Crystal Clear

Buh Bye OJ

What a gi-hugic relief to know the airwaves won't be further despoiled by the Butcher of Brentwood. I have to say I did a little car happy dance today when I heard the news the pressure had been applied hard enough to make those who could do something about it to well STOP it... I take a certain sense of weird and unlady like pleasure in knowing the butcher has been stifled. The butcher is thwarted. Not to say though I wouldn't be a bit pleased to say the least if Mikey had to face the same pressure should he finally decide to come clean... Ahh what a wonderful moment that would be indeed... I don't know if I could restrain myself from singing from the rooftops should Mikey finally be held accountable or be found out for the MURDERER he is ... tis okay... in another bizarre child like way of thinking... it is also wanting and hoping for things like THAT which keep me going in those darkest of moments :-)

Lost without Lost

I almost backed out of our move to the new home. Last year the rent on it was going to be $1825, this year it is $2025! UGH... UP in cost when I have been trying to move towards downsizing to keep being with the boys as much as possible.. Unfortunately and yet I suppose fortunately, I just couldn't back out as the boys are so excited about the move. Shoot I was excited about it too and don't like where we are...but I was a lot more excited when I thought I was only going up $125 in rent and not $325 ...so I started the process of making all the arrangements for our move next week. Although I think I have a good deal with 2 movers at $93 an hour, I was a bit freaked to learn we are going to have to go a WEEK without cable TV and internet service. YIKES! My first thought was I could probably snag some free wifi access from a neighbor  or will just use the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf but no LOST? Uhmm nope... I think we are going to have to drive into Waikiki to my parent's condo....

Guess the "Dog" Forgot to "Lick" Some Palms Before Bringing Back Luster

    Interesting an initial google news search this morning brought up nothing about "Dog" the infamous bounty hunter and his trio waiting to hear if they would be extradited to Mexico. The three are currently in federal custody here in Hawaii on charges of illegal detention and conspiracy stemming from their 2003 capture of Max Factor heir and convicted rapist Andrew Luster in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

    The convicted rapist had eluded capture until "Dog"Chapman tracked him and snatched him in Puerto Vallarta. As usual for warped Mexican system, a streetside confrontation was reported to local police, who later arrested the Chapmans and their camera crew on kidnapping charges. The Chapmans were released on bail, but failed to show up at a scheduled hearing. My guess, Luster had successfully been paying off locals and the "Dog" forgot to spread some cash around before he departed.

UPDATE: Seems the "Dog"and his crew have been released on bail with monitoring devices...further google searches lead me to believe it wasn't just the "Dog" not licking some palms before leaving Mexico. Seems there are also some other very concerned  jealous bounty hunter(s) who feel the "Dog" are giving an inappropriate impression about their work.

Many thanks to Stop the ACLU for the Friday Free for All

Good Move Janelle!

    Long time readers may recall much to my dismay I started following Big Brother last year. This year has been just about as much fun until  Dr. Will and Boogie,the infamous Chill-Town duo, started gettng ultra sleazy and started showmances with Erica and Janelle. The two were pretty much run of the mill manipulative and playing an interesting game until they started their Operation Double Date. Bringing new meaning to What would your Mother say?,the two have constantly bragged to millions of viewers over the past few weeks how they were scamming both the women, had them wrapped around their fingers, and had maneuvered both women into nominating players who'd been far more straight up with the women than those two scum bags ...All the while continued to pledge complete fidelity to one another.
    Well well well, I guess when Boogie as HOH (Head of Household) nominated his bedmate Erica this last week, a bright flashing neon light must have finally gone off for Erica. The sheeps' clothing finally slipped off. And thank goodness some part of Janelle was able to admit she'd been played all along...You could see the wheels turning and it was a great moment to have her boot Will's ass right out the door for Howie and Marcellas. Erica putting it straight out there to Dr. Will in her farewell statement... You didn't think the two girls would talk didja...well YOU've been HAD...Ah what sweetness...only to be matched by the look on Boogie's face as he realized not only is he not gonna be getting any the rest of the show...but he is going to have to be in the house alone with two women who know his true colors now and his chances at half a million are just about zip!  Ah yes a very sweet  Television evening indeed!

