui ld161=FISMq3j3zH s2sKF7kFTwEBhAKn t5xyWYWKAIp1jBO9 Pn4Qp1d6N8!499531734& UrAuth=`NXNUObNW UbTTUWUXUWUZTYU_ UWUcU\UZU]UZUcTYWYWZV& urcm=y
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Keith Olbermann's 9/11 Special Comment
I just caught the "Countdown" rerun on MSNBC...
When Olbermann gave his speech, it almost felt like the spirit of Edward R. Murrow was being rekindled.
Finally... something that actually SHOULD BE ON TV is on tv!
May God bless his soul.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/
Here's Keith Olbermann's full speech below:
Sept. 11, 2006 8:32 p.m. ET
This hole in the ground
Half a lifetime ago, I worked in this now-empty space. And for 40 days after the attacks, I worked here again, trying to make sense of what happened, and was yet to happen, as a reporter.
All the time, I knew that the very air I breathed contained the remains of thousands of people, including four of my friends, two in the planes and -- as I discovered from those "missing posters" seared still into my soul -- two more in the Towers.
And I knew too, that this was the pyre for hundreds of New York policemen and firemen, of whom my family can claim half a dozen or more, as our ancestors.
I belabor this to emphasize that, for me this was, and is, and always shall be, personal.
And anyone who claims that I and others like me are "soft,"or have "forgotten" the lessons of what happened here is at best a grasping, opportunistic, dilettante and at worst, an idiot whether he is a commentator, or a Vice President, or a President.
However, of all the things those of us who were here five years ago could have forecast -- of all the nightmares that unfolded before our eyes, and the others that unfolded only in our minds -- none of us could have predicted this.
Five years later this space is still empty.
Five years later there is no memorial to the dead.
Five years later there is no building rising to show with proud defiance that we would not have our America wrung from us, by cowards and criminals.
Five years later this country's wound is still open.
Five years later this country's mass grave is still unmarked.
Five years later this is still just a background for a photo-op.
It is beyond shameful.
At the dedication of the Gettysburg Memorial -- barely four months after the last soldier staggered from another Pennsylvania field -- Mr. Lincoln said, "we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
Lincoln used those words to immortalize their sacrifice.
Today our leaders could use those same words to rationalize their reprehensible inaction. "We cannot dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground." So we won't.
Instead they bicker and buck pass. They thwart private efforts, and jostle to claim credit for initiatives that go nowhere. They spend the money on irrelevant wars, and elaborate self-congratulations, and buying off columnists to write how good a job they're doing instead of doing any job at all.
Five years later, Mr. Bush, we are still fighting the terrorists on these streets. And look carefully, sir, on these 16 empty acres. The terrorists are clearly, still winning.
And, in a crime against every victim here and every patriotic sentiment you mouthed but did not enact, you have done nothing about it.
And there is something worse still than this vast gaping hole in this city, and in the fabric of our nation. There is its symbolism of the promise unfulfilled, the urgent oath, reduced to lazy execution.
The only positive on 9/11 and the days and weeks that so slowly and painfully followed it was the unanimous humanity, here, and throughout the country. The government, the President in particular, was given every possible measure of support.
Those who did not belong to his party -- tabled that.
Those who doubted the mechanics of his election -- ignored that.
Those who wondered of his qualifications -- forgot that.
History teaches us that nearly unanimous support of a government cannot be taken away from that government by its critics. It can only be squandered by those who use it not to heal a nation's wounds, but to take political advantage.
Terrorists did not come and steal our newly-regained sense of being American first, and political, fiftieth. Nor did the Democrats. Nor did the media. Nor did the people.
The President -- and those around him -- did that.
They promised bi-partisanship, and then showed that to them, "bi-partisanship" meant that their party would rule and the rest would have to follow, or be branded, with ever-escalating hysteria, as morally or intellectually confused, as appeasers, as those who, in the Vice President's words yesterday, "validate the strategy of the terrorists."
They promised protection, and then showed that to them "protection" meant going to war against a despot whose hand they had once shaken, a despot who we now learn from our own Senate Intelligence Committee, hated al-Qaida as much as we did.
The polite phrase for how so many of us were duped into supporting a war, on the false premise that it had 'something to do' with 9/11 is "lying by implication."
The impolite phrase is "impeachable offense."
Not once in now five years has this President ever offered to assume responsibility for the failures that led to this empty space, and to this, the current, curdled, version of our beloved country.
Still, there is a last snapping flame from a final candle of respect and fairness: even his most virulent critics have never suggested he alone bears the full brunt of the blame for 9/11.
Half the time, in fact, this President has been so gently treated, that he has seemed not even to be the man most responsible for anything in his own administration.
Yet what is happening this very night?
A mini-series, created, influenced -- possibly financed by -- the most radical and cold of domestic political Machiavellis, continues to be televised into our homes.
The documented truths of the last fifteen years are replaced by bald-faced lies; the talking points of the current regime parroted; the whole sorry story blurred, by spin, to make the party out of office seem vacillating and impotent, and the party in office, seem like the only option.
How dare you, Mr. President, after taking cynical advantage of the unanimity and love, and transmuting it into fraudulent war and needless death, after monstrously transforming it into fear and suspicion and turning that fear into the campaign slogan of three elections? How dare you -- or those around you -- ever "spin" 9/11?
Just as the terrorists have succeeded -- are still succeeding -- as long as there is no memorial and no construction here at Ground Zero.
So, too, have they succeeded, and are still succeeding as long as this government uses 9/11 as a wedge to pit Americans against Americans.
This is an odd point to cite a television program, especially one from March of 1960. But as Disney's continuing sell-out of the truth (and this country) suggests, even television programs can be powerful things.
And long ago, a series called "The Twilight Zone" broadcast a riveting episode entitled "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street."
In brief: a meteor sparks rumors of an invasion by extra-terrestrials disguised as humans. The electricity goes out. A neighbor pleads for calm. Suddenly his car -- and only his car -- starts. Someone suggests he must be the alien. Then another man's lights go on. As charges and suspicion and panic overtake the street, guns are inevitably produced. An "alien" is shot -- but he turns out to be just another neighbor, returning from going for help. The camera pulls back to a near-by hill, where two extra-terrestrials are seen manipulating a small device that can jam electricity. The veteran tells his novice that there's no need to actually attack, that you just turn off a few of the human machines and then, "they pick the most dangerous enemy they can find, and it's themselves."
And then, in perhaps his finest piece of writing, Rod Serling sums it up with words of remarkable prescience, given where we find ourselves tonight: "The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men.
"For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy, and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all its own -- for the children, and the children yet unborn."
When those who dissent are told time and time again -- as we will be, if not tonight by the President, then tomorrow by his portable public chorus -- that he is preserving our freedom, but that if we use any of it, we are somehow un-American...When we are scolded, that if we merely question, we have "forgotten the lessons of 9/11"... look into this empty space behind me and the bi-partisanship upon which this administration also did not build, and tell me:
Who has left this hole in the ground?
We have not forgotten, Mr. President.
You have.
May this country forgive you.
When Olbermann gave his speech, it almost felt like the spirit of Edward R. Murrow was being rekindled.
Finally... something that actually SHOULD BE ON TV is on tv!
May God bless his soul.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/
Here's Keith Olbermann's full speech below:
Sept. 11, 2006 8:32 p.m. ET
This hole in the ground
Half a lifetime ago, I worked in this now-empty space. And for 40 days after the attacks, I worked here again, trying to make sense of what happened, and was yet to happen, as a reporter.
All the time, I knew that the very air I breathed contained the remains of thousands of people, including four of my friends, two in the planes and -- as I discovered from those "missing posters" seared still into my soul -- two more in the Towers.
And I knew too, that this was the pyre for hundreds of New York policemen and firemen, of whom my family can claim half a dozen or more, as our ancestors.
I belabor this to emphasize that, for me this was, and is, and always shall be, personal.
And anyone who claims that I and others like me are "soft,"or have "forgotten" the lessons of what happened here is at best a grasping, opportunistic, dilettante and at worst, an idiot whether he is a commentator, or a Vice President, or a President.
However, of all the things those of us who were here five years ago could have forecast -- of all the nightmares that unfolded before our eyes, and the others that unfolded only in our minds -- none of us could have predicted this.
Five years later this space is still empty.
Five years later there is no memorial to the dead.
Five years later there is no building rising to show with proud defiance that we would not have our America wrung from us, by cowards and criminals.
Five years later this country's wound is still open.
Five years later this country's mass grave is still unmarked.
Five years later this is still just a background for a photo-op.
It is beyond shameful.
At the dedication of the Gettysburg Memorial -- barely four months after the last soldier staggered from another Pennsylvania field -- Mr. Lincoln said, "we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
Lincoln used those words to immortalize their sacrifice.
Today our leaders could use those same words to rationalize their reprehensible inaction. "We cannot dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground." So we won't.
Instead they bicker and buck pass. They thwart private efforts, and jostle to claim credit for initiatives that go nowhere. They spend the money on irrelevant wars, and elaborate self-congratulations, and buying off columnists to write how good a job they're doing instead of doing any job at all.
Five years later, Mr. Bush, we are still fighting the terrorists on these streets. And look carefully, sir, on these 16 empty acres. The terrorists are clearly, still winning.
And, in a crime against every victim here and every patriotic sentiment you mouthed but did not enact, you have done nothing about it.
And there is something worse still than this vast gaping hole in this city, and in the fabric of our nation. There is its symbolism of the promise unfulfilled, the urgent oath, reduced to lazy execution.
The only positive on 9/11 and the days and weeks that so slowly and painfully followed it was the unanimous humanity, here, and throughout the country. The government, the President in particular, was given every possible measure of support.
Those who did not belong to his party -- tabled that.
Those who doubted the mechanics of his election -- ignored that.
Those who wondered of his qualifications -- forgot that.
History teaches us that nearly unanimous support of a government cannot be taken away from that government by its critics. It can only be squandered by those who use it not to heal a nation's wounds, but to take political advantage.
Terrorists did not come and steal our newly-regained sense of being American first, and political, fiftieth. Nor did the Democrats. Nor did the media. Nor did the people.
The President -- and those around him -- did that.
They promised bi-partisanship, and then showed that to them, "bi-partisanship" meant that their party would rule and the rest would have to follow, or be branded, with ever-escalating hysteria, as morally or intellectually confused, as appeasers, as those who, in the Vice President's words yesterday, "validate the strategy of the terrorists."
