There are thirty-eight events of interest to activists in San Diego over the next ten days. It’s safe to say the pace and intensity of progressive politics have not lessened as we enter into year two of Cadet Bone Spurs.

I have a few observations about our County so-called government to share before you get to the good stuff:

First Amendment eff up. Journalist Kelly Davis has worked diligently over the past few years exposing injustices in local government. The County of San Diego didn’t take kindly to her (along with Dave Maass) exposés concerning (60!) jail deaths at the SD County Jail. So they decided to drag her into court to reveal her notes, interviews, and recordings from the award-winning CityBeat series. She’s off the hook, for now, thanks to a judge with common sense. But there’s still a chance the County government will appeal. Read about it here.   [Read more…]

How can we make sure the Blue Wave washes some of the sludge out of local government?

By rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. Early. Like now. And that’s what the San Diego County Democratic Party and many local activists are doing. And there is still time for YOU to get in on the action.

It’s the middle of ‘winter’ in San Diego, and this calendar lists eight canvassing efforts, along with four forums giving people an opportunity to see candidates in person over the next week or so. Bravo!   [Read more…]

Now that we’ve reached the one year mark in the Trump administration, there are many successes to look back on. It should also be clear this process of protest and activism is a marathon, not a sprint. Ain’t no superhero gonna fix this mess.

We can all look to the victory of those participating in the weekly protests outside Rep. Darrell Issa’s office for inspiration. They resisted. They persisted. And the richest man in Congress decided he could take it no more.

There are more than a dozen contingents participating in the San Diego and North County Women’s Marches; people whose common activism leads them to want to show their solidarity with his and other events.   [Read more…]

It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have.” – James Baldwin, No Name in the Street

Donald Trump could seek asylum in Moscow tomorrow, and the programs built on the legacy of hate that he embodies would continue to advance.

There is a connection between the City of El Cajon’s schemes to starve out the homeless, County DA Summer Stephan’s blind eye toward law enforcement officers malfeasance, the resurrection of the war on crime nationally, and a ‘whites first’ immigration policy.   [Read more…]

Congressman Duncan Hunter’s Thursday morning interview with Good Morning San Diego on KUSI was amazing. The Indivisible Team San Diego had a field day with his comments, issuing a press release so good that I’m borrowing heavily from it for the intro to today’s column.

When a suspect complains about prosecutorial prejudice while the investigation is still ongoing, it’s a sign bad things are coming, like indictments or even jail time. And that’s exactly what the East County Congressman did, blaming individuals in the Department of Justice for intentionally delaying the resolution of their criminal investigation into misuse of his campaign funds.

The Congressman blamed the career ambitions of federal investigators who, he said, seek fame, and aim to do maximum damage to his campaign by dragging out the investigation into the 2018 election year.   [Read more…]

A ninth woman has come forward with claims of sexual misconduct by San Diego County Sheriff Deputy Richard Fischer, according to the Union-Tribune. All the victims are alleging incidents involving unwelcome hugs, groping and, in some cases, implied threats. Although the complaints date back to 2016, the Deputy was not placed on formal leave until lawsuits were filed last month.

It’s not like this was a one-time thing for at least one of the women; I’d call it stalking:

“When he clicked the seat belt into place, he rubbed L.R.’s breasts up and down using the heel of his hand and the inner part of his arm,” one of the new lawsuits alleges. “Fischer said, ‘Oh I hope your husband doesn’t mind.’”

That complaint, filed Wednesday in San Diego Superior Court by a woman who did not want to be publicly identified as a victim of sexual assault, accuses Fischer of accosting her five other times before she was released with a misdemeanor ticket last year.    [Read more…]

The Good News: The man who chanted “Lock Her Up” obsessively at rallies for Donald Trump is now officially charged with a federal crime.

ABC News Special Report: Michael Flynn promised “full cooperation to the Mueller team” and is prepared to testify that as a candidate, Donald Trump “directed him to make contact with the Russians.”

The Bad News: It appears the US Senate will pass some sort of budget. It still has to be reconciled with the House version of the bill, which is not a given because of the deficit hawks in the Freedom Caucus. Think about this: Republicans were ready to approve a tax bill that will affect our society for generations to be signed by an illegitimate President likely steps away from an indictment.

Three upcoming events you need to to be sure to notice: Save Affordable Housing – Planning Commision Meeting (December 7), Net Neutrality Protests at Verizon Stores (December 7), and Human Rights Day of Action (December 10)
  [Read more…]

Welcome to the abbreviated holiday weekend version of the Progressive Activist Calendar.

I was having such a good time I almost forget to put it together. Three events you need to to be sure to notice: The #Me Too March (November 25), The first forum featuring Both candidates for District Attorney (November 28), Justice for Johnathan Coronel Protest  (December 2)   [Read more…]