By Brent E. Beltrán
I’m not a registered Democrat or Republican (or as I prefer Democrata or Republiklan). I never bought into the two party system and I probably never will. As the late Chicano leader Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzalez said, Democrats and Republicans “are one party that feed from the same trough.”
Under rare circumstances have I ever voted for either political party. When I did it was usually to vote against the Republican candidate. For most of my 20’s I didn’t vote at all.
I didn’t vote for Bill Clinton or Al Gore. I didn’t vote for John Kerry either. There was no way I would’ve voted for either of their Republican opponents. During the Clinton elections I didn’t vote. During the Bush/Gore race I voted for Ralph Nader and during the Bush/Kerry election I voted for imprisoned American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier.
When current President Barrack Obama ran I voted for a Democrat for president for the first time in my life. Twice. Not because I was in love with his policies but because I did not want a Republican president to have the opportunity to nominate Supreme Court justices. I also didn’t think an African American man would win.
Since President Obama has been in office his policies, for the most part, have absolutely sucked. He has deported more Mexicans than his predecessor, Guantanamo Bay’s prison is still open for business and his drone policy borders on war crimes. But at least McCain and Romney were not given the opportunity to nominate Supreme Court justices.
When Bob Filner decided to run for mayor of San Diego I didn’t really think too much about it. I was never a big Filner supporter. I never voted for him for Congress even though I lived most of my adult life in his district.
In the mid-90s while I was a member of Unión del Barrio we and others pushed him out of a Chicano Park Day celebration because we didn’t want any political opportunists there. Little did I know that almost 20 years later I’d jump on the Filner for mayor bandwagon.
Initially I became a supporter because I did not want Koch brother progeny and Teabagger (double entendré not intended) supported Carl DeMaio to become mayor. His policies are so far to the right that I would’ve voted for Ronald Reagan instead of him.
Once I started to learn more about Congressman Filner and his campaign agenda, thanks to my fellow Freepers here at San Diego Free Press, I bought in. He was down for historically marginalized communities like Barrio Logan. He believed in the power of the underdog. He was going to change the business as usual stylings of city government that placed the needs of the rich elite before those of the poor and middle classes.
To be honest I didn’t think he’d win. Few did. Especially with DeMaio’s moneyed backers and the U-T Lynchester’s biased polling. When the votes came in and Filner won I almost shit myself. I didn’t think it possible that we’d ever have a peoples mayor defending the interests of those like myself and others in my neighborhood. I felt like we won the mayoral seat. That we were all mini-mayors.
For the first time in my life I felt the system worked and it gave people like me hope. And I also felt a little shadenfreude towards the rich fucks that have ruled this city my entire life. It was such a good feeling knowing these bastards wouldn’t be getting their way with a progressive mayor and a liberal majority on the city council.
In early January I saw Bob Filner across the street from my apartment in Barrio Logan at a campaign announcement for soon-to-be State Senator Ben Hueso. This was the first of four times I saw him within two blocks of my pad. I congratulated him on his victory and I told him that I look forward to the implementation of his progressive agenda. He seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say.
Mayor Bob Filner with my son Dino and I.
I asked to take a photo of him and he asked if my son Dino and I wanted to be in the picture. I’m not really a fan of taking pictures with celebrities (except mixed martial arts fighters) but I decided to anyway. I thanked him and told him to carry on with his much needed work.
I totally had a bromance with the guy and the policies that he was planning on implementing. Little did I know that six months later we’d break up. But man, those were the best six months I’ve seen out of any local politico. He took on the tourism industry, he supported safe access to medical marijuana, he stood up for Bank of America chalker Jeff Olsen, took the cars out of Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama, spoke at Chicano Park’s recognition as a historic site and so much more.
Then in July news of him sexually harassing someone in his office broke. And so did my political heart. I felt betrayed. I had never bought into the system and then the first time that I did he let me down. This was my guy and I felt hurt.
As a progressive who stands for the rights of the poor, minorities, the LGBT community and, most importantly, women I could no longer side with him. Even though his policies were correct it would be hypocritical of me to do so.
Though I knew there would not be a viable politician who would be able to carry on his agenda, or who would be willing to do so, my principles told me that he no longer deserved to be mayor.
