Archive for the 'Politics' Category

04
Nov

Election Results (and Whats Up With The Electoral College?)

Congrats President-Elect Barack Obama.

For Riverside County election results, check out voteinfo.net.  You can watch our county’s ballots being counted live on that site as well.   The thing about California is that our polls just closed an hour or so ago and we won’t really know the results for a while.

Do you want to know more about the election process?  Especially that pesky “Electoral College”?  Check out HowStuffWorks for articles on the Electoral College and the other election info.

Or watch the Schoolhouse Rock.  Schoolhouse Rock always answers my questions.

03
Nov

Where To Vote in Riverside County

Are you looking for your poling place?  Check out voteinfo.net for any information you need about tomorrow’s election, especially your voting location.   I will definitely have my eye on the election results.  I wanted to have an election watching party but it just didn’t work out.  I don’t know how that would worked anyway but I bet I could have gotten creative.  Hmmm…

Huffington Post has some Election Night games, including Presidential Trivia and Charades.   Of course there are drinking games also.  Whatever you do, go vote and then collect your free Starbucks, Ben & Jerry’s and Krispy Kreme.   Mmmm!

29
Oct

Early Voting until Monday

There will be early voting at the Registrar of Voters Office (2724 Gateway Dr.) until next Monday, November 3rd.  Of course, you can still vote at the Office on Election day as well.  You can vote on weekdays from 8 - 5 and on Saturday from 9 - 4.   You can also vote on R.O.V.E.R. the votemobile [cool votemobile schedule mashup].  I love the idea of voting on Election Day but why not vote early?

23
Oct

Early Voting At The Tyler Galleria

Between October 18th and 26th, you can vote early at the mall.   This is the perfect time to kill a few birds with one stone.  Avoid the long voting lines on November 4th and vote while you’re going out shopping or for a pint at the YardHouse.  The hours are Monday through Saturday 10 am to 7 pm; and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.

02
Oct

2008 Elections Vice Presidential Debate

Counting down the minutes to the Vice Presidential Debate.  I hope it is a good debate and we get answers to the tough questions.  I hope its not 90 minutes of discomfort, waiting for gaffes from Palin AND Biden and I hope no one is too easy or too hard on either candidate.  I am looking forward to watching.  

Where are the locals watching this?  During last week’s presidential debate, there was a Riverside Obama debate watching party at the Riverside Marriot.  I didn’t see anything for either party this week.

02
Oct

Register to Vote NOW!

Register to vote NOW if you haven’t already.

more about “Homer Votes Video“, posted with vodpod

26
Sep

2008 Election Presidential Debate #1

The debate will go on!  John McCain has agreed to debate Barack Obama tonight as originally planned.  Want to make it more fun?

Check out Twitter’s Election site to see real-time public opinion on the 2008 election - and throw your opinions in (as long as they are 140 characters or less) as well.  It’s addicting to watch all of the tweets scroll through.  People post their opinions, links to election related items and there’s even a drinking game centered around McCain and Obama related tweets.  Fun fun!

Play Presidential Debate Lingo.    It’s just like bingo but it’s related to candidate buzzwords such as global, Iraq, Alaska and crisis.

As long as we’re playing games - and drinking - why not play the Presidential Debate Drinking Game?  Get some Newcastle (my choice) and a few of your politically minded chums and give it a go.  There are a few to choose (here’s one more) from so pick wisely - or not.

So who won?  Discuss!

14
Sep

Why Tina Fey Will Never Be Seen In The Same Room As Sarah Palin

more about “Saturday Night Live - Palin / Hillary…“, posted with vodpod
Because they’re the same person!  (Bear with the ad in the beginning - its worth it!)
04
Sep

Mrs. Smith Goes To Washington

Did you watch the Sarah Palin’s VP candidate speech at RNC last night and what did you think?

31
Aug

Inland Delegates Attend Conventions

PE.com had two good articles about inland delegates attending the Democratic convention in Denver, Colorado and the G.O.P. convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Inland GOP delegates flock to convention site

For first-time Inland delegates, convention is life-changing experience

My daughter’s uncle is going to St. Paul as an alternate delegate.  What an exciting experience.  I wish she could go too.  She is making calls for her candidate and getting involved.  Go Jessi!

