After seeing Gila's latest story on The Liberal OC, I've been thinking. I know, I know. That's a REALLY scary thought. But trust me, it's not scary.
All too often when we think of the netroots, we think of those big, glitzy, glamorous national blogs with all those hundreds of thousands of User IDs. We think of that huge convention in Chicago that just ended. We think big, and we think national. But when you really look at the big picture, the national scene is only a small part of it.
The SF Chronicle just caught onto this, and I'm glad to see them noticing. There's a giant segment of the netroots that hasn't been noticed much, but is nonetheless making a huge difference throughout California, and throughout the nation. Follow me after the flip for more...
It's been quite a wild week in the 42nd Congressional District. Ever since Ron Shepston announced that he's running against Dirty Gary Miller, there have been quite some interesting developments that have occurred in the race to replace Dirty Gary. We've had the bloggers talk about going offline. We've had the California Democratic Party go online to announce its new website targeting Dirty Gary. We've heard rumors that a former Republican politician might reemerge to challenge Dirty Gary in the primary. Oh yes, and what did Ron say about John Kerry?
Follow me after the flip for all the latest dirt on Dirty Gary...
Something amazing is happening tomorrow. DFA Campaign Academy is coming to Southern California! Tomorrow, progressive activists from all over Southern California will be coming to Orange County to learn how to win next year and in future elections. And guess what? All of us activists will be learning from the experts who know a thing or two on how to win.
Oh, and here's some more good news. Even though registration for attendance is already at 160 people, DFA is still accepting sign-ups for tomorrow! That's right, even if you haven't signed up yet, you can still come to DFA Training! So what's happening at DFA Training? Follow me after the flip for more...
The best way to answer this question is to answer two other questions. Why should we allow such a corrupt individual to stay in office? And what has Gary Miller done for his constituents that has earned him the privilege of earning our votes for reelection? Once we figure out these answers, we can answer those other questions.
You may be surprised by these answers, so follow me after the flip for more...
In case you haven't noticed, there's a new kid on the block over at The Liberal OC. Yes, believe it or not, I'm there and I'm there to stay. You may have bumped into me before here at Calitics (where I'll still post stuff), but now I'll also be there to chat with you about what's happening in Orange County.
And now that I've said that, here's something happening in my little corner of OC that I'm pretty excited about. My Assembly Member, Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana), will be hosting an open house at his district office. He'd like to talk to us locals about what he's doing for us in Sacramento. Oh yes, and here's a good chance for us to ask him about all that legislation he's working on.
Ah, there's so much to talk about! What's happening with health care? What's being done about our gang violence problem in Central OC? What's being done to ensure that OC gets its fair share in parks funds? I know I'm looking forward to talking with Assm. Solorio about what's happening, and if you live in the 69th Assembly District, I hope you can join me for this chance to chat with our local legislator.
Come on and follow me after the flip for all the details on tomorrow's open house...
Take a look at this! Blognetnews.com has released its first list of "California's Most Influential Political Blogs", and Calitics has been rated #5! Oh my goodness, we made the Top 5! I guess people are actually paying attention to what we have to say about advancing progressive values in California. This is just terrific.
But you know what's also terrific? Many of our fantastic friends in the California (and especially Orange County!) blogosphere also made the Top 20 list!The Liberal OC hit #14! California Progress Report hit #10! Orange Juice hit #6! Total Buzz hit #3! And yes, my favorite local right-wing blog, OC Blog, hit #1. Congratulations to my conservative friends at Red County/OC Blog for being the #1 most influential political blog in California!
So what else can I say? Well, I can start by thanking all of you who faithfully read our fine blog. And thanks to all of you who constantly share your point of view with us in the comments. And thanks to all my fantastic colleagues who contribute to the blog with all their informative and insightful stories. And most of all, thanks to our fearless leader Brian for heading up one of the best blogs on the web... Which now also happens to be one of the five most influential blogs in the state! : )
OK, I just saw this on The Liberal OC, and I think I should share this with all the rest of you. Remember when I told you that Jim Brandt is running for the State Assembly in the 54th District, where Betty Karnette is termed out?
Well, Jim is looking for some help. He actually is looking forward to winning this race and serving the people of Long Beach, San Pedro, and Palos Verdes in Sacramento, but he can't win this thing alone. If you're in this area, then perhaps it's time for YOU to step up and help Jim out!
Follow me after the flip to find out how YOU can help...
When will American Jews wake up to the absolute wickedness of the Islamic religion. Every single follower of Islam: man, woman, and child, is taught nothing but such anti-semitism from the second they are born. The death cult of Mohammed is the biggest threat to American Jewry.
It would be a great service if Amir Abdul-Malik Ali would tell us how to recognize a Zionist Jew when wrapped from head to foot like a Muslim terrorist. If someone looking like that emerged out of the restroom on an airplane, it would be comforting to know that it is only some Jewish guy trying to make Muslims look bad. Then I can go back to reading my magazine.
