You can run, but you can't hide in San Diego

From the No Good Deed Goes Unpunished files:

A 53-year-old woman who escaped from a Michigan prison in 1976 is facing extradition after being arrested at her upscale home in San Diego, officials said today.

Susan Lefevre, sentenced in 1975 to 10 to 20 years in prison on drug charges, was living as Marie Walsh with her husband in the Carmel Valley neighborhood here, the U.S. marshal's office said.

A tipster had alerted Michigan officials to Lefevre's whereabouts. Her identity was confirmed through the thumbprint on her driver's license.

Lefevre was in "disbelief" when she was arrested last week, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Steve Jurman. At first she denied being the fugitive but then relented, he added.

"She kept saying, 'Are you sure? Are you sure you have to take me?' " Jurman said. "She told me, 'It was the 1970s. Everybody was doing heroin. It's not like it is today.' " . . . .

She will probably have to serve between five and nine years in prison before being eligible for parole, Marlan said. Meanwhile, Michigan officials will investigate to see if she has broken any other laws in her three decades as a fugitive, he said. A fugitive warrant lists several aliases she allegedly used.

I know people have to pay their debt, but, don't you kinda feel bad for her? A Michigan prison spokesman asked what sort of message it would send to other prisoners if you could escape, live clean, and have your sentence dropped if you were caught?

Well, that's kind of a scared-straight message, isn't it? IF you can live clean . . . isn't it a rehabilitation-based system for which we strive here?

Hells Angel hath no fury like a Hells Angel scorned

In a hallmark of 1st Amendment activism a Hells Angel got himself an apology from the Superior Court for a 'misunderstanding' in a judge's order regarindg his scary vest.

Awesome.

Give her, and me, a break

If the Vanity Fair cover is the worst this 15 year old has done, maybe we should give her a flippin' break. She had to apologize for a soft-focus, Annie Lebowitz cover photo of her looking like a painted figurine?

As if.

Caution, sad animal story ahead

This is by far the saddest thing I've read in a very long time.

Why do animal stories reach us when more horrific human stories can't?

A little bit of Iraq infamy still building a home in our region

Fabulous!

Blackwater is still working on its new training center:

Blackwater Worldwide is planning to open an indoor training facility in Otay Mesa after abandoning a controversial proposal to build a training center for law enforcement and the military on an East County chicken ranch.

It wasn't local concerns that scrapped the first proposal, but rather Blackwater's concerns that it be associated with anything chicken.

The new location is cool:

Broughton said the building was already permitted for use as a vocational trade school, and Blackwater's training activities would fall within that category.

It's a trade school! Like a beauty school.

'California home foreclosures hit a record '

California home foreclosures hit record levels in the first quarter of the year - but don't worry, we're not in a recession.

Ironic Headlines, Exhibit A

"Clinton says margin won't matter for a Pennsylvania victory" said a headline from earlier today that linked to an article via Rough & Tumble that now tells a different story - one of Clinton's big win in Pennsylvania where I'm betting now the margin WILL matter in the campaign's press releases.

That expectations game is pretty risky, isn't it.

This is Why I Didn't Do a Senior Project

SO first, this girl said she was inducing pregnancy and miscarriages as 'art' for a senior project.

You know, to create a dialogue and generally be appalling.

Now, it turns out the real senior project was fooling all us.

I'd say she should get an A.

Because Homosexuality Is a Joke Right?

Over at Out they're talking about the "man crush".

Why exactly is it straight guys can't seem to understand the difference between like and, you know, like like.

Or they're just using 'man crushes' as a way to clear up any confusion about the possibility that they could be gay.

Because maybe that way the audience will be reassured that they're just kidding. Because homosexuality is a joke, right?

Third Rail! Don't Pee On It!

Finally, in the second hour, there are some questions that might matter in the presidential debates. Not who is friends with who. Blah!

But a question about US reactions to an attack on Israel? Whoa, that's pretty heavy for a couple of moderators who posed a question about whether Obama's lack of a flag pin might hamper his ability to lead the country.

For crap sake - they are called moderators - can't they be more, uh, moderate and keep all the questions straight and focused. Most of the questions are unanswerable for being either too fluffy or far to important for Americans to really listen to.

They answered fine, as far as they could.

The gun divide in PA

This is a great article on the PA gun paradox. Hunters in the geographically larger red part of the state love their guns. But people are dying in gun violence at an alarming rate in the smaller, bluer parts of the state.

It's like that in other states too, of course. I think our hunter demographic is smaller, or less vocal, here in Cali, but we certainly are familiar with gun violence.

I'm not sure how we still love and celebrate something that causes such destruction. Our courts are set up to favor letting 10 guilty people go rather than imprison one innocent man, so why can't we favor fewer dead in the cities over the ability to shoot crap in the country?

I suppose we don't exactly get those innocent people out though. Maybe we're wrong in lots of areas.

Does no one have to GIVE anymore?