I was tempted to write a piece calling for his resignation. But after the dogpiling by most in the smug, back slapping, local media and everywhere else in our city I didn’t think it was necessary. The chorus was already loud and ugly. I didn’t want to write a column and pile on with the rest of them. Though I was tempted.
So here I am, just hours removed from his resignation address to the city council typing away with a deep sadness inside.
I’m sad for the women he harassed. Most of whom didn’t have a legitimate case against him. Asking for a date is not sexual harassment. A few, like Irene McCormack, have legitimate cases.
I’m sad for Bob Filner. He had a lot of potential to do good except his behavior got in the way.
I’m sad for the historically marginalized communities of San Diego. They/we are the real losers in this because things will go back to the way they were before Mayor Bob.
And I’m sad for myself. For the first time in my life I bought into the system. I bought into Bob Filner and what he could do. And he betrayed me. He betrayed all San Diego progressives. We deserved and deserve better.
I will not let that happen again. I will no longer buy into the Democrata party. If I vote it’ll be to keep out the Republiklans not because I support a candidate. And that’s a shame.
Brent E. Beltrán
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As the saying goes, don’t throw the baby out with the dirty bath water. Lorena Gonzales said it best: Bob Filner was the wrong person, but he had the correct vision to be mayor for of all of San Diego.
Brent, great article stating many of the same feelings I have had. Except for one sentence when you said that asking for a date is not harassment. That in itself is true. But when he insisted on asking that question repeatedly when the recipient/s had clearly and repeatedly said no–IS harassment. Still, great article. Bravo!
For years, the Democratic party knew about Filner’s behavior and yet endorsed him for mayor. Beginning with Goldsmith, they hoped to have unleashed a “junk yard dog” on Republicans. Filner blew up in the Democrat’s faces and now they have to recover from this party led fiasco. Even now labor unions cannot admit they were wrong and instead are looking for Filner clone (without the bad behavior) to go after Republicans.
Cuidado/Careful: Nobody is perfect. I can think of a couple of proverbs/idioms, be they biblical or not:
1) “El que este libre de pecado que tire la primera piedra.” In other words, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone;”
2) “Judge not lest ye be judged;” and
3) “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
I, for one, am for DUE PROCESS!
…one woman’s opinion…
Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” So in other words, its ok to make judgement calls on character, as long as you know that you will be also judged. But because you will also be judged, you will probably be found guilty of something since no one is perfect. Due Process sounds great if this were a criminal or civil case that did not impact an entire city. But there are enough accusers that due process would adversely effect city business.
With that voting record you will have a hard time running for office, Brent.
Also, Filner ‘s enemies never had to produce a scintilla of evidence that he sexually harassed anyone.That’s a term of art, and his behavior was not sexual harassment.
That said, I share your disappointment.
Thank you!
Is Lori Saldaña a Filner enemy?
The local Democratic Party has known for a long time about sexual harassment allegations against Bob Filner, said former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña. in an interview with the Voice of San Diego. “I blew the whistle on this two years ago to the Democratic Party leadership”
The local Democratic Party either chose to look the other way or were incompetent in their due diligence. True or false, in private industry we have to take all allegations of sexual harassment seriously and conduct an exhaustive investigation. It appears that the same standards don’t apply to politicians.
I’m pretty sure its hard to provide evidence of sexual harassment aside from maybe getting Filner’s DNA from the clothes of the accuser, but even then, DNA could get there from anything. What is the evidence you would like to see from any accusers that would cause you to believe someone was sexually harassed?
Sexual Harassment vs. Sexual Assault – BIG Difference.
Getting Filner’s DNA from the clothes of the accuser implies he was accused of sexual assault. Eighteen credible women accused Filner of harassment, not assault. After reading the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) definition of sexual harassment (below) and the eighteen (not just one or two) women’s statements and the phrases “unwelcomed”, “frequent and severe ring” true.
Sexual Harassment
It is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.
Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general.
Both victim and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same sex.
Although the law doesn’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim being fired or demoted).
The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a co-worker, or someone who is not an employee of the employer, such as a client or customer.