Akaka & Case Live Blogging Debate

Well already off to a screwy start.... had to make the drive back from Waikiki..

7:41 Case has given his opening remarks and was a bit too overly bright. Akaka now is speaking and trying to minimize he is a political dinosaur...

Akaka- respect for others, opinion not the same as others, peers speaking on his behalf-"Not a boast"
Ha ha ha... his record is abysmal

7:44: Question to Case, about AARP sponsored debate and is the issue about Age... Case gives a half true  and half spin answer about 2 old time Senators and the need for "betterment....over next 25 years"...example of Oregon... 2 long time senators 1995 and 1996 no transition... This is where I think regardless of Case and regardless of Akaka... "hard things to talk about"....that Case is definitely correct

7:43: YAWN....talk spin about Iraq...note here that Akaka refused to let the gloves come off and would ONLY respond to questions

7:46-first technical glitch...I typed and then hit wrong key and it deleted the new sentenc...Akaka now handling the quesiton about age... Case handled it half truth and half double speak...Akaka now ramling and moderator has to keep him on track

7:48-question to Akaka about privatization of SS... views continuation as top priority...the man is stumbling and uh-uhing.... Eyes down at notes... hems and haws...Not a coherent response

7:50-Case: SS needs to be fixed... eye contact: yes, a bit prepared and canned...rehearsed...Commends Bush for putting issue on table but opposes his understanding of Bush's case..(good political move by Case as Bush neveer submitted his complete plan)

7:51: Question to Case about Health Care: Case answering how as a Senator he has to think of entire counry and not just state. Maintains thoughtful head tilt and excellent eye contact, very well rehearsed... not really genuine or warm

7:54: Akaka, just really repeats the question and the obvious... reiteration..."we must take steps to reign in costs"...DUH

7:55 Question to Akaka about Akaka bill, says we made great gains in the 6 years...was a Bi-partisan success...stutters saying p-p-p-population... brings up Native Americans..etc...says he will continue to beat the dead horse issue... Says he will bring it up again..."Nation owes it"..

Case: Good for Hawaii..What and How is up for debate and structure, feels it shoudl be with the Native Hawaiians to proceed

Case :another Iraq questiona... his place on Iraq is not just about Iraq.. believes it is not just about Iraq...YES!!!....Goes on about the area...But does not believe civil war in Iraq is imminent... The man is easy on the eyes :-)

Akaka: In Oct 2002..was one of few who opposed war in Iraq.. Presidnet's proposal didn't have correct information... Didn't find WMD.... wanted strategy...Factors to not vote authorization..wants removal by 2007...Iraqis to take responsibility for own security

8:00; question to Akaka about recruitment and what about Draft... Akaka talks about being member working on recruitment and retainment...to keep country free. Military done a great job in traning...

Case: Recruitment ok in some and not in others, no need for draft, no support for it. The all volunteer military being stretched... This was a question from some grandparents via the internet... what a waste of 5 minutes..

8:06-Case and the Patriot Act... Case clarifies the timing... passed w/ his vote... law be able to have tools to protect us but want have those powers with checks and balances..prob with Patriot act not the tools in it...but provisions were in the 2nd Patriot Act..opposed Bush's wire tapping... bothers him it is unauthorized... Good points.. don't like it but..

Akaka: that bill granted limited powers but opposed the 2nd Patriot act because uh uh uh uh overhweled by administration...seems he is talking off the cuff... I am sensing arrogance to not prepare... not treating this seriously..thinks Case is a young whipper snapper....

809: Akaka and about Long term care in home... Akaka smiling but telling about need for programs to attract nurses and caregivers....salaries and training... WHO wrote these ridiculously easy banal quesitons??

810: Case doesn't see it as an either or..........This seems like a "question" that was a gimmee to both of them...what a waste...

8:11..."Jones" issue of transport...US GOvt dominate Hawaii's issue... Case is really forceful about this... WoW a definite difference as he talks about Hawaii's "life line"... "not fair" monopoly"...Not just goods and services to us but ours to the mainland.... Really a lot of passion on this one... Somebody lining his pockets???

