Though it seemed out of character, Republican support for last year’s Stanislaus County road tax, Measure L, was actually a natural evolutionary stage in a tax revolt that began in California forty years ago and has wreaked social and environmental havoc ever since. Launched by Howard Jarvis and Paul Gann in 1977 through the initiative process, Proposition 13 heralded the anti-tax revolt and Reagan Revolution that still dominate federal, state, […]
Republican Bill? A lot more than $68,461 for Ann Coulter
Modesto gadfly Emerson Drake’s gifts for political theater were never more apparent than when he presented a bill for $68,461 to Jim DeMartini at the June 13 meeting of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors. Drake was protesting using tax dollars to pay for security when the Republican Central Committee (DeMartini is committee chairman) sponsored a fundraiser featuring Ann Coulter. Lost in the whirlwind of debate and controversy over the […]
Will Denham Challengers Learn from Eggman’s Mistakes?
Ever since taking office years ago, Congressman Jeff Denham has done a poor job of representing his district. Yet, he was able to win reelection over challenger Michael Eggman in the last two elections, mostly because Eggman made critical mistakes. Will the next Democratic Party candidate make the same mistakes? The biggest mistake Michael Eggman made in running for Congress was his strict adherence to the Democratic Party platform. The platform works […]
Ann Coulter: Freedom is not about Hate
One of the lesser-known events of America’s dark past is the lynching of eleven Italians in New Orleans in 1891. It’s the largest mass lynching in American history. The victims of the lynching had just been acquitted of murder charges when the local citizenry took it upon themselves to administer their own brand of justice. One of the principal organizers of the event was John Parker, who later became governor […]
Will the Water District Double-Down on Dumb?
Considering they’d been walloped by a court ruling the previous week, Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) General Manager Steve Knell and water attorney Tim O’Laughlin looked surprisingly confident when they arrived early for Tuesday night’s special board meeting. They were preceded by rumors on social media and elsewhere that O’Laughlin would use Judge Roger Beauchesne’s decision as an excuse to deny water to out-of-district applicants for OID surface water. Beauchesne had […]
State Double-Feature is for the Birds
Though it’s one of the most altered landscapes in the west, the northern San Joaquin Valley still retains remnants of its marvelous natural history. The most obvious are the winter flights of waterfowl, still numbering in the hundreds of thousands. But many of the Valley’s natural treasures, even some of the most spectacular, are hidden from all but a select few Valley residents and visitors. These hidden gems include common […]
Open Letter to Jeff Denham
Dear Congressman Denham: I received your questionnaire. Thank you for the opportunity to share my views on issues critical to our quality of life here in the San Joaquin Valley. As you know, we are one of the most multicultural regions in the United States and immigration is a key local issue. I’m glad you’ve inquired about it. I favor a pathway to citizenship for working immigrants. Like many others, […]
Valley Winners and Losers in Gas Tax
News Item: On April 6, California’s State Legislature Increases Taxes by $5.2 Billion per year through increases on gas tax and vehicle registration. The twelve cent higher gas tax was pushed through rapidly, before opposition could be mounted. In the long run, the additional money is expected to result in great overall economic benefit to the state. Some citizens will benefit more than others. In theory, everyone in the Valley wins. Every road in […]
Judge Calls Water District’s Bluff: “It is not even close.”
At one point during the conflict between the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) and the Oakdale Groundwater Alliance (OGA), Judge Roger Beauchesne scolded OID attorneys for their use of ad hominem tactics, reminding them that personal attacks are usually attempts to hide weak arguments. But it turns out personal attacks were all OID attorneys could offer when the district’s fallowing program was challenged under the authority of the California Environmental Quality […]
Mentally Ill: Modesto’s Tragedy is a Nation’s Tragedy
Modesto lost a piece of its heart last month. News that Hanibal Yadegar’s wife Evin had been shot in Ripon by a Stanislaus County Deputy Sheriff drove pangs of anguish deep into the core of a community that years ago learned to love the Yadegars and their downtown restaurant. If the Gallo Theater for the Arts is Modesto’s beating heart, Hanibal and Evin Yadegars’ Barkin’ Dog Grill is its heart’s […]