Power Grabs, Officially In During The Holiday Season

Something smells fishy. San Diegans for City Hall Reform, the group that helped Sanders campaign for outsourcing last year, has over $111,000 ready to go for apparently any cause that Sanders would like, as reported in a VOSD article back in August. The group stated yesterday that they found the cause that they want to use the funds for: a charter reform initiative; especially since Sanders' committee did not get their way with the charter reform recommendations that were presented to the City Council Rules Committee in November. Even though at the time perception lent a different idea that Sanders had another "change of heart" with a memo he released just before the committee went to council, when all along they had Plan B ready to go--they just held back on it because Plan A would not cost them as much money.

John Davies, who happens to be a member of the San Diegans for City Hall Reform and served as the Chair of the Mayor's Charter Review Committee (Sanders appointed Davies), said in today's VOSD article, "If the City Council subsequently agrees to place provisions substantially the same as those contained in our initiative on the ballot in 2008, we will terminate our initiative effort." It is now clear that Davies had ulterior motives when he chaired the Mayor's committee. Therefore, Davies lied to the public and represented another cause other than the people of San Diego.

Concerned citizens and local media should take notice. Apparently, power grabs are in during the holiday season. San Diegans for City Hall Reform has the machine set up and ready to change the city charter even if the public's representatives think that it is outrageous, along with countless community groups.

Friday - Quick Hits

Truly a stupid idea. Los Angeles county MTA proposal to turn carpool lanes into toll roads. LATimes

Continued racial problems in Poway. Swastika found at Westview High School. UT

Pointing out the merely obvious. UCR study finds fewer liquor stores in gang-infested area reduces violence. UT

The newly elected Potero Planning group was sworn in yesterday. UT

City supervisors distributed "cheat sheet" to employee for a disaster preparedness test. UT

Another sign of the ongoing housing crisis in the I.E. Hospital district that owns Sun City and Hemet hospitals files Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection. NCTimes

State Ethics Board Votes for New Disclosure Rules on Political Spending

The California Fair Political Practices Commission voted 5-0 today to tighten the disclosure rules for politicians who use their campaign funds on meals, gifts and travel. The rule changes are design to force politicians to justify their use of campaign funds for such activities that tied to official business. The rule changes will also force politicians to disclose gift recipients. Final action on the rule changes is expected on February 14.[Link]

In addition, the commission vote 5-0 to impose an emergency rule to require non-profits that engage in ballot measure campaigns to their donors.[Link]

Volunteers Needed for Sandbagging

Wildfire Recovery - Sandbagging in the City of Escondido

Escondido City Yard
475 N. Spruce Street
Escondido, CA 92025 [Map]

City of Escondido, the San Diego Democrats, and Democrats Work

Contact: info@democratswork.org

The City of Escondido and Volunteer San Diego have put out a call for volunteers who can help with sandbagging this weekend. Sandbagging teams will assemble on Saturday, December 15th from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Escondido.

No special skills are specified for this project, just come ready to help. Water and snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP in the box above or send an email to rsvp@democratswork.org.

SD Ethics Commission Hearing on Public Financing

Issue: Clean Elections
Action: Show your support by attending the Ethics Commission Meeting
Date / Location: Today, December 13th, 5pm at 202 C Street, 12th Floor

Today, December 13th, Neighborhoods for Clean Elections will be participating in the monthly San Diego Ethics Commission hearing. This public session will focus on Public Financing, and the group will be presenting their initiative and supporting information, and answering questions posed by the Commissioners. In coalition with California Common Cause, a long-term Clean Elections partner, they will explain how Clean Elections will work in San Diego and why the Ethics Commission should recommend it to the City Council. Join Neighborhoods for Clean Elections today at 5pm.

Beware of Toxic Toys

The United Steel Workers have put out a video to remind people of the danger from lead tainted toys made in China this holiday season.

Thursday - Quick Hits

With their arrogance showing, Blackwater claims vote results doesn't change their plans one bit. UT

Victory for the environmental community. Sea World becomes the first group in the United States to apply for a water-quality discharge permit for conducting fireworks over water. UT

La Mesa has hired a consultant to try to attract more business for city. UT

Solana Beach and developer are at odds over train station project. UT

Stepping up and trying to do something that is right, an addiction treatment center is offering free services for Afghanistan and Iraq veterans. UT

The Coastal Commission kills the extra per room fee for controversial Oceanside beach resort. NCTimes

Katherine Nakamura elected San Diego School Board President

After four votes the San Diego Unified trustees elected Katherine Nakamura as president of the San Diego Unified School Board and John de Beck as vice president this evening. The vote replaces Luis Acle as president and Shelia Jackson as vice president of the school board.[Link]

Nakamura who had at one time expressed interested in possibility seeking another office, easily won reelection last year over crazy wingnut Micheal McSweeney. Earlier this year her name surfaced as a potential candidate for district 7 city council seat. It will be interesting to see if she using her position as school board president to increase her profile for a run at another office.

Labor Council Searching for Political and Legislative Director

The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council (SDICLC) seeks a hard working, responsible individual to coordinate our political and legislative activities. The Labor Council, which represents 118 affiliated unions, is active in political and legislative advocacy, public relations, strike support, community services, outreach and labor to neighbor voter education on behalf of our local affiliated labor unions.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Serving as principal researcher / writer for SDICLC legislative and lobbying activities.

2. Serving as primary spokesperson for the SDICLC when the Secretary Treasurer is unavailable, participating in community forums, testifying at government hearings, and lobbying elected and appointed officials on labor issues.

3. Overseeing the Committee on Political Education (COPE) program, which includes coordinating candidate recruitment and endorsements, targeting key races, supervising labor to neighbor voter education efforts, managing independent expenditure campaigns in coordination with outside consultants, and overseeing budget for all political activities.

4. Working with the Labor to Neighbor Coordinator to ensure an internal organizing program that achieves the goal of 1% involvement from members. This includes overseeing the Coordinator's efforts to recruit and train volunteers, coordinate phone banks, letter writing campaigns, precinct walks and the precinct leader program.

5. Working with the Communications Director to ensure a cohesive external and internal public relations and media strategy. This includes overseeing the Communications Director's work with print and electronic media, writing and editing articles for the Labor Leader, and updating and maintaining the Labor Council's website.

This position requires attention to detail, the ability to multi-task, creativity, flexibility, and the willingness to sometimes work long hours and weekends.

Ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience with computers, databases and websites, broad political knowledge, and an understanding of local labor issues, political reporting requirements, and lobbying rules.

Ability to work independently and effectively under strict timelines; ability to
work with union leaders, staff and members, elected officials and the broader community and ability to fully embrace the mission of the San Diego - Imperial Counties Labor Council are required.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Gessie Perez at GPerez@unionyes.org or fax it to her attention at (619)281-1296. Resumes must be received by Friday, December 21st.

Working the Fringe with Duncan Hunter

Over at The New Republic, editor Eve Fairbanks spends some time on the road with Duncan Hunter as he campaigns for the Republican Nomination. It has been a difficult time for the Hunter campaign as it tries to crack into the mainstream of the GOP presidential race. But in his case even cracking into the fringe appears to be a high hurdle for the campaign overcome. In the article titled "Plain Nuts" she portrays the campaign as:

traditionally ... people running for president with no support in the polls "vanity candidates." The Duncan Hunter campaign for the Republican nomination, though, feels more like the antidote to vanity.[Link]

She describes Hunter riding in a white convertible Corvette in a Veterans Day parade in Reno.

