And why Tony Strickland will never have my vote
IT WAS A TYPICAL frantic morning at my house. My daughter, always a sleepyhead, was running late once again. We grabbed her backpack and dashed out the door to our car for the ride to Mound Elementary School in Ventura where she was a fifth grader.
Pulling up to the school we found our car enveloped by a thick fog which I had assumed was weather related. My daughter got out in the middle of it and waved goodbye. I drove home, pulled in the garage and noticed something very odd about my vehicle: it was completely covered in a sticky film.
Hours later I had a sick child holding a note from her principal.
What I had mistaken for fog was actually a cloud of Lorsban, a powerful pesticide which had been banned by the EPA for use in homes because of its neurological effects on children. The citrus operation next to the school had used a speed sprayer during school hours and sent a cloud over the campus. Dozens of children and adults were sickened that day. Testing showed it was all over playground equipment, outdoor eating areas and inside classrooms.
To our horror we discovered there was little we could do to prevent it from happening again to our children or anyone else's. We needed help.
Hannah-Beth Jackson, our Assemblywoman at the time, was quick to respond. She was the only one to come talk to parents. With the help and blessing of the agricultural community, Jackson crafted bipartisan legislation to protect schoolchildren from such incidents. It passed and was signed into law.
This incident taught me something very important about the world: stick up for what you believe in, listen to your heart and don't be afraid of asking for change.
JACKSON, WHO IS NOW running to be our state senator, has spent a lifetime standing up for what is right. As a former deputy district attorney, she put criminals behind bars. She helped to establish a battered women's shelter in Santa Barbara, ran a thriving law business for 22 years in Ventura where she advocated for women's and children's issues, and spent six years in the Assembly, sticking up for her constituents and sponsoring highly effective legislation on their behalf which was signed into law. She voted for billions of dollars in tax relief for middle-income families. And even though neighboring Simi Valley wasn't in her district, she authored a bill to help get the toxic chemical perchlorate out of their drinking water.
While in the Assembly she was part of a bipartisan group which worked together for true state budget reform.
I've found Jackson to be tenacious about doing the right thing. This is in stark contrast to her opponent in the State Senate race, Tony Strickland, who voted against the legislation I just cited to keep our children safe and our water clean and has a long history of siding with big corporations against measures to protect our children, as well as our planet. He even voted against Jackson's bill to provide health coverage for children with cancer in clinical trials.
If our legislators don't vote to protect the weakest among us, who will they protect?
When Jackson's senate campaign opened its Ventura office months ago, I was the first one at their door asking to volunteer. Not long ago, they asked if I would consent to being filmed for a commercial they were planning on the Mound pesticide incident. I immediately said yes. The commercial began airing this week. I have linked to it above. Click on the arrow to play it.
I don't forget it when somebody helps my community as much as Hannah-Beth Jackson did. I want to give her another chance to fight for my family.
Nice commercial! I saw it on the news last night, actually. Tony Stricklnd is an idiot!
I saw the commercial last night as well. Marie, if you were in it, congrats. Phony Tony didn't care about spraying pesticides on children playing within a school playground. He should be castrated and sent to prison. What a pathetic excuse for a man. I'm sure the chemical industry gave him a bunch of money for that idiotic vote.
Great commercial. I remember the story in the newspaper years ago. Hannah-Beth Jackson pulled together farming and parents to put together legislation that protected the rights of farmers while protecting the health of our children. Strickland voted against it as he did for nearly every piece of legistation that protected the public health & safety. Strickland is a pay to play back room politician understood in Chicago, but distained in California. I hope your efforts will lead to the demise of this evil man. God be with you Marie. We have six votes in my house and all of them will be going to Hannah-Beth Jackson along with a THANK YOU.
This should be a wake-up call to the voters of Ventura! Why would anyone vote against this bill? Can someone please ask Strickland what possible reason he could have for not wanting to help protect students, teachers, and other education workers from getting sick when they go to school?
You're so right, Marie! We shouldn't be asking for change, though, we should be demanding it. And we get that opportunity by voting for Hannah-Beth this November 4.
