Floor Sleepers at County
Although it seems a few of you might want to talk about the article on Daraka -- I'd rather it not degenerate into name calling. Suffice it to say, I don't know if I'd use Lenin as a backdrop for a photo but I'd rather not have a long series of posts on just how "radical" he is. I hope you all agree we should take a pass on this one. Let's look at something a bit more substantive.
The "County Jail Crisis" is an interesting follow-up to news that Sheriff Anderson will be receiving his substantive raise. Overcrowding at County, however, has been a problem for a few years and if this was a "deflective" PR move on the part of the department -- it doesn't quite land with me. Paying our Sheriff and top managers more -- especially in pensions that Joe Six-Pack will likely never see in this day and age (Verizon last week switched all pensions for managers to 401(k)s-- has little correlation to solving this problem.
The "County Jail Crisis" is an interesting follow-up to news that Sheriff Anderson will be receiving his substantive raise. Overcrowding at County, however, has been a problem for a few years and if this was a "deflective" PR move on the part of the department -- it doesn't quite land with me. Paying our Sheriff and top managers more -- especially in pensions that Joe Six-Pack will likely never see in this day and age (Verizon last week switched all pensions for managers to 401(k)s-- has little correlation to solving this problem.
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 12/11/2005 02:07:00 PM
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22 Comments:
Few issues in city politics are as substantive lately as the actual or perceived influence of PUEBLO and its leaders, or at least figureheads. Will some city councilmembers endorse Daraka for Planning commission, or any commission, simply because they are repaying a favor and/or because Daraks can make a good speach (regardless of the issue of the hour during a meeting) and "rise up" (as he said) to speak at the podium during public comment?
The timidity of Blogabarbara and Sara DLG to start a discussion on the most politically charged issue of the day or week is sad, and leads one to believe the blog host is doing spin of "her" own, by an error of omission.
If blog postings are stupid or dumb, just delete them.
I could care or less whether we devote time to Daraka -- what I don't want is the thread to get too personal. The issues you brought up are important ones but I don't get that everyone would stay on course. The feedback I've gotten from most of our readers is to avoid situations where this could happen -- I don't blame them. It's too much an opportunity for name calling where I do my best to not delete posts unless they are mean spirited or nasty.
I never in a million years would think of him as being a possible Planning Commissioner -- to me, he's too controversial and they wouldn't do it. WOuldn't payback be too obvious?
true. especially if even a tiny bit of criticism is weighed against the young men in a hurry whose names begin with "D".....they are deities and their actions and statements and whose photo they pose beneath are immune from criticism on these blogs......
I suggest you all follow Sara’s lead.
If you want your words, this Blog, to have any credibility at all, then you must stay away from the shallow name calling.
It is real easy to be dismissed in the rarified atmosphere of power politics.
Don’t blow this platform like Second District was by its users.
Do you really think that an article, by the same newspaper that criticized the Sheriffs raise, would have been written to provide some type of cover for that raise? That premise is idiotic. The jail is a scandal and could be written about anyday. Your paranoia about Travis is showing. Jerry Roberts has carefully separated the News from Opinion at the News Press. If you don't think so contrast Josh's hagiography's of Das, etc. with Travis's Opinions. It would be nice if the bad guys all wore black hats, but life just ain't that simple. AS far as 15 year old Daraka, I agree none of us usually want those old passions resurrected. But Daraka defines himself by those passions and that is part of the story. I admire his conviction, but the end result is the polls and there he is getting his ass kicked.
I enjoyed the article about Daraka and admire him, even if we don't always agree on issues. Surprised it was front page.
There was also an article about the baby boomer generation, which was an interesting counterpoint. Sometimes it seems that the boomers are not willing to make room for the next generation - to be mentors, etc. Brian Barnwell saying Daraka can't be on the planning commission because he is only thirty seems silly to me.
I actually didn't write anything about this story being a News-Press cover for the raise -- and let's try to get away from saying anyone's comments are idiotic.
I'm very clear that news and editorial are separate -- and I've never said otherwise. The reporters are doing their job and I personally think they are doing it pretty well --- my question was based in whether this story was generated by the Sheriff's Department to get people thinking about something else.
I thought the childhood stuff took too much of the article, without it going in depth on the actual good results of Daraka's work: a good effort in the Alliance to defeat Prop 75, the living wage, his advocacy for teacher's assistants at UCSB, etc. Josh also didn't go into his faith (Catholic) or attributes that might be more salient to his current endeavors than the fact he was a socialist when he was young(er).
If you think that the Sheriffs could generate a story about a young activist in the City to turn attention away from Andrson's raise in the County, I am sorry, but that is idiotic.
Please re-read the post -- I didn't say that.
Oh Good. another faith based young man in a hurry....just what we need
As this blog entry really is Daraka-watch, let us continue:
Barnwell did not criticize him merely because Daraka is 30 years old, but based on his experience in City government, boards, and commissions, and especially his severe lack of any experience in city and urban planning, which might be good to know if one is a city planning commissioner.
At least Harley Pueblo is trying to start out with an entry level position on the downtown parking committee.
The outline by Tigger is good for a Daraka resume, but, again, what does any of that have to do with the city planning issues?
fds:
Yes, I agree that Barnwell had other reasons, and probably good ones. I was pointing out that one of the reasons cited was Daraka's age - and I think that is no reason at all.
We have some talented younger folks interested in government here in SB County. Instead of being taken under the wing of those already in the fold, they are often criticized or marginalized. Sometimes this critcism is richly deserved. But if the established dems would reach out and mentor the younger crowd, we would be a much stronger party locally.
yes--we do have talented people of all ages in SB who would be great on Commissions and Boards....some have spent years in town quietly yet deliberately working their way up---paying local dues so to speak--building relationships taking the initiative to work with those with more experience;
Just talking loudly and storming back into town and throwing criticisms and fomenting dissent does not make one a talented young folk deserving of appointment to the Planning Commission, of all things.
In terms of Daraka and 75 and the Living Wage. I think a case can be made that the leadership shown on those issues contributed to their local defeat and delay. That is not exactly a record to run on. The Mr. Bullhorn act can wear pretty thin after a while. Like the Family Dog used to say, " May the Baby Jesus shut your mouth and open your mind".
....we can only hope.....
One must admire Daraka's passion. It is a good thing. One must wonder what could happen to Santa Barbara if Daraka followed or served with Das on the City Council.
don't scare us.
Not all that bad to have one Das on the county board and one Daraka on the city council. Makes a better discussion. What are you afraid of?
well, he's on the city parks commission - not the planning commission or city council.
Lenin murals at the park anyone?
I think that Das and Daraka needed an equivalent to the Women's Political Committee. The list of WPC members who have been elected to office is long and includes, Susan Rose, Lois Capps, Hannah-Beth Jackson, Marty Blum, and yes, Helen Schneider. Sure, not many women of color, it's an on going struggle for them, but my point is that the organization is a resource for women activists, young and old. It educates, trains, and fosters leadership among its membership. Most of the fights that occur within the organization (and there have been many) are constructive and offer a training ground for its members. PUEBLO, obviously can't be such a resource because its purpose is different. But, PUEBLO members should consider creating a new organization that focuses exclusively on leadership development. Perhaps we would get greatly improved Das's and Darakas
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