Mendocino County Today: Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Warm | Flora | House Shook | Naulty Retires | MCC Benefit | Chief Cervenka | Pimentals | School News | Hutchins Concession | Noyo Harbor | Sheriff Note | Ship Aground | Undervotes | Gas Punch | Water Tax | FB Parade | Old Howard | Dollar Banquet | Shelter Crisis | Caspar Band | Ed Notes | Stab & Dine | Art Walk | Harness & Saddle | Kate Wolf | Fishwives | Hugh Duggins | Yesterday's Catch | Giant Agave | Marie Musk | Ukraine | Hugh McElhenny | Lament | Press | Anarchist | Biden Unfit | Disabled | Recommend Indictment | Redneck HQ | Accountability | Presley Parents | Separate/Unequal | Again No | Oath Keeping | Milkmaid

AFTER A WARM DAY TODAY, interior temperatures will gradually cool the back half of the work week and into the weekend. Temperatures will continue to be seasonal at the coast. (NWS)

QUAKE?

A moment ago it sounded like a two-by-four toppled against the side of my house (it might have been a branch falling off a tree), then the house shook gently, once, side to side. A little bit later the house shook again, once, side to side but 90-degrees off from the first time. This is up Albion Ridge.

— Marco McClean (Wed, June 29, 2022 2:25 am)

FORT BRAGG POLICE CHIEF JOHN NAULTY RETIRES

At Monday night’s City Council meeting, we said our goodbyes to Chief John Naulty. John served the City for the last two years as our interim Police Chief. John was hired by then-city manager Tabatha Miller. We had discussed John running the Police Department for a short six months to allow us time to hire a new chief. Not long after hiring John, several things happened, Covid being one of them, and the realization that six months was not going to be long enough. 

John was tasked with righting a ship that most felt was sinking. He was brought in for his experience, leadership and ability to instill law and order. What we experienced was much more. John showed us what happens when leaders see the bigger picture. He brought compassion for people and life as well. In his first year, John worked with me to take a proactive approach dealing with and trying to solve our homeless, transient and mentally ill citizen issues. I saw John fight for people’s human rights in the hospital on 5150 (mental health) holds while pleading for compassion and being their voice when it seemed they didn’t have one. He asked for and got cots stored at the Police Department which allowed his officers to place someone in the lobby of the Police Department for the night if they felt they were in danger and there was no place else to go. He fostered a relationship with Redwood Community Services staff allowing us to better serve our citizens in or on the verge of crisis, a relationship that grows stronger every day. These are just a few of the traits John brought and instilled in his department that will carry on and better serve our community, traits that I was unaware we were getting, but that is John. 

I am certain the community will never fully understand all that John Naulty has done for us. So, as we transition to new leadership at the Police Department, take solace in the fact that John has made us better. Better in ways that few will ever be able to see, but it is there. If you know, you know. For me, John has set the bar. It is up to the rest of us to make sure we hold his level of professionalism and continue to improve our community. 

Lastly, for me, the best part of the journey is that I gained a friend. 

Bernie Norvell

City of Fort Bragg

COMMUNITY CENTER OF MENDOCINO IS HAVING A CONCERT

Wednesday, June 29 we are having “Songwriters in the Round” which showcases Angie Heimann of the Blushing Roulettes, Michael McNevin a bay area folk troubadour, and Jay Brown, a one-man band North Carolina songster. Doors open at 7:00 and the music begins at 7:30.

For tickets visit the EVENTS page of our website ccmendo.org. Tickets are a steal at $20.00 +$2.50 online processing fee. There will be wine available with all proceeds benefitting CCM. The concert is at the Center 998 School St.

Please come join us, it's going to be lots of fun!! 

Elizabeth Pippin <sunshine3904@outlook.com>

CITY OF FORT BRAGG HIRES NEW POLICE CHIEF

The City of Fort Bragg is pleased to announce that Neil Cervenka has been offered and has accepted the position of Police Chief following the retirement this week of Interim Police Chief John Naulty. His first day on the job will be July 25, 2022. 

Neil Cervenka, 47, was raised in Chilton, Wisconsin and joined the United States Air Force straight out of high school where he was assigned to Security Police. He provided security for nuclear missiles at Malstrom AFB, Montana, then flightline security at Osan Airbase in South Korea, and finally served at Travis AFB in California. During his time at Travis AFB, Cervenka was deployed to Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch. After five years of active duty service, he moved to the USAF Reserves. He was later deployed to Egypt and Germany, and in October 2001, was recalled to active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle following the 9/11 attacks. He left the Reserves in November 2002 as a Technical Sergeant. 

Cervenka met his wife, Kellie, in Napa in 1998. While living there, he attended the Napa Valley Regional Criminal Justice Training Center police academy and upon graduation, was hired by Turlock Police Department in May of 2000 where he has spent the last 22 years. During his time at the Turlock PD, he served as Field Training Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, SWAT Commander, Investigations Lieutenant, and Acting Division Captain, among many other positions. 

Chief Cervenka serves as the Treasurer on the Executive Board of Directors for the California Peace Officers Association and participates on several charity boards of directors, most of which serve underprivileged or at-risk kids. 

Kellie and Neil have two children, a daughter Samantha, 23, who is finishing her degree in Legal Studies, and a son Alex, 19, currently attending Northwest Lineman College. Neil is a marathon runner and has even completed a 45-mile run in full gear. He enjoys landscape photography and can’t wait to explore all the beauty in and around Fort Bragg, which he describes as one of his favorite places in the world. 

“It is an incredible honor to be trusted to serve the Fort Bragg community as your Chief of Police,” Neil says. The Mayor and all the members of the Fort Bragg City Council hope our residents will get to know the new Chief and welcome him and his family into the community. 

Questions regarding this information should be directed to Mayor Bernie Norvell, 707-961-2823 ext. 145. 

AV UNIFIED UPDATE

Great News And Even More Great News And Then EVEN MORE GREAT NEWS!

Hello,

I received the following news today from the assessor. Please see attached. Our bond passed with almost 72%. Kudos to everyone that worked those phones and endorsements. The only reason it passed was because of your relationships. I’ve got to call a shout out to Ali. Above and beyond.

WE ARE ON! A request for qualifications for the architect went out last week. The financing schedules are underway. We will see construction next year. This was a good day.

And my good day got even better. Take a look at these happy kids at academic circus camp at the elementary school. Talk about a way to leave the sadness and loneliness of Covid behind. You are rocking it, Charlotte and team. And then, I saw the Junior and Senior high school kids 100 percent in with the Keystone Therapy team in the Art room. Thank you Stefani for coordinating those logistics because everyone wants to be there!