Has anyone that you haven't told you would be in it called you to say they have seen it?
You are the eyes and ears of Ventura. An accident nearly kills your child and Toy Strickland says "so what". He should be tarred and feathered and sent out of our County on a rail. Not too long ago, this would have been his sentence.
People like you, Marie, help to inform voters to the fraud that Strickland is attempting to pull over the voters. He will be revealed for the phony that he is. After all, he wasn't knicknamed Phone Tony by his peers in the State Legislature for nothing.
I remember the farmer being somewhat responsive as well. But I sure don't remember the STricklands doing anything about it - or Tom McClintock.
Tough times for a Republican but this one is going to vote for HBJ. And with the selection of Palin, Obama is probably going to get the vote too.
Remember that with Right Wing Extremist Airhead Tony Strickland big money always gets the priority. Not a bunch of kids.
Marie always calls it fairly and with her facts in order. She is very loyal to Hannah-Beth Jackson, as she should be. Strickland gets off calling Hannah-Beth "Taxin' Jackson". Strickland says he wants to cut government and cut taxes. The record, though, shows that Strickland is a patsy for gambling, oil, giant utilities and insurance. Strickland takes from these mega whores for his own enrichment, then takes from government using every quasi-legal loophole he can get his hands on. Keep up the good work Marie. Rewards come in heaven and you will be at the front of the line. Phony Tony, on the other hand, is going to that other place with his buddy in crime. Hannah-Beth is great for California!
Strickland and Gallegly...both interchangeable.
No one can compete with Hannah-Beth's record and dedication in serving her constituients. She works hard for all of us, on both sides of the fence. Stick to the issues, data and statistics; they speak for themselves.
Mongo, You seem to be out of steam and rightly so. Your rants on the blogs are inappropriate to decent conduct in a reasonable human person. We who have been reading your blogs are on to you and know that your extremist point of view won't fly with reasonable folks. Why don't you find another blogger to stalk? Be so bold as to address www.PoliticalWatchCentralCoast.org and Democracy Watch with your vitriolic rhetoric. It is hollow and pathetic. Try on another blogger for size. We dare you!.
Hey Gibson, I hear you have the inside story as to why your buddy Joel Angeles hasn't been charged with a crime yet. Care to share it with the uneducated public?
Not Gibson - a criminal complaint against Joel Angeles has been filed in the DA's office. One would hope we could see a copy of it.
The fact that the Stricklands would keep such a questionable resource on the payroll has cost them two votes this election - and maybe more. My wife and kid are thinking of not voting Republican either.
Flamo,
You must have a hard time living dealing with facts when you say you had a good chuckle over Marie's post and the facts of Tonie's record. So you think spraying young children with pesticides and sending them seeking medical care is a monster created in our own heads. You obviously don't listen to, read or watch real news, only propaganda from Fox. I only wish you had children or grandchildren sprayed with pesticides so we can see you scream about it, of course you would blame the Democrats. I'm with Helen, leave Marie alone, if you have any intestinal fortitude you would come over to PoliticalWatchCentralCoast.org so we can have it out. I am going to warn you that you better be prepared to source what you say because you never present a single fact to support your positions, just hot air, bad gas and bluster. This county is now Blue and your neanderthal politics do not represent the the views of the citizens of this county.
supporting a phony like Strickland shows you are lock step marching drone.
And Flamo,
Have the guts to post under your own and not cower under this silly moniker of yours.
Mongo-Gibson, it isn't too late to change your spots. Phony Tony is going down; down to the bread line or Wasco. He will be bunking with Jose, his hit man gumba. Jose is great with knocking down children, women and senior citizens. Let's see how good he is defending Phony Tony in the shower.
Brian Leshon,
Speaking of distorting the facts, you said:
"So you think spraying young children with pesticides and sending them seeking medical care is a monster created in our own heads." Good God, man. You act as if Tony himself sprayed the pesticide. How hysterical is that?
This incident is receiving way too much play than it deserves. The fact is there was an error made by the orchard farmer and everything was resolved long ago. Hannah-Beth Jackson used Marie's kid to get some good PR and political mileage out of the incident, which she did. A win-win for all concerned you might say.
