FatCatSegat: Goldsmith is termed out. But he can be kept from holding any other office. He possibly can be prosecuted for this -- but won't be. This is San Diego. Best, Don Bauder

rehftmann: This is why this is a show trial. To what did Goldsmith really plead guilty to? Details are very skimpy. We don't know the names of the women, who were not city employees. The women haven't been identified or cross-examined. It smells that the AG, sheriff, city attorney, and US Attorney have been involved in this intergovernmental lynching. Best, Don Bauder

Think you meant Filner here. I wish Goldsmith had been the guy in the docket, alas, no, not this time.

KLoEditor: Yes, mea culpa. I meant "To what did Filner really plead guilty to?" And I agree: Goldsmith should have been charged, not Filner. I repeat: what Filner did was wrong, but the intergovernmental lynching has far more ugly repercussions for society and San Diego. Best, Don Bauder

Filner's guilty plea was widely covered in the media, so no need to explain it here. He copped a plea to avoid worse punishment, and that was a wise move.

Carrie Away: Oh yes. He wanted to be mayor. That was probably what was behind his making these staggeringly stupid statements...and obviously being proud of his actions. Goldsmith is not known for his acuity. Best, Don Bauder

Was there ever "talk" from Goldsmith himself that he would run for Mayor? If so, please post that video, or a quote from a news article. I sure didn't see it, and I live in San Diego (unlike the blogger).

dwbat: Yes, there were polls showing Goldsith's support for mayor. Best, Don Bauder

enzo: That's something Filner pointed out -- and was probably one reason that Goldsmith was planning the ouster for eight months. Best, Don Bauder

I think we're all in agreement here about his bad hairpiece. But it doesn't make him a co-conspirator in a high-level government plot or "palace coup."

ImJustABill: But you are not addressing the key question: if all these women, and all these politicians, knew what they now say they knew before the election, why in the world didn't somebody bring it out? Their credibility is zero. Yes, Filner brought it on; his behavior was not excusable. But an intergovernmental, illegal lynching -- kept secret from the public -- is far more serious than what Filner did. Best, Don Bauder

My theory - based on reports such as http://articles.latimes.com/2013/aug/06/local/la-me-ln-filner-boss-20130806 is that people behind the scenes did try to get Filner to change his behavior but he would not do so.

ImJustABill: There were other articles that Frye et al tried to get Filner to change his behavior. They didn't give him much time, though. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: Filner should have said that there WAS a coup. And he was involved in it. And the implications of that coup are far more serious than what Filner did. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: Of course there was an intergovernmental lynching. Why do you think the city attorney, AG, US Attorney, sheriff were all involved in this? Wake up, child. Best, Don Bauder

Mr. Batterson, you seriously need to learn what really happened instead of relying on the Mafia account in the news media which they own.

John Kitchin: This is San Diego's problem. Because there is usually just one story put forward by the mainstream press -- which has all kinds of interconnections and working agreements -- people don't really know what happened in an incident. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: That is so true of you. Best, Don Bauder

Continually being irritating and irrational is no way to have people accept your tired rhetoric again and again. You sound like News 8. Get a life!

John Kitchin: The TV stations tend to spout the same line -- a line that pleases top managements. Best, Don Bauder

Visduh: I do not believe Goldsmith enlisted Frye, Briggs, and Gonzalez. I think they were running on a different track...and got into this long after the downtown crew was working on it. Did Frye et al know that Goldsmith was planning this coup for eight months? I don't know. Their interviews suggest they were not aware.

What's important is this: we must find out all the people that Goldsmith met with while he was planning his coup beginning in January/February. Did he only meet with his lawyers? I wouldn't believe that in a million years. This was a coup by the downtown corporate welfare people, at whose altar Goldsmith bows. Frye, Briggs, and Gonzalez were a sideshow. Best, Don Bauder

For the record I'll state that my personal take is that Don Bauder is a great journalist and for the most part his columns are a great benefit to the San Diego community.

However, I strongly disagree with Don regarding his continued defense of Bob Filner and portraying this issue as a coup / lynch mob.

I'll apologize for a few comments I've made in past threads which were a bit over the top in criticizing Don on this matter.

No need to apologize, ImJustABill. Remember, the Reader blogger LOVES the attention from those who disagree with him. It boosts his ego. And his cuckoo "coup" and lingering "lynch mob" comments will continue long after we have a new Mayor elected. He IS a good journalist, when he sticks to straight news articles and leaves out his opinions. It's those pontificating blog reports where it all goes downhill. But he'll never change.

