Obama goes to a National Prayer Breakfast and talk about the high anxiety over "Muslim" anything and points out that evil deeds done in the name of "God" are nothing new. Then goes on to say, "Humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human history." And rather aptly points out that " . . . lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ. In our home country, salvery and Jim Crow all to often was justified in the name of Christ."
At that former Gov. Gilmore's head exploded and he said, "The president's comments this morning at the prayer breakfast are the most offensive I've ever heard a president make in my lifetime. He has offended every believing Christian in the United States. This goes further to the point that Mr. Obama does not believe in America or the values we all share.'
Seriously? Gil, Baby, and all your fellow "Christians" need to get a grip. It's clearly time that you read up on your history! Being that willfully ignorant is just plain embarrasing.
FOOD FIGHT AT THE B.O.S!
Talk about viruses, it seems the famous LOCSD "crazy" germ has been transferred to COLAB (Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business) supporters and they're now appearing at the County Board of Supervisors to take over for the LOCSD Sewer Gang as the Favorite People the Board Loves to Growl At. You know, those people?
But this time, anti-COLABers have both Tom Fulks, Bruce Gibson's political operative, AND Bruce Gibson, AND the Tribune editor in their corner. It's a kind of political trifecta that promises much excitement just when the Sewer Wars were winding down and the BOS was about to return to its sleepy old comity.
No such luck.
First, back on August 1, 2014, Ron Crawford posted a blog entry titled "Bruce Gibson's 'Evil Genius in the Back Room,' and Why I Predict Four Awkward Years in SLO County Government," at http://www.sewerwatch.blogspot.com all about Tom Fulks, Bruce Gibson's, uh, "political consultant/operative," who, uh, let us say, has an active presence in the politi-sphere.
Then, before you know it, up pops Tom as the Tribune's "liberal" half of a new "liberal/conservative" op/ed section. Before anyone can say, "Huh, Whaaaa???" things get rolling. On Feb 1, Tom rolls out a huge hit-piece on COLAB, railing against "secretive" folks who hide their identities and sneak around while taking pot shots at their political "enemies." (Which struck me as rather funny after reading Ron's piece about Tom's own alleged sneak-around operations?)
Somewhere between the first Op/Ed, and Tom's Feb 1 huge anti-COLAB take-down, the Tribune editor, Sandra Duerr gets an email from Ron asking whether or not the new Op/Ed kids were getting paid for their scribbling? And had Duerr read or was aware of Ron's Aug 1, 2014 Sewerwatch blog posting on Tom's ongoing paid professional/political activities?
The answer came on Feb 5, with Ms. Duerr's Tribune editorial reply that "local people who are writing commentaries are not paid for contributions . . ." and noting that Tom's first op/ed piece included some background on each writer. What went missing was the question concerning whether or not Tom is still acting in any way on Gibson's behalf or is funded, in any way, by Gibson's campaign organization, etc. In other words, full disclosure.
Then the fur really flew. At Tuesday's BOS meeting, what should have been a routine changing of the guard (Whose turn was it to play Chairman.) turned into this weird battle over the "soul" of the BOS -- Liberal Coasters (Gibson, Hill) vs Conservative Rape & Pillage Evil Developers Fronting a Gang of "Lord of the Flies" brutish, Anonymous Malice-Spewing Bullies, Thugs & Hooded Goons. (Or so so alludeth Fulks in his Feb 1 Tribune piece.) That crowd is apparently headed up by the Dreaded Tea Partying Debbie Arnold.
Since things were apparently headed into World War III and because of this glitch in the rotation schedule (said glitch claimed by Gibson to have been caused by Gibson), Frank Mecham figured he'd head off the worst of the vitriol allegedly dumped on his head and so fell upon his sword for the Greater Good and stepped down so Debbie Arnold could get her turn at being Chairwoman in hopes that everyone would shut up and get back to working for the good of the community instead of squabbling over who got to bang the gavel for a year. He also wanted to end the perception of a "good ol' boys" Board and nominated Lynn Compton for Adam Hill's slot as Veep-Chair. So we get to have Ladies Nite for a year. Apparently a lot of the folks in the audience were happy with that odd "compromise," and thanked Mecham for being a "gentleman" about this whole thing.