But as happy and proud I am about the above, I have to share the BEST part of my day... Dave Ballentine, student Tristan Riley and Guy Kephart, Jr., and I spent the day cleaning out the dust of six decades in the old welding and auto shop. We knocked down cobwebs that were created the year I was born in 1963, threw out tools that were corroded, vacuumed dirt that may have been created in 1958, but most of all we started the process of thinking about what an amazing learning environment that space NEEDS TO BE for kids. We still have a bunch of large unassembled furniture that needs to get out of there and moved over to room 1. This will allow David the full space to create his vision. I want to thank David. He showed me a lot of trust and grace to accept my invite to work with him today. I am truly excited about what this space (and the rest of his shop) will become for kids.

Georgette said to me today, “You really like creating classrooms” and shared her story about her purge of musty out of date STUFF, when she took over her room, and I said how it signaled to the kids (who were delighted with her refresh)--it means you care about me and you care about where i spend my day. indeed, I care about you. I care about kids. 

As you refresh your spaces remember:

Don't get side-tracked by the small stuff---that box with items will be there tomorrow, look at the whole space and how you want kids to interact in it.--GET GLOBAL.

if you haven't used it, you probably won't use it. Time to clean out.

Think about exits and safety. Are there clear pathways out?

Is it DIRTY? If so, let's clean it. I vacuumed dust off a vent hood that I know hasn't been vacuumed for 20 years. That's not okay.

I am a freak about clean and inviting environments. Studies show kids learn best when things are cared for. The spaces don't have to be sterile, or no personality, but they have to be inspiring, and clean and cared for. Students also need to be part of that care chain for those spaces, so they are invested and have ownership.

Thank you David for having me in! We are going to start on the wood shop tomorrow. Thank you and your team for your hard work and for trusting me. Anyone else that needs a hand, I am here next week, and then I am off for a bit.

But all that said, here is the best part of my day. I am unpacking boxes of old stuff in the shop, and only I would find a disco ball (motorized of course!). I briefly thought of hanging it in my office (pic enclosed). But I have repurposed it to Miss Marcela for dances.

So Grateful. So Excited. Here we go...

Louise Simson

Superintendent

Anderson Valley Unified School District

Cell: 707-684-1017

DEEP APPRECIATION

Greetings all.

Your friendship, support and generosity through these last four years of my service as Superintendent of Schools, and specifically over these last few challenging months, has meant the world to me. There are not adequate words to express my appreciation.

It has been an honor to serve as the Superintendent of Schools and to lead the work of the Mendocino County Office of Education, work that I will forever remember with great pride. The outcome of the election, while personally disappointing, does not deter my focus from the students of Mendocino County and meeting their needs during a time that continues to challenge our families and our school communities.

It is now time to look forward. We must continue to do all that we can as communities to support our children and our schools. While my tenure as Superintendent of Schools Mendocino County will be coming to a close, a new chapter will begin for me. I remain as committed as ever to being a source of service and support. And I am forever grateful for you all.

With deep appreciation,

Michelle Hutchins, County Superintendent of Schools

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CITIZENS OF MENDOCINO COUNTY

I want to thank you for electing me your sheriff on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

I was appointed in January 2020 to succeed Sheriff Tom Allman, and I am honored to have won your vote of confidence for a four-year term. 

With your help, my goal during this term is to rebuild safer communities by restoring patrol levels across the county to meet public safety needs. County residents are typically industrious, caring people who want what is best for their families, friends, and communities. So, do I.

I grew up in Mendocino County. I remain here for the simple reason this is my home, as it was my father’s and his father before. I cannot go anywhere in the county that does not remind me of a time when I lived or worked there. I plan to live here for the remainder of my life. It gives me a personal stake in ensuring that the crime related issues which are currently plaguing us are faced.

Public safety is and will remain my top priority as Sheriff over the next four years.

We know that current low law enforcement staffing numbers across the United Sates are affecting the ability to serve the public everywhere. In rural counties, the hiring and retention of employees is always an issue. Covid pandemic related shutdowns, recent legislation and government spending priorities have hampered law enforcement efforts. 

Yes, emerging technologies are helping but we need qualified and trained personnel to use the innovations in investigating crimes and maintaining public safety. 

A high priority for me will be keeping sheriff personnel in the outlying areas of our sprawling county which are often affected most by crime. We must have professionally trained deputies on patrol, and in our Corrections Division.

During my new term, I intend to work collaboratively with other agencies and tribal governments, and I pledge to focus my attention on these relationships. In Mendocino County, tribal governments are a key resource to serving all of our residents. I will continue to improve relationships with tribal leaders who do so much for our rural communities.

Behavioral Health issues are in the forefront and during the past year, I have worked closely with mental health agencies. Our department organized a team led by Capt. Greg VanPatten to implement a “dual response” model where Behavioral Health workers are partnering with patrol deputies to serve individuals in crisis. The team has grown to three crisis workers who are now serving throughout the county. As a result, we are reducing the number of persons falling into crisis by meeting them halfway. This pre-emptive intervention or “upstream” approach has show and is showing positive outcomes. Service providers and local hospitals are benefiting, and our deputies are able to spend more time on the streets.

As your elected Sheriff, I pledge to take these steps:

• I will continue to move forward with plans to construct a new jail facility. A new jail will better serve the incarcerated population, while allowing improved in-custody programs. To that end, I have created a new position within the Corrections Division – a ‘Restorative Justice Coordinator.’ The goal is to partner with several service providers to provide training and education programs for incarcerated individuals. The goal is to help change behaviors, and to empower individuals to find better options in their lives upon release.

• I will continue to work with the Mendocino County Probation Office to ensure inmates are in direct contact with probation officers prior to their release. I believe if we start people in the right direction, it will be easier for them to create a healthy, productive life on the outside.

• I am collaborating with the Sheriffs of Lake, Humboldt, Trinity, and Butte counties, we have formed the “Northern California Coalition to Safeguard Communities.” Our priorities are combating illegal cannabis cultivation, environmental crimes, and human trafficking. Our coalition allows us to provide support and accept funding from charitable organizations to assist us in being more aggressive with these issues.

• I am also working with allied law enforcement agencies locally and across the state so the voices of Northern Californians can be heard. Unless state and federal authorities hear us, we will continue to suffer from “one size fits all” programs which do not work in our rural communities.

• No doubt we are struggling with substantial quality-of-life issues, which include substance abuse and homelessness. Many of these issues are outside of law enforcements abilities, but the relentless rise in drug addiction and behavioral health issues force us to demand legislators and local lawmakers hear our concerns. These difficult issues are no longer sustainable, and we have to change our approach across the board.

• I am currently training a sheriff’s services technician to work in our local schools. We want to implement programs dealing with gang resistance, drug use, and community empowerment. I know that empowerment through education in the schools, in law enforcement training, and in public venues works to help stabilize public safety.

In conclusion, in a small department we can only do so much on our own. Many of the goals I have set can only be met with community support, and the partnerships we build. 

