Here's something you might be interested in.
A story in the Aug. 1 Union-Tribune tells all that has to be known about the Filner slaughter. First, the city attorney's office issued two dubious opinions to smooth the way for a recall. City Attorney Goldsmith, a toady for the downtown corporate welfare crowd, has been an enemy of Filner from the beginning. But then comes this quote, which is all you need to know about what is going to happen. Bill Geppert, co-chairman of the San Diego Business Alliance, stated, "We are convinced that the crisis has done serious damage to the city of San Diego's business climate. Our tourism marketing industry has been gutted, the film Commission has been disbanded, the Chargers stadium talks are dead in the water, developers are being put in difficult positions or are simply not pursuing important projects. This must stop."
In short, Geppert is attacking Filner for doing all the things he was elected to do. The tourism marketing effort has been slowed because Filner wanted the hotels to pay their way. They have not done so. The Film Commission has always had a dubious mission. The Chargers stadium talks SHOULD be dead in the water. This will be another case of colossal corporate welfare for a billionaire family. Developers SHOULD be put in difficult positions. They have run the City far too long. Filner was correctly trying to put them in their place. Filner was ousted by a pre-planned cabal plotted by people saying they have a progressive agenda. But the keys to the City have been turned back to the downtown overlords who lost the election.
Yes, Filner's disgusting behavior -- almost all of it occurring long before he was elected mayor -- helped bring this on. But no one could have stopped the hysteria once the mainstream media twisted reality like a pretzel. Taxpayers and financial stability will be the losers. When the hysteria dies down in six months or a year, San Diego will be a laughingstock, at least among those who understand how politics works -- and fails to work.
A story in the Aug. 1 Union-Tribune tells all that has to be known about the Filner slaughter. First, the city attorney's office issued two dubious opinions to smooth the way for a recall. City Attorney Goldsmith, a toady for the downtown corporate welfare crowd, has been an enemy of Filner from the beginning. But then comes this quote, which is all you need to know about what is going to happen. Bill Geppert, co-chairman of the San Diego Business Alliance, stated, "We are convinced that the crisis has done serious damage to the city of San Diego's business climate. Our tourism marketing industry has been gutted, the film Commission has been disbanded, the Chargers stadium talks are dead in the water, developers are being put in difficult positions or are simply not pursuing important projects. This must stop."
In short, Geppert is attacking Filner for doing all the things he was elected to do. The tourism marketing effort has been slowed because Filner wanted the hotels to pay their way. They have not done so. The Film Commission has always had a dubious mission. The Chargers stadium talks SHOULD be dead in the water. This will be another case of colossal corporate welfare for a billionaire family. Developers SHOULD be put in difficult positions. They have run the City far too long. Filner was correctly trying to put them in their place. Filner was ousted by a pre-planned cabal plotted by people saying they have a progressive agenda. But the keys to the City have been turned back to the downtown overlords who lost the election.
Yes, Filner's disgusting behavior -- almost all of it occurring long before he was elected mayor -- helped bring this on. But no one could have stopped the hysteria once the mainstream media twisted reality like a pretzel. Taxpayers and financial stability will be the losers. When the hysteria dies down in six months or a year, San Diego will be a laughingstock, at least among those who understand how politics works -- and fails to work.
Bill Geppert, co-chairman of the San Diego Business Alliance, stated, "We are convinced that the crisis has done serious damage to the city of San Diego's business climate. Our tourism marketing industry has been gutted, the film Commission has been disbanded, the Chargers stadium talks are dead in the water, developers are being put in difficult positions or are simply not pursuing important projects. This must stop."
When I saw that quote, I laughed so hard I nearly broke my spleen. He doesn't mean the city isn't doing business, he means the city isn't doing business as usual.
KLoEditor: Precisely. Filner wants business to pay its own way, rather than live off the public teat. But business doesn't like that. It wants corporate welfare -- which it means it wants to deprive the poor and disenfranchised to subsidize multi-millionaires and billionaires. So-called conservatives say they are against welfare with public funds. Not so. They are against welfare for the needy. They are all for welfare the rich. Best, Don Bauder
Thanks Don...You are one of the ONLY legit voices speaking on this. Dont get persuaded by the unbelievable biased media. These guys are a joke. they are not asking the basic important questions. They are not asking the "who"...as in "who" is bankrolling this and its a land use expert Michael Pallamary...they are not asking "when" as in when did the City start looking into the recall process and we have evidence showing Goldsmith was aggressively looking into changing the recall process well before any sex allegations.
There is far too much at stake for us to sit back and take this. This whole episode is clear evidence that we have a criminal enterprise running our government. We MUST address this and that begins by addressing the cabal counting our votes...an all Repub Board of Supervisors who has totally centralized the vote counting process to ensure they can stay in power indefinitely. they will never allow anyone good like Filner to be elected again. we have to address the foundations of this problem.
historymatters: You are correct. Goldsmith's very early role in the changing of the recall process must come to light. It won't come to light in the mainstream media controlled by the corporate welfare crowd. Yes, San Diego must find who is bankrolling the recall and who is paying Gloria Allred. We must know if there was a clandestine economic motivation for the original group that wanted to oust Filner. Best, Don Bauder
The Sheriff's hotline shocks me. Law enforcement investigation starts with known crime and finds unknown perpetrator. Criminal misuse of law enforcement starts with targeted individual, and searches for unknown crime. When you mix this with violations where consent is everything, and a city harangued into frenzy, you get criminal tampering with justice. I hope this hotline is recorded, because I suspect we will find witnesses coached to withdraw consent retroactively, which is perjury. It would be legal and proper to remind the public that phone lines are always open when the Filner matter is discussed, then treat that matter as you would any other complaint. It is obviously unlawful to treat complaints differently depending on which person is accused.
Psycholizard: The sheriff's hotline and the supposed investigation by the U.S. Attorney must be investigated. They appear now to be part of the pre-plotted smear. If reports are true, the U.S. Attorney is investigating Filner for engaging in activities that go on in cities throughout the U.S. Will those cities be investigated? Best, Don Bauder
Psycholizard:
One hopes that Filner's attorney is making sure to get a copy.
Yankeedoodle: There is so much for Filner's attorney to do. However, the matter appears out of control now. Best, Don Bauder
Yes. If nothing else, the vigorous vituperativeness of this organized attack should raise suspicions. I've never seen anything like it. Let's keep some perspective on what started this. Some women alleged that the mayor told crude jokes and tried to kiss them. The reaction is a military-style assault that's leveling everything with nuclear bombs, over a gnat bite. And clearly that army was standing by and waiting for their marching orders.
KLoEditor: Agreed. I can't remember seeing an assault like this either, and I have seen plenty of planned political piling-ons. From Goldsmith's actions, it appears the planning may have been going on several months ago. Best, Don Bauder
Just as the initiative process was immediately coopted in the state as a handy tool for billionaires to do an end run around the legislature, so the recall process in the state and city is handy for yanking an elected official out of office if he or she interferes with the robbery in progress. The people of San Diego are just as smart as anyone, but most do not make a habit of spending all their time investigating wonky aspects about how their city works. They live their own lives and read the headlines. Thus, they are able to be fooled some of the time, which is the only window that is needed for a recall. If the process took longer, or if malfeasance in office had to be demonstrated, I don't think we would have such a sorry record of buyer's remorse, then buyer's remorse remorse, etcetera.
I would like to see the initiative process and the recall process eliminated or reformed in order to return to elections at two- or four-year intervals instead of 100% of the time.
