I lead with this today, because it seems to be part of a consistent theme:
Your listeners do not have the straight story, if they have listened only to Stacy’s interview of Leibham. This election is an opportunity to take back the 50th district, but not if Leibham wins, because he agrees with too many stay-the-course issues, as in the issue of media consolidation, which does not concern him because of the Internet. In addition, his loyalty is to staying in power—as in pretending to Howard Dean that he was the only Democratic candidate in this race to try to get Dean’s endorsement, which he did not get—his loyalty is not to any position on an issue or principle.
This is from Cheryl Ede who’s running for the Dem nomination in the 50th District vs. Nick Leibham. I heard exactly the same thing from Vicki Butcher and her supporters who are vying for the nomination in Duncan Hunter’s lapsed district, the 52nd. Vicki is the true “progressive”, former Navy Seal Mike Lumpkin is the trojan horse conservative. Actually, I heard a lot of this before, about former Reaganite Navy Secretary Jim Webb, who switched parties to purge George Allen from the Senate and also Paul Hackett, another Iraq War vet, who narrowly lost to the demonic Jean Schmidt in Ohio a few years back in a closely watched congressional election that was widely regarded as a referendum on Bush’s incompetence.
Aside from the common demoninator of veteran status (Liebham being the exception), it’s not clear to me why any of these guys is considered the stealth non-progressive fox-in-the-Dem-hen-house. Because they’re guys? Because they served in the military? Because, on 2 occasions (Webb and Lumpkin), they changed parties? Because they own guns?
Fact is, winning is the issue now. Get a super majority, withstand the veto, kick Republican ass. All of the above seem to be on the right side of the health care debate, the domestic jobs debate, and the get-the-hell-out-of-Iraq debate. And more importantly, they are, or potentially are, electable. If “progressive” means idealistically intent on purity over electibility, I’ll take my chances with the “operational” over the “aspirational”.
I got a call from Vickie Butcher saying that Mike Lumpkin is a republican. Now, since I’m a volunteer on Mike’s campaign, I know that to be a fat lie. He is all democrat! Vickie should be ashamed of herself. Mike Lumpkin may or may not be as “progressive” as Vickie, but he’s more honest and upstanding than she. In fact, I trust Mike Lumpkin so much, that I’m leaving my dog to him in my will.
VOTE FOR MIKE LUMPKIN ON TUESDAY!
Comment by Lorelei — Sunday, June 1, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
none of you know me really. ie been around politics (not party politics) for decades. Once in a very, very blue moon I find someone to actually vote FOR. Used to be Jim Jeffords, of Vermont. Remember him?
And now theres Mike Lumpkin. Hes been at my house, we’ve had a few lengthy conversations. i trust him with district, & country. Like I said, all you know is what I write, take my word for it, hes no ‘trojan horse”…
Comment by mutt — Sunday, June 1, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
I think Cheryl could probably benefit from a proof-reader or anyone who has passed a high-school writing course and is willing to help.
I remember Paul Hackett. He was alright! Mike Lumpkin sounds O.K. too. Thanks for having him on your show. The guy that I don’t really trust who claims to have seen the light is Francis. I have heard of Republicans switching parties in droves over the last few years. Not so much here in San Diego. Music, tequila, sun and fun. Who cares about politics anyway?
Comment by Flying Junior — Sunday, June 1, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
Another difference between the two 50th District Democratic candidates: I agree with the Democratic Party on the immigration issue–there should be a comprehensive solution to this complex problem. My opponent says that “all must go back and get in line.” I must win the Democratic primary so 50th district voters have a choice on this most important issue for our district, as my opponent’s position is similar to Bilbray’s.
Eighty-one percent of Americans think our country is headed in the wrong direction; the 50th district is part of the country. I lost a loved one in Vietnam–one of 1,948 Vietnam-era MIA’s–and will do everything I can to prevent the deaths of more young Americans who are serving our country. These deaths are due to decisions a president made to take us to war, and members of Congress agreed to. The ones who cannot speak for themselves, and the young Americans serving our country now, along with their families, will be uppermost in my mind as I help to make the laws of our country.
