Matt Cunningham posted a skewed story over at The OC Blog and The Flash Report about Loretta Sanchez. Cunningham says that Sanchez “put the kibosh” on a fundraiser that was supposed to be held in Orange County by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to benefit the Democratic Party of Orange County.

From Cunningham’s post:

… Rep. Loretta Sanchez’s ego got in the way.

Sanchez adopted a proprietary view of the dollars the Pelosi/DPOC event would raise. Rather than seeing a stronger, better-funded DPOC as a benefit to her continued representation of the 47th Congressional District, in Loretta’s view the fund raiser would take money away from her.

Cunningham’s “local Democratic insider” source is the worst kept secret in the OC political world right now.  And it’s saddening.

Many people know that the “local Democratic insider” is bitter over a few things in local Democratic politics, and we also know that the “insider” had a friend that was set to make a good profit off of the Pelosi event.

Here’s the story that I was told:

The DPOC (with the help of “local Democratic insider”) solicited Pelosi for this dinner. One of the selling points was that Loretta was already onboard.

After Pelosi accepted the invitation she spoke with Sanchez, who hadn’t heard of the event. Once Loretta looked into the benefit, she noticed that there were some people (like the friend of “local Democratic insider”) that were angling to make some good money off of the event; Sanchez, who was never officially onboard with this benefit, backed out. And so did Pelosi.

Maybe Matt Cunningham was right when he said that “ego” stood in the way of this event, but it wasn’t Loretta’s this time. Perhaps the “local Democratic insider” shouldn’t have guaranteed Loretta’s attendance.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 10 Comments »

This opinion piece ran in today’s Wall Street Journal.   A call to Bomb Iran.

 

Filed under: Uncategorized | 14 Comments »

I must say I admire Flash Report publisher Jon Fleischman for his loyalty and consistency.  With most of the reality-based community expecting Congressman John Doolittle to be brought down by his strong connections to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Jon continues to show his admiration to the Congressman and his wife on the bits and bytes of TFR.

My favorite paragraph is here:

This is a great opportunity for me to share with FlashReport readers that I have known John and Julie for eighteen years, and have found them both to be honorable and good people.  Frankly, I would be extremely shocked (to put it mildly) if either of them were convicted for any wrongdoing.  But there is also no doubt that Jack Abramoff, who turned out to be a terrible person, and a common crook, has really dragged down a lot of politicians around him just because of his association with them (Richard Pombo’s innocent connection to Abramoff was used as a campaign tool against him, and he lost a pretty close race last year in a neighboring district).
But buried in the post is this line in reference to Doolittle’s district: It would be very interesting to see a credible survey that shows how Doolittle would fare against a Democrat opponent next November, after barely getting re-elected last year (in a seat that was specifically carved to only elect a Republican).

(more…)

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Special Commentary from Andrew Davey at Calitics

Last night, UCI Chancellor Michael Drake met with Jewish students to discuss the recent unrest on campus. Here’s what The OC Register has to say about it:

UC Irvine Chancellor Michael V. Drake told several hundred concerned Jewish community members Wednesday night to join in on discussions and work together against what he calls isolated incidents of anti-Jewish speech by outsiders on campus.Drake answered questions during a 90-minute town hall meeting at Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine addressing concerns about what the Jewish community calls ongoing anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity on UCI’s campus.

“We promote dialogue, understanding, growth and tolerance at UCI,” Drake said. “I’d like to enlist all of you in working with me to make Jewish life on campus as strong as possible.”

So what’s happening on campus? Is there an anti-Jewish problem on campus? Is there an anti-Muslim problem on campus? Why is UCI becoming such a hotbed of controversy? Follow me after the flip for more…

(more…)

Filed under: Civil Rights, Racism, Hate, UCI/Civil Rights | 24 Comments »

Again, this isn’t directly related to OC Politics, but I feel like Brandt is one of us…so here it is. It looks like Jim Brandt is serious about the 54th State Assembly District. It’s been a Democratic seat since 1998. Betty Karnette terms out in 08. I just received this email:

We’re launching the ground campaign for Jim Brandt for Assembly! We’ve targeted precincts throughout the 54th Assembly district, and we need you to Step Up for Brandt and help get them covered.

