Obama-Biden Let's Get Going!

Hell, yes! This is an awesome and motivating ticket. What class and strength. Biden is the attack dog we need with gravitas. I'm so ready to hit a battle ground state. Californians need to get their crap togther and realize that if they really want to win this, get off your arse, get out of California, and contribute in a significant way.

We have all heard local democratic activist, espcially the able bodied, say they did there part. Some have even said "I was thier in the begining", but never really did anything where and when it counts.

So pack your bags and get ready to elect our next President of the United States. We are going to change our country. See you on amtrak!

Karate Kids Kick at Demonstration

A small group of my students from our Dojo (Tai Crane Karate) did a Karate Demonstration at Mayberry Park's Summer Concert in the Park and was a great success. Students are learning well. This is one way of observing whether students are learning and training at a competent level or whether their Sensei is teaching them correctly. So far so good.

I applaud all my students and their parents for doing a great job! Most, if not all, Parents attended with great enthusiasm.

The Dark Knight: Batman Made His Choice, or Did He?

Batman was my favorite DC hero as a child. A hero that, as children, we fantasized being and roll played with friends and siblings. Superman didn’t do much for me. Speed racer was the guy I loved as a kid, but Batman hit something deeper, at the core.

My brother and I had a very thick encyclopedia of DC super heroes that sketched, in cartoon, how and why they become who they are: heroes. I don’t know if that book is around, but as a kid it allowed us to understand a hero and to identify with one or more. Batman was my guy in this book.

The new release of the “Dark Knight” was a solid philosophical return to why Batman is who he is: a dark hero. It was no surprise, but it was great to see it played out for people to meditate on. I didn’t quite pay attention to the chronology of these movies and or whether this was an early story of his cape career. However, I believe he made the underlining philosophical choice earlier then this movie cut.

The decision was made at the point of his tragedy. He later came to a realization who he really is, what he must do, how and the balance he maintains within himself.

In the movie, Bruce Wayne says: People are dying, Alfred. What would you have me do?

Alfred Pennyworth replied: Endure, Master Wayne. Take it. He'll hate you for it. But that's the point of Batman, he can be the outcast. He can make the choice that no one else can make, the right choice.

I believe that there is more here. Batman realizes who he is and what he can’t be (especially to others). The realization that he is both Dark and light. In this realization, he knows that he must be, at time and in perception, Dark and only he and a few know the intensity of his light. Esoteric Budo, Taoist at heart.

Batman is forged fudoshin.

Film: "Tabarly" - Magnificent! Score by Yann Tiersen

Tabarly - bande annonce
Uploaded by -Addison-

A Legend and an extraordinary adventurer. I'm in awe of people like Tabarly who make adventure (sailing) a full time occupation, immerse their whole being in it, and are free in doing so.. When you see and hear this man, his soul speaks to you.

"For the 10th anniversary of Eric Tabarly's death, a famous skipper from Brittany (Northwest of France), the director Pierre Marcel and Galatée Film release a biography of this unsurpassed sailor on June, 11. Galatée Film did not hesitate at all to suggest another exceptional Breton (from Brittany), i.e. Yann Tiersen to compose the soundtrack of this outstanding film. As usual, Yann Tiersen did not just make a music that illustrate the film, but he made a full-fledged, independent, personal and powerful music. Yann made an instrumental music that gives pride of place to the piano and to the intimist melodies which will delight his biggest fans. This record is a kind of bridge in the artist's evolution, from his first loves to his new folk trend. Under this peacefull, mastered and warm movie soundtrack, lies actually a new allbum. After Eric Zonca's « la vie rêvée des anges » , « Amélie from Montmartre » and « Goodbye Lenin », Yann Tiersen composed his fourth soundtrack and as the previous films, it is a safe bet that it will be a success! The record has been initially made for vinyl and the mastering has been made from this vinyl. The sound is therefore warm and powerful."

http://www.myspace.com/yanntierseninprogress

###
From Wikipedia:

Eric Tabarly's boat Pen Duick II in Port Haliguen.Éric Tabarly (July 24, 1931 in Nantes – June 14, 1998) was a notable French sailor.

A former officer in the French navy who is often considered the father of French yachting, Tabarly was a record-setting distance sailor who won several notable races aboard his boats, all named Pen Duick. He was lost at sea when struck by a gaff during heavy swell and knocked overboard from his yacht near Wales while on his way to the Fife Regatta in Scotland. His body was recovered five weeks later off the coast of Ireland by a French fishing trawler.

Hiking and Camping at Little Harbor was Paradise!

Little Habor, Catalina (Hike-in). Paradise! My "Moon's, California Camping", book was right and then more. It's rated a 10 and exceeded all, if any, expectations.

