Tomorrow evening (Thursday, March 30, 5 p.m.) at the California Theatre, there will be a first of sorts—the first big debate on who should be the next mayor. It will be sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Association, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and the Business Journal. Although a late attempt to make it a straw poll is apparently off now, it might yet occur; so much the better. It is the unknown quantities and unscripted moments of these debates that really tend to enliven and inform.
The chance to see all five major candidates in a decent forum with some structure, but also with some extemporaneous moments, is the best way to judge those that would be mayor. And make no mistake about it—this election is one of the most critical in our history. Some of the items of concern are how we grow, where we grow, BART, public safety, and a few other issues that will affect our future and the livability of the place we call home.
This is also the first election in recent history where hanging on to the coattails or skirt of the incumbent is not the modus operandi of most candidates. The current embattled mayor has just been taught the first rule of holes: when in one, stop going to VTA meetings. He will not be a positive factor in this race.
Of interest to observers tomorrow night will be the extent to which any of the four candidates will be perceived as vying for the runoff position—the two incumbent council members (Reed and Cortese), one investor and “decline-to-state” (Mulcahy), and one former council member and deputy DA (Pandori), will challenge the heir apparent and presumptive frontrunner, Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez. At some point, given a suitable audience, it is necessary for one or more of them to attempt such a foray. Who will do it? That remains to be seen and the California Theater may be the spot for this “first.”
Anyone interested in the future of the city, or just curious about the type of person that wants to be mayor, should plan on attending. It will be the best show in town and you can come and still make the Shark game at the Tank. It promises to provide a bit of spice, hopefully a shock or two, and maybe a vicious crosscheck. Remember, politics is the primary spectator sport in the country and we have a lot to win by paying attention. See you there.
Are any of our candidates willing to support a “Clean Money” election?
Thanks Tom. Sounds interesting. Will it be broadcast/webcast live, and/or archived? It ought to be, in Silicon Valley.
John B.
No broadcast at this time, JB, but perhaps our friend, Bob Kieve, will pick it up and air it on KLIV later on – he will do others in the future, and I hope Channel 11 will sponsor one. I know sanjose inside is going to feature our own debate in May. Look for that one and come on down. TMcE
Why should Carl take a cut in pay, influence and prestige to be San Jose
Transportation. I want to hear about it. Proper planning. A good one as well. They should answer why we currently aren’t building a light rail connection into the airport. This would serve the PEOPLE of San Jose and the immediate surrounding area. Just think, you could take the airport as far as Santa Teresa, Almaden Valley, Downtown Campbell, Alum Rock, and Downtown Mountain View. Granted, the new interchange at Coleman is helping, but the traffic getting to the airport is tough.
We should immediately connect OUR transportation system (light rail) to the airport to take care of our region. Then we can connect other transportation systems (BART) to light rail. That’s pretty common sense planning.
It started out innocently enough. I began to think at parties
now and then—just to loosen up.
Inevitably, though, one thought led to another, and soon
I was more than just a social thinker.
I began to think alone—“to relax,” I told myself—
but I knew it wasn’t true. Thinking became more and more
important to me, and finally I was thinking all the time.
That was when things began to sour at home. One evening I
had turned off the TV and asked my wife about the meaning of life.
She spent that night at her mother’s.
I began to think on the job. I knew that thinking and employment
don’t mix, but I couldn’t stop myself.
I began to avoid friends at lunchtime so I could read Thoreau
and Kafka. I would return to the office dizzied and confused, asking,
“What is it exactly we are doing here?”
One day the boss called me in. He said, “Listen, I like you, and it
hurts me to say this, but your thinking has become a real problem.
If you don’t stop thinking on the job, you’ll have to find another job.”
This gave me a lot to think about. I came home early after my
conversation with the boss. “Honey,” I confess, “I’ve been thinking…”
“I know you’ve been thinking,” she said, “and I want a divorce!”
“But Honey, surely it’s not that serious.”
“It is serious,” she said, lower lip aquiver. “You think as much as
college professors, and college professors don’t make any money,
so if you keep on thinking, we won’t have any money!”
“That’s a faulty syllogism,” I said impatiently. She exploded in tears
of rage and frustration, but I was in no mood to deal with the emotional drama.
“I’m going to the library,” I snarled as I stomped out the door.
I headed for the library, in the mood for some Nietzsche. I roared into
the parking lot with NPR on the radio and ran up to the big glass
doors…
They didn’t open. The library was closed.
To this day, I believe that a Higher Power was looking out for me that night.
Leaning on the unfeeling glass, whimpering for Zarathustra, a Poster caught
my eye, “Friend, is heavy thinking ruining your life?” it asked.
You probably recognize that line. It comes from the standard Thinkers
Anonymous poster. Which is why I am what I am today: a recovering
thinker.
I never miss a TA meeting. At each meeting we watch a non-educational
video; last week it was “Porky’s.”
Then we share experiences about how we avoided thinking since the last
meeting. I still have my job, and things are a lot better at home. Life just
seemed…easier, somehow, as soon as I stopped thinking.
I think the road to recovery is nearly complete for me.
Today I made the final step, I registered as a Republican
Tom, perhaps I’m out of the loop, but what is the origin of your “decline-to-state” comment about Michael Mulcahy?
#1 Carl is a smart guy. I read in the Palo Alto Daily a few months back that he lives in Los Gatos.
#3 What about our community channel on Comcast? Seems like this would be a perfect use. This should be expanded to cover district events.
To give Cindy Chavez credit, in the last day she updated her web site with a number of campaign events including the debate tomorrow.
We could build Light Rail on the proposed BART line to San Jose / Santa Clara and to the airport and many other places for the same or less cost then the proposed outdated vey expensive BART custom car and track system
VTA has pledged that BART gets funding priority over all other Santa Clara County county transit forever since VTA will pay out of operating funds for all other transist, buses paratransit etc any BART operating losses due to revenue or passenger shortfalls
We all know the Silicon Valley Leadership Group has overstated revenue and understated construction costs and decades of operation losses
Taxpayers will be paying for BART and not getting a complete transit sustem that easily connects to where people want to go without many delays waiting at transfer points for other transit connections since the BART cars can not like Light Rail run on other transit or rail lines to the most wanted destinations
Tom-
1590 KLIV will record the debate for rebroadcast tomorrow (Thursday) night at 10PM.
You are correct that we plan coverage of other upcoming local debates during the political season.
George Sampson
News Director – 1590 KLIV
#6 TWR,
Expanding off your post…why doesn’t anyone ever bring up (or discuss) our highly dilapidated freeway system? The 10th largest city in the U.S. deserves so much better.
No freeway interchange/ramps at 880/87…what’s up with that?! An outdated “cloverleaf” interchange at 880/101. A mess of a merge on 101 between 680/280 and Capitol Expwy. Lack of a freeway connector to I-5/Central Valley (probably viewed more as a South County issue). I could probably go on and on…perhaps the next mayor could give a little attention to our freeways (as well as transit) and bring the system into the 21st Century!
NBC 11 will be livestreaming the event, starting at 5pm.
(http://www.nbc11.com/news/8322554/detail.html)
JMO, nice job with that final punch line on #7.
Tony, re: #12 I don’t think Measure A covers the freeways you have mentioned. Any mayor would have the state to contend with if they wanted to do anything about the freeways and interchanges that need attention.
