Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news

In His 2 Years in Office Trump Has Had More than 1,400 Conflicts of Interest

by Source on January 18, 2019 · 1 comment

in Politics

Washington — In the two years since he took office, President Trump racked up more than 1,400 conflicts of interest involving the government, those trying to influence it and the Trump Organization, according to a report released today by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

President Trump used the presidency to enrich himself by repeatedly promoting his businesses as extensions of his administration. Political allies, wealthy donors, special interests and foreign governments adopted a key tactic of patronizing Trump’s businesses to curry favor with the Trump administration. Here are some of the key findings from CREW’s tracking of Trump’s conflicts of interest:

President Trump made 118 visits to his properties in his second year in office, bringing his two-year total to 281 visits to properties he still profits from in office.
In his second year in office, President Trump and other White House staff promoted Trump businesses on at least 87 occasions.
119 federal officials, 53 members of Congress and at least 33 state officials made visits to Trump properties during Trump’s second year in office.

1 comment

I Can’t Help But Resist

by Ernie McCray on January 18, 2019 · 2 comments

in From the Soul

by Ernie McCray

I heard a man say
we shouldn’t
resist the president
because leftwing presidents
before him committed political wrongs
in their day.

And to him I say,
hey, what somebody
did or didn’t do back in the day
has no say
in why I resist
this man
who occupies the White House today.

2 comments

The History of Trolley Service to Ocean Beach

by Source on January 18, 2019 · 2 comments

in Ocean Beach

OB Historical Society Hosts “Trolley To The Beach” Program

by Bob Edwards

On Thursday, January 17th, the Ocean Beach Historical Society presented a program on the history of electric streetcar service in the beach areas of San Diego. Eric DuVall, local history enthusiast and president of the Historical Society narrated an enlightening and humorous hour long slide and video presentation before a near-capacity crowd at Water’s Edge Faith Community church on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.

Mr. DuVall’s lecture included photos, maps, and documents taken from the Historical Society’s archives and other sources such as the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo. It also included numerous photos taken by Mr. DuVall as well as a video he filmed that took viewers on a speeded up, time lapse journey along the route of the first electric street car service to Ocean Beach.

2 comments

OB Pier – Like the US Gov’t – Damaged and Shut-Down

by Frank Gormlie on January 18, 2019 · 11 comments

in Ocean Beach

The Ocean Beach Pier could be a metaphor for our current state. It was significantly damaged by waves and high surf and is closed and shut-down.

Debris and timber from the pier washed up at the foot of Newport Avenue and pieces were collected and carted off by locals and tourists as souvenirs.

Significant damage to the railing and the wood paneling of the pier was caused by mother ocean. 7SanDiego

Also the Pacific surge caused flooding and lifeguards closed the area surrounding Newport Avenue and Abbott Street.

11 comments

News from Ocean Beach and Point Loma – Mid-January 2019

January 17, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Scooters Are Getting Everywhere

Those damn scooters can be found everywhere. Check this photo of a recent Sunset Cliffs rescue. It is time for controls on them. According to Councilwoman Jen Campbell’s office, no date for a hearing on scooters has been set. (Hat tip to Kathy Blavatt)

It looks like Bravos Mexican Food – at the corner of Newport and Bacon – is changing ownership. The notice on the window tells us applicant Zuzola-Sutphin, Inc. is going for an ownership change.

Mural Going Up on AppleTree Market – Jan. 19

A mural is going up on the side of AppleTree Market, at 4976 Newport Ave – and it will be installed on Saturday, January 19 at 1:30 pm. The 4ft X 16ft mural has a simple message: “You Are Beautiful”.