It is one of the many reasons I love working in Mendocino County. The outpouring of support from residents and community advocates is both overwhelming, and humbling. 

I thank you, and I look forward to being your Sheriff for the next four years.

Sheriff Matt Kendall

Ukiah

THE NOYO WAS A 225 FOOT steel steamer built in 1913. The cargo ship ran aground in heavy fog off Point Arena on June 10, 1935, and was abandoned the next day.

UNDERVOTES

by Mark Scaramella

County Superintendent of Schools

22,248 ballots were submitted in the June 7 primary for a turnout of 42.3%.

In 2018 22,855 votes were cast for a turnout of 48.4%.

In 2018, Michelle Hutchins beat opponent Bryan Barrett for County Superintendent of Schools by a vote of 9810 to 8929, a difference of 881 votes. 4,116 voters didn’t vote for either candidate for MCOE Supe. (“Undervotes”)

In 2022, Hutchins lost to Nicole Glentzer by 8,686 to 10,769, a difference of 2083 votes, with 2,857 undervotes, i.e. voters who didn’t vote for the MCOE position.

In both races (2018 and 2022), the “undervotes” were substantially more than the difference between the candidates.

Also interesting is that Hutchins actually got almost 1300 votes less in 2022 than she did in 2018 when she ran against her narcoleptic male Ukiah Unified candidate.

In 2018 18% of voters didn’t vote for either MCOE candidate.

In 2022 about 12.5% of voters didn’t vote for either candidate.

It’s guesswork, of course, but it seems like two primary factors worked in Glentzer’s favor compared to Barrett in 2018. 1. Glentzer is a female. 2. Hutchins didn’t run a particularly effective campaign, choosing to take the high road and run on her record (“experience matters”) while her opponent ran an aggressively negative campaign with patently false claims about Hutchins.

Takeaway: If a woman is running against a man in Mendocino County, take the high road and win with most of the “any woman is better than any man” women (and some men), plus a bunch of male castrati votes, such as the caponized males clustered in Glentzer's hen house. But if a woman is running against another woman: go low, hit ‘em hard and make as many false charges as possible, which is what Glentzer did.

Sheriff

In 2018 Tom Allman ran unopposed and got 18,950 of the 22,855. 3905 undervotes didn’t vote for Allman.

In 2022 Kendall got 14,699 of the 17,187 votes for Sheriff (almost 86% of votes for Sheriff.) But 5,123 voters didn’t vote for either Sheriff’s candidate.

Takeaway: Allman is a gifted politician. Kendall is quietly effective. Last minute write-in candidate Trent James garnered a surprisingly large 2,488 votes (almost 15%) considering he was a last-minute candidate. He tapped into Mendo’s substantial anti-cop/blue-meaney population, most of which is in the “liberal” Fifth District, plus a large presence in Fort Bragg. We have yet to hear from Candidate James about the results. Will he post another youtube video, despite his recent posts about how he actually expected to win as a write in candidate? Will he continue his attacks on local law enforcement brass? Will he even stay in Mendocino County?

WATER TAX OPTIONS, an exchange

NORM THURSTON (former senior Auditor staffer, former Sheriff’s budget point person)

The “water tax” is a controversial proposal, which certainly has room for criticism. But the suggestion that existing local governments should charge an amount that is many times more than the cost of providing services is ill-considered. Governments were never intended to be for-profit entities, due to the inherent potential for abuse of such an arrangement. Also, California codes generally restrict local governments from charging more that the reasonable cost of providing the service. So the suggestion that two local governments charge constituents many times more than their costs is DOA.

GEORGE HOLLISTER (Mendocino County Farm Bureau President)

Norm, thanks for your service.

Then there is the reality. Mendocino County is a for profit business, that is focused on bringing in money, and not on providing services. Look at the cost of a building permit. Look at “homeless” services. Look at the county’s motivation in regulating (taxing) cannabis. Etc., etc. It is always, all about the money, and Mendocino County is not unique.

Ronald Reagan had a good quote about this. “Government’s view of the economy can be summed up this way: If it moves tax it, if it keeps moving regulate it, if it stops moving subsidize it.”

There is also the timeless fairytale about the “Three Billy Goats Gruff”. If you believe the government will take care of you, remember who that helping hand could be.

THURSTON

I agree with your comment that the County is a for profit operation, but would assert that it should not be. It is that way because the citizens elect officials that either tolerate or promote that approach. Obtaining large grants to provide services that are optional at best is not necessarily the best approach.

HOLLISTER

I totally agree. But we seemed entirely entrenched in what we are doing, with no way out, except maybe bankruptcy. What might be good for the supervisors to look at is our county budget, including the largest part, that money that comes from the state and federal governments. If they did that, we might all start to get an understanding of how we got here.

MARK SCARAMELLA

How about if they floated a bond to cover the cost of their infrastructure upgrades (or grant match amounts) which they should have been doing all along and then included the bond payments in their cost of service? Surely, you’re not saying that capital reserves cannot be included in the cost of service, are you?

THURSTON

That points us in the right direction. I am not well versed on the details, but if the Potter Valley Irrigation District had an opportunity to maintain flows into their system by way of a major remodel or construction project, and voters in the District were willing to vote for bonds and a related debt service tax, then great. Capital reserves can be included in the reasonable cost of service, but one should expect push back from constituents who do not want to pay for anything that is not currently needed. If the District has contributed a portion of revenues to a capital projects fund over the years, they should be in a good position to look at projects now. If bonds are pursued, an estimate of the annual tax rate should be computed and provided to constituents, along with an estimate of any change in ongoing operating costs, after completion of the project. Of course, any grants that can be used for construction and/or operation of the project should be pursued. All this would be determined by the people funding and benefiting from the project, without either fiscal support required, or control imposed, from other areas of the County.

THE “PUFF” & THE DEMOLITION OF OLD HOWARD HOSPITAL, an exchange

“LAZARUS”

Willits needs housing for professionals, middle income, and the working poor. The views from the site are great, and there is a City maintained park boarding the street below. Multiuse housing would be the answer. But don’t expect the County to get involved with this.

There’s a lot of talk about why the PHF did not happen there, but the developers and others think the County realized it was a money pit and moved on. The County owns Whitmore Lane, and even with the over 20mil estimate, Whitmore is a better deal than Ole Howard would have ever been.

Be well,

Laz

“K.H.”

How could it be more of a money pit than Whitmore Lane? The county rented the dormant care home in 2020 for $31,550 a month. Then they bought it for $2.2 million in August 2021. Then the roof collapsed. It is now 2022 and the estimates are it will cost $20 million dollars to retrofit.

How could a working hospital facility that was in use until a few years ago cost more than that to utilize for psych patients?

I agree Willits needs housing. I don’t expect much from the county when it comes to leadership or vision.