8:13 Akaka: issue of security... leaders recognize importance of our ports, Jone's act protects all of these... critical issue of security... says it helps our economy... Hmmmmm more pockets being lined???? Remember the old adage of Follow the Money....

8:15 Akaka question-spiraling energy costs : says he has been on energy committee... push to pursue other resources... (had some thoughts right there but not really well formed so typed and deleted them) Akaka goes on about need for other energy resources

Case: number of htings we can do: INvestigate the large companies for price fixing and gouging.. (Gee ya' think????) Yes... I know there is supply and demand and speculation drives market but there are some other issues like getting people used to prices over 3$...so more about renewable energy... this is all a crock...No one is ready to tackle this issue...

8:19- Nethan is nekkid except for sox...needs help... hold on...

8:22: Akaka about Medicare being used...last question...uh uhming.. bulk purchasing power to lower costs... the man needs to come into the present... I don't know if he knows about the internet and the way people have a greater understanding of these things and don't need the basics explained... maybe he is just filling the time because he is L OST...

Case: Prescription benefit  huge market... gives example of the grocery store of one box versus 75 but can't do that under Federal Law... as not good for drug companies...

The debate is over.. Case: Wishes Akaka would reconsider having more debates:

1) Transition- start now, bring on next senator now before Inouye gone, time for cchan

2) Representation, you and your children most of the time?

3) Effectiveness; tools to get job done, WHoa...mentions energy to get it done... committment to staying in touch, "Talk Story" with his constituetns

4) Change: Permisssion to run for senate...boy goes off on the culture and culture in power... our chance to.... our choice...furture of Hawaii promise to service Hawaii

Akaka: Thank AARP for opportunity today, do need congressional team to counter Bush admini, need indiv in DC who understand us  in Hawaii, understanding what Ohana is all about, group up without lots of money but love of close family, tie to self and society,,,, Laws and legislation for family matters, what hard work is all about,,,, working hard to just end meet.... improve quality of life... persuade by wisdom of words... in end actions speak louder than words (uh Akaka you have a really rotten history ) elections always about who represent us legislators about who have character, integrity, values, embrace aloha, tradiitons of Hawaii... pulling on the loyalty and tradition thread without reality of he has DONE little over the past 30 years...

Ok.... I am not changed of mind at all and even more convinced.... Hawaii needs Case... Hawaii has had Akaka for a long time and it is time for change now and not when the old boy network decides it for Hawaii.... So there you go.. my first liveblogging event... Don't see any commetns but I can tel you in round up: Case was very polished and alert and excellent eye contact and demeanor, power tie the whole bit. Akaka also looking very very dapper but not really seeming like he took this all very serious, an amazing amount of uhmming and little eye contact, no real effort ot reach out.. just sort of going through the motions... like he doesn't need this ... Case and the others of us don't know whats in our best interest we should just leave it to our elders and the traditon,,, work hard to make ends meet and focus on family.... uhm.... Not that he couldn't have addressed it but would have been nice to hear how he sees transition working ...eventually.... Case took a bold move doing this and I for one applaud him... I applaud him loudly.... It may have been a stupid move from lots of points, but it was gutsy and courageous... brave and not waiting for the go ahead...can think for himself... This is the appearance and I am buying it in part because I think Akaka would have been serving Hawaii by fading away now his bill is not going anywhere...That again seems also to be the theme: A vote for Akaka is saying you want things to continue as they have for the past few decades...Same ol' Same ol'...a vote for Case is    a way of saying you know I think the past decade or even 6 years have been a waste and about an agenda I don't share and I want some change... Hawaii may get somehwere new or may stay the same but I am ready ...very ready for change... Thanks- Now I am headed over to Poinography to see if he has written up anything...