ImJustABill: You are perfectly entitled to disagree with my theory. Many do. I believe as time goes on and the hysteria evanesces, more will agree. Best, Don Bauder

Don Bauder has it entirely correct, a very large amount of evidence exists towards allegations of Felony Intentional Obstruction of Justice, and when the authorities finish their investigation of Goldsmith, I expect either criminal charges to be filed, or his disbarment as an attorney. I cannot comment further as this is an ongoing investigation.

John Kitchin: I am not aware of any such investigation. Since local, state, and federal governments all cooperated in the intergovernmental coup, I would seriously doubt there is any investigation. Who would investigate? They all have unclean hands. Best, Don Bauder

The Colorado blogger's constant harangue about a "coup by the downtown corporate welfare people" does NOT represent good journalism. It's sheer hyperbole from a registered Democrat and Filner apologist, not backed up by any evidence whatsoever. So the many outrageous claims in his blog need to be challenged; it's a tough job but someone has to do it. ;-)

dwbat: More nonsense from an amateur -- you. Best, Don Bauder

Please.....stay on the topic and off your personal bandwagon

Emory_Kendrick: Agreed. Let's stick with a discussion of what Goldsmith admits to engineering -- indeed, proudly admits to it. Best, Don Bauder

I assume this was directed to David Batterson (DW Bat) and not Don Bauder.

You still have not apparently read material that I specifically published for your education, DW Bat or David Batterson. Please read it, learn it, agree or disagree with it but LEARN, dammit! www.NZ9F.com/intelligence. This is for YOU, not everybody. You are too intelligent to be acting so stupid.

John Kitchin: That is quite an essay. Throughout our lives, we realize that things we were taught, and took as gospel, were b.s. Best, Don Bauder

Not all of us learned, as is being constantly proven here.

dwbat: Remember that Gloria Allred went to the AG and the sheriff to enlist their support. But as I have said before, Dumanis recused herself because she had run against Filner. Best, Don Bauder

Most idiotic comment in the thread, but threads are made out of combinations of all sorts, and we were all very unintelligent at one time, but learned gradually.

This was directed to DW Bat, David Batterson, not Don Bauder.

John Kitchin: Good observation. And some of us learned more gradually than others did. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: Yes, the US Attorney is definitely looking into a Hobbs Act violation over the Sunroad donation. Nobody says that any of this money went into Filner's pocket. This is civil, not criminal, and it's not clear that Filner was the guilty party in any case. Best, Don Bauder

City Beat did a great article on the Sunroad setup by Goldsmith that documented the fraud that the City Council gave away the 2 public park easement for free based upon bad legal advise.

Great reporting specifically the missing Council Policy pages by Sunroad. All Agenda Item documents stated that No Fiscal Considerations existed for the giveaway of 2 public park easement.

After the Veto, in order to cover their mistake of gift of public land to developers, the City Attorney wrote a legal opinion and turned the issue into spin. The City Attorney concluded that Fiscal Considerations have to be acknowledged, and the easement can only be sold at the going rate.

Instead of acknowledging the initial Sunroad fraud, the City Attorney turn the issue of public park land giveaway around into Pay for Play. Classic San Diego.

Thankfully Cory Briggs has a lawsuit to force payment and/or proper restitution from Sunroad and the City Council. Hopefully the FBI will investigate the scam.

http://www.sdcitybeat.com/sandiego/article-11948-a-broader-view-of-filners-‘shakedown-of-sunroad.html

laplayaheritage: That's what Goldsmith does all the time: turns an issue into spin. Because he is an establishment toady, the mainstream media do not call him on it. Best, Don Bauder

Burwell: I definitely feel that this whole Filner matter merits a look into the sex lives of other public officials, including Harris, who so piously denounced Filner. I think there are some prominent businesspeople in San Diego, including some in the publishing business, whose sex lives would be far more interesting and damning than Filner's. Best, Don Bauder

Might you consider, Oh great muckraker Bauder, a "juicy expose" on some people in the SD publishing business and I am not referring to Papa Reader but to the fishwrap Master of Mission Valley and his Russian mail order bride? You could call it "25 Shades of Scarlett."

