Recent Blog Posts: Bakersfield.com

D.K. Mason on ShowBiz Bakersfield: Video Announcements Wanted

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:59:08 PST

Hello Friends,
Did you know that I'm the 1st Vice President of Bakersfield's KCPA-TV and that we're building a video only site at

www.vdo.kcpa-tv.com and want you to help bring traffic to it?

We'll be producing several cable TV shows, based upon the website at http://vdo.kcpa-tv.com, which hosts the following

domains:

www. Help Wanted Videos.com
www. Yard Sales on TV.com
www. Give Me 5 Minutes.biz
www. I Wanna Sing on TV.com
www. Hot-Dates-at-KCPA-TV.com

It should be easy enough to figure out what types of videos are wanted at http://vdo.kcpa-tv.com, and for now the service is FREE. We're not trying to become another YouTube or MySpace, our market is serving the citizens of Kern County, CA.

Anyone with a video message likely to be of interest to our viewers is welcome to post as many different videos as they'd like.

However, at this time we require that your video be hosted someplace else, like on YouTube.com, and that you simply put the codes onto our site. We even have a category for Community Agencies wishing to inform the public of their services.

In the near future (when we've raised $25,000 in investments) we will begin offering to air weekly on cable TV, videos from the various categories, for a fee. Listing on the website is free, broadcasting your video on our local cable channel can cost as little as $25 for a yard sale slot or as much as $200 on the show "Give Me 5 Minutes".

So, this would be a good opportunity to claim your FREE spot and let your video bring new people into your programs.

Until next time.
DK-Mason
KCPA-TV
Bakersfield, CA

Comments:
robbwillis commented:

www. I Wanna Sing on TV.com

That one should have a link to www.pleasecommitsuicide.com

Thanks,

Robb

DoctorMason commented:

Re: Video Announcements Wanted.

Now Robb I know you don't say the same about VH1, MTV, GAC, American Idol and all the others now do you.

That "I Wanna Sing on TV.com" website will become THE place talent scouts visit when looking for potential here in Kern County. There are a lot of good singers and musicians here who can't afford an Agent, or expensive studio pictures, but they CAN afford to put samples of their work online for free. And since the website is only for Kern County people, nobody will become lost in cyberspace like they would if they joined one of those "world famous" websites.

Like most things it just takes a while to get the word out, that's why there is hardly anyone using the "I Wanna Sing on TV.com" website for now. Same thing with the website "Help Wanted Videos.com". There are LOTS of help wanted ads around but almost nobody knows they can put their Kern County help wanted videos online for free. Just bookmark the site and wait until it catches on!

robbwillis commented: Especially for American Idol...
murphyslaw commented: NO PERSONAL ADDS!!!!!
murphyslaw commented:

AND THEY'LL ALL DO THIS FOR FREE, YOU AND YOUR BOSS WORK FOR FREE, GO TELL IT TO THE MOUNTAIN

Will IT BE AMERICAN IDOL???? OR AMERICAN IDIOT??

AGAIN, WE'RE NOT TO PUT ADS ON THE BLOG, IT'S FREE ADVERTISEMENT AND THEY DON'T ALLOW THAT HERE, BUT, THEN AGAIN YOU DO WORK FOR FREE. WE COULD ALL USE OUR LAWNS MOWED FOR FREE.

NancyII commented:

NO TYPING IN ALL CAPS !!!!

:-)

murphyslaw commented: okay mommie

The Pulse: Parents, know the signs of meningitis

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:43:24 PST

Fever? Headache? Stiff neck?

Get to the hospital. Don't wait.

The county Public Health department wants parents to be on the lookout for these symptoms of meningitis, a potentially fatal infection especially prevalent in children. (Read "County warns to be aware of symptoms" in Sunday's Californian.)

While the eight cases of bacterial meningitis this year in the county aren't an extraordinary amount, some parents aren't recognizing the symptoms early enough, which could seriously endanger the child, said Dr. Boyce Dulan, deputy health officer and director of disease control for the health department.

Meningitis is an infection of the spinal cord fluid and the fluid that surrounds the brain.

It can cause inflammation of the brain, which can destroy nerve cells and cause bleeding in the brain, stroke, seizures and even death, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Symptoms can appear one to 10 days after exposure, the health department says.

Adolescents and young adults are also at an increased risk for meningitis due to the following lifestyle factors, according to the National Meningitis Association:

Crowded living conditions (such as dormitories, boarding schools and sleep-away camps)
Moving to a new residence
Attendance at a new school with students from geographically diverse areas
Sharing beverages or utensils
Going to bars
Active or passive smoking
Irregular sleeping patterns

If you have been near someone who has been diagnosed with meningitis, you need to be treated immediately as well and given precautionary antibiotics, Dulan said. Even if there aren't any symptoms, adults, especially, can be carriers for the disease.

The following sites have more information about meningitis:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Mayo Clinic
National Institutes of Health
Meningitis Research Foundation
Meningitis Foundation of America
National Meningitis Association
American Medical Association

Comments:
kathylbd commented: I would like to make readers aware that there are also other types of meningitis, although I do not think they are as life threatening as bacterial meningitis. One of them is fungal meningitis, which my husband caught from having valley fever. the spores disseminated until the lining of his brain was swollen and infected, and there is also another type of meningitis though the exact name of it escapes me right now. The main thing is to watch for the symptoms, same type of symptoms as bacterial meningitis, which is pretty scary stuff. If anyone in my family has even one of these symptoms I would waste no time getting to the emergency room.
randomfactor commented:

Viral. The difference is which *TYPE* of bug is infecting the meninges.

Guy in the next bed over was thought to have had bacterial meningitis during one of my numerous recent ER visits. Spouse #2 was incorrectly diagnosed with viral meningitis about four years ago. Wrong bug, wrong location.

ThePulse commented: Here are the different types of meningitis (i.e. fungal, pneumococcal, viral, haemophilus influenzae b, etc.), courtesy of the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Sam Heath: Science may yet find a “stupid” gene

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 16:30:55 PST

Charles Schulz had it right with his marvelous sense of humor. The Great Pumpkin and the Easter Beagle were to my liking; not the fanaticism on either side of Christmas and Easter between defenders and detractors.

Any time now I expect scientists to declare they have found a “stupid” gene. It will account for things otherwise normal people do making them not only contenders for the Darwin awards, but trying to rename the Easter Bunny. Some people really believe this will fly? Certainly the schools can get away with “Winter” and “Spring” breaks, but what to do with Easter eggs, Peeps, and the multi-billion dollar industry built around the Easter Bunny? People aren’t going to go for something called “Spring Eggs.” Take away the word Easter and you have nothing to qualify that time of year as anything significant to set it apart from any other time of year. Shoot the Easter Bunny and a multi-billion dollar industry dies with him. Defenders of the Easter Bunny can take more comfort in his being protected by the symbol of a dollar than anything symbolic of religion.

The same rule applies to Christmas. There is nothing to make this time of year significant apart from celebrating the birth of Jesus. Take Jesus out of the equation and you have no Christmas. Calling it a “Holiday Season” isn’t going to support the multi-billion dollar industry built around celebrating Jesus’ birthday, and without him Santa would go the way of the Easter Bunny; neither Santa or the Bunny have any relevance apart from Jesus. And while an argument can be made for the Bunny not being a religious symbol, calling him anything but the Easter Bunny just won’t work anymore than trying to rename Santa; no Jesus, no saints, no Santa.

Certainly some Jews would like to equate the Menorah with a Christmas tree, but no one is fooled by such a thing. Each celebrates something totally distinct to the symbol; and worldwide the Christmas tree is symbolic of the birth of Jesus and Christians while the Menorah, as with the Star of David, remains a Jewish symbol; period! But if Easter and Christmas weren’t promoted for economic reasons and real money-makers, just how would America as a whole be celebrating the seasons? One thing is certain; two hundred million people in America don’t go out and buy Menorah trees or Menorah presents.

The ACLU and its supporters don’t really want “equality” for any religious symbols in America; they don’t really want a Menorah equated with a Christmas tree, they would rather abolish every symbol of religion like the Decalogue, a cross, crèche, Christmas tree, Easter and Christmas, but what would America be without such Christian symbols? Muslim nations have no such enemies of their “sacred” symbols; and such symbols are a continuing unifying force among Muslims against “infidels” no matter the amount of internecine blood-letting.

But speaking of those undoubtedly possessed of a stupid gene and wanting to rename the Easter Bunny, what can we say of Bush for his claiming to have looked into the soul of Putin and pronouncing that old KGB stalwart “a good man.” By now we should all be aware Putin read Bush far better, and that old KGB stalwart saw someone not to be trusted, if not in fact a fool, and perhaps a dangerous one at that, and is acting accordingly. The result being Russians have a leader acting in the best interests of Russia, but America is without such a leader as our porous borders if nothing else proves. If Putin wants to cut our throat he is counting on the White House and Congress providing him the knife.

The prodigality of life throughout the earth is evidenced by the many examples from nature in the wild of planting thousands of seeds the great majority having no chance of surviving, but the profligate casting of thousands of seeds insures that a small number will survive, and among this small number an even smaller number will grow to maturity and have offspring. That the greater part will die is of no concern to nature, and this same prodigality of life is seen to be the case in the animal world as well. Unfortunately for humans, while nature will dispose of plants and animals possessed of a stupid gene the same cannot be said for us humans.

For example, PETA has a legitimate complaint against Al Gore. Animals raised for slaughter do produce the very gases in enormous abundance those like Al would eliminate by having humans cooperating in limiting the pollution caused by us humans. But how likely is it people worldwide are going to become vegetarians; about as likely as China stopping building coal-fired electric generating plants. And there is no EPA oversight in China. However, maybe that stupid gene among humans will sort all this out; how else account for politicians and those wanting to rename the Easter Bunny? No wonder so many are hoping ET may come to our rescue.

Comments:
dusty1215 commented: Stupid is amazingly colorblind, gender neutral, and it affects everyone at some point in their life..at least that has been my experience Sam.

Now, as my dad used to say..thank goodness not everyone is felony dumb. :)
tonyh commented:

Dumb and Stupid are two completely different attributes.............

Dumb is locking your keys in the trunk of your car, sitting down in the driver seat to call AAA and not thinking about the remote trunk release in the passenger compartment until after AAA has sent someone to help.

Stupid is robbing a Convenience Store while buying Beer, and leaving your ID on the counter while you make your getaway.

samheath commented:

Your dad was right Dusty; and Tony, the difference you mention is the only reason I'm still alive and without a prison record.

Living In Bakersfield,Ca now 2 years later no arrest : April will be one year sence my nephew was killed

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 15:40:03 PST

April will be one year sense my nephew was killed on Lake st. And still no suspects.

It was a hit and run. The corner said it was suspicious death. I have been in contact with Gang Unit Detectives. who Know these streets and the Gangs that are out there .

They hve asked some Gang members ,but like all was no one's talking.

My nephew was in and out of prison sense 14 years old. The day he was killed' was the worst news. He had only been out maybe a month. I don't know if he was in a gang, it really dose not matter. He was my favorite nephew. And to kill some one at all is wrong . No matter what they do.

I love my Nephew and miss him more eveyday.My nephew use to come by just to see how we were doing. A few times he Ask if we needed are yard mowed ,or something so he could make a few dollar's. His laugh ,his smile ,miss all that and him .God Bess you, Boy

Until we reach the other side.

This person that did this needs to be sought and arrested .He was killed by some one who is out there in are streets. The gang unit has been helpful and they have been tiring to find out what happen to my nephew. The Gang Unit has asked several Gang member if they knew my nephew. or what happen. That early morning.

Thanks to The Gang Unit officer who been very up front ,professional and trying to keep me involved. I respect that. And you be safe out there.

Her is what the paper said about it Rewards:

Up to $5,000
will be paid.
to Secret Witness on this and any other crime

Hit and Run Fatality 04/23/06

Bakersfield Police is requesting the community’s assistance in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible for a fatal hit and run that occurred on 04/23/06 in the 1300 block of Lake Street. The victim, Michael Negrete (22) of Bakersfield, was apparently struck and killed by a vehicle.

Police had responded to a report of gang members fighting and possible shots fired and there were numerous vehicles leaving the area. It is unknown at this time whether this was an accident or an intentional act. There is no suspect information at this time.

Anyone with information is asked to call Senior Officer Charlie Cowell at 661-326-3908 or Bakersfield Police at 66-327-7111. Anonymous and confidential information can be provided through Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.

Deep Thoughts~whats in ,on my mind and whats out there.: Compassion,pancakes and small miracles

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 14:00:58 PST

I read the featured letter to the editor this morning. My face started to crack, K. asking “What?” I shook my head, he said, “Well at least read it out loud”. My voice squeaked out the last few paragraphs, we both were in tears by the end. What a poignant letter, the sweet humanity of this woman, the utter courage to say her truth, offer what comfort she could. At times my despair for what has become of man ~to often cruel, base, low~ is too much to bear. Then like sunlight, a Human Being shines forth from the low common denominator that is society today. My mother would often lament my life, saying it seemed so hard. Looking at others I never felt that way. In truth while we give lip service to “wanting only the good”, it is the events that rend your soul, try you, scar you, that give you character .Life changing, these moments also give you a map, one of morals ,showing you what lies in your soul. What is lacking there also.

Already I was crying a few tears from making pancakes morning, C&K loved Saturday morning pancakes, it was a ritual for both my sons. I would make tiny quarter sized one’s, the next Saturday they were the size of the plate. This morning something happened that in 40 years of Saturdays had never occurred. Ruminating on this letter, grief, the sunlight hit the cake in just the right fashion illuminating the surface. There appeared drops of moisture, looking like dew drops, on the pancake~ a small sweet sight, something lovely in it’s simplicity. A minor miracle, the only kind the world seems to get these days. The kind of miracle that allowed me to continue to make pancakes, associate a new, happier memory with them. In short, to reaffirm, even in my deep sorrow, that life is indeed worth the living.
I wish that the mother, grandmother of Kayden find ease and Peace. That the whole family is given hearts ease. That the letter writer forgives herself that I forgive myself. That the mindless, the self-righteous, the vindictive, the judger's have a moment of compassion and love. It is just these people who need compassion and love for themselves the most. The ones shouting loudest have, deep within them some type of shame that needs to be let out.

This life is so short, tragic; all of us will try and fall short. Few are such animals that they are lost to redemption. Kindness should not be a random act, taking the “high road” affords a sweet lovely view. May your pancakes be covered in dew.

Dusty's View of Life: The Dem's plan for Iraq..from their own lips..well,sort of.

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 10:19:00 PST

This morning in my email I had a letter from a group of Democrats..to be more precise..the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, or DCCC.

Now, I signed up for their emails only to be informed as to what this heinous group of ner-do-well's and all around special interest kinda guys and gals were saying.

I was suprised to find this:

"On Thursday, the House Democratic Majority unveiled a new plan to end the war in Iraq, strengthen our security and provide our troops with the support they deserve. Our proposal establishes clear benchmarks in order to hold the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government accountable, and sets a firm timetable for bringing our combat troops home. President Bush has already threatened to veto this plan. Let me tell you how our plan works.

It establishes a timetable to bring our combat troops home within the next 18 months and is consistent with the unanimous recommendations of the independent bipartisan Iraq Study Group (Baker-Hamilton Commission). Depending on circumstances, all combat troops could be home as early as December 2007 but no later than August 2008.
We impose real benchmarks to hold the Iraqi government accountable. If the Iraqi government fails to meet its obligations, the redeployment of our combat troops would begin immediately.
Our plan refocuses our military on defeating the Al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan who were responsible for the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The House Democratic plan requires that our troops be adequately equipped and trained before they are sent into battle.
Finally, we insist upon top-notch medical care and first-class benefits for our military personnel and the new generation of veterans. Our wounded soldiers need to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

This is a plan that truly supports our troops. It is a smart, strategic policy that strengthens our national security and ensures that our soldiers get the training, equipment and support they deserve."

Ok..that really got me all excited when I read it..seriously. But then I had a cup of coffee and realized where it came from. A special interest group who I very seldom have anything in common with or support. The DCCC is just as bad as the Republican arm of wingnuts. So forgive me if I seem jaded and find it hard to believe this plan will be the cure-all for what ails us in Iraq. If they can manage by some small miracle to get ALL Democrats on board and enough republicans..then I will applaud them. I do not see anything changing the war in Iraq until Bush gets out of office and some poor sot has to come behind him and clean up all his messes.

But I decided to share it with Bakersfieldian's anyway this morning..enjoy!

Comments:
randomfactor commented:

Contrast this with the Republican plan: Send in the injured:

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002729.php

dusty1215 commented: Heard about that today..they are desperate, aren't they?
randomfactor commented:

"Best-case scenario" in Iraq: Civil War, winner: al Qaeda.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13710030/leaving_iraq_the_grim_truth/print

TomW commented: RF, I was just reading that. Geez. All I can say is I hope Clarke is right. General McPeak's comment at the end was incredible:

This is a dark chapter in our history. Whatever else happens, our country's international standing has been frittered away by people who don't have the foggiest understanding of how the hell the world works. America has been conducting an experiment for the past six years, trying to validate the proposition that it really doesn't make any difference who you elect president. Now we know the result of that experiment [laughs]. If a guy is stupid, it makes a big difference.
dusty1215 commented: Well, when you count the money BushCo is giving to both sides..its hard to tell who is going to 'win' random. Sy Hersh has a great piece up about it.
randomfactor commented:

And that's just the *BEST-CASE* scenario. Most likely, longer civil war with al Qaeda *AND* Iran big winners...

You shouldn't elect stupid presidents? Whoda thunk it?

dusty1215 commented: Its not all Bush..Reagan was also a flake that depended on intelligent minds to brief him on issues that he had no clue on..

Its the people they surround themselves with.
randomfactor commented:

Reagan was a second-rate president with a first-rate PR firm. (Bush is a third-rate president with a fourth-rate PR firm--but a *HUGE* one.) He was second-rate as California governor, and the Alzheimer's hadn't yet kicked in then. Probably.

dusty1215 commented: During Iran-Contra..when he kept saying" I do not recall"..it was a warning we all missed.

He was in the beginning stages of Alzheimers..too bad for us as a country, there should be age limits perhaps? Not than I am advocating them..just saying..
mattloch commented: You deserve the president you elect. But just remember Ki6amd's words: when you insult Bush, you insult the entire organization. When you bring down the Commander-in-Chief, you bring down the troops. When you say something bad about America, the terrorists have an excuse to blow us up. Or something like that.....
dusty1215 commented: Give me a break Mattloch..that simpleton logic doesn't work on moi. When you bring out into the light, the transgressions of BushCo..yes, you indict the whole lot of them.

So?
randomfactor commented:

Fair enough. When I insult Bush, I mean the insult to attach to everyone in his immediate vicinity.

Dusty, remember that one of the "front-runners" on the Republican side would be, if elected, two years older than Reagan was on *HIS* inauguration day. And he *ALREADY* can't stay awake during State of the Union speeches (not that I hold *THAT* against him--I can stay awake, just not sober for them.)

dusty1215 commented: Weathervane McCain will not be elected. His war stance only appeals to the 30% that still buy into Bush's bs..
randomfactor commented:

Never overestimate the attention span of the American voter. All McCain needs to do is claim that Bush screwed up by *NOT* listening to him and to Lieberman. What reporter would contradict him besides Olbermann?

Remember Adlai Stevenson's remark when he was told he had the vote of "every thinking American."

"That's not enough, I need a majority!"

dusty1215 commented: lol..I need the majority. The last election proved they were listening..even if they were the silent majority.

Its those loud-mouthed 'libruls' that need to stfu. :P

Right Thinking: Coulter crossed line with use of gay slur

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 08:18:06 PST

Some years ago I caught a segment of the news show "60 Minutes" in which two editors of The National Enquirer were forced to admit they had

made up published stories about a well-known celebrity.

That a supermarket tabloid would fabricate stories was no surprise, but what really bothered me was that both the editors happened to be Scottish, a nationality I share.

It's always a blow when those we identify with commit a dishonorable act, which is why the stinging disappointment I felt at the ethical lapse of my fellow Scots, I felt again last week when fellow conservative Ann Coulter called Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards a "faggot."

Coulter used the slur while speaking before a friendly crowd of about 6,300 at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C. She and a rapidly dwindling number of supporters have been struggling to explain the "joke" ever since.

In a hollow attempt to defend her use of the epithet on Fox News' Hannity and Colmes Show, Coulter claimed the term "isn't offensive to gays."

"It has nothing to do with gays," she said. "It's a schoolyard taunt meaning wuss and unless you are telling me John Edwards is gay, it was not applied to a gay person."

OK, I get it. In the world according to Coulter, the term "faggot" is only hate speech when directed at a person who is actually gay. And since everything about Edwards indicates otherwise, i.e. a 30-year marriage that has produced four children, he has no reason to take Coulter's remark personally.

It's a ridiculous argument, of course, but Coulter clearly has no intention of apologizing to Edwards, to his family, to the American Conservative Union whose convention she hijacked or to Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential candidate who shared the dais with Coulter no doubt wishing he had stayed at home this year.

Instead, Coulter and her supporters are predictably blaming the fuss on the "selective outrage" of the liberal media, which, she says, reported her remarks out of context.

Please. This was no booze-fueled outburst a la Mel Gibson. This was a well-practiced, deliberately nasty joke that evoked as many groans as laughs from the startled crowd. Even noted conservatives at the convention, including Romney and syndicated columnist Michelle Maulkin, no shrinking violet herself in the messy world of politics, found the slur offensive and said so.

Conservatives defending Coulter rightly wonder why the media regularly fails to cover outrageous behavior from those on the left with the same vigor as it's now covering Coulter. Behaviors like Edwards' hiring of bloggers that bashed people of faith as "Christofascists" or like talk-show host Bill Maher's recent crack that if Vice President Dick Cheney were dead, "more people would live."

It's a good question, but that is another column. Coulter's use of the ugly epithet, like her past characterization of Iraqis as "ragheads" and the harsh suggestion that Sept. 11 widows used their husband's deaths for political gain, should be denounced without qualification.

Coulter is a knowledgeable and charismatic representative of the right, but in recent years her commentary has grown increasingly inflammatory, perhaps even detrimental to the conservative movement.

That's an issue book-buying conservatives can decide for themselves. As for me, I've had quite enough of Ms. Coulter.

Comments:
dusty1215 commented: Lets be clear on what Maher said..lets not paraphrase ok?

"I have zero doubt that if Dick Cheney was not in power people wouldn't be dying needlessly tomorrow. If he did die, other people — more people would live. That's a fact."

He was responding to bloggers who were saddened that Cheney did not die in the bombing of an Afghan military base, but calling for Cheney to be killed is wrong..and THAT was his whole point of the comment.

But thanks for perpetuating the bs.
TomW commented: Thanks, Marylee. There is no excuse for Coulter's remarks. The reason it was a big deal is not because she said it (she said the same thing at a church the following weekend), but because both before and after the event, she was still being treated well by all of the Republican candidates for President as well as the rest of the CPAC conference. She was introduced by Mitt Romney.

In other words, she did it someplace that she was speakiing for the conservative movement. Andrew Sullivan who is a staunch conservative and is gay described it like this:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/03/faggots.html

She added to the joke a slur: "John Edwards is a faggot." That's why people gasped and then laughed and clapped so heartily. I was in the room, so I felt the atmosphere personally. It was an ugly atmosphere, designed to make any gay man or woman in the room feel marginalized and despised. To put it simply, either conservatism is happy to be associated with that atmosphere, or it isn't. I think the response so far suggests that the conservative elites don't want to go there, but the base has already been there for a very long time. (That's why this affair is so revealing, because it is showing which elites want to pander to bigots, and which do not.)
brentrevok commented: Ann Coulter is free to say anything she feels like saying, as we all should be. This country has gotten way too sensitive over the spoken word. Whatever happened to the old saying..."sticks and stones..?"
dusty1215 commented: Of course Coulter is enjoying her freedom of speech. And the newspapers that syndicate her are also enjoying the freedom to dump her, as well as other people having the freedom to distance themselves from her remark who usually sit on the same side of the fence as she does.
brentrevok commented:

This isn't about what side of the fence you sit on, it's about freedom of speech. I personally don't care what anyone says about me, my race or my beliefs. What upsets me is the type of society we have become. People are so easily offended these days. Why must everyone walk on eggs and be afraid to say what they feel? People need to quit apologizing if they say something that offends a certain person or ethnic group.

This country is heading in the wrong direction and it's only going to get worse.

antiextremism commented:

Yes, Freedom of Speech is for ALL Americans.

That's why I can say, that is the sorriest defense of Coulter I have heard yet.

dusty1215 commented: Anon said-"People are so easily offended these days". Your probably right about that. But Coulter's rhetoric is hardly enlightening and perhaps even her own supporters are getting tired of her hate filled diatribes with little merit and a whole bunch of nasty.

Perhaps her 15 minutes of fame are fizzling out...or would 'flaming' out be a better way to put it?
brentrevok commented:

Once again...this isn't about Ann Coulter. It's about the freedom to say what we, as Americans, want to say...whenever and wherever we choose to say it.

Don't you get it? This "forced" censorship is just another one of our freedoms slowly being taken away by the government, via liberal judges and lawmakers. This has nothing to do with hatred, bigotry, racism or the like -- it only has to do with freedom!

Look past the "incredibly-clouded spin" that the media has created, and see this for what it really is: Censorship!

GotREALITY commented:

I must have missed something. Was she "forced" to recant or were her comments deleted by the government or any other official body?

Last I checked our freedoms have been continuously eroded by you know who.

robbwillis commented: How can anyone claim the Edwards' bloggers didn't get media attention? Has Marylee just returned from vacationing on another planet?
rightthinking commented:

Anonymous, I'm afraid you are confusing censorship - a government action to stop the transmission or publication of matter considered objectionable - with accountability. No one has censored Coulter - in fact she's had unfettered access to the media since her "faggot" remark and unlimited opportunities to explain herself. With all the media attention she's been getting, it's ludicrous to suggest that someone or some entity is attempting to keep Coulter quiet. I believe even Coulter would agree she's been given ample opportunity to speak out.

All of us are accountable for the things we say and do, but there are consequences - like those Coulter is facing now. The risk in speaking out is that people aren't always going to like what you have to say and they have the right to respond. in any (nonviolent manner) they see fit. Bottom line is each of us has the right to speak freely, but if you can't take the heat, don't step up to the mic.

irv commented:

Edwards is perceived to be a wuss. He didn't get the name "Breck Boy" for nothing ya know.

Sorry, but Ann's remark isn't any more offensive to me than the rap music I am exposed to every day as I drive the streets of Bakersfield. I am truly offended by women being called "ho's"and "B#$%@" and black people being called "N#$$&@" .

dusty1215 commented: "I am truly offended by women being called "h*'s" and black people being called "n****" ."- well, it just goes to show you that some people have zero tolerance and then some..like you, allow a certain amount of hate speech and words to be used and fail to see the similarities.
dusty1215 commented: If Coultergeist has the right to say whatever she wants..and then call it humor, then great! People have the right to refuse her a soapbox to spew her crap. The newspapers that canned her took that step as well as a huge cross section of the rightwing blogosphere.
irv commented:

Dusty, just what don't you understand about "isn't any more offensive" and "I am truly offended" .

One is just as bad as the other in my mind.

One receives accolades and one receives ridicule. Go figure.

irv commented:

Dusty,

P.S.

Sorry about the edit but i did that in deference to "our nanny"

Dexter53 commented: I disagree with your points on this completely, anonymous.

I don't think the fallout from Anne Coulter's remark says anything about censorship or people being too touchy...it simply highlights the fact that she is a careless big-mouth and not the kind of person you want speaking for your side when you are trying to convince America that you will do the best job running the country.

Ms. Shrider is right on the money. It's about accountability.

Her time will end when Republicans get tired of taking crap for what she says and does. Sure, calling John Edwards a f***** isn't the end of the world, and it wasn't a gay slur. But wouldn't you rather not defend that position if you had a choice?

lol
randomfactor commented: 3190.
sagefever commented: "Shut my mouth" After saying that I was reassured by the fact I never would agree with Ms. Shrider, I am officially eating crow, so to speak. It is a sign of hope,because she is correct~you can say what you wish,but one is accountable for it.Name calling does not hurt but it certainly shows just how smart the utterer is. No point of view is changed by grade school banter.Nice to find common ground with the writer,and I wonder if crow is better with salsa or ketchup?
randomfactor commented:

Hmmm. Coulter crossed the line with this remark.

Not earlier, when she said Al Gore was a "total fag."

Not earlier, when she said the Oklahoma City terrorists just targeted the *WRONG* Americans.

Not earlier, when she said that the widows of those killed by the 9/11 terrorists killed were "whores."

Not earlier, when she suggested poisoning a sitting Supreme Court Justice.

Not earlier, when she said women should not be allowed to vote (although she herself did--illegally.)

Thanks for drawing them lines for us, MaryLee. What color is the sky over on your world?

nooneisabovethelaw commented:

Okay, I agree with you, Marylee, for one of the few times. But this is hardly the issue.

All this fuss over what Ann Colter said. First, she has no credibility. Anythng she says is suspect.

Second, it's amazing and more than a little discouraging that so much attention gets paid to what Ann Coulter said, and far, far, far too little attention continues to be paid to what the Bush Administration has said and done in these miserable six years.

Why on earth aren't we worked up over that? If we could show the same level of outrage over the high crimes and misdemeanors of this administration, we wouldn't have had to put up with the past six years of it.

Coulter and her so-called free speech is just another smoke screen. When are you people going to realize it and stopped being played for fools?

dusty1215 commented: Applauding Marylee for jumping on the bandwagon a week after it went down is interesting..she's a few days late and as random points out..there are plenty of Coultergeists' comments to go around the last few years..
MsNella commented: Look, I hardly ever agree with Marylee. However, she acknowledges dome (Who could list all?) of Coulter's offensive remarks. Marylee states at the end of the column "As for me, I've had quite enough of Ms. Coulter." It seems, to me, a bit wrong to criticize someone for finally having enough of Coulter's b.s. Better late than never, I say.
antiextremism commented:

Im glad Marylee sees through the garbage. It gives her more credibility in my book. If we all just toe the party line no matter what, we're as bad as the fundamentalist terrorists, and we all lose credibility. There are vicious and stupid people on both sides.

And anonymous, freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from reprisal. She certainly can say what she wants, and we can certainly proclaim her stupidity for saying it, along with the tons of other stupid things she says to get attention. It's not even close to being censorship. When you choose vanilla ice cream over butterscotch, it doesn't mean butterscotch has been banned, it only means that you think butterscotch sucks.

allRED commented: randomfactor on Mar 10, 2007 at 02:24 PM

Hmmm. Coulter crossed the line with this remark.

Not earlier, when she said Al Gore was a "total fag."

Not earlier, when she said the Oklahoma City terrorists just targeted the *WRONG* Americans.

Not earlier, when she said that the widows of those killed by the 9/11 terrorists killed were "whores."

Not earlier, when she suggested poisoning a sitting Supreme Court Justice.

Not earlier, when she said women should not be allowed to vote (although she herself did--illegally.)

Thanks for drawing them lines for us, MaryLee. What color is the sky over on your world?

I have no problem with the statements above.

MsNella commented: Also, for those who latch on to the "crossing the line" bit. She didn't even write that. It was a *headline* Writers don't write those. Copy editors do.
Quest commented: Ok, I'll bite, allRED, why don't you have problems with any of those statements?

I do, because that's not how I believe God would like us to conduct ourselves. It also hurts real honest thoughtful political debate. It de-humanizes people, and creates conveniant pigeonholes that leads to more "groupthink" and less truth.

Calling someone a "bitch" "faggot" "whore" or calling for their death is not how Christ would have us behave. It drags down the discussion to playground insults and hardens positions. God wants us to stand up for the truth, but with dignity and respect for others. Just as Christ showed kindness and love to everyone when He was on earth. We all get a bit hot and lose it some times, by Ann Coulter went far beyond the line, and is not the kind of person I would want advocating for me.
TomW commented: I'm guessing allRed was joking.
antiextremism commented: Or maybe he agrees with Random. Can't you go to hell for that Ron?
victormperez commented: Response to Ann Coulter

Ann read your Bible ''Thou shall not bear false witness'.
tkozy commented:

Shrider turning over a new leaf? Hardly..

Rather she recognized a indefensible situation. And attempted to mitigate the damage.

Cunning and calculated without a hint of compassionate conservatism.

Somewhat akin to a little bloodletting to improve the physical health.

Without regard to the spiritual mind or morality..

randomfactor commented: 3195.
sfinboston52 commented: Ann C. has step over the line...saying the "F" word is the same as saying the "N" or the "C" word. It should never be uttered. I remember that would being used against me when I was in school and it was said w/ hate and was used to take away my humanity. As an Adult, I have only heard it a couple of times, but still remember the hate behind it. I have no respect for Ann C. she is a person w/o compassion or true common deceny..
antiextremism commented: http://www.noolmusic.com/blogs/YouTube_Viral_Videos4_-_Late_Show_-_Clinton_Reply_To_Ann_Coulter.shtml
tkozy commented:

Things that interest ME: An Inconvenient Meal

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 07:37:51 PST

This should get some knickers a few knots.

"An Inconvenient Meal" .....and the letter from PETA

The Real Story on the right of the page.

.......It's a little irreverant but what the heck.

An no..it isn't an attack on Gore for heavens sake. I'd think it was funny no matter who it was featuring.

Comments:
woofwoof commented: That was pretty dang funny Nancy. The video was a hoot. Mass destruction from eating a hoagie.....lol. It does seem it's just a way for money to shift on to something else that's not as important as poverty.
irv commented: What a great documentary! Glen Beck should be up for a Golden Globe at the very least! :o)
ki6amd commented: Nancy, I'm glad to see I'm not the only fan of Glenn here. It was a good segment. I especially loved his video with pics of all of the global warming fans stuffing themseves with meaty foods. I've gotten my grandma watching Beck now almost every day. Now if I can get her to listen in the morning...

...for all interested, here's the video.
NancyII commented:

I'm on the road every day during the last hour of Becks radio show and I'm always entertained as well as enlightened. Heh.