At the core of Jim’s campaign is the need for healthcare for all and building a healthier California. Studies show that walking is the best way to get healthier. With our Step Up for Brandt campaign, you can get healthier and help Jim at the same time!

Next weekend, June 9-10, the Step Up for Brandt campaign will launch with a literature drop to Democrats in our targeted precincts.

Here’s where you come in: We need you to adopt the targeted precinct closest to you and reach out to Democrats to let them know about Jim Brandt for Assembly. Once we’ve matched you to a precinct, our Field Operations Coordinator, Marc Barron, will get you all the training and materials you’ll need.

To join the Step Up for Brandt Team, reply to this email or contact Marc directly at marc@jimbrandt.org.

P.S. If you are unable to walk a precinct, we still need your help! Please contact Marc and let him know what you can do for Jim Brandt for Assembly (writing letters, making phone calls, tabling, etc.).

Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

Just in from the Capistrano Dispatch:

Dennis Smith, who was to take the helm at the beleaguered Capistrano Unified School District [on July 1], announced late today that he will return to his previous job at Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. In a written statement, Smith said he took the job assuming the district’s troubles were behind it. ‘However, there are indications that these problems may persist for well into the future. The conditions under which I accepted the position of superintendent have clearly changed. Given the uncertainty and instability of the current situation, any efforts on my part to launch new initiatives and improvement strategies for the district could be overshadowed by protracted, high profile divisiveness in the community.’

Capistrano Unified is in tremendous turmoil, and I’ve had my doubts about the district’s ability to attract a good superintendent. IMO whomever takes the helm is going to have a frustrating job ahead of them.

(H/T to Jonathan Volzke, the best editor of a small town newspaper who ever lived!)

Filed under: Capistrano Unified School District | No Comments »

Yes, my ancestors immigrated to America legally.

Prior to 1882 there were no restrictions on US entry. All immigration was legal. If your ancestors came before 1882, they came here legally because there were simply no restrictions.

From 1882 until 1921 the only people who were restricted from entering the US were Chinese citizens. All other immigration was legal. If your ancestors were not Chinese and came here before 1921, they came here legally because there were simply no restrictions.

I often hear people complaining about illegal immigrants who also note proudly that “My ancestors came here legally!”

Big whoop.

In most cases your ancestors came here legally because there was no other way. Get over yourselves.

Filed under: immigration | 17 Comments »

The Washington Post is reporting today that former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson has formed an exploratory committee to run for president.  Thompson all but announced at a recent appearance in OC at a Lincoln Club dinner.

While Thompson isn’t the preferred former Tennessee senator in the race, it will be fun to watch social conservatives deal with this candidacy.

Conservatives rail on Hollywood but always seem to embrace any member of the Hollywood set that jumps to the right; Reagan, Arnold, Dennis Miller, Ted Nugent, Ron Silver and others….

Thompson’s current wife, who looks like a much older Brittany Spears, is younger than his oldest daughter.  And the right wing crucified Hillary Clinton as first lady. 

 

(more…)

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

More and more people are talking about Cassie DeYoung making a run for the 73rd State Assembly District seat next year. Matt Cunningham at the OC Blog just wrote a ditty about the rumors.

Personally, I’d love to see DeYoung run. Her last campaign was so fun for us liberals to watch: 2 south-county conservatives spending millions (with an “M”) for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. This was also the campaign where DeYoung was taken to court over a photoshoped campaign mailer.