I have no problem posting on your far left PoliticalWatchCentralCoast.org. I would anticipate cleaning your clock personally on a regular basis because I post the truth and not distorted/slanted viewpoints that you panicky lefties love to engage in. I already post on Dennert's and Marie's blogs (both as liberal as they come). But, I certainly won't be bullied into doing it. I'll do it of my own accord and in my own time.
BTW, have you ever posted on "Frankly Speaking" (Steve Frank's new blog)? No, huh, I didn't think so, you big coward!
Conservative Republican,
While it's true that a criminal complaint has been filed with the D.A.'s Office, it won't be available for public review until the D.A. has made a determination as to whether it's a case worthy of going to trial with. Don't hold your breath on that, by the way.
So the Simi Valley PD recommended that a criminal complaint be filed? Does Totten have to recuse himself?
He's a liability that the Stricklands don't need right now.
No, I don't see why Totten would need to recuse himself, unless he does so voluntarily. Angeles was acting as a campaign worker for the Stricklands when this incident allegedly occurred. Not sure Totten knows him from Adam. There is no personal conflict of interest there that I can see. But, then again, I'm not a judge or a legal expert. We'll see how it plays out.
Mongo, nobody's being used. I have been writing about this issue for a long time, even before Hannah-Beth announced her candidacy.
She was a really effective legislator for this area. We called her for help and she came.
When she was in the Assembly she helped find us funds to get our California Street offramp built here in Ventura, found money for projects for San Buenaventura State Beach and for coastal cleanup, too. Our beaches are our biggest tourist draw and improvements there really help our local economy.
HBJ authored Assembly Bill 1284, which was enacted in 2000 and was sponsored by former Ventura County District Attorney Michael Bradbury. The legislation provided much greater protection for victims of stalking. The legislation was inspired by the tragic murder of Vicki Shade in Ventura pending the trial of a man accused of stalking her.
Bradbury came to Hannah-Beth for help with this, not Strickland.
Oh and Mongo, in response to what you wrote to Brian L., you get your facts wrong all the time. You are consistently over the top. You twist, distort, and name call.
For example, up above here you called me "as liberal as they come." I am a moderate in many of my viewpoints, used to be registered Republican and am very pro business. You don't even know me.
You've scared good people off this blog who have told me they are "afraid of Mongo." The Star even offered to ban your IP address at one point.
Flamo,
Marie's blog is not political, she talks about Ventura county issue and politics is rarely a part of it. You know I regularly post in the Stars blogs under my own name because I am proud of convictions. You don't for what reason? Do you fear retaliation or that it will hurt your job or standing in the community? Don't accuse me of being a bully your the one who spits fire under an assumed name. That is what bullies do.
P.S Flamo,
The farmer did it twice and I never accused Phony Strickland of spraying the kids just voting against legislation that would prevent it from happening again.
OK, you two, calm down. You obviously both need a good chilling out.
Marie,
Your blog consistently presents a liberal viewpoint, from the candidates you support (Barack Obama, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Christy Weir, and the other liberal Ventura City Council members - Morehouse, Fulton, & Brennan) to the issues you herald - environmental extremism, stifling property rights and business growth (Wal-Mart), and government overregulation (practically everything the Ventura City Council does, which you always support them on).
As I've said before, if people are supposedly "scared" of me, they shouldn't be involved in politics to begin with. They obviously don't have the courage of their convictions if they're afraid to engage me in a decent argument.
Brian,
Marie regularly hosts topics on her blog that are very politically partisan in nature (including the last 2 she put up). She defends the Ventura City Council at every turn. It sounds like you don't even read her blog, you're simply giving a knee-jerk response to something you know nothing about.
Your last post challenging me to post on other blogs and calling me a variety of names was, in fact, very bullying in nature. Whenever you push me buddy, don't be so surprised when I push back!
I am calm and smiling all day long. I just reviewed my posts here and I didn't call you any names, I do not behave in the same way you do.
