And further proof that the NorthCoast Environmental Center has access to millions of dollars and does not need your donations... It's also another indication of the incestuous nature of alot of these "groups" - and of the very small pool of people involved, really.
Smith River Project Staff and Associates
Project Staff
Greg King, founder and Executive Director of Smith River "Project"/Darryl Cherney's CO-Earth Firster/now the new Tim McKay/NEC
Ken Miller, Smith River Project North Coast representative/Bay Area Physicians for Social Responsibility/Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters Forest (BACH)/"Humboldt Watershed Council"/pre-eminent 215 Doc/pot stirrer
Project Associates
Cynthia Elkins, Program Director, Environmental Protection Information Center/Special Projects Associate for the Center for Biological Diversity/ASJE
Britt Bailey and Dr. Marc Lappé, Center for Ethics and Toxics
Jennifer Kalt, EPIC/Resource Protection Associate,/California Indian Basketweavers Association/Native Plant Society/Baykeeper/TPZ "expert"
• "Friends of Del Norte Norte"
The interesting name that (re)surfaces here is yet another "Tides Center Project," Dr. Marc Lappé, Center for Ethics and Toxics... who, if you remember, conducted a "...toxicological study that found elevated levels of dioxin in mussels and crabs immediately adjacent to the Sierra Pacific mill. The study...was commissioned by the Ecological Rights Foundation, a Garberville-based environmental group that (was) suing Sierra Pacific for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. In addition to looking at shellfish near the mill, the study also collected and tested shellfish in Hookton Slough... The study, done by toxicologist Marc Lappe of the Center for Ethics and Toxics in Gualala, Calif...y." source..."
"ERF: is the predatory litigious parent of the equally predatory "Humboldt Baykeeper."
According to activistcash.com "...With dozens of wealthy foundations bankrolling radical activist groups, a good deal of public philanthropy has become a shell game. The money flows freely, largely undetected, thanks to Tides’ innovative funding vehicles. The many groups that Tides “incubates” (and which operate under Tides’ umbrella) are smart, fierce, and built to last -- their targets in industry are just now beginning to learn the size of this organized opposition and its institutional bankroll..."
Baykeeper/Ecological Rights Foundation (ERF)/Center for Ethics and Toxics CETOS), a project of the Tides Center
ERF donated more than $5,000 to the "Center for Ethics and Toxics"
Incestous Activist groups
The "projects"
It's quite a racket these guys have goin'.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
A tragic loss
Jim Fahey – January 6, 2007
Word reached the Arcata Eye late Sunday of the passage of Jim Fahey, appellate attorney, inveterate Bridge player and Beatles fan. Fahey’s iconoclastic views on matters legal graced the pages of the Eye and Anderson Valley Advertiser. Friends and relatives are collecting remembrances; more information will be available in next week’s edition.
I got to know him a bit after the June 06 election. He was an incredibly kind and gracious - and intelligent - man. I will miss him.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Lost another one...
Congratulations to Davina Smith. moving from the DA's Office to the County Counsel's office.
Add her to the long list of talent lost.
Add her to the long list of talent lost.
The Mendo Pot Chronicles
The Mendo Pot Chronicles by Mark Scaramella, from The AVA
Exerpt: A cautionary tale, versions of which have happened here, and will continue to happen here.
On January 9th of this year, Rex Farrance, 59, a long-time technical editor of PC World Magazine, was murdered in a home invasion robbery. Farrance, at the apparent behest of his son, had a large indoor grow going in his home in Pittsburg in the East Bay. Last week three men, Tremaine Amos, 25, of Bay Point, and Darryl Hudson and Montrell Hall, both 23 and both of Pittsburg, were charged with Farrance's murder, and the associated robbery and burglary....
and this:
...If urban pot dispensaries are selling their medicine for $40-$60 per ounce, that's $5120/pound @$40/eighth, and $7680/pound @ $60/eighth. Locally, we understand the wholesale marijuana is selling for $2500-$3000 a pound, which is a pretty sweet markup by any measure when it reaches buyers at $40 to $60 an ounce. And it's all tax free. You can make even more if you can grow and process your own medical pot and sell it for at least $40 per ounce, and if you don't have to pay the black market $2500-$3000 per pound, it wouldn't take long to recover your modest growing costs, would it?...
Fascinating read. h/t: RS
Exerpt: A cautionary tale, versions of which have happened here, and will continue to happen here.
On January 9th of this year, Rex Farrance, 59, a long-time technical editor of PC World Magazine, was murdered in a home invasion robbery. Farrance, at the apparent behest of his son, had a large indoor grow going in his home in Pittsburg in the East Bay. Last week three men, Tremaine Amos, 25, of Bay Point, and Darryl Hudson and Montrell Hall, both 23 and both of Pittsburg, were charged with Farrance's murder, and the associated robbery and burglary....
and this:
...If urban pot dispensaries are selling their medicine for $40-$60 per ounce, that's $5120/pound @$40/eighth, and $7680/pound @ $60/eighth. Locally, we understand the wholesale marijuana is selling for $2500-$3000 a pound, which is a pretty sweet markup by any measure when it reaches buyers at $40 to $60 an ounce. And it's all tax free. You can make even more if you can grow and process your own medical pot and sell it for at least $40 per ounce, and if you don't have to pay the black market $2500-$3000 per pound, it wouldn't take long to recover your modest growing costs, would it?...
