Tuesday, December 30, 2003
THE REAL OC #7
The Real OC Issue 7
After a long hiatus, The Real OC is back with another issue of hard hitting, yet truthful outlook at what is taking place in Orange County, California and the United States today. In this issue I will discuss my recent stint with the Kerry campaign in Arizona, the 69th Assembly District campaign, Right Wing Christian fanatics running amok in Santa Ana and Westminster and more suprises. Hope everyone enjoys the Real OC's dramatic return.
The Kerry Campaign
As many of you knew, I spent four months away in Tucson, Arizona working for the Kerry campaign. This was the experience of a lifetime, being a part of a campaign which may change the course of human history. This campaign has already redefined Presidential Politics and will leave many scholars discussing the most incredible comeback in primary history.
I left many loved ones behind to join onto a campaign which at that point many were saying was doomed. The experience in Tucson was frustrating at times. At our first rally with Senator Kerry in October we managed to bring in 300 people. By the time he returned to Tucson in February, 3,000 people turned out to hear his message. The campaign would be frustrating as his poll numbers stayed below people like Dean and Clark. Many people in Arizona, and here in California would constantly question me about Kerry and how he is tanking. I watched as many people who were supporters at one time switch to other candidates because they wanted to be on the "winning team." One person in Tucson who claimed to be a friend of Kerry's switched to Dean and then to Clark, thats friendship for you. One of the most frustrating parts was recruiting volunteers, many people who expressed interest from the first rally no longer wanted to be associated with Kerry. I was pressured at times to just leave and come home to California. But one thing I do not believe in doing is cutting and running when I was given a job and duty to do, and that was to help John Kerry win the Arizona primary.
As many people witnessed, in January our numbers hit their lowest, Kerry was polling only a point above Kucinich. A friend of mine from OC also left to go and work for Edwards in Iowa. He too was low in the polls and we would talk on a weekly basis how we were determined to stand by our candidate to the end, even though people kep telling us to switch to Dean or Clark, they were going to be the ones to take on Bush. Then came IOWA. The week before, Kerry's numbers had finally started to turn around and he slowly polled ahead in Iowa. That night, we had an Iowa Caucus watching party, which was attended by about 8 other dedicated supporters. When they declared him the winner, we erupted into cheers. That Thursday, I attended the meet-up, which would average about 10 people, this time we had 35, of which only four of the people were previous supporters. We never had a problem with recruiting volunteers again.
As everyone knows, Kerry went onto win the New Hampshire primary which gave us even more momentum. When Kerry came to town on February 2nd, he returned as a celebrity of sorts. THe previous months we had trouble giving out signs and stickers, this time it was almost like Kerrymania, any sign not tied down was taken and people rushed the stage just to shake his hand. The next day, we held our Tucson victory party at a restaraunt among many of our supporters, including our original supporters who stood with us from the beginnning. When they declared Kerry the winner in Arizona at 7PM Mountain Standard Time on February 3rd, I nearly burst into tears knowing all the hard work, all the late hours all paid off. Now that he is the Democratic nominee, the idea that I may have played a small part in changing the direction of the United States really touches my heart. God bless America, I can tell my children and grandchildren about my part in saving this nation from the most destructive administration this nation has seen.
While in Arizona, I met many great people, and made many new friends. My fellow campaign workers, I will never forget them. The family who took me in and allowed my to stay, Paul Gordon and Eve Shapiro, I am grateful to them. The new friends I met in the U of A Young Dems, I will be back and we have to go have some drinks at Belushe's, I miss that place. And to the 15 core supporters who stood with us when we were down in the polls. Thanks to all the people who I befriended for making me feel welcome in Tucson I will never forget it.
The 69th AD Race
In early February, after the Arizona primary, I returned home and was thrown onto a campaign that would shake the foundation of the Democratic Party in California. This race also happened to be my home Assembly District, the 69th AD. For the past six years, Democrat Lou Correa has been the Assemblyman, making this the only Democratic Assembly District in Orange County. Now termed out, two Democrats sought to succeed him, Tom Umberg, who was the Assemblyman from this same district from 1990-1994 and Santa Ana City Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez. Usually these races are a contest between friends, discussing minor differences on some issues but this race was different. This was a contest between a real Democrat and a "Republican Lite" Democrat.
This race was easily one of the most dirty, vicious and expensive races in recent memory. In 2000, Claudia Alvarez ran for the Santa Ana City Council as a progressive who promised to bring change. She immediately abandoned those who once supported her and went to bed with the power base in the city and sold out to special interests. She broke a promise to support rent control, she voted to terminate union jobs, the list goes on. IN the Assembly campaign, she was supported by numerous Independent Expednitures who usually support Republicans. Among them were the Electric Companies, HMO's, Land and Real Estate Developers, Tabacco companies, the Farming Industry(the same industry who tried to silence Cesar Chavez) and the Grocers. She took a $1,000 check from Safeway during the strike that recently took place here in Southern California. She claimed that someone missed it and it was deposited accidentally. We say,"yeah right."
Then came the race baiting. Latinos make up 75% of the population of the 69th AD, and 54% of the registered Democrats. Ms. Alvarez used this by appealing to the lowest common denominator by inciting fear in many Latinos that Tom Umberg was an example of the white man trying to once again control their destiny. She and many of her supporters tried to paint Umberg and his supporters as racist. She also had a mailer sent out with a prayer card depicting the Virgin of Guadalupe and a letter from her mother encouraging voters who received it to pray that she wins, she is a good Catholic and Latina. Then there were the campaign signs with the slogans, in English it was "Save our Schools", not sure how one Assemblywoman plans to save our schools, but she claimed she would if she was elected. But it was the Spanish slogans which were more disturbing, "Ella es una de Nosotros" which translates to "She is one of us." Many took this as an appeal to the Latino community to support her because she is like them, while Umberg was not one of them.
After a long hiatus, The Real OC is back with another issue of hard hitting, yet truthful outlook at what is taking place in Orange County, California and the United States today. In this issue I will discuss my recent stint with the Kerry campaign in Arizona, the 69th Assembly District campaign, Right Wing Christian fanatics running amok in Santa Ana and Westminster and more suprises. Hope everyone enjoys the Real OC's dramatic return.
The Kerry Campaign
As many of you knew, I spent four months away in Tucson, Arizona working for the Kerry campaign. This was the experience of a lifetime, being a part of a campaign which may change the course of human history. This campaign has already redefined Presidential Politics and will leave many scholars discussing the most incredible comeback in primary history.
I left many loved ones behind to join onto a campaign which at that point many were saying was doomed. The experience in Tucson was frustrating at times. At our first rally with Senator Kerry in October we managed to bring in 300 people. By the time he returned to Tucson in February, 3,000 people turned out to hear his message. The campaign would be frustrating as his poll numbers stayed below people like Dean and Clark. Many people in Arizona, and here in California would constantly question me about Kerry and how he is tanking. I watched as many people who were supporters at one time switch to other candidates because they wanted to be on the "winning team." One person in Tucson who claimed to be a friend of Kerry's switched to Dean and then to Clark, thats friendship for you. One of the most frustrating parts was recruiting volunteers, many people who expressed interest from the first rally no longer wanted to be associated with Kerry. I was pressured at times to just leave and come home to California. But one thing I do not believe in doing is cutting and running when I was given a job and duty to do, and that was to help John Kerry win the Arizona primary.
As many people witnessed, in January our numbers hit their lowest, Kerry was polling only a point above Kucinich. A friend of mine from OC also left to go and work for Edwards in Iowa. He too was low in the polls and we would talk on a weekly basis how we were determined to stand by our candidate to the end, even though people kep telling us to switch to Dean or Clark, they were going to be the ones to take on Bush. Then came IOWA. The week before, Kerry's numbers had finally started to turn around and he slowly polled ahead in Iowa. That night, we had an Iowa Caucus watching party, which was attended by about 8 other dedicated supporters. When they declared him the winner, we erupted into cheers. That Thursday, I attended the meet-up, which would average about 10 people, this time we had 35, of which only four of the people were previous supporters. We never had a problem with recruiting volunteers again.
As everyone knows, Kerry went onto win the New Hampshire primary which gave us even more momentum. When Kerry came to town on February 2nd, he returned as a celebrity of sorts. THe previous months we had trouble giving out signs and stickers, this time it was almost like Kerrymania, any sign not tied down was taken and people rushed the stage just to shake his hand. The next day, we held our Tucson victory party at a restaraunt among many of our supporters, including our original supporters who stood with us from the beginnning. When they declared Kerry the winner in Arizona at 7PM Mountain Standard Time on February 3rd, I nearly burst into tears knowing all the hard work, all the late hours all paid off. Now that he is the Democratic nominee, the idea that I may have played a small part in changing the direction of the United States really touches my heart. God bless America, I can tell my children and grandchildren about my part in saving this nation from the most destructive administration this nation has seen.
While in Arizona, I met many great people, and made many new friends. My fellow campaign workers, I will never forget them. The family who took me in and allowed my to stay, Paul Gordon and Eve Shapiro, I am grateful to them. The new friends I met in the U of A Young Dems, I will be back and we have to go have some drinks at Belushe's, I miss that place. And to the 15 core supporters who stood with us when we were down in the polls. Thanks to all the people who I befriended for making me feel welcome in Tucson I will never forget it.
The 69th AD Race
In early February, after the Arizona primary, I returned home and was thrown onto a campaign that would shake the foundation of the Democratic Party in California. This race also happened to be my home Assembly District, the 69th AD. For the past six years, Democrat Lou Correa has been the Assemblyman, making this the only Democratic Assembly District in Orange County. Now termed out, two Democrats sought to succeed him, Tom Umberg, who was the Assemblyman from this same district from 1990-1994 and Santa Ana City Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez. Usually these races are a contest between friends, discussing minor differences on some issues but this race was different. This was a contest between a real Democrat and a "Republican Lite" Democrat.
This race was easily one of the most dirty, vicious and expensive races in recent memory. In 2000, Claudia Alvarez ran for the Santa Ana City Council as a progressive who promised to bring change. She immediately abandoned those who once supported her and went to bed with the power base in the city and sold out to special interests. She broke a promise to support rent control, she voted to terminate union jobs, the list goes on. IN the Assembly campaign, she was supported by numerous Independent Expednitures who usually support Republicans. Among them were the Electric Companies, HMO's, Land and Real Estate Developers, Tabacco companies, the Farming Industry(the same industry who tried to silence Cesar Chavez) and the Grocers. She took a $1,000 check from Safeway during the strike that recently took place here in Southern California. She claimed that someone missed it and it was deposited accidentally. We say,"yeah right."
Then came the race baiting. Latinos make up 75% of the population of the 69th AD, and 54% of the registered Democrats. Ms. Alvarez used this by appealing to the lowest common denominator by inciting fear in many Latinos that Tom Umberg was an example of the white man trying to once again control their destiny. She and many of her supporters tried to paint Umberg and his supporters as racist. She also had a mailer sent out with a prayer card depicting the Virgin of Guadalupe and a letter from her mother encouraging voters who received it to pray that she wins, she is a good Catholic and Latina. Then there were the campaign signs with the slogans, in English it was "Save our Schools", not sure how one Assemblywoman plans to save our schools, but she claimed she would if she was elected. But it was the Spanish slogans which were more disturbing, "Ella es una de Nosotros" which translates to "She is one of us." Many took this as an appeal to the Latino community to support her because she is like them, while Umberg was not one of them.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
THE REAL OC #6
The Real OC Issue 6
Its that time of the year again. Thats right, elections are coming up and there are some interesting races that will be decided. In this issue I will be discussing the upcoming elections in Central Orange County. It is an interesting time for this area as voters in two Assembly Districts and the 1st Supervisorial District will be chosing a new representative. This will make for an interesting campaign season.
68th Assembly District
Because of redistricting, the two Central Orange County Assembly Districts are considered safe for each party and are expected to be decided in the primary. The 68th Assembly District contains all or portions of the cities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Garden Grove, Stanton and Anaheim. This district is expected to stay Republican, and there are two Republicans running for the seat, both Garden Grove City Councilman. Since I am a Democrat, and do not live in the 68th District, I normally would not take an interest in this race. But as a longtime Garden Grove resident, having two Councilman running for the seat has made me take an interest in this race. The two candidates are Van Tran and Mark Leyes. I feel bad for the 68th AD, for they have to make a choice between tweedle dee and tweedle dumb. Honestly, these two have been disappointing members of the Garden Grove City Council. Unfortunately the Democratic choice is not much better, as professional candidate Al Snook is the only one running so far. This is a man who does not know which party he wants to be in. He was a Republican when he ran for mayor of Garden Grove in 1998, joined the Reform Party to run for the 68th AD in 2000, and then became a Democrat to run for the 68th AD again in 2002. My recommendation on this race to voters in the 68th AD, skip that office and just not vote for it.
Now to focus on why the two Republican candidates suck. Some people are probably thinking, its Claudio, he thinks they suck because they are Republican. Well that definitely doesn't help their case, but the one GG Councilmember I do have respect for, Bill Dalton, is a Republican. I have watched as these two have pimped themselves to the public as these great Councilmembers who have turned Garden Grove around. Nothing could be further from the truth, these two have been disgraces.
I will begin with Mark Leyes. Since he has been on the City Council, he has been known as a redevelopment hawk, he even admitted it to residents at a community meeting when their homes were threatened. As a resident once stated to him at another community meeting, his name is all over the documents where eminent domain is used. When east Garden Grove residents, with the backing of Senator Joe Dunn, stood up to the City Council who wanted to put 3 housing tracts into redevelopment for a proposed theme park and other attractions, Mark Leyes suddenly "saw the light." Since then he has been a supposed "advocate" to outlaw eminent domain in Garden Grove. While he was supposedly on this anti-eminent domain mission, he stood with developers who wanted to put a housing tract that was out of character for a central Garden Grove neighborhood. Again the residents of Garden Grove rose up and got enough signatures to force a referendum. Again Mark Leyes "saw the light." Now he is proposing a ban on all eminent domain in Garden Grove and will try to use it has a hook piece to win the primary, and should he lose the primary he will try to ride the wave on a run for Mayor. We should not try to get rid of eminent domain, but instead try to get rid of bad politicians who abuse it. And we should start with Mark Leyes. Recall anyone?
Speaking of recall, lets move onto Van Tran. Rumor has it there may actually be a recall effort to remove him from the City Council in the works. Of course people seem to see him as the "golden child" of the Vietnamese community. More like fools gold. He too has jumped on the anti eminent domain platform although he ran for Council in 2000 on a pro-redevelopment platform. He also sided with the developers in trying to force a housing tract down central Garden Grove residents throats. Of course he has a group of followers who accuse anyone who opposes his agenda as a Communist. Reminds me of a certain SAUSD board member who used the word Racista whenever people opposed him. But where are the Republicans to criticize Van Tran's behavior. Of course he gets a free pass. Unfortunately I do believe he will get the nomination in March and will move on to the State Assembly, making a recall a moot point. Of course it would be nice if the voters of Garden Grove in the 68th Assembly District sent a message by simply leaving that part of the ballot blank. It would so make my day to hear that the majority of Garden Grove Republicans voted for none of the above, which at the end of the day is the better choice.
69th Assembly District
Now onto my home Assembly District, the 69th AD. This is the one safe Democratic district in Orange County, referred to as the "hole in the GOP's donut." Because of redistricting and registration, it is expected to stay Democrat after the seat is vacated next year by Lou Correa. The two Republicans running are relative unknowns, which shows the Republican party is not putting much effort to take the district back. Arnold has his eye on a few of the legislative districts, but it is obvious the 69th AD is not one of them. There are two Democrats running to succeed Lou Correa, they are Tom Umberg, and Claudia Alvarez.
Tom Umberg represented the 69th Assembly District in the early 90's. He vacated the seat in 1994 to run for Attorney General. Since then he has worked for the Clinton Administration and the private sector. Because he left after two terms, he is eligible for one more term and has decided to use it. Some people speculate that he is using this as a springboard to run for the 34th Senatorial District in 2006, which Joe Dunn will be vacating due to term limits. Whether or not that is the case, early indications show that Umberg is still popular with many of the constituents here and is considered the most likely to win the primary. Some people have taken issue with the fact that for the past several years he has been living in Villa Park and that the district is meant for a Latino to represent. He was a Garden Grove resident when he represented the area the first time and won Latino support for exposing Curt Pringle's little poll guard incident in 1988. Although the ideal would be to have a Latino represent the area, we must also look at who is more qualified. Umberg has some very positive qualifications and proven leadership in this area. He knows it well and was also known as a coalition builder during his years in the Assembly. We need more Democrats in the State Legislature who can build consensus.
Claudia Alvarez is the candidate of the "Bush Lite" wing of the Democratic party. Elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2000, claiming she was not part of the "elite machine" she immediately aligned herself with them and has marched lock step with them ever since. She turned on nearly all her backers from the 2000 election and has literally bit the hands that fed her. Now time has come to face the music. When I first heard of Claudia Alvarez and how she was a graduate of Santiago High School(my alma mater), I thought "alright a Cavalier running for office." Then when I heard she was a potential Assembly candidate, I was even more happy than ever with the thought of a Santiago alumni making it that far. Then I began to hear about her record on the City Council, how she turned her back on all her old supporters. Then I heard how she supported Abstinence Only education and restrictions on a woman's right to choose. Then I was rather disappointed that the first elected official Santiago High School produced was "Bush Lite." The fun goes on, she supported a horribly planned "Special Assessment" for Santa Ana to supposedly create more revenue for graffiti removal and other city services. In fact she was the main "cheerleader" for the Ream Assessment. I do believe that sometimes taxes need to be raised, but as long as there are sunset clauses in them when the economic lean times get better. Also from the very start of her campaign she has attacked her other opponents and has offered little on what she plans to do in the State Assembly. I do not wish to see her win any office and I am very disappointed to see SHS produce a sad individual such as Claudia Alvarez. I know she is going to portray herself as the candidate who will represent the Latino community, since the majority of registered Democrats in the 69th AD are Latino. I do hope Umberg hands her defeat in March because it will show that the Latinos vote on who they believe will do the best job, not on what thier ethnicity is. Go ahead and try that stunt, it failed for Rios-Parra against David Tokofsky in the LAUSD race, and it will fail for Claudia as well.
