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Raising an Issue: Californian Independence
It's a small movement today - only one website is devoted to it, and few really care about the subject. California's economy could quite possibly be the seventh largest in the world, with effective agriculture, wine production, gold, and many other recources (including marijuana, but that doesn't count, really). We have the country's largest population, and a system of direct democracy.
Problem is, we have to deal with the federal government. Our taxes go to them, and they spend very little of it on us (something I forgot to mention in the blog I'm linking to). I urge Californians to get informed on the issue, especially with the Bush administration, and quite possibly, a "McCain administration," that will further bring us all down.
Also, don't forget the dollar is worth 41% less than it was before Bush. It's a small movement today - only one website is devoted to it, and few really care about the subject. California's economy could qu... more -
Five Judicial Myths !!!
Despite what we hear today . . .
1. THE JUDICIARY IS NOT A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT
The legislative authority elected by the people necessarily predominates.
2. THE JUDICIARY IS NOT TO BE AN INDEPENDENT BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT
If the judges are made independent they will become a dangerous body.
3. THE JUDICIARY IS NOT THE SOLE BRANCH CAPABLE OF DETERMINING CONSTITUTIONALITY
The judges must interpret the laws; they ought not to be legislators.
4. FEDERAL JUDGES DO NOT HOLD LIFETIME APPOINTMENTS .
Federal judges may be removed by Congress for misbehavior
5. THE PURPOSE OF THE SUPREME COURT IS NOT TO PROTECT THE MINORITY FROM THE MAJORITY, AND CONGRESS IS A BETTER PROTECTOR OF MINORITY RIGHTS THAN IS THE JUDICIARY.
Congress is a better guardian of the people and the minority than are the courts who extended slavery in America for 70 years
Despite what we hear today . . . 1. THE JUDICIARY IS NOT A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT ... more -
As Cali burns, some refuse to evacuate
Piles of charred rubble smoldered near California's scenic coastal highway Thursday as a ferocious wildfire descended on the storied tourist town of Big Sur, destroying vacation homes and sending forest creatures running toward the sea for cover.
The stubborn blaze, which has burned more than 100 square miles in the Los Padres National Forest, was just one of hundreds raging around the state. And officials on Thursday reported California's first firefighter death this year — a volunteer who collapsed on the fire line in Mendocino County.
So much forest has burned near Big Sur that animals have been forced out of their habitat and onto the roads. Buzzards flew overhead to snatch up dead rodents and squirrels, and residents reported seeing bear, deer and other big animals migrating toward the Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile, crews near the Pacific Coast Highway fought back flames from homes and historic landmarks, including the upscale Ventana Inn, which was surrounded by crackling, burning brush.
Several homes perched on a ridge about a quarter-mile from the cliffside inn fell victim to the fire the night before.
At least 20 homes have been destroyed in the area since the blaze broke out June 21, up from 17 homes counted Wednesday. The fire was only 5 percent contained by Thursday evening.
Many Big Sur residents followed mandatory evacuation orders issued this week, but some chose to defy the orders, staying behind to try to save their homes and businesses.
Kirk Gafill, general manager of Nepenthe, said he and five employees were up all night trying to protect the cliffside restaurant his grandparents built in 1949. Wearing dust masks, the crew scrambled to stamp out embers, some the size of dinner plates, that were dropping from the sky, he said.
"We know fire officials don't have the manpower to secure our properties," Gafill said. "There are a lot of people in this community not following evacuation orders. Based on what we saw during Katrina and other disasters, we know we can only rely on ourselves and our neighbors."
Greg Ambrosio, who lives next to Nepenthe, signed a waiver Wednesday night to stay in his house. But his plans to stay were disrupted when he was awoken by a neighbor in the middle of the night who warned of the approaching inferno.
"Then there's a knock on the door, and we go outside and the fire had just expanded. It was Armageddon," he said. "Just yellow smoke and ash mixed with fire. It was just raining down."
Ambrosio said he and his wife grabbed their cat and drove to a relative's house for the night.
A total of 367 wildfires are burning in the state, most ignited by lightning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, and the U.S. Forest Service. That figure is down from a peak of roughly 1,500 fires just a few days ago.
In all, the wildfires have scorched more than 790 square miles and destroyed at least 65 structures across northern and central California since June 20, according to Cal Fire.
