This game of political chicken with the nation's financial markets must stop. The $700 billion bailout bill surely will help Wall Street, but it will also help every one of our neighbors. We all have a stake in this crisis. Here's our editorial about the financial meltdown.
So what's the problem with those who voted against the bailout bill? Simple, they have no alternative. This may not be a perfect bill-- it surely isn't -- but it's better than doing nothing. This bill started in the Republican White House and then was improved by Republicans, and yet it was not good enough for those in the GOP who killed it. The lack of leadership Monday will prolong the recession the nation is in.
The agreement among House leaders was that Democrats and Republicans were to have at least half of their members favor the bill to give it a bipartisan label. That meant that Democrats were to deliver 118 votes and the Republicans were to deliver 90 votes. The Democrats came up with 140 votes in favor of the plan, but the Republicans only could muster 65 votes, far short of their commitment.
Valley House members voted this way: Democrats Jim Costa of Fresno and Dennis Cardoza of Merced and Republican George Radanovich of Mariposa supported the bill. Republicans Devin Nunes of Visalia and Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield voted against it. Shame on them.
Rejection of the bill drove, the financial markets haywire. The Republicans and Democrats who voted against this bill now have a hand in being part of the worst economic climate of our generation. It's time to reverse this destructive behavior.
Some are even trying to blame House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for their votes against the bill. She made a stupid remark about Bush's role in the economic failures. But if those ill-timed remarks were the reason that Republicans voted against the bill, it would mean they were willing to put politics ahead of what's good for the nation. I don't think they would do that, and they are scrambling for political cover.
Now stop the silliness, and get a rescue plan passed.
A friend of mine on Twitter reminded me that this is Banned Book Week.
I agree with Spookygirl:
"I don't know about all of you, but I firmly believe the job of deciding what is appropriate or not appropriate for my children, is MINE, and MINE alone. The whole idea of someone else forcing their morals or beliefs on me and my family by banning books from the public library (can't say school library cause we don't use one), is just abhorrent to me!"
I actually encourage my kids to read banned books. Usually if it's troubled someone enough to try to get it banned, it means there's something worth reading in it.
Fran Florez, Bill Maze are our political losers of the week on Boren/McEwen podcast
Bill McEwen and I break down the 30th Assembly District race in today's political podcast. Click here to listen to the podcast. The 30th District seat is held by Nicole Parra, the termed-out Democrat who's supporting a Republican for her seat.
This odd campaign has led Bill to make Fran Florez, the Democrat running to succeed Parra, as his political loser of the week. She has some strange campaign commercials in her race against Republican Danny Gilmore.
My political loser this week is Assemblyman Bill Maze, who authored the bill to ban motorists from driving with dogs on their laps. Fortunately for Maze, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger saved Maze by vetoing the bill. We think it's dangerous to drive with lap dogs, but there are plenty of laws banning erratic driving, and that should solve the problem.
Check out the rest of the items on our weekly podcast by clicking here.
This would be real reform of the California Legislature
I've been pushing a number of reforms of the state legislative process over the past few years, and the recent 85-day budget stalemate is just more evidence that big changes are needed in Sacramento. In my Sunday column, I lay out my proposal for a single-house legislature and six other reform ideas. Let me know what you think about them.
Here are my proposals:
-- Legislators must show results to get paid. Establish three legislative goals for the year and if they aren't met, they forfeit that year's pay.
-- Limit the number of bills. More than 2,000 bills are introduced a year. Cut that back to three, not counting the budget bill. They can focus on the important and ignore the trivial.
-- Reduce the requirement to pass a state budget from two-thirds of the legislators in each house to 55%.
-- Reform the undemocratic redistricting process. Proposition 11 on the Nov. 4 ballot would do this.
-- Adjust term limits, but only if the redistricting system is reformed so that legislative elections are no longer fixed through gerrymandering.
-- Get rid of legislators' expense accounts. Legislators make $116,208 a year and get $179 a day extra in per-diem pay when in session. Pay them a flat $125,000 a year, and they can pick up their own expenses.
They must have been conspiring to protect Fresno's history
I was walking through the Riverview shopping center near Woodward Park the other day and stuck my head into Elizabeth Laval's gallery that features the photographs of her great-grandfather, Claude C. "Pop" Laval. Elizabeth is committed to digitizing and archiving more than 100,000 photos that "Pop" took of the Fresno area during a 60-year career. Our community is better for her efforts.
I usually drop into the gallery when I'm in the area to check out the photos that cover the gallery, and have a quick chat with Elizabeth about the progress she's making on her mission. This time, though, I saw another familiar face sitting with Elizabeth at a table near the back of the gallery. It was Catherine Rehart, Fresno's historical conscience. Her research has brought Fresno's history to so many residents.
What a treat. One is saving Fresno's history as recorded through her great-grandfather's camera and the other is chronicling Fresno's history through her books on the region. We are truly lucky to have two people so committed to the importance of what brought Fresno to the place that we see and experience today.
"What are you two plotting?" I asked. They smiled. Cathy said she was back in Fresno for a high school reunion and Elizabeth told of her latest successes in getting Pop's photos before our community.
We should all be joining Elizabeth and Cathy in their efforts to bring our history to life. We're fortunate that the Laval gallery is so easily accessible. Drop in and join Fresno's historical movement.
First impression: Biggest difference between Georgia and Fresno
So, I got into Georgia this afternoon, and the first thing I noticed (after the kudzu) is the stark differences between the two kinds of gas stations here. Many of them have no prices posted on their price marquees and they resemble ghost towns. The rest of them have lines of cars out to the street, of people waiting to fill up their tanks.
Apparently they've been having some issues here, ever since the hurricanes hit. Here's a story that explains what's been happening. I'll try to get some pictures myself tomorrow.
Fresno State's 25th-ranked Bulldogs won a game in the fabled Rose Bowl, outlasting UCLA for a 36-31 victory Saturday afternoon. Amid the financial turmoil and the divisive presidential campaign, it was nice to get away from it all for about four hours Saturday. Best of all, the Bulldogs won, and are now 3-1 entering Western Athletic Conference play next Saturday at home against Hawaii.
The final drive that sealed the victory was typical Pat Hill fourth-quarter football. Get ahead and pound the ball at your opponent. The Bulldogs went on an 85-yard drive on their last possession, taking almost 9 minutes off the clock.
Fresno State now has three road wins: Rutgers, Toledo and UCLA. The Bulldogs' only loss was the 13-10 thriller at home against Wisconsin.
I watched on TV at home (the game was televised regionally on ABC) and it was nice to see so much red in the Rose Bowl. An estimated 20,000 Fresno State fans made the drive to Pasadena for the game.
Looking for something to do this evening instead of watching the presidential debate? Try this: ESPN will be showing the delightful film, "American Pastime," tonight at 6 p.m.
Kerry Yo Nakagawa of Fresno, the founder of the Nisei Baseball Research Project, was the guiding light behind the movie. It's a story set in the internment camps of World War II, where Japanese-American families were held after being rounded up and torn from their homes up and down the West Coast.
Surrounded by barbed wire and the fear and prejudices of their own nation, they struggled to survive in their bleak new lives. One of the ways they found to cope was through baseball. "American Pastime" tells that story in a charming fictional form, with drama, romance and even the odd moment of comedy. A tragic passage in our nation's history becomes an uplifting tale.
Nakagawa and his son Kale even make cameo appearances as ballplayers in the film.
If you must watch the debate, then record the movie. It's worth it.
The checks started flowing out of Sacramento again as soon as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the long-delayed state budget. Can you guess who was first in line with their hands out? right the first time --the state's legislators.
On Thursday they got nearly three months back pay. Meanwhile, some state vendors -- many of whom faced bankruptcy because of the 81-day budget delay -- could wait another 10 days before they get the money they're owed by the state. Priorities, folks, priorities.
The Suspender has unsuspended and now will be at tonight's debate
Sen. John McCain has changed course and will now participate in tonight's debate in Mississippi with Sen. Barack Obama. McCain had been saying that he would not be at the debate because he wanted to involve himself in negotiations in Congress over the $700 billion financial rescue plan.
That lasted for a day. On Friday morning, McCain aides said the senator was optimistic that a bailout agreement would be reached, allowing him to be at tonight's debate. The 90-minute forum begins at 6 p.m. California time, and will be held at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Jim Lehrer of PBS will be the moderator.
Foreign policy is the topic, but the debate undoubtedly will veer into the nation's economic troubles. But that's foreign policy, too, since China owns a big chunk of the U.S. debt.
The answer to spiraling college costs: Just win the lottery
A Fresno State engineering student, Joseph Aguilar, got home with his $5 Stars & Stripes Scratchers ticket before he realized he was a $100,000 winner. Only in America.
Aguilar said he'd use the money to complete his education. Probably take all of it, the way things are going.
Lance Armstrong confirms he'll ride in bike event that goes through the Valley
Finally, Lance Armstrong has made it official. He's riding in February's 2009 Amgen Tour of California, an 800-mile course that will include the Valley. Here's the story.
Merced will host the start of the Tour of California's Stage 5 on Feb. 18. That stage ends in downtown Clovis. The race's next stage goes from Visalia to Paso Robles on Feb. 19.
The entire tour, the most prestigious cycling race in the United States, runs from Feb. 14 to Feb. 22.
There was some initial confusion over whether Armstrong would actually race in this event. First, it was reported that he would compete, then race officials said that had not been confirmed. On Thursday morning, Armstrong announced that he would race in the Tour of California.
Congress has apparently reached a deal on the financial crisis. I won't have to travel to Washington after all, and may now resume blogging, after a brief suspension of all work-related activities.
Regarding that earlier -- and difficult -- decison, my boss informed me that suspending my normal work activities during the crisis would lead to suspending my paycheck, an unforeseen development. So I very much welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the bailout.
I also welcome the prospect of tomorrow night's opening presidential debate being held on schedule. Pending further crises, of course. And perhaps John McCain can find time to meet with David Letterman.
This blog is suspended for the duration of the crisis
Because of the turmoil surrounding the economic crisis, I'm suspending my blogging indefinitely. I'll be flying to Washington later in the day to offer my services to the negotiators who are working on a solution to the financial meltdown.
This is a difficult decision. It means suspending all normal work-related activities until the crisis is resolved. I will be canceling all scheduled meetings. I won't be handling letters to the editor, writing editorials or performing any of my normal chores at The Bee until we've hammered out an answer that reassures the American people that their economy remains fundamentally strong.
Approval rating of California Legislature down 5 points since August
The latest poll by the Public Policy Institute of California shows the approval rating of the California Legislature at 21%. It was 26% in August. Do you think lawmakers' lack of action on the state budget had anything to do with that rating?
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's approval rating is 38%, which is the same number he had in the August PPIC poll.
The poll also reports that 76% of Californians think major changes are needed in the budget process, and 49% -- still not a majority -- say it would be a good idea to lower the legislative threshold for budget passage from two-thirds to 55%.
The PPIC poll also says that 44% of adults say that jobs and the economy are the top issues facing California.
Just three months after the law banning use of hand-held cell phones while driving took effect, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a new bill today, banning drivers from text messaging while operating a motor vehicle starting Jan. 1. Check out the details by clicking here.
When California's original cell phone bill began its journey to becoming law years ago, texting wasn't the phenomenon it is today. So the new law catches up with the direction in which technology has gone.
The Sacramento Bee reported that motorists caught texting while driving will face a fine of $76 for a first offense, including state and local fees, under Senate Bill 28 by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto. Simitian also authored the hands-free driving law.
Latest Channel 30 poll has Swearengin and Perea in tight race for mayor
In the campaign to succeed Fresno Mayor Alan Autry, a SurveyUSA tracking poll conducted for ABC30 shows Ashley Swearengin and Henry T. Perea in a tight race. The poll gives a "slight advantage" to Swearengin, according to SurveyUSA. Swearengin has 48% of the vote while Perea has 45%. Undecided voters represent the remaining 7%.
Based on the results, including the undecided voters, SurveyUSA says the race is "too close to call."
An analysis of the ABC30 poll was sent to me by PolitickerCA.com.
This is how SurveyUSA sizes up the latest poll:
In an election for Mayor of Fresno CA today, Fresno State Director of Community and Economic Development Ashley Swearengin and City Councilman Henry T. Perea finish effectively even, with a slight advantage to Swearengin, according to this SurveyUSA tracking poll conducted exclusively for KFSN-TV, the ABC owned station in Fresno. Today, it's Swearengin 48%, Perea 45%, largely unchanged from an identical SurveyUSA poll released six weeks ago, when it was Swearengin 47%, Perea 43%. 7% of likely voters are today undecided, making any outcome possible.
On the surface, the contest is static, but underneath, there is offsetting movement. Swearengin has gained ground among men, lost ground among women. Perea has gained ground among older voters, lost ground among younger voters. Perea has gained ground among voters focused on economic development and crime, but has lost ground among voters focused on gangs.
