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Articles from
February 2008
Stepping stone to the Woodland City Council
Friday, February 29, 2008 ::
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I have run for public office twice. Once for the Woodland City Council and once for the Board of Supervisors. All along the way my opponents accused me of just using my office as a stepping stone to somewhere. No matter how many times I told them I was not going to run for the Legislature they would not believe me.
So how come others don't get asked this same question?
Jeff Monroe has ran for Sheriff before he even considered running for City Council. He has now served on the Council for 8 years. Good for him. Certainly people will ask him during this election cycle if he will stay on the Council for his entire term. Fair enough. He will answer whatever he will answer.
Frank Sieferman has run for County Supervisor three times and now takes the giant step to run for Woodland City Council. Look at him climbing the ladder. He needs to be asked if he just used the Board of Supervisors as a stepping stone to the Woodland City Council.
This whole thing puzzles me.
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Sorry --- no court today. I'm running for Vice-President
Friday, February 29, 2008 ::
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Former Yolo County Housing Authority Executive Director David Serena probably needs to get a new attorney. His attorney currently is former San Francisco County Supervisor Matt Gonzalez. Ralph Nadar just picked Gonzalez as his Vice-Presidential running mate.
That probably takes a fair amount of time.
Here is the story in the Mercury News.
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The need for debates
Thursday, February 28, 2008 ::
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I have run for office in Woodland twice. Once for City Council and once for Supervisor. Both times I felt that we should have had even more debates.
Some of you might wonder why we need to have multiple elections since Sieferman and I debates probably eight times. That was great but it did not fully present all of our views on key issues. It also was a case where two sitting elected officials were able to discuss some of the issues of the day.
In the case of the upcoming City Council elections we need to have many debates. The people of Woodland need to know about the positions on candidates on some of the key issues.
Some of the issues I would like to understand positions on are:
1) When and how the Woodland General Plan should be updated?
2) How can the city take advantage of Measure A (ULL)?
3) Where do you stand on Clark Pacific going to the old Spreckles site?
4) How can technology help local government?
5) What is your position on Gateway II?
6) How do you want to position the city on the location and construction of the new courthouse?
7) What is your vision for the Spring Lake remainder area?
8) What the appropriate level of retirement benefits for city employees?
9) What role should the council play in the City Council-City Manager form of government?
10) What is your view on the role of local government in environmental policy?
11) Should the City of Woodland have district elections?
12) Explain your views on the future of the Yolo County Fairgrounds.
13) What is your view on the use of eminent domain?
14) How should Woodland meet demands for municipal water and how should it be funded?
15) What are the next steps for downtown?
16) Where does the Wayfarer Center fit in your vision for Woodland?
17) What is the city role in the Davis-Woodland bike path discussion?
18) What are the top recreational needs for Woodland?
19) How does Woodland deal with gang issues?
20) How can Woodland take advantage of being located next to a major research university?
I could go on for days.
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The Council Candidates
Thursday, February 28, 2008 ::
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At this point we have six candidates for City Council.
Monroe and Pimental will compete for the most votes.
The next tier are Del Castillo and Sieferman. That is the real battle. One of them will not win.
Although I love Martie I don't think she will mount a campaign that can win.
Bobby Harris is not electable in Woodland.
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Clark Pacific - Chamber
Thursday, February 28, 2008 ::
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Tonight I went to Lonny Wunder's retirement party at the Elk's Lodge. It was a great event.
The talk of th night was how the Chamber of Commerce stepped up to the plate to support Clark Pacific coming to Woodland. From what I am told the motion to support had one opponent and a couple abstentions.
The no vote was cast by Anna Del Castillo. That worries me.
This community has spoken loud and clear in support of Clark Pacific. The Daily Democrat, Chamber of Commerce, a unanimous City Council, the Farm Bureau, Latino Community Council, and organized labor are all in support.
This is good for Woodland.
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Why I like Dino's blog
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 ::
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I probably look at Dino's Woodland Journal once or twice a day. Sometime more when something funny is happening. Sometimes I miss a couple days.
It is usually in the morning when I get up or at night when I am tired and can't write any more.
This is what I really like about the way Dino handles it --
First, he hammers all comers when they deserve it. That is a good thing. When people say something stupid they should get drilled.
Second, he is able to have open comments. I would like to open the comments here but I am not willing to accept the liability (legal or political) for the comments people make here about other people in the community. The current system allows me to hold people accountable if they go over the line.
For example -- when I had open comments during the campaign I had someone get on my blog and post a very inappropriate comment about one of my opponents. When I discovered it I took it down right away. That did not stop one of my opponents from publishing that comment and attributing it to my website and thus -- me.