Before Tom Umberg was in the race, SAUSD board member Sal Tinajero was the candidate I was supporting. But he dropped out just as Tom Umberg got into the race. Tom Umberg is now the candidate I support. I believe he can best represent the 69th Assembly District.
1st Supervisorial District
Chuck Smith is vacating this seat due to term limits and there is a good chance to finally get a Democrat on the OC Board of Supervisors. Unfortunately one of the Democratic choices is not an option in my book. The Democratic candidates are Assemblymember Lou Correa and Garden Grove Dictator, I mean Mayor Bruce Broadwater. The Republican candidates are Santa Ana City Councilman Brett Franklin and Westminster City Councilman Kermit Marsh. The race is non-partisan with all candidates appearing together on the March 2004 ballot. One candidate must get 50%+1 to win, if all the candidates fall under 50% then the top two vote getters will face each other in a runoff in November. I expect this race to go to a runoff, but I see this as a race of who will take on Lou Correa in November.
Essentially Lou Correa is considered the front runner in the race. It will be a battle between Bruce Broadwater and Brett Franklin for the second spot, with Kermit Marsh playing the spoiler role for Franklin or Broadwater. I think it is more beneficial for Garden Grove to have Broadwater make the runoff. Rumor has it he plans to run for the Garden Grove City Council if he loses in the Supervisorial race. He too is part of the "Eminent Domain" gang I mentioned in the earlier editorial, he didn't earn the nickname "bulldozer" for nothing. He is condesending to anyone who opposes him at the Council meetings and is out only for himself. Broadwater is the worst possible candidate for the 1st Supervisorial District. Franklin has been doing some pandering as of late to Garden Grove and Westminster residents at the expense of Santa Ana residents, and has joined the Van Tran machine which puts him on a level with our "beloved" Garden Grove elected officials. But the main problem is Broadwater and 2004 is going to be the year his and the redevelopment hawks' reign comes to an end.
Now onto Brett Franklin. This past weekend I read the candidate statements and was shocked at what he has for his. Instead of focusing on issues relating to the first supervisorial district, he focuses on the growing evil if Indian Gaming and the threat they pose to Westminster, Garden Grove and Santa Ana. First off, being a longtime Garden Grove resident I have seen a number of things proposes, theme parks, riverwalks etc. But never have I heard anything about an Indian Casino. Nor have I heard any talk of a proposed casino in Westminster or Santa Ana. What is the need to make it an issue then, much less a primary issue. I detest campaigns based on fear, and that is what Franklin is trying to do. I actually found him a respectable man up until a year ago when he began pandering to outside business interests to advertise in Santa Ana and then this stunt. I hope people see through this phony and send him packing and end is short political career, since he is termed out of the Santa Ana City Council in November. Shame on Brett Franklin.
This concludes the Real OC #6. Next I will discuss the potential legislative races as the election specials continue.
Its that time of the year again. Thats right, elections are coming up and there are some interesting races that will be decided. In this issue I will be discussing the upcoming elections in Central Orange County. It is an interesting time for this area as voters in two Assembly Districts and the 1st Supervisorial District will be chosing a new representative. This will make for an interesting campaign season.
68th Assembly District
Because of redistricting, the two Central Orange County Assembly Districts are considered safe for each party and are expected to be decided in the primary. The 68th Assembly District contains all or portions of the cities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Westminster, Garden Grove, Stanton and Anaheim. This district is expected to stay Republican, and there are two Republicans running for the seat, both Garden Grove City Councilman. Since I am a Democrat, and do not live in the 68th District, I normally would not take an interest in this race. But as a longtime Garden Grove resident, having two Councilman running for the seat has made me take an interest in this race. The two candidates are Van Tran and Mark Leyes. I feel bad for the 68th AD, for they have to make a choice between tweedle dee and tweedle dumb. Honestly, these two have been disappointing members of the Garden Grove City Council. Unfortunately the Democratic choice is not much better, as professional candidate Al Snook is the only one running so far. This is a man who does not know which party he wants to be in. He was a Republican when he ran for mayor of Garden Grove in 1998, joined the Reform Party to run for the 68th AD in 2000, and then became a Democrat to run for the 68th AD again in 2002. My recommendation on this race to voters in the 68th AD, skip that office and just not vote for it.
Now to focus on why the two Republican candidates suck. Some people are probably thinking, its Claudio, he thinks they suck because they are Republican. Well that definitely doesn't help their case, but the one GG Councilmember I do have respect for, Bill Dalton, is a Republican. I have watched as these two have pimped themselves to the public as these great Councilmembers who have turned Garden Grove around. Nothing could be further from the truth, these two have been disgraces.
I will begin with Mark Leyes. Since he has been on the City Council, he has been known as a redevelopment hawk, he even admitted it to residents at a community meeting when their homes were threatened. As a resident once stated to him at another community meeting, his name is all over the documents where eminent domain is used. When east Garden Grove residents, with the backing of Senator Joe Dunn, stood up to the City Council who wanted to put 3 housing tracts into redevelopment for a proposed theme park and other attractions, Mark Leyes suddenly "saw the light." Since then he has been a supposed "advocate" to outlaw eminent domain in Garden Grove. While he was supposedly on this anti-eminent domain mission, he stood with developers who wanted to put a housing tract that was out of character for a central Garden Grove neighborhood. Again the residents of Garden Grove rose up and got enough signatures to force a referendum. Again Mark Leyes "saw the light." Now he is proposing a ban on all eminent domain in Garden Grove and will try to use it has a hook piece to win the primary, and should he lose the primary he will try to ride the wave on a run for Mayor. We should not try to get rid of eminent domain, but instead try to get rid of bad politicians who abuse it. And we should start with Mark Leyes. Recall anyone?
Speaking of recall, lets move onto Van Tran. Rumor has it there may actually be a recall effort to remove him from the City Council in the works. Of course people seem to see him as the "golden child" of the Vietnamese community. More like fools gold. He too has jumped on the anti eminent domain platform although he ran for Council in 2000 on a pro-redevelopment platform. He also sided with the developers in trying to force a housing tract down central Garden Grove residents throats. Of course he has a group of followers who accuse anyone who opposes his agenda as a Communist. Reminds me of a certain SAUSD board member who used the word Racista whenever people opposed him. But where are the Republicans to criticize Van Tran's behavior. Of course he gets a free pass. Unfortunately I do believe he will get the nomination in March and will move on to the State Assembly, making a recall a moot point. Of course it would be nice if the voters of Garden Grove in the 68th Assembly District sent a message by simply leaving that part of the ballot blank. It would so make my day to hear that the majority of Garden Grove Republicans voted for none of the above, which at the end of the day is the better choice.
69th Assembly District
Now onto my home Assembly District, the 69th AD. This is the one safe Democratic district in Orange County, referred to as the "hole in the GOP's donut." Because of redistricting and registration, it is expected to stay Democrat after the seat is vacated next year by Lou Correa. The two Republicans running are relative unknowns, which shows the Republican party is not putting much effort to take the district back. Arnold has his eye on a few of the legislative districts, but it is obvious the 69th AD is not one of them. There are two Democrats running to succeed Lou Correa, they are Tom Umberg, and Claudia Alvarez.
Tom Umberg represented the 69th Assembly District in the early 90's. He vacated the seat in 1994 to run for Attorney General. Since then he has worked for the Clinton Administration and the private sector. Because he left after two terms, he is eligible for one more term and has decided to use it. Some people speculate that he is using this as a springboard to run for the 34th Senatorial District in 2006, which Joe Dunn will be vacating due to term limits. Whether or not that is the case, early indications show that Umberg is still popular with many of the constituents here and is considered the most likely to win the primary. Some people have taken issue with the fact that for the past several years he has been living in Villa Park and that the district is meant for a Latino to represent. He was a Garden Grove resident when he represented the area the first time and won Latino support for exposing Curt Pringle's little poll guard incident in 1988. Although the ideal would be to have a Latino represent the area, we must also look at who is more qualified. Umberg has some very positive qualifications and proven leadership in this area. He knows it well and was also known as a coalition builder during his years in the Assembly. We need more Democrats in the State Legislature who can build consensus.
Claudia Alvarez is the candidate of the "Bush Lite" wing of the Democratic party. Elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2000, claiming she was not part of the "elite machine" she immediately aligned herself with them and has marched lock step with them ever since. She turned on nearly all her backers from the 2000 election and has literally bit the hands that fed her. Now time has come to face the music. When I first heard of Claudia Alvarez and how she was a graduate of Santiago High School(my alma mater), I thought "alright a Cavalier running for office." Then when I heard she was a potential Assembly candidate, I was even more happy than ever with the thought of a Santiago alumni making it that far. Then I began to hear about her record on the City Council, how she turned her back on all her old supporters. Then I heard how she supported Abstinence Only education and restrictions on a woman's right to choose. Then I was rather disappointed that the first elected official Santiago High School produced was "Bush Lite." The fun goes on, she supported a horribly planned "Special Assessment" for Santa Ana to supposedly create more revenue for graffiti removal and other city services. In fact she was the main "cheerleader" for the Ream Assessment. I do believe that sometimes taxes need to be raised, but as long as there are sunset clauses in them when the economic lean times get better. Also from the very start of her campaign she has attacked her other opponents and has offered little on what she plans to do in the State Assembly. I do not wish to see her win any office and I am very disappointed to see SHS produce a sad individual such as Claudia Alvarez. I know she is going to portray herself as the candidate who will represent the Latino community, since the majority of registered Democrats in the 69th AD are Latino. I do hope Umberg hands her defeat in March because it will show that the Latinos vote on who they believe will do the best job, not on what thier ethnicity is. Go ahead and try that stunt, it failed for Rios-Parra against David Tokofsky in the LAUSD race, and it will fail for Claudia as well.
Before Tom Umberg was in the race, SAUSD board member Sal Tinajero was the candidate I was supporting. But he dropped out just as Tom Umberg got into the race. Tom Umberg is now the candidate I support. I believe he can best represent the 69th Assembly District.
1st Supervisorial District
Chuck Smith is vacating this seat due to term limits and there is a good chance to finally get a Democrat on the OC Board of Supervisors. Unfortunately one of the Democratic choices is not an option in my book. The Democratic candidates are Assemblymember Lou Correa and Garden Grove Dictator, I mean Mayor Bruce Broadwater. The Republican candidates are Santa Ana City Councilman Brett Franklin and Westminster City Councilman Kermit Marsh. The race is non-partisan with all candidates appearing together on the March 2004 ballot. One candidate must get 50%+1 to win, if all the candidates fall under 50% then the top two vote getters will face each other in a runoff in November. I expect this race to go to a runoff, but I see this as a race of who will take on Lou Correa in November.
Essentially Lou Correa is considered the front runner in the race. It will be a battle between Bruce Broadwater and Brett Franklin for the second spot, with Kermit Marsh playing the spoiler role for Franklin or Broadwater. I think it is more beneficial for Garden Grove to have Broadwater make the runoff. Rumor has it he plans to run for the Garden Grove City Council if he loses in the Supervisorial race. He too is part of the "Eminent Domain" gang I mentioned in the earlier editorial, he didn't earn the nickname "bulldozer" for nothing. He is condesending to anyone who opposes him at the Council meetings and is out only for himself. Broadwater is the worst possible candidate for the 1st Supervisorial District. Franklin has been doing some pandering as of late to Garden Grove and Westminster residents at the expense of Santa Ana residents, and has joined the Van Tran machine which puts him on a level with our "beloved" Garden Grove elected officials. But the main problem is Broadwater and 2004 is going to be the year his and the redevelopment hawks' reign comes to an end.
Now onto Brett Franklin. This past weekend I read the candidate statements and was shocked at what he has for his. Instead of focusing on issues relating to the first supervisorial district, he focuses on the growing evil if Indian Gaming and the threat they pose to Westminster, Garden Grove and Santa Ana. First off, being a longtime Garden Grove resident I have seen a number of things proposes, theme parks, riverwalks etc. But never have I heard anything about an Indian Casino. Nor have I heard any talk of a proposed casino in Westminster or Santa Ana. What is the need to make it an issue then, much less a primary issue. I detest campaigns based on fear, and that is what Franklin is trying to do. I actually found him a respectable man up until a year ago when he began pandering to outside business interests to advertise in Santa Ana and then this stunt. I hope people see through this phony and send him packing and end is short political career, since he is termed out of the Santa Ana City Council in November. Shame on Brett Franklin.
This concludes the Real OC #6. Next I will discuss the potential legislative races as the election specials continue.
Friday, November 07, 2003
THE REAL OC #5
The Real OC Issue 5
Welcome back everyone. It has been a while but The Real OC is back with some more hard hitting editorials for everyone. Coming to you from Tucson I have been following with interest the events going on in Southern California as well as around the nation. This issue, I will be discussing my thoughts on certain issues, there will also be an Only In Orange County, a quote of the week and song of the week.
My Thoughts: Dr. James Dobson
Earlier this week I received an e-mail entitled fwd: CBS. With interest I opened it to see what it was about. It was a message from Dr. James Dobson, the self proclaimed expert on how all families should behave and function. This time he was informing America about a conspiracy by atheists to take Touched By An Angel off the air and take God completely off the airwaves. And my duty as a Christian was to add my name to the list and send it on to as many people as I knew. I was not sure whether I should be mad, or break out in hysterical laughter. After all this Dr. Dobson is at it again, trying to take his holier than thou message to the American people. Perhaps the people behind cancelling Touched By An Angel should be charged under the Patriot Act. Since it is his buddy, John Ashcroft who is the one who enforces the Patriot Act, I am sure he should have no problem there.
SARCASM ON
I remember when I first heard Dr. Dobson in a video shown to me at church youth group in the early nineties. He discussed the horrors of having sex too young, of not having a proper nuclear family, and how the country was going to shit now that Bill Clinton was president. After the Clinton years ended, Dobson celebrated, calling Bush's election, a return of honor and principle to the White House. Yes thats the spirit, lets have a presidency with millions losing their jobs, with starting wars with other countries on false pretences as long as they sit and thump their Bible. Thats the American I always dreamed of.
Which brings me to my next point, the fact that Dobson has the time to circulate all these crusades against television. Being a once practicing Catholic, I have read all four gospels and never once do I recall Jesus telling his disciples to follow self-righteous crusades and ignore the needy. Which makes me wonder, why doesn't he use the time and effort to help those who truly are in need. To reach out to people suffering in Third World Nations, to reach out to single mothers here struggling to raise their children. Oh no wait, that would involve handouts and they would never learn personal responsibility if we actually give them the tools they need to survive. The way to go is to give more tax cuts to the highest brackets of people in Third World Countries and here at home. Then these starving people and these single mothers will be so inspired they will want to go out and make themselves rich so they can have the same benefits as the upper bracket. Wow, Dr. Dobson really embodies the spirit of Christ.
In a 1987 speech he made a very startling conclusion. He had discerned the origin of the Gay Rights Movement, of the Sexual Freedom movement, of the Wiccan and neo-pagan movement. It all goes back to one woman refusing to give up her seat on the bus. Thats right, he stated that "If Rosa Parks had just gotten up and moved to the back, all these groups such as gays, fornicators, wiccans and pagans would not have followed the blacks lead in demanding Civil Rights. The nerve of Rosa Parks, refusing to get up and go to the back of the bus, I cannot believe the audacity of that woman. Maybe Dr. Dobson needs to invent a time machine and send the "Governator" since they are such good buddies, to terminate Parks when she is only a teenager, thus averting the judgement day on December 1st, 1955 when morality fell apart with one meek lady who only wanted to rest after a hard days work.
Did you also know that Dr. Dobson is not only a sex, AIDS, homosexual and Civil Rights expert, he is also an expert at judging who is patriotic as well. He did a great job in discerning the patriotic from the unpatriotic in the year 2000 during the Republican presidential primary. As many may remember, a war of words erupted between the Christian Right and Senator John McCain during his run for President. At one point, McCain referred to the Christian Right as an "organization of evil." Thats where Dr. Dobson comes in. Seeing the John McCain ruthlessly attacking the very religion this nation was founded on, he had no choice but to expose to the American people McCain's unamericanism. Thank you Dr. Dobson for informing us about this threat to the American people. Sure he only lost six years of his life in a North Vietnamese prison while fighting for this country. Nevermind the fact that he was tortured by his captors while Dr. Dobson was comfortably at home preaching to everyone about how being Christian is being American. The nerve of John McCain to not find some way to escape and come and help Dobson spread that message. I understand why Dobson saw the need to expose this man. The country is now a better place because of this.
Now the best is yet to come. He has touted himself as being a "medical doctor." Now lets analyze his education. He has a Doctorate in Psychology, last time I checked Psychology was not a medical field, it is, in fact, a Humanity. Someone needs to break the news to him, a PSYCHIATRIST is an MD, a PSYCHOLOGIST is not. Of course maybe a "higher authority" told him he was a medical doctor. Who are we to question his idea of the Will of God.
SARCASM OFF
I think you all get the point, this guy is a total idiot. So if you get this silly e-mail titled Fwd:CBS, delete it, or reply to the person who sent this to you with this message or something telling them what bullshit they are reading. And to those who for some reason feel their life is more complete with the word God being said on TV, there is a new show called Joan of Arcadia, it is on CBS on Friday's at 8PM, 7PM Central. Or you can watch some good wholesome family televsion on the PAX network, check local listing for the channel.
My Thoughts: The Ban on a Life Saving Surgery AKA Partial Birth Abortion
As many have probably heard, Bush signed into law a ban on a medical procedure falsely named "Partial Birth Abortion." To be honest with you, when I first heard about this procedure, I was for this ban. I thought it was barbaric and cruel and there seemed to be no excuse for it. But the person who first informed me about this procedure turned out to be a Right Wing Nutcase. To debunk the first myth about partial birth abortion, not any woman can go and get one if they are in late term. No ethical doctor will perform the procedure on a woman who come in and claims she wants one because she no longer wants to carry the baby. The second myth, Partial Birth Abortion is not the medically correct term, the medically correct term is Suction and Extraction.
