Very strange. Some folks are not happy that Tony Strickland would not speak to a political organization, recently set up for political purposes.
Yet Democrat nominee against Strickland, Hannah Jackson, refuses to meet with the Santa Barbara Taxpayers Association, an organization formed in 1956--52 years ago.
The issue was to be taxes, and she did not want to answer the same questions on tax policy as her opponent, at the same time, as her opponent.
Below is the press release sent by the organization.
Katie Teague, the founder, president and main spokesperson of the recently formed political group said this about Strickland not appearing before her organization, "Tony Strickland has kind of shot himself in the foot - if he won't even do a forum, he can't expect to get a better than "Not Favorable" from CAPC."
Looks like Hannah Jackson, to use Teague's words, shot herself in the foot. This was not done at a recently formed political group, but before a long time, well established, credible organization.
But, then, how could she explain her votes on tax increases?
Here is the press release:
HANNAH BETH JACKSON TURNS DOWN INVITATION TO DEBATE
TONY STRICKLAND AT TAXPAYERS' FORUM
(Buellton) On Thursday, September 11, the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association (SBCTA) hosted State Senate Candidate Tony Strickland. Both candidates in the high-profile race to replace Senator Tom McClintock were invited to attend and participate in a forum. But only Tony Strickland chose to accept the invitation. Strickland used the opportunity to discuss his vision and ideas and take questions.
"With an ongoing state budget crisis and energy crisis as well as the slowing economy being the key issue facing California today, the SBCTA planned to use this important opportunity to ask some tough questions of both candidates", said Executive Director Joe Armendariz. "I was both surprised and disappointed that Hannah-Beth wasn't willing to set aside an hour to address these important issues with the members of the Association."
"There are families here in Santa Barbara that are finding it hard to make ends meet with the high price of gas, groceries and other basic necessities," says SBCTA Past President Jan Evans. "Needless to say, we were disappointed that Hanna-Beth Jackson decided not to participate in the forum."
The SBCTA was founded in 1956 and represents the interests of families, individuals and small, medium and large businesses throughout Santa Barbara County. For over fifty years, SBCTA has been a steady voice of reason in the public policy arena and brings reason based on expertise and impartial analysis to public policy issues. The Association has consistently represented taxpayers by examining important community concerns and urging lawmakers to responsibly manage the fiscal affairs of local government.
The organization is probably right wing nutjob or I am sure HBJ would have attended. These right wing nutjobs are so far to the right that they make Ronald Reagan look liberal.
Mike Gibson (Mr. Santa Barbara County himself) is a member of this organization. What does that tell you?
Who's the nutjob? jw1 says the same thing in every post.
seriously its ok for Jackson to dodge Strickland but wrong for him to avoid an ambush. Typical leftist double standard.
It did not work into her schedule. HBJ was scheduled to attend the Gap Fire Forum in Santa Barbara that night. It was 9/11, the day to honor firefighters. The taxpayers forum would not provide an alternate date.
Firefighters: Thanks for the info. Yes it was 9/11 and I should have recognized it was just because of a schedule conflict.
Damien Cooper: People like you are extremist nuts who support a PRO TOXIC DUMPING nutjob airhead like Strickland.
see what I mean
jw,
you sling the nutjob and rightwing labels around quite a bit, and are apparently sitting on evidence that Tony Strickland supports polluting? Maybe you can enlighten all of us with some facts to back up your assertions. Maybe you could direct us to some insightfull news articles, some key legislation or votes thereon, that would put us all squarely in the "koolaid" column, and firm up your name slinging with some credible information. Pick any topic, bring some facts, and educate us. How about it, jw? Are you up for a discussion about the issues? No labels, just facts.
Okay, now there are TWO of us. JW1 is right; the SBCTA is a bunch of rightwing nutjobs. And "Right Wingers All the Way" says that Mike Gibson is "Mr. Santa Barbara County himself?" I LIVE in SB county and I've never heard of the guy (but then I've only lived here for 24 years). I had to google him to learn he's the business manager of the SB Co parks department! Knowing the way the No-Taxers work, if they ever got their way and stopped paying taxes, county parks would be the first cut. Nice going, Mike. The SBCTA is a north county group formed in the same conservative crucible of the 1950s that brought us Sen. Joe McCarthy and Robert Welch & the John Birch Society. The SBCTA is not well-regarded in SBC and it's no surprise that HBJ would have better things to do on (ah hem!) the anniversary of 9/11 than to grace that group with her presence.
trying to tie the Santa Barbara taxpayers Association to the John Birch Society, on the basis both were founded around the same time is the worst sort of McCarthism ever. Did you know that Planned Parenthood operated in the 1950's as well? Does that mean PP is a right wing organization tied to the JBS?