Point Loma High Revamp to Begin This Summer

Mission Bay Park Committee Approves SeaWorld’s Second Roller Coaster

San Diego Estuary Clean-up Saturday – Jan.19 from 8 – 11 am

Dog-Friendly Option Chosen for Fiesta Island

Point Loma Curb Artist Returns

City Agrees to Fix Flooding at Ramp on Jennings

Water Main Break Causes Flow Down Narragansett’s Hill

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OB Town Council Board Has 8 Seats Up for Election, Candidate Statements Due Jan. 21, 2019

January 17, 2019 by Staff

The annual election for the Ocean Beach Town Council Board of Directors is coming right up. Voting will take place from Monday, January 28th to Friday, February 8th.

Anyone member considering running as a candidate for one of the 8 seats open must submit their Candidate Statement by Monday, January 21st.

A Candidate Statement is a Letter of Intent stating one’s reasons for wanting to join the OBTC Board and describing any relevant experience or skills

Here is the statement from the OBTC website:

Faulconer By-Passed Midway District Planning Group in Proposal to Redevelop SPAWAR Property

January 17, 2019 by Source

By Geoff Page

You just have to wonder if city leaders are just plain stupid or just too accustomed to being devious. That certainly occurred to this reporter sitting in the Midway Pacific Community Planning Board’s regular monthly meeting, Wednesday, January 16.

Last week we all learned that the mayor and SANDAG have a proposal to redevelop the property where the big SPAWAR facility sits on Pacific Highway. They want to make it a transit hub with a rail connection to the airport. In fact, they are so far down the line that they visited Elon Musk’s Boring Company because the plan includes a tunnel.

Now, this reporter has been attending the Midway meetings for a long time. This Faluconer/ SANDAG idea had never come up.

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Stabbings in Ocean Beach This Week

January 17, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The week isn’t even over and there’s been two stabbings reported in Ocean Beach so far.

The most recent one was last night about 10 minutes past midnight outside Winstons. And the first one was Monday night on Newport Avenue near Bacon. Both appeared to be instances where someone tried to intervene in an argument or altercation.

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It’s Raining and Cold. The Homeless Are Still Outside.

January 16, 2019 by John Lawrence

by John Lawrence / January 16, 2019

I take a shortcut every day through Walter Way in my home town of El Cajon. It saves me from going through one stop light at 2nd and Madison. Walter Way is little more than a glorified alley paralleling 2nd Street. In between there’s a McDonald’s, a Walgreen’s a Subway and a few other fast food places. Walter Way has been home to quite a large homeless settlement for some time. The other day there were 3 dump trucks and 3 El Cajon police cars clearing out the homeless and all their possessions from Walter Way.

All the tents, shopping carts, dogs, tarps and other paraphernalia were gone by mid day. Walter Way remained clear for about a day and a half, and then the homeless were back minus some of their possessions which had been thrown in the dump trucks. I imagine they got to take at least some things with them before the workers heaved the rest of the stuff into the dump trucks.

Does Ocean Beach Have a Sinkhole?

January 16, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Water is coming from underneath the asphalt and concrete of the street along Froude near Narragansett Avenue. And a number of local agencies have responded to what is reported to be a water main break.

But is it also a sinkhole? A city of San Diego spokesperson said they had a report of a sinkhole.

7SanDiego reports that police and fire units are at the scene – and they are telling the media water is coming from beneath the street and there are real concerns the street could buckle, causing potholes and even a sinkhole.

High Surf Collapses Deck at The Inn at Sunset Cliffs

January 16, 2019 by Source

Neighbors are reporting that the deck at The Inn at Sunset Cliffs collapsed a few days ago due to high surf eroding the cliffs below it.

10News reported:

Chris DuCharme, an Ocean Beach resident of 30 years, said a deck overlooking the beach collapsed at The Inn at Sunset Cliffs a few days ago, after the cliffs below crumbled.

“That entire patio behind me was all one patio about two to three weeks ago,” he said. He said it’s something he has seen plenty of times at Sunset Cliffs. “You get something like that,” he said. “Where you get a super high tide, and a big wave will come and double up on itself right at that patio and that wall.”

