Let’s talk about sex: Introducing “Sex in San Diego”

by on February 3, 2012 · 2 comments

in Civil Rights

By Emilie Astolat

Talking about sex isn’t as easy as it seems, even in a laid-back town like San Diego. I mean, I’m a grown, almost-married woman who engages in the act quite frequently, and yet I still feel awkward as I sit in front of this computer screen typing, despite the cloak of anonymity.

That says something about the American culture, doesn’t it? It’s no secret that people have sex. Right now in San Diego, for example, there are countless people doing the deed. But, shhh! Sex should be kept behind closed doors at all times!

It really shouldn’t though.

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Join us at the Sat. Feb. 4 – Occupy San Diego County Summit

by on February 3, 2012 · 2 comments

in Organizing, San Diego

Join us at the Sat. Feb. 4 – Occupy San Diego County Summit

Workshops at Centro Cultural de la Raza, Park Blvd, Balboa Park

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 -

(10:30a- 7:00 pm) Occupy SD County SUMMIT at Centro Cultural de la Raza.

  • Teach-ins,

First Cuppa Coffee – February 3, 2012 : Friday Protest Edition

by on February 3, 2012 · 3 comments

in California, Culture, Economy, Election, Labor, Organizing, San Diego

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Papa Doug’s UTSD Agenda Con’t…. He told us all the paper was gonna advocate for big shiny boxes so the Grand Plans for downtown at the expense of the City’s neighborhoods come as no surprise. But we must have missed the part about the paper becoming the local media platform for the Catholic Church. Or maybe we’re just being too sensitive about the paper’s lack of coverage (there is an article today) about the Komen-Planned Parenthood conflict. Today’s paper has a front page article about the “threat to religious freedom” posed by the Obama administration’s decision to make insurance coverage for birth control part of the package for non-profit organizations. (Churches are exempt from the policy; non-profits that they may control are not). And a nice big editorial on the same subject. And an editorial cartoon. And a copy of the letter that the Bishop of San Diego distributed on the subject.

To Do Today… The Tea Party and a bunch of progressive groups are collaborating today with demonstrations at local Congressional offices to protest the provisions in the NDAA act that allow for the indefinite detention of American citizens deemed to be terrorists. The demonstrations are from 1 – 2:30pm; Susan Davis’ office is at 2700 Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, and Hunter’s office is located at 1870 Cordell Street in El Cajon… At UCSD, Trade Negotiators are quietly formulating a new Pacific Rim NAFTA. Learn all about it at this Library Walk rally starting at noon… A documentary film about an early desegregation struggle right here in San Diego County, the Lemon Grove Incident, will be shown at Centro Cultural De La Raza, at 2125 Park Blvd in Balboa Park – at 7pm. There will be a discussion with film maker Paul Espinosa after the screening.

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How Democrats can Win the 2012 Election

by on February 3, 2012 · 4 comments

in Civil Rights, Election, Politics

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The choices facing voters in the 2012 election season stand to shape the character of the nation for generations to come.

Conventional wisdom holds that when running for political office, candidates run against their specific opponent. They run against their opponent’s record, and present the case to the voting public why they are better suited for the job than their opponent. Opposition research becomes paramount; often campaigns try to dig up as much dirt on their opponent as possible, inevitably turning the campaign negative…

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“The Lemon Grove Incident” – San Diego’s Own Desegregation Case of 1930

by on February 2, 2012 · 1 comment

in California, Civil Rights, Education, History, Media, San Diego

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Come and experience some of San Diego’s history: The Lemon Grove Incident – San Diego’s own desegregation case from 1930. Filmmaker Paul Espinosa’s award-winning film about the historical case, one of the earliest school desegregation experiences in U.S. history.

The film will be shown on Feb. 3rd, at the Centro Cultural De La Raza, at 2125 Park Blvd in Balboa Park – at 7pm. There will be a discussion with Espinosa after the screening.

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5 Washington State Legislators Introduce Bill Condemning the NDAA

February 2, 2012 by Source
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By Eric W. Dolan / The Raw Story / February 1, 2012

Five Republican lawmakers from Washington state have introduced legislation that condemns the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012 for controversial measures regarding the detainment of terrorism suspects, according to the Tenth Amendment Center.

The $662 billion defense spending bill contained a controversial section that required terrorism suspects to be detained by the military without trial, regardless of where they were captured.