MARK SCARAMELLA

Interesting exchange, but moot now. Mendo is committed to Whitmore Lane. I think parts of Old Howard are probably salvageable, but parts of it are indeed too old. Same with Whitmore Lane. It was a — what? — 90 bed nursing home and now they want a 16 bed PHF? And they plan to pay $20 million (a self-fulling prophecy-estimate that need not be anywhere near that much). Supposedly Not the Least (Nacht & Lewis) will present their inflated numbers soon and we’ll see what the overcharge will be and maybe what the condition is and how much can be salvaged. OSHPOD (the state’s modern hospital standards for medical facilities) is expensive, but the only reason they’re planning for an oversized 16-bed facility is for financial reasons, Mendo doesn’t need 16 beds according to the Kemper report..

JAMES MARMON

Profit, sell beds to other counties. The Schraeders are probably looking ahead on getting a license to run the thing. If anyone thinks the County or the Schraeders are going to want some outsiders involved in Mental-cino’s number one money grab you need to be placed in one of their facilities.

COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER REQUESTS PUBLIC’S HELP

by Carole Brodsky 

Richard Molinari, Shelter Director for the Mendocino County Animal Shelter said a recent Facebook post brought attention to a serious concern - an overabundance of animals housed at the shelter.

On June 14, Molinari posted this plea: “Unfortunately, the Animal Shelter is at 100 percent occupancy at this time. We are looking at possibly having to euthanize dogs for kennel space at the end of the week.”

Fortunately, according to Molinari, community response began to curtail the immediate crisis. The Inland Humane Society accepted 6 dogs, which gave the Shelter some breathing room, along with the adoption of 11 other dogs. A June 17th post stated, “We are doing much better on having additional open kennels and no animals have had to be euthanized due to lack of space. Thank you to the community & Inland Humane Society for the assistance this week.”

But, as summer waxes and kitten season looms, Molinari cautions the shelter is by no means out of the woods. He is appealing to the public to help reduce the population by managing their own pets and considering adopting one of the many qualified animals at the shelter. He notes this crisis is being felt nationwide.

“Going in to Covid, our community was awesome. People fostered dogs, which freed up kennel space, so we had a low population for a good period of time. Coming out of the pandemic, the bottom dropped out. Hundreds of shelters and rescue organizations across the country are all inundated.”

“For six years, we’ve never had to talk about euthanization to address space issues,” says Molinari. But there are only so many kennels, and large numbers of dogs increase the chance of spreading diseases like kennel cough, and augment what is already a stressful environment.

“We were running at 100 percent capacity for six months, and recently found ourselves unable to accept surrendered animals. Our animal control officers were doing their best to return animals in the field- but that’s just putting a Band-Aid on the problem,” he continues.

Several factors led to this unintended fallout from the Covid era.

“People began surrendering animals post-Covid. They were returning to work and unable to spend time with their pets. Others found themselves working fewer hours and have hard decisions about buying gas, milk or pet food.”

The shelter responded to those issues by offering pet adoption fees at a 50 percent discount.

“Unfortunately, and unlike other times in our history, this did not make a significant impact on the kennel population.

In today’s fragile economy, animals are the low-hanging fruit when it comes to balancing the household budget. Even the cost of animal food has risen.”

Several other factors resulted in the kennel’s population increase.

“We’re seeing more animals getting loose - escaping and engaging in bad behavior. It’s hard to find time for your dog if you’re working two jobs and caring for kids and family members. If dogs don’t get the daily attention they need, they’ll get creative and do things they don’t usually do. Escaped dogs can become fearful and destructive, and the fines for that behavior can be steep.”

“In other cases, owned animals aren’t being reclaimed. By the time you pay for impound fees, medical care and food costs, you might be talking about thousands of dollars. For many families, the question becomes, ‘Do I pay these fines or put food on the table?’”

During Covid, the number of spay and neuter surgeries plunged, creating a larger population of dogs and cats people were not in the position to care for. Just this week, a female cat was brought into the shelter. She promptly birthed six healthy kittens.

“Prior to Covid, our clinic and mobile van was performing 3,000 mobile spay surgeries annually. For the past two Covid years, that number declined to 2,000 surgeries. We are dependent on the goodwill and schedules of a team of veterinarians to assist us, whose practices have also been affected by the pandemic. Hopefully, there will be a full-time vet at the shelter sometime in our future. We can only spay and neuter so much. We could fill our van five days a week, and I don’t know if it would really make a difference.”

With Kitten Season on the horizon, Molinari expects overcrowding to impact the cat kennels. Other issues increase the local cat population.

“We have a lot of cat hoarders. We recently assisted a person who had 80 cats in their possession. We’ve worked with several people with up to 40 cats. Our relatively mild weather allows cats to thrive. Cats acclimate well to heat, so we do have cat issues in our county.”

What can the public do to help reduce the kennel population?

“On our website, we have a section entitled, “Responsible Pet Ownership.” It’s there to make people ask the big questions about taking on an animal. It’s a big responsibility. Sick animals can cost thousands.”

“Pet owners sometimes don’t do the right things. These are the basics of responsible pet ownership, and we’re asking the community to review these tips and make sure you’re doing the best you can to keep your animals safe.”

Identifying pets, with microchipping, licenses and name tags is key to keeping shelter numbers low. “Prior to Covid, we were ID’ing 2,500 animals annually. We want animals to come in with identification. We want to reconnect animals with owners and make sure it doesn’t happen again. The faster owners reclaim animals, the less expensive it is.”

Along with identification and licensing, Molinari asks that animals are vaxxed.

“We offer at-cost rabies and microchip events, which costs $12 for both services. We have at least two of these events every year. Identification is priceless. If your dog comes in, we call you and ask you to come get your animal asap.”

Molinari asks pet owners to focus on making it difficult for pets to escape.

“Check your fencing. Go over with your kids how important it is to keep your dog fenced, and not to leave doors open. We don’t want bad things to happen to animals when they escape their homes. Cars and loud noises scare them. We don’t want to have to make the hard call to your family if we find your animal injured or killed. Make sure they have access to water and shade. Imagine if you were outside in this level of heat and what you’d need to stay comfortable. This kind of community cooperation and assistance helps prevent animals from coming in and helps them being returned at a faster rate.”

“We will get a surge of animals related to July 4th fireworks. Please keep your pets inside, put your animal in an isolated room and play some music. Dogs will jump fences, run into traffic and hopefully, someone will bring them here. Cats are also spooked by fireworks. We recommend keeping your animals indoors several days before and after July 4th.”

For those who must surrender their animal due to changes in life conditions such as moving, Molinari directs people to the “Rehoming” link on the Shelter’s website.

“When people sign up to rehome their pet, the information is seen by lots of prospective owners. Because of our shelter capacity, we sometimes have a waiting list for those needing to rehome their pet, so we’ll ask people to go through the rehoming process, which is the industry standard.”