Carrie Away: I am not necessarily alluding to the person you call the fishwrap Master of Mission Valley. Just a few weeks ago, I did an article on his Siberian bride-to-be. The article did not conclude that she was a mail order bride when marrying her ex-husband. Best, Don Bauder

So in your theory, a Democratic AG takes down our Democratic Mayor to get fundraising dollars. From who?--the GOP? From Doug Manchester? The theory is bogus.

dwbat: Burwell's theory is hardly bogus. Politicians of both parties like to get fat donations from those who favor the other side. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: It's from WHOM, Mr. Perfect Professional. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: But they run things in San Diego and merit exposure. Best, Don Bauder

The Reader blogger/Filner apologist won't make it, unless he can charter a LearJet from mile-high Colorado, where he can see San Diego from his house. ;-)

Speaking of houses, a few of us have pooled our resources and rented you some new digs. Nice place, no bothersome neighbors as we know you value your solitude. Check it out, it's at 123 Goa Way.

Duhbya: He promised to end the discussion but keeps prolonging it. Best, Don Bauder

Force of habitué.

Duhbya: You are the great punster here. Best, Don Bauder

Nice to hear from you, Duhbya. I never made any "promise" to the Colorado blogger, so I don't know what he's ranting about now. And I already have a nice place in North Park with friendly neighbors. There's no solitude whatsoever; you're apparently confusing me with someone else. I meet new people all the time in North Park, as I'm out and about in my community, talking to real people in person--not hanging out in another state. That's why I KNOW there was never any "hysteria" in San Diego during Filnergate. It did not exist, and those who say so are misinformed and somewhat out of touch with our fine city.

dwbat: The proof of the hysteria is in your own blog items -- and the items of some others. One said Filner's sins -- which only involved sexual preliminaries, as far as we know -- were worse than Weiner's. Now that's hysteria.

If you want evidence of hysteria, just go back and read U-T coverage of the Filner matter. Best, Don Bauder

Psycholizard: You mean there will be kissing? Horrors! Best, Don Bauder

shirleyberan: My leaving San Diego had nothing to do with journalism. My continuing to follow San Diego for the Reader had everything to do with journalism: I enjoy it, particularly when I -- and Reader colleagues such as Matt Potter and Dorian Hargrove -- reveal things that can't be read in other San Diego publications. Best, Don Bauder

Don - Please know that your thoughts and opinions are enjoyed by many. Don't worry about the negative comments from a few that may just need a little fiber in their diet. jrdad

Plenty of fiber is consumed over here. You must be referring to someone else. But thanks for thinking of my health.

jrdad: I don't worry about negative comments. I feast on them. Best, Don Bauder

Does rather prove the adage of San Diego being "America's Stupidest City". I teach, so I am not impressed when dingbats chime out drivel.

Emory_Kendrick: Those are very interesting things you sent along, but again, they were composed late in the game. I doubt that Frye, Briggs, and Gonzalez were aware that Goldsmith was plotting his coup as early as January/February.

I doubt that the three progressives let Goldsmith exploit them deliberately. From what I have read and seen, they were trying to get out in the public first -- that is, they THOUGHT they were going to be first. But the downtown mendicants had them beaten by months.

Incidentally, one poster here has objected to my saying this was a coup. But listen to that video again. After saying he has been working on the ouster 8 months, Goldsmith says that a recall was not practical because of the necessity of gathering so many signatures so quickly. It is obvious that the city attorney was working to force a resignation without due process -- which was exactly what happened. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: I think posting one's genitals online -- where they can be picked up by 8 year old girls -- is perversion of the worst kind. Filner's was not. But to each his own. Best, Don Bauder

Oh, he'll take umbrage with that irrefutable logic, too, contending Weiner's perversions were between private parties, conveniently ignoring that one attendee went public with photos, in the process making them accessible to any child in the world. Batnit has previously posted this nonsense. Talk about lack of understanding (and he was).

"Batnik"? hahaha The retorts gets lamer and lamer on here.

I agree. Especially when the lamer-blamer gets the subject material wrong. Look again, pro....it was BatNIT, as in nitpicker. Hahaha right back atchya.

Duhbya: Still another error by the poster who claims he is perfectionist, a consummate professional because he edited a magazine in Palm Springs. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: Goldsmith at one time was in the running. Best, Don Bauder

ImJustABill: They had one obvious option: to look at themselves in the mirror, realize that they had reached such a conclusion because Filner disagreed with their opinions. He was aiming to become the first mayor in decades to stand up to the corporate welfare crowd that has run the city for years, grabbing taxpayer money in the process.