They promised protection, and then showed that to them "protection" meant going to war against a despot whose hand they had once shaken, a despot who we now learn from our own Senate Intelligence Committee, hated al-Qaida as much as we did.
The polite phrase for how so many of us were duped into supporting a war, on the false premise that it had 'something to do' with 9/11 is "lying by implication."
The impolite phrase is "impeachable offense."
Not once in now five years has this President ever offered to assume responsibility for the failures that led to this empty space, and to this, the current, curdled, version of our beloved country.
Still, there is a last snapping flame from a final candle of respect and fairness: even his most virulent critics have never suggested he alone bears the full brunt of the blame for 9/11.
Half the time, in fact, this President has been so gently treated, that he has seemed not even to be the man most responsible for anything in his own administration.
Yet what is happening this very night?
A mini-series, created, influenced -- possibly financed by -- the most radical and cold of domestic political Machiavellis, continues to be televised into our homes.
The documented truths of the last fifteen years are replaced by bald-faced lies; the talking points of the current regime parroted; the whole sorry story blurred, by spin, to make the party out of office seem vacillating and impotent, and the party in office, seem like the only option.
How dare you, Mr. President, after taking cynical advantage of the unanimity and love, and transmuting it into fraudulent war and needless death, after monstrously transforming it into fear and suspicion and turning that fear into the campaign slogan of three elections? How dare you -- or those around you -- ever "spin" 9/11?
Just as the terrorists have succeeded -- are still succeeding -- as long as there is no memorial and no construction here at Ground Zero.
So, too, have they succeeded, and are still succeeding as long as this government uses 9/11 as a wedge to pit Americans against Americans.
This is an odd point to cite a television program, especially one from March of 1960. But as Disney's continuing sell-out of the truth (and this country) suggests, even television programs can be powerful things.
And long ago, a series called "The Twilight Zone" broadcast a riveting episode entitled "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street."
In brief: a meteor sparks rumors of an invasion by extra-terrestrials disguised as humans. The electricity goes out. A neighbor pleads for calm. Suddenly his car -- and only his car -- starts. Someone suggests he must be the alien. Then another man's lights go on. As charges and suspicion and panic overtake the street, guns are inevitably produced. An "alien" is shot -- but he turns out to be just another neighbor, returning from going for help. The camera pulls back to a near-by hill, where two extra-terrestrials are seen manipulating a small device that can jam electricity. The veteran tells his novice that there's no need to actually attack, that you just turn off a few of the human machines and then, "they pick the most dangerous enemy they can find, and it's themselves."
And then, in perhaps his finest piece of writing, Rod Serling sums it up with words of remarkable prescience, given where we find ourselves tonight: "The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men.
"For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy, and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all its own -- for the children, and the children yet unborn."
When those who dissent are told time and time again -- as we will be, if not tonight by the President, then tomorrow by his portable public chorus -- that he is preserving our freedom, but that if we use any of it, we are somehow un-American...When we are scolded, that if we merely question, we have "forgotten the lessons of 9/11"... look into this empty space behind me and the bi-partisanship upon which this administration also did not build, and tell me:
Who has left this hole in the ground?
We have not forgotten, Mr. President.
You have.
May this country forgive you.
Five Years Ago...
I was actually awake when the first plane struck the WTC. However, I didn't know that was happening because we didn't have the TV on. My mom then dropped me off at school, and it wasn't until my HS Geography class started that the teacher told us what was happening.
Throughout the day, all of us were talking to each other, wondering what the heck was going on. Finally when I got home, my mom had CNN on. They were continually repeating the footage. Towering infernos. People plunging to their deaths. Chaos at the airports. What the hell was going on?
During the first few days after the attack, American flags started popping up all over the neighborhood. We were all in solidarity with the victims and their families, and for once, it seemed like we were all Americans again... That is, until my mom and I started hearing all this talk of revenge. Why punish all the poor souls of Afghanistan because the government allowed the terrorist group to use the nation as "safe harbor"? Nonetheless, we were gald to see the Taliban gone by the end of the year.
But then there was the USA PATRIOT Act. If we were fighting this war to "protect freedom", then why are we giving up all our freedom? Why couldn't the FBI just investigate the bin Ladens instead of investigating our reading habits? Then there was this rumor I was hearing more... and more... and more: Saddam Hussein was the real mastermind behind 9/11. Saddam provided safe harbor for al-Qaeda. Saddam and bin Laden were together trying to destroy America. Now before I go on, let me tell you that BOTH of my parents were staunch Christian fundamentalist Bush Republicans, and I was being groomed to be another one. However, not even I could buy all that bullshit of Iraq being behind 9/11. This is what ultimately caused me to turn my life around... to the left!
Five years ago today, I never could have imagined that the whole world would come together to mourn the dead from that fateful day. However, I also couldn't have imagined that this Administration would take all this goodwill and squander it so they could pursue their lust of profit and empire. I sincerely hope that today, five years later, we remember this great loss of life... By putting an end to the cyclical pattern of terror, and creating a peaceful planet for future generations.
Throughout the day, all of us were talking to each other, wondering what the heck was going on. Finally when I got home, my mom had CNN on. They were continually repeating the footage. Towering infernos. People plunging to their deaths. Chaos at the airports. What the hell was going on?
During the first few days after the attack, American flags started popping up all over the neighborhood. We were all in solidarity with the victims and their families, and for once, it seemed like we were all Americans again... That is, until my mom and I started hearing all this talk of revenge. Why punish all the poor souls of Afghanistan because the government allowed the terrorist group to use the nation as "safe harbor"? Nonetheless, we were gald to see the Taliban gone by the end of the year.
But then there was the USA PATRIOT Act. If we were fighting this war to "protect freedom", then why are we giving up all our freedom? Why couldn't the FBI just investigate the bin Ladens instead of investigating our reading habits? Then there was this rumor I was hearing more... and more... and more: Saddam Hussein was the real mastermind behind 9/11. Saddam provided safe harbor for al-Qaeda. Saddam and bin Laden were together trying to destroy America. Now before I go on, let me tell you that BOTH of my parents were staunch Christian fundamentalist Bush Republicans, and I was being groomed to be another one. However, not even I could buy all that bullshit of Iraq being behind 9/11. This is what ultimately caused me to turn my life around... to the left!
Five years ago today, I never could have imagined that the whole world would come together to mourn the dead from that fateful day. However, I also couldn't have imagined that this Administration would take all this goodwill and squander it so they could pursue their lust of profit and empire. I sincerely hope that today, five years later, we remember this great loss of life... By putting an end to the cyclical pattern of terror, and creating a peaceful planet for future generations.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
I'm Back at USD
Sorry that I'm going off on a tangent tonight...
But I just moved back on campus! I'm getting used to "dorm life" again, and I finally have an internet connection here. My new roommates just popped in the door less than an hour ago, and they seem to be good guys.
Hopefully, I'll have some good stuff for you to read here soon.
But I just moved back on campus! I'm getting used to "dorm life" again, and I finally have an internet connection here. My new roommates just popped in the door less than an hour ago, and they seem to be good guys.
Hopefully, I'll have some good stuff for you to read here soon.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Support AB 523, and Save KOCE!!!!
This is the letter I wrote to the Governator this morning. I put aside my own misgivings over him, and I sincerely hope that he will do the right thing this weekend and sign AB 523 into law. KOCE is the only public television station of, by, and for Orange County. We will lose this precious resource forever if Christian fundamentalist broadcaster Daystar takes over this station. WE MUST STOP THIS NOW!!!! Read my letter to the Governor below, then write your own email to the Governor at the below link.
http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
Now here's my email:
For many years, Orange County has enjoyed a terrific public television station that has served the community's educational needs. Now this station, KOCE, is under attack, and may be lost forever. Mr. Governor, please save local public television by signing AB 523 into law.
As you may have heard, Texas-based religious broadcaster Daystar is has been attempting a hostile takeover of KOCE for at least three years now. They actually came close to their goal in 2004, when the Coast Community College District put KOCE up for sale. However, community leaders joined forces to stop this, and the KOCE Foundation succeeded in saving the station for the people in Orange County.
Unfortunately, a state judge has recently invalidated this sale. At this point, the legal standing of KOCE is in complete limbo. All that we know now is that sooner or later, once the Coast District is forced to reassume ownership of the station, the District will likely put the station up for sale again. Under current law, the Coast District will be forced to sell the station to the highest bidder. This means that under current law, Daystar will eventually succeed in their hostile takeover of Orange County's only public television station.
Now this Daystar company is under federal investigation for using public airwaves for private business. Below is an excerpt from an OC Weekly investigation:
"...Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials are investigating whether Dallas-based Daystar, the world’s No. 2 religious broadcaster, is violating federal law by hawking airtime and running ads on its eight non-commercial TV stations and its public-interest satellite channels. Doing so is forbidden on these portions of the broadcast spectrum, which are reserved for nonprofit educational programming."
We cannot allow these religious extremists at Daystar to misuse our public airwaves for proselytizing and personal profit. Public airwaves are meant for the public benefit. Please, Mr. Governor, ensure that something like this does not occur in Orange County, or anywhere else for that matter. Please sign AB 523 into law today!
- Andrew Davey
atdnext@yahoo.com
http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
Now here's my email:
For many years, Orange County has enjoyed a terrific public television station that has served the community's educational needs. Now this station, KOCE, is under attack, and may be lost forever. Mr. Governor, please save local public television by signing AB 523 into law.
As you may have heard, Texas-based religious broadcaster Daystar is has been attempting a hostile takeover of KOCE for at least three years now. They actually came close to their goal in 2004, when the Coast Community College District put KOCE up for sale. However, community leaders joined forces to stop this, and the KOCE Foundation succeeded in saving the station for the people in Orange County.
Unfortunately, a state judge has recently invalidated this sale. At this point, the legal standing of KOCE is in complete limbo. All that we know now is that sooner or later, once the Coast District is forced to reassume ownership of the station, the District will likely put the station up for sale again. Under current law, the Coast District will be forced to sell the station to the highest bidder. This means that under current law, Daystar will eventually succeed in their hostile takeover of Orange County's only public television station.
Now this Daystar company is under federal investigation for using public airwaves for private business. Below is an excerpt from an OC Weekly investigation:
"...Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials are investigating whether Dallas-based Daystar, the world’s No. 2 religious broadcaster, is violating federal law by hawking airtime and running ads on its eight non-commercial TV stations and its public-interest satellite channels. Doing so is forbidden on these portions of the broadcast spectrum, which are reserved for nonprofit educational programming."
