OBAMA SPEAKS TO THE NATION ON TV

San Diego -- Sen. Barrack Obama spoke to the nation this evening (Wed., 10/29) and appeared presidential.

He was able to buy a whole half-hour on national, prime-time TV and two major networks and several cable channels because of his unprecedented fund-raising efforts, accomplished largely on-line.

While it was expected that he would discuss in some detail all of the important issues usually covered in his standard "stump" speech, it was unexpected that he use real people in diverse sections of the nation to illustrate those issues.

He also had the governors of several of the important, key, battleground states speak in his support on the unique half-hour program.

He was best when delivering his speech to a large audience in Florida at the end of the program, as compared to the studio speeches where it was only him and the TV camera.

This program was part of the unique, national campaign put together by Obamas's highly-organized staff.

It is creating a growing momentum, and some national magazines are already talking about a "landslide" victory on Nov. 4th.

But, as the candidate himself repeatedly told his supporters, lots and lots of hard work working the phones, sending e-mails to friends and walking the precincts door-to-door is still needed.

Obama is urging his people to avoid getting over-confident because the polls are looking better.

Many believe this will be our "most important" pre4sidential election for many generations to come.

If Obama wins, the country will begin to move in a changed direction.

Our reputation worldwide will begin to improve, many believe.

If he wins, he may get the opportunity to make TWO appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court. The critical 50-50 balance between liberal and conservative justices will continue.

But, if McCain wins, he has pledged to put conservatives on that high court and it will become a far-right court for generations to come. Roe v. Wade (abortion rights) will probably be reversed, as will Lawrence v. Texas (gay rights).

Obama stressed that a large-scale, local, get-out-the-vote movement is critical if he is to win on Nov, 4th.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

DIST. 3 RACE GETS UGLY

Hillcrest -- Responding to the Voter Recommendations posted here yesterday by San Diego News Service, "Anonymous" suggested that we look at a new website set up for the Nov. 4th election.

The website: http://www.whoisstephenwhitburn.blogspot.com/

Naturally, we thought it referred to the race for the Third-District city council seat between Todd Gloria (whom we did not endorse), and Stephen Whitburn - who is very similar in temperament to Sen. Obama.

But, when we opened the website, we found it was from the alledgedly racist Minutemen of San Diego.

But, the computer-required signature reveals something else.

Understand, both candidates for the council's Third district are liberal democrats - though Gloria is more part of the establishment (which is republican).

The computer signature of the Minutemen site is: www.redcountry.com/sandiego/2008/04/republican-party-announces-key/

So, apparently the republicans are pushing hard with a dirty, on-line promotion for Gloria.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

FUNNY: "DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN" @ BALBOA THEATRE

San Diego -- "Outrageously funny!" "Hilarious" "Humorous insights." Reviewers from Chicago to Miami agree that Defending the Caveman is lots of fun. It is a Broadway/San Diego production that runs at the ornate Balboa Theatre for 8-days only: Nov. 11-16.

The show's stated purpose is to determine "what it means to be a man," says somewhat overweight Isaac Lamb, 28, on stage. He has performed this role for five years. He's a graduate of the prestigious Loyola Marymount's School of Film and Television.

Written by comedian Rob Becker over a three-year period during which he made an informal study of anthropology, pre-history, psychology, sociology and mythology. Facts from those studies fill the first hour of the show, which was the "longest running solo play in Broadway history," according to the producers.

While the show's promotional materials stoically say the show explores the "ways men and women relate," on stage Lamb says it's about "women and assholes."

Naturally, the women in the audience love it!

But, as one patron commented: "If you took out all the women in the audience and left only the men," the laughter would diminish dramatically.

"Why are men assholes?," Isaac asks on stage as he goes into his monologue to explain - in dozens of way - why men are such terrible human beings, and women are so nice.

"If this reveals real married life," said another patron, "it explains why about half of marriages fail."

A constant theme through his one-man show is to describe the basic role that men (married and definately not Gay) and women have played since pre-historic times.

Gays might find the show humerous as a comparison of their culture with the "breeders."

Lamb says: The men are hunters, and the women are gatherers.

The men target their prey and are totally focused on what they are doing.

The women - as they gather stuff - use a wide, panoramic view of their lives.

A man who shops for a shirt goes into a story focused only on a shirt!

A woman who goes shopping is a "gatherer" who sees - and wants - everything in the store.

Women like to talk. Men don't. "A woman's vocabulary is about 7,000 words a day. A man's vocabulary is only about 2,000 words," Lamb claims.

Women know how to engage in a conversation. Men communicate only in grunts.

Men never compliment another man on their clothes. Women always compliment other women. "We base mens' relationships on women's standards."

A male bachelor's home is always a mess, just the opposite of a female bachelor.

"Even if a man (read: husband) tries to help with the housework, it's not good enough."

There seem to be hundreds of these little vignettes showing the basic difference between men and women. "After the first 45-minutes, it began to get boring," said one older, male patron.

"A mans body is like a computer. If she touches it, it is booted up and ready to go."

"Men have one orgasm, and go watch TV," Isaac said. "I wouldn't want to be married to this guy," said an elegant lady sitting in the second row.

"Women have 85-90 erogenous zones (on their body). Men have one."

"These are very stereotypical images of men and women," said Al and Tracy Wilkinson of San Diego, sitting in the third row.

"The script exploits these stereotypical images," they added.

"Quite frankly, I like my home to be neat, clean and tidy," Al Wilkinson reported.

And, it's like comedian Becker never met a gay man when he wrote the script.

But, the show is entertainment. It's not supposed to be a view of the real world.

And, as a place for a few laughs - and particularly if you are a woman - and a place to split your sides laughing; then Defending the Caveman is a great show to see. Tickets run from $15 to $72.
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Review copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

CITY COUNCIL'S "OLD GUARD" PLAN ABUSE OF POWERS

Editorial by San Diego News Service:

San Diego City Hall -- The "Old Guard" on the city council is reportedly planning to abuse their powers (again) by selecting the replacement for their council president, rather than letting the next council do it, as would be appropriate.

We agree with a Union Tribune editorial that "the only way to dispel the stench of this back-room dealing is for the choices of City Council president (and 2 port commissioners) to be made honestly and fairly -- after the new City Council takes office on Dec. 8th."

The current (arrogant) City Council president, Scott Peters, is being kicked out of office by term limits. He will be leaving along with council members Toni Atkins, Jim Madaffer and Brian Maienschein.

However, the incumbent council president, Peters, may try to get three, key appointments made before the newly elected council members are sworn in.

