HillcrestBlog by "San Diego News Service" (619) 757-4909

MEETING LES PAUL @ '68 DEMO COVENTION IN CHICAGO

2009-08-14T09:55:00.001-07:00

by Leo E. Laurence

While working for ABC-KGO News in San Francisco in '68, I was at the famous Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

The bigger story was outside the convention hall, where the major clash between the anti-war hippies and the massive police/military forces mobilized by Mayor Daley turned the city streets "into a war zone," according to a CBS foreign correspondent. He was riding a special press bus that took the media around town, passing through police lines.

While wlking through one large city park where literally thousands of anti-war youths were enjoying the sun and camping out (and literally surrounded by the National Guard), I came upon about 30 young people squatting on the grass under the shade of a very large, old tree.

They were listening to a male guitar player and a female singer with very long, flowing blond hair.

They would sing a number, then chat with the youths sitting on the grass around them. It was a beautifully pleasant scene.

The performers were good, really good; and has the kids spellbound.

I wasn't much into the music of the day, so I had to ask one of the youths who the performers were.

"Les Paul and Mary Ford," I was told.

Really!

WOW!

I was surprised that they were performing to a small group under a tree, and not in a theatre somewhere.

"They just showed up, squatted on the grass and began performing," I was told.

But, that was part of the magic of the '68 Democratic National Convention.

When I arrived in Chicago from San Francisco, I was a conversative Republican as were most in our ABC-KGO newroom. ABC was a very conservative company.

When I returned to San Francisco, the Chicago convention had radicalized me and I began much more militant . . . and, a Democrat.

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IT'S AMAZING CRONKITE LIVED SO LONG

2009-07-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

by Leo E. Laurence

San Diego -- 7/17/09 -- Meeting Walter Conkite was a highlight of a trip to New York City four years ago. And, it is amazing that he lived another four years.

While representing the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) at the international organization's national convention in New York, Conkite appeared on a panel.

We are all familiar with his TV image as "the most trusted" man in America as the anchor of CBS News.

But the man I saw that afternoon in the "Big Apple" was old and very frail. His voice was weak and hoarse.

Wherever he walked, he was assisted by aides.

But, he was still "the" man of historic significance.

When he left the elevated speaker's platform, as soon as his feet touched the floor, he was surrounded by an army of bodyguards.

It looked all so presidential.

But, he looked so frail.

I'm surprised that he lived for another four years.
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GAYS LOSE PROP-8, ANGER INTENSIFIES RADICALLY

2009-05-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

HILLCREST -- 5/26/09 -- Nothing mobilizes people like anger, and Gays & Lesbians are really mad that they lost the battle over Prop-8.
The California Supreme Court has ruled that Prop-8 is valid, but ordered that gay marriages performed after the court's May ruling legalizing gay marriages will remain valid.
Gay & Lesbians are mad, mad, mad, mad!
At daybreak this morning, young Gays & Lesbians were on the historic Georgia Street Bridge over University Avenue, one block east of Park/University Avenues, with huge signs promoting a massive, community rally this afternoon at 5 p.m. at Sixth and Laurel Streets in Balboa Park.
What was hoped to be a celebration will instead be an angry demonstration of community protest against the state Supreme Court.
This all would not have happened if the professional Gays who were in charge of the No-on-8 campaign last year had done a more effective job. They intentionally avoided showing happy, successful gay couples in their TV spots during the campaign, for fear of offending someone. MAJOR MISTAKE!
Ironically, however, the anger over the court's decision may mobilize the Gay & Lesbian community far more effective than in the past.
The YES on 8 campaign last year was very effective on exploiting the anger of the state's homophobics. Opposed only by the timid actions of the NO on 8 campaign, they were successful.
Now, literally hundreds of millions of dollars may be spent by the Gay Community to put yet another initiative on the ballot, this time to overturn Prop-8. That's money that could be going into education, youth and community social services.
The anger in San Diego's Gay & Lesbian Community will be loudly demonstrated this afternoon (Tues 5/26) at 5 p.m. when Gays rally, yet again on the Prop-8 issue.
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Photo by Leo E. Laurence, San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

SAN DIEGO GAYS ABOUT TO EXPLODE

2009-05-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Hillcrest -- 5/25/09 -- Whichever way the state Supreme Court rules on Prop-8, either tossing it or approving it, San Diego Gays and Lesbians are expected to explode tomorrow.

The high court's decision will be posted at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26th, on its official website.

Shown in the photo are Tiffany Roff, 22, of El Cajon (on left) and Scott Allen, 18, of Carmel Valley. They are holding signs promoting a huge rally at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, at Fifth & Laurel in Balboa Park. They are standing on the historic Georgia Street Bridge over University Avenue just east of Park/University avenues, and are shouting at traffic below on University Avenue.

Photo by Leo E. Laurence, San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909, leopowerhere@msn.com

WIDE VARIETY @ LATINO FILM FESTIVAL TIL MARCH 22ND

2009-03-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

by Leo E. Laurence

Mission Valley -- With four screens and 161 films, the Latino Film Festival underway now in the UltraStar Cinema in the Mission Valley Hazard Center literally has something for everyone: drama, comedy, animation, Cine Gay, and shorts from all over Latin America, Spain, Peru, Chile, Columbia, Argentina, Mexico and the U.S.

"The economy isn't affecting us that much," says founding executive director Ethan van Thillo. "We are having great crowds every day."

"It started as a student film and video festival, primarily focusing on Chicano and Latino student work from the U.S., Spain and Latin America," explained van Thillo. There was only one screen at a Horton Plaza theatre.

"Now we have four screens and 161 films and are growing every day," he added.

Half of the $250,000 annual budget of the Media Arts Center in Golden Hills which produces the film festival comes from ticket sales. The attendees are key. Tickets cost only $9.50 general admission and $7.50 for students, seniors, the disabled and the military.

Surprisingly, one of the most outstanding films screened in this year's festival is in its special program, Cine Gay. International gay films rely much less on nudity and sex than do those produced in Hollywood.

In a dramatic "coming out" story called Fuera de Carta (Coming Out by Card), an older, flaming queen who owns and operates a nice restaurant in Spain. Everything is going well for Maxi (Javier Camara), an openly Gay and highly respected chef until his ex-wife drops off their two young children and pressures from work begin to haunt him.

There is little sex and nudity, but lots of pure drama and powerful acting. There are the a flaming queen and his HOT, young, soccer-player boyfriend; plus the usual homophobics. Maxi is estranged from his teenage son, but tears will come to your eyes as they re-discover love and each other.

All the movies have excellent English sub-titles.

If you want to get away from the usual Hollywood are of guns and explosions in every film, and want to see fantastic cinematography and great drama, go to the UltraStar Cinema in the Hazard Center at I-163 and Friars Road for the Latino Film Festival.
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Copyright by San Diego News Service, 2009, (619) 757-4909

WORLDWIDE GAY LIB MOVEMENT IS 40 AT NOON WED., MARCH 4TH

2009-03-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

by Leo E. Laurence

When young, "militant" members of the Committee for Homosexual Freedom (C-H-F) in San Francisco hit the States Steamship Line in the city's financial district at high noon on the first Wednesday of March in '69, our now-worldwide Gay-Lib movement was born. The famous Stonewall riots in New York City, which was not a civil-rights action, followed three months later.

At least two of those gay pioneers live in San Diego.

The C-H-F was demanding that States Line rehire Gale Whittington, a cute, blond, 19-year old who had worked in the company's mailroom. He was fired when his photo - as a Gay - appeared in the popular, weekly, underground newspaper, the Berkeley Barb.

Eventually, the C-H-F targeted such other stores as Tower Records and Macy's department store for homophobic, company policies.

At the time, the homosexual community (the word "Gay" didn't become popular until much later) was totally closeted. Its leaders angrily opposed the revolutionary activites of the C-H-F.

Indeed, most of the active and financial support for the C-H-F came from straights all over the nation.

Unexpectedly, the Black Panther Party became a strong C-H-F supporter, trained some of its members in non-violence and provided protection to the new, gay militants.

For more details, contact Leo E. Laurence at (619) 757-4909 or e-mail at leopowerhere@msn.com.
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Copyright 2009 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909

DOES OBAMA HAVE GAY ISSUES ???

2009-01-19T13:06:00.000-08:00

by Leo E. Laurence, J.D; editor, "San Diego News Service"
As President-elect Barack Obama is being deified, a comic strip published today in the San Diego Union Tribune suggests an explanation for his troubling selection of a prominent anti-gay pastor to deliver the inaugural invocation, and the noticable lack of Gays in any prominent positions in his administration.
Does Obama have unresolved gay issues?
He is an incredibly good-looking man. Muscular. Smooth chested. Brilliant eyes. Those are ingredients for a gay, porno star.
The comic strip is La Cucaracha.
One of the comic characters sends a congratulatory, cell-phone message to Obama.
"And, u don't have 2 explain y us got dat anti-gay pastor Rick Warren blessifying at ur inaug to ME."
"Oh, really," the president-elect responds.
"It diffuses the talk about your 'orientation'," the comic character says in his messaging.
"Oh, come on!," Obama responds in the comic strip.
"Maybe ease up on the rock hard abd, stud," the comic character concludes.
Sometimes comic strip are more real than reality.
If - and only if - Obama does have issues with his sexual orientation (aka a closet case), then he would naturally do whatevery is necessary to diffuse any discussion of sexual orientation, past or present.
He wouldn't appoint a Gay to the Cabinet, or any other major White House position.
And, he wouldn't openly or regularly discuss issues like repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military.
Of course, he would make a casual reference to "Gays and Lesbians" in his inaugural, and thereby appease the Gay community.
But, notice that nobody has discussed his sexual orientation (past or present), other than emphasize over and over and over and over, his fatherly role.
To say that the fabulously good-looking law school student never got cruised in college; oh, come on!
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Copyright 2009 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

"MILK" MOVIE IS A MYTH

2008-12-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows young gay activist Nick Moede (owner: Numbers, Rich's in Hillcrest) with L.A. attorney Gloria Allred at a gay civil-rights rally at the County Administration Building.

A review by Leo E. Laurence, J.D.; editor, San Diego News Service

Hillcrest -- The movie Milk is a myth!

It is a historically inaccurate account of the beginning of the Gay Liberation movement in San Francisco.

Gay Lib did not start with Harvey Milk in '72 in the Castro District. Indeed, when Gay Lib really began, the Castro district was not yet gay.

The movie ignores gay militancy in the Bay Area in the late 60's.

The movie even ignores the famous Stonewall Riots in New York City, and gives the false impression that Milk started everything in "out" gay civil rights.

It is so unfortunate because young Gays and Lesbians today might think, after watching the movie Milk, that they were watching a documentary. WRONG!

The Gay Liberation movement was launched by the Committee for Homosexual Freedom in San Francisco in March of '69 in the city's Financial District. That was a full three months before the Stonewall Riots in New York.

But, all that history is totally missing in the movie.

Unexpectedly Sean Penn - or, whomever stood in for him - seemed comfortable kissing other guys in the movie.

Milk does give a fairly good account of the impact of Anita Bryant's nationwide campaign against gay rights.

Much as the success of Prop.-8 on the Nov. 4th ballot in California has today electrified new, youthful leaders in the Gay & Lesbian Community; much like Anita Bryant brought Gays (then called homosexuals) together nationwide in the mid-70s.

And later in the late 70's, state Sen. John Briggs's efforts to force the firing of gay teachers in California with Prop.-6, also mobilized the Gay Community as shown in the movie.

Today, new, youthful leaders like Nick Moede (owner of Numbers and Rich's in Hillcrest, see photo above) have emerged "with a new voice" as a result of the passage of Prop-8, as Moede said in a Nov. 15th speech at a rally at the County Administration Building.

But, by ignoring the gay militants of '69 in San Francisco and giving the impression that Harvey Milk started it all, the movie "is an inaccurate piece of shit," said Ruth Harrison of North Park, who lived in San Francisco for part of the time covered by the fictionalized movie.

"(Milk) was a crock," Harrison said, after seeing the movie at the Hillcrest Cinema.

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Phone news tips to (619) 757-4909 or e-mail to leopowerhere@msn.com. Copyright by San Diego News Service, 2008.

SECRET OF PEARL HARBOR ATTACK REVEALED

2008-12-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

PHOTO SHOWS a Navy carrier entering San Diego Bay. It's twice the size of the ships sunk during the Dec. 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. Imagine it being sunk in the bay during an aerial attack!

An Exclusive Report by our editor . . .

San Diego -- 11/6/08 -- On December 7th, we will Remember Pearl Harbor, as the rallying cry of World War II said so succinctly.

Some believe President Roosevelt knew of the attack in advance, but did nothing because he wanted the United States to get involved in the war in Europe; which was an unpopular idea among Americans at the time.

This special report will not go into that, but will reveal - for the first time - one of the reasons why our major ships (e.g., the U.S.S. Arizona, a battleship that was sunk by the Japanese attack and is now the center of the memorial in Hawaii) didn't get underway during the attack.

One of my classmates in law school was a retired Navy captain.

One of his assignments when he was on active duty was as the commanding officer of the Hawaii Naval Station.

That gave him access to the highly classified archives on the Dec. 7th attack.

He was a history buff, and so he dug into the secret reports and records, "in the performance of his official duties," of course.

He was shocked to discover facts that had never been released, publicly, before.

He learned that most of the senior officers of the major ships docked at Pearl Harbor had been invited to a cocktail party.

The party was located high in the hills above the harbor, so navigating the narrow streets to and from the party's venue was difficult, at best.

The booze flowed very freely.

In a carefully orchestrated maneuver, those senior officers proceeded to get very drunk. Driving back to their ships, from high in the hills, was out of the question once the Japanese attack started.

And, here's a critical factor: the junior officers who remained on duty at the ships back in the port, didn't have the experience or expertise to get their ships underway. Training of Naval officers has subsequently changed.

Had the numerous ships, many of them major, had their senior officers on board; they could have gotten underway and avoided being sunk while moored to the dock.

