tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35182642090598714382024-03-13T12:16:48.701-07:00Costa Mesa Politics and PersonalitiesThe city of Costa Mesa from a conservative perspective.Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-4971703113200707832013-11-01T05:35:00.001-07:002013-11-01T05:35:44.238-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-Ee1NUBWV4/UnOfw7JQmxI/AAAAAAAADXw/K_6_0yp5uh4/s1600/Tiger+icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-Ee1NUBWV4/UnOfw7JQmxI/AAAAAAAADXw/K_6_0yp5uh4/s1600/Tiger+icon.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The web Address for <b>CM Conserve</b> has changed. Now you can find us at:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://cmconserve.org/">CMConserve blog</a> (CMConserve.org). We have more features -- and a consistently-working comments function, as well as a calendar -- and more.<br />
<br />
We look forward to seeing you there!<br />
<br />
DennisDennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-44698112457617454702013-10-30T06:45:00.002-07:002013-10-30T15:10:51.790-07:00Doers get the job done while jerks complain<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPma91mqrFo/UnEMfGWkixI/AAAAAAAADXI/J0YnkWySg-A/s1600/Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPma91mqrFo/UnEMfGWkixI/AAAAAAAADXI/J0YnkWySg-A/s1600/Party.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Scarecrow Festival's final meeting</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“<b>Thank
you</b>” and “<b>goodbye</b>” were the themes celebrated Sunday by the sub-committee responsible for
the “<b><i>Return of the Scarecrow Festival</i></b>.” The celebration included an impromptu,
largely tongue-in-cheek “Kumbaya” that highlighted an interesting phenomenon;
<b>diverse, not divisive</b>, political views. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
left and right, conservative and liberal, were represented. An employees’ union
officer shared chili recipes and stories with a conservative blogger. A
Democratic Party (local group) founder passed cookies to a businessman. A
school teacher led retired professionals in the singing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Each
guest was <b>treated with respect and honor</b> – and responded in kind. Unlike
Council meetings, the <b>differences of opinion </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>didn't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> spark argument or aversion</b> –
or hatred. Some kidding, yes, rancor, no.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMOqX73TdZs/UnENP_1JCCI/AAAAAAAADXY/kG4m3xFXzrs/s1600/Cowboys+and+horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMOqX73TdZs/UnENP_1JCCI/AAAAAAAADXY/kG4m3xFXzrs/s1600/Cowboys+and+horses.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One
might guess that the guests were adults; that’s correct. One might assume all
were responsible people, which was true. Six months ago every one believed that a <b>City-sponsored</b>,
<b>60</b></span></span><sup style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>th</b></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> Committee supported</b> event was “locked in,” but that </span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>wasn't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> to
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">DIY cum laude</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
<b>sub-committee had to make the festival happen</b> with their own </span>hard work,
pleading and community support. The <b>OCME</b> (Orange County Model Engineers) made
it happen. The<b> lovers of music machines</b>, or mechanical music machines to them,
made it happen. The city did provide some support and the event was conducted
at Fairview Park, which is City property. But the small sub-committee made it
all happen.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Members
got along</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> partly because they worked so hard together to overcome obstacles,
some seemingly devastating. They </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">worked together </b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">to do something good for </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Costa
Mesa</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">But
there’s a<b>nother reason there was no rancor</b> at the party; no agitators. No one
showed up to insult someone else because they had different ideas. No one
screamed and berated and vilified another who disagreed with them. They <b>got the
job done</b> without hatred or vitriol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Low cost but very effective </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
<b>City paid very little</b> for the festival, in actual dollars or in dollars for
employees’ time. The <b>employees were cheerful, enthusiastic and helpful</b>, not
arrogant and disdainful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">For
example, a truck driver arrived a little early to pick up the shelters, tables
and chairs – which were supposed to be stacked and ready “so our employees don’t
have to wait.” He shouted, “Hey, <b>we can do that</b>. We’re good at it. You guys get
the other stuff done,” with a <b>big smile</b> on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
<b>kids loved the scarecrows, the pumpkins, the fire truck and the train ride</b>. The
adults enjoyed a beautiful day in the park surrounded by happy kids, while the
City incurred minimal expense. <b>There’s a lesson here.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Disagree respectfully, then do the work </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There
are different ideas about <b>what is good for Costa Mesa</b>. There are varied ways to
<b>better the City</b>. We don’t all agree about what is good for her or how to get to
“better.” Working together, project by project, contract by contract, will <b>get
the job done</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Using
Alinsky tactics of disruption and vilification, or following the “Police
Playbook” guides to intimidation of elected officials <b>won’t get the job done</b>. Accusations,
insults, and innuendos won’t either. <b>Rude jerks</b> don’t want to do the work –
they just want to <b>get their way</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Working is hard, tantrums are fun</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRLti9qm1uY/UnEJ4mdLdaI/AAAAAAAADW8/mwKjfXa6jEI/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRLti9qm1uY/UnEJ4mdLdaI/AAAAAAAADW8/mwKjfXa6jEI/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">No
rude jerks were present at the final meeting and end-of-project party; they </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">wouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> have been welcome. The <b>party was for doers</b>, not for complainers. It was for the left-wingers, the right-wingers, unionists, and all
of the other “--ists” -- who were <b>doers</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps
the r<b>ude jerks should be uninvited from Council meetings</b>, too. It might <b>give
doers an opportunity to get the job done</b>.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">* Watch a trip: <a href="http://youtu.be/dbPyVTXOuos">Here</a></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-50805156975283629162013-10-26T14:07:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.701-07:00Effective or "Touchy-Feelee"<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiF8zqOKgk0/UmwtiQ5aQHI/AAAAAAAADWY/Zia7fUfZLtc/s1600/City+headlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiF8zqOKgk0/UmwtiQ5aQHI/AAAAAAAADWY/Zia7fUfZLtc/s1600/City+headlights.jpg" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Better roads require </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>drive to </b></span><b style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">accomplish</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Watching
the <b>Mayor</b> and <b>Pro Tem</b> work during the past year brought to mind a Chief of
Surgery at a military hospital, many years ago. The staff would all have
cancelled and connived to get him as the surgeon for their surgery -- or their family's. However, they cancelled
and connived at least as hard to avoid working in the operating room with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Excellent work, caustic criticism</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">He
was </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">irascible, demanding, and an extreme perfectionist</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. Other surgeons feared
him, too, because of his </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">caustic criticism of their failings</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. Morbidity and
Mortality </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">conferences</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, where medical folks meet to discuss </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">cases that went
either well or poorly</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, were </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">well-attended</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> (Chief’s orders) and </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">dreaded</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> (Chief’s
presence). No one ate the breakfast supplied at the meeting, and many </span>didn't<span style="line-height: 115%;"> sleep well the night before M&M conferences.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Dr.
Z spared no words on someone who made a mistake –<b> it would be a long time
before anyone in the room ever made that mistake again</b>. So, after about a year
with Dr. Z as Chief, most surgical staff errors were small and subtle. <b>Surgery
was safer, faster, and more competent</b> in all surgical departments. Overflow
fastidiousness improved the nursing services, the Medical (non-surgical ill)
service and even the housekeeping services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Dr.
Z d<b>emanded perfection and improvement</b> – from himself as well as from every
member of the staff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
In Costa Mesa </h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">When
we see the <b>accomplishments</b> of the <b>City Council majority</b> we remember Dr. Z’s insistence
that every job be done perfectly, or at least close. And that it be done better
next time. In <b>Costa Mesa</b> we are seeing <b>roads and gutters being redesigned and repaired
and fixed correctly after years of neglect and patching and slurry</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRiCOTpa_NQ/Umwuy9c9zrI/AAAAAAAADWk/Epkx6NZypzk/s1600/fight+over+money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRiCOTpa_NQ/Umwuy9c9zrI/AAAAAAAADWk/Epkx6NZypzk/s1600/fight+over+money.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We
see the <b>City’s Reserve funds</b>, spent down from $35M by previous councils, being
<b>restored dollar by dollar</b>. We see Fairview Park getting some of the attention
we promised for it a decade ago – which the Councils since that time have ignored
and refuse to fund.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We
see <b>award-winning transparency</b>, <b>enforced by ordinance</b>. We
see the <b>Westside starting to rise into prominence</b> and importance after years of
being ignored. We see the <b>problems generated by the Problem Motels</b> being
addressed for the first time since they were identified,tabled and
ignored more than a decade ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He doesn't talk soft and nice</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">But,
“the <b>Mayor’s harsh</b>” with people who interrupt and delay Council meetings. The
<b>Council majority insisted on learning what the employees were being paid to do</b>.
(This required “pink slips” per labor union contract, although the <b>Mayor
assured the employees that no one was expected to lose their job</b>, regardless of
the study’s outcome.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Note that <b>teachers face these “pink slips” repeatedly</b>;
they’re just part of the procedure required by union contracts. (Yes, some
prefer the term “Association Memorandums of Understanding” but there’s no
essential difference in meaning, just in length of terms.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
<b>Mayor</b> and the <b>Pro Tem</b> don’t always talk softly and never talk timidly. They
<b>demand excellence</b> for <b>Costa Mesa</b>. They serve the citizens of the City, without capitulation to the agitators and other power brokers. They <b>don’t talk sweetly and
pontificate</b> about abstract “good things;” instead they <b>meet their
responsibilities as elected leaders</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Accomplishment admired, style -- not so much</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WmpfQoaXgm8/UmwukFFtBmI/AAAAAAAADWc/8sZV5KP92b0/s1600/ABRAHAM+LINCOLN+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WmpfQoaXgm8/UmwukFFtBmI/AAAAAAAADWc/8sZV5KP92b0/s1600/ABRAHAM+LINCOLN+05.jpg" height="200" width="181" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Similar
to the Dr. Z story above, a lot of <b>cities would like a council majority like
ours</b>. But, also similarly, the <b>critics </b>in our City <b>don’t like his manner</b>.
They enjoy the improved roads and alleys and parks, but they hate the Mayor who
speaks directly, sometimes very directly -- and drives the improvements.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> Perhaps <b>we should all get used to hearing
truth spoken “directly” as we enjoy the fruits of jobs done well</b> – and done
better every time.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-26706570774868413972013-10-25T10:42:00.004-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.692-07:00Bully them if they're right<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUGECGnYbV0/UmqoAf9UVSI/AAAAAAAADVw/OVXunhHrzz0/s1600/BULLY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUGECGnYbV0/UmqoAf9UVSI/AAAAAAAADVw/OVXunhHrzz0/s1600/BULLY.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Commenter bullies</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We read
that<b> bullying </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><b>isn't</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b> acceptable</b> in schools and that it’s wrong in the workplace.
What about bullying those who disagree politically? For a <b>small group of haters</b>
in <b>Costa Mesa</b>, that <b>bullying is acceptable</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If someone
states that <b>street and curb repairs</b>, <b>park maintenance</b> and <b>Westside development</b>
are all <b>good for Costa Mesa</b> they will be bullied. They’ll be ostracized,
criticized, and marginalized by our local haters. Why? Because the Mayor and
Pro Tem are driving the improvements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The haters are (political) bigots. Their bigotry is simple – if the
Mayor and Pro Tem are involved it’s bad regardless of the benefit for the City.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Bigots</span></h3>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The <b>Pro Tem</b> is <b>walking down every street</b> in the City, and the
<b>Mayor</b> is <b>visiting neighborhood after neighborhood</b> with a<i> Meet the Mayor</i>
program. The idea, in both cases, is to <b>find out what is really going on</b> in the
city and what the <b>citizens’ concerns</b> are. What’s wrong with seeking the facts
before making decisions? Back to the bigoted premise; the Mayor and Pro Tem are
involved so it’s time to “bully the blighters.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The <b>bullies use attacks on personal lives</b>, <b>innuendos</b> about (supposed)
beliefs and<b> ridicule</b> of lifestyles. Personal attacks are all that the haters can
muster because the <b>value of infrastructure improvements can’t be argued</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">An old malady</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mDzCXqvg1k/UmqrtONPqQI/AAAAAAAADWE/R8N6xEGUd_0/s1600/Wolf+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mDzCXqvg1k/UmqrtONPqQI/AAAAAAAADWE/R8N6xEGUd_0/s1600/Wolf+2.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Costa
Mesa’s haters </span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>aren't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> unique</b>, just mildly annoying and sometimes amusing. (See
Council Comments video<span style="color: blue;"><b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiqZGFPHnUU">Here</a></b></span>.) There’s even a term for their affliction, coined many
years ago. </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Xenophobia</b><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">is the “unreasoned fear of that which is perceived to be
foreign or strange.” <b>Infrastructure improvements are foreign concepts</b> to the
haters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Look at how the parks and roads and alleys were neglected,
ignored, and unfunded when previous Council majorities set the priorities.