That stinks of rotten politics . . . but, considering who is doing it, it is not surprising to us.

In addition to the position of council president, the other two controversial appointments are for 2 port commission positions. Incumbent Peters reportedly wants one of those port commission posts!!!

"As it is, the nominating process for openings on the Port Commission has been a cozy affair in which Atkins and councilman Ben Hueso nominated Peters . . .," the U-T's editorial says.

"The City Council has kept a very tight lid on the nominating process within its own exclusive club," the U-T's editorial added.

"Peters appears determined to keep the actual vote on the nominations within the control of the (outgoing) termed-out council members," the U-T contends.

That's plain WRONG!

To promote fairness at City Hall, the vote on the new city-council president and two port commissioners, MUST be made by the new council!
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Copyright, 2008, by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

"UPDATED" VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS

San Diego -- Our readers have requested Voting Recommendations:

President: Barrack Obama (and our editor is a Republican)

Congress (53rd District): Susan Davis (Dem) -- While she is far too conservative for our thinking, she will have some seniority in congress and that helps San Diego.

State Senator (39th District): Christine Kehoe (Dem): While we disagree with many of her positions, she will hold the democratic majority in the state senate.

State Assembly (76th District): Lori Saldana: Whenever we asked for information or help, she has come through!

City Attorney: Michael J. Aguirre (Dem in non-partisan race): He is tough and very independent of the Mayor and the City Council, which the law requires him to be. The city attorney's office is a litigation office, in both civil and criminal matters. But, his opponent, Judge Goldsmith, has NEVER litigated a case in court. His inexperience as a litigator disqualifies him from our vote.

City Council (3rd District [Hillcrest, City Heights, etc.): Stephen Whitburn (Dem): Whitburn's handsome personality is very similar to Barrack Obama; calm, deliberative and cool under pressure. If you like Obama, you will like Whitburn. His flamboyant opponent, Todd Gloria, is cute - but he has been part of the system for too long.

Major Propositions:

State:

Prop-1A: YES: Creates a high-speed train service linking southern ande northern California. Long overdue!

Prop-2: YES: Prohibits cruelty to animals being raised for food on HUGE corporation "factory farms." This is an important issue and is promoted by the highly-respected Animal Protection and Rescue League of Hillcrest.

Prop-3: YES" Expands Children's Hospital and is really needed.

Prop-4: NO: Amends our state Constitution, which should be changed only rarely. Prohibits abortion for un-emancipated minor until 48-hours after parental notification. Radical religious evangelists are pushing this.

Prop-8: NO: Will ban gay marriages by again amending the state Constitution, reversing the recent state Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriages. Mormon Church is biggest homophobic supporter. Will be a major set-back for gay civil rights nationwide if it passes. It's very close, a 50-50 battle.

Prop-5: YES: Ignore conservative Sen. Feinstein's advice. Improves and expands drug treatment programs. This is really needed!

Prop-6: NO: Makes 30 revisions to California criminal law. Increases state costs (your taxes) by over a half-BILLION dollars.

Prop-7: NO: Promotes more renewable energy! (Revision. Following advice from the Utility Consumer Action Network, which we respect.)

Prop-8: NO: Will ban gay marriages. Another state Constitutional amendment pushed by conservative churches. Mormon Church gave tens of MILLIONS to its support. Will be a major set-back to gay civil rights nationwide. DOES NOT REQUIRE TEACHING GAY RIGHTS IN SCHOOLS. "Yes-on-8" campaign TV ads are totally false! It's very close to passage!

Prop-9: NO: Adds more bureaucracy to the prison system. Pushed by radical- right politicians and conservative law-enforcement brass.

Prop-10: NO: Re: alternative fuel vehicles, but strongly opposed by the Utility Consumer's Action Network, which we respect.

Prop-11: YES: changes the way our gerrymandered political boundaries are set.

Prop-12: YES: Help for veterans by providing farm and home aid to vets.

County:

Prop-A: YES: Creates a regional fire protection system.

Port District:

Prop-B: Puts a football stadium over the waterfront Marine Freight Terminal. A stupid idea. Opposed by the Navy and most who are knowledgable with port issues.

City of San Diego:

Prop-C: YES: Provides for major improvements to Mission Bay Park and several other parks. This is needed!

Prop-D: NO: Makes permanent the current ban on booze at the beach. This is an over-reaction to one large, unruly incident many months ago.

Schools:

Prop-S: YES: This will improve EVERY neighborhood school!
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

PLAY ABOUT DIRTY COP IN BARRIO IS A HIT AT SAN DIEGO "REP"

San Diego -- The clash of power politics between Latinos and gringos is the focus of the powerful stage play WATER & POWER, now playing at the San Diego REPertory Theatre in Horton Plaza through Nov. 16th. The story is an exciting mixture of comedy and serious cultural thinking.

A hard-working Chicano father nicknamed his twin sons Water and Power and taught them the family motto: "There is no power without water, and no water without power." That set up a life-long loyalty between the boys that explodes when they grow up.

Water (Richard Trujillo) becomes a powerful state senator. He seemed to be too young to be an experienced, state legislator.

Power (Herbert Siguenza) becomes a corrupt (cholo) cop in the barrio.

When Power gets into serious trouble for capping (killing) a cholo, who held a contract to "ice" his brother, Water. That sets off a life-and-death drama that threatens to derail the careers of both Water and Power.

Siguenza (Power) is a founding member of Culture Clash, America's premier Latino theatre group that produced this show at the Rep.

"They (Culture Clash) are really, really good," says San Diego realtor Roberto "Tony" Araiza. "They are absolutely awesome!"

Culture Clash was founded in 1984 by Siguenza, Richard Montoya (playwright of Water and Power) and Ric Salinas. Their site-specific theatre works - built from interviews with citizens of San Diego/Tijuana, San Francisco, Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami and Berkeley, are featured in their signature work, Culture Clash in AmeriCCa.

If you are bilingual, you will get the most out of Water and Power. If you don't even know what a cholo is, this may be a difficult play to understand.

"I really didn't understand the story until the end," said Travis Guss, 35, of North Park, an Anglo who works at the Diversionary Theatre.

"The end was the most moving. I've never seen characterizations like that on stage. It was culture clash! The play personalized the L.A. street culture. I really cared for (the two lead characters) at the end," Guss added.

If the audience doesn't understand the story of a play, that can be fatal; but the opening-night crowd was largely a mix of Anglos and Latinos.