And of course, a number of dogs and cats are ready for their forever home today. The shelter has a few new protocols.

“When Covid hit, our front door was locked. Today, we’re still keeping our doors locked, for a couple of reasons. With dogs, we are scheduling visit times. Dogs need about 16 hours of sleep. By booking visits, they’re getting better sleep, we’re reducing their anxiety level and caring for healthier dogs. We have a book at the front desk where you can view adoptable pets. If it’s a busy day, we’ll schedule an appointment. You can go online, view all the adoptable animals, fill out an application in advance and we’ll call you to schedule a visit. For those wanting to adopt cats, you can come in and view them during business hours.”

There are other ways to help the shelter. Volunteer orientations take place the second Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. Call the shelter number and leave a message for Amy Campbell to sign up. Pack Walks take place every third Saturday at 9 a.m. “Certified volunteers can take one of the dogs for walk. It gets dogs out of the shelter and makes them happier, healthier and more adoptable.”

Because the shelter uses specific brands of food for the animals, donations of pet food is discouraged. “If we received non-expired foods, we donate them to Plowshares or families in need. We always need bath towels and linens, blankets, collars, leashes in good condition and paper plates,” says Molinari.

“We really do have a lot of really good dogs right now- puppies, senior dogs and a lot of kittens in foster care who will be in the pipeline very soon. We’re still running the half-off adoption special. The process can be done online, but we still have old-school paper forms that can be picked up at the shelter or printed out.”

“We’re weathering the storm, and we have a plan. Hopefully, we’ll have a calm fire season, because if we’re full, we won’t be in the position to accept many animals if there’s a fire. With the community’s support, we’re hoping to see a return to normalcy in about four months,” Molinari concludes.

The shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shelter is closed from 1 to 1:30 p.m. for lunch.

For more information visit the Mendocino County Animal Shelter Facebook page, the website at Animal Care Services | Mendocino County, CA or phone (707) 463-4427

(Courtesy, the Ukiah Daily Journal.)

ED NOTES

I WROTE some time ago that Trump incited the Jan 6 riot then scurried back to the White House to hide out. Apparently, if today's Trump Is Bad hearing approximates the truth, a Secret Service agent had to beat him back off the steering wheel when Trump grabbed it and demanded to be driven to the riot.

WHICH, IF TRUMP had led the mob, certainly would have made that event a lot more interesting, and absolutely thrilling if he'd led the armed Camo Buddies to hunt down his vice-president and a few slow-moving libs for a Live At Five lynching bee. But it's no surprise that Trump was too incompetent to bring off an actual coup attempt.

JAN 6 remains a riot. An insurrection would have seen armed people with a plan rush the Congress, armed people with a willingness to die for Trump, and can anyone even imagine a more preposterous figure to die for?

IT WAS a former Trump White House aide, Cassidy Hutchinson, who testified that Trump attempted to force the Secret Service to take him to the Capitol after his Jan. 6 speech. “I’m the fucking president, take me up to the Capitol now!” Trump shouted, according to Hutchinson. “The president reached up toward the front of the vehicle to grab at the steering wheel when Secret Service agent Robert Engel” shoved him back into his seat. Which is your basic hearsay evidence she probably was in no position to even hear as gossip.

IF THE SECRET SERVICE refused to drive Trump to the riot, who's in charge? We all remember Bush blinkingly immobilized as he got the news that Saudi fanatics were flying passenger planes into the Twin Towers. Bush appeared to have no idea what to do as he was flown around the country to hide out before finally returning to DC. The Trump Is Bad committee ought to get Agent Engel up there to confirm or deny that he truly had to forcibly ignore Trump's order to drive him to the riot.

BUT, the Secret Service is apparently prepared to push back against claims that Trump tried to grab the steering wheel of his presidential vehicle or lunged at Secret Service agent Engel when agents refused to take him to the Capitol on January 6. The allegations were made by Cassidy Hutchinson, a former assistant to Mark Meadows, who said she had heard the tale secondhand. Bobby Engel, the lead agent on Trump's detail, and the presidential driver at the time. Both are prepared to testify under oath to the committee that Hutchinson's testimony is incorrect, according to multiple news outlets.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK IN UKIAH

ART WALK: emphasis on ART and WALK. Ukiah is a very walkable town. Join artists and their hosts for an evening of art, music and refreshments as you stroll from one venue to the next; each showcasing local art and artistry. Held in Historic Downtown Ukiah on the first Friday of each month, the First Friday Art Walk is the perfect way to relax your body, mind and soul. This enjoyable evening begins at 5:00 p.m. and promises to delight your senses; all while enjoying the company of others. For more information contact (707) 391-3664

Paradigm, 312 N School Street This coming art walk on July 1 will be featuring Paradigm shop owners fathers art and woodworking! Don Rodriques will be in the house to show off how busy he has been creating some awesome acrylic and oil paintings as well as some of his famous hand carved wooden wares! Bona Marketplace 116 W Standley Street Ukiah Bona is proud to host Josh Hunt. Josh is a young talented abstract artist using acrylic fluid painting as his current medium. Please come meet Josh and take a look at his beautiful art. Ukiah Library 105 N Main Street Ukiah Well-Traveled by Kathleen Miller Thomas Ukiah Branch Library staff invite the community to join us for Art Walk Ukiah on Friday, July 1st from 5 — 7 pm. Come enjoy an exhibit by Kathleen Miller Thomas, titled “Well-Traveled”. Ms. Miller Thomas will show landscape pieces in oil and pastel. Ms. Miller Thomas' color usage is influenced by her early years spent in Southern California and Hawaii. The Ukiah Branch Library will be hosting live music by Richard Jeske & Dennis Hadley. Miniature tiny painting materials will be available for in-person crafting or as a Take & Make. This exhibit is free to the public, for all ages, and sponsored by the Friends of the Ukiah Valley Library and Mendocino County Library.

Grace Hudson Museum, 431 S Main Street Barring oppressive heat, this month’s Frist Friday will largely take place in the Wild Gardens. The eclectic musical duo, Midas Well, featuring Char Jacobs and Chris Gibson, returns to the Museum and will perform under the Brush Arbor. Their repertoire crosses genres to include jazz, blues, folk, country, Americana, and some originals. Take a stroll or guided tour through the Wild Gardens, now looking lush and blooming with summer wildflowers. And Little Bear will delight with his popular table of Native American tools and toys. This is also a great opportunity to see our current exhibition *Pulped Under Pressure: The Art of Handmade Paper*. Also check out our core galleries devoted to Grace Hudson’s artwork, Pomo basketry, and the history of the Hudson-Carpenter family. Light refreshments will be served.

