OB Rag

Last Saturday, April 28, I attended an hour and a half coffee Q&A with Toni Atkins, the State Assembly Representative for the 76th District, of which OB is a part. The small turn-out was not an indication of interest, but rather limited to those who had been invited to the small venue; Newbreak Coffee Co. on Abbott Street. In other words, it could not have been a more perfect venue and environment to talk with the Majority Whip regarding issues which affect us all.

After introductions to a very diverse klatch of constituents and before Ms. Atkins jumped into some more important issues, she discussed the district changes and how it will affect OB. She will continue to be our representative in the State Assembly, but the district which ended in Bird Rock will now extend north to Solana Beach. While she will continue to represent those east to the I-15 and south of I-8, she will no longer represent Clairemont & Kearny Mesa. From what I could tell, the reformation opens up new areas and the elections will not simply be a formality in strictly Republican and Democratic districts.

Editor: This rant is from John M Williams, our good friend, former OBcean, former writer for the original OB Rag, who now sits in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and works as an English instructor. He has, on occasion, even written his column, “Riyadh Calling”. Here is his rant – America from outside.

From Stitt-on-Schink, Republic of FarVonna

Do you not ponder how things came to this?

By “this,” I mean:

1. Corporations are people.

2. Habeus corpus is no more.

3. Once labeled a “terrorist,” one, regardless of any thing else, can legally be killed anywhere on the planet. The “right” and “might” of the Federal Government of the United States of America (FGUSA) to “defend freedom, democracy, and the American way” knows, respects, acknowledges no boundaries. In fact, the FGUSA routinely shrugs off the death of innocents while in pursuit of its own safety and targets. Oh yeah, they do sometimes (for the cameras) say, “Sorry.” and send a check. Check any news service virtually any week if you dispute this claim. My advice here is: Don’t be a target.

Quick-Stop’s Application to Upgrade Liquor License Also On Agenda

The Ocean Beach Planning Board holds their regular general meeting tonight, Wednesday, May 2nd. Their meetings start at 6:00 pm sharp and are held at the OB Rec Center, 4726 Santa Monica Avenue.

Assemblywoman Lori Saldana is paying the Board an official visit – she’s running for the 52nd Congressional District – which includes Ocean Beach. Her Democratic opponent, Scott Peters, came before the Board at their last meeting. Both Saldana and Peters are running against Republican Brian Bilbray in the newly configured District. Saldana is on the Board’s agenda for a 6:20 slot.

Also on the agenda is an update on the application for a liquor license expansion by a Newport Avenue business, Quick-Stop. Currently, the store – which also sells sandwiches and other foodstuff – has a license to sell beer and wine, and the owners want to see a full alcohol license.

Editor: When we heard that our friend, an OBcean drummer, Bill Ray had been highlighted by The Reader for his expertise in freelancing in the music business, we had to get the hell out and over there to check it out. Hell, we know Bill – we know where he lives – we’ve had meetings in his cliffside apartment. Plus Bill’s partner’s Sara writes for us occasionally. Sweet.

By Dave Good / The San Diego Reader / May 2, 2012

When the Art Institute of San Diego needed a guest with pro music experience to speak to one of their audio production classes on the subject of freelancing in the music business, they tapped Bill Ray, also known as Bill Ray Drums.

“I talked about how I’ve done it all these years. And, pretty much,” he says, “I’ve done it the wrong way.”

By R. Stickney and Sarah Grieco/ NBC San Diego / May 2, 2012

Former Chargers Pro Bowler Junior Seau has committed suicide according to a source within the Oceanside police department NBCSanDiego has learned.

Officers responded to a medical aid call at the home of the 43-year-old former Charger in the 600 block of South Strand Boulevard at 9:35 a.m. Wednesday.

According to officials at the North Community Fire Department no one was transported from the home.

Filner’s endorsement of Scott Peters for 52nd Congressional District sets up dilemma for progressives. Peters fails to reciprocate.

It’s tough being a progressive in San Diego – known for its conservatism and military-influenced politics. It’s been years since the City by the bay had a Democrat for mayor, and it’s rare that true liberals or progressives actually get elected to local office. It does occur – but not often.