But, those senior officers were at a cocktail party and got drunk.

And, who was the host of that cocktail party: Japan!

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ANIMAL-RIGHTS PROTESTORS HIT "BLANCA" RESTAURANT, ENCINITAS

2008-11-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS show animal-rights demonstrators (bottom) protesting foie gras on the menu at the fashionable Blanca Restaurant in Solano Beach Saturday night. Very few diners passed the protest to enter, and nobody was sitting at the bar at 8:34 pm.

Attorney Bryan Pease and animal-rights activist Kath Rogers are shown (center) talking with deputy sheriff Craig Sakowski after Blanca restaurant co-owner Seth Baas complained. The deputy rejected the restaurant's complaint and told the demonstrators "I'm not going to make you move."

Third photo (top) shows demonstrators at the Jack's La Jolla restaurant, which has recently removed foie gras from its menu in response to the animal-rights protests.

Encinitas -- 11/29/08 -- Animal-rights demonstrators hit the Blanca restaurant in Solano Beach Saturday night demanding they remove foie gras from its menu. The fatted-duck delicacy is produced by painfully force feeding ducks and geese until their livers are diseased and enlarged over 10 times.

The Animal Protection & Rescue League (APRL) of Hillcrest has been waging a campaign for several years to force high-end restaurants to remove foie gras from their menus.

The APRL has been largely successful with its continuing campaign and Jack's La Jolla recently agreed to take foie gras off its menu (see photo of APRL demontration at Jack's La Jolla earlier this year).

The Encinitas demonstration seemed successful, as very few diners were eating inside at 8:35 p.m. and nobody was drinking at the elegant bar. Every time someone opened the restaurant's front door, diners inside could easily hear the APRL demonstrators chanting 2-4-6-8, GET "FOIE GRAS" OFF YOUR PLATE!

The restaurant owners knew the APRL demonstrators were coming. One of the APRL volunteers, Lisa Osborne of Scripps Ranch, met twice with the owners and staff to describe the extreme cruelty to duck and geese in the production of foie gras.

The restaurant's owners were not impressed. Indeed, the property-management company that operates the Beachwalk shopping center where Blanca is located, even sent an open letter to the APRL saying that the protestors "must be on the (off-site) public sidewalk, not inside our shopping center" because it "is private property."

However, that is not the law in California.

In litigation involving the Fashion Valley mall, in a case that went all the way up to the California Supreme Court, it was ruled that peaceful demonstrators has a constitutional right to protest on private property that is open to the public.

Ignoring the law, Baas called the sheriff when the APRL demonstrators showed up.

Deputy sheriff Craig Sakowski responded and rejected the restaurant's complaint.He told the APRL's attorney Pease and leader Kath Rogers that "I'm not going to make you leave."

In an interview with San Diego News Service, Baas called the APRL demonstrators "unAmerican" because - in these bad economic times - they were hurting his new business.

All the restaurant's window shades and blinds were tightly closed.

Several potential diners drove up, saw the large APRL demonstration, then drove off.

Some passing cars sounded their car horns in support. One driver shouted "Foie gras is a terrible thing!"

During a very brief encounter between co-owner Baas and the APRL's attorney Pease, the lawyer said firmly, We will be back as long as foie gras is on your menu.

RECENT A-P-R-L SUCCESS

Earlier this year, the APRL demonstrated at the 3-story Jack's La Jolla (see photo).

"Jack's La Jolla has just become the most recent of many San Diego area restaurants that have removed the controversial fatty-duck liver (foie gras) made by force feeding," an APRL news release reports.

Some fashionable restaurants are trying to avoid being targeted by the APRL's demonstrations by taking foie gras off their printed menus, but nonetheless offering it to diners on request.

The recent issue of San Diego Lawyer gives an "inside tip" that Avenue 5 restaurant at 2760 Fifth Avenue in the Park West neighborhood offers foie gras, but you have to ask for it.

"Chef Colin MacLaggan loves the ability to share a different take daily on foie gras; but, like most chefs in San Diego, keeps it off the menu," the San Diego Lawyer magazine reports.

Earlier this year, the San Diego City Council unanimously passed a resolution commending the APRL for exposing the cruelty of foie gras, commending restaurants that have removed it, and urging all San Diegans to boycott the fatted-duck delicacy.

The APRL is rapidly escalating its area-wide campaign against foie gras. A protest demonstration is scheduled to hit the Hotel del Coronado on Dec. 13th at 7 p.m.

More information about the APRL's activities can be found on-line at http://www.aprl.org/, or by calling its Hillcrest office at (619) 236-8991.

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PROTESTING THE SALE OF ANIMAL FURS @ FASHION VALLEY

2008-11-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows animal-rights demonstrators inside the Fashion Valley mall on Friday (11/28/08) protesting the sale of animal furs and fur trim in high-end stores. Police (on right) said the event was legal and couldn't be stopped by the mall's operators, though they tried.

San Diego -- 11/18/08 -- Parking became a total gridlock at the Fashion Valley mall on the day after Thanksgiving; the so-called "Black Friday," when retailers hope to turn their red ink into black. Yet, activists from the local Animal Protection & Rescue League (APRL) came out to protest the sale of animal furs at elegant stores like Hermes-Paris, Neiman-Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Sak's and Nordstrom's.

"We are educating the shoppers about the cruelty (towards animals involved in making) fur coats and fur trim," said APRL's attorney Bryan Pease in a on-the-scene interview.

"The way that animals raised on fur farms are killed is typically by anal or vaginal electrocution.

"The reason for that is the (fur-farm owners) don't want to damage the (animal's) coat, so they hook an electrode to the snout, then they push a probe up into the (animal's) anus or virgina. Then they activate a powerful electrical current and literally cook the animal from the inside out," Pease explained.

That electrocution is extremely painful to the animal.

APRL WINS IN COURT

"Two years ago, we did just what we are doing now," Pease added.

"But, the mall at that time had a policy against allowing boycott activity on their premises.

"They sued us, but they were also sued by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the same rule.

"That (NLRB) case went all the way up to the California Supreme Court, which ruled against the mall. (As a result), the mall dismissed their (civil) complaint against us, changed their policies and now we are back again.

"The Supreme Court said that, under the California Constitution, we have the right to expressive activity on private property that is open to the public. That right includes 'soliciting a boycott,' which is what (the mall's policy) opposed.

"There is no criminal law against expressive activity (demonstrations) on private property that is open to the public.

"However, while the law is unclear, the courts appear to have endorsed the permit-procedure requirement, saying the mall can do that. That requires demonstrators to first apply for a permit to hold a protest rally.

"It's still a gray area as to what constitutes a 'reasonable' demonstration," Pease explained.

The manager of the Fashion Valley mall, however, tried to convince a police sergeant that the APRL's demonstration was "unreasonable." It didn't work, and the sergeant told the manager, Bob Dougherty, that the APRL's protest was lawful.

Dougherty, however, denied that the mall had changed any of its policies regarding lawful demonstrations following the state Supreme Court's ruling.

Mall security officers refused to answer any questions about their duties at the protest demonstration, though they video-taped everything.

Was the protest effective?

Part of the demonstration was held in front of the elegant Hernes-Paris store. Inside, the manager, Dennis Voorheis, refused to answer any questions from San Diego News Service.

There was only one customer in the store at the time, a very fashionable matron. She quickly left as soon as the media arrived, saying she would "buy on-line instead."

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PROTESTS AGAINST SELLING FURS TO HIT FASHION VALLEY MALL

2008-11-27T19:15:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows attorney Brian Pease, the pro bono lawyer for the Animal Protection & Rescue League of Hillcrest. Pease will lead a peaceful demonstration tomorrow (Fri., 11/18/08) at 1 p.m. at the Fashion Valley mall, protesting the sale of animal furs to wealthy women.

San Diego -- 11/27/08 -- A brilliant, young Hillcrest attorney specializing in the rare field of animal rights won a stunning victory in court against owners of the high-end, Fashion Valley mall.

Attorney Bryan Pease served as the pro bono lawyer for the Animal Protection & Rescue League (APRL) in that litigation.

Tomorrow, Friday (11/28), as a direct result of that litigation, demonstrators protesting the sale of real furs will hit high-end stores at 1 p.m at the Fashion Valley mall.

Pease is an activist lawyer who is using the courts to insure that animals are treated properly, and that they are not killed simply to provide skins from their cadavers to produce fur coats for wealthy women.

His APRL in Hillcrest (236-8991) -- mostly working with a large, dedicated army of volunteers -- worked hard to pass Proposition-2 on the Nov. 4th ballot. It will ban violent and abusive treatment of animals and poultry on large-scale, commercial "farms," that are raised solely to sell to butchers to provide meat and eggs for our supermarkets, like Ralphs and Vons.

Many months ago, the APRL was peacefully demonstrating at the major, fashionable stores in Fashion Valley that sold animal furs. San Diego News Service covered the story.

An army of Fashion Valley security guared decended on that demonstration. It was tense for awhile.

The police were called.

SDPD Captain Sara Creighton, the commanding officer of the department's Western Division, responded with about a dozen offices including a police lieutenant and sergant.

In no uncertain terms, SDPD Capt. Creighton ordered the Fashion Valley security guareds, and particularly the mall's manager who was on-scene, to back off.

The APRL demonstrators, Capt. Creighton said loud and clear, had a constitutional right to be there. If any Fashion Valley security guard interferred, that guard would be arrested, the police captian added.

To make sure the security guards and mall manager complied, SDPD Capt. Creighton (now commanding the SDPD Eastern Division) stayed on-scene for about 1-1/2 hours until the APRL demonstrioin had concluded. As is printed on the side of every police squad car, Service and Protection. And that is precisely what SDPD Capt. Creighton provided the APRL demonstrators protesting the sale of animal furs.

Having been rebuffed by the police, who refused to turn the situation into a criminal case; the owners of Fashion Valley sued in civil court to stop the APRL demonstrations on their "special" private property.

Unfortunate for the Fashion Valley owners, APRL's attorney Pease knew the law, and knew that there was current case law that gave the APRL constitutional and statuatory rights to demonstrate on the so-called, private property of the Fashion Valley mall owners.

Pease won in the civil court in that lawsuit filed by the Fashion Valley mall owners.

The court ruled that the APRL has a legal right to demonstrate against the sale of skins from animal cadavers, to make furs for wealthy women.

Therefore, the APRL will hit several, major stores in Fashion Valley beginning at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Friday (11/28/08).

Those stores include Sak's, Bloomingdale's, and also the ares between Neiman's and Nordstrom's.

"We are (going) to send a message to stores like Neiman Marcu, Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom's that compassion is the fashion, not dead animal skins," said Pam Harris, a APRL volunteer organizer for the Friday 1 p.m. event.

Demonstrators will also line the sidealk along Friars Road in front of the Fashion Valley mall with banners and signs.

Some radical animal-rights groups in the past have hit the headlines by doing dangerous and destructive demonstrations.

The local APRL is quite different.

It's primary leaders are attorney Pease and Kath Rogers ([619] 236-9514, cell: [619] 886-9259).

The Hillcrest APRL is using the courts to expand animal rights under the law, and it is very successful at it. That's largely because of the brillian, young attorney, Pease. He's soft-spoken, but what he says and does carried a tough punch.

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SDNS WELCOMES COMPUTER WHIZ DERIC STOWELL TO STAFF

2008-11-26T10:26:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows computer specialist Deric Stowell of North Park who has joined the staff of San Diego News Service as our Computer Systems Administrator.

San Diego -- 11/26/08 -- On-line journalism rapidly is becoming the primary source of news, features, etc. for most people, particularly the young. This is much to the chagrin of some - mostly older - print reporters/editors, who have printer's ink in their veins.

San Diego News Service has moved into on-line journalism, and now has BlogbytheLion.blogspot.com on Google. While it's technically a blog (often opinionated views of the blogger), our site is really a local source of hard news, features, arts' reviews and editorials (basic newspaper content).

Deric Stowell, a computer specialist from North Park, has joined the staff of San Diego News Service as Computer Systems Administrator.

We are continuing to maintain the Google site (HillgrestBlog) while we create and develop a new, expanded website.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

STATE TO INVESTIGATE MORMAN CHURCH

2008-11-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles -- 11/25/08 -- The state's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) in Sacramento has agreed to investigate allegations that the Mormon Church violated state election laws in its massive support for the successful Yes-on-8 campaign leading up to the Nov. 4th election.

Mormons reportedly donated nearly $20 million to that campaign.

But, the Mormons also organized phone banks from Utah and Idaho, sent direct mail to voters and transported people into California over several weekends. They also produced press releases from the church headquaters, ran a Speaker's Bureau, distributed thousands of yard signs and organized a "surge to election day."

All those actions were geared towards nonmembers of the church, according to the sworn complaint filed with the FPPC by Fred Karger, founder of the Californians Against Hate organization in L.A. Under state law, those non-monetary contributions have to be reported to the state, which the Mormons alledgely Mormons not do.

The FPPC responded to that sworn complaint in a recent letter to Karger.

"This letter will notify you that the Enforcement Division of the Fair Political Practices Commission will investigate the allegation(s) . . . of the sworn complaint you submitted," wrote Executive Director Roman G. Porter.

The 4-page, sworn complaint filed by Karger is available at http://californiansagainsthate.blogspot.com/ .

Karger can be reached at (619) 592-2008.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

FUNNY - BUT "FAGGISH" - SHOW AT LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

2008-11-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows two rows of the La Jolla Playhouse audience of Xanadu, seated oddly on the stage (worst view of the perforance, from behind).

La Jolla -- 11/24/08 -- The ancient greek muses come alive (sorta) in Xanadu, appearing until December 31st at the Mandell Weiss Theatre at the La Jolla Playhouse on the UCSD campus.

The story line: In 1980, Sonny Malone (Max van Essen) is a Venice, CA chalk artist who drew a mural of an ancient greek panorama of Mt. Olympus where dancing muses play. Those muses, however, miraculously come to life and are the main characters of the play.