Which should have settled the affair except on Feb 6 there was a Tribune editorial tossing brickbats to everyone and declaring that the whole thing stunk of politics while hurling a few brickbats at COLAB. Meanwhile, on the next page was a long Viewpoint from Supervisor Gibson "apologizing" for allowing the routine rotation issue to get politicized. He took a few hefty swipes at "Supervisor Arnold, encouraged by her COLAB coaches and cheerleaders [who] has decided to thoroughly politize what was once a collegial, nonpartisan yearly rite of passage." He then threw Frank Mecham under the bus with a hilarious bit of faux sorrow. Said Gibson, "In any case, Frank Mecham, I'm sorry that my procedural oversight exposed you to this bulling and that you chose to abandon your chairmanship."
You lying, weasle-bellied, lilly-livered, waffle-spined, cowardly girly-man you!
So much for sleepy, calm, productive Board comity. Now, how did Ron Crawford put it? Oh, yes, "Why I Predict Four Awkward Years in SLO County Government." Good call, Ron. Good call.
As for me, I'm gonna open up a popcorn stand outside the BOS doors. Make a mint.
Posts
14 comments:
GREAT piece, Ann.
By the way, here's the direct link to my "Evil Genius in the Back Room" post:
http://sewerwatch.blogspot.com/2014/08/san-luis-obispo-county-supervisor-bruce.html
And, did I nail that, or what?
I knew it: When sneaky/weasily, Bruce Gibson, pays sneaky/weasily, Tom Fulks, tens of thousands of dollars to sneak around and character assassinate anyone that's critical of his clients, OR simply don't align politically with Tom's clients, as with Dan Dow, and it's exposed (thank you very much) that that's exactly what sneaky/weasily, Bruce Gibson, pays sneaky/weasily, Tom Fulks, tens of thousands of dollars to do... uh, yeah, things are gonna get REEEEELLY awkward at the SLO County Government building... of course.
As for the worse-than-nothing Trib? What can I say? For them to give Fulks that HUGE platform AFTER I exposed how Tom's being paid FAT stacks by local politicians to be their "evil genius in the back room?" Well, that's just absolutely HORRIBLE journalism ethics.
Fun little follow-up:
In Sandra's column, at this link,
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/02/05/3476335_the-tribune-offers-myriad-viewpoints.html
... she writes:
"Opinion Editor Stephanie Finucane wrote in introducing them (Fulks and Peschong) to readers Jan. 25. She summarized their professional backgrounds, including their involvement in political campaigns..."
... and if you read Finucane's "introduction" of Tom, she writes:
"Fulks is involved in local political campaigns — he describes it as his 'side hobby' — consulting for races such as county supervisor... "
And, of course, she fails to disclose that Tom's "side hobby" involves him raking in tens of thousands of dollars from weasily politicians, like Gibson, to sneak around and character assassinate anyone that's critical of Tom's clients.
It just leaves ya shaking your head at how terrible it is that the Trib is doing this to the county. Damn near sadistic.
Finally, I would like to take a moment to formally apologize to Supervisor Gibson, Supervisor-Gibson-apology style: Uh. Supervisor Gibson? I apologize that you are SOOOOOOO sneaky and weasily.
Mea culpa.
Great writing Ann!
Since Arnold's election, it has been popcorn crunching hilarity as the tin-foil hat crowd of Agenda 21-ers has filled the meeting room.
But getting beyond all the political stuff....with Arnold at the helm, what is to become of the Paso water basin? Will it become another Los Osos? Left to dry up (or suck in sea water in our case) while "property rights" are stood up for? I guess the big growers can put a pipe in the ground as far as it needs to go, (in our case it was build, build, build with no thought to water supply or sewage infrastructure) but the small ranchers....unless independently wealthy of course, well, too bad for you.
Our final Basin Plan is out (final until the judge doesn't like it). Anyone read that yet?
Ah, yes, let us Pray for Poor Paso. With the old "We Don't Need Regulation, The Market Place Will Solve All Problems" in place, the "little people" of Paso are gonna be spitting cotton soon.
And, Ron, yes you did call that right. I am still puzzled by Gibson's very public hissy-fit Tribune piece. A smart Pol would have kept his own counsel and continued to "snile" in public and speak glowingly of his "very dear, very close friend. . Frank." Now, everybody knows.
As for the Tribune. Oh, dear, what can one possibly say at this point?
I would love to be a fly on the wall at the next meeting of Mecham and Gibson. Ooof.
