Mainstreet’s “Ocean Beach Waterfront Master Plan” On Agenda of OB Planners – Wed, May 16th

by on May 15, 2012 · 11 comments

in Economy, Environment, Ocean Beach, Popular

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“Soft Path” from Dog Beach to Main Lifeguard Station Part of Master Plan

Lots of action is promised at the next Ocean Beach Planning Board meeting Wednesday night, May 16th.

Actually, it’s the Project Review Committee that is meeting, and they make recommendations on projects to the full Board – which will meet next on June 6th. Both committees meet at the OB Rec Center, 4728 Santa Monica Avenue.

First on the agenda is something called the “Ocean Beach Waterfront Master Plan” – a plan for the ocean front of OB being rolled out from the Design Committee of the OB Mainstreet Association.

Among the elements of this so-called “Master Plan” is a recommendation for a “soft path connecting Dog Beach and the Santa Monica Lifeguard Tower”. This could be controversial as a similar idea of a boardwalk was floated years ago but was brought down to defeat by last-minute grassroots’ opposition.

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Ocean Beach Historical Society Presents: OB Exposed – May 18th

by on May 16, 2012 · 0 comments

in Culture, History, Ocean Beach

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On Friday, May 18th – the Ocean Beach Historical Society presents their annual show, OB Exposed! It will be held at the Masonic Center – at 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, from 6 to 8:30 pm.

Here are some reasons that the OB Historical Society says are great reasons to attend:

  • We have some incredible photo entries in this years OB Exposed!
  • We also have several additions to the show: A series of 8″x 10″ photos from 1911-1912 of the restored historic home on the corner of Del Mar Ave. and Cable (Hundred year anniversary of the home being built). The photos show the six week period the house was built in.
  • We will be showing the film of the recent “Respect OB ” Event.

San Diego Council Committee Moves to Monitor Banks’ Foreclosure Actions

by on May 16, 2012 · 0 comments

in Economy, San Diego

Ch 8 News / May 16, 2012

The City Council’s Rules Committee Wednesday directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would require banks with which the city of San Diego does business to submit annual data on loans, foreclosures and other issues.

The proposal by council President Tony Young calls for banks to provide information on their home and small business lending, modifications of distressed loans, foreclosure information, community investment, employment diversity and number of jobs.

Young also wants two-year community reinvestment plans to be submitted for residential and small business lending in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

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Call Congress Today to Change the National Defense Act that Authorizes Indefinite Detention of Americans

by on May 16, 2012 · 1 comment

in American Empire, Civil Rights, Culture, History, Media, Military, Organizing

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By Bill of Rights Defense Committee

Last New Year’s Eve, while most Americans were out celebrating, President Obama signed into law the most potentially oppressive national security legislation considered in our country since the onset of the war on terror more than 10 years ago. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) includes military detention provisions that, along with the 2001 Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF), could enable any future president to suspend the right to trial and detain Americans indefinitely in military custody without trial.

If you thought the PATRIOT Act was bad, the NDAA is even worse. It could be used to criminalize any political party or ideology, round up ethnic minorities, enable recurring torture in military custody, or suspend the right to trial for people the government wants to detain (for whatever reason) without having to establish proof of any crime.

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A Statistical Analysis of My Online Dating

by on May 16, 2012 · 2 comments

in Culture, Life Events, San Diego, The Widder Curry

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Having just attended a pagan ritualistic ceremony uniting two very special people, I am now more inspired to find a soulmate of my own that is willing to bind our hands together for life. What I witnessed was very inspiring.

Those of you that have been following my saga of “on-line” dating are probably not aware that even though I stopped my “subscriptions”, there was no refund and so I have been getting “winks” for what seems to be months, on a regular basis.

And…I have enlarged my groupings. My name is now listed as wanting to find a “companion” on the following websites: “SeniorPeopleMeet”; “BB (the Big and Beautiful Network)”; “Match.com”; “EHarmony”; “Speed Dating”; “Zoosk” and “Chemistry.com”.