I will vote to apply a go-to-the-moon spirit to the renewable energy industry, to get us off oil, which will help get us off wars, save our planet, and win the hearts and minds of people by joining with the international community to combat global warming.
When we excuse behavior because it is “politics” (as in my opponent pretending to Howard Dean that he was the only candidate in the primary, in an attempt to get Dean’s endorsement–which he did not, as Dean maintains absolute neutrality in primary races), it is understandable why our country is in the shape it is in.
To view the video of Leibham pretending to Howard Dean, download Quick Time 7. http://www.checklists.com/dean.html.
I will be the champion of the public financing of elections, so that others will not be badgered to drop out of a primary race to make way for the man with the money. Those truely are fighting words! To determine a candidate is “viable” because of the size of their bank account, and not the content of their character, is no different than auctioning the office to the highest bidder.
I am the only Democratic candidate in the 50th who values democratic procedures as applied to primary races. Competition makes us better candidates, creates interest among voters, and all of us get smarter as we debate the issues, as it should be in a democratic republic! I have not asked anyone to drop out of the Democratic primary.
Bilbray has voted in lockstep with the Bush administration, and allowed his policies to continue for another two years. Bilbray did not vote to override the president’s veto of the children’s health care initiative, which was the final straw for me.
I am endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of America–Metro Chapter and National PDA, and agree with the PDA that a single-payer health care system is the way to go–I am the only Democratic candidate in the 50th with this position on health care.
I also am a reasonable person–my husband doesn’t agree with me on everything; I am ready for the debate to begin on any number of issues. Issues must be debated; ethical behavior, on the other hand, and doing right by the young people who serve our country, must never be compromised.
Comment by Cheryl Ede — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 4:24 am
Another major difference between the two 50th district Democratic candidates is on immigration. I agree with the Democratic Party that there must be a comprehensive solution to this complex problem; my opponent says: “all must go back and get in line.” I must win the Democratic primary so 50th district voters have a choice on this most major issue–because my opponent’s position is like Bilbray’s.
Eight-one percent of Americans think our country is headed in the wrong direction; the 50th district is part of the country. Republicans have changed to “I decline to state a political party” so they could sign my petitions-in-lieu-of-filing-fee, and to vote for me. Democrats in the 50th district should have the choice of a true Democrat.
I lost a loved one in Vietnam–one of 1,948 Vietnam-era MIAs–and will do everything in my power to prevent the deaths of more young Americans serving our country, based on a president’s bad decisions. The young dead Americans, those serving our country now, and their families will be uppermost in my mind as I help to determine the laws of our country.
When we determine “viability” based on the the size of bank accounts, instead of the content of a candidate’s character, it is no different than auctioning the office to the highest bidder. No wonder we are in trouble.
When we excuse behavior because it is only “politics” (as in my opponent pretending to Howard Dean that he was the only candidate in the primary, so Dean would endorse him–which Dean did not do, as he maintains absolute neutrality in primary races), it makes sense why our country is in the shape it is in.
To view the video of my opponent pretending to Howard Dean, download Quick Time 7. http://www.checklists.com/dean.html.
I will be the champion of the public financing of elections. I do not want others to be badgered to drop out of the primary to make way for the man with the money. Those truely are fighting words! I am the only Democratic candidate in the 50th who values democratic procedures applied to primary races. Competition makes us better candidates, creates interest among voters and all of us get smarter, as we debate the issues–as it should be in a democratic republic!
Bilbray has voted in lockstep with the Bush administration, allowing his policies to continue another two years. Bilbray did not vote to override the president’s veto of the Children’s Health Care Initiative, which was the final straw for me.
I am endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of America, and agree with the PDA that a single-payer health care system is the way to go. I am the only Democratic candidate in the 50th with his position.