Now to get to the facts. 90% of all Suction and Extraction abortions are performed because the life or health of the mother is at stake. There is no provision in the law providing for this. The other 9% is performed if the baby is found to have some dibilitating disease that will not allow it to live outside the womb. The last fact, this procedure is very rarely perfomed, and mainly for the two reasons I just mentioned. Of course Bush is using this as a platform to overturn Roe Vs. Wade and to create a divide between those who have common sense and listen to reason and those who do not.
One argument that I thought was so rediculous was that we should see the pictures of the procedure, it is horrifying. Well so is an apendectomy or heart surgery. Ever wacth E.R.? Some of the stuff going on in that operating room is not exactly the most pleasant sight to look at.
Yesterday was a tragic day for modern medicine. But it looks like our Checks and Balances system still works with the courts stepping in to practice their right to Judicial Review. Good for them, at least they can use it before John Ashcroft that power away from them.
Website of the Week
Check this out, very interesting.
http://www.ericblumrich.com/gta.html
Only In Orange County
Although I am in Tucson working on the John Kerry Presidential campaign I have been keeping an eye on the adventures out there in Orange County. Reading the Register online and keeping with the theme of this Real OC, I have found an interesting set of letter to the editor regarding a controversy over some kids at Fountain Valley High School expressing their Christian faith in a school picture. Of course we all know they were out to rile things up to try and say they are being discriminated against because they are Christian. Of course Orange County being the way it is, the Register had a flood of letters come in. Ironic that these are the same people who write letters about eradicating Islam, and converting the Jews to Christianity. These people so get on my nerves. But either way, it just won't be Orange County without the ranting and raving of the Right Wing Wackos. Here are the letters.
The old Soviet Union had religious freedom just like Fountain Valley High School ["No blessing for Jesus shirt lineup," Front Page, Nov. 5]: All you needed was government permission to worship; otherwise, keep your religion out of sight and behind closed doors.
Similarly, Fountain Valley schools know how to keep the exercise of religion in its place. The problem is that the U.S. Constitution wasn't intended to stifle religion. It expressly instructed Congress that it cannot pass laws "prohibiting the free exercise" of religion.
Had Fountain Valley government school officials required every child to wear a Jesus T-shirt in the senior photo, a case might be made that government was trying to "establish" a religion.
But permitting students to wear a Jesus T-shirt simply allows them "the free exercise" of their religious beliefs, which is the whole purpose behind all references to religion in the First Amendment.
Mark Landsbaum
Diamond Bar
The First Amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The First Amendment is often used to deny the free exercise of religion but not to support it, which is also a provision of the amendment. We had a pregnant girl in our senior photo with a shirt that read, "Baby Here." No one told her to change her shirt. And no one I know thought the school was endorsing teen pregnancy. This is just another example of misguided Americans trying to send God into exile and his followers with him.
Lisa Keck
Anaheim
Quote of the Week
"It is time for the Christian Right to meet the right Christian!"
Reverand Al Sharpton
Song of the Week
I chose this song because it has meaning today. As the Right Wing preachers try to dictate what family values we should practice, their allies in Washington send their children off to die. Like in 1971, we are face with a similar situation with Iraq. There may not be a draft now, but the way the military recruits from the inner cities shows who the powers that be in the White House feel is the most expendable. Shame on the Bush regime and shame on Dobson, Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition.
INNER CITY BLUES MAKE ME WANNA HOLLER
By Marvin Gaye
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
Fore we see it you take it
Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
This ain't livin', This ain't livin'
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
No, no, no
Inflation no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Crime is increasing
Trigger happy policing
Panic is spreading
God know where we're heading
Oh, make me wanna holler
They don't understand
Welcome back everyone. It has been a while but The Real OC is back with some more hard hitting editorials for everyone. Coming to you from Tucson I have been following with interest the events going on in Southern California as well as around the nation. This issue, I will be discussing my thoughts on certain issues, there will also be an Only In Orange County, a quote of the week and song of the week.
My Thoughts: Dr. James Dobson
Earlier this week I received an e-mail entitled fwd: CBS. With interest I opened it to see what it was about. It was a message from Dr. James Dobson, the self proclaimed expert on how all families should behave and function. This time he was informing America about a conspiracy by atheists to take Touched By An Angel off the air and take God completely off the airwaves. And my duty as a Christian was to add my name to the list and send it on to as many people as I knew. I was not sure whether I should be mad, or break out in hysterical laughter. After all this Dr. Dobson is at it again, trying to take his holier than thou message to the American people. Perhaps the people behind cancelling Touched By An Angel should be charged under the Patriot Act. Since it is his buddy, John Ashcroft who is the one who enforces the Patriot Act, I am sure he should have no problem there.
SARCASM ON
I remember when I first heard Dr. Dobson in a video shown to me at church youth group in the early nineties. He discussed the horrors of having sex too young, of not having a proper nuclear family, and how the country was going to shit now that Bill Clinton was president. After the Clinton years ended, Dobson celebrated, calling Bush's election, a return of honor and principle to the White House. Yes thats the spirit, lets have a presidency with millions losing their jobs, with starting wars with other countries on false pretences as long as they sit and thump their Bible. Thats the American I always dreamed of.
Which brings me to my next point, the fact that Dobson has the time to circulate all these crusades against television. Being a once practicing Catholic, I have read all four gospels and never once do I recall Jesus telling his disciples to follow self-righteous crusades and ignore the needy. Which makes me wonder, why doesn't he use the time and effort to help those who truly are in need. To reach out to people suffering in Third World Nations, to reach out to single mothers here struggling to raise their children. Oh no wait, that would involve handouts and they would never learn personal responsibility if we actually give them the tools they need to survive. The way to go is to give more tax cuts to the highest brackets of people in Third World Countries and here at home. Then these starving people and these single mothers will be so inspired they will want to go out and make themselves rich so they can have the same benefits as the upper bracket. Wow, Dr. Dobson really embodies the spirit of Christ.
In a 1987 speech he made a very startling conclusion. He had discerned the origin of the Gay Rights Movement, of the Sexual Freedom movement, of the Wiccan and neo-pagan movement. It all goes back to one woman refusing to give up her seat on the bus. Thats right, he stated that "If Rosa Parks had just gotten up and moved to the back, all these groups such as gays, fornicators, wiccans and pagans would not have followed the blacks lead in demanding Civil Rights. The nerve of Rosa Parks, refusing to get up and go to the back of the bus, I cannot believe the audacity of that woman. Maybe Dr. Dobson needs to invent a time machine and send the "Governator" since they are such good buddies, to terminate Parks when she is only a teenager, thus averting the judgement day on December 1st, 1955 when morality fell apart with one meek lady who only wanted to rest after a hard days work.
Did you also know that Dr. Dobson is not only a sex, AIDS, homosexual and Civil Rights expert, he is also an expert at judging who is patriotic as well. He did a great job in discerning the patriotic from the unpatriotic in the year 2000 during the Republican presidential primary. As many may remember, a war of words erupted between the Christian Right and Senator John McCain during his run for President. At one point, McCain referred to the Christian Right as an "organization of evil." Thats where Dr. Dobson comes in. Seeing the John McCain ruthlessly attacking the very religion this nation was founded on, he had no choice but to expose to the American people McCain's unamericanism. Thank you Dr. Dobson for informing us about this threat to the American people. Sure he only lost six years of his life in a North Vietnamese prison while fighting for this country. Nevermind the fact that he was tortured by his captors while Dr. Dobson was comfortably at home preaching to everyone about how being Christian is being American. The nerve of John McCain to not find some way to escape and come and help Dobson spread that message. I understand why Dobson saw the need to expose this man. The country is now a better place because of this.
Now the best is yet to come. He has touted himself as being a "medical doctor." Now lets analyze his education. He has a Doctorate in Psychology, last time I checked Psychology was not a medical field, it is, in fact, a Humanity. Someone needs to break the news to him, a PSYCHIATRIST is an MD, a PSYCHOLOGIST is not. Of course maybe a "higher authority" told him he was a medical doctor. Who are we to question his idea of the Will of God.
SARCASM OFF
I think you all get the point, this guy is a total idiot. So if you get this silly e-mail titled Fwd:CBS, delete it, or reply to the person who sent this to you with this message or something telling them what bullshit they are reading. And to those who for some reason feel their life is more complete with the word God being said on TV, there is a new show called Joan of Arcadia, it is on CBS on Friday's at 8PM, 7PM Central. Or you can watch some good wholesome family televsion on the PAX network, check local listing for the channel.
My Thoughts: The Ban on a Life Saving Surgery AKA Partial Birth Abortion
As many have probably heard, Bush signed into law a ban on a medical procedure falsely named "Partial Birth Abortion." To be honest with you, when I first heard about this procedure, I was for this ban. I thought it was barbaric and cruel and there seemed to be no excuse for it. But the person who first informed me about this procedure turned out to be a Right Wing Nutcase. To debunk the first myth about partial birth abortion, not any woman can go and get one if they are in late term. No ethical doctor will perform the procedure on a woman who come in and claims she wants one because she no longer wants to carry the baby. The second myth, Partial Birth Abortion is not the medically correct term, the medically correct term is Suction and Extraction.
Now to get to the facts. 90% of all Suction and Extraction abortions are performed because the life or health of the mother is at stake. There is no provision in the law providing for this. The other 9% is performed if the baby is found to have some dibilitating disease that will not allow it to live outside the womb. The last fact, this procedure is very rarely perfomed, and mainly for the two reasons I just mentioned. Of course Bush is using this as a platform to overturn Roe Vs. Wade and to create a divide between those who have common sense and listen to reason and those who do not.
One argument that I thought was so rediculous was that we should see the pictures of the procedure, it is horrifying. Well so is an apendectomy or heart surgery. Ever wacth E.R.? Some of the stuff going on in that operating room is not exactly the most pleasant sight to look at.
Yesterday was a tragic day for modern medicine. But it looks like our Checks and Balances system still works with the courts stepping in to practice their right to Judicial Review. Good for them, at least they can use it before John Ashcroft that power away from them.
Website of the Week
Check this out, very interesting.
http://www.ericblumrich.com/gta.html
Only In Orange County
Although I am in Tucson working on the John Kerry Presidential campaign I have been keeping an eye on the adventures out there in Orange County. Reading the Register online and keeping with the theme of this Real OC, I have found an interesting set of letter to the editor regarding a controversy over some kids at Fountain Valley High School expressing their Christian faith in a school picture. Of course we all know they were out to rile things up to try and say they are being discriminated against because they are Christian. Of course Orange County being the way it is, the Register had a flood of letters come in. Ironic that these are the same people who write letters about eradicating Islam, and converting the Jews to Christianity. These people so get on my nerves. But either way, it just won't be Orange County without the ranting and raving of the Right Wing Wackos. Here are the letters.
The old Soviet Union had religious freedom just like Fountain Valley High School ["No blessing for Jesus shirt lineup," Front Page, Nov. 5]: All you needed was government permission to worship; otherwise, keep your religion out of sight and behind closed doors.
Similarly, Fountain Valley schools know how to keep the exercise of religion in its place. The problem is that the U.S. Constitution wasn't intended to stifle religion. It expressly instructed Congress that it cannot pass laws "prohibiting the free exercise" of religion.
Had Fountain Valley government school officials required every child to wear a Jesus T-shirt in the senior photo, a case might be made that government was trying to "establish" a religion.
But permitting students to wear a Jesus T-shirt simply allows them "the free exercise" of their religious beliefs, which is the whole purpose behind all references to religion in the First Amendment.
Mark Landsbaum
Diamond Bar
The First Amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The First Amendment is often used to deny the free exercise of religion but not to support it, which is also a provision of the amendment. We had a pregnant girl in our senior photo with a shirt that read, "Baby Here." No one told her to change her shirt. And no one I know thought the school was endorsing teen pregnancy. This is just another example of misguided Americans trying to send God into exile and his followers with him.
Lisa Keck
Anaheim
Quote of the Week
"It is time for the Christian Right to meet the right Christian!"
Reverand Al Sharpton
Song of the Week
I chose this song because it has meaning today. As the Right Wing preachers try to dictate what family values we should practice, their allies in Washington send their children off to die. Like in 1971, we are face with a similar situation with Iraq. There may not be a draft now, but the way the military recruits from the inner cities shows who the powers that be in the White House feel is the most expendable. Shame on the Bush regime and shame on Dobson, Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition.
INNER CITY BLUES MAKE ME WANNA HOLLER
By Marvin Gaye
Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have nots
Money, we make it
Fore we see it you take it
Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
This ain't livin', This ain't livin'
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
No, no, no
Inflation no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up sky high
Send that boy off to die
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Dah, dah, dah
Dah, dah, dah
Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
I can't pay my taxes
Oh, make me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Crime is increasing
Trigger happy policing
Panic is spreading
God know where we're heading
Oh, make me wanna holler
They don't understand
Monday, October 13, 2003
THE REAL OC #4
The Real OC Issue 4
Hello everyone, welcome to another issue of the Real OC. I am back in Southern California for a week and things have changed. Pete Wilson has been elected to a third term as Governor, oh whoops I mean Arnold Schwarzenegger has been elected Governor. In this issue I will have a recap of the recall with a few editorials covering the major candidates. I will also have a Quote of the Week and Song of the Week.
My Thoughts: Cruz Bustamante
Throughout most of the election, Cruz Bustamante held a slight lead over Arnold Schwarzenegger in the polls until the very end. To hold the lead that long goes to show the influence of Democrats in the state of California. But how did he blow that lead and turn it into a landslide. There are many factors in this, but as Democrats we need to take a long hard look at our party and get on message and give the voters a reason to support us again.
The Bustamante campaign was plagued by several misteps that would doom it later in the campaign. The first is that the campaign staff did not want to listen to any outsiders and chose only to stick to their inner clique. They were determined to do things their way or the highway. The biggest error was targeting the working class Latino community and the far left wing. The campaign went too far to the left. Bustamante tried to present himself as a activist for the rights of Chicanos and in the end alienated a good portion of the Democratic Party. I talked to many Dems who mentioned that they felt left out by his message.
Now don't get me wrong, its always a good thing to cast yourself as an activist, but be sure you do not alienate other core constituencies that may be likely supporters. When the MEChA bashing began to come up, he was cast as a "Chicano radical." Yet looking at his record in the State Legislature and some other recent actions such as endorsing Joe Lieberman for President shows he is not the activist he makes himself out to be. Lieberman is not one who inspires ideas of Radical activism. It is hard to have a successful campaign when you are being a Chicano activist one minute and Bush Lite the next.
It was interesting to see that Arnold won nearly one-third of the Latino vote. Bustamante was held to under 50% of the Latino vote. In an editorial recently published in the OC Register by Republican activist Art Pedroza, he mentions that this is a sign that the Latinos no longer view Pete Wilson as the boogey man. I agree but I also disagree with parts of this statement. I believe Pete Wilson is the only reason Bustamante won the Latino vote and voted against the recall 53% to 47%. I believe if Arnold had not brought on Pete Wilson we would see a much different result. At the same time the number is dropping, and the margin is much closer than it would have been about five years ago. So there are signs that the Latino vote for Democrats is vulnerable and that vulnerability needs to be dealt with.
Since Proposition 187 and Pete Wilson we have been spending time and resources telling Latinos why they should not be Republicans. We need to change up that message, we need to let them know why they should be Democrats. Pete Wilson being involved with Arnold only give us more time to use that, but we should use that time to show reasons to keep the Latino vote in California with the Democrats. The Dems need to use this recall to their advantage, the ball is in their court as far as the Latino vote is concerned.
But how do we ensure that the Latino vote stays Democrat? The first is to push forth a new generation of Latino Democrats who view the bigger picture and not just "la raza." People like Antonio Villaraigosa, Rocky Delgadillo, Rudy Bermudez and Nicole Parra represent a new breed of Latino Democrats. These are ones who look at the big picture and seek to reach out to everyone, not just the Latino constituency. The Democratic Party is supposed to be the party of the people and I think this new breed of Latino leaders have adapted to this. I remember talking with a Mechista who opposed Antonio Villaraigosa for LA Mayor when he ran in 2001. Her reasoning was that he did not do enough for the "raza" and spent too much time on other issues such as improving park and open space and Metro Rail expansion. Hearing these kinds of platforms encourages me to want to support a candidate more. They realize when they create policy that will help all people, Latinos win as well. Activists like Nativo Lopez may not want to look at the bigger picture and want to stick to support only from the working class Latino community, but when one alienates the majority of the population they set themself up for defeat. The new breed of Latino Democrats who reach out not only to working class Latinos, but the growing Latino middle class and the general population as well.
The second is to get on message. In many ways, the Democratic party in California is not in the best of shape. Had we been on message, been much more united, I think the recall could have been beaten. Observing the Orange County Democratic Party Central Committee, I see a problem that is constantly repeated throughout the state. You have certain individuals and opportunists that use it for their own personal agendas. You have others who are recent turncoats from other political parties using the Democratic party to their own purposes instead of promoting the platfmorm. You have older members who, instead of wanting to work with younger Democrats, who are the ideological core of the party, view them with contempt. It is a constant problem I have observed when some older members chide the younger ones for daring to speak out. This has led to some disenchantment from the young Democrats who fall away disillusioned and cease caring about the direction the party takes. We all need to work together and there are many who do, it is the bad apples spoiling the barrel that we need to weed out. Us Democrats need to re-examine every plank in the platform and just do some good ol' fashion educating the public about the Party's platform. Many high-ranking Dems have forgotten that the Party did have a platform at one point in its history.
We need to unite and we need to work together to get on message if we hope to not only keep the Latino vote but the vote of Californians in general. We were divided and in many ways we have ourselves to blame for the success of this recall and the debacle of the Bustamante campaign. The only way we can make some real changes is putting those who want to work to better the Democratic party in the places of power. I am a big supporter of Art Torres and I feel he is a shining example of a real Democrat, but he cannot do this alone. He needs our help to get on message and bring about change.