Goldsmith is a lackey for this group. He and his minions should have looked in the mirror and realized THAT was why they thought Filner was unstable.

As to a psychologist. Many of them are like consultants: they will come to the conclusion that they are paid to come to. Best, Don Bauder

Speaking of paying psychologists, who authorized him to hire one, and who paid for the services?

KLoEditor: Excellent question -- one Goldsmith should be forced to answer. Best, Don Bauder

Thanks for your response, but I don't think you answered the question. It was a hypothetical question in that you had to assume that Goldsmith and the legal team and the psychologist all had good reason to believe, as Donna Frye eventually did, that Filner was unfit to serve as mayor - regardless of political opinions.

If you disagree that Filner was unfit to serve as mayor that is fine. But certainly others may have honestly believed that Filner was unfit to serve as mayor. That's unquestionably a reasonable opinion given what we know about Filner's behavior.

I'll ask the question again. If others honestly believed that Filner was completely unfit to serve as mayor due to workplace behavior issues what should they have done differently?

If you can't answer that question then any investigations in Goldsmith aren't going to go anywhere.

ImJustABill: The blogger in Colorado continually avoids answering questions, and instead launches another repetitious tirade about the "corporate welfare crowd," "media conspiracy" and "intergovernmental lynching." So he will not answer your question. But he will repeat his phrases over and over, thinking it will make them true. It's so much easier; it takes no effort or proof.

I just don't know what else anyone at City Hall could reasonably do if they honestly felt that Filner was completely out of control. Were Goldsmith's actions partially politically motivated? Probably but to me that still doesn't excuse Filner - nor does it excuse the Democratic Party for allowing Filner to represent them.

The blame lies with Filner - and to some extent with the Democratic Party for supporting Filner. If Goldsmith, Harris, Frye, and the rest of the Global Conspiraracy to Remove Filner actually did something illegal or unethical then corrective action should be taken. But so far I don't see any solid evidence of that.

That's because there isn't any such evidence. It's just an out-of-state blogger's wishful thinking, as he prefers that melodramatic scenario. It doesn't have to be based on reality, in his fanciful weltanschauung.

ImJustABill: Once again, I state that anybody who believed Filner was out of control had an obvious and HONEST avenue: the recall. Voters could have been told that Filner showed signs of instability. But all these people who claim to believe in open government did NOT take the full disclosure route. Best, Don Bauder

ImJustABill: The answer to your question is easy. If the people of San Diego thought Filner was unfit to serve as mayor, he should have been RECALLED. Then he would have had due process. But as Goldsmith says in the TV interview, the recall process required the gathering of too many signatures in too short a time. So the Goldsmith clique very obviously planned a coup to get him to resign. Best, Don Bauder

ImJustABill: They had the option to shut up. They and the downtown clique hated Filner because he was stepping on them. So of course they decided he was crazy and had to be ousted. A psychologist? Many if not most of them are for sale, like consultants are. Best, Don Bauder

SAVEBP: Goldsmith hated Filner because he disagreed with him and fought with him. So he grabbed on to Filner's obvious -- and reprehensible -- weakness, and with the help of many others who hated Filner, and with the help of a pliant press, pulled off the coup, of which he brags in the video above. Note how self-satisfied he is.

Remember, too, that some years ago Goldsmith's wife, in seeking a divorce, stated that he was violent. The two reconciled, but her charges are quite revealing. I have written about them several times and they can be found on the Reader site. Best, Don Bauder

I think this is the Perfect Storm conspiracy that we keep trying to get people to understand. Those involved had different parts to play, some were working to create it, some were waiting for their moment, some were puppets, some stepped up when they saw the opportunity, some just seized the scandal and ran with it for profit, and the ignorant/redneck/anti-Semite/TeaBag/sheeple/et al eagerly and gleefully followed their cues. Underlying and financing this coup were the money interests in the city. Make no mistake, there was a conspiracy, a conspiracy pushing to happen one way or another, but a conspiracy sure as anything.