<b>Pontification and pandering</b> from the dais </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> ensure street and alley
maintenance, it just <b>wasted money</b>. One presumes the haters were happy as the
Reserves drained away and politicians emoted tearfully from the dais. Now
things are getting done, which upsets the haters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Fear of that which differs</span></h3>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Xenophobia can manifest itself in many ways involving the
relations and perceptions of one group toward another, including suspicion of
the other’s activities and <b>aggression toward those perceived as different</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Pro Tem</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> developed </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">COIN</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> (Civic Openness In Negotiation). It is
being studied and copied throughout the state, and to some degree by cities in
other states. The </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">haters vehemently opposed</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> this ordinance. After ferociously <b>disputing
and resisting</b> <b>COIN</b> they now complain that <b>it </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>doesn't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> go far enough!</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps the <b>haters should muster the discipline and political will</b>
to extend transparency to our other money-spending activities, if that’s what
they really want. They can have credit for the “ON4-1/5” or Open Negations for (the
final) one-fifth” of City expenses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not kid stuff but childish</span></h3>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_BiWBAQ6bs/UmqpC2uPNEI/AAAAAAAADV4/mHIZQT7puqY/s1600/Two+Chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_BiWBAQ6bs/UmqpC2uPNEI/AAAAAAAADV4/mHIZQT7puqY/s1600/Two+Chicks.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Bullying </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">isn't</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> acceptable</b> for adults. But for the haters, i<b>t’s all
there is</b>. Their diatribe is mostly ignored, so maybe we should call it
<b>attempted bullying</b>.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-944623677436602052013-10-23T08:33:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:46:35.088-07:00Intent to harm vs. freedom to publish<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjnt_6xSJEw/Umfq5SZpGHI/AAAAAAAADU8/-gDY_oRfQF8/s1600/AT+DESK+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjnt_6xSJEw/Umfq5SZpGHI/AAAAAAAADU8/-gDY_oRfQF8/s1600/AT+DESK+03.jpg" height="169" width="200" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Libel in the time of </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">Weblogs</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Malice</b>: </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">a legal term describing the intent to harm</span>. “<b>Actual
malice</b>” is<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">
required to establish libel against public officials and is usually needed for punitive
damages. It involves material that was known to be <b>false</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As “libel law" develops in the Weblog age, defining what “<b>publishing</b>” is becomes more
important. <b>Libel is published written defamation</b> (false statements of fact that
damage one’s reputation). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">But is it published</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> “<b>Distribution</b>” </span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>isn't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b>the same as “<b>publishing</b>.”
Amazon can list an excerpt from a book in their advertising without concern for
it being false and damaging; they are distributing the information, not
publishing it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
But if a newspaper publishes a <b>guest editorial that damages</b> someone’s reputation by asserting a “fact” that is clearly untrue, it potentially subjects itself to libel suits and damages. It <b>published</b> something that it knew, or should have known, was <b>false as well as damaging</b> to the victim. It demonstrated <b>actual malice</b>.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Does
a blogger “<b>publish</b>”? Probably. But, are <b>comments</b> following her posts “<b>published</b>”
or “<b>distributed</b>?” The answer is obscure. <b>Is the blogger responsible</b> for the comments
within her post? Probably to some degree; it’s not clear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Defamation must damage</span></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97MWL7Kx35A/UmfsDJFYXKI/AAAAAAAADVM/4n58-7Y2cqc/s1600/Shark+open+mouth+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-97MWL7Kx35A/UmfsDJFYXKI/AAAAAAAADVM/4n58-7Y2cqc/s1600/Shark+open+mouth+right.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Defamation
has to<b> cause damage</b> to be<b> actionable</b> in court whether it’s done in a newspaper
or online. So, a blogger who asserts that “Mayor Righeimer eats worms” is probably
safe from libel suits. (It’s also about as relevant and demonstrable as most of
the constant complainers’ other assertions.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">However,
<b>blogging untruthfully</b> that (hypothetical name) Bob Sanchez sells heroin as his
second job, might result in an expensive suit if the accusation caused Bob’s
customers to cancel their orders. In this case the phrase “in my opinion” might
not protect the blogger – her <b>statement of fact is verifiable and wrong</b>. If she
posts, “the Mayor has poor taste in neckties” she’s stating an opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Defamation might be expensive</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Say
she posts, “Bob Sanchez <b>should be fired</b> from his primary job <b>because</b> his second
job involves illegal drug sales.” If Bob gets fired; can he get libel damages
from her when a court clears him of illegal dealings? The answer is; <b>maybe</b>. We’re
getting more case law in this field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There
are some <b>interesting twists</b>, too, in the reputations of the publisher and the victim.
If the <b>victim has a scurrilous reputation</b>, such as a physician who recently
lost his medical license for egregious misbehavior, his <b>recovery of damages is
unlikely</b>. The idea is that the victim’s reputation was difficult to damage more
with a blog post. The same assertion about the Chair of the Water Department
might be actionable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
<b>blogger’s reputation</b> probably matters, too. If the blogger is generally
applauded as a reasonable source of information, she may be able to damage a
Fair Board members’ reputation with her post. If she is generally considered to
be a “nut case” or “loose cannon” her ability to damage an honored citizen with
a post is less. So a <b>blogger might avoid libel trouble if she’s not taken
seriously</b> <b>by most Costa Mesans</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhId0UCVydg/UmfrGxKv_yI/AAAAAAAADVE/oHykzFrqUqQ/s1600/lady+confused+at+roadsigns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhId0UCVydg/UmfrGxKv_yI/AAAAAAAADVE/oHykzFrqUqQ/s1600/lady+confused+at+roadsigns.jpg" height="174" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A field with constitutional overtones </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">And,
the clash of the <b>issues of personal dignity and First Amendment</b> rights, as expressed
by Justices Stewart Potter and Hugo Black, seem to be critical to internet libel
cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Libel
is growing in importance in blogging and social media, and the </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">rules </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">aren't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> yet
clear</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-47539347194163699512013-10-21T23:19:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.700-07:00Scream insults or study facts, take your pick<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4Vao5TUE6A/UmYWWyc55AI/AAAAAAAADUY/BGt8F_HupxE/s1600/Balance+scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4Vao5TUE6A/UmYWWyc55AI/AAAAAAAADUY/BGt8F_HupxE/s1600/Balance+scale.jpg" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Deciding what's right</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Let’s look at <b>two approaches</b> for deciding controversial matters
of public policy. Both are in vogue in <b>Costa Mesa</b>. One approach involves
<b>investigation, discussion, and debate</b> – by <b>Costa Mesans</b> -- to
decide what’s best for <b>Costa Mesa</b>. This method has the most supporters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Another approach</b> is illustrated by a Councilwoman’s comment:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i><b>“</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i><b>I
hope the feds send a strong message to the Council majority that the City
cannot ignore the rules and just build the path, turn on the lights and make
way for the parking lot and tot lot.”</b></i><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">So, she <b>believes Costa Mesa can’t or won’t protect City property</b>
though our own procedures. She is <b>insulting the ability and integrity</b> of our
Public Services Department and Director. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This is also an example of <b>perceived locus of control</b> – clearly she
believes in <b>committees appointed in Sacramento or Washington D.C., rather than Costa Mesans </b>to best determine<b> what is good for Costa Mesa</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Emotional not factual</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Her remark is a bit </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">short in the facts department</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, though. The
path she’s talking about was in place for a long time and refurbished recently
by citizens trying to improve the park. (The </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">City Council ignored</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Park projects
for several administrations so volunteers began maintaining some trails and
fences at their own expense.) Just a matter of <b>residents trying to help out</b> when previous <b>Councils </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>didn't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> fund</b> Fairview Park maintenance. (It's worth noting that <b>only the Mayor and the Pro Tem</b> <b>were not involved</b> in decisions to not fund Park Maintenance in the past.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Further, the <b>turnaround/parking was planned more than a decade ago</b>
and has just reached a funding stage; <b>funding for <u>study</u></b>, that is. Hysteria
about “<b>paving the vernal ponds</b>” was generated by a few folks with political
agendas – again; unfounded and ridiculous warnings that have been done before. (1) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Lights</b> are similarly <b>being studied</b> – and blamed on the Pro Tem’s
enthusiasm for youth sports, <b>ignoring the real arguments</b> both for and against.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKmiOIYqwbE/UmYYpOQU4RI/AAAAAAAADUo/Gp6V9a5kob8/s1600/BOY+-+ANGRY+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKmiOIYqwbE/UmYYpOQU4RI/AAAAAAAADUo/Gp6V9a5kob8/s1600/BOY+-+ANGRY+06.jpg" width="106" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I'm mad -- I want the city to get fined </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The Councilwoman is <b>rooting for the home team to lose</b>, a curious
stand for an executive. There’s the matter of loyalty, too. We started learning
in Kindergarten to support our team. <b>Some of us did</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">So <b>disloyalty</b> in hoping for (if that’s all she did) her city to
be “punished,” and <b>attacking the knowledge and integrity</b> of the Public Services
Department, and <b>distortions of facts</b> – why?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Vindictiveness trumps integrity and loyalty</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A key reason behind such silliness is <b>personal vindictiveness</b>.
For example, consider a remark by a commenter after her post:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“</span>Steve is sort of a bully. Jim, a failed leader. Together
they fund a lot of lawyers.”</i></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This has no
bearing on the subject, it’s just an<b> ad hominem attack</b> – which is most commonly
used when facts supporting a position are sparse or haven’t been researched.
And more such nonsense; a<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> frequent theme for about five very vocal commenters is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>“Theft of public land is a Righeimer
hall mark going back to his days working with Suncal,” </i>an ad hominem refuted as
far back as 2011. </b>(See 2)</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i> </i></b></span></blockquote>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Facts and priorities or name-calling and blaming</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">So, there’s the approach of <b>debating the priorities and issues</b>,
on one hand. There’re ongoing studies and plans by a devoted and
highly-effective Public Services Director and his staff to <b>collect facts to
fuel and support debate about priorities</b>. This also involves <b>soliciting citizen –
not agitator – input</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">And, then there’re <b>emotional outbursts</b> seeking to <b>blame the
current Council’s majority</b> for failures by past City Councils. This involves recruiting <b>out of town agitators</b>. Those who <b>enjoy
the emotional catharsis of screaming</b> at Council and Commission members will
continue doing what they enjoy. (3) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0KOjtU-3DI/UmYXXiwgvrI/AAAAAAAADUg/srqRfKj9GCI/s1600/MAN+-+TIRED+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0KOjtU-3DI/UmYXXiwgvrI/AAAAAAAADUg/srqRfKj9GCI/s200/MAN+-+TIRED+01.jpg" width="171" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It must tire them out </span></h3>
<br />
Seeing every project and event through the lens of “<b><i>I hate Mayor Righeimer and the Pro Tem, too</i></b>” must be exhausting. It doesn't require any effort for research or thinking though.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1) Paving vernal pools: Good summary of several issues:<span style="background-color: yellow;"> <a href="http://republicofcostamesa.com/2011/11/11/the-amazing-geoff-west-getting-it-wrong-but-doing-it-often/">Here</a></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Early article: <a href="http://abubblingcauldron.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-me-park-peril-and-wendys-town-hall.html"> <span style="background-color: yellow;">Here</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">2) Untrue and malicious, refuted here: <span style="background-color: yellow;"> <a href="http://republicofcostamesa.com/2011/07/28/whos-bankrupt/">Here</a></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">3) Alinsky’s Rule 6 is: </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“<b>A good tactic</b>
(for manipulating public opinion without regard to truth) <b>is one your people
enjoy</b>.”</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-16323185642475880022013-10-21T09:12:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.689-07:00Personal animosity is never correct, legal, or even productive<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZjVSVO0ymU/UmVREE7EvPI/AAAAAAAADT4/KstqaU8t9wg/s1600/Book+and+gavel+in+court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZjVSVO0ymU/UmVREE7EvPI/AAAAAAAADT4/KstqaU8t9wg/s1600/Book+and+gavel+in+court.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Law and Propriety</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">From the Municipal Code (City law)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Sec. 2-60.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Propriety of conduct of council
members</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Members of the council shall
<b>preserve order and decorum</b> during a meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">It shall be unlawful for any
member of the council to violate any of the following rules:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">. . . <b>Members of the council
shall not</b>, by disorderly, insolent or disturbing action, speech, or otherwise,
substantially delay, interrupt or disturb the proceedings of the council. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"> (Code 1960, § 2223; Ord. No. 72-38, § 2,
10-16-72; Ord. No. 85-26, § 2, 10-21-85)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">In
the past, the law listed above would have seemed superfluous; after all, folks
elected to conduct <b>Costa Mesa</b>’s business and to represent all of the citizens
of the City would be responsible and honorable people. We expect respect for government process from government officers even when they don't get their way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Laws apply to the audience </span></h3>
<div class="sec" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 6.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Sec. 2-61.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Propriety of conduct while addressing
the council.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="content1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">It shall be <b>unlawful for any
person</b> while addressing the council at a council meeting to . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">. . . make any <b>personal,
impertinent, profane, insolent, or slanderous remarks</b>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">. . . <b>yell</b> at the council in a loud, disturbing
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">. . . <b>speak without being recognized</b> by the
presiding officer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">. . . <b>continue to speak after being told</b> by the
presiding officer that his allotted time for addressing the council has
expired. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">(Code 1960, § 2224; Ord. No.
