The Simi Valley Acorn has an update about the Hannah-Beth Jackson supporters who filed a complaint against Assemblymember Audra Strickland's Chief of Staff for the trouble that happened outside of the fundraiser for Tony Strickland that Mitt Romney spoke about.

Read the story here before you comment.

The story also mentions that Audra Strickland's suspension of her Chief of Staff was not immediate after when she announced it last month but instead started this month.

I think the most accurate quote in the article ( the portion about it being a slow process) was from Jack Phillips:

"The wheels of justice are going," Phillips said. "It's a slow process, but hopefully we'll have some justice done."

The process is often very deliberate and slow. I feel that the longer it takes the more confidence we should have that the police have conducted a thoughtful investigation to arrive at the truth.

But I am divided.

I also want the case to be dealt with expeditiously so that the campaign can focus on campaign finance, the state budget, the environment, education funding and other critical issues.

I am not excusing his behavior. I agree with Assemblymember Strickland that he showed poor judgment. I expect Audra Strickland to stay loyal to a long time friend, employee, and supporter. That is why I am glad she took some responsibility in admitting he displayed poor judgment. He should have been standing with the main group of people there to support Tony Strickland by the hotel, not down the street.

Nor am I saying this is not a serious issue.

Of about 100 protesters total almost all of them were peaceful. It would have been much easier if both groups stayed apart from each other and the Republican group didn't try to claim the whole sidewalk. In the future, would it be that hard to call each other? If a politician claims they will work with people across the aisle to pass major legislation how hard would it be to make a call and work it out before hand?

Thank you to everyone that came out to support their cause and stayed respectful.

I am curious if any member of the press asked the Strickland camp if the accusations about calling people Unamerican and other names is true. There was wild name calling going all around from both sides once the shoving had happened.

For all sides it would be best not to make them wait for months before announcing the results. I am sure the people that asked the police to investigate and Assemblymember Audra Strickland's Chief of Staff all want it dealt with as quickly as can be done. This whole "fracas" ( my favorite word to describe it from Star reporter Teresa Rochester) is hanging over the heads of many people waiting to see what will happen. For all of their sakes I want it resolved soon.

This is being covered on other blogs too.

Click here for Flap's blog
Click here for Blogabarbara
Click here for Political Watch Central Coast.

Anyone that feels they owe someone an apology should do it. Maybe if Tony Strickland's campaign apologized and chipped in towards the medical bills for the man that was hurt they could all move forward. It is amazing what a heart felt apology can do in this world. But if people are truly wronged it is unreasonable to expect them to forgive and move forward if you keep denying responsibility.

It would be really cool if Hannah-Beth Jackson and Tony Strickland called each other to work it out on behalf of their supporters. I know the chances are slim, but they have to be better than balancing the state budget without massive tax increases or massive spending cuts, yes? When I see either of them again I won't ask what was talked about but I will ask if they picked up the phone.

Feel free to call me naive.

But if the Strickland campaign feels they did nothing wrong I guess the justice system will grind its heavy and slow gears before issuing an opinion.

Anyone agree with me? Should they call each other?

Here is the story in The Star today in PDF format ( It is not a Rick Roll). If you see it online please post the URL.

angeles story.pdf

( Rep. Gallegly arguing on behalf of the troop surge.)

There is a new Ventura County based blog devoted to ending the war in Iraq. The war is not very popular in public opinion polls but yet the level of activism against the war has been pretty subdued.

Has your position on the war shifted since the start or run up to the war in 2003?

Click here to see their blog.

Click on continue reading to see details about their next event.

If you plan on going please send in a brief write up and a few photos afterwards.

On a related note watch this John McCain campaign ad:

Did you catch what shirt the woman at the end was wearing? Watch it again before you click here.

Did you see it the first time? Do you think it is really what it looks like?

( Moorpark City Councilmember Keith Millhouse)

This article in The Acorn by Sylvie Belmond puts Keith Millhouse and Peter Foy at opposite ends of the environmental spectrum.

Keith Millhouse believes he should set a good example and that battling climate change will help us as a nation. Keith was quoted as saying " Someone has to take the lead in establishing some environmental leadership."

Peter Foy disagrees with pretty much every peer reviewed climate change study when he says the science isn't proven. He was quoted as saying " "They say global warming is a fact but I'm not sure we have the exact science to allow us to make a conclusive decision". The science that the climate is changing is proven. Even the Bush administration agrees. The only thing left to debate is what part of it is caused by humans. Of course, maybe the article quoted Peter Foy wrong. Maybe he really said climate change is proven, but the causes are not. If so, I expect him to request a correction for the confusion.

Cars can be political choices. We choose between buying American and buying imports ( which are often made in America!). We choose between different MPG ratings which influences our foreign policy. ( BTW, check out this latest American advance in hybrid cars. GO DETROIT!)

I see it as a mark of patriotism to try to wean America off of foreign oil. With that in mind Keith Millhouse, you have earned my respect.

Peter Foy, as a conservative Republican I didn't expect you to believe we should do something about global warming. But don't worry I haven't given up on you coming around. I promise, I won't call you a flip flopper or anything. I have been wrong about a few positions I have taken, and I am willing to admit it. Join up with some popular Republicans like John McCain and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Hey, even George W. Bush's administration now admits to some degree of human influenced climate change!

Mary Pallant (who briefly ran for the Democratic nomination for CA-24 for the right to take on Elton Gallegly) is bringing some speakers to Ventura County to talk about national politics. So far the agenda includes Writer Robert Scheer, Joe Wilson, and WMD's Inspector Scott Ritter.

What questions should audience members ask these three speakers? I am most interested to see what Joe Wilson and Scott Ritter talk about.

Click on continue reading for details.

Here is a documentary from The History Channel about Rocketdyne. Some people think it only impacts The Knolls, but the pollution is thought to be in the groundwater of the floor of our valley.

If you are a part of any Boeing/Rocketdyne activist group, please post any information about upcoming meetings or events. Also, when you leave a message in the box that says URL put a link back to your website.

The Green Party of Ventura County is organizing an activist center in downtown Ventura. if you would like to help them click on continue reading.

( Editor's note: Ralph Nader is a symbol of The Green Party although he refused to join.)

Is the Green Party an outright faction within the Republican Party? Republicans organize, fund, and run their campaigns to change the outcomes of elections. Pretty much any person that pays attention to politics would admit that except for some real extremists that have listened to themselves so long they believe the lies coming out of their own mouths.

Now it seems Haliburton is funding a Green candidate in a pivotal campaign that could be the key to which party controls the senate. In fact almost his entire campaign was paid for by supporters of the incumbant Republican senator. I respect ( even if I don't agree with) with The Green Party's issues, but I can't respect their lack of honesty. Their average voter is a caring, dedicated activist. But their party leadership has cozy relationships with the people they pretend to attack during their campaigns.

I would tell you to call and ask him questions, but as of yet Republicans haven't bought him a phone.