You are right, those that believe the power to tax is not used enough have no respect for the SBTA--these folks also have no respect for families or freedom. Just because you prefer government to families does not make you right, just makes you insecure and fearful of being free.
I have no problem if you want higher taxes--you can pay more to government. Just allow my family alone.
FACT: Hannah Beth did not attend the event on SEPTEMBER 11 because she had a schedule conflict and the tax group REFUSED TO TRESCHEDULE.
Way to copy what someone else said and then state it as fact. Typical... Thursday’s forum was the first of several planned meetings to discuss winter preparations in the area. Local, state and federal officials lined up to talk to the community at San Marcos High School on Thursday evening about winter preparations in the wake of the Gap Fire. The next one will be from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Goleta Valley Junior High School, and another from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Goleta Valley Community Center. The group discussed their various roles as emergency responders in the Gap Fire, from the front lines to the suburbs.
So stop using 9/11 as an excuse as to why she dodged the debate there were others she could of gone to. She should always honor the firefighters not just on 9/11. What a fraud!
sbRick,
You are correct. Mike Gibson works for Santa Barbara County Parks, but he's also an ally of Strickland's. His primary allegiance is to the Stricklands and the Republican Party.
He was also a co-founder of the California Taxpayers Protection Committee, which is another right-wing Republican group that's been funneling money to the Strickland campaign from the insurance industry.
So Flamo Mike Gibson complains about Democrats wasting the taxpayers money. All the time while posting hateful posts on political blogs while he is at work. I am sure there are rules about internet use and political activities during work hours at the Santa Barbara Parks Department. Perhaps his boss and Human Resources needs to be informed of his activities. It seems to me that if he were a Democrat he would be the kind of person he complains about, how hypocritical. Flamo is wasting taxpayers money and Stephen Frank should disassociate himself from him if he has any principals.
So Flamo Mike Gibson complains about Democrats wasting the taxpayers money. All the time while posting hateful posts on political blogs while he is at work. I am sure there are rules about internet use and political activities during work hours at the Santa Barbara Parks Department. Perhaps his boss and Human Resources needs to be informed of his activities. It seems to me that if he were a Democrat he would be the kind of person he complains about, how hypocritical. Flamo is wasting taxpayers money and Stephen Frank should disassociate himself from him if he has any principals.
Brian:
If you feel you have proof someone is violating the law you have a responsibility to turn them in.
Please go to the authorities with your proof.
Now, will you also stop school districts from using tax dollars promoting bonds? Will you stop the City of Ventura using tax dollars promoting a tax on the November ballot?
You need to be consistent. If someone is breaking the law don't write about it on a blog--act.
Yes, this I've gotta see. Brian Leshon calling up Mike Gibson's boss at Santa Barbara City Parks and telling him that his employee, Mongo Flamo, is posting on a blog on company time.
If he does not, it will prove he is not telling the truth. I will pay for his gas, if he can prove that Gibson is Mongo.
Otherwise, Brian, please do not make charges you can not prove. Or, will not go to the boss with the evidence.
Obviously Mongo is very effective at getting under all these guy's skins. Otherwise, they would just ignore him. He's quickly becoming a cult figure in Ventura County politics and I can see why.
Yay Mongo!!!
If he was at work yesterday afternoon posting from a computer that is owned by the county of Santa Barbara it should be easy to prove especially if the county has computer use monitoring software. I don't necessarily want him to lose his job just not act like a hypocrite. Here is one we are taking to the Ventura County Elections Division and the Ventura County District Attorney. Republicans May Have Committed Voter Fraud In Ventura County
Brian, even if he is who you are speculating he is, who hasn't used their work computer to respond to a personal e-mail or look something up on the Internet? I'm sure he's not the only county employee who has ever done this. I don't think they'd fry you for occasional meanderings at work. Besides that, you don't even know if he was at work yesterday. He could have been at home or using his Blackberry.
Anyway, the point is that his posts are enjoyable to read on several of these blogs. If you were to shut down Mongo, I'm sure they'd all lose some traffic.
The Star has identified his IP address as one that belongs to the county of Santa Barbara. He may not be the only county employee to this, but it is hypocritical of him to talk about wasting taxpayer money when he is in fact wasting tax payer money. Charles Manson isn't the only person to committee murder it doesn't give him an excuse. The point here is an example and in no way am I comparing what he does to Manson.