72-38, § 2, 10-16-72; Ord. No. 85-26, § 2, 10-21-85)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="sec" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 6.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjP5Z6gW87U/UmVRv2iIwzI/AAAAAAAADUI/6Se9tx4fJow/s1600/scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjP5Z6gW87U/UmVRv2iIwzI/AAAAAAAADUI/6Se9tx4fJow/s1600/scream.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><b><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="sec" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 6.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Sec. 2-64.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Disorderliness by members of the
audience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="p0" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">It shall be <b>unlawful for any
person</b> in the audience at a council meeting . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="incr1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.2pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Engage in <b>disorderly,
disruptive, disturbing, delaying or boisterous conduct</b>, such as, but not
limited to, handclapping, stomping of feet, whistling, making noise, use of profane
language or obscene gestures, yelling or similar demonstrations, which conduct
substantially interrupts, delays, or disturbs the peace and good order of the
proceedings of the council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="incr1" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 67.2pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><b>Refuse to comply with a
lawful order</b> or directive of the presiding officer of the council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="content2" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p0" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">The sergeant-at-arms shall
have the authority to remove any such person from the council chamber and place
him or her under arrest, or both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="p0" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">(Code 1960, § 2227; Ord. No.
72-38, § 2, 10-16-72)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Illegal and silly</span></h3>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">So,
the <b>behaviors</b> we've observed during recent meetings – and during last year’s
City Council meetings -- are <b>illegal</b>, as well as <b>foolish</b> and <b>embarrassing for
the City</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">And
what if the <b>sources of “profane language or obscene gestures”</b> are city
employees or volunteers? Are City
employees exempt from City law? The employees who <b>represent Costa Mesa</b> to the
public should be people who <b>obey the law</b> and <b>observe rules</b> of decorum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Fortunately,
the <b>majority of the elected officials</b>, and the <b>great majority of the employees
and uniformed volunteers are law-abiding, courteous men and women</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ4IZJS2uWI/UmVRNgPIDEI/AAAAAAAADUA/PK2NpjiqvPw/s1600/aligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ4IZJS2uWI/UmVRNgPIDEI/AAAAAAAADUA/PK2NpjiqvPw/s1600/aligator.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">The
number of rude, entitled brats is small; nevertheless <b>Costa Mesa deserves
responsible behavior from all of those who would represent her</b> to the public. </span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="historynote" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%; padding: 0in;">Personal animosity is never correct, legal, or even productive in government
operations.</span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-646807891751054032013-10-20T21:57:00.003-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.708-07:00Reasons for pride, reasons for shame<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMmFQafBK6s/UmSywLfx2wI/AAAAAAAADTY/xnHaJcGUm6Q/s1600/Barbeque+chef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMmFQafBK6s/UmSywLfx2wI/AAAAAAAADTY/xnHaJcGUm6Q/s1600/Barbeque+chef.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Pride in workmanship</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The <b>Halecrest Chili
Cook Off</b> was a reminder of how important pride in workmanship and attention to
detail can be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All of the
candidates were <b>proud of their chili</b>, and each table had someone who could
explain in detail how the dish had been prepared. For example, the <i>Chili Verde</i>
from one group had been prepared from meat smoked at a specific low temperature
for many hours and . . . The person explaining was clearly proud of his
chili, as were the videographer and the photographer who manned the <b>CM employee</b>
table next door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The competitors’ pride
would have been no less if they had been forced to use smaller tables, or to
have fewer staff at each table.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Beyond Chili </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">During a couple of
ride-alongs with </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">CMPD</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> we've observed that the officers were not only </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">proficient</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">,
they were </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">proud of their skill and expertise</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. It seemed to be routine, an
attitude of, “We know how to ‘serve and protect’ and we do it well now. We'll do it
even better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">During the
Scarecrow festival the <b>OCME</b> (Orange County Model Engineers) ran a great Pumpkin
Patch program that required a whole lot of “<b>on the fly</b>” <b>changes</b> to keep it
running – and they are paid only in smiles from kids. They cross-checked each
other, made difficult decisions, performed hard physical labor – and cleaned
everything up and put it away. They were all <b>proud of what they accomplished</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ByZaQBfFhkk/UmS0F0bfnUI/AAAAAAAADTo/TQvsaqn8Ym4/s1600/Eagle+and+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ByZaQBfFhkk/UmS0F0bfnUI/AAAAAAAADTo/TQvsaqn8Ym4/s1600/Eagle+and+flag.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Excellence, not excuses</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It would have been
</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">easy to whine</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> about getting a shorter contract than they wanted for the train
site. It would be easy for the officers to slack off because they've <b>been told</b> that the <b>Mayor</b> doesn't like them and that he called them goons.
It would be easy for the chili makers to <b>dump canned chili into a pot</b> to save
time, money, and especially, effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pride from accomplishments</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In <b>Costa Mesa</b> we
enjoy <b>good policing</b>, good youth <b>train-pumpkin-scarecrow</b> fun. We enjoy <b>good fire
and emergency medical service</b>. We enjoy good communications and emergency
service support. We enjoy good customer-service from most of the City
employees we contact – most of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We citizens of
<b>Costa Mesa</b> recognize when and where <b>good work is being done</b>. No, not everyone recognizes the excellence of
employee service. And not every employee and volunteer strives for excellence. But
<b>most do</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Executive pride and accomplishment</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The <b>Mayor</b> and the
<b>Pro Tem</b> seem to be <b>seeking excellence</b>, too. And they are <b>rightfully proud</b> of
their accomplishments. Yet the haters continue their uninformed diatribe
against them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Compare the haters’
</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">innuendos, labels, and speculation</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> with the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">COIN</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> ordinance and </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mensinger’s
Contract with Costa Mesa</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. Contrast the haters’<i> ad hominem</i> attacks against the
Council majority and anyone who supports something they do, with the <b>Meet the
Mayor</b> program. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Consider the <b>Pro
Tem’s goal to walk every street</b> in the City to see what is really going on, and
compare that to the speakers on both sides of the dais who <b>don’t even bother to
read the City staff’s study</b> of an issue before they start to comment and
criticize.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hU_vVuxVVIM/UmSzZVrE2zI/AAAAAAAADTg/I7dhKXd4oDg/s1600/Chili+prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hU_vVuxVVIM/UmSzZVrE2zI/AAAAAAAADTg/I7dhKXd4oDg/s1600/Chili+prize.jpg" height="165" width="200" /></a><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Compare and
contrast the fact-finding and open communication with the hatred and insults.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
The haters don’t do much research before they accuse and insult. They don't seem proud of their accomplishments, just proud of their membership in the “hate the
Mayor” group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Great Chili
Saturday; for our taste, the <i>Chili Verde</i> edged out the competition.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-82260611777799652962013-10-20T00:25:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.715-07:00The majority depends on the Council to preserve their rights<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IXgXLtgwSI/UmOFCNqQklI/AAAAAAAADTE/8bFZXHkxeSo/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1IXgXLtgwSI/UmOFCNqQklI/AAAAAAAADTE/8bFZXHkxeSo/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Noisiest aren't the majority</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“What
seems to be the voice of the masses is the voice of a few – magnified and
distorted.” </i>Larry Tramutola</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A recent post about bike trails facilitating crime caused
some (mostly anonymous) controversy. Essentially, the comments could be summed up as,
“<b>you must think that bike trails are bad, and </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>you're</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> wrong because . . .</b>”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We believe that <b>bike trails are one of the advantages</b>
offered by a <b>beautiful and vibrant city</b>. However, beneficial trails cannot result
from </span>government’s “knee jerk” reactions to people who make noise. The <b>City Council</b> is not responsible to agitators; it’s <b>responsible to all Costa Mesa citizens</b>.<br />
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Agitate to get your way</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Special interest groups have learned to <b>pack meetings and
disrupt proceedings</b> to try to get their way. Alinsky wrote one of the earliest
texts on using disruptive tactics to “get your way” back in the 60’s. Occupy
(Wall Street) agitators (they prefer to be called “activists”) continue the
process. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">These <b>groups (or even individuals) offer unqualified “petitions.”</b> They fill newspaper commentary and
Commission and Council comments with <b>opinions unsupported by anything</b> beyond “I
feel strongly about this (and almost every other) issue.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Those who don’t pack the Council Chambers or wave signs
from the sidewalk in front of City Hall don’t forfeit their rights because they
don’t agitate. They are depending on the City Council to preserve their rights
and to look out for their interests – that’s why they elected the Council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Planning makes the difference</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Intelligently-planned bike trails can be a reason
productive people want to live in Costa Mesa.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Bike trails help kids travel
safely. Trails can enhance the lives of Costa Mesa citizens – if </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">they're</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> done
right and designed to benefit all citizens. And we surely have a lot of room to
improve bike access in the City.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Done poorly</b>, in response to aggressive agitators, <b>bike
trails can be repellent</b> to the majority of Costa Mesans as well as terrible
<b>wastes of time and money</b>. They can significantly <b>devalue surrounding property
values</b>; that is, they deprive property owners of value just to add an additional biking trail in
<b>Costa Mesa</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It’s not an issue of bike trails or not – it’s an issue
of <b>responsible government</b> versus “knee-jerk” government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-78949945864309135562013-10-17T23:31:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.711-07:00Mayor enforces rules to get City's business completed<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzjD5wNq0Ss/UmDUXeafafI/AAAAAAAADSY/FHFSoTBlfyc/s1600/Bear+on+branch+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzjD5wNq0Ss/UmDUXeafafI/AAAAAAAADSY/FHFSoTBlfyc/s1600/Bear+on+branch+BW.jpg" height="200" width="136" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Rules for meetings</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Robert’s Rules of Order</b>
“. . . <span style="background: white;">provides for constructive and
democratic meetings, to help, not hinder, the business of the assembly.</span>” Rules
and laws have evolved to <b>help assure fairness</b> – and to <b>open government
processes to the citizens</b> served. Some were prompted by disasters; e.g. the
Bell fiasco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Without rules . . .</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Imagine the potential for a Council to wait for stormy day, with
few or no observers, then to <b>introduce a pay raise for themselves</b>. No objections
would be offered (because people were home out of the storm).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Or, imagine a developer
who wanted to avoid opposition to</span> his <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">project; he could just <b>comment for four
or five hours</b> until the opponents departed, then make his unopposed
presentation.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Or consider the Council
member who wanted to “pave the vernal ponds.” She could wait until just before
a</span> restroom <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">break, then <b>slip in a motion</b> to “approve project 6175, on the OCPTS
schedule per the LOBEEBAR as amended January 14, 2011, for a price of
$650,000.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If her buddy seconded the motion, and the other members were
distracted by their interest in the upcoming break, the measure could pass. <b>No
one would have time to research the motion</b>, or to understand it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Rules protect citizens</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So, rules say the <b>City
must publish the Council’s agenda</b> two weeks in advance, and <b>consider only items
on that agenda</b>. The citizens then have the opportunity to research and understand the items on
the agenda.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Some people come to
Council meetings to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">appeal a citation </b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">or to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ask for Council help</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> – a cracked
sidewalk that isn't being repaired for instance. They and the people who want
to broadcast their opinions about anything <b>get to speak</b> – or sing or curse as
they may prefer – <b>before the items on the agenda</b> are discussed.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Address agenda items too</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzsVUEPv8bM/UmDVj4IVFFI/AAAAAAAADSw/5a5TVoaLnrs/s1600/GIVING+SPEECH+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tzsVUEPv8bM/UmDVj4IVFFI/AAAAAAAADSw/5a5TVoaLnrs/s1600/GIVING+SPEECH+02.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Citizens and visitors
may <b>speak about agenda items</b> as well, and many of the frequent speakers offer
opinions on almost everything on every agenda. However, while any specific item is being
discussed, <b>they can only speak about that item</b>. This keeps debate and
discussion focused on the agenda item.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Council members or
visitors can “<b>pull</b>” <b>individual items from the Consent Calendar</b> – which is
deliberated and passed as a parcel – for discussion. Consent items are typically
routine matters like paying bills, funding the period’s payroll, and such, that
don’t usually require debate.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A tactic used in the
past was to extend the meeting by pulling many Consent items for discussion. This left presenters for new and old business,
City staff, and citizens who were interested in the new and old business
waiting, sometimes for hours. We've observed that most often, the<b> visitors who
preached and complained departed shortly after speaking</b>. Generally, they still
do.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Delays moved to the end of the meeting</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Currently, up to ten
individual speakers are heard before the agenda; the rest are <b>heard after all other
business</b> has been conducted. All discussion on “<b>pulled</b>” <b>Consent items</b> is <b>heard
after the Council’s other scheduled business as well</b>. That is, prolonged
discussion of a consent item doesn’t delay the main business of the Council.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lR9S9gIycc8/UmDUhweJo-I/AAAAAAAADSo/MPMspkLQQAQ/s1600/Wolf+snarl+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lR9S9gIycc8/UmDUhweJo-I/AAAAAAAADSo/MPMspkLQQAQ/s1600/Wolf+snarl+2.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This seems like a <b>civil
and organized manner</b> of conducting City business.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
The <b>Mayor</b> is charged with following and enforcing these rules, and for getting City business completed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-73997785027358512792013-10-16T22:18:00.002-07:002013-10-28T19:46:35.082-07:00As if the "Chamber Childish" weren't bad enough. . .<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hheQrJHWmKo/Ul9yNd77GEI/AAAAAAAADR0/_tE4SHgLyCo/s1600/Fool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hheQrJHWmKo/Ul9yNd77GEI/AAAAAAAADR0/_tE4SHgLyCo/s1600/Fool.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Uninformed or just foolish</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