They just spent bazillions over what seems like decades to re-work 101/880 and they still kept the same configuration that I swear was dreamed up by a frustrated choreographer who missed his calling.
I did read that there’s a plan in place to reconfigure the 280 NB interchange with 880/17. One of these days those of us heading to 17 SB won’t have to dodge all those Valley Fair/Santana Row-bound phone yakkers who even though they drive it regularly, don’t know which lane they need to be in to get onto Stevens Creek. Way too focused on discussing a new pair of Manolos on the phone than on the business of driving.
I would like to attend the debate tomorrow night. Tom, you’ve advised on the sponsors but who is going to moderate/ask the questions or just how is that going to work? Will there be a panel? Who will be on it?
It’s clear that this is one election where the people need to know where each candidate stands on key issues. This is a great idea, and you get to enjoy a beautiful theater at the same time. Thanks mainly to David Packard, not anybody on the Council, who no doubt would have approved a mockery of a restoration had Mr Packard not been involved.
Carl does live in Los Gatos.
Politics are a little more sane out here!
Al – when Michael Mulcahy filed for Mayor he changes his registration from “Rep”, I believe, to “Decline to State”. It was either a coincidental change of ‘conscience’ or merely the advice of some consultant – you choose. TMcE
Debates: in 30 seconds or less tell us how you are going to change San Jose for the better.
The problem with debates is that the structure never allows people to see how real decisions are made.
Rarely is a Mayor required to come up with a solution on a complicated subject, with no input from experts, aides or staff, and be able to articulate it in a minute and a half—with 30 seconds for rebuttal.
The best we can hope for is a lively exchange of ideas as each will be positioning themselves for their base of voters—as this is a primary.
While the four men seem to be vying for the right to challenge Cindy, to goal of each of their campaigns is to distinguish themselves from the other three men as to why they are the best person to meet that challenge.
This an especially difficult task. Chuck Reed is real in trouble. Without the support of the Chamber, he has already squandered more money than the rest of the candidates. Unless he gets an infusion of money—he’s done.
Pandori also needs funds. He got a late start and has promised to mortgage the house. So Tom and friends will have to come to his aid.
Mulcahy will be solid in fundraising. He can write his own check and his FPPC list looks like he had a fundraiser at the Dinappoli family reuniion on St. Pattys Day.
Cortese will be in good shape, but again he has overspent his funds. He will undoubtedly be able to tap personal resources.
The gist of this analysis is that by election time some candidates will have fallen from the top tier. My guess is that Mulcahy and Cortese will be there till the end.
I still believe Pandori, due to his message is a person who could come in strong at the end—but only if he’s funded.
As for Cindy, my belief is that Pandori would be the most difficult candidate for her in terms of substance. He was a former Councilmember of district 3, which cuts into her base. He also has the an advantage of not having any baggage from the current situation at City Hall. But if he doesn’t get funded, he’s toast.
Mulcahy would be next—but he could fade—he has never been tested in the political arena.
Cortese could carry district 8 and possibly 10, but Cindy matches up well with him in every other district.
If Reed wins, I’m going to start spending money on lottery tickets and longshots at the race track.
But I will attend this debate, it certainly beats American Idol for entertainment.
Peter,
Dianne McNutt is a great Mayor.
Tom,
It must have been coincidence—#16, as any legitimate consultant in this town would have recommended he become a Democrat or a member of the Green Party.
It also wouldn’t hurt if he changed his name to Michelle, became a teacher, drove a Prius, and served with distiinction in the armed forces—at least for a political purposes.
It looks like you need to register in advance to attend on the Business Journal Website….
http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/event/2111?sid=c96dd281cd6617132d864b38b9c40491
All this talk about how great Los Gatos is makes me think we need to remember how great SJ could have been without the GonzoChavezBorgsdorf brigade. The LG town manager is Deb Figone who should have been the SJ CM but Gonzo needed someone who would only say “yes” to his wrongdoing. Deb was not his “man.” Too bad, things would have been much different here if we had had a real city manager these past 7 years.
BTW – Why is Guerra still being employed here? Maybe Cindy can help with that answer.
Guardino doesn’t really give a hoot about BART being beneficial to those of us who live in the Valley. He does, however, champion BART construction for the purpose of those who live in distant counties, those who pour into the Valley each day to work at the companies he represents. Think about it… how many times per year will the average San Josean travel on BART?
Don’t know if it is good or bad that Rich sees the strength of Pandori as a candidate. He will be tough, particularly if he goes up against Cindy. She will be so busy trying to tell us how different she is from Gonzales in spite of her voting record. She will try to tell us she supports sensible planning in spite of her support for the destruction of Coyote Valley and 2nd downtown in North SJ. She will tell us she is for open government in spite of her vote to give away $4 million to the Grand Prix and then tell us how she had nothing to do with the secret NorCal deal in spite of labor’s fingerprints all over the deal. Etc., etc., etc.
I wouldn’t go heaping praise on Los Gatos for their Council’s decisions. Take a look downtown and you can see all of the big chain franchises that this and previous Councils have sold out to. They’ve created a situation where only the big chains can afford the outlandish rents that are being charged for space on Santa Cruz Avenue. Independent retailers are closing up shop due to greedy landlords’ rent increases that they can’t afford, but the big chains wouldn’t even sneeze at. It won’t be long before Santa Cruz Avenue is nothing but an outdoor mall with cars going down the middle, offering the same stores as anywhere in Suburbia, USA. The Los Gatos Council is as good at sellling out as the big boys (and girls) on the SJ Council.
At least Los Gatos has people and retail in their downtown.
Mark T #24,
Compare downtown LG to any other downtown in the area. I’d say it compares pretty favorably. Nobody gets elected to the LG Town Council without a promise to “Preserve our unique quality of life” which is Los Gatos code for “Keep the big chains out of downtown.”
Yes there are a limited number of chain stores, mostly near Old Town, but the town has fought like hell to limit the number, size and location of the “formula stores” downtown even when it means turning down sales tax dollars. That takes guts when your biggest cash cows, auto dealerships, are leaving town.
One recent example was the refusal to let American Outfitters open a small store on North Santa Cruz Ave. It was sure to generate good sales tax and had a fair amount of popular support from younger people, but the town said “no” in what was a somewhat controversial city council decision by Los Gatos standards.
National chains would love to be in downtown Los Gatos, but for the most part the town won’t let them in. A few years ago Starbucks couldn’t get approval for a downtown store, Subway was recently allowed in but only south of Highway 9, and Cold Stone Ice Cream fought like hell to overturn a planning commission decision in order to open a small shop near the downtown park.
You are right however that the building owners are forcing many of the small independent businesses out with high rents, and that is changing Los Gatos for the worse. I hope the marketplace will rightsize this problem, and soon.
Meanwhile, if I want Starbucks, Jamba Juice or McDonalds, I just head over to the “other” Los Gatos, Los Gatos Boulevard. It’s all there, and it doesn’t seem to be hurting downtown one bit.
I spent a recent weekend as a judge at a Qualifier for the High School Speech and Debate California State Championship. The “organizers” of these Mayoral Debates could learn a lot by observing these.
We judge High School debates by several criteria and I will try to apply them to a mayoral debate.
