Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed
Big Screen — Movie commentary
Blurt — Music's inside track
Booze News — San Diego spirits
Classical Music — Immortal beauty
Classifieds — Free and easy
Close to Home — What it’s like on the street where you live
Cover Stories — Front-page features
Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes
Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts
Feast! — Food & drink reviews
Feature Stories — Local news & stories
Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore
From the Archives — Spotlight on the past
Golden Dreams — Talk of the town
The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it
Letters — Our inbox
Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites
Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans
Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists
Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news
News Ticker — News & politics
Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated
Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna
Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated
Poetry — The old and the new
Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers
Reading — The hunt for intellectuals
Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails
San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds
SD on the QT — Almost factual news
Sheep and Goats — Places of worship
Special Issues — The best of
Street Style — San Diego streets have style
Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves
Theater — On stage in San Diego this week
Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative
Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work
Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego
Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads
Your Week — Daily event picks
The Cross Controversy
So you agree, Josh, that magical thinking deserves little or no respect, even when it is socially acceptable and based on long tradition? Great! I extend my definition of wishful thinking to include things like astrology, multi-level marketing, and automatic trust of authority. I believe the founding fathers would applaud us for having the courage to discard old superstitions and fears, and to embrace the world around us as it is, with no illusions. This could be the Great Awakening we've all been wating for in America. Blessings be upon you, Josh. "Faithless Fred"— August 4, 2008 10:04 a.m.
Equal Rights For Women? Thumbs Down!
Josh, there are already laws on the books with very harsh penalties for making a false claim against an officer. Look it up. The standards of evidence for proving a case are very high...it's tough to even file such a case, from what I understand. So your concerns are covered. The Hatfill case wasn't only one of being wrongly accused, he was wrongly accused to the media which predictably went on to thrash his life and career. Didn't you read that link? Finally, you must admit the following sentence makes no sense whatsoever: "So, when there's one cop that does something wrong, well....that means thousands of cops were doing things right." I can demonstrate its nonsensicality (is that a word?) by simple replacement: "So, when there's one doper that rolls a joint wrong, well....that means thousands of dopers were rolling joints right." Under-reporting of misconduct is understandable considering the difficulty and perceived risks. Confidential informants routinely lie. Read those articles, including congressional testimoney, by Radley Balko. Cops lie, especially when it comes to protecting fellow officers, Josh. Are you claiming otherwise? Are you really proposing that any one who does get through all the hurdles of trying to prove a case of misconduct yet ultimately fails deserves to additionally go to prison for ten years, Josh? Well, let's all put on our jackboots and learn to salute. I really don't think you believe these things. You write as if you have contempt for the presumption of innonence, coupled with a wondrous belief in the infallibility of authority figures. I don't buy it. You're smarter and more experienced than that. I'm either misunderstanding you, or you ought to qualify things a bit more clearly. Your devoted fan and self-selected sparring partner, Fred "Righteous Fist" Williams— August 4, 2008 9:58 a.m.
Moores's JMI Knocks Condos Out of Austin Project, Citing San Diego Failures
Re: #7, Burwell, if the construction is so shoddy as to allow smoke between units and flushing toilet accoustics all night, that would be cause for a construction defect lawsuit. Please correct or expand this theory, you lawyers. As to drug dealers living and working downtown...that sure makes sense to me..!! So long as they warn all their customers to look "normal" when they enter and leave, it's a great way to do business. Underground garages to unload the product away from prying eyes, private security guards in the building you can bribe and befriend, so they'll ensure the police stay away. Congratulations to CCDC for making downtown an attractive place for our alternative economy to do business. I wouldn't wonder if other alternative professions haven't taken up residence in our city center. Seems that an athletic female who wanted to use her talented body to make some tax-free cash could set up a web site, get a cell phone, rent a downtown condo in a secured building, and have a very successful, safe business. Were I a business advisor, I'd recommend the wonderful tax-payer assisted structure called the Smart Corner. It's got trolley access and is convenient to the 5 and 163. With stunning views of downtown and the harbor, it's the perfect place for a night of dealing, or a cozy moment with new friends. The San Diego Housing Commission can advise those with little documented income on how to rent a stunning new condo with all the comforts of home. Restless young dealers or inquisitive providers of intimate massage can take advantage of the many wonderful San Diego City College courses right across the street. It's a great place to make friends, and even find new customers. I propose that CCDC promote this alternative economic activity in an effort to aid our local economy through its tough times. The Convention Center can get in the act by letting our out of town visitors where to safely and conveniently find warmth and solace, or a pleasant buzz to compliment their stay in America's Finest City. It's long past time to take advantage of San Diego's reputation, and be open...no, downright proud of our world-class amenities. It's only fair after all. We subsidize a huge downtown facility for athletic young guys using their handsome strong bodies to entertain men by playing a game. By promoting our athletic young women who also entertain men with their bodies in the same manner, we can work our way out of bad times. Yes! We'll get visitors from around the world to see America's Finest. I know we've got them. Just have a stroll at our many colleges and universities. We have enough talent to take on any place in the world. And our famous San Diego hostpitality cannot be beat. We're gonna have to pay back all that money somehow, people. It's time for us all to unite together and show the world how our city really works. Applaud our economic future..!!— August 4, 2008 9:28 a.m.