I arrived through Two Harbors which is a beautiful little harbor and pier. The people were very pleasant. I had a bite to eat at the little restaurant. The Kobe hamburger was killer!

When entering the Little Harbor, the little harbor ocean view opened up beautifully. Amazing place with fantastic and grand views. It has everything, swimming, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and other naturalist thing to do.

There is just too much to mention. Ranger Gilligan is the Ranger for this site as well (Blackjack). Again, the coolest down to earth guy you can BS with and he is very informative and helpful.

Blackjack Hike-In Camp: Dam it was hot!

Just got back from camping on Santa Catalina Island’s Blackjack campground on the highest point and wooded part of the Island. Best part of Blackjack is going through Avalon. Worst part of Blackjack is Blackjack.

It was over 100 degrees! I just had to choose high noon to hike in with my pack.

It was ok. I was pretty hot when I arrived. No one was in my immediate camp, not within view. Soon after pitching my tent the coolest Ranger Gilligan stopped by and told me where the rinse showers where. Ahhhhhhhh! That cold outdoor shower was heaven! No it's not a nudist camp, not normally.

That early evening a bachelorette party of about 8 women camped out. Strange things occured and I will never talk about what happened.

Mendez Wins Top Spot in Democratic Party Race, 56th Assembly District

Thank you Democratic Voters of the 56th Assembly District for returning me to the Los Angeles County Democratic Party Central Committee.

I'm also very privileged to be re-elected for a third term and with the highest number of votes (#1) three elections in a row. It's a great empowering feeling to have that much confidence from the Democrats of the 56th Assembly District.

I will do my best to represent you and continue to advocate on issues that create greater access to the Democratic Party and gear up for the general election fight.


COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEES - 56TH DISTRICT - DEMOCRATIC

Candidate Votes Percent
GARY MENDEZ 3,989 8.57
MAUREEN ALLEN 3,840 8.25
LILLIAN M GONZALES 3,576 7.69
DENISE STABILE 3,415 7.34
MARISELA CERVANTES 3,355 7.21
ANTHONY ARMENDAREZ 3,298 7.09
RAUL P GONZALES 3,094 6.65
FLOYD ALLEN 3,011 6.47
FRANCIS CARBAJAL 2,384 5.12
GEOFFREY M MARKELL 2,306 4.96
HANNIBAL AGUILAR 2,220 4.77
DELTA E DUVALI 2,177 4.68
CESAR DIEGO JAMES 2,158 4.64
CHARLIE ARA 2,000 4.3
JIMMY MENDOZA JR 1,589 3.42
C J DUVALI 1,523 3.27
HUMBERTO B LUJAN 1,391 2.99
LEEA HALMETOJA 1,202 2.58

VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN 7
Registration 71,449
Precincts Reporting 166
Total Precincts 166
% Precincts Reporting 100



Remember, you need to refresh this page to ensure that you have the latest results.

Last Updated: 15:35 06/13/2008
June 3, 2008 - Los Angeles County Primary Election

Bill Richardson for Secretary of State!

Bill made the right decision to back the best candidate for President of the United States. It takes great gravity and foresight to put oneself out and do what's right for the country while anticipating the harsh criticism from the Clintons.

I would love to see Governor Bill Richardson as Vice President and if that's not workable without doubt as Secretary of State.

Bills credentials in the international community is unquestionable and the most qualified of any other choice. He would be of great benefit to Obama and our country in bringing back respect and integrity to our country reputation throughout the world.

Please, please, please Obama, make Bill Richardson a priority as VP or Secretary of State.

Yes! Obama Secures Delegate Threshold

Despite a long and bitter battle, Obama comes out on top. I admire him greatly for keeping his cool and responding with finesse when assaulted by Clinton. Clinton really tried hard to incite Obama and get him on defensive and offensive.

Now, I really hope the party comes together and Clinton repairs her damage and does not depart or demand things in spite and poor sports ship.

Onward and forward!

Time to Move-On; Campaign 2008

After today’s June Primaries, it's time to move on to the general election and defeat McCant (McCain).

Dems need to get over the in-fighting and lay in on the Reps. Those of my Democratic brothers and Sisters in California know that we must really plan on going out of Cal to make a serious impact.

There are party leaders or pseudo leaders who rally troops in heavily democratic districts should really think about this and forgo the ego. I find that some political activist who lay claim to local leadership get people worked up to work in dem strongholds to stroke their ego for having "done something" in the elections. NOT!

If you want to win pack your bags and rough it in a state that really matters in the General Election. Otherwise, local campaigning in heavy dem districts is just an exercise of ego.

Mount up and stay thirsty my friends!

Vote Measure M - Los Nietos School Bond

My family has been in Los Nietos for over 150 years attending Los Nietos schools. My family were directly involved in the building of the early school houses and has been active in the districts for those 150 years.