Yankeedoodle: It's the old, tragic story: the essence of white collar crime is contrived complexity. The public does NOT pay attention because it would take so long to understand how pockets are being picked; people have other things to do, even when they will lose a bundle of money. Best, Don Bauder
I agree, and that is one of the many areas in which excellent journalism is invaluable.
Yankeedoodle: Those of us trying to expose how consumer and taxpayer pockets are picked appear to be fighting a losing battle. Best, Don Bauder
So, everyone around Filner knew he was a pig, but did not decide to make him squeal until he messed with their business.
In my opinion, language like this is uncalled for.
Yankeedoodle: Disagree. Call a spade a spade, and a crook a crook. Best, Don Bauder
Okay, but it could get ugly. Just saying. I know it wasn't that bad, but for me, I like pigs and don't like to see them portrayed in this unkind way.
Yankeedoodle: Do you like pigs with or without lipstick? (Lipstick in this case has no gender connotation.) Best, Don Bauder
Don: I like the ones in the zoo: the red river hogs are always fantastic, and all the pigs are fetching when they are piglets, with the stripes. As to lipstick, they don't need it because they are naturally good-looking.
Yankeedoodle: Do you love their dining habits as well? Best, Don Bauder
Murphyjunk: Precisely. Make it: "didn't lynch him until he tried to take away the taxpayer punch bowl that the downtowners have been gulping from for years." Best, Don Bauder
Don and Murph: Yes, I like that better. Less pithy and colorful, but also less incendiary. I think it was actually the word 'squeal' that bothered me...be surprised if he does squeal. He may be hounded and whipped out of office, he may cringe, he may rage, but I do not think he will squeal.
No matter what verbiage is used, we know that the overlords will be cheering their "Deliverance".
Duhbya: Today, the overlords are not only cheering. They are howling with glee. Best, Don Bauder
Yankeedoodle: Once he is officially hounded out of office, Filner should squeal -- rat on -- those whipping up the hysteria that did him in. Best, Don Bauder
Don: Indubitably. Exposé, page chapter and verse.
Yankeedoodle: One reason he might stay in this for awhile is to gather information on this cabal. Best, Don Bauder
Well said!
There is the issue of timing. They knew about Filner but it was difficult to parade instances of kissing during the campaign. They really needed the McCormack case before having enough ammunition. Then, the corroborating "victims" statements become relevant to a modus operandi - the so-called Filner headlock.
I
I have never heard of a victims hotline for incidents not amounting to a felony
Good points, Don!
They ate trying to railroad the guy. Their motives are clear.
The hotline is uniquely aimed at the mayor.
Diogenes: Basically, they have already tied him to the tracks and run over him. It's just a matter of time. Best, Don Bauder
Diogenes: Oh yes. The hotline is part of the strategy. It may have been planned months ago. Best, Don Bauder
Don, you really need to be less circumspect when you point out the true nature of the Filner mess! Having been involved in one of the largest railroad jobs in San Diego history, I fully understand the overwhelming force that the combined effort of Big Business and Law Enforcement (say the U.S. Attorney, the FBI and two of the nation's largest banks) represents when arrayed against an individual. And the key to it all is as you say, greed.
They are very adept at presenting a colorable case against a person for various crimes or misdeeds, however the underlying motive is to get that person out of the way. If anybody doesn't believe that big business interests (say a LARGE bank) can call up someone at the U.S. Attorney's office (say a former partner at a large law firm) and get them to initiate proceedings against an innocent person purely for economic reasons, they are deluded.
Of course this whole Filner mess is a railroad job, but nobody deserves railroading more than Filner, if all of the claims against him are in fact true. It's unfortunate that he was chosen to protect the interests of the "little people". Now, it is incumbent upon the citizens of San Diego to find a new mayor who will protect the taxpayers while at the same time helping to create a business friendly environment. Finding such a person may prove to be very hard, but the citizens of San Diego must make sure that they do so.
oldnative1953: You are very right about government and business ganging up on someone who becomes basically helpless. You are also correct that Filner brought this on himself. But that doesn't mean his ideas -- put the people's needs ahead of business's demands for corporate welfare -- should be set aside. But rest assured, those ideas will be. Corporate welfare -- clothed in the words "business friendly" -- has triumphed. Best, Don Bauder
Don,
Unfortunately, corporate welfare is alive and well here in San Diego. Too bad most of the corporations on the receiving end of that largesse are not from San Diego, but transplants or absentees who care little for the regular citizen's needs. Just once I would like to see the street in front of my house repaved, because it hasn't been in the 20 years I have lived here. All of the money that is supposed to go to basic infrastructure goes to projects backed by large corporations and their flunky politicians. And, yes I haved lived through all of the "business friendly" sales jobs that San Diego has been subjected to in the past. You are right, but there has to be a way to pick someone with honor who will do what's best for everyone in this town. I remember those halcyon days when C. Arnholt's tentacles touched just about every kind of business in San Diego. The city ran like a Swiss watch. Those were the days!
oldnative1953: I doubt that your street will ever be repaved. As all the money goes into subsidized projects that should be financed with private capital, infrastructure will continue to rot. The overlords will love it. They live in La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe anyway. Best, Don Bauder
Don: You are on the money as usual about the monied interests that control things downtown. If only the people here would organize to take back what is rightfully theirs instead of going to the beach or watching reality tv. If they don't, things are only going to get worse for the taxpayers here while they subsidize all of the projects that benefit only a few. Don't get me wrong...I am no liberal by any means and I didn't vote for Filner. But I have paid taxes in this city for more than 40 years and I would like to see value for my money for a change. Instead of good streets we get the incredible mess which is the downtown, Gaslamp, harbor hotels, Petco Park, Convention Center fiasco which has done nothing to enhance the quality of life for the Average Joe. Good luck trying to get on the 5 North from downtown when ComicCon, a half marathon, a street fair in Gaslamp and the Padres are all occurring simultaneously. The people who thought up that mess and profit from it are comfortably insulated from the whole clusterf**k in their homes in Rancho Santa Fe and La Jolla.
oldnative1953: It's interesting that you did not vote for Filner. Many who recognize a political lynching when they see one are not Democrats, not progressives -- just people who believe in due process. Also, the ones speaking against the lynching are tired of San Diego's corporate welfare culture. Best, Don Bauder
Son Bauder's flawed philosophies:
The ends justify the means. And, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Sjtorres: Sorry, but I would say it is the reverse. It is the lynch mob saying that the end (ousting Filner) justifies the means (not granting him due process). Best, Don Buader
The "politics before principles" mob is having a rough road these days and leading the angry, incoherent pack is the Reader's own Squealer-in-Chief, Don Bauder.
I guess the increasingly shrill and desperate yelpings are to be expected when you're trying to excuse and defend the indefensible... right Don?
williamisd: Sorry. The "politics before principles" group is the mob trying -- and succeeding -- to oust Filner before he has due process or the right to defend himself. Best, Don Bauder
Sure Don... you just hang on to that one. When it comes down to believing Ronne Froman or Bob Filner, I'll go with Admiral Froman.
williamisd: Go ahead. Believe whomever you want. But do your homework. Best, Don Bauder
I have found Dr. Bob Filner’s 1973 dissertation “Science and politics in England, 1930-1945” bit.ly/13Akq1M. It is a very interesting and educational read.
It shows that Bob is a cultured and educated man unlike the money-grubbing riff-raff that are baying for his blood. It is ironic that in his 1973 PhD dissertation he accurately identified the dark forces that are now trying to destroy him, forty years later.
He mentions “the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty”. How many of his accusers daily step over homeless veterans on the streets of San Diego as they hurry to their offices to blacken the name of the one person in power who would try to help them?
Political assassins always blacken the name of their victims.