Fascinating read. h/t: RS
Flare gun test target is 'brilliant'
Dear Editor,
Kudos to Bob Hansen, of McKinleyville, for his brilliant and practical suggestion (in Letters to the Editor, Dec. 28, 2007) that District Attorney Paul Gallegos should volunteer to be the target of test firings of a flare gun and, should he be unwilling to do that, the police indictments should be dropped immediately.
From the time he first came to office, Paul Gallegos has squandered resources -- money, morale and reputations. It’s high time the people of Humboldt County come to their senses and throw him out. The sooner, the better.
Susan Dodd, Eureka
Then it looks like Salzman shows up in the comments: Humboldt county elected and then defended Gallegos in the recall, the people have spoken. The untouchable good 'ol boy network of coverup might be coming to a end and it appears some people just dont like that idea.
Funny since "untouchable" has been his word for Gallegos. The "Good Old Boy Network" has nothing on this virulent "New Little Boy Network" and, the people are stuck with Gallegos as a result of Salzman's lies and dirty tricks.
Kudos to Bob Hansen, of McKinleyville, for his brilliant and practical suggestion (in Letters to the Editor, Dec. 28, 2007) that District Attorney Paul Gallegos should volunteer to be the target of test firings of a flare gun and, should he be unwilling to do that, the police indictments should be dropped immediately.
From the time he first came to office, Paul Gallegos has squandered resources -- money, morale and reputations. It’s high time the people of Humboldt County come to their senses and throw him out. The sooner, the better.
Susan Dodd, Eureka
Then it looks like Salzman shows up in the comments: Humboldt county elected and then defended Gallegos in the recall, the people have spoken. The untouchable good 'ol boy network of coverup might be coming to a end and it appears some people just dont like that idea.
Funny since "untouchable" has been his word for Gallegos. The "Good Old Boy Network" has nothing on this virulent "New Little Boy Network" and, the people are stuck with Gallegos as a result of Salzman's lies and dirty tricks.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Save Your Money
It sounds so good - but ask yourself - what does this really MEAN?
Already the NEC and EPIC are collaborating on several projects, including the Orleans Community Fuels Reduction Project, Humboldt County’s timber production zone ordinance, impacts to Tolowa Dunes in Del Norte County, and a proposal to widen Highway 101 through Richardson Grove State Park...
They're collaborating on the TPZ issue? Yeah, you saw them all get up and testify at the recent TPZ hearings, so willing to let all the smaller landowners fall as collateral damage in their bloodlust for Palco. They're using this to beat their chests and sound the horn, and ask for money.
Oh - and the Richardson's Grove project, what was it they wanted to do? Shhhh, don't anyone tell them that - gasp - some trees will be cut for the planned expansion of the Green Bridge (Mad River Bridge). Unless you want to delay the improvements for a couple of decades, and add millions to the cost.
“With EPIC joining our Board of Directors, the NEC will continue to grow and thrive as one of California’s leading conservation organizations,” said Greg King, executive director of the Northcoast Environmental Center.“We’re facing major environmental challenges on the North Coast today, and our responses need to reflect these challenges. Collaboration between EPIC and the NEC will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the important work at hand.”
Joining forces with a predatory litigious group like EPIC and "Humboldt Baykeeper" will surely add to the NEC's coffers. So you can save your money and donate it to more needy causes.
Already the NEC and EPIC are collaborating on several projects, including the Orleans Community Fuels Reduction Project, Humboldt County’s timber production zone ordinance, impacts to Tolowa Dunes in Del Norte County, and a proposal to widen Highway 101 through Richardson Grove State Park...
They're collaborating on the TPZ issue? Yeah, you saw them all get up and testify at the recent TPZ hearings, so willing to let all the smaller landowners fall as collateral damage in their bloodlust for Palco. They're using this to beat their chests and sound the horn, and ask for money.
Oh - and the Richardson's Grove project, what was it they wanted to do? Shhhh, don't anyone tell them that - gasp - some trees will be cut for the planned expansion of the Green Bridge (Mad River Bridge). Unless you want to delay the improvements for a couple of decades, and add millions to the cost.
“With EPIC joining our Board of Directors, the NEC will continue to grow and thrive as one of California’s leading conservation organizations,” said Greg King, executive director of the Northcoast Environmental Center.“We’re facing major environmental challenges on the North Coast today, and our responses need to reflect these challenges. Collaboration between EPIC and the NEC will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the important work at hand.”
Joining forces with a predatory litigious group like EPIC and "Humboldt Baykeeper" will surely add to the NEC's coffers. So you can save your money and donate it to more needy causes.
Updated links
The links to Cheri Moore articles have been updated in posts below to all the new urls for Eureka Reporter stories. If you find one that isn't working please email me,
Text of indictment in Moore case
The Times-Standard has a couple of reports on Gallegos' indictments, including the text of the indictment
Humboldt County Superior Court
People of the State of California, Plaintiff, V. David Douglas, and Anthony Zanotti, Defendant
Case No. CR076157AS & BS
INDICTMENT
COUNT ONE
The Grand Jury of the County of Humboldt, State of California, hereby accuses DAVID DOUGLAS, and ANTHONY ZANOTTI, of a felony, to wit: a violation of Penal Code Section 192 (b), in that on April 14, 2006, DAVID DOUGLAS, and ANTHONY ZANOTTI, did willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, and without malice, kill, CHERI LYNN MOORE, a human being, in commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony; and in the commission of a lawful act which might have produced death, in an unlawful manner, and without due caution and circumspection, in violation of Penal Code Section 192 (b) of the Penal Code of the State of California.