I also am a reasonable person–my husband does not agree with me on everything. I am ready for the debate to begin on any number of issues. Issues must be debated; ethical behavior, on the other hand, and doing right by the young people who serve our country, must never be compromised.
Comment by Cheryl Ede — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 4:52 am
Two additional thoughts for voters: Seventeen percent of the members of Congress are women. Seven of those are retiring, so we must elect seven women, just to stay at seventeen percent.
Congress has an abundance of attorneys. In the spirit of diversity, a social scientist-psychologist perspective will be a good addition to Congress. With so many of our troops coming home with untreated PTSD, committing suicide and demonstrating other significant emotional and relationship difficulties, the social scientist-psychologist perspective will be especially beneficial at this time in our history.
Comment by Cheryl Ede — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 8:48 am
This is one of the best posts Stacy Taylor has made on this blog. From my earliest days of political involvement I have experienced the “more radical than thou” sentiments from those working to bring on change.
Ralph Nader is recruiting students on this campus for his fool’s brigade. Not that it will matter with Obama as the nominee. He will go down in flames with or without Nader.
The Democrats had to indulge themselves rather than make the tough political assessments of what it takes to win the general election.
Comment by virginiaM — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Clinton-haters, don’t even bother to flame me. What happened this weekend is just the beginning of what the right wing echo machine will do to Obama.
Comment by virginiaM — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Dear Cheryl Ede,
I’m sure you are a marvelous person and I wouldn’t be surprised if I agreed with you are most if not all of the issues. You talking about illegal immigration surprises me though.
Are you unaware that it was her unguarded comments that were spun as support of illegal immigration that killed Francine Busby’s shot at the nomination?
Those who are trying to run for office in a democracy who refuse to acknowledge the wishes of a majority of the electorate may accomplish something towards starting a dialogue but they are not going to be elected!
Comment by virginiaM — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 11:02 am
I must win the Democratic primary so 50th district voters have a choice on this most major issue–because my opponent’s position is like Bilbray’s.
Dear Cheryl, The voters of the 50th will not elect a pro- amnesty candidate.
Comment by virginiaM — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 11:05 am
We received a “Non-Partisan Candidate Evaluation Council, Inc.” flyer in the mail that just happens to promote all GOP candidates, ha, ha! “Non-Partisan”? Not! What a joke. It’s from some so-called “non-profit volunteer organization” group based in Irvine, CA. I’d love to see where their funds come from. Their site is www.nonpartisanslate.com.
Also, Mike Lumpkin’s definitely got my vote! I have nothing against Vicki Butcher - I just think Mike’s got a better chance standing up against Hunter in the general election. Sorry, Vicki!
Comment by goodgolly — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 11:32 am
There is an interesting story on “Black Liberation Theology” in The Nation May 5 edition called “The Liberation of Reverend Wright”. It gives an idea of the roots of its psychology and meaning.
Also I thought it interesting how Pastor Manning (I think that his name)was basically, on an unconscious level, attacking the Bush Administration with his spirit-of-a-pimp stamp. When I listened to that interview of him with Mr. Taylor I heard, what seemed to be, the real issue–that Obama was as left wing as you could get. Well we know by now that the right-wing mindset basically blames the left for what the right is guilty of–therefore pastor Mannings anger and approbrium, had he had more personal insight and clarity–was really an attack on the real pimps.
Comment by Darrell North Park — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
Virgina, your passion is admirable and may serve you well but it’s a shame all this fire and retoric you espouse will be in vain, as the tea leaves have spoken and presedent Obama will need all your passion and intellect to see him through the next four or eight years. THE FAT LADY IS SINGING (loudly) To you, this may have been a great post but it looked to me as just another boring campaign speach, people who talk the walk have a hard time walking it.
