February starts early at Al's Corner ! To kick off the month, here are some ground rules: at Al's Corner, you are welcome to make (judged by some others to be) glib comments that you think are humorous in regard to articles pertaining to tragic situations ! See below:
Davisite 
Comments
112 responses to “Welcome to Al’s Corner – “Pouring Gasoline on the Dumpster Fire of Davis Politics” – February 2023”
Hey everyone, I have an announcement:
I changed my mind. Al’s Corner will continue. Spasmodically.
Do NOT shut down Al’s Corner – spasmodically-speaking.
🙂
A fan ?
There’s probably more than one fan.
But it’s not about being a fan of anyone in particular.
Al’s Corner is an alternative place to put forth one’s own comments or references to local issues, without being attacked (or engaging in endless nonsense).
The best part about Al’s Corner is that the commenter is the one who selects the subject – without necessarily writing an entire article.
There are no “off-topic” comments in Al’s Corner. (Though for the regular contributors, the “topic” is usually in response to whatever the Vanguard puts forth.)
Yes, the intent is for an open forum for anyone who cares to post about anything, sans personal insults (some leeway for public personas) and doxxing (of all). Personal insults are OK for one small population — the Vanguard (especially insulting young female students barely in their 20’s by men in their 50’s and 60’s — not only is that allowed, but it is celebrated. We even have a party in Central Park with fireworks to celebrate this dynamic).
For me, mostly a place to make comments on Vanguard articles and comments, since I can’t post there, because they banned me, because they are tiny little weenies. That was a personal insult 😦 or two 😦
I rarely “out” my jokes-with-a-purpose — but the thing about students above was a joke, one twisted around the flagpole of the Vanguard’s ban of Alan C. Miller like a speeding drunk driver’s careening Volkswagen bus.
“I’m shutting down Al’s Corner. It’s been a great run.”
I’m sure David Greenwald got excited for a second there.
“I changed my mind. Al’s Corner will continue. Spasmodically.”
Just to quickly be let down… LOL
The world needs Al’s Corner, the corner where all ideals and free speech are allowed, where contributions are not subject to the whims and biased politics of some immoderater. (Bidlin gets total credit for that term, but it fits so well)
SUBJECT: “Seminal Housing Laws Really Haven’t Opened the Floodgates Despite Fears By Opponents and Hopes By Supporters”
Did you hear that folks? Opponents have “fears”. I’d characterize it as “hate”. And “hopes” are “delusions”.
David Greenwald Post authorFebruary 16, 2023 at 8:19 am
Nevermind that there are published studies that directly contradict Tim’s assertions.
Did you hear that foks? These studies are published.
“Nevermind that there are published studies that directly contradict Tim’s assertions.
Did you hear that foks? These studies are published.”
Published and handpicked with no bias whatsoever. Studies and polls ain’t what they used to be, most can no longer be trusted.
Oh, it just got interesting. David Greenwald being challenged by a real journalist.
“zeldabronstein February 16, 2023 at 9:27 am
Where’s the proof that 48 hills’ editor Tim Redmond’s claims have been “thoroughly debunked”? To my knowledge, they’ve never been challenged by the supply side missionaries. Disclosure: I write for 48 hills. Here’s my take on “Supply Sophistry,” posted last April: https://48hills.org/2022/04/suppy-sophistry-how-academics-miss-the-point-on-the-cost-of-urban-housing/“
If you are a True Believer, every study and every poll that fits your narrative is correct and true. And every pejorative that slams your enemies is justified because they are evil.
Yeap – I was pleasantly-surprised to see Zelda Bronstein challenge David, as well. I didn’t even know who she was.
Perhaps the “lesson” here is that you never know “who” is reading the Vanguard (or the Davisite)?
Hmmmmm, I also noticed that David hasn’t responded yet. That strikes me as odd because David usually has a comeback and from my experience he rarely owns up to being wrong or giving in.
KO: “David usually has a comeback and from my experience he rarely owns up to being wrong or giving in.”
That’s really unfair of you, Keith. There was this one time . . . #harp# . . . back in November of 2015 . . . #harp# . . . I remember it . . . like it was yesterday . . . #harp# . . .
To continue on the current topic: Richard McCann may be an economist but he has no experience or expertise in housing and real estate economics. He’s way out of his depth and it’s funny to see him exposed by someone who knows the studies and topic in detail.