The parade's organizers have assigned him a slot at the end of the march, putting him behind Dennis Kucinich supporters, people banging saucepans in memory of Molly Ivins, a hayride truck filled with senior citizens labeled MARTIANS FOR PEACE, and, worst of all, a troupe of five cavalry re-enactors on horseback. Hunter, a military equipment nut, enjoyed hanging out with the cavalrymen before the parade, but, once they set off, their horses begin pooping profusely along the route. As Hunter's convertible starts to roll, it streaks piles of hot yellow horse dung under its wheels. "Eeewie!" a child screams.[Link]

Hunter isn't your typical fringe candidate. He does have an affable personality but has struggled to gain traction in the race.

A friend of Hunter once described him as "Pat Buchanan with a smile." Hunter has struggled just to break into the fringe. He has raised half as much money as Tom Tancredo and netted half the major-paper mentions of Dennis Kucinich over the past year. Apparently, becoming a successful marginal presidential candidate is harder than it looks.

* * *

But Hunter is not only too fringe to be mainstream; with his mild manner and good cheer, he is also too mainstream to be fringe.[Link]

With the California less 60-days away, I suspect that Duncan Hunter will be withdrawing from the presidential race the day after the primary. Maybe, he can make his concession speech from in front of the Midway aircraft carrier much like he did his announcement to run.

And Bill Gentry?

I’m not one to cry for Republicans, but this is too obvious to pass up. It appears that someone with the balls to step up when no one else would is about to be sacrificed for expediency's sake by a latecomer.

Bill Gentry. Republican. War hero. Great civil servant from Dumanis’s office.running against Mike Aguirre.

Enter Jan Goldsmith. Republican. Former Judge and State Assemblyman. A known commodity running against Mike Aguirre.

Now, I’m on the outside of this inter-party dust up, but it would appear that a good man is about to be abandoned by his stalwarts for a more seasoned politician in the name of party unity.

This is politics and nothing is ever fair but I think we should take a moment to reflect on just how desperate times have become on the “red” side

Some facts:
1) Bill got in the race first and, from what I’ve been told, isn’t the most compelling guy in the room but he seemed sincere in his desire to take on Mike even if he had to talked into it.

2) Then comes Goldsmith, whom it seems had to be talked into it as well.

3) Because these guys had to be “talked” into it doesn’t bode well for an Aguirre take down in that there are enough dissatisfied Dems to make it happen, but these guys appear to lack the fire in the belly that Aguirre has to win cross over votes.

As such, the weaker of the two must go and that will be Gentry because:

1) The Reps need a unified front to take out Aguirre because, and let be honest here, he appeals to both sides of the aisle in pointing out the endemic corruption that is San Diego City government

2) Bonnie has ambitions to be the next attorney general for California so she’s not going to save the guy from her office lest she cross her future supporters in the Rep establishment.

3) Gentry has little real support and is, therefore, expendable.

So the Republicans continue their grand tradition of eating their young, or at least their farm team, to appear unified in the face of a major challenge that, as of this writing, they don’t seem committed to.

This says something about the local rep establishment, what Bonnie is willing to do for her career, and the hapless state of the local GOP.

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Plan to buy 50 more fire engines moves forward. UT

Barona Valley Casino granted limited liquor license by the ABC. UT

UCSD Preuss Charter School has grading irregularities according to audit. UT VOSD

Poway Unified School District hate behavior plan doesn't go far enough to its critics. UT

How about a telethon? City to raise private funds for second firefighting copter. UT

SEC slaps the wrist of City's former private auditor. UT VOSD

City of Vista votes to double the size of its downtown redevelopment area. UT

Blackwater 5 Recalled!!

Rarely does an election for a planning group make the news. But yesterday anticipated recall election of the Potero Planning Group had been a national story for some time. The planning group's decision last December to recommend to the County Board of Supervisors for approval a proposal that would allow the mercenary outfit Blackwater USA to build a 400+ acre training facility out near the Mexican border attracted protests almost immediately. The ensuing debate over what was dubbed Blackwater West became framed in the overall political debate over the role of mercenary outfits in the war in Iraq.

Yesterday, all five incumbent members of the planning group were recall. The vote wasn't even close, most of the members lost by a margin of 2 to 1 in the mail only ballot.

“It should send a loud and clear message that Potrero does not want Blackwater in the community,” said Carl Meyer, a leader in the recall campaign and an anti-Blackwater candidate.[Link]

In their typical arrogant manor, Blackwater USA vice president Brian Bonfiglio was quoted in the UT that the recall election outcome doesn't effect the company's plans to build in Potero. “I don't care one way or the other,” Bonfiglio said.[Link]

The activists who worked hard in the recall effort must continue to remain vigilant in their efforts. Blackwater USA has deep political connections and will still try to force their way into developing the facility out in East County.

Chris You're Fired!!

Via Daily Kos:

We found out this morning that major league asshole Chris Lehane had been fired by SEIU. I just got confirmation from Change to Win -- the coalition of seven top unions(including SEIU, Teamsters, and the Laborers) has also kicked Lehane to the curb. I was given this statement by a CtW spokesman:

Change to Win had a general consulting contract with Chris Lehane. That contract was terminated upon discovery of his role supporting the studios in the writers guild strike. As you know, Change to Win and its affiliates stand solidly behind the writers in their struggle for fairness, so we did not think twice about this decision.

Nice.

Lehane may have a great future helping corporate America bust unions, but as long as he never works in progressive politics, it'll be a net win for our side.

Now that SEIU and Change to Win have fired Chris Lehane when is Cal Labor Fed going to step up and show him the door?

Recall Election in Potrero: Ballot Due Today

As written about in this mornings UT, the ballots for the election to recall five of the members of the planning group are due today. The reason for the recall is because five of the members of the planning board gave early approval for a military training camp proposed by Blackwater. As of this morning more than half of the registered voters in Potrero have turned in ballots.

Blackwater has been making a big marketing push during the last couple of weeks, one of which included the "stunts" performed at a recent local university game, as reported in SD Politico. At the same time, Blackwater has found itself on the bad side of some national news, so it is hard to tell who will win out in the minds of residents.

Hopefully, the citizens of Potrero will take another symbolic stand against the private mercenary corporation and the supporters.

Tuesday - Quick Hits

UCSD hoax bomber has bail set at $100K. UT

As water crisis worsen, regional officials continue with half-hearted measures. UT

Supporters of new downtown library have riased only $18 million in private donations far short of their $50 million goal for this year. UT

Today is the final day to turn in ballots for Potero recall election. UT

Chula Vista Elementary School District has to pay $1 million to teacher who was dismissed after becoming pregnant. UT

City Fire Chief blasts the county at a hearing on Monday over the lack of fire equipment to deal with wildfires. NCTimes

Increase in human smuggling see off the coast of San Diego. VOSD

Chris Lehane Fired from Union Contract!

Via FireDogLake:

SEIU Local 99 in Los Angeles -- education workers who include teacher's aids, cafeteria workers and crossing guards -- have fired former Clinton spokesman Chris Lehane from a consulting contract in support of the WGA.