Tom McClintock
There is no candidate I disagreed with more than Tom McClintock. There is also no candidate I respected more than Tom McClintock. One of the most Conservative candidates in the race, Tom McClintock was one who let the public know his values and stuck by them. He never dropped out of the race even though at every turn he was pressured to. He represented the heart and soul of the Republican Party and he sought to remind them just who their core really is when they made victory the priority over principle.
Going back, I remember a good friend from high school telling me once why many Christians(at least the Christian Coalition types) were Republican. The reasons: 1. Dems are "pro-abortion." 2. Dems are against abstinence only education. 3. Dems are against prayer in public schools. 4. Dems are for gay rights. REPUBLICAN Arnold Schwarzenegger also supports all the things I just listed. Tom McClintock stands with the Christian fundamentalists on all of these issues. I thought one of the darkest moments of this campaign is when Pat Robertson, Robert Shuller, Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel and many other bible thumping ministers backed Arnold for Governor. To the point that Shuller allowed Arnold to do a sermon at one of his services.
The bible thumpers that backed Arnold, I have lost any respect I had for them. This showed they have no values and chose power over principle. Tom McClintock should have been their ideal candidate. He never wavered from these positions.
Another issue he never wavered on was the hits he took on Indian Gaming. Being very pro-business, McClintock has been supportive of Indian Gaming and opposed to any taxes for them. Arnold attacked McClintock and Bustamante for this stance. But looking at McClintock's ideology he does not believe in taxes, or at least very low taxes for all businesses. His opposition to taxes on Indian Gaming was simply consistent with his belief system. You have to give the man credit for consistency and staying true to his beliefs when many others in his party sold out theirs for power.
Arianna Huffington
The one major female candidate, Arianna Huffington brought some interesting issues to the table. A former Republican, Arianna has become a Progressive activist. She ran as an Independent, yet there was no candidate who mirrored my beliefs and values more than Arianna. I truly hope she joins the Democratic Party one day.
I gained the most respect for her in the debate on September 24th, the only one Arnold was brave enough to show up for. She showed the assertiveness that Cruz Bustamante should have shown in that debate. She attacked Arnold relentlessly but was able to back up the attacks with facts. She was able to link President Bush quite effectively to the budget problems going on in California. Arnold would refuse to answer her, telling her to go to New Hampshire instead.
The day after the debate, many people cast her as some sort of "bitch" for her aggressive attitude. She showed that she may be the only major female candidate but she was tougher than all the male candidates put together. Plus her Progressive agenda is for real, she is not Bush Lite at times like other "progressive" candidates. Being a recovering Republican(as she likes to refer to herself) she saw firsthand the fallacies of their agenda and she seeks to bring real change, not the falsehoods of Compassionate Conservatism. I hope she stays on the scene for a long time to come and brings the important issues to the table that need to be discussed.
If Cruz Bustamante's campaign was as assertive as Arianna's, he would have stood more of a chance to defeat Arnold. Since she was not one of the frontrunners she was held back to a minor role. But the campaign was on message and well run. The Democrats need to take notes from Arianna. Better yet we need to find a way to bring her on board. Progressives like her is what we need to get the party on message.
Peter Ueberroth
Peter Ueberroth was a candidate the Republicans should have embraced. Sure Arnold may have moderate social views, sure Arnold may have popularity, but Arnold did not have what Ueberroth had, a proven record of success. Peter Ueberroth ran for Governor and touted his plan of social liberalism mixed with fiscal conservatism. Although I did not agree with his entire platform, Ueberroth made it clear where he stood on the issues.
Arnold never answered whether or not he supported the gay civil unions bill. Arnold never answered just how far his stand on a woman's right to choose extended. Ueberroth was the true "New Majority" Republican, fully bucking the trends of the bible thumping wing of the party and getting back to traditional Conservatism. And Ueberroth has a proven record of success. In the 80's the Olympic games had become a debacle. They were in near financial ruin(Canadians are still paying for the 1976 Montreal games to this day) and after the open cheating at the Moscow Games were considered a joke. Ueberroth took on the massive task of saving the Olympic Games and not only succeeded, he marketed the games to the point where there was not a debt, but the greatest profit in the history of the Olympic Games. His commericalization of the Games brought the prestige and honor back that had been lost in the previous decade. The following years he also increased the prestige of Major League Baseball as their Commissioner.(Although future mismanagement by other commissioners would erase his accomplishments.) His record was proven.
This goes back to an earlier point, the Republicans quest to win by the cult of personality rather than principle. If the New Majority Republicans ever had an ideal candidate in the race, it was Peter Ueberroth. Their main philosophy is to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Arnold was vague on both platforms, yet Peter Ueberroth symbolized both those ideals. Just as Tom McClintock was a symbol for the card carrying Conservatives for the Republicans, Ueberroth was the perfect candidate for the Moderates of the Republican Party. He had a proven track record and his views on how to change California were clear.(unlike Arnold)
<Quote of the Week
"We must strive for a society where everyone is equal under the eyes of the law, but this cannot be achieved through compomise, but through perseverence."
Robert F. Kennedy
Song of the Week
Here is a classic song by one of the greatest musicians of all time, Stevie Wonder. Living for the City is a song that details the hard life of a working class African-American family. I think this is relevant today with the many undocumented working families in this country today. Read the lyrics carefully and you will see the parallels to the immigrant families who face persecution and discrimination by the very people they work for to improve their standard of living. I find it appalling when I hear affluent people complaining about undocumented immigrants ruining the US and planning to force the Mexican way of life here in California, yet do not hesitate to hire them to babysit their kids, remodel their homes or mow their lawns.
Living For the City
By Stevie Wonder
A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city...ee ha!
His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you'd best believe she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city... yeah!
His sister's black but she is sho'nuff pretty
Her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she's got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city...um hum
Her brother's smart he's got more sense than many
His patience's long but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
Living just enough...
For the city... ooh, ooh
(Repeat several times)
His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his life walking the streets of New York City
He's almost dead from breathing in air pollution
He tried to vote but to him there's no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
yeah, yeah, yeah!
I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel no where could be much colder
If we don't change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city!!!!
Hello everyone, welcome to another issue of the Real OC. I am back in Southern California for a week and things have changed. Pete Wilson has been elected to a third term as Governor, oh whoops I mean Arnold Schwarzenegger has been elected Governor. In this issue I will have a recap of the recall with a few editorials covering the major candidates. I will also have a Quote of the Week and Song of the Week.
My Thoughts: Cruz Bustamante
Throughout most of the election, Cruz Bustamante held a slight lead over Arnold Schwarzenegger in the polls until the very end. To hold the lead that long goes to show the influence of Democrats in the state of California. But how did he blow that lead and turn it into a landslide. There are many factors in this, but as Democrats we need to take a long hard look at our party and get on message and give the voters a reason to support us again.
The Bustamante campaign was plagued by several misteps that would doom it later in the campaign. The first is that the campaign staff did not want to listen to any outsiders and chose only to stick to their inner clique. They were determined to do things their way or the highway. The biggest error was targeting the working class Latino community and the far left wing. The campaign went too far to the left. Bustamante tried to present himself as a activist for the rights of Chicanos and in the end alienated a good portion of the Democratic Party. I talked to many Dems who mentioned that they felt left out by his message.
Now don't get me wrong, its always a good thing to cast yourself as an activist, but be sure you do not alienate other core constituencies that may be likely supporters. When the MEChA bashing began to come up, he was cast as a "Chicano radical." Yet looking at his record in the State Legislature and some other recent actions such as endorsing Joe Lieberman for President shows he is not the activist he makes himself out to be. Lieberman is not one who inspires ideas of Radical activism. It is hard to have a successful campaign when you are being a Chicano activist one minute and Bush Lite the next.
It was interesting to see that Arnold won nearly one-third of the Latino vote. Bustamante was held to under 50% of the Latino vote. In an editorial recently published in the OC Register by Republican activist Art Pedroza, he mentions that this is a sign that the Latinos no longer view Pete Wilson as the boogey man. I agree but I also disagree with parts of this statement. I believe Pete Wilson is the only reason Bustamante won the Latino vote and voted against the recall 53% to 47%. I believe if Arnold had not brought on Pete Wilson we would see a much different result. At the same time the number is dropping, and the margin is much closer than it would have been about five years ago. So there are signs that the Latino vote for Democrats is vulnerable and that vulnerability needs to be dealt with.
Since Proposition 187 and Pete Wilson we have been spending time and resources telling Latinos why they should not be Republicans. We need to change up that message, we need to let them know why they should be Democrats. Pete Wilson being involved with Arnold only give us more time to use that, but we should use that time to show reasons to keep the Latino vote in California with the Democrats. The Dems need to use this recall to their advantage, the ball is in their court as far as the Latino vote is concerned.
But how do we ensure that the Latino vote stays Democrat? The first is to push forth a new generation of Latino Democrats who view the bigger picture and not just "la raza." People like Antonio Villaraigosa, Rocky Delgadillo, Rudy Bermudez and Nicole Parra represent a new breed of Latino Democrats. These are ones who look at the big picture and seek to reach out to everyone, not just the Latino constituency. The Democratic Party is supposed to be the party of the people and I think this new breed of Latino leaders have adapted to this. I remember talking with a Mechista who opposed Antonio Villaraigosa for LA Mayor when he ran in 2001. Her reasoning was that he did not do enough for the "raza" and spent too much time on other issues such as improving park and open space and Metro Rail expansion. Hearing these kinds of platforms encourages me to want to support a candidate more. They realize when they create policy that will help all people, Latinos win as well. Activists like Nativo Lopez may not want to look at the bigger picture and want to stick to support only from the working class Latino community, but when one alienates the majority of the population they set themself up for defeat. The new breed of Latino Democrats who reach out not only to working class Latinos, but the growing Latino middle class and the general population as well.
The second is to get on message. In many ways, the Democratic party in California is not in the best of shape. Had we been on message, been much more united, I think the recall could have been beaten. Observing the Orange County Democratic Party Central Committee, I see a problem that is constantly repeated throughout the state. You have certain individuals and opportunists that use it for their own personal agendas. You have others who are recent turncoats from other political parties using the Democratic party to their own purposes instead of promoting the platfmorm. You have older members who, instead of wanting to work with younger Democrats, who are the ideological core of the party, view them with contempt. It is a constant problem I have observed when some older members chide the younger ones for daring to speak out. This has led to some disenchantment from the young Democrats who fall away disillusioned and cease caring about the direction the party takes. We all need to work together and there are many who do, it is the bad apples spoiling the barrel that we need to weed out. Us Democrats need to re-examine every plank in the platform and just do some good ol' fashion educating the public about the Party's platform. Many high-ranking Dems have forgotten that the Party did have a platform at one point in its history.
We need to unite and we need to work together to get on message if we hope to not only keep the Latino vote but the vote of Californians in general. We were divided and in many ways we have ourselves to blame for the success of this recall and the debacle of the Bustamante campaign. The only way we can make some real changes is putting those who want to work to better the Democratic party in the places of power. I am a big supporter of Art Torres and I feel he is a shining example of a real Democrat, but he cannot do this alone. He needs our help to get on message and bring about change.
Tom McClintock
There is no candidate I disagreed with more than Tom McClintock. There is also no candidate I respected more than Tom McClintock. One of the most Conservative candidates in the race, Tom McClintock was one who let the public know his values and stuck by them. He never dropped out of the race even though at every turn he was pressured to. He represented the heart and soul of the Republican Party and he sought to remind them just who their core really is when they made victory the priority over principle.
Going back, I remember a good friend from high school telling me once why many Christians(at least the Christian Coalition types) were Republican. The reasons: 1. Dems are "pro-abortion." 2. Dems are against abstinence only education. 3. Dems are against prayer in public schools. 4. Dems are for gay rights. REPUBLICAN Arnold Schwarzenegger also supports all the things I just listed. Tom McClintock stands with the Christian fundamentalists on all of these issues. I thought one of the darkest moments of this campaign is when Pat Robertson, Robert Shuller, Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel and many other bible thumping ministers backed Arnold for Governor. To the point that Shuller allowed Arnold to do a sermon at one of his services.
The bible thumpers that backed Arnold, I have lost any respect I had for them. This showed they have no values and chose power over principle. Tom McClintock should have been their ideal candidate. He never wavered from these positions.
Another issue he never wavered on was the hits he took on Indian Gaming. Being very pro-business, McClintock has been supportive of Indian Gaming and opposed to any taxes for them. Arnold attacked McClintock and Bustamante for this stance. But looking at McClintock's ideology he does not believe in taxes, or at least very low taxes for all businesses. His opposition to taxes on Indian Gaming was simply consistent with his belief system. You have to give the man credit for consistency and staying true to his beliefs when many others in his party sold out theirs for power.
Arianna Huffington
The one major female candidate, Arianna Huffington brought some interesting issues to the table. A former Republican, Arianna has become a Progressive activist. She ran as an Independent, yet there was no candidate who mirrored my beliefs and values more than Arianna. I truly hope she joins the Democratic Party one day.
I gained the most respect for her in the debate on September 24th, the only one Arnold was brave enough to show up for. She showed the assertiveness that Cruz Bustamante should have shown in that debate. She attacked Arnold relentlessly but was able to back up the attacks with facts. She was able to link President Bush quite effectively to the budget problems going on in California. Arnold would refuse to answer her, telling her to go to New Hampshire instead.
The day after the debate, many people cast her as some sort of "bitch" for her aggressive attitude. She showed that she may be the only major female candidate but she was tougher than all the male candidates put together. Plus her Progressive agenda is for real, she is not Bush Lite at times like other "progressive" candidates. Being a recovering Republican(as she likes to refer to herself) she saw firsthand the fallacies of their agenda and she seeks to bring real change, not the falsehoods of Compassionate Conservatism. I hope she stays on the scene for a long time to come and brings the important issues to the table that need to be discussed.
If Cruz Bustamante's campaign was as assertive as Arianna's, he would have stood more of a chance to defeat Arnold. Since she was not one of the frontrunners she was held back to a minor role. But the campaign was on message and well run. The Democrats need to take notes from Arianna. Better yet we need to find a way to bring her on board. Progressives like her is what we need to get the party on message.
Peter Ueberroth
Peter Ueberroth was a candidate the Republicans should have embraced. Sure Arnold may have moderate social views, sure Arnold may have popularity, but Arnold did not have what Ueberroth had, a proven record of success. Peter Ueberroth ran for Governor and touted his plan of social liberalism mixed with fiscal conservatism. Although I did not agree with his entire platform, Ueberroth made it clear where he stood on the issues.
Arnold never answered whether or not he supported the gay civil unions bill. Arnold never answered just how far his stand on a woman's right to choose extended. Ueberroth was the true "New Majority" Republican, fully bucking the trends of the bible thumping wing of the party and getting back to traditional Conservatism. And Ueberroth has a proven record of success. In the 80's the Olympic games had become a debacle. They were in near financial ruin(Canadians are still paying for the 1976 Montreal games to this day) and after the open cheating at the Moscow Games were considered a joke. Ueberroth took on the massive task of saving the Olympic Games and not only succeeded, he marketed the games to the point where there was not a debt, but the greatest profit in the history of the Olympic Games. His commericalization of the Games brought the prestige and honor back that had been lost in the previous decade. The following years he also increased the prestige of Major League Baseball as their Commissioner.(Although future mismanagement by other commissioners would erase his accomplishments.) His record was proven.
This goes back to an earlier point, the Republicans quest to win by the cult of personality rather than principle. If the New Majority Republicans ever had an ideal candidate in the race, it was Peter Ueberroth. Their main philosophy is to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Arnold was vague on both platforms, yet Peter Ueberroth symbolized both those ideals. Just as Tom McClintock was a symbol for the card carrying Conservatives for the Republicans, Ueberroth was the perfect candidate for the Moderates of the Republican Party. He had a proven track record and his views on how to change California were clear.(unlike Arnold)
<Quote of the Week
"We must strive for a society where everyone is equal under the eyes of the law, but this cannot be achieved through compomise, but through perseverence."
Robert F. Kennedy
Song of the Week
Here is a classic song by one of the greatest musicians of all time, Stevie Wonder. Living for the City is a song that details the hard life of a working class African-American family. I think this is relevant today with the many undocumented working families in this country today. Read the lyrics carefully and you will see the parallels to the immigrant families who face persecution and discrimination by the very people they work for to improve their standard of living. I find it appalling when I hear affluent people complaining about undocumented immigrants ruining the US and planning to force the Mexican way of life here in California, yet do not hesitate to hire them to babysit their kids, remodel their homes or mow their lawns.
Living For the City
By Stevie Wonder
A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city...ee ha!
His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you'd best believe she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city... yeah!
His sister's black but she is sho'nuff pretty
Her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she's got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city...um hum
Her brother's smart he's got more sense than many
His patience's long but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
Living just enough...
For the city... ooh, ooh
(Repeat several times)
His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his life walking the streets of New York City
He's almost dead from breathing in air pollution
He tried to vote but to him there's no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
yeah, yeah, yeah!
I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel no where could be much colder
If we don't change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city!!!!
Thursday, September 25, 2003
THE REAL OC #3
The Real OC Issue 3
Welcome back to the Real OC. Sorry that it has been so long since the last one. This issue, I will discuss my thoughts on the "Super Bowl of Debates." It was definitely an interesting debate. I will also have an Only In Orange County, a Quote of the Week and a Song of the Week.
My Thoughts: The Super Bowl of Debates
Since last week, Arnold went around telling the world that the only scripted debate was the "Super Bowl of Debates." He equated all the other debates to a "whimpy Mr. Muscle Beach contest." Lets see, he just insulted the Bay Area and LA Broadcasters Associations, the LA Times, CNN and MSNBC, who are hosting other candidate forums. Funny, isn't the front runner Cruz Bustamante, and isn't he attending all of these forums. For someone who is in second place in the polls he certainly is trying to talk tough.