An attractive female muse, Kira (Elizabeth Stanley) falls in love with Sonny, takes on a fake Australian accent and wears roller skates. Her goal is to help Sonny create great art. Unfortunately, the muses' father, Zeus, has ruled that muses (1) cannot create art, (2) love a mortal, or (3) let a mortal know that he is inspir3d by a muse.

Sonny wants to turn an old, local theatre that's about to be torn down for condos into a thriving roller-disco. He meets the building's greedy owner, Danny McGuire (Larry Marshall), and the story begins to get complex.

There's a strangely produced scene of Mount Olympus where Zeus sentences Kira to eternal banishment for her transgressions. But, she is eventually saved.

Gays will absolutely love the lead character, Sonny, who is a young, cute, smooth-chested guy with sexy legs. He's always wearing skimpy, cut-off shorts to show those legs better. And, he's a great singer. Sonny was well cast.

But, the director unfortunately added faggish dancers who pranced around the stage in a way that insulted some Gays in the audience. They are even referred to as "girls" by some of the female actors.

This faggish stereotyping is the only major element of the play that is really disgusting!

Other leading actors are Joanna Glushak (Caliope) and Sharon Wilkins (Melomene). The dancing ensenble includes Jason Michael Snow, JB Wing, Tallia Brinson, Julius Thomas, Tiffany Topol, Vicent Rodriguez III, Kristopher L. Stock and Amy Goldberger.

The director, Christopher Ashley, who serves as the Artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse, also did something really strange for this production of Xanadu. He put two rows of the audience on the stage (terrible seats, viewing everything from the rear). See photo above.

Performances are every night except Monday. Tickets range from $42 to $75. More information ia available at lajollaplayhouse.org, or by calling (858) 550-1010.

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WEEKLY RALLIES @ MANCHESTER HOTEL

2008-11-23T15:30:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS show some of the protestors demonstrating Saturday 11/22/08 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel downtown, some of the TV news cameras recording the event, and organizers Tony Cochran, 21, and Carlos Marquez, 28, both of the Hotel Workers Union and active in the unions' Unite Here protest on Prop.-8.

Downtown San Diego -- 11/22/08 -- Nearly 200 protestors rallied at the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel adjacent to Seaport Village Saturday night, with 3 TV news stations covering the event live .

Weekly rallies at 11 a.m. every Monday are planned, according to union organizer Tony Cochran, 21, of the Unite Here movement dreated by the Hotel Workers Union.

New, young leaders in the Gay Community are rapidly assuming leadership after the dismal failure of the No-on-8 campaign produced by the "gay professionals," locally and statewide.

"Hyatt needs to make a choice. Where do they stand (on Manchester's $125,000 donation to the Yes-on-8 campaign)?," said another young union leader, Latino Carlos Marquez, chair of the union movement's Pride-at-Work campaign.

While some carried the out-of-date, printed "No-on-8" signs used during the election campaign, most carried hand-made signs. They included these:

MANCHESTER IS THE HYATT OF HYPOCRACY

STONEWALL WILL NEVER CRUMBLE

UNITE HERE POR SEGURIDAD DEL TRABAJO

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SAILING ON "MARITIME MUSEUM" DRAMATIC SHIPS

2008-11-20T17:55:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS reveal several sailing ships operated by the Maritime Museum of San Diego, under full sail to commemorate the recent birthday of the museum's treasured SS Star of India. While at sea, our editor/photo-journalist captured these scenes as the Californian (1) fires its starboard, 6-pounder guns; (2) sails with its sister ships of the Maritime Museum, and (3) museum volunteer, 13-year-old Kyle Radwanski, plays his Scottish bagpipes on the main deck while the ship is at sea.

FEATURE STORY ---

San Diego -- 11/20/08 -- With the light wind on your face, while standing on its wooden decks and looking up at the 7,000 sq. ft. of canvas sails above you billowing in the breeze, you feel the gentle roll of the sleek and powerful, 1848 replica of the SS Californian, a 130-ft. schooner.

The public can go aboard these historic, sailing ships on numerous trips locally and northward to the Catilina Islands off Los Angeles. Sailing fees are remarkably reasonable, even during these troubling, economic times.

The hard-working crews on the historic replicas owned/operated by the Matritime Museum, including the skipper, are all highly-trained volunteers who range in age from teenagers to retired seniors.

Founded in 1948, the museum grew out of the earlier efforts of a group of local historians and maritime enthusiasts. They acquired the sailing ship Star of India in 1927.

The Star is the world's oldest, active ship.

The Californian - an 1848 replica - was built at Spanish Lnading in San Diego bay. She is the "official" tall-ship of the State of California.

She has made voyages to Hawii, Mexico and our American east coast.

The Californian is fast, very fast.

Its captains often like to let out all the sail and get her rolling on the sea at high speed, easily passing larger, sailing ships like the H.M.S. Surprise, the museum's 18th century Royal Navy frigate.

The Surprise is heavy and slow, and easily passed by the sleek ship Californian.

Capt. Rex Stewart skippered the schooner on this commemorative sail. The ship's 6-pounder guns were fired under the supervision of Chief Gunner Chari Wessel of Clairemont -- who knew everything about those powerful and loud, side-mounted guns.

The chief mate was Scott Baldwin, who often also skippers the Californian.

Something strange occurred as the Californian, the H.M.S. Surprise and other museum ships did a 180-degree turn near the Coronado Bridge.

The Navy's guiden-missle cruiser, the U.S.S. Antietam, CG-54, was returning to port at the same time. Navy ships typically have priority right-of-way on the bay. Everything gives way to them.

However, noticing the SS Californian make its very slow and extremely wide U-turn; the Antietam suddenly stopped, dead in the water.

The Navy ship was giving way to the historic California, an almost unprecedent action by the Navy's cruiser!

The First Mate of the Californian wanted to fire a salute from its port-side, 6-pounder gun as a salute and thank you to the Naval ship. But, without sufficient time to re-load the ship's guns in time, the skipper of the Californian instead dipped its colors (the American flag flying from the highest mainmast).

And, to cheers from everyone on deck of both ships; the two ships were honoring each other, according to ancient, maritime custom.

More information about cruises and fascinating programs of the Maritime Museum of San Diego can be found at their website: http://www.sdmaritime.org/, or by calling (619) 234-9153.

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MEMO TO MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA

2008-11-19T18:41:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows the S.S. Californian (circa 1850, replica), firing its starboard 6-pound gun recently while honoring the birthday of the Star of India ship, moored along the Embarcadero downtown.

Both ships are part of the amazing collection of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. San Diego News Service will soon post an exclusive story of on-the-scene coverage of a recent cruise into the ocean by the SS Californian , which was manned by a large crew of trained volunteers from the Maritime Museum .

SPECIAL "MEMO TO THE MEDIA" FROM: SAN DIEGO NEWS SERVICE:

San Diego -- 11/18/08 -- San Diego News Service is now devoting most of its staff energy into providing exclusive stories, features and reviews on our new, on-line news service, using Google's "blogspot.com" technology, BlogbytheLion.blogspot.com .

Unlike many blogs that are largely first-person opinions of the blogger, the San Diego News Service on-line material will be all hard-news; but with features, reviews, editorials and news analysis clearly labeled.

While all our stories and news photos are copyrighted, all news media that are credentialed by the San Diego Police Department have expressed permission to use our material, but only with credit to San Diego News Service. Those in the media who are not credentialed by SDPD will need specific permission to use substantial segments/photos of our material, even with credits. That permission will be narrowly construed.

While our newsroom is located in Hillcrest, we will cover a good story wherever we find it.

Because of the enormous (and somewhat unexpected) popularity of our new, on-line news service; we are also getting excellent news tips from our on-line readers. People who know where the skeletons are buried are giving us news tips at (619) 757-4909 or e-mail at leopowerhere@msn.com .

Confidentiality of our news sources is guaranteed by California state law.

We also welcome Martin Brickson to our staff as Copy Editor. His eye catches everything!

Roberto "Tony" Araiza continues to provide San Diego News Service with a Latino perspective from the barrio.

Our staff is active in the international Society of Professional Journalists (S-P-J). Our editor, Leo E. Laurence, J.D., serves on the S-P-J's National Committee on Diversity. He regularly write blogs for the S-P-J's national website (SPJ.org/blogs/diversity). We are also active with the local chapters of : CCNMA - Latino Journalists of California and the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association.

Exclusive stories we are currently working on include: (1) an exclusive feature on the most "genuine" Mexican restaurant in all San Diego County, (2) a special birthday salute to the Star of India, of the Maritime Museum, and (3) some real dirt on a popular politician!

All of our stories include action photos!

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"MORMONS TIPPED THE SCALE" - NY Times

2008-11-18T13:48:00.000-08:00

PHOTOS show some of the young guys are the Nov. 15th rally protesting the passage of Prop.-8 on the Nov. 4th ballot at the County Administration Building, and produced by Nick Moede of Numbers and Rich's in Hillcrest.

San Diego -- 11/17/08 -- Mormons are fighting back, very uncharacteristically!

In a highly unusual action, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) recently issued a press release calling for "respect, civility in public discourse" (sic).

Some Gays say the Mormon press release is hypocritical, because there was "no respect, civility in public discourse" in their flood of Yes-on-8 TV ads during the campaign.

Mormons hit Gays & Lesbians nationwide extremely hard during their massive number of TV ads, which were full of intentional misstatements of the law.

The Mormon ad campaign was vicious!

And, the Mormons won!

"The Mormons tipped the scale in the ban on gay marriages," the New York Times said in a story detailing the huge (and allegedly unlawful) church campaign.

After the balloting, Fred Karver (Campaign Against Hate, L.A.) filed a formal complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission. It has jurisdiction over issues of money spent in a statewide election campaign, and has some teeth.

The Mormons spent lots and lots of money to pass Prop.-8: reportedly nearly $20 million.

Karger, of Laguna Beach, is a firebrand statewide activist, and far more effective than the "professional homosexuals" who ran the 'GLBT' No-on-8 campaign.

Karger has done his homework.

He has amassed a ton of hard-copy evidence of the alleged violations of state election laws by the Yes-on-8 campaign and the Mormons.

Karger is part of the massive army of very new, grass-roots gay militants (non-violent) who are emerging nationwide in response to the unexpected success of Prop.-8.

Another of his type of new, grass-roots, gay leader is the young, handsome Hillcrest businessman Nick Moede. He owns two, very popular gay bar attractions (Numbers and Rich's) in San Diego's very gay Hillcrest neighborhood.

Somehow, Moede managed to bring firebrand (don't mess with her) L.A.'s attorney Gloria Allred to San Diego as the keynote speaker for the huge - and fun - rally at the County Administration Building on Nov. 15th.

It was at that really HOT rally that so many of the cute, young guys participating stripped off their shirts exposing their bare chests as they shouted chants such as "SEP-ER-ATE, (beat) CHURCH & STATE!," and GAY!, STRAIGHT! BLACK!, WHITE! Marriage is a Civil Right!"

Meanwhile, several Petitions are before the California Supreme Court challenging the legality of Prop.-8 on several grounds. So, the issue will be around for awhile.

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UNEXPECTED CHANGE IN GAY COMMUNITY (UPDATED)

2008-11-15T20:41:00.000-08:00

PHOTO (top) shows the sea of protestors arriving at the rally at the County Administration Building on Saturday (11/15), with a cruise ship in the background along the Embarcadero.

PHOTO (bottom) shows the front of the estimated 25,000 participating in the gay protest march proceeding down Sixth Avenue today, led by a police escort.

PHOTO (middle) shows rally organizer Nick Moede with L.A. attorney Gloria Allred, who is lead counsel on Petitions before the state Supreme Court to overturn Prop.-8. Allred was the keynote speaker at the rally.

San Diego -- Sat., 11/15/08 -- Unexpected changes are occurring within the Gay & Lesbian Community, and particularly in San Diego. And, a nationwide gay boycott of California is being suggested.

Those changes became apparent during the long march and following rally in San Diego Saturday (11/15), which was part of the nationwide gay reaction to the passage of Proposition-8 on the Nov. 4th ballot.

Prop.-8 tries to amend the state Constitution by declaring that marriages can only be between a man and a woman.

That successful initiative on Nov. 4th ballot will - if it survives several pending state Supreme Court challenges - overturn the exhaustive, 162-page Opinion by the California Supreme Court in May that legalized gay marriages.

"A lot expected (Prop.-8) wasn't going to pass (on Nov. 4th)," said Casey Mathison, 28; who with his lover Dan Barnhart, 28 (both of University Towne Center), participated in the massive march Saturday.

"They didn't want to get involved," Mathiason added.

"A lot were suprised when (Prop.-8) passed on election night," he reported.

"That galvanized people," Mathison believes; resulting in some fundimental changes in the Gay & Lesbian Commujnity, locally and nationwide.

"We were distracted and got our asses kicked," added Barnhart.

When something kicks you in the butt hard enough, things can change dramatically and overnight.

People who ordinarily have not been involved in the Gay & Lesbian Community, suddenly are emerging as grass-roots, gay "militants" (a step higher than "activist," and short of violence).

Take Nick Moede, a young successful businessman in Hillcrest.

While Moede has been an independent thinker as a board member of the Hillcrest Business Association, he has seemed to be a quiet, busy business man -- not an agressive gay activist. He owns two, very popular gay businesses in Hillcrest: the Numbers bar on Park Blvd., south of University Ave.; and Rich's, which is the place for young, high-energy Gays to dance and party.

But, the success of Prop.-8 seems to have kicked Moede in the butt, and he suddenly and unexpectedly became a grass-roots firebrand.

Throwing in a lot of his own money to cover the enormous costs involved; Moede planned, organized and produced the huge rally at the County Administration Building Saturday (11/15). It was the cultural, orgasmic climax of the long protest march that started at Sixth and Upas three hours earlier.

Moede gave an inspiring, tough message in a speech at the rally that he primarily organized.

After urging the 25,000-plus crowd "to get involved," and "give money;" Moede hit the crowd with "the hard one."

"BE OPEN ABOUT WHO YOU ARE!!!