Council meeting Tuesday evening was <b>embarrassing</b>. The “<b>Chamber Childish</b>” contingent
often triggers embarrassment about their<b> lack of decorum</b>. But Tuesday’s meeting
added more reasons to hope intelligent tourists </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">weren't</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> visiting and judging Costa
Mesa by what they observed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Study the study to . . .</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
Council considered <b>rehearing the City’s decision to study the impact</b> of the turnaround
proposed for the end of Pacific Avenue (and extending into Fairview Park). Yes,
that’s reopen study of a study. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A
request for a <b>re-hearing</b> in <b>Costa Mesa</b> requires that <b>credible new information</b> be
found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Offered as “<b>new</b>” information were such items as a letter from a state office recommending that archaeological sites be avoided in development. More “<b>new information</b>” included <b>opinions</b> of biologists and archaeologists who looked at photos and drawings. A couple of them <b>speculated</b> that biologically and archaeologically sensitive areas might extend farther south – into the planned turnaround.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Speculation to fact </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQdx9FDzoj0/Ul9zC2ZMfgI/AAAAAAAADSI/oFUS7xuNR88/s1600/lady+confused+at+roadsigns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQdx9FDzoj0/Ul9zC2ZMfgI/AAAAAAAADSI/oFUS7xuNR88/s1600/lady+confused+at+roadsigns.jpg" height="174" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">How
would we turn this speculation into fact? <b>Study the area</b>. The rehearing’s
purpose? <b>Delay the study of the area while we learn more about the area – by not
studying it</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
One new piece of information was advice that a family may have hidden or buried the remains of a relative in the park recently – probably clandestinely.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">So
there were <b>opinions</b> from a distance, <b>speculation</b>, and a <b>hint that remains had
been interred</b> in the public park recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Not enough for another hearing</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
information offered <b>didn’t meet the criteria for a rehearing</b>, so a rehearing
was denied. The emotional outburst by the requester was noteworthy: initially <b>her
presentation had been rational</b>. It was disorganized and largely opinion or
hearsay-based evidence, but it was rational. Her <b>summary</b>, however, <b>was an
outburst unworthy of a government official</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Her
</span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">attacks on the Public Services Director</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, in our opinion, were </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">unwarranted</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and
an </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">egregious misuse of power</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. She </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">castigated</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> him and used one of his statements
to try to justify a rehearing. She </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">berated</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> him; he had said there was no need
for archeological oversight of the turn-around because it </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">wasn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> in an area
known for archaeological significance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">What </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">wasn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> mentioned in her abuse; there </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">is
<u>no</u></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> evidence of archeological significance in the turnaround area – yet. The design
study includes an <b>evaluation of the significance of the site</b>, as well as
<b>delineation of the important areas</b>. So, as the study proceeds more area may be
protected. The turnaround area may qualify as a protected area. Or not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Delay the study until we know more </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">She
wanted to <b>delay study of the area until we learn more about it – by not studying it</b>. She <b>verbally abused
and criticized a highly-respected City employee</b>. Her <b>summary of her position
was an emotional outburst</b> instead of an argument supporting her position. And, she’s a
<b>Council member – a respected and responsible title</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WcodVemKbRM/Ul9yUlnStRI/AAAAAAAADR8/somT1CIJtxU/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WcodVemKbRM/Ul9yUlnStRI/AAAAAAAADR8/somT1CIJtxU/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It
was embarrassing. And that’s before the “Chamber Childish” started their hoots,
groans and catcalls.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-75814674165047218652013-10-16T15:55:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:46:35.083-07:00Council members’ concern for constituents’ ideas<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Wednesday
Potpourri</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NigliczTPn0/Ul8XQltQmrI/AAAAAAAADRM/16WaOSROUGs/s1600/flower+bunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NigliczTPn0/Ul8XQltQmrI/AAAAAAAADRM/16WaOSROUGs/s1600/flower+bunch.jpg" height="200" width="197" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">One
Councilman rarely responds to emails, but is <b>happy to discuss issues</b>, often at
length, <b>with anyone who asks</b>. The <b>Mayor and Pro Tem respond to calls, emails,
and questions</b> – period. They schedule time to talk to any citizen with a
question, giving the impression that they <b>care what the citizenry think</b>. They
sit down and talk with those who insult them. These three Council members seem
to be trying to <b>represent all citizens</b>, not just those who agree with them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We
have been <b>unable to engage</b> <b>either</b> <b>Councilwoman</b> in any more than brief
conversation, or to get any return phone calls or texts from them, or to have
our emails to them answered. They are frequently engaged with their followers
after Council or Commission meetings, though. That is, they do seem <b>responsive
-- to those who agree with them</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Chamber childish at work</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Only
two medium and one soft “</span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">honk</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">” came from the “</span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Chamber’s childish</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">” contingent during
Tuesday night’s Council meeting. That was, sadly, an improvement – maybe </span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>they're</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> tiring of their squeaky toy</b>. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohs997SuHvU/Ul8ZLFEGmvI/AAAAAAAADRk/zc2zS1XM9kY/s1600/Opera+singer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohs997SuHvU/Ul8ZLFEGmvI/AAAAAAAADRk/zc2zS1XM9kY/s1600/Opera+singer.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And, a song which was probably intended to be cute
was sung so far off key it was difficult to understand – apparently the idea
was <b>dissonance rather than message</b>. Why is someone singing at a governing body
meeting, you ask? Yep, we ask that a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">(To
paraphrase an old joke: What’s the difference between the anti’s who crowd
Chambers during Council meetings and the Boy Scouts? Answer, the Boy Scouts
have adult leadership.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Rules are for you, not me</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Commenters
have three minutes to <b>present whatever they want to the City Council</b> at the
beginning of the meeting. During agenda item discussions their comments can only address the
specific issue being discussed. This is spelled out in state law and City
ordinances. However, some commenters think that they are entitled to ignore the
rules that apply to the rest of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One comment
during the “specific item” citizen input about a proposed rehearing </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">degenerated
into an attack on Councilmen who “looked bored.”</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Looking bored was criticized as
“rude” and became the </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">focus of the comment</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. The ranters and ravers were
appalled that the </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Mayor insisted on the discussion remaining on point – per law</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">.
Their view seemed to be, “How dare he enforce the rules when she wants to
insult Council members? Their cries of outrage suggested they think “the rules </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">don't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> apply to her.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Entitlement
enriched – but not enabled; the Mayor </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> let her continue her rudeness rant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Outsiders respectful and courteous</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We
noticed that most of the courteous and respectful commenters at this meeting were from
out-of-town. So they could be excused for not understanding
the <b>Costa Mesa</b> ordinances regarding rehearings. (Issues can be re-heard only for new and pertinent information.) Most of these commenters identified
themselves as representatives of local tribes who wanted Fairview Park areas
protected from encroachment, which wasn't the issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66qRl3RnBVo/Ul8YMA8_nfI/AAAAAAAADRY/JBwNdsjOFIg/s1600/Mother+breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66qRl3RnBVo/Ul8YMA8_nfI/AAAAAAAADRY/JBwNdsjOFIg/s1600/Mother+breakfast.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We
doubt that the local complainers (and Newport Beach recruits) learned much about
decorum from their good example, though. After all, <b>Kindergarten and their
mothers </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>weren't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> very successful</b> at instilling manners and respect for fair
play.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-79892814400675224972013-10-15T11:51:00.000-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.713-07:00"You're stupid and mean. Want to go to a movie with me?"<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mNvGAL2DdoE/Ul2M2-yUTpI/AAAAAAAADQo/FEdWocN80Ok/s1600/Streetlamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mNvGAL2DdoE/Ul2M2-yUTpI/AAAAAAAADQo/FEdWocN80Ok/s1600/Streetlamp.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Illuminate or bludgeon</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A <b><i>Daily
Pilot</i></b> commentary sparked remarks that illustrate <b>two ways of
approaching issues</b>. The letter addressed a need to deal with the unfunded
liabilities from employee retirement benefits.*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
first two and the fourth remarks below<b> illustrate a positive and respectful
approach to debating</b> the issue. The third <b>illustrates</b> the approach we see from
the “chronic haters;” an example of <b>insulting one’s opponent to open a
discussion</b>. It drops the debate from rational argument – and solution seeking –
to common diatribe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>“Charles, glad you agree. And I'm encouraged you get it. The trick will be to do it right . . .”</i></b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>“Good commentary. You can fool people, but you can never fool math.”</i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i></i></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“This City Council majority has a
history of ignoring consultants and experts (sic) advice, at the expense of the
taxpayers . . . , looks like he’s just kickin' that old can down the road…”</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i> </i></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“The analogy is interesting and I
appreciate CM4RG actually talking about the elephant in the room in an
intelligent way. But am I wrong? Didn't the author miss a very important issue
as he . . .”</i></b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Agreement in the dirt and sun</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDJVmG_N5MY/Ul2OQKNDqwI/AAAAAAAADQ4/llNb4PPo3V8/s1600/Scarecrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sDJVmG_N5MY/Ul2OQKNDqwI/AAAAAAAADQ4/llNb4PPo3V8/s1600/Scarecrow.jpg" height="200" width="134" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A city employee who is active in
union affairs was working beside me Sunday afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">While we were sweating and getting dirty cleaning up the scarecrow area we discussed an <b>approach to
politics that annoys both of us</b>;<b> starting a discussion with insults</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">His
examples of egregious openings differ from mine; samples of both are
paraphrased below. Our examples are easy to tell apart, but the important point
is,<b> how likely is the ensuing discussion to lead to solutions</b> both parties can
live with?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“Your side is only concerned with
your pay and benefits, you won’t try to help the city or compromise, or . . ."</i></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“You two (Mayor and Pro Tem) are
destroying the city by the way you hate employees and want to lay everybody off
. . . “</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i> </i></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“Your union is filled with rogues
who are criminals and they just try to intimidate . . .”</i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i> </i></b></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“You guys (same two) are trying to
bankrupt the city and pave over the vernal pools and . . . so you can line your pockets/benefit
your developer friends . . .”</i></b></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Start with insult -- go nowhere</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">These <b>assertions</b>, like <b>those in the
third example of comments above</b>, are <b>all false, unsupportable and inflammatory</b> –
without adding any information or insight to a discussion. Using them in a
problem-solving discussion is more likely to block progress than to move toward
solutions. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0lO_PlQWg4/Ul2NjbQ4XZI/AAAAAAAADQw/P5VJ2heSZt0/s1600/Dunce+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0lO_PlQWg4/Ul2NjbQ4XZI/AAAAAAAADQw/P5VJ2heSZt0/s1600/Dunce+2.jpg" height="200" width="107" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If the tactic is chosen to inflame or to block progress, then the
assertions are useful. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Otherwise, they’re simply <b>emotional
manifestations of weak thinking skills</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">*DP Article: <a href="http://www.dailypilot.com/opinion/tn-dpt-me-1013-commentary2-20131011,0,6217785.story">Here</a></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-28161313415967947502013-10-14T16:41:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.695-07:00Crows repelled from Fairview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCZ6UibmLo8/UlyABFS7iPI/AAAAAAAADQM/wLZwiOzoCCo/s1600/Tewinkles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nCZ6UibmLo8/UlyABFS7iPI/AAAAAAAADQM/wLZwiOzoCCo/s1600/Tewinkles.jpg" height="136" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Scarecrow festival</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Last weekend the kids of Costa Mesa – between the ages of
“old enough to sit unattended” and “young enough to sit unattended” got a
chance to play in Fairview Park.* They rode a model train from Goathill Junction
out to the “Pumpkin Patch,” perusing <b>Costa Mesan-made scarecrows</b> en route. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There they picked out their special pumpkin and rode back
to paint the pumpkin -- and/or their faces -- listen to mechanical organ music
(think monkey grinder, calliope), ride a fire truck, fire their personally-built
rocket, eat, drink . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKbPhXLTPX8/Ulx_8OTwJjI/AAAAAAAADQA/eoQMeiWngkI/s1600/Calliope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKbPhXLTPX8/Ulx_8OTwJjI/AAAAAAAADQA/eoQMeiWngkI/s1600/Calliope.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a>Learned while they played </h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Kids and adults got a chance to learn a little about our
<b>water supply</b>, <b>crime prevention</b>, “<b>hands only</b>” <b>CPR</b>, and amateur radio (Ham)
operations that support the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">VIP visitors</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Four City Council members, at least three Parks and
Recreation Commissioners, a planning Commissioner or two, the Chamber of
Commerce President and CEO, and a whole bunch of City employees all visited and
supported the event. The City’s CEO visited. At least two members of the 60<sup>th</sup>
Anniversary main committee visited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Several teachers visited of course; <b>fourth graders in
Costa Mesa </b>watched a presentation and received a <b>coloring book about Costa Mesa</b> history
during the past couple of weeks. <b>Three of the classes built winning entries in the
Scarecrow contest</b>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Newport-Mesa School Board</b> members probably visited
since this was an event celebrating teaching and learning <b>Costa Mesa history</b>. They
must have visited incognito since we </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> see them. It’s said that one of the
board members believes she originated the idea of a scarecrow contest but we </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">haven't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> been able to reach her to learn more. It would have fueled a good
conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Seen scenes</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Random memories of this first annual Scarecrow Festival:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUSW8BVAFBA/Ulx_-iP3lnI/AAAAAAAADQI/8_Qeitlkjxc/s1600/Fire+engine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUSW8BVAFBA/Ulx_-iP3lnI/AAAAAAAADQI/8_Qeitlkjxc/s1600/Fire+engine.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The <b>smile of a girl</b> standing on the back of the returning
fire truck “just like a fireman, daddy, just like a fireman!” Her smile threatened to crack her face it was
so wide. <b>Four kids</b> who wanted their rockets’ firing delayed “until the wind
blows more” to get better distance on their launches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Parks Commissioner</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> who diverted temporarily from a
train ride to get a “Dreamsicle, I haven’t seen one of those in years.” He had
walked his dog through the scarecrow area early Saturday morning wondering from
a distance “why all those people are standing on the edge of the bluff looking
at the golf course.” He and said puppy investigated the scarecrows and pumpkins
once he was convinced he </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">wouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> be disturbing a ceremony.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The <b>joggers and dog walkers</b> who stopped at the <b>Pumpkin
Patch</b> restrooms in the middle of their walks and runs in the early mornings
Saturday and Sunday. They lost their convenience facility Sunday night – it went
back to the City yard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The <b>Councilwoman</b> who visited even though walking was
difficult and painful for her – she’s supported a lot of
City events this year.<b> “Support your city” takes on new meaning when it hurts
to walk!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcsPN1NBK3I/Ulx_38vTqWI/AAAAAAAADP4/luoXOZmQV4E/s1600/Flyers+sunset-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcsPN1NBK3I/Ulx_38vTqWI/AAAAAAAADP4/luoXOZmQV4E/s1600/Flyers+sunset-1.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a>Next year bigger and even better</h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">All in all, a great event, with a lot of <b>support from committed and
devoted volunteers and City employees – and teachers and kids and scarecrow
crafters</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">*Register article: <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/scarecrows-530897-costa-mesa.html">Here</a></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-13728957768890730812013-10-12T05:26:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.688-07:00Tattling to promote yourself<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyiy8uXV4Ms/Ulk-Yr9ORkI/AAAAAAAADPQ/oOhU88uT3rM/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oyiy8uXV4Ms/Ulk-Yr9ORkI/AAAAAAAADPQ/oOhU88uT3rM/s1600/Ape+scream.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Tattle tales and false leaders</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A recent blog post inspired a flurry of comments, mostly
anonymous, and some from folks who </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> want their remarks published.* They
prompted this post. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Is it <b>wrong to be a “whistleblower?” Clearly not</b>; calling
attention to a dangerous situation that needs to be corrected is ethical.
However, that’s not the point addressed in the post.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Two good reasons</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> intervention</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> by a higher authority is </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">emergently
necessary</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">, such as in a situation that involves risk to life or limb, it is the
right thing to do. Calling the Police when screams and a gunshot are heard is
wise; running out to investigate isn’t. (If the sounds came from your own home
it would probably be better to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">call and intervene simultaneously if you are
capable</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">In the case of a situation that’s <b>ongoing and clearly
harmful, but isn’t going to change</b>, calling attention is the ethical choice,
although often risky. An example would be calling a newspaper or a regulatory agency
with a tip about your company clandestinely diverting its sewage into a
pristine river.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Tattling to cause harm <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rlgjSPwHxMo/Ulk_Wh8BuOI/AAAAAAAADPY/QeYB5q6BYhU/s1600/Mud+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rlgjSPwHxMo/Ulk_Wh8BuOI/AAAAAAAADPY/QeYB5q6BYhU/s1600/Mud+bike.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
</h3>
However, calling the “State Bureau of Classic Car Shows” because you <b>lost an election</b> or <b>don't like the new president</b> of your local car club is unethical. Or, calling the federal “Skunk and Weasel Preservation Committee” in Washington D.C. because your City government is starting to study the growth of a neighborhood skunk population – and <b>you fear the results won’t agree with your view</b> -- is wrong.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The city <b>hasn't failed in its study – it’s just starting it. And, it probably will do a thorough and adequate study</b>. However, being diverted to answering queries will <b>waste its time and money</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If you <b>believe that your City won’t do an adequate job</b> of
investigating the situation, the question then is, “<b>will this be an emergent
situation?</b>” If the City’s study is likely to result in widespread poisoning of
all skunks and other creatures that share their diet – immediately -- then
reporting would be ethical. If there’s a process starting that requires
reviews, plans, and funding over three to six months,<b> waiting for the committee’s
report is honest and disputing the solutions is ethical; reporting the
committee or the problem to other agencies to cause a fuss isn’t</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">To save or to disrupt is the question</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e3Hg3AkAuY/Ulk_nfW3DyI/AAAAAAAADPg/xNcYocCclZI/s1600/Bad+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6e3Hg3AkAuY/Ulk_nfW3DyI/AAAAAAAADPg/xNcYocCclZI/s1600/Bad+guy.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Another question that should be asked is, “<b>Why are we
reporting</b> the city?” If the purpose is to <b>save</b> a population of creatures, or a
cherished landform <b>from immediate destruction</b> the intervention is <b>appropriate</b>.
If the purpose is to t<b>ry to embarrass a political opponent</b> it’s not only
<b>unethical</b>, it’s <b>egregious</b>. Representative government should not be saddled with
<b>wastes of time and money by the disgruntled</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We <b>learned in Kindergarten that sometimes we lose</b>; then
we join forces with the winners to make the situation better. An illustration
straight from </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Wikipedia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“(John)
Wayne supported Vice President Richard Nixon</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1960" title="United States presidential election, 1960"></a></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i> in the presidential
election of 1960</i></b><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><b><i>, but expressed his
vision of patriotism when<span class="apple-converted-space"> John F Kennedy
won </span>the election: 'I didn't vote for him but he's my president, and
I hope he does a good job.'"</i></b><sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“Whistle-blowing” to get even with political opponents –
or to set up a campaign – smacks of disloyalty. In <b>Costa Mesa</b> it’s <b>reflecting
adversely on the Public Services Department</b>. That department is ethically and
effectively managed by an excellent executive. <b>Maligning the Director and his
department to try to get a political advantage is dishonest, </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>disloyal and
disruptive. </b><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBL1whrMRCg/Ulk-LFbxY1I/AAAAAAAADPI/C_zgHreJFrE/s1600/Baby+cry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBL1whrMRCg/Ulk-LFbxY1I/AAAAAAAADPI/C_zgHreJFrE/s1600/Baby+cry+2.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The citizens of Costa Mesa should ignore and deplore such
egregious, self-serving political tactics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">*That post: <a href="http://cmconserve.blogspot.com/2013/10/should-you-trust-disloyal-person.html">Here</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-31970544309826678712013-10-10T14:18:00.002-07:002013-10-10T14:21:09.218-07:00Crime is the unintended consequence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TQ0xNyJJTs/UlcY6L4sIuI/AAAAAAAADN8/LdoliPO91NA/s1600/Woman+car+broken+dow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TQ0xNyJJTs/UlcY6L4sIuI/AAAAAAAADN8/LdoliPO91NA/s1600/Woman+car+broken+dow.jpg" height="200" width="177" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Unintended
consequence</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">John
packed his briefcase so he could leave early. He checked the <b>tablet computer,
extra cell phone, and voice recorder</b>, and then loaded his briefcase in the car.
He filled the tank and parked the car in his driveway so his early departure
wouldn’t awaken his wife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Several
Costa Mesa citizens noticed a </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">large man riding a small bike</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> leaving a nearby
neighborhood yesterday; they didn’t report the matter to the police. “<i>Ah,
they’d never get here in time to catch him – maybe it’s his bike, anyway</i>.” The
<b>bike was stolen, but the theft </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>wasn't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> reported</b>; “<i>ah, they never catch ‘em
anyway</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqv1swvkiHw/UlcZY_yLknI/AAAAAAAADOY/ZoLAkNm_4bU/s1600/Criminal+with+bag+of+swag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqv1swvkiHw/UlcZY_yLknI/AAAAAAAADOY/ZoLAkNm_4bU/s1600/Criminal+with+bag+of+swag.jpg" height="200" width="166" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">John
wasn’t awakened by the car alarm; car alarms go off from time to time in his
neighborhood. A neighbor who heard it <b>saw someone riding a bike at two in the
morning</b>, but went back to bed. “<i>Probably just some kid coming home late</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">John’s
briefcase was lost to a “grab and go,” and sold to a mobile “fence” within ten
minutes. The fence <b>Craiglisted the items</b> and ran a <b>software program on the
tablet</b> before he packaged it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">John’s<b>
tablet was on a UPS truck</b> on the way to <b>Omaha</b> before he noticed his car was
burglarized. His <b>credit card information</b>, extracted from the tablet, was used
to <b>purchase easily-hocked items, like watches and jewelry</b> in Los Angeles, as he
gave his report to the investigating officer. It will be a long day and a long
week for John.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
guy on the <b>stolen bike appreciated the unwatched, straight bike trail </b>behind
John’s house; it makes access and escape so fast and easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Didn't get involved </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">That
afternoon Mary was feeling guilty for skipping her morning workout two days in
a row. She decided to remedy that right now. She stopped at the gym on her way home,
<b>grabbed her gym clothes from the trunk and tossed her purse in</b> – she’d only be
gone for an hour, after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Five
people going in to the gym today </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">noticed two youths loitering</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> in the parking
lot but said nothing to the management or the police. </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“I don’t want the hassle,
I </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">don't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> want to get involved, </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">they've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> got their bikes and backpacks so </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">they're</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> probably students hanging out.”</span></span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A
<b>brick through Mary’s window</b>, the trunk lid popped, and Mary’s evening took a
turn for the worse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Whose fault</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Did
John cause a crime? Nope, he just <b>attracted a criminal</b>. Did Mary? Again, no,
she just <b>didn’t notice criminals watching</b> while she stowed her purse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYfTIjxcChY/UlcZkvDxRQI/AAAAAAAADOg/oshYEKWuck8/s1600/Criminal+in+docket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYfTIjxcChY/UlcZkvDxRQI/AAAAAAAADOg/oshYEKWuck8/s1600/Criminal+in+docket.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Broken
window theory suggests that crime, at <b>least most non-violent crime, directly
reflects community involvement</b>. In communities where residents care about their
environment and look out for each other, crime declines and property values
increase.* The opposite is true as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">John's neighbor <b>wasn't concerned enough</b> to ask the police to check -- whether they caught a specific perpetrator is not the question. Their visiting that neighborhood, stopping folks who look out of place would be noted. The mobile fence would be more reluctant to pick up loot there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">People visiting Mary's gym, or a church, or a meeting hall who <b>don't notice people loitering and ask the police to check</b> -- help the lookouts and perpetrators succeed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Their <b>reluctance to get involved lead to unintended consequences</b>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBpJjPf29hc/UlcZF_G6g1I/AAAAAAAADOE/u-2PBZmdvMc/s1600/Cat+around+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBpJjPf29hc/UlcZF_G6g1I/AAAAAAAADOE/u-2PBZmdvMc/s1600/Cat+around+corner.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">After
the criminals who perpetrated the crimes, w<b>ho was next most responsible</b>? Was it
the <b>citizens who </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>didn't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> get involved</b> or the <b>city council that built a trail that
facilitated crime</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Crime
was the unintended consequence.</b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>* </b>More about the broken window theory: <a href="http://cmconserve.blogspot.com/2013/04/strangle-crime-dont-document-it.html">Here</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-26932330057467198082013-10-09T21:15:00.002-07:002013-10-28T19:49:58.676-07:00Comments: doing it right<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojx3W4Aq_DE/UlYoSO_2Y1I/AAAAAAAADNY/5EEcWy0aZLI/s1600/Eagle+face+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojx3W4Aq_DE/UlYoSO_2Y1I/AAAAAAAADNY/5EEcWy0aZLI/s1600/Eagle+face+L.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">By their comments you can </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;">know them</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Rational debate attempts to <b>refute assertions</b> <b>using conflicting facts or opinions</b>. It can include redirecting discussion to a
related or supporting issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Here are some good examples of discussion or debate found
in commentary about Costa Mesa issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Debate
about the value and need for sports fields in Costa Mesa developed following a
newspaper article about a possible Indian burial ground in Fairview Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Address the issue</span></span></h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Dear
. . ., as important as physical
exercise, I might argue more important in the bigger picture, kids need to
learn to respect public property and go by the government's policies and rules
when new ideas come along for new uses for public property. . . It's not just
about the fields.”</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Whether
one <b>agrees with the commenter’s opinion or not</b>, it is an example of assertive
but respectful use of opinion in debating an issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Supporting another commenter following a letter-to-the-editor headlined, “<b>Council opponents are distorting crime rate</b>:”<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“. . . We have a strong sense of community, just look at the
value that organizations like</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> Costa Mesa
United hav</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">e added to our town.</span></i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>
These scare tactics are just that. Another play right out of that law firm's
pro police union playbook.<br /> </i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>‘Spread fear and doubt and make the city council members assume
a defensive stance.’</i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>
</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>It is a fabricated storyline and should warrant no more attention than the
background noise it is.”</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This is <b>opinion, including evaluation of the tactics and their
source – directed to the issue</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPZUFjautD4/UlYpydQUMtI/AAAAAAAADNs/hWTkRR2YP8I/s1600/Carpenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPZUFjautD4/UlYpydQUMtI/AAAAAAAADNs/hWTkRR2YP8I/s1600/Carpenter.jpg" height="200" width="147" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">More -- done right </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Here are a couple more samples of <b>comments directed to the issue</b>
in a respectful manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>“CEO Hatch took time in his comments to attempt an end at all
the rumors and misstatement of facts. As CEO stated, there have been 10 new
hires to CMPD over the last 10 months. Careful what anyone hears from unions,”
about the issue raised in a letter-to-the-editor. And,<br /> </i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Respectfully, (name)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I
appreciate the information. My question however was how many
"Lateral" Officers have left other departments to come to the City. .
