Ventura County Democratic activist Brian Leshon was appointed to a state party committee to continue his work with internet technologies. If you are a Democrat thinking of running for local office you should reach out to activists like him that have access and training with online organizing.

Click on continue reading for the press release.

Kevin Costner.

The White House has been answering questions and comments using Twitter from people that want to discuss the debt ceiling. I think it is great that Barack Obama's administration is using a vareity of tools to communicate directly with the American people. But check out what happens when someone sends this message:

"This WH correspondence briefing isn't nearly as entertaining as yesterday's."

In response the White House Rick Rolls them.

I am glad they can keep a sense of humor during the dent ceiling debate. I wonder how Fox news can make it sound ominous.

This video is from the protest outside Rep. Elton Gallegly's office calling on him to vote for a package deal that includes spending cuts and tax increases. The interviewer asks what candidates the Tea Party counter protestor would like to see run to replace Rep. Elton Gallegly.

Gallegly hasn't announced his plans but with redistricting forcing him to make a tough decision to potentially run against Republican Buck McKeon or to run in a new Ventura County based district that is much more competitive I won't be surprised if he retires.

He isn't acting much like a candidate. He doesn't hold townhall meetings like every other legislator from this region. What is your prediction? Is he retiring?

Ventura County Democratic activist Brian Leshon won an award from his political party for his use of technology. Click on continue reading for the press release.

Which local elected official do you respect for their use of technology?

Simi Valley City Council Member Mike Judge uses Facebook to report on his official duties on the council and to share his opinions on national politics. I often disagree with his posts but I like that he is accessible and responds to the comments of others. Mike, don't let your Tea Party friends know I gave you some compliments, they might think we are both funded by Moveon.org George Soros! Mike, thanks for being accessible. Now stop watching Fox News so much.

I have been watching the potential candidates for the next cycle quietly adding many activists to their friends list on Facebook. Social networks locally haven't been the focus of changing minds of voters but they sure have brought dedicated partisans together.

I am posting more local politician lookalikes. This is Harbor Commissioner and maybe legislative candidate Jason Hodge. Does he look a little like John Mayer to you?

Click here , here, and here for previous lookalike entries.

I have been very impressed by Ventura County Star Reporter Timm Herdt's articles on redistricting.

His recent article shows there is a possibility that Democratic State Senator Fran Pavley will be running against Republican State Senator Tony Strickland.

Pavley and Strickland are both supported by the activist bases of their parties. It would be an expensive and exciting election.

Rep. Buck McKeon is hosting an event for women. Click on continue reading for details.

I haven't seen a local Republican legislator involved in an event like this and I am wondering what inspired it. Is it because progressives have argued that Republicans have declared a War on Women?

This is another example of why I think Rep. Buck McKeon would be a stronger candidate in a battle between him and Rep. Elton Gallegly. He uses social media to share what he is doing and he holds regular townhall meetings.

Contest: Where did Rep. Buck McKeon get the stock image above from? Post a link in the comments section.

I am having a Words With Friends contest with my readers.

Here are the rules:

1. The person that scores the highest against me will win the grand prize. There will be other prizes too.

2. All games must be completed by August 7th.

3. My user name is briandennert

4. I won't post people that I beat. But don't worry I am not that good at the game anyways.

5. You can try as many times as you want.

I will post who is currently winning from time to time.

The prizes will include free ads on my blog. Bring it on.

Tea Party People in Ventura are mad at their city for putting parking meters in parts of their town. They have gathered signatures and it is going on the ballot.

I don't have a strong opinion on the parking meters in Ventura. If the people of Ventura want them or want to remove them that is totally up to them and should be a local issue.

I do think the best time to oppose them was before they were installed. Much of the opposition seems to have developed after the city paid for them and they were operating.

The arguments from both sides seem simple enough.

Opponents argue parking meters are another form of taxation and hurt local businesses as customers are less likely to shop when they have to pay for parking.

Supporters argue it helps businesses because there is more available parking when people limit how long they park for and the parking meters help fund law enforcement.