"By the end of the week, I believe Chris Lehane will have no union clients because of his work for the AMPTP," says SEIU President Andy Stern, who confirms that all Change to Win Unions are severing ties with Lehane. "His days are numbered in the labor movement."[Link]

I'm glad to see some retribution taken against Chris Lehane. We need to hold Democratic consultants accountable when they go to work against progressive organization.

Cross posted at Calitics

Jefferson Attack Ad

Via The Plank: For those of you who think that negative ads are new to the political discourse. Here is an attack ad at Thomas Jefferson based on some of the pamphlet attacks directed at him during the election of 1800.

Monday - Quick Hits

Another sign of compassion here in San Diego. Important homeless shelter in East Village closes and it loses its lease. UT

Fired UCSD employee behind bomb scare last week. UT

SANDAG joins list of groups who are suing SDSU over expansion plans. UT

Halfway through completion coastal wetlands show signs of progress. UT

City can't keep track of its outside legal costs. VOSD

Another example of NIMBYism. Community rallies against freeway ramps. NCTimes

County's top administrator to get 10% pay raise. UT

School board weighs plan to keep failing student back. UT

Practice Your Vocabulary and Help End World Hunger

FreeRice.com is a quiz website that is part of Poverty.com. For every vocabulary word you get word, 20 grains of rice are donate to the United Nations World Food Program. Here is your chance to improve your vocabulary and help end world hunger. [Click Here]

Hey Mark and Chris: See The People You're Working Against

Earlier this week, LA Times reported that Democratic consultants Mark Fabaini and Chris Lehane have signed on to work against the Writers Guild of America in the ongoing strike. Here is a great video put together by FireLakeDog on what this strike is really about.

Supporters of OC Toll Road Dealt Major Blow

Congresswoman Susan Davis, has inserted a "rider" in the upcoming defense authorization bill. The rider "would require the Foothill/South Toll Road project to adhere to state environmental laws."[Link] This requirement would mean that the project would have to obtain a permit from the state Coastal Commission. In September, the commission issued a report that recommended the project be denied a permit.[Link]

Davis' rider has passed the last of the procedural hurdles and is now part of the full defense authorization bill that is head to the full House for consideration probably next week. The rider effectively reverses another rider from 2000 "by three Republican Congressmen – Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa and Ken Calvert – who used the same mechanism to specifically exempt the toll road project from state and federal environmental laws."[Link]

Props go out to the Congresswoman for taking this important step in trying to save Trestles.

Some End of the Week Reflections

Last night at the San Diego County Democratic Party - Central Region meeting, Both Marti Emerald in city council district 7 and Sherri Lightner in city council district 1 were recommended for early endorsement to the Central Committee meeting in January.

With the announcement earlier this week that TaxpayersAdvocate.org Scott Barnett is dropping out of the race for Mitz Lee school board seat, leaves John Lee Evans as the only announced candidate to fill the seat. The word on the street is that Barnett is going to be involved in one of the Republican campaigns for City Attorney?

Speaking of the City Attorney, I have heard this week that Mike Aguirre has retained the services of Al Ducheny, the husband of State Senator Denise Ducheny, to manager his re-election campaign.

Finally, Auday Arabo will get to face Democratic activists for the first time in January. The Chicano Democratic Association has scheduled their 78th Assembly candidate interviews for January 9th.

Kehoe, Atkins Among Members of Hillary Clinton's California LGBT Steering Committee

Earlier this week, Hillary Clinton announced the formation of her California LGBT Steering Committee. It's Chaired by Senator Sheila Kuehl and includes among its 100+ members San Diego Senator Christine Kehoe and Councilwoman Toni Atkins. The press release touts:

Hillary has been a longtime ally of the LGBT community. She fought against the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) both times and has worked on legislation that would promote equality for LGBT Americans.

It also goes on to note that she has publicly stated she would repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell and other positions. But as Paul Hogarth found out at YearlyKos, Clinton remains a fan of the Defense Of Marriage Act:

Defense of Marriage: DOMA, passed in 1996 when Bill Clinton wanted to deprive Bob Dole of a campaign issue, allows states not to recognize an out-of-state gay marriage. "DOMA served a very important purpose," she said. "I was one of the architects in the strategy of fighting the 2004 Marriage Amendment, and DOMA gave us a bright line to be able to pull back the votes."

So color me still perplexed by the LGBT support for Clinton, which certainly appears to be widespread. I can appreciate that Bill Clinton was the closest thing to an ally that the community has had in the White House in more than 25 years, so there's some (admirable) loyalty involved. And she is (thankfully) in favor of changing DOMA to allow federal recognition of state unions. But when she spoke to the Human Rights Campaign earlier this year, she wanted as little publicity as possible, and she still isn't budging on DOMA. So what makes her a better potential champion for LGBT issues as compared to other candidates?

Barack Obama caused a major kerfluffle a month ago by inviting popular homophobe and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin to perform at a campaign event. Big flag there. But he then turned around and condemned Rev. McLurkin's beliefs on homosexuality in no uncertain terms and spoke strongly about supporting the same LGBT issues that Hillary Clinton's press release mentions while also calling for the full repeal of DOMA. That part, at least, seems better.

John Edwards, like Clinton, supports repealing the part of DOMA "that prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex relationships." He voices strong opposition to any discrimination based on sexual orientation and while he's still not sure about marriage, is all for civil unions just like Clinton and Obama.

So I guess that I don't see all that much daylight between the three leading contenders. Or at least, not enough that would spark a stampede towards Hillary Clinton's corner. I'm more than willing to have this explained to me and would actually appreciate some sort of explanation now that two of San Diego's leading LGBT political figures have joined up with team Hillary. It just seems like an oddly un-progressive choice for a generally very progressive community with generally very progressive issue priorities.

Like Lane Hudson said at HuffPo a few months ago, if the value of DOMA was as a tool to defeat the Federal Marraige Amendment, and the FMA is now dead, then hasn't DOMA run its course? Why would anyone- within the LGBT community or not- even accept this as something for debate? And why would they so overwhelmingly and enthusiastically line up for someone who isn't even on the correct side of that debate?

What is Cal Labor Fed's Position on Chris Lehane?

In light Chris Lehane's recent hiring the Film and TV Producers to work against the WGA, does anyone know the official position of the California Labor Federation on this? Back in October Lehane was brought on board to fight against Gov. Schwarzenegger's health care plan. According to the SacBee:

the campaign is being directed by a prominent Democratic political consultant, Chris Lehane, who was hired by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. The effort also includes the Service Employees International Union as well as consumer and faith-based groups.[Link]

Somebody should ask Cal Fed Chief Art Pulaski if they are still using Lehane's services?

Cross posted at Calitics

Friday - Quick Hits

In a blow against working families, judge favors city of Vista in prevailing wage suit. NCTimes

How ironic, city council challenges SDSU on its environmental report, a few day after it ignores the environmetal report for the Navy Broadway complex. UT

Another sign of impact of real estate crisis. Over 15,000 homeowners seek tax relief from county. UT

Alcohol ban opponents launch petition drive to overturn the band. Need to collect 30,209 signatures in 30 days. UT VOSD

Feds ask for help in IDing hoax UCSD bomber. UT

Following to incidents on campus, 250 students and staff rally at USD to speakout against hate. UT

County Water Authority has formally moved to stage II of its drought plan. VOSD

Blackwater Parachutes into San Diego State's Halftime

On Saturday night, the San Diego State Aztecs hosted BYU to close out their regular football season. The game was the 3rd Annual Fleet Week-sponsored game, rescheduled from October 27 because of wildfires. The Fleet Week Foundation describes the game like this:

San Diego State University plays in this third annual Fleet Week Football Classic. Pregame and half-time shows will feature flyovers, parachutists, the Navy Region South West and SDSU bands, and a tribute to our wounded warriors at Balboa Hospital and Camp Pendleton as well as a tribute to members of the Legion of Valor.

