Because it’s Wednesday, there is another Sheriff Carona scandal to blog about. Tonight, KOCE aired a clip of Carona answering questions from reporters about his campaign. One reporter asked about the Rizzolo pictures, and Carona pushed the camera and asked the reporter (in a scary voice) “are you going to ask me questions about the campaign or what?”

Somehow Carona is trying to put the blame for this one on Ralph Martin. Gila at the Orange Juice Blog speculated:

This time Carona is blaming the story on Ralph Martin. The polling must show Martin’s numbers sneaking up, otherwise it would be placed on Hunt’s doorstep.

The Carona campaign is alleging that Martin is responsible for this entire thing, and they released this statement:

“This last-minute allegation and stunt by the Martin for Sheriff Campaign is both laughable and absurd. To invent this story is an indication of just how desperate the Martin campaign is. Needless to say, this accusation is completely without merit and witnesses will attest to this. By launching this fabricated smear, Ralph Martin has diminished himself as a law enforcement professional. Witnesses will attest to the fact that Sheriff Carona never even touched the individual in question.”

Maybe Martin has something to do with the timing of the release (even though I’ve seen no evidence of this), but can anyone explain to me how Ralph Martin created the video of the big, bad, Mafia Sheriff intimidating a Little Saigon TV Reporter?

You can watch the re-play of Real Orange Thursday morning at 8 a.m.

[Tip via Total Buzz via Orange Juice Blog]

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Friends,

Tonight, we witnessed a character assassination and defamation of our good friend and nationally recognized educator, Kim Oanh Nguyen-Lam. Two Westminster school board members supported by the teachers’ union, Jim Reed and Joanne Purcell, were joined by a Christian Fundamentalist, Judy Ahearns, in overturning their original decision to hire Kim Oanh to be superintendent of Westminster School District.

Tonight, we witnessed nearly two hundred community leaders, teachers, and ordinary people with their children, many from the working poor, majority Latino, but also many Vietnamese, who came out to express their support for one of their own, Kim Oanh. It broke my heart to see so many parents who had such high hopes for their children in having a superintendent who could speak English, Spanish and Vietnamese; someone who, for the first time, understood their challenges, someone who would listen. Those hopes were dashed by the board who are so out of touch with the community they were elected to serve.

Tonight, we witnessed elected officials, including Lou Correa, former congressman, Jerry Patterson, Tony Lam, Lan Nguyen, and Trung Nguyen (Loretta Sanchez spoke directly to the union leaders last week) and Mark Rosen speak eloquently on behalf of Kim Oanh.

Tonight, the board by a three to two majority (Sergio Contreras and Blossie Marquez supported Kim Oanh) attempted to mask their racism by ignoring the community pleas and questioned her qualifications-despite a national search by an outside agency specializing in recruiting highly qualified candidates.

Let it be known that tonight, because of the actions by this board, we have also witnessed the coming together of our communities bent on taking direct action against this decision. We need to immediately mount a response to the racism which exists in the Westminster School District.

It is a sad day for our children that they have to attend a district that cares so little about their futures. It is a sad day for so called public education. It is a very sad day for me because I have been such a proud member of my teacher’s union, as a parent, my heart goes out to all the children.

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This reason was brought to us by Frank Mickadeit over at the OC Register. In his column this morning, Mickadeit wrote about the latest chapter in the DeYoung v.s. Bates melodrama.

I don’t think that this supervisors race could get more theatrical, but my fingers are crossed.

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This race for sheriff has been swallowed up with scandal and ties to the mob. And we can’t forget that “sore loser” do-over nonsense sponsored by the GOP OC.

I’m going to be straight up and say that Carona has done a decent job as sheriff for seven years. The problem is that he’s shown lousy judgment lately. The Los Angeles Times put it best in an editorial:

“The list goes on, and it points to a sheriff who has repeatedly placed political connections and campaign contributions before prudent judgment. The result is a department so demoralized and fractured that it’s unlikely the sheriff can put it back together. Carona should have stuck with the two-term pledge he made, well, two terms ago.”