We cannot allow these religious extremists at Daystar to misuse our public airwaves for proselytizing and personal profit. Public airwaves are meant for the public benefit. Please, Mr. Governor, ensure that something like this does not occur in Orange County, or anywhere else for that matter. Please sign AB 523 into law today!
- Andrew Davey
atdnext@yahoo.com
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Why Is Everyone Ignoring Orange County?
Hey, now! I'm hearing talk about races in CA-4 (Doolittle), CA-26 (Dreier), CA-41 (Lewis), and of course- CA-11 (Pombo). Well if all these Republican-leaning seats are at least considered to be possible longshots, then what about CA-40 and CA-46?
I know these are very much longshots, since all California seats are gerrymandered. However I think that if any seat(s) change hands in Southern California, then these two are the best chances other than the already mentioned CA-26.
In CA-40, Florice Hoffman is running against Rethug incmbent Ed Royce... I know, I know, you haven't heard of him... Well, you probably haven't because HE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR NORTH ORANGE COUNTY. For instance when Cal State University, Fullerton, requested federal funds for new science programs, they went to their congressman for help. He said he'd help... So HE CALLED REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ'S OFFICE, the one and only Orange County Democrat, and asked that she add this to the appropiations bill. ROYCE VOTED AGAINST THIS, BUT STILL CLAIMS CREDIT FOR IT!
In CA-46, Rethug incumbent Dana Rohrabacher epitomizes the current culture of corruption. For one, he boasts of BEING BEST FRIENDS WITH JACK ABRAMOFF!!!! Of course, he also ATE FOR FREE AT SIGNATURES. HE VOTED FOR EACH AND EVERY PIECE OF ABRAMOFF-SUPPORTED LEGISLATION. Running against Abramoff lackey Rohrabacher is Jim Brandt, a retired Marine and successful businessman who actually wants to serve our communities, and refuses to sell himself to the highest bidder.
Also what may help in these Congressional races are numerous highly competitive local races... And ONE HUGE STATE RACE- That is, the competitive 34th State Senate Seat, where Democrat Lou Correa should be getting plenty of help from the state party.
I know these are very much longshots, since all California seats are gerrymandered. However I think that if any seat(s) change hands in Southern California, then these two are the best chances other than the already mentioned CA-26.
In CA-40, Florice Hoffman is running against Rethug incmbent Ed Royce... I know, I know, you haven't heard of him... Well, you probably haven't because HE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING FOR NORTH ORANGE COUNTY. For instance when Cal State University, Fullerton, requested federal funds for new science programs, they went to their congressman for help. He said he'd help... So HE CALLED REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ'S OFFICE, the one and only Orange County Democrat, and asked that she add this to the appropiations bill. ROYCE VOTED AGAINST THIS, BUT STILL CLAIMS CREDIT FOR IT!
In CA-46, Rethug incumbent Dana Rohrabacher epitomizes the current culture of corruption. For one, he boasts of BEING BEST FRIENDS WITH JACK ABRAMOFF!!!! Of course, he also ATE FOR FREE AT SIGNATURES. HE VOTED FOR EACH AND EVERY PIECE OF ABRAMOFF-SUPPORTED LEGISLATION. Running against Abramoff lackey Rohrabacher is Jim Brandt, a retired Marine and successful businessman who actually wants to serve our communities, and refuses to sell himself to the highest bidder.
Also what may help in these Congressional races are numerous highly competitive local races... And ONE HUGE STATE RACE- That is, the competitive 34th State Senate Seat, where Democrat Lou Correa should be getting plenty of help from the state party.
Monday, August 28, 2006
My Congresswoman Supports Clean Energy... Horray!
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060825/laf053.html?.v=45
[LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Congresswomen Linda and Loretta Sanchez announced their endorsement of Prop 87, saying oil companies need to finally pay their fair share to clean up the air in California. "It is time the oil companies pay their fair share so we can reduce pollution that causes asthma, lung disease and cancer," Congresswoman Linda Sanchez said. "Studies are showing air pollution has a disproportionate health impact on Latinos, African Americans and children." ]
["I strongly endorse Prop 87, and will encourage voters in Orange County to support the Clean Energy Initiative. As every driver who pulls up to a gas pump today knows, we urgently need to develop cleaner and cheaper energy sources -- and oil companies benefiting from high gasoline prices should pay their fair share for this," Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said. "Passing Prop 87 will force oil companies to return some of their profits back to consumers -- and not just keep raising prices at their pumps." Prop 87 is a $4 billion effort to reduce California's dependence on gasoline and diesel by 25% over the next 10 years. The effort will be funded by oil drilling fees paid by oil companies.]
Thank *** Loretta's doing the right thing!
Now I know that if hard core Repugs (such as those OC Blog/Red County) are mad at her, then she's obviously doing something right!
Oh wait, that's right! She supports a common sense solution to our current energy crisis. She agrees that oil companies should give back just a portion of their recent record-breaking profits in order for us to invest more in renewable energy for the (not so distant) future.
Now I don't agree with Loretta 100% of time (such as her recent vote against Net Neutrality), however this is one instance when she's 100% correct. Thank you, Loretta, for taking a truly principled stand! This is actually one moment when I'm proud to have Loretta Sanchez as my Congresswoman.
[LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Congresswomen Linda and Loretta Sanchez announced their endorsement of Prop 87, saying oil companies need to finally pay their fair share to clean up the air in California. "It is time the oil companies pay their fair share so we can reduce pollution that causes asthma, lung disease and cancer," Congresswoman Linda Sanchez said. "Studies are showing air pollution has a disproportionate health impact on Latinos, African Americans and children." ]
["I strongly endorse Prop 87, and will encourage voters in Orange County to support the Clean Energy Initiative. As every driver who pulls up to a gas pump today knows, we urgently need to develop cleaner and cheaper energy sources -- and oil companies benefiting from high gasoline prices should pay their fair share for this," Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said. "Passing Prop 87 will force oil companies to return some of their profits back to consumers -- and not just keep raising prices at their pumps." Prop 87 is a $4 billion effort to reduce California's dependence on gasoline and diesel by 25% over the next 10 years. The effort will be funded by oil drilling fees paid by oil companies.]
Thank *** Loretta's doing the right thing!
Now I know that if hard core Repugs (such as those OC Blog/Red County) are mad at her, then she's obviously doing something right!
Oh wait, that's right! She supports a common sense solution to our current energy crisis. She agrees that oil companies should give back just a portion of their recent record-breaking profits in order for us to invest more in renewable energy for the (not so distant) future.
Now I don't agree with Loretta 100% of time (such as her recent vote against Net Neutrality), however this is one instance when she's 100% correct. Thank you, Loretta, for taking a truly principled stand! This is actually one moment when I'm proud to have Loretta Sanchez as my Congresswoman.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Arnold: Who Can Trust Him?
Though I don't always agree with Greenhut and the other OC Register "libertarians" (actually, it's more like almost never), this article caught my eye this morning. I've been saying the same thing to various progressive friends, but maybe it takes a conservative saying this for people to actually believe it: Arnold will say anything to hold onto power. And what's worse, he probably doesn't even believe in what he's saying.
Now Arnold isn't dangerous because he's "moderate". He's dangerous because he pretends to be everything to everyone. So you're a principled fiscal conservative? Well, Arnold says he wants to balance the budget... Oh wait, now he's saying he "has no plan" to balance the budget! So you're a dedicated environmentalist? Well, Arnold is committed to providing more renewable energy!... Oh wait, but he's also accepting millions of dollars from oil companies! So you don't like taxes? Well, neither does Arnold... Except that he has no problem "raising taxes" for the poor and middle class by raising park fees, Cal State and UC tuition, community college fees, and much more. We really can't believe this guy farther than we can throw him!
I still can't understand why anyone believes anything coming out of Arnold's mouth. He pretended to be a "reformer" during the Recall election, and then a true conservative during the 2005 Special Election. Now he's playing the role of a "center-left politician with big plans" for the state. Seriously, if this guy wanted to work on his acting, then why couldn't he have just stayed in Hollywood? If Arnold couldn't even act very well, then why should we be stuck with him as Governor?
- Andrew
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/opinion/abox/article_1254831.php
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Steven Greenhut: GOP seems ready to be fooled twice
Gov. Schwarzenegger hasn't earned the loyalty of California conservatives
STEVEN GREENHUT
Sr. editorial writer and columnist
The Orange County Register
sgreenhut@ocregister.com
Those who believe in nothing will fall for anything, as the old saying goes. So it's only fitting that a Republican Party that has ceased to believe in anything has fallen for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Maybe in the early days of his administration, and through the defeat of his reform agenda last November, it was defensible to support him. But no more. Yet many Republican leaders at the state GOP convention in Century City last weekend were still atwitter over the Terminator's tired clichés and faux tough talk.
One delegate I talked to epitomized this silliness: She was thrilled that the governor gave a luncheon speech that sounded "conservative." In that speech, the governor vowed to "secure the borders for once and for all." In fairness, the governor has said similar things throughout the summer, but in late July he claimed to first learn about widespread anger at illegal immigration during a community meeting in La Mesa, where he accused anti-immigration forces of being hateful. And the governor has waffled back and forth between supporting and opposing National Guard troops at the border. Who really knows where the governor stands on this or any other issue?
At Century City, Gov. Schwarzenegger blasted the Democrats: "Our friends in the other campaign want to go back to the failed policies of the past – higher taxes, more government spending, more government regulations and less growth."
Compare what the other party does with Schwarzenegger's program of higher debt spending, more government spending and more government regulations and less growth, and it's quite a choice, isn't it?
Of course, the Democrats are always bad. So, of course Republicans will usually rally around their candidate, no matter how far afield his viewpoints might be. But a point is reached where it's not worth it anymore, where victory isn't so sweet because "our" guy isn't in any fundamental way different from "their" guy. I reached that point with Richard Riordan, when he ran for governor, and am at that point with our current governor, who, frankly, tells audiences anything he thinks they want to hear.
It was pathetic that any convention delegate would be debating whether the Schwarzenegger convention speech sounded conservative enough. Who cares? When a politician has proven that he has no principles whatsoever, and tailors his remarks to his given audience, then why should those remarks have any credence?