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Willie Nelson Song to Appear on Occupy Wall Street Album

February 2, 2012 by Source
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By Brittany Joy Cooper / Taste of Country / Jan. 29, 2012

Occupy this AlbumAs previously reported, Willie Nelson is rallying behind the Occupy Wall Street protests. While many country artists have kept mum about their thoughts on the movement, Nelson posted a video in October of him and his wife reciting a poem they wrote in favor of Occupy.

Now, he’s joining forces with other famous musicians who share his stance on the topic by contributing to the album ‘Occupy This Album: A Compilation of Music By, For and Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street Movement and the 99%.’ The album is expected to release in the spring.

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Sign Petition: “I stand with Planned Parenthood.”

February 2, 2012 by Annie Lane

Why This Is Important

Susan G. Komen for the Cure has announced that it will withdraw from partnerships with Planned Parenthood affiliates in response to pressure from anti-abortion activists.

This means Planned Parenthood will no longer receive grants that are vital to its operation, thereby jeopardizing its ability to provide services like birth control, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and cancer screenings.

According to a report by NPR, Planned Parenthood centers performed more than 4 million breast exams over the past five years – including nearly 170,000 as a result of Komen grants.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is an organization that improves and saves the lives of women. So is Planned Parenthood. It is absolutely vital that they continue to work together.

Please tell Susan G. Komen for the Cure to stop caving under conservative pressures and to continue to protect the health of women everywhere.

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Breasts Yes, Vaginas No? How to Fight Back Against “Race for the Cure” Foundation’s Bizarre Capitulation to Right-Wingers

February 2, 2012 by Source
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How the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation put their corporation-friendly image before women’s actual health concerns.

By Amanda Marcotte / AlterNet / Feb. 1, 2012

It’s probably the fastest-spreading story in Internet history about the relationship between two non-profits. Late Tuesday afternoon, Planned Parenthood and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure announced that Komen would be withdrawing grants given to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings. Despite Komen’s lame attempts to claim otherwise, it was widely understood that this was about Komen aligning itself with the anti-choice movement, despite the anti-choice movement’s long history of opposing not just safe and legal abortion, but also access to contraception and even the prevention of cervical cancer through the use of the HPV vaccine.

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4-Unit Del Monte “Apartment” in Ocean Beach Sold for $857,500 Cash

February 2, 2012 by Staff
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The Daily Transcipt * is reporting that a 4-unit apartment on Del Monte Avenue in south Ocean Beach has sold for $857,500 – cash.

The apartment complex located at 5010-5014 Del Monte Ave is actually a group of smaller cottages – most joined together, one block from Sunset Cliffs and the ocean. They consist of a two-bedroom, one-bath unit, and three one-bedroom units. It is a one-story, three building complex built in 1951 on a 5319 square foot lot.

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First Cuppa Coffee – February 2, 2012 : Groundhog Day Edition.

February 2, 2012 by Doug Porter
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Happy Groundhog Day…. For those of you who do not understand this vital American holiday, may I suggest a visit to this link… If we stop celebrating Groundhogs Day, the terrorists win! Chickens and other critters won big this week as the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to allow chickens, bees and goats as backyard pets, making San Diego the latest of many cities nationwide to pass laws promoting urban agriculture.

Nothing to See Here… Conspicuously missing from today’s SDUT is any coverage of the decision—made under pressure from social conservative groups—of the Susan G Komen group to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood’s breast cancer programs. Meanwhile, there’s plenty to report on this story, starting with a story about how Komen has also cut funding for stem cell research, a New Yorker backgrounder on Planned Parenthood, a peek behind the Pink Curtain at the politics of the SGK Foundation and five ways to support women’s health groups after you give the Komen Foundation the pink slip. The good news here is that increased donations to Planned Parenthood over the past day have nearly covered the loss in funding from the Church ladies over at SGK.

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San Diego Heritage Group Sues Caltrans Over Old Town Site

February 1, 2012 by Source
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On January 18, 2012, Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) sued Caltrans in the County of Sacramento where the state agency is headquartered. The suit alleges that Caltrans failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when it decided to sell its District Office in Old Town San Diego, despite acknowledged significant impacts. The environmental impact report (EIR) prepared by Caltrans failed to analyze even one alternative to public sale, such as transfer to State Parks or restrictive covenants that protect its historic status and use.