.”</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The last comment was an <b>attempt to divert discussion to a slightly-related discussion point</b>. The author seemed to want to tie it to the discussion
to support his point – a valid tactic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A way to learn </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdUAYlotgRs/UlYoeHhmivI/AAAAAAAADNg/eKfMj42O7PI/s1600/Cat+fishing+in+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QdUAYlotgRs/UlYoeHhmivI/AAAAAAAADNg/eKfMj42O7PI/s1600/Cat+fishing+in+bowl.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Sharing opinions, facts and logic in discussion – or debate –
can be an effective way to <b>learn about Costa Mesa issues</b>.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Some <b>Costa Mesans</b> are doing just that.</span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-43883329644418102232013-10-08T13:13:00.000-07:002013-10-09T10:50:23.428-07:00Change in site, no change in content<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGBuPHkdd68/UlRlATwfkVI/AAAAAAAADJ4/CJ1BM1A7ARM/s1600/Salute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGBuPHkdd68/UlRlATwfkVI/AAAAAAAADJ4/CJ1BM1A7ARM/s1600/Salute.jpg" height="200" width="77" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>Thanks for reading CMConserve</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>CMConserve</b> will be leaving BlogSpot for Wordpress;
however the only real changes will be in address. There will be additional features,
of course. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The site will still deal primarily with </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Costa Mesa
governance and politics</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> with a focus on communication. That is, we will
continue to </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">identify propaganda and opinion manipulation</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">We'll</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> still feature
leadership and management theory or practice periodically, and comment occasionally
about almost anything of interest to Costa Mesans</span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">. During campaign time we’ll
discuss promises and personalities as well as policies and believability. </b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>CMConserve</b>’s new site will have an improved – and consistently
reliable – comment function. However, all of the features, and the site as a
whole, are just getting up to speed. There <b>should be lots of glitches that we’ll
only find as we run</b> – please let us know what you like, don’t like, and
especially what doesn’t work on your browser by emailing us at <a href="mailto:CMConserve@outlook.com">CMConserve@outlook.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Once up and running, <b>CMConserve</b> will be available on most
known platforms – it will be available on a tablet, or even a smartphone, for
instance, regardless of screen size. The site layout will change as necessary
to fit whatever you use to access it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">And, if you <b>identify yourself and give permission</b> for
your comment to be published – you <b>should see your comment</b>, regardless of the browser
you used. If it <b>doesn’t appear, or if you get no reply</b>, please let us know at
the Outlook address.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We’ll give you the new URL after </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">we've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> finished “desk
checking” and vigorously testing the site with the three common browsers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssOmuKqOZXA/UlRnDRvw6RI/AAAAAAAADKU/BLnoBbjCbS0/s1600/Whispering+cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssOmuKqOZXA/UlRnDRvw6RI/AAAAAAAADKU/BLnoBbjCbS0/s1600/Whispering+cats.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Again, <b>thanks for reading CMConserve, and thanks for your
patience</b>.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-42961900300416228722013-10-08T08:22:00.003-07:002013-10-28T19:49:58.683-07:00Motel solutions aren't mutually exclusive<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kecLppTzAnU/UlQfcJx-3QI/AAAAAAAADJI/MMh9lTQjLjY/s1600/Trash+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kecLppTzAnU/UlQfcJx-3QI/AAAAAAAADJI/MMh9lTQjLjY/s1600/Trash+bag.jpg" width="181" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>A closer look at “bad” motel issues </b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There are <b>two main problems</b>, each with a different solution
set. <b>Neither</b> solution program is “<b>right</b>” by itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This <b>Council is the first</b> in at least four regimes to
<b>address</b> the issue of the <b>motels being a “public nuisance.”</b> Community charities,
churches and the present and previous councils have, and are, <b>addressing the
other problem</b>: the wretchedness and discomfort of living in the problem motels.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Lousy way to live </h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There is no doubt that it is <b>hard for kids to study</b> in a
cramped and dirty home, or that <b>crowding raises</b> social, psychological and
sociological <b>stresses</b>. It’s bad, simply bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLqxQUJviK4/UlQjEPz8A-I/AAAAAAAADJo/HQ3UET-g3ik/s1600/Discouraged+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aLqxQUJviK4/UlQjEPz8A-I/AAAAAAAADJo/HQ3UET-g3ik/s1600/Discouraged+woman.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
One approach to <b>reducing </b>the feelings of <b>helplessness, discomfort</b> and <b>discouragement</b> is to help families with entertainment, such as cable TV. Other comfort helps include decent clothing, cleaning supplies, and adequate food – all improve comfort for the chronic residents.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Some <b>kids are motivated</b> to study by the need to <b>keep
their grades up</b> to play sports. Some mothers will <b>get their family medical care</b>
if they find transportation. These needs are being addressed. Adequately?
Probably not, <b>a lot more needs to be done</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Bad places, bad neighbors</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The “<b>public nuisance</b>” aspect has been “kicked down the
road” administration after administration. Motels have a h<b>igher rate of return
per square foot</b> than many other investments. And once the land and building are
paid for the <b>returns on investment (ROI) are lucrative</b>. The price to buy each
motel reflects the ROI. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Buying the motels with </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">City money</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> would raise a new
issue; what are we going to do with it? </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A park or soccer field </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">won't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> justify the investment</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> of
massive amounts of City money. But maybe we can persuade some </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">developers</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">
to </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">buy and build</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> on the land. It won’t be a park, but it will be an improvement.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Incremental improvements</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ayUl8Wb7H0E/UlQhnk6_YAI/AAAAAAAADJc/fVgNbNlt1LE/s1600/Cop+nightstick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ayUl8Wb7H0E/UlQhnk6_YAI/AAAAAAAADJc/fVgNbNlt1LE/s1600/Cop+nightstick.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps there are other solutions, including
“<b>encouraging</b>” the motel owners to <b>maintain clean and safe habitation</b> and
<b>driving the criminal element away</b> from the poor family housing with focused
enforcement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Building</b> or identifying
<b>more low-income housing</b> will help but <b>building “slums” like the Fresno’s and
New York’s “Projects” won’t help</b>. The current administration is exploring
solutions and increasing enforcement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It is a crime to abuse others</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">We've</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> read the rationalization recently that “<b>most of the
(police) calls are domestic disturbances, anyway, not crime</b>.” Spousal and child
<b>abuse is criminal</b>. And, regardless of the room number, <b>on any call to the
motels the nearby neighbors are mostly criminals</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Many </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">disturbance calls lead to apprehension of a criminal</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">
on a felony warrant, recovery of a stolen bicycle, or an </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">arrest </b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">for possession
of illegal drugs. Focused enforcement </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">isn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> the whole answer, but it <b>helps</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Long term and short term</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IWKW_YecDjI/UlQhLRn65WI/AAAAAAAADJU/DXjTOrjOcTM/s1600/Boys+win+cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IWKW_YecDjI/UlQhLRn65WI/AAAAAAAADJU/DXjTOrjOcTM/s1600/Boys+win+cup.jpg" width="190" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The <b>residents will be much more comfortable</b> and much less
likely to drift into illegal activity when they get <b>decent housing</b>. In the
meantime they will be <b>more comfortable in situ</b> with better clothes, better
next-door neighbors, and a safer environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Both approaches</b> are being used in <b>Costa Mesa</b> – it’s not a
question of which is right; <b>they both are right</b> for what they’re trying to do.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-44141633856490090312013-10-06T21:45:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.698-07:00They lack mental focus -- or ability<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyFABLJH9yI/UlI4UUyX2OI/AAAAAAAADIA/u0KaLyzdbTE/s1600/Baboon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyFABLJH9yI/UlI4UUyX2OI/AAAAAAAADIA/u0KaLyzdbTE/s1600/Baboon.jpg" height="200" width="127" /></a><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Fool some of the people all the time</span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“A talented
con man, or a slick politician, does not waste his time trying to convince
knowledgeable skeptics. His job is to keep the true believers believing. He is
not going to convince the others anyway.” – </span></i></b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Thomas Sowell, a Harvard Scholar </span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">(1)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0e2233; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">In Hitler's book "<b><i>Mein Kampf</i></b>" (My
Struggle) he originates the idea of "<b>das Grosse Luge</b>" (The Big Lie):<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0e2233; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">"But
the most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one
fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly and with unflagging attention.
It must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over. Here, as
so often in this world, persistence is the first and most important requirement
for success."</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Repeating
the same “big lie” over and over, regardless of how often it is shown to be
false, <b>may be successful in Costa Mesa</b>; with <b>those who want to believe</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Knowledgeable skeptics here</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xDDioWaweg/UlI7orb3cnI/AAAAAAAADI4/A1uFngsUbh8/s1600/Hide+behind+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xDDioWaweg/UlI7orb3cnI/AAAAAAAADI4/A1uFngsUbh8/s1600/Hide+behind+door.jpg" height="200" width="168" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">One
might think it would be hard to <b>introduce falsehoods about the Mayor</b> when he’s
<b>openly discussing his plans and policies</b> with citizens; a lot of citizens are
<b>becoming</b> “<b>knowledgeable skeptics</b>.” However . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Here
are some <b>comments, probably from locals</b>. (Many of the chronic haters have set
up phony Facebook accounts they can hide behind.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Not intelligent discourse </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">An
article began with a <b>history of Fairview Park</b>, looking <b>similar to Historical
Society pamphlets</b>. Then it suddenly <b>changed in style</b> and deteriorated into “cutesy-clever”
diatribe. It <b>earned</b> a lot of <b>remarks</b> – from believers, apparently. A couple of
them (copied as they appeared) from supposedly different citizens:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> “</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">i swear, i'm starting to think these two guys
</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">(Mayor
and Pro Tem)<b><i> must just be ignorant and are following some puppet master-- who does
this kind of crap and gives no explanation to residents? they must live in some
bubble world. the sad thing is they seem to be able to get away with it.” <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqCEIX0ezeI/UlI5oSptBUI/AAAAAAAADIY/HeHdaTgk3Tw/s1600/Speaker+bullhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqCEIX0ezeI/UlI5oSptBUI/AAAAAAAADIY/HeHdaTgk3Tw/s1600/Speaker+bullhorn.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“</span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
gravel-laying, scraping, and weed killing was APPROVED by Ernesto Munoz, Costa
Mesa’s Director of Public Services. Why does this dim bulb still have a job?