29
Aug

Another Exciting Moment In Politics! John McCain’s VP

McCain just announced his Vice Presidential running mate: Alaska Governor Sarah PalinI’m looking for a youtube of her acceptance speech right now.

Here is her speech:

28
Aug

Local News

Are you watching the Democratic National Convention?  It’s on all of the major networks plus CNN so chances are good you might be.  It’s a historic event and I’m watching it right now.  Democrat or Republican, it is a proud and exciting moment.  The Republican National Convention takes place in September.  There is a convention watching party in Riverside on September 4th.  Details or other locations can be found on gop.com.

Sheriff’s discovered a major marijuana garden outide of Hemet yesterday.  It was valued at $150 million and no arrests have been made.

A man was fatally shot at a gas station located at Tyler and Indiana (a Chevron) around 12:30 am this morning.  The cause of the shooting is unknown and the shooter is at large.

A naked guy at Mt. Rubidoux was freaking out joggers this morning.  Police responded and found him displaying bizarre behavior and brought him in for a 72 hour mental eval.

On a personal note, we had a party open house today at work to celebrate our help desk’s arrival to the building.  We bought all of the food and did all of the party planning and then invited the whole building.  They had a cake made for us.  Chocolate with strawberries.

22
Aug

Obama’s Vice President: Joe Biden

Fox News is reporting that they have confirmed that Joe Biden has been chosen as Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate.  They also state that Secret Service was seen going to his house earlier today and that Hillary was called earlier to let her know she wasn’t chosen,  It’s not suprising.  He was on the short list of running mates.  Did anyone sign up for the Obama text message that you can receive as soon as the vice presidential running mate is announced?  J said he wanted to sign up “for pop culture purposes” but was afraid that he’d get phone spammed.

Confirmed by MSNBC, which is broadcasting it as “Breaking News”

04
Jun

Welcome Mr. Democratic Candidate

It looks like we have our Democratic candidate - Mr. Barack Obama.   Are we going to see an Obama/Clinton ticket?  I don’t completely agree with either Obama or Clinton (or even McCain) but there’s a certain excitement about historic milestones we are seeing now and could be seeing down the road with either of them as our President and Vice President.  The idea of change, real change, is exciting.  “Thirst for change trumped Clinton’s experience”, reads one headline about Obama as the Democratic candidate.  Will thirst for change trump McCain?

Here are a couple of videos on the subject:

  Or maybe you’ve been rickrolled.

27
May

June 3rd Primary Elections: Where The **** Do I Vote?

The June 3rd primaries are a week away.  Are you ready to vote?  Do you even know what is at stake?  Find it all at the Riverside County Registrar of Voters webpage. Find your polling place and sample ballot by looking up your zipcode and street name.  If you vote by mail, you can now check the status of your ballot online.  Want to know what it takes to be an observer?

As I mentioned before, I am really excited because I will be doing my civic duty and participating on Election day AND Election night.  It’s not the presidential election but it is still important.  We have the 31st Senatorial district race, the 44th Congressional district race, state assembly, some judges and a couple of measures on eminent domain.

19
May

Election Countdown Begins!

Are you ready to vote? The next big election is just weeks away, on June 3rd. I am very excited about this election, not just because of my usual love for exercising my right to vote, but also because I will be participating in the process. I received a bulletin at work, asking for County employees who are User Support Technicians (PC techs) to volunteer for ballot counting. I signed up and went for training today at the Registrar of Voters office. We got a tour around the facility and learned what we will be doing on election night.

You can get involved too. First, register to vote. Second, work the polls on Election Day. (Or work the poles too if you’ve got the talent haw haw). Third, be an observer. Get involved with your candidate’s campaign. Do something. This is going to be an exciting year for elections so don’t let it pass you by and end up complaining about it when something doesn’t go the way you want it.

Today was the last day to register to vote for the June 3rd election, and hopefully you were able to register. If not, register for the November elections!

Open Letter to Joe: This message is to you,  who has never voted in your life but just registered this week - Do it, it’s fun! Your dad will be proud.  Jessi will be proud :)

More election news to come.

06
Apr

Meetups near Riverside, CA - Meetup.com

Want to meet and do stuff? Check out an extensive list of Meetups near Riverside.

30
Mar

Who Are Your Neighbors Supporting?