As far as Greenwald goes: he just makes up sh*t. It’s amazing how much someone can write about a topic (housing) while never learning anything.
David Greenwald writes this morning:
“I keep reading in certain circles that we don’t have a housing crisis in California because California is now losing population.”
And what “certain circles” is that?
Ron O. ?
R Keller writes:
“To continue on the current topic: Richard McCann may be an economist but he has no experience or expertise in housing and real estate economics. He’s way out of his depth and it’s funny to see him exposed by someone who knows the studies and topic in detail.”
Awww, but he does know where Ron lives:
“Richard_McCann February 16, 2023 at 10:20 am
Please don’t respond to an individual who doesn’t live in Davis (I have proof)”
KO: “And what “certain circles” is that? Ron O. ?”
That’s the only person, I’m sorry ‘circle’, I have heard say that around these parts. I always thought Ron O. was a person. Who knew they were only a geometric form without corners. Maybe it’s the two O’s in the name that DG mistook for ‘certain circles’.
“Richard_McCann February 16, 2023 at 10:20 am
Please don’t respond to an individual who doesn’t live in Davis (I have proof)”
But what does Richard McCann do today, he responds to Ron O. who doesn’t live in Davis:
“BTW, a study from 2015 isn’t necessarily “out of date”–David stated that it had been debunked. Ron, get that straight.”
So what is it Richard, can commenters respond to Ron O or not?
“That’s the only person, I’m sorry ‘circle’, I have heard say that around these parts. I always thought Ron O. was a person. Who knew they were only a geometric form without corners. Maybe it’s the two O’s in the name that DG mistook for ‘certain circles’.”
Is that like the when David writes articles for the Vanguard referring to himself as “we”?
Or like referring to sources and references as “some people say”?
KO: ” . . . he responds to Ron O. who doesn’t live in Davis”
Allegedly !!!
Is that like the when David writes articles for the Vanguard referring to himself as “we”?
“I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together” — Lennon/McCartney
. . . Or in 2023, perhaps: “He is they and she is they and he is we and we are all together” ?
KO: Or like referring to sources and references as “some people say”?
That’s known as “passive (aggressive) voice” 😉
SUBJECT: “NAACP Declares Community Still in Fear in Wake of Buffalo Mass Shooter Life in Prison without Parole Sentence”
Isn’t the current progressive mindset that LIPWP is an excessive sentence for any and all crimes?
there is no place for hate in a democracy
Good luck with that.
the news media has a “responsibility to stop the spread of misinformation that directly contributes to the proliferation of racist conspiracy theories that motivate domestic terrorists . . . “
Who decides what is ‘misinformation’ ?
He added that when major media giant corporations do not meet their responsibilities, “[i]t is up to our federal law enforcement officials to hold them accountable for their role in the tragedies that occur as a result.”
Well, there is the answer to my first question: they believe ‘federal law enforcement officials’ are responsible. And, suddenly the call is to fund these federal police, because feds are so moral and noble and knowing ? And how does one prove cause & effect between ‘media giant corporations’ not meeting ‘their responsibilities’ and ‘their role in the tragedies’ ?
Johnson added the NAACP will continue to fight against white supremacy and advocate for policies to dismiss extreme hate agendas to “[e]nsure our communities are protected.”
I’m not fan of extreme hate agendas, or even mild hate agendas — but how does a ‘policy’ ‘dismiss’ these ‘agendas’ in a way that will ‘ensure’ that ‘communities are protected’ ?
Keith: “I always thought Ron O. was a person. Who knew they were only a geometric form without corners. Maybe it’s the two O’s in the name that DG mistook for ‘certain circles’.”
In my opinion, anyone who has a short last name that begins with the letter “O” is “O.K”, in my book.
And is part of the “circle”, challenging the Vanguard.
I’d also include those with a last name that begins with “M’, but there’s a notable exception to that.
Richard McCann in 3 short acts:
1) “Please don’t respond to an individual who doesn’t live in Davis.”
2) responds to the alleged individual
3) “Here’s an article in the San Francisco Chronicle…”
I wonder if he has recovered from the scorch marks that Zelda Bronstein left? (Didn’t he also respond to that individual who doesn’t live in Davis?)
I was just thinking this evening how blessed we are in Davis to have such a high-quality local journalistic source as the Davis Vanguard.
. . . and then the mescalin wore off.