With firefighting resources stretched thin early in the fire season, counties have been recruiting volunteer firefighters to help with smaller blazes.
On Thursday, volunteer firefighter Robert Roland, 63, died in a Mendocino County hospital after collapsing a day earlier while battling lightning-sparked blazes in the area, north of the San Francisco Bay region. It was the first reported death of a firefighter this season, and the governor ordered flags at the Capitol to fly at half-staff. Piles of charred rubble smoldered near California's scenic coastal highway Thursday as a ferocious wildfire descended on the storied t... more -
Feds say California's fires aren't a disaster
The numbers are staggering - 1,400 wildfires burning around the state. Over 70 homes destroyed and 7,800 under threat. President Bush has declared the fires a federal emergency and released $50 million in federal aid, announced by FEMA administrator David Paulison - surely a sign that the feds are fully engaged in the fire aid effort, right?
Not so fast. There is a difference between an "emergency," which frees up something like the $50 million in firefighting funds, and a "federal disaster" declaration, which frees up the full range of FEMA assistance to fire victims, including relocation shelters and financial assistance.
According to the Monterey Herald the federal government has refused to declare the California fires a disaster:
“But assistance from FEMA for fire victims has not been approved because the fires have not been declared a federal disaster.
“Paulison said a preliminary damage evaluation will be done to determine if more declarations are needed.
“Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, said he was told it does not appear California's wildfires qualify as a federal disaster because the level of destruction has not been great enough.”
It's conservative government in action - the stingy nature of FEMA assistance that was revealed to the world during Hurricane Katrina continues to dominate the Bush Administration's approach to disaster relief. As a Daily Kos diarist has explained FEMA is screwing around with Midwest flood disaster relief and of course, FEMA's initial reaction to last fall's fires here in California was to host a news conference where its employees posed as actual reporters and lobbed softball questions at FEMA administrators.
Read the full article By Robert Cruickshank
California Progress Report
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/07/feds_sa... The numbers are staggering - 1,400 wildfires burning around the state. Over 70 homes destroyed and 7,800 under threat. President Bush ... more -
Healthy San Francisco still working out kinks
It's been a year since San Francisco initiated its Healthy San Francisco program, which aims at providing universal health care to its residents. There are still some problems to be solved regarding it (an actual timeline, who to induct into the program first, etc.), but the whole concept of a single city taking on a project such as this is remarkable. Do you think other cities should be taking this kind of initiative, or be waiting until the federal government goes for it? It's been a year since San Francisco initiated its Healthy San Francisco program, which aims at providing universal health care to its... more
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Microsoft balk in talks with Yahoo; this time for search
NEW YORK - Yahoo Inc. shares rose more than 5 percent Wednesday as The Wall Street Journal reported Microsoft Corp. has talked to other media companies about teaming up to buy Yahoo's search business.
The paper reported Microsoft has spoken to News Corp., Time Warner Inc. and others about a way to complete the proposed deal, which the software maker has been exploring since withdrawing a $47.5 billion bid to buy Yahoo in its entirety in May.
Microsoft had previously proposed buying Yahoo's search operations for $1 billion and investing an additional $8 billion for a 16 percent stake in Yahoo's remaining business.
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo rejected that offer, too, and instead forged an advertising partnership with Google Inc., whose rapid growth prompted Microsoft's bid for Yahoo in the first place
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Interesting this comes when they are already pushing to use Google's Ad sense. Wonder who they will piece out the mail portion to, hotmail?! NEW YORK - Yahoo Inc. shares rose more than 5 percent Wednesday as The Wall Street Journal reported Microsoft Corp. has talked to othe... more -
chimp on the loose in California forest
A 42-year-old chimpanzee who is toilet-trained and can eat with a knife and fork is believed to be at large in a Southern California forest after escaping his cage.
The chimp, named Moe, disappeared Friday from Jungle Exotics, which trains animals for the entertainment industry.
He wandered into a house next door, surprising construction workers, who saw him head for a nearby mountain.
A weekend search in the San Bernardino National Forest 50 miles east of Los Angeles came up empty.
"I yelled his name out for hours, for hours, with no one else around. Nothing. Not even a hoot," said LaDonna Davis, who owns Moe with husband St. James Davis.