I ran across the video when I went to his web site (link above) to find the name of the guy (Jeff Bolton) that I had heard speak on his show. Then while watching his show Sat nite (rerun) they played to video. They do a lot of those kinds of videos and some in the guise of commercials. I think Beck has stumbled onto something I learned long ago..when you inject humor and entertainment into your "lectures" people tend to listen more and learn more. After a short time of being hammered by most talk show hosts, I tend to tune them out. I used to like Michael Reagan for his style also..don't know what happened to him.

Last week he was at the Islamic Reformation conference but I haven't heard a lot about that yet. Contrary to popular belief, I listen to talk radio a total of maybe an hour (half hour each way) a day 4 days a week and on the Sat commute I listen to the garden gurus or home improvement shows. I'm not immersed in talk radio as some would have people believe.

Anyway...funny video..hopefully people will get as big a kick out of it as we did.

ki6amd commented: Here is the updated link to the story BTW...

Editorials: It's time for universal trash recycling

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:17:34 PST

PUBLISHED 3-11-2007

Bakersfield is not a small, backwater city. It’s one of California’s major metropolitan areas. And it’s time we acted like one.

Bakersfield reportedly is the only city of its size in California that lacks a universal trash recycling program with curbside collection. We should be moving toward implementing one.

A good first step is to revise the monthly trash rates to encourage recycling, rather than discourage it. Begin plans for a “universal” system — one that charges a single fee for the weekly curbside pickup of trash, green waste and recyclable items.

A committee of the Bakersfield City Council has endorsed a plan to revise the rates. The plan still needs to be approved by the entire City Council.

Last week, the Kern County grand jury joined the chorus calling for universal curbside collection of recycled items. Grand jurors are correct. Such a program is long overdue.

After dragging their heels for years, city officials reluctantly initiated a voluntary recycling program with curbside collection once every two weeks.

But the city’s monthly trash collection rate structure discourages use of the service by requiring residents to pay more for pickup.

Other major California cities have universal collection and a “bundled” rate structure. For one single charge, residential customers receive three bins — trash, greenwaste (yard clippings) and recycled items (plastic bottles, paper products, etc.) Commonly all three bins are picked up every week.

A sampling of monthly charges in the state showed Los Angeles at $18 (to jump to $22 in July) and Fresno at about $18 (to jump to about $21 next month).

In Bakersfield, residential customers pay $14.09 a month for weekly collection of one trash (brown) and one greenwaste bin. The few people willing to pay extra to have their recycled items hauled away every two weeks pay an additonal $6.67 (blue bin.) Only about 3 percent of the customers have been enticed to pay for the service.

The existing system further discourages recycling by making it cheaper to get a second can for excess trash for only $4.53 a month. The true cost of collecting the second can is $7.15.

Curbside collection of recycled items is a convenience to residents and will reduce the flow of trash into our landfills. It benefits the environment and conserves resources.

Adjusting the rates as proposed — shifting the existing “subsidy” from the second trash bin to the blue recycling bin — will lower the recycling fee to $4 a month. That’s less than most trips to McDonald’s. That should encourage more people to recycle.

The next step is to devise a universal collection system that will bundle trash, green waste and recycling into one single rate. What that rate will be and how the recycled waste will be handled requires additional study and collaboration with waste haulers and recycling companies.

Time is running out. Stricter state mandates to lower the volume of waste being dumped in California landfills are on the horizon. Environmental and conservation concerns are increasing.

It’s best to lead the parade away from the dump, rather than being run over by it.
We ask our city leaders to lead.

Comments:
adampayne commented: Murphy, for someone like yourself, curbside recycling might not be a savings and could be a redundancy. If everyone did what you do this probably would not even be an issue. But there are very few people (I'm sure everyone in the blogosphere excepted) that go to your lengths to recycle. The fact of the matter that all over Bakersfield brown trash cans overflow each week with tons of items that could be conveniently recycled with a blue curbside pick up. No one will have to separate bottles from cans or paper and cardboard from plastics. They can all go into one can and reduce effort, cost and waste while providing a valuable environmental action. I applaud the recent proposal to lower the recycling fee while raising the cost on the second garbage container. The editorial presented here is right on the money regarding how necessary this action is.
adampayne commented: Murphy, I wish the same.
nooneisabovethelaw commented:

I'm one of those who is paying for the recycling service and it's great. I hated waiting till I had enough to make a load worthwhile, and I especially hated when I got to Tevis Junior High and the bins were all full to overflowing, and other people, either unclear on what's recyclable or just too lazy or cheap to go to the dump, use the area for a trash can.

No, this is the way to go. Period.

mildmannered1 commented: I take my recyclables to Tevis every weekend--it's gotten cleaner, by the way. Our regular trash takes up little more than 1/4 of the brown can. So my neighbors stuff their excess into ours when no one's looking. I applaud the City's efforts to bring us into the 21st century. They'll have to do massive education on this. I hate to say this out loud, but my hispanic neighbors either don't know or don't care about recycling Corona and pop bottles, breaking down cardboard, etc. I realize this sounds racist but I know who my neighbors are and I see with my own eyes their 5' high brown cans every Wednesday. Can't speak for the rest of town.
dntlarin commented: Recycling should not be voluntary, it should be mandatory! I currently also take my recyclables to the bins in most school grounds but I recognize the time allotment required and most people are too busy to bother. More people will begin to comply if it is convienent enough and if everybody pays it will cost less.
tkozy commented:

I refuse to pay for someone to pick up five dollar bills at my curb.

There are many people who would do it for free.

AudreyB commented:

We're going to try it. We generate so much paper that our brown can can't handle it each week. My husband makes extra trips to the dump on a regular basis. So,we'll give it a try. Besides, we'll look so environmentally fashionable with our blue can.

Dusty's View of Life: The Fox News sponsored Democratic presidential debate in Nevada has been cancelled

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:02:51 PST

Ok, this won't make some folks happy, but here it is..

Do to overwhelming pressure, the Democratic party bowed to pressure demanding that Fox Noise..er News not be allowed to host the Nevada debates.

"The Nevada State Democratic Party is pulling out of a controversial presidential debate scheduled for Aug. 14 in Reno and co-hosted by Fox News, according to Democratic insiders.

The debate was being hosted by Fox News Channel and Fox News Radio, the Nevada State Democratic Party and the Western Majority Project."

FOX News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes gave the progressive activists more ammunition on Thursday when he jokingly compared Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, to Osama bin Laden.--THAT will always make friends and influence people..ya know?

Comments:
mattloch commented: What took the Nevada Dems so freakin' long to bail out? It was apparent to all that the plane was doomed from the start. It was cobbled together using plans drawn by an idiot-savant, built by sadomasochists with no seatbelts (and no seats, for that matter) and nothing but hooks to hang the bodies from the ceiling, and piloted by escaped patients from an institution for the criminally insane. The fact that Air America offered to paint their logo on the tail section was a great piece of voodoo, really. One of those "it's such a crazy plan, it might just work" moments that we don't get enough of in modern politics/media these days. I was happy to read that Richardson hit the silks as it was nosing earthward, but I'm not entirely confident that he wasn't pushed out by one of the AA folks that was listening to the voices in the cockpit. It'll be nice to see what the talking heads over at Faux make of the crater it left when it augered into the ground. Lots of hand-wringing and tales of Fear and Craziness, I'm sure. Clinton loses points for not saying something about the general un-airworthiness of the craft. Obama gets double-negative points since the decision should have been that much easier for him. Edwards gets props for saying it, but only on the scorecards of those with their ears in the blogosphere. Hopefully this event will kill any chance that Faux will have to claim legitimacy and media credentials this election cycle.
dusty1215 commented: LOL..I went on their site as recently as Tuesday and they were saying they had LOTS of support from their constituents..guess that dropped off rather quickly..
dusty1215 commented: Mattloch..they will get their election credentials..come on..but whether they deserve them as journalists is another story isnt it?
mattloch commented: They deserve credentials as much as Jeff Gannon did. If that happens to mean the bar is set way too low, so be it....
bakodon commented: You can knock Fox news all day but there are sure a lot of people watching them! They are still the # 1 rated cable news show and not far behind the three liberal media TV stations. And just as an aside with the hiring of a Clinton friend at CBS we can put to rest the idea of maybe label, liberal, they are now for real far left far out liberal at CBS!
dusty1215 commented: Right don..thanks for the 411. Are you blind or just a fan of extra-huge font as a means of communicating your opinion?
bakodon commented: Blind-almost........
bakodon commented: Rick Kaplan a failure at two net works, MSNBC and CNN was hired by CBS to produce the Evening New. He is so tight with the Clinton's that when he visited the White House, whenHillery asked Bill what time it was , she had to tap Kaplan on the shoulder and ask him to stop snoring!
dusty1215 commented: If your sight is bad, then I totally understand. Thanks for clarifying that. On CBS..their ratings are better than the 24/7 cable news channels..all of them, so if they are going flaming liberal..oh well, it doesn't bother me as you know :)
sgpowell commented: WIMPS. They can't debate issues or face tough questions, so they Redeploy.....Edwards is running back to his America. He can't stand the heat of the two Americas most people live in......
dusty1215 commented: Anon, ..thanks for your pov, no matter how ridiculous it is. Edwards not appearing had nothing to do with the decision. It was the made do to the rush of complaints from registered Democrats and just people in general...you know, public opinion.

But don't let the facts get in the way of your pov..please, by all means,keep dreaming the dream.
murphyslaw commented: anon!!!!!! don't yell so loud, you'll wake the dead. shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
coochee commented:

Wasn't it Obama who, a few months back, started a Fox boycott? He grants interviews to everyone but them. I love it!

GotREALITY commented: MY font is bigger than yours!
antiextremism commented:

Do you suffer from FD? Who doesn't have episodes in this hectic world we live in today?

FD can occur for many reasons. Failing site is one. But please don't believe that playing with your "Palm Pilot" will lead to blindness. Respected urlogists around the globe have determined after many peer reviewed studies that this is just a wive's tale. But if you have doubts, instead of playing Steve Canyon in front of the monitor, do what 'Family Values' inventor Newt Gingrich suggests to keep your Pilot on the DL. Marry your High School Teacher a year after you graduate, then simply have an affair when your interest wanes. If that doesn't portray your scruples in a good light, get married again but certainly relieve life's little stresses as the moral compass of America by having another affair while telling your cancer stricken 2nd wife., you want a divorce.

The other major culprit for FD is, of course, anger at having no facts to back up your claims. Many people cling to the belief that the loudest one wins. These victims usually come from large families where yelling was the primary method of communicating. Or perhaps they are ignored at home, and don't have it in them to confront their loved ones for their perceived lack of respect, and use their keyboard as a blunt weapon of destruction in a rant with strangers who don't enjoy their political views.

But now there is help for FD, commonly known as Font Dysfunction. For $99.95, you can have your fonts adjusted so that you can only use a 16 font on your high end, and, to calm your soul, only have Comic Sans as an option in font type. And that's not all! We'll throw in a free adjustment where the red fonts are replaced with soothing greens and blues. We've had a very successful rate of cure.*

Soon you'll be happily typing away, comparing Clinton when Bush is brought up, but in a calm, joyful, manner that might make you think a liberal could...possibly...have a point. Order Today! Operators are standing by, or you can log on to www.palmpilotrehab.com

* Disclaimer...Font adjustment use does not guarantee results. Good results are especially not guaranteed for people dealing wih sexual identity issues. Company is not responsible for customers falling off the wagon due to comments by Cindy Sheehan, Michael Moore, Al Gore, Ted Kennedy, or Californian liberals, Random Factor, Dusty, or Mattloch. Results vary by political affiliation. Credit is similar to Mor furniture. Penalty for Default on credit payment is having to listen to Rush Limbaugh speak on the global warming conspiracy. No animals were killed while typing this ad, but some were embarrassed.

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dusty1215 commented: LOL..thats quite clever anti! "Operators are standing by..love it.

Editorials: Wrong kids targeted

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:56:03 PST

PUBLISHED 3-13-2007

There’s no doubt. Childhood obesity is a health crisis in California. But Sen. Dean Florez’s proposal to require high school students to take four years of physical education, rather than just the two now required, in order to graduate will not solve the problem.

Although they share Florez’s concern about obesity, Kern High School District officials do not believe adding the graduation requirement will make California youngsters thinner or healthier. Rather, requiring four years of physical education will create a shortage of teachers and rob students of educational opportunities.

Florez’s intent is to support classes that deal with wellness, proper eating, stretching, Pilates, principles of physical therapy and others. This is an admirable plan.

But teachers for such classes will also be needed. Florez suggests existing teachers be certified to teach the classes. But when? Teachers are already handling full schedules. Schools also face the dilemma of space. Where will students go to take these added physical education classes? Classes, gyms and playing fields already are crowded by students taking the required two year of physical education.

And not all students take the required two years. Students who play sports in some California school districts are exempt from having to take the second year. Florez says the same exemption will apply. But not enough students play sports to relieve the future impact.

By requiring students to use one class slot for a physical education course will leave them with less opportunity to take electives. Students will miss out on art, music, drama and vocational education courses.

Florez’s physical education mandate will cost money. The state senator is not yet sure how much. There are too many unanswered questions raised with this proposal. Florez has good intentions. But he should focus increased physical education requirements on elementary and junior high students. Those are the formative years when a healthy lifestyle can be learned.

Mandating longer exercise periods and healthy living courses in elementary and junior high schools, and providing funding for such courses will have the most impact.

Comments:
robbwillis commented: PE was the only worthwhile class I had in high school. I pity today's kids...
izzie commented: We should have four years of physical education, this is what we use to do, this is what was required before. It is not until the last decade or so ago that administrators asked to waive the last 2 years of p.e. If we look at the health of our kids today, I'm sure you would agree that many of them are unhealthy and probably overweight. In school we are suppose to learn the skills necessary to be productive citizens in life, why isn't being healthy and eating healthy a part of that? I think if we all learned about nutrition and how it effects our body then many of us who care about ourselves would try to eat healthier and doing 4 years of p.e. will help a lot of our kids who are unhealthy and probably overweight. Kudos to Senator Florez for trying to do something about helping our kids before they develop type II diabetes or worse.
indianadarren commented:

News flash: it's not up to the senator to keep your kids from developing type II diabetes. That's YOUR job, mom and/or dad. Kids spend 6 hours a day, 180 days a year in school. This is not enough time to resolve the BAD HABITS (poor food choices, lack of exercise, drinking nothing but soda, smoking etc) that they learn and practice in the time they are not in school . If children are raised eating chicken nuggets, top ramen, and macaroni and cheese out of a box, the idea that extra PE classes included in the school day can remedy obesity is ridiculous for a number of reasons. Without further ado, then: "Reasons why 4 years of mandatory Phys. Ed is not a great idea."

1) A student can currently get through their mandatory two years of PE and receive a passing grade without EVER changing into gym clothes and participating. Ed Code permits students to write papers about sports and exercise to receive full class credit; by law PE teachers cannot fail students for non-participation.

2) Have a look in the school cafeteria and see what's being served for lunch. I know that there are more healthy choices for students now than ever before, but a student can still eat individually boxed pepperoni pizzas every day if they choose. They can eat processed cheese goop poured over nacho chips every day if they choose. At most schools there are student stores that sell every variety of chips, candy, and nutritionally bankrupt junk under the sun, which can be, and frequently are, devoured in place of lunch.

3) A class scheduled for 53 minutes of PE is lucky to get half of that time doing any sort of activity. Taking roll, changing into gym clothes, and taking a second (and sometimes a third roll) steal a sizable chunk out of every physical education class.

4) Class size (50-60+) makes it nearly impossible for any kind of organized activity with adequately supervision.

I could go on, but will not. Please remember, kids today do not have the same school PE experience that you fondly remember with nostalgia...PE classes today are NOT the PE classes you or Dean Florez took in the 70's or earlier...if you think differently, visit your local high school.

The education of students and especially parents is needed, but not in the PE setting. It is clear that since PE teachers cannot require their students to exercise or even break a sweat in order to receive a passing PE grade, and cannot force the students to change their eating habits and choose nutritious offerings at mealtimes, extra PE becomes just two more years of hanging out in the school gym as a potato chip-eating non-participants for the students that are supposed to be targeted of this program.

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Editorials: Kern needs more judges

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:53:53 PST

PUBLISHED 3-13-2007

The prospect of adding two judges will give the Kern County Superior Court much needed flexibility in handling civil cases and could reduce the pressure for plea bargains in criminal cases.

The Judicial Council of California — the court’s policymaking arm — is recommending the addition of 50 new judges statewide, with the bulk going to the Central Valley and Inland Empire. In both areas, court capacity has failed to match explosive population growth.

If the two Kern judgeships are approved, the local court will expand from 33 to 35 judges. Each Superior Court judgeship costs about $700,000 annually for salary and staff support, with the state picking up the tab.

Chief Justice Ronald George has long expressed concern that family law and small claims actions are too often delayed by crowded court calendars. More judges will allow presiding judges to schedule such cases more easily. A key issue in the appointment and confirmation process must be diversity. Kern’s courts have few minority and women judges.

Experienced and qualified candidates should be sought to reflect Kern’s diverse population.

A recently completed survey by the Judicial Council showed that statewide, male judges predominated over women, 73 percent to 27 percent. In Kern County the disparity was worse: 91 percent to 9 percent (30 out of 33 judges).

In terms of race or ethnicity, in Kern County whites acounted for 73 percent of judges, Hispanic/Latinos 3 percent. It should be noted that not all judges responded to the survey and there were several multi-racial/multi-ethnic responses. Many counties had similar patterns.

In seeking more judgeships, George told the Legislature in his annual state of the judiciary speech, “Our shared focus on providing meaningful access to justice — and on employing various means to enable the court system to better meet the needs of our diverse population — all are aimed at the same goal: ensuring that individual litigants can have their matters fairly adjudicated.

“We can devise all sorts of innovative procedures to improve the way courts handle the disputes that litigants bring to the courts, but these measures will be meaningless if there is no judge to decide the cases,” George said.

The Legislature must approve funding for additional judges and support staff so these resources can be soon be in place.

Bakersfields Finest Band?: Bakersfields Best Band?

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:28:42 PST

With the recent release of the Bakotopia Music Compilation: Volume One CD containing some of Bakersfield's most influential bands such as Another Year, Mento Buru, and up and coming bands such as Hayes Field, an interesting question arises to me.   Who is Bakersfield's best band?

As the city has grown over recent years, so has its local music scene.  Numerous bands of various genres have arisen from anonymity to form a strong foundation for an evolving music culture in Bakersfield.

In my opinion, the two best bands I have seen in the last year were Another Year, and The Iron Outlaws hands down. Another Year's unique sound is unmatched by any other band in town. Nobody sounds like them. Their drummer Bobby Dale is amazing you have to check them out. The Iron Outlaws are another must see band due to their intense rockabilly flare. Lead singer Danny Garone is a musical pioneer.Go ahead and sound off on some of your opinions and experiences about the Bakersfield music scene.  Setting genres aside, rate your favorite bands/groups (rock, punk, country, hip hop etc.), and the best venues in town as well. Tell us who  we should be watching out for in the near future.

FYI, on St. Patrick's Day on March 17th @ 5 p.m. you can see 12 of Bakersfield's finest local bands at the Bakersfield Music Compilation: Volume One CD release party for only a $5 cover.   You can see see talented pool of some of the area's finest acts.

Comments:
blognroll commented: Dr BLT is Bakersfield's best band.
blognroll commented: Can't argue with you there.
Wrangler1 commented: Planning an event for end of August. Looking for the hottest local band that will have the biggest draw of people 25-40.

Any suggestions?

Editorials: Red tape ensnarls money

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:24:07 PST

PUBLISHED 3-12-2007

The decision to ask for money that is just there for the “taking” should be a no-brainer. But local school districts aren’t sure they will be asking.

Why? They are perplexed by the way the California Teachers Association has set up the procedure for allocating grants from a $2.9 billion settlement of the association’s lawsuit against the governor.

Schools performing low on state tests are eligible to apply for the grants. Only 500 of the 1,455 eligible schools will receive money. A lottery will determine which schools will be awarded.

But in order to receive the money, schools must agree to reduce class size, have teacher training and more counselors and improve student test scores over the next seven years. Though it may look good on the surface, it’s not that easy.

Reducing class sizes calls for more teachers — they must be highly qualified in compliance to No Child Left Behind. Schools will need to have the necessary facilities to place the extra classes that will form as a result of smaller class sizes.

Keeping a promise to improve test scores for seven years in a row is no easy task. It’s like asking school officials to look into the future to see how students will perform on those tests.

More than 70 Kern County schools are eligible to enter the lottery for the grants. So far, none have decided what they will do. All entries must be in by the March 30.

Pat Alexander, administrator of instructional services at the superintendent of schools office, said money for salary increases also needs to be considered.

Schools in Kern County are mainly concerned with class size reductions, Alexander said.

The grant money needs to be allocated in a better way — such as starting a program for counselors and teacher training not limited to specific schools. The demanding requirements will keep schools from applying for the money.

Schools that qualify should only be required to demonstrate need and be able to decide how to best use the money — placing student needs above all other needs.

Editorials: Get over it, Easter Bunny is not 'real'

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:20:49 PST

PUBLISHED 3-12-2007

Is no holiday safe from the “religious wars"? Now some folks are hopping mad over the Easter bunny.

Some years ago, Walnut Creek renamed the Easter bunny the “Spring Bunny” to oversee its community events. At the time, the change was made, it raised no fur.

But a newspaper letter writer recently got noses twitching in the northern California city when she pointed out the name change.

Apparently, getting rid of a tradition — even though it has nothing to do with Easter — strikes a nerve with some people.

That’s right, the bunny has no religious connection to Easter. But people don’t want to hear that. Just as they don’t want to hear “happy holidays,” instead of “merry Christmas.”

This new round in the religious war that has seen battles over Christmas and winter school breaks, and Easter and spring breaks is downright silly.

Give it a rest, folks. Call the criter the Easter Bunny, the Spring Bunny, or Harvey the Rabbit. We hate to burst your bubble, whatever you call him. He isn’t real. He’s make believe. And he isn’t a religious icon, either.

Find something real to fight about.

Comments:
robbwillis commented: Watch out Easter Island...
coochee commented: So true, so true, it just doesn't matter. What does matter is that something that hops is going to bring me a basket with a Roomba in it, the same Roomba that Santa stiffed me on for xmas. Not a Scooba, a Roomba. And a Peep or two would also be nice.
NancyII commented:

You're telling me the Easter Bunny isn't REAL ??? Is THAt why I can't find the old fashioned colored Easter Eggs this year? You know..the ones with the hardish colored shells with the sugary white stuff inside? (reds were my favs.)

You guys decided he wasn't real and he took my favorite yearly treat and left town. Thanks a lot !

Dexter53 commented: It could be worse, it could be the "Our Lord Jesus Has Risen Bunny."

In comparison, Easter Bunny seems pretty non-offensive to people who don't celebrate the religious aspect of Easter.
randomfactor commented:

Look, the Easter holiday is all about the Easter Bunny, just as the Christmas holiday is all about Santa Claus.

It's all about the grand American religion of "shopping." Don't mess with tradition.

NancyII commented:

Hey ! I don't shop for Easter. Well..except for those candy eggs I can't find.

I'm not about to let my part of this blog turn into a theological discussion or a Christianity bashing session. I know what it's all about and what I believe. People have a tendency to turn something very special to a huge number of people on Earth into a an argument over whether or not there is a God, is it a myth, and on and on ad nauseum. Believe what you like, celebrate as you like..or not... but there's nothing wrong with having fun with family on a religious holiday.

ghostriter commented: Whatever Easter may mean to some or may have been at one point in history, in our house it is one of my kids' favorite days, because it is about the tradition, the family and the CANDY. My family "does not do religion", but we do believe in family and tradition, and fun. We do not care what name it goes by; we simply enjoy.
ki6amd commented: I can live with the "Happy Holidays", it doesn't bother me one bit. But if you're chaning the name of a bunny because it might offend people, why change it at all? It's going to offend some (few) who aren't religious becuase you're changing tradition. Yes the kids can still collect "spring eggs", but call the hate police if someone slips and calls it an Easter egg!
randomfactor commented:

Nancy, don't tell me you've never bought yourself a new Easter, I mean Spring Bonnet. I think you're pining over Brach's Fiesta Easter Eggs, which they now make (apparently) only in malted flavor.

They're very big on celebrating Christmas in Japan--a primarily atheistic country, but one which has a *HUGE* Commericalist tradition. Me, I long for the good old days when they *KNEW* what Easter is *SUPPOSED* to be--a fertility holiday. All Hail Eostre!

NancyII commented:

RF..I couldn't even tell you the last time I bought an Easter bonnet or outfit. Probably for the kids or maybe a grandkid. The eggs I want are the old fashioned ones that we used to hide. They're called candy covered marshmellow eggs. I found them on line but absolutely none in town. At least so far. It's insane I tell ya..and un American. I wait all year for those little globs of sugar and now none to be had. Malted milk balls...blach..ptooey. I can buy them anytime.

I'd go check the candy store at the mall but am afraid I might get shot or stabbed. They're at it again..

NancyII commented:

In your Easter Bonnet

With all the frills upon it

You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade.

Down the avenue...5th Avenue ..the photographers will snap us

And you'll find that you're in the Roto Gravure.

Ohhhhh we'll be dressed in clover..and when they look us over...

We'll be the grandest couple in the Easter Parade..... etc.

(out of sequence a bit for the sake of brevity and maybe a wrong word or two)

Fired Up!: UNIFY TO FIGHT GANG VIOLENCE

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:03:02 PST

In a March 11 Opinion Section Viewpoint article, Kern County Supervisor Michael Rubio lays out a plan to join forces to fight gang violence in Kern County. The plan will be discussed on March 19 during a joint meeting of the Bakersfield City Council and Kern County Board of Supervisors. Check out the attached pdf file to read a draft of the gang-fighting strategy. Tells us what you think -- about the strategy and about fighting gang violence.

Comments:
dusty1215 commented: They had a lot of people's input, that is a good thing. The report gives statistics:

Approximately 30% of the total homicides committed in 2005 and 2006 were gang-related,
while a shocking 86% of homicides thus far in 2007 (again, as of February 27, 2007) have been
related to gangs.

Number of Gang Members – Currently approximately 6,000 in Kern County
• Number of Gangs – Currently approximately 70 in Kern County

This years numbers are high and its only 2 months into the year according to the report. This task force and its objectives can't hurt.
dusty1215 commented: The funding hasn't been budgeted for,which will cause some grief. There are quite a few "secure funding" notes..
screyes commented: VERY impressive! I look forward to reading the article on Sunday. As Dusty mentioned, it looks like Supervisor Rubio really made a true effort to bring people together to write this plan. It's frightening to think that there are 70 gangs and 6000 gang members in our county.

Hopefully, the rest of the city and county government officials will support him in this. Sure, it will take some money but I can't imagine a more important cause facing us today than gang violence.

Good work, Supervisor!
twwann commented:

I live right in the heart of gang 'activetyland' and I am extremely lucky that I have not been a victim from an intentional target of crime. Unfortunately, I have not been left unscathed by the gangs uncontrolled violent actions. I work one day out of each week and during one of those days, a bullet went through my living room front window. I pulled in my driveway and when I first saw it, my thoughts were that I'd done something they didn't aprove of....and that was somekind of warning. That thought didn't last long, I am a little old lady that lives alone. I don't even make eye contact with my next door neighbors, let alone any of them. I did not call the police, but I did find the bullet...in the cushion of my favorite chair.

The following year, the back window of my vehicle took three shots. Once again, I did not call the cops. I did, however, drive to the sheriff station to show them.

The one thing that I have always thought was much needed, I have not seen any mention of. Because I see soooo much, looking out the window...while sitting in my favorite chair, it would be helpful to have a gang report website. Where people like me, could make a report as to whatever might be going on....anonomously. Not nessesarilly criminal activety of a serious or violent nature that would be better handled with a 911 call, but suspicious acts. Like unusual gatherings, fights and things that might have been overheard. Drug deals and cars they just dump off in all the alleys around here.

I am aware of the call in gang hot-line, but there are alot of people that simply won't use it. Alot of people don't trust the phone, along with those that don't trust the police. That is a good reason to have another resourse. All and every resourse is what it's going to take, people. I'm telling you like I see it.....right in front of me every single day!

Just an online place to mention the "little things" gangs do that have helped create this great big gang thing we got going on now. Nothing should be taken lightly, thought to be unimportant, superficial or too stupid to mention at this point. It's exactly those kind of things, that got the gangs being, where we are today.

Thanks for allowing me to share my idea.

NancyII commented:

What's that old saying? All that's needed for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing. And yet, we put our lives at risk if we raise our heads. I think the website is a good idea but remember, someone savvy can trace it back to you. I don't know how sophisticated gangs are or if they would even bother, but my thinking is that an annonymous call from a pay phone would be the safest way to report gang activity.

I was on the East Side yesterday wearing a powder blue shirt on the day the "mistaken identiy" killer was in court. I thought about that and was uneasy. I don't fit the profile of course..I'm a bit old to be mistaken for a gang member..but still, the thought was there that if you can be killed because you're in the wrong colored shirt in the wrong neighborhood at the wrong time, it's a truly scary world.

twwann commented:

I think the payphone should be included as a resource....use all avaible weapons when fighting a war, right? But, for me personally, I wouldn't want to go outside, get in my car or walk anywhere to call if I see a group gathering and exchanging words. But, I will sit in my cubby hole and sent in a report about the rising tension in the neighborhood.

I know it's a different feeling for those of us that live on the east side. We have no less fear, maybe even more, but we have aquired the sense of helplessness because we've had to live in the mist of it. The fights, the tatoos, their dogs. The hand signs, whisels and grafitti. The looks they give and the voices that wake you in the middle of the night......that are not in your head or the dream you just had, but outside the window.

Humans live...no matter the conditions. Does not mean we've "learned" to like it, accept it or gotten used to it. Give me a website and I'll contribute with real-time information that might not otherwise be had. I don't really think that the gang members are taking time out to trace computer reports that go directly to law enforcement. But, who knows....I'm just a little old single white lady living with an old cat.

jramsey commented: Yes lets all commend Mr. Rubio NOT he gave himself a big fat raise and had a temper tantrum when the deputies asked for a raise. This man does not have the what it takes to be in office.
redkernhero commented: The score is in, law enforcement 10 to 20 million outside the budget for "30 t0 40 new suppression personnel", Prevention and prevention programs 0, they are assigned to God!
Now their is a gang prevention program or as it is called in Red Kern, Empire Building and taking care our heroes.
redkernhero commented: I hate to say it Rubio, but Youngblood and Jagels split your lunch.

Sam Heath: Kids should be shooting marbles not each other

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:33:24 PST

That is the title of an article I wrote last September, but it came to me the subject needed a broader emphasis in light of things like increasing gang violence in America. Considering all that has happened since I was a kid shooting marbles and the world children live in today, children have lost much more than the simple games using marbles I recall as a child.

It isn’t that a marble used in a slingshot can’t do a lot of damage as some of you may be old enough to remember, but that was not their intended purpose to children of a bygone Norman Rockwell era. After all, you didn’t waste marbles in such a fashion back then when a penny was real money and your marble collection was real wealth. Adding to the real value of marbles during that era was the sheer beauty of some of these wonders of the glassmaker’s artistry, and any kid of stature among their peers was a connoisseur of marbles.

In my reverie of a kinder and gentler America I used to know, I recall the love I had for shooting marbles and I wonder why kids don’t play marbles any more? As a child in Little Oklahoma (Southeast Bakersfield) I lived for shooting marbles. Any child worth his salt, to be acceptable in our company, had to have a good collection of aggies, glassies, puries, boulders, and stripies. A couple of steelies had to be included as well. One had to be on the lookout for doughies, only used by unscrupulous cheaters.

How many of you remember the incantation while playing rings: “Here’s the river ‘n’ here’s the snake; here’s where y’ make y’r big mistake” while kneeling in the dirt, drawing the appropriate symbols to foil your opponent’s shot? We never knew if such incantations really worked, but if you wanted to keep your credentials as a serious marble player you had to make the effort. Like, do any of you remember throwing a marble over your left shoulder in order to find a lost one? Losing a marble was one of the hazards of playing chase. And perhaps you are old enough to remember parents or other adults telling you playing for “keeps” was wrong if not downright sinful, a form of gambling; which, of course, made playing keeps all the more enticing.

In order to give you an idea of how accomplished I was playing marbles, I came in second in the Bakersfield Championship of 1943. Yes, there really was a citywide championship for playing marbles. Such was the innocence of the times that a city could have a marble-playing championship for children while the world was plunged into war. But it is the purview of us oldsters to be the raconteurs of once upon a time in America, though the stories may often sound to children today like they took place in a galaxy far, far away.

This championship was held early on a Saturday morning, and my grandfather drove me over to where the games were to take place. I don’t recall why grandad knew I was a contender for such a championship, but that just goes to show grownups are often aware of things children don’t think they know anything about, or don’t value some of the things children do (I know it doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes grownups are smarter than kids think they are). However, upon arrival one thing that suddenly struck me about this being serious business rather than just an event for kids playing marbles was the principal of my school, Mt. Vernon Elementary, was there. This was astounding to me since kids my age at the time didn’t think of teachers, let alone a principal, being real people. They were kind of like alien creatures one saw only at school, never in real life. And when the last bell sounded for the school day they disappeared to some nether region only to reappear once more during regular school hours.

But here was the principal of my school on a Saturday morning in real life as opposed to school life. Suddenly this was not going to be a game for children to enjoy, but some kind of really serious business I couldn’t comprehend. With over a hundred other children in attendance, glancing around I gathered most of them were having the same problem I was having grasping the significance of the event.

Addressing all us children, the principal explained the rules to be followed. They were rather complex compared to what we were used to, since we all understood the rules such as no fudging by which we played marbles. But grownups had made up these rules we were to follow; and they were quite strict as well as complex. Using large dividers made of wood lathes the adults drew big rings in the earth, perfect circles four-feet in diameter. In the center of the large rings a number of marbles were arranged in two very precise rows the shape of a plus sign. Also, unlike being the diverse mixture we kids used all these marbles for this event were the same dark, nearly black color. We were used to such marbles being used for Chinese checkers, but not playing marbles.