Note to U-T Employees: You Think You're Angst-Ridden? Look at Your Former Ohio, Illinois Colleagues
Hellcat, that sounds like good news to me. The UT brand is so shabby that it ought to be retired. A metropolitan daily that focused on local news and advertisers might have a chance, but I predict instead a proliferation of online entities...many founded by former UT staff. The UT did a good story today on the clean-up overcharges in the wake of the latest wildfires. Yep, it's a new spin on the same wonderful and efficient UT endorsed clean-up effort that a fortunately unsuccessful candidate for city attorney claimed as his crowning achievement in public office. There are so many more worm cans to open, it must be an exciting time for real journalists. There's still the San Diego Data Processing Corporation, with close ties to diamond Jim. It's gonna be audited. Wonder what they'll find. The CDBG Grants scandal is quite a big one, but doesn't seem to have gained any traction in public attention. So much for the strong mayor cleaning house. Oops. The airport plans, now in deep question with the rise in fuel prices and drop in air-traffic, with John Moores' sweaty palms eager to grab again. How about that egregiously deceptive 10th Ave Marine Terminal Job Destruction Initiative coming up on the ballot. How is it possible that they could use such deceptive language in the first place, burying details and using such a misleading title and as a sales pitch? Is that really legal? How much money will the backers be spending to pad their pockets, as the initiative describes when you wade through i's labryntine deceptions. My goodness, the newly liberated journalists have so much to work with, I am eager to see what they will produce and how they will disseminate it. If they're smart, they'll use their lay-off payouts to tide them over until they can find a way to monetize their work. Interesting times in San Diego.— August 3, 2008 9:40 a.m.
What is the sound of one SEDC shredder shredding?
"SEDC Shredding Safari" Copyright 2008, Smith, et al. Let's go shredin' now Everybody's learning how Come on and shred with me (Come on and shred with...) Early in the morning we'll be startin out Some subpeonas will be comin' along We're loadin' up my shredder with the records to hide and the whole board's singing our song Come on (shred er-out) auditors wait and see (shredin' safari) Yes I'm gonna (shred it out) take you shredin' (shredin' safari) with me Come along (shred the doubt) auditors wait and see (shredin' safari) Yes I'm gonna (shred and pout) take you surfin' (shredin' safari) with me Let's go shredin' now SEDC's learning how Come on and shred with me (Come on and shred with...) At Imperial and Market Place They're shredding the gear At downtown they're thumbing their nose We're going on banking to the islands this year So if you're coming get ready to go Come on (shred er-out) Councilman wait and see (shredin' safari) Yes I'm gonna (shred it out) take you shredin' (shredin' safari) with me Come along (shred the doubt) Councilman wait and see (shredin' safari) Yes I'm gonna (shred and pout) take you surfin' (shredin' safari) with me Let's go shredin' now SEDC's learning how Come on and shred with me (Come on and shred with...) Note: To hear a live performance of this song, please contact the SEDC Board, the Mayor or your Council Representative.— August 3, 2008 9:22 a.m.
Sempra spins Sunrise Powerlink in the Union-Tribune
Re: #40. Thanks Michael, not only for clearing up the point at issue, but for your years of representing and protecting us all.— August 2, 2008 7:28 p.m.