A little boy (Marc Gonzales) frequently appeared on the sidelines as "The Deer Dancer," but his purpose wasn't clear from the script.

Some of the dialogue seemed to favor Anglos. For example, the word "hispanic" was used by the characters frequently. That is a white word, and is disliked by many in the barrio. The preferred word is Latino.

There also were too many philosophical/cultural speeches by the actors. People in the barrio don't usually talk that way in general conversation, but the mini-speeches did put out the Latino message.

Physically, the performance was very striking. Near the end of the show, the REP's Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse who ran the show, had it actually raining on all four sides of the theatre-in-the-round during the play. And, none of the audience got wet - an incredible, technical feat.

One totally off-script line was injected into the show near the end of the performance. When a middle-aged woman in bare feet walked out, passing the stage only inches away, the actor suddenly broke from his script and said to her: "Hey, you might want to stay for this. It's really good."

That off-script line brought the house down. It was the loudest and longest laughter of the night.

Several free, surround events are also scheduled in connection with Water and Power.

Wed., Oct. 29 and Fri. Oct. 31, following the show: a revealing and unpredictable conversation with the cast, and hosted by Centro Cultural de la Raza.

What's the difference between Gringo and Latino Power? Thurs., Oct. 30 @ 7pm. A conversation with the cast.

Sun, Nov. 2nd, San Diego's First Latino Mayor."

Wed., Nov. 5th @ 6pm: downtowners@the REP.

Thurs., Nov. 6th @ 7 pm: mingle@the REP.: Pre-show happy hour with live music by Nisha.

Contact the theatre for more information about these additional events connected with Water and Power. (http://www.sdrep.org/)

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Review copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

LOCAL JOURNALISTS IGNORE MAJOR LAW

San Diego -- "Journalists in print, broadcast and on-line news media need to avoid using the phrase 'illegal immigrant' if the person involved hasn't been convicted by a judge," says a diversity blog on the national website of the Society of Professional Journalists (S-P-J, www.spj.org/diversity).

Mainstream TV news anchors and on-air reporters - including many in San Diego - regularly use the phrase "illegal immigrant" when referring to undocumented persons in their stories.

Reporters of the San Diego Union Tribune sometimes unethically use that improper phrase, "illegal immigrant."

But, "most try to avoid it," says Carol Goodhue, the former U-T readers' representative. She recently left the newspaper under its buy-out program for senior employees, as the Union Tribune cuts costs and staff significantly.

At least two suitors reportedly have inquired about buying the U-T, including a Canadian company, and a sale could be announced at any time.

Sale of the longtime, family-owned newspaper was reportedly accelerated after its publisher, David Copley, Jr, was "outted" recently as a homosexual by the infamous drag queen and city commissioner, Nicole of Hillcrest; in a regular column he/she writes for the Gay & Lesbian Times.

Nicole called Copley a "tired old queen" and severely criticized hm for not donating money to the "No-on-8" campaign for the Nov. 4th election.

"The phrase journalists should properly use, as a matter of journalistic ethics and law, is "undocumented immigrants," the S-P-J's national diversity blog continued.

By using the phrase "illegal immigrant" when referring to undocemented immigrants, local journalists are violating the S-P-J's professional Code of Ethics.

"We are a nation of laws. In our system of common-law jurisprudence, the doctrine of innocent until proven guilty is enthroned in our federal Constitution. It is basic to our law-and-order society," the S-P-J's on-line blog added.

"The only person who can properly say that anyone is 'illegal' is a judge; not a journalist, nor a member of anti-Mexican groups like the Minutemen.
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Copyright, 2008 by San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

HALLOWEEN MADNESS IN A MOVIE

Hillcrest -- Halloween is a time of bloody, scary terror and Landmark's Hillcrest Cinema offers a one-night nightmare tonight, Saturday (10/25) in The Gay Bed & Breakfast of Terror.

The movie is non-stop, bloody fear that will also satisfy the erotic and horror fantasies of both gay guys and lesbians, but in the context of hell on earth for Halloween.

The Gay Bed & Breakfast of Terror was featured last April at FilmOut San Diego.

Helen and Luella are totally weird, but a God-fearing mother and daughter, who run the Sahara Salvation Bed & Breakfast. And, they are as homophobic as the proponents of the anti-gay Proposition-8 on the November ballot. It will overturn the March state Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriages, and which has an estimated 50-50 chance of passing.

Five gay and lesbian couples check into this house of horrors, and several end up in bloody deaths.

The movie stars Jaymes Thompson, Robert Borzych, Mari Marks, Georgia Jean and Noah Naylor.

This midnight movie at the Landmark Hillcrest Cinema is a great way to set your mood of terror for Halloween!
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Review copyright 2008 by Leo E. Laurence, San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

PRO-PROP 8 CAMPAIGN GETS UGLY

San Diego -- The campaign to pass Proposition-8 on the November ballot is getting uglier.

Leaders of ProtectMarriage.com have sent letters to businesses which have financially supported the opposition, and are threatening to "out" them.

"Give us money or we'll publicly identify you as opponents of traditional unions," the letters say.

ProtectMarriage.com is an umbrella group supporting the initiative that will overturn the state Supreme Court's ruling legalizing gay marriages by amending the state Constitution.

Certified letters from the group reportedly are asking companies to withdraw their support from EqualityCalifornia.com, the non-profit campaign opposing Prop-8, or to donate.

"Make a donation of a like amount to ProtectMarraige.com," reads the letter. The names or companies and organizations that choose not to donate to ProtectMarriage.com will be published, the letters say.

The letter is signed by four members of the ProtectMarriage.com executive committee; including Mark Jansson, a Mormon. That religious group has contributed massively to the campaign to pass Prop. 8.

San Diego businessman Jim Abbott, who owns a real estate company, received one of the certified letters. His son read it to him.

"He characterized it as a bit Mafioso," Abbott said.
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Copyright, 2008, by San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

YOUTHS CHANGED POL. CAMPAIGNS IN '68 & '08

San Diego -- Massive youth involvement changed political conventions/campaigns back in '68, and continue in '08.

Forty years ago, the massive youth mobilization at the Chicago Democratic Convention turned the windy city "into a war zone," as one CBS war correspondent told me.

And, I was there!

Today, Sen. Barack Obama is mobilizing the nation's (world's) youths in an unprecedented way, and some national polls say he is now the front-runner for president. (But, that can change.)

While working as a reporter/producer at ABC-KGO News in San Francisco in '68, I took a short vacation back to my hometown in Monroe, New York. While returning to the Bay Area, I stopped off in Chicago to check out the convention, then in the news daily as massive youth demonstrations protesting the Viet Nam War, racism, poverty, etc. had taken over the city.