The Davises, who raised Moe in suburban West Covina for more than three decades, contracted a helicopter to fly over the forest Saturday and Sunday, hoping the noise would flush Moe out of hiding, said Mike McCasland, who's serving as the couple's spokesman. "That's the one thing that does spook him," he said.
"We think he may be hunkered down near a water source," said McCasland. "We think he's in a contained area a quarter-mile away, but he's probably disoriented, and the brush is extremely heavy." A 42-year-old chimpanzee who is toilet-trained and can eat with a knife and fork is believed to be at large in a Southern California f... more -
Obama opposes California same-sex marriage ban
This is good news. Obama has spent the last few weeks moving to the center. It's nice to see him making a strong statement on this. From the San Francisco Chronicle:
Democratic Sen. Barack Obama has announced his opposition to a November ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in California, a move that puts gay rights front and center in the 2008 presidential campaign.
In a letter to San Francisco's Alice B. Toklas Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Democratic Club Sunday, the presumptive presidential nominee said he opposed "the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution" and similar efforts in other states.
"It's great to see Senator Obama's statement, which is consistent with what he has said in the past about allowing each state to make its own decision," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality for All, which is heading the Prop. 8 opposition. "Is it ideal that he doesn't support same-sex marriage? No. But it's important when political leaders say gay and lesbian couples should be treated equally."
Earlier last week, Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, the GOP standard-bearer in November, took the other side. He told officials of Protect Marriage, a coalition that gathered 1.1 million signatures for the California measure, that he backed their efforts "to recognize marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman." This is good news. Obama has spent the last few weeks moving to the center. It's nice to see him making a strong statement on this. Fr... more -
Commuters ditching cars for bikes, foot power
Considering that SF is 7x7, I never take for granted how close it is to get everywhere, even if it means showing off my super calves (ahem-) after those lovely hills. Happy biking to all! Although MUNI is okay in the city in comparison to other big metropolitan areas (soCal), once you get in the habit of riding and street route savvy, there is no comparison with the bus/metro system.
* * Share your commute distance, walking, daily riding, or weekend rides. (Mine is a daily pedaling session of approx. 8.5mi. round trip)**
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"You get a completely different impression of San Francisco on a bike," he said, "It's one of the best biking cities. There is nowhere you can't get to on a bike."
- -click on link for full article- -
In May, Blake Altshuler, 29, got rid of his car and joined the growing numbers of people who ride their bicycles to work. Mainly, he said, it was because of rising gas prices. His friend Dolly Totes, 25, who has been commuting by bike since she sold her car two years ago, said, "I couldn't afford it. I needed to pay my rent." It was partly gas and insurance, she said, but also all the parking tickets she kept amassing.
If you are already biking or walking to work - or are contemplating doing so - you aren't alone. According to a 2007 analysis by the U.S. Census Bureau, among large cities, San Francisco has the fifth-highest number of bike commuters and the third-highest number of people who walk to work. Also telling is that there were twice as many bikes as cars on Market Street during the morning commute on Bike to Work Day in June, a nearly 30 percent increase over last year, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
Cheryl Brinkman also became an almost daily bike commuter in the past year. She lives in the lower Haight and commutes 2 miles to her job as a product manager at McKesson Corp., in the Financial District. About her wardrobe, Brinkman said, "I've altered it for the better and only one thing that I don't wear now that I bike so much is long full skirts."
Helmet hair
On the days she rides her bike, Brinkman tucks her skirt into a band of elastic that she wraps around one thigh, a homemade garter belt solution, as it were. And, she said, "I always have a small binder clip in my handbag, as well, to keep wrap skirts or dresses closed while pedaling."
She brings her purse but eschews wearing a helmet - not because she fears having dreaded "helmet hair" upon arriving at her destination, but because she believes it gives her an advantage on the road.
Those who bicycle say they get benefits beyond just buffeting their budgets from gasoline prices.
"It's the fastest way to get to work. Compared to Muni, it takes half the time," said Tumlin. "I bike because I can change my route and stop off and run errands and see people along the way. It is great exercise and I find a significant difference in my productivity when I bike to work. I am smarter when I bike. I'm more patient when I bike."