The rules required us to knock out all the marbles until only one marble was left in the center of the ring. But the rules also required both the shooter and last remaining target marble being knocked out of the ring together. Finally, after about two hours of eliminating contenders only one other boy and I were left to compete. By this time we were both so tired it was becoming more of an endurance contest, and it was only a matter of who made the last shot without their shooter being left in the ring after knocking the remaining target marble out of the center of the ring. My last shot was good knocking the last marble out of the ring, but my shooter didn’t exit the ring with the target marble and the other boy won.

While I was much too young to understand at the time, there was something that bothered me about the whole affair of this event. There was the matter of it taking on such serious dimensions by the presence of the principal of the school and other adults standing over us doing the officiating. Then there were those large, perfect circles being drawn in the earth using a mechanical device for precision. There were the strict rules, many of which were foreign to us as children. When we played rings we simply drew a circle in the dirt with a stick, and the circles were nowhere near as large as those at this event. We never arranged marbles in any formal geometric design, but usually only a few in a group to be shot out of the circle. In short, we children knew what our rules of the game were and didn’t need grownups to make the rules or officiate for us.

There was something else I came to realize long after this event. I wasn’t disappointed about losing to the other boy; I wasn’t disappointed about coming in number two in the Bakersfield marble championship. No matter the seriousness imparted by the adults to the whole affair, we children still understood we were only playing a game. But despite this, the adults with their strict and numerous rules and large perfect circles made with a mechanical device, all the marbles being the same color placed with geometric precision and adults standing over and watching us so carefully all the while had made it serious business rather than just a game to be enjoyed. Adults had made playing a game something else than what we as children engaged in left to ourselves.

We know the stories today, how adults have become so demanding of children that they excel in various games. The Little League has become “business” rather than kids being able to enjoy playing baseball, the kids now have adults demanding games be taken seriously rather than being played for fun. Winning is the name of the game today. It’s too bad I couldn’t explain to grandad what bothered me about the marble championship event; but he seemed to understand and was proud of me coming in second. And maybe this is one of many reasons kids are now shooting each other rather than shooting marbles. Just as it takes adults to teach kids how to hate others simply because they are “different,” it takes adults to take the fun out of games children should enjoy as nothing more than games.

Sure, there is a whole lot more to the story, things like what made a marble collection and shooting marbles important to kids back then rather than the games children play and the things they value today. But what has not changed is the need of children for people like my grandfather who seemed to understand what was bothering me without my being able to explain it to him, who was proud of me coming in second. I have no doubt grandad understood the need of competition, the need to compete in the serious affairs of life. But he also understood the difference between games children should be able to enjoy and the serious affairs of life that all too soon make their impact and demands upon children.

Entertainment: Do you have celebrity crushes?

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:04:01 PST

Ok, so I am known to have celebrity crushes and for that I get alot of flack from people. Not that I mind, I always love a laugh so I don't mind the teasing. For years, I only had two, which are Tim McGraw and Dennis Quaid. It seems that in the last few years though, I have acquired a few more. So, here is my list: Tim McGraw, Dennis Quaid, Joe Nichols, Jack Ingram and Dane Cook. Three out of five are country stars, one an actor and one a comedian. Am I the only one? Or do you have celebrity crushes? Maybe I have more than most but that I am just fine with. Out of the five, I have met three of them, which are Jack Ingram, Dennis Quaid and Dane Cook and it only justified why I like them. Believe me, I am no screaming, crazy person when I do meet them, I am actually really shy so I barely say a word. I actually had a ex-boyfriend that was afraid if I ever met these people that I would run away with them.......ummmm, not that I wouldn't but what are the odds? That was hilarious to me. So, people........who is it for you?

Comments:
steveeswenson commented: This shows my age again.

Morgan Fairchild, Kim Basinger and even though she is too young, she is also too irresistable, Charlize Theron.

P.S. This is all frivilous fantasy. All the woman I need is my sweet, sweet Bride.
tchudilowsky commented:

Gerard Butler. Mmmmm ]

Termite commented: JOHNNY DEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!
robbwillis commented:

http://www.tvacres.com/images/gun_avengers.jpg

nooneisabovethelaw commented: Charlize Theron, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Scarlet Johannson.
johnburnssucks commented: Sharon Stone. Ever since she played a gunfighter and wore those terrific leather pants in "The Quick and the Dead," she's been my favorite. She can gun me down on a dusty street any day.
NancyII commented:

Tom Selleck the cowboy. mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

Whatzname lead male in Men In Trees

You see..I don't discriminate by age.

bakonative commented: Kurt Russell, Richard Gere, and now Johnny Depp....
tonyh commented:

Yup!

Wynona Judd................OOOOOOOOOWEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

I love all 750 ponds of her. All she has to do is just keep on singing to me............ ;-)

coochee commented:

CLOONEY!CLOONEY!CLOONEY!CLOONEY!CLOONEY!CLOONEY!

NancyII commented: Oh yeah..and the newer studmuffin Matthew McConaughey. Oh to be young again..just for a weekend. :-)
woofwoof commented:

I've been thinking about this one for a couple of days now. When I was a kid growing up in West Texas, it was William Shatner, Frank Gorshin (the riddler) and Buck Owens, (hey, I was only 9; we had only 3 channels to watch on tv).

The 70's is was Starsky and Hutch (Paul Michael Glaser) and Baretta's Robert Blake (I know, and wouldn't Matt LeBlanc play a good Baretta, if they did a remake)...the 80's was all about Richard Gere until the urban legend called gerbilling. Now the 90's that's a tough one, I'd have to say Robin Williams.

Present day, I'd have to say Johnny Depp too. But the guy on All My Children who plays Zach Slater, gets me in my nether regions. (is that an overshare?)

NancyII commented: It's no more overshare than my weekend tryst wish. :-)
TomW commented: Coochee, you want to put a space in there? You're blowing the margins.
ghostriter commented: In my opinion, Trace Adkins needs an award just for standing in my eyeshot. I could watch him walk away all day. Also, Antonio Banderas had me from his first scene in Interview With the Vampire and sealed my eternal admiration with his first Zorro movie. Yummy! But my favorite obsession is Will Talor...oops, y'all don't know him yet, he's just the adorable guy I am married to! I am SSOOO lucky!!
entertainment commented: Woof, I think Zack from AMC is hot, too and Ryan is right up there. Oh, I could go on forever about the celebrity men. I will give an honorable mention to Josh Duhamel from Vegas-used to be Leo on AMC......wow! No more need to grow my list though........lol!
josephschmow commented:

I'm not one to have celebrity crushes, but when I was 12, I sure fell for Nichelle Nichols' (Lt. Uhura on Star Trek) unbelievable legs and other supporting structures.

randomfactor commented:

Janeane Garafolo. No, I'm serious--I could overlook the tattoos.

Oh, and Patricia Richardson, in-character from "Home Improvement."

tkozy commented:

Tk from Bakersfield.com..

Now there’s a hottie..

gsxr765 commented:

Katie Holmes i use to all ways watch Dawson's Creek well here a pic of me in case you every see this :)

medlock commented: CNN's Anderson Cooper.........yum!
Krislynn89 commented:

Ever seen Prison Break? Wentworth Miller is my BIGGEST EVER celebrity crush, in and out of character. Over ten years my senior, but age aint nothin but a number.

Roselady commented: Harrison Ford!......Whatta "hottie!"

Randomfactory: The "Official Story" Fails Under Scrutiny

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:49:31 PST

I just *KNEW* the Liberal Media was handing us a lie about the initial attack. Too many things just didn't add up:

Security forces who observed one of the attackers at the scene a day before the destruction, and possibly even had the suspect IN CUSTODY.

Close family ties between one of the top government officials and one of the attackers, not to mention one of their desert-robed spiritual advisors

The curious failure of air defenses to stop the attack even though they presumably were at high alert.

Failure of the top leadership to heed explicit warnings.

The unexplained disappearance of the #2 official until well after the disaster.

(Hat tip: AdamB at DailyKos)

http://www.websurdity.com/2007/02/28/uncomfortable-questions-was-the-death-star-attack-an-inside-job/

Comments:
dusty1215 commented: Ok, is strange..but then..its not.
robbwillis commented: The responses following are a riot also, lol!
mattloch commented: For the real reason the Death Star went kaflewie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLIY2f2_qHk
robbwillis commented: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/new_oliver_stone_9_11_film
mattloch commented: And of course, at some point Darth Vader had to call the Emperor to tell him what happened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9D_Xr0eF0
mattloch commented: Oh, and this isn't the first conspiracy that's rocked the Star Wars universe (Wookiepedia link).
adampayne commented: That was hilarious!!!!

Eye of Bakersfield: Haggard: a song for Hillary

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:45:19 PST

Okie from Muskogee and Hillary for President just don't sound all that congruous to me.

But grizzled country singer Merle Haggard has written a song supporting Hillary Clinton for president.

Now, just doesn't that beat all?

I am a little surprised by this. One of the lines is: "This country needs to be honest/This country needs to be large/Something like a big switch of gender/Let's put a woman in charge."

Does this sound like the Merle Haggard you know?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Comments:
irv commented:

Merle is like Toby Keith. A Democrat. Thought that you would know that,Steve.

steveeswenson commented: I did know that. But his songs generally don't sound Democrat.
TomW commented: For some reason, I thought Merle was joining the Music Row Democrats. Can't remember where I heard it though.

http://www.musicrowdemocrats.com/
dusty1215 commented: I always considered Merle a fine man who enjoys life to the fullest. :)

I also had to listen to him daily whilst growing up, my dad was a huge fan.
Dexter53 commented: I think "putting a woman in charge" is a good idea, just not that one. She creeps me out.
randomfactor commented:

Steve, is it too hard to type the word "Democratic"? Using "Democrat" as an adjective grates on the ears worse than country music.

DoctorMason commented: I'm against Father & Son presidents, and against Husband & wife presidents.
tkozy commented:

Bush Jr. could make a chameleon refuse to change colors.

Don’t know how tax cuts for the Rich helps the common folk.

America First by Merle,. Sounds like a song for the common man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orN6y7hUx6o

blognroll commented:

First of all, congratulations on your blog award. Second, when I wrote this song:

Merle Hasn't Lost His Fightin' Side

Dr. BLT

http://www.drblt.net/music/MerleVeryLast.mp3

and recorded it with Bakersfield's own Mark Yeary, 20-year keyboard player, co-writer and co-producer for Merle's band, both Mark and I thought he hadn't. Now that I heard about his song for Hillary, I fear he may have, and I'm working on a song called Merle, What Happened to Your Fightin' Side? and also on a song called The Other Side of Hillary.

steveeswenson commented:

Dr. B,

Thank you. And great little tune about Merle. I loved the song and instrumentation.

blognroll commented: Thanks, Steve. I appreciate your compliment on the song.

Eye of Bakersfield: Can you believe, we are a tourist destination?

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 08:59:38 PST

Apparently, people come to Bakersfield ON PURPOSE!

Tourists have spent an estimated $1 billion in Kern County, attending things like Elton John's Aida musical, Gwen Stefani, state wrestling tournaments and March Meet racing.

The folks at Rabobank hope past successes can lead to more, and the tourist folks want to promote other things to do in the county.

Does this strike you as odd? That Bakersfield could be promoted as a fun, happening place?

Whatever will become of our image?

Posted by Steve E. Swenson

Comments:
mattloch commented: Looks like the tens of thousands spent on coming up with "the leaf", and tens of thousands more on the two signs bookending the town on 99 are paying off! Just wonder what would happen if we didn't have asshat doctors that make us a national laughingstock...
randomfactor commented:

Mattloch, we should *BUILD* on that image, not try to change it. Comedy clubs in LA are big business--why not promote Bakersfield as a "laugh destination"?

"Hey, I spent my winter vacation in Bakersfield and it was sooooo foggy...."

"HOW FOGGY *WAS* IT?"

"It was sooooo foggy that it looked like the "Welcome to Bakersfield" sign had an EKG tracing on it going flatline! Ba-dump-dump!"

tkozy commented:

Matt,

I hate to rain on your parade. But people travel from around the world to smell the,

"Corpse Flower"

A simple sign would have done just fine.

randomfactor commented:

Now *THERE*"s a sadly-neglected crop in Bakersfield's ag scene.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafflesia

mattloch commented: Why limit yourself to a single flower that smells like that? The whole valley floor smells like that every summer from all the dairies moving in.....
tkozy commented:
dusty1215 commented: I think our image is safe..believe me..when I tell people where I live, when I go out of the area, I get a plethora of responses from..where? to...omg..your kidding me,why?

I get very tired of defending Bako :P
randomfactor commented:

I just tell 'em I'm from Arvin. With my Texas accent, they think I'm from a wealthy community in Orange County.

I always got a kick out of traveling when I lived in Ridgecrest. I'd tell folks I was from Ridgecrest and get blank stares. Then I'd say "it's about ten miles from Inyokern" and they'd go "Oh! I know where *THAT* is..."

woofwoof commented:

If it wasn't for the Rolling Stones: http://youtube.com/watch?v=iIe9_Z2y2wM When I was living in the suburbs of chgo back in '78 and heard this song, I pictured a backwater town.....now I see it as a simpler life, with less stress than the big city.

tkozy commented:
ProgressivePete2 commented: Time to start the giant ball of aluminum foil.
woofwoof commented:

I was thinking more on the lines of an apparition:

randomfactor commented: You hear that, Pee Wee Herman? We're gunning for *YOU*!
ProgressivePete2 commented: Pee Wee had a big head start, but there's more of us. He actually stopped adding to it and donated it to the foil museum, so we can take him. Nope, never watched Pee Wee's Playhouse in my life.
TomW commented: I'm not sure if anyone has ever heard of it, but there's a woman who runs a mobile museum called "World's Largest Collection of World's Smallest Versions of World's Largest Things". She's been to Bako a few times for the shoe. http://www.worldslargestthings.com/california/shoe.htm

Termite commented: I get tired of defending Bakersfield too, especially to people who have never been here. *sigh*

But guess where I used to live? BUFFALO, NEW YORK! So, I am used to my turf getting a bad rap. And there was nothing wrong with Buffalo, either, except for the winter weather. Really. Honest. Truly.
NancyII commented:

People come from all over..including tour buses to visit the Crystal Palace. Too bad the city didn't make good use of that area to beef up tourism. That, along with Pioneer Village and Calm, would make a nice local tour.

Instead they chose to drag their feet til the Teaser Pleaser folks moved in.

There is a Chance: It’s the Grand War.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:01:20 PST

Colbert coined the name for Bush’s war tonight.

It’s the Grand War.

Because our grand children will still be fighting it.

Comments:
tkozy commented:

Would killing the enemy’s 4 year olds, be a pre-emptive strike?

woofwoof commented:

When Colbert spun off from Jon, I didn't get him. It was ackward. Now, I think that show along with Jon is the greatest hour of intersting "news" I could watch.

The Jesus on the Easter bunny with the eggs coming out of the tomb was a riot yesterday. (I watch the day late episodes on Comedy Central at 11a) The story about Walnut Creek changing the Easter egg hunt in the Spring hunt, gimme a break.

Seriously, I haven't laughed out loud so much watching any other show.

sgpowell commented: They call the Bosnian War the Christmas war, cause Clinton said the troops would be home by Christmas. Meanwhile, the occupation of Bosnia continues....
tkozy commented:
Annoy, Are you suggesting that the occupation of Bosnia has not been a success. Are you trying to compare the prosecution of Iraq to Bosnia.?

If so. You are being foolish.

Troops remained in Iraq after Jan. 2001 because Bush was the decider then. And he decided it was a good idea.

American Troops Finally Leaving Bosnia

by Neal Conan

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4187743
Talk of the Nation, November 25, 2004 · U.S. troops are finally departing Bosnia after a nine-year peacekeeping mission. The nation remains seriously divided along ethnic lines. About 1 million displaced people have returned to their homes, but 1.2 million have not gone home. Hear NPR's Neal Conan and Nicholas Wood, New York Times correspondent in southeastern Europe.
randomfactor commented:

It's a great, *GREAT* Grand War.

Because our Great-Great-Grandchildren will still be *PAYING* for it.

dusty1215 commented: Bosnia has several things in common with Iraq. Three distinct groups of people that have always tried to annihilate each other. Their tourism industry is coming back quite strong since the war.
mattloch commented: ...not sure why everybody is complaining. We've always been at war with Eastasia, and always will be.....
randomfactor commented: Uh, oh. I bet a decrease in the chocolate rations is coming soon.
mattloch commented: The best part of the intervew was then Colbert said that if this was a "war without end", then shouldn't the Commander In Chief's power be "power without end"? And shouldn't his term of office be without end as well?

The look on Ted Koppel's face was classic!

tkozy commented:
randomfactor commented:

Wonder what Bush is getting Osama bin Laden for his 50th birthday tomorrow. Maybe that Iranian bombing run he's always wanted? Another military appropriations request?

I mean, you only turn 50 once. The 2006 days of freedom he's gotten from Bush since 9/11 don't seem nearly enough.

tkozy commented: It's been 2006 days already. Time Flies.
randomfactor commented:

And 1426 days and 3050 American lives since the declaration of "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq.

antiextremism commented:

Oh Anny, do you mean the Dayton Agreement that stopped the genocide in the former Yugoslavia?

They did, successfully, exactly what they're trying to do in Iraq, consociationalism. Unfortunately it may take actually dividing Iraq into 3 sovereign nations.

And if I had my choice of places to take a vacation, it's a lot safer than Baghdad.

There is a Chance: Question concerning Daylight Savings Time, Sunday Morning.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:23:00 PST

Question concerning Daylight Savings Time, Sunday Morning.

If I forget to reset my Microwave Clock.

Will my Hot Pockets cook for a hour and three minutes?

Comments:
woofwoof commented:

I woke up in the middle of the night and thought: I wonder if my thermostat has to be reset. I hate waking up with stupid thoughts like that.

tkozy commented:
randomfactor commented: That's better than the situation this fall, tkozy. Forget to set your microwave back then and your Hot Pockets will go in hot and come out frozen.
ProgressivePete2 commented: Anybody watch the special report on the Daily Show about daylight savings? It freaked me out more than I already am. On monday, my computer might show the wrong time.

Q: What am I going to do?

A: panic
randomfactor commented: People ought to see this as an opportunity. On Monday: "DST? That's started already? Really? I guess I got an extra hour of sleep then by accident. I sure hope I remember to set the clocks ahead *TONIGHT!*
tkozy commented:

I like to maximize my daylight savings time. By setting my clocks ahead, three days in a row..

irv commented:

Not this last Sunday. Next Sunday.

steveeswenson commented: I was going to do a separate blog on this, but I'll post here.

First of all, it is — I just learned a couple minutes ago — Daylight Saving (no s) Time, not Daylight Savings Time

Secondly, it is coming earlier as a test to see if America will save energy. The theory being the more daylight at the end of the day, the less energy will be used for lighting a home. Perhaps people will even barbecue more than use ovens. Stuff like that.

But what this really means is I will be able to get 18 holes of golf in after work, not just nine. That is truly wonderful and finally America is looking out for what really matters to me.

Lastly, I ate too many Hot Pockets during one stretch in my life to cease caring whether I ever ate them again or how long they should be cooked.

Are we happy that this extra hour in the evening is coming a few weeks earlier?

woofwoof commented: Then they'll come out and tell us Bakersfieldians that we can't bbq because it causes too much air pollution....
steveeswenson commented: BBQing can't be air pollution. It smells too good.
antiextremism commented:

All I know is that if I'm an hour late for work on Monday, I'll have to leave work an hour early to make up for it.

Hey, that logic works for me!

irv commented:

All of Bakersfield's sun worshipers will be loving it.

ghostriter commented: Does it make any of you nervous to realize that even our time is being dictated by the government? I detest Daylight Saving. If the government thinks it is so great, why not just stay on DST all year long? The time-change thing is idiotic and messes with human Circadian rhythms for no reason. Choose one, or the other, but this "spring forward" crap is asinine.
antiextremism commented: Blame Benjamin Franklin for suggesting the idea Ghost. He was awakened by daylight after a hard night of partying in Paris and was astonished that dawn had come at 6 O'clock. He kiddingly suggested that the French could save a lot of candles by moving the clock. Sounds sorta familiar to today's reasoning for doing it early...to save energy. I have my doubts. I think it actually came to fruition when an influential bloke couldn't finish his 18 holes of golf.
NancyII commented:

I like the longer evenings because I don't have to come home from work in the dark. The evenings are soooo long during standard that I feel like I should be in bed by 8 pm but with DST I can stay in the yard or go for a walk or any number of things. I do agree however, that it should stay one way or the other (preferable DST) and they should leave the clocks alone!.

One thing to remind everyone is to change your smoke alarm batteries when the time changes so you'll always be protected.

ghostriter commented:

My teenage son grasps this concept perfectly. He says that we are setting the clocks ahead so we can turn on lights an hour later in the day, thus saving energy; the fact that we have to turn on the lights an hour earlier getting ready for work and school every morning is irrelevant.

I really wish that the government would PICK ONE, and stay with it. This "spring forward, fall back" crud is for the birds.

NancyII commented: Maybe they mean you'll have an extra hour of usable time in the evening. Works great as long as you don't work the swing shift whereby you'd LOSE an hour of daylight as opposed to gaining it.
TomW commented: Another way it saves energy is that cars get better milage when they don't have their headlights on. I love the extra hour of light. Since it's already light enough when I wake up at 7, I don't add any power on that end either.
randomfactor commented:

Apparently when Ben Franklin suggested it he was only kidding:

http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/franklin.html

tkozy commented:

You can move the clocks 10 hours ahead. Or 25 hours back.

It doesn’t change the number of hours of light.

You want more light? Don’t pull your shades closed when you take a siesta at noon!!!!!!

randomfactor commented:

Here's an alternative suggestion to DST. Don't change the clocks, change the workweek.

In wintertime, start work later and finish earlier. In summertime, start earlier and finish later. It'll balance out as the same number of hours anyway.

(Doesn't DST implicitly assume that the majority of people work by natural light, instead of flickering fluorescents in cubicles?)

NancyII commented:

I don't mind waking up in the dark..all I do is check the blogs anyway and I don't need daylight for that. :-)

I use less electricity now because I used to leave the porch light and one small lamp on so that I didn't have to come home to a dark house. Now I don't do that since it's still daylight when I get home. I know..I could use a light sensor..and I do..but it only works for a couple of hours due to the type of porchlight it is and the direction it faces. All I need now is a motion sensor solar floodlight in the back yard and I'd be happy. I'm saving up in my penny jar for that. There's no switch in the house to turn the existing one on, it's in the detached garage where the washer and dryer are. It's rough doing laundry at night tripping around in the dark to the garage door. These 1940 houses sure could use some upgrades. I did however, put a flourescent flood light bulb in it.

If I owned this house there would be some serious changes made to cut back on the electricity bill. (among other things like the kitchen and bathroom)

tkozy commented:

Nancy,

Stop your Whining

Going back to college: Letter from a basketball fan

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:39:15 PST

Most blogs are places where the writer gets to pontificate on whatever he or she deems relevant to the topic around which the blog revolves.
However, I received an e-mail about a week ago that I want to share. This editorial was originally published in Cal State Bakersfield's student newspaper, but I thought it would be interesting to get some feedback on the points presented in Garrett Brown's commentary.
Yes, Brown is the son of Roadrunners' coach Keith Brown. But, despite his understandably biased opinion, he makes some valid points.
Here is the editorial:

Community and student body: Where are you???

With 19.7 seconds left in the game and the score tied at 74, Dwuan Rice is pounding the ball out by halfcourt, waiting to attack the rim for the last shot of the game. As he drives to the basket, three Cal State Monterey Bay players collapse, and he forces up a difficult shot in the lane. It rims out, but senior center Carl Damus is there for the tip-in as time expires and the tiny crowd of around 500 goes ecstatic over the win.
Why would there be such a small crowd for a team with such rich basketball tradition? After all, we are in the top five winning percentages of all schools in the nation. (Yes, I said all, including division I schools such as Kentucky, UCLA, Duke, and North Carolina.)
For as long as I can remember (I've been in Bakersfield since 1997) Cal State Bakersfield has had one of the best athletic programs in division II. From men’s basketball, to women’s water polo, every single one of our athletic teams is competitive year in and year out, but sometimes that is the bare minimum, because most of our teams compete for championships constantly. After all this being said, you would think that the tickets or seating for these athletic events would be sold out or close to it every game.
Negative.
If one were to go to one of these athletic events, you would think that you were attending a junior high or high school game due to the lack of attendance.
This past weekend I went to both men’s and women’s basketball games on Thursday and Saturday night. I don’t understand how either team could get their adrenalin flowing when they are only playing in front of about 500 people. Half of which, none of the players know, because our student section is often empty or scarce. Don’t get me wrong, we still have our loyal fans that wouldn’t miss a game for the world, and we appreciate them dearly.
There has also been a buzz that the basketball teams don’t get as much support now because the teams don’t play on campus. So what you are telling me is that people don’t go to the games as much now because they have to drive an extra 10 minutes downtown to one of the nicest facilities around? Did Lakers fans stop coming when they moved to Staples Center from the Great Western Forum? You are either a supporter or you are not.
Out of the 12 or so teams in the CCAA, we (Cal State Bakersfield) have the WORST student body support for our athletic teams. As a player, you want to play in front of the rowdiest crowd possible to get the blood flowing and get some emotion involved. And who would be best suited to do that? When our men’s and women’s basketball teams go on the road in conference, the road gyms are usually packed or very close to it, and very hostile because everybody wants to beat Bakersfield. So, what you are telling me is that fans for the other team want to see our team more than we do?
How do you think this looks in our move to Division I? In Rabobank Arena, the basketball teams had the best facility in Division II. The arena downtown holds 10,500 people, yet I have never seen more than 6,000 people in the seats, and there was only that many because it was free to get in. Now the games that cost get in, I’ve never seen more than 3,500 people.(Keep in mind all students get in free.) This goes for the men’s and women’s teams. Basketball in general gets the best crowd, compared to all the sports, and it's still not enough, so what is that saying for the attendance of the other sports?
If Cal State Bakersfield is going to survive the move to Division I athletically and be successful it must have the support of its student body, faculty, and the community. After all, who pushed for the move to division I? The student body, community and administration.

The Pulse: Pack of smokes please

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:12:58 PST

The number of vendors selling cigarettes to teens is on its way down.

The county Department of Public Health sent 24 underage high school students to 114 tobacco vendors across the county and found that 26 percent of the vendors sold them cigarettes. (Read "More teens smoking" in today's Californian.)

The worst culprit was liquor stores with 67 percent selling tobacco inappropriately — but then again, they only went to three liquor stores total.

Next was convenience stores that don't sell gasoline, with 38 percent of the 13 surveyed allowing the sales.

What do you think about these results? Do you believe them?

From my personal experience, many vendors seem quick to ID.

As a very young looking 24-year-old woman (who got asked last weekend if I was covering an event for my high school newspaper — yikes!), I always get carded for the occasional alcoholic beverage I imbibe. Since I don't smoke, I don't know how vendors would react, although a couple Bakersfield Police Department officers at the press conference for this report said they would ID me if I tried to buy cigarettes from them.

But I also have a few siblings who, unfortunately, began smoking when they were under the legal age, and they can attest to lax ID policies in my home state of Kentucky at least. Somehow my youngest brother, who only turned 18 in January, has been smoking since he was 15. Some vendors are just more interested in the few bucks they get for the pack of Marlboro's than the risk of getting caught, I guess.

Many stores have cash registers that require the cashier to put in the buyer's birth date before continuing on with the transaction. I know that I had to do that the three years I worked at a grocery store.

I'm interested in hearing from teens who buy cigarettes and people who bought cigarettes when they were underage. Was it difficult? Did you have a strategy? Did you ever get caught?

Comments:
ki6amd commented: Personally I didn't start smoking until I was 18 (smart enough to know better, too dumb to care). But on my 21st birthday I went to the gas station behind my apartment and bought beer (no ID), I wentt back just a few minutes later and bought cigarettes (same person at the register) and was asked for ID.
It should be noted that the picture you see of me is when I was 19 (I look exactly the same today, at 27). I don't get carded for cigarettes, except once every few months (if I go to a store I haven't ever been to before), but I don't get carded for beer (then again, I haven't bought beer (bar or otherwise) in nearly a year.

Dusty's View of Life: Ann Coulter's latest statement costs her 3 newspapers.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:10:05 PST

Surely most folks have heard about her comment at CPAC last week where she referred to Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards in a derogatory gay word. Well, Trashcan Annie, who had roughly 100 newspapers syndicate her column as of last summer, is now down to 44 newspapers according to MediaMatters, who has the list up on their site. The three papers that dropped her column are:

The Lancaster New Era (Pennsylvania), The Oakland Press (Michigan), and The Mountain Press (Sevierville, Tennessee)

To add insult to injury, a group of conservative bloggers have released an open letter to CPAC regarding Ann's comment:

An Open Letter to CPAC Sponsors and Organizers Regarding Ann Coulter

Conservatism treats humans as they are, as moral creatures possessing rational minds and capable of discerning right from wrong. There comes a time when we must speak out in the defense of the conservative movement, and make a stand for political civility. This is one of those times.

Ann Coulter used to serve the movement well. She was telegenic, intelligent, and witty. She was also fearless: saying provocative things to inspire deeper thought and cutting through the haze of competing information has its uses. But Coulter’s fearlessness has become an addiction to shock value. She draws attention to herself, rather than placing the spotlight on conservative ideas.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2006, Coulter referred to Iranians as “ragheads.” She is one of the most prominent women in the conservative movement; for her to employ such reckless language reinforces the stereotype that conservatives are racists.

At CPAC 2007 Coulter decided to turn up the volume by referring to John Edwards, a former U.S. Senator and current Presidential candidate, as a “faggot.” Such offensive language–and the cavalier attitude that lies behind it–is intolerable to us. It may be tolerated on liberal websites but not at the nation’s premier conservative gathering.

The legendary conservative thinker Richard Weaver wrote a book entitled Ideas Have Consequences. Rush Limbaugh has said again and again that “words mean things.” Both phrases apply to Coulter’s awful remarks.

Coulter’s vicious word choice tells the world she care little about the feelings of a large group that often feels marginalized and despised. Her word choice forces conservatives to waste time defending themselves against charges of homophobia rather than advancing conservative ideas.

Within a day of Coulter’s remark John Edwards sent out a fundraising email that used Coulter’s words to raise money for his faltering campaign. She is helping those she claims to oppose. How does that advance any of the causes we hold dear?

Denouncing Coulter is not enough. After her “raghead” remark in 2006 she took some heat. Yet she did not grow and learn. We should have been more forceful. This year she used a gay slur. What is next? If Senator Barack Obama is the de facto Democratic Presidential nominee next year will Coulter feel free to use a racial slur? How does that help conservatism?

One of the points of CPAC is the opportunity it gives college students to meet other young conservatives and learn from our leaders. Unlike on their campuses—where they often feel alone—at CPAC they know they are part of a vibrant political movement. What example is set when one highlight of the conference is finding out what shocking phrase will emerge from Ann Coulter’s mouth? How can we teach young conservatives to fight for their principles with civility and respect when Ann Coulter is allowed to address the conference? Coulter’s invective is a sign of weak thinking and unprincipled politicking.

CPAC sponsors, the Age of Ann has passed. We, the undersigned, request that CPAC speaking invitations no longer be extended to Ann Coulter. Her words and attitude simply do too much damage.

Credentialed CPAC 2007 Bloggers

Sean Hackbarth, The American Mind
James Joyner, Outside the Beltway
BoiFromTroy, Boi From Troy
Joy McCann, Little Miss Attila
Kevin McCullough, Musclehead Revolution
Fausta Werz, Fausta’s Blog
Patrick Hynes, Ankle Biting Pundits
Ed Morrissey, Coulter">Captain’s Quarters
Jane Stewart, See Jane Mom
Alexander Brunk, Save the GOP
Ace, Ace of Spades HQ

Other Right-of-Center Bloggers

Owen Robinson, Boots and Sabres
N.Z. Bear, The Truth Laid Bear
Michael Demmons, Gay Orbit
Mark Coffey, Coulter">Decision ‘08
Russell Newquist, The Philosopher’s Stone
Marshall Manson, On Tap
Rob Port, Say Anything
Matthew Johnston, Going to the Mat
Timmer, The Daily Brief
Rick Moran, Right Wing Nuthouse
Dustin Gawrylow, Free Republicans
Dan, North Dallas Thirty
Brennan Monaco, The American Pundit
Nate Nelson, Reality Mugged Me
Christopher Fotos, PostWatch
Joe Carter, Evangelical Outpost
Amy Ridenour, National Center Blog
Soren Dayton, EyeOn08
Greg, Rhymes with Right Jimmie, The Sundries Shack
John Tabin, JohnTabin.com
Peter DiGaudio, Texas Hold ‘Em Blogger
Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit

If Trashcan Annie's intent was to drum up business with her crack about Edwards..I think its fair to say..she got the opposite response. Editor and Publisher has a writeup about her and this latest furor here.

Comments:
sgpowell commented: Umm.. I really don't think Ann's intent was to drum up business. I think John Edwards will recover from the verbal abuse at the hands of a girl. Although I hear he is now afraid of FOX, I don't think it is because Ann bitchslapped him to the other America, the America he lives in with 20 rooms and 8 bathrooms...
dusty1215 commented: Yeah, right,ok..thanks for that comment! You managed to get a boatload of stereotypes in there..good work, you must be proud!
antiextremism commented:

Another conservative reinforces the stereotpes. I mean you Mocus.

The "other" anonymous

sgpowell commented: So John Edwards lives in the same America the Joe Six Pack lives in?? Well hot damn, John, welcome to the neighborhood. But you might want to change your hairstyle, bub.
dusty1215 commented: Another goodie! Thanks so much for your keen insight.
sgpowell commented:

I think all Ann was doing was trying to get invited to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Descrimination GLAAD annual media awards dinner. I expect GLAAD will be sending her an invitation any day now......