The ABC News producer at the convention hall gave me a set of official media credentials. They let me go anywhere in the convention itself. But, more importantly, I could go anywhere in the city - with the ability to pass police and army MP lines - which were everywhere near the convention site.

So, I went everywhere.

The news media were transported everywhere in special school buses that also could go through police and army MP restricted lines. During one trip, I sat with a CBS News foreign correspondent who was on special assignment.

"The police and army MP's have turned Chicago into a war zone," he told me surprisedly; and he had experience covering real wars.

KPBS-TV on Wednesday (10/22) carried a 2-hour documentary on those Chicago riots and the later, famous "Chicago-Seven" criminal trials. Those shows captured the raw rage that filled the city; and the gross injustice of the show trial of the mobilization's leaders by federal district Judge Julius Hoffman.

He threw the "Chicago-Seven" into jail, but all charges were later reversed by a federal appellate court.

I remember being in one of Chicago's city parks on a warm afternoon when the park was filled with flower-children of the hippie/yippie era.

I noticed three singers with guitars performing under a tree and surrounded mostly by youths, but also youthful seniors. I didn't know who the performers were - thinking they were probably some local group - so I asked one of the kids.

"Peter, Paul and Mary," he said with a proud smile.

My god, really? Big-time musical stars were HERE, with the demonstrators? As a journalist, I thought that was absolutely incredible!

The very bloody riots that I witnessed were actually created by the massive numbers of police who repeatedly attacked the peaceful, youthful crowds.

But, there were also some strange, lighter moments.

I remember watching one short, teenage boy walked up to a long line of army MP's standing firmly at parade rest. In that position, their rifles are leaning forward at an angle.

The boy quietly and slowly place a single flower into the end of the barrels of each of the line of rifles.

The equally youthful MP's didn't object. Indeed, several smiled at him.

If they could have taken off their uniforms, I'm convinced those young army MP's would have joined the demonstrators.

I had never seen anything like the militarization of Chicago in '68. Working for a very conservative broadcasting company, I was then a solid Republican conservative myself.

But, when I returned to San Francisco, I realized that my experience in Chicago had radicalized me.

I joined the New Left.

By day, I worked for ABC-KGO News in San Francisco.

By night, I was the first, regularly-published gay journalist in the nation, working at the Berkeley Barb. That widely-read, weekly underground newspaper was largely responsible for Gay-Lib's success today. Without the Barb, we may not have the LGBT Center or the Gay & Lesbian Times in Hillcrest today. Yet, oddly, neither acknowledge the role of gay journalism in launching Gay Lib 40 years ago.

Together with 12 other young homosexuals (the word Gay didn't become common until later), we launched the Committee for Homosexual Freedom, the first Gay Lib organization many months before the famous Stonewall Riots, which many today incorrectly consider the birth of Gay Lib. That's a myth.

Today, Sen. Obama is successfully using the power of the massive mobilization of youths - along with their Internet - to transform the current president campaign into historic proportions.

While seniors have historically been the people marching to the polls on election day, next month that may change as youths march massively to vote in unprecedented number; just as they marched in Chicago in '68.
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Copyright, 2008, by Leo E. Laurence, J.D., San Diego News Service leopowerhre@msn.com (619) 757-4909

AGUIRRE FIGHTS FOR POPULAR LA JOLLA SEALS

San Diego -- City Attorney Mike Aguirre personally appeared in Superior Court this morning (10/21) to argue against the immediate dispersal of the 150+ seals at the "Children's Pool" aka Casa Beach in La Jolla. It is a very popular tourist attraction, particularly with children.
Local anti-seal attorney Paul Kennerson won a court ruling some time ago requiring the City of San Diego to return the beach to its 1941 configuration as an artificial "bathing pool." That means 2/3rds of the popular beach will be removed by dredging, a very expensive project, according to attorney Bryan Pease of the Animal Protection and Rescue League, who is closely monitoring this case.
Kennerson - who represents former La Jolla resident Valerie O'Sullivan, who now lives permanently in New Zealand - continues to rack up a huge bill for attorney fees (now over $1.2 million) to be paid by city taxpayers. He makes more money with each court appearance.
Today, Kennerson tried unsuccessfully - at least temporarily - to get a court order requiring the immediate dispersal of the 150+ seals at the popular tourist site.
City Attorney Aguirre argued that the immediate dispersal of the seals was not in the original court ruling, and that Kennerson is wrongfully trying to re-write that order.
To accomplish that will require 24/7 monitoring by the city, because the seals will continue to return to that beach. It's their nature.
Superior Court judge Yuri Hofmann is hearing the case, and took Kennerson's motion for the immediate dispersal of the popular seals under submission. He asked no substantive questions of the attorneys this morning.
Judge Hofmann is an older man who is considered "horrible" by some who have appeared before him.
"He doesn't understand the law," said one attorney, who couldn't reveal his name.
There will be a dredging-compliance hearing on Friday.
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Copyright, 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909

COURT MAY EVICT SEALS IN LA JOLLA TOMORROW

La Jolla -- People who like the watch the seals at the "Children's Pool" in La Jolla may want to appear in Superior Court (Dept. 60) Tuesday morning at 8:30.
Anti-seal lawyer Paul Kennerson - who has made over $1.25 million in fees fighting the seals - will seek a court order requiring the City of San Diego to immediately remove the seals.
Kennerson represents Valerie O'Sullivan, a former La Jolla resident who now lives permanently in New Zealand.
A previous court ruling Kennerson won required the city to dredge the "Children's Pool" beach to return it to its 1941 configuration as an artificial "bathing pool."
Because it takes years to obtain the necessary state and federal permits to do that, Kennerson will argue tomorrow (Tuesday) that the city must disperse the seals immediately.
According to State Land Commission attorneys, the legislature could easily amend the arcane law being used by the Superior Court to force the city to take these extreme measures against the seals.
However, state Sen. Christine Kehoe of Hillcrest, whose constituents are being forced to pay Kennerson's $1.25+ million fees, has so far declined to take any action.
Every time Kennerson appears in court, he racks up even more fees (which taxpayers will pay).
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Copyright, 2008, by San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