The festivities have a wide range of public and private sponsors and it's fun for the whole family right? Well, for at least the second year in a row (probably all three), the halftime show included an American flag being parachuted onto the field by members of a nation parachutist team...who happen to work for Blackwater and use parachutes emblazoned with the Blackwater logo.

Attached is the promotional video from last year's (2006) Fleet Week. You can skip ahead to the 2:43 mark to see the Blackwater parachutist bringing in the giant American flag. If you want, you can also zip over to about the 3:09 mark to see the flag being dragged across the field during landing.

Fleet Week events, which go on year round, are to honor veterans. I've attended several of them and in my experience they've been good opportunities to pay tribute to veterans. So I have a hard time understanding how Blackwater fits into the puzzle. They consistently undermine the work being done by our armed forces around the world and especially in Iraq. It seems a particularly unfortunate inclusion in the festivities; made all the more uncomfortable given that the Blackwater recall election culminates on Tuesday (12/11).

I spoke with Steve Becvar of the SDSU Athletic Foundation, which was involved in planning the event. He explained that this is the third year that Blackwater-affiliated parachutists had played a role in the Fleet Week game. He emphasized that the school was not seeking to make any sort of political point, simply to partner with the Fleet Week Foundation to honor veterans.

But despite what may well have been the best intentions of event organizers, Blackwater has NO business honoring veterans. Blackwater profits from war and has a vested interest in prolonging any military struggle as long as it increases revenue. They are, in fact, naturally at odds with everything that our veterans should be honored for. They dishonor the flag and all the people who have bled for it whenever they or their representatives try to wrap themselves or the Blackwater logo in the American flag.

Blackwater knows what it does. And they know that they're nothing next to the members of the actual military. Past that, they know that their only hope for success or survival is to blur the distinction between their criminal behavior and the valor of American servicemen and women. As the Potrero vote peaks, I hope San Diegans and Americans everywhere refuse to be tricked. Blackwater is hoping for honor by osmosis, but they end up literally and figuratively dragging the reputations of our soldiers through the mud.

If people wanted yet ANOTHER reason to resist at every opportunity Blackwater's plans for a training facility in Potrero, here you go. They've taken advantage of SDSU and the Fleet Week Foundation to undermine what otherwise could have been a wonderful evening for veterans. But Blackwater doesn't serve the United States or its ideals. Blackwater serves the dollar. And they have no business being remotely affiliated with veterans or current servicemembers.

So from San Diego to Blackwater: Get out and stay out.

Cross posted from Calitics

Thursday - Quick Hits

Hoffa rallies Teamsters at Otay border crossing to protest NAFTA rules allowing Mexican truck drivers. UT

Fire Chief asks the city for second fire fighting helicopter. UT

Mayor Sanders signed Alcohol Beach Ban. UT

City changes vendor for Red Light cameras. UT

Bomb threat at UCSD medical center deemed a hoax by authorities. UT

Sting nabs six unlicensed contractors in the RB area. UT

Economic downturn is starting to show some signs here in SD. UT

Hard hit Inland Empire face some job cuts now. NCTimes

Prominent OC Republican headed to prison for Sex Crimes

Very interesting events just up the I-5 in Orange County. On Tuesday, Jeffrey Ray Nielsen a prominent OC Republican with close ties to Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and OC Republican Chairman Scott Baugh pleaded guilty to "two felonies: committing lewd acts on a 12-year-old Virginia boy and 14-year-old Orange County boy."[Link]

Nielsen, who is the son of former Fountain Valley Mayor Ben Nielsen, went to Washington in 1994 to work as an aide for Congress Rohrabacher.

During this period, Nielsen befriended a seventh-grade Virginia boy he met as a church youth counselor. For years, Nielsen engaged in sexual conduct with the boy (including in public), tried to convince the boy he was homosexual, and wrote a series of love letters to the boy after he moved back to California to enter USC law school.[Link]

Upon his return to California to attend law school, Nielsen went to work for Orange County Republican Assemblyman Scott Baugh.

He socialized with Baugh. He derided liberals with Baugh. When Baugh left Sacramento and negotiated a job with the powerhouse law firm of Manatt Phelps
& Phillips in 2001, he convinced the firm to hire Nielsen with him. It was during this time that Nielsen found a Westminster high-school freshman in an online gay chat room. Prosecutors say Nielsen repeatedly picked the boy up from school for sex. . . . The boy shared his experiences with a classmate, who promptly told school counselors.

When police arrested Nielsen, a prominent GOP activist at the time, The Orange County Register failed to tell its readers. In fact, the paper—some of whose staffers enjoy cozy relationships with local GOP leaders, including Rohrabacher and Baugh—waited more than three years to mention Nielsen’s arrest. Worse, while Nielsen awaited trial for molesting the Westminster boy, the Register’s Richard Chang helped to bolster the accused pedophile’s reputation in the community. In an article, Chang didn’t mention the charges, but rather praised Nielsen for volunteering to help homeless puppies from the Katrina disaster in New Orleans.[Link]

It is interesting to note that much like the Orange County Register, both the Flash Report and Red County have failed to make mention of this story.

Democratic Consultants Fabiani and Lehane to work against Writers Union

This afternoon the LA Times reported that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have brought in three political consultants to assist them in the public relations battle with the striking Writers Guild of America.[Link] Democratic consultants Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane, together with Republican consultant Steve Schmidt were retained by the Alliance to shore up its public image.

The advisors will take over the role of Barbara Brogliatti, who has been guiding the group's public relations strategy for much of the last 25 years. The former Warner Bros. executive recently stepped down from her day-to-day role, though she will remain as senior advisor to the group, which has been locked in contentious contract negotiations with writers over pay for new media.

The move reflects a concerted push by the alliance to take a more aggressive approach in its public relations after polls conducted by Pepperdine University, Fox News and SurveyUSA showed widespread public support for the writers, now in their fifth week of a strike.[Link]

Republican Steve Schmidt, prior to working for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as his 2006 campaign manager, held a high position in the Bush White House, "including serving as the lead strategist on the confirmations of John G. Roberts Jr. and Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court."[Link]

Mark Fabiani and Chris Lehane have a long history working for Democrats. They served as senior aides and advisors to both President Clinton and Vice President Gore. In 2004 they were both strategist to General Wesley Clark during his presidential campaign.

For the last several years Fabiani has been working for the San Diego Chargers in their attempt to convince taxpayers to pay for a new stadium for the team.[Link] Lehane on the other hand has played the role of "freelance political pundit" quoted occasionally in print and appearing on television. He has also played the unofficial attack dog role for Clinton campaign.[Link]

That two very prominent Democratic consultants are working against a labor union in a high profile strike is extremely troubling. The fact that both have close ties to the Clinton political machine, someone should ask the Clinton campaign if they support Fabiani and Lehane in their present efforts?

Wow! Is it the 1950s again?