DISCOVERY REQUEST
Pursuant to Penal Code Section 1054.7, the People request that, within 15 days, the defendant and/his attorney disclose: (A) The names and addresses of witnesses at trial, together with any relevant written and/or recorded statements of those persons, and reports of the statements of those persons, including any reports or statements of experts made in connection with the case, and including the results of physical or mental examinations, scientific tests, experiments, or comparisons which the defendant intends to offer in evidence at the trial; (B) any real evidence which the defendant intents to offer in evidence at the trial. This request is a continuing request, to cover not only all such material currently in existence, but all material which comes into existence through the conclusion of this case.
Dated: December 3, 2007
(The indictment was signed by Paul V. Gallegos, district attorney of Humboldt County, and the foreperson of the grand jury, whose name has been blacked out to protect his/her identity.)
Key facts in Moore case
Timeline of Cheri Lyn Moore case
Key witnesses' past testimony
List of grand jury witnesses
Commanding police officers didn't testify before jurors
Humboldt County Superior Court
People of the State of California, Plaintiff, V. David Douglas, and Anthony Zanotti, Defendant
Case No. CR076157AS & BS
INDICTMENT
COUNT ONE
The Grand Jury of the County of Humboldt, State of California, hereby accuses DAVID DOUGLAS, and ANTHONY ZANOTTI, of a felony, to wit: a violation of Penal Code Section 192 (b), in that on April 14, 2006, DAVID DOUGLAS, and ANTHONY ZANOTTI, did willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, and without malice, kill, CHERI LYNN MOORE, a human being, in commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony; and in the commission of a lawful act which might have produced death, in an unlawful manner, and without due caution and circumspection, in violation of Penal Code Section 192 (b) of the Penal Code of the State of California.
DISCOVERY REQUEST
Pursuant to Penal Code Section 1054.7, the People request that, within 15 days, the defendant and/his attorney disclose: (A) The names and addresses of witnesses at trial, together with any relevant written and/or recorded statements of those persons, and reports of the statements of those persons, including any reports or statements of experts made in connection with the case, and including the results of physical or mental examinations, scientific tests, experiments, or comparisons which the defendant intends to offer in evidence at the trial; (B) any real evidence which the defendant intents to offer in evidence at the trial. This request is a continuing request, to cover not only all such material currently in existence, but all material which comes into existence through the conclusion of this case.
Dated: December 3, 2007
(The indictment was signed by Paul V. Gallegos, district attorney of Humboldt County, and the foreperson of the grand jury, whose name has been blacked out to protect his/her identity.)
Key facts in Moore case
Timeline of Cheri Lyn Moore case
Key witnesses' past testimony
List of grand jury witnesses
Commanding police officers didn't testify before jurors
Requiem for an armed robber
Commemorating Zachary Cooke
Protesters, like Marissa Sholes, above, stated that they wanted to reach out to the community and give a voice to those who feel afraid or are threatened by law enforcement and to remember that organizations like Redwood Cop Watch are working towards establishing a police review board to investigate the actions taken by law enforcement that led up to Cooke’s death.
On Jan. 4 2007, Zachary Cooke, age 18, was shot and killed during an investigation into numerous armed robberies committed throughout Humboldt County of which Cooke and several other parties were suspected.
No private family memorial, this is a full blown stunt.
Lots of discussion all week at heraldo's
Protest to honor robber killed by EPD - - Redwood Curtain Cop Watch will hold a protest outside the Humboldt County Courthouse on the one-year anniversary of the police shooting of Zachary Cooke on Friday, January 4 at noon.
Protesters, like Marissa Sholes, above, stated that they wanted to reach out to the community and give a voice to those who feel afraid or are threatened by law enforcement and to remember that organizations like Redwood Cop Watch are working towards establishing a police review board to investigate the actions taken by law enforcement that led up to Cooke’s death.
On Jan. 4 2007, Zachary Cooke, age 18, was shot and killed during an investigation into numerous armed robberies committed throughout Humboldt County of which Cooke and several other parties were suspected.
No private family memorial, this is a full blown stunt.
Lots of discussion all week at heraldo's
Protest to honor robber killed by EPD - - Redwood Curtain Cop Watch will hold a protest outside the Humboldt County Courthouse on the one-year anniversary of the police shooting of Zachary Cooke on Friday, January 4 at noon.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Update on Rollin's trial, and a note on urls
End of trial near
On Thursday, 14 jury members listened to possibly the last witness in a two-and-a-half-month-long trial for Orick resident Joseph Pierre Rollin.
Rollin and Joi Wright lived together in Orick, and he acted as her informal caretaker. When she died in March 2002 at age 42, she was bedridden with a disease that required a catheter.
Rollin is charged with dependent adult abuse and two enhancements — proximately causing death and inflicting great bodily injury. This is a retrial, if you Recall.