If you told me today that you were just going to abstain from voting for Sheriff, I wouldn’t laugh…but maybe I’d chortle under my breath and lift my nose and act as if my political sensibilities are much more finely tuned then yours.

There’s a guy running for Sheriff that deserves your vote. It’s Ralph Martin. Martin works as a commander with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he oversees a division that is larger than the OC Sheriff’s territory. Martin’s resume is longer than Carona’s I.O.U. list: he’s worked for 33 years as a commander and he oversaw the addition of a task force in Compton that reduced crime in the area.

Vote for change, vote for Ralph Martin. Our county needs it.

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While LGBT issues are a major focus of my endorsement perspective, I also consider the support of candidates for issues affecting working families, reproductive freedom, and commitment to equality for all individuals regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and religious faith. I strive to consider the entire picture in my attempt to ascertain how effective a candidate will be in the office they seek. I would like to highlight a few of my recommendations this year.

Steve Westly for Governor

I believe that both Steve Westly and Phil Angelides are great on LGBT issues and qualified candidates for Governor. However, I have learned that Steve Westly has remained steadfast in his support for the LGBT community and the issues we care about. One significant example of Steve’s leadership and commitment is that when asked to sign on to a letter encouraging the Governor to sign AB 849, the Marriage Equality legislation, Steve Westly signed, Angelides did not. Further, at the State Democratic Convention, Steve Westly addressed LGBT eguality twice in his speach to the delegates. Phil Angelides did not mention anything at all about LGBT civil rights and equality.

Steve Westly is not just talking the talk about LGBT equality, he has followed through in his campaign and hired a significant number of LGBT individuals to work on his campaign, Angelides has hired only a token few.

But equally important, I believe that Steve Westly’s campaign is resonating with the voters and that makes Steve Westly the best candidate to oppose Governor Schwarzenegger in November. We believe that Steve Westly offers to all Californians a positive vision and progressive values making him the best choice for Governor and California’s future.

I am proud to join LBGT community leaders and Democratic Clubs in supporting Steve Westly for Governor. Visit Steve Westly’s website at Westly2006.com

Tom Umberg for Senate 34th District

Tom Umberg is the right choice for the 34th Senate seat. Assemblyman Umberg has demonstrated his effectiveness as a legislator and his commitment to public service by representing the needs of all his constituents.

In addition to his strong support for marriage equality demonstrated by his politically risky support for AB849 last year, Tom has brought needed funding to Orange County, and stands firmly in support of affordable healthcare, fully funded schools, and a livable minimum wage for all Californians.

Even when we haven’t agreed, Tom has always told me where he stands and has always been open to discussing those issues to find common ground. I am proud to be part of the coalition of LGBT, civil rights, labor, and business leaders who support Tom Umberg for Senate.

To help Tom Umberg call (714) 663-1654 or visit his website at UmbergforSenate.com.

Armando De La Libertad for 69th Assembly District

Armando de la Libertad in the 69th Assembly District is the clear people’s choice in this election. His message and support are derived from his work in the community of the 69th Assembly District. The overwhelming majority of Armando’s financial support has come from individual donors, while his opponents are funded by competing special interest groups. Among the monetary contributions received by De La Libertad, 93% were made by individuals, compared to 41% and 37% for Alvarez and Solorio respectively.

The bulk of contributions for Alvarez’s and Solorio’s campaigns came from political action committees and corporations. De la Libertad reports more contributions by individuals than both of his opponents combined.

The only special interest that Armando will represent is the people of the 69th Assembly District. That is good for the 69th Assembly District and good for the people of California.

To help Armando visit his website at ArmandoforAssembly.org.

Unacceptable Candidates

I do want to highlight as well that there are several candidates that I find to be not acceptable.