It’s Saturday, 2/18/2023, Groundhog Day? The Vanguard article of the day:
“My View: Davis Needs To Do More To Promote Housing Solutions”
Alan, pass the mescalin.
Mescalin cocktails at my place at 4pm! All are invited! Except YIMBYs, people who write poorly and obsessively in blogs about housing, College Democrats, former supervisors who push district elections on cities, and plant shop owners who live in other counties.
SUBJECT: “Commentary: Why We Write”
When Stephen King enumerated his “Twenty Tips for Writing” his number one tip was: “First write for self, then worry about the audience.”
David Greenwald certainly subscribes to the Stephen King School of Writing, although the later of the two is lacking in his learnings.
In writing for self, we reveal a multitude of thoughts, emotions, memories, and conflicts.
Obsession with Davis Housing comes to mind.
In my opinion, David’s concern for housing is primarily related to his desire to support an oversized school district.
Josh Chapman’s comments in today’s Vanguard article are particularly-concerning.
The overall “message” seems to be that Affordable housing should be built (and “poor” students recruited primarily to avoid right-sizing the school system).
And that the council will attempt to use this same argument to try to undermine Measure J. (Despite the fact that Measure J already has an exemption for Affordable housing.)
Reminds me of how some encourage illegal immigration so that we have poverty-level workers for jobs that “Americans” won’t do. (The result being that those workers are forced into substandard housing.)
The shooting incident in Half Moon Bay comes to mind, though (as usual) the YIMBYs attempted to claim that this was a reason to build more (market-rate?) housing. (Apparently, the shooter or others working there lived on site, in some rather questionable “housing”.)
SUBJECT: “Black Colorado Ranchers Claim ‘Modern Day KKK Assault,’ but Sheriff Arrests Them – NAACP and ACLU Providing Support”
This is a fascinating case. I have no doubt that there is good old fashioned racism in rural eastern Colorado — and by good I don’t mean good — that could be leading to harassment of this couple. But there is a lot more to this dispute that was left out, such as the incident of the ranchers discharging a shotgun when visited by a server to serve a warrant on them, or that one of their ranch hands was murdered in an unsolved case. I give some links below, but you can dive as deep as you wish. The last is a long press conference by the sheriff’s department that I despite the length I found riveting. Clearly, social media’s ugliness in amplifying tensions looms as a backstory.
https://gazette.com/premium/welcome-to-yoder-now-pick-a-side-black-ranchers-disagreement-with-neighbor-leads-to-allegations/article_9a33b69c-a964-11ed-978d-b3f3794f2b8c.html {Note: Copy the text before it blurs to get around the paywall — read this one, it tells both sides in depth}
https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/rally-at-colorado-capitol-calls-for-defense-of-mallery-family/article_65473f4a-aeef-11ed-9666-5fd7cb36bcb1.html [This one is well done as well]
https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/el-paso-county-sheriff-hosting-press-conference-on-investigation-into-yoder-neighbors-dispute
https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/rally-at-colorado-capitol-calls-for-defense-of-mallery-family/article_65473f4a-aeef-11ed-9666-5fd7cb36bcb1.html
https://www.facebook.com/ElPasoCountyCO/videos/725077885976444
Alright, now I’ve watched the entire Facebook release from the Sheriff.
Many may not agree with me on this, but at this point I am siding with the Mallery’s. Not that Nicole makes an entirely sympathetic figure; but hey, neither do I. But despite the Sheriff’s attempt to paint her as ‘combative, non-compliant, attacking officers and making racial slurs against a black woman officer’ — all of which is true as such, what I saw was a terrified, traumatized woman in a complete freak out for being restrained and heading for jail. All of which I feel deeply. I have seen a lot of performative ‘for the camera’ racial or racialized incidents, and this didn’t strike me as one. This struck me as someone who could not handle being restrained.
Now a lot of the behavior listed isn’t cool and possibly not legal, like surveilling/taunting the neighbor or chasing people away from the bus stop. Hard to understand the context of this and if they are at fault.
But . . . the important thing is going back to the process server approaching the property, and then going past ‘no trespassing’ signs and walking around all their buildings. Seems the guy had a death wish doing that in rural eastern Colorado. And all I’ve seen online is conflicting reports about whether that is legal or not. If it is legal, it is stupid as fck.
