Quote of the Day - Misconstructed

Gay marriage legalized on the same day as marijuana makes perfect biblical sense.

Leviticus 20:13:

"A man who lays with another man should be stoned."

Our interpretation has just been wrong for all these years!

Mayor Unfettered

Now that the election is over and Jerome Stocks has no political standing locally or regionally, he is able to reveal his beliefs and his worldview more openly.  It seems he is a part of the Shouty People in Wingnuttia with his far right reading recommendation from World Net Daily on his FB. The website has a uniquely narrow definition on the word free, but an extensive use of the word in the most inappropriate contexts. 

This is the guy whose supporters called Shaffer and Kranz too extreme for Encinitas with fake images and scary big font headlines.  

h/t Tengrain and Truthdig

From Ronnie's Lips

It has been widely reported that President Obama has offered up benefit cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security in previous deficit negotiations. And while President Obama has said he'd veto any extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, he has caved on important issues in the past.

So we need to keep pushing and tell President Obama to draw a line in the sand. To do this: sign the petition.

Reality Refugees

Word for the Day: Schadenfreude

Some may have to Google, but I wager most know this word and exactly this emotional response to Jerome Stocks losing his place on the Encinitas City Council, SANDAG and NCTD. (Only 2 more meetings to chair.)

The voters of Encinitas spoke loud and clear.

Jerome Stocks a day later. NCT (UT?) "[ . . .] he saw the voting results as indication that voters felt his 12 years in office were long enough, commenting that “it’s out with the old and in with the new.”

You may tell yourself this.  We have a different version with video clips.

But it gets better. The voters selected Dave Roberts over Jerome's candidate Steve Danon for San Diego County Supervisor. And, heart be still, US Representative Brian Bilbray is now out. It is all one crony club as Jerome is on Danon's campaign staff, Dannon is chief of staff for Bilbray and Christy Guerin, former Mayor of Encinitas and BFF to Jerome works for Bilbray. This means she too is out of a job. Oh and she is married to someone (Google for details, I'm still on vacation) in San Diego law enforcement. You know, these are the public union people who endorsed Stocks, Muir and Forrester. Who . . . what?

It's a club and we the majority of voters in Encinitas are not in it.

Today this makes me really proud.

It's not over by any means as Gaspar the former trainee (still meeting with the whiskered grifter for talking points) and the Muir duo with pilfered populist talking points are still with us.  It is simply a new version.  There will be civility and lots of polite smiles.

We simply have to sharpen our perception, our vigilance.  But, boy howdy, does it feel good to know that a giant breath of fresh air just blew in from our electoral politics in spite of the massive waste of wealth. Schadenfreude.

P.S. Counting of provisional ballots (mail-in ballots turned into polling places on election day) is still going on and it looks like Tony's numbers are growing and Stocks percentage is falling.  Delightful.

Jumping for Joy

Let us all enjoy the delicious fruits of our labors, rest, reflect, celebrate and enjoy! 

Taking a break . . .

Working Man Proud He Voted

Hmmmm . . .  Pizza sounds good to eat and watch the returns.  

Crust Pizza is where?  Website

In Crust We Trust

Sorry, I got too hungry.

Landmark Ruling, "Dark Money" group tied to Citizen United ordered to reveal its donors.

As Democracy Now! has previously reported, one of every four dollars spent on the campaign ads, direct mail and robocalls that target voters now comes from so-called "dark money" organizations. The IRS lets these groups keep their donors secret because they are considered "social welfare non-profits." But that changed this past Friday when a Montana judge ordered the release of one such group’s bank records. An investigation had found that Western Tradition Partnership may have misled the IRS about the extent of its political activities, and that citizens have a right to know where its campaign cash was coming from. The group is known for bringing a lawsuit to the Supreme Court that successfully challenged Montana’s ban on corporate spending in elections, and the resulting ruling extended the court’s Citizens United decision to include all 50 states. Friday’s ruling marks the first time a court has ordered a dark money group’s donors to be made public, and some say the judge’s move could serve as a warning to similar organizations.

Democracy Now!

Election Day - Request from Lisa Shaffer

OMG . . . OMG . . . OMG  Did you think it would ever end? Editor

Lisa's requests: 

Bring Back Campaign Signs
Sign Collection Saturday, Nov. 10. This campaign has been too costly and too dirty. In an effort to clean things up, I'm asking everyone who has a Shaffer for Council campaign sign to bring it to one of the following collection points on Saturday, Nov. 10. We're selling the metal holders back to a distributor and donating the corrugated plastic signs to art programs for re-use. Thanks to my volunteers for their help.

