By Judi Curry
Being a widow for 9 years has changed the way I think; the way I live; the way I respond to others.
I have tried to discuss what is going on in the world with “Shadow”, my 6 ½ year old Golden Retriever, but his responses are less than satisfactory and leave me frustrated and angry a great deal of the time.
As I embark on this new facet of my life – a “weekly” column – not be considered a “weakly” column, I probably will impart my pent-up feelings to you and cause some of your great consternation and anger. I am happy to say that the “scars” from previous encounters have healed sufficiently, and I am ready to step into the arena again. Ready? Here goes!
I am boycotting In and Out Burger.
I have read editorials saying how silly it is to stop going there just because they made a donation to the Republican party. I disagree. I do not want my money, as small as an order might be, going to anyone in the Republican party. There are plenty of hamburger restaurants around that do not publicize what political party they support. That’s where you will find me.
I am very conflicted by Proposition 6. I am against the tremendous raise in the gas tax.
When I was in North Dakota I saw gas at under $2 a gallon. I don’t think we, in California, will ever see gas near $2 a gallon again. The monies generated from the gas tax is supposed to repair streets, help with public transportation etc.
It is my opinion that the monies are not being used in a wise manner. For example, my street was recently repaved. Great. Except it didn’t need it. The Mayor is so proud of the street repairs going on – yet those streets that need the repairs the most STILL need to be fixed.
So where is the conflict? Carl DeMaio, a member of the Republican Party, is vindictive re: the passage of this bill. He is so vindictive that he managed to have a recall election of Josh Newman, a Democrat, for voting “yes” on the tax. He feels that by getting Proposition 6 on the ballot that many Republicans will come out and vote “yes” and get the tax repealed. He further feels that if the Republicans get out to vote for Proposition 6, there is a much better chance that that party will retain their positions in Congress. So…I want to vote “yes” on 6; I want the Republicans now in office to lose that office. Thus – a conflict. [Editordude: for another view of Prop. 6, see this.]
And, of course, I have something to say about the Nike controversy. Good for them! I did not have any of their products prior to their “30 year” celebration – I do now. “Taking a knee” is NOT about the National Anthem; it is about racism; it is about freedom for all. IF I go to a game this year I too, will take a knee. (Of course someone will have to help me up!)
And finally, a word or two about Judge Brett Kavanaugh –a “lying under oath” patsy of the man in the White House. If I can see how he lied by reading emails he sent out at earlier times, I cannot understand how the Republicans on the Senate committee cannot see the same thing. And if the two women that profess to be in favor of equal rights for women vote to accept him as a Supreme Court Justice, this county just sank to the lowest ebb it has ever seen, and there will be little, or no, recovery. Ever.
So … is your blood pressure rising? Are you in agreement with any of what I’ve said? It ain’t going to get any better! Stay tuned for next weeks diatribe.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Never enjoyed the biblical quotations on their beverage cups. Keep on writing.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Judi, you do know that In n Out donates to both sides ya?
I stopped eating at Carl’s Jr years ago because Carl himself was an anti semite and anti gay. Much more clear cut.
That’s like speaking out of both sides of their mouth at the same time. I cannot support an organization that supports the Republican Party WHILE trump is in office. Things might change when he leaves – but not now.
Yea! Good to see the Judy Curry back at the OB Rag!
Thank you
It’s great to see Judy back at the OB Rag and I’m glad to read that she’s as passionate as ever about equality and opportunity. She once worked with me for several years and more than a few times I anguished over angry exchanges with her. With that, when we came to an agreement, she got the job done.
Wow Boyd! I am overwhelmed. We did have some tumultuous times, but you were my boss and your “overruled.” Thanks for your continued support. Let me know when you come to San Diego.
Love your passionate views. Agree with all except one. Now you have my attention. What else ya’ got? Signed, New Fan : )
Thank you, LL. On “tap” – a word that has more meaning in Ocean Beach than any other place – is warning about Uber drivers, trashing the trash cans, lime bikes, etc. Stay tuned! Can always use new fans.
Good column, Judi. Please continue.
Thank you Stephen. Getting reading for the next one.
Judy, John Bolton made clear today that the crux of the conservative concern is similar to the local conservative concern. They don’t want global oversight, since it appears to conservatives like giving up control. For the same reason, in San Diego democracy is threatening the corporate leadership. (It’s not tribal. Ms. Cortez would have lost to Todd Gloria.) Democracy requires informed political debate but San Diego media, KPBS, VoV, UT, Reader, etc.—employ people who look like reporters and editors, and have resumes too, but editors don’t get the relevance of subjects or aren’t trained to think scientifically–it’s not intentional. Orwell described it well. It’s a shame because it seems endemic in the industry now. It has allowed Trump’s brain-trust (whatever that is, it did outsmart us) to touch a nerve about the media that has resonated with people. We can’t deny it! In a sense, our press and media are being sort of ersatz, but Trump is not a constructive critic.
The trouble with our media and press, including this one, is that they choose to be liked, they are expert at being irrelevant, a context that works as an interlocutor for double-speak that Orwell predicted. It’s the grain of truth that Trump uses, to hook those whom our fabulous media has poorly informed, thus rendering vulnerable. We must own this.
The mean acuity of most US media and press outlets is historically dismal given the sheer volume of ink, paper and EMF they have produced that may only be a curiosity to future anthropologists. To hell with Trump and Bolton, we had the right idea after WWII and here they are up to starting another war again, sending off girls and boys to come home with PTSD. Meanwhile, on the home front, here we are, a community of 80,000 on this peninsula and 1.5 million in the City (or the other way around), surrounded on three sides by 2 million other poorly-informed people, and there are needs to be met here, the most important of which are security: job security, housing security, health security, education, the normal everyday things that everyone is entitled to have. And no, this isn’t Kansas.
Far right Dakotas should not be our model, but progressive Denmark, Norway, Japan, France, Germany etc. They all have much much higher gas taxes than the USA. And as a result, people drive smaller and greener cars there.
BMW and Mercedes do not even sell their most popular German engines in the USA because we turn our noses up at the lower horsepower German buyers accept as the price of a good environment.
The lowest gas taxes in the world are Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, two horrible dictatorships. Norway, a progressive democracy, has the highest.
High gas taxes are also part of a green virtuous cycle: less driving, smaller cars, more walking, more street life, pedestrians and bikers feel safer with fewer hulking SUVs on the road.
Judi, looking forward to your weekly column!
Thanks Anna. Glad to be back.
Great to see you back on the OBRag, Judi.
We missed your columns in North County.
Thanks, Gil. Hope I can keep North County on their toes!
Hey, it’s Judi! Glad to see you’re back!
Good to be back, Dave. Thanks for your support.