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Sweetwater Union – the Largest High School District in California – Is Under Attack by Charter School Proponents – Including the San Diego U-T and Voice of San Diego

January 16, 2019 by Source

Editordude: Here’s the latest post from Thomas Ultican about the latest shenanigans from local charter school supporters in their quest to undermine public education…. In delving into the details, Ultican takes on the San Diego Union-Tribune and the Voice of San Diego.

By Thomas Ultican / Tultican

The newly hired Chief Financial Officer of Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD), Jenny Salkeld, discovered a significant problem with the budget she inherited. She presented her findings to the Sweetwater leadership team in early September which forwarded her report onto the County Office of Education (COE).

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The Top Ten Medical Cannabis Developments of 2018

January 15, 2019 by Source

By Sean Khalepari / Americans for Safe Access

It has been an exciting year in the world of cannabis reform. From studies that underscore the therapeutic potential of cannabis to political changes that bode well for patients and consumers, there is much to celebrate. Before we close the books on 2018, let’s take a look back at ten of the most significant developments over the past year from ASA’s perspective and consider their impact.

1. The DEA Removes Misinformation about Cannabis from its Website

Federal ADA Lawsuit Targets San Diego Scooters

January 15, 2019 by Source

By Greg Moran / Los Angeles Times

SAN DIEGO — The city of San Diego and electric scooter brands Lime and Bird are the targets of a lawsuit filed in federal court alleging the ubiquitous motorized vehicles are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by impeding and blocking access to city streets and sidewalks.

The suit filed by the group Disability Rights California and three disabled San Diego residents is seeking class-action status for people with mobility or sight disabilities who navigate sidewalks, curb ramps and public spaces also occupied by scooter riders.

“Without full use of the sidewalk and curb ramps at street intersections, persons with mobility and/or visual impairments have significant barriers ”

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It’s Tough to Be a Renter in San Diego County

January 15, 2019 by Source

More than half are burdened by housing costs.

by Jill Castellano / inewsouce.org – San Diego

San Diego County is one of the least affordable places to live in America, and renters know it.

When housing costs are high, people have less money to spend on other necessities such as food and medical care, which hurts their quality of life.

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Surfing Dangerously in Ocean Beach

January 15, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

A lone surfer glides right on a wave off the jetty.

Meanwhile the County has posted “Danger” signs at the beach. And Joe Ewing was there Monday and caught the drama.

What drama, you ask.

This surfer – and others who ignore the signs – are surfing dangerously. There’s a County water quality advisory out and humans and dogs are asked to stay of coastal waters and bays for at least 72 hours after it rains. Especially in OB where the San Diego River empties.

Here is the County’s advisory:

Review of Springboard West Festival in Ocean Beach

January 14, 2019 by Source

By Bob Edwards

This past week, Ocean Beach hosted Springboard West, a music festival and conference for aspiring artists. Organized by an LA-based company, the festival featured two days of panels and workshops attended by 50 artists from around the world and culminated on Saturday with a “Band and Brew crawl” at five OB venues.

Hundreds of music fans from San Diego and elsewhere were entertained at the OB Playhouse, Mothers, the Harp, Winstons, and Te Mana by an eclectic mix of artists. The acts that performed work in a variety of genres such as singer/songwriter, pop, and country-, punk-, and soul-influenced rock acts.

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Michelle Obama is Right: ‘They Aren’t That Smart’ —They’re Just Greedy

January 14, 2019 by Jim Miller

Michelle Obama caused a small stir last fall during the London leg of her book tour when she observed that her time in the highest circles of the global power elite had revealed a startling truth about our faceless masters:

“Here’s the secret: they’re not that smart. There are a lot of things that folks are doing to keep their seats because they don’t want to give up power.”

More specifically, the former First Lady observed that, “I have been at probably every powerful table that you can think of, I have worked at nonprofits, I have been at foundations, I have worked in corporations, served on corporate boards, I have been at G-summits, I have sat in at the U.N.: They are not that smart.”