I wish people would stop using that "anti-Semite" argument. It's inappropriate and inaccurate. Senators Feinstein and Boxer are Jewish, as is Gloria Allred. Bad behavior is bad behavior, so please leave race and religion out of it.

dwbat: I think there was some anti-Semitism but I don't believe it was a big factor. Best, Don Bauder

KLoEditor: Yes, in a way the coup was a perfect storm. It was pulled off with few flaws -- thanks greatly to horrible reporting in the mainstream media -- and most of the public hasn't figured it out. Hopefully one of the flaws will be Goldsmith's post-coup interviews. Best, Don Bauder

Thanks Don. I'm actually making the comment not because the two had differences of opinions and faught over them, or whether or not they just couldn't stand one another, but because, from observation of Goldsmith over the past few months its pretty obvious, to me, that he clearly has some serious mental issues. I think this is at the core of why Filner is now out of office. It has nothing to do with whether Filner has/had boundary issues....Filner seems to be the most sound of mind of all the characters involved in this pathetic embarrassing event.

After watching Filner's final speech to the City Council, you could easily see who has serious mental issues. Observers there and those watching on TV at home, were shocked at his crazy, delusional rant.

Agree with you completely, SAVEBP.

SAVEBP: I am glad you raised the point about Goldsmith's stability. I will report something that I have reported several times, and Matt Potter first published in 2008.

In 1986, Goldsmith's wife filed for divorce. She stated that Goldsmith "began yelling and screaming at me in obviously uncontrolled anger. He then gave me a hard shove to the chest and cocked his fist in an extremely threatening manner. All of this appeared in front of the children, causing them to be extremely upset and telling their father not to hit their mother. He then began throwing items off the kitchen counter in his continuing rage."

There is more, but this should suffice for now. They later reconciled. Best, Don Bauder

Urgent message for Batnit:

Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less. - C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis was a Christian propagandist. I avoid his drivel. And by the way, what is your real name, Duhbya? You know mine. And the Colorado blogger uses his real name. Do you only emit insults when hiding behind a pseudonym?

Responding to the private email you sent to me through the Reader site moments ago: I am certainly not "hiding". If you'll recall, I posted my given name to you during your previous Filner/Bauder "campaign". A TRUE professional, were they so inclined, would have notated it then. I also have posted it many times before. Why do you care?

I didn't "notate" it as you are not important. So repost it here, for all to see. Since you are so inclined to employ childish insults, "man up" and use your real name. Afraid for some reason?

You're the toad who outed Monaghan, so why feed the troll more chum? You appear to be teetering on the brink of rational thought, and I have a family to protect, Is that "man up" enough for you to fathom? It's important enough for you to keep bringing it up while conveniently and repeatedly ignoring that fact that I already posted it to you not long ago. You are no longer worth the waste of cyberspace. Sayonara.

dwbat: You obviously don't understand modern methods of communication. I am not surprised. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: I have covered San Diego for 40 years. Have you? Best, Don Bauder

Palm Springs was a real estate scam, like Las Vegas, turning a $3 parcel of worthless land into a mecca. They tried for many years to legalize gambling there.

I don't know who "bwat" is. And I never even ran for high school president. The political game is not for me. But someone needs to challenge the Colorado blogger when he's out of control, and spewing out unproven accusations and smug opinions. Apparently only a few of us will stand up to him. We probably shouldn't do so, as he practically goes into ecstasy from all the "harassing." It's what he lives for.

shirleyberan: How do we know he hasn't run for mayor? Many like him have. Best, Don Bauder

shirleyberan: I'm not sure dwbat has the qualities a politician must have. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: One of Filner's problems is that he shouted at a lot of people -- his own staffers, as well as enemies such as Goldsmith. Nobody seems to realize that Filner abused both men and women. That was one of his weaknesses that led to the coup. Best, Don Bauder

So go for it!

shirleyberan: Doesn't that conflict with Monday Night Football? Best, Don Bauder

Reference to tinfoil hats means that dwbat needs to meet a friend of mine, Yahweh Gabriel Moroni, who is on Facebook. He can tell you about all the truth on television and the wonders of NASA.

I think Don is providing reliable facts and information. However, in my opinion Don has interpreted those facts and information in a way which is unreasonably favorable to Filner. Wishful thinking perhaps. I don't think Don's physical location is especially relevant - internet and long distance phone lines are cheap these days.