I have always suspected that the crazy wingnuts really wished the Cold War had never ended. The Global War on Terror, just doesn't arouse the same primordial emotions that the Cold War did. After all, there were duck and cover drills in school, and if your neighbor was incline to read novels from Dalton Trumbo and beleive in civil rights for African-americans, you could openly suspect him of harboring leftwing sympathies. Those were the good ole days for the wingnuts.

Apparently Mike Spence didn't get the memo that the Cold War is over. For the president of the California Republican Assembly, the Cold War is alive and well. In a post he wrote yesterday on the Flash Report, he discussed the efforts of human rights groups to protest a Chinese sponsored float in the upcoming Rose Parade.[Link] What struck me with his post was the use of outdated language. It has been a long time since I have seen terms like Red China and Chicoms thrown around so casually. Here is some advice Mike, take the your copy of Red Nightmare out the VCR and put it on the bookshelf before your blow a gasket.

Wednesday - Quick Hits

San Diego schools Superintendent Carl Cohn has found himself a new job at SDSU School of Education. UT

City of Chula Vista has decided to eliminate 112 jobs, through retirements, layoffs, and the elimination of vacant positions. UT

City Council denies community group an environmental review of Navy Broadway Complex Project. UT

A group of activists in Chula Vista submitted signatures to qualify initiative for electing City Attorney. UT

SANDAG and North County coastal communities move ahead with sand reclamation project. NCTimes

Much touted layoffs by Mayor Sanders didn't remove workers from from city rolls. VOSD

Stand up for livable wages in San Diego's future!

From Center on Policy Initiatives:

Action Alert: Stand up for livable wages in San Diego's future!

CPI will be at City Hall tomorrow to fight Mayor Sanders' attempt to remove living wage jobs as a goal of development and land use. This flagrant giveaway to the low-paying tourism industry must be stopped!

If you can't come to City Hall, please call or e-mail Councilmembers today!

In the 11th hour of updating San Diego's General Plan, Sanders has attacked the city's established living wage policy by deleting all mention of livable wages or "self-sufficiency wages" from the draft plan.

The General Plan sets guidelines for all land-use decisions, including what developers are allowed to build. It must be restored to promote living wage jobs with healthcare coverage!

In addition, the Mayor's changes pave the way for the city to begin providing incentive subsidies to hotel developers even when they're creating poverty wage jobs. Click here for more information and to see the wording Sanders slashed from the proposed update.

Please come to a special meeting of the City Council's Land Use and Housing Committee tomorrow (Wednesday) at City Hall, 202 C Street, downtown.

Otherwise, please call the committee members listed below or send them an e-mail.

• Councilmember Jim Madaffer, Chair: (619) 236-6677
• Councilmember Toni Atkins: (619) 236-6633
• Councilmember Tony Young: (619) 236-6644
• Councilmember Ben Hueso: (619) 236-6688

Insist that our City's plan for future growth must combat the growing income gap in San Diego! We want economic prosperity for all working people, not just hotel developers!

San Diego City Council Grows Balls

So, it finally happened. The San Diego City Council actually overrode a mayoral veto yesterday. With a 5 to 3 super-majority, Councilmembers Atkins, Frye, Hueso, Madaffer and Peters showed Mayor Jerry Sanders that public policy is more important that public relations. The controversial "toilet to tap" study that the City Council approved earlier this month was vetoed by Sanders, partially because of the "yuck" factor. Well, wake up Sanders - you are already drinking treated sewage that is put into the Colorado River upstream. Cost may be an initial factor, but Sanders should realize the potential costs for our economy as we face another drought. Kudos to the City Council, for showing true leadership in this time of crisis. And where was Mayor Sanders? According to his spokesman Fred Sainz "at the movies". (This was written in the union tribune, and I refuse to link to that rag).

Without a viable Democrat in the race, Mayor Francis is sounding better and better to this progressive everyday.

Tuesday - Quick Hits

As circulation continues to fall, the UT cuts newsroom staff by another 12%. Another example of the failure of conservatism. VOSD

City Council rightly votes to override mayor's veto on water recycling. VOSD UT

Border Patrol agent finds tunnel and 15,000 pounds of chronic inside shipping container near Tecate. UT

County Supervisors to consider pay raises for D.A. Bonnie Dumanis and Sheriff Bill Kolender. UT

Silicon Valley business sentenced to prison for selling military grade night-vision googles to the Chinese. UT

County fire authority moves closer to being. Only problem, they need to come up with the money. UT NCTimes

Needing a new home, Children's Museum has decided not to house charter school that shares its name. UT

Under performing charter schools, leave financial burden upon SDUSD. VOSD

Electoral College Initiative is Running out of Time

The SacBee is reporting tonight that State Election officials are saying that backers of the California electoral college initiative are at risk of missing the June ballot. Election officials said it will be difficult to finish counting the signatures in time for the January 24th state deadline.[Link]

Despite a recommendation from Secretary of State Debra Bowen that the proponents submit the signatures to the counties three weeks ago, they have yet to submit the necessary signatures. Supporters of the initiative need 433,971 signatures to qualify for the ballot. They are aiming at collecting 700,000 signature to ensure that they have enough to qualify for the ballot.[Link]

Supporters originally the aimed at turning the in the signatures by Friday December 1st. They received a late infusion of cash when the Orange County Lincoln Club made a $100,000 contribution to the initiative effort.[Link] The Republican political consultant Dave Gilliard, who is heading up the effort to qualify the initiative for the ballot, didn't return phones repeated phones calls to the SacBee on Monday.[Link]

Cross posted on Calitics

Call it the Núñez Rule

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Fair Political Practices Commission is considering a proposal at its December 13th meeting that would require politicians who use their campaign funds for dining, gifts, and traveling "to prove those expenditures are related to governmental or political business." The FPPC also is going to consider a proposal requiring nonprofit groups that get involved in political campaigns to reveal their donors.[Link]

"Together, the proposed reforms aim to better inform voters about who is bankrolling ballot measure campaigns and tighten vague laws under which some politicians." Over the past couple of months Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), has come under fire for lavishly spending campaign funds on travel, meals and gifts.[Link]

If the proposals are adopted by the FPPC, "politicians would have to attach a memo to their spending reports that shows the nature and recipient of gifts, details about who partook of meals and how travel related to governmental or political purposes."[Link]

The Aguirre Dilemma

When City Attorney Mike Aguirre failed to get the San Diego County Democratic Party early incumbent endorsement last month, many of local Democratic activists were surprised by the result. Among grassroots activists, Aguirre is viewed as something of a mythic figure, akin to the status enjoyed by councilmember Donna Fyre circa 2004 & 2005. Aguirre’s appeal among these Democratic activist is understandable, he is their Jesus, turning over the tables of “downtown establishment” moneychangers outside the temple of city hall.

Mike Aguirre plays the martyr role quite well to his audience of supporters. These supporters attraction to Aguirre comes out of sense of frustration. Since Pete Wilson was elected mayor in 1971, the voters of San Diego have elected only one Democrat as mayor in the intervening 35+ years and she left office in 1992. Unless something dramatically changes between now and the close on the filing period next March, the drought at holding the mayor office will continue at least until 2012.