Let’s see. Right off the bat, “unwelcomed” sexual advances, unless Filner reads minds, not sure how he is guilty of sexual harassment b/c none of them have said that his advances were unwelcomed to him. He needs to know they are unwelcomed and if they did not tell him, then right there shoots a pretty big hole in these allegations.
I do not think that telling someone they are beautiful or asking them out is offensive. Most people would not find those comments to be offensive.
Personably I’m moving on. I still don’t understand the passionate defense but I respect your right to offer it. I hope Mr. Filner finds whatever help he’s looking for and finds new & different ways to contribute to the positive aspects of his life’s work going forward.
Josephine:
I agree with you.
Thanks, Cynthia. I grew up thinking when someone says, “You’re beautiful” that’s a compliment.
As I understand the law:
Forcing your tongue inside someone’s mouth is assault.
Groping someone’s derriere is assault.
I believe both of these actions were included in the allegations.
Never mind the fact that people don’t go to work to get hit on. If you look at a day at work as a day full of opportunities to get laid and make advances at members of the opposite sex, WHETHER THEY CONSENT OR NOT, you are not a professional and would not last a day at any place I have ever worked at, from the military to washing dishes at a pizza joint to a corporate sales job wearing a suit and tie.
In many instances you can make a sexual harassment case out of a supervisor merely sleeping with a subordinate even if it began as consensual.
I AM a registered Democrat and although I am not always pleased with the Democratic Party, by either their positions or personas, or both, it is far and away the better choice when put up against any Republican I can think of. And as to your not voting, what are you thinking? I can now blame you (and others who never vote) for Nixon, Bush 1 &2, Reagan, (need I add Sarah Palin?) and all the other local and state “losers” that have gotten us where we are today. And your wasted vote for the “nobody” was not even worth mentioning, showing a complete lack of sober judgment and informed voting. If we don’t hold together to fight the self-righteous, selfish, god driven, hate filled Republican agenda we will continue to be beset with the burdens of religious stupidity and financial unfairness as protested by the ongoing OccupyWallStreet campaign. Obama is trying to act responsibly but the republican dominated congress has one single agenda of making him look bad no matter what the cost to you and me. Filner was always politically on the “right” (correct) side of most issues as long as he was in all elected office and, as we are all human, not even close to perfect. As mayor he endeavored to move our city into a path of correcting the wrongs foisted upon us for at least the last 20 years by the Republicans in sheep’s clothing. Yes, he has paid the price for being socially inept and not conforming to a modicum of decency when addressing women. With that said, let’s not forget that the upcoming election to replace him is no less important than the one in which he was just previously elected, thus eliminating our having to follow DeMaio any longer or any of his supporters’ policies, etc., not to mention Faulkner’s dismal credentials or positions. Please vote at this next and every other following opportunity for a rational thinking, reasoning, and humanistic candidate and it will always be the Democratic candidate that best exemplifies this credo; not Ralph Nadar, Ross Perot, Ron Paul, or any of the other fringe lunatics that seek to attract your vote by using homespun simplicity and hackneyed slogans that sound very attractive but are always empty epitaphs in both substance and achievablity. The good old days are behind us and we must all look forward to a new world where the theory of evolution is accepted by all and climate change is addressed along with the other items on the long list of jobs we must tackle. Voting is a cherished privilege and should always be exercised forthrightly and not squandered or poo pooed as not relevant to everyone’s life. Don’t be sad, be elated that we live in America where we can actually make a difference individually and collectively by voting in a progressive way that leads to a more satisfying outcome (or not if you are so inclined) leading us forward even as it seems to be at glacial speed to a better society for all.
I’d like to comment by posting some definitions.
Allegation:
1. the act of alleging; affirmation.
2. an assertion made with little or no proof.
3. an assertion made by a party in a legal proceeding, which the party then undertakes to prove.
McCarthyism: The practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism. The term is also now used more generally to describe reckless, unsubstantiated accusations, as well as demagogic attacks on the character or patriotism of political adversaries.
Look at each individual claim. Media is complicit, giving credence to all the allegations, despite inconclusive or questionable evidence.