Akaka, Case To Debate Thursday

    I have no idea how this is going to go and I have not liveblogged before, but Akaka, Case To Debate Thursday Night seems like a good time for me to give it a try. Locals would likely tell you this is not a heated race for Hawaii's  US Senate seat, but I am hoping this debate will liven things up. I will tell you from the start, Case is my man...hands down compared to Akaka...Yes, it will likely show too! Further, my liveblogging will truly not compare to the rundown Poinography is likely to give... hmmm also will have to tune into our Honolulu Advertiser blogs too to see what they think....

First It Was American Idol and Now This...

    I really don't know how this happened too...other than the darn show is on the tube three nights a week. So now I am hooked...and I don't like being hooked...other than it is really kind of fun for all of us to sit together around the tube three nights a week.

    But then I learned it was live streamed 24/7 ... Good Lord...So I had to sign up for that...Truly, blogging is a far better pastime for me...Perhaps after Eric and  Yvette are booted off I won't be so hooked...Then again...Kaysar is awfully interesting...Hmm...well at least it is something to do when I am not plastering the island with resumes and job applications or until I find my blogging mojo...

     I know, I know, I know,...so disappointing isn't it...Well the five of us here can't be the only ones watching...

Bryceton's Favorite TV Show

    No kidding. Back in Ventura we really didn't watch much TV but since coming to live with my parents it is a whole different story, at least  for Bryceton ....My parents are the type that have 4 TVs in a 2 bedroom condo. I don't quite understand the attraction but I suppose it could be something worse... 

One Finder of Fact

    With the Schindler family's appearance on Fox's "Hannity & Colmes" show this evening, I realized if I ever wrote a book about the judicial system and the Terri Shiavo case I think I would consider naming  it "One Finder of Fact". The claim of 19 judges involved in the case is so very tiresome and exasperating when it comes down to the reality on this planet in this lifetime  it was Judge George Greer as the One Finder of Fact.

    With the days on the calendar passing and drawing us closer to the results of Terri's autopsy, the 'special justice' award to Greer last evening, tonight's interview with the Schindler family, and  the upcoming June release of Mark Fuhrman's book Silent Witness : The Untold Story of Terri Schiavo's Death, I do believe we are on the edge of the next phase in the pursuit of justice. I know I am as ready as I am ever going to be. E-mail conversations with several readers also lead me to believe I am not alone in my choice to not 'let it go'. Letting this murder and crime against humanity  "go" without pursuing justice are just not in my psychological or spiritual DNA makeup. Crystal Clear, there continues to be a number and I am hoping a large number for which this is true as well.

    I was struck by a number of things as I watched the Schindler family. Their genuineness is striking to me and I find them very human and largely believeable. I was relieved and very proud of them for their minimal hedging when it came to questions about domestic abuse and Michael's part in Terri's initial collapse. I imagine it must be very hard to answer those types of questions in a legal and PC appropriate manner. Furthermore,to my eyes, their predicament and their humanness was very evident in those exact  moments. They seemed to show the  understandable and yet useless guilt of the infamous "woulda, coulda, shoulda"  known. I guess I am also writing this coming from the years of experience as a family therapist who watches for and picks up on various things. I know I absolutely could have imagined myself asking them several questions that would have taken the conversation in a different direction.

    As I close this post, I find myself hedging on a few concluding statements. Why the hedging when this is my blog? Actually that is part of the hedging. I am hesitant to go further into it because it is late and I need to get up in hours to begin the first of a few Aloha Mexifornia! sales. I guess what I want to say and/or call my readers' attention to is that the Terri Schindler-Schiavo story has the potential at times (seems more so all the time) to become an extremely sensitive subject to me on my blog. It is a subject I guess I am saying that leaves virtually no room for counter discussions with me. In my "real life" there has been no problem at all surrounding this issue. On my blog and in my email, this has not been true. Generally, I believe, or like to believe at least!, that I can handle points of view that differ from mine. I have worked quite genuinely and been quite successful I believe in developing an atmosphere on my blog that encourages discussion and ,at least on my part, learns from 'the other side of an issue'. When it comes to Terri, I believe most people who regularly read my blog are highly aware of the facts and issues and have come to their own points of view with considerable thought and contemplation...even if they disagree with my point of view. Thus it seems like disagreement at this point is not useful or productive. I respect your right to differ in opinion. However, I would prefer, on the subject of Terri, and at this point Terri is the ONLY topic I am saying this about,....if you are a valued  regular reader with a differing point of view concerning Terri, you give an extra moment of thought before you compose and send your  comment. Most any other topic... go for it... compose a comment snarky or otherwise..., share your thoughts, and we shall engage. With Terri...I am very very human and just don't value going  down that road with you. I guess I am saying I value the relationship I have with you, (readers who have different points of view regarding this and other topics-trolls can just move on along), enough to not jeopardize our relationship over this topic. I hope you value our relationship enough to extend me this courtesy on my blog.