We've heard the "immigrant comes to America for opportunity" shtick a million times. We've heard how much he admires Milton Friedman, the great free-market economist, at least a thousand times. At the Republican Flag Day dinner in Orange County, I heard the governor say he became a Republican because it is the party of power, and he loves America because it is a powerful nation.
Yuck. I choose my party affiliation based not on its power, but on its principles. I love America because of its stated commitment to liberty and justice, not because it is strong. This tells me something. The governor is a sucker for power, which no doubt explains his fierce tack to the left now that he is convinced this is his safest route to remaining in power. Given that the Democrats nominated a nerdy, leftist technocrat who never met a tax he didn't want to impose on Californians, Schwarzenegger has an easy task before him. That makes it all the more shameless that he would say and do anything to get elected. It isn't even necessary.
At the Republican convention, Gov. Schwarzenegger refused to be seen with the Republican slate of down-ticket candidates. State Sen. Tom McClintock, one of the most principled men in modern political life, is running for lieutenant governor against John Garamendi, who during an Editorial Board meeting a couple years ago actually sung the praises of the Cuban health care system! Chuck Poochigian, who has established a solid legislative record on crime and civil liberties issues, is running for attorney general against Jerry Brown, who has vowed to use the office to target private businesses.
The governor is too good to stand with McClintock and Poochigian or some of the other perfectly well-qualified GOP candidates for statewide office? Then Republicans should be too good to stand with him.
Just for starters, this "Republican" governor is promoting:
•A massive $42 billion spending program on infrastructure that exceeds even the amounts sought by Democrats.
A prescription drug initiative that, according to the Pacific Research Institute, will impose price controls on pharmaceutical companies and will lead to the development of fewer new medicines and more government subsidies.
A large increase in the minimum wage, just as the economy starts grinding to a halt.
A costly anti-property-rights environmental agenda that includes government spending on solar roofs, hydrogen cars, the setting aside of 25 million acres of land, bans on offshore drilling and an otherworldly scheme to force businesses to comply with new global-warming regulations.
On his campaign Web site, the governor boasts about having created a new government health-care bureaucracy, about spending 27 percent more on health care than the previous administration and of increasing the enrollment of people in government health-care programs.
Funny me, but I thought that supporters of Milton Friedman's ideas understood that markets offer the best solutions to crucial issues, not expansion of government regulations and spending. Yes, the governor has vetoed many of the Chamber of Commerce's job-killer bills, but he has supported many other efforts that shackle the marketplace and impose undue burdens on business. His actions have shown no real love of freedom ... or of justice.
Did I mention that the governor has so far refused to support Proposition 90, the statewide initiative that would stop cities from using eminent domain to transfer homes and small businesses to big developers? The governor, who apparently likes nothing more than power, has sided with the powerful interests on this one.
If you really want to understand what this governor is all about, listen to John Hagar, the special master overseeing reform of California's criminally mismanaged prison system. At a court hearing in San Francisco, Hagar "fired a barrage of accusations at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his innermost circle, alleging perjury, the trading of favors, politically motivated intimidation and more," according to a Los Angeles Times report July 16. "As Hagar sees it, Schwarzenegger's bid for reelection has prompted his aides to improperly snuggle up to the prison guards union, a deep-pocket powerhouse in California politics. To sweeten relations, Hagar asserts, Schwarzenegger is granting the union clout over key decisions – and at least temporarily shelving his agenda of prison reform."
If the polls are right, and after the election the governor remains the only statewide GOP official, will Republicans still think it was worth it to sell out all their principles on behalf of someone like this?
Now Arnold isn't dangerous because he's "moderate". He's dangerous because he pretends to be everything to everyone. So you're a principled fiscal conservative? Well, Arnold says he wants to balance the budget... Oh wait, now he's saying he "has no plan" to balance the budget! So you're a dedicated environmentalist? Well, Arnold is committed to providing more renewable energy!... Oh wait, but he's also accepting millions of dollars from oil companies! So you don't like taxes? Well, neither does Arnold... Except that he has no problem "raising taxes" for the poor and middle class by raising park fees, Cal State and UC tuition, community college fees, and much more. We really can't believe this guy farther than we can throw him!
I still can't understand why anyone believes anything coming out of Arnold's mouth. He pretended to be a "reformer" during the Recall election, and then a true conservative during the 2005 Special Election. Now he's playing the role of a "center-left politician with big plans" for the state. Seriously, if this guy wanted to work on his acting, then why couldn't he have just stayed in Hollywood? If Arnold couldn't even act very well, then why should we be stuck with him as Governor?
- Andrew
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/opinion/abox/article_1254831.php
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Steven Greenhut: GOP seems ready to be fooled twice
Gov. Schwarzenegger hasn't earned the loyalty of California conservatives
STEVEN GREENHUT
Sr. editorial writer and columnist
The Orange County Register
sgreenhut@ocregister.com
Those who believe in nothing will fall for anything, as the old saying goes. So it's only fitting that a Republican Party that has ceased to believe in anything has fallen for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Maybe in the early days of his administration, and through the defeat of his reform agenda last November, it was defensible to support him. But no more. Yet many Republican leaders at the state GOP convention in Century City last weekend were still atwitter over the Terminator's tired clichés and faux tough talk.
One delegate I talked to epitomized this silliness: She was thrilled that the governor gave a luncheon speech that sounded "conservative." In that speech, the governor vowed to "secure the borders for once and for all." In fairness, the governor has said similar things throughout the summer, but in late July he claimed to first learn about widespread anger at illegal immigration during a community meeting in La Mesa, where he accused anti-immigration forces of being hateful. And the governor has waffled back and forth between supporting and opposing National Guard troops at the border. Who really knows where the governor stands on this or any other issue?
At Century City, Gov. Schwarzenegger blasted the Democrats: "Our friends in the other campaign want to go back to the failed policies of the past – higher taxes, more government spending, more government regulations and less growth."
Compare what the other party does with Schwarzenegger's program of higher debt spending, more government spending and more government regulations and less growth, and it's quite a choice, isn't it?
Of course, the Democrats are always bad. So, of course Republicans will usually rally around their candidate, no matter how far afield his viewpoints might be. But a point is reached where it's not worth it anymore, where victory isn't so sweet because "our" guy isn't in any fundamental way different from "their" guy. I reached that point with Richard Riordan, when he ran for governor, and am at that point with our current governor, who, frankly, tells audiences anything he thinks they want to hear.
It was pathetic that any convention delegate would be debating whether the Schwarzenegger convention speech sounded conservative enough. Who cares? When a politician has proven that he has no principles whatsoever, and tailors his remarks to his given audience, then why should those remarks have any credence?
We've heard the "immigrant comes to America for opportunity" shtick a million times. We've heard how much he admires Milton Friedman, the great free-market economist, at least a thousand times. At the Republican Flag Day dinner in Orange County, I heard the governor say he became a Republican because it is the party of power, and he loves America because it is a powerful nation.
Yuck. I choose my party affiliation based not on its power, but on its principles. I love America because of its stated commitment to liberty and justice, not because it is strong. This tells me something. The governor is a sucker for power, which no doubt explains his fierce tack to the left now that he is convinced this is his safest route to remaining in power. Given that the Democrats nominated a nerdy, leftist technocrat who never met a tax he didn't want to impose on Californians, Schwarzenegger has an easy task before him. That makes it all the more shameless that he would say and do anything to get elected. It isn't even necessary.
At the Republican convention, Gov. Schwarzenegger refused to be seen with the Republican slate of down-ticket candidates. State Sen. Tom McClintock, one of the most principled men in modern political life, is running for lieutenant governor against John Garamendi, who during an Editorial Board meeting a couple years ago actually sung the praises of the Cuban health care system! Chuck Poochigian, who has established a solid legislative record on crime and civil liberties issues, is running for attorney general against Jerry Brown, who has vowed to use the office to target private businesses.
The governor is too good to stand with McClintock and Poochigian or some of the other perfectly well-qualified GOP candidates for statewide office? Then Republicans should be too good to stand with him.
Just for starters, this "Republican" governor is promoting:
•A massive $42 billion spending program on infrastructure that exceeds even the amounts sought by Democrats.
A prescription drug initiative that, according to the Pacific Research Institute, will impose price controls on pharmaceutical companies and will lead to the development of fewer new medicines and more government subsidies.
A large increase in the minimum wage, just as the economy starts grinding to a halt.
A costly anti-property-rights environmental agenda that includes government spending on solar roofs, hydrogen cars, the setting aside of 25 million acres of land, bans on offshore drilling and an otherworldly scheme to force businesses to comply with new global-warming regulations.
On his campaign Web site, the governor boasts about having created a new government health-care bureaucracy, about spending 27 percent more on health care than the previous administration and of increasing the enrollment of people in government health-care programs.
Funny me, but I thought that supporters of Milton Friedman's ideas understood that markets offer the best solutions to crucial issues, not expansion of government regulations and spending. Yes, the governor has vetoed many of the Chamber of Commerce's job-killer bills, but he has supported many other efforts that shackle the marketplace and impose undue burdens on business. His actions have shown no real love of freedom ... or of justice.
Did I mention that the governor has so far refused to support Proposition 90, the statewide initiative that would stop cities from using eminent domain to transfer homes and small businesses to big developers? The governor, who apparently likes nothing more than power, has sided with the powerful interests on this one.
If you really want to understand what this governor is all about, listen to John Hagar, the special master overseeing reform of California's criminally mismanaged prison system. At a court hearing in San Francisco, Hagar "fired a barrage of accusations at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his innermost circle, alleging perjury, the trading of favors, politically motivated intimidation and more," according to a Los Angeles Times report July 16. "As Hagar sees it, Schwarzenegger's bid for reelection has prompted his aides to improperly snuggle up to the prison guards union, a deep-pocket powerhouse in California politics. To sweeten relations, Hagar asserts, Schwarzenegger is granting the union clout over key decisions – and at least temporarily shelving his agenda of prison reform."
If the polls are right, and after the election the governor remains the only statewide GOP official, will Republicans still think it was worth it to sell out all their principles on behalf of someone like this?
Friday, August 18, 2006
Meeting Our Next Governor
Yesterday, I traveled with my dad through the amazingly speedy 55 and 91 freeways to Anaheim Hills yesterday to see the retiring state treasurer, and hopefully future governor, Phil Angelides. I wanted to hear for myself Angelides' new budget plan, and my dad wanted to hear for himself what Angelides would do about the mess that Ahhnold made out of Workers' Compensation. In the end, we were both fairly impressed by what Angelides had to say.