Note: In the course of the Eureka Reporter's web update, all old urls are dead. I'll be working on converting all the old urls to the new ones, but it's going to be a very time consuming process. So if you're following this story, and the links don't work, try going to watchpaulARTICLES, where I've archived some of the articles, or try searching the headline at the Eureka Reporter site. The same holds true for coverage of the indictments of Douglas and Zanotti, the Cheri Moore coverage.
One thing is - if you take the title of the story and use it to Search the Eureka Reporter site, the stories are all there and they will come up - they've just had their address changed.
On Thursday, 14 jury members listened to possibly the last witness in a two-and-a-half-month-long trial for Orick resident Joseph Pierre Rollin.
Rollin and Joi Wright lived together in Orick, and he acted as her informal caretaker. When she died in March 2002 at age 42, she was bedridden with a disease that required a catheter.
Rollin is charged with dependent adult abuse and two enhancements — proximately causing death and inflicting great bodily injury. This is a retrial, if you Recall.
Note: In the course of the Eureka Reporter's web update, all old urls are dead. I'll be working on converting all the old urls to the new ones, but it's going to be a very time consuming process. So if you're following this story, and the links don't work, try going to watchpaulARTICLES, where I've archived some of the articles, or try searching the headline at the Eureka Reporter site. The same holds true for coverage of the indictments of Douglas and Zanotti, the Cheri Moore coverage.
One thing is - if you take the title of the story and use it to Search the Eureka Reporter site, the stories are all there and they will come up - they've just had their address changed.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Acceptable? Or not? W/Update
Looking back, moving forward at the MCSD
Guest opinion by Tom Marking
Jan. 1, 2008 edition of the McKinleyville Press
This has been an interesting year at the McKinleyvilleCommunity Services District. For the customers, the operational aspects of the district have been handled efficiently and effectively. The staff has done an excellent job and we proudly serve our customers.
Our rates are low, our service is high and our goal is to keep it that way. We thank all our customers that are attentive to conserving water, are cooperative and are appreciative of our staff efforts on their behalf. Over the past few years, we have completed the ball fields, built a marsh complex, replaced the Pierson Park playground, constructed a new Hiller Park playground, started new recreation programs, added trails and amenities. Things are looking good from a staff perspective.
However, the recent fiscal emergency declared by the Governator has us concerned about another tax grab from the parks budget. Stay tuned in 2008.
Board Stuff: In retrospect, the election of 2005 brought a new dynamic. As all of you are well aware the governing board is suffering through some growing pains. The McKinleyville Press editorials have been doing their utmost to keep the public well informed of the recent controversy (the First Amendment is alive and well in McKinleyville, no loss of rights in this town!)
The election of 2005 brought in a duo of "progressives" to the board that wish to meld their political aspirations into district policy. From the outset, we were informed that "we were leaderless," we were a "ship without a rudder." Ouch! The sharp edges of those statements have been dulled a bit over the last few years. Local Solutions was probably ecstatic when Ron Coffman was maneuvered onto the board this spring... they finally had a majority on a local service board.
Well, in Mr. Coffman's zeal to charge forward with a bold new leadership style, he stumbled badly and created quite a stir. It is not polite, ethical or legal to make false accusations about the staff and the general manager in public meetings. He was offered the opportunity to correct the situation with an apology and retraction, but instead he rolled the dice on the election, and the voters gave him an answer. There is wisdom in that decision. The silent majority is underrated.
In September, the general manager made it clear he did not want to work for a board that governs from disrespect and hidden agendas, and publicly stated his intention to retire next year. While the editor continually reports that the decision to leave was over Mr. Reid's saber rattling and fabled unilateral disciplinary session; that was ruse from the start. There was no basis for any disciplinary action... and Mr. Reid has backtracked on that hasty decision (in spite of leaked confidential letters). All Mr. Reid accomplished was to cause divisiveness and problems for the staff, the board, the district and himself. (More spilled milk to be cleaned up).
After the recent election, maybe there will be smoother sailing with a new captain on deck. The board needs to refocus on our mission statement, goals and statutory authority. No doubt, there will be a few choice words spoken in closed session between the manager and a few members of the board... whenever that is finally scheduled.
Whether there will be satisfactory resolution to the current situation is yet to be determined. All relationships are built on trust and respect. Perhaps that is a worthy goal for the coming year - to be respectful and try to build trust. Actually, that is a worthy goal in our private lives also, don't you think? I wish Mr. Coffman good heath and I wish all the board a happy new year. Perhaps we can resolve our differences and get back to serving our customers in the manner they deserve and expect (p.s. and work out our differences in private,)
(Tom Marking is the general manager of the MCSD.)
***
***
Well, this isn't a good way to start off negotiating in private, is it? I'm surprised to see all this erupt, but even more surprised to see Marking brand Coffman with the "Local Solutiuons" brand.
For the record - I watch "Local Solutions" pretty closely, and Ron Coffman was no "Local Solutions" candidate (though they may well have wanted him). And the voters didn't do anything to "send him a message," Coffman withdrew from the race. (For those who don't know, Coffman was appointed to fill a vacant position, and running was the natural extension of that term, not, as Marking puts it a "roll of the dice.")
It may be fair to call Javan Reid and Jeff Dunk "Local Solutions candidates" because both men accepted $400 from "Local Solutions:" when they ran for Board. Both obviously participated in the sham interviews LS put on. While Reid may have been involved with "Local Solutions" from its inception, Dunk was, in my observation, clueless as to what they were about. He was merely flattered that they liked him and were willing to support his candidacy.