Definitely a Once in a Lifetime Event

     Silly me forgot to realize we couldn't take a camera with us so we just opted for quick pics by the car to capture the giddy high-school girl excitement we both started with on this once in a lifetime event. Mom didn't think to include my leather pants in the pic so I guess you just have to wait until the next time I have reason to wear something hip & upscale. I seriously can think of no other person on earth I would rather have shared this with than my mom... and that is even with all her blabbing in line and telling me to smile and stand up straight.
    I knew I would be tired tonight but I honestly had absolutely no idea how exhausting this day would be for me.
    It was a fantastic show. As far as the experience...well I can say I am thrilled we did it and I think it was extra special that it was the first show of the whole group of 12 finalists...I can also safely say I would absolutely never do it again...unless I had a special group ticket and didn't have to go through all the anxiety and angst... and stand in line waiting...I am not meant for standing in lines. I am more of a green room type girl  and stupid me hadn't had anything to eat as I was so excited and we didn't have anything to drink. I had no idea that it would be several hours of waiting and still not knowing until the last 10 minutes or so whether we would actually get in for the taping. There really is no other show on TV I would have gone through this for and frankly it really tainted the whole experience for me.
    They seemed to have a great many excuses as they had just finished building the set today and didn't know how many seats there would be...Uhmmmm that is a very lame excuse in my book. The people in front of us and the people in back of us both received their emails today at around 10:30 and 11:00 in the morning.... You would think after several seasons with growing popularity...they would have a much better idea of how many people RSVP and then also actually show up....Also if they would have followed their own rules and not let in people with kids that were under the stated age of 12...or people in jeans or white T-shirts...there would have been plenty of seats without the anxiety...There also was a long line of people after us who didn't even have tickets but stood in line for hours and did not make it in for the taping..There really is no need to email people who have been on a list for tickets for YEARS and put them through that kind of anxiety and stress.
    Nevertheless, it was extremely exciting to finally get up the stairs into the very last row of seats (if you want to look for us!) when they were finishing up the pre-show to get people hyped up. The lady next to me , a complete stranger, was also giddy and turned to me without even thinking and gave my a high 5!
    The new set is very high tech and glitzy....The theme for tomorrow night's show is songs from the 60s...there was no guest judge. Some of my off the top comments are the following:

