Relaxing over the weekend, I happened to get sucked into a replay on Fox Soccer Channel of a slow-paced rematch between the 1998 American and Mexican national soccer teams. Soccer fans of yesteryear will remember that the two World Cup qualifier matchups in 1998 between the rivals resulted in bitter fought draws. So, Fox, with the financial support of Nissan North America, decided to reunite both teams (players, coaches, and all) for one final, best-out-of-three game titled ‘El Reto Final.’

Well, the game took place months ago (May 21, 2006) at the Home Depot Centerin Carson, home of the LA Galaxy. Throughout the game, I was struck by the total lopsidedness of the fans’ cheers. Silence during American possession of the ball, cheers during Mexican possession.Elated screamingand horn blowing was heard when Mexico scored. This was… Read More

As an advocate of full disclosure and no other restrictions on campaign finance I am posting my major donor report that will be filed with the Secretary of State today.

For those people who find money in politics to be distasteful or corrupting I say too bad. Free speech is our right and I literally put my money where my mouth is.

No longer can you simply stand in the park and recite your grievances with the government and have an impact. Supporting good candidates and issue is the way we do it today–don’t villanize me for speaking my mind.

People who have problems with money in politics don’t understand why some people give to politics. My motivation is often times helping friends. For instance, my good friend Steve Vargas is running for city council in Brea. He was on the council several years ago and now he is ready to serve another round for the residents there. I have given him $2500 so far and fully expect… Read More

Oakland residents woke up this morning to find out that three more homicides occured over the weekend, bringing the total to 81. Last year, Oakland saw 94 homicides for the entire year. If the killing occurs at the rate thus far for the year, the city will see its homicide rate almost double.

One of the killings was particularly tragic. According to the SF Chronicle, 18-year-old Anthony Butler, a Skyline High School student, was shot on Saturday afternoon. Apparently, two years ago, Butler’s older brother, Harold Butler Jr., was shot and killed at age 17 at an East Oakland liquor store in a neighborhood feud.

So, where’s Jerry Brown as the killings continue in his city? Will Californians promote the mayor of one of the state’s most dangerous cities to the job of the state’s top cop? One can only hope that Brown’s current job performance actually matters to the voter’s of this state.… Read More

"There’s some things you don’t want to answer to give ammunition to the other side."

This gem of a quote was given to veteran Stockton Record political reporter Hank Shaw when he spoke with Jerry McNerney, the Democrat nominee for Congress against incumbent Republican Richard Pombo in California’s 11th District (pictured to the far left), which is largely based in the Stockton area, and in the East Bay Area.

McNerney besides being candid in his belief that you should hide your positions on the issues if they are unpopular, has got to be one the dumbest candidates for office – EVER.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

"There’s some things you don’t want to answer to give ammunition to the other side."

This gem of a quote was given to veteran Stockton Record political reporter Hank Shaw when he spoke with Jerry McNerney, the Democrat nominee for Congress against incumbent Republican Richard Pombo in California’s 11th District (pictured to the far left), which is largely based in the Stockton area, and in the East Bay Area.

McNerney besides being candid in his belief that you should hide your positions on the issues if they are unpopular, has got to be one the dumbest candidates for office – EVER.

Shaw penned a story for the Record which ran on Sunday, On 2nd thought: Democrat changes dozens of answers in online survey, in which Shaw reveals that McNerney, fresh out… Read More

Today Governor Schwarzenegger announced his intention to appoint former Congressman James Rogan to a seat on the Orange County Superior Court that will become vacant on September 30th..

Rogan, of course, is a superstar on the Republican side of the aisle. While originally a Democrat, Rogan found his heart and soul in the Grand ol’ Party of Abraham Lincoln. He has had a storied career — as a successful gang murder prosecutor, a judge up in Los Angeles County, GOP Majority Leader (yes, we had one of those once!) of the California State Assembly, a Member of Congress (where he served as one of the handful of managers of impeachment trial of former President Bill Clinton), and went on to serve President George W. Bush as an Undersecretary of Commerce and as Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

If you ask Jim about his career, and of what he is most proud, he will readily pull out of a photo of his family, and beam as he tells you that his family is his most proud achievement.

Anyways,… Read More

In case you were wondering if www.MelGibsonforGovernor.com still actively seeks to recruit the Aussie to run for Governor of California (as reported by Human Events last December), it doesn’t. But there isa job National Review writer David Frum suggests Mel might want to campaign for, given reports of his anti-Semitic rantings after being arrested in Malibu for DUI.

JUL. 30, 2006: MEL’S CALLING

"If a drunken Mel Gibson did indeed call out, ‘Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,’ then there can be only one possible place for a man who believes such things: as the next Secretary General of the United Nations. " Posted at 9:41 AM… Read More

It may be noted on the main FlashReport page this morning, but it’s worth mentioning here as well…the lead SDUT editorial skewers the Escondido City Council over its disdain for private property rights, givingus all another reason to hate the Kelo decision andto support theProtect Our Homes initiative this November. An excerpt:

The busy stretch along Mission Avenue in western Escondido near Quince Street must be a pretty good place for a restaurant. After all, Oliverio and Rosa Ruedas, owners of the El Mexicano Taco Shop, have earned a living there for 21 years. Then again, maybe hard work and good food explain the couple’s ability to survive economic challenges that include the recent shuttering of Kmart, their giant neighbor.

But the Ruedas family is no match for Escondido’s city government. In a troubling abuse of power, the City Council has voted 3-2 to seize the property beneath their business and sell it to a developer whose clients will pay more in local taxes. The Taco… Read More