And from her point of view, a woman, alone, naked in a house and looks out the window and sees a guy out there snooping around. I would have grabbed my shotgun, no doubt. And this, by the way, is why rural Americans need guns. No police force can protect them in time, and what keeps them safe is criminals know almost every one of them has a gun. I know this also because years ago someone walked under my kitchen window before the path was gated, and I grabbed a long knife and confronted them. In retrospect, yeah, I was more likely to get stabbed than the other way around — but just pointing out when you see a stranger where they aren’t supposed to be, you just act, unexpectedly to yourself sometimes — and I wasn’t a woman alone on a rural property who could have feared a rape. Had that been the case damn straight I’d grab the shotgun. (just to wrap, the guy said he was just confused and thought the path in my yard looked like a public path to the next street).
As for the discharge — it did sound like she discharged the weapon. I haven’t yet found if the forensics on the gun showed that they found it to have been fired or not. That isn’t something that is a ‘maybe’. But again, I’m a woman alone on a ranch and a guy shows up creeping around outside, I very likely would have fired a warning shot to scare him off. I don’t know about the legality of his going onto the land and creeping around, and I don’t know about the legality of a warning shot. She clearly lied about it if indeed it was fired. But I don’t think he should be able to trespass without first trying to make contact in a safer manner, and I understand about firing the gun.
Clearly there is racism going on, but hard to say where it is. I can’t tell for sure if the ranchers are playing the race card or if the neighbors and cops are racist or both. And once social media is involved, the whole thing goes down the crapper. The cops also implied Nicole had a record that was a factor that caused them to decide to bring in the SWAT team, but they didn’t disclose what the record was.
I’m guessing few or none of the parties involved are squeaky clean in this. But my impression from the arrest footage is this isn’t a show, this is woman with severe trauma about being restrained who is having a panic attack and is completely freaking out, not someone who is being combative and uncooperative. I know that’s a fine line and judging from a tape, but thank God we have these videos, imperfect as they are, as clearly a lot of bad sht was done before that was not video documented at all. For now, I don’t think the sheriff did themselves any favors releasing this. The husband comes across as reasonable and cooperating, just annoyed as f*ck.
Whatever the legalities, I’m on the Mallery side for now. But am open to change my mind as this progresses. What an incredible story.
I hope someone posts a comment on the Vanguard on this story to draw people to it.
And while you are at it, mention the links posted on Al’s Corner!!!
Yeah, that’ll happen 😐
#crickets# . . . damn, I feel like Jeb Bush at a campaign rally.
SUBJECT “Guest Commentary: Catapulting the Propaganda Locally ” [Zavis Zansplard, 2day]
Walter Shwe February 19, 2023 at 7:46 am
I agree totally with this article. The private sector costs more. The differences between SMUD and PG&E are startling. Government always does things better in the long run. The sole mission of the private sector is to extract the maximum amount of profits at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Wow. Just Wow.
True enough about SMUD & PG&E costs, but PG&E’s evil is the creation and the enabling of the evil California government. It is not fully a picture of nor a comparative example of ‘public’ vs. ‘private’ in all things.
More on the Mallery’s story from the Denver Post:
https://www.denverpost.com/2023/02/18/black-ranchers-colorado-courtney-nichole-mallery/
David Greenwald writes:
“Monday Morning Thoughts: Media Uncritically Evaluates Reisig’s Bail Claims”
But you can always count on the Vanguard BLOG to be “critical” of Reisig.
SUBJECT: “Affordable Housing Bill Gets Union Support”
There’s a wage and union labor guarantee in the bill, so yeah, in other news, “Sun Hot”.
And of course, ironically, paying the union wages will make the housing more expensive.
But the gov’t will pay for it, right?
“And of course, ironically, paying the union wages will make the housing more expensive.”
Nothing but Democrat pandering to their donors. Affordable housing is all an expensive farce.
I noticed this comment on the DavisVanguard today:
“Walter Shwe February 22, 2023 at 6:03 am
Once again DA Reisig has proven to be completely wrong. I have zero respect for him. If I ever sit on a Yolo County criminal jury while Reisig is still the DA, I will automatically side with the defendent.”
You talk about someone who probably just eliminated himself from ever sitting on a Yolo County criminal jury, at least that’s how it should be as long as Reisig is the D.A.
The last time I went through jury selection, they did indeed ask if people had supported Reisig’s opponent and that information was one of the factors in deciding whether they should be dismissed. I am not making this up.