"You get a completely different impression of San Francisco on a bike," he said, "It's one of the best biking cities. There is nowhere you can't get to on a bike." Considering that SF is 7x7, I never take for granted how close it is to get everywhere, even if it means showing off my super calves (... more -
Cali On Fire
The fires in Northern California continue to burn, leaving many officials and citizens searching for answers. Hear Gov. Schwarzenegger's and Secretary Kempthorne's take on the situation in this pod. The fires in Northern California continue to burn, leaving many officials and citizens searching for answers. Hear Gov. Schwarzenegger... more
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The Chemosphere, a masterpiece of California Modernism.
“Part Jetsons, part Bond” - Lautner's Chemosphere gets listed as high-impact architecture in the L.A times
A brief history - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemosphere
“Part Jetsons, part Bond” - Lautner's Chemosphere gets listed as high-impact architecture in the L.A times ... more -
California to legalize weed for everyone
There is an initiative in the works that could end up on the November ballot that allows for marijuana to be sold to anyone, and anywhere that already sells alcohol. Its being called The Inalienable Rights Enforcement Initiative. From the full text of the measure:
This initiative will amend the Constitution of California to defend and safeguard the inalienable rights of the People against infringement by governments and corporations, providing for the lawful growth, sale, and possession of marijuana. Marijuana will be taxed through a system of stamps and licenses--a $5 stamp will be required for the sale of an eighth ounce of marijuana and a $50 annual license will be required for the growth of one marijuana plant. To protect participants and encourage participation in the system, such licenses and stamps will be available anonymously in stores where marijuana is sold. There is an initiative in the works that could end up on the November ballot that allows for marijuana to be sold to anyone, and anywh... more -
Which Gender Is Not Important ?
The battle to redefine marriage is essentially one that has as its ultimate outcome the belittling of gender.
In other words, in California, the Supreme Court has effectively said that at least one of the genders does not matter in a marriage. The question that must then be asked of the opponents of marriage must be, "Which one?"
Which gender is not important? Is the female gender in a marriage more important than the male? In matters of public accommodation, is the male gender to be given more privacy and protection over the female? To the children that will be affected by the decisions of judges and governors, will the opponents of marriage kindly identify whether a mother or father is more important?
Ultimately, the redefinition of marriage strikes at every single person, if for no other reason than they must answer that simple question, "Does gender matter?" Those who support marriage do so because they answer that question with a resounding, "YES!"
Men have something to contribute that, biologically and otherwise, women do not. Women are blessed with that certain something that cannot be described that men are not given. Those gender differences are vital in the development of our marriages, our children, families, and societies - and have been throughout time.
Government should not impose policies that knowingly deprive children of a Mom or Dad. When kids grow up in homes without their married mom and dad, they are more likely to drop out of school, abuse alcohol, do drugs, and lead lives of increased crime. Mom and Dad matter.
The next time someone tries to convince you that marriage should be redefined in the name of "tolerance," with love and grace, ask them, "Which gender does not matter?"
The battle to redefine marriage is essentially one that has as its ultimate outcome the belittling of gender. ... more -
Photos of the 2008 San Francisco Gay Pride Parade
The annual Gay Pride Parade was held in San Francisco, CA on Sunday, June 29, 2008. Check out the photos of this colorful event.
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Photos by American Photographer Sage Paisner - Oppression/Tradition Portraits
Young American Photographer Sage Paisner portrays the experience of the Oppression Tradition in black and white portraits and directorial self-portraits.
Paisner is a Photography Grad Student at CalArts and a 2006 graduate of the University of New Mexico, B.F.A., summa cum laude in Photography.
Artist statement
"My work stems from tradition and is inspired by historical and contemporary events addressing literal or metaphysical confinement. The oppressed are fearful. Terror stems from the thought of oppression or actual physical captivity. Minorities are oppressed and controlled. My Jewish, French Canadian Indian, history is filled with subjugation. During my early childhood, I lived on a Navajo reservation where my family practiced Judaism and Native religion. My father represented the Navajo Relocatees, helping them to obtain land and homes. For me, these experiences were seminal influences.
My ideas are rooted in the Holocaust, the Inquisition, the European Conquest of America and other countries in which Jews and Native people were persecuted. Fear of capture, persecution and torture forced them to hide or live in small secret places. In these confined places, religious practice, ritual, and the fight to preserve traditions continued. This body of work combines photography and sculpture to express the idea of confinement including contemporary events such as the conflict in Israel, Abu-Graib and Guantanamo Bay. These horrific events of the past and present are connected to my childhood and families history and evoke strong emotions. I am overwhelmed, and frustrated by the state of oppression. I am trapped. I hope there is some way out."