And why </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">hasn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> he been arrested as well . . .This whole sorry affair </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">doesn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> stink; it f(deleted) reeks. And has the smell of Costa Mesa’s a(deleted)ole
councilmen all over it.”</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Another place, another time</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">And,
after a <b><i>Daily Pilot</i></b> Letter to the Editor “<b><i>Stop Slamming the City Council</i></b>”
which addresses the Council’s accomplishments and performance:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“Hey there, lonely guy! Do
you still have only one facebook friend? Righeimer</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">?” (directed to the letter writer). And,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“. . . You need to resign
from the pension oversight committee until your Bankruptcy is over” </span></i></b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">directed to another commenter. Note that nothing about the
Committee pertained to the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Meager </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">repertoire</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">So, they <b>insult and denigrate the Mayor</b>, and t<b>hey attack letter
writers and commenters personally</b>. They<b> lack the ability – or the mental focus
-- to discuss priorities or policies</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUJWfQNttmE/UlI5ZPg6-5I/AAAAAAAADIM/0BR-JNU1cmI/s1600/City+headlights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VUJWfQNttmE/UlI5ZPg6-5I/AAAAAAAADIM/0BR-JNU1cmI/s1600/City+headlights.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Different subjects, different commenters – <b>same vitriol</b>.
Fortunately for <b>Costa Mesa</b>, the <b>haters are limited</b> in number as well as acumen. However, they are
<b>persistent in their hatred</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">We'll</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> look at <b>rational comments, more likely to represent most citizens
in </b>"<b>The City of the Arts,</b>” soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="DE" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">1) Sowell: <a href="http://spectator.org/archives/2013/08/28/a-truly-great-phony/1"> Here</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="DE" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">2) From Mein Kampf: <a href="http://college.cengage.com/history/primary_sources/west/the_art_of_propaganda_hitler.htm">Here</a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-23948785106378875202013-10-05T18:10:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:49:58.672-07:00Should you trust a disloyal person?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73ahJwlUn1Y/UlC2xzZ2CYI/AAAAAAAADHQ/eGUWkYDQHF0/s1600/Pass+complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73ahJwlUn1Y/UlC2xzZ2CYI/AAAAAAAADHQ/eGUWkYDQHF0/s1600/Pass+complete.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Compete or undermine</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Let’s
build a paradigm – or a model – of </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Costa Mesa politics</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">We'll</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> use a college
football team.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
head coach has been <b>successful and effective</b> and the alumni respect, and mostly
like him. The administration, though, hires a <b>former, relatively unsuccessful
head coach, </b>as his<b> defensive assistant</b>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">His assistant coach is James, “call me
Jim” Sanders who had been popular as a head coach but <b>had run the team into
near-bankruptcy -- and had a lousy win-loss record as well</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Sneak to the top job</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Jim
decides he <b>wants the Head Coach’s job</b> so he begins allying with groups of disgruntled
players and fans. They are small in number but very vocal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">He finds
one group of training drop outs that <b>agrees to write to the collegiate athletic
association</b>. They complain of the (imagined) poor and dangerous equipment they
were forced to use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CaJOj279EBw/UlC3rPfb7kI/AAAAAAAADHk/dWIMsMM8FVs/s1600/Sign+carriers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CaJOj279EBw/UlC3rPfb7kI/AAAAAAAADHk/dWIMsMM8FVs/s1600/Sign+carriers.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Jim
also “leads” a group of anti-football <b>protesters</b> that he encourages to claim
that the 50% increase in injuries so far this year is due to poor training and
poor conditioning. (The team had three sprains which was 50% more than the two sprains
they had last year.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">They stage a protest and disrupt several faculty meetings. They <b>write to the state college athletics bureau </b>accusing the coach of unsafe training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Sanders
is delighted that <b>inquiries from the bureau and the association are costing the
team lots of time and money to study and process</b>. He expects the distractions
to make the Head Coach look ineffective even though they have nothing to do
with the actual training and management of the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Would it work in real life</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Did
Jim get the Head Coach job? Did he “win” by being a disloyal sneak? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sometimes
folks who </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">undermine their own organization win for a while</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. But eventually the
<b>word gets out – they </b></span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>can't</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> be trusted</b>. They thrive where there are listeners
who believe their assertions without question.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7ei7XBeOpo/UlC4Lkri27I/AAAAAAAADHs/hJkXi_ZDz5c/s1600/Speaker+and+audience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7ei7XBeOpo/UlC4Lkri27I/AAAAAAAADHs/hJkXi_ZDz5c/s1600/Speaker+and+audience.jpg" height="123" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Some
folks <b>believe what they are told – or that they read</b>. There’s a word for that –
<b>naïve</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We were misled -- and wrong </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This
writer was that <b>naïve</b> just a little over a year ago; he<b> read a regular blogger’s
opinions and pre-judged the now Mayor and Pro Tem</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">However, he researched to
confirm his initial impressions and found that he was <b>wrong – very wrong</b>. Both
men turned out to be <b>honest, and to exhibit high integrity and values</b> – that is,
they <b>do the right thing even when no one can see</b>. That’s pretty much the opposite
of the opinion expressed in the blog posts that misled this writer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Spawned this blog</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>CMConserve</b>
began from the<b> embarrassment of recognizing a political naiveté</b> in spite of a
career in a science-related field. We suggest that you learn from the mistakes
we made – <b>check the information you read in any blog – including this one</b>. And <b>think
about what you’re being told</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Use
the paradigm we developed above to look at the current political situation; are
there <b>Costa Mesans who undermine their City</b> to embarrass a few officials? Do
they “call in the Feds” – or the State – to <b>denigrate the abilities and
integrity of the Public Services Director</b> and his staff? Will they <b>force the waste
of City money</b> in significant amounts to try to embarrass the Council majority?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVOMaU3xqdA/UlC3DQuZ4QI/AAAAAAAADHY/OrcKRlH5fHY/s1600/cat+serious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DVOMaU3xqdA/UlC3DQuZ4QI/AAAAAAAADHY/OrcKRlH5fHY/s1600/cat+serious.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The question for Costa Mesa citizens is . . . </span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Do
you want to believe – and follow – those who prove themselves dishonest and
disloyal?</b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-74621424188307059762013-10-03T22:30:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:49:58.704-07:00Urchins missing, kids well-behaved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XL0KvYLyfe4/Uk5PXmdYzxI/AAAAAAAADGg/FTh97uIZPT0/s1600/Two+ways+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XL0KvYLyfe4/Uk5PXmdYzxI/AAAAAAAADGg/FTh97uIZPT0/s1600/Two+ways+sign.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Two approaches: pick the best</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The <b>Fairview Park Citizens’ Advisory Committee</b> meeting
Wednesday illustrated a couple of approaches to local issues. A number of
people commented at the meeting, most of them echoing a <b>theme of “don’t build a
sports complex in the park.”</b> Others asked the committee to <b>consider all uses
possible for the Park</b>, including soccer or other sports fields. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A past and probable future <b>City Council</b> candidate started
the comments with a well-organized and well-delivered <b>appeal to emotion</b>; however, he and many of the
other speakers <b>departed before the educational part</b> of the meeting. A few of
the speakers had kids with them who faced school in the morning and left for
that reason. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">We saw <b>no “urchins”</b> at the meeting; the <b>youth were clean,
competent, well-behaved and they all displayed good manners</b>. The adult visitors
appeared clean and <b>most – but not all – were well-behaved</b> (1) and <b>many displayed
good manners</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiQjyfU5ads/Uk5RktjGdkI/AAAAAAAADG4/xxGmEjyBOLs/s1600/Cover+ears+kid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiQjyfU5ads/Uk5RktjGdkI/AAAAAAAADG4/xxGmEjyBOLs/s1600/Cover+ears+kid.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
The majority of the speakers, including the candidate, apparently <b>weren't interested in learning more about the park</b>; they just <b>spoke and departed</b>. That is unfortunately too, too true about other issues in Costa Mesa.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Don't bother studying the issue</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">As an example of <b>knowing little but speaking lots</b> consider
a demonstration to demand more <b>CMPD</b> positions be funded. It was conducted by a
<b>small group that opposes most everything</b>. They cited a study of <b>Costa Mesa PD
staffing levels</b> to support their contention. (covert pic available -- link 2 below)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">However, that’s <b>not what the study suggests</b> – and it’s an
easily-available online report, so <b>becoming informed is straightforward</b>. (3) Further,
the <b>City’s CEO and Police Chief</b> are both happy to <b>discuss plans for staffing</b>
with whoever asks. The antis, like some of the commenters at the meeting, would <b>rather
protest and demand than learn about </b>the issue. (4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Good description, attribute wrong</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Some folks have criticized the Council for a <b>“Fire, Aim,
Ready”</b> approach to issues. </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">We'd</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> suggest
that <b>advocating for or against specific solutions before the issue is
understood is a better example</b> of that concept<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Some suggest sharing</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4tNl44WsGk/Uk5SQgyF4JI/AAAAAAAADHA/AjfIoesd7VA/s1600/Share+at+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4tNl44WsGk/Uk5SQgyF4JI/AAAAAAAADHA/AjfIoesd7VA/s1600/Share+at+Christmas.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It should be noted that some of the commenters advocated
<b>dropping the NIMBY (Not in my backyard) approach</b> and adopting a cooperative
approach; that is, letting all <b>Costa Mesans share the Park</b>. <b>Most of them stayed
to learn more about the Park.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Both the <b>Councilman</b> who is liaison to the CC and <b>his
alternate</b> stayed to hear the presentation by the City experts and their
consultants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Two issues, different approaches </span></h3>
So, those who <b>want to help with police staffing</b> read the study and seek expert opinions <b>before they form opinions</b> about what staffing levels <b>Costa Mesa</b> needs. Other folks, though, aren't advocating solutions to a real problem; they <b>just like to protest</b>. (4)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">There are those who <b>advocate managing Fairview Park to be
used by all Costa Mesans</b>; they also <b>learn everything they can</b> about the Park.
Others <b>make their demands and leave</b>; they already know everything they need to
know to announce the “correct” courses of action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBHA3CCFhBA/Uk5QmH6ezEI/AAAAAAAADGs/m7G81h7OBRQ/s1600/Cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBHA3CCFhBA/Uk5QmH6ezEI/AAAAAAAADGs/m7G81h7OBRQ/s1600/Cannon.jpg" height="168" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“Shoot, Aim, Ready,” indeed. For some of the “anti
everything” crowd the <b>phrase should read,</b> <b>“shoot – shoot – shoot again, then
publicize the shooting.” </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>1). An immature member of the “anti” group brought his “squeaker
toy/goose call” to this meeting also – he seems so proud to make sneaky-squeaky
sounds. He’s well out of the urchin age range, though.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>As usual, there were those in the crowd who just couldn’t
control themselves and had to break into cheers and applause when a speaker
said something they liked. They may not be clear on the difference between
street demonstrations and semi-formal meetings, although decorum is reviewed
with them often enough. This rudeness may speak more to their upbringing than
to their ability to comprehend and follow rules.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>2). “Covert”
picture and post #366: <a href="http://www.cmpress.blogspot.com/">Here</a><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>3). June 21,
2011 Council agenda and Report: <a href="http://www.costamesaca.gov/ftp/council/agenda/2011/2011-06-21/CCRpt-PDReorg_6-21-11.pdf">Here</a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>4). Alinsky’s
Rule 6 is; <span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“A good tactic is one your people enjoy.”</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-68616448243015650662013-09-30T20:38:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.710-07:00Charters and treehouses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLn6wi-FVVs/UkpBjBnQZ6I/AAAAAAAADFk/FwWIHUikvwU/s1600/Tug+of+war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fLn6wi-FVVs/UkpBjBnQZ6I/AAAAAAAADFk/FwWIHUikvwU/s1600/Tug+of+war.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Who's in control, them or us</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Locus of control</b> is actually a term with specific meaning for
use in Personality Science studies. But we can use it to develop a <b>perspective
on the Charter</b> being developed in <b>Costa Mesa</b>. Let’s start with a model.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">One summer two <b>six-year-olds build tree houses</b> on opposite sides
of the city, and use them as headquarters for “private clubs.” One names their
club “<b>Avenging Pirates</b>” and the other paints “<b>Bestest Club of All</b>” on the
walls. Both recruit friends to join their clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Bestest leader relies on her mom</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, who tells her to invite
the “little girl across the street because nobody likes her.” Mom also bakes
cupcakes, makes lemonade and takes the small group on outings. They learn to </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">tolerate
the members mom chose</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and to be entertained by trips mom suggests. They
</span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">carefully follow all of mom’s rules</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, like “be home for dinner” and “</span><span style="line-height: 23px;">don't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> run
up the ladder” and “don’t argue with each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">The Pirates do -- but not always smoothly or well</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzuZBrolz2w/UkpCXCfw3vI/AAAAAAAADF4/KF3vfJZ6SVQ/s1600/Tiger+in+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzuZBrolz2w/UkpCXCfw3vI/AAAAAAAADF4/KF3vfJZ6SVQ/s1600/Tiger+in+snow.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Pirates club attracts kids, who</span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> enjoy being together</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, and
they tend to break a few home rules – for example they all carry pocket knives
and sharpen sticks, and they make pea shooters from weeds to torment their siblings.
