Republican debate a dud. Neo-cons on parade.

I watched the CNN YouTube Republican debate last night. What a disorganized fiasco. There was no flow and questions were thrown around with no rhyme or reason. No questions on health care? But they talk about the Yankees and Red Sox? Give me a break. And Hillary obviously has already won the Democratic nomination, because her name was invoked constantly. Baptist minister Huckabee did decent job and may have won some support. Mitt was very polished. He believes in the Holy Bible he said. Didn't the Mormon leader Joseph Smith have a revelation to add the Book of Mormon to the incomplete scripture? (After he convinced his wife Emma that God said he could have multiple wives? I tried pulling this one on Robin and she didn't bite. Then she she retracted her opinion if I could find one that cooks and cleans! Joking!) Rudy is playing the moderate. Enough New York mayor rhetoric already. McCain is turning into a whinny old coot. Fred Thompson didn't have to go pee in the middle of this debate. Yeah. Who is Duncan Hunter? Tom Tancredo the same thing. Still don't know them after this Rudy and Mittathon.

If I was a Republican, I would definitely be voting for Ron Paul. The only person to not waffle and stay with his convictions. He said he would not entertain an independent run. Kucinich has already brought up the possibility. Kucinich/Ron Paul

I felt violated watching this crap and listening to Robin yell at the TV. (Her commentary was worth the listen. I should have recorded her. Mitt is the champion waffle man.) Anyone else waste their time and energy on this debate?

Salzman was right! Why didn't we listen?

I can't find the LTE that Richard did a while back on the NFL Network and the cable rip off to us local football fans. Wouldn't you know that tonight's Packer/Cowboy game will not be available to us normal cable subscribers! Both teams at 10-1 and this could be a game for the ages. May have to go to Bear River to watch. Anyone out there know where else you can watch this game?

I am proud to be an American!

Proud To Be An American Lee Greenwood would have been proud to see the car I saw the other day in Eureka. Back window tinted with a flag and eagles head, US flags on both side of the car, flag themed seat covers! Wow, this person really believes in America! Home of the red, white and blue! Let me salute you, the true American, driving the...the ...Japanese made Mazda? C'mon! At least buy a Toyota made in Fremont California. Back in the early 80's that car might have been stoned in our parking lot! Of course, I am a hypocrite sitting here typing on foreign made keyboard, looking at a foreign made monitor, with a foreign made computer, while watching a foreign made TV. Looking back to the 60's I am shocked at what we have become. Is it good or bad? We wanted things cheaper, faster and better. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

Hair be gone! For a good cause. Locks of Love.

Locks of Love It took around 18 months this time to grow my hair to 10 inches. It is now shaved. Now I will let it grow again. No calling me a Hippie for the next year or so. This is a good cause if you would like to shave your "freak flag" for a good reason. (It is renewable ya know.)

Ron Paul Revolution?

Saw a huge Ron Paul sign in Fair Oaks while visiting family this Turkey day. Then I noticed while travelling home that signs for Paul are springing up. Must have been a planned thing? News on Ron Paul 2008 Revolution

How are you cooking your Turkey?

Fried, smoked, broiled, baked, open fire or BBQed, makes no difference to me. How to Cook Turkey I'm just in it for the family and football! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

How do you avoid a parking ticket while at Arcata Minor Theater?

Robin and I went to watch Into the Wild Movie at the Minor the other day and parked across from Los Bagels. We were early so we killed time at the Tin Can Mailman Used Books store. The movie was nearly 2 and a half hours long (And sadly tragic by the way) and we were parked in 2 hour parking. Luckily we did not get a ticket. How or where can you park legally and watch an afternoon movie?

What's in your car stereo player?

Most of the time I channel surf the radio, but when I listen to a CD it usually is harder music. I ask people what they currently have ready to play in their car to measure their mood or see what genre of music they hold close to heart. Oh yes, right now I have The White Stripes - Icky Thump loudly in my stereo. And you?

Great Quote by Sid Berg.

"Someone up the food chain most definitely has us literally over a barrel, and if we don’t do something, we are doomed." (Sid's Quote in The Reporter)

We are at a huge disadvantage shipping goods from this county, and gas prices are just killing independent Truck Drivers in Northern California. We need quick and long term solutions to problems that do not seem to be going away in the near future. Sid makes some good points.

NAFTA should be called SHAFTA! To American workers. Hershey's moving to Mexico.

Hershey's Move To Mexico. Thank You NAFTA. Too bad for you American workers. Better think twice before you bite into another Reese's peanut butter cup.

Met with Estelle Fennell last night.......

Estelle came to the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee last night and talked about her campaign. I tried to coax her into joining the committee as we have openings in the 2nd District. But she will have her hands full in the next few months. She was a union activist of sorts in Ireland and helped support a garment manufacturing organizing drive on the east coast. This Supervisor race in the 2nd will be a good one.