And make no mistake, what they are about is aiding Richard Salzman in achieving his goals - keep Gallegos in office and get Rodoni out. Using the local "progressive" community's angst about national politics, Salzman was able to drum up people to undertake this effort - it was in many ways a fund-raising mechanism for Salzman's candidates, as well as a get-out-the-vote machine.
It was also a means of priming the pumpline - Salzman didn't want to lose any more races because his candidates lacked experience, so getting like-minded people in on the ground floor, School Boards and Service Districts was one goal. He's a very patient man for all his volatility, and willing to wait to get his three votes on the Board of Supervisors.
Despite the supposed breakup of LS and Salzman, you will be seeing a great deal of them in the upcoming Supervisor's race - Clendennen is a real "Local Solutions" candidate, and they'll be pulling out all the stops to oust Rodoni.
But all that aside - If Marking were a "Local Solutions" sympathizer, and wrote this piece lambasting Bill Wennerholm and Helen Edwards airing all the dirty laundry, it would be just as wrong as this is. If there was any hope for repairing the recent rift between Dunk, Reid and Marking, this would look to have ended those chances. This is the kind of thing you write to get it out of your system, sleep on it for a day or so and then rip up.
And all that said, Marking is reputed to be an excellent manager otherwise, and one well worth keeping. He's been with the District far longer than most managers in that profession, which is testament to his ability and skill.
What do you think?
***
Added 1/12/2008
McKinleyville Press Editorial by Jack Durham
Now that the political dynamic has changed on the McKinleyville Community Services District Board of Directors, it appears that Manager Tom Marking will be sticking around. He's back in charge and has a board that will probably follow his recommendations.
There's a definite upside to having Marking back at the helm - he's smart, creative, frugal and he works his butt off.
Unfortunately, there are some serious issues that will probably remain unresolved - mainly Marking's belligerence to some members of the board.
Marking has deemed it necessary to communicate to the board with a litany of insults. For example, in a letter to directors he accused a board member of "arrogance" and "grandstanding," describe him as "snobbish" and then wrote that "his entire manner is offensive." In another letter, he stated that a different director "demonstrates a lack of character and ethics."
Some McKinleyville residents probably think such language is just fine and that the directors had it coming. But that view holds McKinleyville's manager to a very low professional standard. Certainly other managers of other districts and cities deal with contentious board issues without resorting to such tactics. That's not to say that a manager may not, at times, have legitimate gripes that make him or her want to lash out at board members. But when the situation arises, a professional will take a deep breath and approach the situation in a calm, purposeful, diplomatic fashion. It's about taking the high road and keeping your cool.
That approach is the opposite of Marking's guest opinion in last week's McKinleyville Press, in which he accuses Directors Jeff Dunk and Javan Reid of wishing to "meld their political aspirations into district policy." Marking doesn't elaborate on this, but appears to buy into some sort of conspiracy theory that the duo is making changes in MCSD policy with the goal that doing so will somehow help them get elected to a higher office. There's no evidence to back this up such an assertion. So what's the point? Perhaps it's about playing politics and trying to marginalize directors with whom Marking disagrees with.
He also conducts an oddball analysis of the last election, stating that Director Ron Coffman "rolled the dice on the election, and the voters gave him the answer. There is wisdom in that decision. The silent majority is underrated." Marking seems to have forgotten that Coffman pulled out of the race and didn't campaign, which might have something to do with the fact that he wasn't elected.
Tonight, Jan. 8, Marking and the board are scheduled to meet behind closed doors to discuss the situation. Based on his guest opinion, Marking sounds like he's geared up for a fight. "No doubt, there will be a few choice words spoken in closed session between the manager and a few members of the board," Marking wrote. It sounds rather ominous.
It would be nice to think that by "choice words," Marking means that he'll be professional, diplomatic and courteous. Let's hope so, because if he's going to stick around at the MCSD he'll need to be prepared to deal the town's diverse political landscape and an elected board that represents different segments of the community - even those he may disagree with. McKinleyville will be best served if Marking concentrates on being a manager and stays out of politics. Leave that for the board members that residents actually elect, and who can be tossed out of office every four years.
And that pretty much says it all.
In closing this thread, I want to say that Marking is right to recognize "Local Solutions" as a problem. But Jeff Dunk and Javan Reid are only window dressing in the LS effort. "Local Solutions" is a threat to good unbiased government IF they gain any traction as a powerbroker. Their association with Salzman ought to rule that out, but they have proclaimed a break with him. Should it turn out that "Local Solutions" is still working in secret or otherwise with Salzman to get him that 'third vote' on the Board of Supervisors, they will have to be stopped. Misunderstanding what they are about, and who they are really running is crucial.
Guest opinion by Tom Marking
Jan. 1, 2008 edition of the McKinleyville Press
This has been an interesting year at the McKinleyvilleCommunity Services District. For the customers, the operational aspects of the district have been handled efficiently and effectively. The staff has done an excellent job and we proudly serve our customers.
Our rates are low, our service is high and our goal is to keep it that way. We thank all our customers that are attentive to conserving water, are cooperative and are appreciative of our staff efforts on their behalf. Over the past few years, we have completed the ball fields, built a marsh complex, replaced the Pierson Park playground, constructed a new Hiller Park playground, started new recreation programs, added trails and amenities. Things are looking good from a staff perspective.