TOPICALITY: Is the response within the framework of the question? (Did the candidate avoid the true question and talk about other things to run out the clock?)
HARMS, SIGNIFICANCE, ADVANTAGES: There is a problem that could be solved. Harms defined as what happens if problem not solved. Significance evaluates important of Harms. (is it really a problem for citizens of San Jose? Do we really need to build there, or have a ballpark? If we don’t then what would occur?)
INHERENCY: The status quo isn’t going to solve this problem without change. (What I as Mayor would do differently with this problem)
THE PLAN: The SPECIFIC proposal to solve the problem.
SOLVENCY: How my plan will solve the problem.
Then there is the CROSS-X, when the teams question the others to support their plan, based upon what they see as flaws (disadvantages). We look for critical thinking, evidence to back up the claims, and a good CLASH between differing ideas. This is where they really can defend their position.
A debate on their plan is what we need. Let the candidates ask each other about the plan they are speaking to, not just a well-placed barb.
Otherwise, the debate may be just talking points, packaged by well funded telephone polls, sprinkled with audience questions slanting a particular view.
Let’s see the candidates support their positions with questions from the other candidates. Or better yet, let’s get some High School debaters to ask the questions.
Touche. . .25.
To wondering,
Just for the record, except for Mulcahy, I’ve met all the candidates. I even have a link to Mulcahy—Lisa Poelle, a friend of mine works for him, I understand his kids are at the same school as my son.
As I support Cindy, none of the other candidates would ruin San Jose. My perspective is purely political and I’m not on—nor do I intend to be—Cindy’s payroll.
My view is that Pandori has positioned himself well in terms of constiuency and issues—but if is to compete he needs resources
Mulcahy has the backing of some infuential business leaders and will be fully funded.
Cortese and Reed suffer from the same problem, been there—haven’t been effective. With all the noise they make, how do they convince voters they’ll more effective as Mayor, when they can’t get a majority of the council to support them now?
For as we know, in our manager form of government, the Mayor has only one vote—it takes six to govern the City. I’m still for a strong Mayor form of government, then Cortese and Reed would have a legitimate case for how they could lead.
Pandori has a solid record of accomplishment and Mulcahy ccmes from the outside (ie. not a politician mantra). It is always better to say what you would have done, than to have actually had to do it. Ask Arnold.
P.S. Full disclosure is always a good thing.
“Cortese and Reed suffer from the same problem, been there—haven’t been effective”
The same can be said for Chavez. Though I believe she will form a task force to figure out why!
Steve#9: I just got an email from Chuck about Deputy Sheriffs’ Assoc. endorsing him and offering a sign-up for tickets to the debate. First I heard tickets were required. But to sign up, I had to give all sorts of data about myself—an obvious ploy to get me on a list for mfundraising.
So—Tom, Jude, John, ANYONE—will tickets be required just to see the candidates debate?
Mark T #24: I’m no fan of The Town of Los Gatos or its philosophy; but landlords charge “outlandish” rents, the Town does not.
The people who pay them presumably make a profit anyway, or they would close down.
#30 see #20
Survival of small / neighborhood retail businesses is very important to San Jose for the jobs and tax revenues and the uniqueness our neighborhood business districts
There are generally 3 important factors
1) small business owners need to offer unique products or services and outstanding customer service to offset the price advantage and greater resources of national chains or large stores. Many small stores are not open when people want to shop and close at 6-7 pm when many people are just coming home which restrict their customers to shopping on weekends Small retailers can pay higher rents if they are profitable and successful but many are not partially due to their owner management limitations and limited store hours.
2) Local customers can support small / local retail stores both by buying locally and telling small retailers what they want and will buy and more importantly tell the local stores what customer service or hours they expect rather than go to the mall or national retailers Large retailers do customer research on product and service needs, customer service and hours while successful small retailers welcome and listen to their customers feedback
3) San Jose city government must remove the many small / neighborhood retailers barriers to success by speeding up approval processes, improving the parking and working with neighborhood associations and neighborhood business leaders An idea for San Jose is to recommend that all retail store applicants first talk to neighborhood business and neighborhood association leaders prior to making an application or spend significant money to see if any anticipated problems exist ( i.e. over concentration of liquor stores, health and safety issues etc ) that would raise opposition or slow the approval process.
No, we do not need the 27th offsite liquor store within 1 mile of Bird and Willow Ave as a recent example
Additionally business improvement or parking districts could be helpful as well as development of retail / commercial small retail or commerccial condo developments in neighborhood business district to encourage store or office ownership which would lock in rents to the mortgage payment rather than have the rents increase as the business district is more popular and successful and would be part of the owners retiremant plan
It is not the role of neighborhood or business associations to prevent competition but to support and encourage smart local retailers in how they compete with national chains and one way is for them to be involved in their local neighborhood, school and business district activities which will get the word out about your retail store products and services and make friends with your customers
San Jose loses 25% and some believe up to 40% in our border neighborhoods of our retail sales dollars to other cities and we also have less than 1 job per employed resident compared to a county average of 1.23 jobs so this results in San Jose tax revenue of $254 per resident versus $354 to $517 for other county cities per resident.
Do some successful small retailers go out of business due to higher rents, yes but most go out of business because they are not well managed or proactively service local customers.
If you know of great successful local retailers who are leaving Los Gatos or other higher rent business areas have them contact me about the Willow Glen business district.
Willow Glen neighborhood and business / professional associations are working together to further improve our successful neighborhood business district parking and other issues
I have worked with my retail clients throughout North America for over 20 years. Many of our local retailers need to improve their business practices, customer service, stay open the hours the customers are interested in shopping and have products / services that people will buy if they will be successful / profitable against larger national or regional stores.
We have many successful local owned small retailers but they could be more successful and profitable if they increased their focus on their customer’s needs and customer service.
The more I read, the more I think they don’t want just plain folks at the California tomorrow. I’ll just watch on KNTV’s stream.
#24, I generally agree with you, but in small steps the mainstream retailers are working their way onto Santa Cruz Av. American Outfitters was a unique case as it was more about their merchandise and the clientele they’d attract than an issue of another chain retailer opening up shop on Santa Cruz. If they sold cutesy stuff the red carpet would have gone out even if there were 500 other stores just like it in the U.S. Still, I prefer downtown LG to any mall and I spend a good chunk of my shopping dollars there as it’s the closest shopping district to me.
JMO, the town letting in chain retailers who can afford the ridiculous rents being charged is exactly why these landlords are kicking independents out. The Town Council is not blameless in this situation, in my opinion. I don’t mind the town’s philosophy as it has managed to maintain a pleasant atmoshphere over all. I do not, however, understand how they can lay all of these requirements on how a business facade needs to look on a busy street, but will allow the defacing of the hills and ridges that surround the town with huge boxy snow-white trophy homes. They could at least require these homes to blend in better and not contribute any further to the growing eyesore on the hills above town.
OK, so today part of this blog is Greater SJI. Apologies for discussing a successful, although somewhat troubling downtown scene, but SJ can learn from what’s working elsewhere and we’re likely only going to get independent retailers willling to take a chance on our dead zone downtown anyway. The numbers just aren’t there for the big chains who can afford the market research.