Medium Art Gallery, 522 E Perkins Street Celebrate 1 year of art shows at Medium Art Gallery in the Pear Tree Center! Art! Music! Cupcakes! Come make a punk patch with us. All supplies will be provided. We are extremely grateful to have been able to show our community what our fledgling arts nonprofit is capable of. We could not have done it without our talented arts community, committed board of directors, art supporters, volunteers, and help from the Pear Tree Center. In the last year, we have supported 254 individual artists with an inviting space to exhibit their artwork (a good number of whom it was their first experience showing in a gallery), made $17k in art sales while taking no commission and giving the full sale amount to the artist (most galleries take up to 50%), showcased the artwork of 132 youth artists, and provided numerous hands-on workshops and interactive art pieces during eight separate group shows. We want to thank you all for being a part of this with us. This is just the beginning!

Corner Gallery, 201 South State Street Corner Galley Ukiah hosts a special guest during opening for “It's All About Color” Friday 5pm to 8pm. Watercolor artist Nancy Collins brings special guest to take a walk on the wild side for exhibit in the front gallery windows. Nancy Collin’s watercolors excite the eyes & delight the soul, with joyous animals & colors. Young guest mixed media artist, Lucy Taslo continues to exhibit her compelling works. Pierre Archain, jazz musician sets the mood.

Art Center Ukiah, 201 South State Street Art Center Ukiah presents the Juried art Show themed “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall”. Who do you see when you look in the mirror. ACU exhibits paintings, photographs, and three dimensional art reflecting individual persons, as artist explore the image they see looking back from the mirror. Exhibit runs July 1 - August 2 2022

Maureen Mulheren

Ukiah Valley Networking Agency

707-391-3664

KATE WOLF MUSIC FESTIVAL FAREWELL

All good things sometimes come to an end as thousands of people joined hands on a warm Sunday night and sang “Give Yourself to Love” at the end of the 25th, and last, Kate Wolf Music Festival.

As an attendee for 20 consecutive years I have been privileged to hear an amazing variety of talent over the decades and have seen a lot of performers go silver haired with age. We’ve lost from the stage old timers like Rosalie Sorrels and Utah Phillips but seen youngsters like the Rainbow Girls and Sam Chase rise up singing to fill in their space. Songsters of my youth, like Donovan, Marianne Faithful and Joan Baez performing at the festival have brought memories flooding back.

Kate Wolf’s family, that helps organize the event yearly, were ready for a break from these responsibilities and no one would fault them for this. Perhaps, as 5,000 people there hope, the festival will be reincarnated into another folk music festival at Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville. Call it “Geezer-Fest”.

This festival crowd is definitely on the far side of age 50. Though some young folks attend it’s the old hippie chicks in tie-dye and the balding gents in shorts and t-shirts from festivals decades ago that fill the Music Meadow. When everyone was dancing along side the stage in the hot sun you hope someone won’t go into cardiac arrest from all the foot stomping.

Hugs and greetings abounded from older folks who hadn’t been out much in the last two years reuniting with friends. The browsing through the array of vendors booths offering artwork and crafts people were spreading around their money with enthusiasm.

A favorite topic, sitting in the shade between events, was “What was the best music performance you ever saw here at the festival?” Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Judy Collins, Greg Brown were all names that came up. Nina Gerber and all the wonderful woman like Maria Muldar, EmmyLou Harris, Ruthie Foster, Lucy Kaplansky, Laurie Lewis, Iris DeMent, Eliza Gilkerson, Ani DeFranco, Kate Hoskins, Barbara Higbie and more would be mentioned.

“Remember when Donovan came? Or that great Taj Mahal set?” people reminisced. Newcomers like Sam Chase, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Hot Buttered Rum, the Waifs, Indigo Girls, Playing for Change, Dayan Kai and Keith Greeninger would be mentioned while others remember the Tim O’Brien Band, Norton Buffalo, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Charlie Musslewhite, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, and what about Bruce Cockburn, Steve Earle, and Blues singers like Darlene Love and Little Anthony and the Imperials and Mavis Staples. The children and families of musicians of earlier years appeared like the Guthrie Girls, Lukas Nelson, and Billy Prine.

Joe Craven has been a perennial favorite but much loved, though now in his late 80’s, is Hippie Icon Wavy Gravy who sits on a big red couch on stage to catch his favorite acts. He used to go into long involved hysterically funny stories of the way things used to be, but now is content with introducing acts.

Best new bands I never heard of before? Old Blind Dogs from Scotland who asked for a sound check on a bagpipe player (that was a new first) And Sam Chase and the Untraditionals out of San Francisco.

The dance areas looked like someone did a time warp and dropped a 1960’s San Francisco Winterland Ballroom crowd into a cow field in Laytonville. The tie-dye, the boogying, the occasional plume of marijuana smoke, showed everyone was having a foot stomping good time. Speaking of foot stomping. I’m seated on the ground and the earth moved under my feet, then under my butt (and NO, I wasn’t stoned). I finally figured out there was a gopher burrowing it way across the ground a few inches under the surface. I pounded on the ground to make it go away as I didn’t want it popping up under my skirt, necessitating me leaping up and making very unladylike gestures while shaking fabric.

“Happy Trails Until We Meet Again” said the sign over the stage. Those lines bring back memories for many of us of a certain age. Go ask an old person where it comes from if you don’t know. From Kate Wolf’s song “Give Yourself to Love” comes the line “Love has made a circle that holds us all inside-when strangers are as family and loneliness can’t hide.” The festival producers asked us to take the love in the circle and spread it around. We will. Thank You to the spirit of Kate Wolf for the songs.

HUGH DUGGINS' MEMORIAL SIGN

by Paul Modic

It was last January 20^th, the sixth anniversary of Hugh Duggins' murder, and Kym published the story about his life on her news site Redheaded Blackbelt. An hour later I got a call from his friend and former jefe who had just read the story. He had made a commemorative sign a few years before which he wanted to place by the site where Hugh's body was found along Alderpoint road.

“I want to put that up today,” he said. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” I said.

We arranged to meet nine miles up at noon and when I got there Hugh's best friend Mike, the Jefe, and his brother were already at work digging the two holes for the sign, in the process breaking two old post-hole diggers. Those three dug, stopped often to tell stories of Hugh and other local topics past and present, and I stood around taking pictures.

When the holes were ready the sign was put in and we eyeballed it, then a few more chunks of the rocky earth were taken out to make it level. The brother got a couple of buckets of water and a few bags of redi-mix from his truck across the road, the redi-mix was poured in and then the water, and the whole mess was mixed up around the legs of the sign.

We stood around for another hour while the cement dried sharing Hugh stories and rumors and accusations about who had done it or why he had been murdered. All four of us were storytellers, as Hugh had been, and the topics drifted all the way back to when the brothers were kids making a home-made bomb with Hugh just for kicks, stories of Mike growing weed with Hugh, and some of my Hugh memories as well.

