Sunday, March 23, 2008

Christ has risen! Paul Pitino, Union Label and vacation.

Happy Easter. He has risen!

Paul Pitino has been out canvassing the Peninsula. He put (or a volunteer) a card under our door at Local 49 in Manila on Wednesday. Looks like he is seriously going to try a door to door with no endorsers or fundraising. That may work for an Arcata City Council seat, but not on the County level.

I went to an AWPPW California Council meeting Thursday and Friday. I was appointed California Council political lobbyist. I am replacing Frank Messineo who has been involved forever and now will enjoy retirement.

While at the council meeting, we took some time to tour our Dopaco plant in Stockton. They make containers and cups for McDonalds, In and Out Burger, Kentucky Fried, Taco Bell, Burger King and every other fast food outlets you can probably think of. They employee 380 who do some labor intensive work. They have tight security for the special promotions like McDonalds monopoly games. It was interesting that they have an indoor smoking room for the workers. It has special ventilation system I guess that meets requirements. The plant was well organized and clean considering the many things they do.

We talked about the lack of the “union label” on products our union produce. Remember the jingle “look for the union label?” I hope we can maybe remedy this with our prospective companies.

Robin and I spent Friday night in Palm Springs. It was in the mid 80’s! Just a great warm night! I actually went swimming in the morning! Our motel had many guys and not many women. Robin filled me in why. Oh yeah. Palm Springs.

We are spending a few days in Phoenix watching spring training games. It is supposed to be around 90 for the time we are here. I saw that the weather in Samoa was 38 this morning. Eat your heart out!

Sad Easter Update: CNN just announced that total US Military Casualties has hit 4,000 today. When we illegally started this occupation, gas was $1.73 an hour. We are now at this time more in debt than any time in US history. If you are under 40, you most likely will not collect Social Security, or see the retirement age raised to keep the account solvent. Ouch.

16 comments:

Joel Mielke said...

Eat our hearts out because you are in 90 degree heat? And in Phoenix? Ugh, I'd rather spend time in Samoa.

Anonymous said...

Go ahead and gloat, Richard. It's part of having a good vacation. Relax.

Anonymous said...

CPR is just jealous.

Anonymous said...

As a child I saw many Angels minor league games there. The weather is perfect much of the year, although when you look around it's like your on the moon or something. The mountains are barren. And yes, there are an extraordinary amount of guys there.

Anonymous said...

Gas $1.73 an hour? If only it were that cheap!

Anonymous said...

Good job Paul, you've walked near 400 houses at this point. Richard got what, 34% of the vote, wasn't that primarily from him walking? Marks should certainly look at the effectiveness of walking, it was the only way he made any progress with his opponents' heavy spending.

Anonymous said...

You should be busting your butt for Paul. He's a rational,honest,down to earth person with good ideas and compassion. Will you run again to the HCDCC crowd or will you finally stand up for yourself by supporting Paul. Mark is bought and payed for. Can the same people who stabbed you in the back,the HCDCC,buy you. I hope not. Vote for paul.

Anonymous said...

At least Paul Pitino supports the $10 living wage, can Richard or Shane or those other Central Committee droids say the same?

Anonymous said...

We love Paul. He's proof that all liberals aren't A-holes. We'll support him,so should you.

samoasoftball said...

12:20pm: I have whined and cried my protests over what the HCDCC did to me. I could either continue to whine and do nothing, or join the HCDCC members who hold the same basic core values that I have and be a progressive voice on the committee. I have made the right choice.

By the way: $10 an hour is not a living wage by the way. You need to add multiple dollars just to get past being elgible for social services!

Paws The Cat said...

So because $10 isn't enough for Richard Marks, he will come out against it and against Paul Pitino for being the only candidate with the balls to support it?

No wonder labor unions are in decline with leadership like this. Too bad single mothers aren't in charge of that committee of his. Maybe an outbreak of compassion would occur.

mresquan said...

If you want that to be a campaign issue,you'll have better luck making an issue of it with Jimmy Smith or John Vevoda,as they are directly related to the issue as part of Eureka resides in the 1st district.

samoasoftball said...

paws the cat: Don't put words in my mouth! I have not seen the language of the proposed ordinance. I will not be voting for any of the 3rd district candidates. I live in the 4th.

I organized and helped thousands actualize increases in wages and benefits. Documented. Many of those single mothers. What have you done?

Anonymous said...

Why don't you answer the lady's question instead of bagging on her, Richard?

Anonymous said...

Richard's too busy sucking up to his new Central Committee friends to care.

Anonymous said...

With the HCDCC you either eat s*#t or you are s*#t.