Among white voters, Swearengin leads by 26 points; among Hispanics, Perea leads by 42; both numbers are largely unchanged from those six weeks ago. The ratio of white voters to Hispanic voters on Election Day will determine who wins the election. In today's SurveyUSA poll results, 59% of voters are white, 25% of voters are Hispanic. Swearengin gets 73% of Republican voters; Perea gets 64% of Democratic voters; Independents are split
UPDATE: The Austin American-Statesmen has posted an editorial on this topic. It's called "McCain has a bailout plan, too."
"If they [the presidential candidates] can't take the heat of taking a position on such a fast-moving issue in a nationally televised debate, if they can't think on their feet with the nation watching them as candidates, there's no reason to think they could handle the job in the Oval Office."
ORIGINAL POST: We're in the middle of the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression, and John McCain, one of the presidential contenders, thinks the debate scheduled for Friday night should be postponed.
This is precisely the time when we most need to hear what McCain and Barack Obama can do to fix this nation, which is what Obama said, that it's more important than ever to have debate.
Face the problem head on and show Americans what kind of president you will be, what kind of leadership you will demonstrate. I know the topic wasn't going to be the economy, but in light of recent events, change the topic to make it more relevant, don't delay the dialogue.
An article on today's California page says the state is considering selling ad space on the freeway emergency signs. I think that is a terrible idea, on so many levels. (Here's a link to the full article on the Los Angeles Times website.)
State officials figure the cash-strapped highway fund could make millions by allowing ads when the signs are not in use for emergencies.
Why is this a bad idea? Let me count the ways.
Safety: Takes drivers' eyes off the road.
Visual blight: Aren't regular billboards bad enough?
Diminishes impact of emergency messages: Right now, if there is something on those signs, drivers know that it's an important message, either about traffic conditions or an Amber alert. If ads are showing all the time, won't the signs' messages blur into landscape?
Sells out state integrity: Is there anything left that we aren't willing to put a price tag on?
"If we need to do this to get money, maybe the state should go ahead and open a brothel," said Ted Wu of the Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight. He said the next logical step would be to sell ad space on the state Capitol.
Coincidentally (or NOT!), the company that came up with the idea is a major contributor to state politicians.
Do you want to know what Fresno would be like if Fresno State Football Coach Pat Hill ran the city or which local politicians would make it on "Dancing with the Stars" with their sure-footed political moves? Do you wonder why road projects take so long to complete in Fresno?
You'd know the answers to these questions and others if you've been listening to the daily Boren/McEwen political commentaries on KYNO, 1300 on your AM dial. Bill McEwen and I offer up our topics at noon and 5 p.m. weekdays over at KYNO. These two-minute segments complement our podcasts, blogs and columns on fresnobee.com.
These quick segments offer a different look at the politics in the San Joaquin Valley.
We're having fun on KYNO and urge you to give us a listen. Some of our topics are of the lighter variety -- Fresno's incredible fall weather, people buying $200 steak dinners at the national steak houses that have come to town and the old Harpain's Dairy location that is now home to an expensive tequila bar owned by Sammy Hagar.
Upcoming commentaries talk about how the Florez/Parra family feud has helped Danny Gilmore's campaign for the Assembly and my proposal to protect marriage by banning divorce. You get married, you've got that person as a spouse for life.
Give us your feedback. We're always looking for topics and suggestions about how we can better cover politics and public policy in this growing region.
Fresno mayoral candidate Ashley Swearengin stole a march on her rival, Henry T. Perea, by taking a forthright stand in favor of healthy marriage at a rally Monday in Fresno's Courthouse Park. Perea was conspicuous by his absence, causing political observers and commentators from one end of the city to the other to huddle in an effort to sort out the nuances for the tightly contested campaign.
The crucial questions: Does Perea's absence from this event signal his opposition to healthy marriages? Has Swearengin found the wedge issue that will propel her to victory in November? How will this affect the debate now under way in Washington on the bailout of the troubled financial sector? Will it rain enough this winter? And most important, how will this turn of events affect the Bulldogs' chances against UCLA this weekend?
One observer -- who spoke on condition of anonymity because that's what sources do these days -- said that it will take some time for this knotty issue to sort itself out. Stay tuned.
She talks about changes in the zoo from when she first discovered it when her son was a toddler to now, when she returned for a recent visit with her two grandchildren:
"While Measure Z money is tied up awaiting the development of a master plan, which will expand the zoo from 18 to 39 acres, donations and tax dollars already are being invested to spruce up many exhibits.
Today's Chaffee Zoo features about 125 species in a beautiful parklike setting. Animals are set back from visitors in clean, attractive habitats. But the zoo has not lost its personal feel. There are many unique opportunities for visitors even tiny ones to touch and feed animals."
I agree with Hardisty. Kids love the zoo, and especially as our weather begins to cool a bit, it's fun to stroll through the mature trees that provide shade and visit the familiar exhibits as well as check out new features. As zoo leadership gets authorization to spend Measure Z money, it will only get better.
(Bee file photo: A tour group gets a close look as a stingray floats past. The Stingray Bay exhibit at the Chaffee Zoo has been extended to remain open on weekends through Jan. 4.)
Sheriff Mims appears on Boren/McEwen political podcast
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims was our guest today on the weekly Boren/McEwen political podcast on fresnobee.com. We asked her about her budget cuts, which she says have forced her to release some jail prisoners early because of a lack of staffing. You can listen to the podcast or watch the video of our interview by clicking here.
Mims also said she is looking at using more technology such as ankle monitors for low-risk inmates and would like to set up a version of a "tent city" jail if Proposition 6 passes on the Nov. 4 ballot. That measure is aimed at requiring new state spending to combat crime and gangs, but Mims said there's also a provision to allow alternative jails if the sheriff deems them appropriate.
The sheriff has been in a high-profile financial fight with the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. She has stopped releasing inmates early, but says she may have to resume the releases in November if she doesn't get another another $3.2 million from the supervisors. She said she does not have the staffing to safely guard all the jail inmates.
Another week, another list. The "2008 SustainLane US City Rankings" are out - I know you've been holding your breath - and Fresno lands in 37th out of 50 U.S. cities for "urban sustainability," basically the city's "green" score. Fresno's rank is unchanged from last year.
From the short blurb on our fair burg: "In SustainLane's last rankings, we noted that this ethnically-diverse, central Californian agricultural metropolis was awash in irony: it's surrounded by natural beauty, but enjoys few parks of its own; it has a huge amount of locally-produced fruits and vegetables, but just three farmers markets; it relies on a billion-dollar agricultural industry, but finds its air and water polluted by the same."
Well, they're right about the parks. But there are more than three farmers markets in town, and others in the region, not to mention about a million roadside stands selling fresh produce. And it's true that ag plays a role in our dirty air, but the pollution we battle has more to do with our geography and the cars we drive than farming. And "billion-dollar agricultural industry" is way understated.
So take this - like all these lists - for what it's worth. I do like the header on the Fresno entry: "37. Fresno, CA - An Emerging Leader?"
Republicans still hold lead in latest San Joaquin Valley voter registration count
In the red counties of the San Joaquin Valley, Republicans have maintained their registration lead, according to the web site San Joaquin Valleyfornia. The GOP has 615,940 voters in its camp, while the Democrats have 571,419. These numbers come from the September registration count.
San JoaquinValleyfornia reports that Republicans increased their margin by about 1,000 in the Valley, according to the May 19 registration numbers.
Voters called "decline to state," which are independents in California, increased by 1,612 in the Valley to 194,655, according to the web site.
In Fresno County, Republicans also lead in voter registration, although the margin closed slightly. The GOP reported 150,829 voters in September. In May, the Republicans reported 151,255 voters. Democrats reported 144,815 in September in Fresno County. That's an increase over May when the the Dems reported 142,485 voters.
Statewide, Democrats increased their registration numbers to keep California in the blue column. Democrats now have 43.91% of the state's voters, while the Republicans have 32.32% of the electorate, according to San Joaquin Valleyfornia.
"Decline to state" voters are approaching 20% in California. They now represent 19.49% of the state's registered voters.
Fresno Unified is doing well under Michael Hanson's leadership
There's a big school board election on Nov. 4, and The Bee's editorial board believes that Superintendent Michael Hanson shouldn't be used as a pawn by the candidates supported by the Fresno Teachers Association. We explain our concerns in this editorial that ran today. The union has voiced displeasure with trustees who support Hanson.
There are three of the seven school board seats up in this election cycle. A Bee story in July said the teachers union wanted to oust Trustees Manuel Nunez and Janet Ryan for their support of Hanson. Trustee Carol Mills also is up for re-election, but she is supported by the FTA. All three incumbents are running for re-election.
Mills is the only incumbent the teachers union is endorsing. Its other choices are former FTA president Larry Moore, who is running against Nunez, and Virginia Hermosillo, who is running against Ryan.
One of the union's election talking points has been the pay increase the school board gave Hanson in January. His salary went from $205,000 a year to $277,000 a year. Mills opposed the pay package.
The once-troubled school system is on the right course. Hanson deserves much of the credit for the turnaround, and we can't go back to the days when Fresno Unified was on the verge of a state takeover.
Here are some of the district's advances, according to today's editorial:
Fresno Unified has made big improvements in student performance, has a plan to upgrade its aging facilities and is on firm financial footing after being near bankruptcy. The district is overhauling its technology network, putting laptops into classrooms and working with high-tech companies. Its partnership with Long Beach Unified is a national model.
Much more needs to be done in Fresno Unified, and the board majority and superintendent are committed to continuing to attack the challenges.
Hanson has also given the district something it lacked: stability. That has been a key to success after a revolving-door of superintendents. Many of Fresno Unified's problems occurred because the district had not been taking care of the basics. It's hard to do that when you don't know who's going to be in charge next.
So, Hanford Democrat Nicole Parra will endorse Danny Gilmore, her former Republican opponent, in the race to replace the termed out Parra in the 30th Assembly District. Surprise, surprise.
Gilmore, the retired CHP officer, is running against Democrat Fran Florez for the South Valley seat Parra is vacating in January. Florez is the mother of state Sen. Dean Florez. The Parra and Florez clans have engaged in a long-running blood feud that resembles the Hatfields and McCoys, except that no one has actually died. Yet.
Democrats in the Legislature are steamed with Parra; Republicans are giggling with glee. The 30th District may be one of the few legislative races this November that offers an ounce of interest, since it is one of the few districts that is the least bit competitive.
Democrats desperately want to keep the seat; the Republicans desperately want to take it away. Expect a barnburner.
As for Parra, some speculate that she'll slide into a career as a lobbyist when she's termed out. That's hard to see. I can't imagine the Democratic majority in the Legislature -- which won't change whatever the outcome in District 30 -- to be very receptive to anything sought by any future lobbying client of Parra's.
But for now, the political junkies have an engaging spectacle to watch in the South Valley.
Mike Der Manouel Jr. says it's his father, not him, who has endorsed Henry T. Perea for mayor
I received this email from Mike Der Manouel Jr. about an ABC30 report that he's backing Henry T. Perea for mayor:
ABC 30 ran a story last night that Michael Der Manouel, Lincoln Club chairman, has endorsed Henry T. Perea for mayor. I have received thirty emails and six voicemails on this and it is driving me crazy. . . Not only have I not endorsed him, but I've endorsed Ashley Swearengen for mayor.
The confusion is that his dad, Mike Der Manouel Sr., has endorsed Perea. The two have been confused a lot recently in political stories.
Mike Jr. is the chairman of the Lincoln Club and supports Swearengin. Mike Sr. supports Perea.
John McCain is "embarrassingly and dangerously clueless" when it comes to the economy. That's the gist of Eugene Robinson's column today.
And that couldn't come at a worse time: McCain is running for president in a period when America's financial institutions are crumbling and anxieties among us ordinary Americans is soaring.
McCain's newfound zeal for regulation is laughable -- or would be if the stakes weren't so high. He has spent the last several decades bellowing about the evils of regulation and the virtues of the unfettered market. Now he's launched a thunderous crusade to tighten controls, broaden oversight and stiffen penalties on the lawless frontier of American banks and other financial institutions.
In this he is, as Robinson puts it, "running against his own record."
McCain enthusiastically backed the 1999 deregulation that's responsible for much of the current mess. That effort was led by then Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas. And guess who is at candidate McCain's side now, whispering advice in his ear? Yep, the same Phil Gramm. Pardon my skepticism at the thought of McCain as a regulatory crusader.
President George W. Bush has ignored the financial crisis for so long that now he acknowledges the only solution available will require taxpayers to put up hundreds of billions of dollars to bail out Wall Street. And Wall Street rallied today, knowing that the rest of us will foot the bill for their excesses and greed. Here's the latest news story on the administration's belated reaction to the crisis.
The problems are so huge that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson even says he's going to work through the weekend with congressional leaders to put together the details of the administration's rescue plan. Gee, thanks for your commitment to the nation's economic health.
Of course, if the administration would have merely regulated the mortgage and banking industries and enforced rules already on the books on Wall Street trading, we wouldn't be teetering on the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.
Even my good and conservative friend Michael Der Manouel Jr. isn't all that happy with the Securities and Exchange Commission oversight under the watch of Christopher Cox, a former California congressman. In this posting on the Flash Report, a conservative web site, Der Manouel says Cox needs to resign.