Comment by knifemaster — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Stacy: I wanted to let you know that Nick Liebham “misspoke” on your show that day. The Democratic Party has absolutely targeted the 52nd district. The Party has concluded that Mike Lumpkin is worth backing, although the 52nd has been a republican stronghold in the past. That is about to change, however. In fact, the more votes he gets in tomorrow’s election, the more money the DCCC will give to Mike’s campaign.
They will not, however give any money to Vickie Butcher, because she’s just not electable. Also, hearing Vickie speak on your show the day you had her and Mike on, proved to me that she really doesn’t understand her district.
I forget the exact numbers, but in the 52nd, we have approx 40 percent repugs, 35 percent Democrats and the rest are decline-to-state voters. We’re catching up and we can elect a candidate like Mike Lumpkin.
Comment by Lorelei — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
Lorelei, I don’t know much about local democratic politics and I wonder if you have any recommendations as to who to vote for (or not vote for) for the Democratic committee?
Comment by virginiaM — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
Right on Stacy! Winning is everything in the 52nd CD. This is an OPEN SEAT, a once in a life time opportunity, and we have to win it now! Mike Lumpkin is intelligent, he has in depth understanding of the important issues.
Definition of progressive from the ‘Progressive Majority’: being progressive means we value economic justice, social justice, civil rights, and quality education for all!
Comment by Judy — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
Virginia, do you know what assembly district you’re in? If not, where do you live?
Comment by Lorelei — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
Progressive Majority is a non-profit organization who helps progressive first time candidates win local elections. I asked the director what criteria they use to judge a candidate’s ‘progressiveness,’ he told me that these candidates value economic justice, social justice, civil rights, and quality education for all! Mike Lumpkin is plenty progressive for me!!
Comment by Judy — Monday, June 2, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
This is why the Democratic party has FAILED to stop the war criminals running the country.
Because our Congress is made up of absolutely mindless traitors= rubber-stamp Republicans, and the other half are Democrat accommodators. Those voters who produce this combination are also accommodators willing to back candidates with no ethics or who have such anti-democratic ideas as to think the media conglomerates do not need to be broken up. We do not have even ONE Democratically-inclined- which is to say truth-based talk station in all of San Diego county, when the actual population must be about evenly divided. The propaganda controlled by the media makes it nearly impossible to get any reality and Democratic views in our news. It is simply ludicrous for anyone to think that the internet makes up for the media propaganda. Very few people in the general public can avail themselves of it.
Continue to support ethically-challenged Congressmen, and we will continue the nation’s demise in the proverbial “handbasket” to you know where.
Comment by Patricia — Tuesday, June 3, 2008 @ 7:14 am
FYI, If you’re registered as non-partisan, decline-to-state or whatever, you need to ask for a democratic ballot (or republican if you want) so you can vote for your state assembly person and your congress person. They’re not on the non-partisan ballots.
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, June 3, 2008 @ 7:43 am
Hi Virginia, here’s an article you will appreciate: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-begala/hillary-and-jackie_b_104874.html
Some of you others might like it too.
Comment by Lorelei — Tuesday, June 3, 2008 @ 11:59 am
“economic justice, social justice, civil rights, and quality education for all! “- what ‘progressives” stand for. Im told.
okaaaaay…what does that mean IN PRACTICE?
Heck, Im for banana cream pie & Mom……..I can find any number of repubs who will claim the same virtues as above.
But my experience tells me that “progressives” HAVE no actual critique of arbitrary exercise of State power, they just think they will do a better job if they were telling you how to live & what to do/think/say, and are pretty much across the board in considering increasingly centralized Federal power as a end to…..what?
ive yet to hear a prog think critically about, say, the Federal Dept. of Education, a bottomless $ hole, a lifetime sinecure of bureaucrats, expensive ones at that. Dosnt put one teacher in a classroom, or one roof on a school. Or emminent domain- hell, progs have no problem with the idea of the State siezing your property for “developement”, they just want to determine who gets it.
i met a old feller, had a great job. He was a history Phd, & gave lectures around the country of 30’s & 40’s world politics.