"DEL MAR FAIR" GETS MUCH TOUGHER

Del Mar -- After several upstanding citizens thought they smelled marijuana at the San Diego County Fair this year, the fair's board is clamping down HARD on patrons of musical events for next year.
That seems odd inasmuch as next year's fair will highlight "Music Mania," with "popular music of all kinds," according to a news release published today (10/20) by the fair's staff.
The Fair is getting TOUGH!
The entire venue will be smoke free in 2009, "with limited, designated locations for smoking."
"The (Del Mar Fair, as it is commonly known) is one of the first county fairs to implement a smoking ban."
And, "to insure safety of all patrons," the following strict rules will be implemented for the 2009 event, which runs from June 12th to July 5th.
** All reggae musical activities will be held at the Grandstand, where security officers will have more control over patrons.
** You must be 21 to enter, and wristbands will be issued by tough security officers.
** The "Reggae Festival" will be a paid show, with a separate ticket required for admission.
** Security and "anti-drug messages" will be increased with signage, announcements and "patdowns" of everyone by security officers.
In other words, entry into the featured "Music Mania" events at next year's county fair will be similar to airport security, with equally long delays on entry.
"Young music-lovers will not put up with that heavy security B-S. If they had a problem with people smoking grass, then go after those people,. But, don't punish all of us with these insane, airport-type security restrictions," said a 28-year old engineer who works at General Dynamics.
"Their ticket sales will be down, dramatically, next year as a result of these increased security meanures. After all, this is not Iraq; but it will look like it with pat-down searches and everything. The fair board is seriously overreacting!," he added.
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Copyright, 2008 by San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

FORECLOSURE CRISIS GETS PERSONAL

by Leo E. Laurence, J.D.; journalist, San Diego News Service

Hillcrest -- The escalating foreclosure crisis just got very personal.
My condo complex here - the large Bridgeview at the north end of the famous Georgia St. bridge over University Avenue - is now in foreclosure.
The owners - the Georgia-Crestview Villas LLC - are over $1.7 million in default on their financing.
Suddenly, overnight, life at 3907 Georgia Street is turned upside down.
What will happen to my home?
If I have to move, how soon?
It's a nightmare!
At night when I lay down in my bed, my mind goes over and over with the nightmare that my landlord's foreclosure is creating for me, and some of my neighbors.
It's on my mind constantly.
Insomnia is now the norm.
Now I know what it is like for tens of thousands in this nation who are facing foreclosure; whether it's their own home or they are renting from a landlord who can't pay their financial backers.
Foreclosures were regularly happening to people in stories I wrote as a journalist. It was happening to other people. Not to me.
I should have seen in coming. I live in a complex of 28 units which is a condo conversion, former apartments converted into condos.
The conversions had been continuing every day by a crew of about six to eight workmen, mostly Latinos. They worked six and sometimes seven days a week.
Then, suddenly, about a month ago, all that work suddenly stopped, overnight.
I remember thinking at the time that, maybe, my landlord was having financial problems. But, I didn't want to belive it.
But, the reality or a foreclosure didn't really hit until I received a certified letter yesterday from my landlord's creditor, a mortgage fund in Concord, CA, saying that the property was in foreclosure.
My landlord owes over $1.7 million dollars. That's a large amount of money! And, as the "Notice of Default" says, that amount is growing daily with interest, etc.
Foreclosures are no longer about unknown people in news stories that I write.
It is now hitting me.
And, it is pure HELL!
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D., leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

NO-ON-8 NEEDS MONEY, LOTS OF IT; OR PROP-8 PASSES

San Diego -- The No-on-8 campaign is losing ground and needs some serious money if the anti-gay marriage initiative on the November ballot is to be defeated.
As a legal issue, three state high courts have ruled that is it a violation of the equal-protection clause of their state Constitutions to have a two-tiered system of marriage: one for Gays & Lesbians (domestic partnerships) and another for straights (marriage).
But, proponents of Prop-8 ignore our law because they follow a "higher law" - their religion. However, religious law is not the rule-of-law in the United States.
Even straight Latinos are speaking out, opposed to Prop. 8.
"I now believe we simply can't have a two-tiered system where some of us have the right to marry and others don't, based on their sexual orientation," wrote Ruben Navarrette, Jr., a vice president and columnist for the San Diego Union Tribune.
"The fact that Gays and Lesbians - including some who are already in committed relationships - want to get married doesn't weaken the institution.
"It strengthens it by allowing more people to participate. As more states allow Gays and Lesbians to marry (Connecticut recently joined California and Massachusetts), I've taken note that civilizations have not crumbled.
"Here in California, some people still worry (that) it might," Navarrette wrote.
California's Proposition 22 was passed as a similar initiative in 2000 and declared that "Only marriage between a man and woman is valid in California."
Last march, the state Supreme Court ruled that Proposition 22 violated the state Constitution.
So the gay-marriage foes are back this November with Proposition-8. It will amend the state Constitution and overrule the state Supreme Court's ruling.
Proponents argue that the high court should have respected the "will of the people" in that 2000 vote. That argument is aired hundreds of times each week in TV ads. However, if the "will of the people" were to pass a state constitutional amendment declaring that wives were the property of their husbands, it too would be found unconstitutional.
In other words, voters cannot approve an initiative that creates an unconstitutional state law. So the proponents are trying to change the state Constitution.
If it's approved next month, many in the G & L community believe it will set back gay civil rights about 40-years, to the pre-Stonewall era.
Proponents of Prop.-8 are throwing millions into the campaign. For example, Mormon church members have given over $18.8 million as of October 1st, over 77 percent of all the money raised by the Yes-on-8 campaign since June.
Unless Gays and Lesbians - and their straight allies - begin donating some serious money soon, it looks like Prop.-8 will pass and gay marriages will be banned in California.
To donate on-line, go to the Equality California website at www.eqca.org/lovehonorcherish.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

STONE'S "W" MOVIE IS OLD NEWS, BUT STRONG BIO

San Diego -- If Oliver Stone's purpose in releasing his "W" movie just before the presidential election was to influence it, he probably failed.
If Stone's purpose was simply to produce a dramatization of President George W. Bush's biography, he succeeded.
Most of the viewers probably had decided how they were going to vote before seeing the movie, said artist/photographer/TV news anchor Ricardo Vela of North Park. But, nobody would go to see "W" if it were released after the election, Vela added.
Because many of us already know most of the facts about "W," and many believe he has been the stupidest president in history, the movie reveals nothing new. As a result, it was boring at times.
The film depicts his father, President H. W. Bush, as thinking his son wanted early in life only to go "partying, drinking and chasing tail."
His father seemed to have known his son quite well, and was enormously disappointed in him, though publicly supported him - particularly as president.
The movie depicts "W" as a very heavy drinker who eventually goes to AA meetings to control his drinking.
In the early days of his career, nearly every scene in the movie showed "W" with a beer or cocktail in his hand, and often quite drunk.
After he is elected governor of Texas and later as president, we hear in the movie so many of the old, familiar phrases (e.g., "I am the decider."). That's the boring part.
On the Iraq war, Gen. Colin Powell (ret.) comes off as a strong and powerful opponent who is willing to take on other cabinet members in his opposition.
Vice President Cheney is heard saying, "There is no exit strategy. We stay!"
"The world has gone mad," Gen. Powell says.
The movie "W" provides no new revelations about the president. However, as a dramatization of a biography of our lame-duck president, the movie is strong.
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Review copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