• New Encinitas, in front of Flora Vista on Wandering Lane 10:00 - 12:00 

• Historic Encinitas, D Street Park (across from the library) 12:00 - 2:00 

 Bring Food
Food Collection. When you bring your campaign signs on November 10, please also bring a food donation for the many in need. The food will be donated to the Community Resource Center in Encinitas. Non-perishable items including canned goods, rice, beans, cooking oil, etc. are in constant demand. 

Even if you don't have a sign to recycle, we welcome your contributions. It's a small attempt to offset the enormous expenditures that go into political campaigns.

Councilwoman Teresa Barth will be at a collection site.  she had this to say in her Nov.3 newsletter:

Community Resource Center's Annual Holiday Baskets Program is set to serve a record number of local families in need this winter, but still expects to turn away hundreds of families because of low food supplies! Because of ongoing food shortages, CRC has ZERO supplies for Holiday Baskets again this year, so FOOD DONATIONS are a critical need.

Please spread the word! 

More Info 

I will be looking for volunteers to join me at the distribution site. More info to come after the election!

When Character Counts - Mayor Stocks Fails

Vicious Slander

Sign Thefts 

Lying

Illegal Contributions 

Tax Money Funding Campaigns

FPPC Violations 

Code Compliance Violations

Character Assassinations
Throwing Newspapers in Trash*

On the eve of the big election day there is a need to make something clear.  We do not believe the vast majority of residents in this city want to have anything to do with hate. But, those opposing Lisa Shaffer and Tony Kranz have been doing the whole list of awfulness above.  We leave out Yost, Brophy and No-show Shuh because they present no animosity or adequate funding or backing for any of it. They have been nothing but respectful. 

Even if Mayor Jerome Stocks or Mark Muir are to be investigated, which is likely . . . Even if then there is't evidence of their involvement . . . None of this is what really matters right now and in the last few weeks.  

Stocks has never once used his bully pulpit or spent his own campaign war chest to send a loud and clear message to his supporters - I disapprove of all of these things. Not a word.  Even the Facebook and Twitter entries (suspiciously vapid sounding -  purchased for filler?) don't make a stand on justice and fair play. 

Instead he uses the Republican online blog to attack and justify the above behaviors as retribution that is "deserved".  No, we won't link to the place. We have yet to read a post submitted by Stocks that isn't filled with really hostile communication.

The Shaffer and Kranz campaign has not now or ever been about running against Stocks. They have immediately spoken up if there is a suspicion that a volunteer from their campaign or even supporters break the law or go negative.  They have instead focused on a vision of what they will bring to the city council.  They do not support a post like this one for that reason. We support them whole heartedly for this higher road.  

But . . . our whole democratic system recognizes the diversity and complexity our many voices represent.  So, we emphatically want to point out the obvious to any and all who have watched, listened and read what Jerome Stocks presents to this community and who all have financed and supported this crony network.  Stocks is just not good enough.  

Dump Stocks, Fire Muir his sidekick

*David Myers, one of Stocks' financial overlords, demanded that the YMCA no longer distribute The Coast News, causing the personnel there to put the copies in the trash. Not a crime, but a despicable action on the part of this group of wealthy bullies. Myers has a history of childish and hateful action plans.

Wave of Endorsements from Young Professionals

As if by magic, a wave of endorsements from a whole group of young professionals appeared to support Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer in this final stretch. 

For all the cynics, naysayers and doubters let it be known, the current crop of movers and shakers in Encinitas may be far more aware of what is going on than anyone (in print anyway) imagined. 

This critical election in the 21st century requires these young community leaders, so Encinitas is well on it's way to healing as they make their presence known.

Just what is needed. Thanks to Marty Benson and others (not yet identified) for getting these videos on Facebook.

Also, a story via Councilwoman Barth.  Epic PhotoJournalism studio owner, Todd writes:

Epic is a proud supporter of Tony and Lisa! We would like to share their pictures as Todd spotted a woman yesterday afternoon stealing their signs and putting them in her car at the crossing of El Camino Real and Manchester Ave. There are thieves rolling around Encinitas, stealing their signs....incredible. Go Tony Kranz for Encinitas City Council and Shaffer for Council 2012!!!!!
Pictures by Epic PhotoJournalism

Count Down - Last Day Before the Election

Waving signs at the morning and afternoon rush hours are easy and fun to do.  That's what Lisa Shaffer the candidate will be doing.  Emails and calls to the best friends and neighbors to nudge a reminder - tactfully - might work too. Or that could be a really bad idea.  You know your own peeps.