Thanks, Reader
Food for thought for the PC Crowd:
————————————————————————————————————————
From: Bonita Beck [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 1:36 PM
To: ‘Greg Gray’
Subject: FW: Andy Rooney speaks and we should take notes.
Right on, Andy Rooney!
Andy Rooney said on “60 Minutes” a few weeks back:
I don’t think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens…Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.
Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.
I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, that is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE?
I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.
I have the right “NOT” to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.
When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling, it is the Law of Probability.
I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!
My father and grandfather didn’t die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.
I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry a—if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can’t understand the word “freeze” or “stop” in English, see the above lines.
I don’t think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.
We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.
I don’t hate the rich. I don’t pity the poor.
I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn’t stop you from watching them.
I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that’s better, and put your name on the building.
It doesn’t take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say “NO!”
I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don’t pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don’t want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!
I am sick of “Political Correctness.” I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa; so how can they be “African-Americans”? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don’t go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
I was asked to send this on if I agree or delete if I don’t. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having “In God We Trust” on our money and having “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don’t we just tell the 14% to Shut Up and BE QUIET!!!
If you agree, pass this on, if not delete. .
The runoff should be Pandori and Mulcahey becasue neither of them have been involved with this coucil that has been a disaster. Why does everyone think Cindy is a shoe in? Someone tell me other than unions. Has she ever had a real job? Has she ever done anything without Gonzos OK?
Tell Don Wolf ” small business owners need to offer unique products or services and outstanding customer service to offset the price advantage and greater resources of th national chains or large stores.” Wolf Computer offered both, and was crushed by Fry’s and the like.
Depsite the fact that everyone grouses about the lack of knowledge of the entire Fry’s staff, that they treat you like a criminal if you try to return something, they make enough money that John Fry can build his private golf course without a single permit, let alone an EIR, and thumb his nose at the County.
I didn’t think self-promotion for your business was allowed in this blog.
I have to agree with the simply stated #37. To me, Pandori and Mulcahy have the most to offer. I keep seeing comments to the effect of “Mulcahy has never been tested in the political arena”. Thank god, more reason to vote for him. You don’t need political experience to be an effective Mayor of SJ. If we were coming off a McEnery or Hammer mayoral term, I could see a council-member having an advantage. But with this administration, don’t you have to rule out all the “insiders”?? We need to move as far away as possible from the current regime. There are solid candidates representing such a movement.
Mark T & Ed Rast:
Times change.
In 1985 or so, after having lived in Willow Glen for 5 years, I went to a B&P Assoc. meeting. Everyone wondered aloud how to make Lincoln Avenue a more attractive place to shop.
I suggested they get rid of Bergman’s & George & Inmann, since those stores were WAY dated, did not appeal to the new yuppified WG. You’d think I’d accused all their mothers of being crack whores.
Bergman’s lasted as long as it did—a few old lady customers in talking to the old lady clerks, but buying little or nothing—because Bergmann’s owned the building. But for that, they would have closed a decade earlier than they did. But, oh the breast-beating when they announced their impending closure and sale of the building. So, where were all those breast-beaters spending their money?
George & Inmann was worse—triple knit polyester suits. Jeez. They closed, too.
The other problem I mentioned was that the lack of parking—free or otherwise—impeded retail development of “The Avenue”. Well, parking means cars, and for most of the busybodies in WG, an extra car is as welcome as a serial child molester next door to the grammar school.
So, I was shunned out of the rest of the meeting.
Well, times have changed.
As for BevMo on Lincoln, I don’t know why they would want to be there, with a store maybe one-third the size of their regular stores. So, they’ll have to be either Bev, or Mo. How do they make money at that? Where will people park?
Times changed, so Bergman’s & George & Inmann went the way of all flesh. But there’s still inadequate parking to make “The Avenue” truly viable as a retail street.
But wait, I read somewhere recently that someone is putting together a “Task Force” to discuss the parking issue. Nothing to discuss—build more parking. One other thing would work for the anti-traffic WG’ers—cut out one lane in each direction on Lincoln Avenue from Minnesota to Los Gatos Creek, and install diagonal street parking. The narrowed Lincoln Avenue would discourage those pesky cut-through commuters, and thus greatly reduce traffic. Allah be praised!
JMO, the self importance of the WG types you mention has resulted in the moniker “The Avenue,” so pompous it absolutely stinks to high heaven.
People of WG, it’s LINCOLN Avenue and there’s no shame in calling it that. It’s worked for all these years. We know “The City” means SF. Say “The Avenue” to anyone outside WG and you’ll get a blank stare. Other than an ocassional meal at Aqui, I see absolutely no draw to that business district anyway.
And hey WG, where were all of you when the Garden theater got gutted? Huh? Just where were all of you uppity types then? Busy buying Volvos with nuke-proof car seats?
Narrowing Lincoln as has been suggested would have the many commuters go thriugh the nearby neighborhood streets making safety problems as well as jam the few other north- south routes – Bird,. Meridian etc would not a good solution but cause more problem.
30 years of poor planning / land use and transportaion / transit decisions are partially responsible for many of our traffic problems which San Jose , Santa Clara County and the state need to address.
Question is who will pay for more parking at $2 million or more an acre – not the city or the property owners and the retailers can not afford it
Sharing the existing parking is part of the solution since many propery owners restrict parking to the retailers who rent from them this will go a long way to have more parking since about 1/3 to 40% is now restricted but other solutions are being developed
Bev Mo want to be in Willow Glen since over 4500 of their existing customers are within a few miles of the proposed store and this is a new smaller store concept for neighborhood retail districts
Sorry you were treated badly years ago and are still unhappy with how you were treated.
I moved to Willow Glen in 1989, suggest if you are interested you come to a meeting now since many people, attitudes and things have changed
I am not advertising just giving context as to my retail expertise as you do when you mention you are a lawyer – very few local retailers can afford my fees and my clients or potential clients are all over North America and probably do not read San Jose Inside
I wonder why Carl Guardino, head of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, doesn’t run for mayor. He seems to know everything about everything in terms of what’s best for the citizenry, at least when it comes to spending our money.
#36. JMOC – Sorry dude, this is the latest wording of a tired old urban legend.
Andy Rooney never said it. In fact he has called the fradulent posting as “totally inconsistent with my philosophy of life.”
For reference: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/rooney4.asp
Besides the candidates websites, where does one obtain a list of when mayoral forums and debats will occur between now and June 6? Had I known about tonight at 5 sooner I would have made arrangements to go. :( I’ll likely be watching the steam on KNTV ch. 11 later this evening.
John Michael,
Please be careful who you “quote”. Many pieces attributed to Andy Rooney, Robin Williams, and George Carlin are fake.
Carlin has the best retort, “if you didn’t pay to read, here or see it. It isn’t mine”
You need to apologize to Andy Rooney who is much maligned because of the racist implications in the forged piece of material.
Fostering bigotry behind the fake musings of a credible person is a shameful act. I’m sure you believed it was Andy Rooney.
But Rooney has been clear in his support for institutions like the United Negro College Fund. Besides we already have exclusive college programs for whites, though they aren’t labeled.
Does anybody really believe George W. Bush was qualified to go to Yale and Harvard?
And, I forget, how many black U.S. Presidents have we elected from Yale?