HILLCREST "BRIDGEVIEW" CONDO COMPLEX IN FORECLOSURE

Hillcrest -- The large Bridgeview condo complex at the north end of the Georgia Street Bridge (at 3907 Georgia St.) in Hillcrest is in foreclosure. It owes $1.7 million.
It's owners - the Georgia-Crestview Villas, LLC - has defaulted and owes $1,708,278.10 to the LCGI Mortage Fund LLC of Concord, CA as of September 15, 2008; according to a filing with the County Recorder.
The 28-unit complex is a condo-conversion, having been all apartments before. it has a large pool, a game room with a pool table and a storage room.
Signs of the owners' financial problems surfaced a couple months ago when all work on the conversions - that had been proceeding 6-days a week - suddenly stopped, abruptly. That was a sign the owners might be in financial trouble, which now proves to be true. At least four apartments reportedly still have not been converted to condos.
About one-third of the condos reportedly remain unsold, and there have been very few potential buyers looking at the condos recently.
Several of the condos are being rented, and their future remains uncertain. A new state law requires a minimum of a 60-day notice to renters in cases of foreclosures.
The Postal Service attempted to deliver formal notices of the foreclosure by certified mail to 12 of the 28 condos today (10/18).
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Copyright 2008 by Leo E. Laurence of San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

DRAMATIC LOVE SHOWN BY LATINO FILM FESTIVAL

Mission Valley -- The HUGE difference between Hollywood's blood-n-guts movies and powerful, dramatic foreign films is now showing at the 2008 Cine en tu Inoma Series. It's at the "UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas in the Hazard Center.
Each month from August to November, the Media Arts Center of Golden Hills, which annually produces the internationally acclaimed Latino Film Festival in San Diego, runs movies from its 2008 festival for one week at the UltraStar."
Three advance trailers, produced by Hollywood and promoting future movies at the "UltraStar," were filled with constant bloody violence, guns and explosions.
But, the main screening, the Chilean movie el Brindis ( The Toast), showed none of that.
Instead, "it was a simple love story with a surprise ending," said Martin Brickson later.
The movie follows a young, extremely attractive (muy guapa) woman from Mexico City who is re-united with her long estranged father whom she hasn't seen and years - and, at first doesn't particularly like.
Along the way, however, she enters into a forbidden amorous relationship with the equally young Chilean rabbi, who is preparing her 80-year-old father for his Bar Mitzvah.
While it's a movie about three totally different personalities searching for the meaning of life, el Brindis (with English sub-titles) is really a light comedy.
The young Mexican woman is at first clearly uncomfortable circulating in the solid, Jewish world in Chile. Yet, she is simultaneously impressed by - and falling in love with - the young rabbi.
Oddly, though she thinks about him regularly, she's not initially receptive when he tried - albeit clumsily - to express his affection for her.
Later, her "receptivity" changes, on many level.
Her elderly father is sick and dying, yet he doesn't want medical treatment. He only wants his sacred Bar Mitzvah.
As the movie reveals the exciting mysteries of the Bar Mitzvah celebration, it clearly shows that the Jewish know how to mix dignity and exciting fun.
By the way, for those who did not have a close and loving relationship with their Dad (e.g., this reviewer), this movie can give your emotions a strong workout.
But, serious Latino cinema often does that.
el Brindis "is a simple love story which ends with some unanswered questions," said Brickson after seeing the Chilean movie. He is a retired mechanic engineer in San Diego.
While visiting her very Jewish and long-estranged father, this Mexican woman goes on a fling, rather than a commitment," Brickson added.
Many may not think of Jewish communities existing in Latin and South America; but this movie reveals them dramatically, plus showing some beautiful scenes of Chile.
el Brindis runs for 100 minutes and is shown at 11:30m am, 1:45 pm, 4 pm, 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm until Oct.16th. There is also a 10:30 pm screening on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tickets are $9.50 general admission, $7.50 for students, seniors and members of the Media Arts Center.
November 14-20, Cine en tu Idoma will offer a "mini-fest" of three, award-winning Latino films: (1) el violin, (2) XXY (Gay) and (3) el Bano del Papa (The Pope's Toilet).
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Review copyright, 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D. leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

IS BUSH'S U-S-A GOING SOCIALIST ???

San Diego -- "(G)overnment bank-investment schemes are routinely called nationalization programs," writes Steve Lohr of the New York Times News Service.
"But, that is not likely in the United States, where nationalization is a word to avoid, given the aversion to anything that hunts of socialism," Lohr wrote on Oct. 14th.
Yet, the U-S-A has used the socialistic method of nationalization several times in his history; with railroads, coal mines and steel mills.
Now, it is taking a large financial interest in banks because it is deemed "in the national interest."
But, isn't that still socialism, many are asking?
"There are a number of examples of nationalizations which have occurred recently, most notably in Venezuela," says economics Professor Jim Gerber at San Diego State University (SDSU). He also serves as the director of the SDSU Center for Latin American Studies. He was interviewed exclusively by San Diego News Service.
"There are also historical legacies of companies, like the Mexican National Oil Company, (but) they are of a much earlier era
"In Latin America, (the nationalizations) are mostly for ideological reasons. They are not in response to a crisis, such as the nationalizations in the U-S right now," Prof. Gerber explained.
"A nationalization is a situation in which the government takes control, ownership of a private entity, such as a bank or a manufacturing firm," Prof. Gerber added. There are also partial nationalizations, but they are still they essentially the same economic - and often socialistic - device.
"In the current situation, American firms that are receiving investments by the government, the government becomes a stockholder in a sense (but) there are other private owners as well.
"The term 'nationalization' in this case is kind of a unique situation that doesn't really fit what is happening in Latin America.
"There was an example in 1982 (in Chile), between the time of the military coup in 1973 and the beginning of the Latin American debt crisis in 1988.
"In 1982, when the crisis became deep and extremely severe, all the banks were nationalized for a short period of time.
"That is very similar to the U-S case (now), although (in) the U-S, the government's position is much more tentative than the Chilean government was, or than the European governments are (now), particularly the U-K government," Prof. Gerber added.
"People are saying (these U-S banks) are being nationalized because of the insertion of U-S government capital. That allows the U-S government to have a significant say in the activities of these previously, entirely, private enterprises (banks, etc.)," Prof. Gerber said.
Still, there are many today who are worried that the Bush administration is moving too fast towards a socialistic solution to the current, economic crisis.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D., leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