ImJustABill: I respect your opinion but I think as more facts come out you will find that the precedents set by the intergovernmental coup were far more dangerous to society than Filner's obvious and regrettable misbehavior. Best, Don Buder

My mind can be changed but so far nothing you have presented has done so. Keep up with the investigations, however - it's good for the truth to come out one way or another. Personally, I wouldn't bet on the truth coming out the way you think it will but I've been wrong before.

ImJustABill: I don't think you are listening carefully to Goldsmith's TV boasts. Best, Don Bauder

Perhaps we'd have to identify professional independent reporters and photographers with high IQs first. This would of course leave you out.

KLoEditor: I have no idea whether dwbat is excluded. He may have a high IQ. Best, Don Bauder

I have a very nice iq test at www.NZ9F.com/iq. Try taking it sometime, and tell me how you score, dwbat.

His usage of coup meant coup d'état. Look up that meaning! You are NOT a journalist, so you have no concept of news reporting. You're a musician, so stick with your tunes (where you have expertise). Geographical location IS relevant. It matters as I indicated above (scroll up). Local access means you get a better idea of what's going on, rather than just emailing and phoning people. I've challenged the Colorado blogger's facts many times, asking him to provide proof of accusations. He won't do so, but just repeats that he knows it's true. That is not good enough, even with his knowledge of "San Diego political history." He is dealing with NOW, not what happened years ago. If there's a conspiracy, back it up with facts. If there was a "lynching," prove it. Otherwise, it's just noise in a blog, and it doesn't matter what one has done in the past. He is old, and no longer in his prime. Quantity of output seems to count more than facts. That's sad. RE: "...only when you report what you actually experience." I do this in my news reporting for the Reader. Obviously you don't read my pieces. They are NEWS stories, not extremist, opinionated blogs. They consist of solid factual information. I don't make up stuff, or say "this is what I think" in my articles. The 5 "Ws" [who, what, where, when, why] still count more than 5 opinions!

Psycholizard: It was definitely a punch, strike, and attack and it took several branches of government at the local, state and federal levels plus a naive and malleable press to pull it off. But I have always agreed that Filner brought it on. Best, Don Bauder

Has bwat actually ever said where he got his journalism degree from? I'd like to write that school and ask them to admit their mistake.

KLoEditor: Dwbat may not have a journalism degree. Actually, my undergrad degree is in business and Master's is in journalism. Best, Don Bauder

B.S., University of Tulsa. http://www.utulsa.edu

I have a Ph.D., but as I often said, a B.S. degree says what it is, while a Ph.D. is just Piled higher and Deeper.

shirleyberan: We all have flaws. Best, Don Bauder

Psycholizard: Yes, I would say my hell raising is intended to bring the City's demons to light. And the most repugnant demon is the fact that leadership is talking about spending hundreds of millions -- well over a billion -- on a completely unneeded and wasteful convention center expansion and a football stadium for the Chargers, when the City is very short of funds and the infrastructure and neighborhoods are rotting. Best, Don Bauder

Oh, but Don, the Downtown establishment will be absolutely crushed if we don't burden the taxpayers (the great "unwashed") with the cost of a new football stadium and the expansion of the convention center.

However, (and I confess to being a dreamer), I would support the enlargement of the convention center IF the revenue generated was used to, directly, reduce our local tax burden (for example;, I pay a LOT of school taxes and am an old curmudgeon with no children in school). There's no doubt that San Diego is a highly desireable convention site. Unfortunately, BIG groups are forced to use Las Vegas who have the hotel space to accomodate the large organizations (i.e Consumer Electronic Show, etc.). So, that might give us a clue to the awesome contributions from the real estate and hospitality industries to our illustrous mayoral candidates. A bigger convention center means big dollars for this group -- additional hotels would be a must. The tourist/conventioneer revenue boggles the mind. Hey, if they could, somehow, declare downtown as Native American Territory, we could bring casino gamling in, too!! Is there no end to the possibilities??? Remember, it's better to laugh once-in-awhile than cry all the time.

San Diego Politicians at Lunch

Sebastian612: Trouble is, Las Vegas has two important factor close by: 1. gambling, and 2. hookers. Not only that, the national glut of convention center space is so huge that those wanting large amounts of space have plenty of places to go at very cheap prices.

The idea that San Diego should expand its convention center so it can accommodate big shows is just another lie concocted by convention center boosters. Best, Don Bauder

RE: "I don't defer to your writing skill, plainly it's not superior to mine." You are welcome to try getting published in the Reader. Go here to submit your news article: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/neighborhood-stories/ P.S. They don't accept opinion pieces.