Mongo,
Why then, would you guess that Republicans are afraid to attend CAPC candidate forums attended by community voters of all party registrations? Have they no courage of their convictions? Are they afraid to engage?
Mongo, I'm very calm.
Please give me an example of when I have advocated for environmental extremism.
Please also give me an example of when I have advocated for stifling property rights. I have consistently argued against the VCORD measure. It's not personal there; I just think it's bad policy.
If you look back on what I posted on Wal-Mart, I said they have every right to occupy the old K-Mart building if they can get through the city's zoning regulations. Do I like their corporate business practices? No.
I am a huge advocate for our Downtown business owners. I consistently praise the Chamber of Commerce. They do good work.
Just a year ago, on Brian's blog, you were arguing that Christy Weir was too right-wing because of her association with the Serra Cross Conservancy. (And I am the group's secretary) This year she is too liberal? She would laugh at you over that one if she read the blogs, which she doesn't. She's too busy being mayor. And by the way, she's registered as DTS.
I wasn't sure if I was voting for Obama or McCain until Obama picked Biden and McCain picked Palin. Now I am Obama all the way. Palin is just plain dreadful. There, I said it.
Like I said, you are without facts and you don't know me at all.
This blog was meant to be a community forum for the exchange of ideas and not always political ones. But your bullying ways turn a lot of good folks off and they just don't have the patience for it.
Brian,
On your September 25 post 9:28 AM post, you said I was full of "hot air, bad gas, and bluster" and I am a "lock-stepping drone." If that's not name-calling, tell me what is.
You need a reality check on your own behavior. If you want to call me a bully, you'd better be prepared to defend your own vitriol and hate-mongering.
The difference, of course, is that I can take it.
Mongo-Gibson, Brian can run intellectual circles around you. You can take it? Brian is Brian and you are Mongo? Yea, you can take it all right!
You profess expertise in nearly every subject, but you display stupidity in nearly all your posts. You can't figure out why Totten recused himself? Try because he has a relationship with the accused, because he has a close relationship with the Jose's two employers and because he can be called as a witness to the alleged crime. How about reading the lengthy complaint that was submitted by the Sheriff to the D.A.? How about the medical records of the victims? How about the surgery that was required to repair one of the victim's injuries? How about the thirteen witnesses who were interviewed, the photographs and the video? Yes, Mongo-Gibson, you have all the facts. In your own mind you are an expert. In reality, you are one of Ventura's biggest nut jobs.
Sorry guys, after just reading this article and the posts, I would say everyone's bullying Mongo. While I am familiar with his other posts and the obvious right wing slants he takes, I've come to appreciate it. It's American. And Marie, you should be ashamed of yourself, how many times have you threatened to ban Mongo now? Heck, he's half the reason I read this blog. You should consider changing the name of this blog to the Marie & Mongo show.
Never! He can take over Steve Frank's blog after the election if he wants.
There was a time when his posts went beyond mere right-wing rhetoric and into the slimy. (He has been censored) People remember this stuff. He will even admit it. He's been better lately.
But sometimes I do feel like we're Hannity & Colmes. Only I'm nowhere near as wimpy as Colmes. :-)
Ban Mongo-Gibson? How silly. He adds as much to the blogs as anyone else as long as he stays on topic. He sounds like a nice enough guy with strong beliefs. While I think he is wrong and his guru Phony Strickland a jerk, Mongo is refreshing. If we ever see an end to Mongo-Gibson, we will see an end to CAP-"xxx". Perhaps that would be a blessing to all. Until then, Mongo remains my friend until proven otherwise. Marie, however, remains my soul mate. Keep up the good work, darling. Love seeing you on the television commercial.
Just got back from Hawaii. Great waves! Glad to see Mongo is still getting people angry. Go Mongo! Marie, we are so happy to see that you have kept the issue of spraying pesticides on our children in the news. I didn't know that Hannah-Beth Jackson had been the legislator to put an end to that overspray practice. May God bless that lady for her actions.
Surfs up and I'm anxious to get back to our local waves. Hope to see you at the pier around 6:00 tonight, Marie. Gidget sends her best.