A map of Riverside campaign contributions, from The Huffington Post, shows that $717,243 was given by Riverside residents, with $367,870 from 276 people to Republicans and $349,373 from 311 people to Democrats.

18
Mar

Riverside For President: Meetups for Your Candidates

Who are you voting for? Where do you get involved locally for your candidate? I’m sure each major candidate has an office and active group in Riverside, but I thought I’d start by listing their meetup.com groups.

Republicans:

John McCain: What’s up with McCain? He has no local Meetup group, either in Riverside or anywhere else that I could find, and only 2 people wanting to start or join one. Are his supporters just not into the idea of an interweb meetup group?

Ron Paul: The Riverside Ron Paul 2008 Meetup group meets next on April 14th, and will be discussing their plans for distributing literature and DVDs at local post offices to people dropping off their tax returns on April 15th. (Good idea!) It looks like this is an active group, with regular meetings and lots of plans. By far, at least by appearances, the most active of the local meetup groups with 289 members.

Democrats:

Hillary Clinton: No Riverside Meetup group for Hil, but 34 people are looking for one in Riverside, so if you want to start one, you should.

Barack Obama: Barack also does not have a Riverside meetup group, but 47 people are looking for one. He does, however, have an Obama Campaign Meetup in San Bernardino. They don’t have any meetings coming up, but it looks like they had an active phone bank for Texas and Oklahoma primaries in February. They also must have a booth at the Redlands Market Night, from their description.

Next time, I’ll list their local offices and appearances and more information as the election draws nearer. And by the way, check out meetup.com’s Riverside meetups. Maybe you will find something you like!

18
Mar

Riverside News: Sloppy County Credit Card Use, Environmental Issues and MMJ

A new policy in Riverside County requires the Board of Supervisors approval for credit cards at stores such as Home Depot and Smart & Final, and the balances must be paid in full each month. An audit of nine County departments showed lack of proper documentation for purchases, failure to get Board or purchasing agent approval for credit cards, finance charges and late fees incurred, and “credit card use a little sloppy”. The departments audited (which did not include my department) were: IT, Child Support Services, Probation Department, the D.A.’s office, TLMA, Waste Management, Fire, Office on Aging and the Sheriff’s Department.

Environmentalists gathered in front of Supervisor John Tavaglione’s house Sunday to protest Tavaglione’s approval of warehouses which bring trucks and pollution to Mira Loma.  They would like a designated truck route that would divert trucks and commercial traffic from Mira Loma residential areas.

Palm Springs City Attorney Douglas Holland is proposing that the city allow medical marijuana co-ops, making Palm Springs one of the few cities in Riverside County to allow medical marijuana cooperatives.  Good news for Jude!

04
Mar

News: Derailed Trains & Rescued Kittens

A freight train derailed in Mecca last night, spilling a potentially hazardous substance.  The substance and the cause of the derailment are still under investigation.

A  kitten was rescued after being stuck between two walls near the Dean’s Office at UCR.  It had been stuck for four days and was either named Poe or Deana, depending on your news source (Pe.com or Fox 11 News).  After being rescued, it ran away.  Poor kitty.  It was probably scared and I hope it didn’t go right back into the wall.

The Sallie Mae’s “Paying for College Bus Tour” stops at Ramona High tonight, as part of its cross country tour to encourage low income students to pursue a college education. Sponsored by UCR and MTV, tonight’s stop will have a speaker, a complimentary dinner for students and parents and a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship.

The Riverside Unified School District Board voted to reverse its February decision to slash 154 full time positions.  They also voted to postpone their decision until April to close Grant Elementary school.  Grant Elementary is the oldest school in the Riverside Unified School District, and was built downtown in 1897.  The Board wants to close the school to save money.

On the homefront, I am home sick AGAIN today, suffering from bronchitis and a throat infection.  Add an earache and the beginnings of a headache to the mix and let me go back to sleep. I’ll be back later to discuss the primaries today.  McCain is expected to sweep.  It’s thiiiiis close between Obama and Hil.

26
Feb

Riverside News: Mostly Bad :(

The wrong-way accident on the 91 keeps getting worse, as if it could be any more terrible. One of the people killed was 5 months pregnant. God, be careful when you drive. We take so much for granted. I drive the 91 every day to work and home, between downtown and the mall, and so many things could happen in that stretch of highway. In fact, my friend CC just got hit by a drunk driver last weekend, I think near the Tyler exit. Hope you’re feeling better, Carol!