The facilities are just as old and in need of dire repair.

I vote for Measure M is a vote in the future of children and in my beloved Los Nietos.

Gary

"This Game is Full of Cheaters" - Speed

I saw Speed Racer today with my nephews. I enjoyed it more than any kid in the theater. Again, I realized how much I loved Speed and his values.

As a kid, I really took Speed to heart. At the theatre, I had a flood of emotions, thoughts, and visual flashbacks. I now remember singing the theme and doing the standing side gesture at the beginning and the end of the cartoon.

This led me to think. Are Speed’s values good for the youth of today? I don’t know.

The Game is full of cheaters. Isn’t that the truth!

Why didn’t I learn to cheat? Why do cheaters cheat? The best cheaters I know are very smart. I don’t know.

Is it naivety that makes some of us non-cheaters?

Only as an adult did I really realize the working of dishonesty.

When Speed realizes that cheaters dominate and fix to win he continued to fight in a manner contrary to the tactics of the corrupt. He rebels and repels.

The arming of the Mach 5 demonstrates the move from naivety to more of fudoshin. Is it cheating? No, he still plays by the rules (in the grey) for good but aware of the tools-weapons of the cheaters and meets them head on.

Go No Sen to Sen Sen No Sen.

I do beg to differ with the statement that "Cheaters Don't Prosper". Cheaters do prosper which motivates them to win by any means.

There are some of us who believe the ends do not justify the means. Sentimental? Delusional? Perhaps, but the value system of Speed Racer is a Good one that singly stands to defy the Cheaters of the world who will hurt anyone no matter how small or large to serve their selfish interest.

It’s a process in realizing that one must be armed (by the Way) in order to effectively combat the cheaters.

It must be hard to be Speed Racer. It must be hard to do what’s right.

Go Speed Racer, Go!

"And when the odds are against him
And there's dangerous work to do
You bet your life Speed Racer
Will see it through."

I absolutely loved Speed Racer as a kid. I had Speed Racer PJs, bed sheets and blankets, towels, dinner plate and bowl, the Mach 5 car toy, and other sundries.

It's one of the few profound things I recall of my childhood. I took the values of speed racer as my own. Battling the tricksters and wrong doers. There was an innocents and sincerity to his character.

I was especially mesmerized by Speed's brother Racer X. The alter ego Racer X was fascinating. There was time we wanted to be the anonymous and mysterious Racer X.

As Karate student and young black belt at 15, the meaning of both Speed Racer and Racer X became more apparent. The budo philosophy was inherent in both. We are all both Speed and X.

Racer X was a part of us that was anonymous and dark. However, we all have a choice to what extent did Racer X act and for what purpose. (The life giving sword).

Speed was the hero everyone liked and he Never gave up despite the odds.

Trixie was so hot! Her sighs, dark short hair, light skin, and concern for Speed was attractive. I've always liked woman who subconsciously reminded me of Trixie.

Go Speed racer, Go Speed Racer Go!

See you in the shadows Racer X.

Save Our School Rally - Sat. May 3rd

SOS
SAVE OUR SCHOOLS
CAMPAIGN
Southern California
Rally
Pioneer High School
Stadium
Whittier,CA
(605 Fwy at Slauson Blvd. off ramp)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
1:00 P.M.


Join Parents, students, and community leaders in protesting California state education budget cuts.

My karate student and parents will be in attendance.

Light Rail Plan Hijacking by San Gabriel Valley Cities - Wrong!

The Whittier Daily News ran an article today on certain San Gabriel Valley cities attempting to hijack the long planned east-side county light rail route.

It's a selfish act to derail established plans to run the proposed light rail from downtown Los Angeles thru East LA, Montebello, and Pico Rivera to Whittier and unincorporated Whittier.

People in the current plan do not have adequate access to rapid public transportation like the people in San Gabriel Valley.

The San Gabriel Valley cities have the El Monte/South El Monte Transit Center hub that many transportation agencies use and provide access for residents in local cities to Los Angeles and to the Inland Empire. The transportation access at El Monte provides long range and short range bus service. More importantly, the San Gabriel Valley hub in El Monte currently provides rapid freeway flier access to Downtown Los Angeles and to the inland empire along the 10 freeway.

Detouring the current plan to serve the underserved communities of Whittier, Unincorporated Whittier, and Pico Rivera and Montebello further limits rapid transit and further diminishes access for people in these communities.

It’s selfish for cities in San Gabriel Valley to get another Transit Center.

The current plan must stay and the cities in San Gabriel Valley need to share rapid transit access to other areas of east county of Los Angeles.