These Candidates are:

Supervisor, 4th District:
Chris Norby NOT ACCEPTABLE

Supervisor, 2nd District:
John Moorlach NOT ACCEPTABLE

Treasurer:
Chriss Street NOT ACCEPTABLE

34th State Senate
Lou Correa NOT ACCEPTABLE

69th State Assembly
Claudia Alvarez NOT ACCEPTABLE

Please consider the Eleanor Roosevelt Stonewall Democrats recommendations and remember to VOTE on June 6th. Click Here

If you are registered to vote and are told you are not listed on Election Day, request a Provisional Ballot.

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Tomorrow is the day to remember the U.S. men and women who have lost their lives serving our country. The Orange County Register published this list of the Orange County and Camp Pendelton troop killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.

To see photos of the fallen, and to find links to stories about their deaths, go to www.ocregister.com/news/2006/iraq/.



Here is a list of things to do tomorrow, on Memorial Day:

Anaheim: 11 a.m. at Anaheim Cemetery, 1400 E. Sycamore St. Speakers: Orange County Supervisor Lou Correa and Anaheim Councilman Bob Hernandez. Refreshments to follow at American Legion Post 72, 936 N. Lemon St. (714) 776-5585.

Brea: 11 a.m. at Memory Garden Memorial Park & Mortuary, 455 W. Central Ave. Speaker: Orange County Register columnist Gordon Dillow. Also: “Avenue of the Flags,” music, 21-gun salute, taps, retiring of colors. (714) 529-3961.

Buena Park: 10 a.m. at Bellis Park, 7171 Eighth St. Speaker: Silver Star recipient Scott Montoya. Also: Marine color guard, 21-gun salute, wreath-laying, taps. Preceded by $2 continental breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Free luncheon to follow at Knights of Columbus, 8410 Kass Drive. (714) 883-1836.

Capistrano Beach: 10 a.m. at Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano. Speaker: Marine Col. Patrick M. O’Donogue. (949) 496-8854.

Costa Mesa: 11 a.m. at Harbor Lawn-Mount Olive Memorial Park, 1625 Gisler Ave. Speaker: Orange County Treasurer Tax-Collector John Moorlach. Also: All American Boys Chorus, wreath-laying, taps, 21-gun salute, 100-dove release. Free hot dogs and soda after service. (714) 540-5554.

Corona del Mar: 11 a.m. at Pacific View Memorial Park, 3500 Pacific View Drive. Speaker: Retired Brig. Gen. Ronald B. Flynn. Also: wreath-laying, music, dove release. (949) 644-2700.

Cypress: 10 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, 4471 Lincoln Ave. Speaker: Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Paul E. Mock. Also: Richard Gross portraying Gen. Douglas MacArthur, reading of the Gettysburg Address, music, 21-gun salute, wreath-laying, taps. (800) 204-3131.

Fullerton: 10 a.m. at Loma Vista Memorial Park, 701 E. Bastanchury Road. Speaker: Navy Rear Adm. James A. Symonds, arriving by helicopter. Also: wreath-laying, taps, 21-gun salute. (714) 871-2412.

Huntington Beach: 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Cemetery, 8301 Talbert Ave. English-Spanish liturgy; the Rev. Martin Heip Nguyen presides. (714) 847-8546.

Huntington Beach: 11 a.m. at Pier Plaza, Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. Tribute to Lance Cpl. Marcus Glimpse, killed last month in Iraq. In attendance: U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, Assemblyman Tom Harman, Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva, Mayor Dave Sullivan.

Irvine: 9 a.m. at Col. Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park, 4 Civic Center Plaza. Flag service.

Irvine: 7 p.m. at Northwood Community Park, Yale and Bryan avenues. Candle-lighting, music, 21-gun salute, taps. (949) 551-1985.

La Palma: 10 a.m. at Eternal Flame monument, 7822 Walker St. Speaker: California National Guard Lt. Col. Thomas Lasser. Also: music. (714) 690-3350.

Lake Forest: 10 a.m. at Ascension Cemetery, 24754 Trabuco Road. Liturgy with the Rev. Martin Benzonj presiding. (949) 837-1331.