Seriously, what is up with Republicans and tax cuts? I know they hate taxes, but I thought they liked personal responsibility and people doing their part? If we Dems are tax-and-spend, are they tax-cut-and-spend? McCain wants us to have a summer vacation from gas taxes? 'Cause that would help federal infrastructure like LOADS, right?

Hey, we're miserable!

Study: Middle-class Americans increasingly downbeat about their short-term economic progress

Yeesh. When it rains it pours. Poors?

A Prestigious And Large Group

Twenty-seven SD schools were chosen as California Distinguised Schools. Only 343 out of the 839 schools that applied were selected. A mere 40%. Selective. Our schools are saved. Work done. Let's make Jack O'Connell governor.

Oy, I'm in a mood.

Head Out to FilmOut!

This weekend is the start of the 10th annual FilmOut. One week will cover 72 films, comedy, drama, etc.

“It seems that with any kind of artistic social movement, the original effort was to portray, especially in gay films, our lives positively in the beginning to gain legitimacy and reflect positively back on our community,” he said. “I think now people are most interested in seeing a whole panoply of images about gay life. So we want to see the dark, scary thriller. I want to see a full range of gay characters and gay stories, and sometimes life is a romantic comedy, and sometimes life is a horror story – so why can’t we do all of those?”

So there you go, now we're legitimate enough to have dark movies too. Go us!

What Do You Have on Your iPod?

The Governator gave the French ambassador a very personal gift for his visit today. An iPod with the Arnold's favorite music.

And the ambassador said, American music? ew. No, actually he said beach boyrs, guns n' roses, grateful dead? Did someone give Arnold a list of 'classic american music'?

How typical

How can the party of individual responsibility always be in favor of removing any personal responsibility from solving our biggest policy problems?

Assembly Republicans are working on a plan to give schools more money next year without a tax increase, countering a drive by Democrats to protect schools with a tax increase.

From the party that brought you a war withouth victory gardens comes an education funding crisis that requires no worry on your part whatsoever. Rockin'!

Sign of the times

You love the sign, now meet the man.

There is a father, leading the way with a clear sense of urgency, bent at the waist. A mother, running behind him, despite the prim dress that hugs her knees. A little girl, holding her mother's hand, unable to keep pace, her feet barely touching the ground, her pigtails -- everyone knows the pigtails -- flowing behind.

In 1990, the image would be projected onto black vinyl, traced with a knife blade, glued onto yellow signs, topped with one word -- CAUTION -- and placed on the shoulders of freeways, mostly along Interstate 5 north of the Mexican border.

The sign served as a warning that drivers could encounter people racing across the interstate -- most of them trying to get from Mexico into the United States. It would become one of the most iconic and enduring images associated with the nation's war over illegal immigration. And it would leave John Hood, now 59 years old and preparing to retire, conflicted and ambivalent about his strange legacy.

Interesting article, but largely just a gloss on the man who made the sign and the many groups who have adopted the sign to different ends. You can imagine who uses the sign for what.

I recall not understanding the sign, and subsequently laughing at it, when I was younger and saw it for the first time during a family trip to Sea World.

Ponder though, that anyone would risk running across the interstate to find freedom. It may be illegal. It's pretty stupid. But it's moving as well.

Good year for litigation

Bad year for homeowners, but whatever. At least attorneys can stay in business. Because if the lawyers suffer, we all suffer. Remember that.

Anyway, a Carlsbad couple is headed to court this week to pursue their claim that they was duped:

Vernon and Marty Ummel, who purchased a $1.2 million home in Carlsbad three years ago, will try to convince a jury that their real estate agent defrauded them when he failed to inform them that similar houses on the same block were selling for more than $100,000 less than what the Ummels had paid.

Although legal experts say the case is intriguing, most doubt it will spawn a raft of lawsuits in which disgruntled buyers go after real estate agents alleging they were led astray.

Experts also question whether the Ummels will be able to prevail, recognizing that ultimately, the Ummels were the ones who decided to pay what they did in 2005 for their two-story, 3,700-square-foot tract home in a neighborhood just north of the Four Seasons Aviara golf course. In those days, prices throughout the county were still climbing.

You know, if they just wait it out, the market will probably come back. Is the Four Seasons' neighborhood really going downhill to the point they need to get out now? Yeah, we didn't think so either.

I'm going to predict they'll lose big time here. Which will probably be a bad thing for other potential litigants with far more compelling cases and far less access to legal resources. Oh well. They'll stay rich. They sold their last home in NorCal for over a million. I bet they'll be okay.

There are two things wrong with this nipple story

First, that airport security made her remove her nipple rings.

Second, that she allowed scar tissue to develop in her nipples. C'mon now, hon, weren't you taught proper piercing care? Rotate! Clean! Avoid scar tissue and maintain good nipple health.

Clint Eastwood Gets Fired

The Governator removed Bobby Shriver and Clint Eastwood from their positions on the state parks' panel.