The hypocrisy is just too friggen funny.

http://www.glaad.org/media/archive_detail.php?id=3623

March 15, 2004

Contact: Damon Romine, Entertainment Media Director
Phone: (323) 634-2012 Email: romine@glaad.org

[ send to friend ]

Contact: C. Riley Snorton, People of Color Media Manager
Communities of African Descent
Phone: 646-871-8023 Email: snorton@glaad.org

In an interview appearing in the April 2004 issue of Playboy magazine, 50 Cent made the following comment: "I ain't into faggots. I don't like gay people around me, because I'm not comfortable with what their thoughts are. I'm not prejudiced. I just don't go with gay people and kick it - we don't have that much in common."

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) expresses concern over 50 Cent's comments and believes that it can be dangerous to use words like "faggot" and "homo" when talking about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

"As a public figure, 50 Cent must realize that his words can have huge impact. We applaud his honesty in talking about the murder of his bisexual mother and appreciate his acknowledgement that he is not comfortable with gay people. We know that confronting homophobia can indeed be uncomfortable. But honesty is always the first step in overcoming the desire to judge those who are different than us and in overcoming prejudice," said People of Color Media Manager C. Riley Snorton, "A good way to start would be to attend GLAAD's annual media awards. I'd like to invite 50 Cent as my personal guest."

GLAAD encourages 50 Cent to get to know the LGBT community, and we are fully confident that in doing so he will find that he has more in common with us than he thinks.

sfinboston52 commented:

Ann C. is a shrill & bigot. Her use of the "F" would was offensive and on the same level of someone saying the "N" word. Ann still has not offered an apology for her comment, nor if she did offer one. would it be sincere. People like Ann C. lack common manners and compassion for fellow citizens. Ann C. behavior is totally unacceptable and is probably anti-american on her treatment of those who don’t share her same belief system.

It is time for Ann C. to fade away.

tkozy commented:
Even Faux News is ready to dump her.

randomfactor commented: I doubt that, tkozy. There is no low to which *THEY* will not sink.
TomW commented: Well, to be fair to Ann, she did spend time hanging out with a former gay male prostitute that was honored at the same event. She doesn't have any problem with gay people, as long as they know their place and don't complain about being treated as second class citizens. In no time at all, I guess he'll be spending the night in the Jeff Gannon suite at the White House.
sfinboston52 commented: Funny Ann C had no problem haning out w/ Mr. Sanchez, (escort, porn star, marine, etc). He is am much a loser as Ann C.
tkozy commented:
dusty1215 commented: Although Coultergeist has the freedom of speech on her side, the newspapers also have the freedom to dump her. Her conservative audience, the bloggers on the right also have the right to critisize her motives and her language.

Tom, that whole story has just gone crazy hasn't it? I spent the better part of an evening reading about Sgt. Sanchez..who btw is 36 and a corporal? wtf? Guess he didn't mind spending all those years as a gay porn star and publicly offering his services online on half a dozen websites. Funny how he says his privacy has been invaded and this dirt was dug up on him out of spite..when its all over the internets..and he checked one of his sites offering his studliness to the highest bidder as recently as two weeks ago.
ProgressivePete2 commented: She lost a whole bunch of banner ad sponsors on her website as well. Apparently lots of them didn't even know they had ads on her site.

I would also like to ad that Edwards isn't afraid of FoxNews, he just doesn't consider them news, but rather a propaganda tool for the right. This has been illustrated many times over. Why should he appear on it?
dusty1215 commented: I fail to understand why anyone that isn't a neocon appears on Faux Noise..perhaps they love the idea of arguing with their talking heads, its hard to say.
mattloch commented: Which is why Edwards is refusing to appear in the Democratic debate that Faux is hosting in Nevada, Pete. It's too bad Richardson has agreed to appear. The only "up" side to that would be to watch him take on and destroy the people asking their right-wing questions (and potentially kicking him into the top tier of Democratic front-runners). But I'm not sure legitimizing Faux will be worth it, in the end.
sfinboston52 commented: I did a google search on Mr. Sanchez,"Rod Marjors" he is still doing some excort service in the FL air...though he will travel. Also, has an account on m4m and manhunt....I view mr. sanchez on the same level as Ann C.
randomfactor commented: Odd that they're the same height, no? :)
dusty1215 commented: lol random. Did anyone see the CPAC video done by a HuffPo blogger? God Bless Max Blumenthal. I just really want to get that out there right off the bat. This man walked into the lions den armed only with his wit, a couple of props and a friend with a video camera. Watch the YouTube video he did here. First off, he asks Malkin to sign a pic of one of the Japanese internment camps..
mattloch commented: Great vid, Dusty. I'd like to see more people doing things like that. On both sides. (I don't think either party has the lock on hypocrisy.) I've been waiting for Comedy Central to go back to covering the National Conventions and the candidate debates, and having running commentary from some of the best political comedians working today. (Spam code: VISIT) I think that the audience is there, with the Daily Show / Colbert Report getting the ratings that they do.
dusty1215 commented: Comedy Central should provide us with hours of entertainment during the Repube and Dem conventions Mattloch :)
TomW commented: Great video, Dusty. And I agree with Mattloch statement that there should be more video of all of these things. I'll be looking forward to seeing the YouTube videos out of YearlyKos this year.
dusty1215 commented: YearlyKos is in Chicago this year. My fellow bloggers at BIO are meeting up there. I want to go but probably won't be able to..finances what they are.
TomW commented: I'm going to be there again. The thing I learned from last year is: volunteer to help, don't sweat the meetings and panels, and stay close to the convention so you can sleep in 2 to 4 hour spells.
sagefever commented: She makes my skin crawl~all that is wrong in "commentary " today!
nooneisabovethelaw commented:

Ann Coulter--one of many putting the 'con' in conservative.

Charlie commented:

Hooray for Ann. Calls them like they are and knows a nitwit limp wristed LW liberal when she sees one. Especially those like the ones that hang out here. Dusty and pals need to get a job, get out of the hose, off the couch, and contribute something to society besides their daily whining and liberal drivel.

dusty1215 commented: Thanks for the seemingly retarded comment anon..or should I call you mocus? Only the neocon's are supporting Annie on this..nice to see your still drinking the KoolAid however..the group is getting so small these days. They really need all the nitwits they can get.
TomW commented: So anon, I suppose you'll only vote for someone who endorsed her comments?
dusty1215 commented: The list will be pretty short Tom. Is there someone in particular you have in mind for mocus?
dusty1215 commented: TMI anon.
antiextremism commented: Mocus, you are the biggest bag of wind I've seen on any blog ever. I'm a liberal, I fought in Nam, what the hell did you do? Nothing. The only battle with an Asian you've had is with your wife, and it's obvious by your posts, she kicks your butt daily. So you strike out on a blog against faceless people and call them names, because you play second fiddle at home. Congratulations for being the ONLY blogger who when he can't back up what he says, starts the name calling of fellow bloggers.
robbwillis commented:

You mean this mocus?:

"oh, and Robb, you're a liar also, I see you said I compared your having a muscle car to socialized medicine......that's a lie......if you had a properly functioning brain and not one as big as your dog, you'd recall that you were complaining about high gas prices and blaming Bush oil companies, and telling Americans how they'd have to conserve......I simply pointed out what a moron and a hypocrite you were because you drive a high powered muscle car, so you didn't have room to talk......but being an insincere liar, you misrepresented what I said in order to ridicule and embarass me.......but that's typical for a piece of crap like you........is that dog a good kisser, Robb ?................"

http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/5987/#c_60857

Still waiting for a response...

antiextremism commented:

Mocus wouldn't say muscle cars are bad Robbwillis. He owns one. However, while yours IS a classic, his is a Mopar infested wanna be. You know, one you might see in a bad movie version of a Stephen King novel.

dusty1215 commented: Excuse me but mocus stopped by here today murphy..it's hardly picking on someone who isn't here. Now, if your talking about Trashcan Annie..thats another story..she is a public figure that craves attention.
antiextremism commented: Some people's vile remarks are easily identifiable Murph. He's trying not to get ousted and going undercover, but he can't restrain the name calling when his remarks are so easily refuted. It was noble of you to defend him, but he is a coward of the first order while he calls everyone else wimps or fags. Believe me, that's him.
dusty1215 commented: Why yes, he is our homegrown Trashcan Annie!

The Bakersfield Dalton Gang: Growing older brings it's own set of problems...

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:07:36 PST

Having officially reached the 1/2 century mark (plus 3) I was informed by my family physician I HAD to have a colonoscopy.

I was filled with terror as I pondered the invasion of my most private part by a gazillion foot long clinical apparatus. In my entire life, NOTHING has ever gone IN that part of my body and it seems contrary to the laws of nature that anything should ever be forced the wrong way in what is essentially a "One Way Street."

I was in a state of abject fear!

Two days before the fateful day I chickened out and cancelled the appointment. Call me a coward if you will, but no matter what the internet said about a colonoscopy being "a commonplace medical procedure" I just couldn't muster up the courage to go through with it.

When my lovely wife Leslie learned of my canceling the colonoscopy, she was as angry as I have ever seen her! Her former husband died at a fairly young age of colon cancer and she was determined the same fate would not befall me. Like it or not, I was stuck. I had to go through with the procedure.

Getting the “bowel preparation” medication from the pharmacy I sat down and carefully read the instructions to make sure I got it right...

Let’s see: Mix packet “A” and packet “B” with one liter of water. Drink eight ounces every fifteen minutes so the entire liter is consumed within one hour. Wait three hours and repeat.

Seems simple enough. Hey, even I can't screw that up!

I mixed this evil potion as directed and at 4:00 PM proceeded to drink it as required. After the third glass, I was feeling full and it was difficult to chug the last eight ounces but I triumphed and polished it off. If not with gusto, at least with a sense of accomplishment. I remember thinking: Heck I've chugged more beer at parties in my younger days than this! Little did I know what I was in for!

I settled into my favorite spot and watched the History Channel not quite knowing what to expect. After about an hour, the devil’s potion began wrecking its evil havoc and I was seized with the most urgent urge to expel this evil concoction.

A mad dash to the bathroom ensued. In my desperate attempt to cover the distance between my living room and the bathroom, (a hopelessly long fifteen feet), anything in my way was knocked to the floor with abandon. Barely making it to the bathroom I sighed with relief as the last of this evil evil brew was expelled.

With a sigh of relief and beads of sweat on my brow, I again settled into my favorite chair only to have my abdomen scream in pain as another wave of urgency swept over me.

Dear GOD! How long can this go on???

After my fourth trip to the bathroom, I finally felt as though I could leave the immediate area and venture outside for a breath of fresh air. No sooner I had walked to the end of the sidewalk than the devil inside me decide I had gone too far.

GOD!!!

RUN CURT RUN!!!

Up the sidewalk, I throw open the front door and sprint to the bathroom -- unfastening my jeans as I go. I made it in the nick of time vowing to the Gods above I would not leave the bathroom again – EVER.

(Please God, just get me through this and I'll volounteer for the Peace Corps, the Jerry Lewis telethon and anything else you want! Honest!)

As luck would have it, this was the last mad sprint to the bathroom. At least for now. In spite of the agony of the past hour and a half, I think I’ll actually survive!

Whoopee!

(umm God, About the Peace Corps thing.........)

Eight PM rolls around and I eye the SECOND batch of mixed devils brew with a mixture of fear, trepidation and dread. After my previous experience with this medical wonder brew, I have a fairly good idea what I’m in for and I am NOT looking forward to drinking this metabolic dynamite.

With a dread bordering on terror I drink this mixture again. This time, I’m not messing around. I gulp it down in large draughts in an effort to get the inevitable over with.

This time I didn’t have to wait long. This evil magic potion took effect in under ten minutes. Learning my previous lesson well, I didn’t leave the bathroom until the entire ordeal was over.

In the course of eight hours from the first sip of the evil elixir to the final colonic spasm, I have a new-found respect for the pharmaceutical industry’s ability to wreck havoc on the human body. Feeling completely wrung out I lay my head on my pillow vowing to make amends with whatever Gods I offended and try to live a better and more wholesome life.

My sleep was fitful. All night long I was dreaming of running down a long hallway lined with bathroom doors and every door was locked! I awaken at 6:00 AM feeling lousy. Completely wrung out. I have a dry mouth and a headache and because of the procedure I am going to undergo, I can’t take an Advil or have a glass of water.

Ugh!

At 10:30 my wife and I head off to the medical office where the "procedure" is to be performed. After an all too short wait, I am called in and asked to undress and get into the classic hospital gown. (Hummm, NOW I know why they are open in the back!)

In a matter of minutes, a pretty nurse, Rachel, comes in and hooks me up to a cardiac monitor, takes a set of vital signs and starts an IV. She is way (way) too happy. (While I feel like a condemned person must feel as they are wheeled away to the execution chamber).

Within minutes, the doctor arrives and greets me with a cheery “Hello!” I answer him back and he requests I lie on my left side.

The next thing I remember I am lying on the gurney in a Versed/Demerol-induced fog trying to remember who and where I am. It’s over and aside from feeling like my stomach was used as a punching bag I’m fine.

The doctor found three small polyps and removed them without any problem.

Waittaminnit???

Three Polyps?????

Three potential cancers ?????????

THREE POTENTIAL CANCERS!

YIKES!

Three death sentences.

You know, all in all, I got off lucky.

Until next time....

Comments:
randomfactor commented: Thanks for this, Curt. I'm due for this procedure too--my doctor gave a referral to me for my 50th birthday. Nice to know what I've got coming to me.
tkozy commented:

What a Whiner..

You Think that’s bad? It’s obvious you have never been married..

GordonDelano commented:

Curt, you gave me memories, however, not fond ones. I have had the procedure twice. It doesn't get any better the second time.

tkozy. In due time you will have a chance to join the club. RACHEL WILL BE WAITING WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE. :)))

NancyII commented:

I always tell people the test is nothing..I slept through it..but the prep will kill ya. Or at least try. I'll have to go through it again soon and am hoping the stuff you drink won't be as bitter as gall like the last time. I gagged with every swallow.

There's gotta be a better way...or do the docs just love to torture us?

Glad to hear all is well now Curt.

tkozy commented:

My post was tongue in cheek. But it is a important procedure.

Been there done that. Every three years because of family history. Five cystoscopies in the 18 months since my bladder cancer surgery.

Absolutely no pain with the colonoscopy. And if the urologists uses lidocaine there is no pain with the cystoscopy. You can actually watch the procedure on the monitor. It is a bit uncomfortable to see the cancer growing inside you. Live and in living color.

Without lidocaine. Like when the emergency room inserted a catheter. It almost brought tears.

Drinking all the junk was miserable. But not unbearable.

The procedure itself. I remember none of it.

I had two polyps of the potential cancer type. I do have a vague memory of feeling two snips. That’s it.

There is a history of Colon cancer in my family. The procedure is not optional for me.

Think of the consequences of colon cancer.

And thank GOD for allowing us the opportunity to have colonoscopies and cytoscopies...

Have no pity for me. I have been cured of so many things. I am one of the luckiest man in the world.

Have pity for those who refuse to have or can not afford the colonoscopy.

woofwoof commented:

Wow I can't believe I forgot about the liquid hell part. I remember the procedure part as no big deal. I had both an endoscopy and colonoscopy in my early forties. I'm coming up on 48 here in a couple of months. So I guess I'll have to have another one in my early 50's, since they recommend you have one every 10 years.

robbwillis commented:

April 5th for me, my first. Thanks Curt! I like the part about waking up and not remembering much...

I used to play golf with a noted Bakersfield scope man. We picked up a new fourth one day and going down the eighth fairway, he says to Doc, "I know you, you did my colonoscopy."

Doc, utters the classic line "You'll pardon me if I don't remember your face."

antiextremism commented: I'm a three time veteran. It's not fun, but it's a lot better than a slow agonizing death from not catching it in time. I felt the way you did the first time Curt, but having a beautiful woman do the procedure took the edge off. I told her, "Well, if I'm gonna get raped, it might as well be by a good looking violator than by Doctor Evil".
CurtDalton commented: I can't believe the jokes since my friends found out about my colonoscopy. Here's the best one so far...

"Hey, I thought you had to go to prison to be treated like that!"

Post YOUR favorite colonoscopy joke and lets all have a chuckle.

woofwoof commented:

A physician claims these are actual comments from his patients made while he was performing colonoscopies:

1. "Take it easy, Doc, you're boldly going where no man has gone before."

2. "Find Amelia Earhart yet?"

3. "Can you hear me NOW?"

4. "Oh boy, that was sphincterrific!"

5. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?"

6. "You know, in Arkansas, we're now legally married."

7. "Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?"

8. "You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out. You do the Hokey Pokey ..."

9. "Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!"

10."If your hand doesn't fit, you must acquit!"

11. "Hey, Doc, let me know if you find my dignity."

12. "You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?"

13. "Could you write me a note for my wife, saying that my head is not, in fact, up there?"

irv commented:

Thanx woofwoof, I've had my chuckle for the day!

robynw commented: Im laughing so hard, I cant catch my breath!!!
anglo1 commented: My advice to anyone is start using something like Desitin ointment pre-sitting. The most uncomfortable part for me was just before I was sedated and on my side , when a very young sounding female voice said "Hi Dale. remember me, I used to work for you".
NancyII commented: ROFLMAO..sorry Dale..but that was priceless !!!

Editorials: Time to end this water war

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:31:14 PST

PUBLISHED 3-9-2007

Water is a fighting word in these here dry Western states. California history is littered with bodies shot on the battlefield and lawsuits fought in courtrooms.

Water is the lifeblood of communities. Without it, cities can’t grow and riches cannot be made.

And that explains why the city of Bakersfield filed three lawsuits this week against its neighbor, Shafter, the Oildale Mutual Water Co. and the North Kern Water Storage District.

As with all things dealing with water, the details of the dispute are complicated. But the fight is simple: Bakersfield has the water. Shafter wants the water. Shafter joined with the Oildale and North Kern water districts to devise a swapping scheme they say will satisfy restrictions on the water’s use.

Bakersfield rejects the plan. For three years, the city has tried to settle the dispute with Shafter — offering to sell water to its neighbor or have Shafter come up with another acceptable source.

A judge was brought in to evaluate restrictions on an earlier water agreement. He sided with Bakersfield, concluding the water Shafter and others planned to use for proposed residential development can only be used for agriculture.

Shafter and its partners contend the judge’s ruling was only advisory. The water plan they have devised is legal.

Bakersfield officials contend Shafter’s water scheme is not only illegal, it fails to provide an adequate supply to support proposed residential development.

Like most water fights, this one is being dumped on the courts, where a judge will decide the winner based on the law.

A representative of the North Kern district told The Californian: If a judge says the disputed water can be used for residential purposes — not just agriculture — the “city of Bakersfield could be in trouble. Bakersfield has the potential to lose big on this.”

In reality, taxpayers in Bakersfield and Shafter are “winners” in having the courts end the water war and Shafter’s water supplies defined. Shafter taxpayers will recognize the public cost of real estate development in a large swath of land Shafter recently annexed.

The investment Bakersfield taxpayers made years ago to acquire Kern River water rights will be protected. The acquisition assured Bakersfield’s ability to grow and provided an asset that can be used to pay for public services.

There is nothing to be lost in having this water war end and the truth known.

Comments:
GordonDelano commented:

Water wars. A common problem in the West. In this battle for water between Bakersfield and Shafter, I am reminded of the Owens Valley, Los Angeles water war. Still not fully resolved.

My uncle Walter moved to the Owens Valley ares after WWI. He became the Standard Oil distributor for the Mamoth Lakes area. Was injured on his job. After recovering, Standard offered him the Standard Service Station in Independance, CA. In the middle of Owens Valley. The building for the station was the machine shop for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Mullholand's employer. The book, "THE STORY OF INYO", by W. Chalfant, tells how the city of Los Angeles raped the Owens Valley through deception.

I would spend summer vacation from school helping my uncle at his service station. Pumping gasoline and I mean PUMPING GASOLINE. I also cleaned the restrooms. I had the impossible job of keeping a phrase removed from the walls of BOTH THE MEN AND WOMENS ROOMS. "FLUSH THE TOILET, LOS ANGELES NEEDS THE WATER." After being removed, it would reappear like magic. It could be found on just about every public restroom in Owens Valley. A fitting reminder th the citizens of Los Angeles that frequented the area in the summer months and I'm sure for the entire year.

There is a relationship to this water war to the one in Kern County. A just solution is needed. At the present time, due to the expansion of the Rosedale area, the city will need to establish a new water treatment plant. This was proposed about ten years ago. It was proposed to be sited between Bakersfield and Shafter.

The present water treatment site located southeast of town, discharges treated water into a canal to be used for agriculture use in irrigating crops. A site located between Bakersfield and Shafter could be used by Shafter. The treated water could supply their needs. If the local water war lasted as long as the aforementiond water war. The money spent on litigation could build a treatment plant.

Those living in Rosedale could do as those living in Owens Valley did. "FLUSH THE TOILET, SHAFTER NEEDS THE WATER."

rzaroch commented: nobody owns water, everybody needs water

last year there was a big fuss when all that water was released from the isabella dam, and people were upset that "all that water was going to los angeles"

is that a bad thing?Dont we want LA, and all places, to have sufficient water?

last time I checked, Shafter was damn near close to bakersfield, so can't we all just get along?

freakin water is divisive man, humans are stupid...

raychopra commented:

I am sure LOTS of PEOPLE don't even know about this.

Water Districts from this COUNTY are SELLING water to ........................

Do some snooping around & you will see.

The People vs. Vincent Brothers: More tears in court today -- will it impact a verdict?

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:31:02 PST

Kelsey Spann, a good friend of Joanie Harper, took the stand today and talked about her friendship with Joanie and Joanie's relationship with Vincent Brothers.

Both Spann and Brothers ended up in tears, apparently.

This is at least the third time I know of in this trial that Brothers has broken down. The footage of him during the opening statements was pretty compelling.

I wonder if that kind of stuff affects the jury?

Comments:
steveeswenson commented: Yes, tears affect a jury. So do other actions. We'll see which wins out.
radthnker commented:

Do tears affect a jury?? Yes, that type of emotional outlet is certainly not missed by a jury. After a jury hears all the evidence and is ready to consider a verdict, they surely will look back on the trial and remember the testimony and the actions of the participants. I think in this particular trial, the jury will see crying by the defendant in a negative lighrt and will do their civic duty and punish him to the fullest extent that the law allows for mass murderers. I don't think Brothers is crying because he is saddened by the murdered victims; he is saddened because he knows that he will not get away with his crimes, and that his end will be on a gourney with the sharp stick of a lethal needle. I think if his victims had a choice of method of death, they all would elect lethal injection over lethal stabbing and lethal shooting. His crocodile tears are the only defense he has to offer, and I hope that the jury will see thru this transparent tactic and view the evidence in a clear and objective manner.

meluvshoes commented:

wow, way to enjoy that constitutional right of being innocent until proven guilty!!!! With citizens like the anonymous blogger above why do we need courts and jurys. People like him/her feel that they can administer justice without due process, so let's do away with all that expensive judicial crap. Right?

While everyones opinion has merit, it is unconscionable to find him guilty, sentece him, and watch him die, without due process. This is America!!!

radthnker commented:

Hey, I never said that I didn't respect due process.....I just hope that since "crying" during a trial to gain sympathy is part of due process, i hope the jury will be smart enough to see through the haze and get a true representation of the case>>>>>>>>>

"His crocodile tears are the only defense he has to offer, and I hope that the jury will see thru this transparent tactic and view the evidence in a clear and objective manner."

When all the truth is portrayed in the courtroom, you too will soon believe the unthinkable.

jfrancais commented: Why are you so convinced that he is guilty, anonymous? I have yet to read anything linking him to the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution's case was hurt by the fact that the miles were not adequately tracked (or at the least, the officer who testified did not track them). I think everyone agrees he is not up for the Father of the Year Award, however, I have yet to be convinced that he is a criminal. No he didn't come home right away upon receiving word of the deaths and yes he had a questionable lifestyle but how does that directly link him to the crime? I would like to think that the jury wieghs the evidence without regard to tears, but maybe I am being too altruistic. Also, what does it matter whether the victims wanted "lethal injection" or "lethal shooting" (assuming that they even propose the death penalty)? Have we already convicted the man?
meluvshoes commented:

Thanks for the validation jfrancais!

As a society that enjoys the freedoms of presumed innocence, some of us are awfully quick to rush to judgement. I dont personally know the man, I dont have any preconceived notions of his guilt or innocence, and I only have a minor curiosity of his lifestyle. However, I have an absolute interest in living in a country that allows me to be free until I am proven guilty of a crime. I absolutely want to be able to defend myself in a court of law should I ever be accused of a crime. And, I absolutely want to be able to have a fair and unbiased jury of my peers to determine my guilt or innoncence of a crime. Anonymous ( now radthnker) appears to want to convict a man based on innuendo, supposition and conjecture. Remind me not to commit crimes when he/she might be in the jury pool.

JustAThought commented: Just wait until the parade of women he deceived step up to be questioned. This guy was slime.
jfrancais commented: A parade of women establishes that he is a womanizer and an unfaithful man, not a killer. Who knows, maybe one of the women might actually have something relevant to say regarding the murders.
radthnker commented: Yeah, MAYBE!!! Hahahahahahhahahahahahhahahhahahahaha!
meluvshoes commented:

I am simply amazed at the tone that anonymous uses in his/her blogs. I hope that there isn't anything in your past that others might perceive as wrong. It would be a rather large leap to assume that because a man cheats or has multiple women in his life, he potentially killed his entire family! Really, are we that jaded of a community? It makes him poor husband material, but not necessarily a murderer.

So...

Anonymous, no skeletons in your closet? Skeletons that could be spun in a horrific way if the circumstances warranted? It is so easy to sensationalize his affairs because of the circumstances when in reality they just make him a bad husband.

Junior League of Bakersfield: Stuffed Animals for Local Fire & Police Departments

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 12:05:55 PST

Did you know that police and fire personnel give children in tragic situtations stuffed animals to help comfort them?

The provisional class of the Junior League of Bakersfield (JLB) is accepting donations of new teddy bears and other small stuffed animals to donate to the local fire and police departments to help them in their efforts. Police and fire personnel will distribute these donations to children in need of comfort during times of tragedy and distress.

If you would like to contribute, please bring your stuffed animals or donations to the JLB building located at 1928 19th Street. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9 am - 2 pm. Donations will be accepted until March 29th.

For more information, please contact Mary Russo at 661-395-7318 or mrusso@bakersfield.com

Comments:
andykaitmom commented: My son had to take an ambulance ride when he was 2 years old and he received a stuffed bear. It helped him IMMENSELY! We'll be making a donation very soon here and I encourage the rest of you to do the same :)

My blog: I'm not a wrestling expert, but this is cool video

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 10:32:49 PST

This past weekend our multimedia reporter Dane Boedigheimer shot video at the CIF wrestling championships (state wrestling tourney to laymen like you and me.)

He got just about all the final matches and stayed up until 4 a.m. editing them. You can watch the video here.

We have gotten a ton of viewers on the video -- especially the final match in the 160 pound weight class. Apparently this was a pretty awesome match. Several wrestling message boards have been buzzing about the winner's prowess.

My favorite quotes:

"Welch is just a junior. After he gives up the first takedown, he just eats this dude's lunch. Watch the footsweep at about 2:15." from huskermat.com forums

"This kid is amazing, watch how he gets taken down at the begining, then like he is pissed he was scored on, just dismantles the poor kid he's wrestling against." from themat.com forums

Comments:
lxtrail commented: my youngest brother made it to state from North High, but this was the guy to watch there, he dominated
dgrealish commented: I've been to my share of matches and tournaments over the years and I still can't watch one sitting still!

Sam Heath: America: A civilized nation?

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 10:30:10 PST

Why in any nation considering itself civilized should any convicted child predator ever be set free to continue preying on children? The ready answer that comes to my mind is America is not a civilized nation. It doesn’t take the corruption rampant in our government to tell me this, all it takes is the refusal on the part of our politicians and judges to make sure child predators once caught and convicted ever again be allowed to continue their monstrous acts against children. By that standard how do the Roman Church, the Mormon Church, and Jehovah’s Witnesses fare any better? The refusal to permanently remove child predators from civilized society is to acknowledge the fact of an uncivilized nation.

Then there is the matter of America becoming a violent and uncivilized nation by reason of our unsecured borders for the sake of slave labor benefiting politicians and their corporate masters whereby not only child predators but thousands of other violent criminals are coming into our nation in an undeclared war on the law-abiding citizens of America. But if you shoot back at those threatening your life, you are more likely to wind up like those two border patrol agents than not. At that, even for the law-abiding using a gun is not the easy thing much of the anti-gun propaganda would have you believe.

While James Jones didn’t mention it in his Pulitzer-winning book “WWII,” shortly after the war I read an interesting study concluding half of our soldiers in battle did not fire their guns. The reasons given were many and varied, but generally came down to men not wanting to kill other men, though some admitted they were too busy trying to stay alive with all the shooting going on to bother risking firing at the enemy. Jones did make a point of referencing the most sensible thing to do when people are shooting at you is do your best to get the hell out of harm’s way! Stephen Crane while never having fought in the war did a remarkable job of describing this in his classic Civil War novel “The Red Badge of Courage.”

Years ago in a conversation with the police chief of a southern California city he told me one of the questions asked of those applying for a position on the force was “Would you be willing to shoot someone?” It occurred to me this was a pretty silly question. After all, unless you are actually confronted by the situation how would you know the answer? The chief concurred with me, and went on to say interviewers were looking for “body language” in response to the question; that the hope was if the interviewers were convinced in the affirmative later training at the police academy would weed out those that would not shoot. He sighed and continued to share with me this was too often not the case. It all came down to that moment when the event occurred.

Over the years since I have learned from personal experience the enormous difficulty police departments have in not only preventing those who are “gun happy” from wearing a badge, but finding people who are willing to shoot. It comes down to that classic observation by John Wayne in “The Shootist” whether a man is “willin’.”

Hollywood would have us believe the military is filled with men anxious to get a gun in their hands and shoot at every possible opportunity whereas the opposite may be closer to the truth. And while field commanders could easily disabuse the makers of war movies, it wouldn’t make for the image of warriors the entertainment industry likes to project in action-packed dramas. Just to watch some of the old war movies of WWII like “Sands of Iwo Jima” gives the impression our soldiers were all bravely shooting it out with the enemy, there are the films like “Apocalypse Now” and “The Green Berets,” and Clint Eastwood has done yeoman’s work in “Flags of our Fathers” and “Letters from Iwo Jima,” but the fact that when the shooting is actually going on the sensible thing to do is try to stay alive.

Not surprisingly “Doc” Bradley, one of those in that iconic picture of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima, “never regarded himself as a hero, telling anyone who asked, ‘The only heroes were the ones who didn’t come back.’ “ If the status of hero is defined in this way who would argue Bradley’s observation; though the medals are given Alvin York and Audie Murphy. But war movies as propaganda were needed during WWII and continue to serve the same purpose, though with the introduction of the anti-hero real heroes of the iconic status of WWI and WWII are hard to come by. There really was no excuse for Patton slapping that soldier; not everyone loved war as did Patton though we need men like him in time of war.

Western films promote the image of the gunslinger whereas the truth isn’t even close to the actual events. Most so-called “gunfighters” were more likely to shoot from ambush than the stand-up face-off in “Shane” and other films of this genre. And if you have ever experienced being shot at and shooting back you know exactly what I’m talking about.

You won’t find much material about the police and military having difficulty with finding personnel that are “willin’.” We don’t see war news on TV showing any of our troops that are not “willin’.” What we always see are film clips of those doing the shooting. Which makes sense; there is nothing exciting about showing soldiers not shooting but doing the sensible thing trying to avoid being shot. But there is that study I mentioned following WWII that gives pause, and even though films made about wars from our own War for Independence on showing so many shooting at each other there is still that sensible thing of soldiers doing their best in many cases of trying to avoid getting shot. This is not cowardice in most cases, but only sensible.

But as to actual cowardice, as the violence increases here in America and entire cities are being terrorized by gangs one of the more common tactics by the barbarians is the “drive-by shooting.” These are the cowardly acts by which gang members are identified for what they are: utterly uncivilized and cowardly barbarians without conscience. Unlike actual warfare where men are facing either shooting or getting shot, here in America the cowards shoot from ambush without fear of being shot in return. Small wonder we applaud the vigilante that in turn metes out justice when our laws do more to protect the criminals than the victims. Small wonder there are so few witnesses willing to step forward when gang murders occur when neighborhoods are ruled by gangs and retaliation is far more certain than justice.

We don’t hear anything about soldiers being tried for cowardice in the face of enemy fire. One reason, I’m sure, is that the military cannot afford to let it be known how many soldiers are not firing their weapons in time of battle. And I certainly understand this; I don’t fault the military for not wanting such a thing publicized (and speaking of not wanting publicity, wasn’t it obvious that Iraqi that made the news about being detained when airport security at LAX discovered items he had concealed in his rectum was a test for smuggling bomb materials aboard a plane).

However, here on the Home Front our police are facing an actual war where to use their guns is to invariably face the threat of lawsuits, being fired or imprisoned. The case of those two border patrol agents being imprisoned for shooting at a drug smuggler from Mexico sends the message to all our border patrol agents: Don’t shoot! Bush may well pardon his friend Libby, but he sits on his hands over those two border patrol agents.

Government corruption, child predators and gangs continue to terrorize America, the result being our nation is losing credibility as a civilized nation. When the highest in government are protected and allowed to continue with their corruption, when Ted Kennedy is still in power after Chappaquiddick and Ann Coulter is vilified for the use of a word, when the laws favor the criminals over their victims, when the police are afraid to shoot even when “willin’” there is little to give hope we will ever be a truly civilized nation. Our enemies realize this even if our leadership does not.

Comments:
rzaroch commented: well...

For all the crap that does go on in america, i think we can all admit we do have it pretty well here...most of us...

