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The gentle decline of golf in San Diego
It continues to astound me how fixated on sports and tourism we are as a city. Other places focus on how to build manufacturing, trades, and jobs that provide a good living. But here in sunny San Diego, we seem to be continually subsidising a leisure society. The well-heeled are treated well, while the working folks who support the economy are ignored. We subsidize sports events that cost hundreds of dollars just to watch, and close pools and libraries to pay for this generosity to the wealthy. I've played golf a few times, and was bored out of my mind. It's so pointless and wasteful. How could anyone who cares about the environment feel comfortable knowing that thousands of gallons of water are being squandered growing grass, while we are in a severe shortage? And the city owns these courses? Why? It doesn't seem to benefit the city, but to be yet another gift to the haves from the have-nots. I guess in a winner-take-all society, the devil truly takes the hindmost. But would a similar amount of money invested in City Heights be better spent? Well, what do I know? I guess since I think books and education are more important than golf, baseball, or football, I'm just an oddball. Still, I fear that there will be hell to pay some day soon for wasting our resources pampering the well-off. We'll have a two-tiered society, with a small sliver at the top enjoying the servitude of the masses of waiters and waitresses who can barely afford rent in San Diego, and watch their children sink into a culture of violence and envy. It sure looks to me like this US Open bet depends on one single man having a healthy knee. If so, we might break even. If not, we lose yet more money subsidising sports of the past instead of investing in our future.— June 4, 2008 2:53 p.m.
Reader Party at the W
Dear Jabba, I would tell you all about the scandal, but I only got my information second hand. See, I was really drunk, pawing at the skinny drink tray girls until security kicked me out onto the street. I ended up sleeping in the parking lot with the other homeless, and awoke in a pool of vomit. So it was a great party. Best, Fred— June 4, 2008 7:50 a.m.
Dollar flows
Gloria is a nice guy. He'll fit in well with the current city council, going along to get along and making no waves. That's exactly why I'm supporting Stephen Whitburn in District 3. * Stephen Whitburn has the endorsement of Donna Frye, and that means a lot. * Stephen Whitburn is NOT part of the local establishment machine that has done such a disservice to San Diego in recent years. * Stephen Whitburn is a true progressive with the experience and skills to Change San Diego, rather than continue the culture of corruption that is so harmful to us all. Please vote for Stephen Whitburn today. (And also vote NO on Prop. C) Fred Williams— June 3, 2008 1:35 p.m.
Fred Sainz, the key to Mayor Jerry Sanders’s door
Hi RealNews, You mispelled your url: It's www.sandiegojudges.com And I'm assuming you mean Fred SAINZ, rather than yours truly. :-) Remember to vote NO on Prop. C today.— June 3, 2008 1:16 p.m.
Grand Jury Tells CCDC To Stop Claiming It Funds Redevelopment Projects
It's long past time to shut down CCDC.— June 3, 2008 12:39 p.m.
Kroll's Wolves, Who Fleeced the City of $20 Million, Return To Chase Foxes
Well, Don, if I deserve "plaudits" I just want to make sure it's an "independent plauditor", so please be sure to tell all your friends today: Vote NO on C. :-)— June 3, 2008 12:39 p.m.
Judge Says Federal Court Can Hear Blackwater's Suit
The judiciary over the last twenty years has completely lost its credibility as a check to legislative or executive abuse. As the judiciary became politicized, it has abandoned the patina of indepence achieved by Marbury v. Madison. It has become the hatchet-man of the legislature and executive, with such travesties as mandatory minimums and this falacious notion of judicial restraint. One symptom of this is candidates for judge groveling for the Police/DA endorsement of their campaign. When I see "Choice of the Police" on a sign for a potential judge, I cringe. This is equal to, "If elected judge, this guy will always be partial to the prosecution, and willing to trample the constitutional rights of the accused". This explains why innocent people cop a plea rather than face the certainty that they'll be found guilty REGARDLESS of the evidence. The judges owe favors to the police and DA unions who elect them. They know who butters their bread. This infiltration of the judiciary by professional politicians has corrupted this country and destroyed one of the pillars of the constitution...and been applauded by most citizens, misled by rants about "activist judges". Without "activist judges" civil rights would still be a distant dream, and women would still be jabbing wire hangers up their wombs. Judges who rule in favor of the common citizen and the long run interest of our nation are becoming hard to find. Here in San Diego, again and again, our judges both elected and appointed have proven themselves corrupt and self-interested. They rarely deviate from what they are told to do by their wealthy and powerful backers. This is why we're saddled with corrupt deals from previous councils that few think can be unraveled using the legal system. This is a tragedy for our country, and I'm ashamed it has happened in my life time. Prisons continue to be filled with non-violent low-level drug offenders while well-known public criminals like John Moores smirks his way around town. If the judiciary in San Diego had a shred of self-respect left, they'd resign in mass to allow new blood onto the bench. But instead, they do what they are told. I'll bet dollars to donuts that Huff rules in favor of the mercenaries. Mike Neal is too well-connected with the glaringly corrupt insiders running this village for the case to go any other way. Huff will do as she's told. She'll say, "F*** you, San Diego!"— June 2, 2008 1:44 p.m.
Reader Party at the W
Barbarella, there was only that one little scandal, but we all agreed not to tell you anything about it because we knew you'd just go and blab it all over the blog. So, everyone, don't tell Barb! Let's just keep this scandal under wraps for ourselves, okay? What Barbarella doesn't know won't hurt her. Fred— June 2, 2008 1:26 p.m.
Kroll's Wolves, Who Fleeced the City of $20 Million, Return To Chase Foxes
Modern news reporting is an echo chamber. A press release is cobbled together by Fred Sainz, with an extra dose of disinformation and bald faced lies to make it spicy, and sent to Kittle at the UT. The UT copy/pastes it into a "news story" and it goes out under the by-line of Matt Hall. The AP re-writes Hall's falsehoods into a shorter version, and it goes out on the wire. By the evening, the local television bubble heads are reading their scripts for the camera, and AP has distributed the story to other outlets around the nation. The result? BIG NEWS TONIGHT with Laffy Happy Laffy: Welcome to the news. Our big story tonight (graphic of City Attorney) Laffy: Is Mike Aguirre actually Jimmy Hoffa? Our crack team of reporters find out! Reporter 1: I'm here on location at the civic center downtown, talking to the Mayor's spokesperson, Fred Sainz. Mr. Sainz, is Aguirre really Jimmy Hoffa? Sainz: Well, it's been reported in the Union Tribune, so there must be something to the story. Laffy: Does that mean that the City Attorney is currently encased in tons of concrete? Reporter 1: Mr. Sainz, in your judgement is the City Attorney in a concrete case, right this moment? Sainz: His cases have been a thorn in the Mayor's side for a while now. Laffy: Turning now to the man in question, Aguirre himself, our team coverage continues. Reporter 2: So, Mr. Aguirre, or should I say Hoffa? Aguirre: You guys are nuts. You need professional help. Reporter 2: Laffy, it's apparent that the City Attorney has lost his mind, and now he's attacking hard working reporters. Laffy: So that's the news folks! Aguirre is actually Jimmy Hoffa. We've got to break for commercials, but when we're back...is your plant psychic? We'll find out! (go to commercial)— June 2, 2008 1:24 p.m.
We're Not in Kansas Anymore
I'll have to write up the Election night parties, I suppose, with Josh out of town. The question is whether I report it straight, or do a satire-goof on the whole spectacle. What say you, dear Readers? Fred— May 31, 2008 7:59 a.m.