Thanks for the encouragement, last I heard they weren't paying much, I'll check it out.

Wow, they are cheapskates, I certainly wouldn't want to comment on the kids I hear playing music. To do a proper classical article, one must check out the scores from the library and compare recorded versions, for starters. I don't see how I would get minimum wage for making enemies.

Psycholizard: I have found writing for the Reader extremely satisfying. And I think the pay is competitive. You are a sound thinker and the Reader would appreciate that. Best, Don Bauder

dwbat: Good for you. Best, Don Bauder

shirleyberan: You have hit on football's biggest problem: the debilitating injuries. Best, Don Bauder

John Kitchin: We welcome your comments and other satirical comments. Best, Don Bauder

This one is purely real, not satirical at all.

John Kitchin: If the US Interplanetary Criminal Detention Area makes the news, we can shout, "You read it here first!" Best, Don Bauder

So extraterrestrial aliens are involved in the conspiracy to oust Filner!!

Well, not exactly. My point is that the last place you want to turn for truth is the news media.

ImJustABill: That claim has not been made. It is more likely that the people who ousted Filner will assert that extraterrestrial aliens elected him. Best, Don Bauder

Psycholizard: Brilliant deduction. And also, as far as I can remember, the first mention of an alien invasion on this blog. Best, Don Bauder

John Kitchin: I will be disappointed if contributors to this blog wind up in psychiatric hospitals, sharing a room with aliens. Best, Don Bauder

Photo did not show up. Trying again.

Yahweh Gabriel Moroni, who lives in Old Town, at Spawars, and has a Facebook page.

John Kitchin: Yes, Yahweh certainly looks intelligent. You are right: humans are not among the 149 intelligent species. Best, Don Bauder

John Kitchin: Yahweh sounds so much like yahoo. Is Yahweh a yahoo? Best, Don Bauder

Or perhaps a woohoo? I notice a marked resemblance.

Duhbya: Shrewd observation. Best, Don Bauder

I seen that guy before. Isn't he running for Mayor of Duck City, or one of those rural places where they milk chickens?

Hmmm.....for some reason, the burg of Simpsonville, SC comes to mind.

Duhbya: Can you believe that I have never seen a Simpsons show? But I have heard of those shows many times. Best, Don Bauder

Not too difficult to comprehend. Many folks are/have been rabid about it, but I think I've seen it maybe five times. Clever writing, though

Duhbya: Yes, I understand it is very clever. Still haven't gotten around to watching it. Best, Don Bauder

John Kitchin: Duck City? Think closer to home. Best, Don Bauder

Duck City is out by the Salton Sea, where the salty and anthrax-infested waters crash and petrify ducks who land there.

John Kitchin: Duck City is that town so many quacks in the medical profession. Best, Don Bauder

In the 1970s, when there was no internet, I referred to my friends at AT&T who were trying to develop that sort of thing as the Yahoos. It was a name like geek or techno, and it stuck. Extremely interesting that your comment would go exactly to the person who coined the phrase. My words got out a lot, all over the world, because I was a noted ham operator, talking world-wide with tech people.

John Kitchin: The word "yahoo" used to connote a yokel, a jerk, a redneck. Best, Don Bauder

Jonathon Swift may have coined the term "yahoo". Yahweh is a variant of Jehovah, so the aliens must be sending their top beings.

Huh? That sounds schizophrenic at best.

John Kitchin: I don't see evidence of schizophrenia in Psycholizard's observation. Best, Don Bauyder

Psycholizard: I love Swift. I don't remember that he coined the word yahoo, directly or indirectly, but he was one of history's most percipient satirists. Best, Don Bauder

An internet dictionary gives Swift first publication in Guliver's Travels, as a name like "Liliputin", for a race of people, if memory serves, it was the horse's name for humanity.

Psycholizard: The Lilliputians were wee folk in Swift's classic Gulliver's Travels. Best, Don Bauder

Okay, and I explained Yahweh, above. Just now, so you did not have that info when you originally placed your reply.

Once upon a time, but I explained it on the air, worldwide, that I had the greatest affection for the Yahoos, and considered them friends. I did initially get criticisms such as yours.