I think this escapes people often, and the idea of being civilized has changed and will continue to change throughout history.

I mean, the whole manifest destiny shotting natives thing was thought of as civilized at the time...

And if you are like me and beleive in evolution, then you understand we are animals, mammals, and we do have some natural ijnstincs to really mess ourselves up...

And if you are like me, and have hope in mankind and for the future, then you can help out yourself by being a decent person, and above all, fightingf for what is right and good and will help our society as a whole...

yup, times are rough, but have they been rougher? I would say so...

We are the the brink, the tipping point, of America no longer being the the sole superpower, especially economically, and hopefully we can be humble and play it out right so everybody can have a share of thius huge pie...

Talk of the Town: Is killing in war a 'sin?'

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 10:03:20 PST

KERO and CNN have stories on a local soldier who is getting flak for a sticker he's put on his truck. Check out the KERO story here.

The sticker reads "Lord please forgive me, I have committed sins for our freedom."

Some folks are up in arms over the sticker, arguing killing during war isn't sinful.

What do you think?

Comments:
frustrated commented: Not when it is done to protect our nation, our interests, and our people from those who seek to destroy our way of life. The Iraqi's were giving fair warning and chose to fire on us when they could have met us in the streets with flowers and embraced us but they instead chose to fight. If this soldier has sinned in some way he should address that with God. Defending your country is a requirement. God expects us to stand up for what is right and at times that means warning and taking down the aggressor. God often sent the Israelites into battle. There is a difference between killing and murder.

The invasion of Iraq was necessary as Saddam was not meeting his agreed concessions of allowing UN inspectors. He kicked them out in 1998. We had every right to go back in and take care of business and that is what we did. This has everything to do with the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and Saddams surrender after a 4 day ground battle.

Are the police guilty of sin when they take down a gunman who has been warned to drop his weapon and does not comply? If the gunmen fails to comply and is shot to death by the police the gunman essentially took his own life as it was up to him and only him to save it. The police and the military are simply tools used by God to mete out justice. See Romans 13:1-6. Anyone who has a problem with this can take the matter up with God. "The earth is the Lords' and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it," Psalm 24:1.
ProgressivePete2 commented: How are Iraqi's trying to destroy your way of life? By getting us stuck in a never ending occupation of their country?

I can't believe you bought that line about greeting us with flowers. I bet Rumsfeld is still laughing about that one.
mattloch commented: Iraq was the "aggressor" frustrated? Well, it was, but that was back in the '80s when they were our friend in the region, and we completely supported them in their actions (you know, by selling them intelligence and weapons). But not since 1992 have they been "aggressive" against anyone, let alone the US. Saddam "kicked out" the inspectors when he found out that the US had sent in spies in the guise as inspectors, and the spies were manufacturing evidence against Iraq. He let the inspectors back in after that, and the inspectors were months, if not weeks, away from giving Iraq a clean bill of health. Which is why Bush rushed us into war; he couldn't have the IAEA and UN weapons inspectors say he was full of bullsh-t.
TomW commented: frustrated, if what you say is true, Foxnews is full of liars. I just found an article that said they pulled the inspectors out in 2003.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,81343,00.html

U.N. Inspectors Leave Iraq

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.N. weapons inspectors climbed aboard a plane and pulled out of Iraq on Tuesday after President Bush issued a final ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to step down or face war.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday ordered all U.N. inspectors and support staff, humanitarian workers and U.N. observers along the Iraq-Kuwait border to evacuate Iraq after U.S. threats to launch war.

After failing to secure U.N. authorization to use force to disarm Iraq, Bush gave Saddam 48 hours to step down or face war in a speech Monday night.

A plane carrying the inspectors took off Tuesday morning from Saddam International Airport and later landed in Laranca, Cyprus, where the inspectors have a base.

sfinboston52 commented: Early Christians didnt believe in war and did not serve in armies. Boy have times changed. Onward Christian Soliders
randomfactor commented:

Short answer: Saddam disarmed (because the Clinton-era santions worked), and Bush went in anyway.

Frustrated, perhaps the 9/11 hijackers were just another way for God to "mete out justice." Dinesh D'Souza sure seems to think so. I'd take the problem up with Him, except that He doesn't exist. Wonder if the Tooth Fairy took over his position?

ProgressivePete2 commented: Not the tooth fairy RF, it was the Spring Bunny.
tkozy commented:

Don’t make me resort to quoting TomW again..

lynette_pimentel commented: I grew up in church with God by my side the whole way. The Ten Commandments do say "Thou shalt not kill". If, as a soldier you feel you have sinned by killing the enemy, then ask forgiveness. I also feel that the decal is a freedom of speech and should not stir up this sort of negativity. I like the decal and would love to see more of them. Our soldiers are allowed and should be allowed to have there faith and use it the way they wish. If people are not mature enough to understand this, then may God bless them and help them to understand.
TomW commented: So let me get this straight: the story is that a soldier has put a sticker about war on their truck, and people are critizing him or her? It's too bad KERO can't support the troops.
salask commented: Isn't this what Sgt. Gonzales fought for? Freedom of speech. I want to thank him for his service to our country. He is to be commended for fighting for his country and, after coming home, fighting for what he believes in.

mattloch commented: Agreed Anon.
wlwedd commented: It says, "Thou shalt not kill," Not, "Except when somebody gives you permission and an M16." Of course it's a sin. Jesus taught us to not only aceept hurt, but to turn the other cheek and offer it for more. We are hardly Jesus's idea of a Christian nation.
randomfactor commented: All unnecessary killing is sin. And the Iraq war was unnecessary.
natejosiah commented: It says, "Thou shalt not kill," Not, "Except when somebody gives you permission and an M16." Of course it's a sin. Jesus taught us to not only aceept hurt, but to turn the other cheek and offer it for more. We are hardly Jesus's idea of a Christian nation.

It actually says, Thou shalt not murder, not kill.
Deuteronomy 5:17 'You shall not murder.'

What about Joshua taking over the promise land for God's chosen people?
What about David killing Goliath? or thousands he killed after becoming king?
What about all of the judges that killed people?

I would disagree that killing in a time of war is sin. I don't think it is. Even if you still think it is, where sin abounds grace abounds all the more. I'm definitely not saying you can use that as a license to sin either...

I agree that we are hardly a Christian nation, that is just a title everyone slaps on themselves to feel good.
randomfactor commented:

"Murder" is killing which is not necessary or accidental. I leave it as an exercise for the student whether the Biblical flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and a thousand other recorded slaughters were "necessary." I submit they weren't--which leaves "murder" or "whoops!"

awiggin commented:

That's Odd, I thought our country was founded on Freedom of religion, not Christianity.

I find it even odder that the most vocal Christians are the ones that follow the tenets of their religion the least.

And I really don't know why a Soldiers faith is even up for discussion, he is certainly within his rights to place his beliefs on his car, or anything else he owns.

randomfactor commented: Damned right, awiggin, on all counts.
tkozy commented:

What! There’s more than one religion?

Shriderasphemy..

natejosiah commented: My post and this discussion has nothing to do with that soldier. Everything I said was aimed towards the title, Is killing in war a 'sin?'.
tonyh commented:

It’s apparent that none of you have been burdened with the taking of a human life. I’m glad for that. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Whether it’s justified or not, whether it’s a sin or not, it’s something that’s very difficult to come to terms with. It’s an act that must be lived with, for the rest of a person’s life.

Don’t politicize it. Don’t judge this guy. Leave him alone and let him figure out how to (in his own mind) live with what happened. Those who judge him, have no idea what he’s thinking or feeling.

Leave it alone…………….

dusty1215 commented: When I saw the story on KERO, it made me sad. People have no right to judge a man who went when he was told to go to war. Even if he supports the war, he can feel as he does. It has to be hard to be in his shoes.
allRED commented:

The Word of God says, If your heart condemns you how much greater is God than your heart. If the man feels he has committed a sin that should be between the man and God.

Ron.

YJA22 commented:

The job we as troops face in Iraq is not an easy job. We do not go there with the intention to kill, but we have to defend ourselves. Even in defense, we do not want to kill and morally we as soldier's live a moral fight with ourselves and what we enlisted to do. This soldier has every right to express his views of how he feels about his morals. Take any individual and hand him a weapon and send him to the middle of Baghdad and see how they would feel killing someone. There's no proper way to train for this type of violence and when you're in this situation, faith is all you have to hold on to. Religion is all you have to get you through the hard times and when you feel you have crossed what you believe and pray about, its not easy to continue to do your job. People shouldn't approach this soldier with hostility because they have never walked a day in Iraq in his shoes. Instead people should accept him for his beliefs and be proud that he served his time in Iraq with honor. Way to go SOLDIER. HOOAH!

plyswfire commented:

Wow, I really can't believe the controversy this has stirred up. A man who had to go out and kill people, because this country told him it was his duty, feels in his heart that he has sinned and so chooses to openly repent and speak his mind only to get persecuted by the very people he was trying to protect. I know, I know... he wasn't protecting us because there was no threat... but as far as he knew there was and he was following the orders of the government. So many of you are turning this into a war debate... but the sticker says nothing about the war being right or wrong, only this mans personal convictions. And this is controversial? I've recently seen stickers of naked women with their legs spread wide open on the back of truck windows, every tenth truck has the topless angel/devil girl stickers on them and it seems to be perfectly fine to have a sticker across the window that reads "F*^K YOU". Ohhhh you can say that here... but I have seen it more than once stickered on the window of a truck or car for my children to read. I guess what I really read into this is that sex and profanity are fine, but don't you dare share you feeling about God, sin or your personal morales.

NancyII commented:

wlwedd Lets me ask you this. Since we aren't allowed so say that the war in Iraq is justified (bloggers here don't like that) then let me use another war. Using YOUR post and the part of the Bible that you quoted..should we have turned the other cheek after Pearl Harbor? Just asking.

Anny..generally ANYTHING that's brought up on the blog ends up getting turned into a war debate. It's a shame that people can't discuss other things without someone throwing in a "shrub" comment or something along those lines.

My opinion on this subject (for what it's worth) goes along with several others. The man in question felt regret for his part in the war and asked God for forgiveness. It was a personal thing and not a political one and he deserves (as we all do) to say what he feels either way.

In answer to the original question "Is killing in war a sin?" Going by the strict word of the Bible, it would seem so. Now this all becomes a theological queation and NOT a political one. Do we pick and choose what parts of the Bible we are going to go by? And if so..who gets to decide which ones we use? Try leaving politics and hatred for the current administration out of the discussion and see what you come up with. By strict interpretation of the New Testament we sinned in WWII as well at Afganistan, The Gulf War, Korea, Vietnam, WWI, the Alamo, The war with England....and any I forgot to mention.

Now if you go by the old Testament..you kill your enemies. So who gets to decide who your enemies are and why? Funny how people jump back and forth to justify their argument. Funny how they pick and choose to suit their agenda.

It's actually an interesting question but I'm not sure you'll ever get a straight answer.

jrylands commented: Boy, how fun it is to see all of these buffet style Christians blathering about the nuances of killing. I thought Jesus was about loving your fellow man? I thought the bible was all powerful and the word of god? From what I have read of both books, it seems to me that god and Jesus wanted us to love thy neighbor. Whenever these pickers and chosers start yammering about having the ten commandments in schools and court houses, they don't say "Though shal not murder", they say "Though shall not kill"! Typical, typical, whenever they want to hammer somone who doesn't beleive the way they do, they adhere strictly to the word of the bible. But when it comes to something they don't agree with, it is all about interpretation. And as for those Catholic priests, well boys, you might want to check in with the the Vatican, because the folks at HQ are pretty specific about being against any kind of war. Oh what a joy it is to live in a society that puts such a high value the sanctity of human life, as long as you don't live in a foreign land, have brown skin, and talk with a funny accent. At least the young man is trying to square his experience of having to kill another human being with his own religious convictions. A little introspection goes along way in stopping senseless killing. It would seem that many of the postors on this blog adhere to the fine Christian tradition of "Kill them all, let god sort 'em out."
tkozy commented:

Support the troops,

(except for the ones you don’t)
steveeswenson commented: I would have commented on this sooner, but I have been sick in bed the last few days.

I've seen all the news accounts of this soldier and I have no idea what he's talking about. And that's the problem with this display. I'm not sure if he's saying killing anyone is wrong in Iraq, or he killed someone under circumstances which is not defensible.

He didn't clear anything up in his interviews.

Thus, people could read his decal and say he's sorry any soldier had to kill over other; or he doesn't feel the war is justified and therefore it's wrong, or he felt whoever he killed didn't deserve it, or who knows what.

Therefore it is what people read into it and it is meaningless.
tkozy commented:

Causing someone to think. Is a honorable adventure.

Not meaningless.

Creating controversy sets the stage for a better solution.

rebimpress commented: Leave the guy alone! Who cares if he has that sticker up? If that is what makes him feel better, so be it! We know that when our soldiers go over, they are killing. That is their job. Not a pleasant job, but they are fighting for our freedom. Not only that, do you think people from other countries, the ones we are in war with, have any remorse for killing us? No. Our soldiers are fighting for our freedom, killing is part of the job...sad but true. It's a sticker...who cares?? It doesn't hurt anyone, it doesn't name anyone. It's no one's business what he wants to do. Let him have his sticker. I think people who get their panties in a knot over this need to find something better to focus on. This world is going to hell in a hand basket. Too many complainers. Especially when a sticker is doing NO ONE any harm at all!!
rebimpress commented: I agree with the person who mentioned naked women on the trucks with legs spread wide open, and vulgar words. Why is no one protesting that? They have freedom of speech, right? I don't approve of vulgar stickers. My 4 year old daughter looks at it and says, "mommy, why do people have girls with no clothes on their car?" That is so wrong. I should not have to explain to my daughter about that. Keep your naked women to your garages or barn. Trust me, I think a naked woman or man is a form of art, but nothing to display where my child can see it. She doesn't need to see these kinds of things at her age. If someone wants to talk to god through a sticker, let them be. If anyone needs to be targeted, it's the people who show no respect for others with naked women and vulgar words on their vehicles. I'm 31, was raised old fashioned, and I still cringe to see those kinds of things on public display like that.
mattloch commented: Heaven forbid your child sees a naked person. Doesn't everybody know that women should be covered from head to toe, to prevent the lustful reactions that men have when they see any exposed body part of a woman? If God wanted us to be naked, we'd be born that way.
YJA22 commented: I guess if you really want to know what it is like to kill someone's son, daughter, husband, wife, mother, father, then enlist into the military, go to Iraq and see if you feel the same way about religion and what you have done. We have to keep in mind this is not easy and it is difficult to take a life, even if it is someone who doesn't care who they hurt. We as soldiers have a right, a voice, a freedom in which we preserve for each and everyone to express.
pika1000 commented: OK, so let me get this straight. He signed up for the Army, became a Ranger no less, and really never thought that maybe, just maybe, his unit would be called into action and he would have to kill someone? Right..... I could care less about the sticker, though it does get those "what the?" thoughts going through my mind with his logic, or lack of.

With that being said, he should know that God defined murder in Joshua 20:3 as the intentional killing of another with premeditation to do so. Basically, killing in cold blood is murder, killing as an act of defense or war, is not.
dusty1215 commented: KERO also has a survey up. The Bako population is solidly behind the soldier. Only 168 folks voiced opposition to his decal. over 1400 supported his right to display it.
sfinboston52 commented: Hum..that is not a real survey. That is just the people who have responsed to the "quick" survey. Statisically it is not relavent, other than a mere reading of the people who decided to click on the survey and take it.
TomW commented: Maybe the soldier who did this knew that he would have to do this, but put his country before thoughts of himself. But to criticize him for exercising the rights he fought to defend is unAmerican.
randomfactor commented:

Lest there be any doubt, I firmly support the man's right to have this sticker on his truck. Anyone who complains about it obviously has serious personal doubts about the legitimacy of the war itself. (Which *I* certainly do, too--but I voice them aloud.)

raychopra commented:

Hey Guys, everyone is FREE to express his/her views.

Although this soldier did what was part of his duty, if his SOUL feels, let him express it freely.

It is not a question of ENEMY but a HUMAN LIFE & I am sure a lot of us will feel the same way even if you have to do.

Dogs and Shopping: Dogs and Shopping

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 09:46:54 PST

Why do owners of bit sized dogs find it necessary to tote them into the department and grocery stores? As an associate of a department store, it irritates me to no end to see how inconsiderate these people can be. First, department and grocery stores are for HUMANS..not pets. Second, many people have allergies, to pets, even dogs. I can tell you it is no fun, to have to itch for 45 minutes, have problems breathing and deal with scratchy watery eyes because poor little booboo's owner can't seem to leave the dog at home, like the majority of pet owners do. So, apparently the store's manager seems to think the dog has more of a right to comfort than the associate...yes, we cannot say a thing about it, just suffer.
So I encourage all pet owners; big dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, reptiles, and other furry beings head on out to that big department store in Rosedale Hwy...the one next door to Long John Silver's. If small, rat sized dogs can shop..then why can't all animals. Oh, and if you suffer from dog allergies, please make a point to management that having these animals in the store can cause great discomfort....because apparently only Great Things are for customers, not employees...or those who suffer from dog allergies.

I am not a Starbucks drinker!: Free speech ain't that grand

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 07:08:08 PST

Warning: your free speech rights are not going to interfere with my life! In very recent news AutoAdmit has taken the opposite stance. The Bakersfield.com website has a similarly effective policy.
    It seems that Auto Admit has allowed free speech to interfere in a young woman's career life by allowing people to essentially "Google bomb" her name with hateful derogitory messages. When potential employers have searched for her name online (as many employers do these days) they find links to a website that has nothing good to say about her. I urge you to read the article.

    The Bakersfield.com website however employs a restrictive free speech policy. While good enough for some, it isn't good for others. When searching for my own first name, followed by Bakersfield, the first two results are Bakersfield.com links (the same applies to my first and last name when accompanied by "bakersfield"). While it may be good for Bakersfield.com's popularity it lacks in my customer's ability to find my site.
      Maybe others have this same problem? Well there is a solution! A simple line in a small file hosted on people.bakersfield would solve this. And for those who want to keep their name searchable on this site, there is a way of doing that too.

     I just thought I'd share this thought with some of you who might not appreciate having your every word publicized, or words about you. Anyone else interested in making some changes?

________________________________
While the proceeding was mostly my personal issue made public, what are your thoughts on the limits of free speech?

Comments:
randomfactor commented:

I would oppose it, Skyler. The whole point of a blog is to document opinion and make it available. Searchability is a large part of that. It is important that people do realize, however, just how searchable the web is. If that bothers you, delete the comments the way Mocos1 has done.

That said, I've been the target of such attacks personally in the past... My "real" name appears in the Californian's archives--somewhere--and I've never made a comment I don't stand by.

ProgressivePete2 commented: I'm a bit surprised that this wouldn't fall under the slander or libel category. I suppose a message board is neither spoken nor printed, so maybe that's why. It seems to me that a good lawyer should be able to get the comments removed. The school should do it if only to protect the reputation of this student that had to have given them lots of money.

This is a fine example as to why a lot of us use a handle rather than our real names. I stand by what I say too, but I don't want it used against me either, or have a prospective employer judge me by my political opinions.
TomW commented: There are a lot of ways to make yourself anonymous here and the paper provides for that. I think the seachability, as Random says, is the point of this forum. There are plenty of anonymous forums and there are plenty of ways to be anonymous here. For those of us who wish to speak publically, should we be forced to find another place?

My name doesn't come up until page 2 on Google. Or rather, my name refering to me doesn't come up until then. But like RF, I stand by everything I say here. I think forums like this are important because they keep the trash to a minimum.
rzaroch commented: free speech area...

isnt the whole united states a free speech area?
randomfactor commented:

Not any more. It's been limited to specific, barbed-wire enclosed areas (whenever politicians are in the area, at least. Funny thing is *THEY* don't have to go there to speak.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_speech_zone

ki6amd commented:     My point is basically that I'd rather have my name (next to each comment I post) link to my website rather than my profile. The multiple links back to my profile make Bakersfield.com even more popular among search engines. But I already think having "BAKERSFIELD.com" provides a good rank for searching for "Bakersfield".
    TomW, I'm not interested in posting anonymously, I'm not afraid defending comments I post on here. Most of my customers feel the same way I do about the various topics I've commented on (shame on them I know), but I don't want to have my personal page rated lower than Bakersfield.com (when searching for my full name). Sure I could employ a special tactic each time I post by simply linking my name to my site, but that's still only going to keep the results where they are (since my name on the same post links to my profile).
    I've already asked Jason to just remove my profile by adding a line to the robots.txt file, but it sets a standard he's not (or the site maintainers) willing to employ. I wouldn't want to have to keep up with that either, but a simple "Make it private" button on one's profile could link to a perl script that adds a line to robots.txt could be used (so long as certain permissions are used). Again I'm not saying this is going to solve all of b.com's problems, in fact I'm sure it would add to their problems (as most features do).

       My whole point in writing this blog was to see if other people had the same problem or if it was just me. I see it is just me.

pachecod commented: You have the ability to remove your name from public view. Simply edit your Bakersfield.com profile and uncheck the box next to your name. You can even change your name to something else if you like.

We don't control what Google or any other search engine pulls in, and when content gets indexed there we suspect most people like that. Otherwise, why would they be publishing that content on a publicly available blog?

ki6amd commented: Pachecod, perhaps you don't understand my intentions (get my google link above Bakersfield.com). I know you don't control that, but you do control what my name (handle) is linked to. If there were a way to change that, my page's rank would be higher, but B.com would still be fairly high.
Adding the line I suggested to robots.txt, would still index all of my comments but it would only remove my profile (which can still be searched for using B.com search tool. I still want to be able to search google for comments I've made, I would just like my profile to be lower rated than my own site.
dusty1215 commented: The internets are a public place. Why would anyone expect privacy when they post on the internets? Are you just complaining that you want more hits or something and B.com keeps you from getting them?
ki6amd commented: Dusty, I'm not trying to keep my blog/comments private. I just want my website to have a higher rank. Did you read ANYTHING I wrote? My problem exists because of the way Bakersfield.com links my name. If I could link my name to my website (instead of my profile) my problem would be solved. Many other blog sites will link your name to your website (Slashdot), or a, e-mail address. I just want to have the ability to change that so, I can get searches (for my name) directed to where I want.

You were given a fair warning.

dusty1215 commented: Nice of you to alter/edit the comments here. On a blog entitled "free speech" no less...
ki6amd commented: Dusty, I didn't alter or edit them, I deleted them. I warned you that I would if you kept up the childish comments and I kept my promise.
TomW commented: So let me get this right, you're asking a business to change the way they run their website so that your website outranks theirs on Google?
dusty1215 commented: He's calling it a 'feature" Tom..but I thought the same thing as what you said above me. I also asked him roughly the same question and he deleted it.
ki6amd commented: No, Tom, I'm asking if anybody else had a similar problem and would want the same "feature" for any reason. My reason is to have MY website at the top of google. Others might want to keep their B.com stuff low on Google's results for other reasons (employers, friends, family, etc).
This post is primarily to find out if I am the only one who wants to be able to either; change where their name (handle) is linked to, or remove their profile page from search engines. I know I didn't quite highlight my exact intentions with my original post, but I thought I had in my subsequent posts.
Hopefully this clears the confusion for everyone (although I had explained it throughly to Dusty in posts that I eventually deleted because of the content).
TomW commented: Why not just make your profile private? Wouldn't that do it?
ki6amd commented: My profile would still be indexed (still counting the number of links) and would put b.com above my own website.

MARK'S WORLD: The New Insurgency(or "See, I told Ya So"!)

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:52:44 PST

It seems that the insurgency is alive, well and growing in Afghanistan, just as I have been saying it was and would all along. While the anti-war and anti-Bush crowd have been distracted by all the crap in Iraq, they have(again as I said they would)lost focus on the war on terror and now it's time to face the music.

I have contended since all the hubbub in 2003 over going onto Iraq, that the insurgents(who we called 'terrorists' before that became politically incorrect)would go wherever we were fighting terrorism from wherever they lived(like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, just to name a few of our "buddies" over there)to take up arms against us. Thay have now succeeded long enough in distracting the politicians and bleeding hearts here the states that their numbers have had time to grow into a large enough force to take the fight to us in Afghanistan as well as Iraq. Now, here we are, right where we have placed ourselves by showing our enemy that we are more concerned with fighting each other than we are with fighting them. They sit back and laugh as they watch us on CNN taking about "diplomatic solutions" to the war on terror, and they're not laughing WITH us, They're laughing AT us.

Every time a member of Congress or some other Beltway Buffoon speaks out against the war it emboldens our enemies. Our uncertainty is dividing us and uniting them. They have a much better understanding of the damage politics plays in this war than the average American politician, Bush hater, paecenik or bleeding heart seems to have. Our enemy has no political agenda(beyond the fact that Islam IS their politics)they just want us dead or converted and they understand that we are afraid to kill them even as they celebrate killing us. I don't like that. It makes me a coward by association. It generalizes Americans, and even though I only know a very few who think we are doing the wrong thing, the media never show folks like that because it doesn't make good copy. The American politicians are only interested in votes and keeping their party at the apex of power and seem to have little or no actual interest in winning this war. So afraid are they of alienating a voting base that they are willing to sacrafice our troops and belittle their efforts in pursuit of their agendas, and today, I speak of BOTH parties.

It sickens me to see our troops die knowing that(thanx to CNN and the other media dipsticks)their lives mean nothing more to Washington than votes and nothing more to anti-war boors than stats to throw at politicians who will then cower like whipped puppies so people who have their own agendas can gloat and say, "See, our anger WAS righteous"!

The war on terror is on the verge of being lost because so many people refuse to accept the fact that they are at WAR with us, and not just trying to get us to go home. We, as Americans are in grave danger because our enemy knows us better than we do. In WWII, Hitler was unsure of what he was up against. The terrorists are absolutely ceratin what they are up against and it is not the same country that Hitler had to fight and that playe into their hands very well. They know America better than Americans do.

While we sit in our living rooms thumbing our remotes at our big screens and scratching our fat asses, the big picture becomes muddled for us while it becomes clearer to our enemy. If people are upset about the war in Iraq, I say "Wait till they are fighting it here".

Comments:
randomfactor commented:

I personally don't want to embolden our enemies. I want to italicize them, possibly convert them to a nice underline font.

Anyone who feels that diplomatic efforts aren't vital in the "war on terra" hates our troops, is planning on a cut and run strategy and probably leaves the seat up, too.

I have not lost focus on the war. Our actions in Iraq (and lack of completion in Afghanistan) have made things ten times worse for the United States than on September 10, 2001.

ProgressivePete2 commented: RF, are you the new serif in town? (I couldn't help it)

Dividing us and uniting them? What makes you think they're united. It's a civil war!
TomW commented: There's a really simple solution to this. Everyone should get on board with the recommendations of the Iraq study group and the 9/11 commission. I'm tird of Bush making us look weak by not having a plan, not caring for the troops, and not telling the truth. It's time he and his supporters got on board with the rest of America so we stop looking weak. Every time he says he'll do something and then contradicts himself, every time he acts like a cowboy, every time he lies he damages our chances of winning.

The war started on his watch and it may end on his watch. He should step aside and let someone who cares handle it.
TomW commented: Well Pete, it is Kern County.
randomfactor commented:

And as such, a font of Right-justified activity.

But seriously, I've heard this "embolden the enemy" crap time and again. What "emboldened the enemy" was when Shrub did *EVERYTHING* bin Laden wanted after IX/XI.

tkozy commented:

I am so tired of responding to this same old whining BS.

I am just going to save time and borrow from TomW

There's a really simple solution to this. Everyone should get on board with the recommendations of the Iraq study group and the 9/11 commission. I'm tird of Bush making us look weak by not having a plan, not caring for the troops, and not telling the truth. It's time he and his supporters got on board with the rest of America so we stop looking weak. Every time he says he'll do something and then contradicts himself, every time he acts like a cowboy, every time he lies he damages our chances of winning.

The war started on his watch and it may end on his watch. He should step aside and let someone who cares handle it.

randomfactor commented: The war won't end on Bush's watch, because he is the primary obstacle to pursuing it. Until he lets go of the steering wheel, we'll keep going into ditch after ditch.
ProgressivePete2 commented: As far as Afghanistan goes, I'm trying to figure out what makes us think we can control them? The russians were at war with the Mujadeen for about 9 years and failed. Perhaps Dick Cheney is only out to settle old scores.
mattloch commented: Wow Moto, the "anti-war and anti-Bush crowd" have lost focus on the "war on terror™"? Guess they're the ones that called for the invasion of Iraq, huh? Guess they're the ones running the military, huh? Guess they're the "deciders" and our Commander -in-Chief is just a powerless figurehead, huh? Oh wait...... I see what you did there....

Perhaps you missed the news today, but even the commander in charge of forces in Iraq says that there is no military solution to the situation, and that diplomatic avenues must be pursued. But I can understand how "negotiation" as a tactic in international relations would seem so foreign to you; after all, this is absolutely the first time anyone anywhere has ever suggested it has a way to deal with other countries and groups throughout the world.

You know what really "emboldens" our enemies? When the leader of a country bows down to their demands. You know, like pulling troops out of a country in response to a terrorist act. ("Mission Accomplished", anyone?) You know, like launching an invasion of a country that had nothing to do with the terrorist act, opening up an additional front which would distract from the real fight against the terrorist group. You know, like allowing the leader of the terrorist group escape from your forces, then allowing that terrorist to stay free for another 5+ years. Terrorists don't have political agendas, and certainly not ones that they would publish on the internet. (BTW, saying that others "generalize Americans" in the paragraph after you've generalized all terrorists as Islamic, non-political, and from the Middle East wasn't ironic at all. That's just good, clean writing there.) .

The more you try to compare the "war on terror™" with WWII, it only serves to make your other arguments look foolish. If this was WWII, why haven't we instituted a draft? If this was WWII, why aren't the civilians asked to make sacrifices? If this was WWII, why are we now ignoring our "Hitler"? If this was WWII, why isn't the rest of the world supporting us? If this was WWII, what plans do we have in place to make sure the US doesn't get struck again? If this was WWII, why aren't we training and equipping our soldiers properly before sending them into theatre? If this was WWII, what plans do we have to provide a lasting peace to civilians after we're done fighting?

This "war" has been lost because of the ineptitude of the Administration, and a "rubber stamp" Congress for the past 6+ years. Now that the people of the country have figured that out and elected a Congress to provide a check and a balance to the out of control Executive Branch, you're blaming them? I can't tell if this is revisionism or just plain ignorance. I'm not sure which one would be worse.

TomW commented: Holy crow, I'm quotable now. Sweet!
tkozy commented:
ProgressivePete2 commented: Speaking of instituting a draft, Jon Stewart mentioned last night that that's the best way to get kids involved in politics. You think there are people against the war now...
tkozy commented:

randomfactor commented:

If there *IS* a draft instituted anytime soon, it's vitally important to document (and store the documentation in safe locations) what happens to the draft-age children of Important Political Figures.

Otherwise, you might (hypothetically) have a situation where a military deserter gets elected President because all the records have been shredded. To cite a worst-case scenario.

antiextremism commented:

Sorry Mark, but are you really insinuating that the people against the war in Iraq are the culprits for the rise in insurgents in Afghanistan?

Maybe the fact that most of our troops are in Iraq instead of Afghanistan might be why there is a rise.

mattloch commented: No anti, moto (Mark) is insinuating that the Democratic Party (which a majority of Americans voted into power, by the way) is responsible for the US "losing" the "war" in Iraq and the "war on terror™" through their defeatist attitude and not "supporting" the troops in the way that the Administration has. (Never mind that you can't "win" an occupation, but that's beside the point...) That's right, the party that's been in power for two whole months screwed us out of the victory that the Administration and Republicans in Congress have worked so hard to accomplish. It's obviously the Democratic Party's fault that we're losing (or perhaps already lost) this "war". Of course, if we all clap hard enough we can still win. But those anti-war protestors refuse to clap, so all is lost!
sgpowell commented: I am still waiting for the Democratic plan for winning. I have yet to hear one.. Maybe they could send Joe Wilson to Niger. Maybe he could find a winning strategy while hanging out at the pool drinking sweet tea.
antiextremism commented:

Yep. Republicans get us in this mess, but democrats don't have a plan. Liberals don't support the troops because they want them to come home. But Bush supports the troops by giving them a rat infested room while they recuperate from the IED blast. Maybe Walter Reed could use some volunteer doctors. Or maybe Bush just needs a good pathologist to diagnose where the cancers in his admin lie. Know any good pathologists? Too late, it's metastasized.

You haven't heard the Dems plan? It's get them out by August of 2008. What's the Republican plan, leave them there for the next 20 years with zero progress? Nice plan.

sgpowell commented:

So in August 2008 we will have won the war?? Thank you, amazing Kreskin.. Just what will the Dems be doing between now and then that ensures victory by 2008??

PS. A majority of Democrats authorized the US to go to war.. Next time, If the Democrats really don't want to go to war, they best not give the Commander In Chief authorization to do such.

tkozy commented: Ask the decider....
sgpowell commented: I thought the Democrats were going to get us out of Iraq as soon as they got elected? Oh, well another broken promise..
tkozy commented:

I thought things are going great in Bagdad?

Why leave if that is the case.

antiextremism commented:

Perhaps next time the voters shouldn't elect someone who lies his ass off to get the votes to go to war. The Dems have had a couple of months to come up with a plan, your beloved administration has had 4 years. Nice plan.

Can't we get out now, after all "Mission Accomplished" happened a long time ago.

The Amazing Randy, debunker of myths.

mattloch commented: By the way, to the Anon(s) that are asking for the Dem's "plan" for Iraq, stop waving around that red herring. There have been plenty of plans proposed, yet the President has ignored them all. Proposing a plan would be worthless at this point, since the Administration refuses to listen to any plans that have been proposed so far. All it would accomplish would be to give neo-cons the ability to point and shout, "Bad plan! Bad plan!" If you're honestly interested in a plan try reading this:

Opinions: Veterans get bad treatment at clinic!