However, the recent fiscal emergency declared by the Governator has us concerned about another tax grab from the parks budget. Stay tuned in 2008.
Board Stuff: In retrospect, the election of 2005 brought a new dynamic. As all of you are well aware the governing board is suffering through some growing pains. The McKinleyville Press editorials have been doing their utmost to keep the public well informed of the recent controversy (the First Amendment is alive and well in McKinleyville, no loss of rights in this town!)
The election of 2005 brought in a duo of "progressives" to the board that wish to meld their political aspirations into district policy. From the outset, we were informed that "we were leaderless," we were a "ship without a rudder." Ouch! The sharp edges of those statements have been dulled a bit over the last few years. Local Solutions was probably ecstatic when Ron Coffman was maneuvered onto the board this spring... they finally had a majority on a local service board.
Well, in Mr. Coffman's zeal to charge forward with a bold new leadership style, he stumbled badly and created quite a stir. It is not polite, ethical or legal to make false accusations about the staff and the general manager in public meetings. He was offered the opportunity to correct the situation with an apology and retraction, but instead he rolled the dice on the election, and the voters gave him an answer. There is wisdom in that decision. The silent majority is underrated.
In September, the general manager made it clear he did not want to work for a board that governs from disrespect and hidden agendas, and publicly stated his intention to retire next year. While the editor continually reports that the decision to leave was over Mr. Reid's saber rattling and fabled unilateral disciplinary session; that was ruse from the start. There was no basis for any disciplinary action... and Mr. Reid has backtracked on that hasty decision (in spite of leaked confidential letters). All Mr. Reid accomplished was to cause divisiveness and problems for the staff, the board, the district and himself. (More spilled milk to be cleaned up).
After the recent election, maybe there will be smoother sailing with a new captain on deck. The board needs to refocus on our mission statement, goals and statutory authority. No doubt, there will be a few choice words spoken in closed session between the manager and a few members of the board... whenever that is finally scheduled.
Whether there will be satisfactory resolution to the current situation is yet to be determined. All relationships are built on trust and respect. Perhaps that is a worthy goal for the coming year - to be respectful and try to build trust. Actually, that is a worthy goal in our private lives also, don't you think? I wish Mr. Coffman good heath and I wish all the board a happy new year. Perhaps we can resolve our differences and get back to serving our customers in the manner they deserve and expect (p.s. and work out our differences in private,)
(Tom Marking is the general manager of the MCSD.)
***
***
Well, this isn't a good way to start off negotiating in private, is it? I'm surprised to see all this erupt, but even more surprised to see Marking brand Coffman with the "Local Solutiuons" brand.
For the record - I watch "Local Solutions" pretty closely, and Ron Coffman was no "Local Solutions" candidate (though they may well have wanted him). And the voters didn't do anything to "send him a message," Coffman withdrew from the race. (For those who don't know, Coffman was appointed to fill a vacant position, and running was the natural extension of that term, not, as Marking puts it a "roll of the dice.")
It may be fair to call Javan Reid and Jeff Dunk "Local Solutions candidates" because both men accepted $400 from "Local Solutions:" when they ran for Board. Both obviously participated in the sham interviews LS put on. While Reid may have been involved with "Local Solutions" from its inception, Dunk was, in my observation, clueless as to what they were about. He was merely flattered that they liked him and were willing to support his candidacy.
And make no mistake, what they are about is aiding Richard Salzman in achieving his goals - keep Gallegos in office and get Rodoni out. Using the local "progressive" community's angst about national politics, Salzman was able to drum up people to undertake this effort - it was in many ways a fund-raising mechanism for Salzman's candidates, as well as a get-out-the-vote machine.
It was also a means of priming the pumpline - Salzman didn't want to lose any more races because his candidates lacked experience, so getting like-minded people in on the ground floor, School Boards and Service Districts was one goal. He's a very patient man for all his volatility, and willing to wait to get his three votes on the Board of Supervisors.
Despite the supposed breakup of LS and Salzman, you will be seeing a great deal of them in the upcoming Supervisor's race - Clendennen is a real "Local Solutions" candidate, and they'll be pulling out all the stops to oust Rodoni.
But all that aside - If Marking were a "Local Solutions" sympathizer, and wrote this piece lambasting Bill Wennerholm and Helen Edwards airing all the dirty laundry, it would be just as wrong as this is. If there was any hope for repairing the recent rift between Dunk, Reid and Marking, this would look to have ended those chances. This is the kind of thing you write to get it out of your system, sleep on it for a day or so and then rip up.
And all that said, Marking is reputed to be an excellent manager otherwise, and one well worth keeping. He's been with the District far longer than most managers in that profession, which is testament to his ability and skill.
What do you think?
***
Added 1/12/2008
McKinleyville Press Editorial by Jack Durham
Now that the political dynamic has changed on the McKinleyville Community Services District Board of Directors, it appears that Manager Tom Marking will be sticking around. He's back in charge and has a board that will probably follow his recommendations.
There's a definite upside to having Marking back at the helm - he's smart, creative, frugal and he works his butt off.
Unfortunately, there are some serious issues that will probably remain unresolved - mainly Marking's belligerence to some members of the board.