He traveled a lot, & had an observation: he could always tell when he was in a “progressive” city- Madison, Wi, in this case- because of the length of the list of the things you couldnt do in a city park. Madison parks needed BILLBOARDS to list all the banned activities…..and Madtown oooozed proggyness. And, hey: Tammy Baldwin was a friend of mine, its not like I was an outsider.
I started noticing the Left I was a part of become increasingly silly/irrelevant as the “prog” business started gaining hold- early/md 80’s. Concomitant with that was the Left getting involved in legislation about how you live your life. talk all you want, but passing laws in a fit of emotional “we have to DO something” righteousness is nothing I want to live under. I attributed it to birkenstocks killing braincells, as the two went hand in hand…….
Progress would be having Congress READ the bills it passes, and actually WRITE THEM, AND POST THEM in the months preceeding Congressional debate so citizens can discuss them, Ive yet to hear a Prog take that up. Because THAT would put a definate cramp in arbitrary, coersive State power.
Like I said: no critique of the coersive nature of the State, just a lot of whining about not wielding the club…….mike, BTW, thinks bills should be read in thier entirety by those voting on them. Thats a start….
Comment by mutt — Tuesday, June 3, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I personally like “Blue Dog” democrats, Jim Webb is one of my favs in the Senate right now, in huge part because he savagely rips the Bush White House a new one whenever given the chance. Sure he might drink beer and own guns but isn’t this still the sort of guy we need in power, a no BS actual straight-shooter. I would love it if Obama picks Webb as a running mate but we’ll see. The bottom line here is that the democratic party is vast and there are many different groups existing in shaky truces beneath the DNC banner. We don’t always have to agree on everything, getting out of Iraq, ending the Bushy tax cuts to wealthiest and remaining pro-choice are good enough to start. The Democratic Party does not march in perfect, lock step, that’s what the other side does. Limbaugh and co puke forth mental sewage to their moronic masses and an army of drooling, knuckle dragging degenerates nods in agreement. I’m proud to say that dems argue amongst themselves, that this is often our greatest strength and deepest weekness and that we’re better for it.
Comment by Justin — Tuesday, June 3, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
i was somewhat concerned when I saw how close Butcher got to Mike…..I expected a much wider spread. Question: how many Butcher supporters will vote for Mike as he carries the dreadful burden of not being “progressive” enough? And on the other hand, look at the massive margin Hunter won by. Now: Ill bet a LOT of those wing nuts thought they were votin for Senior. The difference between the parties is: they dont care, theyll vote for Jr. anyway.
One thing is for sure: Mikes no shrinkin violet…..
We voted for Reyes, too. And Jacobs ran away with it…..is it something in the water? The Wingnut tribe is cohesive, its sole useful trait……
Comment by mutt — Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 8:33 am
Virginia, do you know what assembly district you’re in? If not, where do you live?
I’m in the 76th assembly district, the 50th congressional district but I ended up leaving that part blank since I only knew Eleanor Mang.
Comment by virginiaM — Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 9:39 am
Ha Ha, for mayor I wrote in Donna Frye. I hadn’t planned to do that but there I was with a pen in my hand.
Comment by virginiaM — Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 9:40 am
It’s nice to see Peters and Maenscheim go down in flames, but Jan Goldsmith is having a very good day. Mayor Sanders, the U-T and our beloved KPBS have really done a number on Mike Aguirre. It will take a real grass-roots effort for him to win the run-off. The average, rank and file, conservative San Diegan just thinks he is some kind of curse. Aguirre is the man! THE MAN!. I guess I haven’t seen the results yet today. It would be a damn shame if Jerry got all three of his propositions through.
Comment by Flying Junior — Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
So I looked up the results. Of course, my worst fears were confirmed, even though I did vote for Prop A. So I noticed an interesting name on one of the contests. Who the hell is Briana Bilbray? Well, anyway, here is my ancient post about Brian Bilbray. Francine Busby rocks!