“What kind of social system can function at its best only when it is destroying us?” That is exactly the kind of social system we have had in San Diego for decades. The greed of the few could only be fed by the relentless destruction of the many.
The more I am witness to what is happening in San Diego, under the cynical guise of eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace which everybody supports, the more I understand what is really happening - this is an all-out assault on our civil rights by a small money elite.
In my opinion the man who wrote this enlightened PhD dissertation in 1973 will never cave in to the money-grubbing riff-raff that are trying to prevent his reform program in America’s Finest and eighth largest city. Bob knows exactly what he is doing. He knows that his time has come in America. He will overcome the traps they set for his well-studied weaknesses. He expected their attacks. He just underestimated their viciousness.
We must do our part. J. Edgar Hoover tried to destroy the reputation of Martin Luther King Jr. and the two Kennedy brothers. When reputational assassination failed the three best men of their generation mysteriously got killed by lone gunmen. We must not underestimate the powers that are arraigned against Dr. Robert Earl Filner.
Our time has come in America too.
Pat: Eloquently stated. I certainly hope that Filner will not cave and will fight. But he is backed into a corner without the means to defend himself. The lynch mob wants to do its job and then have everybody forget what happened "for the good of San Diego." But for the good of San Diego, the strategy of the lynch mob -- total lack of due process -- must become repeated over, and over, and over. Also, as I have said, the whole Filner mess has made it open season on San Diegans' sex lives -- going back many years. Best, Don Bauder
He has the rule of law on his side.
If he caves to the Lynch mob (pun intended) we will have lost more than a progressive mayor, we will have lost what many brave Americans gave their precious lives for.
I believe Bob will ensure that they did not die in vain.
Pat: I hope you are right. I also love Lynch mob. Wish I had thought of it. Best, Don Bauder
Pat and Don:
Eloquent indeed. My hat is off to you. And to Don for being a true journalist with a thick skin and principles of his own.
Yankeedoodle: Pat Flannery deserves the praise. Best, Don Bauder
Greed, yes. Primarily. The power greedy inner ring consists of monied interests and their primary mouthpiece, the entity assumed to be a real newspaper by the uninformed, incurious, blindly women's rights/gay rights-supporting sex-story-loving national media.
But something else more sick and twisted exists: an outer orbital sphere of bloggers desperately seeking recognition/fame/justification/prowess/camaraderie in the drum circle??? These are people whose brains work in the way spell-check works: the spelling is correct, but the context is all wrong.
This second ring of fools has hit a new low today: leader of the pack is the vile City Beat Kelly Davis, who is thrilled by the "awesomeness" and is promoting a stupid and crude Youtube piece of shit using Hitler as an analogy for Filner. Joining in the fun with the hilariousness of it all, among others, is Gustafson, Showley, and KPBS' Hailey Persinger, who gives a "hat tip" to RDot for pointing it out (he now earns a new name: DRot).
Hey, investigative 10th-grade bloggers: you want to burn a local Jew by tying him to Hitler? Well, then, go after Goldsmith, who proudly did an interview (page 21, "Heroes Aren't Welcome") in this piece of racist junk: http://www.instaurationonline.com/pdf-files/Instauration-1983-04-April.pdf
Blues: I agree with your indignation about Goldsmith et al., but I think you are conflating ostensible reasons with real ones when you talk about blindly supporting women's rights and gay rights. Those are just rights, period. And the attack on Filner may talk a good game about them, but of course that is disingenuous. Filner is for everyone's rights, but the reigning forces are for their privileges, which they perceive as rights.
Much as I don't want to watch, I will check out your link.
Yankeedoodle: The publication is clearly racist garbage -- hatred in the extreme. But unless there is something I missed, Goldsmith may have been innocently quoted in it. If there is more information about his leanings in those days, I would like to hear it. Remember: it is open season on everybody's past. The accusers opened that door. Best, Don Bauder
Don: I checked out the link today. Agree.
BlueSouthPark: The publication is clearly racist junk. But Goldsmith was only quoted in that article on page 21. I don't know that he gave an interview, and even if he did, it doesn't mean he shares the views of the publication. This appears innocuous to me, but if there is something I missed, please let me know. Best, Don Bauder
If by some miracle Filner stays on office, I worry he will devote most of his time ( tax payers time) doling out revenge on those that crossed him.
I doubt it. He would focus on his civic agenda: infrastructure and honesty.
Honesty? That's a good one! Sure pal... he's the "honest" one and all these women are lying. Wow... talk about "bitter-clingers" lol!
williamisd: I don't know that anyone has said all these women are lying. People are challenging how women of such stature and power could be so traumatized, humiliated, mortified, psychologically wounded by Filner's stupid remarks. Also, if his offenses were so horrid, and so dangerous to the feminine gender, why didn't these powerful women come out earlier -- say, before the election? Best, Don Bauder
Yankeedoodle: I think he should step up a key part of his agenda: reining in real estate developers, who have had San Diego in their sticky-fingered grip for decades. Best, Don Bauder
Some of the women involved in this innuendo campaign claimed they were afraid of retribution, as I recall. And yet there's been no evidence shown so far of vindictiveness, either as congressman or mayor.
I don't believe it. My guess is that the mayor will get back to work and knock out the rest of his term doing the job he was elected to do.
sounds like no matter what, the tax payers will end up getting the "innuendo" (italian suppositor)
KLoEditor: I have not seen evidence of Filner's vindictiveness. Nor have I seen evidence of a quid pro quo -- or actual sexual intercourse. Best, Don Bauder
Murphyjunk: I don't think he will survive, but if he does, I somehow doubt that he will spend much time avenging his accusers. Best, Don Bauder
will-i-is: It's not about honesty or lies. It's about exaggeration and opportunism. Surely you get that. In a recent New York Magazine there was a piece by Jon Chait about the creation of Obama as a cartoon monster by Republicans. You should read it and think about it. But note also that the theme of the rest of that entire issue is "sex" - endless stories of what someone's boss did in the office, what someone else did, on and on, with great hilarity and acceptance. Sex is the currency of our lives, every day, everywhere, on every talk show, magazine, drama, book, ad. Somehow, that has all been forgotten as the sexual-deviant accusations and piling on of Filner has excited those who hate him. Last night KPBS trotted out another "victim" who was horrified and traumatized Filner asked if she was single, or something truly benign, and then asked what her husband did for a living. And then walked away when she told him her husband was a cop. As if that's the proof of something.
It's about exaggeration and opportunism. Surely you get that.
Surely you get that we can't have a mayor who has to have a third party in the room to meet with female employees. I am simply stunned by the extremes to which some of you will go in order to excuse or diminish our mayor's repulsively reprehensible behavior. We knew what kind of disgusting man Bob Filner was and we took a huge chance electing this pervert because we believed in his cause and message. That it has blown up in our faces is not the result of Republicans or "downtown interests" or any other delusional conspiracy theory you or Don Bauder care to embrace.
The problem, as Donna Frye said. is Bob Filner.
Surely you get that...
"We knew what kind of disgusting man Bob Filner was and we took a huge chance electing this pervert because we believed in his cause and message."
Who is this "we" you speak of? Did you know of these allegations? If so, what did you do about them, who did you report them to, what did you do to stop this from happening again?
It seems to me that the women who didn't stop the alleged incidents and the people who knew about them have a lot to answer for here, not the least of which is what this has done to our city.
Is that all ya got? Blaming victims for not coming forward earlier? Blaming victims for fearing retribution? Typical. Pathetic, but typical for those of you for whom politics so clearly trumps principle.
I never want to hear any of you try to take the high moral ground in matters regarding abusive/oppressive behavior again...
The intimidating behavior is oppressive. Everyone should feel safe at the work place.