Now onto the debate, if this was the Super Bowl of debates, then Arnold Schwazenegger was the 2002 Raiders. Never have I seen more scripted answers in a debate. He had little substance, and only said the same lines he has been saying the whole campaign, and not mentioning the specifics. The clear winner of the debate was Arianna Huffington. She tore into Arnold, yet she backed up her accusations with valid facts. When she was listing the ways Bush's policies were hurting California, Arnold's only response was for her to go to New Hampshire and campaign against Bush. Wait a minute, isn't Arnold a member of the same party as Bush, so would it not stand to reason that the policies Arnold wants to implement have already been doing damage in California under George W. Bush.
Cruz Bustamante turned in a somewhat disappointing performance. I think he treated this debate like the past forums where there was more order to the debate. He was not able to fully adapt to the format of this debate, and it showed. He was calm, which works in the more organized format, but here he needed to loosen up more. Also when Arnold and Tom McClintock directed attacks in his direction, Cruz would sit there and do little to defend himself. Arianna even came in to Cruz's defense a couple of times during the debate, bringing up the contradictions in Arnold's and McClintock's attacks. Cruz would have looked so much more better if he had struck back instead of allowing Huffington to speak for him.
Coming in second in the debate was clearly Tom McClintock. He started off weak, be quickly gained steam. He rarely challenged other candidates, instead only answering his question and defending his ideas when other candidates challenged him. I find it funny that Arnold is the only candidate that did not challenge McClintock on his ideas. I am sure that was an order from the puppetmaster Pete Wilson to avoid McClintock as much as possible. The high point for McClintock came at the closing statement. He did an awesome job distinguishing himself from Arnold as the "real Conservative" in the race. Although I agreed with virtually nothing he said, if it was making us Liberals squirm, it was definitely making the Conservatives cheer. McClintock is a good debater, and I think it reflects his solid beliefs and his refusal to break a promise.
It is obvious many Republicans are freaking out over the strong performance of McClintock last night. As I was channel surfing this morning, I stopped on the Fox News Channel AKA the Republican News Agency, and watched in interview with Tom McClintock. It was more of an interrogation. The news anchor was not asking questions, but outright telling McClintock that he should drop out of the race and that he was going to blow it for Arnold. I was in disbelief, this goes against all the rules of Journalism. Again I point out this was not a debate show but the normal news and what was supposed to be a normal news interview.
Back to the debate, my analysis of Camejo was that he did a good job, but sounded like the angry 60's radical at times. He gave some great points, especially on illegal immigration, yet he seemed to eager to "punish the rich." I admit the are not paying their fair share of taxes, but you do not want to come off as being too angry. Again good performance, needs to tone down on the anger a little bit.
Now for more on Arnold. What a joke of a performance, I expected better from him. He spent half his time quoting one liners from movies. But the low point of the debate came when Huffington pointed out how some of the problems Arnold is talking about fixing is the result of his co-chair Pete Wilson. His response was "On October 8th, there will not be a Governor Wilson, there will be only a Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger." This had to be a low point in the debate for him. No one had accused him of being a puppet of Pete Wilson, Huffington was simply pointing out some facts. I think this line proves to everyone who really will be in charge of California is Arnold wins. Personally I think Arnold should be barred from the rest of the debates and Pete Wilson should be required to attend one and face the other candidates.
Now back to Arianna. Talking with other average voters after the debate, many felt she did a great job while they were disappointed with Arnold and Cruz. This may actually help Gray Davis. With people seeing the poor performance by the two candidates most likely to win, there wil be a growing attitude that we should just stick with what we have right now. Arianna and Tom may have just saved Gray Davis from being recalled.
More on Arianna, I noticed a double standard on the way she was treated by the other candidates and even the moderator. She was the only woman in the debate and yet proved to be more strong willed than her male counterparts. The way Arnold would talk to her was so derrogatory, it showed that he still has a chauvanistic attitude from his body building days. The way Arnold would attack Arianna compared to the way he would attack Cruz was vastly different. There was a condesending tone towards her, while more respect was shown for Cruz. Even Camejo was guilty of treating her a little different than he did the other male candidates. Then I read the news reports and some letters to the editor today. In the OC Register, Huffington was portrayed as a "bitch" for daring to speak out the way she did. Why is there a double standard for women? Don't get me wrong, I still support Cruz Bustamante, but show Ms. Huffington the respect she deserves. I think Arnold and many men out there could not stand the fact that a woman did better than the men.
Overall it was an interesting debate. I felt it could have been organized better, they could have had a stronger moderator. The moderator, Stan Statham was weak and could not keep control of the debate. I was hoping for the Super Bowl of debates instead it seemed more like the WWF Smackdown of debates.
Only In Orange County
Only in Orange County is back. This time it is a follow up to an earlier OIOC about Liberals controlling the University system and indoctrinating the children. On a yahoogroups I am on, a couple who lives in Floral Park expressed this concern. Read their message and see what extremists they are. Below it was my respose to them. Enjoy.
I have been following this thread with interest and wondering where
it might lead. It occurs to me that the kind of problems Barry
described with his children's grade-school teachers have a direct
parrallel to the problems older students are dealing with at our
universities...
"Recently, the Center for the Study of Popular Culture conducted a
survey on professors' political views at universities nationwide,
including Penn. The results were astounding. Among those Ivy League
professors surveyed, 64 percent considered themselves either liberal
or somewhat liberal. A mere 6 percent considered themselves
conservative or somewhat conservative. In addition to this, 84
percent voted for Al Gore in 2000, with George W. pulling in just
ahead of Ralph Nader (9 percent for Dubya, 6 percent for Nader). At
Penn, of those affiliated with a particular political party who were
surveyed, 60 were registered Democrats and only five registered as
Republicans...As these statistics make clear, professors at Penn and
throughout the Ivy League are overwhelmingly liberal. This monopoly
on higher education is an extreme impediment to our education."
This article is titled "Leftists Academic Monopoly" and can be read
in its entirety at FrontPageMagazine.com:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=9984
The group "Students For Academic Freedom" have begun a campaign to
promote intellectual diversity as a core value of academic freedom.
From their website, "The Students for Academic Freedom Information
Center is a clearing house and communications center for a national
coalition of student organizations whose goal is to end the political
abuse of the university and to restore integrity to the academic
mission as a disinterested pursuit of knowledge." Their main slogan
is "You can't get a good education if they're only telling you half
the story".
Our elementary school children are getting the same indoctrination.
From the v-e-r-y l-o-n-g report, "Where Did Social Studies Go Wrong?"
published by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation:
"Evidence kept accumulating that American kids were emerging from K-
12 education and then, alas, from college with ridiculously little
knowledge or understanding of their country's history, their planet's
geography, their government's functioning, or the economy's essential
workings.
"Evidence also accumulated that, in the field of social studies
itself, the lunatics had taken over the asylum. Its leaders were
people who had plenty of grand degrees and impressive titles but who
possessed no respect for Western civilization; who were inclined to
view America's evolution as a problem for humanity rather than
mankind's last, best hope; who pooh-poohed history's chronological
and factual skeleton as somehow privileging elites and white males
over the poor and oppressed; who saw the study of geography in terms
of despoiling the rain forest rather than locating London or the
Mississippi River on a map; who interpreted "civics" as consisting
largely of political activism and "service learning" rather than
understanding how laws are made and why it is important to live in a
society governed by laws; who feared that serious study of economics
might give unfair advantage to capitalism (just as excessive
attention to democracy might lead impressionable youngsters to judge
it a superior way of organizing society); and who, in any case, took
for granted that children were better off learning about their
neighborhoods and "community helpers" than amazing deeds by heroes
and villains in distant times and faraway places."
"...at the very time we most need our citizens and future citizens to
learn what it means to be American and why America is worth
defending, to become more conscious of the world they inhabit and the
conflicts that rock it, to grasp the differences between democracy
and totalitarianism and between free and doctrinaire societies, the
part of the school curriculum on which we must rely for help has
turned into a hindrance. It's not getting the job done. It's
wrongheaded. It may even be making matters worse. Yet we are
entrusting it ever more definitively to the hands of those who
brought it to this sorry state. The keys to Rome are being turned
over to the Goths and the Huns.
That's downright upsetting. And while a small private foundation such
as this one cannot hope to reverse such mighty forces, we can at
least lend a helping hand to those who are willing to take on that
challenge."
As for me and my family, we have completely given up on getting a
decent education through our public schools. I am currently
researching homeschool curriculums. Thank goodness my daughter is
only two years old--I've got plenty of time to figure out what course
to take.
Jill Wood
Fisher Park
Now for my response to these yahoos.
I do believe compulsory education in
government schools is a good system. I thinkn homeschooling, both
Secular and Christian is nothing more than a way for parents to
indoctrinate their children to their beliefs by sheltering them from
differing ideas. I know a couple of people who are involved with the
Democratic Party with me who are VERY Liberal, pretty much off the
scale. They homeschool their children and quite frankly, their
children strike me as wierd. They have little social skills and when
they discuss political issue, they honestly sound like robots.
On the other end, I have some neighbors that homeschool their
daughter in Christian homeschooling. I have read some of their
history textbooks, and never in my life have I read such bias. There
were claims that mistreatment of the Native Americans never took
place, and when it did take place it was cancelled by the fact that
at least the Natives were learning Christianity. It also criticized
Martin Luther King Jr. for allowing the Civil Rights movement to go
to far. It praised Prop 187 and PRO-CHOICE Governor Pete Wilson. It
was nothing more than a mouthpiece for the conservative wing of the
Republican Party. So on both ends I think homeschooling is a terrible
idea, parents on both ends of the spectrum only use it to
indoctrinate their children.
Alright some accusations against Liberal professor's have been made
here. Because they happened to vote for Al Gore, somehow that makes
them unqualified to be a professor. As a recent graduate in Political
Science at CSUF, I was in a major that would probably be affected
most by Liberal Professors. I will admit, all of my professors tended
toward a Liberal point-of-view and were admitted Democrats except for
two. Yet many of the professor's I did not find this out from in
class, but rather in private conversations. Since CSUF is in Orange
county, and since it is a commuter campus there were quite a few
Republican and Conservative students with a Political Science major.
Many would express their views in class, more so than the professors.
The professors would take them up on their challenges and many times
the student was hammered because they simply could not back up their
assertions with valid facts.
There were two classmates of mine who were conservative Republicans
who were very good at backing up their facts. And they were well
respected by the Poli Sci faculty at CSUF, even though their
ideologies clashed. I assume their grades were never lowered by these
liberal professors due to the fact that both were members of the
Political Science Honors Society, which one needs a 3.5 in their
major to join. One was invited to present a paper on violence in
Hollywood movies at a forum being done at CSUF. If there was a
conspiracy among Liberal Professors, why would these two students be
given the time of day.
As mentioned earlier I had two Republican professors while I was at
CSUF. Both were part time. There was only one full time Republican
professor at CSUF while I was there, and she was one of the most
respected professors at CSUF. The so called Liberal ones had nothing
but good things to say about her. In fact one Democratic professor
would do a class with her called Comparative Politics, which gives
students a view of both parties. Onto the two Republican professors
that I had. I had one in my last semester at CSUF, and he was a great
teacher. I enjoyed having him, he taught the class well and did a
great job. I gave him excellent marks on the student evaluation,
becaue overall it had nothing to do with ideology but how well he
taught the class. The other Republican professor I do not have good
things to say. I had this professor in Spring 2001 and never was
there a more biased and unfair teacher. The class was Public Policy
and Policy Making. When it came time to discuss abortion, he made his
anti-choice views known by stifling debate and requiring students to
find only the cons of abortion in the book and then reading them out
loud. I stood my ground and listed the pros. I got a D on the
assignment. On a test, there was a question on the energy crisis, and
I criticized Bush's policies and backed them up. He gave me a D. I
showed this essay to another professor who mentioned is was worthy of
at least a B. As a result I dropped the class to take it with a
professor who would do his of her job and not bring their personal
bias in to the class.
Having mentioned that, I notice that the Conservative wing tends to
be more biased when it comes to these issues. They notice that a
large majority of professors tend to be Democrat and supported Al
Gore in 2000 and seem to think this will affect their performance in
the classroom. I never saw this in all my time at Santa Ana College
or CSUF. I noticed only two unfairly biased professors in my college
years, one at SAC and one at CSUF and both were Conservative and
Republican. I am not saying that all Liberal and Democrat professors
are perfect, I am sure there are a few unfairly biased ones out
there. But there are definitely fewer than there are conservative and
Republican biased professors. Because they are in the minority do
some of them feel they must somehow defend themselves by punishing
students who dare to disagree with them?
One example where opposing opinion is squashed(or at least they try
their best to) is Biola University. At that college, every professor
is a Republican, except ONE. And that one has been referred to
as "the most dangerous man at Biola." Why is he so dangerous? Because
he offers a differing point-of-view. Because he focuses on real
Christianity and not the neo Fundamentalist Christianity that is
gripping the country today. I do not find him dangerous but
liberating. Since he is a tenured professor, it is nearly impossible
to fire him although there have been attempts. So I ask the question,
who is trying to squash dissenting opinion? In my experience it is
definitely not the Liberal professors.
On Hannity and Colmes there was a discussion on this. Sean Hannity
asked the question "What if you were forced to send your children to
a school where 90% of the faculty thought like me?" The professor
answered, and I managed to hear the answer over Hannity's attempts to
drown him out with his own ranting, "It did not matter to him, as
long as they taught the class they were required to teach, and taught
the student Plato, Aristotle etc." Exactly, most Liberals could care
less who is teaching their children. Most Liberals do not care who
from what party is on a school board. Most Liberal professors do not
care what ideology the student has, as long as they do their work,
turn it in on time and do well on the tests.
Quote of the Week
"Well-behaved women rarely make history"
- Anonymous
Song of the Week
The song I chose this week goes hand in hand with the editorial and the quote. I felt this was appropriate with the outrage that a woman had the nerve to be so strong-willed in the debate. This recall should force us to look at the old values that are entrenched in our society. It is no longer about Gray Davis, but an attack on the new values of accepting everyone regardless of Race, Religion, National Origin, Ideology, Sexual Orientation, Social Status, and most of all Gender. This is a recall on rights of the populace. We must stand up and say NO and let the Right Wing extremist know togher as Black and White, Jew and Gentile, Legal and Undocumented, Gay and Straight, Man and Woman that we will not be held down any longer. Arnold was right on one point, we are mad and we are not going to take it anymore!
Can't Hold Us Down
By Christina Aguilera
So what am I not supposed to have an opinion
Should I be quiet just because I'm a woman
Call me a bitch cos I speak what's on my mind
Guess it's easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled
When a female fires back
Suddenly the target don't know how to act
So he does what any little boy will do
Making up a few false rumors or two
That for sure is not a man to me
Slanderin' names for popularity
It's sad you only get your fame through controversy
But now it's time for me to come and give you more to say
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
So what do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave them proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
Nobody can hold us down
Nobody can hold us down
Nobody can hold us down
Never can, never will
So what am I not supposed to say what I'm saying
Are you offended by the message I'm bringing
Call me whatever cos your words don't mean a thing
Guess you ain't even a man enough to handle what I sing
If you look back in history
It's a common double standard of society
The guy gets all the glory the more he can score
While the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore
I don't understand why it's okay
The guy can get away with it & the girl gets named
All my ladies come together and make a change
Start a new beginning for us everybody sing
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
What do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
But you're just a little boy
Think you're so cute, so coy
You must talk so big
To make up for small lil' things
So you're just a little boy
All you'll do is annoy
You must talk so big
To make up for small lil' things
This is for my girls...
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
So what do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
So what do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
Spread the word, can't hold us down
Conclusion
Well this ends the third issue of The Real OC. The Real OC will be going on hiatus as I will be moving to Arizona for the next four months to work on the John Kerry campaign. I will be returning to California occassionally and plan to stay in touch with each and every one of you. I will be back in February. Take care.
Claudio W. Gallegos
Welcome back to the Real OC. Sorry that it has been so long since the last one. This issue, I will discuss my thoughts on the "Super Bowl of Debates." It was definitely an interesting debate. I will also have an Only In Orange County, a Quote of the Week and a Song of the Week.
My Thoughts: The Super Bowl of Debates
Since last week, Arnold went around telling the world that the only scripted debate was the "Super Bowl of Debates." He equated all the other debates to a "whimpy Mr. Muscle Beach contest." Lets see, he just insulted the Bay Area and LA Broadcasters Associations, the LA Times, CNN and MSNBC, who are hosting other candidate forums. Funny, isn't the front runner Cruz Bustamante, and isn't he attending all of these forums. For someone who is in second place in the polls he certainly is trying to talk tough.
Now onto the debate, if this was the Super Bowl of debates, then Arnold Schwazenegger was the 2002 Raiders. Never have I seen more scripted answers in a debate. He had little substance, and only said the same lines he has been saying the whole campaign, and not mentioning the specifics. The clear winner of the debate was Arianna Huffington. She tore into Arnold, yet she backed up her accusations with valid facts. When she was listing the ways Bush's policies were hurting California, Arnold's only response was for her to go to New Hampshire and campaign against Bush. Wait a minute, isn't Arnold a member of the same party as Bush, so would it not stand to reason that the policies Arnold wants to implement have already been doing damage in California under George W. Bush.
Cruz Bustamante turned in a somewhat disappointing performance. I think he treated this debate like the past forums where there was more order to the debate. He was not able to fully adapt to the format of this debate, and it showed. He was calm, which works in the more organized format, but here he needed to loosen up more. Also when Arnold and Tom McClintock directed attacks in his direction, Cruz would sit there and do little to defend himself. Arianna even came in to Cruz's defense a couple of times during the debate, bringing up the contradictions in Arnold's and McClintock's attacks. Cruz would have looked so much more better if he had struck back instead of allowing Huffington to speak for him.
Coming in second in the debate was clearly Tom McClintock. He started off weak, be quickly gained steam. He rarely challenged other candidates, instead only answering his question and defending his ideas when other candidates challenged him. I find it funny that Arnold is the only candidate that did not challenge McClintock on his ideas. I am sure that was an order from the puppetmaster Pete Wilson to avoid McClintock as much as possible. The high point for McClintock came at the closing statement. He did an awesome job distinguishing himself from Arnold as the "real Conservative" in the race. Although I agreed with virtually nothing he said, if it was making us Liberals squirm, it was definitely making the Conservatives cheer. McClintock is a good debater, and I think it reflects his solid beliefs and his refusal to break a promise.