Due process is best defined in one word–fairness. Throughout the U.S.’s history, its constitutions, statutes and case law have provided standards for fair treatment of citizens by federal, state and local governments. These standards are known as due process. When a person is treated unfairly by the government, including the courts, he is said to have been deprived of or denied due process. The rule that individuals shall not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without notice and an opportunity to defend themselves.
Filner choose to forego due process – sadly we the people were never given the choice. The political process is OUR political process; Filner, for his faults, was our Mayor selected through our process, with all it’s faults. In the end it was the people of San Diego who were denied due process.
Have you ever advocated or even thought any politician should resign? Bob Packwood, David Vitter, Richard Nixon, etc. etc. I really don’t understand where the ‘due process’ argument draws the line. Was Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink among others who called George W Bush a war criminal and called for him to resign a lynch mob or were they exercising their rights as citizens?
I believe the right to ‘due process’ argument more apply pertains to court proceedings and if Mr. Filner really felt he was facing a lynch mob he should have shown the incredible courage of facing them down as he did in the 1960’s. Instead he’s avoided defending himself and said he has monster inside him?
Mr. Filner would be one of the first to say politics is a rough profession and he personally practiced strong advocacy politics for what he believed in. I was a Filner supporter and think the non-sexual issues could have been defended. At the bottom of this comment is a link to an article that was written based on a comment I made on VOSD titled – If It Was Just the Other Issues I’d be a Supporter. I think it’s a better defense than the mayor’s office ever issued.
If you’ve got a good argument on where the line between a citizen’s right to call for resignation versus a politician’s right to say everyone has to stop saying bad things about him until he gets a day in court I’d genuinely like to hear it. I believe recalls are legal and that it is appropriate to have a process like them. I would raise the bar on the number of signatures.
Finally I sure as hell hope Mr. Filner doesn’t settle any of the various lawsuits. He should fully exercise his legal right to Due Process all the way to a jury or his peers and he should accept their judgment without blaming them for the outcome. I hope all those that have been arguing for Due Process watch how Mr. Filner resolves these issues and how much Due Process he really wants. I’m glad Mr. Filner and the “Monster Inside Him” is leaving office.
In SIX months in office, Mayor Filner:
1. Removed surface parking from Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park, spending only $300,000 to do so;
2. Removed the Pelican crap smell and related problems from the rocks of La Jolla Cove;
3. Opposed a give away of more than $500,000,000 of public money to subsidize the private, for-profit business owned by the Spanos family;
4. Insisted that the hotel owners indemnify the City taxpayers from millions in potential liabilities if the courts hold the “Hotel Tax” unlawful, and thousands of guests file to recover millions paid for this possibly unlawful tax;
5. Negotiated new leases for office space downtown, saving taxpayers 6-7 million dollars from reduced rents. He also used the expert services of star broker Jason Hughes, who volunteered his services, saving the City additional millions of dollars in broker’s fees payable over the live of the new leases;
6. Said “NO” to the Jacobs Plan for Balboa Park, thereby saving the Cabrillo Bridge, the National Historical designation of the Park, prevented the imposition of PAID parking in the entire Park and Zoo, and saved the City from more than $25,000,000 in new debt to par for an unnecessary underground parking garage;
7. Said “NO” to Jack in the Box when they attempted to ignore conditions on their remodeling permit for their store at 30th and Upas in North Park;
And the list goes on.
Tried to get solar on city buildings
Satellite office in Tijuana to improve relations
Cameras set up in La Jolla to protect the seals
Removed red light cameras
Supported the Keystone Pipeline protest
Supported the medical marijuana dispensaries
Standing with community activists to save Mission Trails from Cogentrix’s Quail Brush Power Plant.
Thank you, Josephine, we can save this list of yours to help us measure the men (Let’s be clear about this; the GOP owns the next election and will be running a manly candidate) who will be offered us as mayoral saviors. Jan Goldsmith? Kevin Faulconer? What the hell, maybe Todd the Inglorious will do a Nathan Fletcher reverse?
8. Caused the FBI to begin a probe of what looks like a quid-pro-quo arrangement with a local developer. Tom Story of Sunroad Centrum Partners left for various city council members regarding a $100,000 “gift” he made to two public projects Filner favored.