Yes, that's Bobby Shriver (his brother in law) and Clint Eastwoord, THE Clint Eastwood.

Both of them voted against the San Onofre toll road, so that's it, they're out.

Now the Natural Resource Defense Council wants to examine what's going on with that.

I dunno, doesn't Clint Eastwood have something else to be doing right now?

The Governator's Pad

The Governator lives in the Hyatt when he's up in Sac. Sure, lots of people know that. But they don't know how he's paying for it. And there are no records are where the money is coming from private donors.

Governors dating back to former Gov. Ronald Reagan have relied on outside foundations to pay for their housing in Sacramento. Schwarzenegger's Hyatt arrangement differs in that his foundation is not leasing a house to the state as the Deukmejian-related foundation did. In Schwarzenegger's case, no formal written agreement with the state appears to exist.

Shouldn't we have a better policy since Reagan was in the office?

Be afraid. Be very Afraid. Of Stuff.

How is this useful?

Attorney General Michael Mukasey has been taken aback by the scope and variety of potential terrorism threats facing the United States, he told reporters Friday at an informal meeting in his office.

"I'm surprised by how surprised I am," said Mukasey, who as a federal judge presided over terrorism-related trials in New York.

"It's surprising how varied [the threat] is, how many directions it comes from, how geographically spread out it is," he said.

Mukasey issued no warnings, made no pronouncements and offered no suggestion of increased danger or newly detected plots.

He would not discuss specifics of potential threats, which remain secret.

Look, just do your job and leave us out of it. If all you're going to do is tell us that there's stuff out there to be scared of, but never tell us what it is, then I can't really help you. Or me, for that matter.

Nearly seven years and still the same tune. We want to be safe and also to feel safe, but constant reminders that there are monsters under the bed doesn't help anything at all.

Pop goes the rental investment market

Ah, area real estate. You know this won't end well:

Robert and Yvonne Cromer began investing in real estate in 2000, when they tapped the equity in their College Area home to buy a nearby rental property.

Over the next few years, the San Diego County couple repeated the pattern, accumulating 17 properties in five states. In 2004, they were featured in a CNN Money article headlined “Tycoon in the Making.”

I don't think they are tycoons any more.

This article touches on You Walk Away.com (I refuse to link) that helps people, well, walk away from their homes. Just leave. Buh-bye. Doesn't seem responsible.

I'm glad I'm still renting. Even if I'm really tired of my eggshell walls.

We have weird neighbors

Despite the show having gone off the air awhile back now, Orange County has renamed some agencies using "OC" in the title. Like The O.C. get it? Yeah, I know, I thought they used the initials in the past on stuff as well. What about OCTA - the OCTA buses, clever, right? That has "OC" in it. Oh well. To each local government its own.

Safety First

Crime and wildfires are people's main concerns as they judge local candidates for the June election.

Not the economy, stupid?

The Sprinter

The new Sprinter rail line finished it's first week.

13,000 people rode it the first day. Then, on Tuesday, a man lay down on the track and got his ankles severed. Why?

Overall, though, it was considered a success. The train goes from Escondido to Oceanside. So ride it while you can.

Oh, and, in case that last post didn't give you fiscally irresponsible nightmares

Housing prices are continuing to crap out!

Do you ever get frustrated living in California? It isn't that the rest of the country isn't in a housing slump as well, but nowhere did things seem more overvalued than here in the west. We have so much farther to fall! And we're going for it! Weeeee!

The Recession has landed!

Run for your lives! The economy is, uh, over!

I'm definitely not an economist, so I don't understand how all this works. But it seems weird to me that for months there's been this lingering question of whether we're heading for or already in a recession or whether we're afraid for no reason. So, it's here. Okay. It's almost a comfort to know that we're IN the recession:

Although the classic definition of recession is two consecutive quarters of declines in the gross domestic product, Stephen Stanley of RBS Greenwich Capital pointed out that the National Bureau of Economic Research, the nonpartisan organization that is the official arbiter of recessions, doesn't always strictly follow that definition. "If you go back to the 2001 recession, there was only one negative GDP quarter, and there might not even be one negative quarter in this recession," he said.

There's an official arbiter of recessions? How does an organization get that gig? Does it pay well? Is it like being an undertaker - no matter what, you'll always be in business.

Things are bad out there and it seems that even those employed in sectors not effected by downturns (like, people not in manufacturing, etc) get scared and stay home with their money too. And the dollar is worth less, so no European vacation this year either. Boo!

Oil For School

San Diego Unified is sending out just over 900 pink slips today.


This comes at the same time as the Speaker's new push to raise oil taxes to boost education funding.

The bill would put a 2% tax on oil companies that make more than $10 Million. Wait, oil companies weren't even paying a 2% tax before? I really need to get into that business.

Republicans are skeptical of the plan.