Comment by Flying Junior — Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
great news site check it out http://www.pubrecord.org/
Comment by Jesse east county — Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Contrary to the Union-Tribune’s constant slant against Mike Aguirre, the fact remains that the man did quiet well. Further in public debates Jan Goldman agreed that the “principles” that Aguirre was fighting for were legitimate.
The problem is that the “idealists” like Lepine and Goldman, as backseat critics, can claim the one ought be able to resolve differences cordially, the truth to human nature is often very different. The reality is that too often people operate from places of stupidity and stubbornness.
Anyone who has been around the block even once knows that many people resist change and resist doing the right thing for a plurality of reasons. It takes someone with a strong will and a strong sense of ethical sensibility to oppose a corrupt system. Mike Aguirre may not have had the luxury to play the perfect diplomat—given the entrenched prejudices and enormous mud-slinging that he confronted.
It is amazing how mainstream media people, who seldom run for public office themselves, and who are never elected to speak for the people, imply that they themselves have such high-minded motives and reservoirs of wisdom but are so singularly judgmental and snide.
Nevertheless given the enormous opposition that Mike Aguirre confronted—the mere fact that he still received the amount of support he secured is truly exceptional. It says something about the people defying the media monopoly in this culture. And there is a reason for Mike’s support-—despite the constant ad hominem attacks to his motives—-when he spoke in defense he appealed to principles (not politics). And if he eventually looses it will be because human sensibility, American style, simply cannot tolerate too much truth. Never-the-less he is the hero who started the wheels of justice turning.
Comment by Darrell North Park — Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
I’m a little disturbed by people who think Mike’s not “progressive” enough. I had former congressional candidate Derek Cassiday say to me that Mike’s not progressive enough. Fortunately, he can’t vote in the 52nd, just as many of the other PDA San Diego members can’t vote for Mike. I’m a little worried that they have influence. Another caveat to this race is that the republicans will have an initiative on the ballot to amend the California constitution against gay marriage, so the republicans will be out in droves to vote for that.
The breakdown in the east county is 45 percent republican, 31 percent democratic and the rest are decline to states or other parties. So you see that Mike Lumpkin can win this thing in the fall if we can influence the DTS voters. Lumpkin’s race is winnable, it’s just going to take a lot of work and money.
If any progressives are reading this, please take the time to get to know Mike. He doesn’t want the war to continue. He wants us to get out in the most responsible way possible. He has been over there in combat and he has a master’s degree in National Security Affairs. Why would you think someone like Vickie Butcher would know better how to end the war?
We’re all on the same team, we all want them to come home.
Comment by Lorelei — Thursday, June 5, 2008 @ 7:18 am
Well, all I can say is I hope Hillaryist dead-enders last gasp isnt as long (or as violent) as the one weve been seeing in Iraq the last 6 and a half years…….
Comment by mutt — Thursday, June 5, 2008 @ 8:27 am
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/editorial1/20080605-9999-lz1ed5top.html
Does this surprise anyone? Reform candidate? Donna Frye was the one who uncovered the pension problems. She is the reformer who wants open government and accountability. I think the UT went way far over the top with this editorial. I can hardly believe they would lay it out like this.
Long live the kleptocracy!
Comment by virginiaM — Thursday, June 5, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
Well once you realize “progressives” really arent very- suburban stalinists, statists in birkenstocks- a independant minded guy like Lumpkin is an anethema.
If you go back to the roots of progressivism, in the upper Midwest, you find it had totalitarian streaks a mile wide. like the Taliban of today, they took a dim view of women drinkin wine & dancing, among other things. used to lock them up. for thier own good.
the really big problem normal, regulr, everyday people face here is that disgust for the Repubs will be conflated (by the Dems)with approvall for the dems.
Just as impeachment was taken off the table, so will cutting ins. co’s out the health care loop. that, also, will be off the table.