The excitable brother got on a roll and talked nonstop to me, while the Jefe and Mike conversed nearby, and went into much detail about every little thing like what happened to him years ago when he had been hired to shoot pigs at the Hog Farm, then getting picked up and jailed when they drove by a trailer on a lonely dirt road which turned out to be a meth lab being raided by the cops as he and his buddy left the pig hunting grounds.

They were thrown in jail and when they went before the judge deputy Tom Allman vouched for them as having nothing to do with the meth as the pig hunters presented as healthy young men in contrast to the meth lab guys who looked like burnt out tweakers. They had gone to high school with Allman at South Fork, the judge agreed they weren't involved and let them go, and the brother was later reimbursed by the county for thousands of dollars worth of tools stolen from his truck impounded while he was in jail. 

The Jefe also had a book in him and told us details of his worst investment, a house on the beach in Mexico which was taken over by the Mexican mafia, cut up into small rooms, and turned into a brothel. He half-jokingly suggested a writing collaboration and I would have to consider it.

Mike was just about to turn sixty-five and on his way with his wife down to the city to celebrate by going to a play and having lunch at the Fog City Diner. “We still love each other,” he said with an angelic smile.

After two hours on that little hill, just below the Pratt Mountain antenna farm, we finally broke away from our mission and each went back down the hill. As I drove along the curving mountain road on a sparkling winter day looking down into the beautiful valley I noticed all the empty hoop houses, evidence of a dying or dead industry, and mourned the end of an era along with the loss of Hugh.

The boom was over, all those abandoned greenhouses evidence of the opportunistic last five decades of frantic marijuana growing and money chasing, and I wondered what those beautiful green hills speckled with homesteads might have looked like had there been no weed.

More Tales of Hugh Duggins

I got off the road from my trip North and Hugh arrived the next morning as scheduled for work but we just sat around all morning talking as I unpacked the truck, then I made us lunch and we played Scrabble into the afternoon. He didn't do a lick of work on the sheds and neither of us cared. 

The next morning I was hung over from my dance class with Mati when he walked in precisely at ten--I was still in bed recovering from the margaritas. I made us coffee then said what the fuck lets play Scrabble until the sun burns through the fog. After a game or two Hugh said this day is starting to look like another washout but I said no I gotta do some work in the back forty, harvest some more before the rains come back, so we went out to work in the afternoon. 

I thought my job would be easy and perfunctory but can you believe there's still stuff out there?! I spent hours bringing in the sheaves--sheeit does it ever end? Oh I guess thats good but perversely I was annoyed that there was more weed out there, more work to do. 

Meanwhile Hugh was struggling with that metal shed because I was otherwise occupied with harvesting and couldn't help him put up the plywood on the wooden shed. He was bitching and cussing--I came out and he said don't talk to me, why did you buy this piece of crap? He was working in the muck and complaining about the instructions. Thanx for joining me in my nightmare I told him and went back into the house to read my latest novel. Finally it got dark and he came back in with muddy pants and shoes.

Want to play a game of Scrabble I asked. Well sure, he said. It seems like that's all we really like to do these days. I was joking with him that I'll probably get another carpenter and we'll just play Scrabble. 

Well, he said my pants are dirty, you should put something down on the chair, oh I'll just take them off. I put a sheet down anyway and there's Huge in his underwear sitting there across the Scrabble board and every time I look over to try to spell a word there's his famous bulge and he's occasionally touching, scratching, and adjusting it or whatever. 

I said if you get cold you can have a blanket but he said no that's okay and I said couldn't you cover that up, it’s distracting? So I try to hand him a pillow. He says what's the matter?, since my heart attack it doesn't even work all that regularly. 

I said that's not the point, I'm trying to spell words here and he says, What, are you gay? And I said well if I were gay wouldn't I want to just sit here and watch? So he took the pillow and then won the game spelling zax and qua and umiaq. 

CATCH OF THE DAY, June 28, 2022

BRICE CARLILE JR., Willits. Domestic battery, false imprisonment.

JAMES DODD JR., Willits. Resisting, probation revocation.

HENRY ENGKABO, Sacramento/Ukiah. Felon-addict with firearm, probation revocation.

NICHOLAS GALLAGHER, Fortuna/Ukiah. Unlawful use of tear gas, forging vehicle registration, controlled substance, paraphernalia.

ANDREW KARST, Ukiah. Domestic battery.

RUBEN NUNEZ, Laytonville. Failure to appear, probation revocation.

JONAS ORTIZ, Point Arena. Mandatory supervision violation, suspended license.

DEMETRIA PIKE, Ukiah. Trespassing.

STEVEN RICH SR., Ukiah. Trespassing.

THE GIANT AGAVE

by Marilyn Davin

You’re taking so long to die
That folks walking right in front of you
Aren’t even shocked by you anymore.
Your towering death-stalk,
Estimated at 200 pounds by people who like to count things,
Bends oh so slightly to the right each day.
It’s like watching water evaporate
Or a shifting desert mirage
With neither border nor outline.
You’re not sorry at all
That it’s taking you so long to die.
No doctors come ‘round,
No cemetery hawkers lurk at your base,
Measuring you for a grave.
Other shopkeepers, bottomless in their need
To profit from a piece of you also keep their distance.
And those who have been so fascinated with your death
Are also mostly gone now, casualties of the long wait.
Yet still you live on.
You’re 40 years old,
And unlike your seasonal neighbors you get just one death.
So enjoy it while each of the needles
In your blooming bundles keeps pushing
Into the comforting, washed-out sky.
I hear you laughing at the gawkers who behold you,
At their foolish fears of death
As they parasitically steal your experience
To rhapsodize idiotically about the banality of it all.
Perhaps one of your seeds
Will arrive wind-driven at a receptive spot nearby and take root,
And 40 years from now someone else will be sitting here at my window
Marveling at the miracle of you,
At your patience as you wait silently in the ground,
Readying yourself to finally burst into the light to die again.

UKRAINE, Tuesday, June 28

The death toll climbed to at least 20 after Monday's missile attack on a crowded mall in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, which leaders at a Group of Seven meeting called a “war crime.” On Tuesday, emergency responders ended a rescue search for survivors. Russia's government denied hitting the shopping center, claiming it caught fire after Russia struck a nearby weapons depot. But Ukraine's president said it was a “calculated” strike against the mall.

As NATO's Madrid summit got underway, Turkey agreed to support Finland and Sweden in joining the alliance. The foreign ministers of Turkey, Finland and Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding “that addresses Turkey's concerns, including around arms exports and the fight against terrorism,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters. A formal decision to invite Finland and Sweden to join is expected Wednesday, to be followed by NATO's ratification process.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the United Nations Security Council that Russia is acting like a “terrorist” state, going on a “killing spree” across Ukraine. Speaking via video, he read out names of Ukrainian victims of recent Russian attacks, saying the country has struck schools, a shopping mall and many other civilian targets. He said Russia has no right to remain in the powerful U.N. body.

