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Thomas K. Arnold
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Ed Bedford
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Robert Bush
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Joe Deegan
Barbarella Fokos
Leorah Gavidor
Dave Good
Marty Graham
Moss Gropen
Andrew Hamlin
Dorian Hargrove
Garrett Harris
Ken Harrison
Patrick Henderson
Tam Hoang
Eve Kelly
Dryw Keltz
Eva Knott
Thomas Larson
Ken Leighton
Matthew Lickona
Mike Madriaga
Bill Manson
Scott Marks
Bob McPhail
Walter Mencken
Joseph O'Brien
Sheila Pell
Ian Pike
Matt Potter
H.G. Reza
Dave Rice
Elizabeth Salaam
Jay Allen Sanford
Julie Stalmer
DJ Stevens
Matthew Suárez
Amanda Tascher
More writers
Former writers
4S Ranch
Allied Gardens
Alpine
Baja
Balboa Park
Bankers Hill
Barrio Logan
Bay Ho
Bay Park
Black Mountain Ranch
Blossom Valley
Bonita
Bonsall
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Boulevard
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Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Carlsbad
Carmel Mountain
Carmel Valley
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College Area
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Cuyamaca College
Del Cerro
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December 25, 2024
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David Dodd
David Dodd
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Comments
Votes
In Case Of Continued Irritation, Discontinue Use
Thank you, Ms. Grant, I very much appreciate your friendship and your kind words of encouragement. But here's the thing: I don't mind being a hired gun, even when I'm not well-paid for it. Twenty-something years ago I quit a newspaper, and I really loved that job, I loved writing. It was maybe the only job I can remember having where I never didn't want to show up. I LOVED it! Until they told me where I should and shouldn't aim my pistol. I was very good at what I did there. They even told me so in many ways and at many times. I never had anyone tell me I wasn't a good writer. There were a lot of guys who had been writing for that paper for more years than I had been alive at that point who told me I was good at it. One day I submitted a story to my editor and he shook his head and rejected it, straight away. Why? He said it wasn't what people wanted to read. I quit that place two weeks later. What I wrote was the truth, and he knew it. And according to him, his readers didn't want to read the truth. Someone wants me to write the truth, I'll do it on the cheap. When they print lies to entertain their readership, then eventually I will feel compelled to seek alternative outlets. This is one of those times. I would rather have someone hate my true version of Tijuana than be entertained by idiotic lunacy based on the sordid reputation of this great city.
— November 25, 2010 1:02 p.m.
Nifty Ninety
It is honest and heartfelt, I like her very much and enjoy her writing.
— November 25, 2010 12:11 p.m.
In Case Of Continued Irritation, Discontinue Use
Nan, I adore you, I wish the whole world was full-up with people who had even half of the heart that you do and the kindness you show and the hopes and wishes you want for everyone. I think you are wonderful, I have always smiled whenever you post something here, and I will continue to read what you write, I would miss that too much. But the Tijuana stories in here are way over the top. Some writers really try to get it right. John in Fin Del Mundo, that guy is amazing and accurate, and apparently much more patient than I am. The latest cover story here is horrible. Imagine that you live in, say, Chula Vista, and I go there for a couple of days and spin out some convoluted story that includes male prostitutes and lice and jail, and then I decide to represent Chula Vista with that story. I would imagine that anyone living in Chula Vista for a couple of decades would be lining the cat's litter-box with the article. I told my wife about the latest story in here and she laughed her ass off. 99% of Tijuana is not a freak show. If print media only wants the 1%, then they can go straight to hell. Imagine how many times I've read this crap over and over again in the Reader. I don't need to keep reading it, I don't need the aggravation. Chad Deal has written a couple of good stories about Tijuana, I think he is a talented writer and tries to get it right. But it's the same stuff, and it can't possibly be balanced because there is too much underneath the obvious, and people only want to read about headless corpses and bodies hanging from overpasses. I've written Chad on the side, he knows where I'm coming from, and I think if anyone will ever print a thoroughly accurate piece on Tijuana then perhaps he will get around to it. No one gets it exactly right, it's very difficult to do. But to get it exactly wrong? Why would the Reader even print that load of crap about lice and prostitutes and two days in jail? Why not just call some redneck in Alabama, someone who has never left their own hometown, and give them a check to write a story about Tijuana? Would it read any different? Honey, I'm experiencing continued irritation. I can't help but to remember the advice on that old aerosol can of Right-Guard in the boy's locker room at Rincon Intermediate School in 1974. Discontinue use. I love the Reader very much and love you and so many of the people here, have great respect for Holman and Grimm, but every stupid Tijuana cover story simply makes me look like a big giant liar, because our lives are swell here, all things considered. No lice, no prostitutes in my front yard, no jail-time for traffic violations. I shouldn't feel the need to defend that. No one should feel the need to defend the place they love.