Both have decent arguments.

But some people have to bring in extremes to make their case. Local Tea Party people are bringing up the United Nations and Agenda 21.

The video above brings up phrases that are suspect including "Green" , "Infill", and "Sustainable" that supporters of Agenda 21 are trying to use to control us. I call the use of words like sustainable and infill good planning.

In related Agenda 21 versus Tea Party People in Florida are protesting against protections for Manatees because they believe it is a part of a global UN conspiracy to control our lives.

I believe it is to protect Manatees. Maybe if the harbors Manatees and people shared just had parking meters the United Nations plot would be complete!

The Ventura County Democratic Campaign Council is hosting another pizza and movie night. I haven't seen Casino Jack yet but the preview is compelling.

What's your favorite political documentry? My top choice is Street Fight. It shows the power of incumbency as Cory Booker runs for Mayor. I am a huge Cory Booker fan.

Here is the information for the pizza and movie night:

"Casino Jack and the United States of Money"

July 15. Doors open at 6:30 for food, drinks and mingling with the movie starting at 7 p.m.
VCDP Headquarters, 1760 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
"Casino Jack and the United States of Money" is the story of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. This is not the theatrical movie with Kevin Spacey.
Sponsored by the Democratic Campaign Council of Ventura County
For more information, contact Brian Leshon at BLeshon@venturacountydemocrats.com

I am interested in a few of these movies but not The Mormon Proposition. I might get around to watching it but from the previews it seems to blame a group instead of convincing more people that we need equal treatment under the law for gay people.

Take a guess where in Simi Valley I took this picture.

You can submit your own pictures by emailing me.

Click here for the archives.

The Democratic Campaign Council of Ventura County is holding a training and panel discussion on how to earn media coverage. This would be a great event for potential candidates and their staff members to meet local activists.

Here are the details:

Training for Candidates, Clubs and Committees
July 9 at 1 p.m.
VCDP Headquarters, 1760 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Guest speakers: Tony Biasotti, contributor to the the Ventura County
Star; and Michael Sullivan, Editor of the Ventura County Reporter. More
panelists may be included.
Sponsored by the Democratic Campaign Council of Ventura County
For more information, contact Brian Leshon at BLeshon@venturacountydemocrats.com

Attack ads like this are among the many reasons Americans lose interest in politics.

Republicans who don't want to raise the debt ceiling (to pay for the budget they passed) without cuts to Medicare are attacking Rep. Lois Capps for allegedly cutting Medicare.

There is a difference between cutting expenses and cutting benefits. But attack ads don't have time for nuance.

What is really significant about this ad is that Republicans in Washington DC seem to be preparing for a much closer election against Rep. Lois Capps this time. So far Republican Abel Maldonado has been preparing to run. Have you heard of any other potential candidates? I wonder if Mike Stoker is thinking seriously of running. The district lines are expected to be final in August.

I don't know if Abel Maldonado will be able to attract enough Republican support after upsetting conservative activists for compromising on the budget.

( Fran Pavley speaking at a previous event.)

State Senator Fran Pavley is helping a new group of women supporting women involved in politics. She is speaking at the official launch of their group. They plan to be influential by endorsing candidates and helping them with their campaigns. Click on continue reading for more details.

On a related note I don't like when politicians add gender to their title. It is cumbersome and doesn't reflect the office they were elected to hold. It also defines the norm for the position in a gender specific way.

It is a group of Assembly Members, not Assemblymen and Assemblywomen. They didn't get elected to the position of Assembly Man.

We call our law enforcement officers by the respectful term of Police Officer. We no longer use the term fireman as often as we use the term Firefighter.

The expectations we impress on young children includes the language we use to describe roles in society.

I don't want young girls limiting themselves because they don't envision someone that is like them being a leader.

If you don't agree with me please start adding gender in useless ways to all sorts of occupations. Start with bloggerman, bankerwoman, Senator Man, Marine Woman, Pilot Man, Computer Woman, Doctor Man and Chef Man to start. Feel free to add your on.