After all, I don’t want to leave this great experiment to small chances. Of course, I am finding that I am not the only person that has signed up with more than one on-line service. No… so are the many of the men whose names keep popping up on my computer screen. That would not be a problem if they used the same name, for, believe it or not, I have an “a-z” spreadsheet (s) of 11 pages. I kid you not! Not all of the slots on all of the pages are filled in, but I have attempted to make contact with 344 (!) men since I began keeping the spread sheets.

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San Diego’s Biotech Industry Sweeps Low-Paid Workers Under the Rug

May 16, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Report: Janitors’ low wages a blotch on biotech’s shining reputation

By Center on Policy Initiatives / May 15, 2012

Janitors who clean the offices and laboratories of San Diego’s highly profitable biotech companies generally aren’t paid enough to live on, while their low wages are excluded from the industry’s claims of creating good jobs.

A new report from the Center on Policy Initiatives examined the pay scales and financial health of large local life sciences firms, including biotech and related companies. While the industry claims its salaries average more than $100,000 locally, that doesn’t count many essential support jobs that often are contracted out – such as janitors, security guards and food service workers.

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A Mind Unleashed: Thoughts on Marriage, Civil Unions, and Pagan Binding Rituals

May 16, 2012 by Judi Curry
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Over the past year or so that I have been writing for the OB Rag I have mentioned one or two of my grandchildren in the course of discussion. I have three beautiful daughters, and they have gifted me with 9 grandchildren and some of those have given me 4 great-grandchildren. Out of those children that are eligible for college, all of them are currently enrolled in the California Higher Education programs.

Last week I posted an article written by my oldest grandson, Josh, as to why he was proud to be an American, and why he feels somewhat “tarnished” today. I have always known that he was very bright, yet if you look at his past his actions sometimes belied that intelligence. I think it is fair to say that he is growing up, and the beautiful creative mind that has been stifled is being unleashed.

Josh has had a relationship with his girlfriend Cherie for close to seven years. When she came into their relationship she had a very young daughter and Josh treated her as if she was his. (I have to admit that for a time I wondered if she was his child. She wasn’t.) Two years after they got together they had a child together and people, including this grandmother, asked if they were going to get married. The answer was “no” and has continued to be “no”. But something happened last week that has Josh thinking – and writing – again.

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Open Letter to Grover Norquist on Why Most Americans Don’t Want to Drown Government in the Bathtub

May 15, 2012 by Source

By Joe Flynn

Dear Grover Norquist:

Top Ten Reasons why most people would not want government reduced to the size they could drown in a bathtub, as you so smugly recommend.

10. A water main has broken in front of your house, and you don’t have enough water to flush your toilet, let alone, drown anything in the tub.

9. Neighborhood kids have piled rocks in a sewer manhole plugging the line and what appear to be date expired Baby Ruth’s are floating down the street.

8. Your residential neighbor is in the process of constructing a building in his front yard, which coincidentally, blocks your prized view of the ocean.

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Agenda for Peninsula Community Planning Board – May 17th

May 15, 2012 by Source

PENINSULA COMMUNITY PLANNING BOARD AGENDA

3701 Voltaire Street, Point Loma Library
May 17, 2012 – 6:30-9:30 PM

Parliamentary Items

6:30 to 7:00

1. Approval of Agenda – Items subject to change
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes – April 2012 Regular Board meeting
3. Secretary’s Report – Discussion of minutes, format, written sub committee notes, drafted resolutions, etc.
4. Treasurer’s Report – Confirmation of Nancy Graham
5. Chair Report – Appointment to fill John Gott’s vacancy. Website maintenance.

7:00 to 7:15

Non-Agenda Public Comment (3 minutes each speaker)

New/Old Business

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New report reveals scale of Edison steam generator failures at San Onofre nuclear plant

May 15, 2012 by Source

Engineer warns that tube plugging and low power operation are risky “non-solutions”

By Friends of the Earth / May 15, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Southern California Edison avoided federal regulatory guidelines when replacing defective steam generators at the San Onofre nuclear power plant — a costly mistake that can’t be fixed by plugging the tubes that carry radioactive steam or by operating the plant at reduced power, according to a new report released today by Friends of the Earth.

The content of the report by nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen details the significant design changes that should have triggered a license review which would have uncovered problems that subsequently led to serious damage and the release of radiation from the defective equipment at San Onofre in January.