OB Historical Society: ‘Trolley to the Beach’ – Thursday, Jan. 17

January 14, 2019 by Source

“Trolley to the Beach”

Everyone is invited to a presentation of “Trolley to the Beach” by Eric DuVall – president of the OB Historical Society – this Thursday, January 17.

It’s a story of how dependable electric streetcar service allowed people to live at the beach— specifically Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Pacific Beach and La Jolla — and still be able to work downtown. It will be this Thursday

It is the story of the Point Loma Railroad and the San Diego Electric Railway and how they helped our city to grow. As such, it is also the story of D. C. Collier and John D. Spreckels.

Two Seals Players Did Just ‘Dive In’ and Had to Be Rescued at Sunset Cliffs

January 13, 2019 by Staff

Hey the Pro lacrosse Seals players rescued from heavy surf at Sunset Cliffs who just living their team’s billboard. This billboard appeared recently on Sunset Cliffs Blvd near Voltaire – and OB Rag photographer Bob Edwards snapped this shot.

Here’s the news:

Two members of the San Diego Seals professional lacrosse team were rescued from heavy surf Thursday morning at Sunset Cliffs. Both suffered only minor injuries. The Seals players — identified as Garrett Epple and Nick Ossello — asked a bystander to film them jumping off the cliffs and into the Pacific Ocean at a well-known spot called “The Arches”.

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If Trump Declares a National Emergency, He’ll Be Breaking the Law

January 11, 2019 by Source

By Marjorie Cohn / Marjorie Cohn Blog / Jan. 11, 2019

Congress refuses to enact legislation containing the nearly $6 billion that Donald Trump is demanding for an unnecessary wall on the southern US border. In response, Trump is considering whether to declare a national emergency, take money Congress has appropriated for other purposes, and divert it to build his wall. But under US law, the president cannot usurp the spending power the Constitution grants only to Congress.

Desperate to appease his right-wing base and Fox News pundits, Trump backed off his commitment to sign a bill that would have reopened the government that has been shuttered for 20 days. Although Congress unanimously supported that bill, Trump is stubbornly holding out for money to build his wall, continuing to hold the American people hostage. One quarter of the federal workforce has not been paid, airline safety is imperiled, the Food and Drug Administration is postponing food safety inspections and national parks are being desecrated while Trump plays wall politics.

Humboldt Sheriffs Critical of Netflix, ‘Highly Sensationalized’ Murder Mountain; Director Responds

January 11, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has blasted Netflix over its docu-series “Murder Mountain” as a”highly sensationalized” and incomplete show that portrays law enforcement in a negative light.

The 6-part series now streaming on Netflix follows the case of an Ocean Beach surfer, Garrett Rodriquez, who traveled up to Humboldt County to make money in the cannabis industry, who disappeared and was murdered, and whose body was eventually found in a shallow grave.

But the local Sheriff’s Office put out a statement saying when they were approached by the series producers, the producers claimed their documentary was going to be about the changes in the County from the legalization of marijuana. Instead, the Sheriffs say, the show became “highly sensationalized” and focused only on the death of one man, Rodriguez.

The show is about Garrett from OB and his dad, but it’s also about the history of marijuana cultivation in Humboldt – which today accounts for 60% of all cannabis grown in the U.S. – and the difficulties of once “outlaw” growers are having becoming “legal”; many are facing the prospect of having to end their farming livelihoods.

A Threat at the Back Door Scared Away by Judi’s Hero Dog

January 11, 2019 by Judi Curry

By Judi Curry

Something happened this morning that I have feared for years. I am so disappointed how I handled it, and I am so grateful to the San Diego Police Department. This is what happened:

At approximately 6:25am I heard a noise but thought that it was one of my students. I live on a corner, and there is construction happening across the alley from my house and I thought they were starting work on the house early – again – and got angry. But then Shadow began barking – loudly – and in a tone that I have never heard him use before. I continued to get ready for the day, and still Shadow barked.