It is obvious many Republicans are freaking out over the strong performance of McClintock last night. As I was channel surfing this morning, I stopped on the Fox News Channel AKA the Republican News Agency, and watched in interview with Tom McClintock. It was more of an interrogation. The news anchor was not asking questions, but outright telling McClintock that he should drop out of the race and that he was going to blow it for Arnold. I was in disbelief, this goes against all the rules of Journalism. Again I point out this was not a debate show but the normal news and what was supposed to be a normal news interview.
Back to the debate, my analysis of Camejo was that he did a good job, but sounded like the angry 60's radical at times. He gave some great points, especially on illegal immigration, yet he seemed to eager to "punish the rich." I admit the are not paying their fair share of taxes, but you do not want to come off as being too angry. Again good performance, needs to tone down on the anger a little bit.
Now for more on Arnold. What a joke of a performance, I expected better from him. He spent half his time quoting one liners from movies. But the low point of the debate came when Huffington pointed out how some of the problems Arnold is talking about fixing is the result of his co-chair Pete Wilson. His response was "On October 8th, there will not be a Governor Wilson, there will be only a Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger." This had to be a low point in the debate for him. No one had accused him of being a puppet of Pete Wilson, Huffington was simply pointing out some facts. I think this line proves to everyone who really will be in charge of California is Arnold wins. Personally I think Arnold should be barred from the rest of the debates and Pete Wilson should be required to attend one and face the other candidates.
Now back to Arianna. Talking with other average voters after the debate, many felt she did a great job while they were disappointed with Arnold and Cruz. This may actually help Gray Davis. With people seeing the poor performance by the two candidates most likely to win, there wil be a growing attitude that we should just stick with what we have right now. Arianna and Tom may have just saved Gray Davis from being recalled.
More on Arianna, I noticed a double standard on the way she was treated by the other candidates and even the moderator. She was the only woman in the debate and yet proved to be more strong willed than her male counterparts. The way Arnold would talk to her was so derrogatory, it showed that he still has a chauvanistic attitude from his body building days. The way Arnold would attack Arianna compared to the way he would attack Cruz was vastly different. There was a condesending tone towards her, while more respect was shown for Cruz. Even Camejo was guilty of treating her a little different than he did the other male candidates. Then I read the news reports and some letters to the editor today. In the OC Register, Huffington was portrayed as a "bitch" for daring to speak out the way she did. Why is there a double standard for women? Don't get me wrong, I still support Cruz Bustamante, but show Ms. Huffington the respect she deserves. I think Arnold and many men out there could not stand the fact that a woman did better than the men.
Overall it was an interesting debate. I felt it could have been organized better, they could have had a stronger moderator. The moderator, Stan Statham was weak and could not keep control of the debate. I was hoping for the Super Bowl of debates instead it seemed more like the WWF Smackdown of debates.
Only In Orange County
Only in Orange County is back. This time it is a follow up to an earlier OIOC about Liberals controlling the University system and indoctrinating the children. On a yahoogroups I am on, a couple who lives in Floral Park expressed this concern. Read their message and see what extremists they are. Below it was my respose to them. Enjoy.
I have been following this thread with interest and wondering where
it might lead. It occurs to me that the kind of problems Barry
described with his children's grade-school teachers have a direct
parrallel to the problems older students are dealing with at our
universities...
"Recently, the Center for the Study of Popular Culture conducted a
survey on professors' political views at universities nationwide,
including Penn. The results were astounding. Among those Ivy League
professors surveyed, 64 percent considered themselves either liberal
or somewhat liberal. A mere 6 percent considered themselves
conservative or somewhat conservative. In addition to this, 84
percent voted for Al Gore in 2000, with George W. pulling in just
ahead of Ralph Nader (9 percent for Dubya, 6 percent for Nader). At
Penn, of those affiliated with a particular political party who were
surveyed, 60 were registered Democrats and only five registered as
Republicans...As these statistics make clear, professors at Penn and
throughout the Ivy League are overwhelmingly liberal. This monopoly
on higher education is an extreme impediment to our education."
This article is titled "Leftists Academic Monopoly" and can be read
in its entirety at FrontPageMagazine.com:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=9984
The group "Students For Academic Freedom" have begun a campaign to
promote intellectual diversity as a core value of academic freedom.
From their website, "The Students for Academic Freedom Information
Center is a clearing house and communications center for a national
coalition of student organizations whose goal is to end the political
abuse of the university and to restore integrity to the academic
mission as a disinterested pursuit of knowledge." Their main slogan
is "You can't get a good education if they're only telling you half
the story".
Our elementary school children are getting the same indoctrination.
From the v-e-r-y l-o-n-g report, "Where Did Social Studies Go Wrong?"
published by the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation:
"Evidence kept accumulating that American kids were emerging from K-
12 education and then, alas, from college with ridiculously little
knowledge or understanding of their country's history, their planet's
geography, their government's functioning, or the economy's essential
workings.
"Evidence also accumulated that, in the field of social studies
itself, the lunatics had taken over the asylum. Its leaders were
people who had plenty of grand degrees and impressive titles but who
possessed no respect for Western civilization; who were inclined to
view America's evolution as a problem for humanity rather than
mankind's last, best hope; who pooh-poohed history's chronological
and factual skeleton as somehow privileging elites and white males
over the poor and oppressed; who saw the study of geography in terms
of despoiling the rain forest rather than locating London or the
Mississippi River on a map; who interpreted "civics" as consisting
largely of political activism and "service learning" rather than
understanding how laws are made and why it is important to live in a
society governed by laws; who feared that serious study of economics
might give unfair advantage to capitalism (just as excessive
attention to democracy might lead impressionable youngsters to judge
it a superior way of organizing society); and who, in any case, took
for granted that children were better off learning about their
neighborhoods and "community helpers" than amazing deeds by heroes
and villains in distant times and faraway places."
"...at the very time we most need our citizens and future citizens to
learn what it means to be American and why America is worth
defending, to become more conscious of the world they inhabit and the
conflicts that rock it, to grasp the differences between democracy
and totalitarianism and between free and doctrinaire societies, the
part of the school curriculum on which we must rely for help has
turned into a hindrance. It's not getting the job done. It's
wrongheaded. It may even be making matters worse. Yet we are
entrusting it ever more definitively to the hands of those who
brought it to this sorry state. The keys to Rome are being turned
over to the Goths and the Huns.
That's downright upsetting. And while a small private foundation such
as this one cannot hope to reverse such mighty forces, we can at
least lend a helping hand to those who are willing to take on that
challenge."
As for me and my family, we have completely given up on getting a
decent education through our public schools. I am currently
researching homeschool curriculums. Thank goodness my daughter is
only two years old--I've got plenty of time to figure out what course
to take.
Jill Wood
Fisher Park
Now for my response to these yahoos.
I do believe compulsory education in
government schools is a good system. I thinkn homeschooling, both
Secular and Christian is nothing more than a way for parents to
indoctrinate their children to their beliefs by sheltering them from
differing ideas. I know a couple of people who are involved with the
Democratic Party with me who are VERY Liberal, pretty much off the
scale. They homeschool their children and quite frankly, their
children strike me as wierd. They have little social skills and when
they discuss political issue, they honestly sound like robots.
On the other end, I have some neighbors that homeschool their
daughter in Christian homeschooling. I have read some of their
history textbooks, and never in my life have I read such bias. There
were claims that mistreatment of the Native Americans never took
place, and when it did take place it was cancelled by the fact that
at least the Natives were learning Christianity. It also criticized
Martin Luther King Jr. for allowing the Civil Rights movement to go
to far. It praised Prop 187 and PRO-CHOICE Governor Pete Wilson. It
was nothing more than a mouthpiece for the conservative wing of the
Republican Party. So on both ends I think homeschooling is a terrible
idea, parents on both ends of the spectrum only use it to
indoctrinate their children.
Alright some accusations against Liberal professor's have been made
here. Because they happened to vote for Al Gore, somehow that makes
them unqualified to be a professor. As a recent graduate in Political
Science at CSUF, I was in a major that would probably be affected
most by Liberal Professors. I will admit, all of my professors tended
toward a Liberal point-of-view and were admitted Democrats except for
two. Yet many of the professor's I did not find this out from in
class, but rather in private conversations. Since CSUF is in Orange
county, and since it is a commuter campus there were quite a few
Republican and Conservative students with a Political Science major.
Many would express their views in class, more so than the professors.
The professors would take them up on their challenges and many times
the student was hammered because they simply could not back up their
assertions with valid facts.
There were two classmates of mine who were conservative Republicans
who were very good at backing up their facts. And they were well
respected by the Poli Sci faculty at CSUF, even though their
ideologies clashed. I assume their grades were never lowered by these
liberal professors due to the fact that both were members of the
Political Science Honors Society, which one needs a 3.5 in their
major to join. One was invited to present a paper on violence in
Hollywood movies at a forum being done at CSUF. If there was a
conspiracy among Liberal Professors, why would these two students be
given the time of day.
As mentioned earlier I had two Republican professors while I was at
CSUF. Both were part time. There was only one full time Republican
professor at CSUF while I was there, and she was one of the most
respected professors at CSUF. The so called Liberal ones had nothing
but good things to say about her. In fact one Democratic professor
would do a class with her called Comparative Politics, which gives
students a view of both parties. Onto the two Republican professors
that I had. I had one in my last semester at CSUF, and he was a great
teacher. I enjoyed having him, he taught the class well and did a
great job. I gave him excellent marks on the student evaluation,
becaue overall it had nothing to do with ideology but how well he
taught the class. The other Republican professor I do not have good
things to say. I had this professor in Spring 2001 and never was
there a more biased and unfair teacher. The class was Public Policy
and Policy Making. When it came time to discuss abortion, he made his
anti-choice views known by stifling debate and requiring students to
find only the cons of abortion in the book and then reading them out
loud. I stood my ground and listed the pros. I got a D on the
assignment. On a test, there was a question on the energy crisis, and
I criticized Bush's policies and backed them up. He gave me a D. I
showed this essay to another professor who mentioned is was worthy of
at least a B. As a result I dropped the class to take it with a
professor who would do his of her job and not bring their personal
bias in to the class.
Having mentioned that, I notice that the Conservative wing tends to
be more biased when it comes to these issues. They notice that a
large majority of professors tend to be Democrat and supported Al
Gore in 2000 and seem to think this will affect their performance in
the classroom. I never saw this in all my time at Santa Ana College
or CSUF. I noticed only two unfairly biased professors in my college
years, one at SAC and one at CSUF and both were Conservative and
Republican. I am not saying that all Liberal and Democrat professors
are perfect, I am sure there are a few unfairly biased ones out
there. But there are definitely fewer than there are conservative and
Republican biased professors. Because they are in the minority do
some of them feel they must somehow defend themselves by punishing
students who dare to disagree with them?
One example where opposing opinion is squashed(or at least they try
their best to) is Biola University. At that college, every professor
is a Republican, except ONE. And that one has been referred to
as "the most dangerous man at Biola." Why is he so dangerous? Because
he offers a differing point-of-view. Because he focuses on real
Christianity and not the neo Fundamentalist Christianity that is
gripping the country today. I do not find him dangerous but
liberating. Since he is a tenured professor, it is nearly impossible
to fire him although there have been attempts. So I ask the question,
who is trying to squash dissenting opinion? In my experience it is
definitely not the Liberal professors.
On Hannity and Colmes there was a discussion on this. Sean Hannity
asked the question "What if you were forced to send your children to
a school where 90% of the faculty thought like me?" The professor
answered, and I managed to hear the answer over Hannity's attempts to
drown him out with his own ranting, "It did not matter to him, as
long as they taught the class they were required to teach, and taught
the student Plato, Aristotle etc." Exactly, most Liberals could care
less who is teaching their children. Most Liberals do not care who
from what party is on a school board. Most Liberal professors do not
care what ideology the student has, as long as they do their work,
turn it in on time and do well on the tests.
Quote of the Week
"Well-behaved women rarely make history"
- Anonymous
Song of the Week
The song I chose this week goes hand in hand with the editorial and the quote. I felt this was appropriate with the outrage that a woman had the nerve to be so strong-willed in the debate. This recall should force us to look at the old values that are entrenched in our society. It is no longer about Gray Davis, but an attack on the new values of accepting everyone regardless of Race, Religion, National Origin, Ideology, Sexual Orientation, Social Status, and most of all Gender. This is a recall on rights of the populace. We must stand up and say NO and let the Right Wing extremist know togher as Black and White, Jew and Gentile, Legal and Undocumented, Gay and Straight, Man and Woman that we will not be held down any longer. Arnold was right on one point, we are mad and we are not going to take it anymore!
Can't Hold Us Down
By Christina Aguilera
So what am I not supposed to have an opinion
Should I be quiet just because I'm a woman
Call me a bitch cos I speak what's on my mind
Guess it's easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled
When a female fires back
Suddenly the target don't know how to act
So he does what any little boy will do
Making up a few false rumors or two
That for sure is not a man to me
Slanderin' names for popularity
It's sad you only get your fame through controversy
But now it's time for me to come and give you more to say
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
So what do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave them proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
Nobody can hold us down
Nobody can hold us down
Nobody can hold us down
Never can, never will
So what am I not supposed to say what I'm saying
Are you offended by the message I'm bringing
Call me whatever cos your words don't mean a thing
Guess you ain't even a man enough to handle what I sing
If you look back in history
It's a common double standard of society
The guy gets all the glory the more he can score
While the girl can do the same and yet you call her a whore
I don't understand why it's okay
The guy can get away with it & the girl gets named
All my ladies come together and make a change
Start a new beginning for us everybody sing
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
What do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
But you're just a little boy
Think you're so cute, so coy
You must talk so big
To make up for small lil' things
So you're just a little boy
All you'll do is annoy
You must talk so big
To make up for small lil' things
This is for my girls...
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
So what do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
This is for my girls all around the world
Who've come across a man who don't respect your worth
Thinking all women should be seen, not heard
So what do we do girls?
Shout louder!
Letting them know we're gonna stand our ground
Lift your hands high and wave 'em proud
Take a deep breath and say it loud
Never can, never will, can't hold us down
Spread the word, can't hold us down
Conclusion
Well this ends the third issue of The Real OC. The Real OC will be going on hiatus as I will be moving to Arizona for the next four months to work on the John Kerry campaign. I will be returning to California occassionally and plan to stay in touch with each and every one of you. I will be back in February. Take care.
Claudio W. Gallegos
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
THE REAL OC #2
Welcome to the latest issue of The Real OC. In this issue, will post a couple of editorials, issues that have been on my mind, the Yutz of the Week, Quote of the Week and Song of the Week. Sit back, relax and enjoy The Real OC.
My Thoughts: Gay Republicans
I was watching MSNBC last night and they had someone on from the Log Cabin Republicans which is a Gay Republican group, asking him questions about the recall of Gray Davis. He mentioned he was in support of the recall, mentioning several reasons, which was all the same generic reasons I have heard, bad economy, budget deficit, energy crisis, etc. For some reason I started thinking about the notion of Gay Republican, and suddenly I burst into laughter at the thought of such a notion.
If you look at the record of the Republican Party, one would have to be mystified as to why any open Homosexual would want to be a Republican. Earlier this year, Republican Senator Santorum from Pennsylvania made some very offensive comments towards Gays, saying if sex between gays is legalized, then you should legalize incest, polygamy and child abuse as well. When asked to apologize for the remarks, he responded he does not have a problem with gay people, as long as they don't have relationships with each other. Why the hell would anyone want to join a party where its members have total animosity towards them. In my honest opinion, a Homosexual joining the Republican Party is equivalent to an African-American joining Aryan Nation.
So that leaves the question, "Why would any self respecting gay person want to be a Republican?" I think it is the ultimate form of greed and selfishness. One of the biggest issues for Republicans is cutting taxes, mainly for the upper class. The logic I am getting out of this is "go ahead and insult us, discriminate against us, take money from gay hate groups as long as you give me a tax cut and get me more money." That has to be the height of selfishness and yet another example of why Greed is one of the seven deadly sins.
I got into a debate with a Gay Republican once and I asked him to name one STRAIGHT Republican elected official that has helped the gay community. He could not name one, and proceeded to ask the question back to me about straight Democrats. I began to name several, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton, Antonio Villaraigosa, Gray Davis, Joe Dunn, Martha Escutia, Willie Brown, Kenneth Hahn, etc. The list could go on and on. To make the long story short, I put him to shame.
Another example at the lack of backbone from Gay Republicans. I was active on an issue that was raised in the Santa Ana Unified School District over Sex Education. Of course the Right Wing Christians organized to shove their "Abstinence Education" down everyone's throat. A Gay Republican who led the recall of Nativo Lopez and regular gadfly at the meetings just sat there as people bashed gays in public comments He allowed a supposed ally and friend of his from the Nativo Lopez recall bash gays as immoral. Not once did he fill out a speaker card to defend himself. Yet I stuck my neck out on the line to defend the homophobic comments being said. One would ask, "why would any straight person do that?" Because I feel it is a moral obligation to speak out when one group is being discriminated against. You can call it a Right/ Left issue, I consider it a Right/ Wrong Issue.
In closing I would like to make one more point. AB 205, a bill in the California State Legislature that would legalize gay civil unions(not marriage). It has passed both houses and will soon be on Governor Davis' desk. I would like to point out not a single Republican voted for AB 205, it was carried by Democrats. So again I ask, Why would any gay want to be Republican? I await a logical answer.
My Thoughts:The OC
Some people have been asking why I call this The Real OC. The answer to your question is simple. The name was inspired by the Fox TV show The OC. I watched the first episode and I immediately thought the name should have been The Newport. They did not accurately portray what Orange County is all about. Lets set the record straight.