Separate Issue: Mayor Filner is fighting for the Civil rights of poor and homeless. San Diego City and County are in violation of the Federal Fair Housing Act and HEARTH Act .
How about an independent investigation if the $1 Billion in assets (as of June 30, 2012) of the former Civic San Diego, CCDC Redevelopment Agency (RDA) will be unfrozen by the State Department of Finance later this summer 2013?
Or why the Successor Agency Non-Housing Due Diligence Report (DDR) was approved by IBA and Civic San Diego Staff and bypass public hearings at both Civic San Diego Board of Directors and City Council approval. Mayor Filner's financial staff promised the Non-Housing DDR approval would be brought back to the City Council for approval by June 2013.
Or the annual @ $200 million in new revenue streams including lease revenue, downtown park district revenue, over $100 million in unspent Bond Proceeds.
Quit deflecting... All of those may be legitimate issues, but they do not excuse an amoral mayor and the damage he has inflicted upon our city and the causes you claim to embrace...
Agreed Two Separate Issues. Mayor Filner deserved the public shaming and Intervention by Donna Frye, Cory Briggs, and Marco Gonzalez. No one should be intimidated.
However this discussion thread is specifically about Following the Money in Successor Agency assets and annual revenue under operational control of Civic San Diego staff, the former CCDC, City Council President Gloria, the IBA, City Attorney Goldsmith, and members of Mayor Filner's financial staff.
Mayor Filner's financial staff promised the City Council to bring forth the Non-Housing Due Diligence Report (DDR), $1 Billion in Assets, and $100s of millions in annual revenue including leases, parking districts, agreements, unspent bond proceeds.
The issue is Sexual Harassment in the Office versus Life and Death of over 60+ San Diegans a year. The conspiracy of the City Attorney, City Council President, Civic San Diego, the former CCDC, and some of Mayor Filner's staff are continuing to Violate the Civil Rights of children, mentally ill, poor, homeless, etc. by Fraud and Misappropriation of Public Funds of the Successor Agency of the former RDA.
In comparison, this fraud is kind of a big deal. Financial and social discrimination of classes of people.
Certainly immoral. It started in 1992 when Mayor Filner left for Congress.
The State Attorney General Kamala Harris and Governor Jerry Brown can confirmed that RDA Tax Increment (TI) was allowed to be used for Homeless Emergency Shelters and associated social services of the Regional Continuum of Care Council (RCCC), and Affordable Housing project citywide. Instead of only in RDA Project Areas.
I agree... It IS a big deal. And yet our mayor can't give it the attention it deserves because he is heading off to sexual rehab next week. Being mayor is a full time job. Defending yourself against credible accusations of sexual abuse is too. You can't do both EFFECTIVEY at the same time. This farce must stop precisely for these reasons.
Thank you for agreeing that the 21+ year Civil Rights, the Fair Housing Act, and the HEARTH Act Violations need addressing.
The first thing you can do is support Mayor Filner as he moves the $1 Billion in assets including $100 of million in cash, bond proceeds, and the annual @ $200 million is to get the City Council behind the proposal to move money from downtown into our Neighborhoods for infrastructure and quality of life projects.
Mayor Filner has effectively saved taxpayers $1 Billion by a 5 year pensionable pay freeze negotiated this June 2013. The seal lions and shore birds no longer stink at La Jolla Cove, the Children's Pool Seal Rookery has a nighttime video camera to discourage harassments of Pregnant harbor seals, and their cute pups.
No, the first thing I can do is demand that my mayor is not a sexual predator who uses his power and position to demean, harass and intimidate women into feeding his repulsive desires. There must be someone in the Democratic party who can move a progressive agenda forward without being a disgusting pig. If there isn't, then we have no business running a city... cute seal pups and all.
Justice delayed for 21 years, is justice denied.
Uh... ok. You're kind of dancing around here, but that's to be expected. So, according to you, there's no other Democrat in all of San Diego who can address the Civil Rights Act et. al. Really? No one else? That's pathetic. I believe moral values stand on their own and are greater than any one person: particularly a pig like Bob Filner. To bad that you don't, but it certainly says so much about the strength of your beliefs... and none of it is good.
Correct. All elected officials said No, except for Mayor Filner. Everyone wants the Status Quo with the downtown crowd controlling the new source of short- and long-term Revenue including an annual $200 million in lease payments, parking revenue, argreements, contracts, etc.
No elected official would look into the matter including Toni Atkins, Christine Kehoe, Nathan Fletcher, Carl DeMaio, Kevin Faulconer, Susan Davis, Todd Gloria, Donna Frye, etc.
The issue is very complicated. However the hidden Reserve money should be unfrozen before any recall election.
The issue also includes $225 million each for the Convention Center Phase II Expansion and Petco Park, $144 million in misappropriated HUD debt, $372 million in unmet Affordable Housing, and other City Loans. All documented.
Sorry to hear the Democratic Party is full of such cowards... Oh well, who cares about all the women he mauled, you have lease payments to worry about!
williamisd? Mauled? Best, Don Bauder
Katheryn: At least half those public officials who refused to look into that theft of money from helpless people want to be mayor. Best, Don Bauder
williamisd: The lynching was started by prominent Democrats. Best, Don Bauder
Katheryn: So true. Best, Don Bauder
williamisd: I think your problem is that the only thing you understand is a sex scandal. You do not understand recondite analyses that Katheryn puts forward. There are plenty in the public like you. Best, Don Bauder
Katheryn: Intimidation of women is reprehensible. Stealing from children, the mentally ill, poor, homeless and the like is far more reprehensible. Best, Don Bauder
laplayaheritage: You are absolutely right. Civic San Diego is holding on to $1 billion that it has no right to have. This money should be used for infrastructure, the homeless, affordable housing, neighborhoods. But I fear that it will go to corporate welfare. As historymatters has shown, Filner's enemies started planning for a recall as soon as he was elected. Goldsmith began paving the way legally for a recall in May. Follow the money -- andf the moneybags' personal harlots. Best, Don Bauder
Well, I give up. You don't get it.
Of course you do. What other choice do you have? Defending the indefensible is difficult at best. If our cause is just, then it can survive the removal of one sick (by his own admission) man. That you seem to think otherwise and appear so afraid suggests philosophical and ideological weakness and gives ammunition to the people you claim to oppose. Maybe that's the real story here...
williamisd: How about the philosophical and ideological weakness of the people who say they knew that Filner's habits were a danger to women, but didn't come forward for years? Best, Don Bauder
BlueSouthPark: Don't give up! We need you. Best, Don Bauder
Typical. Pathetic. Everything fits so neatly into your world view, and when things don't fit, twist them until they do.
As for the high moral ground, I can no more judge by your standards than you can by others. What I consider abusive and oppressive is my business, what I do about it is my business. And I won't be bullied by the likes of you as to when and where I speak out on this or any issue.
Are you feeding the troll?
KLoEditor: Just remember, though, that we welcome opinions that disagree with ours. We want to hear from williamisd. Best, Don Bauder
williamisd: Somebody is pathetic; that is for certain. Best, Don Bauder
Wow. This is a master course in victim-blaming. Someone needs to call the Learning Annex so they can put on a seminar!
No one is blaming any victims. They are courageous to take on this issue of workplace safety and respect.
One woman. And we can't yet say that she is a victim since nothing has been proven.
I would be more inclined to applaud "courage" if there wasn't so much that suggests other motivations at work here than workplace safety. After all, speaking up at the moment of the first incident would possibly have spared other women the same treatment. Apparently the concerns then were more about careers being ruined.
laplayaheritage: Very belatedly courageous. Best, Don Bauder
Randy: You make that call. Best, Don Bauder
williamisd: I think if you actually read what the critics of the lynch mob have said, you would see that we are hardly uncritical of Filner.