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:58:37 PST

Will be on the 10 o'clock news channel 23... to night! They are very slow there about getting back to the men. My husband is still waiting for a hearing aid or even a call back appointment to L A... to see if there is more treatment other than hearing aids.... That is what the doctor said was holding up hearing aids.. not good policy to leave these people hanging... or made to come back time after time to get a new up dated medical card! I will be watching the news..to night. If they need more information about the care there, hope they get in touch with my husband.. Jean F ps nancy thanks for spelling correction!

Comments:
courious commented: THe news is on channel 6 not 23 SOrry!
OldBlue56 commented: Tonight is the correct word, not "to nite." 93308?
tkozy commented:

Grammar police. Everyone into the dumbster..

Or should that be Dumpster?

OldBlue56 commented:

Not the grammar police, I just hate reading blogs sent by people who don't know how to spell, or form a sentence. I know, someone is going to say it's what is said that counts, but if you look stupid, maybe you are stupid!

NancyII commented: Maybe you should look at some of the houses in the 08 nayborhoods.
murphyslaw commented: I always thought any one who went by anonymouse was stueped. such dumb peapal
courious commented: Sooo can i help it if you'ens are'nt talented as some others here on the blogs? getting back to veterans care at medical clinic! i was typing and listening to the tv announcement about an under cover news story about it giving sloppy care there.. thought it said it would be on last nite... Sorry again! got to check the californian maybe they have it in the morning paper! would like to let all know, the applause has been in the saturday paper since one of staff called me about the problem... the question is how come it was missing for 5 weeks? people pay to be seen so their special day can be published...... pardon me if anyone gets their feelings hurt... but could it be there was a glitch in delivery for 5 weeks and was not caught before i mentioned mine missing? ps love reading the news paper......just curious! Jean
courious commented: anon it was you not nancy that corrected my spelling.... uhh thanks!
tkozy commented:

Annoy the Grammar police,

TK says:

If you judge by looks, 'you are stupid'.

By the way. Not one of my English instructors would have ever suspected that I would be as well read as I am today. My wordsmytheing is read through out the internets. ;)

I was judged by all my English instructors as a dismal failure. My spelling as bad as could possibly be. My printing, the work of a infant with a crayon.

Never-the-less. I am very happy with my accomplishments. I have accomplished what most Grammar police have never had the time or ability to do..

And the Grammar police can go to heck..

tkozy commented:

The exclusive will be on at 6 on channel 29.

courious commented: The Story will be on channel 29 in 15 minutes! gotta go see it!
tkozy commented:

I have always received excellent care from the Bakersfield clinic.

But I find it disgraceful that area served as large as Kern County. Does not have a hospital instead of a clinic.

courious commented: Getting back to service at local veterans clinic........My husband got his hearing aids three weeks ago.....His daughter drove him to L. A. He waited two months for that appointment.. seen the doctor for fifteen minutes. He told him he needed hearing aids like three other doctors told him... waited about a month to get fitted for them in Bakersfield. then waited an other month to pick them up. The doctor would not let me in the room while seeing my husband, This happened at each appointment. Knowing he had trouble hearing! My husband is having trouble tuning them, they have a very small screw to turn them with which is hard to do with arthritous.... SO hopeing he will be able to hear better after all the run around he has had to go through....
courious commented: ps thankful for the hearing aids, but why make it so hard to get treatment for our heros that fought for our country? THe elderly have enough crap to put up with, just being old as you know an't no walk in the park! In fact they are lucky to be healthy enough to walk. COME ON , Get people working for the goverment that don't take it out on our service men! The elderly, The Sick....

The Pulse: Was this discrimination?

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:24:15 PST

Two Bakersfield gay women are accusing San Joaquin Community Hospital of discrimination. (Read "Couple: Hospital's refusal of visit was discrimination" in Thursday's Californian.)

Sharolyn Takata and Donna Jones, who are registered domestic partners, took their daughter to San Joaquin Community Hospital with a 104-degree fever Sunday night.

A triage nurse told the couple one person could go back, asking for 9-year-old Desiree’s mother, Jones said. Meanwhile, Jones, who isn't related to Desiree biologically, said she sat in the waiting room, watching as other male-and-female couples walked back into the ER unchallenged.

Jones approached the ER’s security guard several times, but he denied her admittance, citing crowding concerns, the couple said. The rest of the medical staff deferred to his decision.

The guard never told Jones she was not allowed back because she was gay, Jones said.

Once back in the ER, Takata, 38, noticed other patients who had two visitors at their bedsides as well as empty beds next to Desiree’s. Also, Takata said the security guard denied her request to have Jones take her place at Desiree’s side.

Under the California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2003, registered domestic partners, which are usually gay couples, are guaranteed the same rights and responsibilities as married couples, including hospital visitation.

Now here's the other side.

The hospital has policies regarding the number of ER visitors and when new visitors can be allowed into the unit, both of which do not hinge on blood relationship, said Debbie Hankins, the hospital’s vice president of nursing.

Visitation is also limited when the ER is overcrowded, which happened Sunday night, Hankins said.

If a patient is particularly ill or if the area where the patient is happens to have extra room, more people can sometimes go back, she said. The number of visitors often is at the nurse’s discretion, she said.

In addition, Takata and Jones went to the ER amid a regular shift change of the medical staff, she said. Often, switching out visitors is limited until the arriving nurses can be brought up to speed on the patients’ conditions.

What do you think? Do Takata and Jones have a legitimate case or did they overreact? Did the hospital discriminate?

Comments:
courious commented: Everyone was alowed two visiters and at least one! They should have been able to exchange places... I M O Jean F
NancyII commented:

When my daughter was in the ER here at KMC only one person at a time was allowed back with her. They allowed up to change visitors, her father, brother and myself but we were not allowed in at the same time.

When my daughter in law was in the ER at Mercy, only one of us was allowed back there at one time.

None of them asked our relationship to the patient.

tkozy commented:

Oh my. Something stinks. But was it purposeful and hateful? Or was it an unfortunate accident?

My children were never let into see me when I was hospitalized. No matter the hospital. And it caused a few hurt feelings..

Can’t believe a Security Guard was making visitation decisions in the absence of nursing supervision.

Seems as though hospital management should keep and eye on this. But not be too quick to point fingers.

NancyII commented: As usual the whole story is never in before people start jumping on the bandwagon. We don't know any details yet..there could have been a legitimate reason for not letting the other person in.
TomW commented:

I think they have a case, but I doubt they'd win. The only way I could see a win for them is if there is a history. And given that the law is about 3 years old, I doubt they could establish a pattern. This part makes me laugh:

"Jones approached the ER’s security guard several times, but he denied her admittance, citing crowding concerns, the couple said. The rest of the medical staff deferred to his decision." Is this the policy that the security guard decides who goes in and who doesn't? This is a sign that they know they screwed up and are throwing the low man on the pole under the bus.

They can also have the security guy go to a class and everything will be fine.

mikael27 commented: I have been both a patient and the parent in an ER event. Most times, there is only one person that can be back there and even then that's up to the discretion of the hospital staff. I believe this is a case of panic stricken parents looking for ogre where none exists. This was not discrimination, this was a case of providing the best care for a little girl.
scottz commented: Sounds like discrimination to me. These two ladies have a definite claim and should seek legal counsel for damages. If other heterosexual couples were allowed two at a time access into the ER and these ladies were not, then there is a problem here. Hospital staff should be trained on cultural diversity and everyone going into the hospital should receive equal treatment. After all, they are protected under the law.
NancyII commented:

Once again. Right now we have a he said/she said but no facts. We're all guessing at what happend based on a newspaper blog report..and we all know how accurate they are. In one report an on line article said a man was killed in a head on while riding his Yamaha motorcycle. The next day the paper newspaper said he was on a bicycle.

Has it occurred to anyone that the security guy may have had orders from senior staff and THEN the other staff deferred to him? This also may very well be a case of what I call "looking for boogers." When you expect poor treatment because of your situation whether it's color, gender, or living arrangements it's really easy to assume that's why you were treated poorly.

Then again..maybe that WAS the reason. Point being...we don't know. You folks are building a case based on a blog article.

VM614 commented:

As pointed above we do NOT know all the facts. So until we do its just a hear say subject,

Although this is against everything the bible says and I dont believe in it. Thanks to our great state for making these laws that are now going tojust cost the tax payers !!!!!

siouxcityranch commented:

Oh Please..have you ever been admitted to San Joquin? Its a zoo down there sometimes..all kinds of people and they get treated the same way..only exception are the incoming patients and the severity of their illness..their was no harm done..nobody was injured.

This is just a case of a gay couple feeling like the world is against them (or they enjoy playing off their gayness to get their way) and some of their internet allies (possibly Gay)coming to their defense when there is no reason for this to even be brought up. Its normal procedure at almost all hospitals.The staff doesnt want people wandering getting in their way or taking up space and chairs so another patient cant have their visitor. Ive seen that happen and its very disturbing tosee a concerned relative standing when 3 or 4 people have all the chairs and people are walking around themn to get to the patient.

My family and I have been in and out of the hospital these past couple of years and the only one that the staff are, or should be concerened with is the incoming patient getting stablized or diagnozed so they can help the next person. Ive been admitted when it was so full you had to be on a gurney in the hallways and thet still charge the same rate as a room.

They refused admission to my relatives except for one then too and it was a different hospital.

sfinboston52 commented: I agree additional information is needed, but it does seem to be anti-gay behavior. People do know when they are being discriminated against even if it is covert. This is one of the main reason I left Bakersfield, so many moralistic closed minded people.
NancyII commented:

"seems to be"...based on what?

I have a friend who has a gay partner and if anything like this would have happened with her or her partner...well, suffice to say it wouldn't have happened, but if it had I would have heard about it. And she recently had occasion to deal with a local hospital.

You're still basing your opinion of what "seems to be" on an article in a blog. Even if it's in the paper paper it doesn't make it so..only reported.

sgpowell commented:

DId she go up to the security guard and say I am a domestic partner and am gay. I would like to go back there?? If she just went up there and said I want to go back, how would staff know that she was a domestic partner??

And just how were they harmed?? They both didn't get to see a doctor look in the childs ears and throat and give her some childrens motrin and a appointment to see a pediatrican the following day?

I have been to the ER several times and have not been allowed back to the ER room with my wife. I didn't yell discrimination because of the way I roll around in the sack...

sfinboston52 commented: "seems to be"...based on what? based on what the couple is saying and their perception of what happened.
sfinboston52 commented: "Once back in the ER, Takata, 38, noticed other patients who had two visitors at their bedsides as well as empty beds next to Desiree’s. Also, Takata said the security guard denied her request to have Jones take her place at Desiree’s side." Now this smacks of discrimination! The security guard (low pay rent a cop) wouldnt even let them change places. The hospital will do what most companies do and cover it up and make up some excuse of why this couple were denied their parental rights to see thier child.
randomfactor commented:

If that's the case, that they were denied the chance to switch off, it sounds like discrimination no matter what the reason.

I've spent a *LOT* of time in ERs, though, and quite often the nurses are so busy with codes and crowding that (I feel) they deny any request that doesn't *HAVE* to be done right away. (Only been in SJCH ER twice, though, long ago.)

dgrealish commented:

I've had the unfortunate opportunity to visit most of the Bakersfield Hospital Emergency rooms at one time or another and I can safely say that policies differ from time to time. And depending upon who is in charge at the time, those policies may or may not be bent to allow a little more flexibility.

To base a case on ones perceived notion of why they were treated in a certain manner is ridiculous. The child had a 104 temp. It could be the beds around her were empty due to the hospitals policy on potentially infectious patients. It could also be the reason they didn't allow the parents to change places. There are so many potential reasons, and choosing this one is just their way of "furthering their cause". If it had happened to anyone else, we'd have let it go by now.

sfinboston52 commented:

"furthering their cause" what cause? to be treated fair and the same rights, responabilities and recogniztion as anyone else? That is some cause.

JanninePhillips commented:

I have 3 kids and been in All the emergency rooms in town and am told the same thing that only one at a time in the ER, my husband and myself have to choose who stays behind. Its not about being Gay! Get Real, and let go of the Chip on your shoulder - Welcome to the real world.... !

ProgressivePete2 commented: Whether we have all the details of this or not, the main issue here is whether non-traditional families have the same rights as traditional families. Obviously there are a lot of people in this town that would be more than happy to restrict the rights of certain couples they don't deem to be acceptable to their moral values. I am not one of those people. I think if they are a registered domestic partners they should be treated the same as if they're married. Either that or let them get married and give them the rights. I really don't care which one it is as long as they are able to do things like own a house together, see each other in the hospital, make medical decisions for each other, etc. just like everyone else. They don't want special rights, just the same ones as everyone else. Why rob them of that?
lauralaustin commented:

Wow. First of all, let me say that SJCH would be the ONLY place that I would take my family should there be an emergency or non-emergency. In addition, let me say that on that very evening my mother was at SJCH, in the emergency room, placed on a ventilator. We had family EVERYWHERE. I previously worked at SJCH and know several of the staff in the emergency room and that evening my mother was allowed only 1 visitor at a time. It's funny that this has turned into a GAY thing. I have a 23-year old daughter who was with me that evening. Looking quite the site as she is very BUTCH and she was NOT discriminated against. She was allowed her time in the emergency room with her Grandmother.

I will go on to say that the particular security guard that was on duty is very RUDE. He has no sympathy for anyone whether they are the patient or the family. Maybe that's not his job and most likely it is not. However, he is short with patients and family. He's very rude. Each time that I visit the emergency room at SJCH I come to the same conclusion. He's just plain rude. He's a wanna be cop that couldn't make it as a sheriff and/or police officer and the only place he could put his badge on was as a security officer at this particular hospital.

So, was this discrimination? Nope, it wasn't. I saw those individuals in the waiting room that night. They were treated as any other family member was treated during the two days that I spent in that waiting room. I'll say it again. There was no DISCRIMINATION! Plain and simple, they want to stir up crap. Find somewhere else to stir it up.

And by the way, THANKS SJCH for the great care that you continue to give my mother. She's no longer in the Emergency Room, she's in ICU and without a doubt she'll receive the best care possible.

dgrealish commented:

Come on, you know exactly "what cause" I'm talking about! Why else would they turn an incident most of us would shrug off into a gay rights issue. S%!& Happens every day! To all of us. It's not always about something! As I said before, I've spent allot of time in local ER's. Sometimes alone with a sick child, my husband in the waiting room, sometimes with him at my side. You make it what you want. I'll bet there are plenty of interracial couples this same thing has happened to, (because it's happened to most of us at one time or another) but I haven't heard them screaming racial bias! Donna Jones has an agenda. It will all come out sooner than later.

sfinboston52 commented: The agenda is very simple...to be treated the same as every other parent w/ a sick child, that is the agenda.
TomW commented: What happened to, "We don't have enough info?" Or more to the point, let me ask: if their agenda passes, what would be different?
ProgressivePete2 commented: Nothing in my life Tom.
TomW commented: Mine either, Pete. But people talk about the gay agenda, but I'm not sure what that means.
bakersfield commented: My husband and I were in the emergency room with our 4 year old son who needed stitches. My husband went back with him since only one was allowed back there at a time and he can calm him down better (he tries to be brave in front of his dad). My husband got an emergency call out to work and had to leave. I had to wait until the shift was changed to go back even though my husband had to leave. My son was back in the room by himself for about 5 minutes. Don't give me your hypersensitive, you're being mean because I'm gay, crap. rules are rules. I was furious at the time, but no harm done. When a person expects to be discriminated against, you can usually find something to bitch about.
ProgressivePete2 commented: I wish I could help you, but I don't really know either. Perhaps they think it's some evil plan to take over the world.
sfinboston52 commented:

I dont know what it means...and I am gay, and I have never seen the agenda.

My own agenda is this:

Live a happy life w/ my husband in a nice condo, going to work each day and then either going to the gym, therater, movies, plays, concert. Also to take yearly trips if we can afford it. But mostly it is to joy the pleasure of growing old w/ my husband and seeing what life brings us.

Questions for the hospital:

1. how busy was it really
2. how many partience in the ER were allow 2 or more family members at a time.
3. how many others family members were denied a request to change place w/ another member
4. who makes the desision the security guard or nurse

tkozy commented:

Were any of the following involved?

Runny Nose

Sniffing

Coughing

Open sores

Etc.

Annoy did spread some light on the event. It would be interesting to hear the Security Guards response.

TomW commented: Oh, never mind. I understand the gay agenda now. http://www.markfiore.com/animation/agenda.html

Hit tip to RF, who I think posted this a while back. (warning: Flash file with sound)
dgrealish commented: The agenda of the couple in this case is to sue the hospital, If you can't see that, I can recommend a good ophthalmologist. This may come to a surprise to you, but not all gays are just looking for equal rights. I know Donna Jones from way, way, way back. She's been 2nd momma to more kids than I can count! This relationship won't last longer than the law suit. I need some fresh air. I'm going riding.
tkozy commented:
rjandre commented: I have been to San Joaquin Hospital. The hospital is correct, sometimes only 1 visitor per patient is allowed back. I believe this is just two people trying to sue a large corporation with no basis for a lawsuit. Gay or not, this is ridiculous. The Californian shouldn't even report on garbage like this.
tchudilowsky commented:

Am I the only one who was startled by the picture of this couple on the front page of the online paper? YIKES! Scary!

Maybe the staff was afraid she would scare the other patients!

Sorry but.....

siouxcityranch commented:

We belonged to an internet meetup where people would post information about their dogs and dog related activities. A local gay couple joined and introduced their dogs and each other as lovers etc. They were told privatley it wasnt a proper place to discuss sexual preferences as it was only dog related and a family site..whom they went to bed with had no reflection on what the site was involved in... We already had gays in the group but they didnt feel the need to concentrate on whom they loved issues.It was also mentioned that none of the hetros ever posted whom they slept with but they refused to listen.. THEY WERE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.. HUH???

They got highly offended and the discussion went on for days over private emails about how they had every right to annouce their LOVE for one another to the WORLD etc..

it got really STUPID..they finally left the group but immediately after one of the higher ups in the local gay rights movment joined to see if the group was descrimenting..she 'MONITORED US' for a week or two and finally left the group because she saw it was all about dogs and had no basis to cause any problems.

I talked to a gay couple we have known for years about it and they themselves get disgusted by the gays that have to push them and "THEIR RIGHTS" off on people all the time. their motto is live and let live...not 'HAY Im GAY.. get outta my WAY'

In my book it boils down to having manners and respecting each others preferences. Not trying to shove your bedroom partners down each others throats.

TomW commented: OK, dg, I thought this was the mysterious "gay agenda". So what you're saying is that they feel they've been slighted and now their agenda is to sue for damages. By the way you said "furthering their cause" I thought you meant something other than using the legal system in exactly the way it has been designed.
sfinboston52 commented:

why attack the parents? and who said lawsuit? Has a lawyer been hired and if so...have they even asked for damages...I sure didnt get that from the article in the paper.

Why attack their looks or past relationships which neither has to do w/ the story. Some of you are just plain mean and w/o manners.

TomW commented: Anon, I agree with you on this. I feel the same way about some Christians as you felt about those folks. The people who cry persecution all the time are grating. That said, if this decision was made at the hospital based on anything other than the room available, these folks have a case. First thing I'd do if I were them is subpoena the hospital video recordings.
sfinboston52 commented:

"We belonged to an internet meetup where people would post information about their dogs and dog related activities. A local gay couple joined and introduced their dogs and each other as lovers etc. They were told privatley it wasnt a proper place to discuss sexual preferences as it was only dog related and a family site..whom they went to bed with had no reflection on what the site was involved in... We already had gays in the group but they didnt feel the need to concentrate on whom they loved issues.It was also mentioned that none of the hetros ever posted whom they slept with but they refused to listen.. THEY WERE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.. HUH???"

What???? so it is a family site and they are a couple. From what you wrote...they didnt talk about what they did in bed, but only that they were a family also and not "just" friends.

You do sound and smell like a bigot...especially since you post anonymous which says a lot.

tkozy commented:

What do you mean no manners?

1.	When you receive a gift card for your birthday from your grandmother, how do you respond?
	Go shopping of course!
	Drop her a note in the mailbox or give her a quick call to say thank you.
	Say to yourself, "That was nice of her," but wait to say thank you at Christmas dinner. After all, she sends you gifts all the time and that'd be an awful lot of phone calls and thank you notes to make.

ProgressivePete2 commented: anon, sometimes when people have felt discriminated against for so long, they seem to find it in places it doesn't exist, or where it isn't meant to. If they were told that the group accepted all kinds of dog lovers perhaps it wouldn't have been an issue. If immediately they were told that they can't talk about the fact that they were a couple, I can see how a bad reaction could ensue.

Why are some people saying the couple is only out to sue when there is absolutely no mention of that? Is it because you just know?
TomW commented: The reason it is about a case is because the article ends with "What do you think? Do Takata and Jones have a legitimate case or did they overreact? Did the hospital discriminate?"
randomfactor commented: A case can be made that it's merely a figure of speech, Tom. But the original article does state that they're pressuring to have the guard fired. I imagine that could go to court after the hospital turns them down.
ELCorpe commented: I've been to the ER many times over the past several years as I take care of someone who is ill. The ER allows 2 people to stay with a patient if it is not on full status. I have seen ER staff restrict visitors after they are full or too busy to handle the flow of people in relation to the patients. I have never seen them tell the ones that were already in there that they had to leave unless they were inundated with ambulance patients. So It's possible that this scenario was in place when these two parents had arrived. Perhaps they wouldn't allow the other parent in because they needed the legal guardian available at all times. I have been in that situation as well.

I don't think is a discrimination. But I do think ER's should post some kind of information about theie visiting policy in the waiting room to explain that way it works could be helpful to those waiting.

angie1969 commented: I am a hispanic x-employee of SJCH. I do not believe that there was any discrimination involved. Working in the ER is not a easy job. We understand familes get very concerned about their loved one... but it needs to be understood that patient care comes first. Being a security guard in the ER is not a easy job for them. They know how busy the staff is in the ER, many times they have to use their judgment and limit the amount of visitors in the ER. They know when the nurses are extrmenly busy and they don't want to interfere with the treatment of the patient. This individual recieved the treatment that they went for... unfortuntley her spouse is upset because she wasn't let in. And now SJCH is being accused or being racial?? At least the patient was treated and got the attention from the staff. Obviously this was just a isolated incident and not due to discrimination. The staff and SJCH in the ER and other Units, are there for Patient Care. In the MEDICAL FIELD/PATIENT CARE there is no such thing as discrimination. It's all about PATIENT CARE. And that speaks for itself. I would recommend SJCH to everyone.
OldBlue56 commented: Perhaps she wasn't allowed in because she is gay, but because of that terrible mullet haircut!!!
randomfactor commented:

And that would be a legitimate reason to keep a parent from seeing her daughter?

Oh, I get it. Gary Merrill was the attending physician?

siouxcityranch commented:

We didnt attack their rights..they were posting their favorite gay sites and gay friends etc..had nothing to do with dogs or dog events like the site was intended and had been operating since its conception...like i said we had gays in the group already..these two went over board with their postings thats why they were called on it..it wasnt designed to promo their gay preferences PERIOD..

sfinboston52 your obviously a gay rights person (possibly gay) so I dont feel the need to get into a argument with you ..your posts have proven where your loyalties lie so save your fingers. You are sounding like them and I dont respect the way they portrayed their sexual preferences by using a tired old cliche..shoving it down everyones throat..they disrespected what the group was about simple..had a hetro person kept getting on professing their love to the signifigant other..posted places for romantic interludes past the point of ridiculousness as they did they would have gotten the same response

If that makes me a bigot in your eyes so be it I really dont care. By the way why is someone in Boston here in our towns blogs anyway. Isnt there life for you on the east coast..or perhaps the acceptance of your lifestyle is the norm so you have to go into other towns to try and cause trouble. Oh PS..Bakersfield certainly doesnt miss you either so maybe you should move on with your life. Oh and your email addy you post is anny just spelt differnet... doesnt tell me who you are either..infact it doesn link to any personal information so WHAZUP WITH THAT??

TomW commented: Anon, I figured out sfinboston was gay too. I used some serious sleuthing powers. If you read this line closely, you can tell: "I dont know what it means...and I am gay, and I have never seen the agenda." See the part in there where he says "I am gay"? That was the tip off for me.
timec commented:

Being gay is wrong! Good job SJ hospital. That other mommydaddy is not related to the child. She shouldn't be in the room anyway.

randomfactor commented:

OK, I should know better than to reply to the troll, but...I'm not a blood relation to one of my offspring, either, but woe to the ER guard who tried to use that as an excuse to keep me from her.

But being gay *IS* somewhat elitist. Only bisexuals are fair to everyone...

frustrated commented: Romans 1:21-27 applies here. They are without excuse. Wrath is coming.
mattloch commented: And where in your Bible does it say that you get to pass judgement on people, frustrated? Or are you using one of those special Republican Bibles?
randomfactor commented:

Wrath is coming, everyone. Look busy!

Romans 1:33 applies even more fully, frustrated.

siouxcityranch commented: haha Thanks Tom..i missed that part. just got irratated all over again being attacked over that stupidity and speed read through it.. trying to multi task ..guess I better go check my real work incase i did the same on this end... wheres my coffee??
ProgressivePete2 commented: How funny is it that the anonymous poster at the bottom of the last page is bothered that sfinboston doesn't have any personal info on his profile. Um, I hate to tell you this anon, but you don't have any either. It figures that most of the anti-gay comments come from anonymous users. I guess you feel too bad to use your handle huh? Wouldn't want to be seen as discriminatory would we.
siouxcityranch commented: Well I have a need to protect my secret Identity. All super heros do ..you should've realized that by your age petey. *wink*
randomfactor commented: I've got a prized teeshirt which says "I'm just like a superhero with no powers or motivation."
sfinboston52 commented:

hum...yes I do live in Boston, actually Chelsea which is like living in Olive Knolls is to Bakersfield. I grew up in Bakersfield and lived there until 1994. Like to read about Bakersfield, since most of my family still live there. Would never move back, since I enjoy city life, I like the subways, cafes, thearter, plays, concerts, arts etc etc etc. Also, enjoy New England, w/in 30 minutes I can be on the coast of Maine or in the foothills on NH or w/in an hour in Road Island.

And since I didnt have any personal information in my profile. here you go!

46 years old
Spanish/Irish/Native American
Married - MA
Been w/ Spouse 10 years
Program Manager - Software technology
Own a Condo
Well Traveled: Spain, Argentina, Uruagay, Italy, Belguim, Chile, Canada. Then is the US, Texas, CA, FL, GA, OR, WA, IL, NY, MN, MI, SC, NC, NM, AZ, NV, CO, MO,
Hobbies: Gym, Hiking, Reading, Wine, Cooking
2 cats (would love to have another Golden Retriever, but against Condo rules)

randomfactor commented: Married-MA? "MA" as in Massachussetts? Or married to a Master of Arts?
menj21 commented: I've been a frequent visitor in that ER. They ONLY ALLOW ONE VISITOR AT A TIME!!! Also, if you wanted to switch out visitors, they MAY allow it if they are not overcrowded and are nit in or near a shift change. The security guard calls the nurse station to obtain permission for that. If the nurses are busy and can't have extra bodies roaming thru the ER, it will be denied. Get over it, they were not singled out. It's life!
sfinboston52 commented:

Random...as the great state of Massachusetts, since currently no other state has recognized our marriage.

Though: Spain, Belguim, Canada, South Africa, Uruargay, Britian, Argentina do

Now back to the subject: more information is needed, and the hospital may wish to post hospital policies somewhere where it is easy to read in the ER. Also, question why a secruity guard is the one controling who can or cant go back.

TomW commented: Nice, TK. Leet into Morse? I think you just caused 3 people at justice to lose their weekend. Since this is a live thread though, I'd recommend moving to another space.
randomfactor commented: I recognize and celebrate your marriage as well, sf. But then, I gots two spouses myself...
TomW commented: Anon, if they only allow visitors one at a time, are you saying that all the other people who say it depends on circumstances are liars?
irv commented:

sfinboston52

The gay agenda has and continues to be NAMBLA. It is a stated objective of the gay political platform and has been since the first large gay march on Washington. If you are unaware of this, then you are very uninformed. Please aquaint yourself with your communities stated goals.

tkozy commented:

Tom

I try to please.

It is hard work though..

sfinboston52 commented:

"The gay agenda has and continues to be NAMBLA. It is a stated objective of the gay political platform and has been since the first large gay march on Washington. If you are unaware of this, then you are very uninformed. Please aquaint yourself with your communities stated goals."

LOL - brought to you by McCarthy and Hoover - - NAMBLA is not part of the gay movement, though during the 70 - 90s they tried - nice scare tatic used by the far christian right.

Also: Where is this gay agenda posted, what are the top 10 items of the agenda? What is the mission statement? Who signed it? the gay community is not a monolith group...we are a very diverse group of people, w/ no single leader.

randomfactor commented:

Why, it's right there on your gay Palm Pilot, sf.

TomW commented: "The gay agenda is NAMBLA." What the word I'm looking for? Oh yeah:

BWHAHAHAHAHA! This is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Anywhere. And I watch C-SPAN.
tkozy commented:

sfinboston52 says:

what are the top 10 items of the agenda

TK says:

1. Party whistles

2. Balloons

3. Frosting on the cake.

I can’t think of anymore. Can I get a little help?

patblue1947 commented:

If other people were allowed two visitors and these ladies weren't then they do have a case as pointed out by ScottZ.

If it was a matter of too many people visiting I personally would rather trade off so everyone got a chance to visit for a little while. Yes, I have been in a situation where I was asked to cut the visit short in a hospital room so that other patients could have someone visit, or so the person I was visiting could get another visitor. I was not angered or affended by this at all. After all it wasn't about me but about the patients.

And by the way I am affended by some of the uncalled for remarks from some people. A persons appearance does not say anything about the kind of person they are. I have seen too many people that are beautiful outside and ugly inside. Jesus would certainly not behave so if he were there. After all he associated with sinners, lepers, fallen woment, poor people, thiefs, etc.

ProgressivePete2 commented: My goodness, I've been misinformed. I never realized that lesbian couples in fact were only in it to push NAMBLA's membership or "be NAMBLA" whatever that means. I always thought lesbians weren't *into* men.
TomW commented: Patblue, thanks for that. Very well written.
sfinboston52 commented:

"A triage nurse told the couple one person could go back, asking for 9-year-old Desiree’s mother, Jones said. Meanwhile, Jones, who isn't related to Desiree biologically, said she sat in the waiting room, watching as other male-and-female couples walked back into the ER unchallenged"

if other couples got to go back together, then this couple should have been allowed to go back together. The Guard may have personal bias, which cause the guard to follow equal treatment for everyone. I am sure SJH will resolve this issue in a timely matter.

irv commented:

sfinboston52

McCarthy and Hoover weren't around in the 90's.

NAMBLA is very much a gay organization and works actively to reduce the age of consent. It is funny that you want to deny them as gays but most gay associations are more than happy to take their money.

Very telling that you don't renounce their stated objectives.

mali295 commented:

of course this was discrimination....it was also a violation of federal law which says no discrimination based on race color religion OR SEXUAL OREINTATION.....

but what does a small group care if they just perpetuate the hate ? this hospital should publicly appologise to this couple.

I do not care if the well for lack of a better word NURSE hates gays it is not her responsability to decide whom she will or will not let into the room....

this couple are legally a family and if that nurse or whomever had tried that with me i would have made such a stink that when i sued them i would have had a settlement the next day...

the board of directors and the county and the state should be notified and they should not only go after this rough neck nurse they should let her go because she is such a liability to the hospital.

to bad this hospital thinks so little of people....

wow what a concept no discrimination......

Malinda

TomW commented: Anon, enough with the NAMBLA lies. It's a straw man at best and terrible window into your mind at worst. (thought I'd toss that in since we're in baseless accusation land.)
irv commented:

TomW

If you think that NAMBLA and all that it entails is a lie then you are a lot less intelligent than I thought.

Sorry to bother you with reality. Hope you find enough air in between the grains of sand.

sfinboston52 commented:

"most gay associations are more than happy to take their money."

Please provide proof of this.

I have checked quick check of the non-profits and none of them show funding or support for NMBLA. What do you base your dis-information on? Show me the facts!

Been to gay pride for over 16 years...and only once saw NAMBLA at the pride, and this was only due to them forcing their way into the parade w/o approval to march in the parade. The police were called and they were removed, at the request of the gay pride leaders and by those watching the parade. NAMBLA has nothing to do w/ gays. NAMBLA is about pedophile and molesting children and has no connection to gay, anymore than men who molest girls having anything to do w/ being hetero.

lauralaustin commented:

Let me re-post my earlier blog for those of you who keep CRYING DISCRIMINATION. I WAS THERE! For hours that same evening. My "gay" daughter just so happened to be with my entire family. Please read again, from someone who just so happened to be there with my Mother.

And by the way, THANKS SJCH for the great care that you continue to give my mother. She's no longer in the Emergency Room, she's in ICU and without a doubt she'll receive the best care possible.

siouxcityranch commented:

'GOTCHA GAY MOMMA' but just a word of warning..I got the MRSA staph infection from my week stay at SJ a;ittle over a year ago...they had a man in with me and I was in for valley fever with a drain tube stabbed into my left lung. He was brought in with a really high fever and they always took care of him first..blood pressure temp etc. I heard the dr come in on the third day and tell him he was suffering from a severe staff infection. They left him in the room with me until I was released. I shook hands with him used the same bathroom etc. ANyway one week after I came home the infection struck and they took me in an ambulance to Mercy. THere they tested me for the staff immediatley and put me in solitary because I was so contagious. Now how come San Joauquin didnt do the same with that man. I had to pay for the hospitalization and the operation where they had to go in and scrap my bones to get rid of the infection. I was very ill for along time. When I got better I talked to a lawyer to see if I could have SJ obsorb some of the costs if not all. He said due to the new HEPA law there was no way I could acces records of the man who infected me. So I would never win my battle.

During my year long physical therapy trying to get my leg working again...I told my therapist about this and he said that he worked at SJ for awhile and he quit. seems they hang signs on doors as to severity of infections and the old wing was full of this same staph. He was just married with a new baby so he left yet they still put patients in those rooms.