— November 25, 2010 12:02 p.m.
Partnoy Quoted in Great Movie "Inside Job"
Hey Don, I just want to say thanks for everything. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading you from the U-T days up until now, and I'd like to give props to SP and Burwell and Crys and especially A2Z, great stuff added to your great stuff. Keep it up, you guys. You give all of San Diego a fighting chance :)
— November 25, 2010 1:28 a.m.
Nifty Ninety
You are one of the neatest persons I've ever had the pleasure of meeting on the internet. Love your comments, and love your attitude. I will go out on a "limb" and suggest that the fruit did not fall far from the tree where you are concerned. More of you, ma'am, and this world gets to become a better place to live. Hope your dad lives to see 100. You, as well :)
— November 24, 2010 7:08 p.m.
Savior
Unless you live in Baja. According to the latest Cover Story in the Reader, we all have lice and have to wade through she-male prostitutes in order to buy our groceries. Us Tijuanenses are a bunch of evil bastards, best no one listens to us. Anyone who lives here is a Goddamn lunatic.
— November 23, 2010 10:50 p.m.
One Thousand Ways to Die
Jerome, I like you, sight unseen. Run for office, I'll nail signs into the yards of your supporters. The message should be clear: "No more lies, you're all screwed, and it's about time that someone was honest about it." That's a message I could firmly get behind.
— November 23, 2010 3:06 p.m.
One Thousand Ways to Die
I think in times like these, one turns to Buckminster Fuller. Bucky was entirely inspirational, in spite of some of his failed predictions (the one that comes to mind concerns the obsolete state of political parties by now, sad that he was wrong about that). Concerning death, I've always relied on this: "Ninety-nine percent of who you are is invisible and untouchable." So true! In which case, death isn't so important, except for that one percent we seem to hold on to. And then about the concept of a nation, I'm sure that Bucky gave this a lot of thought, most of it unmentioned. For good reason. It's pretty damned depressing. But Fuller did say that truth was a tendency. I'm going to imagine that this becomes even more of a sure thing as we grow older. At least, let's hope that it's something to look forward to. I'm waiting for a leader to step forward and to tell us all, honestly and deadpan serious, that we are in fact all pretty much screwed.
— November 23, 2010 1:39 p.m.
Lynn Schenk's Trip to Spain Questioned
Mr. Barker, with all due respect, California needs high-speed rail like a fish needs a bicycle. The State of California is broke, in case you hadn't noticed, although I reckon your checks still cash just fine. The government has continually bailed out Amtrak, which is simply putting off the inevitable. The government uses the public fear of creative destruction in order to use tax dollars in some of the most wasteful ways possible. You want to solve the transportation problem? Stop screwing around with old technology like rail; making the trains move faster isn't going to make California any more money. Urge private enterprise to invent some flying cars that run on hydrogen. If every family owns at least one flying car, think of the tax revenue, not to mention the amount of new jobs created by what would certainly be epic demand. Help to invent a flying car and let Japan have all of the fast-rail technology she wants.
— November 23, 2010 10:57 a.m.