Notwithstanding, Mike Aguirre creates a bit of a dilemma for the county Democratic Party. He is after all the only Democratic office holder elected citywide. He has, however, alienated certain sectors of the Democratic coalition, in particular labor. But that is not his only the problem. His disconcerting forays as City Attorney into areas not traditional part of the office’s purview, such as his investigation of KPBS, have added to the loose-cannon caricature portrayed in the pages of the local establishment paper. Many people in this town who consider themselves staunch Democrats, but are not activist types, they find Aguirre’s tenure as City Attorney embarrassing.

Last week, when Democratic Party Chair, Jess Durfee was guest posting at Voice of San Diego it was interesting to read the comments to his posts. Most of the comments, once you got past the token Republicans, didn’t want to discuss what Jess Durfee was posting about. Instead many of the comments were from Democrats wanting to comment on Mike Aguirre and if the party should endorse him. The vast majority of these comments, expressed the opinion that Aguirre doesn’t deserve the local party’s endorsement. Of course, there is no way to tell how representative, these commenters are to the public at large. That being the case, since the vote last month, I have heard from a friend who is Central Committee member that Mike Aguirre and some of his staff have been meeting with members of the Central Committee to make their case for endorsement. My friend also tells me that he thinks, the early endorsement will be put back on the agenda for the January Central Committee meeting.

There is no doubt that the downtown Republican establishment is gunning after Mike Aguirre. All you need to do, is just pickup a copy of the UT to see their slanted coverage. Does that warrant the local party to throw its prestige and weight behind Aguirre’s reelection? To the grassroots activists the answer is “yes.” He is, however, not the only announced Democrat who is seeking the office of City Attorney. Since the party has once already denied him the early incumbent endorsement, maybe they should hold off the endorsement until all announced Democrats for City Attorney can present themselves before the Central Committee to be considered for endorsement. -TQ

Monday - Quick Hits

Wingnuts get your tinfoil hats ready. County to start fluoridation today. UT

Chula Vista expected to cut $15.9 million from budget, and will layoff 27 in the process. UT

Construction begins on Palomar-Pomerado hospital near $1 billion expansion. NCTimes

In an editorial, La Prensa reminds us that the Reverse 911 system work well if you spoke English. LaPrensa

Rental vacancies on the rise throughout the county. UT

As reputation grows, number of applicants to SDSU increases. Too bad they can't get recruit better football players. UT

Beyond Gitmo

The Center for Constitutional Rights brought the first Guantánamo case more than five years ago. This fall, CCR will again represent Guantánamo detainees before the Supreme Court to demand their right to know why they are being held.[Link]

Help Put this Ad in Bush's Bedroom!

While President Bush might not read our Supreme Court legal brief or listen to the arguments in next week's case, he'll probably watch the coverage on Fox News. So we've prepared a hard-hitting commercial to show during the O'Reilly Factor. Film star and activist Danny Glover narrates a 30-second video that depicts the shredding of our Constitution.

We need your help to put it on the air in Washington, D.C. - in Bush's backyard and in his bedroom.Can you help? Please make a contribution of $20 (or more if you can) to get the ad aired on the O'Reilly Factor so we can get our message across without being interrupted! If we raise more than we need, we'll take it to other shows like The Countdown with Keith Olbermann, too.[Donate]

Virginia GOP Abandons Loyalty Oath Plan

Via TPM Election Central:

Last week the Virgina GOP had applied to the state elections board and received permission to institute a "Loyalty Oath" for all who participate in the February Virginia GOP Presidential Primary. The plan would have require anyone who requested a GOP primary ballot to swear to support the GOP presidential nominee.[Link]

Well today the Virginia GOP has decided that requiring people to sign a loyalty oath, gives "[t]he perception was that it was more of a closed-door policy, and we want an open-door policy."[Link] So much for their best laid plans.

AG opposes SANDAG Transportation Plan

Late yesterday the office of Attorney General Jerry Brown submitted a last-minute objection to SANDAG's 2030 Regional Transportation Plan.[Link] The plan which outlines $57 billion worth of transportation projects was approved Thursday by the SANDAG's board of directors with a vote of 16-2.

The SANDAG's plan will seriously do nothing to improve the traffic situation here in San Diego county. The plan is way too heavy in favor of automobiles and not enough focus on adding more rail in the county.

Warning Shot Fired at Steve Francis

Over at the UT's "Finest Blog" resident Bob Kittle lapdog, Chris Reed fired off what clearly is a warning shot at Steve Francis regarding his potential challenge to Jerry Sanders for mayor. In a post on Friday afternoon Reed writes:

Just when it looks like San Diego is on track to rid itself next year of its out-of-control city attorney, Francis is apparently gearing up to run a heavily funded campaign that will depict Mayor Jerry Sanders as the city's biggest problem while ignoring Aguirre.

In so doing, Francis would directly challenge the emerging narrative that holds Aguirre accountable for all he has done to hurt the city. Such a campaign would also undermine the emerging awareness of reformers that while City Hall is still sleazy, Aguirre's antics (kind word) actually hurt the cause of reform.[Link]

This is Reed at his best, carrying the water for the UT (i.e. Republican Party establishment) in stating the standard talking point on Mike Aguirre. He also echos the recent concern I have heard from the anti-Aguirre camp when he further states:

If Francis pulls his punches on Aguirre and allows for the emergence of a de facto unified Francis-Aguirre front against the mayor, watch out. Mike can revive his old tropes by saying, "Look! Steve Francis agrees with me!"

If you asked me today whom I would vote for mayor next year, I would say I don't know. But if Francis runs a campaign that helps rehabilitate Aguirre, I wouldn't vote
for him in a million years.

Every single campaign forum, Francis should be pressed to offer a clear and coherent analysis of Aguirre's job performance. If he doesn't admit that Aguirre has been a big reason why Sanders has never really hit his stride, that should be held against him.[Link]

Without a prominent Democratic to run for mayor next year (and no, I don't consider Donna Fyre that person), the warning to Francis is quite clear. Steve, we don't mind if you want to spend several million dollars of your own money in another quixotic run for mayor, but don't you get in our way as we try to wrestle back the City Attorney from Mike Aguirre.

I always thought Chris Reed was supposed to be the big "independent" thinker on the UT editorial board. I guess not, since it appears that he needs to stay in favor with Bob Kittle.

Dots now connected to the People’s Ordinance

Back in August I posted how I thought it was interesting Craig Benedetto wrote in the Voice of San Diego Cafe about the People's Ordinance. I called it a test ballon.

Well, the balloon has flown and now it is time for the real deal. Mayor Jerry Sander's is now looking to move at outsourcing its waste collection. Down the road, when the cost goes up from increase charges of the outside company, like at the City of Imperial Beach, then the residents of San Diego should expect to start paying for their trash hauling.

Well, I guess if Steve Frances does challenge Mayor Sanders re-election, then the Mayor will need more money to compete and we are not talking managed competition here. So, he is moving to outsource and start the fundraising or I mean to say start the outsource bidding process.

Lee Burdick joins race for City Attorney

The field for City Attorney has gotten a bit more crowded today. VOSD is reporting this afternoon that Jimsair in-house attorney Lee Burdick has declared her intention to run for City Attorney in 2008.[Link]

Burdick who is a registered Democrat and has ties to the Regional Chamber of Commerce joins Democratic attorney Dan Coffey, Republican deputy D.A. William Gentry, and Republican former Assemblymember turned Judge Jan Goldsmith as challengers to Mike Aguirre.