During much of his speech, Angelides connected Schwarzenegger's policies in Sacramento those those of Bush in D.C. The centerpiece issue yesterday was education, and Angelides reiterated his promise to roll back the tuition hikes at Cal State and UC schools that have been making state schools increasingly unaffordable over the last four years. Yes, to be fair, the tuition hikes began under Davis, but this has been taken to a new level under the Governator, who infamously said, "Tuition here is too low compared to the rest of the country." When asked for his thoughts on Angelides' plan to make college more affordable, Arnold has said flat out that "we cannot afford it". Well, of course we can't when we continue offering tax loopholes to major corporations and the superwealthy... The ones who need help the least! Just like Bush not realizing how his foreign and domestic policies have both caused great damage to our nation, Arnold refuses to recognize how his state policies are wrecking the future of California. If Angelides really wants to win the state's top office, he needs to continue bringing home the fact that Arnold is out of touch with working Californians, and that Arnold's plans for the state aren't that different from Bush's plans for the nation.
Also yesterday, Angelides explained his new fiscal policy of lifting the financial burden off the poor and middle-class. Specifically, he would like to offer tax credits of up to $660 for families earning less than $100,000. Also, he would like to increase by 50 percent the property tax break for low-income senior and disabled owners and renters. And as mentioned earlier, Angelides wants to roll back state college tuition by up to $5,000. All of these proposals sound great... But some were starting to wonder how Angelides intends to pay for all of this. Well, this is where the centerpiece of Angelides' fiscal policy comes in: he would like to close all the corporate tax loopholes that have been added over the years in addition to imposing a three-year tax increase that will only affect the wealthiest 1% of Californians. This was really something that Angelides needed to do: stress how his fiscal plan will benefit average Californians without boring them with little intricacies. He needs to fight back Arnold's claim that Angelides is raising taxes on everyone, and instead point out that Arnold is increasing the financial burden on working-class Californians. Angelides also likened his fiscal plan for the state to Clinton's 1993 economic recovery package... Again, something he needs to run with! By connecting himself to Clinton and tying Arnold to Bush and the Republican fat cats, Angelides may just be able to take advantage of the national Democratic wave and ride it all the way to the Governor's Mansion!
After the speech, my dad introduced himself to Phil Angelides and asked him what he'd do about the Workers' Compensation fiasco. As it is now, my dad has to fight tooth and nail just to see his doctor. What was supposedly Arnold's attempt to "clean up waste" in the system two years ago was in reality another special interest "gravy train" that has been a boon to the health insurance corporations. Angelides promised my dad that he'd actually fix the system in a way that would help the ones meant to be served by Workers' Comp: the disabled workers! Also I briefly introduced myself to Phil, and told him that I'd do my best to turn out Santa Ana Democrats for him. I also mentioned this to Phil's daughter, Megan. Hopefully, that was a good hint that the Angelides campaign would be better off making use of local programs, such as OC Precinct Captains, to reach out to Orange County voters. There is no reason why multiple GOTV operations should all target the exact same voters... And completely annoy voters in the process! Orange County has already joined the statewide effort to implement Howard Dean's Fifty State Strategy in California... It already worked in turning out more Democrats to defeat Arnold's "top props" last year... Maybe the Angelides campaign should take notice and take up our offer this year!
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Phil's visit behind the Orange Curtain... Even if he didn't want to stay too far from the curtain! I really hope that Angelides pulls it off this year. Contrary to Arnold's claims, he's no moderate! He is just another Republican fat cat in disguise. If we get that message out to California voters, then we win! This is why I plan to work my behind off all the way through November... and boy, do I hope it pays off!
During much of his speech, Angelides connected Schwarzenegger's policies in Sacramento those those of Bush in D.C. The centerpiece issue yesterday was education, and Angelides reiterated his promise to roll back the tuition hikes at Cal State and UC schools that have been making state schools increasingly unaffordable over the last four years. Yes, to be fair, the tuition hikes began under Davis, but this has been taken to a new level under the Governator, who infamously said, "Tuition here is too low compared to the rest of the country." When asked for his thoughts on Angelides' plan to make college more affordable, Arnold has said flat out that "we cannot afford it". Well, of course we can't when we continue offering tax loopholes to major corporations and the superwealthy... The ones who need help the least! Just like Bush not realizing how his foreign and domestic policies have both caused great damage to our nation, Arnold refuses to recognize how his state policies are wrecking the future of California. If Angelides really wants to win the state's top office, he needs to continue bringing home the fact that Arnold is out of touch with working Californians, and that Arnold's plans for the state aren't that different from Bush's plans for the nation.
Also yesterday, Angelides explained his new fiscal policy of lifting the financial burden off the poor and middle-class. Specifically, he would like to offer tax credits of up to $660 for families earning less than $100,000. Also, he would like to increase by 50 percent the property tax break for low-income senior and disabled owners and renters. And as mentioned earlier, Angelides wants to roll back state college tuition by up to $5,000. All of these proposals sound great... But some were starting to wonder how Angelides intends to pay for all of this. Well, this is where the centerpiece of Angelides' fiscal policy comes in: he would like to close all the corporate tax loopholes that have been added over the years in addition to imposing a three-year tax increase that will only affect the wealthiest 1% of Californians. This was really something that Angelides needed to do: stress how his fiscal plan will benefit average Californians without boring them with little intricacies. He needs to fight back Arnold's claim that Angelides is raising taxes on everyone, and instead point out that Arnold is increasing the financial burden on working-class Californians. Angelides also likened his fiscal plan for the state to Clinton's 1993 economic recovery package... Again, something he needs to run with! By connecting himself to Clinton and tying Arnold to Bush and the Republican fat cats, Angelides may just be able to take advantage of the national Democratic wave and ride it all the way to the Governor's Mansion!
After the speech, my dad introduced himself to Phil Angelides and asked him what he'd do about the Workers' Compensation fiasco. As it is now, my dad has to fight tooth and nail just to see his doctor. What was supposedly Arnold's attempt to "clean up waste" in the system two years ago was in reality another special interest "gravy train" that has been a boon to the health insurance corporations. Angelides promised my dad that he'd actually fix the system in a way that would help the ones meant to be served by Workers' Comp: the disabled workers! Also I briefly introduced myself to Phil, and told him that I'd do my best to turn out Santa Ana Democrats for him. I also mentioned this to Phil's daughter, Megan. Hopefully, that was a good hint that the Angelides campaign would be better off making use of local programs, such as OC Precinct Captains, to reach out to Orange County voters. There is no reason why multiple GOTV operations should all target the exact same voters... And completely annoy voters in the process! Orange County has already joined the statewide effort to implement Howard Dean's Fifty State Strategy in California... It already worked in turning out more Democrats to defeat Arnold's "top props" last year... Maybe the Angelides campaign should take notice and take up our offer this year!
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by Phil's visit behind the Orange Curtain... Even if he didn't want to stay too far from the curtain! I really hope that Angelides pulls it off this year. Contrary to Arnold's claims, he's no moderate! He is just another Republican fat cat in disguise. If we get that message out to California voters, then we win! This is why I plan to work my behind off all the way through November... and boy, do I hope it pays off!
Monday, August 14, 2006
WTF?! Oh, what could have been...
In yesterday's LA Times, something big happened: one of our beloved OC Rethugs got caught with his hand in the cookie jar! Over the years, Rep. Gary Miller (R- Diamond Bar to Mission Viejo, with a bunch of weird places inbetween) has made big bucks on Inland Empire real estate. Apparently with one recent deal over 165 acres in Monrovia, Miller claimed that the city forced him to sell the property under eminent domain. However, the city of Monrovia denies this... and the records in this case seem to confirm Monrovia's story. Here's the scoop from the recent Times article... It's just too bad we don't have a challenger in the 42nd now (but kudos to Mark Hull-Richter for attempting a qualified write-in!). Still, I wish the party could have been more serious in reaching its (supposed) goal of having candidates in ALL DISTRICTS!
Even though a seat may be considered "safe", we never know when scandal comes knocking (again) at the GOP's door... and opportunity comes knocking at ours! Of course, all the Orange County Republicans in DC are quite slimy... Dana Rohrabacher's (46th) best friend is UBER-LOBBYIST JACK ABRAMOFF!! John Campbell (48th) seems to think BAGHDAD IS SAFER THAN LA OR DC!! Ed Royce (40th) is more than interested in grandstanding with the House Immigration Hearings, but does NOTHING TO BRING HOME FEDERAL FUNDS FOR POLICE AND FIRE!! In fact, the one Orange County Representative in Congress who does ANYTHING for Orange County is, of course, the one DEMOCRAT: Loretta Sanchez (47th).
This, again, is another reason for us to continue our work for these good Dems. Orange County will not remain Republican forever, so let's start to take advantage of the current political climate and build a real Democratic Party here. Seriously, let's not get caught in another situation where we could only WISH about "what could have been..."