I have to say that although I don’t often agree with Don Shor about many issues I totally agree with his comment here about the homeless problems:
“Don Shor February 22, 2023 at 7:27 am
Housing First is a great model. But you still have the people who
“may be deterred by some shelter requirements.”
residents in houses and apartments near encampments often worry about the encampments’ impact on their environment, health, and safety, while business and property owners worry about the encampments’ economic impact.”
“This is insulting and stupid. Business and property owners worry about the safety of our staff, customers, and ourselves. I can relate personal anecdotes but won’t bother. You wouldn’t put up with it where you live, so I suggest you not advocate that we all put up with it where we work.
Davis is now providing transitional housing with supportive services on a 24-hour basis. That 24 hour support is crucial. A respite center that is only open during business hours creates problems for the neighbors.
Any homeless services need to be provided around the clock. Those who don’t choose to avail themselves of those services don’t have some right to become resident on public or private property elsewhere. If the demand exceeds the supply of housing, hotel vouchers can be provided. But people really need to be availing themselves of support services. Allowing encampments to become permanent creates a safety risk for the nearby residents and services, creates environmental hazards, and does those homeless residents no favors.
There has to be some level of enforcement.”
In regard to RM jury selection comment:
Dang. Can they also ask if you’ve been circumcised?
In regard to KO commenting on DS’s comments on DG’s stupid article on not clearing homeless encampments:
I agree, KO. Considering DS once called me ‘heartless’ regarding the ‘homeless’ I am shocked that I am agreeing as well. Seems the reality of the ramifications of having the respite center near his business has hardened his stance. Yes, while you enabling progressive goodie-goodies try to justify allowing the so-called homeless to stay in their so-called ‘camps’, you ignore the real effect this has on those of us who live and work near these camps, along drainage ditches, rail lines, hidden spaces, bike paths. Those of you out in the suburbs of Davis don’t feel the effects, and you dump it on us. Fck all of you.
The real solution is for Davis to say ‘fck you’ to the Boise Decision and clear these camps like Red Cities do. Yes, we need to spend money on solutions. First clear the camps, don’t let people camp in public or private spaces. Fck the laws, fck the waiting periods, just do it. Then, once camps are gone — then start helping people. Allowing DALO/MILO camping is insane. For some reason, it has been normalized.
“The last time I went through jury selection, they did indeed ask if people had supported Reisig’s opponent and that information was one of the factors in deciding whether they should be dismissed. I am not making this up.”
I agree, eliminating a potential juror on how they voted is over the top. But saying “If I ever sit on a Yolo County criminal jury while Reisig is still the DA, I will automatically side with the defendent” should in my opinion be automatic grounds for elimination.
AM, right? Seemed like any question was open. And then there was the point where the judge made snide remarks about philosophers as I left the courtroom (having, predictably, been dismissed). It was, umm, an experience.
Jeez people, what does it take to get a conversation going about homeless policy in Davis ???
I feel in the groove like when Donald Trump said he could shoot someone and not lose any voters.
From David Greenwald’s article this morning about addressing the homeless problem:
“The data from PPIC and the study from CSH also point to some solutions to that problem, but it all starts with funding, supportive housing, and reducing the housing crisis.”
“We have a number and a roadmap. Are we willing to actually address it?”
So how would Davis address it? Yet another parcel tax on homeowners who many are already strapped with the costs of home ownership and inflation? California can’t even take care of their home grown homeless, with all the hundreds of thousands of immigrants now flowing into our state will the homeless problem ever go away.
The only people that have a right to say whether homeless encampments should be or not be cleared are the people that actually live near them and have to deal with them. It’s shallow for someone to say that homeless encampments should stay when they aren’t experiencing the associated problems themselves. I’m pretty sure they would have a different opinion if their homes were close by the encampments.
Amen! brother Keith, amen . . .
Keith writes, ” Yet another parcel tax on homeowners who many are already strapped with the costs of home ownership and inflation?”
Probably coming your way soon, a vote on a new tax for the “free” library that South Davis is getting — a tax because there is no money to operate the thing. So be sure to add that into your calculations. It will be interesting to see how that vote goes.
Details here: https://www.davisenterprise.com/news/county-supervisors-accept-state-grant-for-south-davis-library/
RM: Funny. I don’t remember anything about that coming up when this was discussed at length at the City Council meeting a few weeks ago. The one where two County Supervisors came to support it.