I finally walked to the kitchen and saw what Shadow was barking about. Standing at my back door was a young man – 21 or so; wearing a hoodie; and knocking at the door. Fortunately I have a metal screen security door and even if he had been successful in breaking into the back door, he could not have had access to the house.

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San Diego Is the Largest City in California to Ban Styrofoam

January 11, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The City of San Diego became the largest city in California to ban Styrofoam when the City Council voted 6 to 3 Tuesday, January 8 to approve a law that restricts the use of products made with polystyrene and plastic foam, like take-out containers, coolers and egg cartons.

Imperial Beach and Encinitas join San Diego within the County that also have adopted similar rules. Over 100 other California cities have such bans or restrictions. …

The new ordinance – due to go into effect probably in April 2019 – prevents restaurants and grocery stores from using plastic-foam food containers (often called “Styrofoam” – which is a brand name – referring actually to polystyrene). In addition, it bans anyone from bringing polystyrene products to the beaches or city parks, and it prohibits restaurants from giving out any plastic straws or utensils, unless customers ask for them.

Trump People Had 101 Contacts With Russian-Linked Officials

January 10, 2019 by Source

Members of President Donald Trump’s campaign and transition team had more than 100 contacts with Russia-linked operatives between September 2015 and January 2017, according to an updated report by the Center for American Progress’ Moscow Project.

These contacts reportedly included at least 28 meetings, both in person and over Skype, and involved several prominent members of Trump’s inner circle including the president’s children, Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr.; his former attorney Michael Cohen; and his former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank based in D.C., said Wednesday that it had raised the number of contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia-linked operatives to 101 following reports this week that Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort shared polling data on the 2016 election with a Russian consultant who had links to Moscow’s intelligence agencies.

Midway District Man Gravely Wounded by Police Is ‘Up-and-Coming Rapper’

January 10, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

Ryan Bowers was on hard times, apparently. On New Year’s Eve he posted on Facebook, “My life is so stupid.” The 23-year old lived in the Midway District with family. Yet his life got even worse.

On Thursday night, January 3, he allegedly cut his own throat; family members called police; police arrived – confronted him as he refused to drop a knife, and he was then shot multiple times. He now has life-threatening wounds and may not survive.

Yet it turns out Ryan Bowers is described as “an up-and-coming rapper” and is signed to Nick Cannon’s label. Cannon has know him for years.

Point Loma Brewer: Gov’t Shutdown Could Adversely Affect San Diego Craft Beer Industry

January 10, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The head brewer at Bay City Brewing Company in Point Loma, Austin Pinder, complains that the Federal government shut-down could adversely affect the entire craft beer industry in San Diego.

Pinder told 7SanDiego the Federal agency’s offices that handle new beer labels are closed as part of the shutdown. Yet, every new beer label requires federal approval. Pinder said:

“The Tax and Trade Bureau requires government mandated things on beer labels like alcohol content. It also requires that the content on the packaging is unoffensive.”

Pinder claimed Bay City Brewing Company comes out with up to 30 new beers a year. Plus, other new craft breweries trying to open in San Diego’s heavy bud market could be hurt by the closing of the government.

Man Dies After Saving Dogs at Jetty in Ocean Beach

January 10, 2019 by Frank Gormlie

The man rescued off the OB Jetty by lifeguards Wednesday has died, reports the San Diego Fire Rescue-Department and County Medical Examiner’s Office today, Thursday, Jan. 10.

Identified as Gregg Owens, the man was rushed to UCSD Medical Center intensive care unit but was later pronounced dead.

Reports have Owens – visiting from Nevada – entering the rough ocean around 2pm to retrieve his dogs.

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High Surf and Ocean Hazards – OB Pier Remains Closed

January 10, 2019 by Source