Generally, though, </span><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>they're</b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> governed by parental guidelines</b> – and local laws. They
organize fishing excursions, dig caves, and have fun together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">When school starts the Bestest’s </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">get a teacher’s advice and
begin recruiting “those of different ethnicities.”</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Their club grows until
contentions surface and mushroom. The <b>club dissolves before Halloween</b> from the
widely differing opinions with no ability among the leaders to gain cooperation.
They </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">haven't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> learned to lead or compromise; <b>mom always intervened and smoothed
things over</b> – until the rifts got too big.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The Pirates grow, too, and their activities wax and wane. At
Halloween they “trick or treat” together, and by <b>Christmas season they’re
selling trees to raise funds for homeless dogs</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4t36TarGyg/UkpDWZlztKI/AAAAAAAADGE/KIQyMaW5_nQ/s1600/Man+on+hamster+wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4t36TarGyg/UkpDWZlztKI/AAAAAAAADGE/KIQyMaW5_nQ/s1600/Man+on+hamster+wheel.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Internal or external locus of control </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">So the Bestest </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">believed control of their direction and
operations should be from authority</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">; mom and then teacher. Both mom and teacher
</span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">had the club’s best interest at heart, but they also had personal agendas</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> that
affected the club. Mom </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">didn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> want the unpopular girl’s mom to compete with her
in the upcoming PTA elections, and the teacher wanted to add “diversity
promotion” to her resume.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The Pirates <b>solved problems, making mistakes but developing
better techniques as they went</b>. They succeeded because of their <b>commitment,
independence, and enterprise</b>. They believed that <b>control of their direction and
activities lay with them</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Both clubs had the similar populations to draw from, both were
<b>governed overall by parental rules (and city laws)</b>, and both started well. Over
time, the differences in what they accomplished (and learned) lie in whether
they believed they could handle their own affairs and direct their own course. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Internal or external locus</b>, if you will: perception
of <b>whether what happens depends on “us” or on “them.”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onADVGZI41o/UkpCT3kYTtI/AAAAAAAADFw/QPHnBANbQ3k/s1600/Tigers+on+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onADVGZI41o/UkpCT3kYTtI/AAAAAAAADFw/QPHnBANbQ3k/s1600/Tigers+on+snow.jpg" height="160" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now consider the difference between a charter city and a general
law city. Eerily similar, </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">isn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-24322916607998910262013-09-29T21:26:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:53:00.691-07:00"Small minds discuss people"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqsV26LqzcM/Ukj6xcUS1QI/AAAAAAAADE0/Dq_6hhVcNwQ/s1600/Shark+open+mouth+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqsV26LqzcM/Ukj6xcUS1QI/AAAAAAAADE0/Dq_6hhVcNwQ/s1600/Shark+open+mouth+right.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b>Ideas vs. name-calling</b></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="line-height: 23px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #101010; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”</span></i></b><span style="color: #101010; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> --<b>Eleanor Roosevelt</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Some <b>commenters and a local blogger have trouble grasping our discourse about ideas</b>. This blog <b>deals with ideas not with people</b>. Some commenters take criticism of their logical fallacies* to be personal insults.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">So, in this brief, </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">simplified blog post</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> we'll </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">compare and contrast </b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">criticism of ideas with personal attacks. We'll compare and contrast local groups, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Used a red fish . . .</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">A commenter complained, “…<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"> <b>loss of perspective on the great evil</b> perpetrated by the Nazi and it diminishes the true suffering of their victims,” about this blog’s assertions. He believed the post <b>called the local political activists Nazis</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">The <b>Nazis disrupted meetings</b> of those they disliked with <b>intimidation and threats</b>. They perfected and codified (wrote into instruction books) techniques of <b>verbal assault and misinformation</b> that are effective in changing opinions. We now call that propaganda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yd_dJHUVhGo/Ukj8G7WwTiI/AAAAAAAADFE/gH5RUGKqWBs/s1600/Herring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yd_dJHUVhGo/Ukj8G7WwTiI/AAAAAAAADFE/gH5RUGKqWBs/s1600/Herring.jpg" height="83" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">A few people in </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Costa Mesa</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> clearly </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">use principles of propaganda</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">, and </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">tactics of disruption</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">, developed by the Nazis. That does not mean that they are accused of belonging to the </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><i>National German Socialist Workers Party</i></b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">. Nazi victims’ suffering and horror, difficult to even consider, aren't being discussed so the “diminishes” phrase is a red herring.* <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Not just Nazi tactics </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Sometimes the complainers use <b>techniques of intimidation</b> suggested by the <b>Police Union’s previous legal firm</b>. The complainers aren't being accused of being members of a corrupt law firm or a police union, either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Two groups, different tactics</span></span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Costa Mesa Taxpayers</b> <b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">invites all</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> to comment and receive messages. </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">CM4RG limits access</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> to believers or at least to those who don't disagree openly. </span><b style="line-height: 23px;">CMTax</b><span style="line-height: 23px;"> discourages personal attacks in their commentary, particularly irrelevant ones. </span><b style="line-height: 23px;">CM4RG</b><span style="line-height: 23px;"> supporters (or members) </span><b style="line-height: 23px;">imply that the Mayor is accepting bribes and the Pro Tem is running a hidden agenda</b><span style="line-height: 23px;">. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RblGEjrLH4k/Ukj8yzfSYSI/AAAAAAAADFU/9z22_KWi1xA/s1600/Debate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RblGEjrLH4k/Ukj8yzfSYSI/AAAAAAAADFU/9z22_KWi1xA/s1600/Debate.jpg" height="118" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">They <b>won't debate</b> ideas and priorities with the men, either, although <b>CMTax supporters do</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">The </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Mayor holds open meetings</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> to talk about issues with all who want to know more. The </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Pro Tem</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> has pushed through the </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">COIN transparency ordinance</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> and published his </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">“Promises to Costa Mesa.”</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> The <b>complainers</b> who generally support </span></span><b style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">CM4RG</b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"> – or are members, the list isn't open to us -- <b>use innuendo and labels</b> to try to malign the <b>Mayor</b> and<b> Pro Tem</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><b>CMTax</b> doesn't bring rude people in to scream at the Council. Supporters of some of our political factions do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Use the tactics manipulate not convince </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">If the complainers <b>use tactics developed by the Nazis</b>, or <b>taught by Alinsky</b>, or <b>advised by the Police Union Playbook</b> they are trying to get their way through intimidation and misdirection. Period.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">Nobody accused the complainers of <b>being Nazis</b>, only of <b>using Nazi tactics</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQoHPLBivFM/Ukj7Z79_6TI/AAAAAAAADE8/5KK-XTZjCgg/s1600/Debate+symbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQoHPLBivFM/Ukj7Z79_6TI/AAAAAAAADE8/5KK-XTZjCgg/s1600/Debate+symbol.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">These techniques are obviously not the only means available to convince Costa Mesans of the virtue of their positions and priorities. But <b>Nazi tactics are what they choose</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">* Logical fallacies: <a href="https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/03/">Here</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518264209059871438.post-87859641974214578322013-09-28T17:18:00.001-07:002013-10-28T19:49:58.711-07:00Libel and slander in the internet age<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJuTtfqMBk0/UkdscIGYaII/AAAAAAAADEM/rMOQV9A9JMQ/s1600/Lion+roar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJuTtfqMBk0/UkdscIGYaII/AAAAAAAADEM/rMOQV9A9JMQ/s1600/Lion+roar.jpg" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>What you write can bite -- you</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i>“This will be a very public reminder to people that you
can get sued for what you publish on the Internet,”</i></b> <b>said Ryder Gilliland, a
Toronto libel lawyer</b>.</span> (1)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Here are some </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">definitions</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> to help us all understand
what </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">we're</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> talking about. (2)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Defamation</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">: A
false statement which tends to harm the reputation of a person or company. This
term covers both libel and slander.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Libel: </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Defamation
which is written, such as on a web site. Most on-line defamation, or libel, occurs
through posting a web page or comment. (Law firms now specialize in this
subject. See (3))<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Slander:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> Defamation
that is spoken, such as through a transcribed video, podcast or audio file.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Repeat it and own it </span></h3>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UiuU1_Hvwg/UkdufpTIr-I/AAAAAAAADEU/pi4fMxMhMRU/s1600/Secret+two+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UiuU1_Hvwg/UkdufpTIr-I/AAAAAAAADEU/pi4fMxMhMRU/s1600/Secret+two+girls.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Generally, anyone who </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">repeats someone else's
statements is just as responsible</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> for their defamatory content as the original
speaker—if they knew, or had reason to know, of the defamation. There are some
protections in a new, and therefore murky, area of federal law called Section
230. This protects </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">distributors</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> such as </span><b style="line-height: 115%;">Google</b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> or </span><b style="line-height: 115%;">Facebook</b><span style="line-height: 115%;">, from being called
publishers. Whether </span><b style="line-height: 115%;">bloggers who host comments</b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> will be considered </span><span style="line-height: 23px;">distributors</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> or publishers is unclear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
(For the record, <b><i>CMConserve</i></b> identifies commenters and gets permission before allowing their comments to appear in the blog. That’s been our policy from the beginning, not a knee-jerk response to a sudden awareness of personal responsibility.)<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">What makes it libel </span></h3>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">What makes something <b>libel</b>, at least in the sense
that the <b>victim could be awarded monetary damages</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>First</b>,
the statement must be false. <b>Opinions are typically not actionable</b>
as defamation. In general, though, <b>IMO is not a good defense</b>; there’re lots
<b>intricate and arcane legal requirements</b> swirling through this area.
Essentially, to be safe a <b>blogger has to either be right or have done enough
research</b> that a reasonable person would believe the accusation is true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKpWm23p7kM/Ukdxfz7q_jI/AAAAAAAADEg/P4UmPqJFNlE/s1600/Griz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKpWm23p7kM/Ukdxfz7q_jI/AAAAAAAADEg/P4UmPqJFNlE/s1600/Griz.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Next</b>,
the false <b>statement causes harm</b>. So, a <b>comment from a generally-discredited
writer</b> that the <b>Mayor</b> hired PIs to follow him around and report on his
activities <b>wouldn’t be actionable</b>; n<b>o sensible voter or supporter would be persuaded</b>
by that commenter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Third</b>,
the statement must be <b>made without research</b> into the truthfulness of the
statement or be <b>made with full knowledge of its falsity</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>Finally</b>,
if the person who is the <b>victim of the false statement is a celebrity</b> or <b>public
official</b>, then <b>malice must also be shown</b>. <b>Malice is</b> shown <b>when the statements
are intended to do harm</b> or are <b>made with reckless disregard of the truth</b>. In
this sense <b>celebrity status can include folks who comment at City Council
meetings, regular bloggers, and even citizens who volunteer for committees.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Developing area of law </span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This
is a new and fascinating area of law. <b>Journalism professionals have to update
their understanding of the rules.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWpuHFVY8t8/UkdrrzyYjqI/AAAAAAAADEA/kYkOeVwJwQE/s1600/Tiger+prowling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWpuHFVY8t8/UkdrrzyYjqI/AAAAAAAADEA/kYkOeVwJwQE/s1600/Tiger+prowling.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Just as <b>what one posts on a social site can
come back years later</b> to block promotions, <b>what one writes or accepts on a blog
can come back to bite one’s wallet</b>.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>(1) Canadian view <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/04/27/brian_burke_cyberlibel_suit_a_reminder_anonymous_internet_commentators_can_be_unmasked.html">Here</a></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">(2) Definitions; <a href="https://www.eff.org/issues/bloggers/legal/liability/defamation">Here</a></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">(2) Definitions and
discussion: <a href="http://www.traverselegal.com/internet-defamation/defamation-libel-slander/"> Here</a></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">(3) Law
firm example specializing in online libel cases: <a href="http://www.rexxfield.com/blog/2010/05/cyber-investigation-services-now-available-to-both-civil-law-enforcement-agencies-through-rexxfield/">Here</a></i></div>
Dennis P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16362384219908658019noreply@blogger.com0