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Las Vegas down, but this won't help San Diego
This underlines the folly of any economy depending too much on tourism...including San Diego.— July 16, 2008 1:32 p.m.
San Diego Spends Less Per Capita on Fire Protection Than Orange and Los Angeles Counties
I H8 txt, IMHO txt=BS. ?4U. AFAIK CMIIW txt=CWOT. EOD. U? (I consulted http://www.amset.info/tips/acronyms.asp but found no entry for NORC.)— July 16, 2008 9:23 a.m.
Lepine Drops Harassment Suit, Receives No Payment. Will Campaign Now Focus on Goldsmith's Domestic Uproars?
In the former communist countries of central Europe, Frank Zappa is a hero. He stood up for the artists and musicians who were imprisoned and harrassed for their work. They love him still today...enjoy "Frank Zappa is our Papa". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNz5hq4y06E Zappa was a friend and supporter of Michal Kocab and Pražský Výběr, a banned band that helped lead the way to freedom in 1989. Zappa exchanged guitar solos with Michal Pavlicek during the concert marking the departure of the last Soviet troops from then Czechoslovakia. There were rumors flying around Prague in the early 90's that Vaclav Havel wanted to appoint Frank Zappa as Czechoslovakia's honorary Minister of Culture, but this was quashed by the first Bush administration. Frank Zappa is an American hero in many ways. His example of principled defence of freedom is widely admired, in contrast to how our dear leaders today are thrashing our reputation around the world. Don, you just don't know what you're missing listening to that classical music of yours. Consider the following Zappa titles: * Bobby Brown (Goes Down) * Valley Girl * My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama * Don't Eat the Yellow Snow Maybe it's not quite your type of music, and surely he'd never be invited to a Burl Stiff party, but Zappa sure did do some important good in this world. He is remembered fondly... Best, Fred— July 16, 2008 9:01 a.m.
The Name Game: Angelina Jolie's Latest Kid
At least none of you have to struggle through life with a name like "Fred"...— July 15, 2008 10:02 a.m.
San Diego Spends Less Per Capita on Fire Protection Than Orange and Los Angeles Counties
Anon, a quick question...what is NORC again?— July 15, 2008 9:37 a.m.
County Democrats Endorse Aguirre for City Attorney; Only One Vote Goes for Opponent
Paul, The only solution to the ineptness of our local political parties is to go out and choose some candidates you like and volunteer with their campaigns. Money is for buying television and radio, but it doesn't put feet on the sidewalks. The Republicans seem to be led by religious thugs, while the Democrats seem so torn by jealous groups jockying for position that they don't mount convincing campaigns not just for office, but for the ideological battleground. The city of San Diego has had a Democratic registration majority for well over a decade. Yet even when the city council is composed of a majority of Democrats, it's indistinguishable from previous Republican majorities. The most prominent and well respected Democrat in San Diego is Donna Frye. She got to be that way without the party's help. Here in San Diego there are too many factions: LGBT wing, the Union and Public Employees wing, Minorities, Environmentalists, Youth, Urban Professionals, Teachers...and so on. Due to a lack of cohesion, they are easily splintered. It would take a strong leader to put them together. Donna doesn't seem to want the hassle. Who else is there to herd these cats? Even the Chair of the Democrats was so little known that he wasn't re-elected to the party central committee last month. South of the 8, if you look at the results from the last election, the Democrats are dominant. It is long past time the party expanded northward to challenge the longtime monopoly of the downtown elite on San Diego. The independents are ripe for the taking, disgusted by four years of Bush nationally, and a decade of mismanagement and corruption locally. So, Paul, it's a great time to get involved if you're not already. Here are two Democratic candidates north of the 8 who deserve your support: Marti Emerald's campaign welcomes volunteers. http://www.martiforsandiego.com/ It sure would be great to get Brian Bilbray out of Congress this fall. Go walk a few precincts for Nick Leibham. http://www.picknick08.com See you on the campaign trail friend, Fred— July 14, 2008 8:37 a.m.
Bring The Noize
I go to libraries. At the downtown library if you're having a bit of a "cell yell" (love that term) they tell you to hang up, go outside, and call back. Antigeekess (love that term) you should feel free, while in a library, to speak up and do the same. I also agree that no restaurant fancier than Denny's should allow kids under ten, or anybody who is ill-behaved. Most parents get this, and don't take their little-screamers to interupt your up-scale romantic dinner. That's one of the reasons McDonalds is such a successful business. It caters to families with kids, providing a play area, special meals, easy to clean surfaces, and only modest noise restrictions. A friend used to say that McDonalds is America's gift to young parents everywhere. Where else can you feed the kids at a modest price, they can play, and you can nurse your Saturday morning hangover with hot coffee. All things in their place, huh? If you go to the library (or are driving your car, Josh) don't answer your phone. Call them back later. If you go to a fancy restaurant, don't bring your kids (or a leaf blower).— July 14, 2008 7:15 a.m.
San Diego Spends Less Per Capita on Fire Protection Than Orange and Los Angeles Counties
Re: #5 and #7 I think the biggest loss has been the "opportunity costs". When we wasted our money giving it away to the wealthy we did NOT: Fix the library situation Fix the sewage situation Fix the water situation Fix our roads Worse, our already massive load of deferred maintenance got exponentially bigger. City owned properties of all types, from parks to buildings, are in poor condition due to neglect. We're like a family with hungry half-clothed kids and a house that's falling apart that goes out and buys a brand new plasma wide screen. Who pays? The kids, most of all.— July 14, 2008 7:04 a.m.
Lepine Drops Harassment Suit, Receives No Payment. Will Campaign Now Focus on Goldsmith's Domestic Uproars?
=Important Correction= Jan Goldsmith does not wear "dead squirrel road kill" or something dug from Burt Reynold's garbage on his head. It's a ferret. You see, in his storied career as a state legislator, Jan Goldsmith was the champion of California ferret legalization. While these small weasels are allowed in states like Arizona, here they are illegal. The Ferret Underground contacted Goldsmith and he answered their pleas for help. Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee tells the rest: "After his ferret bill was rejected, then-Assembly Speaker Willie Brown cackled: 'That bill is deader than that thing on your head.'" So now you know the truth. Knock off the talk about "dead squirrels" already... (P.s. Don, when you spoke to Burt, did he reply?)— July 14, 2008 6:56 a.m.
Brace Yourself for Another Bailout: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Near the Brink
Re: #20 Don, there is also the story of how Cindy used her medical charity to hide her 20 pill a day prescription drug habit. She used her employees' names to fill bogus prescriptions. She took drugs donated to sick refugees. Then, of course, Senator John McCain, law and order drug warrior, demanded this slimeball drug addict be thrown in the slammer for a decade like anyone else who committed such squalid crimes and tried to cover them up through fraud and theft... No. She got "rehab" and a press conference carefully orchestrated to make her look heroic. http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/10/18/drug… I guess this is how multi-millionaires stay multi-millionaires and get their husbands elected into high office. Compare this with Obama's wife. She doesn't seem to have a pill-popping problem, though she's received far more scrutiny than Cindy. She worked hard for her position, coming from very little to make the most of herself. While Cindy, well, let's just say the former Junior Rodeo Queen of Arizona 1968 had a little help along the way. Cindy and her interesting family background deserves every bit as much examination as Michelle Obama, if not more so. Best, Fred— July 12, 2008 7:47 a.m.