Ron Dellums the Republican

Ron Dellums news always brings me out of retirement.

Dellums may not have been the most effective mayor - but one thing you can still say about him, he'll always stick to his principles. (Thanks to Tom for the link.)

[Update: after I posted this I needed some comic relief so I went to the Chronicle to find out what else Dellums had been up to. It's really hard to tell satire from reality when you read articles about Dellums. The following is real: "'I can't tell you the pain I feel,' he said of having to appear in court to defend himself against allegations of mistreating Edgerly. At one point, the judge handed Dellums a box of tissues."

Shocking News About "Mayor" Dellums! Shocking!

Ron Dellums has ongoing IRS problems? He might back out early because of them? And he's going to Washington to become a lobbyist after this?

I am absolutely flabbergasted by all of this. What an unexpected turn of events. Especially for a man known for his dignity, dedication to transparency, and work ethic.

[End saying the opposite of truth for comedic effect]

Dellums articles always bring me out of my slumber. New news about old Ron is always fun. Especially the comments following them. Especially since I no longer live in Oakland and have to deal with the fallout.

Article from The Onion Accidentally Posted on the Chronicle

The title is "Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums To Decide on 2nd Run". It's really funny! And who knew the Onion followed Oakland politics! Quick, go see it before the editors realize they made a mistake and take it down.

I Had No Idea I Was So Popular

I came back to visit Oakland this week after a year away, and people are so excited at my return they're rioting! You like me, you really like me!

Poor taste? Certainly, but after a year away when you come back to this, and Nero Dellums shopping while Oakland burns, you can either laugh or cry. I wrote a little more about it here.

The Same Arguments Apply to Healthcare and CA State Gov't

On a healthcare per dollar basis, Americans don't compare well to other industrialized countries. Why are Californians so unwilling to make the same comparison between state governments? We pay more and get fewer and worse services.

Salman Rushdie is Awesome

Hello from San Diego! I miss the Bay Area terribly. T minus 45 months and counting.

Passing along this East Bay nugget: did you know Cody's Books was firebombed in 1989? Like many Bay Area immigrants for whom history begins somewhere in the 1990s, I had no idea. This happened in response to their carrying the Satanic Verses, in what may very well be "the first act of international terrorism in the United States".

In this holiday season, we should all take the opportunity to antagonize over-sensitive religious girly-men everywhere that threaten violence when their little myths are trod upon. In the meantime, please enjoy some cartoons.

Seen at the Grand Parkway

"With $2 an Hour Meter Parking Until 8pm, The City Will Finish Destroying Our Shopping District". This is one of several terrible, short-sighted ideas the city now has, along with raising hotel taxes (which you should vote against).