Lake Forest: 11 a.m. at El Toro Memorial Park, 25751 Trabuco Road. Speaker: retired Marine Lt. Col. Vanda K. Bresnan. Also: music, color guard, wreath-laying. (949) 951-9102.

Orange: 10 a.m. at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 7845 Santiago Canyon Road. English-Spanish liturgy with Bishop Jaime Soto presiding. (714) 532-6551.

San Clemente: 11 a.m. at Community Center, 100 Calle Seville. Speakers: Marine Lt. Col. John Anderson and Orange County sheriff’s Lt. Bill Hunt. Also: color guards, student chorus, “History of the Poppy” by George Key, wreath-laying. (949) 361-8264.

San Clemente: 2 p.m. at Semper Fi Park, Avenida Victoria. Music by 1st Marine Division Band. (949) 361-8264.

San Juan Capistrano: 9 a.m. service hosted by VFW Post 3801 at Old Cemetery, Ortega Highway and Avenida Los Cerritos. Flag ceremony to follow at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, Camino Capistrano and Yorba Street. (949) 240-8866.

San Juan Capistrano: Noon to 6 p.m. at Swallows Inn, 31785 Camino Capistrano. Military fundraiser and barbecue. (949) 493-3188.

Santa Ana: 10 a.m. at Santa Ana Cemetery, 1919 E. Santa Clara Ave. Speaker: Army Spec. Victor Thibeault, recipient of Silver Star and Purple Heart. Also: music, wreath-laying, essay by Santiago High School student Danette Luzo. (714) 953-2959.

Santa Ana: 10:30 a.m. at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Ave. Speakers: retired Marine Col. Jim Ritchie and retired Marine Lt. Col. Tom Wall. Also: music, fly-over by antique airplanes, 21-gun salute, taps, antique car display, free hot dogs and soda. (714) 633-1442.

Seal Beach: 11 a.m. at Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, 800 Seal Beach Blvd. Speaker: Navy Capt. Michael E. McLaughlin of Submarine Squadron 11. Also: bell ringing for all 52 submarines lost in World War II. (562) 626-7215 or www.sbeach.navy.mil.

Westminster: 1 p.m. at Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Speakers: Assemblyman Tom Harman and Westminster Mayor Margie Rice. Also: Marine and high school honor guards, wreath-laying, taps, free hot dogs and soda. (714) 893-2421.

Yorba Linda: 10 a.m. at Fire Station 10, 18422 E. Lemon Drive. Speakers: Mayor Mike Duvall and retired Brig. Gen. Tom Valenzuela.

Yorba Linda: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd. Free admission and 2 p.m. performance by Placentia Symphonic Band. (714) 993-5075.

[List via OCReg]

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Campaign finance reports filed on Thursday May 25th show that Tom Umberg is the clear leader in direct campaign fundraising. To date, Assemblyman Umberg has raised more than $506,000 in support of his Senate campaign.

In contrast, Supervisor Lou Correa has raised only $214,000, less than 43% of the support received by Assemblyman Umberg. Instead of relying on direct support for his campaign, Correa has based his entire campaign for Senate on support from shady special interest groups, independently spending in excess of $423,000 as of May 25th.

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So Yesterday Frank Barbaro held his press conference where he called attention to what the Registrar has (not) been doing in regards to the malicious voter registration fraud that was conducted on behalf of the Orange County Republican Party.

Rumor has it that the turnout was depressing…looks like theliberaloc.com isn’t effective as a muckraking call-to-action blog just yet.

Then I get this press release from The Orange County Registrar’s office. And when I read it, I kind of get the feeling that there’s something going on under the surface here; I sense that Kelley’s a little defensive. So I called up Kelley’s communication’s director, Brett Rowley, to shoot the shit:

Me: Hey Brett, it’s Mike from TheLiberalOC.com
Brett:
Me: Hey, look, I’m just getting ready to post a little something about the release you guys put out yesterday.
Brett:
Me: To me, it looks like there’s this back and forth…and perhaps I’m reading into it a little too much, but I sense a little animosity.
Brett: Nope. We get along great. We actually participated in their news conference yesterday.
Me: Yeah, I wish I could have made it. What was the turn out like?
Brett: There were three cameras.
Me: Um. How about humans?
Brett: I didn’t count.
Me: That bad?