Eugene,
Cindy Chavez now has a good list of campaign events on her web site. See http://cindychavez4mayor.com/ShowPage.asp?page=Events.asp
Michael Mulcahy’s web site needs improvement with only one or two events: http://www.solutionsforsanjose.com/events.html
Chuck Reed has reasonable list of events: http://www.chuckreed.com/events/campaign_events.htm
Dave Cortese has an extensive list of events:
http://www.solutionsforsanjose.com/events.html
I could not find David Pandori’s web site. Maybe he can let us know where to find it.
Mistake in #48.
Dave Cortese event schedule is at http://www.davecortese.com/site/UpcomingEvents.aspx
David Pandori’s site is:
http://bettersanjose.com/
JMO, if it’s any consolation, Rich considers anyone at Fresh Choice who isn’t weeping to be a bigot.
Oh the lettuce! Oh the humanity!
I thought that rant in #36 for sure was the frustated finfan…
I may have passed over anwsers already given, but in item #4 Tom stated that it was not being bradcast and I know that is being carried by Channel 11 NBC and on radio no tape delay be KLIV.
By the way Tom, Thursday is a great night for the Sharks but the hottest ticket in town is the one making this event possible. Symphony Silicon Valley has the Californai that night and made arrangements to give let the debate haqppen in, while it will be rehearsing there later that evening for its third sold-out program in a row. It is a “hot ticket” when one can’t get in. And that is a definite and deliberate plug. (P.S. We are adding Thursdays to our schedule next season. – Oh did I get a plug in again.. my bad.)
Andrew Bales
President Symphony Silicon Valley
How sad is it when there is 10 candidates running for Mayor of San Jose and only 5 get invited to go to this debate.
Is there something that they do not want you to know?
BE CAREFULL!!!
This election is already so messed up for the other candidates!
Don’t let them make up your minds for you!
Watch what happens in April with Larry Flores.
I’ll still support him to the end, he’s got something the other candidates don’t have, but they will want to copy him, I guarantee it! (Just like they did with his slogan.) that was in last Sunday’s local section by the way.
April 10th is the day! Mark it down!
Don’t be blinded,
Stay United!
GM
GM
You forgot the Larry Flores For San Jose Mayor web site
http://www.larryfloresformayor.com/home/index.html
John, you’ve struck out on a couple of important issues here.
1. That you stated you were quoting Andy Rooney. That piece was not written by him.
2. You’ve accused Ed Rast of advertising which he has not done. He was only explaining some of the issues and problems of going into business in Willow Glen.
How many times have you advertised the fact that you “ran for City Council.” Are you campaining again?
You don’t like the term “The Avenue.” That’s really too bad as it is only used to refer to Lincoln Avenue locally. I can’t imagine anyone outside Willow Glen knowing what Avenue was being referred to.
Walk Lincoln Avenue on a Saturday or Sunday Morning and greet the people with their kids and dogs. It’s fun to decide whether there are more dogs or kids out for a stroll. Lincoln Avenue serves a purpose for Willow Glen residents and has enough very popular business to draw clientel from outside the area. JohnMichael you need to get down in the dirt in the backyard and count salamanders again. We have ‘em in Willow Glen. Don’t criticize Ed for doing the job he was elected to do for the residents and business and professional people of Willow Glen.
In post #47 Rich Robinson wrote:
“You need to apologize to Andy Rooney who is much maligned because of the racist implications in the forged piece of material.”
As Mr. Robinson demonstrates, the targeting ability of the politically correct continues to expand. When a disagreeable opinion falls short of his (or any dictionary’s) definition of racism, he nonetheless condemns it for its “racist implications.” Mr. Robinson, George Orwell would have loved you.
You accuse the poster (JMO) of “fostering bigotry,” something he apparently accomplished via the “racist implications” of his post. Let’s see, if I have this figured correctly we have now reached the point where we can, through the alchemy of political correctness, create bigotry out of anything. No racism needed. No discrimination required. Maybe that explains why this past Tuesday our city council, a government body itself responsible for lawmaking, found it acceptable to condemn federal lawmakers for attempting to carry out their official duties. Apparently “laws,” the very rules to which we owe our freedom and civilization, become “bigotry” the moment they’re aimed at illegal aliens.
Bigotry on demand—how convenient.
One more thing to consider: Andy Rooney may not have authored it, but that post has traveled around the email circuit at light-speed—not because people love Andy Rooney, but because so many fed-up Americans agree with much of its content. In other words, you PC’ers have lots of work to do. Maybe you folks can create a new class of crimes, one based not on words or deeds, but on “hate inclinations.”
I know I’m ready to turn myself in.
Anyone have a take from an African American on the street opinion poll re their opinion on the granting of citizenship to millions of illegal foreign nationals?
Illegal foreign nationals are in direct competition with poor American citizens of all stripes for finite social services.
Doesn’t our compassionate conservative President and the bleeding heart left care about the plight of the poor citizens already in this country legally?
How do African Americans feel about Ted Kennedy calling this a “civil rights moment”?
Once again, the democratic machine is treating the black voting bloc as a bunch of chumps. Why in the world blacks in this country don’t leave the democratic party and start their own party is a great unsolved political mystery.
I’d love to see an in-depth piece or 2 from the Merc on one of these topics, but what are the odds?
It travelled at lightspeed because it allowed people to vent their own prejudice under the guise of another author.
The following missives from the “article” are simply offensive (parantheses are mine):
I have the right “NOT” to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off. (read or a of a different color)
When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling, it is the Law of Probability. (the statistics are wrong, as is the premise—what would you say to 70% arrests in a City that is 20% black)
I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!
(I’ll bet when white people bought Manhatten for a few beads and blankets they didn’t use the then native tongue—probably sign language or an interpretter or forced the sellers to use english or dutch)
My father and grandfather didn’t die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.
(Your father left those countries too—and he did not speak english when he arrived—-unless he was from england—then he spoke it better than you do today)
I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry a—if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can’t understand the word “freeze” or “stop” in English, see the above lines.
(Killing people because they don’t understand the language. You don’t hear of many French or German tourists getting shot by mistake—even though they don’t speak the language either—only people of color get accidently shor or arrested)
NBC11 webcast the debate, but they have no archive of it. In the past, like the Mayoral debate a month ago in council chambers, it was posted so you could view anytime. Why is that?
Once again, finfan shows his true racist self by attempting to justify racial tripe. Poor finfan, always wrong, and always frustrated.
How about that debate eh?
Looks like Cindy is no longer the “front runner” based on tonight’s performance. More like a race between Chuck and David with Cindy and Dave and Michael out of his element.
#55 – It’s incredible how this argument works:
The faux Rooney essay may be bulls#*t, but its good old conservative bulls#*t that’s been widely disseminated by “fed-up American” Internuts.
Therefore: It’s reasonable to use this made-up essay as the basis to attack local officials who disagree with your view of federal immigration policy.
Man, that’s some first-rate thinking!
By the way, your concept of light-speed travel on the email circuit is also a few fries short of a Happy Meal. This tired old fairy tale/urban myth has been making the rounds in various forms since ‘03.
Ah yes, the old often-repeated-lies-gain-credence
school of logic.
You just answered your own question about conservative talk radio.