McCAIN'S RUDENESS MAY DUMP CAMPAIGN

It's rude to intentionally and repeatedly interrupt your opponent during a formal debate, yet Sen. John McCain did it at lest 11 times tonight (10/15/08).
McCain is playing a bad hand. He really needed for Obama to mess up tonight, but it didn't happen.
So, he went on the attack, attack and attack!!!
"His attacks tonight really hurt McCain," said one TV analyst after the debate.
"McCain really tonight hurt himself , almost always hurts himself, when his attacks get personal as they did tonight," added another TV commentator.
McCain made a tactical mistake tonight half way through the debate when he brought up Bill Ayres. A full 40-years ago, (now) Professor Ayres did some stupid things as an anti-war radical. Obama was only 8-years old at the time.
To use Ayres - as his TV ads do repeatedly also - was one of McCain's worst moments during the debate. He also showed his well-known anger, which is not presidential.
There was much, too much fighting over minor campaign strategy/events.
McCain again tonight - as he did in a previous debate - brought up an overhead projector in Obama's hometown. How is that important during the worst economic crisis this nation has ever experienced since the depression?
McCain's sole big accomplishment tonight was to make "Joe the Plumber" a media person, which Joe probably hates. Major mistake.
Moderator Bob Schieffer asked about running mates. Obama did not take the bait and go after Gov. Palin's incredible lack of experience or education to be president.
Throughout the debate, McCain had a childish smirk on his face as Obama was talking. Respectful of his opponent. NO!
Aside from McCain interrupting Obama 11 times, the smirk on his face was degrading for McCain and hurt his image.
The debate was engaging, but at times boring. There was some flow to it, thanks to moderator Schieffer.
Having covering politics for 48 years; in all likelihood, this last presidential debate was not a game changer for either candidate.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D. leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

HILLCREST BUS. ASSN. HOLDS "QUIET" MEETING - BUT, WAS IT?

Hillcrest -- The Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) conducted an unusually quiet Annual Meeting last night (10/14/08), but - as is customary with the HBA's history - behind-the-scenes was another story.
This time, unless resolved in negotiations, the HBA is headed for court.
Nine persons were elected to the board, including the return of San Diego News Service editor Leo E. Laurence, J.D.
The election was conducted by an "Elections Inspector," formally appointed by the HBA board. He was attorney Graham S. P. Hollis, Esq., a senior partner of Grace, Hollis & Hanson, LLP of Hillcrest; and the HBA's new legal counsel.
The board voted unanimously to accept the Hollis report on the election results.
Hollis, however, said today (10/15/08) that he had "made a mistake."
The election of Laurence - strongly opposed by vice president Nancy Moors and her partner Ann Garwood - was suddenly in jeopardy.
Laurence's lawful candidacy was even the subject of an unusual pre-election announcement. It seems that someone - unidentified - had challenged the validity of Laurence's candidacy for the board.
HBA executive director Warren Simon made the unusual announcement that, indeed, Laurence "is a qualified (HBA) member and is qualified to be a candidate (for the HBA board)."
"This statement," Simon explained, " is in response to a challenge to his candidacy that has been received." Warren did not identify the challenger, but several board members believed it to be vice president Moors.
"(Laurence's) election was a de facto appointment to fill a board vacancy," said Scott Crowder, a board member who is well-versed on the state's Corporation's code.
"If my election is challenged and is not amicably resolved, I will take this to court and that will cost the HBA lost of money; that could be better spent on community project," Laurence said.
OTHER PROBLEMS BEHIND-THE-SCENES
There was no treasurer's report at the Annual Meeting, which is "a violation of the Corporation's Code," Crowder said.
The excuse was that the books have been taken over by an "outside" bookkeeper, Mary Joseph, who also works for the Business Assessment District. That brings up possible conflict-of-interest issues on the HBA's finances.
Treasurer Morena promised a "full accounting" next month. There are some "problems getting the books together," Morena said.
"(Moreno) had put all the (HBA) money into WaMu (Washington Mutual) - over $250,000 - when (that bank) was about to be sunk. We would have lost over $150,000 in (uninsured) funds," said Crowder.
"She moved the money even after she had been warned against it.
"She (then) moved it to Bank of America a few days before the (WaMu) bank was about to be seized by the federal government," Crowder reported.
"(Moreno) was putting in jeopardy a lot of hard-earned money. It would have been stupid to have it (in an) uninsured account," Crowder added.
"(Moreno) totally fucked up with the (HBA) books. They had to fire Ruth (Harrison, former assistant HBA director) to cover for (Moreno)," he explained.
Pointing out other discrepancies in the HBA finances, Crowder explained that MAD (Maintenance Assessment District, a separate entity) money was also included as part of the HBA assets. That's wrong (and possible fraud).
"(Moreno) has called no Finance Committee meetings for a whole year. She apparently is managing all the HBA finances (reported at about 1/3rd million dollars) on her own.
"This is stupid, stupid, stupid," Crowder emphasized. He is the former HBA treasurer who was replaced by a highly questionable vote of the HBA board.
Under the state' Brown Act, the HBA is required by law to post its meeting agendas in advance. However, there were THREE agendas provided for the HBA's Annual Meeting.
One was posted and included the election of officers for the board.
However, two others were also provided at the Annual Meeting - and therefore may not have complied to the state's Brown Act . They were two other agendas, one for a regular board meeting and another for the Annual Meeting. Both were different, but applied to the same time and place. The discrepancy was never explained.
It was reported that the deletion of the board's election of officers had been requested by vice president Nancy Moors, who has frequently reportedly called herself the president pro tem, although the HBA's ByLaws do not provide for such an office.
Moore and her partner - Ann Garwood, also a board member - desperately wants to retain her vice-presidential post and the enormous powers that she claims to have under it.
When asked about the discrepancies with the three different printed agendas, the HBA's counsel, attorney Hollis, refused to comment to the media.
What appeared to be an unusually, quiet, Annual Meeting of the HBA board, was - in fact - something quite different.
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Copyright, 2008, by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909