This blog will continue when I am out of office. That is something I am looking forward to.
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Martie Dote and Bobby Harris pull papers
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I am told that Martie Dote and Bobby Harris pulled papers today to run for City Council.
That gives us a field of:
Art Pimentel
Jeff Monroe
Martie Dote
Anna Del Castillo
Bobby Harris
Frank Sieferman Jr.
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Anna Del Castillo -- pulls papers
Monday, February 25, 2008 ::
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It looks like Anna may save my hair. I am told she pulled papers today to run for City Council.
Excellent.
I talked to another potential candidate today. I might be able to use all three of my votes yet.
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Adam is out of the hospital
Monday, February 25, 2008 ::
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Adam got released from the hospital a few minutes ago. Jenn was with him so I did not get to see him. She said he was so happy to leave that little tiny room. He is now racked out in his car seat.
They are on the way home from San Jose right now.
We will be doing breathing treatment around the clock with him. Joy.
For all you that prayed for him and my family. Thank you.
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Woodland City Council Candidates
Monday, February 25, 2008 ::
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So we are two weeks away from the the filing deadline and we have four candidates for City Council.
They are:
Art Pimentel, City Councilman
Jeff Monroe, City Councilman
Bobby Harris, Pot legalization advocate
Frank Sieferman, former Supervisor
I guess you can never say never in politics. I say this because this is probably the only field possible that would force me to cast a vote for Jeff Monroe.
Have things really gotten that bad in Woodland?
If Sieferman is elected to the City Council it is clear he used him term on the Board of Supervisors as a stepping stone to the Woodland City Council. Isn't that what I was accused of? Additionally, I might have to stop making fun of Davis if we do that.
If I had hair I would be pulling it out.
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Mayor Dave Flory
Sunday, February 24, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Dave Flory is my friend. He always will be. I enjoyed working with him on the City Council and I enjoy his company.
Today many of you learned from the Daily Democrat that Flory was not going to seek re-election to the City Council. I think this is the best thing for Dave right now.
As political season approaches I hope people will sincerely thank Dave for his two decades of public service.
Best of luck Dave. Thank you.
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Adam Update
Sunday, February 24, 2008 ::
1 Comments
Adam had a rough day but vastly improved since this morning.
If he was planning on a medical career -- that is now over. When the people with surgical masks come in the door of his room he moves to the far end of the crib and starts to cry. They poke him, prod him, and stick things in his nose -- and that traitor father of his helps the evil masked people or so goes the mind of Adam.
This morning when I walked in the door Adam was just a lump of whimpering flesh. He just wanted to sleep.
Abbie drew pictures for Adam all day. He was generally unimpressed.
Jenn has him now. I have Abbie duty.
We hope he will be discharged tomorrow -- if everything continues to go well. This RSV thing is kind of nutty. I don't have breathing problems. Neither does Jenn but somehow both of our kids have issues.
Thank you for all the notes and prayers.
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Adam could use some prayers right now
Sunday, February 24, 2008 ::
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The Rexroads spent last night in the hospital and will spend at least one more night here. Adam has been diagnosed with RSV. He is having a tough time breathing.
Holding him down for various medical procedures is not a highlight for me. Jenn is now sleeping while I take care of him. He finally just went to sleep but it looks like another long night. Trying to keep an 18 month old relaxed while they poke and prod him is not fun.
He has an IV (on the fifth try) and we are monitoring his oxygen.
I might not make the board meeting this Tuesday. LAFCO tomorrow is extremely unlikely.
He could use some prayers right now. He is a tough little guy.
I can see that from my e-mails Claire's story was in the newspaper today on blogs. Usually I have better news than this on mine.
Flory is not running again either. I can tell that was in the paper but it was tough to read on my blackberry.
For those of you that are new to Rexroad.com -- welcome.
I was thinking that if David can be the "dark underbelly" we could be the "bright backside" -- but that did not sound right.
Hope you are having a better Sunday than I am.
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Let it rain...
Saturday, February 23, 2008 ::
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Right now Clear Lake is full. Now we need Indian Valley Reservoir to fill up ..and it has a long way to go. See data from the Flood Control District website here.
We need more than 100,000 acre feet to be added to this storage unit in order to be in good shape in the long term.
For Yolo County farmers that are in the western part of the county it is raining money right now.
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Mabel McKay: Weaving The Dream
Saturday, February 23, 2008 ::
2 Comments
 The Woodland Reads book this year was not for me.
The main thing I enjoyed in the book was the references to things in and around Yolo County. I would like to find someone that knows where Happy Steak was in Woodland. I don't know where that would be.