Marking has deemed it necessary to communicate to the board with a litany of insults. For example, in a letter to directors he accused a board member of "arrogance" and "grandstanding," describe him as "snobbish" and then wrote that "his entire manner is offensive." In another letter, he stated that a different director "demonstrates a lack of character and ethics."
Some McKinleyville residents probably think such language is just fine and that the directors had it coming. But that view holds McKinleyville's manager to a very low professional standard. Certainly other managers of other districts and cities deal with contentious board issues without resorting to such tactics. That's not to say that a manager may not, at times, have legitimate gripes that make him or her want to lash out at board members. But when the situation arises, a professional will take a deep breath and approach the situation in a calm, purposeful, diplomatic fashion. It's about taking the high road and keeping your cool.
That approach is the opposite of Marking's guest opinion in last week's McKinleyville Press, in which he accuses Directors Jeff Dunk and Javan Reid of wishing to "meld their political aspirations into district policy." Marking doesn't elaborate on this, but appears to buy into some sort of conspiracy theory that the duo is making changes in MCSD policy with the goal that doing so will somehow help them get elected to a higher office. There's no evidence to back this up such an assertion. So what's the point? Perhaps it's about playing politics and trying to marginalize directors with whom Marking disagrees with.
He also conducts an oddball analysis of the last election, stating that Director Ron Coffman "rolled the dice on the election, and the voters gave him the answer. There is wisdom in that decision. The silent majority is underrated." Marking seems to have forgotten that Coffman pulled out of the race and didn't campaign, which might have something to do with the fact that he wasn't elected.
Tonight, Jan. 8, Marking and the board are scheduled to meet behind closed doors to discuss the situation. Based on his guest opinion, Marking sounds like he's geared up for a fight. "No doubt, there will be a few choice words spoken in closed session between the manager and a few members of the board," Marking wrote. It sounds rather ominous.
It would be nice to think that by "choice words," Marking means that he'll be professional, diplomatic and courteous. Let's hope so, because if he's going to stick around at the MCSD he'll need to be prepared to deal the town's diverse political landscape and an elected board that represents different segments of the community - even those he may disagree with. McKinleyville will be best served if Marking concentrates on being a manager and stays out of politics. Leave that for the board members that residents actually elect, and who can be tossed out of office every four years.
And that pretty much says it all.
In closing this thread, I want to say that Marking is right to recognize "Local Solutions" as a problem. But Jeff Dunk and Javan Reid are only window dressing in the LS effort. "Local Solutions" is a threat to good unbiased government IF they gain any traction as a powerbroker. Their association with Salzman ought to rule that out, but they have proclaimed a break with him. Should it turn out that "Local Solutions" is still working in secret or otherwise with Salzman to get him that 'third vote' on the Board of Supervisors, they will have to be stopped. Misunderstanding what they are about, and who they are really running is crucial.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Who Killed Les Crane?
And where is Chris Giauque? Robin asked these questions on another thread. Since we're talking about the effects of 215, It's worth asking...
Cannabis distributor Les Crane slain 11/18/05
Chris Giauque's brother has set up a website with information and links.
Chris disappeared from Humboldt County on August 9, 2003. Several months later, the Humboldt County Sheriffs classified his disappearance as a homicide. Chris has not been found. Anyone who has information about his disappearance is encouraged to call me (Clint) at: 707-822-4415 or email me at clintgiauque at yahoo.com
There is a $50,000 reward for anyone who knows where his remains are located. Anyone with information can also call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.
***
Chris' brother sent the following letter to over 2000 residents in Redway, California (southern Humboldt County) August 9, 2005, and to local news media and local and federal law enforcement agencies. The letter has details about Chris’ disappearance and the unsuccessful search to find him.
11 August 2003. Rebecca Giauque called me and said that Chris had been missing for 2 days. Rebecca had married Chris 2 weeks earlier. She said that she was a suspect and had hired an attorney and a private investigator. She would not provide further details.
I called Chris’s friend. He reluctantly told me that Chris had gone to Spy Rock in Mendocino County to pick up over $100,000 in cash from Ben Lomax on the night he went missing. Rebecca and Lomax had filed a missing persons report. They decided to not tell the Humboldt Sheriffs about the cash because it was from an illegal marijuana business that Chris and Lomax co-owned. This friend refused to talk to the Sheriffs because he did not want to get into any trouble.
After speaking with the Humboldt Sheriffs, I received another phone call from Rebecca. Rebecca Giauque said that she did not want the Sheriffs to know about the over $100,000 in cash that Chris picked up the night he went missing. She then warned me to stay out of Chris’s business.
12 Aug 03. I called the local media and offered a $50,000 reward for Chris’s location.
13 Aug 03. Chris’s blue Toyota pick-up was found in Humboldt County at the junction of Elk Creek Road and Avenue of the Giants. The Sheriffs immediately considered it a homicide. The Sheriffs asked me if I had seen Rebecca since they could not find her and she was not returning their calls.
23 Aug 03. I interviewed Ben Lomax. Lomax was the last person to report seeing Chris. Ben Lomax admitted that he had given Chris over $100,000 in cash on the night he went missing. The cash was from over 100 pounds of outdoor marijuana. Lomax and Rebecca had not reported the cash to the Sheriffs because the marijuana business was not legal. Lomax was upset with me for telling the Sheriffs about the cash and his illegal marijuana business. Lomax said he thought Chris was killed while burying the cash in Salmon Creek. I reported this conversation to the Sheriffs along with the fact that Chris had over $1,000,000 in cash buried on his Salmon Creek property that he shared with Rebecca Giauque.