CITY COLLEGE FACES LAWSUIT OVER "FAGS" NAME

Exclusive
San Diego -- City College administrators may get hit with a lawsuit soon if they continue to restrict the fundamental rights of their students in the Fellowship of Associated Gay Students (FAGS) organization on their campus.
The situation at City College is just opposite of what exists are Mesa College, which is supportive of the FAGS student organization and its work to promote marriage equality and safe sex (by distributing free condoms on campus).
San Diego News Service has learned exclusively that the FAGS leaders are preparing to file a civil lawsuit against the San Diego Community College District (which operates City College), if the City administrators continue to violate the constitutional and statutory rights of students in FAGS.
The conflict over the FAGS name is largely generational.
The students in FAGS are mostly - but certainly not all - young. They intend to "take back" the word "fags" from the hostile homophobics and convert it into a positive word, proudly identifying themselves and their campus organization.
The conflict that will be at the center of the lawsuit is a study in semantics and wordology. Academically, it is fertile ground for a scholarly paper.
But, the administrators at City College are largely older, and are dogmatically stuck in the old thinking that the only meaning of the word "fags" is its ugly, hate word definition that is inappropriate for the college campus, as Student Services Assistant Michele Montanez said in a SDNS interview.
"I think the acronym (FAGS) is not appropriate for an educational institution because it is hate language," Montanez explained.
"I don't think the First Amendment applies to hate language," she added.
As a matter of law, however, she is mostly wrong!
In constitutional law, if the word "fag" or "queer" is used in a hostile manner ("I'm going to kill you, fag," says an angry, homophobic man to a Gay while holding a hunting knife): then the First-Amendment protections do not apply. Indeed, under those facts, use of the word "fag" becomes a felonious, hate crime.
But, City administrator Montanez has her facts wrong, and therefore her legal conclusion has no merit.
Use of the word "fags" by the gay students at City and Mesa colleges - and rapidly spreading to other community colleges in the San Diego area - is not done in anger. Just the opposite. Therefore, the law protects is use.
The bold FAGS students are experimenting, using a method of English semantics whereby people convert a so-called hate word (e.g., "fags"), into a positive, supportive word. They are semantically changing the meaning of the word fags by changing its use.
This semantical method has successful, historical precedent in the Gay Community. Years ago, young Gays - including teenagers - began to describe themselves and their youthful organizations as "queer."
They were "taking back" the word queer from the hostile homophobics.
It worked, quite successfully.
There are now "queer" youth groups all over the nation, including in San Diego.
The City College gay "militants" are conducting an experiment with words, and English and anthropology majors might take notice. Someday, a doctoral thesis on semantics might be written about this semantical experiment by the FAGS organizations at City, Mesa and other campuses.
The word "militant" is used in this story to describe activities by gay activists that go well beyond the institutional professionals (e.g., at the LGBT Center in Hillcrest). They refuse to be pushed around by college administrators. The word is not used in its violent meaning, as is used regularly by reporters and editors in the mainstream media. (See also: "Gay Militants," by Donn Teal, Stein and Day publishers, New York, 1971)
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The gay militants at City and Mesa colleges are led by FAGS president Jason Frye of North Park. He is unusually powerful as a gay leader because he is president of the FAGS campus organizations at both City and Mesa colleges.
Frye and his gay workers are guided by longtime, pioneering, gay militant Jay Murley of North Park, the FAGS secretary and a Harvard graduate.
Both Frye and Murley are determined, and are working behind-the-scenes to prepare a lawsuit against the community-college district to seek an injunction prohibiting City administrators from rejecting campus recognition of their FAGS student organization.
RECOGNITION AT MESA COLLEGE
FAGS is recognized as a students organization at Mesa College.
"(Mesa's president) is very supportive and very professional," Fryne said in an exclusive SDNS interview in his North Park home, and ably assisted by gay pioneer Murley.
"(Mesa's president) studies her First-Amendment rights," Frye added, praising the college president for creating a positive atmosphere for Gays on her campus.
"We are not getting that (supportive) feeling" at City College, Frye reported.
The FAGS organization exists, not to fight the City College administration, but to promote marriage equality and safe sex on campus.
At City, where the administration's homophobic attitude dents the enthusiasm of gay students, there are only 17 students signed up as FAGS members. The hard-core workers who do most of the work on campus is about 5-6, Frye reported.
The picture at supportive Mesa College is quire different.
There the FAGS organization has 82 students who have signed up as members. Of them, an astounding 20-25 are the hard-core, active members.
While great things may occur on the Mesa campus, the picture remains dismal at City College.
The FAGS organization at City doesn't even have a faculty advisor, as required for official, campus recognition. The administration is intentionally making the selection process difficult.
One adjunct professor was rejected on technical grounds by the college administration, though other student groups reportedly have used adjunct professors are advisors. That may violate several statutes in the state's Civil Code prohibiting discrimination against Gays.
TIRED OF THE ALPHABET SOUP
Another reason the young, college Gays are using an organizational name with the acronym FAGS is that they are "tired of the alphabet soup," club president Frye explained.
In Hillcrest' Gay Community, the acronym once was GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender). Then some of the often loud and pushy lesbian leaders complained because they wanted the "L" for lesbian to be first in the acronym. So, it changed to L-G-B-T, which is common in San Diego today.
Some wonder if they also plan to add the letters "MNGMDG" to the name of the LGBT Center in Hillcrest, to include the center's long-standing Monday Night Gay Mens Discussion Group.
That would make the alphabet soup in the Hillcrest neighborhood into LGBTMNGMDG.
It was against that nonsense that the FAGS leaders adopted their unique name.
They resisted adding "ASS" to the end of their acronym to acknowledge "And Straight Supporters." That wouldn't be tasteful. And, it would add to the alphabet soup that the gay students dislike so much.
"We wanted a sharp name that wold be fair," Frye explained.
FAGS ARE HEADED TO COURT!
The gay students at City College are preparing to take their battle for campus recognition to the next level, into the courts.
They will seek an injunction prohibiting the City College administration from unlawfully rejecting their official, campus recognition.
The lawsuit will likely be based on the students' First-Amendment rights, but also on the plethora of state laws prohibiting discrimination against Gays and Lesbians in the state.
Murley has long had close connections with attorneys affiliated with the American Civil Liberties union (ACLU). His work with ACLU lawyers goes back decades into Orange County.
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Copyright, 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D. leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909