“This really is a drill,” said DeVore. “I wouldn’t want to insult the Democrats’ intelligence that they actually believe in the policies they’ve advocated. Clearly, these policies would devastate California’s domestic oil production.”

No More Cuts

Yesterday, students at Cal State San Marcos protested the cuts that are a-coming.

I was over there and students are angry. Granted, we're always a little angry. But this whole situation is unacceptable.

Here's an idea: WE HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM!

Oh To Be LGBT in SD

Today we're going to focus on LGBT news in San Diego.

The UT just realized we live in lots of different neighborhoods. Apparently it was a bit of a shock to find gay people outside Hillcrest.

The government didn't try to count the number of gay and lesbian couples in the 1990 census, making it impossible to officially track neighborhood increases in the gay and lesbian population. But longtime residents say there's no question that more gays and lesbians are moving to North Park and University Heights.

What if the government did start trying to count the number of LGBT couples?

A little older news, but oh so relevant, federal judges ruled that bigotry is not acceptable. Well, kinda.

They did rule that the Poway school district was within it's rights to pull a student out of class who wore a shirt that said “I Will Not Accept What God Has Condemned” on one side and “Homosexuality is Shameful, Romans 1:27” on the other. This on the "Day of Silence". That's just in really bad taste.

Stop Flying Arnold

The Governator's often daily commute from Sacramento to Santa Monica isn't good for the environment. Or for the state. *gasp*

Arnold also spends alot of money flying back and forth and out of the state and renting out the penthouse suite at the Hyatt in Sacramento. He pays for it with all his own money, he says. But that's still crazy.

How much can you be getting done? And if you really care about the environment, shouldn't you live like you do? And he's doing it for his kids, because he thinks they need him down here, but my parents made me move when they changed jobs and it all turned out fine.

You Didn't Hear About the Housing Crisis?

San Diego had this great plan, see. They were going to sell off 17 different properties through a broker and make $37.5M. Yeah, turns out, it isn't working so well.

I know, it's a shock, what with the housing market doing so well.

Did you Donate Money?

Red Cross is under suspicion for wasting disaster relief money during the fires.

This wasted money included: 27,317 hotel rooms (some of which went unused) and 1,269 rented cars.

Of course it's frustrating for people who donated money or time or needed the help. But, honestly, have you ever tried to organize thousands of people and coordinate with local agencies and the state government. Right, then you'll know that people can make these kinds of things a little difficult.

Wikintrigue

OMG, the founder of Wiki is accused of hand-in-th-cookie-jar wrongness and his former gf said he dumped her through a blog posting and possibly edited her wiki entry violating the conflict of interest policies at Wikipedia!!!!1!

You should check out the full article on the story most likely to make you shrug with ambivalence today.

Social climbing made easier

Tired of watching snotty La Jolla ladies lugging luxury handbags around and withdrawing from them inadequate tip money to chuck at you while never having made eye contact as you deliver half-cap after half-cap?

Turns out, you can try on the emperor's new handbag as often as you'd like. For mere pennies per week.

I know this service isn't new, but I saw an ad for it in a banner on a news site and had to check it out.

If you can't own the high life, at least lease it for a bit.

Is this communist access to capitalistic consumption? Awesome.

But what does it all mean?

Are we happier that the Democratic nomination process is dragging on far longer than our cynical selves would have ever predicted? Or is there now some comfort in the idea of having known since New Hampshire who we'd be nominating in Denver this summer? Is this good or bad for Democratic interest and turnout in the future.

I heard one commentator tonight say that she thought if both Clinton and Obama would direct their attacks at McCain and try to show which would be the better match in the Fall on the general election ballot. If they go after each other, they risk winning the battle and losing the war: showing the other to be bad for national security doesn't reallllllly help, does it? Yeah, I don't think so either. Then again, at least there's an honest to god choice being made. Like, people get to vote for SOMETHING. That's good, right?

Protesting the Protesters

(I seem to using the same post title construction today. What's up with that? Hmm. Oh well.)

The Sac Bee's political columnist Dan Walters - not really my favorite writer as his columns routinely just end, rather than have an ending (you know, like an SNL sketch) - turns his attention to recent protests at the State Capitol by UC students angry about proposed budget cuts that could result in admissions freezes or tuition hikes. Walters main point is that protesters from all interest groups effected by the proposed cuts are kind of shooting blind when they attempt to bitch about cuts - especially when there are some strong indications that his January 10 slasher budget is a bit of a ruse aimed at building him a trap door to increasing taxes. But the paragraph that confused me was this one, on the UC student activists:

It wasn't exactly a throwback to the tie-dyed 1960s; the female students wore high heels and the men coats and ties as they listened to politicians' expressions of support, including a "freeze the fees" plea from Lt. Gov. John Garamendi. But subdued as it may have been, it symbolized the angst that's developing over the state's whopping budget deficit.