"Come Out !!!," he shouted, with militant emphasis in his voice.

"BE OPEN ABOUT WHO YOU ARE!

"Tell your co-workers!

"If you're not 'out' to your family, go home tonight and have that conversation!

"Don't be afraid to talk about your boyfriend or your girlfriend!

"Don't be afraid of people knowing who you are.!

"And, for all the awesome parents out there; when you go to work on Monday, tell your co-workers, 'I'm proud of my gay son!'
"Tell them, 'My daughter is a lesbian and I love her very much!'

"Its important for us to be open about who we are; because it's much harder for others to be afraid of us, or discriminate against us, if they know who we are.

"And, to all the supporters of Proposition-8, if you think homosexuality doesn't affect you; not only do you know several gay people, but I can guarentee you that there is at least one person in your life that you love and care for, that is Gay, " Moede said in his powerful speech at the rally that he produced, almost singlehandedly.

He spoke of an "Open Letter" to the people who managed the Yes-on-8 campaign:

"I pity you for your ignorance and intolerance, but I must thank you," Moede said. (That was highly unusual for the Hillcrest businessman.)

"Thank you, because through you I have found my voice.

"And through your deceitful and deplorable campaign of lies, you have given a voice to a whole new generation of (Gay) activists.

"You have given us the courage and strength to standup, and to say we will not accept being second-class citizens.

"And when you tell us that we can't be equal and we can't have the same rights, and when you tell us that we cannot marry; we will stand up and respond with three-simple words that (together with the Obama campaign) are sweepiong change across our great nation:

"YES, WE CAN!!!, Moede literally shouted.

Over 25,0000 also shouted that message as they marched in protest Saturday (11/15) from Upas and Sixth in Hillcrest to the County Administration Building.

And, there were marches earlier in the day in most, major - and some in smaller - cities nationwide, from Boston to Philadelphia to Washington and San Francisco.

The HUGE change in the Gay & Lesbian Community nationwide, and locally, is that these massive protests are being organized at the grass-roots level; and not by the well-paid, professional homosexuals who run the "official" non-profit Gay Community Centers.

Those non-profit "pros," and the "pros" that ran the ill-fated and ineffective No-on-8 campaign, were miserably ineffective.

But, new grass-roots Gay and Lesbian leaders are emerging and asserting themselves.

Moede conceived, created and produced the afternoon rally at the County Administration Building at the end of the long protest march from Hillcrest. Preliminary, estimated costs of that rally are $15,000, and came mostly from Moede's money.

Also, a few, grass-roots Lesbians organized the protest march, including Kelly Moyer, Internet Organizer. She "started with 6,000 invitations on Facebook," Moyer said in an interivew.

Sara Beth Brooks was the "lead March Coordinator," who was in charge of everything. The March cost an estimated $300-$400. About 60 volunteers were involved in the march, and another 15 worked the afternoon rally.

Everyone - marchers and protest/rally organizers - heaped high praise on the officers of the San Diego Police Departmenht assigned to escort the protest marchers.

Over 20 officers were involved, including three squad cars that led the march, and four motorcycle officers who were in front of the protest parade, clearning away all traffic and blocking incoming traffic from side streets.

Indeed, the commanding officer of the SDPD Western Division, Capt. C.J. Ball, was on-scene and in charge of all the officers continuously. Capt. Ball also walked the entire parade route at the front of the marchers.

WHERE NEXT?

Prop.8 may never become law. Several formal Petitions are currently pending before the California Supreme Court that will invalidate the initiative, if they are granted and prevail.

A nationwide gay boycot of California has also been suggested in Philadelphia.

Given the high level of anger that was found at the protest and march in San Diego today, that boycott seems to have a high degree of probable success.

"I think it's a fanatstic idea, and think Gays and Lesbians should launch the nationwide boycott of California immediately. They need to start thinking tough and BIG," said Martin Brickson, a retired straight engineer from Scripps Ranch.

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L.A. ATTORNEY GLORIA ALLRED TO SPEAK AT GAY RALLY

2008-11-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows the Nov. 8th protest march starting in Hillcrest under close police protection. 10,000+ participated. 20,000+ are expected at the march and rally tomorrow, Nov. 15th.

San Diego -- Famed L.A. civil-rights attorney Gloria Allred is confirmed as the principal speaker at a massive rally protesting Prop-8 tomorrow (Sat., 11/15) to be held at 1 p.m. at the western parking lot of the County Administration Building on Harbor Drive, just north of Broadway, according to rally organizer Nicholas Moede, owner of Numbers and Rich's in Hillcrest.

Attorney Allred is a nationally-known feminist leader who has taken on - and won - numerous lawsuits involving discrimination.

Other speakers at the 1 p.m. rally tomorrow (11/15) include A.C.L.U. attorney Ken Keenan and City Councilman-elect Todd Gloria, Moede reports.

The rally will be held at the County Administration Building, which will be the terminus of a massive protest march beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Sixth and Upas Avenues at the north end of the Sixth Avenue area of Balboa Park.

That march - which is expected to draw 20,000 participants, twice the number involved in the Nov. 8th protest march from Hillcrest to North Park - will proceed down Sixth Avenue to Broadway, go right on Broadway to Harbor Drive, and turn right (north) to the County Administration Building for the rally.

The Gay Community locally and nationally is electrified by the passage of Prop-8 on Nov. 4th. It will ban gay marriages IF it survives further scrutiny by the state Supreme Court. About 300 marches and rallies are planned nationwide tomorrow (Sat., Nov. 15th).

Three Petitions to kill Prop-8 are now pending before the state Supreme Court.

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GAY PROTEST MARCH & RALLY SAT., 11-15 @ 1 PM

2008-11-14T08:57:00.000-08:00

PHOTO (looking west) shows the massive Nov. 8th protest march against Prop-8 on University Avenue from the Georgia Street bridge, just east of Park and University boulevards. 10,000+ participated.

San Diego -- Gays will hold another protest march tomorrow, Saturday (11/15), starting at 1 p.m. at 6th/Upas Streets at Balboa Park, It will be followed by a 1 pm rally at the County Administration Building on Harbor Drive (north of Broadway) organized by Nicholas Moede, owner of the popular Numbers and Rich's in Hillcrest.

Moede is part of a rapidly emerging, grass-roots effort to organize local participation in the nationwide protest against the passage of Proposition-8 called Join-the-Impact.

That grass-roots campaign is an attempt to "do new and different things to get more people involved who have never been part of the process before," says Moede in an interview with San Diego News Service.

Many in the Gay & Lesbian Community are very disappointed with the timid TV ad campaign developed by the gay professionals who ran the No-on-8 campaign.

The pros decided against using images of happy, successful gay-married couples for fear the straights might be offended. Actually, straights were among the biggest opposition to Prop-8. That timid action by the gay pros is reminescent of the decisions of closeted gay pros in the late 60's, when they even overwhelmingly opposed Gay Lib actions by the Committee for Homosexual Freedom in San Francisco before the Stonewall riots.

Local community professionals initially organized the 10:30 a.m. protest march to go to City Hall downtown tomorrow (Sat., 11/15). The grass-roots organizers were independently planning the 1 p.m. rally at the County Administration Building on the Embarcadero. It was decided late Thursday to combine the two big events.

The protest march will now go down Sixth Avenue to Broadway, then down Broadway to Harbor Drive, then north to the County Administration Building for the 1 p.m. rally, according to Moede. 20,000 participants are expected, double the number on Nov. 8th.

"We are currently negotiating with a pretty big speaker with national recognition for the rally," Moede said in our interview. Once confirmed, the identity of that speaker will be released to San Diego News Service.

San Diego Police will assign a special contingent of officers, mostly on motorcycles, "to protect the marchers," said a police official.

The passage of Prop-8, if it survives challenges now pending before the state's high-court, will abolish gay marriages in California. The state Supreme Court legalized those marriages in May after finding the state's marriage laws limiting marriage only to straights violated the equal-protection clause of the state Constitution.

Prop-8 changes the state Constitution to require that marriage be only between a man and a woman.

There is some question as to when Prop-8 becomes effective. County counsel reported advised the county clerk to stop issuing marriage licenses to Gays the day after the election. But, as a matter of law, the election results are not final until after they are certified by the secretary of state in Sacramento.

Three formal Petitions are now before the state's Supreme Court to overturn Prop-8 on grounds that it "revises" the state Constitution, which requires a 2/3rd vote of the state Legislature. The supporters of Prop-8, largely Mormons, argue that the initiative that passed Nov. 4th only "amends" the state Constitution, and that only requires a majority vote of the voters.

The passage of Prop-8 has energized the Gay & Lesbian Community like nothing else in recent history.

That excitement has even gone nationwide! On the east coast it has been suggested that a nationwide boycott of California be launched. That boycott was first mentioned by the highly-respected publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News, Mark Segal.

"I think the national boycott idea is fantastic," said Martin Brickson, a straight retired engineer from Scripps Ranch. "It's tough!," Brickson added, and that is what is needed now, many believe.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

GAYS TO PROTEST SAT.;COMPLAINT AGAINST MORMONS FILED

2008-11-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

PHOTO shows last Saturday's massive 10,000+ march from Hillcrest to North Park, as seen from the Georgia Street Bridge over University Avenue looking east.

Los Angeles -- The Californians Against Hate organization has filed a formal complaint against the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) for not reporting numerous non-monetary contributions to ProtectMarriage.com.

The complaint was filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, with letters also sent to the state's attorney general, Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and Utah's Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, expanding on the complaint.

Californians Against Hate was founded by Fred Karger of Laguna Beach, an experienced, long-time gay activist who also launched the national boycott of the Hyatt Hotels after San Diego's Douglas Manchester made major contributions to the Yes-on-8 campaign.

Specifics of the FPPC complaint allege the failure to report activities by the Mormons including:

* Organizing phone banks in Utah and Idaho
* Sending direct mail to voters
* Using the Mormon press office to send out multiple press releases
* Walking precincts
* Running a Speakers Bureau
* Distributing thousands of yard signs
* Organizing a "surge to election day"
* Sending church leaders to California
* Set up elaborate web-sites
* Produced at leased 9 TV commercials and 4 other video broadcasts supporting Prop-8
* Conducted at least 2 satellite simulcasts over 5 western states.

While these are normal for election campaigns, they become illegal when they are not reported to the states involved.

"The only mention of compliance was a news story stating that the Mormon Church reported a single, non-monetary contribution of $2,078.00 for a church elder's travel expenses for one trip to California," the California's Against Hate campaign reported.

SAN DIEGO PROTESTS THIS SATURDAY (11/15)

A local segment of a growing nationwide protest against Prop-8 called Join the Impact will be held this Saturday (11/15), with similar protests in all 50 staes, reports Nicholas Moede, who owns Numbers and Rich's.

"San Diego will have TWO coordinated events," Moede reports.

"The first is a protest march that starts at 6th and Upas in Balboa Park at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The march will go downtown and end with a rally at the County Administration Building at 1600 N. Harbor Drive," Moede says.

"The second event is a protest rally on the lawn of the County Aministration Building at 1 p.m. after the march," he added.

About 20,000 are expected. At least 10,000 participated last Saturday in a similar protest march from Hillcrest to North Park.

For more information, call Nicholas Moede at (619) 988-2626.

ANALYSIS - - -

"There is mounting anger in the GLBT Community over the outcome of Prop-8 in California," writes Mark Segal, publisher of the Philidelphia Gay News.

"Many want to blame the Mormon Church, over-65 voters or the African-American and Latino communities. Others blame the No-on-8 campaign for being poorly palnned," Segal writes.

Here's an analysis provided by ABC News:

"Whites voted very narrowly against the ban, 51-49 percent. Asian-Americans did the same. Hispanics voted for it, by 53-47 percent. Blacks voted for it overwhelmingly, 70-30. Blacks can be said to have put it over the top," ABC News reported.

"The poll numbers above are true not only in California, but also nationwide," Segal writes.

"They indicaste the truth: that (Gays) have not spent the time and resources on reaching the non-Gay, heavily church-influenced African-American community.

"(That) group understands discrimination. (Gays and Blacks) have a mutual pride in the election of Barrack Obama as president, giving (Gays and Blacks) common ground to build on.

"The Latino population, one-third of California voters, also needs to be educated (by Gays).

"(The Gay & Lesbian) Community is energized (nationwide) like no other time in this struggle since 1977, when Anita Bryant started a campaign to overturn gay rights in Dade County, Florida.

"While a last resort, a call for a (nationwide) boycott on individual travel and corporate conventions would be devastating to California. In 1977, the very young Gay Community was able to lower orange-juice consumption by an estimated 20 percent.

"Imagine what could be done today," writes the Philadelphia Gay News publisher.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

MORE PROP-8 PROTESTS SET FOR SATURDAY (UPDATE)

2008-11-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

UPDATED at 3 p.m. Wed., 11/12

PHOTO shows Brent Corrigan (left), 22, and lover Janah Blechman, 33, both of Kensington, on the Georgia St. bridge with the massive march on University protesting Prop-8 last Satuday in the background.

Hillcrest -- Two more gay protests against Prop-8 are being planned for this Saturday (11/15).

Plans for a huge protest "at the County Administration Building" downtown were announced last night by director Nick Moede at a meeting of the board of the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) last night in the Uptown District.

That event is set for 1 p.m. Saturday (11/15), assuming police give their approval, which is expected this afternoon, Moede told San Diego News Service. No final decisions had been released by Moede as of 5 p.m., however.

Moede is an owner of Numbers and Rich's in Hillcrest, and a board member of the HBA. Final details are expected by this afternoon (11/12).

Meanwhile, the LGBT Center in Hillcrest this morning announced a march from Hillcrest to City Hall downtown. An e-mailed announcement said "marchers will gather at 10 a.m. and step off at 10:30 a.m., with a rally following afterwards." No location for the rally was revealed.

"The march is currently schedule to proceed down 6th Avenue to city Hall, but organizers are working out the final details with SDPD," the e-mail from the LGBT Center said.

Whether the two Prop-8 protest events will somehow merge was still unknown at 3 p.m. today (Wed., 11/12).