I’d love to see a repeat of DeYoung’s last campaign. And since Republican Diane Harkey is the only person to show interest in AD73, it could quite possible be a repeat.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Cindy Sheehan resigned her position today as the most vocal anti-war annoyance out there. Yeah, as you can tell, I don’t like her so much. I respect her opinion, but I find her very off-putting that she would demean her son’s choice to die for his country. Whether or not her son was right in that decision is up to him, not her.

But, I oddly found myself cheering for her as I read her “goodbye speech” to the world. Well, not the part where she says that America is a terrible place because we don’t agree with her. Or the part where she says that her son died for nothing (see above).

No, the part that really stood out for me is as follows:

“It amazes me that people who are sharp on the issues and can zero in like a laser beam on lies, misrepresentations, and political expediency when it comes to one party refuse to recognize it in their own party. Blind party loyalty is dangerous whatever side it occurs on. People of the world look on us Americans as jokes because we allow our political leaders so much murderous latitude and if we don’t find alternatives to this corrupt “two” party system our Representative Republic will die and be replaced with what we are rapidly descending into with nary a check or balance: a fascist corporate wasteland. I am demonized because I don’t see party affiliation or nationality when I look at a person, I see that person’s heart. If someone looks, dresses, acts, talks and votes like a Republican, then why do they deserve support just because he/she calls him/herself a Democrat?”

She has not only hit the nail on the head, but also shattered it. This very sentiment is why I hate talking politics to most anyone. Why I used to vote (begrudgingly) for people I didn’t necessarily like because the person I liked didn’t stand a chance. Why most all of my friends refused to vote (and most of you living in OC know these same people). Why the only reason I even voted on election day was to skip out on work for an hour.

My voice doesn’t matter, nor does my vote.

It took me a while to realize this, but once I did, that is when I started to vote for the person I wanted. Since my vote didn’t matter, then what does it hurt to vote for the person I deem most qualified? But you know what would happen if every person in America came to this same realization and voted for the candidate and not the party? We would toss those good ol’ boys out of office.

The result would be more elected officials that were in tune with the American public. No more inherited silver-spoon-fed children with guaranteed admission into country clubs and ivy-leagues.

And this goes for both parties…. for all parties. If we become truly democratic and challenge the system together then the system collapses.

Now, it’s only a matter of getting 300 million Americans to cooperate and make the right choice instead of the popular one.

Filed under: Elections | 5 Comments »

In his weekly newsletter, FBI investigation subject and OC Congressman Gary Miller (R-Sleaze) writes,

“Currently, babies born on U.S. soil to illegal aliens automatically become U.S. citizens. Congressman Miller has joined more than 40 of his colleagues in again cosponsoring the Birthright Citizenship Act, which would deny citizenship at birth to children born in the United States to parents who are not citizens or legal permanent resident aliens. Specifically, this bill requires a child to have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident alien, or an alien performing active service in our armed forces in order to gain birthright citizenship.”

So once again we have a Republican who doesn’t think we should “reward” illegal entrants with amnesty, but takes the opposite approach for those willing to enlist in the service. Legally, however, only citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) can join our military. To enlist without meeting this criterion requires the commission of a fraud. Is Miller saying fraud should be sanctioned and rewarded?

(more…)

Filed under: immigration, 42nd Congressional | 14 Comments »

On Memorial Day, we remember the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have died in war since the inception of our nation.  We remember their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families on this day.  We remember, regardless of whether the wars they fought on our behalf were to establish our liberty from British tyranny in 1776, defend our nation from attack from outside or within our borders, or expand our power and dominance in the world.

Over the past week, many Democrats and progressives have expressed anger at the Democratic Party for the authorization of additional funding for our occupation of Iraq.  I have been one of those who have been critical.  I have also had some time this weekend to reflect on actually what happened this past week, and what it really means.

First, it means that the President, spoiled brat that he is, has gotten what he want’s; the increasing toll of death and injury inflicted upon American service members and the Iraqi people.

(more…)

Filed under: Iraq, Republican mistakes, Progressive Values, History, Bush | 2 Comments »