What he has allegedly done is reprehensible. But his detractors are trying to get him out of office without due process.
He has a right to defend himself and question his accusers. Obviously, you do not understand that.
Best, Don Bauder
Filner retained a top attorney to defend him, and to depose his accuser, as is his right. But he has lost credibility, so he needs to resign. It's that simple. And repeated screeds containing the words "hysteria," "lynch mob" and "media conspiracy" serve no useful purpose since there's no evidence of that going on. Just repeating things over and over and over does NOT make them true, Don.
williamisd: You said "we" knew what a disgusting man this "pervert" (your word, not mine) is before the election. Why did you not say anything? I am not aware that anybody did. Best, Don Bauder
BlueSouthPark: I understand there is something equally nonsensical on one of the channels tonight (Aug. 2). I haven't seen a report on it yet. Best, Don Bauder
The hotline might be an horrific abuse of office, but it also is a bust so far as a fishing trip. Nothing actually relevant to the Allred suit has been revealed. The emphasis seems to be numbers, but offending eight women in eight years of schmoozing proves nothing. Every incident lacks supporting witnesses or other evidence, and most occurred in crowds. In the whole salacious saga so far, the Mayor hasn't even gotten laid. This suggests the Mayor will take no for an answer. Obviously he's asking too many women, and the wrong women. When a man is reduced to asking Republicans, he has sunk very low indeed, he's very ashamed, and should be. But after the frenzied solicitation of witnesses in local media, the Allred plaintiff is the only relevant witness so far.
Exactly. And those 8 women--some of whom certainly would benefit politically from Filner's ouster--are going to destroy the future of the middle-class and working-class in San Diego. Including plenty of women. Sorry, but 8 < the millions affected here and throughout the county.
Ah yes KayL... the very definition of Politics over Principals: assuming you have any of the latter of course...
Um, do you mean Principles? Which I have plenty of, thank you very much.
Um, do you mean, "of which I have plenty?" If we're going to go all grammar/spelling and such. I'm sure those eight women have no problem with you throwing them under the slobbering Bob bus. After all, what's more important to you, the dignity and safety of women, or your political agenda? You've clearly answered that question. So I guess were back to Politics over Principles aren't we? Try again...
williamisd: You've skated around KayL's point. I know some retired school teachers who say they have seen enough of principals. Best, Don Bauder
KayL: in the financial world, it's nice to have principal, though. Best, Don Bauder
KayL: Certainly the heated rhetoric and hatred on both sides will linger for a long time. Best, Don Bauder
Psycholizard: I'm not sure the reports by the other eight women are relevant to the lawsuit, except that they appear to be an attempt to prejudice a jury. Best,
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/?ref_=sr_2
Katheryn: I remember that movie. We were sent a DVD of it, but I don't think we ever got to the end of it. Best, Don Bauder
The City of San Diego is crippled. The only cute at this point is Dilner's departure. The outlandish and outrageous behavior of this mayor is an intolerability.
Sjtorres: But who made San Diego crippled? The accused or the string of accusers? Best, Don Bauder
The accused, of course. That's obvious.
viewer: Because it is now open season on San Diegans' sex lives, a lot of hypocrites will be exposed....er, be in the spotlight. Best, Don Bauder
The City is better crippled than led blindfolded into the pit. But overstretched metaphor aside, what precisely is the behavior that merits his recall? Is it proven?
Psycholizard: Apparently he tried to kiss the wrong women. It has happened to me, pre-marriage. Best, Don Bauder
Don: What happened after you were publicly denounced and a hotline set up for your hapless kissees and the city voted on whether you could keep your job?
Yankeedoodle: I didn't even get slapped. Best, Don Bauder
Was that in 1950, Don? ;-)
Don: "Corporate welfare -- clothed in the words "business friendly" -- has triumphed."
It shall not! It must be exposed and reported in every crack and crevice of SD, by the time this BS is over, no matter which way this ends, the people have got to be wisened up!
Those who really get what's going on have got to act (blog & Facebook the facts, wear t-shirts, photocopy Don's articles & pass them out randomly, use your imagination. . . every one can do something.) The people have to stand up now!
Thanks Don & others for doing so through all of this nightmare--greed and corruption is the root of this story and everyone knows it or should strongly suspect it by now. A fortunate thing for the people and our Mayor, is that he'll become a better man for it.
But, if this mayor is sacrificed, than we all crucified him. No more BS-ing about what the SD city nobility is about. Standing up for females rings so hollow ring when socially all genders are being thrown into the gutter in America's Finest Plantation by its lords and masters.
Meanwhile, this mayor, this man, has expressed contrition, is facing his personal issues to correct them, and has not given up on the job he was elected to do. For the 6 months that he's performed with urgency and effectiveness for the greater good like a gladiator in SD's poisoned arena, he deserves the people's faith. It's likely that he'll emerge as an even greater leader and a better man. It'll actually be harder for some of his foes to look him in the eye later. Whereas he'll continue his journey/therapy to a better self and become a stronger person and leader, they'll still be steeping in their self-imposed sloth..
People can and do change for the better--it's beautiful to behold. But, greed---that's a hard vice and character defect to alter.
vitalinfo: I appreciate your spirit, but it will be difficult for Filner to survive, much less as an even greater leader. This lynch mob will stop at nothing. One thing that everyone can do is stop watching the TV channels that are fanning the flames, and stop reading the publications that are even worse. Best, Don Bauder
Don: I don't watch tv news in San Diego. I enjoy living here too much to risk the bring-down. Except I do like the KUSI weather guy.
Yankeedoodle: Is John Coleman still the KUSI weather guy? He was when I was on that station three times a week in the early 1990s.
John must be pretty old by now. He may even be older than I am, if that is possible. Best, Don Bauder
I think that is his name. Very silly.
Yankeedoodle: If it is John Coleman, he was one of the founders of the Weather Channel. It's my understanding he got fleeced by his fellow founders. Best, Don Bauder
Don: Just looked it up. Yes, it is John Coleman. Always makes me smile, and now I know he was done wrong, am even more delighted by his happy demeanor. Good attitude.
Yankeedoodle: John Coleman always had a happy face. Best, Don Bauder
But wait - there's more! I wonder if he kept that happy face while reading this:
http://tinyurl.com/n4zgedg
Duhbya: You are absolutely right. John Coleman has been an outspoken critic of those who warn of global warming. I don't agree with him on that point, but he is a very good TV weatherman. Best, Don Bauder
I concur, sir. Two of his schticks are inerasable for me: His kUUUUsi shriek, and the echo chamber which he used to great effect.
Duhbya: If memory serves me right -- and this was a long time ago -- Coleman began using the echo device (IT'S FRIIIIIDAY!) after I left the show. But I always thought it was effective. Best, Don Bauder
And don't forget: "And the BREEEZE" (with a kick). That cracks me up.
Dubya: Ha ha! Well, I'll bet he did.
Now that I step back to ponder - you're right!
Yankeedoodle: I wonder how old Coleman is now. Wikipedia may have it. Best, Don Bauder
Well, you guys could have been wombmates:
John Coleman October 15, 1934 (age 78) Alpine, Texas
Don, I found this short clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rxk2Z_e1Tw
Dubya:
Hey the clip is not all that short. Of course, I do see his point about the little guys picking on the big guys...gosh, that sure does happen a lot these days, in our World Government environment! See, he's still funny!