And if they getall three branches in hand? NO good will come of it, none. We wont be out of the hole, we’ll be in a different, albeit MAYBE shallower one.
Ive yet heard them address the debt, other than lip service. Right now they are squabbling over a half trillion $ bill, 350 pages long, that not ONE of them have read, that will establish this nitwit “cap & trade” power grab. The thought of the Dems with a veto proff majority gives me zero joy. the best anyone who values human liberty can hope for is gridlock.
and dont get me started on the War.
One of the things Ive run cross in my political life is the assumption that because Im opposed to Imperialist ventures, hellhole prisons, & the like, that Im on board with every nitwit dream on the Prog agenda. Im not a prog, hell, im not even a member of the “peace movement”- and THAT is intolerable, as Ive learned in Burlington, Vt, & Madison, Wi, in my political life. not that I give a damn.
Well, we might get rid of Bush, but we arent free of our Mideast policy being run by Likud, of which AIPAC is just a front.
I trust Mike to do the right thing. The REST of the Dem apparat? Enemies and/or obstacles……nothing but appetite.
Comment by mutt — Thursday, June 5, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Did anyone read the Natalie Angier’s story “Cold Water, Warm Hearts” in the Quest section of the Union-Tribune that was about walruses?
Granted it is not exactly the political tea of the day. But why do some of us human beings feel relationship to weird mammals of the sea of the northern frontier? Yes I do recall, some years ago, a picture in a copy of National Geographic Magazine that included pictures of a walrus floating under water all blob-like and doing their existential confrontation, that is staring at me through photographic sightings—like you get walking through a Scripp’s aquarium. It was really perplexing to wonder why these strange things exist outside my human world of common mundaneness.
Newspapers, of course, would do much better if they were to include the pronunciation and etymology of strange words as “Odobenus rosmaris” via Greek ‘odontos’ meaning tooth and ‘benus’ maybe meaning good? Why are science writers so afraid to include the background schemata to words like “pinniped”? That is why do I have to lift my heavy Randon House dictionary to my lap to learn this word’s pronunciation and gain insight that ‘pinna’ means feather and ‘ped’ means feet? Certainly the concept of a feather foot has some detail of interest? But the fact is that professional writers constantly exclude these important pieces of fact and fiction—and thus alienate readers with their strange scientific jargon.
Nevertheless, the story as it was written was still fascinating—that is to those who occasionally look for animal interest stories—and who are not completely opposed to giving the local fish wrap’s various teams an occasional nod of approval.
Cheers to sea within all of us.
Comment by Out to Sea — Friday, June 6, 2008 @ 1:17 am
http://dogreport.blogspot.com/
Flying Junior, I read your post on Obama. I have found myself feeling much the same way. What do we really know about him? I know that he supports nuclear power which is a real flaw in my view. When I think about how the Pentagon and the spy agencies manipulated Carter and to a lesser extent Bill Clinton (accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade) it makes me wish for someone tougher and with more experience with dealing with them.
Like you I will vote for Obama but with a heavy and worried heart. In fact, I think he will win in California but I will be very surprised if he can withstand the smear machine in the swing states.
Comment by virginiaM — Friday, June 6, 2008 @ 9:47 am
I will attempt to string together a few sentences critiquing some of recent writings of fans of the Spike show. First; I get enough campaign retoric from regular media, I didn’t expect this site to be taken over by candidate wonk babel. It’s like a salesman trying to sell me shoe laces, if I want the friggen laces he wouldn’t have to sell me. Second; You gals who want to carry on girl conversations, get their phone # and leave us out of the conversation. Third; I really enjoy Stacy’s lead in monologue and callers remarks on it. You loose me on all the parlor games. I use to be a three hour listener but two is the most I can get through. You sure need someone like the old Scott to produce and play off of.