Mal,
First of all, I’m aware that the Rooney email has been around. In fact, it has been around many times, something which lends credence to my contention that the views contained within are widely held (forwarding it to others is a form of validation). Secondly, if you doubt that there are many fed-up Americans, please explain the popularity of conservative talk radio (an area where liberals have failed miserably).
As for your mocking my “first-rate thinking,” please educate me as to why it is proper for a lawmaking body to attempt to insulate one particular group from the rule of law? If you accept the idea that the city council can protect illegal aliens from federal laws, then would I be correct to assume that there are other groups you believe deserve the same special treatment? If so, who are they, and what is the criteria used in making that judgement?
What if the council wanted to exempt Catholics from a particular law? Or Shriners? Would that be okay with you? If so, then you don’t understand the meaning of justice for all. But if special treatment for other American citizens would not be okay with you, then maybe you can explain why you think our council had the right to demand from the federal government special treatment for citizens of Mexico.
C’mon, treat me to some first-rate thinking.
RR: “I have the right “NOT” to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off. (read or a of a different color)”
FF: No, you read “of a different color.” Many of us chose not to tolerate the stench and filth of the homeless, the hostile, hard stares of cruising troublemakers, the incivility and violence of the hip hop crowd, the nudity disgusting behavior of SF’s parading gays, etc., etc. etc. Just because you automatically equate intolerance with racism doesn’t mean everyone does.
RR: “When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling, it is the Law of Probability. (the statistics are wrong, as is the premise—what would you say to 70% arrests in a City that is 20% black)”
FF: What I would say is obvious, undeniable true, and absolutely politically incorrect: black people commit way too much crime. That Oakland is now a war zone has zero to do with the actions of the police and everything to do with the behavior of that city’s black residents.
RR: “I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!”
FF: So you equate a commitment to English-Only as racism? Gee, I thought it was simply an opinion on a political issue. Oh, that’s right, you PC’ers can now turn anything into racism. What’s next, branding our traffic rules racist because some immigrants have trouble mastering them?
RR: “(I’ll bet when white people bought Manhatten for a few beads and blankets they didn’t use the then native tongue—probably sign language or an interpretter or forced the sellers to use english or dutch)”
FF: These days every defense of our culture is met with some dipped-in-white-guilt, look-what-was-done-to-the-Indians story. If that is the measuring stick you wish to use, then can I assume you wish to revert to the primitive way-of-life that ruled the pre-Columbian world? No, of course you don’t. You like the laws and customs that protect your rights and safety; you enjoy our modern conveniences, science, and medicine. No, you want nothing to do with the Native American culture, other than to suggest that its destruction by rough and adventurous men (long-dead) somehow denies us, a people with a culture envied by foreigners around the globe, the right to defend our own values.
RR: “My father and grandfather didn’t die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.
FF: Before you deny any American the right to be touchy about his culture, please introduce to me a people who would tolerate their land and culture to be disrespected by a newcomer. You won’t find one—being protective of one’s culture is a universal human trait.
RR: “(Your father left those countries too—and he did not speak english when he arrived—-unless he was from england—then he spoke it better than you do today)”
FF: Our ancestors endured low wages, hostility, and discrimination aplenty. They also endured the pressure to conform to the culture, to which either they, or their children, submitted. They nudged the culture a bit, added some new foods and words, but it was they, the newcomers, who assimilated.
RR: “I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry a—if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can’t understand the word “freeze” or “stop” in English, see the above lines.
(Killing people because they don’t understand the language. You don’t hear of many French or German tourists getting shot by mistake—even though they don’t speak the language either—only people of color get accidently shor or arrested)
FF: Name the last tourist of any kind to be shot by the cops. Tourists commit few crimes (except for the “undocumented tourists” that now fill our jails and prisons). Can’t say the same about people of color, though. The commit a lot of crime, and kill the cops that protect us (every SJ cop killed in the last 50 years was killed by one of your “people of color”).
Mal,
I’m not going to let you off so easy. You wrote (#65):
“Ah yes, the old often-repeated-lies-gain-credence school of logic.”
In reference to the phony Rooney post, please identify the opinions contained within that post that you define as “lies.” Like Mr. Robinson, who branded the opinions as containing racist inclinations, you wield your broad brush with equal recklessness. Also, if you were to treat my response to you honestly, you would acknowledge this truth: the people who so enthusiastically forwarded the Rooney post did so because, firstly, they endorse the content and, secondly, they assumed their recipients did the same. That you choose to ignore this unconventional but nonetheless interesting window into public opinion is your choice.
By the way, although I received that post several times, I would never think of forwarding along anything of questionable attribution.
You also wrote:
“You just answered your own question about conservative talk radio.”
Okay. Now besides waiting for you to explain away your ridiculous defense of the council’s position on illegal immigration, I await your expansion of this head-scratcher. Is it your contention that right wing talk radio is not dominant, or are you simply dismissing me as a member of the Savage Nation or whatever it is that Rush calls his people? Not even close. Not only do I not listen, I see all the big name guys as controlled performers taking advantage of American’s looking for a can of easy answers in which to dip their broad brushes…
you know, people like you.
Again, in three posts (61, 62, 66) finfan manages to use an inordinate amount of words to say nothing. These frequent forays into his non-existent fantasy world are becoming repetitive, and appear to be a cry for help, or attention. Of course, by being a racist and a social conservative he is beyond help.
Since he appears unable to use his excessive words to develop a cogent, rational, reasonable, intelligent thought, then, other than to highlight his ignorance, he should be, and will be, ignored. Thus increasing his frustration, and hastening his demise.
Bye bye finfan (#57 & 67),
Damn, you got me—a racist and a social conservative. What is the secret of your insight? What is the source of your wisdom? Who wipes the drool from your chin?
You can condemn me to your heart’s delight, but I don’t see you countering with anything to “highlight my ignorance.” As long as you confine your contributions here to wailing and passing gas, I think everyone will just have to assume your diaper is dirty.
Flimflam #66:
Since you raised the issue of honesty by all means let’s be honest.
The reason the phony Rooney essay got so much play among conservative Internuts was because Mr. Rooney’s name was falsely attached to it. Had it been signed by it’s true author, presumably some unknown conservative hack with an AOL account, do you honestly think it would have spread so widely?
I’m happy to answer to your question “…please identify the opinions contained within that post that you define as “lies.” Stealing Mr. Rooney’s celebrity status to give credence a series of opinions that he does not hold makes the entire document a lie. Thanks for asking.
What amuses me is your unwillingness to acknowledge the author crossed an obvious ethical line by disseminating it with Rooney’s name. Yet you point to its wide dissemination in defense of its content. That’s an interesting bit of juggling! (Yes, it’s a lie, but it’s a damn good lie!)
Somehow I doubt that you would show the same tolerence if someone on the left wrote a liberal manifesto, attached Rush Limbagh’s name to it and sent it around the Internet. But that’s just speculation on my part; maybe you really are that soft on crime.
Since you require explanation of conservative talk radio please stop scratching your head, there are products that can help you with that. The comparison was obvious. Contalk, like your beloved fake Rooney essay, is frequently based on half-truth and outright BS. Among those myths is one you repeated in your post regarding the supposed “dominance” of right wing radio.