"There are many components feeding the crisis in banking and equity markets, but the SEC has failed in its oversight responsiblities under Cox," Der Manouel writes.
The governor threatens legislators with no food or potty breaks and they quickly get a budget agreement
The fact the budget stalemate was hurting thousands of Californians wasn't enough motivativation for legislative leaders to get an acceptable agreement. But just hours after Gov. Schwarzenegger threatened to lock the four leaders and himself in a room without food or bathroom breaks, they came out with a deal that apparently satisfies everyone. Here's The Bee's E. J. Schultz's story on the agreement.
The latest deal is supposed to be voted on this afternoon by the Assembly and Senate. We are already 81 days into the fiscal year without a budget. That's the longest the state has gone without a budget. We're talking a budget that's huge -- $104 billion in the general fund. It touches every Californian in some way.
The deal announced late Thursday afternoon dumps one of the dumbest ideas to come out of Sacramento in a long time. That's the "accelerated withholding" from taxpayers. The state would take more money from your paycheck, but you would get it back when you file your state income tax returns next year. It would have been the worst of all worlds. It's a tax increase that's not a tax increase and it would not solve the problem because the state would pay the money back next year.
There are still some gimmicks in this version of the budget. Schultz reports that quarterly taxpayers will have to pay more in the first part of the calendar year, and that should get the state $1.3 billion for the fiscal year that started July 1. Millionaires also will have to pay more of their taxes earlier.
The governor apparently got what he wanted -- a better "rainy-day" fund. It would "limit transfers from the fund to only when revenues fall below projected spending," according to The Bee's story.
There undoubtedly are more gimmicks in this budget and many of them should surface today after everyone takes a closer look at the agreement.
Brad Pitt opens his checkbook to supporters of gay marriage
Actor Brad Pitt is contributing $100,000 to the campaign to defeat Proposition 8, the anti-gay-marriage measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. The Los Angeles Times reports the Pitt donation today. Proposition 8 would overturn the California Supreme Court decision in May that legalized marriage between same-sex couples.
The Times has this quote from Pitt:
Because no one has the right to deny another their life, even though they disagree with it, because everyone has the right to live the life they so desire if it doesn't harm another and because discrimination has no place in America, my vote will be for equality and against Proposition 8.
No word yet on whether Angelina Jolie is getting involved in the campaign. But the leaders of the effort against Proposition 8 reportedly are lining up A-list celebrities to donate money to the campaign and make public appearances in opposition to Proposition 8.
The latest Field Poll shows Proposition 8 losing: Yes: 38%; No: 55%. That means the measure continues to slip. In July, the Field Poll had the Yes side with 42% and the No side with 51%.
Governor wants legislative leaders to negotiate budget with him 24/7 without food or bathroom breaks
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says it's time for legislative leaders to get serious about negotiating a budget that is balanced without gimmicks. To show his commitment, he's proposing marathon negotiations without food and bathroom breaks.
Who would break first in that game? I'm thinking Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata.
A colleague from The Sacramento Bee says the governor's idea sounds familiar. In March, Schwarzenegger said they could solve the deficit problem by locking him and legislators in a room for three days, and ban bathroom breaks. But now he's banning food, too. That's probably good considering what ultimately happens to the food.
Schwarzenegger dropped by The Fresno Bee's editorial board for a one-hour session this afternoon following a rally on the budget impasse at Fresno's City Hall. He said he won't sign a bad budget, and is willing to roll this year's budget into next year's if legislators continue to push a spending plan that's built on faulty assumptions.
He said he's taking his message to the people because they are angry at their legislators for not dealing with the state's financial problems in a serious way. Fresno was the first stop on his statewide budget tour. But he said he would stay in meetings with legislative leaders in the Capitol for "12 hours or 24 hours" or whatever it takes to get a good budget.
Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines' office said that statement is a bit disingenuous because the governor split early from a meeting this afternoon with the legislative leaders to go to the rally in Fresno. John Myers' blog on kqed.org has this quote from Perata about Schwarzenegger leaving the Big Five meeting early: "I wish he would've stayed, but he didn't."
So much for 24/7 negotiating.
But there's no doubt that the budget the governor has rejected is built on sham assumptions. Click here to read our editorial on the legislators' smoke-and-mirrors budget. While we don't want to see the deadlock extended, it's much better to veto this budget than be back in the same place a few months from now -- only with a bigger deficit.
Schwarzenegger said legislators don't like him coming to their districts because they gets thousands of angry phone calls and emails when he points out their shortcomings. The Senate and Assembly have passed a budget that is almost 12 weeks late, but Schwarzenegger said it needs improvement, including a more secure "rainy day fund."
The rainy day fund would take money in good economic years and require that it go into an account to be used in bad economic years. Schwarzenegger wants the fund tamper-proof, and could only be accessed if certain budget triggers are hit. The Democrats want to be able to get money out of the fund on a two-thirds vote. The governor said they would be raiding it all the time under that criteria.
Schwarzenegger said it's also time that legislators felt the consequences of not getting a good budget 79 days into the fiscal year. He told the editorial board that he is considering a proposition that would essentially punish the lawmakers for not getting a budget on time. He said he's formulating his ideas, but it would revolve around "pay consequences."
I think there should be more pain than just docking pay. My idea is to take away their per-diem expense payments for the entire year when the budget is late. They also would have to turn in their state-leased cars and state-paid gasoline credit cards. They would make them live like the rest of us for once. They have no idea about $4-a-gallon gas.
UPDATE: Live coverage of governor's visit to Fresno
Fresnobee.com will provide live video of Gov. Schwarzenegger's "budget rally" this afternoon in downtown Fresno, which is taking place before his meeting with The Bee's editorial board. The event is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Click on this link to access the video.
Dammit Janet, bring back midnight showings of 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'
I grew nostalgic reading an item in this morning's Mindhub digest:
Tickets for Artists' Repertory Theatre's production of The Rocky Horror Show are now available for sale online or you can still charge by phone at (559) 222-6539. Tickets for the opening show on Halloween are selling fast. It will be like a rock concert, theatrical event, and Halloween party all in one.
This event will be held in the California Arts Academy's Severance Theater in the Tower District.
I was 18, a freshman at U.C. Berkeley, the first time I attended a midnight showing of the movie. I had never experienced a movie that so involved the audience (not to mention, that at that point in my life, I'm pretty sure I hadn't seen too many films as bawdy and raucous as "Rocky Horror").
I saw it again a couple of years later, this time back home, at a midnight showing in the Tower District's Tower Theatre. I brought it up at our morning meeting, and Jim Boren and Russ Minick remember there used to be midnight showings at one of the now-defunct movie theaters that used to be at Blackstone and Barstow avenues.
I think somebody needs to revive this tradition. I think the group silliness of hundreds throwing toilet paper at a movie screen, yelling "Great Scott!" would be a perfect antidote to all the depressing and/or disgusting news right now coming from Wall Street, South America and the campaign trail.
Next mayor won't allow cage fighting at Woodward Park
While the Fresno City Council debates the appropriateness of holding cage-fighting matches at Woodward Park, the two candidates running for mayor on Nov. 4 say their administrations will not allow the matches at the regional park. Mayoral candidates Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin said on the Boren/McEwen political podcast on Sept. 3 there are better venues for the sport than Woodward Park. They support holding the matches in the city, but in other venues such as Selland Arena.
The City Council on Tuesday asked Mayor Alan Autry's administration to clarify the types of events that should be allowed in the Woodward Park amphitheater.
The cage match on Aug. 23 caused the controversy. One of the problems was that it was held at the same time as a production of "Hamlet." Some in the cage-fighting crowd were yelling expletives at the Shakespeare production. It also was disrupted by the police helicopter flying over the park to ensure there wasn't any trouble at the cage-fighting matches. They came off just fine, but the two events clashed.
Cage fighting in the park has many influential supporters, Mayor Alan Autry, Police Chief Jerry Dyer and Pastor H Spees were in the audience watching the matches.
No, we could have chosen a much better venue as a city to have that kind of event, whether it was at Selland Arena or some other kind of venue which I thought would have been much more suitable for that. I've got to tell you, I commend the Autry administration and this council for doing what we have with parks over the last couple of years. We are investing over $30 million in parks in new parks all across the city. Parks that are badly needed in neighborhoods like mine where I grew up. Certainly as a child we didn't have parks growing up. And we played in the street or had to hop the fence at the nearest school to have a time to play and get some exercise. So I believe this administration, and this council, have taken the issue of parks very serious and have truly moved forward in a meaningful way. But what we have to do is make sure that as we move forward with new ideas and new innovative ways to satisfy the recreational needs of our community, that they're not in competition with each other like the events you just mentioned. How are we going to move forward with more bike lanes, more trails, more green space in a way that doesn't create conflict in our community, and we have to do that with our eyes wide open, getting out there and making sure that we're dotting our I's and crossing our T's, not just at the administration level but throughout City Hall.
Swearengin:
It was a train wreck. I can't think of any other way to say it. Just a complete train wreck. I'm not inside City Hall, I don't know the inner workings of how decisions like that got made to allow both events to go on at the same time. But it obviously suggests to me there was a lack of communication and a lack of coordination and I think the citizens of Fresno deserve and expect more from City Hall. It was just an unfortunate train wreck.
UPDATE (3:30): The governor did indeed say he'd veto the budget deal passed by the Legislature. At a news conference that ended moments ago, he also implicitly threatened to veto hundreds of bills already passed and awaiting his signature if the Legislature, as expected, overides his budget veto.
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The budget deal cobbled together by the so-called elected leaders in the Legislature is a smelly sham, full of gimmicks and land mines down the road. That's why our editorial today calls on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto the thing and make the Legislature do its job -- create true reform of the state's broken budget process.
The votes are there to override such a veto, but Schwarzenegger has on his desk -- or soon will have -- about 1,000 cherished bills sent to him from the Legislature. He could veto those as well, until the Assembly and state Senate get the message.
Rejecting this budget farce will be a great hardship on many businesses and other agencies that rely on state payments, now suspended. But as bad as that is, things will be worse if the budget dysfunction isn't addressed in a more permanent way.
The question of American recognition of the Armenian genocide is another issue that divides Barack Obama and John McCain in this election. As The Bee's Mike Doyle reports today, Obama favors such recognition; McCain is opposed.
McCain cites the strategic importance of America's relationship with Turkey for his position, and it's true the Turks are bonkers on the subject of the genocide. They're even willing to risk membership in the European Union, which they crave, to keep up their mask of denial.
I'm not persuaded. The Turks are such great allies that they denied passage to American troops when the war against Iraq was launched, and their incursions into northern Iraq chasing Kurdish enemies have complicated things for American policy.
But I'm not entirely persuaded by Obama's support for recognition either. That past three presidents -- two Bushes and a Clinton -- have said they'd support recognition of the genocide, then reneged. We'll see.
I could not tell you the last time I stayed up to watch "Saturday Night Live." But when I heard that Tina Fey was returning to the show to play her doppelganger, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, I knew I would have to watch it.
(I also tuned in to see presidential contender Barack Obama, who was originally scheduled to make an appearance. I found out Sunday that Obama canceled his appearance because of Hurricane Ike, saying it would be inappropriate to make jokes during such a crisis.)
The 5-1/2-minute segment paired Fey with cast-member Amy Poehler (as Sen. Hillary Clinton). And I wasn't the only one who wanted to see Fey lampoon Palin -- Saturday's episode drew the largest viewership for a "SNL" season debut since 2001.
I thought the skit was hilarious. And Poehler did a great job too:
"I'm sorry, I need to say something. I didn't want a woman to be president. I wanted to be president, and I just happen to be a woman. I don't want to hear you compare your road to the White House to my road to the White House. I scratched and clawed through mud and barbed wire, and you just glided in on a dogsled wearing your pageant sash and your Tina Fey glasses!"
My Sunday column points out all the advantages of being a member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, including getting a six-figure salary and not having to meet all that often. The supervisors don't even have to contend with term limits so they can stay in the job forever.
The board members are living large, even during the current budget crisis. Their solution to the county's financial problems is essentially to do nothing to control spending. But it was their actions, including giving raises to unionized employees that the county could not afford, that has brought us to this point.
You can read my complete column on the county supervisors by clicking here.
Breaking news: It appears there's an agreement on state budget
California's four legislative leaders have reached an agreement on the state budget impasse and it could end the 76-day stalemate. Here's a story on the agreement from our sister paper The Sacramento Bee.
If both houses of the Legislature pass the budget bill on Monday, it will go to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature.
My main concern is whether this agreement actually solves the structural problem in the budget, or only pushes the budget issue into next year. "Structural problem" means the Legislature has built in annual spending that is more than annual income. If you don't make cuts or increase income -- or a combo of both -- you have the same old problem.
Here are the key passages in the Sac Bee story:
But they (the legislative leaders) said the plan closes the $15.2 billion gap in the $103.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that began July 1 with $9 billion in spending cuts. The rest of the gap will be patched by closing tax loopholes and "accelerated revenue collections," an accounting term for collecting some one-time revenues in this fiscal year rather than the next. The leaders indicated that while balanced, the budget anticipates at least a $2 billion hole in next year's budget.