What? Are they less sincere? Are only 60s hippie freaks effective activists? I think it's great these students bothered to look like serious people worthy of serious attention. Of course, I recall also seeing something about many wearing rain ponchos because they are "drowning in debt" but ponchos and suits and ties work better than tie-dye for being taken seriously.

Too bad they had to listend to what was, no doubt, an endless Garamendi speech. Man, that guy can go on and on.

Gifts and Givers

The state's Fair Political Practices Commission is planning to discuss a proposed rule aimed at preventing elected officials from hiding big-ticket trips footed by companies and nonprofits by routing the money through their government employers. But aside from political reporters and campaign consultants, does anyone check electeds' FPPC filings? People get paid a lot of money to produce the reports already required by FPPC rules and California law - not to mention additional reporting requirements at the federal level. But do these reports actually keep people honest? Does anyone look them up except when they need a club to use on an opponent or disfavored politician?

Obama Me

Everyone seems to think they're Barack Obama these days. Aguirre thinks his 'grassroots campaign' is reminiscent of Obama's and then there's this ridiculous op-ed in a newspaper I've never heard of calling Arabo 'San Diego's Obama'.

It's too bad neither of these people even have an inkling of resemblance to an actually talented Democrat with worthwhile policies. Instead, we have a sleazy Aguirre and an even sleazier Arabo pretending to be progressives.

Blue Cross

In case you've ever been screwed by Blue Cross (and, really, who hasn't?), you'll be happy to know the Governator's administration is investigating the HMO for improperly dropping patients.

On a related note:

A bill by Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, would prohibit insurance companies from offering bonuses to employees for limiting, canceling or rescinding policies.

Oh, good.

La Mesa Is the Place to Be

The cops in La Mesa apparently found the Mayor lying drunk by the side of his SUV. And what did they do? Gave him a ride home, of course.

And I'm sure the cops would have done that for me too...

Sick at sea and at home

So a cruise ship came back with a fresh norovirus outbreak. Nothing says "ain't we got fun" like "ain't we got runs."
 
(Click here for the story: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080226-9999-1m26cruise.html)
 
Of course, maybe they were just fearing returning to land and our super craptastic economy: ( http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20080226-0730-economy.html)
 
How excited can either Hillary or Obama - or any Democratic candidate for office - be about inheriting the consequences of 8 years of blithe ignorance and mismanagement - at home and abroad?  Have fun with that, y'all. My guess is you won't be around too long to worry about it anyway - voters have super short memories, so don't expect them to blame GW for long.

Press Release of the Week

From the Sac Bee, the press release of the week.

Battin proposes to open HOV Lanes to "Carbon Neutral" drivers

SACRAMENTO – Senator Jim Battin (R- La Quinta) announced today legislation that would encourage every owner of a polluting, flashy, fuel sucking car to buy their way into an environmentally conscious "carbon neutral" lifestyle. SB 1374 would allow auto owners who purchase carbon credits that offset the carbon dioxide emissions of their vehicles to participate in the Clean Air - High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) decal program, allowing the driver to use an HOV lane.

This program currently only applies to the first 88,000 vehicles meeting enhanced California and Federal emission standards. Under Battin's proposed law, carbon neutral vehicles can also participate in the decal program. Battin sees SB 1374 as a perfect opportunity to jump start the state's efforts to single-handedly stop the fractionally small rise in global temperature.

On February 28, the California State Air Resources Board (CARB) is scheduled to consider under its AB 32 implementation plan how voluntary early actions can start saving the planet. "I can’t think of a better way to become a true champion of the environment and reduce your carbon foot print than by going 'carbon neutral' with your car," stated Battin.

Battin himself decided to go "carbon neutral" immediately after he was scolded by the Contra Costa Times article that read, "Lawmakers' flashy, fuel-sucking cars on road at the expense of taxpayers". "I was embarrassingly caught using excess energy. The only thing I could do was take action," Battin declared. Battin immediately purchased for $45 a DriveNeutral Certificate which simply states that his CO2 emissions have been offset for one year. The obvious next question is if he has gone "green" and is "carbon neutral" why shouldn’t he and other environmentally conscious drivers have the same rights as low-emission drivers and live the HOV lane good life?

This proposal should complement CARB’s efforts. Through the DriveNeutral "CO2" Calculator or any of the dozens of other "carbon calculators" one can calculate that a 2007 Toyota Prius emits 4,229 pounds of dirty carbon per year making the Prius a worse foe to the environment than Senator Battin's carbon-free Lincoln Aviator. Through LiveNeutral, or any of the dozens of other carbon credit vendors, it would cost only $15 to eliminate this Prius polluter's carbon footprint.

Battin added, "The guilt of my excess energy using days are a thing of the past - I feel great about my carbon credit indulgence and think many other Californians will too… when they are driving guilt free in the empty diamond lane."

Francis Airs Mayor Ads

This is just one of the crazily early mayor campaign ads coming from Steve Francis. See the rest here.

Don't worry they're all happy and upbeat.