This is not the kind of book that I usually read. For that I am grateful to Woodland Reads for getting me out of my rut.
In the end I just couldn't get into it.
Some of you may find this book to be up your alley. I would welcome anyone else that read the book to send me a review that I could publish here.
The book has been well received by critics and even has won awards.
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Anna Del Castillo
Thursday, February 21, 2008 ::
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I am told that Anna Del Castillo is considering a run for the City Council. That would give us a field of :
Jeff Monroe (pulled papers)
Dave Flory (pulled papers)
Art Pimentel (pulled papers)
Frank Sieferman, Jr. (pulled papers)
Bobby Harris (rumored candidate)
Anna Del Castillo (rumored candidate)
Anna is a Republican that lives in the historic area of Woodland. She has been the treasurer for Sheriff Prieto and Councilman Bill Marble. I am told she is close to the Monroe family.
She is probably a pretty good candidate. We will see how this works out. Filing closes March 7th. It would be extended for three days if an incumbent does not complete the process.
I reached out to one potential candidate tonight. Should be talking to another one tomorrow. We will see.
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Creative Spam
Thursday, February 21, 2008 ::
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These guys are good.
I get quite a bit of spam. Today I got spam from my own rexroad.com e-mail address. That alone was pretty good.
Then when I opened it -- I was offering myself a penis enlargement.
Lovely.
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Al Eby and grocery bags
Thursday, February 21, 2008 ::
2 Comments
I just got off the phone with Dotty. She tells me that Al Eby took the bull by the horns and went to Nugget. Nugget donated 1,000 paper grocery bags to the Wayfarer Center and Al made it happen.
Thank you Al. Thank you Nugget.
Nice work.
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Downtown Woodland Celebrated
Thursday, February 21, 2008 ::
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One of my favorite elected officials in Woodland sent this to me today.
Check out this review of downtown Woodland.
Nice write up. Now we need to fix the entry down East Main Street and get some more stuff going downtown.
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D-Q U I just don't get it
Thursday, February 21, 2008 ::
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I just read this article in the Sacramento Bee about the Sheriff evicting some squatters at D-Q U.
This place has always been a mystery to me. It would be hard to argue that it is a real university at this point. I think the federal government still owns the land but I am not sure.
I certainly don't understand all the cultural issues here but it would seem to me that if the tribal governments of California really wanted to save this institution then they would have done it. 1/100th of the amount spent for or against Props 94-97 would have set this place up for a century.
The other thing I don't get is that with a California Community College system that is so flexible with courses -- why can't the curriculum be folded into something at Woodland Community College or Sacramento City College's Davis Campus?
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Big changes in Yolo elections
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 ::
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In the next week we are going to have some major changes in Yolo County politics.
I think we are going to see a couple significant changes in the race for Woodland City Council. Some of these will be clear by the weekend.
For Supervisor the world has changed and will change some more. Duane has a challenger discussed below. I think a third candidate will enter in the Davis Supervisor race.
We live in a crazy place.
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Chamberlain has a challenger
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 ::
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Mel Smith of Dunnigan is running against Supervisor Duane Chamberlain.
I believe that earlier this year I predicted someone would run against Duane and get 30% of the vote and then be forgotten. That someone would be Mel Smith.
He ran for the Assembly against Doug LaMalfa two years ago and got destroyed. In fact, he did not even win the small part of Yolo County that is in that district. See results here.
I'm with Duane.
If it stays with these two candidates I predict Duane 72%, Mel 28%.
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Vets Memorial
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I did not know anything about this effort at the Woodland Cemetery but think it is an excellent effort. Ted really does a good job for Yolo County.
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Co-ed Showers ...I will be a NO vote
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 ::
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This has always been something I have wondered about.
We have different male and female bathrooms for what reason?
If it is because men and women have different body parts -- that is one thing. Analysis is over.
If it is because of possible physical attraction that is another case. If this is the case why does society think it is ok for a gay couple to use the same public restroom but not Jenn and me?
The hard part is that this line of reasoning gets me to the conclusion that we should have common public restrooms for both genders -- but I am not going to go there.
Anyway --- here is an article sent to me by YoloCal Vet about co-ed showers in Maryland. I would be voting against this in Yolo County.
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Beware of this man.
Monday, February 18, 2008 ::
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If you see this guy anywhere...run. I realize I am playing on his turf but when I saw this I could not control myself. Woodland needed to be warned.
P.S. This is not Yolovoter. She is better looking.
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Kids
Monday, February 18, 2008 ::
2 Comments
Jenn and I took Abbie to see Princesses on Ice at Arco Arena on Saturday. For about 48 hours prior to the show Abbie talked about how much she wanted to sit on my lap to watch it. I really thought we were going to have some good family/father-daughter time.