They also said it contains reforms of the budget process that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had demanded, including beefing up a rainy day reserve fund and giving the governor limited authority to make mid-year budget cuts.
This deal could affcet you in the following ways, acording to the Los Angeles Times:
Withholding of state taxes at the workplace would increase by 10% for families with two wage-earners and for all taxpayers with income from investments. The state could use the extra $1.5 billion generated by the scheme to reducethe budget gap; it would send those taxpayers extra refunds later.
Taxpayers who file quarterly would have to pay more of their taxes earlier in the year. And those who earn more than $1 million and experience a big jump in income would no longer have extra time to pay taxes on the increase. These measures, according to legislative staff, would generate $3.8 billion in the current fiscal year.
Limited liability companies would have to prepay fees that normally would not be due until the next fiscal year. The state would give tax cheats amnesty to encourage them to pay what they owe. And tax write-offs for business losses would be suspended temporarily. These measures would generate $2.7 billion this year.
Congress must approve San Joaquin River restoration funding
An omnibus public lands bill now headed to the Senate floor contains the funding needed to begin the restoration of the San Joaquin River, including an attempt to revive historic salmon runs . The plan is the result of a settlement of a grinding, 20-year lawsuit on the issue. But the settlement is moot unless the feds can be persuaded to cough up a bunch of bucks to get the process moving. Here's our editorial today on the subject.
The lawsuit was filed by environmentalists in 1988. They argued that the diversion of water from the river after Friant Dam was built was illegal. A judge seemed on his way to agreeing with them, at least in large part, when the farmers who use the diverted water sat down with their environmentalist adversaries and hashed out the settlement.
It isn't a pleasant prospect for the farmers, who will lose some water. But they ran the risk of losing even more if the suit were pursued to a verdict. That could still happen if the funding is derailed in Congress, or some other event capsizes the agreement.
It's in the best interest of everyone in the Valley to see this funding approved and get about the restoration.
Villines, Cogdill won't go to big GOP fund-raising party in Nevada because of budget
The Sacramento Bee is reporting that Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines of Clovis and Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill of Modesto have decided to take a pass on a fund-raiser in Nevada that they are hosting for big contributors. Here's the story.
"The Republican Leadership Invitational," which is really an invitation for special interests to purchase legislative favors, is a Nevada golf tournament in which donors will be asked to contribute up to $15,000 to the California Republican Party, according to the Sac Bee.
There are two reasons Villines and Cogdill should not attend: Their work in Sacramento on the budget is not done; these kind of events give special interests a head start to suck money out of the state treasury. The latter point is not just a Republican problem. The Democrats do it, too, and we taxpayers pay dearly for the campaign funds our lawmakers get from these special interests.
Villines and Cogdill reportedly were heading for the golf tournament and lobster-fest until the Democrats blew the whistle on the event in Nevada. They quickly backtracked when they realized the PR nightmare their attendance would have created,
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, also should reconsider a fund-raiser she's holding in San Francisco Monday night for Democratic Assemblywoman Fiona Ma of San Francisco.
If our lawmakers can't get a budget passed, they shouldn't be holding fund-raisers. None. No excuses, even if they say they are being held during non-legislative hours.This budget impasse is hurting Californians, with health clinics closing and other programs that rely on state funding being threatened.
All their attention -- are you listening Mike Villines, Dave Cogdill, Karen Bass and Don Perata? -- should be focused on getting a budget passed.
An article on the national politics wire reports that Michelle Obama filmed an episode of Paula Deen's cooking show "Paula's Party." The episode will air on Food Network next Saturday, Sept. 20:
"She was getting her hands dirty," Deen said in an interview Friday. "I think they are like us -- they like real food, not a bunch of prissy food."
Obama told Deen her husband's personal favorite is a steaming bowl of chili, and the first meal she ever cooked for him was a seafood gumbo.
Paula isn't playing favorites though -- she's also invited Republican John McCain's wife, Cindy, and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, to spend equal time in her kitchen.
I love Paula. I don't necessarily try to replicate her recipes as much as some of the other Food Network chefs, but you gotta love her down-home charm and her affinity for butter. No matter how many times I watch the program that featured her courtship and marriage to her husband, Michael, I get a little teary eyed. And I'm not a real emotional gal.
Here's a transcript of the Perea/Swearengin debate on fresnobee.com
If you're interested in reading a transcript of the Sept. 3 debate between Fresno mayoral candidates Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin, you can click here. You can also watch the video of the debate by clicking here.
We will devote the cover of Sunday's Vision section to an abridged transcript of the debate. Because of space consideration, we could only use a fraction of the transcript in print. But we're giving our readers several options -- a complete online transcript, video of the entire 71-minute debate and an abridged transcript in print.
She may not be Karen Bass' BFF, but Nicole Parra makes the cut with Maxim
Well, none of my colleagues wanted to pick this one up, so I guess it's up to me: The Valley's own Nicole Parra has been named by Maxim magazine as No. 4 on the list of "The World's Hottest Politicians." She finished two spots behind Gov. Sarah Palin, and three ahead of Rep. Mary Bono Mack of Southern California.
It makes sense that Maxim, a men's magazine, would focus entirely on female politicians, even at the risk of being labeled sexist -- but then Maxim magazine probably doesn't mind being labeled sexist. It most likely boosts sales. But I wonder if some women's magazine won't counter with the "Hottest 10 Male Politicians," or some such. Bet there'd be some elbowing and shoving to get on that list.
Maybe a gay magazine could offer the hottest guys. Strike that -- I don't want to turn this thread into another interminable debate on Proposition 8. Better we just stick to lipstick on pigs. Or high-speed rail.
Today's my last day at The Bee after 38 years, and I just wanted to tell you how rewarding it has been to have a daily conversation with the blogging brigade. I wrote a farewell column in today's paper. To see it, click here.
I'll be checking in on all of your postings, keep mixing it up! You're the best!
High-speed rail has got its opponents in California -- including the state Chamber of Commerce and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. Add to that list the toney towns of Atherton and Menlo Park, where many residents just hate the notion of those big 'ol trains zipping through their quiet and serene neighborhoods of multimillion-dollar homes.
Menlo Park's opposition is curious, as Robert Cruickshank notes in his estimable California High Speed Rail Blog, because the town is already bisected by Caltrain tracks carrying commuters back and forth from San Francisco to the Peninsula. In fact, the train tracks there predate the town itself.
Menlo Park and Atherton are the only communities along the entire proposed high-speed route to oppose the project. They're prepared, as Cruickshank and others note, to deny the benefits of this project to millions of Californians to preserve a sense of order in their tiny enclaves. What swell neighbors.
In an editorial in today's paper, we express our confidence in the outcome of an online vote to see which TimeOut the Red Wave fans prefer. We expect to see the old, gray TimeOut kick off the home opener against Wisconsin.
Fans didn't take to the new TimeOut that Fresno State officials introduced last year.
Here's what Bee columnist Matt James said in July about the bulldog mascot's revamped look:
"The new TimeOut looks like a chipmunk on human growth hormones. ... TimeOut's new head is the size of an Amana dishwasher. And worst of all, he's brown."
Sex tax: Here's a California budget solution everyone can love
Those rambunctious number crunchers at "Freakonomics" might have come up with the solution for California's budget problems after all: the sex tax. They want to make it national, but this might work as an emergency measure to save California. You remember the play, "Urinetown"? Well, imagine a similar play called "Sextown," where one's sex life is determined by wealth and power.
Whereby:
* It has been observed that Democrats are generally in favor of taxation and Republicans are generally opposed to unnecessary sexual activity; and whereby:
* The unintended costs of sexual activity are unacceptably high, particularly in the political arena (c.f. Messrs. Clinton, Foley, Craig, Edwards . . . to name just a fraction of the available examples); and whereby:
* The pursuit of sex is also extremely costly beyond the political realm, in terms of lost productivity, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and ruined marriages (and other committed relationships); and whereby:
* The federal government is now, as always, in need of more money;
It is hereby proposed that a new "sex tax" shall be levied upon the citizens of these United States.
Let it be clear that the aim of said tax is not to deter sexual activity itself, but rather to capture some of the costs imposed by certain extraneous sexual activity that, especially once made public, tends to divert precious resources from more worthy subjects; to this end:
* Married couples will receive a substantial credit for sanctioned, in-home sexual activity; and, conversely:
* The highest rates shall be paid for premarital, extramarital, and otherwise unusual or undesirable sexual activity; and:
* Sexual activity between members of the same gender; or activity between more than two participants; or in an airplane, on a beach, or in other "nontraditional" settings shall surely be taxed at a higher, though heretofore undetermined, rate. Also to be determined is a scale for noncoital activity.
Governor needs to get off the stick and fill Valley air board seats
Gov. Schwarzenegger signed a bill expanding the membership of the board that governs the Valley's air district 11 months ago. We're still waiting for one of the seats to be filled, as we noted in an editorial today.
The expansion of the board included the addition of a doctor and a scientist with expertise in air quality issues. We got the doctor -- Dr. John Telles, a Fresno cardiologist -- and he's been a fine addition. But we're still waiting for the scientist to be appointed, even though there are at least two eminently qualified candidates who've applied.
The board expansion, which also included two more representatives of the Valley's largest cities, was mostly meant to dilute the dominance of the county supervisors who hold eight seats on the district board. Representing largely rural and business interests, they didn't always move with the dispatch we thought was needed to address the Valley's desperately bad air quality.
But the governor hasn't felt any sense of urgency. This delayed appointment can't be blamed on the budget crisis. It doesn't cost anything. It could be done immediately, and should be.
So is the Wisconsin football game the biggest thing Fresno has ever seen?
Mike Osegueda posed that question to me because, well, I'm so darned old, and he has not seen as many Fresno sunsets as these old eyes have. This is Mike's take on the question from today's post on the beehive blog.
But back to the issue at hand. The Wisconsin game is huge, but only if the Bulldogs win on Saturday. If they lose, it's time to talk about jail overcrowding, law enforcement consolidation and reviving the mayor's downtown lake. And if the Bulldogs win? Oh, my. Fresno will be on the road to the big time, and we'll all be basking in the national spotlight.
So here's my view of the enormity of Saturday's tussle with the Badgers from the second-place cheese state:
The Big 10 will be in the house and that's something right there. Quite simply, this game looms larger than anything I've seen hereabouts -- bigger than the Save Mart Center opening with Andrea Bocelli, bigger than Alan Autry bringing celebrity to the mayor's office, bigger than getting Highway 41 completed all the way to the river, bigger than the Rolling Stones trashing the Holiday Inn at Ashlan and Highway 99 in '64, bigger than Krispy Kreme opening and closing.
Got teens? How to get the kids into college (and finding help to pay for it, too)
Do you ever feel that it takes a college degree to figure out how to get a college education? Testing, applying, writing essays, deciding -- paying (gasp) -- how scary is that?
Fortunately, there are lots of experts out there to help parents and students make one of the most expensive and most momentous decisions of their lives. They want our kids to go to college, so they're out to make everything as easy as possible.
One very helpful event to help you get the information you need is Fresno Area College Night, which is Wednesday from 6-9 in the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall. I've attended this event before. Be sure to take a tote bag along, you'll come home with gobs and gobs of stuff -- and lots of good information.
We got an e-mail recently from Al Galvez from Pacific Gas and Electric, which co-sponsors the event with the Fresno County Office of Education, telling all about PG&E's interest in it. They, of course, want a great workforce to choose from! About 5,000 people show up for this each year. Pass it on to anyone you think could benefit from it. . .
Living and learning in an eco-friendly world is essential for today's students. Today, energy challenges are making new demands on all of us, demands that include a new high-tech infrastructure, cleaner energy solutions, and innovative environmental and energy efficiency programs, to name a few. But the real key to our success is capitalizing on the energy and power source generated by our valley's students. It is their talent, knowledge and dedication to the environment that will pave the way to a sustainable future. Their success, both as students and stewards of the environment, will determine our success in achieving these goals. To that end, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is proud to partner with the Fresno County Office of Education to sponsor Fresno Area College Night for the 6th consecutive year. Above all, we believe in the power of a good education and that all students deserve a chance to achieve their dreams.
Fresno Area College Night sets the stage for that success and will take place on September 10, 2008, from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall. More than 100 colleges and universities from around the nation will convene to help families learn about college options, money matters, the application process and much, much more. Breakout sessions designed to answer college planning questions, scholarship and financial planning workshops will be offered in English, Spanish and Hmong. As 5,000 students and their parents converge onto the floor of the Exhibit Hall, college reps, school officials, business and community leaders will also unite to support this pursuit of excellence. As a business executive, the sight of these students, each filled with promise and potential, is both humbling and encouraging. Imagine what might happen if each of them were to realize their dreams and achieve their academic potential. Their impact would be felt for generations to come.
This year's theme, "Go to College and Go Green," underscores our commitment to California's future. A vibrant economy, a clean environment and strong communities are all part of our vision. As we have for more than 100 years, we are looking to Fresno County and all of our communities in California for the next generation of leaders at
PG&E. A college education can be one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences a student will ever have, while also building a foundation for a successful, fulfilling career. We believe in cultivating that talent. And we are optimistic that many of these young adults will retain their local roots, find rewarding jobs and careers, right here in the central valley. We also hope some of them will join the PG&E family.