Same thing with our man that shoes our horses. His wife was a nurse at SJ and his son got the stph within just a few weeks of me getting it. She brought it home. so make sure you wash your hands after visiting you mom.

wlwedd commented:

I don't know if this is a clear-cut case of discrimination or not. We haven't heard enough from either side to really prove either case.

However, it does open the door for some serious questions, and I think a dialogue between these women and the hospital can only be beneficial to all. If there is a policy to allow one or both parents, clearly there was a great deal of confusion that evening about tha policy. It has the appearance of being only capriciously enforced at the whim of the guard. I do not know if that appearance is correct, but it can only be good for all parties if that policy is clarified, and enforced fairly among ALL those who enter the ER. This would protect the guard as well!

Let's face it. No one goes to the ER looking to make a case for Gay Rights. Gays can do that in many other places far more effectively. These women wanted to comfort their daughter, as any good parents would. If all couples were required to send only one person into the ER with a minor, then that's fair. However, if it is true that some couples got to go in and some did not, the hospital needs to be more careful about the enforcement of its policy. It is hard to argue that the two women were kept out due to overcrowding if indeed other couples were allowed in together, therefore creating the overcrowding the policy is supposed to avoid. And perhaps a little sensitivity training about diversity might assist the guard, or whomever makes the decision about ER entry, in ensuring that the policy is not discriminatory, nor perceived to be so by those waiting in the ER.

Finally, let's not lose sight of the child in this case. Whether you agree with gay families or not, these women are the people she considers her parents. She loves them. If other minor children seeking ER assistance were accompanied by only one of their parents, then it makes sense that she got what they got. But if they had the benefit of both parents, and she only had one, (granted the suffering is not exactly Iraqi in scale,) she was deprived of that bit of comfort. That, perhaps, is the saddest thing of all.

In the interest of being open-minded, if evidence surfaces that shows that in every instance of minor children entering SJMH, or even only on the night in question, they were allowed only one parent with them, I would absolutely agree that the policy is fair and discriminates against no one. I'd like to see that evidence.

lauralaustin commented:

Hey! To Mr. or Mrs. or Miss Anonymous about the "Gotcha Gay Momma". You don't have a clue about what this entire blog was about. Big deal that you got a staph infection. YOU should have been more cautious. How rude of you to call me names. Apparantly, they never taught you respect or how to spell. Possibly next time, you can use the little button with a check mark above and ABC sitting on top of it. Or did they scrape your brain at Mercy and you aren't smart enough to do that.

I stand behind my comments. You made an ass of yourself.

jrcitizen commented:

It is obvious that the Bakersfield Californian and these two women are BOTH responsible for attempting to create a story where there is not a news-worthy event. The reason for the publication of this story COULD BE the desire to push the GAY AGENDA (and yes it exist – printed or not), to sensationalize an event for gain – personal or business, or simply for revenge.

It is also obvious, based even on the limited facts printed by the Bakersfield Californian, that the hospital DID NOT discriminate against these two individuals. END OF STORY.

The Bakersfield Californian asks “Was this discrimination?” and requests that those interested or willing “Sound off on our blogs.” Again, it is obvious from the “names” used by those posting here that many have an agenda and are willing to use the means of a printed story to push their agenda.

This Bakersfield Californian did a great dis-service to the hospital, it’s staff and these two women by even putting this in print. The Bakersfield Californian has attacked the integrity of the hospital, soiled the reputation of the care givers and others who work there and sensationalized this particular moment in the lives of these two women. In addition the Bakersfield Californian created fodder for the arrogant ramblings, as exhibited here, of a select few who want to scream their opinions in an attempt to force acceptance of their distorted views.

localnews2 commented:

HHHMMM. I had a partner, when the kids got sick, I was allowed back even if it was one at a time. However, when the kid is screaming for a person they will allow them back to keep the kid calm. I have had problems with San Joaquin. I know the Security Guard they are talking about. When the partners aunt was in there I was asked my relationship to the patient. I told them niece. Then the guard let me in to see her. The guard asked me if I was really a niece I told him yes I was. UUUMM, hello he is just a guard not a cop the badge has gotten to his head. I'm sure the guard made up his own mind who want to let in. Also had problems at Mercy Southwest. The guard told me he had to check if it was okay for me to go back and check on my "son" I happen to them rolling him out of x-ray and walked in with them to the back. The guard was standing around laughing and talking to nurse. He just stared at me and I said to him, "Thanks for checking into it for me." The nurse asked him what I was talking about. Another one that made his own decision on how he was gong to handle things. These guards get a power trip after a while. The only hospital I have never had problems with is Memorial Hospital. Also dealing with 4 kids and 3 grandchildren it is safe tosay were on first name bases there.

dgrealish commented: I received an e-mail from Donna Jones last night, telling me she was from the LA area and I must have her confused with another person of the same name. While I wasn't going on name recognition alone, I admit my mistake and apologize for my misstatement.
lauralaustin commented:

jrcitizen, so nicely put. Thank you!

randomfactor commented:

So the concensus seems to be that there was no discrimination against the two mothers, and if there was it was justified on the basis that they was uppity gays trying to push a nebulous evil "agenda" which includes standing beside their children during times of stress.

The Horror! The Horror!

TomW commented: jrcitizen, since I am probably one of those who you think is pushing the gay agenda and you do believe it exists, could you tell me what it is? This story does not, as you say, "attack[] the integrity of the hospital, soiled the reputation of the care givers and others who work there". I agree that this article has created fodder for those who want to "scream their opinions in an attempt to force acceptance of their distorted views", but I do not think you and I would agree on who those people are.

sagefever commented: As stated we do not know the facts of the situation,but a few kind well chosen words~perhaps dare I say humanity~ to the couple would have helped.Eye contact, the explanation of why, "I will keep you posted, I know you are worried" several small things could have eased this situation.This appears to be another example of folks~either with the "gay agenda"(what ever that is), or those who shout against it~ that need to calm down,remember that this is America...we can have a civilized discussion.
chvzdns commented: No, I don't believe it was discrimination against them being gay. I believe it had more to do with the relationship, or blood line relationship. I feel if people want to be known as a gay couple and registered then they would need to carry their papers around to prove. Hospitals are just trying to be safe and it's not very comfortable in the back and if they're busy and full there really isn't any room to move around or for visitors to be all back there. I've bee to this hospital and I have had to either go in by myself and leave my older ones out. Or other times I have been able to take them back. So I don't believe this had anything to do what is being stated. I feel if anyone had a problem with them not getting in because of being gay, I believe it was themselves who have a problem with it. If they think that was a bad situation, wait until they get all the horrible feedback that they're going to recieve from being gay, now everyone knows. Now they have a problem.... And to say that they want the security guard to get fired is outrageous he is only doing his job. Can't people find anything else better to discuss about, maybe like what happened to their girl who had a 104 temp.
jrcitizen commented:

TomW,

I would not typically respond to a directed posting but you seem to have taken my posting personally and have indicated you are seeking knowledge. In response to your posting:

'jrcitizen, since I am probably one of those who you think is pushing the gay agenda and you do believe it exists

could you tell me what it (gay agenda) is?" Let's start with the attempted "indoctrination" of the youth of this country that the gay lifestyle is acceptable against the wishes of the child's parent(s). It would seem to be a biologically incompatiable choice. Other "agenda" items are numerous but space and time are limited.

"This story does not, as you say,

attack[] the integrity of the hospital - "accusing San Joaquin Community Hospital of discrimination" quoted straight from the posting itself, attacks the integirty of the hospital.
soiled the reputation of the care givers and others who work there - "...she sat in the waiting room, watching as other male-and-female couples walked back into the ER unchallenged. Jones approached the ER’s security guard several times, but he denied her admittance... The rest of the medical staff deferred to his decision." again quoted from the posting soils the reputation of the security gaurd and others.
I agree that this article has created fodder for those who want to "scream their opinions in an attempt to force acceptance of their distorted views", but I do not think you and I would agree on who those people are. On this we agree. It is obvious by the postings here that there are those who "attack" the views of others (and often) as they attempt to impose their views all the while attempting to indicate that it is only debate and discourse when in reality it is obviously an attempt overwhlem the speech of others.

TomW - While I did not believe you to be "pushing the gay agenda" at the time of my original posting I can with assurance now indicate you simply validated some of these points with your posting.

TomW commented: jrcitizen, thanks for responding at length to this. I still have trouble with the soiling the reputation of care givers and others, but I had read that as soiling the reputation of them *as* caregivers. Further, if what they said was true, it only soils their reputation in any sense only insofar as the statement was true.

As for being someone who pushes the gay agenda, I think "indoctrination" is a pretty strong word. On the other hand, if the gay agenda is basically telling people that gay people aren't evil, I'll support a little indoctrination.

I like your last point. I think there are ways for us to discuss this without resorting to attacks. Thanks for proving that.
choudari commented:

It may very well have been discrimination. I believe it because I have had this so-called overcrowding policy thrown in my face several times myself. I have taken my wife to the ER several times and none of those times was I allowed to go back with her, even though her English is not so good. Each time they had to bring me back because she didn’t understand one thing or another, demanded to see me before consenting to something, or, after an overly long wait with her inside, I demanded entry. However, we have both witnessed other couples going back together. Now, maybe it is just me, but does it have anything to do with us being noncaucasians and the other couples caucasian? Hmmm.

We went to the ER for me once or twice. When I got inside, I noted that it was quite spacious, with a stool for the doctor, a regular chair, and a bed. So, what is the overcrowding issue, in an ER where the patients are seen in private rooms? Yet, while we were waiting, we saw some couples go back together, and we could see that they both were not patients as only one or the other had armbands.

I hope they pursue this issue, because there must be something going on. I really don’t understand why the staff would separate sick children from their parents (doesn’t matter if both are female or male – that’s their business) and husbands from wives whose English is not up to par.

Since the time I had to demand entrance because I didn’t know what in the world they were doing with my wife for so long, we fired our doctor whose hospital she was affiliated with and now go to another ER if the need be, which thankfully is not often. We have no problems going back together and we don’t see anyone else having such problems. In fact, the staff often asks people if they would like someone to go with the patient.

Maybe, just maybe, these hospitals with such restrictive policies are minimizing the number of potential witnesses in case something goes wrong. If I am not with my wife, then it becomes her word against the doctor and nurse, but with both of us there, they feel intimidated.

Please, if you are a medical professional, don’t just side with the hospital on this one. There are too many other hospitals that don’t have such policies.

There is a Chance: Got to get ready for the Drags....

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:30:39 PST

I got one more thing to say.

See ya there...

Comments:
tkozy commented: No I won't..
tkozy commented: What, I am not gone yet?
tkozy commented:

Goody-bye. I really am leaving this time.

Editorials: Water, peace to flow soon

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:55:07 PST

PUBLISHED 3-8-2007

For the first time since the so-called rape of the Owens Valley starting early in the 20th century, the second of two major water agreements may signal a welcome cease-fire in California’s notorious water wars.

An 18-year legal battle that pitted growers against environmentalists over restoration of water flows in the San Joaquin River is nearing settlement.

The San Joaquin River agreement follows closely on the heels of major progress in developing policies to stabilize water distribution through or around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for shipment to Central and Southern California. The proposals succeed the ill-fated Peripheral Canal proposal of 25 years ago.

The separate San Joaquin River restoration project will restore water to much of a 153-mile stretch of the northward flowing San Joaquin River, between the Friant Dam and where the Merced River joins the San Joaquin. From there, the river flows to the Delta.

Part of the San Joaquin River, between the dam and the Merced River, is often dry as a result of the Friant Dam, which was built before World War II and provides agriculture with water. The diversion eliminated fish and other habitat.

The sticking point in the controversy is that the demand for more water for environmental use threatened the supply for agriculture. Central to agriculture in almost all water-sharing agreements is the need for a predictable and dependable supply of water at an affordable cost.

The key to the agreement between the National Resources Defense Council and the Friant Water Users Authority is that specified engineering improvements to the riverbed and more sophisticated management of the dam will reduce the loss of water to agriculture that a diversion for fisheries protection by itself would entail.

The per-acre foot surcharge on farmers for environmental restoration also is fixed.

The agreement ends years of lawsuits by multiple groups that kept the water community in turmoil.

The Friant Water Users Authority is a coalition of 22 water districts that supplies water to 1 million acres of farmland and numerous cities and towns on the east side of the southern San Joaquin Valley.

The NRDC and the FWUA have agreed to the plan in federal court. It is incumbent on Congress to fund the federal portion of the program. The departments of the Interior and Commerce are already working on their portions of the pact.

Given water’s vital role in all aspects of life, it is unlikely that a permanent peace in California’s water wars will prevail. But if these two agreements are a model for the future, water, like hope, may spring eternally.

Editorials: We all have a stake in training nurses

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:51:32 PST

PUBLISHED 3-8-2007

The wait times in local emergency rooms can be shortened if local training programs, such as the one for nurses at Cal State Bakersfield, can be expanded. A shortage of nurses is a major reason for delays at hospitals and doctors’ offices.

There is no problem attracting students to become nurses. But a national shortage exists due to lack of instructors and funds for training programs.

To lessen the shortage, hospitals, health care offices and groups need to help fund training programs. Local money will help create more available spots at Cal State Bakersfield and Bakersfield College.

Ten new students will be admitted to the nursing program at CSUB, bringing the total enrolled in the program per year to 100.

The expansion was made possible by grant money used to expand nursing programs. CSUB’s cut of the $3 million Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger distributed was $240,000. The money will go toward funding one full-time position for two years.

Sixteen nursing programs were awarded funds, which were administered by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development through the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission. Although it is not enough to train the thousands of nurses needed in California, it’s a start.

More needs to be done. Imagine what additional money from local hospitals, healthcare providers, employers and individuals could do. Help is needed. We all have a stake in improving the quality of medical care in Kern County. That means we need more nurses.

There is a Chance: Look at me..

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:02:26 PST

Look at me..

I’m a size two…

Anybody else sick of that commercial?

Comments:
woofwoof commented:

TK your video is no longer available.....and that commercial, it sounds like she;s gonna spit, when she says "size 2". Yeah, I wanna bee atch slap her.

tkozy commented: Not as good of quality as the last. But it does work now.
OldBlue56 commented: I listened to the first clip, and it sounded really good. I love Clapton's guitar playing. What is the clip listed under on you tube, so I can listen to the entire thing?
tkozy commented: The original clip I posted disappeared.
woofwoof commented: Don't cha wish there was a good ole blues club in town??? Is there one?? I don't get out much...
dgrealish commented:

I want to bee atch slap anyone whose a size 2, unless they are 2.

tkozy commented:

I don’t drink + I don’t go to bars = I don’t go to jail. ( any more ) ;)

tkozy commented:

I haven’t had a body like this since I was in High school

My neighbors wife says I am her trophy stud.

Right Thinking: New volleyball club puts families first

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:17:27 PST

Christy Scott has fond memories of her years at Cal State Bakersfield where, back in the mid-1990s, annihilating opponents on the volleyball court was the joy of her days.

Photos:

Photo by Felix Adamo

A natural athlete and fierce competitor, Scott never minded those years before college when club play -- still considered a must for serious high school players -- kept her on the road or in the gym for several months of the year.

But that was then. Now a mother of two fledgling athletes, Scott believes the cost and time necessary to play traditional club volleyball is too great a burden for many families.

So she's started a different sort of club -- one with those particular families in mind.

Tonight marks the first practice of Driven Volleyball Club, a nontraveling, low-cost alternative for girls who want to play competitive volleyball but still want the time for family, friends, trips to the beach or other sports.

"Obviously, we're not going to get the high level of competition as (traditional) club, but the girls will be playing a lot of volleyball and learning the same solid skills," Scott says. "We're offering club play in a safe environment, meaning we're creating some healthy competition."

Club volleyball is an investment that can cost parents several thousand dollars over a six- to eight-month season, with out-of-town tournaments once or twice a month, depending on the size and skill level of the club.

To ensure life outside of volleyball, Driven's playing season will last only four months, from March through mid-June. Cost for a season -- which includes two 90-minute practices per week and one Friday night tournament a month -- is about $300, including the $100 registration fee.

Scott hit on the idea for non-traveling club teams when her husband, Kevin Scott, youth pastor at Calvary Bible Church, discovered some of his young congregants and their parents were forgoing church and other important family time for the sake of volleyball.

"A couple of the girls finally decided not to play club because there were so many things that conflicted," he says. "It can have a huge impact on families when their time together is so diminished."

Driven, an eight-team club league, is sponsored by the church, which will open its gym for practices and games. The club's 64 spots, more than half of which are still open, are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Scott says every practice and game will start with prayer, but the club is open to all high school girls, regardless of religious beliefs. The only commitment form parents must sign is a sportsmanship contract wherein they promise not to curse, shout or harangue the players, coach or referee.

That particular requirement will no doubt discourage those who consider such behavior a constitutional right, but that's fine by the Scotts, who say club play is as much about character as it is volleyball.

It's also about leveling the playing field. It's about coaching players from schools where parents may not have the time and money to finance the traditional club experience.

"This has nothing to do with competing with (traditional) club for players," says Scott, who's the first to admit she relished the intense level of club competition. "This is giving girls who might otherwise not be able to afford it, the opportunity to play. It's about filling a niche."

What: Driven Volleyball Club

When: March 6 - June 15

Where: Calvary Bible Church, 48 Manor St.

For more information: Call 599-4610

Comments:
randomfactor commented: 3188.
robbwillis commented:

Yes, I'm sure the ACLU will take them to court for not allowing an atheist ball player to join the team and exercise her Constitutional right to " curse, shout or harangue the players, coach or referee."

It must be getting hard to put the ultra-rightwing slant on every story when you have to insert it into a volleyball column. Maybe we're seeing the begining of the end, like when the writers of a TV series resort to the "unknown evil twin brother" episode?

ProgressivePete2 commented: I'm trying to find out how this is in any way a conservative topic.

This isn't some sort of secret ploy to try to convert kids to their church is it? Nah couldn't be.
randomfactor commented:

Robb, it will turn out later that this column was all a dream, and the real column is actually alive and well in the shower...

Speaking of keeping the atheists off the team:

http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/smalko3.htm

robbwillis commented: Yikes. Hardesty Oklahoma sounds like a fun town. I'll bet Passion of the Christ is the weekend/midnight cult film...
randomfactor commented:

By the way, I left out the punchline. The night the father was acquitted, tornadoes hit the down and seriously damaged the home of the high school principal who had attacked him.

Don't mess with atheists. We have Connections. :)

randomfactor commented: 3189.

There is a Chance: Time for a musical interlude..

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:13:32 PST

Time for a musical interlude..

Everyone take a break..

Don’t lose your temper.

We can work it out.

In no time. You will see it my way.

If you only try.

Comments:
tkozy commented:

Will it ever be the same?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7827EMkm5ko

tkozy commented:

It feels like it's lost for ever...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2uyd1T6wy0

tkozy commented:

I guess it’s a lonesome Hobo life for me.

But it’s not all bad..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iLD6ewxp8Q

tkozy commented:

Stupid Boys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq-rpJ-u2Rg

tkozy commented:

You’ll never stop thinking of me……..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cThBIQoKzqc

Last Rites: State Wrestling review

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:41:11 PST

It's three days after the CIF State Wrestling Championship and I'm asking for a critique of our coverage of the two-day event, along with the two days leading up to it.

You can be as specific or as general as you want. Please share what you thought we did well, what you thought we missed and how we can improve on it for next year's coverage.

Note: This critique isn't just for the Web, please include your thoughts on our print coverage.

This will be the first of what I hope becomes a monthly critique for our sports section.

Comments:
novelboy commented:

It's nice to see individual wrestling success stories online. But when I looked to see who won in individual categories/team categories, there was nothing.

If the Californian is going to mention these high profile tourneys at all, why not be the premiere media site for them as well. I had to google CIF for results and download annoying PDFs. Maybe the paper version was different? Maybe all the information was in hand? How hard would it be to cut and paste and blog it???

Since these tourneys will be in Bakersfield a few more years, the Californian could reap big benefits off promoting at the Rabobank during the tourneys for people to go online for all the results... sort of cool March Madness types of online charts, but for wrestling... and have a blogger there, blogging who is winning... losing... instant reports. Let's see these blogs put into action since Bakersfield.com is claiming to be the big blog kings in the Central Valley. You could have a whole citizen team of citizen bloggers doing all your work for free. I mean, you want free ideas, and content. There you go. If you want to reply to me, please email or leave a message on Paperback Writer: www.noveltown.net/blog

Peace!

bakersfield commented: my complaint is with the coverage of the tournaments leading up to state. oh, there was plenty on bhs and their league, but nothing but an aside and a list of names for the ssl champrionships. was is mentioned that in their very first year of having a wrestling team, bchs had 4 kids place high enough to move on to valley? nope. was it mentioned how well tehachapi and arvin did? nope. what about the handicapped kid from mcfarland wresltling varsity? not a peep. there is more than one league in this town, but you wouldn't know it reading this paper.
LastRites commented: Just to clarify. We still have individual results from all the weight classes posted on-line. Those results were posted at the end of consolation matches, when the third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches were decided. The final results were posted less than five matches after the conclusion of the matches.

We did not have team standings because the CIF doesn't provide until the end of each round. That was an oversight on our part and something we'll look into for next year.

We did not have a "State Wrestling" blog set up in the blog area, but I personally wrote two-three sentences on each championship match for the first 8 matches and posted within 2 or 3 minutes of the conclusion of each match. I had to stop before the conclusion of 152 because I was writing a story on Jason Welch's 160-pound final.

All print stories were posted at the conclusion of the event.

Faith Forum: KGET on The Colbert Report

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:25:01 PST

Why is it that "Bakersfield" is a punchline? Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" featured a news piece by KGET Channel 17 last night, and all Colbert said was "Bakersfield" and he got a laugh.

Are we that funny? Are people laughing because they're shocked we have news here? Or are they laughing because of the type of news that comes out of this town?

In this case, Colbert showed portions of a KGET report about a Christian doctor who has rules for who he will and won't serve based on his religious beliefs. The doctor refused to see a young child because her mother has tattoos and piercings, forbidden in Leviticus 19:28.

Colbert used this story for his feature "The Word," getting another laugh for the term "WWJD" - What Would Jesus Dispense. A funny line: "Say Ahhmen." The piece was hilarious. But I laughed more for the jokes about the Hippocratic Oath than the punchlines containing "Bakersfield." Watch it for yourself!

Comments:
ednpatc commented: Television and almost everything on it is meant for entertainment purposes -not reality especially when they put their own spin on the story, television is only what you take from it. Bakersfield can be funny especially when you add canned laughter......................
TomW commented: I think Carson was the one who spawned the Bakersfield as punchline genre of humor. If it's not this, it's Prussian Blue getting us the headlines. For myself, I thought both of these lines were funny because for guys like this doctor, that's what Christianity means. Someone should get him a Bible and have him read the red parts.
tkozy commented:

TK says:

The Dr.’s office Is not a absolute private practice. He has decided to offer those that share his personal beliefs, the benefits of MY insurance company.

He has a contract with Health Net. I am a member of Health Net which in effect makes the fine doctor an employee of mine.

The Contract can and should be rescinded for failure to offer care.

What do you think would happen to his practice in that case?

The Dr. has contracted to my health insurance company. Most likely taking payment from a bookkeeper who has a butterfly tattooed on her buttocks.

This doctor does not operate in a vacuum. His faith is not the center of a halo.

His practice in some form. Depends on the actions of those he turns away from his office.

He has no argument.

patblue1947 commented: TK is absolutely correct. The good doctor should be tossed by Health Net immediately. Anyone who uses Health Net should complain to Health Net until he is gone from their referral lists.
sandrrrrrita commented: Shouldn't this doctor think that it is also a sin to not help a person in need of care. What if it was a person dying outside of his office that had tatttos would he just watch and let this person die. I that he is just a relious hypocrite. Yes the bible does say that one should not have tattoos and piercings, but it also says that you shall not judge anyone, only the Lord will give Judgement.
randomfactor commented: Well, it's not as if the doctor were a Samaritan or anything. More like a priest or a Levite, with his priorities clearly set up...
tkozy commented: "The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money."
- Anonymous
Akarrer commented: You guys are such idiots. You preach about equality and the freedom of speech and about the rights of each person, regardless of their age, race, religion, profession and social status; yet, that's not what you really mean. What you really want is equality and freedom of speech for individuals whom you approve of, not for everyone. Is it different to demand a woman's right to have an abortion but not a private practice doctors right to serve whom he wants? Get over yourselves - clearly you have a biased opinion while you claim the world should be prejudice-free. You are the ultimate contradiction.
pika1000 commented: Face it kids, Bakersfield is the butt of A LOT of jokes across the country, even here in Tulsa, OK. Yes, the same Tulsa that UCLA said in 1995 "Where's Tulsa" before the NCAA tournament, the same Tulsa where many people in Bakersfield have family, and yes, the same Tulsa that became famous by Carson as "A SLUT backwards". Even those from Bakersfield call it the "Armpit of CA". It sucks, but, it comes with the territory.
tkozy commented:

Annoy says:

but not a private practice doctors right to serve whom he wants?

TK says:

If the kind Dr. takes money from a Tattooed bookkeeper.

He should be willing to render her medical care.

This is not a question of rights. But rather one of responsibilities, ethics and fairness.

TomW commented: Anon, I think that this guy has the right to do this, just as Ann Coulter has the right to use the language she does when speaking for the Republican Party. I also think that we have the right to talk about it, the right to ask Health Net if this is the type of doctor they want to have on their lists, etc. (You can ask them about it here: https://www.healthnet.com/portal/member/viewContactUsForm.sdo? ) Saying he shouldn't is not the same as saying he doesn't have the right to. Of course, if it turns out that the California Medical Board has rules against this, so be it. They have to have standards too.
mattloch commented: Anon, a doctor doesn't have the "right" to refuse medical care to a patient. Period. Doubly so if they do it based on a religious (i.e. made-up/make believe) principle. "Separate but equal" went out of style a half-century ago. This isn't a case of religious persecution, so stop trying to act as though it is. (BTW, it's very brave of you to call us idiots (without even a hint of irony) and hide behind an anon tag.)
TomW commented: Actually, Mattloch, I think he does. I know it sucks and I don't agree, but I think it is correct. The only requirement is that you refer the patient to someone else and the delay doesn't cause severe injury or death. So if the baby had died, he could lose his license, but otherwise he's fine. This is why we need to put light on this. No one should be refering patients to him.
Akarrer commented:

Who has led you to believe the world is fair? This was not an emergency situation and the doctor commited no wrong. It is simply a matter of his beliefs. I saw the report on the news, where the mother claimed that her daughter was not able to receive medical care throughout the entire night because this doctor refused treatment. Were no Emergency Rooms open? Was this mother so negligent that even though she thought her daughter needed medical attention immediately, she failed to visit an Urgent Care? Or was it the mothers choice and right to wait throughout the night to seek treatment? Much as it was the doctors choice and right to decide to post rules and regulations (as many other business outside the medical field do) regarding the atmosphere of an office he runs? This is not a legal issue, it's an issue of rights. He has rights, just as the mother does. Are there not other pediatricians in town that are available?

There is a sign outside the door at Mexicali Restaurant on California Avenue that states a dress code is in effect. Why is there not an uproar about that? What if someone wants to eat there but is wearing a tank top and cut-off shorts? The answer is: too bad, go somewhere else.

randomfactor commented:

And likewise he has a "right" not to treat Jews, or blacks, or (what is the approved Conservative term? Oh yeah:) "faggots," too.

tkozy commented:

Annoy says:

Who has led you to believe the world is fair?

TK says:

No one that I know of. But I strive for fairness.

As far as ER’s

A doctor’s visit to a assigned doctor, is $7 through Health Net. ER care is $50. And in this case would have been a horrible waste of medical resources.

You continue to ignore the fact that the Dr. is contracted through the same insurance company as the child in question..

If Mexicali was contracted to Goodwill Industries. I would expect Mexicali to adjust their dress code accordingly.

TomW commented: Exactly, RF. I know. Some people don't take being a doctor or a Christian for that matter very seriously. It's too bad, but I don't think legally enforceable.
TomW commented: Anon brings up a very good point too. There are other pediatricians in town. Everyone in town should know the name Gary Merrill.
mattloch commented: At least we have those new signs bookending the City to overcome the negative publicity that this a** of a doctor has caused. /problem solved
tkozy commented:

I am sure that Annoy and Gary Merrill respect my right to free speech.

TomW commented: They don't have to, Tkozy. The problem with being a good person is that it's tough. Or so I've heard.
tkozy commented: "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
- Albert Einstein
Akarrer commented:

Regarding the contract: There are other doctors contracted through Health Net as well. Pick another one, problem solved. Doctors choose which healthcare agencies they contract with, not the other way around. After the contract is negotiated, the insurance company doesn't demand how the office is run by the doctors unless specifically stated in the contract. If there are no stipulations regarding this issue in Dr. Merrill's contract, then there has been no wrong. Health Net didn't "choose" this particular doctor, he choose them. Just like my children's pediatrician chooses not to accept patients with MediCal/MediCare.

My kid's pediatrician is also a self-proclaimed Christian and a wonderful doctor (the best in town, if you ask me) and I have not known him to have restrictions like Dr. Merrill does. I'm not sure if I agree with Dr. Merrill's regulations; however, I do agree with his RIGHT to have these regulations. The bottom line is this: If you don't like it, just go somewhere else.

randomfactor commented: Or, exercise your right to complain to Health Net about *THAT* particular doctor. If enough subscribers do so, the doctor can "just go somewhere else."
tkozy commented:

Annoy says:

Doctors choose which healthcare agencies they contract with, not the other way around.

TK says:

Do you suppose that the Doctor negotiated the Tattoo issue? If so, Health Net is clearly at fault.

Again. The doctor denied medical care to a child of a person with a tattoo. Will he deny payment from the Sister of a child with a tattoo..

The Dr. has contracted to my health insurance company. Most likely taking payment from a bookkeeper who has a butterfly tattooed on her buttocks.

This doctor does not operate in a vacuum. His faith is not the center of a halo.

His practice in some form. Depends on the actions of those he turns away from his office.

He has no argument.

Akarrer commented:

Absolutely. You absolutely have the right to make a complaint. Just don't get your hopes up about him being removed from Health Net. They are going to tell you the same thing: Thank you for your concern and we will definitely take this into consideration. However, I'm sure that there is at least one person in town who has issues with every single doctor who we are contracted with, and if we took everyone off, you would be without medical care in Bakersfield.

jasonsperber commented:

Here's a couple links I found, fyi. They don't fully explain the legalities of this particular situation, but it's a place to start.

http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Complaint_Info_FAQ_Gen.htm

http://www.physiciansnews.com/law/202.html

tkozy commented:

This is no longer a one person issue.

It has gone national..

Akarrer commented: TK: This whole "bookeeper with a butterfly tattoo" and "sister of a child with a tattoo" thing - they are all hypothetical. It's impossible to argue these issues because they don't exsist right now.
tkozy commented:

I have no idea which plan the doctor is contracted to. But the folowing is from the Health Net webpage..

Medicare Supplement Plan

The health care you want . . . The choice you deserve

It's your choice. With Health Net's Medicare Supplement Plan, you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare, including specialists, at any time. No referrals or authorizations needed. You'll get peace of mind from seeing the doctor of your choice, and savings from a plan that helps pay for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and more.

https://www.healthnet.com/portal/member/content.do?mainResourceFile=/content/general/unprotected/html/ca/plans/medicare/ca_medicare_plan_desc_main.html

ProgressivePete2 commented: Here's a key snip from the physiciansnews link Jason provided above in italics.

...the physician should make sure that the patient understands the treatment is limited to a certain illness or injury or to a certain specified time and place and that another health care practitioner will be responsible for follow-up care.

In no case should the reason given to the patient for the denial of care be a pretext for discrimination.

{snip}

A physician’s withdrawal from the relationship should not be attempted or accomplished during a time when the patient is in need of medical attention.

In every other instance, prior to withdrawal from or termination of the relationship, the physician should explain to the patient the reason why the physician is unable to attend to the patient’s needs and assist in the patient’s transfer to a competent substitute. Written documentation of the physician’s notification to the patient and of the referral sources or providers recommended to the patient will demonstrate that the physician has satisfied the conditions for proper withdrawal. Just as the physician must exercise reasonable care and skill in treating the patient, the physician must exercise reasonable care and skill in discontinuing the physician/patient relationship.

___________________

If this doctor had any ethics whatsoever, he would have treated the child and explained to the tattooed non-patient mother that she should go to another doctor for a follow up appointment in a respectful manner. Unfortunately for him, he's now the lauging stock of bakersfield.
tkozy commented:

Annoy says:

It's impossible to argue these issues

TK says:

The impossible to argue against type arguments. Are exactly the type of arguments I enjoy bring forth..

ProgressivePete2 commented: Does anyone really think this doctor told Health Net he would refuse their clients based on their looks? I wonder how much Health Net likes all this attention.
bonuschris commented: Has anyone actually gotten the doctor's side of this or is everyone just jumping to conclusions based on what the complaintant said?
tkozy commented:

I am sure the doctor could respond on this blog, to the paper or to KGET. I know he is welcome to respond to my blog that appears on this site..

It would seem unlikely that he is not aware of the reporting on this subject.

Christopherv commented:

Randomfactor said: And likewise he has a "right" not to treat Jews, or blacks, or (what is the approved Conservative term? Oh yeah:) faggots, too.

Tattooed people are not a "protected class", under the law. Rest assured he has no right to deny services to "Jews or blacks," as they are protected by civil rights laws. He does, however, have a right to deny services to "fa-----," as they still are not a protected class. (He can also refuse to rent to them sell to them, etc.)

Anybody in town when Burlington Homes refused to sell houses to lawyers - and WON! in court? You have to be in a protected class of people in order to claim a right to service...