Nah, he's not funny. He's downright hilarious! Great to see that he's as ebullient as ever. And I've viewed a couple of his admirers in my travels. There is one guy in particular, Jim Kosek, in Texas now, I think, who obviously has patterned his weather reports after Coleman's. But the master still reigns supreme.
Yank...this one's for you. Perhaps you can see what I'm suggesting about Coleman's legacy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpxiCxO5k0g&sns=em
OMG he is wonderful! Thanks, Dubya
Vitalinfo: Well, "America's Finest Plantation" deserves an OMG, as does "self-imposed sloth." Nice. I like the whole post and heartily endorse your concluding sentence. I hope that your vision comes to pass.
Yankeedoodle: One very sophisticated San Diegan, when asked what his home city is like, utters one word: "Mayberry." Best, Don Bauder
Don: Exactly how sophisticated, would you say?
Yankeedoodle: Same description: quite sophisticated. Best, Don Bauder
I agree with Don Bauder that there is much more to the Filner Imbroglio than meets the eye. Undoubtedly, Mayor Bob Filner has been behaving atrociously toward women for some time; some of his accusers go back many years. I believe that he will get his comeuppance for his uncalled for bad behavior. Nevertheless, if we looks deeply into the attacks on Mayor Filner from the beginning of his Mayoral term, it becomes apparent that it is because of what he stood for, and was beginning to accomplish, that he is being eliminated as a political force in this community. Moreover, it is being done in such a public way that few will oppose the powers that be in this town the way that he has for some time to come.
Daisy: It certainly makes sense that the message will be received loud and clear, but who knows how long it will last, in geologic terms? With inevitable sea level rise, the downtown will be flooded, and by then we will have forgotten this unsavory era. For me, it might take about that long.
Yankeedoodle: The public has a very short memory. The conspirators know and are counting on that. Best, Don Bauder
Daisy1939: You are correct on both your main points. Filner has behaved very badly toward women, and has admitted it. You are also right that this is a Salem witch burning that was pre-planned some time ago. It was not spontaneous. Best, Don Bauder
As part of my act, I reveal that the Psycholizard can smell love and fear. Smell is not legal proof, but I'm certain that just as the Mayor will take no for an answer, he also takes yes for an answer, and that his humble apologies are mostly directed at the women that said yes. The Sheriff's dial a smear line was also intended to get these women to talk, because if Filner harmed a woman that slept with him, they would have a classic sexual harassment suit. Right now the Jackson case seems extremely weak, but if we study her statement, and Allred's, they intend to expose the women that said yes, to prove that Filner treated women as a 'pieces of meat', as Allred put it. It's lizard smell only, but I believe this is what Filner fears, and why he's so contrite in the face of a bogus claim.
Psycholizard: Although I respect any individual's superpowers, including yours, I hardly think that sort of thing would be relevant..."Your Honor, he wears socks to bed on cold nights?" I won't listen to those sorts of discussions from anyone. I would be surprised to hear from the yes women, if any there be, but then, although I am without fault myself, I have been surprised before.
In the Clinton persecution, the Paula Jones claim, that he had invited the young woman to his hotel room and exposed himself, was ruled insufficient to show sexual harassment even if true in all details, but that bunk case was reason to subpoena evidence of Clinton's affairs, and to question him under oath, when he denied his relationship with Lewinsky, he was charged with perjury. The Mayor's sex life is relevant in a sexual harassment suit. Because I don't want to speculate on specifics, I'm just reporting smell mostly, but the maxim is....Trouble in love starts with a yes.
Psycholizard: Oh yes it does.
Yankeedoodle: If you are without fault, as you have stated several times, I assume you will go directly to heaven without having to check in with St. Peter and his computer data base. "Go directly to heaven. Do not pass 'Go.' Do not collect $500. You won't need it here." Best, Don Bauder
Don: Now that is where things get a little tricky. I am too 'umble to presume where saints and philosophers over the ages have feared to tread: to know the mind of the prime mover, it is forbidden.
Yankeedoodle: It was St. Augustine who prayed, "Oh God, make me chaste and celibate, but not just yet." Best, Don Bauder
Psycholizard: But to date, we have no suggestion that Filner slept with anyone as a result of his clumsy approaches. Best, Don Bauder
The clumsiness is all characterization and exaggeration, schoolgirl locker room slander packaged as journalism. They say these things to hurt him. His advances got results, and not just one spectacular girlfriend, but many, or so the gossip says.
What ho!
Psycholizard: That is one rumor I have not heard. Best, Don Bauder
Printed gossip blames Filner for his breakup with his fiancee', blaming infidelity. Gloria Allred claimed he was using other women. Jackson saw inappropriate touching, allegedly.
Psycholizard: His relationship with his fiancee must come under scrutiny, as must the claims of Allred and McCormack Jackson. Best, Don Bauder
Part of my agenda on this matter is Filner's willingness to allow Pot Shops in the city, what a compassionate thing to consider and allow on his watch. Didn't Goldberg get the DEA to smash down unlocked doors at One on One in the Gaslamp and arrest the caregivers? Here comes the cops, eh? There are thousands of Medical Marijuana patients in San Diego, and thousands more recreational users. This will all disappear in a puff of smoke, forever if another takes office. Perhaps if we get an airplane with a banner that reads, "No Filner-no 420-Don't Sign" and cruise up and down the coast, the recall will have less signatures. Quite simple and very effective I think as this is a young persons town...
strata66: I assume you mean Goldsmith and not Goldberg. I don't remember the incident you allude to. Best, Don Bauder
There aren't enough rope smokers in San Diego to outvote those who seek to put the boot to Mad Bob in the event the recall makes the ballot.
Burwell: I agree. The pro-pots do not outnumber the anti-pots. (Incidentally, can a politician who takes a position on marijuana be called a Pol Pot?) Best, Don Bauder
If the recall is on a specially scheduled election, the turnout might be very small, and a coalition of the unions and young people might swing it for him if they show up and vote. As I read the law, he can run to replace himself, and a plurality would win.
Psycholizard: But would the turnout be small? The big money would work overtime, and toss big bucks in the pot, to bring out voters in the corporate welfare camp. Best, Don Bauder
There is no denying that the special interests have come in for the kill. I will even concede that they had this planned. But to say this is all about greed oversimplifies our current situation and gives us an excuse to do nothing - to remain paralyzed with fear and helplessness - just what the downtown elite want.
BUT that doesn't undo the fact that it was Bob Filner who blew it - and that his behavior is unacceptable and that he is no longer capable of running our city. There is no way to put that cat back in the bag.
And it doesn't undo the fact that supporters and staff begged him to change his behavior and if he had listened to them, maybe this could have been averted.
And that Filner is not going top fix a serious personality disorder with two weeks of therapy.
And that this is tearing our progressive community apart and the longer Filner remains in office the worse it gets.
And that the REAL culprits in this nightmare are NOT the Republicans who waited like alligators on the shore for the right moment to snatch their prize (That's what alligators do, so why act surprised?), but the Democrats who knew this was a problem and set him up as a target anyway because in their mindset, it's all about winning, not integrity.
And they expected that the women being harassed and the staff being verbally abused would put aside their rights for the sake of advancing the common good.
Hey, I'm always open to the possibility of a conspiracy. But here's the lay of the land: If we continue to cry "foul" about how this game has been played up until now, we are going to end up with exactly the scenario we fear. We MUST turn this around, and the first thing that must happen to do that is to unite in calling for Bob to step down and replacing him with someone who is as congruent with our values as possible in their personal and public life. And then work like hell to put them in City Hall. We need a survival strategy. Do it different. Be outrageously different. Be ethically strategic. Be congruent. Be fearless and passionate and unstoppable.