John Kitchin: On what network did you explain it on the air worldwide? Best, Don Bauder

Shortwave amateur radio nets, the kind that people with transmitters and microphones who run radio stations and develop internets get onto to chat. That is what we did before there were blogs. Imagine this thread live and worldwide, in voice. 30 years, me.

John Kitchin: Oh yes. I remember now that you were a shortwave amateur radio operator. Best, Don Bauder

Long ago, there were chat groups using international worldwide transmitters, much like CB except closely regulated and legal. Digital developments in the United States were chatted about with Japjanese, French, British, etc., often in English. There was no web, but the Yahoo Group eventually created it.

John Kitchin: Sounds exciting. I missed out on the fun. Best, Don Bauder

Distant relative, perhaps? A Chief originally (Kansas City), no less.

Duhbya: Oh, to be tackled by someone named Wahoo. Best, Don Bauder

Or body slammed. He got away with this garb during his post-football career, full-blooded Choctaw that he was.

Duhbya: Wahoo must have been tough and athletic. After pro football, many players can barely walk with their mangled knees, or suffer debilitating effects of head injuries. Wahoo went from football into pro wrestling, which takes tremendous dexterity. Yes, the bouts are scripted, but the wrestlers' bodies take plenty of abuse. Best, Don Bauder

Yahweh is an intelligent alien who befriended Moses. Moses demanded the name of God, and since God has no name, Yahweh used his own name.

PacificBeachgirl: Filner meant that the downtown real estate, corporate welfare crowd controlled San Diego for half a century. However, I would say that this crowd had a harder time of it when Maureen O'Connor was mayor. Pete Wilson initially didn't bow to the developer industry, but when he got national ambitions, he capitulated.

I think you are right that any progressive will get similar treatment. Filner was more vulnerable because, by his own admission, his behavior with women was bad. Aguirre as city attorney was smeared by the U-T. He would be as mayor, too. Alvarez would catch it if he got elected, too.

Recall that disgusting sex-related behavior by DeMaio was barely covered by the press, while disgusting behavior by Filner was given blanket coverage for weeks. Best, Don Bauder

Other Mayors were forced to resign by the La Costa Sanction, the Mafia group that controlls San Diego and all professional licenses here. It was unrealistic to think that any Progressive Mayor could go anywhere. Fletcher is extremely conservative, more than Faulconer. The well-organized MOB interests took over Broadcasting in 1922 here, and Real Estate has been their primary money-maker since about 1955. The Political Agents are gangsters, and if I mention them I get found dead in the river. Filner is now a Convicted Felon and cannot, therefore, be involved in Foundations.

John Kitchin: When you mention Mafia and the real estate development industry in the same breath, are you talking about the laundered drug money that finds its way into San Diego real estate? Best, Don Bauder

Sorry, but I cannot draw the parallels nor tell the truth here. Censorship.

John thank you for letting me know about the Foundation. I am really sorry to hear that.

Sebastian612: Yes, Goldsmith admitted in that TV interview that he plotted to oust a mayor without due process. Metaphorically, this is a lynching, and a coup. Period. Best, Don Bauder

Ah yes, here is the part of the 5th Amendment (the Bauder version) which you must be referring to ... "nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, OR REMOVED FROM THE MAYORS OFFICE without due process of law". I wasn't familiar with the capitalized part of the 5th amendment but I'm not a legal expert.

ImJustABill: I didn't mention any amendment. Due process is a revered concept of American law. Best, Don Bauder

I have called for disbarment, not recall, of Jan Goldsmith ever since he took office as City Attorney. Felony charges for chalk on a sidewalk? What's next, Felony Hopscotch? His admitting the plotting of failure of due process is the crime of Obstruction of Justice, and he admits it.

John Kitchin: He can't be disbarred for that chalking incident. Disrespected, yes. Disdained, yes, for being dense enough to make his Filner strategy public. Dissed, yes. Disbarred, hell no. He won't be disbarred for admitting he planned an ouster without due process. For those who know what goes on in San Diego -- and are repulsed by it -- Goldsmith is a barrel of laughs. Best, Don Bauder

Well, the intentional attempt to thwart or deprive Due Process is a federal crime, investigated by the FBI. If Goldsmith sez he attempted to circumvent Due Process, let the FBI investigate him for Felony Obstruction of Justice.

John Felony Hopscotch is HILARIOUS.

It all had to do with other wrongdoing by other persons and agencies. Shocking, too!