By the way, We Still Have a Budget Problem

It turns out the budget deficit is $16 Billion, not $14.5.

The LA Times goes on about the non-partisan legislative analyst's report that we CAN'T SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BY CUTTING SPENDING!

There, someone said it.

On a related note, the school district is asking for community input about the necessary cuts.

Happy Day After Valentine's

Sorry my extended abscence; my computer blew up and deleted lots of important stuff. And no one likes having to spend time sitting at the Mac Store.

But now I'm back! And I hope everyone had a fantastic St. Valentine's Day.

On that note of 'romance', Assemblyman Calderon (who wants to become speaker) tried to woo the female members of the Dem caucus with long-stemmed roses.

“If I can’t have your heart, I’ll settle for your vote,” said the note accompanying the flowers. “Please be mine, Chuck Calderon.”

What, no flowers for the men?

---

News items to make up for your lack of me for the last week:

People are protesting a plan to allow Mexican truck drivers to come through the US and US truck drivers to go through Mexico. They're calling it a 'sham'. Doesn't a sham mean you have to be pretending to do something else?

Students are protesting higher fees on campus again. The problem with crying wolf all those times before though, is now there really is a wolf...

He recently took on a third job and stresses out about his living expenses and the cost of parking on campus.

Parking? How do they always find the most ridiculous people to profile?

And today the legislature is voting on passing all those massive budget cuts we've been hearing about.

Bye-Bye Toll Road

The California Coastal Commission rejected the San Onofre toll road plan.

Maybe not as big news as Romney, but really who cares about Romney now.

Don't Let Jail Stop You

Despite being indicted, Councilman Steve Castaneda plans on running for re-election.

Way not to let the man get you down.

Unfortunately, the councilman may be convicted of the felony perjury charges.

Castaneda could not serve on the council if he were convicted of a felony.

It's the delegates, stupid

A funny thing happens if you really look at the results of the primaries and caucuses so far: this race is far, far closer than most coverage makes it seem. True, last night had an exponential higher number of "horserace" analogies, but I think it also took some actual mathematics to hammer home the point. Check out this helpful table at Real Clear Politics - http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_delegate_count.html - (hat tip to The Roundup at www.capitolbasement.com)
 
Even Iowa - the state that turned the tide and heralded an Obama filled future - has a single delegate difference between Clinton and Obama. No really. That's how the table reads to me. Am I wrong?
 
In non-winner-take-all states, who "wins" the popular vote is nifty, but it doesn't necessarily indicate a clincher for the candidate at the convention (which is still, by the way, where the nominee is technically selected).  Cali apparently was giving pundits a fit last night since we do stuff on a county-by-county basis that was just throwing them for a loop.
 
And on the Reep side - somehow even though Romney has more delegates right now, there's far more talk about him bowing out before Huckabee who just won't go away. Fine with me since he's the most fun Reep to watch.
 
So California both matters and yet remains non-determinative. That's a good place to be. We counted, but we couldn't really screw anything up too badly. Good for us.

Leaderboard Fun

Because it's there, now it's here. I think it should update regularly. Hope so, otherwise, there's no point.

Vote, Vote, Vote

So my boss just walked in (yes, I'm at work) and asked if it was like election day or something? YES, IT IS.

Though, if you don't know that you probably don't really know anything about what you're voting on, so it might be ok if you stay home.

If you do go to vote, you'll notice the fancy computers are gone and we're back to good old paper and pen. And this is going to mean hours of work through the night for elections officials.

It takes the scanners 15 minutes to count 100 to 200 ballots, so crews expect to work throughout the night to tally the roughly 600,000 ballots on decades-old technology.

The problem is that those fancy computers were maybe a little to fancy.

The reason for the delay in results is restrictions placed on the use of electronic voting machines by California Secretary of State Debra Bowen that force 20 counties, including San Diego, to use paper ballots.

Bowen largely banned the use of certain machines after an independent review of three manufacturers last summer showed that the systems could be easily manipulated using typical office tools and limited computer experience.

In case you're wondering what company that is, it was Diebold and now it goes by the name of Premier Election Solutions. And I had a friend who was working temp for them up in LA and became a whistle-blower because he had evidence that showed they were rigging the last election. And a massive suit was brought against him. Go democracy!

Why is gambling OK on certain land, but not others?

The Governator came to SD to push the casino propositions.

My only thought is if they can all afford this much ad time on TV, they really shouldn't be pushing the whole impoverished tribes thing.

Newspaper Endorsments

The UT's endorsements can be found here. They're pretty standard, but the only thing that stood out was the Yes Votes on Indian Gaming Props 94,95 and 97. What about 96?

The only difference I could see, at first, was that the Sycuan's pact (Prop 96) was in San Diego County and the others were not. But, apparently, 96 includes a provision to allow them to build a casino off tribal land.

I still don't know how I feel about the whole bullshit, oh, righ, propostions, in general, but I geuss this is why you should actually read what you're voting on.