Evergreen looking for workers. From Canada? And suing ex Pulp Mill CEO?

Evergreen recruits at Harmac. Never heard anything from the company on this one. I was sent this link by a person locally not happy Evergreen is looking outside the area for workers. Seems to me our mill is unique in operating procedures to most pulp mills. Anyone of these recruits would have to start at the bottom of the lines of progression unless they were hired as consultants or management.

The North Coast Journal has not updated their website this morning, but once they do, check out the story on Evergreen suit against Stockton Pacific Enterprise ex-CEO and cronies collecting fraudulent wages. These same people asked the workers to take a 15% wage cut to keep the company afloat! Unbelievable!

Rodoni, Clendenen, Fennell and ? running for 2nd District Supervisor.

There is at least one more out there who may be announcing their candidacy for the 2nd District Supervisor seat shortly. No not me! One who is involved in labor. Lives in Rio Dell. Who else besides those 4? Stephen Lewis? John Campbell? Mel Berti? How about Larry Martin? Now that would be entertaining meetings.

Jen Savage and John Matthews go toe to toe on Dennis Kucinich sighting UFO!

Rep. Dennis Kucinich Acknowledges UFO Sighting which led Jennifer Savage and John Matthews on KSLG 94.1 FM to have strong word with each other. If anyone out there listened around 10am it was quite the verbal tussle. John pretty much said Kucinich killed his already marginal campaign with his claims of witnessing a UFO in the state of Washington. Jennifer downplayed the damage and said the context in which he answered the question was humorous and in fact pointed out the irrelevance of the topic by Kucinich joking that more people have seen UFO's than approve of Bush in office. I was just kind of taken back to hear political dialogue on the mostly eclectic (eccentric maybe?) rock station.

Anyone out there see any UFO's locally?

Edwards slipping in Iowa.

Looks like John Edwards has slipped to maybe 3rd place in Iowa on his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination. Lost in the Cornfields I am holding out hope, but losing my optimism. Hillary is starting to look pretty unbeatable.

Richard Marks president Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Local 49

Yesterday Evergreen Pulp Mill workers voted in a new president. I am honored and humbled to have been elected by my working peers to this position. Some who visit this blog and work there are not happy with the majority decision. I thought I would go ahead and start the dialogue for open communication of my fellow workers. I am only the 3rd president elect for this local in the last 25 plus years. If you post, please be civil and I will answer questions and concerns in a open forum. Slander will be identified, monitored and eliminated.

Citizens for Port Development meeting.

Wow. What a somber group today. Kaye Strickland started out the meeting chastising the Higgins and Quilez campaigns for not going to North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) or Harbor Commission meetings. What this had to do with opening the meeting I had no idea.

Marcus Brown from the Timber Heritage Association The Timber Heritage Association AMRR#101 was to present his ideas of Rails and Trails. He made it sound like Higgins wants to tear the tracks immediately for trail access. He wants to see a designated National Heritage Area created with automobile and tourist train excursions. We needed an Anchor Attraction. He said his interaction with Cal Trans turned up a brewing fight with trails supporters. He said the trails people option of choices was “Bull Shit.” Then Marcus meandered to an idea of his to put rails/trails idea with incorporation of taking the trouble point of not enough room for both along 101 along the Eucalyptus trees by having the trail move to the Eastside of 101. He said the uplands near Harper Ford were sufficient for trail access. Good ideas, but there needs to be constructive dialogue. Marcus then went on a tangent about trail advocate consultants giving misleading facts of volume of users of the proposed trails. Said the Maximum Volume usage numbers are misleading.

Concerning the current state of rail, Marcus said the rail needs money focused on the Environment. He made vague accusations of the NCRA “coloring” the money and mis-allocating? Got me. I am out of the loop he was generally voicing. Marcus made a great point of dollar value of rail. If you haul a ton of material by truck a gallon of fuel will take you 12 miles. You can take a ton of material by rail a gallon of fuel will go 400 miles. Good argument for train and rail.

The Citizens for Port Development group is becoming fractured. Bill Bertain said that he was concerned that people at the meeting were pro-trail and anti-rail. But he did not identify those involved. Public comment was leaning forward about the working class and the PL workers and then Bertain attacked Palco working practices and this meeting lost all viability. Pro worker Palco people talked smack back.

Mel Mckinney brought up the fact that FEMA made a report in 1998 that the cost for rail to be connected to the south rail would be 642 million! And he explained that the Harbor District has not recognized Mike Wilson’s many motions and that Ronnie Pelligrini has told Mike to enjoy his term, because they will get rid of him afterward. He said we need to have open ideas and open dialogue.

I have been going to these meetings for years. I have not witnessed such a fractured group as I witnessed today. There needs to open communication and no political mud slinging. I would like to see Rails and Trails done in cooperation. Can we agree with the concept?