Sound like community disorganization?

Strong criticism of the No-on-8 campaign is fast emerging within the Gay Community statewide. San Diego News Service first revealed that in-fighting in this on-line coverage of the over 10,000 march from Hillcrest to North Park last Saturday.

Many gay activists are now seriously questioning the No-on-8's timid tactics during the pre-election campaign, "including the decision not to show same-sex couples in (TV) ads," reports the Association Press today (11/12).

"The movement's leaders were 'very timid. They were too soft,' said Robin Tyler, a lesbian comic who created a series of celebrity public-service announcements with the slogan 'Stop the Hate, No-0n-8.' They were rejected (by the No-on-8 campaign) because they were deemed too negative.

"'We were lightweights on our side,' said Tyler," according to A.P.

The No-on-8 campaign intentionally decided not to show gay or lesbian couples, or use the phrase "gay marriage," in the few TV ads that did run in the San Diego area, according to Mark Conlan, editor and publisher of Zenger's Newsmagazine.

"It looks like some of those on the 'No-on-8' campaign may still be in the closet, and were uncomfortable with the idea of being proud to be Gay," said one young marcher last Saturday.

"Some Gays are complaining that their leaders failed to organize a visible and vigorous defense of same-sex marriage," the A.P. reported.

"Leaders of the campaign in favor of gay marriage say they made a strategic decision not to highlight gay newlyweds or same-sex couples with children in their ads for fear of alienating undecided heterosexual voters," the A.P. story continued.

"That (thinking and strategy) didn't work before and didn't work this time," Conlan added.

That's the same kind of closeted thinking that the Homosexual Community had in late '68 and early '69, when it strongly opposed the new, Gay Lib movement launched by young Gays in San Francisco - months before the Stonewall Riots.

"Where was all this energy before the election," asked a young lesbian rhetorically, as she watched a huge 10,000-strong march last Saturday from the Georgia Street bridge. She wouldn't give her name.

"Why weren't we here sooner," asked Jonah Blechman, 33, a local cinematographer whose work (Another Gay Sequel) appeared at Landmark's Hillcrest Theatre in September.

"This is people feeling the fear," added Brent Corrigan, 22, his lover.

"The absence of gay couples in the media (TV ads) campaign was a fatal error," said Michael Petrells, a veteran AIDS activist in San Francisco.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

PREZ BUSH VIOLATED FED LAW BY WRITING ON AM. FLAG (Updated)

2008-11-10T13:42:00.000-08:00

San Diego -- Tuesday (11-11) is Veterans Day, and because we have veterans on the staff of San Diego News Service, we will display the American flag, proudly.

But, many, many abuse the flag, and violate federal law.

For example, you cannot write on, or attach anything to, our national flag. When President "W" did so several times during his administration, he committed a federal crime (but, who's going to bust him?).

At the Sheraton Island Marina, while joining members of the Torrey Pines Sailing Club, I noticed a huge, fancy yacht nearby had a paper American flag on its outboard bulkhead. But, it had the words "Support our Troops," printed across it.

That violated federal law and a note explaining this was left. On my next visit to the docks, the violated flag had been removed. It's great to honor our troops, but don't dishonor the flag in doing so.

The white and blue in the American flag are standard colors, but the red is a special shade which is used on for the flag.

When flown at night, the flag must have a spotlight on it, except in combat.
Rules for saluting the flag by veterans, however, have recently changed.

Traditionally, only persons on active duty could give the military salute with the flattened hand touching the forehead. Often, veteran organizations (Am. Legion, VFW, etc.) have ignored this and their members have used the military salute.

Now the rules for saluting the flag by veterans during the playing of the national anthem, or as the flag passes in a parade, have changed.

Veterans may now use the military salute, even when they are not "covered" (wearing a hat).

Active-duty military, however, still must be wearing their hat to give a hand salute during the playing of the national anthem or during the pledge of allegiance.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

THREE, STUNNING LATINO FILMS OPEN FRI. NOV. 14TH

2008-11-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

San Diego -- Two hit films that showcased at the Latino Film Festival this spring open at the UltraStar theatre in the Hazard Center in Mission Valley on Friday, Nov. 14th. A third film is an exclusive screening.
Perhaps the biggest is el Violin, which is the most internationally-awarded Mexican film in history! After the military seizes his village; a old, humble, rural musician devises a plan: to play up his "appearance" as a harmless, old violin player in order to return to his village with hidden guns and ammunition. This is a powerful movie in espanol, but with English subtitles.
The second film opening on Nov. 14th was featured in the Cine Gay showcase at the Latino Film Festival last spring and won the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. It is simply: XYZ.
This astonishing feature film explores the painful search for gender identity of a teenager who was born a hermaphrodite. Upon entering adolescence, the kid is pressured by parents to "choose" an identity. Handled with great sensitivity, XYZ won coveted awards at last year's Cannes Film Festival. English subtitles.
The third film that opens on Friday Nov. 14th at the UltraStar theatre in the Hazard Center (near I-163 & Friars Road) is el Bano del Papa (the Pope's Toilet).
It has never been screened in San Diego before, according to Ethan van Thillo, executive Director of the Media Arts Center of Golden Hills which annually produces the Latino Film Festival, and operates the esteemed Teen Producers Project.
The Pope's impending visit to a small Uruguayan town stimulates a flurry of activity among its poorest residents. They hope to strike it rich by catering to the needs of the expected 50,000 Catholic pilgrims who will visit to see the Pope. Convinced that his idea is the BEST, one man uses all of his family's savings to build a toilet that pilgrims can pay to use. English subtitles.
These three films are the final installment for the year of the Cine en tu Idioma monthly film series that showcase celebrated Latino films from worldwide, international film festivals.
The Cine en tu Idioma film series is funded largely by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and AT&T verse. Sponsors include Univision KBNT Telemundo 33, el Latino newspaper, V-Me KPBS, Radio Latina 104.5, la Mejor 99.3, Exa 91.7, Uniradio Group, el Mexicano newspaper, Yolanda S. Walter-Meade and the city's Commission on Arts & Culture.
For more information, call (619) 230-1938 (Ext. 101), or go on-line at http://www.sdlatinofilm.com/.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

ON-LINE JOURNALISM RAPIDLY BECOMING MORE POPULAR

2008-11-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

A Special Feature by Leo E. Laurence, Editor, San Diego New Service

San Diego -- President-elect Barrack Obama changed presidential campaigning permanently by making maximum the use of on-line resources. He perfected what Gov. Howard Dean III started during his 2004 campaign for president, and successfully utilized for Obama in his unique 50-state program by the Democratic National Committee.

The Internet is also dramatically changing journalism, which has traditionally been dominated by the print media. The change has not been always easy, particularly for journalists like myself who have printer's ink in our veins.

On-line journalism, however, is rapidly dominating the news media.

As circulation for the print version of the San Diego Union Tribune continues to decline, the on-line version of Copley's U-T, SignOnSanDiego.com, is thriving. It gets millions of hits every month, according to sources at the newspaper.

SignOnSanDiego's primary competition, the "new" VoiceofSanDiego.com, also a privately-owned company, is also thriving and using highly experienced journalists.

Until recently, San Diego News Service has focused primarily on print journalism, covering the area for both local and national newspapers and magazines.

Almost by accident, we ventured into on-line journalism and launched the HillcrestBlog on Google (BlogbytheLion.blogspot.com).

We would have been happy to get a hundred readers to our new, on-line news service.

But, we were wonderfully surprised that it is being read by thousands, some as far away as Paris (Thanks, Dimitri). Many of our on-line readers are giving us feedback and providing valuable news tips about people and events in the area.

Many blogs are basically opinion pieces of the blogger. We are different! We decided to make our HillcrestBlog a source of hard news and reviews of the arts/theatre/movies. Opinion, news analysis, features (like this one) and commentary will always be clearly labeled at the top of the story.

One of the exciting aspects of on-line journalism is its immediacy.

About one-third of my career was in radio news, back when it was the only serious, alternative source of hard news to newspapers (before TV news matured). It was exciting because I could have my stories as State House Reporter in Indianapolis on-the-air within hours of a news-making event.

Now, on-line journalism is providing that same, exciting immediacy.

For example, on Saturday (11/8) when over 10,000 marched in a massive demonstration for "equal rights" in response to the passage of Prop-8 that will abolish gay marriages (but, only after the vote is certified by the secretary of state), San Diego News Service was able to have that story and a photo of the huge march on-line even before the event had concluded.

The thousands of you who are reading our HillcrestBlog on Google are encouraged to continue to call or send e-mails with your comments and news tips.

A news organization is only as good as its sources of news.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service, (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

MASSIVE MARCHES FOR GAY RIGHTS SATURDAY (UPDATED)

2008-11-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

(Story updated Sunday 11/9)

Hillcrest/North Park: Thousands marched shouting "equal rights" at noon on Saturday (11/8) and the line of marchers at 12:35 p.m. stretched solid from Hillcrest to North Park.

Police reportedly said the number of marchers are over 7,000, but other estimates ran as high as over 10,000 - which seems more realistic. Police figures are traditionally more conservative.

"We will offer them protection all the way down (to North Park)," said SDPD Sgt. V. S. Colvin, who headed a team of 16 officers, mostly on motorcycles; just before the march began in Hillcrest.

"Where was all this energy before the election," asked Jonah Blechman, 33, a local cinematographer whose new film Another Gay Sequel appeared at the Hillcrest Landmark Theatre on Sept. 12th. He was interviewed on the Georgia St. Bridge over University Avenue.

"Why weren't we here sooner," he asked rhetorically; expressing a sentiment that was very common among the marchers as hundreds of on-lookers watched and shouted support on sidewalks along University Avenue.

"This is people feeling fear," said his lover and fellow cinematographer Brent Corrigan, 22; both of Kensington.

As the marchers were assembling at Third and University in Hillcrest, a lesbian - Lisa Kove - was trying to organize the event.

"We must show peace and love to the media," Kove repeated over and over. "We need to project ourselves as a gentle, loving community," she said often.

"Oh, fuck that," said Mark Conlan, editor and publisher of Zenger's Newsmagazine. These people are angry and they need to express it!

Considerable criticism of the professional homosexuals who ran the "No-on-8" campaign was also expressed.

The TV ads - what few were aired locally - against Prop-8 were quite tame and never used the phrase "gay marriage." It was if some closeted person produced the ads.

"The pollsters advised the ad producers that the straights were 'not ready' for the phrase 'gay marriage,' so it was avoided in the ads," Conlan explained. That's a throw-back to the closeted, pre-Gay-Lib days of the late 60's.

"(That strategy) didn't work before (in other states) and it didn't work this time," argued Conlan.

When asked 'where was this energy before the election?, a young lesbian on the Georgia Street Bridge said: "Oh, we had it. We had a nice, quiet candlelight vigil."

"BIG DEAL!", shouted a young man nearby.

More information on the No-on-8 campaign can be found by googleing "HRC" (Human Rights Campaign) or "EQCA" (Equality California).

After the speeches in North Park, it took several hours for the thousands of marchers to walk back to Hillcrest along University Avenue, carrying their printed "No-on-8" signs.

Many carried home-made signs. One read "Straight Latino for Equal Rights."

Although the battle opposing Pro-8 was lost, the mood along University Avenue for several hours after the North Park event ended was loud and celebratory. Hundreds of passing cars along University Avenue continuously honked their horns supporting the returning marchers.

Ironically, it was as if the opposition to Prop-8 had been successful.

Friday (11/7), two guys organized an ad-hoc demonstration of an estimated 500 in Balboa Park, also to protest the success of Prop-8.

Also Friday, thouands of protestors took to the streets of San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press.

In Long Beach, three protestors were arrested for trying to lead people past police lines that were formed to protect the marchers, but there was no violence.

A huge demonstration occured also in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles.

"Our 'little' neighborhood demonstration and march here in Silverlake, which started at what's called the 'Sunset Junction,' was reported on last night's local news to contain 12,000 people," reports one of our L.A. readers, Aristidel.

"I had no idea there were that many Gay people and their supporters still in this (Silverlake) area. I'm proud to know that activism is not dead. We just needed a firey issue to wake us up," Aristidel added.

Police escorted the protestors in Long Beach, San Francisco and San Diego.

At least three court challenges against Prop-8 have reportedly been filed.

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

GAYS MAKE ADVANCES IN ELECTION NATIONALLY

2008-11-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

San Diego -- There are now TWO openly gay members of congress: longtime Congressman Barney Frank and now Jared Polis of Colorado. And, President-elect Barrack Obama sought the advice of gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson as part of his outreach to diverse religious groups during the campaign.

Congressman-elect Polis is one of nearly 80 Gays who won in state and local races nationwide on Nov. 4th.

Other winners include Lupe Valdez, who won a second term as sheriff of Dallas County in Texas. Oregon's Kate Brown became the first openly bisexual secretary of state. And, John Perez became the first openly Gay Latino elected to the California legislature.

Meanwhile, anti-gay Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, a Colorado republican who was a prime force behind the drive for a federal marriage ban, lost her bid for re-election.

Gays who would like to serve in the Obama administration - and thousands will be hired as republicans leave the administration - can begin your journey for employment at www.glli.org/presidential .

GRASS-ROOTS OPPOSITION TO PROP-8 EMERGES ON-LINE

2008-11-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

San Diego -- A grass-roots effort is emerging on-line to influence the governor to do something about the evils of Prop-8, which will overturn the March state Supreme Court's ruling that legalizes gay marriages.

It's uncertain what, if anything, the governor can do; but it will demonstrate to him the continued importance of this issue.

By going to www.petitiononline.com/seg5130/petition.html, you can sign this two-page petition. It uses a Facts vs Fiction format to explain many of the major, false statements that were aired hundreds of times in TV ads just before the Nov. 4th election.

You only need to sign your name and e-mail address to be included in the petition.

So far, as of 10:30 a.m. today (11/7), at least a quarter-million Californians have added their names to the on-line petition. And, it just started hours ago.

