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Following the Money in District 3
Thank you for pointing out my logical flaws. I deeply appreciate your questions and insights. Do you have a real name, "District 3 Resident"? I use my real name because I have nothing to hide. Are you in fact a member of Gloria's professional staff of campaigners? If so, then you ought to disclose such things. I am a supporter of Whitburn, (unpaid volunteer by the way), and here's why: You're right that a single $270 contribution won't buy much. How about bundles of $270 contributions? * Bundles from the disgraced CCDC board and Nancy Graham... * Bundles from secretive military contractor Epsilon Systems... * Bundles from the Baldwin development companies... * Bundles from staffers and lobbyists in City Hall... It's all available at www.onlinecpi.org This isn't about Proposition 4, or who owns which publication that hosts blogging software...this is about who would make the best representative for District 3. At the meeting of the Neighborhood Preservationists this week, Gloria was shame-faced about his many ties to developers, including Manchester. While Stephen Whitburn called for dissolving scandal-plagued CCDC and SEDC, Gloria put up a lame defense of the status quo. Gloria says everything is going just fine downtown and that the fraud and conflicts of interest aren't serious. I wonder why... Stephen Whitburn was asked about how he could lend money to his campaign. Stephen Whitburn explained, in detail, how he has saved money for over twenty years. He lives in a modest apartment and drives an eleven year old car. By being thrifty, he's been able to spend his own money on this campaign instead of being beholden to the downtown crowd. Whitburn said very clearly that he doesn't expect to see that money back. It's on video. So I hope this answers your questions, "District 3 Resident", and you now understand how repeatedly taking money from developers, lobbyists, downtown insiders, and staffers at City Hall has tainted Gloria's reputation. * Historic preservationists, who know a lot about how redevelopment scams work in this town, are united behind Whitburn. * Donna Frye, who is standing almost alone against corruption downtown, is supporting Whitburn. This is a race of the reformer against the insider. You may be charmed by Gloria, but just a few minutes of research online shows you that he's taken bundles of money from the wrong people. Again, and again... Whitburn is a very polite guy, and he doesn't attack Gloria. He doesn't have to. The facts speak for themselves. Anyone can see who the reformer is in this race. Thank you again, "District 3 Resident", for giving me the opportunity to clarify things for you. Best, Fred— October 5, 2008 7:23 a.m.
The Mike Aguirre Show
Stephen Whitburn was very congenial, extraordinarily polite to Gloria, refusing to be rude to Gloria in any way, shaking hands before and after the event. Stephen Whitburn takes the high road. He just lays out the truth. Stephen Whitburn said he would dissolve the scandal-ridden CCDC and SEDC. That's a change in San Diego. Real leadership. Gloria had to admit he takes campaign money from the board of CCDC and its disgraced former-leader, Nancy Graham. Stephen Whitburn was endorsed by the Neighborhood Leaders Alliance, which had several members in attendance. I think they were cheering the loudest for Stephen Whitburn, along with the preservationists and independent fiscal conservatives who are just tired of all the scandals. Gloria was endorsed and sponsored by insiders downtown, who apparently never bother to show up at neighborhood forums. Anyone wishing to read the details can see http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/abnormal-he… When Gloria claimed he had personally provided affordable housing in San Diego simply by sitting on the Housing Commission Board, the whole room groaned, his face fell, and he had to shut up. I'd sure like to see an article on what the Housing Commission actually does for San Diego. The only thing I've seen in the news lately is that it's considered by the auditors to be at "high risk" for fraud and abuse. Dorian Hargrove is doing an immense public service by covering these forums. Keep up the great work.— October 5, 2008 6:55 a.m.
San Diego continues to reward bad behavior
The San Diego Ballpork Song Rip me off with a ballpark Give me corporate pork Buy me a mayor and council seat After the vote our team always gets beat 'cause it's fraud, fraud, fraud In our downtown Taxpayers lose It's a shame Then it's one, two, three billion gone In Moores' big shell game!— October 5, 2008 6:27 a.m.
San Diego continues to reward bad behavior
Hedonism Song by Fred Williams The world is f***ed so give it up! Hedonism's rational in the face of doom I'll smoke and drink and live it up! The end of our time is coming soon Hedonism Gonna get some Hedonism Know I need some Hedonism If it's up to me I'll set myself free I'll smoke and drink and live it up! Hedonism's rational in the face of doom The world is f***ed so give it up! The end of our time is coming soon— October 4, 2008 3:15 p.m.
Letters
Note: Goatskull's comment #1 above is regarding "Cornball Rednecks". Comment writers, please identify your "Dude" when commenting. Thank you— October 4, 2008 3:11 p.m.
Blogging keeps you from being hired and gets you fired
Josh, you're being simplistic. I write a lot about political issues. But I work in a strictly technical environment. My paid work is very cut and dry. It has absolutely nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with whether the software and systems function properly and meet the user's goals. For a company to investigate my political writings and then use them to deny me employment for which I'm highly qualified is something I would complain about. It's discrimination, plain and simple, based on political beliefs. No, it's not illegal for the company to do this. But I would make it known far and wide that the company is so paranoid and big-brotherish that it creates a hostile workplace, dominated by a requirement to engage in group think. That is not healthy for the employees, the company, or society at large. Dissent is the cornerstone of our democracy. When we are punished for daring to publish our sometimes unpopular views, it may be legal, but it's not good or wise.— October 1, 2008 8:16 a.m.
Comfort Food
Mac and Cheese from scratch (serves two) Ingredients: Half a small package of Macaroni 6 ounces Cheddar Cheese 1 teaspoon Corn Starch 1/4 cup Milk Steps: * Boil the macaroni and put it in the strainer. * Mix 1/4 cup milk with a teaspoon of corn starch, stirring well. * Put the mix along with your shredded cheese into the pot on very low heat. * Stir vigorously until it blends together and thickens. * Turn off the heat. * Put the macaroni into the pot and mix it all together. * Add salt and pepper to taste. It's not only better tasting and far cheaper than the stuff from the box, it's probably healthier too. Best, Fred— October 1, 2008 8:09 a.m.
House Was Right to Reject Deceptive Wall Street Bailout. One That Comes Later This Week Must Protect Taxpayers
It isn't the 30's...it's the 90's repeating. This time it's us instead of the Soviet Union that have to reassess everything we thought we knew and trusted. Just as autocratic socialism failed under its own internal contradictions, so has the unfettered get-rich-quick version of capitalism shown its inherent weaknesses. America, get ready to eat a very large piece of humble pie...we've earned it. The classical Greeks warned us that Hubris is always followed by Nemesis.— September 30, 2008 10:59 a.m.
San Diego Home Prices Down 25% Over Past Year, 31.2% from Peak
Price is a reflection of value. When we treat falling prices as bad news, and rising prices as good news, we're totally missing the point. It's bad when prices are out of alignment with value. It's good when prices fall back into alignment. So the drop in housing prices is not bad news, but good news. Everyone knows they're still overpriced and out of alignment. The faster they get to a reasonable price, the sooner we can have a recovery. I'm looking for at least another 20% reduction in price before the market returns. When we take inflation into account, the drop in "real dollars" may be even greater. Maybe sometime in 2009 we'll see the bottom.— September 30, 2008 10:54 a.m.
Comerica Park, Chase Field – banks foolish to use stadiums
Something that's not funny is how we're getting fleeced here in San Diego by our own dodgers and codgers. Have a look at my latest: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/neighborhoods/… The Board of Supervisors just collectively extended their middle fingers in our direction... Best, Fred "Troublemaker" Williams— September 24, 2008 4:18 p.m.