The Caltrans District 11 Office Complex meets criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources. There is wise public interest in transferring the site to California State Parks to add its 2.5 acres to the 13-acre Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

“Every EIR is required to contain a range of reasonable alternatives to a proposed project. Caltrans admits that its proposed sale of its historic District Office in Old Town would have significant environmental impacts, and yet its EIR fails to include analysis of even one alternative, much less a range,” stated SOHO Executive Director Bruce Coons.

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Hundreds of San Diego Kaiser Workers Stage 24 Hour Strike – Again

February 1, 2012 by Source
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Thousands Strike State-Wide (see more below)

By Lauren Steussy / NBC San Diego / January 31, 2012

Workers at Kaiser Permanente are lining up in front of facilities across California to bring awareness to contract disputes with Kaiser’s mental health and optical employees.

Statewide, 4,000 National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) employees will strike for 24-hours Tuesday. It is expected to be one of the biggest strikes in Kaiser’s history, since two other unions will also walk out. The disputes center around proposed cuts to retirement and health care benefits.

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Juan Vargas could cast the deciding vote for California’s health care bill

February 1, 2012 by Source
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By Miriam Raftery / East County Magazine / Jan. 30, 2012

January 30, 2011 (San Diego) – State Senator Juan Vargas, a former insurance industry executive who has taken massive donations from the insurance industry, may cast the deciding vote Tuesday on whether or not millions of Californians will receive guaranteed universal healthcare and dental care coverage.

Senate Bill 810 passed committee, but fell two votes short in the Senate. A new vote is sought before tomorrow’s deadline for passing all Senate bills and sending them on to the Assembly.

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‘Medicare for All’ Would Solve California’s Budget Deficit

February 1, 2012 by Source

by Jennifer Epps / Calitics / Jan. 31, 2012

In Canada, the only way to see a doctor is to call one up and make an appointment. Or walk in to their office. In Britain, the only way you’ll get surgery is if you actually need it. And yet State Senator Mark Leno and 44 co-sponsors want to bring this kind of healthcare system to everyone in California! Imagine.

In fact, the California legislature twice approved such a system, in which private providers carry on as independently as always but the public pays their bills directly (rather than indirectly as it does now, through a patchwork quilt of emergency care, programs to bring healthcare to the poorest and the elderly, and subsidies for insurance premiums.) Both times Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill. But Senator Leno, a longtime campaigner for single-payer — a.k.a. “Medicare-for-All” — has brought the bill back again as SB 810. Last week, the bill fell just two votes shy of passage with a tally of 19-15 in favor. (It needs 21 to pass because it requires more than a simple majority.) Sen. Leno plans to push for another vote under Reconsideration, because several Democratic state senators abstained, but the deadline to win their support is today.

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Darrel Issa in tift over sod with DC Park Service and Occupy camps

February 1, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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Our very own Congressman Darrel Issa is currently in a snit, a tift, a rift – over – among other things damaged sod – with the National Park Service in DC. It seems he doesn’t like the Service’s attitude toward the encampments of the Occupy Washington movement. Issa doesn’t support the Occupy movement and he feels the Park Service has been too liberal with them – and he’s using the power of his panel to do some snooping around. And the Park Service has pushed back.

In the meantime, there is a waiting game going on in DC between the Park Police and the Occupy protesters. There have not been any large-scale arrests such as has gone down at other Occupy campsites around the country. The U.S. Park Police began enforcing a ban on Monday, Jan. 30th, on anyone camping at two parks. Dozens of Occupy protesters took refuge at one park under a huge blue tarp. This all according to CNN .

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First Cuppa Coffee – February 1st, 2012: Race for the News Edition

February 1, 2012 by Doug Porter
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This is news? Forget about the Florida primaries; a bunch of old, out-of-touch white guys spent a buttload of money trying to scare people into voting for them. Winner Mitt Romney celebrated by telling the world that he doesn’t really care about poor people, a sound bite that should come back to haunt him should he become the nominee. Let unsaid in the mass media was the fact that actual voter participation levels in this primary fell by 15% when compared to 2008.

This is news! Meanwhile, the far righties have hijacked the ever popular Susan G. Komen Race for Cure Charity, using their power to cut off funding for breast cancer exams that happen to occur at Planned Parenthood facilities. The “reason” for the cut-off is that Planned Parenthood is now facing a Congressional “investigation”, which is actually more of McCarthesque ploy conjured up by the likes of nutjob Rep. Michele Backmann. Needless to say, a bunch of women are mighty unhappy about this, as this post from EvilSlutopia.com points out.