For some like our recommended candidates, the tasks on the day before the election and election day are clear.  Get out the vote.  Those of us who are not poll workers or drivers for voters or calling on phone banks or doing last minute canvassing or sign waving it's . . . what?  This campaign I'm not part of those tasks. But I choose not to let guilt over that or anxiety about the final outcome make me sick.

Of the group of wonky citizens who follow the election every single day, the pressure is huge. Some will meditate, some will hit the beach, some will throw themselves into work, some will garden and some will self medicate.  A couple of these sound good.

Whatever, it is time to start the depressurization process in order for a return to daily life.  For some of us it is necessary to keep addressing what is going on in the world around us with a will to affect change to improve things.  Continuous improvement isn't just a campaign buzz slogan for millions of people around the world.  We are living in the most exciting time as life as we've always known it is being challenged.  I, for one, enjoy subjects about which I feel compelled to write. (Read that this week somewhere and realized it is so true I'd wished I'd written it first.)

Still and all the image doesn't lie. We need to remember we are a speck in the universe.  But your vote and your energy to do the best you can in these next 2 days do matter.

And, for those of you who are going to work around the clock like crazy with no regard for balance?  I salute you too.  Life is short.

Bad Guys Goin' Down

Encinitas Undercover has the image. Shocked. We're just shocked I say at the bold faced plunder of the taxpayer dollar to pander to the Encinitas clueless by Stocks and company.

We didn't get the mailer Encinitas Undercover is writing about in the last post.  Go there and check out the utter shameless misuse of taxpayer paid survey statistics for political gain. The false construct of the super majority being responsible for citizen's satisfaction is the biggest lie.

This blatant disregard for ethics, the public demand for integrety and fair play and "blatantly fraudulent use of the charitable non-profit 501(c)(3) status" is going to leave a mark. This will be investigated as complaints are being filed.

Citizens spoke out against this survey in March of this year when it was proposed. For the record, here is the series of "We told you so" type clips. Even in criticism of this contained sincere good-faith comments by public and Barth that the city manager wanted to hear from the community.

 

Editor note: YouTube has now inserted suggested videos at the end of clips that are NOT this blog's selections.  

Councilwoman Barth Endorsement of Shaffer & Kranz

Count Down - 2 Days to the Election

Update  at end
Two days more to the campaigns for city council members.  Today, a Sunday, is a good day for families where moms and dads can let their kids join them in the whole process of participatory citizenship.  It's not just for school.

How about letting the kids wave signs with you somewhere you choose?  Guaranteed giggles and lots of questions about elections, voting and such.

Every Sunday we see volunteers handing out fliers at the Farmers' Market.  I watched Lisa Shaffer speak to children who asked her questions.  "What is city council?" This was a little red-headed girl in pink glued to Lisa's eyes.

"It's the people who run the city and I want to be one of these people.  Like the president only for our town."

"Ohhh!" Her eyes were bright and she never stopped petting her little toy.

Lisa has 4 daughters.  Makes me think of one of the best videos supportive of little girls I ever saw.

.  

Imagine a community - a country - filled with this kind of father the norm? Imagine these men letting these little girls know very early that they are cherished and respected.  It is not uncommon to hear guys say they would die for their children.  

Maybe something far less drastic would be miraculous.  I would ask if you are willing to do something girly with your daughter?  Are you willing to do something that might make you feel foolish - like standing on a corner holding a sign and waving at cars?  How about walking around your neighborhood with your kids and talking to people about the election and how it matters to you that your children learn what is going on in their neighborhood?

Can you just hear the excitement of these children when school begins tomorrow?  The playground will be buzzing.  Yes, it's okay for children to be guided in how to have political competition without being mean or hateful or threatening.  This really brings home the fact that you don't condone bullying.  You will have shown them this. 

The way I see it, an election is a snapshot.  The really important work ahead is building a community of involved citizens.  Now that is where the work begins. First step is to elect willing and cooperative city council members and be there for and with the children.

And on the theme of little girl activities for some comic relief - for adults only - Eddie Izzard.

Update: As it turns out, North Coast Current had an excellent post on children and politics yesterday. Check it out.

Who's Behind the Hit Pieces?

Via Councilwoman Teresa Barth's Newsletter today:

As predicted, the smear campaign rolled into high gear this past week. 

First there was a mailer in support of Stocks & Muir and 

blasting Shaffer and Kranz 

Return Address: 

North County Taxpayers for Responsible Government 

330 Encinitas Blvd #101 

Encinitas, CA 

Treasurer: Nancy Haley 

She is also the treasurer for Stocks & Muir 

Then there was the 

"Don't let Shaffer and Kranz Occupy Encinitas" 

Sent out by the San Diego County Republican Party 

who endorsed Forrester, Muir and Stocks 

Followed by a vicious character assignation against Tony Kranz. 

