This election year marks a crucial moment in world history. America’s attempt to create a nation based on our original motto — e pluribus unum — is under siege. While it’s easy to understand nationwide dissatisfaction with both political parties, we shouldn’t ignore that one of those parties has endorsed totalitarianism and is engaged in a slow motion coup that could upend our long effort toward equal opportunity and justice […]
Politics
Congressman Tom McClintock: Worst Representative Ever?
One only needs to read House Representative Tom McClintock’s newsletters to realize how useless he is to the nation, his district, and his constituents. Now that he is up for re-election this year, he has started sending out newsletters extolling his accomplishments after months of silence. Reading and analyzing the newsletter, one may readily discern that what he is doing is either meaningless or counter to what is in the […]
Will Support for Mike Johnson Hurt Valley Republicans?
After weeks of dysfunction, House Republicans finally approved a Speaker to replace Kevin McCarthy, the San Joaquin Valley Congressman who could never apply the enormous power of the Speaker’s position because he couldn’t appease the party’s MAGA extremists. McCarthy was ousted after a fevered House minority wouldn’t abide his decision that it was more important to fund our government during this time of world crisis than bow to the demands […]
Homeless: Modesto Council Rejects Safe Ground
At a special meeting of the Modesto City Council on Friday, October 20, Councilmembers rejected a motion to direct staff to study safe sleeping sites for managing homelessness. The vote was four to three. Approximately 100 people turned out for the event, and public support for the proposal was overwhelming. As Councilmember Eric Alvarez noted, no member of the public spoke against the proposal. Opponents of the proposal made questionable […]
Mayor and Council Right to Silence Hate Speech
During public testimony at the September 26 meeting of the Modesto City Council, speakers using Zoom technology uttered racial slurs and voiced support for Adolph Hitler. Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen silenced those speakers. She was right to do so. The speakers using Zoom during the Modesto Council meeting were part of a coordinated effort throughout northern California to promote fascism and white supremacy. They interrupted public meetings under cover of […]
Should Tom McClintock Retire From Congress?
When Congressman Tom McClintock’s district was redrawn two years ago, the area he serves substantially shifted. Within the newly drawn boundaries, the needs of his constituents are different. As a result, the Congressman is out of touch with voters he represents. Mr. McClintock has been intermittently sending out email newsletters to those who signed up for them. The purpose of the newsletters should be to inform his constituents as to how […]
Three U.S. Senate Candidates Appear At Harder Family Picnic
Saturday, August 26, 2023, three candidates for U.S. Senate appeared at Congressman Josh Harder’s family picnic, held on the grounds of the Albert Lindley House in Stockton, California. Representatives Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff seek the same seat to represent California. All three appear well qualified and deserving of a place in the U.S. Senate. As Josh Harder remarked, California should have three positions open in the Senate […]
Gray Duarte Rematch for 24
Former California Assemblyman Adam Gray announced Wednesday, August 9, that he will run again for Congress against Hughson nurseryman and farmer John Duarte. In 2022, Gray lost to Duarte by fewer than 600 votes. It was the second closest race in the nation. 2022 was a non-presidential election year. Such years tend to feature lower turnouts and favor Republicans. The upcoming election could be determined by two factors, the expected […]
Illegal Fireworks are Out of Control says Former Councilmember
In an ordinary year, the Modesto Police Department issues between 10 and 20 citations for fireworks violations. This year, 45 citations were issued on the night of July 4 alone. Firefighters and police responded to 274 calls in the twenty-four hour period between 7am July 4 and 7am July 5, including 65 fires. Below, former Modesto City Councilmember Bruce Frohman argues that we need stricter regulations or an outright ban […]
“We need to do more,” said Supervisor Grewal to Homeless Advocates
Wednesday, June 28, Stanislaus County Supervisor Mani Grewal said he is supportive of safe sleeping sites for homeless people during a meeting with the Modesto Citizens Action Group (MoCag), a rapidly growing coalition of local citizens promoting Tier One housing and shelter options for people with nowhere to go. The meeting took place at Stanislaus County Supervisors’ offices at 1010 10th Street in Modesto. “Having a safe place to sleep […]