Savior
That's a pretty awesome premise into an entirely other story, isn't it? Intelligence vs. principles. I'm not certain that they could possibly equate, but I bet we could draw a line from one to the other in some way. At least, I wouldn't mind attempting it. I've always felt that every disaster in life is directly related to another one, why not human intelligence and human principles? Sort of like justifiable warfare. I still can't wrap my head around that concept. Doesn't stop me from trying to reconcile it. Maybe I'm a masochist at heart ;)
— November 22, 2010 9:11 p.m.
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Unforgettable
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Robert Bush
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Joe Deegan
Barbarella Fokos
Leorah Gavidor
Dave Good
Marty Graham
Moss Gropen
Andrew Hamlin
Dorian Hargrove
Garrett Harris
Ken Harrison
Patrick Henderson
Tam Hoang
Eve Kelly
Dryw Keltz
Eva Knott
Thomas Larson
Ken Leighton
Matthew Lickona
Mike Madriaga
Bill Manson
Scott Marks
Bob McPhail
Walter Mencken
Joseph O'Brien
Sheila Pell
Ian Pike
Matt Potter
H.G. Reza
Dave Rice
Elizabeth Salaam
Jay Allen Sanford
Julie Stalmer
DJ Stevens
Matthew Suárez
Amanda Tascher
More writers
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In Case Of Continued Irritation, Discontinue Use
Thank you, Ms. Grant, I very much appreciate your friendship and your kind words of encouragement. But here's the thing: I don't mind being a hired gun, even when I'm not well-paid for it. Twenty-something years ago I quit a newspaper, and I really loved that job, I loved writing. It was maybe the only job I can remember having where I never didn't want to show up. I LOVED it! Until they told me where I should and shouldn't aim my pistol. I was very good at what I did there. They even told me so in many ways and at many times. I never had anyone tell me I wasn't a good writer. There were a lot of guys who had been writing for that paper for more years than I had been alive at that point who told me I was good at it. One day I submitted a story to my editor and he shook his head and rejected it, straight away. Why? He said it wasn't what people wanted to read. I quit that place two weeks later. What I wrote was the truth, and he knew it. And according to him, his readers didn't want to read the truth. Someone wants me to write the truth, I'll do it on the cheap. When they print lies to entertain their readership, then eventually I will feel compelled to seek alternative outlets. This is one of those times. I would rather have someone hate my true version of Tijuana than be entertained by idiotic lunacy based on the sordid reputation of this great city.— November 25, 2010 1:02 p.m.
Nifty Ninety
It is honest and heartfelt, I like her very much and enjoy her writing.— November 25, 2010 12:11 p.m.
In Case Of Continued Irritation, Discontinue Use
Nan, I adore you, I wish the whole world was full-up with people who had even half of the heart that you do and the kindness you show and the hopes and wishes you want for everyone. I think you are wonderful, I have always smiled whenever you post something here, and I will continue to read what you write, I would miss that too much. But the Tijuana stories in here are way over the top. Some writers really try to get it right. John in Fin Del Mundo, that guy is amazing and accurate, and apparently much more patient than I am. The latest cover story here is horrible. Imagine that you live in, say, Chula Vista, and I go there for a couple of days and spin out some convoluted story that includes male prostitutes and lice and jail, and then I decide to represent Chula Vista with that story. I would imagine that anyone living in Chula Vista for a couple of decades would be lining the cat's litter-box with the article. I told my wife about the latest story in here and she laughed her ass off. 99% of Tijuana is not a freak show. If print media only wants the 1%, then they can go straight to hell. Imagine how many times I've read this crap over and over again in the Reader. I don't need to keep reading it, I don't need the aggravation. Chad Deal has written a couple of good stories about Tijuana, I think he is a talented writer and tries to get it right. But it's the same stuff, and it can't possibly be balanced because there is too much underneath the obvious, and people only want to read about headless corpses and bodies hanging from overpasses. I've written Chad on the side, he knows where I'm coming from, and I think if anyone will ever print a thoroughly accurate piece on Tijuana then perhaps he will get around to it. No one gets it exactly right, it's very difficult to do. But to get it exactly wrong? Why would the Reader even print that load of crap about lice and prostitutes and two days in jail? Why not just call some redneck in Alabama, someone who has never left their own hometown, and give them a check to write a story about Tijuana? Would it read any different? Honey, I'm experiencing continued irritation. I can't help but to remember the advice on that old aerosol can of Right-Guard in the boy's locker room at Rincon Intermediate School in 1974. Discontinue use. I love the Reader very much and love you and so many of the people here, have great respect for Holman and Grimm, but every stupid Tijuana cover story simply makes me look like a big giant liar, because our lives are swell here, all things considered. No lice, no prostitutes in my front yard, no jail-time for traffic violations. I shouldn't feel the need to defend that. No one should feel the need to defend the place they love.— November 25, 2010 12:02 p.m.