 Sent out by San Diego County Voters for Progress and Reform 

 7185 Navajo Rd, Suite P San Diego, CA

Treasure: C. April Boling 

She is also the Treasurer of the Lincoln Club 

 Muir, Forrester and Stocks were endorsed by the Club. 

 Who's the Lincoln Club? 

 Who supports Prop K - Elected Mayor? 

Bond, Muir & Stocks

Editor: Thank you Councilwoman Barth for a thorough summary that is well documented.  We appreciate this as we appreciate the kind of thoroughness you devote to your service on the city council.  My wish is this. You will be joined on the dais with two equally competent council members like Shaffer and Kranz to get real work done - rather than special interest empire building. And I would also wish that paid journalists would present vital summaries like this to the public, rather than waiting for information from elected officials to be handed to them. 

Count Down - 3 Days to the Election

The three zombie pumpkins make this the last Halloween themed post.  Promise.  Besides autumn being a favorite season for harvest reasons, smells, tree leaves changing, ocean currents and a kind of spirit of preparing for something big . . . I just love the pagan inspired fun of the holiday.

This year's obsession with zombies brought us the really creatively funny endorsement for Romney. A Google search returning 892,000 hits in 26 seconds that references Ryan as the Zombie Eyed Granny Starver is right on target here.

Just because local candidates in a so-called nonpartisan election do not talk the partisan national politics doesn't mean this liberal blogger won't. The common theme of lack of humanity and empathy - and well . . . lying - is just too similar.

Zombie voters - the walking dead who vote as programmed are a concern for every campaign interested in engaging and involving citizens.  Forty plus years of concentrated money and psychological research devoted to creating a docile, unquestioning population who identify as consumers rather than citizens has being frighteningly powerful.

Yet, the human spirit is stronger.  Even in a community of wealth, comfort and a paradise of nature there is a growing awareness of a false narrative that there is only economic bliss, progress, rainbows and unicorns in Encinitas government. Not everyone agrees on specifics, but common themes are apparent.  We are all feeling the realities of changing norms and inequities born out of corruption and greed. Heightened incivility, secretive processes and bullying behaviors at city hall have united different viewpoints.  We know we are being lied to by these political creatures.

We outnumber the zombies who refuse to reason, who attack intelligence, dissent and science.  The zombie army follows their directives and the invectives.  Eat our brains indeed.

We demand better.  Lisa Shaffer and Tony Kranz believe citizens in the community should be trusted to know what is important for themselves.  This makes them sharply different from the incumbents and Forrester who would have the general population stay out of their way - especially when it comes to developing and land use in Encinitas.

According to Mary: MACSTOCKS

“The Less You Know, The Better You Feel” by Mary Fleener
40 pgs/ digest size/ a collection of comic strips from The Coast News
1st printing Oct 2012

To order send $6.00 (postage paid). Cash or check only to: M. Fleener c/o Mailbox Station POB 713 1106 2nd Street Encinitas CA 92024

Count Down - 4 Days to the Election

Our Mayor Stocks has given us 12 years of rollercoaster moods and different treatment depending on who is facing him.  This loosely qualifies him as an inspiration for a fantastic Halloween Costume for this election year festivities. Yes, the kiddies have their Halloween trick or treat action but grown up parties during this season last through the weekend.  True Fact.

 Tim Burton's version, the Halloween Town Mayor, is described in The Nightmare Before Christmas:

In the movie, he is short tempered and likes making speeches.[ . . . ] He has two faces. One of his faces is happy while the other may be either sad or angry. His split personality type situation was possibly inspired by The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and he is a literal description of the phrase "two-faced politicians". 

His head is cone-shaped and displays the two faces he is most notable for. One face (as well as his hands) is peach-colored, with rosy cheeks and a face set in a permanent smile. The other face is bone-white, has a mouth set in a permanent frown (the teeth of which are pointed) with green lips and yellow eyes.  

The Mayor's body is also cone-shaped, with his body ballooning outward before ending on short, stubby legs with very tiny feet. He dresses in a black suit with a white undershirt and black-and-white pinstriped pants. He wears a pendant or bow-tie shaped like a black widow spider, though it only has six legs and the notorious red hourglass marking is on the spider's back and is much more detailed than in real life. There is a red ribbon with the word "MAYOR" printed on a white center pinned to the left breast of his blazer. He is never seen without his short, metal megaphone that he uses to issue orders, announcements, and, more often, call for help from Jack.

That last phrase might read more accurately as "call for help to hijack" in Our Mayor Stocks case. Stocks' imprint is all over a vicious hit piece against Tony Kranz mailed Wednesday. Kranz, with his deep community roots is a real threat to Stocks, Muir and Forrester and attempting to rob him of credibility is something that has picked up.