Flamo Gibson,
I did say you are "hot air, bad gas, and bluster" and the full context of my other statement "supporting a phony like Strickland shows you are lock step marching drone", that is not calling you names, that is describing your behavior. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, you say you can take it. I may not like what you say but I will defend your right to say it. I just want you to think before you post, be able to site facts and source your opinions. And do not insult Marie, Katie Teague and others who don't agree with you. I also would like for you to not post during work hours while on the Santa Barbara County payroll using county computers. There are laws about using government property for political purposes and every time you post from your job you are breaking the law.
Back to topic, based on what everyone's saying, I'm curious why Tony would vote the way he did on the issues above. As Marie states,he voted against keeping "our children safe and our water clean and has a long history of voting against measures to protect our children, as well as our planet. He even voted against Jackson's bill to provide health coverage for children with cancer in clinical trials."
I mean really? This is what he does? It really makes him sound like such a villan and maybe he is. Is there something we're missing to his reasoning, other than the "Big Business" card. If it is Big Business, I would be shocked that someone would be protecting the Big Business of a pesticide company at the expense of children. No matter how far right someone is. Maybe he really is this sinister and maybe not. You just wonder how someone, if truly so sinister gets to an impactful position. If all this is true, it's disappointing to not have two viable candidates. Just by the passion I continue to hear, the Grand Ol' Party doesn't stand a chance in this State Senate election. That's too bad, both parties should always bring out their best...in any election.
VC Vote: If I had to guess, I would say it is part lobbying efforts from those who give him money and part of his overall philosophy to cut down on all government, even bills which would which would provide oversight on how pesticides are applied when schools are in session.
You know, in light of all that is going on in the world right now, I think we should all tone down the rhetoric and take a deep breath.
Moondoggie, sorry I missed you and Gidget at the pier. I was watching the debate. Next time.
I agree Jackson is best choice in the upcoming election. It is also a reflection of very poor judgement that McCain would pick such a novice as Palin as VP. Very SCARY to hear him say he "absolutely" can see her as President! She is off in hiding, due to embarassing herself in interviews. After debate, the VPs were supposed to come on and give their opinion. Biden did, but Palin "declined" and they had to replace her with Giuliani. Pretty embarassing for a VP candidate to be too lame for a standard post-debate opinion statement! I never thought anyone could make Bush seem smart, Palin may finally be that person.
Marie, you should update your blog photo. The video is much better image!
Waves were fantastic Marie. We missed you both on the waves and following over fine vino.
I did miss the debate. My mind is made up, so no need to watch. I'll be deviating from my Party and not voting for the angry old white man this time around.
I'm also going with Elton Gallegly, Hannah-Beth and Masry.
Wishing all a safe and fun weekend.
I agree with Rob. Marie, can that photo and go with one from the commercial that is running. You are very pretty so lets get a close-up of that darling face. After all, I think we just might be asking you to run for political office one day soon. I can't think of a better candidate to represent Ventura residents on the County School Board.
Uh, CAP, let's stay on topic, shall we?
Marie, it's some one's job to lobby for pesticides? Let's direct the blog attack on that guy. Mongo get on it. The incident that affected you, your family, and friends sounds like an extremely dumb mistake on the part of the farmer and the person who applied the pesticide that day. I can't even imagine why a pesticide company would consider fighting and bribing for the ability to apply a poison so close to a school while children are present. That's not a win for them. It also sounds like a dumb decision on Strickland's part, which is the only explanation I could think of, to fight this kind of legislation. I say this with out having read the actual Law that HBJ got passed, so take it for what it's worth
It's also a dumb decision to choose an unknown VP candidate that really hasn't said anything yet. It's a dumb move to try and bow out of the first debate, when the United States needs to get to know you now more than ever. I question some of these bad decisions and wonder what's going on with McCain. I actually thought better of him prior to...well, the Sarah Palin selection. It seems he's on a bad run of choices lately. Not very Presidential in my book.
Dang! So much personal angst!