Ann writes:
"As for the Tribune. Oh, dear, what can one possibly say at this point?"
What I would say at this point, is that the Trib either needs to disclose that Tom's "side hobby" has him being paid tens of thousands of dollars from local politicians to be their little "evil genius in the back room," or they need to immediately dump him, and then apologize profusely to their readers for making such a gigantic f-up. (And I mean a REAL apology, not those sickening faux "apologies" that Bruce likes to throw around.)
And, between those two options, the choice is obvious.
Ya know, ever since KCBX stopped broadcasting the BOS meetings, I really don't even follow them anymore, but now that Bruce's annoying whining is on full display, and he pays Tom all of that money to character assassinate anyone that's critical of him (including his own colleagues within county government) and all this crazy infighting, well, now I'm thinking of stopping by in person to watch a show or two. Oh, the awkwardness. Sounds fun!
Set up that popcorn cart, Ann. I'll be a regular customer.
I wonder if they allow beer in the BOS chambers?
Ron, Of course it's entirely possible that the Tribune's using Tom as a cat's paw to say things about COLAB that they can't officially say themselves. (A time honored tradition) His huge
intemperate hit piece on Feb 1 was really astonishing. But then came their "Brickbats" editorial on the 6th which echoed what Tom was saying so I figured that the Tribune has a political agenda (while decrying "politicizing" the Board) but they can't be seen to be bashing COLAB themselves (in intemperate terms) so they use Tom and Bruce. Very fascinating, but a tactic they used during the Sewer Wars, tag-teaming "convenient" Op/Eds with editorials, combined with the Trib's sloppy (or nonexistent) reporting.
Well, the entertainment quotient of this Board certainly has gone up. So, stay tuned.
I just sent Stephanie the following email. Although, I'm not holding my breath for a reply. [Which reminds me: The first I read Sandra's answer to my question, was in her editorial. She never replied to my email.]
- - -
Hello Stephanie,
GREAT news! I found your "introduction" to Fulks and Peschong, that I discuss in my email to you from last Thursday (reprinted below), so you don't need to send me the link after all.
It's at this link:
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/01/25/3459265/the-state-of-local-online-opinion.html
It's embedded in Tom's initial column (as opposed to a stand-alone web page), so it was a little tricky to find, but I found it : -) See? Great news.
I just have a quick question for you for a story I'm researching.
In your "introduction" of Tom, you write:
"Fulks is involved in local political campaigns — he describes it as his 'side hobby' — consulting for races such as county supervisor... "
Now, as I show in my email below, last year I exposed on my blog how Tom's self-called "side hobby" involves him being paid tens of thousands of dollars from local politicians, like county supervisor, Bruce Gibson (from his campaign donations, of course), to sneak around (on the Internet and elsewhere) and character assassinate anyone that's critical of Tom's clients.
So, to be clear, THAT, apparently, is what Tom told you was his "side hobby" -- a "hobby" that has him raking in tens of thousands of dollars... that I'm aware of.
Here are my questions:
1: Now that you are aware that local politicians pay Tom tens of thousands of dollars to be their "evil genius in the back room," do you feel that he lied to you when he "described" his "consulting for races such as county supervisor" as a "side hobby?"
and;
2) Will you now include that fact -- that he DOES get paid tens of thousands of dollars from local politicians to be their "evil genius in the back room" -- in his bio for future columns?
Thanks again,
Ron
P.S. I guess a logical third question would be: In light of this email, is the Trib even going to continue to publish Tom's columns?
- - -
- - -
[My original email to Steph, sent Thursday, Feb.5, and that she didn't reply to.]
- - -
Hello Stephanie,
I was just reading Sandra's column at this link,
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/02/05/3476335_the-tribune-offers-myriad-viewpoints.html
... where she writes:
"Opinion Editor Stephanie Finucane wrote in introducing them (Fulks and Peschong) to readers Jan. 25. She summarized their professional backgrounds, including their involvement in political campaigns..."
Unfortunately, Sandra did not supply a link to the story where you "introduce them," and when I do a search for -- Fulks Finucane -- on Google and on the Trib's search function, all I get is a link to Sandra's piece from today.
So, if you could please just send me a link to your Jan. 25 piece, I sure would appreciate (it).