First, the public defender has a soft spot for this poor delinquent teenager and brings him to live at his home in Newport Beach. The fact that Newport Beach is one of the most Republican cities in the nation, the idea that a person living in Newport Beach having compassion for those less fortunate is comical. They are about as coldhearted as they come. One Councilman even has a problem with Mexicans coming to the beach there. I wonder if Rupert Murdoch will allow an episode that focuses on that kind of discrimination. I doubt he will, he probably cheered Councilman Nichols on.
Next the idea that all the kids are spoiled rich kids. That may be the case in Newport and South OC, but not all of Orange County. I do not recall living in a hilltop home and I do not recall my parents buying me a BMW. I have lived in Orange County since 1982, so I am sure I would have noticed these things by now.
Thats why I called this The Real OC. Because I will post topics that show the diversity of life in Orange County. I am sure the show will not depict the diversity of Central Orange County(Santa Ana) or if they do they will probably show it as some gang infested city where the rich kids go to buy their weed. If Fox does that they will definitely hear from me. So don't believe the pretty lies that Rupert Murdoch wants you to believe on the show The OC. Believe people who live behind the Orange Curtain. The Real OC and Orange Juice are two great perspectives from real people who live in Orange County. And no we do not live in Newport, live in an eight bedroom house, drive BMW's or party with the ladies from Girls Gone Wild.
Yutz of the Week
Well the Archie Bunker's have been quiet this week so this week I am awarding the "Yutz of the Week." The winner of this award is Torrance resident Melannie Guyton for her Letter to the Editor in the Daily Breeze expressing her anger at Madonna kissing Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera onstage at the VMA's. It appears she is concerned that they are sending a message that it is ok for Superstars to french kiss in public. I never knew it was socially unacceptable for superstars to kiss in public. Well unless her kids are going to be Superstars I do not think there is anything to worry about.
Listen lady, just because two people of the same gender kiss on television is not going to drive your kids to be gay. Would she have a problem is Madonna kissed Justin Timberlake on television? It seems she has a problem with gays and is concerned Hollywood is shoving their views down everyone's throats. I can just picture this lady thumping her bible and trying to shove her views down everyone else's throats. I remember she wrote a letter before to the Daily Breeze saying Clinton should have resigned because he lied about the fact that he messed around on his wife, while praising Bush because he lied about weapons of mass destruction.(I wish I could get it online, but it is not longer available) The only difference is which lie actually killed people. Looks like she has a warped sense of morals, two people of the same sex kissing and a President getting a hummer is detrimental to our kids, but a President sending our young men off to war on false pretenses is moral. This has earned her "Yutz of the Week."
Don’t kiss your morals good-bye
I was disgusted to read on Friday about Madonna and Britney Spears making a political statement at the MTV Awards last week by French kissing on stage while millions of young people watched from their homes.
The message being sent from the two music divas of our culture was that two superstar entertainers French kissing in public was acceptable and that it must therefore be OK for our daughters to do the same.
This is why my husband and I do not allow our four children to purchase any kind of music, books or magazines they desire. It’s not just about the music. It’s about an agenda that many in the entertainment industry have. They believe they have the right to influence our children and shove their beliefs down our throats simply because they can act or sing — undermining parental authority because of their arrogance that they know what is better for our children than we do.
We get one chance to raise our children with the morals and values that have made this country strong and the most successful in the world. I will not allow the Madonnas or the Britney Spears of the world steal my children’s virtues or innocence.
—MELANNIE GUYTON
Torrance
Quote of the Week
"To announce that there must be NO criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President Right or Wrong, is not only UNPATRIOTIC and SERVILE, but is Morally TREASONABLE to the American Public."
- Former Republican President, Theodore Roosevelt
Song of the Week
I chose Shoot The Dog by George Michael. Released last year, it caused controversy because the video depicted Prime Minister Tony Blair as Bush's lapdog. Bush and Ashcroft tried to get it banned from the MTV rotation. Here are the lyrics and a message from George Michael afterward explaining the song.
George Michael
SHOOT THE DOG
:
Written, arranged and produced by George Michael.
Released on August 12th, 2002
GTi, Hot Shot,
He parks it there, just to piss me off.
Bullyboy, gonna show ya who's tough,
I'm gonna shoot the dog, I'm gonna shoot the dog
It's party time, everyday
I spent Saturday night on Novocaine
Called the pigs, but nobody came
I'm gonna shoot the dog, I'm gonna shoot the dog...(come on ladies)
Nine nine nine gettin' jiggy
People did you see that fire in the City?
It's like we're fresh out of democratic,
Gotta get yourself a little something semi-automatic yeah...
That's why I'm always gettin' stoned yeah
That's why I'm out there havin' fun again
Good puppy, good puppy
Rolling on over...
Mustapha
Mazeltov,
The Gaza Boys,
All that holy stuff.
I got the feelin' when it all goes off,
They're gonna shoot the dog, they're gonna shoot the dog.
So, Cherie my dear,
Could you leave the way clear for sex tonight?
Tell him
'Tony Tony Tony, I know that your horny, but there's somethin bout that Bush ain't right'
Nine nine nine gettin jiggy,
People did you see that fire in the city?
It's like we're fresh out of democratic
Gotta get yourself a little something semi-automatic yeah...
That's why I'm always gettin' stoned yeah
That's why I'm out there havin' fun again,
Good puppy, good puppy,
Rollin' on over for The Man...
The Ayatollah's gettin' bombed yeah,
See Sergeant Bilko having fun again,
Good puppy, good puppy
Rollin on over for The Man....
I believe, I believe what the old man said
Though I know that there's no lord above
I believe in me, I believe in you
And you know I believe in love
I believe in truth though I lie a lot
I feel the pain from the push and shove
No matter what you put me through
I'll still believe in love
And I say
Cherie Baby, Spliff up
I wanna kick back mama
And watch the world cup with ya baby
Yeah, That's right!
We're getting freeky tonight
Stay with me tonight
Let's have some fun while Tony's stateside
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright
See Tony dancing with Dubya
Don't you wanna know why?
Statement of George Michael to 'Shoot the Dog'
'Firstly, I would like to stress that I am under no illusion that my opinions are of more importance than those of any member of society who may be reading this right now. I am first and foremost a singer/songwriter and lucky sod, and I'm fully aware that people don't really like their pop music and politics mixed these days. Nevertheless, I have strong opinions on Britain's current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being surpressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing.
"Shoot The Dog" is intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little, that's all.
I am truly a patriotic man. I have been lucky enough to travel the world, and I see Britain for what it is, a great and multiracial nation, one that I have never left and never would. And it is my love for my country that gives me the inclination to defend it right now, in any way I can, regardless of the fact that I know I will be attacked by some for doing so.
In the past few days, something very positive has happened, in fact it is the very thing that this song hopes to encourage. Mr. Blair seems to have found the strength to challenge the views of President Bush, for the first time since September 11th. I'm delighted and re-assured by this, and I'm sure that I'm not alone. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not anti-American, how could I be, I have been in love with a Texan for six years and we are still going strong.
My feelings about George W. Bush, however, are a little different. And I know I'm not alone in fearing his politics, and in hoping that our man Tony can be a calming and rational influence on him. But I have a question for you, Mr. Blair. On an issue as enormous as the possible bombing of Iraq, how can you represent us when you haven't asked us what we think. And let's be honest, we haven't even begun to discuss it as a society. So please Tony, much as we've all loved watching the best team we've had in 40 years at the World Cup, and much as we loved the Jubilee, now that we have some downtime, could we have a little chat about Saddam?'
Final Thoughts
Well I hoped you enjoyed this issue of The Real OC. Until next time I will be back with a hard hitting editorial on Proposition 54.
My Thoughts: Gay Republicans
I was watching MSNBC last night and they had someone on from the Log Cabin Republicans which is a Gay Republican group, asking him questions about the recall of Gray Davis. He mentioned he was in support of the recall, mentioning several reasons, which was all the same generic reasons I have heard, bad economy, budget deficit, energy crisis, etc. For some reason I started thinking about the notion of Gay Republican, and suddenly I burst into laughter at the thought of such a notion.
If you look at the record of the Republican Party, one would have to be mystified as to why any open Homosexual would want to be a Republican. Earlier this year, Republican Senator Santorum from Pennsylvania made some very offensive comments towards Gays, saying if sex between gays is legalized, then you should legalize incest, polygamy and child abuse as well. When asked to apologize for the remarks, he responded he does not have a problem with gay people, as long as they don't have relationships with each other. Why the hell would anyone want to join a party where its members have total animosity towards them. In my honest opinion, a Homosexual joining the Republican Party is equivalent to an African-American joining Aryan Nation.
So that leaves the question, "Why would any self respecting gay person want to be a Republican?" I think it is the ultimate form of greed and selfishness. One of the biggest issues for Republicans is cutting taxes, mainly for the upper class. The logic I am getting out of this is "go ahead and insult us, discriminate against us, take money from gay hate groups as long as you give me a tax cut and get me more money." That has to be the height of selfishness and yet another example of why Greed is one of the seven deadly sins.
I got into a debate with a Gay Republican once and I asked him to name one STRAIGHT Republican elected official that has helped the gay community. He could not name one, and proceeded to ask the question back to me about straight Democrats. I began to name several, Bill Clinton, Hilary Clinton, Antonio Villaraigosa, Gray Davis, Joe Dunn, Martha Escutia, Willie Brown, Kenneth Hahn, etc. The list could go on and on. To make the long story short, I put him to shame.
Another example at the lack of backbone from Gay Republicans. I was active on an issue that was raised in the Santa Ana Unified School District over Sex Education. Of course the Right Wing Christians organized to shove their "Abstinence Education" down everyone's throat. A Gay Republican who led the recall of Nativo Lopez and regular gadfly at the meetings just sat there as people bashed gays in public comments He allowed a supposed ally and friend of his from the Nativo Lopez recall bash gays as immoral. Not once did he fill out a speaker card to defend himself. Yet I stuck my neck out on the line to defend the homophobic comments being said. One would ask, "why would any straight person do that?" Because I feel it is a moral obligation to speak out when one group is being discriminated against. You can call it a Right/ Left issue, I consider it a Right/ Wrong Issue.
In closing I would like to make one more point. AB 205, a bill in the California State Legislature that would legalize gay civil unions(not marriage). It has passed both houses and will soon be on Governor Davis' desk. I would like to point out not a single Republican voted for AB 205, it was carried by Democrats. So again I ask, Why would any gay want to be Republican? I await a logical answer.
My Thoughts:The OC
Some people have been asking why I call this The Real OC. The answer to your question is simple. The name was inspired by the Fox TV show The OC. I watched the first episode and I immediately thought the name should have been The Newport. They did not accurately portray what Orange County is all about. Lets set the record straight.
First, the public defender has a soft spot for this poor delinquent teenager and brings him to live at his home in Newport Beach. The fact that Newport Beach is one of the most Republican cities in the nation, the idea that a person living in Newport Beach having compassion for those less fortunate is comical. They are about as coldhearted as they come. One Councilman even has a problem with Mexicans coming to the beach there. I wonder if Rupert Murdoch will allow an episode that focuses on that kind of discrimination. I doubt he will, he probably cheered Councilman Nichols on.
Next the idea that all the kids are spoiled rich kids. That may be the case in Newport and South OC, but not all of Orange County. I do not recall living in a hilltop home and I do not recall my parents buying me a BMW. I have lived in Orange County since 1982, so I am sure I would have noticed these things by now.
Thats why I called this The Real OC. Because I will post topics that show the diversity of life in Orange County. I am sure the show will not depict the diversity of Central Orange County(Santa Ana) or if they do they will probably show it as some gang infested city where the rich kids go to buy their weed. If Fox does that they will definitely hear from me. So don't believe the pretty lies that Rupert Murdoch wants you to believe on the show The OC. Believe people who live behind the Orange Curtain. The Real OC and Orange Juice are two great perspectives from real people who live in Orange County. And no we do not live in Newport, live in an eight bedroom house, drive BMW's or party with the ladies from Girls Gone Wild.
Yutz of the Week
Well the Archie Bunker's have been quiet this week so this week I am awarding the "Yutz of the Week." The winner of this award is Torrance resident Melannie Guyton for her Letter to the Editor in the Daily Breeze expressing her anger at Madonna kissing Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera onstage at the VMA's. It appears she is concerned that they are sending a message that it is ok for Superstars to french kiss in public. I never knew it was socially unacceptable for superstars to kiss in public. Well unless her kids are going to be Superstars I do not think there is anything to worry about.
Listen lady, just because two people of the same gender kiss on television is not going to drive your kids to be gay. Would she have a problem is Madonna kissed Justin Timberlake on television? It seems she has a problem with gays and is concerned Hollywood is shoving their views down everyone's throats. I can just picture this lady thumping her bible and trying to shove her views down everyone else's throats. I remember she wrote a letter before to the Daily Breeze saying Clinton should have resigned because he lied about the fact that he messed around on his wife, while praising Bush because he lied about weapons of mass destruction.(I wish I could get it online, but it is not longer available) The only difference is which lie actually killed people. Looks like she has a warped sense of morals, two people of the same sex kissing and a President getting a hummer is detrimental to our kids, but a President sending our young men off to war on false pretenses is moral. This has earned her "Yutz of the Week."
Don’t kiss your morals good-bye
I was disgusted to read on Friday about Madonna and Britney Spears making a political statement at the MTV Awards last week by French kissing on stage while millions of young people watched from their homes.
The message being sent from the two music divas of our culture was that two superstar entertainers French kissing in public was acceptable and that it must therefore be OK for our daughters to do the same.
This is why my husband and I do not allow our four children to purchase any kind of music, books or magazines they desire. It’s not just about the music. It’s about an agenda that many in the entertainment industry have. They believe they have the right to influence our children and shove their beliefs down our throats simply because they can act or sing — undermining parental authority because of their arrogance that they know what is better for our children than we do.
We get one chance to raise our children with the morals and values that have made this country strong and the most successful in the world. I will not allow the Madonnas or the Britney Spears of the world steal my children’s virtues or innocence.
—MELANNIE GUYTON
Torrance
Quote of the Week
"To announce that there must be NO criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President Right or Wrong, is not only UNPATRIOTIC and SERVILE, but is Morally TREASONABLE to the American Public."
- Former Republican President, Theodore Roosevelt
Song of the Week
I chose Shoot The Dog by George Michael. Released last year, it caused controversy because the video depicted Prime Minister Tony Blair as Bush's lapdog. Bush and Ashcroft tried to get it banned from the MTV rotation. Here are the lyrics and a message from George Michael afterward explaining the song.
George Michael
SHOOT THE DOG
:
Written, arranged and produced by George Michael.
Released on August 12th, 2002
GTi, Hot Shot,
He parks it there, just to piss me off.
Bullyboy, gonna show ya who's tough,
I'm gonna shoot the dog, I'm gonna shoot the dog
It's party time, everyday
I spent Saturday night on Novocaine
Called the pigs, but nobody came
I'm gonna shoot the dog, I'm gonna shoot the dog...(come on ladies)
Nine nine nine gettin' jiggy
People did you see that fire in the City?
It's like we're fresh out of democratic,
Gotta get yourself a little something semi-automatic yeah...
That's why I'm always gettin' stoned yeah
That's why I'm out there havin' fun again
Good puppy, good puppy
Rolling on over...
Mustapha
Mazeltov,
The Gaza Boys,
All that holy stuff.
I got the feelin' when it all goes off,
They're gonna shoot the dog, they're gonna shoot the dog.
So, Cherie my dear,
Could you leave the way clear for sex tonight?
Tell him
'Tony Tony Tony, I know that your horny, but there's somethin bout that Bush ain't right'
Nine nine nine gettin jiggy,
People did you see that fire in the city?
It's like we're fresh out of democratic
Gotta get yourself a little something semi-automatic yeah...
That's why I'm always gettin' stoned yeah
That's why I'm out there havin' fun again,
Good puppy, good puppy,
Rollin' on over for The Man...
The Ayatollah's gettin' bombed yeah,
See Sergeant Bilko having fun again,
Good puppy, good puppy
Rollin on over for The Man....
I believe, I believe what the old man said
Though I know that there's no lord above
I believe in me, I believe in you
And you know I believe in love
I believe in truth though I lie a lot
I feel the pain from the push and shove
No matter what you put me through
I'll still believe in love
And I say
Cherie Baby, Spliff up
I wanna kick back mama
And watch the world cup with ya baby
Yeah, That's right!
We're getting freeky tonight
Stay with me tonight
Let's have some fun while Tony's stateside
It's gonna be alright
It's gonna be alright
See Tony dancing with Dubya
Don't you wanna know why?
Statement of George Michael to 'Shoot the Dog'
'Firstly, I would like to stress that I am under no illusion that my opinions are of more importance than those of any member of society who may be reading this right now. I am first and foremost a singer/songwriter and lucky sod, and I'm fully aware that people don't really like their pop music and politics mixed these days. Nevertheless, I have strong opinions on Britain's current situation and I feel that in a time when public debate is being surpressed, even something as trivial as a pop song can be a good thing.
"Shoot The Dog" is intended as a piece of political satire, no more no less, and I hope that it will make people laugh and dance, and then think a little, that's all.
I am truly a patriotic man. I have been lucky enough to travel the world, and I see Britain for what it is, a great and multiracial nation, one that I have never left and never would. And it is my love for my country that gives me the inclination to defend it right now, in any way I can, regardless of the fact that I know I will be attacked by some for doing so.
In the past few days, something very positive has happened, in fact it is the very thing that this song hopes to encourage. Mr. Blair seems to have found the strength to challenge the views of President Bush, for the first time since September 11th. I'm delighted and re-assured by this, and I'm sure that I'm not alone. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not anti-American, how could I be, I have been in love with a Texan for six years and we are still going strong.
My feelings about George W. Bush, however, are a little different. And I know I'm not alone in fearing his politics, and in hoping that our man Tony can be a calming and rational influence on him. But I have a question for you, Mr. Blair. On an issue as enormous as the possible bombing of Iraq, how can you represent us when you haven't asked us what we think. And let's be honest, we haven't even begun to discuss it as a society. So please Tony, much as we've all loved watching the best team we've had in 40 years at the World Cup, and much as we loved the Jubilee, now that we have some downtime, could we have a little chat about Saddam?'