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Who Makes Up the Price of Gas?

May 15, 2012 by Source
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By John Lawrence / Will Blog for Food / May 12, 2012

In this article we explore how the price of gas at the pump is determined. This is an opaque subject which has been heaped in layers of obfuscation because the oil companies don’t want you to know what a huge scam they are perpetrating on the American public systematically ripping them off at the gas tank. They want you to think that gas prices are set by immutable, impersonal factors like the “world oil market” over which we have no control nor ever could we.

When the oil company executives went before a Congressional hearing in May 2011 as gas prices hit $4.00 a gallon, Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon Mobil, was asked “how are oil prices set?” He responded that they were based on the marginal cost of producing the next barrel of oil. Nothing could be further from the reality of the situation although it would be a worthy aspirational ideal, something to shoot for in a more perfect world.

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“!Te amos, Carl!”: DeMaio earns endorsement from union of undocumented workers in Mexico

May 15, 2012 by Shane Finneran
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TIJUANA, MEXICO — The signs at the union rally were lettered in red and green on a white background, reminiscent of the Mexican flag.

“!Con DeMaio al Norte!”
(“With Demaio to the North!”)

“!Si, se puede, jefe!”
(“Yes, we can, boss!”)

“!Te amos Carl!”
(“We love you, Carl!”)

The setting was a south-of-the-border parade on Tijuana’s famous Avenida Revolucion, where a union representing undocumented workers hoping to migrate to the United States endorsed Republican candidate Carl DeMaio for San Diego mayor.

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Still Searching for Fletcher’s “Move to the Middle”

May 15, 2012 by Andy Cohen
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San Diego Mayoral candidate says his defection from the Republican Party means he’s changed, but there’s no real evidence to demonstrate he has.

I received an email from the Nathan Fletcher for Mayor Campaign last week. It’s the usual stuff: “This week Nathan Fletcher was attacked from the far-right for working with Democrats, and from the far-left for working with Republicans. The truth is they’re both right. Nathan will work with anyone to solve problems.”

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Tonight at 6pm is Working Citizens’ Opportunity to Address San Diego City Budget

May 14, 2012 by Anna Daniels

There is an evening public budget hearing tonight,

Monday, May14, beginning at at 6pm,

on the 12th floor of city hall, 202 C street.

This is the evening hearing scheduled for working San Diegans to attend and give them two cents on the San Diego City budget.

Are Your Library Services “Good Enough?” Mayor Sanders and the City Council Think So

Outgoing Mayor Jerry Sanders recently declared an end to the structural deficit problems facing the city by virtue of his eight year reign of awesomeness. Revenues this past year were a modest 1.9% higher than anticipated, and Sanders was able to play the kindly king, distributing some of the revenue to deserving city departments in fiscal year 2013.

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Carl DeMaio Is a Dangerous, Mean-Spirited Liar and other Tales of Fear and Loathing in San Diego

May 14, 2012 by Jim Miller

Editor: Just to ensure that our readers and the world know where the OB Rag stands on Carl DeMaio, we’re running two posts today, one by Doug Porter, and this one by Jim Miller.

“We have a conservative movement that has learned, over the decades, to mimic
many of the characteristics of its enemies.” – Thomas Frank

As Frank Gormlie noted in an OB Rag piece last Saturday, Carl DeMaio used a pull quote from one of my OB Rag columns describing Nathan Fletcher as a “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.” More specifically, DeMaio’s mailer cites this passage:

Nathan Fletcher is not a man of great political courage. He isn’t even a particularly independent thinker. But he is politically clever, and he knows that San Diego’s Democratic base has a long history of being bamboozled by wolves in sheep’s clothing from the days of Pete Wilson to the present.

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Saying “Hi” to Whoopi

May 14, 2012 by Ernie McCray
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It was so nice seeing my old friend, Whoopi, the other night. It had been a while. The last time I saw her was a few years ago when my wife, Nancy, and I, found ourselves standing in a line that can only be described as very long at a book store in La Jolla.