Comment by knifemaster — Friday, June 6, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Don’t worry about it knifemaster, let Obama have his moment in the sun. It won’t always be about the elections. Listen to what other people have to say. Nobody on this blog ever reads what anyone else says anyway unless 12 hours pass and you know what number you finally get. Kudos to Patricia and Dale from North Park for comments #19 and #30. Times be illing. Mike Aguirre is the man.
Comment by Flying Junior — Friday, June 6, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
That is Darrell from North Park. It sounds the same in my mind, it just spells differently!
Comment by Flying Junior — Friday, June 6, 2008 @ 9:50 pm
I just read the headline “Angry Clinton Supporters Rallying For McCain.” So, wait a sec….you were gonna vote Democrat why? I find it absolutely disgusting that people would flip that much and vote the exact opposite just because they are “bitter” over the primaries. I will tell you straight out. I like Clinton, I just kinda liked Obama more. If she would have won I definitely would have voted for her.
One other thing I find totally disgusting about this country is how people can’t vote for someone because of race or sex. I have heard from people I know closely that they will not vote for Obama because he’s black. Not because of my passion for politics, but because of the lack of maturity on this issue, I find myself screaming at them for being idiots. I think that for that to even still be an issue these days, is completely ridiculous. Just as being a woman would somehow make someone a less effective leader. Well, if that’s the case, someone forgot to tell Margaret Thatcher, Cory Aquino, Golda Mayer, Indira Ghandi, Benazir Bhutto, all past ruling Queens of England (when it mattered), and other women throughout history that lead their countries. If you vote for a man over a woman for this reason, may I present the one man who has proven how ineffective a male leader can be……Mr George Dubya Bush.
Comment by BigJ — Saturday, June 7, 2008 @ 4:44 am
I guess I’m not being fair. You guys are alright. Fly on Stacy Taylor!
Comment by Flying Junior — Saturday, June 7, 2008 @ 9:34 am
Flying Jr.;Sometimes you have to STirrrr the pot a bit. I read, listen,view and digest a lot of material and at that time I calls Em like I sees em. Fridays show was exemplary and felt like the old KLSD days. Interview with Bugliosi was extra fine, nice to see someone as worked up over this friggin dunderhead as me. Went on line to Amazon and found it for $17.95 but you can pick it up at COSCO for $15.49 as I just did. At the check out counter the kid gave me a big thumbs up along with a (enjoy) I assured him I would. I get the feeling that the Spike show on 1700 is viewed by their management as a poor distant often shuned idiot half cousin to be worked in between minor league baseball games
Comment by knifemaster — Saturday, June 7, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
One other thing I find totally disgusting about this country is how people can’t vote for someone because of race or sex. I have heard from people I know closely that they will not vote for Obama because he’s black.
Yeah, guess so. Who would have thought anybody would let their prejudices affect their choice for the president of the United States? I guess there really weren’t that many people who wouldn’t consider voting for a woman. I mean, even the republican housewives all said they liked the idea of a woman president, just not Hillary Clinton. Well allow me to suggest Laura Bush. She is a vital woman who has involved herself in many productive enterprises. She’s no doubt a saint. And another thing. This needs to be said. I have no patience for anyone who hates the Clintons. What the hell are you so pissed about? Whitewater? Bin Laden? The Clintons are decent hard-working public servants. Noboady can tell me different. Rush Limbaugh hated Clinton. You idiots just needed his cue to know it was cool to hate Clintons. The only problem with Clinton was he waited a little bit too late in his second term to try to really change anything. But it was still a hell of a presidency. “Don’t stop, thinking about the past…” I guess with the choice of Obama or Hillary, we have feared a Republican victory all along. But now it is an epic battle. The party that dared to put forth a woman and a black man for the highest office in the land must win at all costs. A vote for McCain would consolidate the grip of the neo-fascist cabal that has controlled the Bush presidency. And all you whining Hillary supporters, just come to your senses and don’t even joke about voting for McCain.
Comment by Flying Junior — Sunday, June 8, 2008 @ 9:28 pm