Auday, Auday, Auday

Red County San Diego reports that "Democrat" Auday Arabo only raised $55,398.96 this period, but spent $53,803.70. *Happy Dance*

It would be an understatement to say that his fundraising efforts lost steam in the last half of 2008.

And why is the Red County following Auday so closely? Because he's a Republican in disguise!

Ugly Betty Votes Hillary!

According to the button she was wearing during tonight's Presidential Debate.

Will there be an US Weekly spread of the Debate red carpet?  And should it be red? I hope it was a blue carpet. Sheesh.

You Know the Economy's Bad When...

...the casinos are having to lay people off.

I guess people just don't feel like gambling when they don't have money.

“Our business is such that people don't spend the same amount of money when they don't feel as wealthy,” said Jerry Turk, who runs the Pala Casino near Fallbrook.

On the other hand, the people I know would probably gamble away their last $5.

Bush takes a shocking stand

Against genocide! Wow. Way to come out strong. It's ballsy to oppose genocide.  Too bad we can't spend too much money on opposing genocide or intervening on behalf of victimized people 'cause we're so busy elsewhere with other stuff. Sorry guys! Better luck next time!

I Don't Get It

Is it okay to like it? Bollywoodification does make everything that much better:

Hillary and Obama: Making history before it happens

Snaked from LA Politica:

I know it would be hard for pundits to do, but maybe, if they just try a little bit, they could back the hell off making final determinations about events that are still unfolding. Like right now. All around us.

Remember that scene in Spaceballs? No?*

The LA Times has a teaser headline on its front page saying "Super Tuesday Could Cut Obama Down To Size." Seriously? Was he more than the correct size again? Just because of Saturday's South Carolina results? I'm not discounting his victory, I think it's great. But really, this was the year of the Hillary until Iowa and then again once we made it to New Hampshire, and, come Super Tuesday, it likely will be in some big states. And don't get me wrong, I would LOVE the national convention to be a nail-bitter of delegate lobbying and network newscasts, but, c'mon. Can we all have just, like, half a break?

*Dark Helmet: What the hell am I looking at? When does this happen in the movie?
Colonel Sandurz: Now. You're looking at now sir. Everything that happens now, is happening now.
Dark Helmet: What happened to then?
Colonel Sandurz: We passed then.
Dark Helmet: When?
Colonel Sandurz: Just now. We're at now, now.
Dark Helmet: Go back to then!
Colonel Sandurz: When?
Dark Helmet: Now.
Colonel Sandurz: Now?
Dark Helmet: Now!
Colonel Sandurz: I can't.
Dark Helmet: Why?
Colonel Sandurz: We missed it.
Dark Helmet: When?
Colonel Sandurz: Just now.
Dark Helmet: When will then be now?
Colonel Sandurz: Soon.
Dark Helmet: How soon?

TV, TV, Everywhere

Maybe you haven't been watching TV lately. Like, at all. But if you've ever turned it on, you've seen ads telling you to vote yes, vote no, vote clinton.

But what are all those Indians talking about anyway? (See the new Yes on Props 94-97 here.

The casino props, or Propositions 94 through 97, are probably the most controversial. Should we let 4 tribes down here add ALOT of slots to their casinos? [Let's ignore the whole fact that if we're going to pretend that gambling should be outlawed, then we shouldn't pawn it off on Indian tribes, so they can deal with the side effects and consequences of our hypocrisy, in an attempt to make ourselves feel better for taking over their country a few hundred years ago. I'm not even sure this is something I should be voting on.]

There's alot of reasons no and some reasons yes.

And, all those TV ads? While they've increased awareness from 43% to 70%, have they changed anyone's mind? Not really at all.

Other propositions? 93, which lowers term limits to 12 years but allows legislatures to spend it all in either the house or senate. There have been plenty of ads against it. Which pretty much means it isn't going to pass. Because, right, why would we want our legislators to have experience?

Pretending that our legislators aren't professionals, is like pretending the Olympics is just for amateurs.

Lt Gov Urges Students to Protest

I am so there.

The Lt. Gov is urging students to protest the budget cuts.

So much for bi-partisan support of the stupid budget.

It costs about $7,347 to attend UC San Diego for undergraduates who are state residents. That figure does not include housing.

It's good that housing around here isn't expensive or anything.

I know we pay a little less at SDSU, but still it's starting to get ridiculous. And my roommate's from out of the state; I don't know why she would want to come here. She's never going to be able to pay off her debt. Why would we want to encourage intelligent people to come to our state.

Don't Forget to Vote

Courtesy of Dr. Delores A Jacobs, over at The Center:

As the 2008 presidential campaigns continue to heat up, it is clear that our community will play an incredibly important role.