As as environmental leader, PG&E seeks innovative ways to exceed current standards of environmental protection through programs that foster environmental excellence, while achieving success in competitive markets. The company's environmental performance is a key driver of customer satisfaction, it makes good sense and it's the right thing to do.
While College Night 2008 goes green, so should the rest of us. How? Here are some simple and doable examples:
• Plant for the planet. Planting a tree in your yard will help cool your house with shade in the summer, help block cold winds in the winter, and help clean the air all at the same time.
• Replace light bulbs. Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs last up to ten times longer than regular incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy.
• Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible
• Set our thermostats appropriately. Setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer will save energy and save money on the utility bills. Everyone wins.
• Use public transportation, carpool, walk or bike. Cars add significantly to the greenhouse effect, acid rain, and smog.
• Turn off computers when they are not in use. If you turn your computer off once you are done using it you will save energy and an average of $90 a year on your electricity bill.
As you can see, the opportunities are endless. Each of us can make a difference.
We invite you to join us at the 25th Annual Fresno Area College Night, where your presence, whether you are a student or parent, will be the first step on a journey towards a brighter, and greener future. We look forward to seeing you!
State chamber just doesn't get it on high-speed rail
The California Chamber of Commerce has come out against Propostion 1A, the $9.95 billion bond issue on the Nov. 4 ballot. The chamber says the measure is too costly. It's a deplorably shortsighted position.
The chamber believes there are "other projects that mitigate congestion that should be a high priority." Like more freeways? Talk about too costly. The high-speed rail system is expected to cost around $40 billion by the time it's finished. To get the same passenger capacity with expanded freeway systems and airports, we'd have to spend somewhere between $80 billion and $120 billion -- and we'd just be increasing congestion and air pollution. That's a dumb solution.
The chamber is still stuck in the mid-20th century when it comes to transportation planning. That's a shame.
Sheriff Margaret Mims is the political loser of the week on the Boren/McEwen podcast
Things are careening out of control in Fresno County government. It seems no one over at the Hall of Records knows how to make a budget, and it's now affecting public safety. The Board of Supervisors is scrambling to figure out how to fund the sheriff's department budget, and the sheriff has yet to show that she's running an efficient operation. What a mess. A crisis reveals the quality of leadership, and this crisis has exposed a lot of holes in the Fresno County operation, starting with the supervisors.
The performance last week of Sheriff Margaret Mims was particularly disappointing. She let criminals out of jail early to make a political point, refused to share the names of the felons getting out of the slammer with Police Chief Jerry Dyer and has questionable budget practices at a time she says she's out of money.
For those reasons and others, Bill McEwen and I have named the sheriff as our "political loser of the week" in our weekly podcast on fresnobee.com. Click here to listen to the podcast. We didn't have a "political winner" as part of our ongoing protest of the state not passng a budget. But Bill and I were unanimous on our loser of the week.
By the way, City Manager Andy Souza said Mims has finally shared the early-release information with the Police Department. But it took a public records request from the city's lawyers before the information was transmitted to the PD. There are so many things wrong with the sheriff's attitude on this, I don't know where to start. But so much for cooperation between the sheriff and police chief on protecting public safety.
Dyer wanted the early-release information because many of the felons that Mims released will be preying on Fresno residents. With the info, he could tell his officers which bad guys were being let out, and advise the officers of the criminal MO of the newly freed crooks.
But Mims initially said take a hike, chief. Finally, though, the Sheriff's Department gave Dyer the information. There shouldn't even have been a delay. This wasn't like she was being asked to give the information to Al-Qaida. This was the chief of the largest police organization in the Valley making the request so he could protect his citizens.
Here's the text of the letter the city send to the Sheriff's Department last week:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (C.P.R.A.) the City of Fresno ("City") requests all information on inmates, who over the last five years due to the Federal Consent Decree (jail overcrowding) or budgetary constraints, were subject to early release from the Fresno County Jail. This request includes, but is not limited to the name of the inmate, the inmate's booking date at the Fresno County Jail, the inmate's charges and the date of release from the Fresno County Jail system.
This information is a matter of public record and the City requests the material be delivered electronically within the guidelines of a C.P.R.A. If the material can be delivered in a more efficient manner through another method, the City of Fresno accepts delivery by that method. The City agrees to pay all reasonable costs associated with this request.
Chain saws roar; Berkeley tree-sitters claim victory; just another day at the Big U
It looks like the end is near for the tree-hugging protest outside the football stadium at UC Berkeley. An appeals court turned away efforts by several groups to halt construction a new student-athelete training center next to the stadium, and on Saturday workers moved in and cut down 35 or the 42 trees that have to be removed for the project.
One lone redwood remains occupied by four tree-sitters, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
This story has been going on for almost two years, and has cost the university a bundle. This fuss is all about a grove of trees that was a landscaping project built in 1923. The whole story is so very Berkeley, it just cracks me up.
Sarah Palin's band of buddies is a group of independent thinkers
There's a new interview with ABC's "Good Morning, America" today with Sarah Palin's band of girlfriends, who lightheartedly call themselves the Elite Six. Folks seem surprised that not all of them have said they will vote for her and most of them disagree with her on some political issues. But they all love her.
I get it. I don't even know Gov. Palin, but after her speech, I thought she did a fine job handling the task before her. And even though I disagree with many of her views, I thought, now there's a family I'd like to have over for dinner. Sarah's fun. In fact, I'd have to make it a family get-together because my mom is already crazy about little Trig and wants to be his babysitter when Sarah's busy.
Apparently, her dearest friends are real people. Some have disagreed with her decisions as governor. Most of them are pro-choice... Not all of them say they will vote for her. They don't talk politics when they are together. But they have fun and, as one said, "love her to pieces."
I like that diversity and honesty in a band of buddies.
I just received the sweetest note from a friend telling me about a young man named Jacob Rabin, who is 12. He is trying to collect good used musical instruments to donate
to the schools. If you have a sax, clarinet, violin, timpani, harp -- or whatever -- laying around the house not doing anything, consider Jacob's project.
Well, let's let Jacob tell it:
I am 12 years old and going into middle school at Kastner in Fresno, CA. I am Jewish and will have my Bar Mitzvah next year on July 4, 2009. I have been working toward my Bar Mitzvah for the last 4 years. My Bar Mitzvah is when I will read the torah in Hebrew before my congregation for the first time. At our temple you have to do a mitzvah project, which means you have to do something to improve our community as part of my Bar Mitzvah preparation. For my project I am going to collect musical instruments.
I have been playing music since I was 6 years old. I have a great teacher Mrs. Luna who has agreed to help me deliver the instruments I receive to the schools in need in the Fresno area. I know that schools are not getting enough money for music programs. Music has been an important part of my education, and I want kids to continue to experience and have fun with music.
If you have any instruments in your home from a recorder to a piano that nobody in your house is using and you would like to donate it to a good cause, please send it to Jacob Rabin, P.O. Box 26422, Fresno, CA 93729-6422. If you have any questions you can contact me through my email address which is jewjacob@gmail.com. If you live in the Fresno area I would be happy to arrange to pick up any instruments, just send me an email and I will come to pick it up.
If you don't have an instrument but would like to make a monetary contribution, I will be donating any funds I get to the music departments most in need of instruments. Thank you very much to Mrs. Luna for helping me designate any instruments and funds that I receive.
Mayor Alan Autry is so popular that the two candidates to succeed him don't want to ruffle his feathers
Mayoral candidates Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin are highly critical of Mayor Alan Autry's administration, but you won't see them blaming him for the problems at City Hall. I explore this apparent inconsistency in the two candidates in my column today. Click here to read it.
In fact, in last week's mayoral debate on fresnobee.com, Perea gave Autry an A-minus for his eight years leading the city and Swearengin gave him an A-plus, as in perfect. That's either grade inflation or the two candidates don't believe all the criticism they've been leveling at City Hall. You can listen to the 71-minute debate between Perea and Swearengin by clicking here.
The candidates say there is much that needs improving at City Hall. One of the first items on both of their lists is the slow permitting process in the planning and development department. Other areas of criticism are the pace of downtown revitalization, the lack of progress on law-enforcement consolidation and job creation, including the inability of the city to have land ready for big companies that might come to Fresno.
Thanks to our guest bloggers for their insights into the political conventions
Matt Rogers, a Democrat, and Derek Walter, a Republican, served as guest bloggers from the recent political conventions. Props for the local team.
I enjoyed reading their posts, and thank them for sending their on-the-spot observations back home.
We've had guest bloggers from time to time and will continue to use them when events determine the need for their specific expertise. We are always looking for suggestions on this blog and urge you to leave a comment on this post if you think someone would make a good guest blogger for Opinion Talk.
Instead of releasing release Fresno inmates, save money with consolidation
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims has been using the early release of inmates from the county jail as a bargaining chip in her effort to stave off budget cuts the Board of Supervisors wants. The city got into the brawl when Mayor Alan Autry raised the prospect of the city suing the county and the sheriff over the releases.
Mims halted the releases on Friday, pending a meeting of the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
But there's an answer on the table that all sides are doing their very best to ignore: consolidation. That's the subject of our editorial today.
It's an old idea: Pool resources from the county Sheriff's Department and the Fresno Police Department to save money and create efficiencies that can actually improve public safety in the region.
But that eminently sensible idea always runs smack into the wall of bureaucratic turf protection. For public consumption, the principals in city and county hem and haw over the advantages of consolidation, but always come up with reasons why it can't be done.
So the sheriff releases accused felons onto the city streets in order to count coup in her budget wars. The supervisors gnaw at her ankles over her spending habits. And the mayor of Fresno shouts "lawsuit." This is what we call "leadership."
Derek Walter: Final thoughts about the Republican convention
Many have argued that political conventions are a waste of time. A four-day infomercial that is devoid of actual news and simply designed to get free airtime for the party's candidate.
There is some truth to that. The Republican convention speaking schedule, which was collapsed to three days due to Hurricane Gustav, worked just fine. Because the amount of actual business that conventions need to conduct (approving the platform, nominating the candidates) is relatively minor.
In order for such a drastic change, like reducing the convention schedules, both parties would need to sit down and agree to cut down their convention time. So basically don't look for this to ever happen.
And the frenzy over Bristol Palin's pregnancy demonstrates that there is not always enough news coming out of the convention to talk about. This can be bad for a campaign, as it was for the McCain group this week, as the story went out of control. But they did a masterful job of changing the narrative through Sarah Palin's speech and bringing the entire family, boyfriend included, on stage.
A few final thoughts:
The Green Zone
With loony protesters seeking to disrupt the convention, it was understandable that security was tight. But the result was a Baghdad-style "Green Zone" with massive metal fencing blocking off a large swath of land around the Xcel Energy Center. While it made us feel secure, it made maneuvering through downtown St. Paul extremely difficult. The entry points would open and close at inconsistent times. And at one
entrance it was a carnival-like atmosphere filled with sign-waving protesters who had causes that included Bush being responsible for 9/11, Chinese human rights abuses, Chinese human rights abuses, bringing the troops home yesterday, and the obligatory street preacher.
Lost in St. Paul
In the future, I will make sure to pay closer attention to those signs that say "No Re-Entry." While at your average place of business that simply means you need to go back inside the building through a different door, at this convention it means walking around the ENTIRE sealed off area. Thank god for an iphone with GPS.
Corporate influence
While it made for cool parties, the next target of political reform McCain needs to tackle is the corporate money that poured into the conventions. A legal loophole allowed major corporations to spend millions at both conventions this year, and it was rampant in St. Paul-Minneapolis. While I love an ice-sculptured bar and dry-ice martinis as much as anyone, reforming this process would be a good thing for everyone.
Location, location
A request to the Republican National Committee: at the 2012 convention please consider booking a hotel for the California delegation that is slightly less than the 1,000 miles away from downtown we were for this convention. Our delegation hotel was in Bloomington, a suburb that made for a 30-minute (or longer depending on where the protestors chose to gather that day) trek to the Xcel Energy Center each day. While that was not so bad, there were hotels nearly across the street from the arena that was hosting other delegations. It made it difficult to maneuver the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to sightsee. Clearly we need Republicans to win more elections in California (Meg Whitman for governor, anyone?) so we can get some more clout.
Final thoughts
Overall the experience was tremendous. One I hope to repeat and I would urge anyone else, Republican or Democrats, to get involved in the process. You, and our great republic, will be better for it.
Thanks to all who contributed to the conversation (well, at least those who weren't hyper-partisan in their comments). If you want it to continue, feel free to head over to my blog and check out my continued posts.
Derek Walter of Fresno, an alternate delegate and Fresno County chairman of the John McCain 2008 campaign, teaches third graders at Reagan Elementary School and college classes for National University. He also blogs at derekwalter.com.
On today's Valley Voices page, Steven J. Graham and Jon Rooker make a case for why cage fighting is an acceptable type of event to be held at Woodward Park.