Final Thoughts
Well I hoped you enjoyed this issue of The Real OC. Until next time I will be back with a hard hitting editorial on Proposition 54.
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
THE REAL OC ISSUE 1
Welcome to the first edition of The Real OC. Inspired from the editorial site Orange Juice by Art Pedroza, I offer a different perspective, a more Liberal perspective to life in Orange County and California. In this issue I will discuss the recall election. I will also be revealing the Archie Bunker of the week, the Only In Orange County of the Week, the Quote of the Week, and Song of the Week.
Stop the Recall:Descent Into Madness
Since my first editorial a lot has taken place in this recall madness. We watched as California descended into a state of madness as candidates joined the race that made our state the laughing stock of the world. We watched as watermelon smasher Gallagher entered the race. We watched as washed up child actor Gary Coleman entered the race. We watched as porn star Mary Carey entered the race. We watched as smut peddler Larry Flynt entered the race. We watched as billboard model Angelyne entered the race. And we watched a Vienese body builder enter the race, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The scary part, the Vienese body builder has a real shot to become our Governor.
This state has always been known for its rather unorthodox trends. Usually those have been pinned on the Liberals of this state. This time the sole responsibility for this madness falls on Darrell Issa and the Conservatives. In their thirst for power, they are attempting to sieze offices they cannot win in a regularly scheduled election. So next time you run into a Conservative, thank them for making this great state the laughing stock of the world.
Now onto the Vienese body builder. I am still waiting for a clear stand on the issues. No one seems to know, and it is showing with the polls that Californians can only stay "star struck" for so long. It is safe to say he will not be in charge of California if he wins. The real Governor of California will be none other than Pete Wilson. From the first weekend after Arnold announced his candidacy it has been clear the Pete Wilson has been the puppetmaster.
Arnold talks about cleaning house, yet he is preparing to let the biggest rat of them all back into the Capital. Pete Wilson is the perfect example of a career politician bought by special interests. This was the Governor who scapegoated an entire ethnicity of people to win re-election. This was the Governor who brought is deregulation which led to the energy crisis. This was the Governor who got rid of the eight hour work day which led to mass exploitation of hard working Californians. I am dedicated to stopping this from happening, from stopping the return of Pete Wilson.
We need to stop these rediculous power grabs. Throughout recent California history, the Republicans have used the recall to sieze power. In 1995, when the Republicans narrowly controlled the State Assembly, they attempted to recall two Democratic Legislators(Mike Machado and Debra Bowen) who had won close elections the previous year. The logic was that since the elections were so close, voters who could not make it to the polls in the previous election deserved a second chance to vote. The voters were not fooled, Debra Bowen's recall attempt failed to make the ballot, while Machado overwhelmingly defeated his enemies. The Republicans underestimated the intelligence of the voters then and we most show that they still underestimate our intelligence now. The Republicans not only underestimate our intelligence, they insult it with this recall.
Spread the word, and show the power hungry fat cats that we will not be fooled, we will not be bamboozled. VOTE NO on the recall and YES for Cruz Bustamante.
Archie Bunker of the Week
The winner of the Archie Bunker of the week is Santa Ana resident Debbie McEwen. She wins the innaugural Archie Bunker of the week with her posts on message boards claiming how Latinos are somehow responsible for all the code enforcement violations. Of course when called out for her racial bias, she plays the victim of being white trash. I can tell you all, I have seen her home, and although her house is kept up nice, her garage, back yard and the rotting suburban make her property look like something out of Cops in Nashville. First is a post by me to set up her racist tirade. Congratulations Debbie McEwen, the first Archie Bunker of the week.
(This was my original post)
If you feel this is the beginning of the end of the United States, welcome to the group of generations of Americans who felt that the next wave of immigration was the "end of the United States as we know it." The United States will continue to endure, our flag will continue to wave proud tomorrow and for many years to come. There will be no "Reconquista", there will be no Latino takeover. Stop trying to resist and try living side by side with everyone. The American way of life is not going away, it is simply evolving. Don't fight it, embrace it.
(This is Archie's I mean Debbie's response)
CW
After reading your last post I am once again shocked and amazed at your
concept of life in Santa Ana, and what those of us who live here should not
only settle for but actually embrace. I would enjoy meeting up with you to discuss
this futher. I'm sure Ray and Julie would join me. Bring some friends along if
you can find anyone else who thinks your way. You need a reality check, it is
so obvious by your posts you haven't a clue what it's all about here.Let's make
a date,I'll drive you around neighborhoods populated by this majority you want us to covet. It should be daytime so you can really appreciate the endless grinding battle that code enforcement fights on a daily basis. You know I could
go on and on but the ball is in your court.
Debbie McEwen
French Park
(Great response to her by a good friend)
I woke up one morning hearing about President Bush, Colin Powell, and Dick Cheney, and the U.S. involved in armed conflict in Iraq, and an old Mariah Carrey song. I thought it was 1991. Instead, it was 2003 with the only flashback being the Mariah Carrey song. As I read the posts on this group today, I hear about "this group" and the horrible things they are doing in Santa Ana, and I hear Elvis on the radio. It's not the 1950's, after all, I am reading this on the
internet via my personal computer, but the posts on this group sure sound like it.
"This group" that you speak of has probably violated many codes that are on the books in the City of Santa Ana. Have you, as their neighbor, ever directly spoken to them about it? Or did you run inside your home and call the City anonymously?
Here is a crazy concept: put yourself in "their" shoes. If you had no access to education, health care, and other basic services for most of your life, and your current main concerns are to survive off of below minimal wages and to protect yourself from the surrounding criminal element, would you care if your fence was 6 inches over the code allowed height?
Someone from French Park is not happy. Did "this group" stuff the ballot box in French Court? Of course not, they did not have the opportunity to. For every code violation you find against "this group", I'll bet somebody can find something similar on a residence of a "native" Santa Ana resident. Please take into consideration the numbers from "this group" versus the "natives", so allow for a
reasonable handicap.
So, what is the problem? If your biggest issue is code violations from "this group", then be thankful. At least you don't have the same issues to worry about as many from "this group" have to. And to think they actually wash your dishes, mow your lawns, and keep many of the fruits and vegetables you eat at a reasonable rate.
There are some "native" Santa Ana residents who were not denied the opportunity to education, but for some awful reason, they sure act like it. In case you might wake up and think it's an era that thankfully is long gone, let me remind you, it is 2003, not 1953.
(This is her response, Like Archie whining about how "hard" she has to work)
After reading ? congrats to ? for slamming me I just couldn't resist. I know my friends will think I'm nuts for bothering to explain my situation, especially after Jon Gotholds wonderful post describing the REAL people of French Park but I'm going to clarify a few things with folks like Phil who think all of us here in French Park somehow live the perfect life.
I'm a horse trainer/riding instructor
I'm self employed sole propriator ,if something happens to me NO WORK NO MONEY
Depending on the season I work 40, 50 , 60 hour weeks/ Pay stays the same
I work outside ,all seasons no air conditioning no heater
I pay $465.00 a month for my individual health insurance
I make payments on a big beautiful house because the divorce court granted it
to me
I mow my own lawns
I clean my own house
I wash my own truck
Twice a year I crawl on the third story roof and clean the gutters etc etc etc I think Phil, and the rest of you get my point I work as hard as any day
laborer and I'm damned sick and tired of you people trying to make me feel guilty or sorry for those poor folks having to do strenous tasks for minimum wage. THAT'S
MY LIFE TOO
Debbie McEwen
French Park
(I should have her say it in person with a violinist in the backgroud. Well congrats again to Debbie, Archie Bunker of the week.)
Only In Orange County
Well it is a short one this week. A letter to the editor in the OC Register in which this ultraconservative whines about Peter Ueberroth saying kind words about Senator Feinstein. God forbid a Republican give a Democrat a compliment. He should burn in the dephths of hell for this. This is just the type of narrowmindedness we confront everday in THE REAL OC. Enjoy the letter.
Peter Ueberroth says that Sen. Dianne Feinstein is "the best senator I've known" ["Ueberroth takes the middle ground," Aug. 23]. I was considering him for governor, but I'm now going to vote for McClintock.
Pat Flynn Jr.
Yorba Linda
Quote of the Week
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Song of the Week
You Haven't Done Nothing by Stevie Wonder
(Oringinally dedicated to Richard Nixon, but appropriate for another Republican President)
We are amazed but not amused
By all the things you say that you'll do
Though much concerned but not involved
With decisions that are made by you
But we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
"You haven't done nothing"!
It's not too cool to be ridiculed
But you brought this upon yourself
The world is tired of pacifiers
We want the truth and nothing else
And we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
"You haven't done nothing"!
Jackson 5 join along with me say
Doo doo wop - hey hey hey
Doo doo wop - wow wow wow
Doo doo wop - co co co
Doo doo wop - naw naw naw
Doo doo wop - bum bum bum
Doo doo wop
We would not care to wake up to the nightmare
That's becoming real life
But when mislead who knows a person's mind
Can turn as cold as ice un hum
Why do you keep on making us hear your song
Telling us how you are changing right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
"You haven't done nothing"!
Yeah
Welcome to the first edition of The Real OC. Inspired from the editorial site Orange Juice by Art Pedroza, I offer a different perspective, a more Liberal perspective to life in Orange County and California. In this issue I will discuss the recall election. I will also be revealing the Archie Bunker of the week, the Only In Orange County of the Week, the Quote of the Week, and Song of the Week.
Stop the Recall:Descent Into Madness
Since my first editorial a lot has taken place in this recall madness. We watched as California descended into a state of madness as candidates joined the race that made our state the laughing stock of the world. We watched as watermelon smasher Gallagher entered the race. We watched as washed up child actor Gary Coleman entered the race. We watched as porn star Mary Carey entered the race. We watched as smut peddler Larry Flynt entered the race. We watched as billboard model Angelyne entered the race. And we watched a Vienese body builder enter the race, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The scary part, the Vienese body builder has a real shot to become our Governor.
This state has always been known for its rather unorthodox trends. Usually those have been pinned on the Liberals of this state. This time the sole responsibility for this madness falls on Darrell Issa and the Conservatives. In their thirst for power, they are attempting to sieze offices they cannot win in a regularly scheduled election. So next time you run into a Conservative, thank them for making this great state the laughing stock of the world.
Now onto the Vienese body builder. I am still waiting for a clear stand on the issues. No one seems to know, and it is showing with the polls that Californians can only stay "star struck" for so long. It is safe to say he will not be in charge of California if he wins. The real Governor of California will be none other than Pete Wilson. From the first weekend after Arnold announced his candidacy it has been clear the Pete Wilson has been the puppetmaster.
Arnold talks about cleaning house, yet he is preparing to let the biggest rat of them all back into the Capital. Pete Wilson is the perfect example of a career politician bought by special interests. This was the Governor who scapegoated an entire ethnicity of people to win re-election. This was the Governor who brought is deregulation which led to the energy crisis. This was the Governor who got rid of the eight hour work day which led to mass exploitation of hard working Californians. I am dedicated to stopping this from happening, from stopping the return of Pete Wilson.
We need to stop these rediculous power grabs. Throughout recent California history, the Republicans have used the recall to sieze power. In 1995, when the Republicans narrowly controlled the State Assembly, they attempted to recall two Democratic Legislators(Mike Machado and Debra Bowen) who had won close elections the previous year. The logic was that since the elections were so close, voters who could not make it to the polls in the previous election deserved a second chance to vote. The voters were not fooled, Debra Bowen's recall attempt failed to make the ballot, while Machado overwhelmingly defeated his enemies. The Republicans underestimated the intelligence of the voters then and we most show that they still underestimate our intelligence now. The Republicans not only underestimate our intelligence, they insult it with this recall.
Spread the word, and show the power hungry fat cats that we will not be fooled, we will not be bamboozled. VOTE NO on the recall and YES for Cruz Bustamante.
Archie Bunker of the Week
The winner of the Archie Bunker of the week is Santa Ana resident Debbie McEwen. She wins the innaugural Archie Bunker of the week with her posts on message boards claiming how Latinos are somehow responsible for all the code enforcement violations. Of course when called out for her racial bias, she plays the victim of being white trash. I can tell you all, I have seen her home, and although her house is kept up nice, her garage, back yard and the rotting suburban make her property look like something out of Cops in Nashville. First is a post by me to set up her racist tirade. Congratulations Debbie McEwen, the first Archie Bunker of the week.
(This was my original post)
If you feel this is the beginning of the end of the United States, welcome to the group of generations of Americans who felt that the next wave of immigration was the "end of the United States as we know it." The United States will continue to endure, our flag will continue to wave proud tomorrow and for many years to come. There will be no "Reconquista", there will be no Latino takeover. Stop trying to resist and try living side by side with everyone. The American way of life is not going away, it is simply evolving. Don't fight it, embrace it.
(This is Archie's I mean Debbie's response)
CW
After reading your last post I am once again shocked and amazed at your
concept of life in Santa Ana, and what those of us who live here should not
only settle for but actually embrace. I would enjoy meeting up with you to discuss
this futher. I'm sure Ray and Julie would join me. Bring some friends along if
you can find anyone else who thinks your way. You need a reality check, it is
so obvious by your posts you haven't a clue what it's all about here.Let's make
a date,I'll drive you around neighborhoods populated by this majority you want us to covet. It should be daytime so you can really appreciate the endless grinding battle that code enforcement fights on a daily basis. You know I could
go on and on but the ball is in your court.
Debbie McEwen
French Park
(Great response to her by a good friend)
I woke up one morning hearing about President Bush, Colin Powell, and Dick Cheney, and the U.S. involved in armed conflict in Iraq, and an old Mariah Carrey song. I thought it was 1991. Instead, it was 2003 with the only flashback being the Mariah Carrey song. As I read the posts on this group today, I hear about "this group" and the horrible things they are doing in Santa Ana, and I hear Elvis on the radio. It's not the 1950's, after all, I am reading this on the
internet via my personal computer, but the posts on this group sure sound like it.
"This group" that you speak of has probably violated many codes that are on the books in the City of Santa Ana. Have you, as their neighbor, ever directly spoken to them about it? Or did you run inside your home and call the City anonymously?
Here is a crazy concept: put yourself in "their" shoes. If you had no access to education, health care, and other basic services for most of your life, and your current main concerns are to survive off of below minimal wages and to protect yourself from the surrounding criminal element, would you care if your fence was 6 inches over the code allowed height?
Someone from French Park is not happy. Did "this group" stuff the ballot box in French Court? Of course not, they did not have the opportunity to. For every code violation you find against "this group", I'll bet somebody can find something similar on a residence of a "native" Santa Ana resident. Please take into consideration the numbers from "this group" versus the "natives", so allow for a
reasonable handicap.
So, what is the problem? If your biggest issue is code violations from "this group", then be thankful. At least you don't have the same issues to worry about as many from "this group" have to. And to think they actually wash your dishes, mow your lawns, and keep many of the fruits and vegetables you eat at a reasonable rate.
There are some "native" Santa Ana residents who were not denied the opportunity to education, but for some awful reason, they sure act like it. In case you might wake up and think it's an era that thankfully is long gone, let me remind you, it is 2003, not 1953.
(This is her response, Like Archie whining about how "hard" she has to work)
After reading ? congrats to ? for slamming me I just couldn't resist. I know my friends will think I'm nuts for bothering to explain my situation, especially after Jon Gotholds wonderful post describing the REAL people of French Park but I'm going to clarify a few things with folks like Phil who think all of us here in French Park somehow live the perfect life.
I'm a horse trainer/riding instructor
I'm self employed sole propriator ,if something happens to me NO WORK NO MONEY
Depending on the season I work 40, 50 , 60 hour weeks/ Pay stays the same
I work outside ,all seasons no air conditioning no heater
I pay $465.00 a month for my individual health insurance
I make payments on a big beautiful house because the divorce court granted it
to me
I mow my own lawns
I clean my own house
I wash my own truck
Twice a year I crawl on the third story roof and clean the gutters etc etc etc I think Phil, and the rest of you get my point I work as hard as any day
laborer and I'm damned sick and tired of you people trying to make me feel guilty or sorry for those poor folks having to do strenous tasks for minimum wage. THAT'S
MY LIFE TOO
Debbie McEwen
French Park
(I should have her say it in person with a violinist in the backgroud. Well congrats again to Debbie, Archie Bunker of the week.)
Only In Orange County
Well it is a short one this week. A letter to the editor in the OC Register in which this ultraconservative whines about Peter Ueberroth saying kind words about Senator Feinstein. God forbid a Republican give a Democrat a compliment. He should burn in the dephths of hell for this. This is just the type of narrowmindedness we confront everday in THE REAL OC. Enjoy the letter.
Peter Ueberroth says that Sen. Dianne Feinstein is "the best senator I've known" ["Ueberroth takes the middle ground," Aug. 23]. I was considering him for governor, but I'm now going to vote for McClintock.
Pat Flynn Jr.
Yorba Linda
Quote of the Week
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Song of the Week
You Haven't Done Nothing by Stevie Wonder
(Oringinally dedicated to Richard Nixon, but appropriate for another Republican President)
We are amazed but not amused
By all the things you say that you'll do
Though much concerned but not involved
With decisions that are made by you
But we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
"You haven't done nothing"!
It's not too cool to be ridiculed
But you brought this upon yourself
The world is tired of pacifiers
We want the truth and nothing else
And we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
"You haven't done nothing"!
Jackson 5 join along with me say
Doo doo wop - hey hey hey
Doo doo wop - wow wow wow
Doo doo wop - co co co
Doo doo wop - naw naw naw
Doo doo wop - bum bum bum
Doo doo wop
We would not care to wake up to the nightmare
That's becoming real life
But when mislead who knows a person's mind
Can turn as cold as ice un hum
Why do you keep on making us hear your song
Telling us how you are changing right from wrong
'Cause if you really want to hear our views
"You haven't done nothing"!
Yeah