Meanwhile, the effective Lambda Legal law firm of New York City and Los Angeles has filed a petition with the California Supreme Court challenging Prop-8 on equal-protection grounds. That is the same legal doctrine that dominated the Opinions of the high courts in Massachusetts, California and Connecticut.

An earlier story on this HillcrestBlog explained, in detail, how and why that petition might be successful. If the petition is accepted by the California Supreme Court, the implementation of Prop-8 (which doesn't become law until the election returns are certified by the secretary of state of California), could be delayed for many months.

Even if Prop-8 does become a part of the state's Constitution, it will NOT effect gay marriages already performed, and for reasons also explained in our earlier story.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

PROP-8 ISN'T THE LAW - YET; AND MAY NEVER BE

2008-11-06T15:50:00.000-08:00

San Diego -- While Prop-8, which bans gay marriages by amending the state Constitution, narrowly passed; IT IS NOT THE LAW . . . yet. And, it may never become the law.

Our state Constitution provides in Art. XVIII for the procedure to amend that noble document. Section 4 says an amendment requires a vote of a majority of the electorate and "takes effect the day after the election."

Does that mean on Nov. 5th? NO!

First, all of the votes (provisional ballots and mail ballots) have not been counted.
The decisions of the election are not official until the results of the balloting (as compiled by our county Registrar of Voter's office) have been certified by the state's secretary of state.

However, a petition has been filed with the state Supreme Court contending Prop-8 violates the very state Constitution that it seeks to amend.

For example, if the voters approved an amendment that declared that all wives were the property of their husbands, that obviously would be declared unconstitutional and banned from enforcement.

Prop-22, which was approved by the voters in 2000 and created a new state law declaring that marriage was only between a man and a woman, was declared unconstitutional by the state's high court in March. That ruling validated gay marriages.

Now we have Prop-8 which eliminates a fundamental, legal right (to marry) for Gays, but it applies only to Gays. It appears that is a violation of the constitutional equal-protection clause, much the same as the earlier Prop-22 was also a violation of that equal-protection clause.

The high court's March decision is 160 pages long. It is very comprehensive!

There is a strong probability that the high court will accept the petition challenging Prop-8. (The court and its staff did so much work on that huge Opinion and they want it to be the law of the state.)

If the high court accepts the petition challenging Prop-8, all the parties involved will be asked by the high court to submit legal briefs on the issues in the petition recently filed. After the case is fully briefed, which could take months, the court will schedule a hearing on the petition. That hearing could take several more months to schedule. After the hearing, the court will have yet another three more months to issue a new ruling.

Meanwhile, Gays and Lesbians will continue to have the right to marry. That right has NOT been eliminated yet because the results of the election have not been certified.

And, don't believe everything you hear on TV. Several TV news programs - in their efforts to create yet another controversial story - have questioned whether gay marriages that have already been performed will be overturned.

That's highly unlikely. When an appellate court considers a case, it looks to the applicable law. The court will not add anything to its provisions. Unless an initiative specifically says that the law (e.g., constitutional amendment) applies retroactively, an appellate court will not make it so. Prop-8 does not say that it is to be applied retroactively, therefore it cannot be so applied.

Gay marriages already performed in California are safe!

Prop-8 may not survive the new challenge.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

WHAT HAPPENED IN LOCAL ELECTIONS ???

2008-11-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

Election Analysis:

San Diego -- Young voters and minorities turned out in huge numbers at an election precinct at the Calvary Temple church in Hillcrest on Nov. 4th. They were largely the key to President-elect Barrack Obama's stunning success.

And, while Obama's election is being celebrated, several local races are causing depression

AGUIRRE DEFEATED: The so-called "power-of-the-press" was grossly abused by the San Diego Union Tribune and its mainstream media allies in kicking Michael Aguirre out of the city attorney's office.

The U-T flexed that traditional power honorably when it went after the corrupt Congressman Randy Cunningham. Indeed, it received a Pulitzer for it.

But, the U-T dis-honorably used the "power-of-the-press" as it viciously and repeatedly published hit pieces against Aguirre. Many of those "hit" pieces violated the fundamental Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Our staff at San Diego News Service have worked closely with many of the U-T's working reporters and senior staff. They are good people and professional journalists. And, they had to write those "hit" pieces even though they disliked violating the ethics of professional journalists.

For example, the U-T published a report that Aguirre had an odd tape recording of F-D-R constantly rolling in his office. That was totally false!

The city attorney is primarily a litigator in court, in both civil and criminal (misdemeanor) cases. But, our new city attorney (what's his name?) has never litigated a case in court. While he has been a judge, sitting on the bench and quietly listening to lawyers litigate their cases is vastly different than working in front of the bench and actually litigating a case.

We now have a city attorney who has NO experience as a litigator.

He will have to learn on-the-job, at taxpayer expense. Without the U-T's massive support for the judge, it is highly unlikely voters would have supported a man who is inexperienced as a litigator, to be the city's chief litigator.

Our system of city government relies on checks-and-balances to keep the two, key branches (legislative [city council]) and executive [mayor] in balance.

That's why voters back in the 30's decided to make the city attorney an elected office, rather one appointed by the mayor or city council. They wanted the city attorney's office to function totally independent of the city council or the mayor.

And, that's how Aguirre ran his office.

He was not beholden to the mayor. But, Mayor Sanders didn't like that, nor did the U-T or the city's powerful downtown establishment. So, in the same manner that they conspired to support Sanders when he was challenged by council member Donna Frye (another strong independent); those forces conspired to remove Aguirre and put a "man" into office who would do what they wanted.

And, he wears a rug (toupee). That says something about what the new city attorney thinks about himself.

PROP-8 PASSES: GAY RIGHTS GETS MAJOR SETBACK

Mormons donated tens of millions to pass Prop-8 that amended the state Constitution and abolished gay marriages.

The amendment becomes law "the day after the election" is certified by the California Secretary of State, under Article XVIII of the state Constitution.

Wealthy Gays and Lesbians did not match the Mormon money. Indeed, some very wealthy Gays - like the publisher of the Union Tribune, David Copley, Jr. - reportedly gave nothing to defeat Prop-8. While it was largely common knowledge privately among many of the U-T's staff that Copley was Gay, it became public knowledge after he was "outted" by the famous Nicole in the Gay & Lesbian Times where he called Copley a "tired old queen."

The TV ads supporting Prop-8 were aggressive and tough. However, they were also false, as a matter of law.

The TV ads opposed to Prop-8 were largely timid and seemed to be afraid to use the phrase "gay marriage." They talked about discrimination, etc.; rather than openly explain to the electorate the advantages of gay marriages. Some wonder if those producing the opposition's TV ads were really closeted, and unwilling to openly discuss gay marriage.

The professional Gays and Lesbians in the state largely failed to electrify their community to oppose Prop-8, as President-elect Barrack Obama succeeded in mobilizing most of the nation.

With the passage of Prop-8 causing a serious setback to the progress of gay civil rights, maybe it is time to get rid of some of those ineffective professional Gays and Lesbians.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

KUDOS TO KATIE COURIC

2008-11-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

editorial by San Diego News Service . . .

San Diego -- Kudos go to CBS News anchor Katie Couric for her revealing and exclusive interview of vice-presidential candidate Sara Palin.

We have never been an admirer of the performance or substance of the work of Couric.

Remarkably, she is the nation's first, female, solo anchor of a major, network, evening TV newscast.

But, her exclusive interview with Gov. Palin in September, "early" in the campaign, produced the memorable and frankly inane - some would say stupid - comment that Palin has "foreign policy" experience because she can see Russia from Alaska. (Is that physically, true; and what would you see if you looked, anything important to our national security?)

That significant statement by Palin made even our republican editor question the candidate's judgement and ability to serve as president and Commander-in-Chief, if McCain wins and dies in office.

"President Palin?"

Oh, "pulleeze."

That is scary!

CBS's Couric may leave her anchor post on the CBS Evening News With Katie Couric soon after the new president is inaugurated, according to the Wall Street Journal.

That has been the scuttlebutt in journalism for many months.

CBS and Couric are downplaying the WSJ report, as can be expected.

Couric has been the CBS solo anchor for 19 months, following Bob Schieffer, Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite.

"Rather was an arrogant S-O-B who rarely connected with staff on a personal level," says our editor, Leo E. Laurence, J.D., who worked with Rather on the CBS News coverage of the 1996 Republican National Convention."

"Schieffer, however, is upgrading the position of dean of national TV news, which formerly was held by Cronkite - once considered the 'most trusted' person in America," our editor added. "Schieffer is now easily the 'most respected' in American network journalist today," he continued.

"Following an initial boost in her rating," Couric's nightly audience has generally lagged well behind her immediate predecessor, Bob Schieffer," said Reuters news service.

"After trying various changes to accentuate Couric's more casual style, the (CBS) network has returned to a more traditional presentation," Reuters reports.

CBS has earned an average of only about 5.9 million viewers weekly, compared to 8.3 million for NBC's far-more popular NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.

At stake is the roughly $450-million in annual ad revenue.
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Editorial copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

PRESS BARRED FROM HALLOWEEN EVENT

2008-11-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- Last night, one of most fascinating and colorful Halloween events in all of San Diego occurred last night in Hillcrest. It was the 16th annual "Nightmare on Normal Street" party produced by the LGBT Center in Hillcrest.

People who have spent hours and hours working on an imaginative costume for the event are usually delighted to be photographed, especially if the photographer is from the news media.

But, the news media was officially barred from the event.

That was on orders issued by a woman at the LGBT Center.

She told San Diego News Service that "The Center" wanted to protect the privacy of the participants. That sounds like an excuse that would have been used by the pre-Stonewall, closeted, Gay Community back in the late 60's.

"I think there will be several (at the Nightmare on Normal Street event) who will be dressed as 'President Sara Palin'," said a member of the staff of the Gay & Lesbian Times the day before.

"What can be scarier than that on Halloween," he said.

But, midway through the costume event, we saw nobody dressed like Gov. Palin, who could easily become president if Sen. McCain is elected. He's quite old and his body physically and mentally has been through considerable HELL. It is highly possible that he will die before his first term is up, and Gov. Palin will become President Palin.

The idea of dressing in drag representing "Palin - as - President" (perhaps wearing a wide sash with the word "PRESIDENT," as Mexican presidents do when they are inaugurated), was surprisingly not popular at the Hillcrest event on Halloween night.

The photo above shows three erotic, young, bare-chested male dancers performing on stage at the press-barred event. We had to sneak this photo because we were firmly told at the entrance that the "news media is not allowed."

That was on the direct Order of a lesbian on the staff of the LGBT Center.

That is consistent the past experience of San Diego News Service (which is credentialed by SDPD) with the LGBT Center. The top LGBT staff have historically NOT been media friendly.

Some have asked, "What do they have to hide?"
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com.

EXCLUSIVE MESSAGE FOR OUR READERS

2008-11-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- Although this HillcrestBlog has been on-line for only a short time, we at San Diego News Service are excited by your popular response. You read it!!!

We would have been delighted if 100+ were regularly reading this news blog, but we have learned that it is actually being read by thousands.

On-line journalism is here, and we are part of it!

Many who read it are telling us that they are forwarding it on to their friends, dramatically increasing the number of our readers.

We are also getting - everyday - many news tips with behind-the-scene information about our community's leaders, politicians and wannabees.

News sources like these "tip" calls, and your e-mails, make our news media more powerful! And, if you prefer, your news tip is totally confidential! We are protected by the state's "reporter's shield law" when we refuse to disclose the origin of confidential information.

The HillcrestBlog is NOT a source of opinion by anyone on our staff (including our editor), which many blogs and community websites traditionally offer.

We uniquely provide hard news and theatre reviews, the same as SignOnSanDiego or the VoiceofSanDiego; both of which we admire as fellow, credentialed, working journalists.

But, we do report on stories that usually will not be found in the Union Tribune, on TV news or the Gay & Lesbian Times.

We are not a PR service for community organizations. We report news, not views, unless the opinion or commentary is clearly labeled.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

TODD GLORIA USES UNLAWFUL PHONING TO CAMPAIGN

2008-11-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hillcrest -- City council candidate Todd Gloria is allegedly using tactics that violate state law in his campaign against the now-favored Stephen Whitburn.

Both are gay democrats running in the Third District that includes Hillcrest, North Park and City Heights, among other neighborhoods.

"The call invariably comes at night - typically at dinner time or prime time. It's a pre-recorded voice promoting a candidate or an initiative, or issues stinging (and usually inaccurate) criticism of the opposition," writes Associated Press reporter Juliet Williams.

"Either way, the so-called robo-calls are as annoying as they are ubiquitous at election time.

"They also happen to be illegal in California,

"(I)t is illegal for campaigns and companies to send automated messages to California residents unless a live person introduces the call and asks permission to play the message.

"The agency that oversees telephone communications, the state's Public Utilities Commission, can regulate (these) call . . . (but) does virtually nothing to enforce its own regulation," William's reports.

Today (Sat., 11/1) San Diego News Service received a message by phone that was recorded (or so it sounded) by Whitburn's opponent, Todd Gloria.

No live person was on the line and asked permission to play that tape by Gloria.

"I received one of those d_ _ _ n calls, too," said a senior in Hillcrest, who asked that her name not be used.

"There ought to be a law prohibiting that kind of dumb campaigning," she added. She was "delighted" to learn that such a law already exists, but "disappointed" that it isn't enforced.

Gloria is also sending out thousands of mailers - the usual stuff with pretty pictures of the candidate - and they are also annoying Hillcrest residents. "There's no reason to send me three, totally boring mailers in one day," a long-time gay resident complained.

He had favored Gloria "because he's cute," but got turned off by the flood of mailers from the Gloria campaign. He is now supporting Whitburn.

The Whitburn campaign is also the victim of an attack - albeit indirectly, but nonetheless serious - in an on-line campaign involving the Minutemen.

E-mail messages are going to thousands in the city's Third District, which involves the Whiteburn/Gloria camapign, with surprising connections to the Minutemen..

The e-mails suggest that, if the recipient wants to learn about the real Stephen Whitburn, they should go to www.whoisstephenwhitburn.com website.