• Randy was really negative and kind of off for the most part on his critique of the first few singers...things must have sounded differently that close to the stage because I didn't agree with him and neither did most of the audience
• Anwar really really really needs to start showing himself off better and sing more upbeat & fun  songs...Very boring song choice...He just is not shining like many of us KNOW HE  CAN...Ok..we get it ..he is a nice nice guy...now let us see something stronger and please please please WoW us...
• I was shocked and uncomfortable with how little the judges actually watched and paid attention to the singers...I found it quite rude... It would definitely have thrown me if I was a performer...they were rude...R U D E...Yes...even nice little Paula...RUDE...
• Nadia is an outright beautiful gorgeous star with an amazing idol quality and charisma...stunning in every single way...... her dress and the way she carried herself absolutely stunning stunning stunning and she really impressed yet again everyone in the audience as well as the judges.. She will be in the top three for certain and is raising the bar a bit higher every week now...
• Bo-AMAZING... energy and great song choice...he really pulled it off and even had  my mother rocking and rolling and swinging her hips...he is another one for me as far as the top 3... I think it may come down to him and Nadia if Carrie doesn't do something amazing pretty quickly...Also glad to see him cutting down on throwing that hair around
• Constantine...definitely appears far cuter on camera than in person... Just not the stage presence I feel from him when I watch him on TV...definitely falling behind...Much taller in person than I realized..Looked very stilted and aloof at end of show and not fun and warm as I imagined him to be...
• Anthony-I have always felt a little  wishy washy about him,,,tonight I feel he did a great job with Breaking Up is Hard to Do...The judges were far to hard and wayyy off according to the people we were sitting near and he will get all of my votes tomorrow night to try and keep him in for at least a while longer...I am telling you he gave a beautiful rendition and his voice and presence seem to be improving to me. Very curious to see how it comes across on TV because I really felt it was one of the nicer performances outside of Nadia and Bo
• Jessica-good song choice but not a great performance or anything different or special...she won't last long...bad bad bad clothing choices....Needs to hire a stylist pronto..maybe borrow Nadia's?
• Lindsey-My mom likes her but I don't have strong feelings for her. Tonight though she did a great job and I have no idea why the judges gave her such a bad review...They were way way way off...Maybe the sound was off since she also was at the start of the show and maybe  they fixed it later because she was not as bad as they thought...Also the show is using a larger and louder band than ever before...that could be it...
• Mikalah-Definitely  back to being  a great deal more fun and dropped that silly Barbara Streisand thing...Cute outfit...Judges a bit harsh on her but she shouldn't leave yet.
• Nikko-Bad or shall we say weird risky song choice in that he chose a song by Jackson 5...very boring and just Ok in my estimate...I think the judges liked him ok..and maybe it was because he was near the end??? I just don't see anything unique or great about him...Seems like he just sounds like a recording...nothing vivacious or special...Karaoke...I am betting he goes first... maybe just wishful thinking though!
• Scott-Definitely stylin'...looked great...think a bit like a white Ruben??? He chose a song that to me sounded JUST like the one he did last week...Not a thing different than last week..The judges liked him and I just don't get it... He sings well but don't we all know he is just far too scary and odd to be up there much longer... Scary...Hope Nikko goes before him though...I want to see Scott do Disco night!
• Vonzell-Looked beautiful and very classy in a satin gown...very flattering to her figure..Her hair also was curled very nicely and she seemed much softer than ever before...Miss America feeling...Nice performance but  not a great one either... What I will also remember about her is that her father was there stylin' like a pimp...Long white coat and hat..He looked like Huggy Bear from Starsky & Hutch..Crystal Clear he probably had been doing some shopping in Hollywood...
• Carrie-.I have referred to her from her first audition as farm girl. She was my initial pick for a favorite to win...that is when we were back in the auditions... I still think she has a shot but she needs to do something fantastic very very quickly...Her clothing tonight was brown and frankly ...ugly...Something you would wear to the grocery store...She is a beautiful girl and the camera clearly loves her...She is pretty but when you see her on camera....WoW...she even shines more...NEEDS a stylist too...What are these girls thinking??? Please...take notes from Nadia...Carrie also chose an easy no-risk song tonight....good but not great and she needs to go for it full throttle...Also needs to go back to curling her hair...

    So there you have it...the rundown of tonight that I didn't think I was really up for when I started.Anything you think I missed??? There is absolutely no way to know whether we will be  shown in the audience...but at least we all know I was there!

Dress Code in Effect!

    Holy cow! Just what the heck does any  41 year old single mother have in her wardrobe that anyone would consider:Hip and upscale???
    I kid you not...that is what the e-mail from American Idol says is mandatory for tomorrow's show. Oh the pressure...After a frenetic and deep...very very very deep dig through my closet... I came up with black leather pants. They are from the pre-Nethan era so they are a tad snug but I think manageable if I don't breath too heavily over Anwar or Constantine.
    So are leather pants considered hip and upscale or will PETA fanatics pitch a fit? 

UPDATE: MY MOM IS COMING!!!! So now that poor woman is freaking too over something hip and upscale!!! Pics definitely to follow later !   

I AM GOING TO AMERICAN IDOL TOMORROW!!!!