Great to be American

It's great to be reminded how privileged we are to be Americans in America. Beautiful country, freedoms, diversity, and the unbound pursuit of happiness.

de Tocquevilled
T. Jefferson
John Muir
R.W. Emerson
R. Frost
H.W. Longfellow
W. Whitman

South Whittier Satelite College Center - Short Change

There is a ridiculous argument being advocated by Russell Castañeda Calleros, the governmental affairs director, at Rio Hondo College regarding the South Whittier Satellite Center. He say's, "the people in South Whittier need more green space than college classrooms."

The voters voted on a $234 million dollar bond which $3 million was committed and budgeted for a college satellite center in South Whittier. Some administrators, including Russell Castañeda Calleros, are planning to short change the project thereby breaking the promise made to the community to invest the full $3 million in the satilite center.

What it comes down to is whether to build three or four classrooms. Of course this would mean serving fewer people at the site and instead adding a small patch of grass and a tree. Russell Castañeda Calleros makes the argument that the people of South Whittier and surrounding area need more "green space" than classroom space for courses and programs.

Now, I consider myself an environmentalist and have a good policy track record. But this is about Rio Hondo Community College serving people in an area with high unemployment, the furthest south community from campus, a working class community, limited in transportation, and with no high school.

I'm stand steadfast that the people of South Whittier deserve more classroom space to take college courses that will help them attain better paying jobs, help young adults get in college, and improve the community overall rather than a small patch of grass with a tree. There are several good parks in the area.

Russell Castañeda Calleros and others are attempting to short change the people of South Whittier and I wont let them do it without a fight.

Leave Redistricting to Elected Representatives

"The California Voters First Initiative would take the redistricting process out of the hands of state legislators and put it under the control of an independent committee."

I would much rather have our elected representatives in the state legislature draw districts then leave it to an "independent" committee that is not representative of California.

The proponents of this Initiative know well that taking the process out of the hands of our elected representatives usurps residents of California and our democratic form of government.

I'm disapointed that my retired political science professor and Whittier city councilman Owen Newcomer would back such initiative. By supporting this initiative he is taking the process out of the hands of the people and giving it to an elite group of people not representative of our diverse population of California.

Our representative form of democracy should not be substituted for a committee of political appointments who were not directly elected by the people of California. If a community does like its representative they can vote them out. In the case of a committee of elites, we can not vote them out and there is no mechanism to do so should the people disagree with their decision.

Stick to our elected legislature who we can hold accountable at the local level and not a group of unaccountable elitist.

The State of Ward Republics in America

Thomas Jefferson believed that democracy in America is best represented at the local level (ward republics) where citizens govern themselves and live inter-dependently (in collaboration with each other).

I too have subscribed to this idea since my teens age years reading Jefferson, Rousseau's "The Social Contract" and other political philosophy.

This Presidential Primary cycle gives me great hope and concern. The possibility of either an African-American or woman brings me closer to the idea of equal opportunity in America.

However, I'm also growing concern for how our democracy or the idea of democracy may be or not shifting at the local level. As Jefferson argued, the small local ward republic is reflective of the federal/national state of democracy. If this is true, my concern is that I observe not a shift in ideas, but just the same "old" Machiavellian practice of the group fight and hoarding of resources.

Perhaps I'm viewing this too idealistically. To anticipate and get caught in the fervor of an ideological revolution may be placing too many expectations on "change". I understand realism in politics, but is this really "change"?

I see no "change" at the local levels. What I observe is the realist opportunism that can be a plague if not checked. My observation is the Democratic Presidential Campaigns at the local levels are not representative of the movement and ideas they purport. The Presidential Caucuses where strangely awkward.

Is there such thing as "unity" when people ideologicly akin are tearing each other apart? What I believe as ideology transcending race and culture may not be that at all. In my local ward-republic and what I observed in the Iowa Caucuses was not “unity” or “change”. What was it?

I do observe some believers in the “movement”. They deserve every encouragement and should be brought into the process so that they might actually be the ones down the road instituting “change”. I will do my best to help them get on the ship.

However, there were also acute opportunist using the “movement” to solely help themselves or engaging in cultural elitism. “I’m bring in my own group in and the rest of you will have to sit back and be governed by us” attitude.

Ok, I believe that “change” may bring change in the wealth structure in America and create greater access to opportunity for those who have not been included. Am I wrong? Could it just be one elitist group versus another elitist group?

I feel something is not right in our wards republics.

The Licorice Fields of Pontefract it was not

Betjeman would be disapointed
for it was not a licorice field
where my love and I did meet,
rather a corner cafe speak,
Her hair was brown chestnut it did glow,
skin dark and brown,
her lips sulky indeed and shaped for sin,
her legs were only the begining to which led up to divinity.


Good take of Betjman from the boys of BSP.