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A Static Charge
Refried, how can you use "audibles" as a verb? Really! Wash your keyboard with soap...such language. Sorry guys, but none of the skills you've described are particularly impressive. Dish washers at busy restaurants must also make fast decisions, have great manual dexterity, and work through the pain. So what? That doesn't equate to "intelligent", just "clever". Josh, that a former player becomes a cop is also no proof of intellect. Most cops aren't that bright. I know. I've had to teach them how to use the software we made for them. Even with the simplest possible user interface, they were pretty clueless. As far as actually READING something...forget it. They either weren't interested or weren't capable.— July 30, 2009 1:11 a.m.
A Static Charge
Rickeysays: I don't consider myself a world class athlete, but neither am I the nerd who throws like a girl and was never included in sports. On the contrary, for my age, I'd say I'm in great physical condition. My favorite sport is archery. Your assumption is common among sports fanatics, that anyone who doesn't join in your game is somehow unfit. And it's yet another display of the stupidity ingrained in the thinking of sports fans. Refried: Yes, it's entertainment. Nothing more. Nothing less. It's NOT important infrastructure, the basis of real pride, or anything to be spending public money on or fighting about. Yet how much money do we squander every year policing these events? How many fire and police resources are wasted patroling the stands? It's what a lawyer would call an "attractive nuisance" with predictable outcomes...every game there's dozens of arrests. What other "entertainment" is allowed to repeatedly break laws, AND gets subsidized by every taxpayer...no matter whether they enjoy this form of entertainment or not? Spliff: Look up Kenneth Thompson from San Diego, who played at Mesa College, then Utah State, then professionally with the Cardinals. He was a friend of mine. He made great money...for three years. Then he was abandoned, knees ruined, functionally illiterate (sorry, Kenny, but you know it's true) and basically unemployable, all the money long gone on clothes, girls, and cars. He's the typical professional athlete. Used up and spit out by the system -- not unlike slavery at all, but primarily a form of mental slavery where young black kids are taught that there are only two routes out of poverty: deal drugs or play sports. Everyone: All things considered, it's just moronic to admire or wish to be identified with this system of professional sports entertainment. It's just a business, has nothing to do with reality, does nothing for the host cities but drain resources, and the "winners" often end up broken and useless when their "career" is finished. Being a sports fan isn't something to be proud of. It's a shameful and disgusting vice that feeds on misery and wasted lives that bankrupts the cities unfortunate enough to host a team.— July 28, 2009 1:41 a.m.
A Static Charge
Being a football "fan" is pathetic. How deluded and whimpish must you be if you derive your self-esteem from the on-field antics of a bunch of over-paid kids playing games. Perhaps if you gentlemen spent some time experiencing REAL life instead of your childish voyeristic time-wasting watching alleged "role-models" slapping each other's butts on television, you'd have something more interesting to say than this drivel about which football team is better. Got a clue for y'all. The city and the team are completely separate. The players are hired mercenaries who do what they do for the highest bidder, and have absolutely NO interest in the city they're playing in. For anyone to think that because some mogul came in, bribed local officials to get huge subsidies from the local tax-payers for a stadium, and put a few retards in tights on the field to play with their balls, therefore there's a duty of loyalty to that team...well, it's just stupid isn't it? Grow up boys. Football is a lame game for lame brains. Being "loyal" to a team is as important to an adult's life as declaring "loyalty" to a flavor of ice cream. That so-called "fans" get into violent brawls all over the country because of this "loyalty" is such a sad commentary on the state of our country.— July 22, 2009 3:29 a.m.
Bruce Henderson: no room for a Chargers stadium downtown
Maybe it's time for a local ballot initiative restricting eminent domain to legitimate public purposes. How many signatures are needed to get on the ballot? GAG deserves support. Aardvark, I'm sure Brian appreciates what you are doing. As you say, the residents of the neighborhood are in support and are pitching in what they can in these difficult times. But what happens in Grantville, won't stay in Grantville. Every place in San Diego is subject to the whim of politicians declaring "blight" so they can take your property and give it to a developer. Time to end the redevelopment scam. Don, isn't it time to do another story on GAG? Best, Fred— July 16, 2009 11:54 p.m.
Platinum Equity acquires Union-Tribune, hires Mad Dog Singer
If they print it, or even display it on the website as a comment, I'm suing! :-) Thanks, Refried. I enjoyed writing it. Flew off the keyboard. It's so easy to mock a pompous dorkwad like Singer, even Fumber could do it. Fred (aka Hugh G. Rection, Esq.)— July 16, 2009 4:32 a.m.
Platinum Equity acquires Union-Tribune, hires Mad Dog Singer
NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR OTHER USE Gentlemen, We are writing as the litigation counselor for Fred_Williams, a frequent poster on the Scam Diego Blog. We have become aware that you may potentially one day possibly consider the thought of maybe considering writing a response to a blog post he may or may not be contemplating writing in the unforeseeable future. Publishing this blog posting will result in the immediate and irrevocable release of a squadron of winged-monkey lawyers who shall swoop down upon the India Street offices of the Reader, file lawsuits, fling excrement, and howl at passers by on the sidewalk. If you procede to publish said blog posting, which shall be preceded by the words "NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR OTHER USE", the aforementioned flying monkey lawyers intend to sue for astronoical...nay...intergalactic damages up to and including the entire net worth of the known universe. You proceed at your peril. This does not constitute a complete or exhaustive statement of all of my client’s rights or claims. In fact, the winged primate advocates at our disposal may indeed determine that only the forced public humiliation of the entire Bauder clan, including any and all forebears, ancestors, and offspring, now or in the unforeseeable future, can suffice to compensate our client, Fred_Williams, in the event this blog post is published in print, online, or in any other format whatsoever. Sincerely, Hugh G. Rection Partner Bicker, Back, and Forth, Attorneys at Law— July 16, 2009 3:04 a.m.