NancyII commented:

Two questions

1. Was the child a patient of this doctor or was it a first visit?

2. So you believe that when you become a doctor you give up your rights?

OldBlue56 commented: Is a "honkey" a protected class? If not, what about a gay honkey?
courious commented: Just watch! The good doctor or the women who's baby he refused to treat will be on the Today show or someother talk show! Yeah Bakersfield!
tkozy commented:

1. It has been my experience that Health Net assigns a doctor to you. And it is the patients right to request the care of another doctor.

2. I do believe you can enter into a contract that may require you to do things that you would not do in your normal day to day life. Or things that you would otherwise have the lawful right to refuse to do.

3. Health Net represents their insured during negotiations with providers.. And must not enter into any contract that would harm their insured.

4. Do radiologists have the right to turn away those that are tattooed? Hospitals?

Under law. Most likely.

But I would be surprised if they could be turned away under the terms of their contract with the insurance company.

NancyII commented: When I signed up for Healthnet I had to designate a primary care physician whether I knew one or not. I could change later but I made the choice who to see. Of course that hinged on whethe or not that doctor was taking new patients too. I was NEVER assigned a doctor by any HMO or Health Care org. I had to choose from a list of providers but it was my choice. That of course hinges on whether or not the doctor accepted me. Which they always did. But then I wasn't all tatted up either.
NancyII commented: By the way...being the butt of a national joke isn't the worst that can happen to us. The worse people think it is, the fewer will want to come here and clog up our city. Hopefully.
Christopherv commented:

Nancy II, I keep hoping bad press will keep people away, but it seems to have the opposite effect. It encourages arrogant Southern Californians (re: not us) to come here on the belief they will find success easier, competing against such a handicapped crowd. If I had a nickel for every conversation that began, "Back in L.A. we..." I would actually be able to afford a home there.

Anon: Honkey - No. Gay honkey - Sorry, you're out of luck. Except in Massachusets.

tkozy commented:

Nancy

After the split-up between Gem care and Health net. I was assigned a doctor from BFMC... Of course I could request someone else.

Prior to that, I had chosen a provider. Only to find that I would be sublet to another doctor within that providers office. Had the same type of experience with Secure horizons.

Not complaining. Just the facts of my care.

NancyII commented:

I saw the arrogance of the LA people back in the early 70's when Tehachapi first started to become a bedroom communtiy for the illustrious folks in the LA basin. I was working in, what was then, my MIL's Wards catalog store and they would come in, order, then complain about having to pay shipping. They would whine that they could get it cheaper in Los Angeles and I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying.."then go to Los Angeles and buy it." But..trying to be the good retail person I would remind them that by the time they spent the money on gas and their time, it was actually cheaper to buy through the catalog. Or locally OR NOT ALL ALL JUST GO HOME! Oh..sorry..I lost my cool for a moment.

After they bought property up there they started to complain every time new people came in. My feeling was that they wanted to move there then shut the gate so no one else could.

I know it's not a popular theme on here but I still say if you want all the high falutin' restaurants and theaters and museums, and clothing stores, then hike your happy a.. ...uh..fanny to the Southland. Along with all the traffic and even worse smog. I'll shop at K-Mart, go to the dollar theater, eat at the Pantry, and be as happy as a dead pig in the sunshine. Redneck that I am.

Oh..I lost my train of thought. Dang thing jumped the tracks again.

NancyII commented: Speaking of local TV. Has anyone heard about Rusty Shoop having brain surgery? Apparently he had a brain aneurysm. He was just interviewed on TV.
tkozy commented:

It’s dem dead pigs in the sunshine that keeps attracting da flies..

OldBlue56 commented: Nancy, the news reagrding Rusty Shoop is OLD news. That came out a while ago...
NancyII commented:

Anny..soooo sorry I mentioned old news. It was new to me. By the way..I wasn't telling the news ..I was asking a question. Be easy on me since I rarely watch that station. :-) I've always liked Rusty from waaaaaay back in his weather days on Station X. Actually, that's the one I still watch.

Tkozy..so that's what's attracting the flies..I thought it was acause I ran out of deoderant.

ki6amd commented: Maybe he found out about his daughter's past? Sorry, bad joke and hope he's okay, but wow, I hope she cleaned up her act.
uzzimo commented: Colbert PWNS Bakersfield
tkozy commented:

What does PWNS mean.

JDBLIMEGREEN wrote:

KING_OF_HYRULE123 wrote:

typo of OWNS.

it came from a MMORPG; when you got defeated it accidentaly said

"You've been pwned."

it became history from there! :S

TomW commented: Tkozy, it's an example of l33tspeak (leetspeek), slang for "elite speak". From wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leet

Leet can be defined as the perturbation or modification of written text. For example, the term leet itself is often written l33t, or 1337, and many other variations.^[1] Such perturbations are frequently referred to as “Leetspeak”. In addition to modification of standard language, new colloquialisms have been added to the parlance. It is also important to note that Leet itself is not solely based upon one language or character set. Greek, Russian, Chinese, and other languages have been subjected to the Leet variety. As such, while it may be referred to as a “cipher,” a “dialect,” or a “language,” Leet does not fit squarely into any of these categories. This article primarily concerns the English language variant of Leet.

pwn means to dominate.
tkozy commented:

Leet translator

http://www.jayssite.com/stuff/l33t/l33t_translator.html

sfinboston52 commented:

"In this case, Colbert showed portions of a KGET report about a Christian doctor who has rules for who he will and won't serve based on his religious beliefs. The doctor refused to see a young child because her mother has tattoos and piercings, forbidden in Leviticus 19:28.

Colbert used this story for his feature "The Word," getting another laugh for the term "WWJD" - What Would Jesus Dispense. A funny line: "Say Ahhmen." The piece was hilarious. But I laughed more for the jokes about the Hippocratic Oath than the punchlines containing "Bakersfield." Watch it for yourself! "

This wack job dr should lose his liscense to pratice.

I have a tattoo on my back, most people never see it. Also I am gay and married...so is he going to refuse service to me? that is not his job!!! Would I go to him no! would I recommend that he lose his license....YES I WOULD!

TomW commented: Nice TK. Pretty basic though. It didn't recognize words like owned and newbie (should be translated to pwnd and n00b) It's just a letter to letter cipher.
tkozy commented: I 4m WI7 jOo.
tkozy commented:

70m

1 r3P0573D 4 N3W 4nD 83773r 7r4n5L470R.

Tom

I reposted a new and better translator.

uzzimo commented: Colbert is the R0x0r. and the Dr. is the sux0r
geno617 commented: w/e BK=n00bzr t3h CB m4n R l337 h4x0rs..... CB nat10n FTW
tkozy commented:

PWNS is not leet.

Owns in leet would be owns

0Wnz 1n l337 W0uLD B3 0WnZ

What does PWNS mean.

KING_OF_HYRULE123 wrote:

typo of OWNS.

it came from a MMORPG; when you got defeated it accidentaly said

"You've been pwned."

it became history from there! :S

TomW commented: That one is better, TK. Although
7|-|3 [,]|_|1(|< |3|20//|| |=0>< ]|_|//|?5 0/3|2 7|-|3 |_42`/ [)09 still comes back as the
[,]uick ierown foks ]umi?5 oveis the lazy [)og rather than
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

It gets you into spitting distance though. Maybe this is the problem Gary Merrill has with the Bible. Someone gave him a l337sP33|< version
uzzimo commented:

So I hear you liek mudkip?

tkozy commented:

Tom

There are different LEET dialects.. Modified to retain secrecy within individual groups. Programs are available for the groups to manufacture their own dialects.

L33T-English Translator

Version v 1.3 Beta Build #0401

10/27/2001

chastetastic commented: I do agree that there is a tolerance hypocracy when it comes to everyone but Christians a lot of times (this would be coming from the so-called "Liberal side" (which I'll probably elaborate on in a later blog). However, anyone else think it's more important to SAY what the bible says, or DO what Jesus says TO? Thats the problem there. Jesus was hanging out with the untouchables of society. Thats why he was also so influential. But now its about elitism. However, somebody mentioned earlier that he could refuse Jews, Blacks...etc, but thats the not case here. Its about presentation and not skin color or their personal religious beliefs (however, Christians will tend to gravitate toward a Christian doctor). You can be refused at a fancy restaurant for the same reasons.... not saying the situations are the same, or that he is right in doing it, but its not the same thing as racial discrimination.
TomW commented: I agree, chasetastic. People who are tattooed or pierced are not a protected class. That said, the company that refers people to him should reconsider their policy. It's bad business to refer to someone who turns sick babies away.
mattloch commented: Chasetastic, don't forget that the Bible was used to justify slavery, and afterward to justify Jim Crow laws. If you can discriminate against people with tattoos, that means you can do the same with skin color. Tattoos have no bearing on a person's need for medical care. As I've pointed out before, medical providers do not have the same "right to refuse service" that private businesses do. Doctors are not allowed to discriminate against patients. (Let alone punish a little girl for the perceived "sins" of her mother.) This is a slippery slope argument that you're making; nobody is saying that the doctor is discriminating against a person based on their race or religion (their skin color or coloring, perhaps), but allowing them to discriminate for any reason makes it acceptable for the to discriminate for every reason. (BTW, it was my argument that you read, in response to posts by Nancy.) This case has nothing to do with religious persecution against the doctor, so don't make this into something that it very clearly isn't.
sfinboston52 commented:

I rather doubt this doctor is even a christian, since Christ would not be doing what this so called doctor is doing.

randomfactor commented: Christ (reportedly) even healed the gay, and praised one while doing it. If Christ were to reappear as a doctor today, he'd run an AIDS clinic. And he wouldn't flinch at tattoos.
robbwillis commented: There were gays 2000 years ago? You'll probably say there were gay priests before 1960. Pax won't like that.
uzzimo commented: Colbert Pwns Christians
randomfactor commented:

Colbert's best piece *EVER* was when he had the guy on who sponsored a bill to mandate posting the Ten Commandments in public buildings.

Then he asked the guy to *LIST* the Ten Commandments. Of course he couldn't.

ProgressivePete2 commented: I remember that. He got about 2 or 3 and answered even those few with a question mark? like he wasn't even sure. It was sooooooo funny. The best part was right after he asked him to name them the guy asks "All of them?"

I guess now we know why he wants them posted.
steveeswenson commented: Let's give praise where it is due -- Colbert, that was a brilliantly funny report.
Enjoyed every word of it.

On the bigger issue, a doctor who proclaims to follow Jesus may be interested to know Jesus went out of his way to meet all types of people, including the worst of the sinners, so he could minister to them all.

Also, can we conclude that Colbert did an exhaustive study before he proclaimed Jim Scott is the best anchor in Greater Bakersfield?
tkozy commented:

Steve says:

proclaimed Jim Scott

TK says:

No one asked me. That makes Colbert’s dedication to trueyness, suspect in my book…

ki6amd commented: And here's my attempt at getting 86ed using 1337 5p34k ....

1f u c4n r34d th15 u r3411y n33d 2 g37 l41d
TomW commented: 5w337, ki6.
bonuschris commented:

The whole spin is on a Christian doctor refusing to see a patient because she had tatoos. Other than the spin from the media I have seen no proof that this is the reason the doctor refused service. The doctor refused service because these people violates the policies he had set forth in his own practice. He does not relinquish all rights to choice when he becomes a doctor.

It is amusing how people can become so consumed with an issue without all of the facts. It is alarming how many arrogant people are these days. Further it is alarming how many people use freedom of speech to justify blatant bad behavior. The freedoms we all enjoy come with responsibility. I think most people overlook that part of the equation.

TomW commented:

You are right, Chris. If you read the original article, the Doctor says that the mother's tattoos and piercing are the reason he refused to help the child. The child had no tattoos.

I was going to make a joke about people becoming consumed with an issue without all the facts, but I'm sure you just misspoke.

tkozy commented:

Bonus says:

He does not relinquish all rights to choice when he becomes a doctor.

TK says:

He does voluntarily relinquish some rights, when he signs a contract for monetary reimbursement from MY insurance company, who has a fiduciary responsibility to negotiate contracts that will not cause harm to me.

What you fail to recognize, is that the only absolute rights in business. Is the right to form a business that abides by contracts and regulation. Or the right to not form a business.

This doctor does not expect the same morality when it applies to his bankers as he does from his patients..

His stated goals are impossible to achieve in a normal business environment. So he chooses to enforce his morality on those who are least capable of defending themselves

The Doctor is not pure. In fact there is the appearance of hypocrisy in my view.

Hypocrisy or criminality. Neither are acceptable standards of morality.

Sam Heath: Bush and Custer

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 09:50:54 PST

The conviction of Libby caused me to wonder what Custer had planned for an encore; more Indians? Such seems the “plan” of the Bush administration. Custer may not have said “Bring it on!” or put out posters for Sitting Bull “Wanted Dead or Alive!” but the overall picture begins to take on an uncomfortable similarity to the present White House. Knowing of Custer’s ego it isn’t difficult to imagine before his last stand having already prepared a banner “Mission Accomplished,” which would at the very least have proved as premature as that of the present occupant of the Oval Office.

Of course, there is nothing of humor about those who died with Custer. The best that can be said of the battle is that their leader died with them, paying the ultimate price for his arrogance and seeking for glory. But Bush sits comfortably in the White House protected from taking any risks to his own hide or that of his friends while ordering others placed in harm’s way. Certainly we don’t expect generals to be on the front lines of battles, but we do have a right to expect generals to at least be concerned about casualties. This has not been in evidence with our “general” sending troops into battle unprepared and with no real plan for either protracted war or any exit strategy together with the debacle of Walter Reed.

Brilliant people, even those of great genius can make stupid mistakes and stupid statements. The time would fail in producing a list of examples. I can easily believe Ann Coulter had a “psychotic episode” in her remark about Edwards causing such harm to the very people, conservatives, she has long championed. I don’t doubt Howard Dean wishes he could take back his scream and Hillary wishes she hadn’t succumbed to a similar episode with that shrill, tin ear attempt to be “one of the people.”

But some stupid mistakes by leaders, brilliant or not, often cost actual lives. As to Custer, like so many battles and prominent people involved, historians continue debating these things often having to depend on secondary rather than primary sources. However, one would think in our modern technological world with computers and instant communications it would be easier to nail the guilty; but this has not proven to be the case, as the Libby fiasco makes so indelibly and painfully clear; and We the People are left once more wondering if truth and justice have any chance at all in America? We still wonder about JFK, the Warren and 9/11 Commissions, and there is simply too much corruption in government to take any politician’s word as the truth about anything.

The passing of time and the lack of primary source material lends an ephemeral and azure tint to things like “Remember the Alamo” and such things are easily romanticized. But there is nothing about our present leadership Republican or Democrat that lends itself to romanticizing. On the contrary the actions on the part of our leaders seems so very tawdry, none of them lending themselves to anything heroic, anything by which history will recall of any of them that is not tarred by the brush of corruption throughout.

One of the things, and a very essential thing that helped us during WWII was our heroes. Those my age recall we had real heroes during that era. That so many would prove to have had feet of clay has no bearing on what we believed of our heroes during that period of time when we needed such heroes to fight a world war against the Axis foes. Just as some neuroscientists think we are genetically disposed to religious beliefs, reflecting my own thoughts and writing about an “instinct to believe,” so there would seem to be a need for heroes in order to gather people to a cause. But without that all-important element of romance you cannot possibly have heroes. There has to be something to give the substance to words like glory and heroism, there have to be leaders who gather others to them on this basis to have any hope of success against the foe.

The painfully obvious vacuum of leadership in America today, the lack of any of real virtue who are convincing in the role of “hero,” cries out to be filled. Not to even suggest any invidious comparison but I have no doubt Bush cast himself in a romantic role relishing the cowboy mystique, that he sees himself much like that famous painting of Hitler in shining armor. But just as things turned out disastrously for Hitler, so things are proving disastrous for Bush. We can only hope our entire nation does not fall prey to such a dark romanticism as that of Hitler. But the dark side should not be ignored. Hitler presumed an expertise he did not possess and became blind to the obvious, refusing the counsel of all opposed to him because of filling a position of such immense power. It is an old story filled with much grief, that leaders too often presume wisdom and expertise on the basis of position rather than actual ability. Our own leadership throughout seems to suffer this affliction.

An historical axiom has it power destroys those that do not use it wisely. Our hope as Americans is that our whole nation does not have to pay the price Germany did for the lack of wisdom among those holding power. It would serve us well to remember the history of nations that have fallen due to the lack of virtue in their leaders and act accordingly as we are subjected to a parade of those who would presume to lead without virtue, and without virtue being without wisdom. Of this much we can be assured, though it is an uncomfortable assurance: No nation can survive without a national identity based on heritage, culture, language, and secure borders. That we do not have a leadership dedicated to this inescapable imperative of history and nations, that there is no such prospective leadership being offered bodes ill for America.

Makes Things Go: Makes Things Go - Automotive Edition

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 08:57:17 PST

I've been holding off on writing about green autos for a number of reasons. There is a lot of info out there, a lot of new tech out there, pluses and minuses and hidden costs etc. There are hybrid cars that get bad milage (including some hybrid cars that get worse milage than their all gas equivalents). There are a lot of arguments over what direction we should take.

There are great arguments for pure electric and biofuel and air powered and hydrogen powered vehicles. There are also arguments against each of them. All cars run on energy storage mediums right now. Whether that energy is stored in hydrogen, gasoline, fry oil, or a lithium battery, this is what makes them go. So how do we even begin to weigh to cost of each against the costs of the others? Is it pure consumer price or do we count the externalized cost of envirnomental damage? What about the cost of maintaining access to fuel supplies and the geopolitical opportunity costs of having to maintain relations with and send money to nations who don't particularly care for us?

I know most people aren't going to a car dealership thinking about whether their next vehicle will help or hinder an independant Kurdistan or if the car they are buying is actually helping Iranian leaders maintain control of their country. That may be too much to ask of people who just want to go to work, pick up their kids and go to the beach on the weekend.

So the real question is: when you buy your next car, what are the factors you're considering? Is it operating cost or capital cost, how it looks and how it drives, or are you one of the few who is thinking about sticking it to the Middle East and going green?

Comments:
MakesThingsGo commented: Maybe I'll do a link-heavy, green car pRon entry soon. If y'all have some pretty pictures, feel free to post them up.
robbwillis commented: New car, schmoo car. They'll need a crowbar to pry the mustang's keys out of my cold, dead hand.
randomfactor commented:

I didn't feel able to go hybrid this time 'round but I picked out my car and transmission specifically for gas economy (I get 40 hwy and just under 30 city--of course Bakersfield isn't really "city."

And I bought a bicycle with collapsable baskets a couple weekends ago for short trips. Of course, I can't fit even one of the spouses on that one...

mattloch commented: I'll take you up on that offer, Robb. How's Saturday work for you? ;)
TomW commented: Here's the problem I had with this. You see a video about the air car, people talk about it, and then you come across something like this: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/10/14/old-video-of-air-powered-car-making-the-rounds-at-youtube/

Cool idea. What happened to it?
tkozy commented:

The only viable current solution is hydrogen. And not necessarily the fuel cell. Internal combustion engines can run efficiently on hydrogen. In much the same way that Natural Gas engines run today.

Hydrogen can be produced using nothing more than renewable resources. Hydrogen is not just a fuel. It is a energy storage medium for renewable resources. A means to transport renewable energy.

Please read the following, then imagine the same type of project in the Tehachapi’s :

North Dakotans Pickup the Hydrogen Future Using Wind

Minot, North Dakota, a town that was once known as "Little Chicago" back in the days of Al Capone was once a major hub for Capone's liquor smuggling operation complete with underground tunnels to conceal the cargo. Minot has come a long way since then and today a major stir is occurring in the sense that renewable energy and hydrogen cars are coming to town.

At Ryan Chevrolet, three dual-fuel (gasoline-ethanol) Chevy Silverado pickup trucks were unveiled that had been converted to run on hydrogen. A Phoenix company, AFVTech completed the conversions and testing of all three vehicles. The hydrogen pickup trucks were being delivered as part of renewable energy research project for the North Central Research Center.

At the North Central Research Station, a wind turbine is being constructed that will convert wind energy to electricity, electrolyze water and generate hydrogen, which will then be used to fuel the converted Silverado pickup trucks. Representatives from Verendrye Electric, North Central Research Center and Central Power Electric were on hand for a ceremony at Ryan Chevrolet.

The wind turbine won't be completed until the autumn, but perhaps just knowing that hydrogen cars have started coming to their state will let the Minot men and women of North Dakota breathe a little easier. Remember, hydrogen is not just a lot of hot air.

http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com/blog/2006/07/north-dakotans-pickup-hydrogen-future.html
randomfactor commented:

I imagine entropy happened to it, Tom. The energy that goes into compressing the air is greater than the energy you get back out. It may be lighter or more ecofriendly than battery storage, but to me that means you just need better batteries developed.

Now, if you had an inexhaustible clean source of electricity to power it...you wouldn't need to.

randomfactor commented:

Hydrogen really *ISN'T* a fuel, but as you said an energy-storage medium. It may be a great way of transporting wind energy without using electric cables, though. Especially if the turbines are at sea, which I seem to recall has a fair bit of electrolyzable water in the vicinity.

Hydrogen leaks *VERY* easily, though. Our existing natural gas pipelines can't handle it.

tkozy commented:

Random says:

Now, if you had an inexhaustible clean source of electricity to power it

TK says:

It’s called Wind, Solar, Wave, Tidal etc. (read post above)

TK continues..

The big problem with air power. Is that air is a low grade form of energy storage. It in itself is not a fuel like hydrogen.

tkozy commented:

Random says:

Hydrogen leaks *VERY* easily, though. Our existing natural gas pipelines can't handle it.

TK says:

Just a portion of what has already been spent in the Iraq Wars. Would have built the entire infrastructure needed to supply America with hydrogen.

Middle East problem solved.

TomW commented: RF, isn't that the case with every fuel? If you build a machine that can produces more energy than uses, let me know. The thing about compressed air is that there is no secondary waste stream, so any environmental impact can be dealt with at the generation site.
randomfactor commented:

Just a portion of what has already been spent in the Iraq Wars would have solved a *LOT* of our problems.

And that "surge"? Turns out Bush was lying about the cost of it from the beginning.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/06/ap/politics/main2538875.shtml

randomfactor commented:

A "fuel" is something you find lying around that you can burn. If you have to manufacture it, it's an energy-storage device. Some are more efficient than others--I have my doubts about the efficiency of compressed air (there's a lot of waste heat in the process, for one thing).

You're going to lose energy at every step of the game. The trick is to minimize those steps.

tkozy commented:

Random

Imagine Hydrogen powered farm equipment. Hydrogen obtained from renewable resource located on the farm itself. In effect, after a initial capital investment. Cheap fuel for the farm.

Lowering the cost of fuel for farm equipment. Will encourage more mechanization on the farm.

More mechanization will reduce the desire to hire illegals.

Fewer illegals will mean more secure borders.

And renewable domestic resources will solve many of our problems in the middle east

TomW commented: I like hydrogen, but it takes a lot of juice to make using clean processes. The other problem is well put here: http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/IntermediateHydrogen.html

Hydrogen has the highest energy content of any common fuel by weight(about three times more than gasoline), but the lowest energy content by volume (about four times less than gasoline).
randomfactor commented: Now imagine the same thing, but substitute methane for hydrogen.
TomW commented: OK RF, I'll take that definition of fuel vs. energy storage. So basically you're saying if nature traps the energy, it's a fuel. Correct?
randomfactor commented: By my definition, yes. And the further back in time the "trapping" occured the better. There's no fuel like an old fuel.
TomW commented: RF, on methane vs. hydrogen: That is exactly how the farmers would produce hydrogen. They would burn methane to separate the water. So cut out the hydrogen step of the process since it would only result in further energy loss.
tkozy commented:

Random, I understand what you are saying.

My point being. Add air to hydrogen and you will get a combustible product.

Add compressed air to air and you get more air.

randomfactor commented:

Shred dollar bills and you get a combustible product. In the long run, hydrogen has a place in the total scheme, but a relatively minor one (IMHO).

The basic problem with our energy economy is that it puts all of our baskets onto too few eggs. As Uncle Mao said once, "let a thousand flowers bloom." There is no one answer to our energy problem except perhaps conservation, which is *ALWAYS* a good idea. Hydrogen for energy storage in out-of-the-way places; methane and (some) ethanol in farm areas, wind and water and OTEC and tidal after careful assessment of the drawbacks of each.

The reason Shrub's pushing hydrogen and ethanol is that big oil and big ag stand to make billions from it, not because it has obvious advantages over other methods.

IF there were a single egg which would save us, it would likely be controlled fusion. Which can produce H2 semi-directly as one of its possible outputs. Take a tenth of the Iraq budget and put it into fusion research and you might have had a breakthrough by now. Perhaps--you can't count on breakthroughs.

TomW commented: Well, I think most of us have moved past biofuels, or at least the current ones. I'm still pulling for algal oil: http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/006025.html

There are ways to produce hydrogen on a small scale, but I think any push towards a new fuel needs to also concentrate on local production. The energy losses in transporting fuels are immense.
mattloch commented: But I think that biofuels hold a lot of promise for the farmers, Tom. Don't forget, the diesel motor was invented to give farmers a power source where they could grow their own fuel. Diesel-hybrids are the next step of that technology. Past that, we'll see what the options are.
TomW commented: Mattloch, sorry about that. I meant biofuels as the main fuel for autos. On farms, biofuels are great. I just think scaling biofuel for the country when you're using corn etc is a bad move. If you could use hemp which needs little water and a short growing season, I could see the benefits.
randomfactor commented: I want to see a hemp-fueled power plant. Heck, I want to live downwind from a hemp-fueled powerplant.
tonyh commented:

The Diesel engine was invented by Rudolf Diesel and pattented in 1892. It was originally designed to burn several different fuels, the main one being COAL DUST. It wasn't invented for Farmers to grow their own fuel. That's B.S. Rudy invented it, but it was perfected by work from a number of Engineers over the years. Actually, Isuzu, in Japan, made the diesel engine into what we all know it to be today. Isuzu started building diesel powered cars as far back as the mid 1930's. Their diesel engines are far better than all others.

Hydrogen is EXTREMELY unstable. If you think a gasoline tank blows up really well, you should see a Hydrogen cylinder go up...........WOW! It'd be GREAT to be in a traffic accident with a hydrogen fuel cell in the car. There wouldn't be any Funeral expenses for anyone in the immediate area. They'd be gone.........POOF!

tonyh commented: If you want to talk about growing your own fuel, you don't have to look any farther than the old Bootlegers of the South. They were burning Corn Liquor in their cars, because they could make it cheaper than they could buy gasoline. The extra horsepower was an accidental discovery.............
tkozy commented:
1. Is hydrogen more dangerous than gasoline?

Since any fuel we use is flammable, it is inherently dangerous. Hydrogen is often used as a gaseous fuel, which makes it similar to natural gas and town gas, which have been used in America, Europe, and Asia for heating and lighting for almost two centuries. One difference is that hydrogen is nontoxic, so it’s not harmful to breathe. It’s also so light that it scatters immediately upward when there is a leak, rather than pooling about, polluting groundwater, and soaking into clothes. The end assessment is that when hydrogen is handled with care appropriate to any gaseous fuel, it is safer than fuels in standard use.

2. Is burning hydrogen like the hydrogen bomb?

No. Burning hydrogen, just like burning gasoline, natural gas, or a candle, is a chemical reaction, which means that only the electrons get shifted around and new compounds are made, like water, but the basic atoms are the same. In a nuclear reaction, the actual nucleus of the atom (the protons and neutrons) is changed.

3. Did hydrogen cause the Hindenburg to burn?

No. It turns out that the coating of the Hindenburg airship was treated with two major components of rocket fuel, aluminum and iron oxide. When the airship was docking in 1937, an electrical discharge ignited the skin, and the fire raced over the surface of the airship. In fact, 35 of the 37 people who died, perished from jumping or falling to the ground. Only two of the victims died of burns, and these were from the burning coating and on-board diesel. The hydrogen burned quickly, upward and away from the people.

http://www.hydrogennow.org/Facts/FAQs.htm#1
mattloch commented: While coal dust was used to power Rudolf Diesel's first experimental (prototype) version of the diesel engine, it was never Diesel's intention to make coal dust the primary fuel source. BS, it is not.
tkozy commented:

Tony says:

Their diesel engines are far better than all others.

TK says:

The Duramax better than the ISB? Not in this lifetime.

sgpowell commented: H.R. Pillsbury also made a diesel engine that was powered by flour dust during WWI. He called it the Doughboy. It never quite caught on but he managed to make a living in spite of his failure.
randomfactor commented:

Re: the Hindenburg disaster. While it's difficult to imagine, seeing the newsreel footage, two-thirds of the passengers *SURVIVED* the crash. Because hydrogen burns *UP*, as you said.

tkozy commented:

Random

It is a scene etched into the minds of the entire world. A horrendous disaster.

But imagine a 1 inch hole punched into a 52 gallon gasoline tank (Dodge PU). The fuel doesn’t completely burn immediately. It rolls down the street into the sewers/gutters and burns for a very long time. Spreading flames over a large area.

If the same thing happens to a hydrogen tank It would create a blow torch like flame in the immediate area of the hole. But there would not be fuel creeping about the roadway. And because there is not oxygen in the tank. It can not explode. Also the hydrogen would not be confined once it leaves the tank. Therefore no explosion.

Mix oxygen and hydrogen into a balloon and set it on fire. You will have a pretty good percussion. But the flames are confined to a small area. And basically rise up Not disturbing the burning paper it was sitting on a greatly as you would expect.

tkozy commented:
tonyh commented:

Mattloch,

"Don't forget, the diesel motor was invented to give farmers a power source where they could grow their own fuel."

This is what I referred to as B.S.............and it is.

BdotCOM: Bakersfield.com snags cool awards

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:49:43 PST

Sometimes I marvel that someone actually pays me to work for bakersfield.com. I mean, I work at a great place for and with great people who dream big and strive to get better each day. And add to that, we have great readers who share their time and passion to make our site more interesting and engaging. Tell me how that's not paradise?

Anyway, I'm in Tucson tonight, where I have just accepted a bunch of New Frontier Awards from the Inland Press Association, which recognizes innovation at online newspapers. Bakersfield.com earned three awards, while our sister site Bakotopia and The Californian's pressrom picked up one award each. The biggie was first place in the general excellence categories among newspapers with more than 20,000-daily circulation. Believe me, it's a thrill to get this kind of recognition. It's especially rewarding because there was some pretty good competition, including sites like NaplesNews.com that do some amazing work online and which inspire us to be better.

So, pardon me if I sound like a proud parent, but here's an overview of bakersfield.com's haul, with judge's comments:

First place, general excellence: The judges said: "The Bakersfield Californian site is newsy - not just "hard" news or "breaking news," though there's plenty of that, but also news about the community, its people and how to get more out of life in Bakersfield, Calif. - and it's easy to read, because of both the writing and the design. The design is clean and uncluttered, and the eye knows where to go, though the homepage is chock full of stuff - news, yes, plus the stuff that's unique to the Web site: video and interactivity (why have a Web site, asks one judge, if you don't offer video and interactivity?). This is a site, unlike many others, where the advertising doesn't interfere with or detract from the editorial content. How often do you see that? Also, said one judge: "This is one sweet site to navigate. Try it via the tabbed menu at the top." The site's blogs, and its Most Read and Most E-Mailed stories give a sense of what people are talking about and what they care about. All in all, it's a winner - and it's our Inland winner."

First place, multi-platform content delivery. The judges said: "No matter where its readers may be, the Californian delivers information that matters to them. In addition to blogs, video news updates and photo essays, the site offers multiple text and video RSS feeds, podcasts by critics as well as reporters, vodcasts and "behind the scenes" lessons on topics such as how to make a great latte and how to make your own online movie. When readers are away from their computers, Bakersfield.com reaches more than 2,100 subscribers via WAP and SMS text message alerts covering local news, alerting parents to school fog delays personalized by school district, updating prep football scores, and offering reminders and tips about ticket deals and entertainment events. The site sent more than 2 million e-newsletters last year and 50,000 text alerts."

Second place, Best staff-written blog, Steve Swenson for the Eye of Bakersfield. The judges said: "Readers never know what Swenson is going to be writing about next in "The Eye of Bakersfield" - and that's a good part of his appeal. This longtime Bakersfield Californian reporter writes in a style that is funny, fresh, biting and occasionally startling. In fact, he proposed to his wife in this blog, bringing new meaning to the term "interactive journalism." (She accepted.)" How about a shoutout for our buddy, Steve?

And congrats to Matt Munoz and the crew at Bakotopia for winning third place in the Best Interactive Community category. The judges said: "Starting out as an online auction site where Bakersfield residents could buy, sell or recycle any and all goods, Bakotopia has rapidly become an online community site where participants talk about music and entertainment, meet one another, share music downloads and listen to MP3s uploaded by local bands."

I'd also like to give a shoutout to the fine folks who print The Californian every morning. Inland awarded The Californian a first-place award in a highly competitive print-quality contest, for papers in the 35,000-100,000 circulation range. Basically, this award means The Californian was able to reproduce a specific print ad at a higher quality than any other paper in its category. Nice work, guys. It's nice to share some love in recognition of the tough jobs you do.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who reads us, contributes to our blogs or Inside Guide, subscribes to newsletters or SMS alerts, or who otherwise keeps us alive every day. These are your awards too.

Comments:
mildmannered1 commented: Congratulations to you, Steve, and the whole staff. An award well deserved! I've enjoyed the evolution of the Californian in the 4+ years I've lived here. It's just gotten better and better. I read the paper in paper form but use the online version several times a day; I rely on my paper to inform and entertain and it does it well. I sometimes spend as much time on The Day in Pictures as I do a news page.

A feature of my hometown newspaper online is readers can comment directly at the news article; I wouldn't mind seeing that someday here.

My only frustration with the website is I can't easily find a way to search archives.

Thank you, again, to the Californian, and keep up the good work.
TomW commented: Congrats to all of you. Looking forward to helping build this community in the next few years.
ProgressivePete2 commented: Great job you guys. Congrats!!!
tkozy commented:

Way to much liberal bias in this rag for you to receive my support.. ;)

Oh What the heck, Congratulations… :)