The discussion about whether Woodward Park is an appropriate venue is short. As long as proper city policies are followed by the individuals putting on the MMA displays, they should be allowed.
The city cannot and should not discriminate against such events. While it is understandable that some may not like such events, there are also many out there who don't care for Shakespeare.
I thought about all of this as I did my weekly long run this morning, which started in the park. As I ran, I noticed how close the "Shakespeare in the Park" venue is to the Rotary Amphitheater -- pretty darn close.
I think that better planning must happen before two so-different events are held that near each other.
In many ways, both big and small, the park has changed over the past few years, and that's bound to cause some growing pains in our community, as we adjust to the different uses for the park.
As a runner, I certainly enjoy the trails that have been added. It's nice that so many walkers, runners and cyclists have these features.
Honestly, I've never been in the Rotary Amphitheater. I've never gotten over the grudge that its construction obliterated what used to be my favorite little quiet corner of the park.
Earlier in the week, while training on Killer Hill, I noticed some of the changes that have been made in the park for the BMX track and the disc golf course. Really, as long as the hill isn't obstructed, was that really a part of the park that ever got that much use before those features were added?
The authors of the piece in today's paper say "There may be additional discussion about whether Ralph Woodward would have wanted such events to occur here, but that is a subject for another day."
But I think that's what's got people so riled up about this, and I think it's an integral part of the discussion, not a subject for another day. If someone donates such a large piece of property, the major portion of his estate, to provide a regional park and bird sanctuary for the community, I think you have to consider whether future uses of the park are compatible with that intent.
Here's why there's no such thing as a nonpartisan office
Some folks have been wondering why the Democrats and Republicans are circling around Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin, even though the office of Fresno's mayor is nonpartisan.
To understand, you only have to look at Gov. Sarah Palin. When she ran for mayor of Wasilla, population less than 7,000 people, the state Republican Party ran ads on her behalf. Her staunchly conservative views clearly attracted their attention as a future player. Their investment in her development paid off big time, as she was later elected governor and now, as we all know, is being extremely well-received by Republicans as a candidate for vice president.
It doesn't take a genius to see that Perea and Swearengin both could be rising stars in local politics, regardless of what happens in this year's mayoral race. The experience and exposure the winner gets in that office, however, could establish the lessons and connections needed for a great political future. Fresno is a whole lot bigger than Wasilla.
Bee reporter Kerri Ginis is reporting that Sheriff Margaret Mims has temporarily halted the early release of inmates from the county jail.
Here is more from Kerri's story:
Mims said she hopes a new proposal by county Supervisor Bob Waterston that would have the county borrow up to $6 million internally will provide more money for her department. The proposal will be taken up by supervisors at a meeting Tuesday.
The inmate release, which began this week, is linked by Mims to projected Sheriff's Department budget cuts. The sheriff has said the projected $3 million budget reduction would force her to lay off 50 correctional officers and to release 800 inmates awaiting trial.
Jail officials said Thursday they had released 65 inmates this week.
Sheriff's Department refuses to tell Police Chief Jerry Dyer which felons are being released into our community
Sheriff Margaret Mims and her key aides are now making enemies in the Fresno Police Department. That's not smart, even if she's in a budget battle with the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. Mims has refused to tell the Police Department the names of the felons that she's releasing because of overcrowding at the jail. The PD should have this information because many of the felons being released will be preying on Fresno residents.
The lack of cooperation between the sheriff and Fresno PD has gotten so bad that the city has filed a formal Freedom of Information Act request to get the information. City officials say the PD wants the information so its officers can patrol areas where these criminals frequent.
But the sheriff's office response was simple: We don't have to give it to you and we won't. We won't. We won't.
Here's the text of a letter the city has just been sent to the Sheriff's Department:
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (C.P.R.A.) the City of Fresno ("City") requests all information on inmates, who over the last five years due to the Federal Consent Decree (jail overcrowding) or budgetary constraints, were subject to early release from the Fresno County Jail. This request includes, but is not limited to the name of the inmate, the inmate's booking date at the Fresno County Jail, the inmate's charges and the date of release from the Fresno County Jail system.
This information is a matter of public record and the City requests the material be delivered electronically within the guidelines of a C.P.R.A. If the material can be delivered in a more efficient manner through another method, the City of Fresno accepts delivery by that method. The City agrees to pay all reasonable costs associated with this request.
Sheriff plays with public safety to make a political point
There is no reason for Sheriff Margaret Mims to continue to release priosners from the jail because her budget has been cut. These proposed cuts by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors have not been implemented yet and Board Chairman Henry Perea said Thursday that the supervisors probably will not force the cuts when the board meets Tuesday.
But Mims continues to release felons into our community because it puts political pressure on the supervisors. Mims may think this will help her get more money in her budget, but what about the victims that these criminals will be preying upon today?
Is it worth one resident being victimized by your get-out-of-jail-free card, sheriff?
The Bee's editorial board lays part of the blame for the county's budget mess on the supervisors and part of it on Mims. Click here to read today's editorial.
The Fresno City Council joined Mayor Alan Autry in condemning the prisoner releases. The council will meet in closed session at 2 p.m. today to discuss legal options. Autry wants to get a court order preventing the sheriff from releasing more prisoners. Here's today's news story on the council action.
One thing is clear: The sheriff must stop releasing felons into our community. She still has money in her budget to handle the prisoners she is releasing. What a cynical way to run the Sheriff's Department.
When Mims ran for sheriff in 2006, she promised to voters that she would keep county inmates locked up despite state and federal jail-crowding mandates. So much for that promise. Now she's letting inmates out early because of the federal consent decree on jail crowding and also to pressure the supervisors to give her more money for her budget.
Thursday night saw the beginning of the NFL season, for real, and in a way, it also marked the start of the real presidential campaign.
In the NFL, we get a preseason that's mostly about sticking season ticket holders for pricey seats at games they don't want to see. The campaigns have a pre-season of sorts, but the conventions are more like team meetings. They're largely one big pep talk to the already committed.
There were some great speeches, lots of pomp, lip-synching from various musical performers and a record number of latex balloons that will end up polluting the ocean. (I'm with syndicated columnist Dave Barry on the balloons. He envisions replacing them with "thousands upon thousands of red, white and blue golf balls" to rain down upon delegates' heads.).
But now the conventions are over, the bumps have come, the rosters are set. The games count from now on. I'm looking forward to them. The choices in this campaign are as stark as they've been in my lifetime, and the stakes as high.
I'm particularly looking forward to the VP debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. Those two were born with their game faces on.
Why are you a Republican . . .or a Democrat. . . or ---
OK, the conventions are over; they've done their best to persuade you. Where are all of you at the moment? Why are you a Democrat, Republican or ---?? Do you always vote along party lines, or do you pick and choose, depending on the person or the issue?
Me, I'm a Decline to State because I've never been one to stand in lines. My decorating is eclectic, my food tastes international, my friends run from atheists to nuns and everything in between. I tried lining up with political parties when I was younger, but I jinxed them. As soon as I signed on, they did something stupid and embarrassed me. So now I refuse to get in anybody's line, and I cross over all over the place to support good people wherever they are. It makes for really interesting dinner parties!
How about you? Why are you a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, a Green or ----?
UPDATE: There are some very interesting videos on YouTube on this topic. Like this one and this one and this one. And this one is put to music. Fun.
Derek Walter: John McCain sets the tone for Republican victory in November
Even though the seats were less than stellar, being on the floor of the Republican National Convention as Sen. John McCain gave his acceptance speech was electric. McCain, not known for his speaking skills, was calm, yet passionate, as he reminded Americans of his love of country, experience as a POW, and desire to change Washington.
What voters saw was a John McCain who is determined to not be bound by any party of strict ideology, but to always work for the best of all Americans.
In my mind, this is what has always set McCain apart from so many other politicians. While imperfect, he has consistently crossed the party aisle to work on major legislation. If his history is any indication, as president he would do the same.
It really makes the Obama camp's mantra that McCain will bring about "four more years of Bush" laughable. From energy to foreign affairs, McCain will mark a distinct change from the previous administration. Look at Sarah Barracuda for further evidence of that.
McCain honored Obama's historic candidacy, as he should have. Despite the rhetoric, I believe there is a deep respect between the men. And our country will be better off if we heed McCain's call:
"Fight for what's right for our country.
Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.
Fight for our children's future.
Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.
Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history."
Derek Walter of Fresno, an alternate delegate and Fresno County chairman of the John McCain 2008 campaign, teaches third graders at Reagan Elementary School and college classes for National University. He also blogs at derekwalter.com.
Derek Walter: Valley man takes Big Hat Day to St. Paul
Doug Britton of Firebaugh, background, and Tobin Brinker, a city council member from San Bernadino, add a little flair to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Derek Walter: McCain has it in him to give a killer speech
Look for McCain to return to his preferred form of speaking, as the podium was reconfigured for a "town hall" style approach. It's where McCain performs at his best. This allows him to connect with voters in this unconventional format.
McCain has it in him to give a killer speech. In his 2004 convention speech, he called Michael Moore a "disingenuous filmmaker" and did it all while shooting him a grin.
After a night of sharp attacks, McCain must be passionate, strong, and hopeful. In all, he must be himself, the maverick who seeks just one more mission to serve his country.
After an electrifying night with Gov. Sarah Palin, the convention culminates with John McCain's acceptance speech.
A lot has been said in recent days about John McCain's choice for vice president. On our Wednesday op-ed page, I chose two pieces with contrasting opinions -- one by conservative columnist Kathleen Parker and one by liberal columnist Eugene Robinson.
In today's paper, several of our letter writers sound off, like here and here and here.
Where did we go wrong with Sarah Palin? Let me count the ways:
First, we should have stuck to the warm, human interest stuff like how she likes mooseburgers and hit an important free throw at her high school basketball tournament even though she had a stress fracture.
Second, we should have stuck to the press release stuff like how she opposed the Bridge to Nowhere (after she supported it).
Third, we should never have strayed into the other stuff. Like when The Washington Post recently wrote: "Palin is under investigation by a bipartisan state legislative body. ... Palin had promised to cooperate with the legislative inquiry, but this week she hired a lawyer to fight to move the case to the jurisdiction of the state personnel board, which Palin appoints."
Why go there? What trees does that plant?
Fourth, we should stop making with all the questions already. She gave a really good speech. And why go beyond that? As we all know, speeches cannot be written by others and rehearsed for days. They are true windows to the soul.
Unless they are delivered by Barack Obama, that is. In which case, as Palin said Wednesday, speeches are just a "cloud of rhetoric."
Fifth, we should stop reporting on the families of the candidates. Unless the candidates want us to.
Sarah Palin wanted the media to report on her teenage son, Track, who enlisted in the Army on Sept. 11, 2007, and soon will deploy to Iraq.
Sarah Palin did not want the media to report on her teenage daughter, Bristol, who is pregnant and unmarried.
Sarah Palin thinks that one is good for her campaign and one is not, and that the media should report only on what is good for her campaign. That is our job, and that is our duty. If that is not actually in the Constitution, it should be. (And someday may be.)
... As Lily Tomlin says, "No matter how cynical I get, it's just never enough to keep up."
I couldn't resist that. For which I am sorry.
In today's paper, conservative Cal Thomas calls members of the media hypocrites for their attacks on Palin. But journalists aren't just asking about her minor daughter's unwed pregnancy. There are many other issues pertinent to her qualifications -- or lack of -- to be the vice president.
Work tirelessly on 'a moral budget for all Californians'
The Bee leads its editorial today on the state budget with a Bible verse about protecting children, quoting ancient warnings against anyone who hurts children in a way that would cause them to lose faith. We could have easily used another one:
"Some day there will be a ruler who rules with integrity, and national leaders who govern with justice. Their eyes and ears will be open to the needs of the people." -- Isaiah 32: 1-3
So what does faith have to do with the budget? A lot. At its heart, it is a moral document. Maybe it would help to start calling it that every day. Though it's being degraded and being treated like a political mud-wrestling court at the moment, the state budget is a statement of what we value as people.
This Legislature is honor bound to do everything in its power to excel in this one area, at least, because children and powerless people are suffering at their hand. Lawmakers should be focused on it to the exclusion of all else. Certainly, they must not be partying out of town or -- inexcusably -- out of state. I clearly do not see how elected officals can campaign with a fury and beg the voters to place the power for people's lives in their hands, and then betray that trust so brutally. It feels like the mafia motto: "It's nothing personal; it's just business." Feeding kids and caring for the sick is personal. Where is their honor, their compassion, their professional pride?
One of the best brochures I've received at an editorial board meeting lately came from Ed Howard, senior counsel for the Center for Public Interest Law Children's Advocacy Institute in Sacramento. It's a division of the University of San Diego. Every Legislator should be required to recite it from memory.
This small leaflet was put together by a coalition of Catholic, Evangelical Christian, Episcopal, Unitied Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, Muslim and Lutheran faith communities.
It's called "A Moral Budget for all Californians." It says this: "A budget is a moral document, reflecting the values and priorities of a family, a community a society." It defines the core values of a moral budget: reason, compassion, fairness, responsible investment and stewardship -- with clear definitions for what all those terms mean.