These are just a couple of the many hate-filled comments that can be found on the recent Red County/OC Blog, which have now been "reprinted" at The Liberal OC. Now these folks were accusing the Muslim Student Union at UCI of inciting hatred by inviting a Muslim cleric to speak about the Israeli-Palestinean conflict. However, look at this video and try to find any "hate speech". Maybe they're just looking in the wrong direction.
But look at this. The Orange County Human Relations Commission reported in its 2006 annual report on hate crimes that attacks targeting Arab/Middle-Eastern/Muslim Americans have DOUBLED in the past year. And worse yet, the OC Human Relations Commission suggests that this may be due to the Iraq War.
Wait! Hold on here! Is this why we fight? Follow me after the flip for more...
If you haven't yet seen Gila's latest story at The Liberal OC, then you haven't yet seen the best blog story of the day. Basically, Gila's probing into the reason why anti-immigrant extremists are suddenly being nice to one undocumented immigrant who recently passed away. Now these people are the same ones who always love to dehumanize these human beings. They call them "illegal aliens", and they talk about deporting them like I talk about killing cockroaches. It's just downright disgusting. So why the sudden change of heart? Follow me after the flip to find out...
"The right to vote is fully protected under the XV Amendment of the US constitution. Anybody that uses any intimidation tactics should be prosecuted with the full power of the law. When Mr. Nguyen or anybody else uses the printing materials such as letterhead of an anti-immigrant organization it shows intent to intimidate. How more clear can it be? I feel disappointed that it was LULAC that had to call the State Attorney General's office to find out the results of the investigations rather than the AG call us. When I spoke with Mr. Schons he said that the case was closed back in February, they really dropped the ball. We are going to ask the US Attorney General to fully investigate this issue."
Tell you what; you're still a relevative [sic] young man in good health who obviously supports this president and this war. Do what hundreds of other soliders have done. Put your life on hold and go enlist. Ask to be assigned a unit going to Iraq. Support this war and this president all you want. But the veto is not supporting the troops. The veto is a sentence to extend this quagmire to satisfy a tyrant president's stubborness and refusal to admit mistakes.
Dan Chmielewski said that to Republican insider/consultant/"blogger"Jubal/Matt Cunningham on Monday, after Jubal/Matt spewed out the same old Republican talking points that Democrats hate the troops. Well, all hell soon broke loose as Jubal/Matt had his fit. I guess it's so much easier to "support the troops" by blithely sticking a yellow ribbon on a Middle-Eastern-oil-guzzling SUV while ignoring the real hell that our troops must suffer in Iraq.
So Matt/Jubal, since you seem to support this debacle in Iraq so much; since you seem to believe that this war is really about terrorism and not an occupation; since you support this President and his stubborn insistence that there is something over there that can be won, other than oil and no-bid contracts for his friends; why don't you put your butt where your mouth is, step up to the plate, and become part of King George's noble cause.
Here's Part 1 of what happened during the Democratic Convention this past weekend, as I kept bumping into all my Orange County friends. I want to give you a sense of what it's like for all of us progressives in OC, and I want to tell you about what we did in San Diego over the weekend. Though there were a few disappointing moments, overall we had a great time doing some great work.
Follow me after the flip for more on what happened on that magical first day of the convention...
The Liberal OC turns one year old today. Looking back in our archives, the most talked about topics back when we started this thing were Tan Nguyen and his racist run for congress, and Phil Angelides v.s. Steve Westly.
And the very first post on this page was an email that was sent to me by Benny Diaz regarding the May Day protests last year.
Here's to one more year of political blogging!
Yes, here's to another year of the best damn blogging behind the Orange Curtain! Our blogosphere wouldn't be the same wihout you. Horray for The Liberal OC! : )
I'm not sure where to even being rebutting this post, which is a rich combination of paranoia and grandiosity that would make your hero Art Pedroza proud. [...]
Andrew, if you really want to see a "noise machine" all you need to do is read your own posts: loaded with straw men, unsupported assumptions, jumped-to-conclusions, screechy rhetoric and paranoia.
So why is Jubal/Matt still fuming over this? Well, he completely lost control. And why is he so angry about that? Well, I'll tell you all about it after the flip...
Here's some BIG NEWS from our good friends at The Liberal OC:
Alicia Berhow has worked for Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for the past five years, and her last day will be April 19th.
Berhow will be starting a new position with the Orange County Business Council as the Director of Workforce Development. The Liberal OC congratulates her on her new position and wishes her a lot of luck.
And I'll add the same for Calitics! Alicia has done a terrific job in community outreach for Loretta Sanchez, and I'm sure that Loretta's office won't be quite the same without her. Congratulations, Alicia, on the new job. I'm sure you'll be as much of an asset for the OC Business Council as you have been for Rep. Sanchez! : )