I'm just curious to see if you explained, when you "summarized" Tom's "involvement in political campaigns," how local politicians, like Bruce Gibson, are paying him tens of thousands of dollars to sneak around on the Internet and character assassinate anyone that's critical of his clients, like I first reported at this link from last year:
http://sewerwatch.blogspot.com/2014/08/san-luis-obispo-county-supervisor-bruce.html
I also show in my piece how Tom gets to skirt official PAC regulations by having the funding for his fake "PAC" -- SLOSense -- laundered through local politicians' campaigns, instead of having the donations going straight to his so-called "PAC."
So, as you can imagine, I'm very curious to read your "summary" of Tom's "involvement in political campaigns," to see if you mention how Tom is a HIGHLY paid political operative -- an "evil genius in the back room" -- for local politicians like Bruce Gibson.
I'm also curious to know, for balance, if John Peschong is ALSO a highly paid political operative, whose job is to ALSO sneak around on the Internet (and elsewhere) and character assassinate anyone that's critical of HIS clients.
So, do you happen to know the answer to that question? Are the right-leaning politicians in the county paying John tens of thousands of dollars to be their "evil genius in the back room," like the left-leaning politicians are for Tom?
Thanks in advance for sending the link to your story,
Ron
- - -
Too fun.
Ron, you make the assumption that Fulks is being paid to do character assassinations. You also made that assumption about me, that I was being paid to support Gibson and that I went "silent" for some idiotic reason you cooked up, when in fact I was out of the country and unable to post.
Best to ask questions in query letters without making assumptions. That way you don't come off as a presumptive know-it-all. And you might actually learn something as people might answer back for a change. If what you are doing isn't working (no one ever answers you back) try something else!
There are other people than Peshong who can do this, just read CalCoastNews. Are all those posters getting paid?
Frank caved and I was glad Gibson spoke out. Gibson and Hill are standing up for the small ranchers/farmers/non-commercial well owners where clearly the blanket term "property rights" are trumping fairness and good sense. It is apparent now that "property rights" are only for those who can afford to drill those really deep wells into a diminishing aquifer that are important to this new board majority. The smaller guys are getting something else, the shaft, and it isn't a hole meant to bring up more water, but one that will bleed their livelihoods and property values dry.
The interesting thing here to me is the Tribune's role in all this. I smell "tag-teaming" here. The Trib did that with the "Dreamers" during the Los Osos Sewer Wars. What's missing for the "Op-Eds" is a more transparent "full disclosure." I hope Monica will answer the question for both Fulks and Peschong.
Well, it's gonna be interesting to see the fault lines in the Board now as the Battle of the Big Boys vs. The Little Guys continues. As with everything, Follow the money.
Ann writes:
"The Trib did that with the "Dreamers" during the Los Osos Sewer Wars."
Yep, and that's exactly why this excellent Fulks/Trib story is so easy for me. Been there. Done that.
'toons writes:
"Ron, you make the assumption that Fulks is being paid to do character assassinations."
Well, if you could read, you would've noticed that I actually don't make that assumption, I show it... using primary sources... as always... of course.
Then, 'toonces writes:
"You also made that assumption about me, that I was being paid to support Gibson..."
Well, if you could read, you would've noticed that I actually never made that assumption. I may have asked if you were getting paid (because you have that exact same stink as Fulks), but I never assumed. I never do.
So, 'toons, please clarify: You support the Trib on this? They SHOULD have a sneaky, lying, HIGHLY paid, "back room" political operative as an editorial contributor?
Uh, you're FOR that??
'toons writes:
"(no one ever answers you back)"
That reminds me: Stephanie never replied to my email, above.
I support the Trib. I particularly likes this quote from Fulks:
Their punch list? Birtherism, check. Agenda 21 conspiracy, check. Socialism, check. Government overreach, check. Local liberal menace, check. Personal insults to staffers and elected public officials, check.
I don't think he is any of the stuff that you accuse him of being. I find him very refreshing!
Really Ron, why do you think no one ever responds to you?
It's still a puzzle how/why the Tribune is using both these guest authors to duke it out in public the Gibson - COLAB --Board Majority/Minority - SLO vs. N. County political split/squabble.
It's got to be to get readers engaged!
I just called Volumes of Pleasure to see if they have, or can order for me, The Outrage Industry - Political Opinion Media and the New Incivility. Maybe that will explain this.
The Trib used to have two other guys who were on opposing sides that wrote opinion too, their names escaping me right now.
Post a Comment