Sage Paisner
www.myspace.com/burningsagepress
sagepaisner@aol.com
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From TouchArt.net and OneEarthBlog.blogspot.com Young American Photographer Sage Paisner portrays the experience of the Oppression Tradition in black and white portraits and director... more -
Do you smell something burning?
SAN FRANCISCO – Another day of smoke-filled skies is prompting air quality officials to extend a health advisory for the Bay Area.
Officials with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District say because of smoke from wildfires burning in the region, the air throughout much of the nine counties in the Bay Area region is expected to reach unhealthy levels again Friday.
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This sucks for anyone who likes to be outside or breathe fresh air. SAN FRANCISCO – Another day of smoke-filled skies is prompting air quality officials to extend a health advisory for the Bay Area. ... more -
Wildfires' smoke, ash chokes Northern Californians
Hundreds of lightning-sparked wildfires have turned the air of Northern California into an unhealthy stew of smoke and ash, forcing the cancellation of athletic events and other outdoor activities.
Health advisories urging residents to stay indoors to limit exposure to the smokey air were issued Saturday from Bakersfield north to Redding, a distance of nearly 450 miles.
Air pollution readings in the region are two to 10 times the federal standard for clean air, Dimitri Stanich, spokesman for the California Air Resources Board, said Saturday.
Some areas are experiencing the worst air quality on record, with the smoke hanging down to the ground like a fog.
Air quality agencies are especially concerned about high readings of small-particle pollution. The tiniest particles can penetrate past the body's immune defenses, traveling deep into the lungs and the bloodstream.
Hundreds of lightning-sparked wildfires have turned the air of Northern California into an unhealthy stew of smoke and ash, forcing th... more -
satellite animation of pacific coast: from fires to meltwater
animation including the fires in northern california, meltwater along the nw coast (and possibly a phytoplankton bloom?), the puget sound and vancouver, bc.
Images courtesy MODIS Rapid Response Project at NASA/GSFC.
see the hi-res, un-stretched version here:
http://www.scothampton.com/2008/06/28/west-coast-satell... animation including the fires in northern california, meltwater along the nw coast (and possibly a phytoplankton bloom?), the puget so... more -
Californians are climate trendsetters
More current news on sustainable energy science and policy from TouchArt's friend Bill Brown up in Taos at New Mexico Global Warming and The Climate Change Project.
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Greetings, All -- The article below describes poll results recognizing California's policy innovations and citizen's attitudes about fighting atmospheric pollution and climate change.
The poll "...shows broad public understanding that fixing climate change goes hand in hand with energy stability and economic prosperity."
"Californians understand that clean energy combined with energy efficiency measures, which the state has pioneered for decades, mean their total energy bill will go down..."
Note the reference to California Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act.
According to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ab-32], "The Bill (AB 32), authored by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Member Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), was agreed between Schwarzenegger and Democratic legislators on August 30, 2006. It requires that by 2020 the state's greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels, a roughly 25% reduction under business as usual estimates. The California Air Resources Board, under the California Environmental Protection Agency, is to prepare plans to achieve the objectives stated in the Act."
-- Bill Brown
www.nmglobalwarming.org
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From TouchArt.net and One Earth Blog at www.OneEarthBlog.Blogspot.com More current news on sustainable energy science and policy from TouchArt's friend Bill Brown up in Taos at New Mexico Global Warming a... more -
Sea No Evil art show benefit
We are excited to announce, this year the art show will be held at the prestigious Riverside Art Museum in the historical downtown area of Riverside CA.
On the night of July 12th, 2008, the art show will completely take over the entire art museum, 3 floors, including special guests Matt Costa playing music on the roof (3rd floor) and Shepherd Fairey spinning records. The first two floors will display donated art from noted artists, available for purchase through silent auction bidding the night of the show.
It promises to be an event to remember giving the opportunity to raise increased awareness and funding for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Captain Paul Watson, founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, will be the featured speaker, giving an update on what is happening globally with oceanic conservation.
www.SeaShepherd.org We are excited to announce, this year the art show will be held at the prestigious Riverside Art Museum in the historical downtown are... more
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