Since summer is upon us, or at least the June through August school holiday that I still associate with summer, I thought that instead of a traditional Monday morning commentary I would offer a summer reading list. The books I’ve listed below, in no particular order, are those that I would think anyone who is interested in practical politics would be interested in rubbing their eyes against.

PLUNKITT OF TAMMANY HALL by Riordon. The classic American book on politics, it doesn’t get much straighter than Tammany District Leader Plunkitt’s ‘series of very plain talks on very practical politics’. While many aspects of what is considered savory, or legal, have changed, much has stayed the same, including Plunkitt’s observation’s that politics are based on personal loyalties, or that many businessman or good government reformers tend to fail because they fail to learn the business and practice of politics.

TRIBES ON THE HILL by Weatherford. ‘Tribes’ looks at the ‘rituals and realities’ of the United States Congress, often in comparison to various tribal governments.… Read More

Since summer is upon us, or at least the June through August school holiday that I still associate with summer, I thought that instead of a traditional Monday morning commentary I would offer a summer reading list. The books I’ve listed below, in no particular order, are those that I would think anyone who is interested in practical politics would be interested in rubbing their eyes against.

PLUNKITT OF TAMMANY HALL by Riordon. The classic American book on politics, it doesn’t get much straighter than Tammany District Leader Plunkitt’s ‘series of very plain talks on very practical politics’. While many aspects of what is considered savory, or legal, have changed, much has stayed the same, including Plunkitt’s observation’s that politics are based on personal loyalties, or that many businessman or good government reformers tend to fail because they fail to learn the business and practice of politics.

TRIBES ON THE HILL by Weatherford. ‘Tribes’ looks at the ‘rituals and realities’ of the United States Congress, often in comparison to various tribal governments.… Read More

In between the City of SD’s Ethics Commission and the County DA’s Public Integrity Unit — throw in a few others for good measure— the fun never stops in Sunny San Diego.

A couple of the week’s examples:

DA unit investigates alleged public corruption

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

In between the City of SD’s Ethics Commission and the County DA’s Public Integrity Unit — throw in a few others for good measure— the fun never stops in Sunny San Diego.

A couple of the week’s examples:

DA unit investigates alleged public corruption

Ethics Commission fine

Ever since Duke Cunningham, San Diego Stripper-Gate, Nick "Slum-Lord" Inzunza of National City, and just about everything former Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla stuck his paws on, nearly everyone else in the County wants to be the leader ofrooting out all evil. To be sure, that’s not a bad thing, it’s just hard to keep track of who exactly is doing the investigations nowadays.

Count as part of this group of caped crusaders at least two — maybe three — separate entities in the City of San Diego alone (including the Ethics Commission and City Attorney Mike Aguirre, who also believes he was born to investigate the former), DA Bonnie Dumanis,… Read More

At one of his recent outreach events, Jerry McNerney (the same guy who changed his position on 55 issues on an issue questionnaire in the last campaign) threw in to support President Bush’s perspective when he landed on the carrier with the sign that has been a rallying point for leftists against the war in Iraq that stated "Mission Accomplished."

McNerney boldly stated "The war in Iraq has been won" in a recent edition of the Escalon Times when talking with local constituents. I’m sure the President feels better he has won over a West Point drop-out.

McNerney’s ability to put his foot in his mouth will continue to enhance Republican opportunities to regain this seat. The other interesting factor that blowhards like California Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres conveniently ignore when they cheap shot Republican candidates who declare for this race is that McNerney is starting to run away from the leftists who threaten his only chance to hold a job for more than two years. Even better, this is continued evidence that this district has not "Gone Liberal" as the lefty spinners like to feed to the media in the… Read More

At one of his recent outreach events, Jerry McNerney (the same guy who changed his position on 55 issues on an issue questionnaire in the last campaign) threw in to support President Bush when he landed on the carrier with the sign that has been a rallying point for leftists against the war in Iraq that stated "Mission Accomplished."

McNerney boldly stated "The war in Iraq has been won" in a recent edition of the Escalon Times when talking with local constituents.

McNerney’s ability to put his foot in his mouth will continue to enhance Republican opportunities to regain this seat. The other interesting factor that blowhards like Art Torres won’t say when they cheap shot Republican candidates who declare for this race is that McNerney is starting to run away from the leftists who threaten his only chance to hold a job for more than two years. After his recent vote against the Magovern bill that infuriated his nutjob blogger base in Berkeley and now this, McNerney’s ability to hold his lunatic fringe while actually trying to reflect the views of a district grounded in reality continue to make him the dream opponent for any… Read More

Weknow there are 1,432 voting Members of the Republican State Central Committee, a.k.a. the California Republican Party (CRP). But since geography in our thousand mile long state can tell you quite a bit aboutpeople’s political interests and alliances, just where do those people live? I broke itdown by county and by the CRP’s oddly configured "regions", and the results are revealing. Only three counties have more than 100 Members. Another 17 counties have at least 20 Members. These "Top Twenty" counties have 1,103 of the 1,432 Members, or a whopping 77% of the total vote. The three southern California coastal counties of Los… Read More

Millions upon millions of criminal aliens are living in the United States, in violation of our laws. President Bush and some Senators of both parties have proposed a massive amnesty proposal that would grant legal status to all of these people.

If you think, like I do, that this is a terrible idea, then let your Congressmen know. Also, if you are a GOPer, then contact the RNC right away. The titular Chairman of the Republican National Committee is Florida Senator Mel Martinez. Tell the RNC that you are watching the Senator’s vote, and expect swift action on the part of RNC leaders if Martinez votes for the amnesty plan. (Frankly, as our party’s leader, he should be leading the fight against this bad bill.)

I am going to contact my Congressman, John Campbell, right now!

I am a supporter of LEGAL immigration. But not legitimizing scofflaws who disrespect this country by violating her laws to be here.… Read More