To the issues...is anyone in favor of pesticide overspray of children at school however it happens?? ....anyone? ...anyone?
Ok...now that that is over the question is who backed or did not back legislative action to try to keep this from happening again? ....anyone? ...anyone?
Dang! So much personal angst!
To the issues...is anyone in favor of pesticide overspray of children at school however it happens?? ....anyone? ...anyone?
Ok...now that that is over the question is who backed or did not back legislative action to try to keep this from happening again? ....anyone? ...anyone?
Is this a site for leftwingers only ? I note that Mr. Strickland is supported by the full city councils of Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Elton Gallegly, Mitt Romney, and California Ass'n of Highway Patrolmen. So he cannot be a total loser. I do not think he runs around encouraging children to be sprayed with pesticide, nor supporting a company whose former president ( seven years ago, Ms. Sanchez of Jackson's office ), who was sued by that very company for his wrongdoing, was the cause of that company's problems.
No but he doesn't want to do anything to discourage it from happening, again either, apparently. There's no real reason for anyone to vote against this bill that I can see. I looked at his site and that is not an impressive list of endorsements compared to Jackson's. Only one of our supervisors. Of course the party loyalists come out for him.
You have to admit it was a stupid move to put this company on the ads.
Many of Stickland's endorsements were made out of fear. He has little or no Democratic endorsements. Many of the Republicans who have endorsed are not going to do much else.
Jackson has both Republicans and Democrats and more of each.
Who do you think is more appealing to DTS voters?
I don't find this site particularily left wing. I do find the Frankly Speaking offensively right wing. And the Dennert blog is a free for all.
Strickland is endorsed by Romney, so he "can't be a loser". Hmmmmm. Here I thought Romney was a loser, or did I miss the primary vote?
Strickland is endorsed by the City Council of Simi Valley. Boy, that really lends a lot of credibility to Strickland.
The Phony is endorsed by a company that is convicted of fraud. That sure does lend to his credibility.
The Phony is part of an energy company owned by three political consultants and a real estate developer. That sure lends to Strickland's credibility.
Boy, how did I miss all this. The Phony Tony really does have a lot of credibility. I've been wrong all this time. I should have believed Mongy-Gibson from the start. After all, he did come in next to last in the Ventura City Council race. He must know that the Phony has credibility.
Just got back from the debate and then celebratory sushi. Hannah-Beth knocked it out of the ballpark tonight!
Her beloved Red Sox would be proud.
I'll be voting for Jackson but mostly because this Strickland appears to be a weasel. Nice commercial.
Well, it takes one to know one, now doesn't it Skipster?
Mongo,I saw you at the debate. In person you don't appear to be the weirdo that you are. Goes to show you, you just can't judge a book by its cover.
Jackson was the professional. The Phony Tony looked like a third rate high school debater. One would think he would have picked up a few skills with all the years he has been playing this game.
Never met the man but hear he's your good buddy Lamo. Weasels stick with their own kind.
Another beautiful Sunday monring in Ventura County. The dog is fed, the boards are in the car and we are about to depart to the beach for a day of surf. Not too much is expected, but just being there is always exciting.
It was enjoyable reading why you will always support Hannah-Beth Jackson and never Strickland. We have our own reasons.
We have come to know Hannah-Beth over the last several months. She is smart and listens to residents. She has a view of government that we share. Government is here to protect us and to make our lives safe, our water and air clean, our parks beautiful. Government is here to keep those most in need fed, clothed and under a roof. Government is here to protect us from being abused when we have no other defense.
I also met Strickland and immediately referred to him as Phony Tony. He talks as if he is reciting mantra and takes money from all the wrong sources: tobacco, gambling, insurance, petrochem. I don't see Phony Tony protecting me. I see him protecting big business, oftentimes at my expense.
This decision was very easy for us. We voted for Arnold, we always vote for Elton, but we will never, never vote for Phony Tony.
Surf's up. Hope to see you at the pier.
Marie,
Thanks for writing a guest blog entry for me about the VP debate. I appreciate it!
http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/dennert/archives/2008/10/guest-blog-w-ma.html#comments