Robin wins NHUHSD Board seat!

Robin and I went to my friend Patrick Higgins election BBQ to celebrate the election results. Pat kicked buttocks from absentee on in the Harbor District race. No real surprise. Landslide victory. Patrick worked hard and deserved this position.

Robin lagged behind in the absentee votes. Collen had 1608 Miller at 1374 and Robin at 1273. Pat was upbeat at Robin's numbers and others at the event were confident that those numbers were conservative voters and Robin would be there in the end. The next update Collen was at 1658 Miller was 1395 and Robin at 1355. Not looking good for the Rural Samoa candidate. Oh well, we did our best. The next update Collen was 2043 Robin was 1750 and Miller at 1614! The crowd at Patrick's celebration was celebrating in overtime! A loss turning into victory. The final vote count was 3065 for Collen 2701 for Robin 2429 for Miller and 1873 for Young.

There are too many people to thank for this win. Robin had to go from no name recognition against two big name opponents in Mckinleyville and Arcata and garnered a position on the board. She wanted to run for the board if no incumbents were running. She hoped for no opposition, but that did not happen. People in this campaign knew she was the "reluctant candidate" and was uncomfortable campaigning for this position. This was truly a grass roots "progressive" win. Thanks to all.

Get out the vote! GOTV!

Today it is! I spent the morning at Trinidad doing Door hangers and reminding people to vote. It is surprising how many people had not voted or just forgot. Last night Robin, Susan Brinton and I were in McKinleyville doing door hangers and I had them drop me off and after nightfall they lost me! Drove by me a few times before I finally just stayed put under street light. Earlier I tried flagging down a PT Cruiser I thought was Robin and I think scared a lady half to death. Tonight Robin has a Peninsula School Board meeting. That figures. We will learn way late tonight who wins. Time to go wave signs for the 5pm people.

Fearless predictions for Special District races 2007.

My first prediction is a low voter turnout. I will say less than 25% in Humboldt county. Why? Just the School Board and Special Districts races on the ballots.

Mckinleyville Community Service District- John Corbett and Dennis Mayo. Helen Edwards may slip by Dennis, maybe not. Dennis barely lost a few years ago. Daniel Pierce may sneak a good amount of votes.

Manila Community Service District- Dan Ihara, Joy Dellas, Mike Fennell and Shelly Lima. This Service district is in a shambles and hopefully these people can steer Manila on a straight course.

Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District Commissioner Division 2- Roy Curless looks to have circled the wagon pretty well. His supporters are strong. Carlos Quilez has put up a strong campaign south of Fortuna. Newer resident Steve Morris has put in some good LTE Opinions in the local papers. If he garners 10% of the vote he will have done well on a no money campaign.

Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District Commissioner Division 5- Patrick Higgins over Charles Ollivier in a close race. A few weeks ago I would have said Patrick by a huge margin, but Charles campaign has rallied the last few weeks with an impressive monster newspaper campaign. And the TV ad with Clinton was a strong move. Higgins campaign has been methodical and relentless from the beginning and seems to have carried enough momentum to survive though.

And what are your predictions?

Whew! The Peninsula fund raiser goes off without a hitch!

Good Crowd, Good Food, Good Fun. Food and entertainment for $10 in Humboldt County. Mary Beth Wolford pulled off a great time! Rex Bohn did a great job with the auction. Noreen O'Brien did miracles with the dinner. Flatmo's Band kept it upbeat.

Tito Fuentes already had me as a lifelong fan, but this fundraiser raised his status in my eyes. He really played to the crowd and especially the kids here at this fundraiser. And believe me, the students at Peninsula Union school will always remember their time with Tito. He signed many autographs for nothing, and took pictures with everyone. He gave candid comments on players past and was just upbeat all weekend.

Tito did get a chance to go to the Cookhouse and experience Art's Alive in Old Town. Tomorrow he is spending additional time with the students of Peninsula. I sure hope Mary Beth plans to do another one next year!

Tito Fuentes is here in Humboldt County. So are Tsunami evacuation signs in Samoa!

Hey! I got to meet Tito this morning during set up for the "Take me out to the ball game" fundraiser. (Tomorrow 4pm at the Samoa gym. $10 for food and entertainment.) I hope Tito isn't alarmed by all the new Tsunami evacuation signs in Samoa. I have seen the signs in Oregon and Washington but this is the first I have seen in California. Has anyone out there seen Tsunami signs anywhere else in California?

Weyerhaeuser still treating Evergreen Pulp as Redhaired Stepchild!

Weyerhaeuser has shown no love for Evergreen Pulp or the Communities of Aberdeen/Cosmopolis in Washington. The Daily World Why would they keep putting off the sale of their mill to Evergreen and leave these workers unemployed? Greedy back door corporate shenanigans. Good Grief.