Well, I'm done with my late night rant, so enjoy the article below! ; )
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-miller13aug13,0,2223572.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Official's Tax Break: on Firm Ground? Rep. Miller has avoided paying millions on real estate profits. He says the sales were forced; cities' officials dispute that. By William Heisel, Times Staff Writer August 13, 2006 When U.S. Rep. Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar) sold 165 acres to the city of Monrovia in 2002, he made a profit of more than $10 million, according to a financial disclosure form he filed in Congress. Ordinarily, he would have had to pay state and federal taxes of up to 31% on that profit.Instead, Miller told the Internal Revenue Service and the state that Monrovia had forced him to sell the property under threat of eminent domain. That allowed him to shelter the profits from capital gains taxes for more than two years before he had to reinvest the money.But there is a problem with Miller's claim: Monrovia officials say that Miller sold the land willingly and that they didn't threaten to force him to sell.Miller, whose 42nd Congressional District includes chunks of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties, claimed the same exemption in two subsequent Fontana property transactions, allowing him to continue sheltering his profits from the Monrovia sale. And in each of those cases, the purchasers say eminent domain, which allows a government agency to force a sale if it's in the public interest, was neither used nor threatened.Internal Revenue Code Section 1033 was designed to protect people whose land is condemned by government agencies or destroyed in natural disasters. Other investors wishing to postpone capital gains taxes would have to follow complicated rules that include reinvesting the entire amount in other property within 180 days. For Miller, a millionaire land developer in the Inland Empire and a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, repeated use of the forced-sale exemption has enabled deferment of capital gains taxes through at least 2009.Miller declined to comment on the sales after officials in Monrovia disputed his eminent domain contention. Officials with the IRS and the state Franchise Tax Board said it's not their policy to comment on individual cases.In an earlier interview, Miller described being threatened by Monrovia during the bargaining process and said the city gave him no choice but to sell. He said that he prided himself on transparency and noted that he fully disclosed all of his property transactions."The base of the deal was either you sell to us or we'll have to condemn it," Miller said.But records and interviews in Monrovia show that the sale of Miller's land was voluntary.Glen Owens, a member of Monrovia's Planning Commission, said the city could not have used eminent domain to purchase Miller's property, because it was acquiring the undeveloped hillside land for a wilderness preserve using state funding that specifically prohibited forced sales."The state doesn't go along with eminent domain," he said. "You have to have a willing seller."A letter from then-City Manager Don Hopper at the time of the sale confirms that use of state funds blocked the city from considering eminent domain."Under the guidelines of the Challenge Grant Program, all property owners must be willing sellers," Hopper wrote in May 2002.A videotape of a February 2000 City Council meeting, packed with people pushing the city to protect the hillside, shows Miller pleading with city officials four times to buy his land."Why don't you buy my property? I've asked you repeatedly," Miller said.Miller's press secretary, Kevin McKee, wrote in an e-mail to The Times, "Mr. Miller and the city of Monrovia agreed upon the purchase price and a friendly condemnation."Although early drafts of Monrovia's sales contract with Miller included the phrase "friendly condemnation," it was stricken when the final deal was made. Miller and his wife signed an amendment to the escrow instructions on Aug. 1, 2002, saying, "condemnation deleted."Scott Ochoa, the assistant city manager at the time and now the city manager, said the city always discusses the possibility of so-called "friendly condemnation" when it is negotiating a purchase in case a seller wants to claim the forced-sale exemption. In this case, though, the state funds took that option off the table, he said.Miller said that two years after the Monrovia sale, he raced to beat his extended deadline of Dec. 31, 2004, for reinvesting the profits. On Dec. 28, he reinvested some of the profits by purchasing 10 lots for about $5 million near the expanded 210 Freeway in Fontana, a building in Fontana for $1.3 million and five acres in Rancho Cucamonga worth about $2 million. He bought the properties from Lewis Operating Corp., a major Inland Empire developer and one of Miller's largest campaign contributors.Miller took an exemption again when he sold the 10 lots to the city of Fontana in 2005 and again when he sold the building to Fontana this year, claiming both were compulsory sales. Those moves gave him at least another two years after each sale to reinvest the funds without paying capital gains taxes.But records and interviews in Fontana show that those sales were not compulsory."From my perspective, if we were ever asked, I would say we were not threatening eminent domain," said Clark Alsop, the lead lawyer representing Fontana.In fact, Miller bought the properties knowing that Fontana would be purchasing them."The market kept going through the roof, as you know, and I was running out of options," Miller said. "Lewis had bought some property at the request of Fontana. I thought, 'That's safe. I'll buy it. They'll buy it a year from now, and that's no big deal.' "Such a sale could have meant that Miller would finally be liable for the capital gains taxes he had deferred by purchasing the Fontana property.But when Miller sold the 10 lots, most of them with homes, to the Fontana redevelopment agency in April and June 2005 for about $5 million, he filed a tax withholding form for the sale and claimed an exemption by checking a box that said that the sale was "being compulsorily or involuntarily converted" and that he intended to acquire a similar property with the money "to qualify for nonrecognition of gain."To bolster his case that the sale was forced, Miller also asked the city for "a letter that talked about eminent domain," said Ray Bragg, the city's redevelopment director.Bragg called it "a courtesy letter. Agencies do it when asked."The March 22, 2005, letter, signed by City Manager Kenneth R. Hunt, does not threaten to take Miller's land. In fact, it notes that the "redevelopment plan for this project area does not currently authorize the use of eminent domain." But it also notes that, "the Redevelopment Agency is in the process of amending the redevelopment plan to authorize the use of eminent domain."Bragg said that as far as the city is concerned, the letter does not threaten the use of eminent domain."It's really between him and his tax man and the IRS as to whether what is said in that letter is valid to say that the city was going to condemn the property," Bragg said.Fontana attorney Alsop said he had not been consulted about the letter."It's pretty clear to me that the city cannot make a representation to the IRS that this is property being taken under the threat of eminent domain and therefore this person deserves a tax break," Alsop said.Another property owner in the area, Jesse Bojorquez, bought land the city had its eye on and ultimately sold it to Fontana's redevelopment agency. He asked for the same kind of letter to support a claim for a forced-sale exemption.Unlike the letter Miller was given, Bojorquez's letter from Hunt contained a paragraph that explicitly stated it was not to be used as "a representation or warranty as to the applicability of the Internal Revenue Code Section 1033."I'm just a little guy," Bojorquez said. "Why would they beat me up in my letter and not beat this guy up? It's not fair."More than a year later, when Miller sold the Fontana building he had purchased from the Lewis Corp. to the city, he again filed a tax form invoking an exemption by claiming that the sale was compulsory. The city planned to use the structure as a temporary home for a branch of the county library.Again, the city wrote Miller a letter noting that it had the power of eminent domain in its downtown redevelopment district but wasn't planning to use it to acquire the library building. There was no need to. When Miller bought the building from the Lewis Corp., he assumed Lewis' lease arrangement with Fontana that included an option for the city to buy the property outright."In reality, that letter is meaningless, and any IRS auditor who took a look at it would know that," Bragg said.By invoking Section 1033 again, though, Miller was able to defer the payment of a portion of the capital gains taxes from the Monrovia sale until at least 2009.The property he bought in Rancho Cucamonga with some of the proceeds from the Monrovia sale hasn't been sold.Experts in eminent domain law said the arrangement between Fontana and Miller is pushing the legal envelope."Public use condemnation is meant to be a rarity because it's such an extraordinary power," said Doug Kmiec, a constitutional law professor at Pepperdine University. "And a taxpayer who has manipulated the process to provide evidence of a threat where none exists is not much different than a taxpayer who claims deductions on his tax return based on things he made up in his basement."Tax experts said Miller would have a tough time proving to an IRS auditor that he was forced to sell property three times in a row."You really shouldn't be just happening into all these 1033 transactions unless you're very unlucky," said Washington, D.C., tax lawyer Brian Lynn, who has written about the tax exemption. "Multiple 1033 transactions might look fishy to an auditor. You have sort of the pattern-of-evidence problem."
Even though a seat may be considered "safe", we never know when scandal comes knocking (again) at the GOP's door... and opportunity comes knocking at ours! Of course, all the Orange County Republicans in DC are quite slimy... Dana Rohrabacher's (46th) best friend is UBER-LOBBYIST JACK ABRAMOFF!! John Campbell (48th) seems to think BAGHDAD IS SAFER THAN LA OR DC!! Ed Royce (40th) is more than interested in grandstanding with the House Immigration Hearings, but does NOTHING TO BRING HOME FEDERAL FUNDS FOR POLICE AND FIRE!! In fact, the one Orange County Representative in Congress who does ANYTHING for Orange County is, of course, the one DEMOCRAT: Loretta Sanchez (47th).
This, again, is another reason for us to continue our work for these good Dems. Orange County will not remain Republican forever, so let's start to take advantage of the current political climate and build a real Democratic Party here. Seriously, let's not get caught in another situation where we could only WISH about "what could have been..."