Here they are:
Reason: A responsible family creates a budget to make sure that their resources are sufficient for their needs. A healthy family contributes, each according to his ability, to make sure that the needs of everyone in the family are met. Reason tells us that we are each responsible for ourselves and we are simultaneously interdependent - responsible for one another. Reason also requires that we must examine every alternative and explore every possible source of revenue, including closing tax loopholes that let some people escape their fair share.
Compassion: In times of budget shortfalls, no one in the family is left out. Those who are most vulnerable and needy are cared for. Many scriptures call us to care for our neighbors - helping the widow, the orphan and the stranger. "Seek the lost . . . bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak." (Ezekiel 24:16)
Fairness: Scriptures advocate a community where the needs of each person are equally valued and respected. We often balance our state budget in ways that unfairly impact working families and those who are poor - we have held back cost-of-living increases, foster-child protections, medical care, child-care allowances and many other programs. Each of these cuts can and do fall on the same family, the same child, the same person.
Responsible investment: The statewide budget should convey the message that government is responsible to the public and invested in the well-being of all people in our society. People of faith understand responsible investment to be essential for the common good.
Stewardship: If we cannot care adequately for our people under the proposed budget, we must ask the question - If saving taxes for those who are affluent is our only goal, then what have we become as a people? Healthy families and communities practice the art of compromise. California cannot become a state that only serves those who already have good incomes and social stability.
This is not religious talk, not a sermon; it's not new-wave thinking. This is ancient wisdom; ancient warnings:
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for the rights of all the destitute." -- Proverbs 31:8
"He that oppresses the poor blasphemes his maker, but he that is gracious to the poor honors God." -- Proverbs 14:31
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for the one who loves has fulfilled the law." -- Romans 13: 8
"Defend the poor and the orphan; do justice to the afflicted and needy." -- Psalm 82:3
Say hello to Sarah Palin: A pit bull with lipstick
In an aw-shucks northern accent, Sarah Palin will tell voters on the campaign trail how she's going to cut their taxes and reign in government. She'll point that well-manicured finger at her opponents and slice them apart. All with a smile.
Meet Sarah Palin. She's feisty, resolute, and she ought to be our next vice president. When she stepped onto the stage Wednesday night at the Republican convention, the roar and cheering rattled the chairs and lasted for several minutes. You could feel the sound waves vibrating through the McCain-Palin sign I was holding. It seemed to take Palin aback as she made her way to the lectern for her moment of redemption.
Watching history from the convention was an experience to remember. The pent up frustration of seeing Palin and her family getting dragged through the mud exploded as she took the stage and took apart Obama and Biden. She defended small-town values and her service as a mayor and governor.
She, along with Rudy Giuliani, who spoke earlier in the evening, took a few shots at Obama's experience as a "community organizer." It's not so much that it isn't valuable work -- it's that using an undefined title as a qualification for the presidency invokes this kind of mockery. It would be like claiming that running for president qualifies you to be president. Oh wait, Obama did that too.
"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer' except that you have actual responsibilities," she said. "I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening."
The presentation of the family, boyfriend included, was masterful. It was Palin's unspoken way to say here is my family, and we're not hiding anything. Take us as we are.
These are the kinds of things that resonate. Parents with special needs- children, families who have struggled with their teen; such people are looking for a voice in The White House.
And before you say that this is too trivial, candidates should only talk about the issues, think back to our other presidents. Even George Washington ascended to the presidency largely over who he was and what he meant to the country, not necessarily because he had well-articulated ideas on how to manage relations with France and Britain.
And expect to hear often about how shoe salesman and small town official Harry Truman coined the phrase "The buck stops here" during his presidency.
The excitement among the delegation is only building for tonight's address by McCain. Look for him to again be a maverick and buck the trend of a podium-driven speech. He should, and must, be at his best, reminding voters of the maverick and fighter he has always been.
Derek Walter of Fresno, an alternate delegate and Fresno County chairman of the John McCain 2008 campaign, teaches third graders at Reagan Elementary School and college classes for National University. He also blogs at derekwalter.com.
Add to the list of budget impasse victims: some of the state's neediest community college students. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the state may have to withhold Cal Grant payments to as many as 86,000 students if there's no budget soon. The colleges, for the most part, can't help take up the slack, which could lead in turn to thousands of students dropping out. And that would reduce funding to the colleges, which is based on enrollment.
The problem is less acute at California State University and University of California campuses, which have deeper resources than the community colleges.
This is particularly galling. Most of the Cal Grant recipients at the state's community college students are people trying very hard to get the skills they need to be useful, contributing members of the society. They are the very definition of those who don't need a handout, just a hand. That's what the estimable Cal Grant program does -- give them a hand. But not when our state legislators can't get their act together.
So these students -- like Medi-Cal recipients, state workers and many others -- may have to pay the price for the dysfunction in Sacramento. But don't worry about the legislators -- they'll get their six-figure salaries and their lucrative per diem payments eventually. Who cares about he damage to real people?
Perea and Swearengin endorse the best idea so far on law enforcement consolidation
Every politician is for consolidating law enforcement services to make them more efficient and save tax dollars. But when it comes to actually making changes, nothing happens. It's the perfect issue: They can say they support consolidation, but they don't have to do anything because no one has the guts to change the wasteful status quo.
But in a debate on fresnobee.com on Wednesday, Fresno mayoral candidates Ashley Swearengin and Henry T. Perea backed an idea that makes sense and could save taxpayers a lot of money.
Swearengin first raised the idea after I asked about her commitment to law enforcement consolidation. She said it's time to stop "tinkering at the margins." Fresno police should handle law enforcement in the metropolitan area, she said, including county islands that are currently patrolled by the Fresno County Sheriff's Department. Perea said he supports that plan, and it could help the sheriff's office, whose ranks are stretched thin because of budget cuts.
Swearengin said the details would have to be worked out between the city and the county, but she envisions the city contracting with the county to provide all police service to county islands. That would allow the police department to operate more efficiently by not driving through county areas to get to a city call for service. The entire metro area would be in the city's service area.
That would mean that old Fig, Sunnyside and Mayfair would get police service and the sheriff's deputies now patrolling those islands would be able to better cover the rural parts of the county.
This idea makes so much sense that the special interests that oppose consolidation -- mostly the law enforcement unions -- will be working overtime to undermine it. Politicians are scared of cops, which is why the city and county operate under the current inefficient system.
Derek Walter: Lanyard envy at the Republican convention
The place to find the real buzz and action is the convention floor. It's a spin cycle of activity. There are network news reporters roaming to score the latest interview. Delegation-appointed cheerleaders give out signs and tell us what to chant.
All this excitement comes if you have the magic pass: a "delegate" placard to hang from your lanyard. A friend of mine, who is a delegate, let me have his pass for the night, which freed me from the confines of the alternate section. They're actually great seats, but it can't touch the cool factor of being on the floor. Your status is closely monitored; I believe that a member of the Secret Service and other security eyed my badge 8,425 that evening.
I was able to use my new-found access to snake my way through the convention floor, snapping pictures with my iPhone along the way (a request to Apple: Zoom would be handy. Perhaps it's time for me to get a real camera.)
Maneuvering my way through the back of the floor, underneath the TelePrompTer screen, I was feet away from the VIP section, which included Cindy McCain, former President George Bush and Barbara Bush. Surprisingly, the Secret Service agents say I can get up against a rail and snap a quick picture, as long as I do so and then move along.
As for the speeches, you saw a side of Fred Thompson that was missing from his primary performances. He was passionate and re-introduced McCain to the nation by going into detail about his courageous yet horrific experience as a prisoner of war. Sen. Joe Lieberman's willingness to buck his party and back McCain could resonate with independents and undecided voters. He was the example of the night's theme, "Country First." Sure, slogans are what they are, but there was some actual depth and meaning behind the concept of putting one's country ahead of party and partisanship. Unlike some other slogans whose promises are empty and hollow. Gee, can't think of any, but somehow the word "change" comes to mind.
Gov. Sarah Palin's acceptance speech tonight promises to be just as compelling as Thursday night, as it will be her first opportunity to define herself against the nasty, shameless coverage and criticism thrown at her. Look for Sarah to be the barracuda she is lauded for and impress.
A few other observations:
Smart phone nation
If you don't have a smart phone, you don't belong here. Nearly everyone has one. And while the BlackBerry is in the majority, there were a surprising number of iPhones, testament to its new growing acceptance as more than just a glorified iPod. In fact, conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt praised his during a morning delegate meeting.
The problem is the proliferation of smart phones makes dangerous the simple of task of walking on the floor or through the halls of the Xcel Center because you're just as likely to walk into people who are trying to bang out e-mails and aren't watching where they are going.
However, there is one function that many have not mastered. It's called putting your phone on silent, people. One of the delegation meetings made the banquet hall sound like a casino floor because there were so many annoying ringtones going off. It's the 21st century -- learn to work your phone.
Celebrity watch
The floor gets you close access to many celebrities of the political world. You can just be feet away from CNN's Wolf Blitzer or Hannity and Colmes of Fox News; all of whom were on hand for the convention. Newt Gingrich made a cameo. And actor Jon Voight made his way to a skybox, but not before being slowed down by an armada of cameras and autograph-seekers.
Google it
Just when you thought Google had already taken over the world, the company was on hand with a booth at the convention promoting its election-enhanced services: http://www.google.com/2008election. The site features a compilation of election news on the candidates, as well as a retooling of the popular Google Maps service to include various pieces of political data. Plus they are giving out ruler-sized, 1980s-style wrist snappers to promote it. What, they ran out of Google pet rocks?
Derek Walter of Fresno, an alternate delegate and Fresno County chairman of the John McCain 2008 campaign, teaches third graders at Reagan Elementary School and college classes for National University. He also blogs at derekwalter.com.
Opinion page editor Jim Boren and metro columnist Bill McEwen are interviewing Fresno mayoral candidates Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin. Check out the debate by clicking here.
What is this, Beijing? Columnist Amy Goodman arrested in St. Paul
I got a note this morning from Clint Brewer, president of Sigma Delta Chi, the organization representing professional journalists. The leaders are meeting in Atlanta right now, and their first order of business was protesting the arrests of journalists at the two political conventions -- in America. One of those arrested was Amy Goodman, photo right, whose columns appear occasionally on The Bee's op-ed page.
If this were Beijing, we'd expect cops to arrest journalists trying to report the news they didn't want people to know about. But in Denver and St. Paul? It's ridiculous.
Here is SPJ's report on what's happening to the news people:
ATLANTA - Leaders of the Society of Professional Journalists, currently meeting in Atlanta for the annual SPJ Convention and National Journalism Conference, are expressing outrage over recent arrests of journalists at both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
SPJ, which represents journalists in all types of media outlets, is especially concerned that police in Denver and St. Paul have displayed aggressive tactics that interfere with the free flow of information and the constitutional guarantee of a free press. Additionally, what may have been viewed as an isolated incident in Denver last week has spilled over to St. Paul. SPJ firmly believes that both incidents represent an unacceptable infringement of the rights of journalists and, ultimately, a disservice to the public.
"There is a distinct and important difference between law enforcement officers keeping order and arbitrarily exercising police power," said SPJ President Clint Brewer. "It's clear that in both Denver and St. Paul, the journalists who were arrested were fulfilling their professional obligation to report objectively and fairly. As an organization that advocates on behalf of the journalism profession, we can't sit idly by while members of our industry are treated unfairly."
Last week, ABC News producer Asa Eslocker was arrested in Denver as he and a film crew were preparing an investigative piece on the role of lobbyists at the DNC.
This week, the arrests of journalists continued in St. Paul as three people with the independent news program "Democracy Now!" were arrested while covering the story of protests at the RNC. One of those arrested was the show's host, Amy Goodman, who ran to the scene after receiving a phone call that two of her producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, were under arrest. A now popular video on YouTube shows Goodman's arrest. The video suggests that Goodman was acting as a journalist seeking information about her producers, not as a protestor. Matt Rourke, an Associated Press photographer, was also arrested in the same incident.
While SPJ is disturbed that the police have blurred the line between protestors and journalists covering such protests, it is not condemning the actions of police to maintain public safety when demonstrations become violent.
"Police have a duty to protect and serve the public. So, too, do journalists serve the public interest," said Brewer. "SPJ doesn't object to the police stopping violence. Rather, we are merely alarmed by the disconcerting trend of journalists being treated as if they are a threat to public safety, when they are clearly fulfilling their roles as professional reporters."
Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. For further information about SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.
There will be fewer of those cozy fireplace blazes in Valley homes this winter -- unless residents want to risk fines for polluting the air. The Bee's Mark Grossi writes in the Smog Blog that the Valley air district is finalizing new rules that would dramatically increase the number of days each winter that burning bans are in place.
The deadline for public comment is 5 p.m. tomorrow, although some input will be possible up until the moment the district board adopts the rule. That could come on Oct. 16.
This may sneak up on some people, though that's hardly the fault of air officials, who held nine well-publicized public meetings on the new rules, with little attention from the public. No doubt there will be a few surprised folks when they get cited for burning on a no-burn day this winter. Perhaps the $50 fine will get their attention.