Riverside Unified is cutting 319 full time positions next school year and just rejected a deal that would have given teachers a 6 percent raise. This is due to the state funding cuts that seem to be affecting a lot of people, including where I work. The Fontana Unified School District, and probably a lot more, are expecting the same cuts.

McCain is rolling into the I.E. (actually its the desert but still Riverside County) next month for a fundraiser. It’s only $2,300 to get into the reception, but if you raise $25K or $50K you get the star treatment and take pictures with the Senator. Last year, McCain was at our own Cafe Sevilla, with tickets a mere $500. When’s Obama or Clinton coming to town? There’s a Downtown Riverside for Obama group so maybe he’ll pay a visit. Someone’s got to visit the Mission Inn.

Some ass stole 119 ballots at a Thermal polling place, which was just confirmed today. I wonder who they were for and if they would have made any kind of big difference. Their population is 25,917, of which 4,000 live in Duroville, a “legally dubious trailer park”. What’s a legally dubious trailer park? It sounds awful.

And last but not least, of the bad news for today, the damn ongoing meatpacking scandal. Banning Unified has joined everyone else and disposed their Westland Hallmark meat. Bleh.

Were you exposed to this bad beef? I’m almost scared to look at the list of Inland area places it was sent to. In fact, I’m going to ignore it and the Greater LA list and wish for the best. Congressional hearings began today on the scandal and a loophole that allows hurt or sick cows to be used for food. Absent? The president of the Hallmark meat packing plant in Chino. Boo!

Okay, I just had to look at the list for a second. Awww g’damn it, not Brandon’s and Zorbas!

14
Feb

Happy Valentine’s Day

I got up VERY late today and expected to see sunshine, cupids and couples strolling down Olivewood, hand-in-hand and just FEEL the love in the air. Not happening.

The Deaf School was locked down for a couple of hours; the Pentagon is about to shoot down a spy satellite (it’s ours and its broken); another college shooting; worries about a Valentine’s e-card virus, containing the Storm Worm, which no one has seen yet; and it’s 43 degrees with a chance of up to 40 mph winds. Brrrr.

Romney is now endorsing McCain (with Huck still running and defending a paid speech in the Caymans) and did you know that my neighbors in the 92506 zip code have contributed 71,725.00 in campaign contributions, with the majority (30.7 %) to Giuliani?

Breakdown by candidate »
30.7% Giuliani
21.9% McCain
23.7% Romney
3.5% Clinton
3.2% Edwards
8.7% Obama
0% Others
Total contributions from the 92506 ZIP code:
$71,751

Taken from the LA Times, check out your zip code too.

Okay, where’s all the sappy, cheery news? Has anyone done anything Valentinesy or something sweet? J went to Chipotle for me, and has practically waited hand and foot on me so I don’t have to walk anywhere. We’ll see what other acts of love Cupid sends to Riverside.

09
Feb

The Pros Are On the Run and Other News

Police conducted a sting of local area massage parlors, netting 11 arrests for suspected prostitution. If you’re looking for a legitimate massage, here are a few hints that your joint may not be kosher:

  • Scantily clad masseuses - the City has a specific dress code for masseuses that doesn’t include provisions for lace, leather, or any type of clamp. My colleague’s experience has been with a masseuse with Vickie’s shorts with “Pink” written across the butt.
  • Late night hours - would your dentist be open at midnight?
  • Wording on ads and windows that say “Full Relaxation” aka “happy ending”.
  • You’re asked if you want to shower before the massage.
  • Offerings of treatments such as “Thai Massage Chair” and “Body Shampoos”.
  • Floor to ceiling lace curtains on all windows.
  • Hot dames in school girl or nurse uniforms on their information pamphlets or flyers.

In other news:

Am I getting a tax rebate? I just got my tax return yesterday (8 days from filing - w00t!) and it’s already almost gone. I could use one of those. I promise I won’t pay off debts with it. I’ll put it right back into the Riverside economy!

Want a pet? - find it in Petfinder (for Riverside, CA). J wants a mini-horse or pot bellied pig. Not. Our dog Ruby would probably eat it and I think J just wants the pig for a luau.