    You just know this is a post worthy of a bazillion exclamation points!!!!!! My mother and I have been on the waiting list since the end of  the 2nd season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rat bastards send an email this afternoon for tomorrow night's taping at 5 pm and I still am not guaranteed seats....Well just try to imagine the scene I will cause if I don't get in to see the show OR don't get tickets for another taping...If that were to ever happen I can tell you I would most definitely NOT ever watch the show again...ok enough of my fears.... Big disappointment is that my mother is not going to be able to come over for the show....Really takes away 3/4 of the fun and enjoyment but I am going to have a great time in her honor and hope tickets for her come up again and I get to go again...Ok Ok Ok...must call babysitters and get moving!!!! Woo Hoooooo

Long Beach Could Always Follow the Example Of Chief de Werk But They Will Probably Get A Lot of Grief If They Do

There are more gang shootings on a daily basis than you would ever want to know about or guess. However, Thursday there was a gang shooting in Long Beach, Ca that infuriates me not only because a 17 year old boy was brazenly murdered in broad daylight across from a police sub-station but also because I know this is not going to be the last time a mother loses a son to a  bunch of  thugs and the effort of law enforcement  agencies to try and really address this on-going increasing gangster terrorism is likely to be met with grief and distortions from the media and ridiculous groups such as the ACLU.

 

    From A Plea For Peace : 

...A gang injunction against the West Side Longos was revived in December. It bars active gang members of one of Long Beach's oldest and most notorious Latino street gangs from engaging in a host of activities in an area bordered by the Terminal Island (103) and Long Beach (710) freeways, Hill Street and PCH. Since then, the police department has served more than 60 warrants and arrested about eight gang members. A West Side Longo Task Force of four officers patrols the area in addition to the two beats that cover the area 24 hours a day, Kilmer said. Despite those efforts, a cluster of Westside residents gathered Friday at the corner where Williams collapsed and criticized the city for not doing enough to stop the long-standing problem of violence. Parents of Cabrillo High students said they are fed up with their children navigating streets that resemble war zones. "These kids have to walk to school in a certain code," said one parent, who identified herself as Ms. Bey. "They're not in Afghanistan or Iraq, but they may as well be.

...City Council members Tonia Reyes Uranga and Bonnie Lowenthal, whose districts cover the area of the slaying, said a day of dialogue has been scheduled at the high school for Saturday, March 5 at 9 a.m. "I am standing here to say that this community is united," Uranga said at a press conference held at the Police Department's West Division Station. "Latinos, African Americans, Asians, Anglos, we are all united, and we will not let this violence divide us."

    There really is more to quote that is relevant to the point I want to make but I am just a bit distracted right now. So let me jump over to Police Chief Art de Werk of Ceres, California and the gratitude he & his department are getting from the media and ACLU in trying to stymy the domestic terrorism of gangs just as these residents of Long Beach want law enforcement to do.
    First Crystal Gettin' Techy With It ( video of news story ran by local TV-full of misleading distortions). Look who was watching (ACLU Letter to Chief de Werk)and mentions in the letter the request for policies and procedures came from watching the MEDIA REPORTS.

     In Chief de Werk's Op-ed piece in Modesto Bee 2/18/05, he does an exemplary job of politely and appropriately calling the media to task and requesting their assistance. Look at the e-mail forwarded to him (emphasis mine):

From: Fred Herman & Mary Menz [mailto:hermenz@ainet.com]
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 3:00 PM
To: stanaclu@yahoogroups.com
Subject: reaction to Op-Ed from De Werk
Unbelievable! The good Ceres police chief must really believe that  the media are picking on him instead of cheer-leading for him, and he doesn't have a clue that the "anti-establishment" ACLU is not defending The Bad Guys but the American constitution. The good chief is wrong about police being accountable to *any*one  but possibly city officials who sign paychecks. The good chief seems to feel that a kid's choice of companions somehow affects his credibility. He seems to imply we shouldn't believe brutalized youngsters if  or because they hang with gangs. "Finally, our concentration on a certain neighborhood in Ceres is not discriminatory. " Oh hell no. Nor did Hitler necessarily focus on ghettoes; that's just where the Jews lived.