In the on-line process of getting to that website, you come across the identity of the Minutemen's involvement. But, at the bottom of the website which you eventually reach - which doesn't involve the Third District - you read of republican involvement.

OTHERS USING THE ILLEGAL ROBO-CALLS :

The Todd Gloria-for-Dist. 3 isn't the only campaign allegedly using the unlawful tactic of robo-calls to promote a position on the Nov. 4th ballot.

Someone named Warren Prentice is identified as the caller on a recent robo-call received by San Diego News Service promoting Prop-8, which is on the Nov. 4th ballot and will abolish gay marriages.

No live person introduced the recorded message and asked permission to roll it.

The damaging aspect of the pro-Prop-8 robo-call message is that it was inaccurate, as are the hundreds of TV ads running in prime time.

Those TV ads and the robo-calls say that - if Prop-8 fails - gay marriage will be taught in elementary school. They urge voters to support Prop-8 "to protect our children."

TV viewers are believing this rubbish, unfortunately.

The vote on Prop-8 is very, very close as of today (11/1).

Gays and Lesbians - many of whom have lots of money -- reportedly like U-T publisher David Copley, Jr -- have NOT donated serious money to the No-on-8 campaign, to counter the millions of dollars given by the Mormons.

Those TV ads and unlawful robo-calls are being financed largely by tens of thousands of Mormon Church members --- nationwide.

Defeating Prop-8 has at best only a 50-50 chance, according to the latest (and sometimes inaccurate) polls.

Readers cab get more information on these issues by calling San Diego News Service at (619) 757-4909 or e-mail at leopowerhere@msn.com.
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service

DON'T MAIL ABSENTEE BALLOTS !!!

2008-11-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- If you still have your absentee ballot (now called a Mail Ballot), DO NOT MAIL IT!

Ballots MUST be received at the Registrar of Voters (ROV) office no later than midnight on election day, Nov. 4th.

There is a good chance that an absentee ballot will not be delivered in time by the post office, so do NOT mail it.

And, it is the date it is RECEIVED by the Registrar of Voters office that counts, NOT the date of the postmark.

While county offices are not normally open on Saturday and Sunday; because of the election, the ROV's office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Saturday 11/1), tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday.

Over 10,000 people so far have voted in person at the ROV's office, located at 5201 Ruffin Road (off Clairemon Mesa Blvd.). For more information, call the ROV office at (858) 565-5800. Dozens of ROV staffers are answering that phone number.

About 245,000 have voted by mail. But, do NOT use the mail anymore. You vote will not be counted if it arrives at the ROV's office after Nov. 4th. That's state law, not a decision of some local bureaucrat.

In addition to delivering your absentee (Mail) ballot to the ROV's office, it can be delivered to ANY election precinct on election day, Nov. 4th. They all have a small American flag outside. You do not have to leave it at your own precinct. ANY precinct will accept it, with only one specific limitation - described below.

However, if you live outside San Diego county, your absentee ballot must be delivered to a precinct in you home county. For example, someone living in Orange County cannot drop off their absentee ballot at a San Diego election precinct.

SOME MYTHS ABOUT THE ELECTION:

You do NOT need photo ID to vote in California.

There is only one exception to that rule. The ONLY time a poll worker will ask a voter for ID is when the voter did not provide ID at the time they registered. Their name on the Roster of Voters used by the poll workers will indicate a "ID" is required.

Any current, valid photo ID is acceptable: driver's license or state ID card, a passport, employee ID card, student ID, insurance ID card and others.

Other acceptable forms of ID are a utility bill with the voter's name and address, a bank statement, vehicle registration and about a dozen, similar IDs. The list is long.

Even if the voter has NONE those those ID's, they can still vote PROVISIONALLY.

At this election on Nov. 4th, no San Diego county resident over 18 will be turned away at an election precinct.

If that happens to you or a friend, immediatelty call the ROV's office at (858) 565-5800. A troubleshooter from the ROV's office will come quickly to the precinct where you are encountering problems voting.

It is a serious crime for anyone - including a poll worker - to improperly deny the right of a citizen to vote in this election.

More information about your rights to vote can be obtained by calling SAN DIEGO NEWS SERVICE at (617) 757-4909 days, (and [619] 220-8686 from midnight to 6 a.m.)

It's easy to call and protect your voting rights!
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Copyright 2008 by San Diego News Service (619) 757-4909 leopowerhere@msn.com

VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS REVISED

2008-11-01T11:11:00.000-07:00

MEMO TO READERS:

San Diego News Service has revised, updated and expanded its VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS.

Please refer to the story posted on Tuesday, Oct. 28th for our ballot recommendations.

Thanks, and urge your friends to VOTE!!!

OBAMA SPEAKS TO THE NATION ON TV

2008-10-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

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"

2008-10-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-25T02:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-22T23:51:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

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 ???

2008-10-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-10-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

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

HSE OF SPAIN DELEBRATES - BUT NOT COLUMBUS DAY

2008-10-12T18:59:00.000-07:00

Balboa Park -- Several hundred were thrilled by the unusual Columbus Day celebration produced by la Case de Espana en San Diego (The House of Spain) in Balboa Park on Sunday, Oct. 12th.
It didn't honor the mythical "discovery" of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492 (even the date is questioned by historians).
The colorful celebration was celebrating the National Day of Spain.
"The 12th of October is known in the United States as Columbus Day," said Consul Hon. de Espana en San Diego, the honorable Dona Maria Angeles O'Donnell de Olson.
"In many countries in Latin America," the consul general explained; "(it is known) as el Dia de la Raza (The Day of the Race)" she added.
But, "in Spain the 12th of October for many years has been the official national holiday known as la Fiesta de la Raza (The Festival of the Race).
"In 1978, with the installation of the new Constitution, it was officially recognized as the National Day of Spain," the consul general explained in an exclusive interview with San Diego News Service.
While the historical myth says Columbus "discovered" the so-called New World on Oct. 12th (at least as far as the "old" world was concerned), the consul general emphasized in a speech that Columbus was acting on behalf of Spain, not his native Italy.
The kingdom of espana financed Columbus and his 3 ships, the Pinta, Nina and the Santa Maria.
"Today, we use the word encounter, rather than "discover," as it is without doubt, the encounter between the two civilizations" brought great things.
"What would Ireland be without potatoes (native of Mexico)?
"And Italy without tomatoes (also native of the "New" World)?" the consul general asked; putting a distinctly different view on Columbua Day, and from the perspective of Spain.
"The celebration, which featured dazzling dances and very colorful Spanish costumes, was organized by Senor Pedro Sanchez Catala, president of the House of Spain in Balboa Park.
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Copyright, 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence leopowerhere@msn.com, (619) 757-4909

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR UNLAWFUL CAMPAIGNING AGAINST AGUIRRE

2008-10-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

City Heights -- A complaint for alleged, unlawful campaigning in the city attorney's race has been filed against the mayor's office with the state's Fair Political Practices Commission in Sacramento.
Representing the mayor's office, Community Outreach officer Ronald L. Lacey on Oct. 8th attending the annual meeting of the City Heights Business Association. After giving a routine report on city business and finances, the issue of 20 bus shelters (long a hot issue in City Heights) came up.
Suddenly, Lacey changed from providing routine information on the mayor's activities. He became overtly political - attacking City Attorney Michael Aguirre.
Lacey then candidly admitted that his boss - the mayor - was actively supporting Aguirre's opponent in the November election.
Lacey participated in a long discussion, led by CHBA outgoing president Joe Sciarretta and involving several CHBA board members, that openly and repeatedly attacked the record and personality of the incumbent city attorney.
That discussion was vicious.
"The city attorney's office just does whatever it wants to do. Of course, my boss (the mayor) has endorsed (the city attorney's) opponent," Lacey said.
"(Aguirre) is getting more reckless as his retention chances (re-election) are diminishing," Lacey added, speaking at a time when he was officially representing the mayor's office at the CHBA's annual meeting.
"The political insults fired at the city attorney were bouncing off the wall, with Lacey's continued participation.
Lacey "never said he was expressing his own, personal opinions on the campaign for city attorney of San Diego," the sworn complaint with the state's Fair Political Practices Commission reads. San Diego News Service obtained a copy when it was filed.
Lacey claimed he did not know there was a reporter in the room when he openly campaigned against Aguirre, and while officially representing the mayor's office.
Lacey got very, very nervous when he learned that the press was present.
"What are you going to write about me," Lacey worriedly asked the reporter.
Lacey was also visibly uncomfortable when that reporter took close-up photos of him at the CHBA's annual meeting.
It may be a week or more before the staff of the state's Fair Political Practices Commission in Sacramento decides if it will assume jurisdiction on the complaint against Mayor Sander's office, and launch an investigation.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D. leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

THIRD STATE APPROVES GAY MARRIAGES

2008-10-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hartford, Connecticut -- The Connecticut Supreme Court in a 4-3 ruling says same-sex couples have a right to marry, making it the third state in the nation to legalize gay marriages.
The legal reasoning - as reported by msnbc.com - is identical to that used by the California Supreme Court in March.
The Connecticut high court said the state's marriage law discriminates against (Gays) because it applies only to heterosexual couples, therefore denying gay couples the financial, social and emotional benefits of marriage.
"Interpreting our state constitutional provisions in accordance with firmly established, equal-protection principles leads inevitable to the conclusion that gay persons are entitled to marry the otherwise qualified same-sex partner of their choice," wrote Justice Richard N. Palmer in the majority Opinion that overturned a lower-court ruling.
The California high court made a similar ruling.
"(B)ecause of the widespread disparagement that gay individuals historically have faced, it is all the more probable that excluding same-sex couples from the legal institution of marriage is likely to be viewed as reflecting an official view that their committed relationships are of lesser stature than the comparable relationships of opposite-sex couples," California's Chief Justice Ron M. George wrote in his court's majority Opinion.
Based on the same equal-protection argument used by Massachusetts and Connecticut, the California high court ruled that "the failure to designate the official relationship of same-sex couples as marriage violates the California Constitution."
PROPOSITION 8 PROPONENTS' ARGUMENT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAW
Those supporting Proposition 8 on the November ballot, which will overturn the California ruling and embed unlawful discrimination into our state Constitution, use a meritless argument in their ads currently running on TV.
They claim that, because voters approved an initiative in 2000 that declared that marriage was limited to a man and woman, the state's high court should have followed that initiative.
The argument is legally invalid.
If an initiative were passed that declared that a wife was the "property" of her husband and must always do as he says, that would obviously violate the state Constitution and be declared unconstitutional. It could not be enforced.
Voters cannot use a state initiative to violate the law.
But, they can change the Constitution and make it discriminatory, and that is what Proposition 8 accomplishes.
The California court's ruling simply says that the current state statues in the Family Law Code limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violates the equal-protection clause of the Constitution.
With three high-court decisions on the issue, voters need to recognize that the law on marriages is changing, and the tide is moving away from restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples.
The Connecticut court's decision further validates that the California court had already said, and may influence voters to reject Proposition 8 in November.
The Connecticut Supreme Court staff is sending a full, hard-copy of their ruling to San Diego News Service. It will be carefully studied and a legal analysis of the Opinion will be posted here.
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Copyright, 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D. leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

WEST-NILE VIRUS HITS HILLCREST

2008-10-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hillcrest -- The West-Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected on the eastern border of Hillcrest, near Park & University Avenues, according to the San Diego Vector Control Program of the county's Department of Environmental Health.
Residents are being notified by direct mail "as a precautionary measure," says Kerry McNeill, Vector Control Program Manager for the county (858) 694-2888.
"West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes," the county's notice says.
"The symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands. About one in 150 people infected develop more serious symptoms.
"If you think you have symptoms of West-Nile virus, contact your health-care provided quickly.
"The best protection against WNV is to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding.
"Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in as little as a quarter-inch of standing water. Look for and remove standing water on your property," the county's mailed warning says.
The county's WNV website is www.SDFightTheBite.com or call (858) 551-4636.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

MAYOR'S OFFICE UNLAWFULLY CAMPAIGNS AGAINST AGUIRRE

2008-10-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

City Heights -- Annual meetings of some business associations can be so boring for a journalist to cover.

But, the City Heights Business Association (CHBA) meeting Oct. 8th turned dramatic when a spokesman for the mayor campaigned against City Attorney Mike Aguirre while on duty. The mayor supports Aguirre's opponent.

Ronald E. Lacey, a Community Outreach official in the mayor's office, gave a routine report on city business and finances.

"The City has a $50 to $65 million deficit, and by the end of the month, we won't have the money to pay our bills," Lacey said in his official report.

He talked about the serious drought, and the mayor's hope to avoid mandatory conservation with the accompanying citations and fines for offenders.

Lacey pushed the mayor's Oct. 21st Water Town Meeting.

But, when the issue of 20 bus shelters for City Heights was raised by the CHBA president, Joe Sciarretta, Lacey turned to campaigning for his boss and against Aguirre.

Lacey said the long delay over the shelters was caused by City Attorney Michael Aguirre's office. He frankly admitted that the mayor had endorsed Aguirre's opponent in the political campaign.

Lacey had a long exchange with CHBA president Sciarretta, who openly laughed about Aguirre's office, clearly suggesting opposition consistent with Lacey's pitch.

Even CHBA executive director Enrique Gandarilla got into the discussion, saying he had talked with Aguirre months ago, and was promised the problem would be resolved within two weeks.

"(The city Attorney's office) just does whatever it wants to do. Of course, my boss has endorsed (Aguirre's) opponent," Lacey added, again.

"(Aguirre) is getting more reckless as his retention chances (for re-election) are diminishing," Lacey added, a direct political statement on the campaign for City Attorney.

The political insults and laughter fired at Aguirre were bouncing off the wall at the CHBA's annual meeting. Lacey led the laughter whenever someone in the room criticized Aguirre.

Neither the CHBA president, nor its executive director nor Lacey said anything about the alleged impropriety of an official from the mayor's office campaigning during the CHBA's annual meeting.