That’s why progressives, liberals, and Democrats have been encouraged by Bob Filner’s bid for the City’s highest executive office. If elected, Filner would not only be the first Democrat since Maureen O’Connor had the seat, but he would clearly also be the most liberal mayor the city has ever had in its history. This would – in some eyes – be a god-send.

One of the reasons it’s so tough being a progressive politician in this town and county is that Democrats often go after each other or support Republicans. For instance, in the mayoral race, heavy-weight Dem and former Congresswoman Lynn Schenk came out early for DA Bonnie Dumanis – without waiting to see what Dems were running.

Editor: Here’s a disturbing report about how New York police raided the homes of activists preparing for the May Day protests on the day before.

By Adrian Chen / Gawker / April 30, 2012

A day before Occupy Wall Street hopes to shut down New York and cities across the country in massive May Day protests, the NYPD visited at least three activist homes in New York and interrogated residents about plans for tomorrow’s protest.

By Dana Littlefield and Matthew T. Hall / U-T San Diego / May 1, 2012

SAN DIEGO — A judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors in a case involving a group of same-sex marriage activists violated the defendants’ rights by dismissing potential jurors based on their sexual orientation. Superior Court Judge Joan Weber dismissed the entire jury panel, saying she found it “shocking” that the San Diego City Attorney’s Office would exclude two gay jurors during the selection process.

By KPBS / May 2, 2012

A San Diego college student who federal drug agents forgot and left in a holding cell for five days without food, water or access to a toilet said Tuesday that he drank his own urine to survive.

Daniel Chong also said that he bit into his glasses to break them and tried to use a shard to scratch “Sorry Mom” into his arm, according to U-T San Diego.

The 24-year-old University of California, San Diego, engineering student was swept up as one of nine suspects in an April 21 drug raid that netted 18,000 ecstasy pills, other drugs and weapons.

Chong said federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents told him he would be let go. One agent even promised to drive him home from the DEA field office in Kearny Mesa, he said.

San Francisco Commune Resurrected

by Michael Steinberg / May 1, 2012

As part of Bay Area May Day actions, Occupy San Francisco resurrected the San Francisco Commune. The SF Commune began exactly a month ago today, on April 1. The following day the SFPD shut down the Commune at the behest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the legal owner of the vacant building.

_____

May Day protests turn violent in downtown Seattle

By Casey McNerthney / Seattle pi / May 1, 2012

May Day protests and traffic jams quickly turned to vandalism and chaos in downtown Seattle Tuesday, resulting in eight arrests, late school buses and an emergency order from Mayor Mike McGinn.

After vandals smashed cars and business storefronts, McGinn signed an order allowing police to confiscate such potential weapons as sticks.

Hundreds of San Diegans rallied and marched today – May Day – in solidarity with janitors and teachers here – and joining a global May Day and Occupy joint focus in demonstrations around the nation and world.

Major protests were also held in New York City, Seattle, Oakland, San Francisco and up to a total of 135 cities across the U.S. Corporate media reports on these demonstrations – the first major wave of Occupy Wall Street protests in months – focused on some trashing and violence – plus arrests – in Seattle, New York City, and Oakland.

The day of rallies and protests in San Diego began at City College in downtown. There was another rally sponsored by mainly labor groups at the Civic Center Plaza at the noon hour – with a march from there to two local banks a couple of blocks away: Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

Meanwhile, teachers and their supporters were rallying up at the edge of Balboa Park in front of Roosevelt Middle School in protest of teacher and budget cuts. After hearing speeches – including one from mayoral candidate Congressman Bob Filner – the crowd marched to the Education Center.

“I’m leaving party politics. I’m leaving behind a system that is completely dysfunctional.”

Nathan Fletcher, announcing his mayoral run as an Independent

_____

“Is you is or is you ain’t my baby
Maybe baby’s found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true?”

Louis Jordan

Nathan Fletcher’s recent decision to leave the Republican Party and campaign as an Independent has resulted in two interesting responses. A group of local executives, inspired by Fletcher’s decision, has formed a “Movement to the Middle.” Their pledge declares “I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am an American.” It is worth noting that these shakers and movers also support Fletcher’s candidacy.

The U-T San Diego’s editorial board, clearly in the Carl DeMaio camp, took Fletcher to task for what they perceived as the muddle of mush in the middle. Did this mean Fletcher would negotiate with those evil labor unions? Does Independent mean “compromise is always good?”