Heading out for some yardsale-ing and to check out the Riverside Farmer’s Market. Maybe we’ll catch “In Bruges”. Cya.

07
Feb

Political News - Election Results for Riverside in a Nutshell

Romney stopped campaigning for President as of this morning. That leaves McCain with his 707 delegates as of Super Tuesday. The race between Obama and Clinton could be decided by super-delegates, which Joe Baca, Feinstein and Boxer are.

All I really wanted to know Wednesday morning was what happened to Measure A - the crowing rooster measure. I voted yes and so did everyone else. What this means is that you rooster peeps living in residential agricultural and residential conservation zones can only have up to seven crowing roosters, which you have to keep in a sound reducing structure 100 feet plus from your neighbors. I don’t think that’s too terrible unless you have a huge cock fighting ring growing in your back yard, like our neighbors in Glen Avon did. They are probably shaking a fist in anger right now. Or they don’t care.

If you want the full results, check them out in the pe.com. We inland empire’rs (?) preferred Hil to Barack and John to Mitt. Ralph Nader, whom I thought wasn’t running anymore, did the best in the Peace & Freedom party. If there were any more parties, I didn’t look.

Props 94 - 97 all passed. I hope this means an even bigger pool area for Morongo, which already has the best pool/bar area that I know of.

05
Feb

I Voted - Did You?

I just finished voting at the Unity Church on Elizabeth St. The pollworkers there ARE the best. They explained everything clearly and were very helpful and pleasant. Voting was remarkably easy this year. No dangling chads. No confusing electronic voting. Just a black pen line connecting two black splotches to signify your vote.

Here are some photos:


04
Feb

Last minute voting stuff for Riverside residents

Don’t know where to vote? First, look up your zip code, then street and address. It will give you your polling place, which mine happens to be at the Unity Church. The sample ballot and and instructional pamphlet, which I didn’t get for some reason, have all the details. For up to the minute election information, check out CNN’s Election 2008 Primaries and Delegates Center or 2008 Election on Yahoo.

Don’t forget to vote!!

30
Jan

Riverside County Election for Dummies

One week to go and do you know what/wt ho you are voting for? For a little assistance, take a gander at the County of Riverside Elections site and start putting your voting thinking caps on.

Ways you can get involved:

  • Volunteer to be a poll worker or inspector. Actually, it’s not even volunteer work. You get paid for that, and you especially make out swell if you’re a government worker because you get the $90 fee and your normal day’s pay. My co-worker does it every election and it’s a long days worth of work but if you work with a good group of people then it could be a fun and responsible way to spend a day.
  • Get to know your Board of Supervisors. Who are they and what do they do and what do they believe in? Are they representing you well or voting in favor of stuff that doesn’t feel right to you? If you don’t know, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself. Check ‘em out. The same thing could be said about your Reps. Get to know them too.
  • Register to vote. What? You didn’t yet and now you’re wishing you had? Tsk tsk. The primaries are so important but you have plenty of time for the actual elections so register now. For every registration you do I get $7.00 so please… just kidding. I wish. Register anyway. I know this one guy who has never voted before. He’s the sexiest cat too but it takes a way a wee sexiness from him knowing he isn’t going to vote. Don’t let this happen to you, men! Register and wear one of those little flag stickers that say, “I voted!” You could end up in the sack with an impressionable gal or guy.
  • Know your candidates. Don’t just choose based on a cute name or someone who sounds “adorable”. I Heart Huckabee could be catchy but 4 years from now you could be thinking, “I never hearted this fool and I wish he were gone”.
  • If you moved and didn’t update your address, don’t fear! If you are registered in the County of Riverside, and have moved without updating your voter registration record, please call the Registrar of Voters office immediately so that we may assist you in the necessary procedure for updating your record and provide you with instructions on where you will vote. For more information please call (951) 486-7200. Very accommodating, don’t you think?
  • Vote early and vote by mail. If you’re too busy on the 5th, vote early or send in your vote.

I don’t know what else I could do for you except go with you and attend to your dangling chads or push some buttons for you. I’ll do what I can to put some of the local issues (yah, what *IS* up with the Indian Gaming stuff - I have no clue yet) and my humble opinions. Go vote! Early and often ;)




 

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