Friday - Quick Hits

Sad news. Megan Emily Rountree, the daughter of Lucy Krohn, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña, died from a fall last Saturday night. CapitolWeekly

After 16 months of negotiations between City of Chula Vista and Gaylord Entertainment, deal is still elusive on $1 billion bayfront project. UT

State Supreme Court say screw the seals in upholding lower court ruling that Children's Pool in La Jolla has to be dredged. UT

Thanks to DiFi's criticisms, city to study cost of adding additional fire stations and firefighters. UT

California Coastal Commission to examine Oceanside plans for beachfront hotel next month. UT

Tri-city hospital board has choosen design for $778 million expansion and upgrade of medical center. UT NCTimes

San Diego plans economic prosperity for hotel developers, not workers

Courtesy of Center on Policy Initiatives:

Mayor Jerry Sanders has stripped the "Economic Prosperity" section of the city's proposed general plan of its power to raise the standard of living for low-wage tourism workers.

Sanders' new version of the plan rolls back the clock by ignoring the crisis of growing inequality in San Diego's economy. It deletes all references to solving the explosion of low-wage jobs in service industries, specifically tourism, and lays the groundwork to subsidize tourism development that creates more low-wage jobs with no benefits.

The plan, which guides all city decisions on land use, is scheduled for a vote by the city's Land Use and Housing Committee, next Wednesday, Dec. 5, 10:30am at City Hall, 202 C St downtown San Diego. Please attend the meeting if you can and stand up for workers in the tourism industry!

Marty Block Fundraising Reception

Marty Block for Assembly 78th Fundraising Reception

Wednesday, December 5th

Honorary Hosts

State Senator Christine Kehoe, City Councilmembers Donna Frye,

Toni Atkins, former State Senator Lucy Killea,

former Assemblymember Howard Wayne, and Francine Busby.

Patron $500

Sponsor $250

General Reception $78

Patron/Sponsor Reception 5:30 – 6:30 pm

General Reception 6:30 – 8:00 pm

At the home of Kevin Tilden and Phil Diamond

4215 Arden Way in Mission Hills 92103

RSVP by Dec. 1 to April@martyblock.com

For more info: 619 284-7800

Good business is only good, if we don't include the GOP

The other night I thought more about my post on the GOP fundraising and did some more reading.

The GOP will have a tough time in 2008. On a national level, they have vulnerable House members, more open House and Senate seats then the Democrats, and more total Senate seats up for election too. As my previous post pointed out they don't have the money for this fight. The only way to win is in 2008 is if the Democrats shot themselves in the foot. That is not impossible.
On a state level, the GOP will have to defend two open Republican Assembly seats, which where drawn for Democrats, but which the GOP picked up six years ago and as incumbents were easily able to defend them. However, six years later, a very difference political environment and candidate pool, plus party registration does not make it look so promising for the GOP. George "Cheetahs" Stevens the GOP still need you! You have to give it the GOP for saying they will keep the seats, because what do you expect them to tell the poor fools running and the money people they have dumping cash into the races it will be an up hill battle ahead.

On the local level, it looks brighter for the GOP, but not so bright as it should for them. Right now, Mayor Jerry Sanders has no challengers, but GOP Steve Francis might take him on. Francis is the state's GOP Finance Chairman. You might remember in 2005, then local GOP Chair and now State Chair Ron Nehring was speculated to have fixed the endorsement for Steve Francis. What will the local GOP party or state GOP party do, if Francis does runs?

If you re-read the San Diego Reader article that covered the previous endorsement fight it makes you think who will give the biggest bang for the buck to the San Diego County Republican Party. You see this county's GOP charges a HUGE TAX (18.5%) on contributions they wash through their books for member communications. Means for every $100,000 they get from a donor for doing paperwork, then they pocket $18,500 of it, not bad. Other GOP county parties don't charge such a high tax and even the supposedly tax crazy Democrats don't charge so much for their wash through service. As a board member of a multi-million non-profit we would never take more then 15% from our donations for administration costs, because we make sure the money really goes to the service the people donated it too.

How can the San Diego County Republican Party justify this extreme tax?

Thursday - Quick Hits

Airport baggage employee doesn't like Congressman Filner's apology. UT

Environmentalists not to happy with Chargers billion dollar bayfront stadium proposal. UT

Documents reveal that half of Cal Fire's spotters were unavailable when fires began. UT

Seaworld applies to becomes first business in San Diego to discharge fireworks over water. UT

More corporate welfare, Escondido to give $1.45 million over ten years to Marriot corporation to build hotel near North County Fair. NCTimes

Be Careful for What You Wish for....

I think Kevin Drum over at Washington Monthly nicely sums up the predicament regarding the state budget shortfall for next year. How a manageable $3 billion dollar shortfall has now turned into a $10 billion shortfall.

Democrats deserve blame for mismanaging California's budget in the early 00s, but it's hard to overstate just how irresponsible and infantile Schwarzenegger and California Republicans have been since then. In 2003, in the middle of an existing budget crisis, Schwarzenegger ran a demagogic and pandering campaign based on cutting California taxes by $4 billion. Then, to fix the shortfall this caused, he supported the 2004 bond measure. The net cost to the state of this GOP flight to fantasy now adds up to $7 billion per year.

If it weren't for Schwarzenegger and his fellow GOP tax fanatics, next year's projected shortfall would be $3 billion — or possibly even less. That would have been manageable. Instead we careen from crisis to crisis thanks to the government-by-temper-tantrum practiced by modern California Republicans. Thanks a lot, guys. [Link]

Wednesday - Quick Hits

Labor Council secretary/treasurer Jerry Butkiewicz, who is leaving his post in December has accepted a position with Sempra Engery. VOSD

Department of Water Resorces expects to export on 25% of water requested by water suppliers. VOSD

Pointing out the obvious, Senator Feinstein says San Diego needs more firefighters and tougher building codes. NCTimes UT

The legendary Daily Double Saloon in Encinitas is scheduled to change ownership afte being owed by the same famly for 50 years. UT

Fight over transportation bonds, San Diego wins round one, Nunez complains that San Diego received more than it should have. UT

Playing Cards with Suspects and Victims on them?

In an attempt to solve some murder case that have gone cold. Some 10,000 decks of cards will be distributed to the commissaries at the seven county jails.

[L]ocal law enforcement and San Diego County Crime Stoppers this week launched a new set of playing cards featuring homicide victims and suspects that will be made available to inmates in the county's seven jails.

* * *

Auday Arabo, president of the Neighborhood Market Association that sponsored the project, said it makes sense to reach out to inmates for tips."We know that there are those in jail right now who have information to bring justice to victims and their families," Arabo said.

The cards in the deck feature either a cold case homicide victim, a wanted fugitive or a long-missing person now presumed dead. The cards carry photos of the victim or suspect, as well as the age, the date of the crime and a brief synopsis of the case.[Link]

This project is similar to an initiative that was tried in Florida were it yielded three arrests and multiple leads for law enforcement. There are over 2000 unsolved murders here in San Diego County, some more than 50 years old.[Link]

Obama Campaign First in Town

With the presidential primary here in California 10 weeks away from today. It appears that the Barack Obama campaign is the first presidential campaign to set up operations here in San Diego. The office is located at 1502 6th Ave. (NW corner of 6th & Beech), San Diego, 92101. [Map]

The office hours are from 9am to 9pm Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday, and 1pm to 9pm on Sunday. There will be a San Diego Believes in Obama!, Grand Opening on Sunday, December 2, from 11am-4pm. To RSVP contact regional field director LM Clinton at lmclinton@hotmail.com.