Flim, I’m afraid your dominatrix has been lying to you. There are very few radio markets where talk radio of any stripe “dominates” the ratings, and you probably wouldn’t want to live those cities. (The Bay Area’s KGO is an exception, although you would have difficulty making the case that KGO is “conservative.”)
You are, however, correct in your earlier observation that liberal talk radio has been a flop. I guess liberals have better things to do throughout the day than listen to some windbag validate their opinions.
However you raise an interesting point. If as you seem to suggest radio station programs define what America is thinking I’m afraid you are in for some very uncomfortable times Mr. Fan. It seems that more and more stations are turning to Spanish, Asian and other non-Rush forms of entertainment in this Great Melting Pot we call America. This is in addition to the Hip Hop stations that I suspect are not programmed into the buttons on your car radio.
That being the case you might think twice before pointing to radio formats to support the notion of the popularity of conservative thought in these great United States.
Adios!
Finfan in Post #70 “I mention the “popularity” of right wing radio and you change the word to “dominates” so that you can claim a wisp of victory…” “… I didn’t actually use the word “dominates”…”
Actually you did, or close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades:
Finfan in post #66: “Is it your contention that right wing talk radio is not dominant…”
“dominates” vs “dominant.” Sheesh!
Oh, what a tangled web we weave…
That’s the trouble with these blogs Flimflam, they archive your earlier posts. It makes it very difficult to play the “I didn’t say it” game.
Once again, your argument, in this case the “dominant” nature of conservative talk radio is built on a foundation of pure baloney.
Similar structural issues bedevil the foundation of your beloved faux Andy Rooney essay.
Good luck getting insurance for that house of cards!
Adios Finito!
In his latest attempt to suppress issues he is afraid to argue, “Bye bye” says this of me: “He regurgitates his opinion based on his fantasy world, and then wonders why no one bothers to debate/refute his non-existent points.”
Pathetic. I entered into this fray by taking a very unpopular position in support of the content of an email improperly attributed to Andy Rooney. There must be twenty statements in that email, covering a wide range of cultural issues, yet “Bye bye” accuses me of arguing “non-existent points.” Clearly, “Bye bye” would like to convince everyone that post #36 does not exist—that the in-your-face opinions contained in the “Food for thought for the PC crowd” exist only in my “fantasy world.”
Funny, but when two other bloggers addressed the Rooney email, and then attacked me for my take on it, “Bye bye” had not a word of criticism for them, even though they were arguing the very same issues. In fact, “Bye bye’s” sole contribution to this exchange has been to accuse me of saying nothing whenever I respond to another blogger. Apparently his attack on my alleged lack of substance has everything to do with his political bias and nothing to do with the validity of my perspective or the state of my mental health. In other words, in addition to being argumentatively impotent, “Bye bye” is intolerant and deceitful.
I know that many consider them harmless, but “Bye bye” and the others in his name-calling fraternity do real damage with their shout-em-down antics. Whether on a blog site or college campus, the growing legions of PC commandos are, by refusing to honestly engage dissenting voices, rapidly relocating important issues from the realm of public debate into the dungeon of forbidden thought. Though they wage war under the banner of tolerance and brotherhood, it has become obvious that they are intolerant of divergent voices and absolutely hate free thinkers. Joe Stalin would have loved ‘em.
Mal: “The reason the phony Rooney essay got so much play among conservative Internuts was because Mr. Rooney’s name was falsely attached to it.”
FF: To believe that is to believe that the essay would have been just as enthusiastically circulated had its content been less caustic. But the evidence suggests just the opposite: Andy Rooney releases his rants at regular intervals, yet none seem to catch the interest of anyone on the net. The essay was popular for two reasons: its message resonated with lots of people, and it contained opinions that are unheard of from high-profile media folks. One of the reasons I assumed it was phony at the outset was the fact that no one holding such opinions would ever attain any success with CBS (or any other major media outlet).
Mal: “What amuses me is your unwillingness to acknowledge the author crossed an obvious ethical line by disseminating it with Rooney’s name. Yet you point to its wide dissemination in defense of its content. That’s an interesting bit of juggling! “
FF: Show me where I ever excused anyone for misusing Andy Rooney’s name? I stated that I refused to forward it because of its dubious accreditation. As for my acknowledging the slimy behavior of the actual author, why would I waste my time criticizing the conduct of someone whose identity is unknown? All I ever commented on was the content of the piece, content which, contrary to opinions posted here, qualifies as neither lies nor racism.
Mal: “Somehow I doubt that you would show the same tolerence if someone on the left wrote a liberal manifesto, attached Rush Limbagh’s name to it and sent it around the Internet.”
FF: As a lifelong skeptic, let me assure you that I take nothing on the net for granted. That said, I cannot imagine even opening a document with Rush Limbaugh’s name on it. I understand the need for people like you to label, file, and dismiss those who have opposing opinions (it’s a lot easier than arguing issues), but I’m not going to fit into any of your (or anyone else’s) convenient categories.
Mal: “Among those myths is one you repeated in your post regarding the supposed “dominance” of right wing radio.”—“There are very few radio markets where talk radio of any stripe “dominates” the ratings”
FF: Nice straw man you’ve got there, Mal. I mention the “popularity” of right wing radio and you change the word to “dominates” so that you can claim a wisp of victory in your otherwise hopeless argument. What I stated was correct: right wing radio is popular. That I didn’t actually use the word “dominates” puts that word, as well as your dominatrix visualization, right back where they came from: your fantasies.
Mal: “If as you seem to suggest radio station programs define what America is thinking I’m afraid you are in for some very uncomfortable times Mr. Fan. It seems that more and more stations are turning to Spanish, Asian and other non-Rush forms of entertainment in this Great Melting Pot we call America.”
FF: Amazing! Now you find in my statement (“right wing radio is popular”) an assertion that radio programming defines what America is thinking. How far are you willing to twist things in order to shove your America-is-changing taunt at me? Is this what happens when you find yourself in a corner with nothing in your arsenal but regurgitated dogma?
What I find really interesting is that those who preach the joy of diversity the loudest will then turn around and taunt their enemies with demographic realities, wielding the arrival of minorities as if it were a curse. Diversity: Love it or we’ll give it to you good and hard. Priceless.
A reasonable person would think finfan’s rant (#70) is an April Fool joke. However, as we all know, finfan is a fool 365 days a year. Once again, he does not disappoint us. He regurgitates his opinion based on his fantasy world, and then wonders why no one bothers to debate/refute his non-existent points. If he would for once post something factual, instead of his opinion, he might spark a discussion.
However, since social conservatives cannot function if they have to deal with facts and the truth, we can only expect more useless racist rants, disguised in the form of excessive words, from finfan. At least his increasing frustration over being ignored in life is becoming more apparent in his desperate attempts to appear relevant.
Mal,
I’ll give you credit, you’re doing a good job at obscuring the nature of my posts. You accuse me of claiming that right wing radio “dominates the ratings” when I never said any such thing. Check the archives and show me where I said anything about ratings, or where I even insinuated anything about a dominant format. True, you did find the word dominant in one of my posts, but you neglect to mention that it was contained in a two-part question directed at you—one in which I was trying to sort out the meaning of one of your many idiotic, duplicitous statements. And don’t think you can get away with pretending you didn’t understand my position clearly: in post #69 you acknowledge as much by admitting that “liberal talk radio has been a flop.”