Moores's JMI Knocks Condos Out of Austin Project, Citing San Diego Failures
Maybe Moores or one of his many highly-paid advisors like Steve Peace have heard of this new-fangled things the kids are using called the "internets". I hear word down on the streets from the homeless people that got kicked out of the day center that you can use it to look at stuff from all over the world, from girly pictures to this thing called a "blog". Or maybe he's in such prolonged proceedings over his divorce that he's not got the time for such trifles as how the public perceives him in the town that made him hyper-rich. In that case, maybe Becky or her friends and lawyers have a look at the Bauder Blog now and then for a chuckle, and amunition to use in the division of assets. In any event, if any John Moores loyalists are reading, we really, really, really need our money back here in San Diego. Perhaps you've forgoten us, but we're that city you shamelessly ripped-off.— August 2, 2008 12:48 p.m.
Sempra spins Sunrise Powerlink in the Union-Tribune
Paul at #35, thank you for the link. It's not surprising they lied. It's surprising the PUC was willing to say so. Wow!— August 2, 2008 12:25 p.m.
Sempra spins Sunrise Powerlink in the Union-Tribune
Anon, you should run for office. Your writing never upsets me. I agree, mostly, with what you write. My reaction, in agreement is to suggest you take action. If you don't like any of the candidates, (and don't forget the Libertarians or Greens), then you have to recruit qualified people, or finding none run for office yourself. None of my favored candidates this year are perfect, nor can I think of one that I'm in one hundred percent agreement with. That's okay. I'll settle for a bit of respectful listening and thoughtful questioning when I state my case. For example, I like and respect Bob Filner even though about twenty years ago he was quite nasty to me face to face. Filner also sort of blew me off a month or so back when I tried to express my concern about the radar and rocket installations in central europe. He gave me a blithe "voters don't care, so I don't care" brush off. (At least he listened and responded to me, thank you kindly Congressman.) Well, the new Russian Ambassador to the U.S. cares, and he's going to exact a price over this issue. He's the same badass who represented the Russians in the negotiations on this issue and it's not going away. Also, the Czech public is likely to force a referendum on this highly unpopular plan and vote it down. I know Filner's time is limited, but I predict it's going to matter for a long time. So we differ. But I still prefer to have Filner in office because on other issues I agree strongly with him. He's certainly smarter than Duke, but I can certainly say that Bob sometimes comes off as a stuck up jerk, while Duke was always a guy you wanted to hang around with and listen to his stories. I've sometimes thought of writing Cunningham a letter in prison, because I think he could have "lawyered up" and gotten much less time. Instead, he at least had the decency to plead guilty and step down. Politics is sometimes a contact sport, where you hit, and other times you get hit, but you have to get into the arena as Teddy R. said, to have even a small effect. I urge you to stop being anonymous and put yourself out there. Best, Fred— August 2, 2008 12:23 p.m.
Equal Rights For Women? Thumbs Down!
Josh, maybe you've not yet seen Radley Balko's work: http://www.theagitator.com/ particularly have a look at: http://www.theagitator.com/category/innocence/ Your faith in the integrity of prosecutors and cops is unfounded, I think, by ongoing revelations such as these: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/DOJ_Investigating_t… I find it appalling that the judges seek the endorsements of the police unions and prosecutors for their elections. Isn't that outright declaring they're going to be on their side in the courtroom? When have you ever seen a campaign sign like "Josh Board for Judge...endorsed by public defenders"? You wrote parenthetically, "usually they are wrongly accused, because they acted guilty, lawyered up, and did other weird things instead of just answering questions honestly". Really? Usually? On what data do you base this bold assertion, sir..?? A link or two would be appreciated. Read Balko, and you find case after case of railroaded defendents who never had a fair chance. Prosecutors who don't share exculpatory evidence, grossly unequal access to expert witnesses, the multiplication of charges in a uniform effort to force a plea...this is all well documented and I thought it was well known. I'll be happy to provide you several links to more information about this subject. Josh, I was on the San Diego Crime Commission and the Border Solution Task Force at an earlier stage in my political development. I am not asserting these things out of any dislike of cops, but out of an intense concern for our public safety and fairness in the courts. Totalitarian states around the globe envy our prison system, and our world-beating incarceration rate. No one locks em up and throws away the keys like Americans. Go U.S.A.! Not. It's shameful, actually, when we examine how our injustice system functions. You've written some about the subject yourself... When the system malfunctions, reasonable compensation is due. When the system is hacked to predetermine biased outcomes, criminal investigations are due... Best, Fred— August 2, 2008 11:58 a.m.