And the Windbag Award goes to...

I attended a meeting hosted by the Progressive Grandmothers for Political Action at the Remington in RB this afternoon. I met many of these women at the weekly ENOUGH! protest in Poway. The speaker today was Lobbyist turned congressman Bilbray. He spent his entire time shamelessly bragging about his 'accomplishments' as the 'environmentalist mayor' of Imperial Beach. At the end, it was time for questions and answer. His strategy was, pretend to answer a question by distracting people with non-stop babbling, mostly nonsense. He was all over the place! In teaching, we call it bird walking (when one constantly wanders away from the objective of the lesson). When asked about the Iraq debacle, he talks about the Civil War in this country, and what the Germans did in WWII. Then he went on and on about how once a war is started, there is no good way to end it! I cornered him with a question regarding what he plans to do with the 12 million undocumented immigrants. As soon as he strays off topic, I interrupted him and brought him back on track, and I asked him for clarification. I also asked him for specific examples. When cornered, he said that he would have the IRS (not the INS) audit employers who choose to hire undocumented workers. A few others tried to pin him down on his horrible voting record, citing specific issues. All in all, what we got was a filibuster from the guy. Everyone came away disgusted, he said a lot without saying anything. It was a waste of a nice afternoon! Oh well, what do you expect from the GOP, the truth?

OC Lincoln Club joins fight to steal electoral votes

Capitol Alert from the Sacramento Bee is reporting that OC Lincoln Club is donating $100,000 to help qualify the Electoral College reform initiative for the ballot. [Link] The measure, if it qualifies for the June ballot and passes, would award California's electoral votes by Congressional district instead of the present winner-take-all system.

The initiative qualifying effort was dropped by its original sponsors, but in recent weeks was pickup "by a group led by Republican strategist David Gilliard." Their goal is to turn in 700,000 signatures by the end of the week.[Link]

The OC Lincoln Club joins 49th Congressional Representative Darrell Issa as the single largest contributors to the effort by the California GOP to malapportion the electoral system here in California. Here is a list of some of the donors who have contributed to this effort.

Cross posted at Calitics

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Supreme Court refuses to hear challenge to San Diego County program that sends peace officers to homes of poor who apply for public assistance. I guess the poor don't have Fourth Admendment rights. UT

Another one to leave, Kyo Yamashiro who overseas charter schools for San Diego Unified will be stepping down. VOSD

Senator Dianne Feinstein will be bring her subcommittee roadshow here to town this morning, to hear about last month's wildfires. It will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the council chambers, located on the 12th floor of 202 C St. in downtown San Diego. VOSD UT

SANDAG updates its regional traffic plan. Their solution more toll roads!! UT

Once again proving the anti-immigrant nativists wrong, UCLA study finds that immigrants are 50% less likely compared to native born Latinos to use hospital emergency rooms. LATimes

Over at Cafe San Diego

San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Jess Durfee, is hosting Cafe San Diego over at VOSD. His first post titled Turning Blue discusses how the county in slowly but surely trending blue. A couple of points he hits on are:

The city of San Diego has had a Democratic plurality of registered voters for many years. Countywide, the registration difference between the major parties is down to about 5 percent. That's vanishingly small when you consider the 22 percent of voters who don't affiliate with any party.

Last year, four of eight victorious Democratic candidates for statewide office carried San Diego County. That had never happened before. As those candidates were well aware, there are more Democratic votes here than in any other California county save Los Angeles.[Link]

In addition, he discusses some of the recent improvements the local party has undertaken:

Since the last presidential election, the county party has hired three full-time staff members (it previously had none), launched a year-round Precinct Leader program, successfully raised funds from high-dollar and grassroots donors alike, and adopted a strategic plan that emphasizes long-term candidate development.[Link]

As next year's presidential election grows closer, it will be interesting to see how these improvements to the local party combined with the changing demographics of the county translate into electoral outcomes.

Marti Emerald Interview

Over at the VOSD, occassional contributor Seth Hettena has a must read interview with former Channel 10 reporter turned District 7 candidate Marti Emerald.[Link] The interview does a very good job capturing those special qualities that make Marti Emerald a formiable candidate.

How does your experience as a TV reporter qualify you for public office?

First of all, being a good listener. I think that’s underrated these days. Knowing how to take a lot of information and figure out the so what about it. That’s really important. Secondly, I’m very good with helping to bring people together. For the last 22 years, I’ve been doing conciliation work, mediation. I’ve had mediation training. Maybe it’s underrated but when you look at what’s going on downtown with people who are not listening to each other, who are not on the same page, who don’t seem to want to arrive at a solution -- that’s the public perception anyway -- I think that’s real important. I cut through stuff. I mean business. Anybody, who’s had to meet as many deadlines as I do, and solve problems like I have, I think I’ll be a good representative for the 7th District.[Link]

Read the whole thing, it is quite worth it.

Picture worth 1000 words....

I have to say, I cannot remember the last time I saw President Bush this uncomfortable for a photo op. I would loved to have been a fly on the wall for their 40-minute private conversation today.

Filner pleads to trespassing

The AP is reporting this afternoon:

WASHINGTON – California Congressman Bob Filner has entered a plea days before he was set for trial on assault and battery charges over an incident at Dulles Airport in which he allegedly pushed a United Airlines baggage employee.

At a hearing in Loudon County General District Court on Monday Filner entered a so-called Alford plea to trespassing, according to a statement issued through his attorney. That means he did not admit guilt, but acknowledged sufficient evidence exists for a conviction.

Filner was accused in the August 19th incident of trying to barge past a female baggage worker into an employee-only area after his bags were delayed.[Link]

I'm sure the crazy wingnuts will go off on how he is receiving preferential treatment.

Monday - Quick Hits

In a really bad idea, UC seeks to eliminate guaranteed admissions for high school seniors. UT

Increased assaults directed at Americans in Baja, renews warning for travelers. NCTimes

Clock is ticking on Chargers decision to relocate to Chula Vista. UT

Lame article on how some people may try to avoid the alcohol beach ban. What is next an article on how to cheat on one's taxes? UT

After creating the department 30 years ago, SDSU now to offer a bachelor's degree in American Indian studies. UT

The gang lifestyle and crimes they commit no longer limited to minorities. VOSD

Blackwater in Potrero Documentary

A very talented local documentary producer, Andy Trimlett just emailed me with a new documentary on Blackwater that Alternate Focus put together. Click on the link below to view.

Blackwater in Potrero

In late 2006, Blackwater USA, now known as Blackwater Worldwide, submitted a proposal to build a training facility called Blackwater West in the rural San Diego County town of Potrero. This documentary tells the story of what followed. Features interviews with Jeremy Scahill, the author of Blackwater: the Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army as well as Brian Bonfiglio, the vice president of Blackwater West; Gordon Hammers, Jan Hedlun, Mary Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Thell Fowler of the Potrero Planning Board; Raymond Lutz of Citizens Oversight Committee; Rep. Bob Filner, and many others. Producer: Andy Trimlett, Associate Producers: John Odam and Aaron Seeley. (Alternate Focus)