Partnoy Quoted in Great Movie "Inside Job"
Hey Don, I just want to say thanks for everything. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading you from the U-T days up until now, and I'd like to give props to SP and Burwell and Crys and especially A2Z, great stuff added to your great stuff. Keep it up, you guys. You give all of San Diego a fighting chance :)— November 25, 2010 1:28 a.m.
Nifty Ninety
You are one of the neatest persons I've ever had the pleasure of meeting on the internet. Love your comments, and love your attitude. I will go out on a "limb" and suggest that the fruit did not fall far from the tree where you are concerned. More of you, ma'am, and this world gets to become a better place to live. Hope your dad lives to see 100. You, as well :)— November 24, 2010 7:08 p.m.
Savior
Unless you live in Baja. According to the latest Cover Story in the Reader, we all have lice and have to wade through she-male prostitutes in order to buy our groceries. Us Tijuanenses are a bunch of evil bastards, best no one listens to us. Anyone who lives here is a Goddamn lunatic.— November 23, 2010 10:50 p.m.
One Thousand Ways to Die
Jerome, I like you, sight unseen. Run for office, I'll nail signs into the yards of your supporters. The message should be clear: "No more lies, you're all screwed, and it's about time that someone was honest about it." That's a message I could firmly get behind.— November 23, 2010 3:06 p.m.
One Thousand Ways to Die
I think in times like these, one turns to Buckminster Fuller. Bucky was entirely inspirational, in spite of some of his failed predictions (the one that comes to mind concerns the obsolete state of political parties by now, sad that he was wrong about that). Concerning death, I've always relied on this: "Ninety-nine percent of who you are is invisible and untouchable." So true! In which case, death isn't so important, except for that one percent we seem to hold on to. And then about the concept of a nation, I'm sure that Bucky gave this a lot of thought, most of it unmentioned. For good reason. It's pretty damned depressing. But Fuller did say that truth was a tendency. I'm going to imagine that this becomes even more of a sure thing as we grow older. At least, let's hope that it's something to look forward to. I'm waiting for a leader to step forward and to tell us all, honestly and deadpan serious, that we are in fact all pretty much screwed.— November 23, 2010 1:39 p.m.
Lynn Schenk's Trip to Spain Questioned
Mr. Barker, with all due respect, California needs high-speed rail like a fish needs a bicycle. The State of California is broke, in case you hadn't noticed, although I reckon your checks still cash just fine. The government has continually bailed out Amtrak, which is simply putting off the inevitable. The government uses the public fear of creative destruction in order to use tax dollars in some of the most wasteful ways possible. You want to solve the transportation problem? Stop screwing around with old technology like rail; making the trains move faster isn't going to make California any more money. Urge private enterprise to invent some flying cars that run on hydrogen. If every family owns at least one flying car, think of the tax revenue, not to mention the amount of new jobs created by what would certainly be epic demand. Help to invent a flying car and let Japan have all of the fast-rail technology she wants.— November 23, 2010 10:57 a.m.
Savior
That's a pretty awesome premise into an entirely other story, isn't it? Intelligence vs. principles. I'm not certain that they could possibly equate, but I bet we could draw a line from one to the other in some way. At least, I wouldn't mind attempting it. I've always felt that every disaster in life is directly related to another one, why not human intelligence and human principles? Sort of like justifiable warfare. I still can't wrap my head around that concept. Doesn't stop me from trying to reconcile it. Maybe I'm a masochist at heart ;)— November 22, 2010 9:11 p.m.