When we finally crossed the threshold of the building and got a glimpse of Whoopi, her head was bowed as she was intently writing her name with swift sweeps of her wrist. We just looked at her with deep admiration as she made so many people’s day, smiling at them as she scribbled.

In a moment she happened to look up and spot us, opening her eyes ala Mr. Magoo and she dropped her pen and came towards us like a Drum Major in a Black College Marching Band, calling out to us, “Ernie! Nancy!” and then she wrapped us in a hug that must have warmed the room.

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DeMaio Deconstructed, Part III: The Psychology of a ‘Political Sociopath’

May 14, 2012 by Doug Porter
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And What This Means for San Diego

Two little stories that have appeared in Voice of San Diego over the past month provide the kernel for the insight that candidate Carl DeMaio might be something more—and not in a good way– than the ‘reformer’ he likes to portray himself as in his TV ads.

The first story was a blurb by Andrew Donohue plugging Donna Frye’s guest host appearance on ‘VOSD Radio’. Frye, despite her enviro/liberal credentials, was the person on the City Council who tried the hardest to work with Carl DeMaio in his early years on reform issues. Eventually she gave up, as just about everybody who’s tried to with him has.. During her turn as host at VOSD radio, she went so far as to call him a ‘political sociopath’. (We’ll come back to what that means in a few sentences.)

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U-T Cartoonist Insults Seniors By Portraying Them as “a Vengeful Mob”

May 12, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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Steve Breen, the U-T San Diego in-house cartoonist, has done it again. He has gone off and insulted another group of American citizens with his drawings.

This time, it’s seniors. His Thursday, May 11th, cartoon, went over the top by portraying American seniors as “a vengeful mob” – as one complaining letter writer stated in today’s paper.

Look at the cartoon itself. Look at the faces of the older people he drew. Are they the faces of your grandparents, parents, or even of you or us ourselves?

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Campaign Flier of Right-Wing Extremist DeMaio Uses OB Rag Quote Against Fletcher

May 12, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
Thumbnail image for Campaign Flier of Right-Wing Extremist DeMaio Uses <i>OB Rag</i> Quote Against Fletcher

Residents of San Diego were stunned just recently when they opened up a campaign flier from Carl DeMaio and found there in plain sight, clearly printed, a quote from an OB Rag article that was very critical of one of DeMaio’s mayoral opponents, Nathan Fletcher. DeMaio’s flier also used the Rag logo.

Of course, in no way did the OB Rag give DeMaio permission to use this quote or our logo. We here at the Rag view DeMaio as a right-wing extremist bent on creating a Wisconsin West right here in San Diego, with his anti-labor and anti-union views and policies against ordinary people, the social net, etc. A DeMaio Mayor would be an uncategorical disaster for San Diego.

One of our columnists, Jim Miller, wrote a stinging repute of the so-called “independent” candidacy of Fletcher back on April 24th, entitled, “The Fletcher Flim Flam”. In it, he states:
Nathan Fletcher is not a man of great political courage. He isn’t even a particularly independent thinker. But he is politically clever, and he knows that San Diego’s Democratic base has a long history of being bamboozled by wolves in sheep’s clothing from the days of Pete Wilson to the present.
This is the exact quote that DeMaio’s campaign used in their flier.

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Why We Should Care About the Death of Kelly Thomas

May 11, 2012 by Christine Schanes

At around 8:30 pm the evening of July 5, 2011, Kelly Thomas, a 37 year old, mentally ill homeless man, was in the parking lot of the Fullerton bus depot when he was approached by police officers. Approximately 33 minutes later, Kelly was unconscious and taken to the hospital where five days later he was pronounced dead.

What happened in that bus depot parking lot? Can we learn anything from the death of Kelly Thomas? Why should we care about the death of one homeless person?

We know a great many details of the last minutes of Kelly?s conscious life because they were captured on video tapes, including the following video available through youtube.

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The OB Rag’s Voter Guide for the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

May 11, 2012 by Shane Finneran
Thumbnail image for <i>The OB Rag’s</i> Voter Guide for the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary

In the spirit of bipartisanship, compromise, and reaching out to our friends and fellow citizens on the other side of the aisle, here The OB Rag offers its Voter Guide for the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary.

See you at the polls!

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