I begged Brett to guess how many humans were in attendance and he guessed 8. Ouch.

There is one small piece of Kelley’s memo that is worth mentioning here, it’s the 7th bullet point:

Voters that disagree with their party designation when they arrive at the polls will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot for the party of their choice. The Registrar of Voters has determined the range of registration forms (they are tracked by number) and will count the entire provisional ballot for voters that had a party designation issue.

So listen, reluctant voters, you cannot use “Well, I think the Republican Party screwed up my registration, so I won’t go out and vote” as an excuse. Not this time.

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If you aren’t sure you’ll be able to make it to the polls on the 6th, you should head over to OCVOTE and apply for an absentee ballot.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday by 5 p.m.

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Governor Schwarzenegger was in Los Alamitos yesterday visiting our National Guard troops that are stationed there.

[Schwarzenegger] did not discuss President Bush’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border, but he did bring that up that day when he met privately with Mexican President Vicente Fox, who was spending the afternoon and evening in Sacramento.

The governor said Wednesday he would be willing to send California Guard troops to patrol the border…

First he was opposed to militarizing our border, but then he changed his mind and said that he’d be okay with temporarily sending troops down there. You would think that he’d have the decency to explain his rationale when he met with these folks yesterday, right? Wrong.

Just another reason to elect a Democrat for governor.

[OC Register]

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I just heard that Kay Weymouth has quit her job as the Executive Director of the OC GOP. I’d love to know the reasons. If I had to speculate:

To Whom It May Concern-

This is to inform you that an opportunity has presented itself that will enable me to work in an area that is less morally compromising.

I am therefore tendering my resignation from your organization and wish to advise you that the week before the big primary will be my last week of employment. I would like to thank you for the experience of having worked for The Republican Party of Orange County, even though you guys are shady.

Sincerely,

Kay Weymouth

[Dirt via OJBlog]

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From the desk of:
Commander Chris Prevatt
Eleanor Roosevelt Stonewall Militia

I have just received orders from my Commanding Officer, Robin Umberg, to assemble all available troops on Memorial Day weekend at Camp Umberg 12447 Lewis St. #201, Garden Grove.

Once assembled we shall proceed to march on the 34th Senate district to inform those eligible to vote that Tom Umberg is the best patriot for the job.

Our plan is simple.

We will out flank the Correa forces and

Elect Tom Umberg the next State Senator to represent the 34th Senate District.

PROGRESSIVE VALUES

are on the line!

To join this campaign and

Fight the special-interest-funded

Correa insurgency!

Call Base Commander Major Ashlie Burroughs
or Gunnery Sergeant Travis Dewey

(714) 663-1654, or visit www.umbergforsenate.com

Positions are available
From now through June 6th:

· Communications (Phone Banks)
· Logistics (Yard Sign Distribution)
· Tactical Correa Suppression (Precinct Walking)
· Appropriations (Financial Support)

As Eleanor Roosevelt said,

“Democracy is not about words, but action!”

Ok, sorry for the shameless plug but we must do everything we can to elect Tom Umberg to the Senate. Without Tom in the Senate reproductive freedom, employee rights, and an increase in the minimum wage will be at risk. Lou Correa is backed by corporate special interests, some of the same ones that back Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The independent expenditures for Correa are funded in large part by Indian Gaming interests looking to put a casino near Disneyland.

Who’s side do you think Lou will be on if he is elected?

The Orange County Register’s Election Guide reports eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse as a budget priority for Supervisor Lou Correa who is running for Senate.

Correa has ignored fraud, waste and abuse in the County Health Care Agency and is silently sleeping on the sidelines rather than working to correct the problems that caused the County to refund $143,000 in federal grant funds.

Do we really want this guy fighting fraud

in the State Senate?

SUPPORT TOM UMBERG!!!

With friends like Lou, who needs Republicans?

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