I hope you don’t think anyone frequenting this site is dumb enough to fall for your little deception.
Flimflam-
Give it up.
Anyone following this thread will see who is being deceptive here. (Let’s hope they have better things to do on a weekend!)
That’s the trouble with you Finito, when your flimsy arguments are confronted with facts you: A) split hairs to pretend you never made the argument, and B) claim the conversation is really about something else. The old shuck and jive.
Ho hum. This was too easy.
Game, set, match.
Adios Finito!
(There is no joy in Conville, Mighty Finfan has struck out…)
Mark T #41: Yeah, “The Avenue” and every other house listed in WG is a “charmer”—which is realtor speak for terribly small and teribly expensive.
Re food on Lincoln—try Vin Santo—family owned and operated. Always great food. Wine list could use a little work, but I sometimes just bring my own.
Take a break and have dinner @ Tlelapeptaque at the corner of Willow and Delmas…Good Food!!
Go David, Go David !!
More food for thought for the PC crowd that I got via email the other day—not incorrectly attributed to Andy Rooney this time(MY BAD on the last one):
Dear President Bush:
I’m about to plan a little trip with my family and extended family, and I would like to ask you to assist me. I’m going to walk across the border from the U.S. Into Mexico, and I need to make a few arrangements. I know you can help with this.
I plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws.
I’m sure they handle those things the same way you do here.
So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Vicente Fox, that I’m on my way over?
Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:
1. Free medical care for my entire family.
2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.
3. All government forms need to be printed in English, as well as Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog; but most particularly in English.
4. I want my kids to be taught by English-speaking teachers.
5. Schools need to include classes on North American culture and history.
6. I want my kids to see the American flag flying on the top of the flag pole at their school with the Mexican flag flying lower down.
7. Please plan to feed my kids at school for both breakfast and lunch.
8. I will need a local Mexican driver’s license so I can get easy access to government services.
9. I do not plan to have any car insurance, and I won’t make any effort to learn local traffic laws.
10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from Pres. Fox to leave me alone, please be sure that all police officers speak English.
11. I plan to fly the U.S. Flag from my house top, put U.S. flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th, followed by a riot where me and my redneck buddies will break the windows of local businesses and shoot guns into the air. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals, nor a bill for the extra police services required to diperse me and ma’ buddies.
12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, and don’t enforce any labor laws or tax laws.
13. Please tell all the people in the country to be extremely nice and never say a critical word about me, especially in the schools or political speeches during election times, or about the strain I might place on the economy.
I know this is an easy request because you and the people on the border states already do all these things for all the people who come to the U.S.A. From Mexico.
I am sure that Pres. Fox won’t mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.
However, if he gives you any trouble, just invite him to go quail hunting with your V.P.
Thank you so much for your kind help.
Your friend, Bubba.
And remember PC people—the reason stereotypes become stereotypes is ‘cuz they’re true/accurate almost all of the time.
UNTRUE STATEMENTS USED BY RACISTS
1. MEXICANS WORK WHERE THEY CAN TO EARN MONEY TO PAY THEIR EXPENSES. WHO IS REALLY USING THE WELFARE SYSTEM THE MOST? I PERSONALLY HAVEN’T SEEN ONE SINGLE LATINO BUM IN MY LIFE.
P.S.: I WOULD PREFER TO PAY MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR PEOPLE WHO DEAL WITH MY FOOD THAN HAVE COMMON DISEASES SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE POPULATION DUE TO LACK OF MEDICAL ATTENTION.
2. SORRY TO BREAK IT TO YOU, BUT ALMOST HALF THE POPULATION IN THE U.S. SPEAKS SPANISH BECAUSE ALMOST HALF THE POPULATION IS “OF HISPANIC” DESCENT” A.K.A.: LATINO!
3. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON…
4. CHILDREN CAN’T IMMEDIATELY LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF THE COUNTRY THEY ARE BROUGHT TO. NOT EVEN AMERICAN KIDS CAN DO THAT.
5. SEE #2
6. I KNOW THERE IS A NOT A MAJORITY OF MEXICANS WHO WANT THE MEXICAN FLAG FLOWN IN PUBLIC PLACES. IN FACT, THEY PROBABLY WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE THEIR FLAG FLOWN ON THE BUILDINGS OF AFOREIGN COUNTRY. (THAT’S WHY THEY PUT IT ON THEIR CARS AND HOME WINDOWS.)
7. MEXICANS PAY TAXES. YES, EVEN “ILLEGAL” ONES. DO YOUR RESEARCH. I DON’T MEAN JUST SALES TAXES, PROPERTY TAXES, BUSINESS TAXES, ECT. BUT ALSO INCOME TAXES. YES, THEY PAY INCOME TAXES TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS. EVEN IF THEY DON’T HAVE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS. THEY PAY TAXES AND WON’T EVER GET SOCIAL SECURITY. THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU RETIRE AND RECIEVE PART OF THAT CHECK, ON THEM.
8. IN A COUNTRY STRUCTURED LIKE THE U.S., DRIVER’S LICENSES NEED TO BE A RIGHT NOT A PRIVILEGE. THEY ARE ALMOST NECESSARY FOR SURVIVAL. PEOPLE SHOULD LOSE THEM WHEN THEY DRIVE DANGEROUSLY, BUT OTHERWISE NOT BE DENIED THE RIGHT TO DRIVE. MAKING LICENSES AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO PASS THE WRITTEN AND DRIVING EXAM MAKES THE PUBLIC ROADS SAFER FOR ALL OF US.
9. OBVIOUSLY IF PEOPLE COULD HAVE A LICENSE, THEY WOULD GET INSURANCE. WHO WOULD WANT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT INSURANCE?
10. SEE #5
11. PEOPLE ARE FREE TO CELEBRATE THEIR HOLIDAYS WHEREVER THEY PLEASE. THERE ISN’T A VALID REASON FOR SUPRESSING A CELEBRATION. UNLESS OF COURSE THERE IS DISTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. MOST PEOPLE DON’T DO THIS IN MEXICAN HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS. IT IS A FEW INDIVIDUALS WHO CAUSE DAMAGE. BESIDES, WHO CELEBRATES THOSE MARDI GRAS CELEBRATIONS IN WHICH PROPERTY GETS DAMAGED AND PEOPLE GET INJURED? THE FRENCH WOULD BE APALLED. CERTAINLY, THIS CAN’T BE BLAMED ON THE MEXICANS.
12. SEE #7 (AND YOU WOULD FEEL THE PAIN TO THE EXTREME IF MEXICANS DID NOT PAY TAXES.)
13. MEXICANS, AND ANY OTHER MINORITY FOR THAT MATTER, SHOULD EXPECT RACISM. AFTER ALL, THEY DID COME TO THE UNITED STATES! THIS IS A LAND OF THE WASP. THE GOVERNMENT IS OF THE WASP, BY THE WASP, AND FOR THE WASP. WE HAVE A GREAT HISTORY OF RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, AND OPPRESSION FOR THE NON-WASP. WHAT ELSE WOULD THEY EXPECT TO GET? LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL? HA!
Charles—what planet do you live on re #9—I’d bet the farm that the vast majority of illegals who have cars do not have auto insurance. Why: ‘cuz they have nothing to lose if they’re sued.