When the show started I had my large root beer, one polish sausage in my gut with possibly another one in my future, and was ready to hang out with my daughter. Life is good.
Dad -- "Abbie, are you going to come sit with Daddy?"
Abbie --"No. I changed my mind. I am going to sit with Francis."
Dad -- "Oh."
That is not cool. Where was Francis when you were puking last week? What in the world has Francis done for you lately? Francis would not throw herself in front of a bus for you.
This is a bad omen.
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Sunday Reading
Sunday, February 17, 2008 ::
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On this Sunday as many of us take time to worship I would strongly recommend this article in the New York Times about Egypt. This article and attached video point to a big problem on the horizon.
As the United States economy has continued to grow and prosper the economies of some countries have been stalled for decades. In the case of many Middle Eastern countries as the economy stalls it drives people to the Islamic faith. The consequences of that faith are often felt in the economy, the treatment of women (economical too), and the view of America.
We are spending billions on a war n Iraq. Maybe we should try to pay for some weddings to make these people happy. It certainly would be cheaper and just might be more effective in dealing with threat posed by radical Islam.
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Clark Pacific in Woodland
Sunday, February 17, 2008 ::
0 Comments
The Woodland Daily Democrat today has a great editorial on Clark Pacific. So at this point it has the support of a unanimous Woodland City Council, the Yolo County Farm Bureau, labor as represented by Doyle Radford, the Latino Community Council, and the local newspaper.
Seems like a pretty good coalition to me.
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A new honor
Saturday, February 16, 2008 ::
1 Comments
I had a nice conversation with the California Highway Patrol Officer two weeks ago on Road 102 between Woodland and Davis. He was extremely professional.
He enjoyed talking to me so much that he gave me a little yellow momento so I could remember it.
After I paid $336 at Traffic Court (The last ticket I got was something like $86) I got a list of various academic institutions to attend. The list is long but I decided upon Yolo OnLine Traffic School. My thought was that this would be supporting a cause in Yolo County. Nope. They got me with the name. It was just some larger traffic school company with a name that took me to the larger site.
On my final exam I got all 50 questions right. I have declared myself the valedictorian of the Yolo OnLine Traffic School for February 2008. What an honor!
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Best Show on Tracks
Saturday, February 16, 2008 ::
0 Comments
Check this out Woodland. Mark your calendars for the Best Show on Tracks.
This is th sort of agri-tourism that Yolo County needs to develop to a greater degree. This means sales for local businesses, visitors, over night stays in our hotels, and people eating in Woodland.
You can see the press release below. Woodland needs about 12 things like this a year.
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African American History Month
Friday, February 15, 2008 ::
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So on Tuesday Yolo County celebrated African American History Month. It was well done.
We had a presentation in the Board room and then we had a lunch downstairs. We had a very well done poem and a dramatic reading that was great. I was fat and happy eating my lunch talking to this great guy that works in the Public Defender's Office.
Then the main speaker got to the podium. Things were going along so so for me. I was not sure where she was going. Then she said that OJ was innocent. I almost choked. I couldn't believe it.
I am a USC guy. I once got the chance to play basketball at the Lyon Center with three Heisman Trophy winners on the floor. It was quite cool. I loved OJ -- right up until he murdered two people and then turned into a complete freak show.
What I find amazing is that the country appears to be very divided on this issue. How can anyone not think he is a murderer? Well it turns out that we have a divide in this country over the way people view OJ.
Check out this article from Black American Web. Or this one from CNN.
I would have never guessed.
Guess I should stop wasting my time and go look for the real murderer of Ron and Nicole.
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Dutch Brothers
Friday, February 15, 2008 ::
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I don't drink coffee. The amount I have consumed in my life would not fill a thimble.
Jenn likes coffee. She really likes coffee some days.
So I have done the Drive Thru with her at Dutch Bros several times. Where do they get their employees?
Every time I go by there to get something for Jenn or hot chocolate for me, they are always so happy. I can cruise in there at 0545 and they are dancing and singing. I also notice that the employees all have a company sticker on their cars.
The culture of companies is something that is really important. Some have really good ones - some don't. The Woodland Dutch Bros certainly has some happy employees.
I just checked out their website. They seem to be a regional company that is growing. I like to see companies like this do well.
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This article really got me thinking
Friday, February 15, 2008 ::
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At the air district meeting on Wednesday morning this article was in our packets. I have been thinking about it ever since.
Over the past few weeks I have had to go to Fresno for work several times. They feel very differently about their air quality there. I get few if any complaints about air quality here in Woodland. In Fresno, it is one of the top issues without a doubt.