9. Caused the California Attorney General’s office to begin a criminal investigation into Filner’s treatment of women.
“2. Removed the Pelican crap smell and related problems from the rocks of La Jolla Cove;”
Hmmm… the cleanings cost $50,000, and are expected to be repeated two to three times a year indefinitely- because the people who live and operate businesses in the richest zip code in the city don’t like the smell of mother nature. Do you think the mayor would have considered such an expenditure and declared an emergency, suspending state and federal environmental regulations, if the zip code were in east san diego, or skyline, or shelltown?
For the record I agree it had to be cleaned but think for a moment if you were pinning the same action onto a different party’s official, maybe it would be portrayed differently?
“Mayor extends special services to richest citizens, let’s follow the money!”???
Yes, and don’t forget what is perhaps the straw that broke the camel’s back. Bob Filner supported “jury nullification.” What is jury nullification? Read below; this is from fija.org:
“Filner Urges ‘Jury Nullification’ In Medical Pot Dispensary Case
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has injected himself into a federal criminal case against the operator of a medical marijuana dispensary, intensifying his standoff with federal prosecutors on cannabis enforcement issues.
Filner’s urging jurors who’ll be chosen for the trial to reject federal law in favor of state statutes under a centuries-old legal concept known as “jury nullification”– whereby jurors can refuse to convict people under laws they believe should not be applied.
It’s a bold, brash move that’s potentially controversial and politically risky for a mayor.
But that’s not atypical of the former “Freedom Rider” who served two months of jail time in Mississippi during the early years of the Civil Rights Era.”
NOW is it clear???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
nothing about this Mayor Filner episode is clear to me…
excellent article and from the heart, I appreciate your sentiments about political apathy… I always vote, but sometimes wonder why as I tend to class the political process in the same general category as professional sports competitions…
my name for the parties are Democans and Republicrats, and they are working hard together to create social and political fields of dissension to assure the expansion of the bureaucratic system in an eternal internal legal argument …
instead of responsibly taking care of city management and the humble citizen tax payer….and global warming…and other stuff they were hired to deal with
The citizens of San Diego voted for Bob Filner AND for the agenda upon which he campaigned. Bob Filner is gone and the agenda remains. We should expect the City Council to embrace that agenda and continue moving it forward in the interim. We should be prepared to respond quickly and assertively if they don’t. Mayoral candidates should be judged by their willingness to continue that agenda. We need to be clear and assertive about our candidate expectations.
A few words from Representative John Lewis:
“…The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It’s the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society and we’ve got to use it… “I’m not tired, I’m not weary,” Lewis finished. “I’m not prepared to sit down and give up. I am ready to fight and continue to fight, and you must fight.”
The allegations here have never been proven. They are simply allegations; don’t fall into the mesmerizing sway of a media that turns allegations into facts.
So where do you draw the line between citizens voices advocating for a politician with a monster inside him to resign or be recalled versus a politician’s right to have “due process”. I’m really curious if this is just pure I’d vote for a literal yellow dog that was a Democrat before I’d vote for a Republican or do you think that no politician can be called on to resign until he’s had a full trial? When a politician is this far out of bounds with this many substantial accusers where does the balance fall in your opinion?
Ron:
I agree that the allegations have not been proven, and I disagree with Matt’s statement about “this many substantial accusers.” They did not strike me as substantial, in fact surprisingly unimpressive. I look to the trial with interest, now that the press has already helped run our elected mayor out of office, and will of course vote in the upcoming special election. I expect the usual choices with the usual results.
“They did not strike me as substantial, in fact surprisingly unimpressive.”
The implied point is what? They fabricated these allegations? They lied?
It’s highly bizarre that one of the core issues of the progressive platform has always been women’s rights and equality in the workplace, and the elimination of sexual status quo as it’s existed for a hundred centuries… (Remember “The Outlaw Josey Wales”, what Clint did to Sondra Locke? That’s the way it was, you saw it, you took it and until 1969 no state would charge a man with rape based upon a woman’s word alone) Yet the attitude is that that doesn’t matter because the agenda is being forwarded?
One step forward, two steps back.[