Bruce Henderson: no room for a Chargers stadium downtown
"As we repair and rebuild our aging Inner City, we have tremendous opportunity to create safe, affordable neighborhoods, public transit and public spaces, and new business opportunities. As your City Councilperson, I will assure that redevelopment reflects the values and priorities of existing communities by listening and following the lead of residents, business owners and planning groups. And there will be no abuse of eminent domain on my watch!" (source: http://martiforsandiego.com/issues.asp#redevelopm…)— July 16, 2009 2:28 a.m.
Bruce Henderson: no room for a Chargers stadium downtown
Proposed Language for Restricting Use of Eminent Domain to “Public Uses” For and Within the Grantville Redevelopment Project Area AMENDMENT TO GRANTVILLE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN For the purposes of implementing The Redevelopment Plan for the Grantville Redevelopment Project Area (“Grantville Redevelopment Plan”), as approved by the City Council of the City of San Diego by Ordinance Number O-19380 (New Series), adopted May 17, 2005, and any amendments thereto as of this date, private property otherwise shall only be taken for reasons of “public use” as that term is defined on the effective date of enactment of this resolution and ordinance. For the purposes of implementing the Grantville Redevelopment Plan, no use of eminent domain shall be allowed or undertaken when the purpose for the taking is economic development that will ultimately result in ownership or profits of that property being transferred, vested, or shared with another private person or entity as a result of ownership, development or operation of such property. Except as provided below in the definition of “public use,” the taking of private property with the intent or anticipation of, selling, leasing or otherwise transferring such property to any other private entity is not a valid public use and is prohibited. “Public use” for the purposes of this ordinance means: (i) The possession, occupation, or use of the land by the general public or by state or local governmental entities; (ii) The use of land for the creation or functioning of public utilities; (iii) The opening of roads, the construction of defenses, or the providing of channels of trade or travel; (iv) The acquisition of property where title is clouded due to the inability to identify or locate all owners of the property; or (v) The acquisition of property where unanimous consent is received from each person with a legal claim that has been identified and found. “Public use” does not include the taking of private property for transfer to a private entity for the purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues. The Grantville Redevelopment Plan is hereby amended in the above respects and any provisions of said Plan which conflicts with the intent and purpose of this Amendment, this Amendment shall control. Nothing in this Ordinance and Amendment is intended or shall otherwise affect the right to invoke and exercise the power of eminent domain under existing law where legitimate and exigent health and safety concerns are present.— July 16, 2009 2:27 a.m.
Bruce Henderson: no room for a Chargers stadium downtown
Aardvark, you should contact Brian Peterson of GAG. He's presented a proposed modification of the redevelopment agreement to city staff. This modification would prohibit eminent domain being used in the project area for the sole benefit of another private entity. In other words, restrict eminent domain to legitimate PUBLIC purposes. Now the city lawyers have brought in some redevelopment lawyer specialist from L.A. to raise as many objections as possible. Is this a ploy to delay, deny, and deceive? A tactic to bleed the Grantville Action Group dry? Sure looks like it. You can call or write to Marti Emerald and tell her you don't appreciate this kind of sham. The city ought to finally do the right thing and make this very reasonable modification. Using the power and money of the government to deliberately thwart the efforts of the residents and small business owners of Grantville is wrong. A lot of people are wondering about Emerald. Is she REALLY a reformer, or was that just campaign rhetoric? I think the Grantville issue will be the decider. If she backs down on this and allows GAG to be gagged by the city, she won't deserve re-election. The same people who worked so hard for her election will be campaigning against her if she's not careful. On the other hand, she's attended fundraisers put on by, you guessed it, the developers who have their eyes on Grantville. So she needs to hear from you. She needs to know that we're watching what she's doing. She needs to know that the developer money, while tempting, is poisonous. She needs to know that if she abandons Grantville, she'll face consequences. Aardvark, please get with Brian Peterson (http://www.grantvilleactiongroup.com). Then contact Marti Emerald (http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd7) and let her know that Grantville is NOT an issue that is going away, and that redevelopment abuse by the city and county, including using eminent domain to take private property from one owner and give it to another private owner, is just plain wrong. Best, Fred— July 16, 2009 2:25 a.m.
Bruce Henderson: no room for a Chargers stadium downtown
Twister, the members of the Grantville Action Group can tell you how city staffers contemptuously ignored the "mere" residents and small business owners so they could implement their "vision"...a vision that rewards developers who give lucrative jobs to former city staffers. Jim Madaffer, considered by many to be the most corrupt councilmember in recent memory, spearheaded this effort to rip-off Grantville. When locals dared to voice objections, he reacted with a violent temper, personally attacking those who would dare confront our city hall overlords. (Note: Madaffer has NEVER had a job outside of government.) As you say, those who take the time and effort to become involved in the community are treated with contempt and malice by the city staff. Any idea that does not originate at 202 C Street is automatically dismissed. The public is starting to wake up to this situation. When the Grantville Action Group went door to door to tell local business owners what's going on (they're illegally stealing over $31 million from Grantville to spend it on beautification projects downtown) the reaction was unanimous opposition. Unfortunately, the city staff, unaccountable and arrogantly above all the rest of us, refuse to listen or even consider the posssibility that anyone other than themselves can have a valid position. These smarmy non-entities are the reason our city is bankrupt. They're the same toads who cheered on the Chargers and Padres rip-offs, and continue to think they're somehow "public servants".— July 14, 2009 6:22 a.m.