Read this article to see a little bit about what Olympic athletes will be facing for a few days and what the people of Beijing live with every day.
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Clark Pacific - rolling
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 ::
3 Comments
So today at the Board of Supervisors meeting the vote was 4-1 to allow Clark Pacific to proceed with a General Plan Amendment application.
Interesting meeting.
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The old frontal assault
Monday, February 11, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I have always wondered about this.
Four guys just walk in the front door of a museum with a pistol and stroll out with $163 million worth of art.
The movies always has people climbing in air vents and rappelling down the sides of buildings. My theory has always been that someone similar to Barney Fife is sitting at the front door. Get him out of the mix and it is over.
They also lost $163 million and they want to offer a reward of $90k. That seems a little off.
Two things --
1) This will end up being an inside job.
2) What are these guys going to do with four of the most recognizable pieces off art? It's not like they can sell them on ebay.
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Howard Newens for President
Sunday, February 10, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I just took a look at the votes cast yesterday across the country for President.
Yesterday in Washington state John McCain won with 3,488 votes.
In Kansas Mike Huckabee trounced McCain with 11,627 votes.
The total for the winners in these is 15,115 votes.
Think about this. How many candidates for county office got more than 15,115 votes last June? Lots.
Pat Lenzi -- 15,342
Jeff Reisig -- 18,214
Joel Butler -- 20, 189
Howard Newens - 26,028
Freddie Oakley - 27,896
Jorge Ayala - 26,817
Cass Sylvia - 27, 019
Ed Prieto - 27,919
So what should we do? Howard Newens for President!
It would be tough. I am not even sure if he is a Republican. We could try and pick off some states like North Dakota, Idaho, and Mississippi. Hawaii would love Howard.
Think about it.
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American Independent Party -- even got Jim Smith
Thursday, February 07, 2008 ::
3 Comments
Jim Smith has a column today about voting a few weeks ago as a member of AIP (American Independent Party). As the AIP folks will tell you they are "the fastest growing political party."
They are also very deceptive.
The reality is that most people that register as AIP think they are becoming "independent". What most of these people should do in become "Decline to State." That would be without a party.
The American Independent Party is a real political party. You can read their full platform here.
Most people don't know that they are in a very conservative political party that calls for --
Reduce immigration, and stop all government subsidies to illegal aliens; no driver's licenses for illegals;
Immediately terminate international trade agreements such as NAFTA, WTO, CAFTA and the proposed FTAA, and stop sending high paying American jobs to foreign countries;
Stop the undeclared wars which are daily costing American lives and billions of tax dollars;
Protect the right to life of the innocent unborn;
Uphold traditional marriage and family values;
Defend America's moral values; keep God in the pledge of allegiance;
Defend Second Amendment rights;
Get rid of the Federal income tax, and restore a tariff based revenue system;
Stop reckless spending, including foreign aid, and take care of America's domestic needs;
End debt financing of both Federal and State governments;
Restore a debt free, interest free money system;
Support high standards in education, including encouragement of private schools and home schooling;
Stop the pillage of consumers and taxpayers by the energy/utility monopolies;
This might be the party of Yolovoter but having read Jim Smith's stuff for many years I have a hard time believing that he supports this platform. Nor do I believe that thousands of Californians that are registered AIP truly belong there.
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Vet's Memorial
Thursday, February 07, 2008 ::
3 Comments
On the tabs at the right you will see "Veteran's Memorial". We have quite a few things going on at that front.
Earlier today Webmater Bob updated the names that are on the list. Ted Puntillo and a wonderful woman from UC Davis named Kristina Maggi have been working on getting all the information put together. I am going to raise the money for the lay out and to publish the names and biographical information in a book.
We have a target of Veteran's Day 2008 for the release.
More on this later.
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We only lost by 19 points
Tuesday, February 05, 2008 ::
0 Comments
My basketball team only lost by 19 point tonight. We played the team that beat us by 67 a couple months ago. I am fat and out of shape.
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60 Minutes - last week
Sunday, February 03, 2008 ::
0 Comments
I just was able to watch 60 Minutes from last week. Amazing.
They had two stories. One was about mortgage foreclosures and the other about the FBI agent that spent months with Saddam Hussein.
The guy that spent months with Saddam Hussein is incredible. This guy was a SERE school nightmare. Obviously I have never been a POW but did go to SERE school.
This FBI agent really worked this guy over. I hope that he truly recorded all of this information because it is important for the historical record.
Saddam really maintained an ego that cost him his life. 60 Minutes continues to make a lasting impression on the history of this country.
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