Swearengin, Perea to square off today at debate hosted by the Boren/McEwen Political Podcast
At noon today, Fresno mayoral candidates Ashley Swearengin and Henry T. Perea will meet in the first major debate of the runoff campaign. They will be questioned by Bill McEwen and me for an hour. We plan to ask some very tough questions -- the questions you want answered -- as well as probing the candidates on their visions for Fresno.
You can watch the debate live on your computer by going to www.fresnobee.com/multimedia. If you can't get to your computer at noon, you can listen to the debate on demand at the same web address.
We are just 62 days away from the Nov. 4 election, so it's time to focus on who will lead Fresno for the next four years. Under Fresno's modified strong-mayor form of government, the mayor is the city's chief executive, making this job the most powerful post in an local government in the region.
The city's 24th mayor must be a strong leader, who can get the potholes fixed, as well as have a vision for where Fresno is headed over the next decade. The next mayor also must figure out how to tame a City Hall bureaucracy that seems to do what it wants, especially when it comes to having an efficient permitting process. And the city must remain safe, which means that more and more tax dollars will be going into public safety. The next mayor must be able to meet all those needs -- and more -- and still put money into parks and other quality-of-life areas.
This isn't an easy job, and Swearengin and Perea must be tested during the campaign to see if they are up to the challenge. Their first big test comes today with the debate on the Boren/McEwen Political Podcast. Tune in.
Good news for middle schoolers -- all is well with hair spray, gel, clippies
I got a call this morning from Janetta McGensy, the principal at Baird Middle School, who said she had heard about the conversations about the school's dress code on the centralvalleymoms.com blog and also here on Opinion Talk. Over the weekend, I agreed with a parent who objected to the extreme restrictions on hair gel, hair spray, hair clips etc. Take a look at the mom's blog by clicking here.
The short explanation is that everything's fine now. Here's what happened: A wrong dress code agreement was inadvertently sent out to the parents, but a corrected version was to be sent out today.
Baird school sent me a copy of the revised version and there's nothing forbidding hair spray, hair gel, headbands, hair clips etc.
Ms. McGensy said they realized a wrong version had gone out when parents called and told them about the problem. The staff started working on the corrections right away. The principal said they try to work well with their parents, and they should be encouraged to call with their concerns if something doesn't sound right. So it should be all good now.
Derek Walter: You never know who'll you'll run into at Republican convention
Note to self: study up on members of the upper command in the Department of Defense. That way next time I meet someone like Donald L. Nelson, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, I act far less surprised when I find out who the person is and can avoid fumbling in conversation.
Nelson and others were among the guests at an event held at Medtronic's campus last night. The sprawling office complex was turned into a neon-lit mixer fresh with an ice sculpture bar and dry ice-filled beverages. Among the other political star sightings were Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman; also from Minnesota. They both mingled through the crowd and Coleman later took the stage to speak . But as you can imagine a crowd that had been having plenty of, well, dry ice, was a bit inattentive.
Others headed out to other parties and concerts. Daddy Yankee, McCain's most prominent musician-supporter, put on a local show. And if anyone feels like ditching any of the official delegation events there are enough forums and discussions to feed one's political appetite.
We're finally back on for a regular schedule today, with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani giving the keynote. Rudy has been impressive as a McCain surrogate in a lot of the interviews I've seen him do lately. If he had been this effective during this campaign, who knows where he could have ended up.
There is a strong buzz among the delegates as we finally get to hear from some of the top players in the GOP during today's speeches. Look for some of the political rhetoric to get turned up as we get closer to Sen. McCain's acceptance speech. Time to head off to a breakfast at Lake Minnetonka.
Oh, by the way. If you are one of my students, pay attention to your substitute! Mr. Walter will return soon. Photo special to fresnobee.com: This is me on the floor, before I got kicked off.
Derek Walter of Fresno, an alternate delegate and Fresno County chairman of the John McCain 2008 campaign, teaches third graders at Reagan Elementary School and college classes for National University. He also blogs at derekwalter.com.
It was a great day for a hike in Sequoia/Kings Canyon
We took a day trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks on Sunday and it was the highlight of our Labor Day weekend. I often forget how close these natural beauties are to Fresno, and don't enjoy them enough. The air was clean and no one was using a cell phone (thanks to most of their phones not being able to get service.)
We went to Grant Grove, home of the General Grant Tree, the nation's Christmas tree, and strolled the Grant Tree Trail.
The best part of the day was hiking to the Buck Rock Lookout (pictured above), which is in the Big Meadows area in the Seqouia National Forest. It overlooks Hume Lake, Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. It's a moderately strenuous walk -- not really a hike -- to get to the lookout, which is on a granite dome at an elevation of 8,502 feet. The final ascent is via 172 steps of a flight of stairs, which are connected to the side of Buck Rock.
This is a piece of cake for serious hikers, which I am not. But you should have seen my co-pilot quickly bound up to the top of the lookout. Don't be frightened away from this breathtaking view when you look at the stairs from below. It's easy to get to the top, thanks to the stairs, and you can take your time. In fact, there are several places on the stairway that are worth stopping and taking photos of the scenery.
Buck Rock is an active fire lookout, which is staffed seven days a week during the fire season. You can see the Great Western Divide, the Hume Lake Christian Camp, and several other spectacular sites in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Buck Rock Foundation says this lookout is one of the most popular sites within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. It wasn't crowded when we went up, but coming down they were holding people back to allow some of the crowd to clear from the tiny lookout building.
The lookout on duty was very helpful, even lending us her binoculars for a better viewof what surrounded us.
The next time you can't think of anything to do, take a drive to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The entry fee is $20 a car and that's good for seven days. If you think that's expensive, consider what you'd pay to take four people to the movies.
The Republicans' presumed vice presidential candidate, Gov. Sarah Palin, has a pregnant, unmarried teen daughter. OK, there it is, nobody's supposed to mention it, but we speak our minds here. What do you think?
I have to say I think the Republican leaders have been underestimating their folks. They've been putting a long line of older, traditional, straight-laced, experienced white guys in front of them. But listen to them and look at their faces in interviews. By all reports, they are completely "energized" by Palin and are optimistic about her place on the GOP ticket.
That can only mean they, like the Democrats, also are tired of business as usual and want to see some fresh new faces -- and new approaches to the nation's problems. In interviews, they don't seem to be bothered at all by the family situation of the Palins. Good for them.
In fact, they also seem thrilled to be the party that could be making history with the first woman vice president. This is coming from the party that prides itself on being "traditional." That usually means they like to keep things the way they've always been.
Deep down inside, it seems they like having a new face in the mix, some younger blood, someone who is spicy and sassy and doesn't kowtow to the Republican Party brass. They are mixing that with the highly experienced John McCain at the top of the ticket.
The Democrats also like a mix. Both parties seek balance, the experienced and tested elders, the energetic, creative younger people who see things with fresh eyes. Perhaps the parties are more alike than they realize.
Derek Walter: News of Gustav, Palin's pregnant teen daughter wash out convention coverage
Few look forward to the drudgery of a bus ride -- even if the seats are comfy and you are really excited about your destination. One way for things to get more interesting is to get re-routed to avoid danger.
Such was the case on today's trip to the Xcel Center for the morning (and today only) session of the Republican National Convention. A police officer on board our bus told us that we were being rerouted because of some protesters causing trouble. I had wondered why we were getting a tour of Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods and elementary schools.
Finally, we were on the freeway and made our arrival without incident. It was an overwhelming atmosphere at the arena, with the CNN Grill, giant Fox News screen and convention banners. This is what it must feel like to attend the Super Bowl or an NBA Finals game.
First stop was the convention floor and a swing over to the California delegation seating. The floor seats are not that great -- only a side view of the podium. I guess when your state votes Democratic in nearly every presidential election you don't get the choice seating. But if you're in a swing state, like Ohio, you score. Front row seats for the Buckeye State.
Anyone who loves politics would be awed by the scene. You are surrounded by news booths in the box seating area and are just feet from where Sen. John McCain will accept the Republican nomination. Hopefully, the speakers will not be blinded by the floor. It reflected so much from the jumbo screen that you had to wonder how many gallons of chemicals were used to shine it.
My tour was cut short, as I was promptly kicked off the floor for not having the right credentials (to his credit the Secret Service agent who asked me to leave was quite cool about it). Being an alternate, I sit in the first level of seating, which to my great fortune turns out to be better than the delegation seats. Sometimes it pays to be less important.
Finally around 3:01 p.m. I took my seat. At 3:05, the session was adjourned for an hour of committee meetings. Riveting.
That allows for a little exploration. Three celebrity sightings: Karl Rove, George Stephanopolous, and Sam Donaldson. The last two were spotted during restroom trips, which made it slightly uncool.
The convention finally got a spark with speeches from Laura Bush and Cindy McCain. They urged delegates to donate to a series of charities working to help hurricane victims.
I heard some comments today from callers to CNN Headline News complaining this was politicized. Seriously, sometimes you can't catch a break. If you ignore the hurricane, you're being insensitive. If you adjust your convention, you are politicizing it.
Fortunately, John McCain is one to follow his conscience and charge ahead. If he wasn't that way, he wouldn't have nailed the most pressing military issue of this decade: calling for the surge.
It turned out after checking the news channels today, that my delegate experience was completely different from what dominated the news today. I had time to catch Wolf Blitzer obsessing with the news that Gov. Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter is five months pregnant.
The coverage was shameless. There is nothing gained in the public's "right to know" by splashing the details of a potential vice president's child on the news ticker. Even Barack Obama had the dignity to declare that the family should be "off-limits" when pressed by reporters. Sure, it is newsworthy to some degree, but that doesn't mean it needs to dominate the news cycle. Maybe Blitzer should work for "Entertainment Tonight." He could spend all day on Jamie Lynn Spears.
There's a big event tonight including other state delegations being sponsored by Medtronic. It got moved up and reconfigured to include fund raising because of Gustav. Which means I better bring this to a close. The bus is probably pulling into the hotel lot. Here's to hoping no protesters wreck my ride.
More later.
Derek Walter of Fresno, an alternate delegate and Fresno County chairman of the John McCain 2008 campaign, teaches third graders at Reagan Elementary School and college classes for National University. He also blogs at derekwalter.com.
The Legislature has now moved into record territory by going 63 days past the beginning of the fiscal year without passing a state budget. The question that Sacramento insiders are asking is a basic one: When this budget is finally resolved, what will the state really have gotten for the longest stalemate in California history?
The cynics out there, including me, think it ultimately will be politics as usual with no real reform to show for all the hand-wringing. I hope that's not the case, but our leaders haven't given any indication that this stalemate is about anything other than politicial ideology. Compromise is a dirty word among legislative leaders.
There's a lot of finger-pointing going on right now at the Capitol, so I'm going to sort out for you the positions of the players in an easy-to-understand format:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's position: The governor will accept taxes demanded by the Democrats, but only if there is signficant reform of the budget process, including the establishment of a "rainy day" fund that would gather up money in good financial years to help with the budget in bad financial years. It would also have a spending cap that would help match income to expenditures.
Legislative Democrats' position: They want tax increases to solve most of the budget problem, and would accept some cuts in state programs. But they don't want budget reforms that would cap spending in future years.
Legislative Republicans' position: They say the problem is too much spending and all the state has to do is make cuts. They back the budget reforms sought by the governor, but oppose any tax increases. They would accept some borrowing, and would take money from cities and counties to help balance the budget this year.
So the governor is caught in the middle of these two extremes. He is pushing compromise and legislative Democrats and Republicans are pushing gridlock. It's time for legislative leaders to actually show they are leaders by getting an acceptable deal that has long-term fixes to the budget problem.
And this brings us back to the question posed at the beginning of this post: When this budget is finally resolved, what will the state really have gotten for the longest stalemate in California history?
There's a veeerrrrry scarrrry post over on our sister site, centralvalleymoms.com , about Baird Middle School. This is a magnet school with a very good reputation, but apparently this year, it seems to have hired a consultant whose credentials come from a famous religious cult in Texas.
The dress code, according to the frustrated mom, not only requires uniforms, which were expected, but also regulates the length of bangs, and forbids putting your hair behind the ears, hair clips, hair spray, hair gel, highlights. Also, shoelaces must match the color of the shoes AT ALL TIMES. Clearly, these administrators don't have enough to do and work weekends as Pantene models -- they certainly don't have naturally curly, fine, thin or coarse hair with a mind of its own. Oh, and by the way, the girls are required to put their hair in ponytails for P.E. Gosh, why not make them put their hair in those little fountains on top of their heads like they had when they were toddlers?
* cue music from "Hair"*
Are there any other schools out there who have too much free time on their hands and have similar rules? Since no one from the school has posted anything defending these rules, are there any teachers or administrators who want to step forward and reassure us that they haven't been drinking the Kool-Aid? Here we sit with one of the nation's highest dropout rates, and they're discussing shoelaces? Please tell us this is a big misunderstanding, and that their brains haven't turned to applesauce.
You know, there are now two jobs in government that I want. One is to be paid to watch over comatose prison inmates. The second is to be part of the shoelace police at Baird Middle School.