We are a sought-after voting bloc, as evidenced by nearly all the Democratic presidential candidates appearing in the LOGO/HRC Visible Vote forum, speaking exclusively about issues of specific concern to the LGBT and allied community, and the efforts of candidates of all parties to reach out to our community – for volunteers, for dollars and for votes. It is a fact – LGBT people and our supporters are an integral part of these campaigns.

We cannot afford to be passive in this process. We all have a role to play, and must take the appropriate steps to ensure that our voices are heard in 2008, and that can start by simply making certain that we are registered to vote.

If you are not yet registered, or have moved since the last election, you must register with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. There are three options to register – online at www.sdvote.com, by picking up a postcard registration form at the Registrar’s office (5201 Ruffin Road, Ste. I, San Diego, CA 92123), at any city clerk’s office in San Diego County, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, U.S. post offices and public libraries. Or, you can call the Registrar’s office at (858) 565-5800 and request a registration postcard.

If you are registered, but would like to receive vote-by-mail ballot, you can do so at www.sdvote.com or by calling (858) 565-5800. Voting by mail gives you the opportunity to take your time (two weeks) to complete your ballot and ensure that unforeseen circumstances like work, illness or travel, don’t keep you from casting your vote.

If you are registered, but would like to permanently become a vote by mail ballot voter, you can also do so at www.sdvote.com or by calling (858) 565-5800 and requesting the permanent vote by mail voter form.

For more information about voting in San Diego, please contact the Registrar of Voters at (858) 565-5800 or www.sdvote.com.

City Attorney Aguirre Subpoena

In case you haven't been following the saga of city attorney Mike Aguirre (I haven't), the State issued a subpoena in its investigation for info from several law firms that worked with his office.

For at least a few months, Bar investigators have been interviewing people about Aguirre's legal work, public comments and other behavior. The Bar licenses and disciplines the state's lawyers. It can mete out punishment ranging from a private reprimand to disbarment.

Basically, it seems our emminent attorney recieved improper payments and meted out improper case judgements. And I thought when politics and lawyers mixed punishment wouldn't be involved.

What's Going On This Week

Booze banned on beaches. Too bad.

Foreclosures are up 328%

The Governore decided he's pro-toll road.

Another Tijuana police official murdered. And you thought TJ was sketchy...

From the Left. Or the Right?

Steve Francis officialy entered the race for Mayor.

But, instead of the old 'no new taxes' Republican mantra, he seems to be trying to get some more votes from the left.

Makes sense, with more resgistered Democrats than Republicans in the county and no Democrat running for Mayor.

Of course...

Still, he criticized the mayor's support for gay marriage -- saying Sanders inappropriately let his personal relationships with his daughter and staff members cloud a policy judgment.

State of the City

Mayor Sanders made his State of the City speech today.

He plans to expand the Convention Center and add new ports of entry.

Of course...

In last year's speech, the mayor promised it would be "a year of action." At that point, he expected the city to have its credit rating back and return to Wall Street by summer 2007. The city remains stranded from Wall Street and that goal carried over again into this year's speech.

And it sounds like the Mayor may not have heard the word from the Governator that we're in a bit of a 'budget crunch'.

Fire Tech

It turns out when there's a fire going on, people aren't at home, they don't have access to computers and sometimes electricity gets cut off. Imagine that.

A panel was held to discuss better alert systems.

“Make sure Web site capacity is beyond your wildest dreams. Ten million hits is something we never imagined,” said Ron Lane, director of the county's Office of Emergency Services.

I don't know. I would imagine that during an emergency people might log onto the website for emergency services.

International Day of Action to Shut Down Gitmo

Apparently San Diego will be observing the International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantanamo.

So, if that's your thing:

Friday, January 11th NOON - 1pm
In front of the San Diego Federal Bldg and Courthouse
880 Front Street (near Broadway)

San Diefo Unified's Awesome Plan

San Diego Unified used $3Million in federal money that was suppose to go to low-income students for retiree benefits instead.

And how are they going to pay back that money?

"They're going to have to figure out where that money is coming from," said Camille Zombro, president of the San Diego Education Association. "But it's not coming out of [retirees'] pockets."

Way to focus on the big picture.

But, what is possibly even more stunning, was the district's plan that originally encouraged these people to retire by offering 7% of their salary on top of the regular benefits.

The $84 million plan was intended to save schools as much as $20 million a year by replacing long-serving, higher-paid workers with less experienced, lower-earning educators.

The offer proved so enticing that nearly 1,500 school workers quit in a single year -- almost 10 percent of San Diego Unified teachers.

And how do they pay for the retirements of these experienced teachers? By taking money from different child development, nutrition, Title 1 and ELL funds.

No, no, that was definitely a good idea. Especially since schools aren't about helping kids...

Gay-la

Happy New Year to all and in the spirit of parties:

Lake Tahoe's Second Annual Blue Gay-la

Five-Day Gay and Lesbian Celebration Includes Skiing, Snowboarding, Parties, Drag Races and Headliner Entertainment

Not sure whether I feel offended or inclined to go...