Tony Kranz is loved by many and respected for his integrity and his appeal as "everyman Encinitas" - a threat to this trio. The mayor's crony friends have been vocal in attempting to create a monster version of our candidate Kranz.  Volunteers are working to help officials identify the candidates, their friends and paid consultants who are responsible. Getting the word out is vital. Spread the word.

Looking Bad on a Bigger Scale - Game Over?

It is Goofy.  All the regular tactics Stocks and company have used in past elections are just not working like before.  Here are some disparate voices all agreeing that Stocks days may be numbered.

From Logan Jenkins today . . .

• In Encinitas, how highly will Stocks be valued? Councilman Jerome Stocks is a bright-red target for anyone in Encinitas with a gripe about the powers that have been for the last 12 years. Years ago, Stocks could have made the leap to regional or state office. Now it’s an open question if he’ll be returned to office, a stunning fall if it happens.

From blogger Al Rodbell's take on Turko Files piece last Monday painting a Stocks saves the day meme.

KUSI.com - KUSI News - San Diego CA - News, Weather, PPR

Rodbell's post, Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks Saves Woman from Homelessness, is a really good analysis of the deceit within the Turko presentation.  Turko is an entertainer and this is pre-election theatre.  Please read the whole thing, but let us give you a taste. As Rodbell says of the premise,

"There's only one problem, the narrative, the subtext that this conveys is full of holes . . ."

What's wrong with this narrative that glides along many themes of our political culture. It's the story of a strong forthright elected leader who is willing to buck the bureaucracy--it can be local, state or the federal government itself. The meme (great word for the little factoids that most people build their images of the world on) is one that is fostered most by the tea party crowd that has captured the Republican party. 

This five minute segment on the local news featuring a crusading reporter Michael Turko, illustrates how a good story beats reality every time--especially, when you have the dramatic elements of an elderly widow being thrown out of her home by a heartless city government. The reporter goes to the very top, the Mayor, and within a few days, together they have reversed months of government intransigence to allow the tearful grateful women back into her home. Two heroes, splashed over television and the Internet, that just may sway an election and change the structure of a small city.

At the heart of this is the false impression that Stocks is anything more than 1/5 of the council.  He pontificates like he is more than this and the whole thing is framed to support him.  Seriously, read it.

Bruce Ehlers made the comment, and uses a EYNU clip, Mayor Stocksplaining.

More of Jerome justifying his making exceptions to code … In this clip from the August 15th City Council meeting, Jerome says he thinks Council can make exceptions to the ordinances. He says the Council can make exceptions. Listen for yourself.

 

• At 0:21/4:49 Jerome Stocks says, “I think our staff did an excellent job of pointing it out that it is their job to apply municipal code as it is written” … 
• At 0:53/4:49 Jerome continues, “Staff doesn’t have the authority to apply discretion the way the City Council does …” 
• At 1:17/4:49 Jerome goes further describing the appeal process and Council’s authority saying “They (staff) have to apply the rules as they (the rules) currently exist. If you don’t agree with the rules, you bring it to us. If you want to make an exception, It’s our authority and that’s why we are here. 

I think this explains a lot about Jerome’s attitude toward how the City’s rules work and apply to others but not him. Apparently in this case he thinks staff should apply the rules but in your case he thinks he gets to have an exception. This issue is all about honesty and trust. If he screwed up, he should admit it and apologize. If we can’t trust him to follow the ordinances as written or admit when he has violated them, how can we trust him to be honest on Council. Unfortunately this arrogance is not an isolated incident. 

We need a change at City Hall. Dump Stocks

Local Conservative Contrarian . . .

who has never had anything good to say about Maggie Houlihan, Teresa Barth, Leucadia, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Historic Encinitas, coastal residents or minority voices has this to say,

Mayor Stocks has had his time in the public trough long enough.

Hey, call me Goofy. The link to this last is yours to find in the local press as I don't feel like directing traffic to crazy Harry Eller.

All of these above join with Coast News, North Coast Current, EYNU blog, Our Mayor blog, Encinitas Undercover and Leucadia blog to say that Stocks needs to go.  Lies and dirty mailers are contemptible. Breaking the law and thinking it is a joke is unethical. Stealing signs from yards in the middle of the night is cowardly.  Vowing to play fair and then not owning up to your bad behavior or condemning those who act out hatefully on your behalf is the lowest of the low.  Game over.

And Mayor, for the record, Dump Stocks is not hate.  It is simply voter choice. It may hurt your feelings, but it isn't hate.