The longer Bob waits to step down, the more fractured our community becomes, and the less chance we have to pulling together the people we need to make something wonderful happen. If he is really, at least politically, the man we all thought we voted for, he will put aside his ego and personal agenda and step down. We can't do anything until he resigns. His resignation opens the door for us to get to work and removes the thing that is dividing us now.
Do we continue to feel used and betrayed, or do we get to work on turning this awful situation around? Do we stay in an abusive relationship just because the abuser has promised to never hurt us again or do we move on, even though the future looks scary and difficult? I never thought I'd have to make that choice again - but I sure do recognize the pattern.
SDPoet: You argue your point very articulately but the overlords will throw gobs of money at this.
In votes over a sports stadium subsidy, the owners wanting public bucks outspend the opposition by 100 to 1 or more. It could be almost that unbalanced this time.
The people who believe in due process and disgusted that this has been a pre-planned lynching will hide, just as most of them are doing now. They fear being called a male chauvinist pig or a female who won't fight for women's rights.
Not only will the downtown crowd win big, the progressives will sit on the sidelines for years, even though their views may be in the majority. Citizens' pockets will be picked at will. Best, Don Bauder
Be open to the possibility that Filner did not sexually harass. Plaintiff has presented a poor case so far. But even if he were a murderer, the media lynching is an outrage.
Psycholizard: Yes, if that case goes to court, it is quite possible that he could win. That is a reason why the witch burning crowd does not want this to go to court. Also, the hotline could be shone to be extremely prejudicial and possibly illegal. Best, Don Bauder
SDPoet: Major setbacks are normal. We are agreed that Mr. Filner is central to moving forward from this one, but we disagree about the role that he should take. We did not suffer his abrasive managerial style, or any abuse. I am not willing to assume guilt before the accused has had his say. If he is willing, after rehab, to give it a shot, I am happy to support Mayor Filner, as he has demonstrated unique ability to get the job done.
Yankeedoodle: One thing we haven't discussed much is that Filner has been abusive to men, too. It's probably not good strategy on his part to bring this up, but it does show that it hasn't been only women who have supposedly suffered. Best, Don Bauder
Don: I think that you touched on that subject by implication in your piece discussing his managerial shortcomings. When I said "we" above, of course I meant we citizens who were not in personal contact with the mayor...most of us. Thus, most of us did not suffer the alleged abuse and I for one am not going to pretend that supporting the mayor is tantamount to continuing in an abusive domestic relationship. It most certainly is not.
Yankeedoodle: In my only one-on-one dealing with Filner, he was very gracious, and not at all arrogant or abrasive. I have only said that he appears to be because so many people -- particularly of his own political party -- say he is. Best, Don Bauder
Anyone that can start turning a luxury yacht around in the middle of high seas to return its bounty back to its rightful owners, is going to be a strong personality.
I'd rather this scarred and unruly old lion any day, than all the kittens that have been bending over backwards to the pack of hyenas that have been running City Hall from their perches in this city for decades.
A flawed mayor. . .that does good things is who I voted for and stand by.
vitalinfo: My sentiments exactly.
vitalinfo: Yes, you and the majority of San Diego voters put him in office. But he will be denied that office without a chance to defend himself. Best, Don Bauder
Thank you. Yours is one of the best postings I've read on this subject! You sound like a person of wisdom, who lays out the truth of the matter in a calm manner, rather than ranting and raving like so many do here (hoping for attention by "yelling" the loudest and employing words of exaggeration).
Don Bauder: What if there was a way to win an election without gobs of money? What if we have a once in a million years opportunity right now. A very short campaign timeline where big ships can change course fast enough but little ships can zig-zag all over the place, where disillusioned, apathetic voters might be wiling to risk "throwing their vote away" on something so outrageous that - well, what the hell, things can't get any worse... so outrageous the media would cover it because they'd think they were making fun of it - but hey, it's free publicity! - something so inspirational that it would go viral... Why does everyone just give up before even trying when all the money in the world is worthless against imagination and spunk?
SDPoet: Unfortunately, money is the mother's milk of politics. The people paying politicians want something -- money -- in return. I can't envision an occasion when money wouldn't rule in politics, at least in America. Best, Don Bauder
On the other hand, SDPoet has a point: analyses were done that showed Clinton/Gore, while in the same ballpark regarding money, spent less per vote than the losing side. I believe the same was true of Obama and certainly was true when Feinstein ran against Huffington a few years ago. And I think, but don't know, that Lori Saldaña may have spent much less to win against Vince Hall et al..
So one can spend less and win. The question is, how much less will put you below a winnable threshold of access to the voting public to get your points heard?
Yankeedoodle: I did not say that the biggest spenders win all the time. In the cases you cite, the less-financed winners were still pretty generously financed. Politics is a money game. Best, Don Bauder
I agree...you absolutely have to be in the same ballpark regarding funding.
Yankeedoodle: And after you take funds from the special interests -- Wall Street, oil companies, Silicon Valley, etc. -- you have to deliver for them. Best, Don Bauder
You must have a short memory, Don. Billionaire Meg Whitman has a LOT more money than Jerry Brown. She spent millions of bucks from her personal fortune to buy an election. Maybe those in Colorado didn't hear the news, but Brown won and became our governor.
SDPoet: Our opportunity right now is to stop the coup, by giving the mayor a chance to complete his term; that is, by opposing the calls for his immediate resignation and opposing a recall.
Yankeedoodle: By all means San Diegans with a conscience should oppose the recall. But you can say one thing about a recall: it is done democratically. A lynching is not. Best, Don Bauder
SDPoet: Back in 1996 I thought Ralph Nader's Green Party candidacy had the same sort of chance you describe.
Campaign finance reform is what we need: Publicly funded elections with a short time frame of campaigning. Unfortunately the foxes guard the hen house where those changes would be made.
GreyMatter: Right now one of the hungriest foxes of all wants to guard the henhouse.
Larry Summers, who has made a bundle of money working for Wall Street, and who has also had government jobs, wants to be head of the Federal Reserve.
But in 1998, he testified before Congress that parties to derivatives contracts "are largely sophisticated financial institutions that would appear to be eminently capable of protecting themselves from fraud and counterparty insolvencies."
Look what happened. Derivatives disaster. Summers wanted to deregulate Wall Street -- perhaps the dumbest and most corrupt move of the 1990s.
During that period, Summers belittled Brooksley Born, who was warning that derivatives should be regulated. She was right. Summers was dead wrong.
Yet Summers, with a dismal record, is mounting a big PR campaign to be head of the Fed. Janet Yellen, who is now one of the steadying influences on the Fed, is far more qualified than Summers.
If Summers gets in, Wall Street will have its own fox guarding the henhouse. Best, Don Bauder
Filner is the real deal because he understands the class struggle; Obama did not participate in the struggles of the 60's. Obama stated that he follows Ronald Reagan in the trickle down economics. That Obama would appoint Larry Summers to head the FED speaks volumes.
Diogenes: I don't remember Obama ever saying he supported trickle-down economics. I would like to know when and where he said anything like that. Beset, Don Bauder
Professor Steve Erie's book about San Diego, "Paradise Plundered," gives the reader the background on the greed that will despoil the environment and stick the taxpayers with the bill.
If we do the developers' bidding and get rid of the mayor we can recenter control of development back into that rubber stamp agency created for fastracking development - the DSD.
Bringing things up to date in Paradise Plundeted Redux, we would delight in the irony of sexual harasment being used to go after the former civil rights campion. This is similar to using the issue of abortion to reduce taxes on the wealthy!
The morality play pits feminists against environmentalists.
How cynical. Greed wins again using morality.