Well, I'm done with my late night rant, so enjoy the article below! ; )
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-miller13aug13,0,2223572.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Official's Tax Break: on Firm Ground? Rep. Miller has avoided paying millions on real estate profits. He says the sales were forced; cities' officials dispute that. By William Heisel, Times Staff Writer August 13, 2006 When U.S. Rep. Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar) sold 165 acres to the city of Monrovia in 2002, he made a profit of more than $10 million, according to a financial disclosure form he filed in Congress. Ordinarily, he would have had to pay state and federal taxes of up to 31% on that profit.Instead, Miller told the Internal Revenue Service and the state that Monrovia had forced him to sell the property under threat of eminent domain. That allowed him to shelter the profits from capital gains taxes for more than two years before he had to reinvest the money.But there is a problem with Miller's claim: Monrovia officials say that Miller sold the land willingly and that they didn't threaten to force him to sell.Miller, whose 42nd Congressional District includes chunks of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties, claimed the same exemption in two subsequent Fontana property transactions, allowing him to continue sheltering his profits from the Monrovia sale. And in each of those cases, the purchasers say eminent domain, which allows a government agency to force a sale if it's in the public interest, was neither used nor threatened.Internal Revenue Code Section 1033 was designed to protect people whose land is condemned by government agencies or destroyed in natural disasters. Other investors wishing to postpone capital gains taxes would have to follow complicated rules that include reinvesting the entire amount in other property within 180 days. For Miller, a millionaire land developer in the Inland Empire and a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, repeated use of the forced-sale exemption has enabled deferment of capital gains taxes through at least 2009.Miller declined to comment on the sales after officials in Monrovia disputed his eminent domain contention. Officials with the IRS and the state Franchise Tax Board said it's not their policy to comment on individual cases.In an earlier interview, Miller described being threatened by Monrovia during the bargaining process and said the city gave him no choice but to sell. He said that he prided himself on transparency and noted that he fully disclosed all of his property transactions."The base of the deal was either you sell to us or we'll have to condemn it," Miller said.But records and interviews in Monrovia show that the sale of Miller's land was voluntary.Glen Owens, a member of Monrovia's Planning Commission, said the city could not have used eminent domain to purchase Miller's property, because it was acquiring the undeveloped hillside land for a wilderness preserve using state funding that specifically prohibited forced sales."The state doesn't go along with eminent domain," he said. "You have to have a willing seller."A letter from then-City Manager Don Hopper at the time of the sale confirms that use of state funds blocked the city from considering eminent domain."Under the guidelines of the Challenge Grant Program, all property owners must be willing sellers," Hopper wrote in May 2002.A videotape of a February 2000 City Council meeting, packed with people pushing the city to protect the hillside, shows Miller pleading with city officials four times to buy his land."Why don't you buy my property? I've asked you repeatedly," Miller said.Miller's press secretary, Kevin McKee, wrote in an e-mail to The Times, "Mr. Miller and the city of Monrovia agreed upon the purchase price and a friendly condemnation."Although early drafts of Monrovia's sales contract with Miller included the phrase "friendly condemnation," it was stricken when the final deal was made. Miller and his wife signed an amendment to the escrow instructions on Aug. 1, 2002, saying, "condemnation deleted."Scott Ochoa, the assistant city manager at the time and now the city manager, said the city always discusses the possibility of so-called "friendly condemnation" when it is negotiating a purchase in case a seller wants to claim the forced-sale exemption. In this case, though, the state funds took that option off the table, he said.Miller said that two years after the Monrovia sale, he raced to beat his extended deadline of Dec. 31, 2004, for reinvesting the profits. On Dec. 28, he reinvested some of the profits by purchasing 10 lots for about $5 million near the expanded 210 Freeway in Fontana, a building in Fontana for $1.3 million and five acres in Rancho Cucamonga worth about $2 million. He bought the properties from Lewis Operating Corp., a major Inland Empire developer and one of Miller's largest campaign contributors.Miller took an exemption again when he sold the 10 lots to the city of Fontana in 2005 and again when he sold the building to Fontana this year, claiming both were compulsory sales. Those moves gave him at least another two years after each sale to reinvest the funds without paying capital gains taxes.But records and interviews in Fontana show that those sales were not compulsory."From my perspective, if we were ever asked, I would say we were not threatening eminent domain," said Clark Alsop, the lead lawyer representing Fontana.In fact, Miller bought the properties knowing that Fontana would be purchasing them."The market kept going through the roof, as you know, and I was running out of options," Miller said. "Lewis had bought some property at the request of Fontana. I thought, 'That's safe. I'll buy it. They'll buy it a year from now, and that's no big deal.' "Such a sale could have meant that Miller would finally be liable for the capital gains taxes he had deferred by purchasing the Fontana property.But when Miller sold the 10 lots, most of them with homes, to the Fontana redevelopment agency in April and June 2005 for about $5 million, he filed a tax withholding form for the sale and claimed an exemption by checking a box that said that the sale was "being compulsorily or involuntarily converted" and that he intended to acquire a similar property with the money "to qualify for nonrecognition of gain."To bolster his case that the sale was forced, Miller also asked the city for "a letter that talked about eminent domain," said Ray Bragg, the city's redevelopment director.Bragg called it "a courtesy letter. Agencies do it when asked."The March 22, 2005, letter, signed by City Manager Kenneth R. Hunt, does not threaten to take Miller's land. In fact, it notes that the "redevelopment plan for this project area does not currently authorize the use of eminent domain." But it also notes that, "the Redevelopment Agency is in the process of amending the redevelopment plan to authorize the use of eminent domain."Bragg said that as far as the city is concerned, the letter does not threaten the use of eminent domain."It's really between him and his tax man and the IRS as to whether what is said in that letter is valid to say that the city was going to condemn the property," Bragg said.Fontana attorney Alsop said he had not been consulted about the letter."It's pretty clear to me that the city cannot make a representation to the IRS that this is property being taken under the threat of eminent domain and therefore this person deserves a tax break," Alsop said.Another property owner in the area, Jesse Bojorquez, bought land the city had its eye on and ultimately sold it to Fontana's redevelopment agency. He asked for the same kind of letter to support a claim for a forced-sale exemption.Unlike the letter Miller was given, Bojorquez's letter from Hunt contained a paragraph that explicitly stated it was not to be used as "a representation or warranty as to the applicability of the Internal Revenue Code Section 1033."I'm just a little guy," Bojorquez said. "Why would they beat me up in my letter and not beat this guy up? It's not fair."More than a year later, when Miller sold the Fontana building he had purchased from the Lewis Corp. to the city, he again filed a tax form invoking an exemption by claiming that the sale was compulsory. The city planned to use the structure as a temporary home for a branch of the county library.Again, the city wrote Miller a letter noting that it had the power of eminent domain in its downtown redevelopment district but wasn't planning to use it to acquire the library building. There was no need to. When Miller bought the building from the Lewis Corp., he assumed Lewis' lease arrangement with Fontana that included an option for the city to buy the property outright."In reality, that letter is meaningless, and any IRS auditor who took a look at it would know that," Bragg said.By invoking Section 1033 again, though, Miller was able to defer the payment of a portion of the capital gains taxes from the Monrovia sale until at least 2009.The property he bought in Rancho Cucamonga with some of the proceeds from the Monrovia sale hasn't been sold.Experts in eminent domain law said the arrangement between Fontana and Miller is pushing the legal envelope."Public use condemnation is meant to be a rarity because it's such an extraordinary power," said Doug Kmiec, a constitutional law professor at Pepperdine University. "And a taxpayer who has manipulated the process to provide evidence of a threat where none exists is not much different than a taxpayer who claims deductions on his tax return based on things he made up in his basement."Tax experts said Miller would have a tough time proving to an IRS auditor that he was forced to sell property three times in a row."You really shouldn't be just happening into all these 1033 transactions unless you're very unlucky," said Washington, D.C., tax lawyer Brian Lynn, who has written about the tax exemption. "Multiple 1033 transactions might look fishy to an auditor. You have sort of the pattern-of-evidence problem."
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Losing the Boom
Damn, this sucks! I may NEVER have a chance to experience what was the most legendary gay club... HECK, THE MOST LEGENDARY CLUB, PERIOD... in Orange County. The Boom Boom Room is the longest running party scene on the Left Coast... and it's set to close early next month. I guess we had this coming... for years now the queer scene in Laguna has been on the decline. Now just about all of the OC Coast has become a playground for the ultrarich and famous, and many of the artists, hippies, and queers who used to live in Laguna (and give the town its reputation as OC's unique beachtown) can no longer afford to stay here.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-laguna12aug12,1,2028500,full.story?coll=la-editions-orange
Well, maybe the Boom's fate hasn't been completely sealed. There is a major grassroots effort to save this histroic Laguna landamrk... the "Save the Boom" coalition is doing a petition drive to stop the pending closure... Check out their blog and read about this uphill battle:
http://savetheboom.blogspot.com/
I sincerely hope that they can succeed... In the past, Orange County has had one place to go to get away from the snobs, the fundies, and the suburban sprawl. Frankly, South County still needs Laguna, that one magical beach town where people aren't stared at and sneered just because they're "different".
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-laguna12aug12,1,2028500,full.story?coll=la-editions-orange
Well, maybe the Boom's fate hasn't been completely sealed. There is a major grassroots effort to save this histroic Laguna landamrk... the "Save the Boom" coalition is doing a petition drive to stop the pending closure... Check out their blog and read about this uphill battle:
http://savetheboom.blogspot.com/
I sincerely hope that they can succeed... In the past, Orange County has had one place to go to get away from the snobs, the fundies, and the suburban sprawl. Frankly, South County still needs Laguna, that one magical beach town where people aren't stared at and sneered just because they're "different".
Friday, August 11, 2006
Why Am I Active?
Recently I've actually had some time to think about why I became such a raging activist. How did I transform from a typical kid who just believed whatever his parents believed to a passionate progressive who recently convinced his dad to reregister as a Democrat? Well, a few things have happened over the last five years:
- 9/11: The American people were united in sympathy for the victims of the attack... heck, THE WORLD was united for those first few days... then Bush f***ed up. The administration took advantage of the attack to push this "War on Terror" that would give them a "carte blanche" to disregard our Constitution, pulverize our civil liberties, and (attempt to) become an Imperial Power in the Middle East.
- California's Wild Ride with Deregulation: Enron basically caused an "artificial" power shortage in order to profit off of Pete Wilson's misguided attempt to deregulate our electricity market. Of course, Bush also "helped" in this effort... one of his first executive orders issued overturned Clinton's executive order banning speculative trading in our power market. But of course, Bush does what's best for his friends (such as Ken Lay).
- Global Warming: The science proves it. The rest of the world is trying to curb it (with the Kyoto Protocol). Bush & Co. is just giving us bull**it. Instead of taking any kind of initiative on this serious threat to our planet, the administration is still denying that this is a real crisis that is being caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. Again, they're doing what's best for their friends (oil companies, auto companies, etc.).
- Iraq: Al-Qaeda was never there. The weapons of mass destruction were never there. Our "democracy" isn't really working there. So why exactly are we there? Again, Bush's friends (defense contractors in pursuit of profit and neo-cons in pursuit of global domination) wanted our military there. In turn, we've lost over 2,500 brave young men and women... oh yeah, and possibly over 100,000 INNOCENT CIVILIANS have been slaughtered in this tragic misadventure. Oh yeah, we lost that last bit of goodwill from the rest of the world as a result of the push for war.
- Education: Why is it that Bush & Co. wants to continue even more testing for schools, then provide no funds to these public schools to make them better? Why is it that Bush would prefer to indoctrinate our kids with religious dogma than let them be taught real science? Why are funds for college student aid being cut? I guess we're no "friends" of the Bush cabal.
Now these are just a sampling of why I've become so active. There are more things that I can think of... but I'd rather not spend the rest of the month on this posting. I'd rather use my time to be active.
- 9/11: The American people were united in sympathy for the victims of the attack... heck, THE WORLD was united for those first few days... then Bush f***ed up. The administration took advantage of the attack to push this "War on Terror" that would give them a "carte blanche" to disregard our Constitution, pulverize our civil liberties, and (attempt to) become an Imperial Power in the Middle East.
- California's Wild Ride with Deregulation: Enron basically caused an "artificial" power shortage in order to profit off of Pete Wilson's misguided attempt to deregulate our electricity market. Of course, Bush also "helped" in this effort... one of his first executive orders issued overturned Clinton's executive order banning speculative trading in our power market. But of course, Bush does what's best for his friends (such as Ken Lay).
- Global Warming: The science proves it. The rest of the world is trying to curb it (with the Kyoto Protocol). Bush & Co. is just giving us bull**it. Instead of taking any kind of initiative on this serious threat to our planet, the administration is still denying that this is a real crisis that is being caused by the emission of greenhouse gases. Again, they're doing what's best for their friends (oil companies, auto companies, etc.).
- Iraq: Al-Qaeda was never there. The weapons of mass destruction were never there. Our "democracy" isn't really working there. So why exactly are we there? Again, Bush's friends (defense contractors in pursuit of profit and neo-cons in pursuit of global domination) wanted our military there. In turn, we've lost over 2,500 brave young men and women... oh yeah, and possibly over 100,000 INNOCENT CIVILIANS have been slaughtered in this tragic misadventure. Oh yeah, we lost that last bit of goodwill from the rest of the world as a result of the push for war.