Juan Pablo Sanchez, owner of the Super Cocina restaurant on University Avenue near 36th St., who was not at the meeting, said that the politicking was odd for a CHBA board meeting.

"Our meetings are usually very apolitical," Sanchez said in an interview. With 6-years on the board, Sanchez is the longest-serving director. He is one of the younger members, but will be termed out of office unless the CHBA ByLaws are changed to allow him to run again. Inside sources say that is possible.

Lacey did not know there was a reporter in the room when he began discussing the City Attorney's campaign. Later, after discovering the press in the room, he got very, very nervous.

"What are you going to write about me," he asked. The question was not answered.

San Diego News Service has a request for comment pending before the City Attorney's office. So far, there has been no response from either Aguirre, his office or his campaign.

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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

U.S. USING POISON GAS IN IRAQ !!!

2008-10-07T23:18:00.000-07:00

Miramar USMC Air Station -- The United States is using poison gas in Iraq, which is apparently a violation of the basic rules of war, it was learned at the Miramar USMC Air Show recently.
The Marines were proudly showing off a field artillery canon used in regular combat in Iraq, according to the personnel connected with the huge, field weapon.
It is do large that it has b=to be towed by a 7-ton towing truck, also on display at the Air Show.
Little noticed by the general public, however, were the different type of shells used by the howitzer.
One of the shells was an "illuminator," which when fired creates 2-million candlepower to fully light up the field of battle.
But, another shell that could be fired by the howitzer, and is currently in use in Iraq, creates a cloud of smoke in the air over the enemy. When it settles down on the enemy on the ground, "will boil the flesh of the enemy troops."
Isn't that poison gas? the attending Marine was asked.
"Of course," he replied.
After widespread use in World War I, poison gas was first prohibited by the Geneva Protocol of 1925.
"Such weapons were not used in World War II, but have recently been employed in Iraq," according to an on-line story by Adam Clymer on September 12, 1995.
The Marines say poison gas that can "boil the skin" of the enemy is being used NOW in Iraq.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

PREZ DEBATE: WHO WON ???

2008-10-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- "Tonight was a wash. Nobody's opinion about the candidates was changed," said CBS's veteran political correspondent Bob Schieffer.
He's close, but other political pundits didn't agree.
McCain did NOT make the argument - successfully - why this guy, Obama, who is now ahead, should not be president.
"McCain didn't move the needle," as one NBC commntator said.
He repeatedly was picky and childish in his constant attacks on Obama, and they were tiring.
Being behind in the pools, McCain had the bigger task, but he didn't meet the test.
McCain repeatedly referred to minor, minuscule arguments about an overhead projector that was in one piece of legislation.
Big deal!
McCain likes the town-hall style presentation, but this one didn't work for him.
He was nervous, and repeatedly walked in the background while Obama was talking. Rude!
MCain also referred to one of Obama's policies as like "nailing down jellow to the wall." Does that add to the substantive debate?
Once, while Obama was talking, McCain communicated with hand signals with someone in the audience. The cameras caught it. Totally rude!
McCain repeatedly distorted Obama's positions. And, he tried to interrupt Obama while he was speaking. Again, totally inappropriate for a potential commander-in-chief!
The network pundits generally think that Obama did well.
McCain had a HUGE task to try to overcome Obama's new momentum; but he did not meet the challenge, according to the political analysts on several TV News stations.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

A RECKLESS "PRESIDENT PALIN" ????

2008-10-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

Washington -- Gov. Palin is getting reckless in her intentionally, aggressive attacks on Sen. Obama. "Do we want a reckless President Palin, with her finger on the A-bomb?
Considering Sen. McCain's advanced age, and the fact that his body has already endured the maximum punishment, the possibility that he will die in office is fairly high, several political analysts believe.
That will create President Palin, if McCain is elected.
But, Palin is getting reckless in her campaign attacks on Sen. Obama.
She accused Obama of "palling around with terrorists," who doesn't see America as other Americans.
"Although she may have scored a political hit (with her reckless statements) each time, her attack was unsubstantiated and carried a racially-tinged subtext that john McCain himself may come to regret," reported the Associated press on Oct. 5th.
"this is not a man who sees America like you and I see America," Palin charged in a Colorado speech.
"We see America as a force of good in this world," she charged, suggesting that Obama is somehow a terrorist who sees America as evil.
"Palin's incendiary charge (also) draws attention away from the worsening economy," a soft spot for the McCain campaign, the A.P. reported.
"Palin's words avoid repulsing voters with over racism. But, is there another subtext for creating a false image of a black presidential nominee 'palling around' with terrorists while assuring a predominantly white audience that he doesn't see their America," the A.P. reported.
Palin is an inexperienced, cute, female who is recklessly saying that Sen. Obama is "palling around with terrorists."
Will that backfire on Sen. McCain?
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Copyright, 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

"THE DUTCHESS" IS OSCAR MATERIAL

2008-10-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- "Things haven't changed much," commented artist/journalist Ricardo Vela after seeing The Dutchess at the Landmark Hillcrest Cinema. Vela is the regular news anchor/producer at KNBT-TV News Channel 17 and writes a weekly column for el Latino newspaper and owns the Ricardo Vela Fine Art & Photography Gallery at 2923 Upas Street in North Park.
This movie is heavy Oscar material for the two leading actors.
The movie is the incredible true story of the Great Grandmother of the late Princess Di of England.
In the late 18th century, the Dutchess of Devonshire received her title after an arranged marriage with the duke. The whole purpose of the marriage was that she had to prodcduce a male heir for the duke.
Unfortunately, she initially only produced THREE girls, and no heirs.
Meanwhile, the duke was thinking through his tool and had a live-in paramour (echo of Prince Charles and Princess Di).
But, the dutchess also fell in love with a very handsome, up-and-"cuming" local Whig politician. He seemed to habe been cast largely because of his hot body and good looks.
He even gave a political speech about CHANGE. (Was this film marketed to coincide with the current presidential campaign in which Sen. Obama pushed for CHANGE, and Sen. McCain copied his theme.
The rhetoric of politics apparently hadn't changed in over 300 years.
The duke is an arrogant S-O-B, much like Dan Rather.
Like Hillary and Michelle Obama, the dutchess was a tough, dignified woman!
Her paramour, Mr. Gray, went on to become England's prime minister.
The movie is a tragic, docu-drama.
"Things haven't changed much," as Vela said.
The Dutchess is also showing at the UntraStar Flower Hill Cinema, the AMC La Jolla 12 and the Edwards San Marcos Stadium 18.
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Copyright, 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

NEW LAW PROTECTS H.S. JOURNALISM TEACHERS

2008-10-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

Sacramento -- San Diego high-school journalism teachers will get some new protections against retaliatory school principals on January 1st.
State law already mandates that student editors decide the content of official high-school newspapers. The only restriction is that their stories cannot create an "immediate" threat of disruption of classes, or (of course) be libelous.
However, locally, principals both Patrick Henry and Kearny high schools have flagrantly and intentionally violated that state law, and censored their school newspapers.
"If we are supposed to respect the law, why shouldn't the school administration be required to so the same thing," a Patrick Henry journalism student once said after the school's administration flatantly censored an edition of the school's newpaper, The Patriot.
The new law - recently signed by the governor - protects a journalism teacher of school-newspaper advisor from being "dismissed, suspended, disciplined, reassigned, transferred, or otherwise retaliated against" for solely acting to protect the pupil's free-speech, or for refusing an administrator[s order ti illegally censor speech, according to a report by the Student Press Law Center.
"Allowing a school administrator (as happened at Patrick Henry high) to censor in any way is contrary to the democratic process and the ability of a student newspaper to serve as the watchdog and bring sunshine to the actions of school administrators," said Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) who introduced the successful legislation.
"We get phone calls from (high school) journalism advisors who have to choose between either violating the law by censoring a (student) newspaper or facing potential retaliation from administrators," said Adam Keigwin, Yee's communications director.
"While this law makes the workplace safer for teachers, the real beneficiaries are California (high-school journalism) students, who no longer must fear that honest reporting on school events will get their favorite teacher fired," said Frank D. LaMonte, Student Press Law Center executive director.
Yee's legislation had strong support from the California Newspaper Publisher's association, but encountered some opposition from school and college administrators who claimed that it would tie their hands in removing educators who fail to do their jobs.
The focus of the legislation, however, is on high-school administrators who violate the law and censor school newspapers.
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Copyright, 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

THOUSANDS THRILL AT MIRAMAR AIR SHOW

2008-10-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Miramar USMC Air Station -- Both in the air and on-the-ground, the 2008 Miramar Air Show is spectacular!
Some of the world's best military and civilian pilots are soaring through the skies above San Diego today - Oct. 4th - and tomorrow.
On the ground, there is over a mile of static displays from old warbirds to the newest, technology of stealth fighter jets - and the public gets to go inside these parked aircraft.
One of the most dramatic aircraft is a HUGE jet AWACS radar surveillance plane with the letters NATO on its side.
It's commanded by Vaj Parys, commandant of the Belgian Air Force. It can operate airborne for 16-hours and has a massive radar antennae on top of the plane.
Headlining the air show is the famous Navy Blue Angels, who have been performing since 1946 before over 427 million people.
Admission and parking are free!
The air show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Gates open at 8 a.m. Traffic in the area is really tough, so leave very early.
More specific information is at miramarairshow.com
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Copyright 2008 by journalist Leo E. Laurence, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

NO WINNER IN VEEP DEBATE

2008-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- Non-partisan political analysts say there was no clear "winner" in Wednesday night's vice presidential debate.
San Diego News Service agrees.
Sen. Biden appeared the most knowledgeable.
Gov. Palin appeared the most charming.
Which would make the better vice president; and by a heartbeat, the better actual president? The debate did NOT decide.
Visually, Sen. Biden looked totally serious and rarely smiled.
By contrast; the young, "cute" Gov. Palin had a frozen cute smile on her face all the time.
But, there was no excitement that might change voters' minds during the entire 90-minute debate.
The lousy economy is foremost in the minds of the electorate, yet the subject received very little attention during the debate.
Some believe Gov. Palin won by not losing.
However, as TV pundits contended after the so-called debate, the really important debates will be later between Obama and McCain.
As one San Diegan commented, "the (vice-presidential) debate was really boring."
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, J.D., leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

UNION-TRIB MAY BE SOLD SOON

2008-10-01T22:16:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- The San Diego Union Tribune may soon be sold, according to sources inside the newspaper.
The U-T has been having difficulties for some time.
Advertising revenue is down. Circulation is down. The only part of the business that reportedly is thriving is its on-line division, SignOnSanDiego.com; but it isn't strong enough to support the newspaper independently, according to knowledgeable sources who must remain anonymous because of the delicate nature of the situation.
Many of the newspaper's key staffers have accepted a buy-out offer from management to reduce the size and cost of the U-T's staff; especially the long-time, senior employees who cost the most in salaries.
The newspaper's owner, David Copley, Jr., was recently "outted" publicly as a gay man by Nicole Ramirez Murray in the Gay & Lesbian Times.
An inside source told San Diego News Service that being "outted" really hit Copley hard. It reportedly forced him to make the decision to sell the newspaper more quickly than he had originally intended.
Now, sources inside the newspaper say a sale is imminent.
Rumors about the sale are rapidly circulating among the U-T's staff every day, according to staffers who spoke to San Diego News Service.
Some hope that Rupert Murdock might buy the newspaper. He has a reputation of buying independent, local newspapers and putting serious money into their operations for improvement while letting them remain editorially independent.
Murdock successfully accomplished that with the Middletown Times Herald-Record in Middletown, New York; about 40 miles above New York City. That newspaper remains a major force in mid-Hudson Valley journalism publishing a daily, 68-page newspaper.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence, San Diego News Service, leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909

EXCLUSIVE: A DISHONEST ELECTION IN NOVEMBER

2008-10-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

San Diego -- Many people say they are worried about whether the balloting on November 4th in San Diego will be honest, or tarnished. San Diego News Service has investigated this closely.
The stakes are enormous.
Sen. John McCain will be the oldest person ever elected president, if he wins. His body had been racked with the some of the most extreme physical punishments in the past, and may fail soon.
If he is elected and dies in office, that would mean a President Sarah Palin. Her only experience to be the most-powerful person in the world is minimal at best, according to many political analysts.
"The number of voters who question (Palin's) qualifications to serve as vice president is steadily rising," said ABC-TV News on Oct. 1st.
Many believe this is the most important presidential election in recent history!
And, is the balloting in San Diego county safe and secure?
Will those who work the 1,650 precincts scattered throughout the county well trained? They are only temporary workers. Do they know their job?
There is an army of precinct workers who will be manning the 1,650 precincts in the county. Over 7,000 of them.
But, are they trained?
To qualify as a member of any precinct election board in San Diego, every precinct worker is required, mandated, to attend an intensive, four-hour training sessions taught by experienced employees of the county's Registrar of Voters office (R-O-V).
Each of those 7,000 precinct workers also is provided by the R-O-V with a comprehensive DVD that covers every step in the balloting procedure, for additional home study.
If any precinct worker is found to be incapacitated, or unprepared to serve, they can be replaced on-the-spot by a precinct inspector, according to the state's Election Code.
To provide instant support to election workers at every precinct, there will be at least 60 full-time, highly-skilled, R-O-V employees available by special cell phones used only by the poll workers.
The R-O-V will also hire at least 400 part-time workers to staff the R-O-V offices on election day/night.
In additional to all those support staff, the R-O-V will also hire about 350 specialized "troubleshooters" who will be available to every precinct staff to help with any unexpected problems.
"The possibility of something unfair happening always exists. After all, we're all human, and therefore not perfect," says an R-O-V official who asked for anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the media.
"But, the probability of anything unfair happening during either the balloting, or the counting of those ballots, is extremely, extremely low," she added.
The behind-the-scenes investigation by San Diego News Service supports her conclusion.
November 4th will be an incredible fair, honest election in San Diego county.
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Copyright, 2008, by journalist Leo E. Laurence leopowerhere@msn.com (619) 757-4909