The U.S. imposed new sanctions to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine. The sanctions include restrictions on 70 Russian defense-related businesses, including Rostec, a state-owned corporation “considered to be the cornerstone of Russia's defense, industrial, technology, and manufacturing sectors,” the State Department said. The U.S., along with G-7 countries, is also banning the import of Russian gold.

Prominent Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin was detained in Moscow and sentenced to 15 days in prison on charges of disobeying police orders. As many Russian opposition leaders have fled the country, Yashin stayed and openly opposed the war in Ukraine. His circumstances now parallel the April arrest of a vocal Kremlin critic, Vladimir Kara-Murza, whose 15-day detention has been extended for months.

— NPR

HUGH MCELHENNY, HALL OF FAME HALFBACK WITH 49ERS, DIES AT 93.

I became a 49er fan as a kid in the early 1950s because my father, who played football in high school, was a fan. McElhenny was my favorite.

McElhenny was part of a great Niner backfield: Quarterback Y.A. Tittle, halfback John Henry Johnson, and fullback Joe Perry.

— Rob Anderson

THIS IS US?

Editor: 

Is this who we have become as a country? A place where a person gets threatened with the death of their children just for honoring their oath of office and upholding the law? A place where the vice president gets threatened with a public hanging (gallows constructed and waiting) for the same reasons? Is this us? All those countries that we look down on, countries with brutal dictators, must be having a good laugh as we become more and more like them. Is this us?

Richard Evans

Sebastopol

THE PRESS IS A GANG OF CRUEL FAGGOTS. Journalism is not a profession or a trade. It is a cheap catch-all for fuckoffs and misfits — a false doorway to the backside of life, a filthy piss-ridden little hole nailed off by the building inspector, but just deep enough for a wino to curl up from the sidewalk and masturbate like a chimp in a zoo-cage.

— Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

JEFF BLANKFORT:

I wrote this post two years ago why Joe Biden had no business being president, even taking into consideration the human excrement that preceded him and I think its worth rereading today. In my email box this morning was a question from MoveOn, asking me if I believed the organization should endorse Joe Biden. When I voted, NO, it then asked for my reasons and I sent the following. (Feel free to copy if you receive a similar email.)

Biden is a serial liar and has taken acts that had anyone else committed them, he would be disqualified, like boasting for having written the egregious “crime” bill that resulted in the imprisonment of thousands of young black and brown men and women, his bragging about his friendship with Strom Thurmond and other Southern racists, his dissing of Anita Hill in steering Clarence Thomas's appointment to the Supreme Court, his authorship of the law that prevents citizens from declaring bankruptcy on their credit card debt and that he is also a serial plagiarizer, having had to withdraw from the 1988 race after plagiarizing a major section of British Labour Sec Neil Kinnock's speech describing how he grew up as the son of a coal miner as if it was his own story. 

It turns out that he also plagiarized while in college while lying about his college grades. Most recently he lied about having been arrested in So. Africa when he claimed he tried to see Nelson Mandela when, as Andrew Young, who was on the same trip, explained, Biden was merely switched to the incoming line for white travelers. He has as much if not more negative baggage than had Clinton and that he has been foisted on the voters by the DNC is an inexcusable travesty.

ON LINE COMMENT OF THE DAY

It was all Cassidy Hutchinson today at the hearings. Told of Trump throwing plates and food at the walls in the WH. Informed by the secret service agents who were present, Told of Trump saying, ‘I’m the fucking president, take me to the capitol.’ They refused, citing security reasons, took him back to the WH on the 6th.

Veiled threats made to people testifying. Witness tampering, is it not? 

Enough has been presented to recommend indictment. You could say that all of the above amounts to just mouse nuts, but everything taken together has sealed Trump’s fate. Too many Republicans, whether aides or members of Congress, etc., have spoken out against him. The gift that keeps on giving.

When will they choose to recommend indictment, September? Who knows? What will the DOJ do? 

Yes, a time beyond Trump.

After the Roe ruling, what did the Dems say? They said, ‘take it to the streets!’ We’ll take it to ‘girlie laugh’ Tucker et al, stay safe at home, and let the Dems run the streets and the nation.

THE HOMELESS, AN EXCHANGE:

(1) So here is what is being done… the “houseless” are required to be notified in advance of cleanups, and of services that are offered. Pretty much what we are saying is, it’s fine with us if you leave your shit and refuse all over the place. Go ahead and create fire hazards and pollute waterways. It’s not only okay with us that you fuck up everything you come in contact with, we will do our best to provide you with new locations and a bunch of services and benefits to reward you for your irresponsible and often criminal behavior. You are not accountable for your actions, and we promise to create new laws to protect your way of life.

(2) And your reasonable and well thought out plan is…?

(3) My reasonable and well-thought-out plan most certainly involves accountability and work performed in order to receive any type of benefit or service. If, for example, I can be fined for littering, there must be consequences for individuals who create these disgusting encampments.

But I will tell you this, it is not incumbent upon me to devise a reasonable and well-thought-out plan in order to see the obvious failure brought about by the treatment these people receive. I am not being paid a big salary to devise solutions, but I am very well-qualified to recognize something that is not working.

And because I do not have a solution at hand does NOT make me part of the problem, as I am guessing you are eager to explain to me. On the contrary, I am a taxpayer, and I am continually looked upon to fund poorly planned solutions. And I vote, which also makes me part of the solution.

ELVIS LEAVES HOME FOR THE ARMY (1958)

SEPARATE BUT UNEQUAL

To the editor (NYT):

The Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade will have minimal to no impact on the ability of wealthy women to obtain an abortion. However, women who reside in states where abortion is outlawed and do not have the financial means to travel to states where the procedure is legal will have limited to no choice.

The court's decision is the new American separate and unequal.

Alan Guttman

Baltimore

TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

Dear Editor,

What is meant by the word “oath”? Most Americans know very well what this word means. Much of what it means depends on the context or circumstances where someone says it.

For example, when two persons, usually before a civil authority like a Justice of the Peace or religious authority, such as a priest, rabbi, or oman, solemnly declare it in a marriage ceremony. Or elsewhere, such as when a man or woman pledges to serve the Constitution of the United States holding up their right hand as they begin serving in the military or diplomatic corps.

In the present circumstance, the January 6 Congressional Committee Hearing, a very courageous 25-year-old lady, presidential aide MS Cassidy Hutchinson, just testified on what was happening behind the scenes at the White House when the US Capitol was being breached before, during and after January 6, 2021 by tens of thousands of former President Trump’s supporters.

There is a kind of tragic irony here. “Oath-keepers” or average Americans who may take an “oath.” The first is pure political BS. The second is dead serious and sacred.

Frank Baumgardner 

Santa Rosa