Oh, pleez. You seem to blog all day long. I'm assuming your employer is OK with this too? Where do you work, by the way?
I am a self employed Internet Marketing Consultant and I approve the use of my time. Look, I think Flamo is in fact good fun. I am inviting him and others to come over and talk with the opposition instead of mostly among themselves. I think everyone should have the courage of their convictions to post under their own names.
The reality is that it is easy to track anyone who posts on this blog. The Star probably places a cookie on our computers and keeps track of us all the time. I know the activity of everyone who comes on our blog and I assume they have the same capability.
It looks like this Leshon guy has to resort to vile threats when someone disagrees with him or stands up to him. Who looks like the bully now?
Leshon's the bully,
I find it hilarious that Leshon wants to lure Mongo to his blog to improve his traffic, like Mongo's done for Dennert's blog, yet in the same breath threatens to expose him to his boss for blogging at work. Helen Conly tried to do the same thing with Mongo (to no avail).
This guy's a joke and I think Mongo is smart not to start posting on his blog.
If I were a blogger, I wouldn't go near Brian Leashon's blog (www.PoliticalWatchCentralCoast.org). Apparently, if he doesn't like you, or if he disagrees with you, he will share your IP address with the world, or run and tell your boss that you've been blogging from work.
No scruples, this guy.
I had never checked out Leshon's blog before. But, having just done so, I can see it's a liberal's heaven, so extremely one-sided and BORING. You won't catch me back over there again.
Besides, it seems he likes to stomp on people's freedom of speech rights too. Mongo is a folk hero on Dennert's blog. Too bad this Leshon guy alienated him so badly. His blog could use a little spunk (yawn....).
You have got to be kidding Frank, Look at posts all over the Star, just about everyone knows Flamo is Mike Gibson. Just do a little research, open your eyes and look around.
Just because you believe something,does not make it so.
You made the charge--now prove it--or do not make the charge again. Stop the innuendo's and prove it.
That's what I say, Leshon. Put up, or shut up!
Frank,
Mongo "Mike Gibson" Flamo posted this in Marie's blog and signed it with his name.
-------------
By Mongo Flamo on August 9, 2008 6:43 PM
Marie,
Woud you happen to have Aaron Rios's contact information (mailing, or e-mail address)? I'd like to give him some feedback on the proposed store. I tried to find him on Wal-Mart's corporate web site, but could only locate the Bentonville folks. Thanks.
Mike
-------------------------------------
Many people in the Star's blog identify him. Do you think they are all hallucinating?
-------------------------------------
By Ligor Hunter on June 12, 2008 2:47 PM
Mongo can always use his "Somebody" moniker, or we can just call him Mike.
-------------------------------------
By CAP-845 on October 2, 2008 7:41 AM
Mongo-Gibson, you are a legend in your own mind. Stick with the Park District, you aren't going anywhere in Ventura politics.
-------------------------------------
Flamo Gibson's bullying
-------------------------------------
By Mongo Flamo on May 31, 2008 5:49 PM
Are you starting up with me again, Skipster? Don't make me put you in your place again, moron. I'd be happy to do it though, if you wish. Your choice...
By Mongo Flamo on June 1, 2008 5:16 PM
You're pretty darn good at hit-and-runs, Skippy, coward that you are. With a name like that, I'm not surprised you're standing behind all the skirts on this thread and using them to fight your battles for you.
What a disgrace!
-----------------------------------------
The Reality is Mike Gibson outed himself
Brian--get a life and some common sense.
First "Mike" is a name thousands of people have in the LA, Ventura and Santa Barbara areas.
Second, just because it is "signed" Mike, does not mean that is his, or her, real name.
If this is all you can think about, your have bigger troubles than tying your shoe laces in the morning.
Steve,
Couldn't agree with you more, here. I'm confused. Is this Leshon guy an Internet detective, or is he a blog host?
Speaking as someone who has worked in law enforcement for most of my life, if he's claiming this is good investigative work, he'd better think again. Stick to blogging, Leshon, your lame accusations don't hold any water.
Brian Leshon's blog mustn't be getting enough traffic. Why else we he be on a personal mission to get Mike Gibson, or Mongo Flamo, or whoever he thinks he's after? Can anyone say "delusional"?
Leshon is worse than delusional. He's scary. He wants to unveil who Mongo is, track him down at his workplace, and shoot him between the eyes in the presence of his boss.
We should all be very scared of guys like Leshon. His tactics are Hitleresque, to put it mildly.