The story goes that guitarist Robert Johnson cameto a cross-road and made adecision with only short term benefits (fame and riches)…and paid the highest of prices for eternity (life in hell)

Matt Rexroad and his partner, Tom….both good friends of yours truly…aren’t in a life or death situation, but are facing some pretty hostile attacks on their integrity…from a former client…PG&E…now truth be told…I’ve never made a dime from either of these entities….so i’ve got no axe togrind…but where Icome from…respect isearned…I’ve worked closely with both Matt and Tom for years and I know they will…100% of the time…that’s every time for those of you keeping score…make theethically, morally, andprofessionally correctdecision when faced… Read More

Ican’t believe it’s only my second posting and I’m writing about sports already.

Well, I’m on my way to the game in a few minutes, so here goes.

I know this is hard to believe, but I may have misheard a broadcast (or maybe I correctly heard a misleading broadcast) on L.A. radio yesterday that said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle had lifted his season-long “boycott” of Angels baseball games in time for today’s opening game of the American League Division Series against the hated New York Yankees.

Before that rumor goes any further, let me clarify what I believe to be Pringle’s actual position: The Mayor will host the Boys and Girls Clubs of Anaheim at today’s game as a charity event. Pringle has said his choice not to attend regular-season games was not actually a boycott, as some people have described it. The Mayor’s choice to attend post-season games will be considered on a game-by-game basis, with special consideration given to benefit selected charities.

I feel better knowing all of that, although I had been impressed by Pringle’s principled stand – You… Read More

Is Bakersield ready?? Controversy swirled a bit in the news last week when former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett, a frequent columnist and ‘talking head’ on news program said:

“But I do know that it’s true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could — if that were your sole purpose — you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down,” Bennett said. “That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down.”

Bennett made these comments in the context of a debate that he was having on television. He defended his remarks in this Washington Post story.

The Bakersfield Californian is making a big deal out of his arriving into the sleepy town of oil derricks and Bill Thomas’… Read More

THERE’S A NEW SURVEY OUT….I am not high on surveys, but then, it turns out, neither is Schwarzenegger Chief Strategist Mike Murphy. On the Join Arnold blog, there is a great post from Murphy talking about the release of a new KABC POLL which shows ALL FOUR of the Governor’s reform measures AHEAD…

Here’s the bottom line:

The poll was taken 9/30 to 10/2. (You can also go to the actuall poll here)

Prop 74. Yes 55%, No 44%.

Prop 75. Yes 60%, No 37%

Prop 76. Yes 58%, No 36%

Prop 77. Yes 59%, No 36%

Murphy says:

"Today’s post is about a brand new poll out tonight on KABC-TV and KPIX-TV. Warning: Lots of science and propellor head data stuff here, but it is all… Read More

One of the best arguments for Proposition 75 and paycheck protection comes from the last election: according to exit polls, about 40 percent of the labor vote went to Bush; roughly 90% of labor’s money went to Kerry.

But what about the mind-set of teachers’ union, the gang that’s so hell bent on defeating Props 74 (teacher tenure) and Prop 76 (budget reform)?

The Education Intelligence Agency just completed a survey of the 2.7 million members of the National Education Association. Among the highlights:

— About one-half of NEA’s new members are "not involved" in the organization at any level; — The top reasons teachers join NEA is because they have "no choice"; — One-half of NEA members identify themselves as ""conservative" or "tend conservative" . . . 40 percent call themselves "liberal" or "tend liberal"; — Size matters: 82 percent of the presidents of NEA’s largest locals say they’re liberal; — 89 percent of NEA local affiliate presidents ran unopposed for reelection.

Remember those numbers the… Read More

This is the leading story from my daily commentary today. Click here to read it all…

Is Bakersield ready?? Controversy swirled a bit in the news last week when former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett, a frequent columnist and ‘talking head’ on news program said:

“But I do know that it’s true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could — if that were your sole purpose — you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down,” Bennett said. “That would be an impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down.”

Bennett made these comments in the context of a debate that he was having on television. He defended his remarks in this… Read More

Here are the final returns from today’s Special Election in Congressional District 48…

Brewer fizzled for sure, Gilchrist really didn’t pick up steam, and Dems stayed home…

With all 268 precincts reporting:

JOHN CAMPBELL (R) 36,640 46.0% MARILYN C. BREWER (R) 13,272 16.7% JIM GILCHRIST (AI) 11,490 14.4% STEVE YOUNG (D) 7,110 8.9% JOHN GRAHAM (D) 3,242

Go to the Orange County Registrar of Voters for the latest results.

[Due to the Jewish holiday Adam will not be posting until late Wednesday night. This posting was scheduled in advanceto appear at this time.]… Read More