Diogenes: Great idea! The book Erie wrote (with two others) explains San Diego more clearly than any other author has. Best, Don Bauder
Bob Filner's sex life is not the battlefield we would choose, but remember they're fighting there because they've been defeated on the issues, because arguments like the one quoted above were defeated in the polls. Right now the local media and money are doing a good job at thought control, but it's easy to get the public's mind off the issues to think about sex. Remember the money interests aren't winning any real arguments with this circus, they're just pickpockets working the crowd. Not long ago the hucksters were center ring, with dogs and ponies dancing around their proposals to loot the general fund. Now we're fighting to return money previously looted to that fund. We fight here because we won before, win or lose now, we will win again, if we keep fighting.
Plus local, State, and Federals laws are on the side of justice, and public ownership of all Successor Agency $1 Billion in assets including $100 million in cash and bond proceeds siting in the bank. Plus annual $50 to $200 million in new Revenue Streams to the City's General Fund and Housing Trust Fund (HTF).
laplayaheritage: Good point. Don Bauder
Psycholizard: That goes to the heart of the matter. The public understands a sex scandal. It does not understand derivatives. Best, Don Bauder
Psycholizard: The lynching plot appears to have been hatched the day Filner won the election. His enemies -- particularly the wealthy downtown mendicants -- knew that they had something on him. He was vulnerable to a sex scandal. The local mainstream media are controlled by the downtown crowd. This is particularly true of the U-T, whose owner has so much to gain from corporate welfare. This would make a fascinating study -- perhaps a book. Best, Don Bauder
Too many on here totally misunderstand the issues. It's not about Filner's "sex life" that matters. He can go rent hookers in TJ for all I care. The issue is the improper/illegal treatment of employees (women AND men), especially by such people of power, and their total lack of respect for others. Filner is finally paying for his years (decades?) of bad behavior. Personal integrity trumps being a pervy progressive, so Bob failed the test.
Personal integrity didn't save Mayor Murphy so I doubt that is what this is about. Nor would I characterize boorish behavior as equivalent to not having personal integrity.
dwbat: There is only one suit over improper/illegal treatment of an employee.
Yes, he has been abusive toward both women and men. Those of us who believe in due process are not denying that. Best, Don Bauder
The recall effort will grind out. Those pushing the recall for the so-called left are looking for a "progressive" candidate. Good luck. There is a better than even chance of a pro-developer, pro-hotel Republican, candidate being elected in the recall.
Using the strong mayor law, a pro-developer mayor would over-ride local control over development.
I still believe that we will eventually see that certain labor groups stabbed Filner in the back, so to speak. Time will reveal why.
I suspect that developers can always promise building jobs or pension perks.
Diogenes: Make that a MUCH better chance of a pro-developer, pro-corporate welfare politician taking over for Filner -- Republican or DINO (Democrat in Name Only). The overlords' money will flow into this campaign. The progressives have shot themselves in the head -- not the foot -- for some time to come.
Diogenes: I cannot see how anyone could expect to get a viable candidate (a mere six months after a general election) with anything like Mayor Filner's record. Others can talk about what they would do, but we know how he will act under pressure: as though it were not even being applied. That is the kind of fortitude I want in the mayor, and I hope he shows it when he returns from rehab. By the way, isn't it ageism to claim that nobody of age 70 can change behavior that is hurting him? Why not?
Yankeedoodle: Yes, some would call it ageism, and maybe file a suit over it, but I think that would be as silly as some of the charges against Filner. When I walk into a room and then forget why I walked there I do not blame ageism; I blame age.
(Incidentally, I do think Filner must have acted badly with women, as he admitted. Some or even most of the charges by the women who followed the McCormack lawsuit may be true.
But Filner has the right to due process. He he should NOT resign. He should fight it all the way, because the most important thing is finding out when this pre-planned plot was hatched, and by whom, where the money came from, and what was the mainstream media's role. Best, Don Bauder
Filner does change his behavior, only one complaint is of repeated advances. All of the sleaze supposedly supporting the plaintiff actually does the opposite, he seems to take a hint after the first approach, unlike Jackson's central complaint, of persistent unwanted advances.
Psycholizard: And McCormack's complaint has yet to be tried in court. Best, Don Bauder
It only takes ONE instance to constitute sexual harassment. Just as if you hold up only one liquor store in your lifetime, it is still robbery.
If Mr'. Filner deliberately touched certain areas of the body just once deliberately, it would be sexual battery, a serious crime. My support for him would then disappear. No one so far has accused him of battery, or any crime, believe me, they would if they could. Comparing a tort, sexual harassment, to a crime as you do is Foxed up. Yes, sexual harassment can be one incident if shocking enough, but nothing described comes close, that's why only one suit has been filed, alleging multiple incidents, but lacking the sex acts normal in sexual harassment. In fact the case could be filed as simple personal harassment, but that wouldn't destroy Filner's career, and that is the whole reason the suit was filed. It's not done for the money.
dwbat: I think the analogy is a bad one. Best, Don Bauder
You can THINK it is, but that doesn't make it so. Once again, more facts and less opinion, please.
Oh, this is rich. Two excerpts from successive posts DeeDubBat typed last night (Aug.5th, 7:01PM and 7:06PM):
7:01- "......(hoping for attention by "yelling" the loudest and employing words of exaggeration). - referring to Reader posters
7:06 - " Maybe those in Colorado didn't hear the news, but Brown won and became our governor." - Bat's apparently obsessive fixation to attempt to discredit Mr. Bauder due to his geographic location. (a.k.a. "employing words of exaggeration")
Perhaps you should get out and broaden your horizons, dwb. Might lend some perspective and aid you in abandoning your puzzling and weak blitz. You are the sole poster (consistently) challenging Mr. Bauder's validity. Ok, we get it.
Preach, practice, what, you.
Don is an excellent journalist, and the Reader is lucky to have him. But I find some of his Filnergate comments "puzzling" since they appear to be at odds with good reporting (using facts rather than harangues). I've challenged Don on his oft-repeated "hysteria" and "media lynching" claims, as he's provided no evidence of either one; it's just his bombastic opinion.
Your posts certainly show all a thinking person needs to prove both quoted charges. If you can't see a media mob stoked to angry frenzy, it's because you're in the mob looking out. Pause to think and you will be trampled like Marti Emerald..
What a silly comment. You know NOTHING about me. Don't pretend that you do.
dwbat: To prove the hysteria, I have just pointed to some of the posts on this blog -- for example, comparing Filner with pedophile priests and saying Filner's activities are worse than Weiner's.
That's hysteria. Best, Don Bauder
Didn't see the priest reference anywhere. And yes, without a hint of hysteria from this end, Filner's disturbing "activities" were worse than the pompous Weiner dog's pervy peccadillos. I don't think some people know the meaning of hysteria. Please look it up. I have, and it doesn't fit in the Filnergate story. Try "spirited concern" as a better phrase.
Let's get back to reality. What we've all witnessed via TV on the streets of Cairo is an example of hysteria. There is NO hysteria surrounding Filnergate. Whoever says so is twisting facts for argument's sake.
"....they appear to be at odds with good reporting...." Sez who? And all this time I thought good reporting included a healthy amount of skepticism, especially in this instance, due to the latent tendencies of the fat cats.
Sez who? ME, that's who.
Duhby: Gee, I didn't see those posts. Shucks. That means I will have to go back and answer them. Best, Don Bauder
In other words, "Step away from the keyboard, Duhby!" Maybe I will, thanks for the idea.
Upon further review....NAHHHH.
BTW, I like my new moniker. Thanks, Donby.
Donby...& Sons?
I already know what you'll say in reply, Don. So don't bother with more of the same tune. That song is like a stuck record. ;-)