    Ahem...I wouldn't say from reading the op-ed piece Chief de Werk feels the media are "picking on him"...I would say he is  rightfully asking the media to be responsible and accountable for their work the same way the ACLU is asking de Werk and law enforcement agencies to be responsible and accountable for their work in protecting all citizens.
    Ahem...I would say the chief is far from alone in "feeling a kid's choice of companions effects his credibility." In fact, the gangstas I work with and know, live and act on that exact feeling and thought!
    Quite telling isn't it that this:  ADL Applauds the City of Ceres Police Department for Arresting White Supremacist for Hate Crime didn't garnish the well-deserved attention of the ACLU and the media.
    Let me make it Crystal Clear ane please pay attention, media, ACLU, and special interest groups, this blogger, the public and law-abiding citizens want responsibility and accountability from you and we are most definitely watching.

 

 

Rather Hoped He'd Been Fired

I have made my enjoyment and thoughts about Rathergate more than Crystal Clear. Having little in the way of time and energy I was grateful to Pundit Guy I was not going to need to surf any longer or add any more commentary. Then I felt kind of yucky like I was one of those bloggers who just cites news articles and links without adding anything different. Guess the best I can do for now, so I can get some shut eye,  is link to my previous brief post "Why Therapy is Important" remarking about Mr. Rather's Ivy League penis envy and how he could most likely have avoided this embarassing situation. I am quite certain my highly esteemed colleagues would concur.

Another Thing I am Not Afraid to Admit

Before I watched it ...I was clueless...I didn't undestand...
On her visits my mother watched it while I sat here glued to  my beloved 'puter...I just don't watch TV and that is how I have time for my blog and other bloggers...I just don't appreciate reality TV for the large part and didn't want to partake...It took many side glances from my seat here...I would shake my head in disgust and contempt at what I thought was her white-trashness and silliness...several different viewings over several different visits when she was here back in 2003...then it happened...and now in a relationship that is strained at times, we can always switch to discussion of it and hang up smiling and laughing...I am happy it happened and I can laugh at myself now and feel sorry for those who don't get caught up in it...I, like millions, some afraid to admit it, am counting the days until it all starts up again...In case you don't know what I am hinting at...

Why Therapy is Important ...

Somehow I lost the link and stuff I was going to post regarding Mr. Rather but I will summarize my brief points and give the caveat that I am not a journalist and this is my blog and I don't have to check sources... I am just avoiding cleaning the house and am a pretty damn good therapist...
So ends up, I am really pretty much right on the money regarding my observations of Mr. Rather and believe if he would have received appropriate psychotherapy he might have avoided a whole lot of embarassment for himself and might actually have been a good journalist if there is such a thing...
1)Mr. Rather has Ivy League penis envy. He did not come from privileged background and came from a lesser known school of journalism..hence his acting out of his unconscious
2) Mr. Rather did sign up for the Marines but he couldn't participate because of physical limitations from Rhemumatic fever ...Inappropriate guilt obviously but he clearly still feels really badly about it...
If only Mr. Rather had pursued individual psychotherapy to resolve these 2 off the top of my head obvious issues he and the whole world would have been better off...

Me Too!

RatherNot-, flickrd by CrystalClear.

Another one I wish I'd thought of...but Powerline blog reader Jim Duistermars came up with this little goody

Let's see, now I can have Nethan in the onesie and slap this on the bumper of my POS car

More importantly I can use it as an example for Bryceton on what happens when you try to get someone in trouble and exaggerate or tell fibs to do so...You see I think part of why this Rathergate fiasco tickles me so is that it is just so sweet when some lamebrain is trying to tattle on someone smarter than they and then ends up with 3rd degree burns himself instead...And not just once has he tried to burn the Bush family but time after time after time! That old ditty of "I am rubber and you are glue....whatever bounces off me sticks to YOU!!!"

I truly hope the Bush family is laughing their asses off over this one because they certainly deserve a hearty laugh at CBS's and Mr. Rather's expense...