I had the opportunity to witness what political philosopher Edmund Burke called society’s "little platoons" in action last Wednesday morning. I was at St. Anthony Claret School in Anaheim on Wednesday for a special assembly to recognize the Children’s Scholarship Fund for enabling 24 students of this lower-income parish to benefit from a parochial school education.

A little background: The CSF was started in 1998 by investment banker Ted Forstmann and the late John Walton to provide partial tuition assistance for low-income families to send their children to private schools.

The… Read More

Okay, this has nothing to do with State politics, but its a slow newsday, and I feel some pity towards the leftists out there. So here goes.

Advice for Liberals Liberals, I understand your plight. You are out of power in America, and cannot believe it. Your intellectual superiority and moral supremacy make you crazy when you compare yourselves with Neanderthal Republicans. With the GOP making a mess of federal finances and ignoring the crisis on our Southern Border, can you capitalize electorally in 2006 and 2008? I have some advice that might help you. Take heed. Stop it with all the hate, rage and anger. Remember, "Hate is not a Family Value". If you do persist in hating, try to hate Al Quaida as much as you hate President Bush. Advocate a balanced federal budget and find a program or two that could be cut. You’ll get Republican votes if you do that. Also, the public doesn’t like taxes that much you might want to soft pedal on that. Adopt a pro –… Read More

After taking a minute to read the top story on the Drudgeport, where Vice President Cheney apparently accidentally unloaded some buckshot into a buddy while out hunting, I made my way on an afternoon tour of some of the politic blog sites. I came across a great entry by LA Weekly columnist Bill Bradley on his New West Notes site.

Bradley talks about Assembly Democrats meeting in Monterey at their retreat – and about the power of the Democrats "Anchor Tenent" – the California Teachers Assocation.

His post begins like this:

Pete McCloskey, the former anti-Nixon Republican who is now an anti-Bush Republican, will receive a larger ratio of favorable media coverage vs. actual votes received than any American politician since Ralph Nader. Since announcing his intention to run in the GOP primary in California’s 11th congressional district against incumbent Richard Pombo, McCloskey has been the subject of rapturous profiles in most California newspapers, all of which frame his previous time in Congress by fawning over his role in the creation of Earth Day, his opposition to the Vietnam War, and his calls for the impeachment of Richard Nixon.

The fact that McCloskey is running against Pombo, who has been the subject of a continuing series of articles about his fundraising practices, his association with former Majority Leader Tom DeLay, and his well-known hatred for the environment, makes this even an easier story to write. The implication underneath this McCloskey media bandwagon in clear: if only Republicans were smart… Read More

Check out the FR Weblog throughout the day. I’m taking the day off (except for compiling the day’s top stories in California politics, which are on the main page).… Read More

County Board of Ed Update… In the wake of last Monday’s vote by the GOP "majority" on the SD County Board of Ed to appoint Democrat Sharon Jones to a vacancy in what is clearly a Republican seat (see Jon’s excellent post-commentary), the GOP ismoving quickly to consolidate behind one candidate in this year’s election. Arkan Somo and Rick Winet, who both applied for the vacancy, have been mentioned. Watch the GOP pull out all stops to winnow the field to one.

Eric Roach – 50th Congressional… In his extensive summary of this newcomer posted last Monday, Jon indicated, "I will be interested to hear what our FR contributors from San Diego County, Barry Jantz and Duane… Read More

Monterey County Supervisor Butch Lindley announced that he will not run for re-election due to family and business obligations. Butch was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2002 and has been toying with the idea of re-election for around a year. Butch is one of Monterey County’s most loved elected officials and is known for his pro-business, straight shooting approach to governing and often provided crucial votes and leadership as the Board of Supervisors is rewriting its General Plan.

The race for the 3rd District is heating up. Termed out Assemblyman Simon Salinas (who was expected to challenge Jeff Denham in SD 12), Soledad Mayor Richard Ortiz, Hartnell College Trustee Juan Martinez and aide to Supervisor Fernando Armenta, Alejandro Chavez all declaring intent for the seat.

This is an extremely important time for the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. An anti-growth initiative has been placed on June’s ballot by radical environmental group,… Read More

You can access all past commentaries here, though. Enjoy your Saturday! Jon… Read More