- Education: Why is it that Bush & Co. wants to continue even more testing for schools, then provide no funds to these public schools to make them better? Why is it that Bush would prefer to indoctrinate our kids with religious dogma than let them be taught real science? Why are funds for college student aid being cut? I guess we're no "friends" of the Bush cabal.
Now these are just a sampling of why I've become so active. There are more things that I can think of... but I'd rather not spend the rest of the month on this posting. I'd rather use my time to be active.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Now Making a Move in Santa Ana
I said I'd continue the story... Now I intend to finish it!
After recovering from my post-election depression, I decided to make sure that the same mistakes made in the 50th would not be repeated in Orange County. That's why I signed up as Santa Ana Captain with Precinct Captains. I want to actually talk to my neighbors, build personal relationships with them, and engage them in the Democratic Party. This way, they won't be "bothered" into voting for Steve Young, Loretta Sanchez, or Jim Brandt... they'll want to vote for them. Of course, I'd also like to use this new tool to help local candidates as well. We have a city council race in November, and we'll have an (most likely) open county supervisor's seat in January. Obviously, I'll have have a whole lot of work to do from here on in!
Of course, I wouldn't mind if others join me in this new endeavor. I'd like to sign up some new volunteers here in Santa Ana, and there are plenty of other locales in OC that need neighborhood volunteers. Hopefully, this will be the start of a real, grassroots movement behind the Orange Curtain.
After recovering from my post-election depression, I decided to make sure that the same mistakes made in the 50th would not be repeated in Orange County. That's why I signed up as Santa Ana Captain with Precinct Captains. I want to actually talk to my neighbors, build personal relationships with them, and engage them in the Democratic Party. This way, they won't be "bothered" into voting for Steve Young, Loretta Sanchez, or Jim Brandt... they'll want to vote for them. Of course, I'd also like to use this new tool to help local candidates as well. We have a city council race in November, and we'll have an (most likely) open county supervisor's seat in January. Obviously, I'll have have a whole lot of work to do from here on in!
Of course, I wouldn't mind if others join me in this new endeavor. I'd like to sign up some new volunteers here in Santa Ana, and there are plenty of other locales in OC that need neighborhood volunteers. Hopefully, this will be the start of a real, grassroots movement behind the Orange Curtain.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Moving On
I know I haven't been on here in a while... not that it really matters, no one reads this anyways... but still, I should give an update.
Since June, I have moved on with my life. Francine's loss on June 6 devastated me, but now I've come home to my native Orange County to help all the Democratic Congressional Candidates here. Will any of them win? Well, Loretta (47th) of course! Also I think Jim Brandt (46th) actually has a good chance of upsetting incumbent (psychotically radical right) Republican Dana Rohrabacher. Hopefully if this Democratic "wave" turns into a full tsunami this year, Florice Hoffman (40th) and Steve Young (48th) might be able to ride it into DC!
Of course, the main reason why we're finally seeing real campaigns in Orange County is because we want to begin rebuilding our party here. I'm now the Santa Ana Captain for Steve Young. I'm doing this because I want to reach out to my neighbors and personally engage them into the Democratic Party. I saw what happened to Francine Busby, and I don't want to see it happen again!
You might ask, "Whatever happened to Francine Busby?" Well, I can answer that now! As soon as Duke Cunningham resigned and the DCCC smelled blood in the water, they chose the 50th Congressional District as one of their target races. Now don't get me wrong... I appreciate that they did give the campaign much-needed money for a great field program. However, they also gave the campaign money to hire not-needed consultants. Of couse, later on they bypassed the campaign (when they legally maxed out the amount of money they could give to the campaign) and matched the sleazy negative ads the Republicans were putting on TV with their own sleazy negative ads! This, coupled with the negative ad wars between Westly and Angelides, drove down Democratic turnout on June 6. That, of course, meant a bitter death for our aspiration to send Francine to Washington.
Now I recognize the real problem we're facing with a top-down style of leadership in Washington that thinks that we can win elections by sending slick mailers and gnarly commercials. In reality, this tactic is simply turning off voters. In turn, this lower turnout is benefitting the Republicans.
Now I recognize that things need to change. That's why I want to be a part of it.
To be continued...
Since June, I have moved on with my life. Francine's loss on June 6 devastated me, but now I've come home to my native Orange County to help all the Democratic Congressional Candidates here. Will any of them win? Well, Loretta (47th) of course! Also I think Jim Brandt (46th) actually has a good chance of upsetting incumbent (psychotically radical right) Republican Dana Rohrabacher. Hopefully if this Democratic "wave" turns into a full tsunami this year, Florice Hoffman (40th) and Steve Young (48th) might be able to ride it into DC!
Of course, the main reason why we're finally seeing real campaigns in Orange County is because we want to begin rebuilding our party here. I'm now the Santa Ana Captain for Steve Young. I'm doing this because I want to reach out to my neighbors and personally engage them into the Democratic Party. I saw what happened to Francine Busby, and I don't want to see it happen again!
You might ask, "Whatever happened to Francine Busby?" Well, I can answer that now! As soon as Duke Cunningham resigned and the DCCC smelled blood in the water, they chose the 50th Congressional District as one of their target races. Now don't get me wrong... I appreciate that they did give the campaign much-needed money for a great field program. However, they also gave the campaign money to hire not-needed consultants. Of couse, later on they bypassed the campaign (when they legally maxed out the amount of money they could give to the campaign) and matched the sleazy negative ads the Republicans were putting on TV with their own sleazy negative ads! This, coupled with the negative ad wars between Westly and Angelides, drove down Democratic turnout on June 6. That, of course, meant a bitter death for our aspiration to send Francine to Washington.
Now I recognize the real problem we're facing with a top-down style of leadership in Washington that thinks that we can win elections by sending slick mailers and gnarly commercials. In reality, this tactic is simply turning off voters. In turn, this lower turnout is benefitting the Republicans.
Now I recognize that things need to change. That's why I want to be a part of it.
To be continued...
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
My Birthday... Good and Bad
Friday was my birthday... and I had some terrific "presents". For one, some staffers at the Busby for Congress office in Cardiff bought me a b-day cake and threw a little party for me... that would have been enough to make my day, but there was more. Ex-Rep. Duke Cunningham (R- the old guy from CA-50 who took $2.4 million in bribes and plead guilty) got 100 months in jail... and better yet... Francine delivered the Democratic response to Bush's national radio address!!!!
Sadly, there was some bad news as well. The Senate voted to renew most of the (Un)Patriot Act, and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) is stonewalling on an Intelligence Committee investigation of the Illegal NSA Wiretaps. The US Supreme Court dismissed the challenge (by a coaltion of law schools) to the Solomon Amendment, which punishes colleges which refuse to allow military recruiting on campus by cutting off federal funds (these law schools countered that the military violates their non-discrimination policies by forbidding openly LGBT people from serving). Of course, another frustrating bit of news is the (near total) abortion ban in South Dakota... if I were a straight girl, I'd be fleeing the state by now! What can I say... the radical right will be pushing as hard as they can to get their disgusting agenda through... even as they begin to lose grasp of power. How sad it is.
Anyways, there is some more good news to cheer us up. For one, Francine and I share the same birthday... so I crashed her party on Friday night. I signed up some more volunteers, I previewed our new TV commercial (which premiered at the Oscars Sunday night!), and I got to talk with Francine for a little while (she is such a terrific gal!). It turns out that we are both originally from Orange County, and I may be in a position to help her once she wins this election (volunteer interns will certainly be needed in the new district office... or should I say she may be in a position to help me ).
In conclusion, I must say this: if you live anywhere near a hotly contested Congressional seat this year (House and/or Senate)... help us! If you are disgusted with continual war on other peoples, war on civil liberties, war on the Constitution, and war on the poor the way I am... then this is your chance to do something! We Dems can actually pull off a "year of change" election the same way the Repugs did in 1994... but we cannot do it without all of our effort and support.
Sadly, there was some bad news as well. The Senate voted to renew most of the (Un)Patriot Act, and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) is stonewalling on an Intelligence Committee investigation of the Illegal NSA Wiretaps. The US Supreme Court dismissed the challenge (by a coaltion of law schools) to the Solomon Amendment, which punishes colleges which refuse to allow military recruiting on campus by cutting off federal funds (these law schools countered that the military violates their non-discrimination policies by forbidding openly LGBT people from serving). Of course, another frustrating bit of news is the (near total) abortion ban in South Dakota... if I were a straight girl, I'd be fleeing the state by now! What can I say... the radical right will be pushing as hard as they can to get their disgusting agenda through... even as they begin to lose grasp of power. How sad it is.
Anyways, there is some more good news to cheer us up. For one, Francine and I share the same birthday... so I crashed her party on Friday night. I signed up some more volunteers, I previewed our new TV commercial (which premiered at the Oscars Sunday night!), and I got to talk with Francine for a little while (she is such a terrific gal!). It turns out that we are both originally from Orange County, and I may be in a position to help her once she wins this election (volunteer interns will certainly be needed in the new district office... or should I say she may be in a position to help me ).
In conclusion, I must say this: if you live anywhere near a hotly contested Congressional seat this year (House and/or Senate)... help us! If you are disgusted with continual war on other peoples, war on civil liberties, war on the Constitution, and war on the poor the way I am... then this is your chance to do something! We Dems can actually pull off a "year of change" election the same way the Repugs did in 1994... but we cannot do it without all of our effort and support.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Oh, and btw...
In addition to good news at the state level, it seems like the national Democratic Party has DISCOVERED ITS SPINE AGAIN!!!! Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has ordered a CLOSED SESSION, according to Rule 21 of Senate Conduct, in order to learn more about the COOKED PREWAR INTELLIGENCE ON IRAQ. Hopefully, more members of the Senate will realize the same important fact that a MAJORITY OF AMERICANS has already discovered: BUSH (AND HIS CRONIES) LIED, AND PEOPLE DIED!!!!
Whoo hoo!!! The people of California are speaking...
and the results are'nt good for Ahh-nold! All four of "his initiatives" are FAILING!!!! Check out the Field Poll results for yourself at http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/RLS2174.pdf. The more the people are finding out how Arnold's measures will truly SCREW THEM, they are more likely to VOTE NO!!!! Btw, if you are a California resident, remember to vote next Tuesday!!!! Learn more about Props 73-80 at http://www.betterca.com/ and http://speakoutca.org/. Come back and talk to me when you've seen how disgusting the radical right can be!
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