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Possible Leak Shuts Down Reactor at San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant

February 1, 2012 by Source
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SFGate / January 31, 2012

A reactor at the San Onofre nuclear power plant was shut down Tuesday because of a possible leak, but there is no imminent danger, utility operators said.

Sensors at the plant detected a possible leak in one of Unit 3′s steam generator tubes, Southern California Edison spokesman Gil Alexander said. Even if a leak is confirmed, it would pose no danger to the public or plant workers, he said.

No release has been made into the atmosphere, he added.

“It is not a major leak. It has not risen to the level where it would cause the unit to automatically shut down,” Alexander told U-T San Diego. “But as a precaution we’re shutting the unit down to go in and inspect.”

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My – We Certainly Look After Our Own, Don’t We….

January 31, 2012 by Jack Hamlin

Some of you may remember me being a wet blanket to Doug Porter’s request for ideas on how to get arrested for free speech. I very school marm-ily suggested it constituted conspiracy, a felony in California. Be careful and don’t run with scissors.

Then about a week later, several members of Occupy San Diego disrupted the Mayor’s State of the City Address. They did so with the now familiar “Sound Check!” and their follow-up chorus until they were arrested for an anti-free speech law at council meetings and…..conspiracy. And along with the misdemeanor disruption charges, they were charged with felony conspiracy charges as well. Chicken shit, yes…but arrested and charged with a felony nonetheless. [Editor: DA Dumanis has decided not to charge them with felonies and has kicked their case back to the City Attorney.]

Well today, groggily over coffee I read about a Deputy DA and a Cop who conspired to destroy a traffic ticket. A Court Summons! A Court Document! A complete circumvention of the judicial process by those very people who are tasked with “protecting” us. A nose thumbing at those of us who are preyed upon daily at their discretion. Those who have sworn to uphold the constitution and wield authority in an even handed way….deep breath….

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Ocean Beach Planners’ Agenda for Wed. Feb 1, 2012: Should the Board bring the fight with the City to the network of community planners?

January 31, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Ocean Beach Planners’ Agenda for Wed. Feb 1, 2012: Should the Board bring the fight with the City to the network of community planners?

The regular monthly meeting of the OB Planning Board is this Wednesday, February 1st. The Board begins its meetings sharply at 6pm at the Ocean Beach Rec Center, located at 4726 Santa Monica Avenue.

The big ticket item on their agenda this month is whether the OB Board should approach the city-wide organization of recognized community planners, called the Community Planners Committee of (CPC), about the fight the Board is having with the City of San Diego over the City’s granting of improper variances.

The fight centers over the 5100 block of West Point Loma Boulevard and how the City is allowing property owners to circumvent the Ocean Beach Precise Plan with these multiple variances.

In a nutshell, the City has of late been granting multiple variances to property owners on that block which allow them to bypass the requirements of the Precise Plan – which since the mid-Seventies has governed building and construction in Ocean Beach. The Board maintains that these variances are improper – even illegal some say – because the City is using them to get around the zoning in that area, a zoning that was established years ago.

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Why Does It Take a Village to Put a Roof on the OB Library?

January 31, 2012 by Anna Daniels
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Editor: While repairs are going on, Ragster Anna Daniels looks into the funding for the new roof on the OB Library. About two weeks behind schedule, the re-opening of the Ocean Beach branch will now be around the first of March.

It all started with a forwarded email which expressed shock that the OB Library’s Spanish barrel tile roof had recently been replaced with crappy looking shingles. I sat here in City Heights and conjured up the image of the Ocean Beach library where supporters have protested potential budgets far too many times in the past four years. What a crime to sacrifice the architectural integrity of the building to a badly needed new roof done on the cheap!

I immediately called library administration to get the story on this. According to the spokesperson, the old wood shake roof has been replaced by custom composite tile. I had “mis-remembered” a Spanish barrel tile roof and so did others! This custom tile maintains the same “look” but provides fire retardant capabilities that the shake roof didn’t.

End of story? Not quite. I asked about the funding source for the new roof and was surprised to learn that there were multiple sources, which included building maintenance funds, a donation from the OB Friends of the Library and a

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