30 Aug 03. Rebecca called me and said that she would have me arrested if I came onto any of Chris’s properties. This was the last conversation I had with Rebecca Giauque.
16 Apr 04. I learned that Ben Lomax had given tens of thousands of dollars in cash to Rebecca’s private investigator, Jeff Cyphers, in the Eureka Bayshore Mall parking lot. The source of this money was Lomax’s illegal marijuana business.
Rebecca’s attorney, Kelly Walsh contacted me that same day. He was very upset. Attorney Kelly Walsh repeatedly threatened me and said, “you better keep quiet or I will have you taken care of”. I later learned that investigator Cyphers and attorney Walsh had used Walsh’s Eureka law office to collect tens of thousands of dollars in cash directly from Lomax, and much more cash indirectly (PR030266, May 21, 2004. Judge J.M. Brown). The source of this money was Lomax's illegal marijuana business.
I have taken attorney Walsh’s threats very seriously. I know that people who are involved in the collection of large amounts of drug money can be dangerous. Chris’s disappearance and homicide s an example. After attorney Walsh’s threats I was repeatedly followed and harassed by investigator Cyphers. I have also witnessed a violent attack against a close supporter of mine.
The Sheriffs admit that private investigator Cyphers has close friends in their department. Cyphers also worked closely with one of the detectives on Chris’s case. I do not know why private investigator Cyphers would collect my murdered brother’s marijuana debts from the main suspect in his homicide. I have tried to interview Cyphers but he will not answer my questions. This information has not interested the Sheriffs department and they will not investigate.
For the past 2 years, I have been too afraid to speak out. By going public with this information, I hope to shut down Ben Lomax’s illegal marijuana business and the flow of illegal cash to people that have repeatedly harassed and threatened me. This would help my family’s search for Chris. I realize that this is unusual but I am asking for help from the local community.
I know that there are people who know what happened to Chris but are not willing to talk to the Sheriffs. I encourage anyone with any information about Chris Giauque to call me (Clint Giauque) directly at (707) 822-4415. This includes people with information about the collection of Chris’s marijuana debts.
I have offered a $50,000 reward that is still available to anyone who can tell me where Chris Giauque is located. Rebecca Giauque and Ben Lomax will not offer any reward.
Sincerely,
Clint
_________
Federal authorities raided Lomax’s property three weeks after publication. Lomax was arrested and indicted on charges of conspiracy to cultivate and distribute 4400 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $17,000,000 along with 14 other people. Lomax was released on bail and is currently awaiting trail. A copy of the US Attorney’s News Release can be seen at:
U.S. Deptartment of Justice - $17 million marijuana cultivation operation uncovered; 15 indicted -
September 8, 2005
_________
Still missing 8/28/03
GIAUQUE BROTHER PUSHES FOR RESOLUTION
COMMET seizes 8,000 marijuana plants
Advocate Missing from Spy Rock Area 8/31/03
Missing Activist Wins Back Disputed Ounce of Pot
Judge Seizes Marijuana at Government's Request
Patient Sues U.S. for Return of One Ounce of Pot 11/19/01
Cannabis distributor Les Crane slain 11/18/05
Chris Giauque's brother has set up a website with information and links.
Chris disappeared from Humboldt County on August 9, 2003. Several months later, the Humboldt County Sheriffs classified his disappearance as a homicide. Chris has not been found. Anyone who has information about his disappearance is encouraged to call me (Clint) at: 707-822-4415 or email me at clintgiauque at yahoo.com
There is a $50,000 reward for anyone who knows where his remains are located. Anyone with information can also call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.
***
Chris' brother sent the following letter to over 2000 residents in Redway, California (southern Humboldt County) August 9, 2005, and to local news media and local and federal law enforcement agencies. The letter has details about Chris’ disappearance and the unsuccessful search to find him.
11 August 2003. Rebecca Giauque called me and said that Chris had been missing for 2 days. Rebecca had married Chris 2 weeks earlier. She said that she was a suspect and had hired an attorney and a private investigator. She would not provide further details.
I called Chris’s friend. He reluctantly told me that Chris had gone to Spy Rock in Mendocino County to pick up over $100,000 in cash from Ben Lomax on the night he went missing. Rebecca and Lomax had filed a missing persons report. They decided to not tell the Humboldt Sheriffs about the cash because it was from an illegal marijuana business that Chris and Lomax co-owned. This friend refused to talk to the Sheriffs because he did not want to get into any trouble.
After speaking with the Humboldt Sheriffs, I received another phone call from Rebecca. Rebecca Giauque said that she did not want the Sheriffs to know about the over $100,000 in cash that Chris picked up the night he went missing. She then warned me to stay out of Chris’s business.
12 Aug 03. I called the local media and offered a $50,000 reward for Chris’s location.
13 Aug 03. Chris’s blue Toyota pick-up was found in Humboldt County at the junction of Elk Creek Road and Avenue of the Giants. The Sheriffs immediately considered it a homicide. The Sheriffs asked me if I had seen Rebecca since they could not find her and she was not returning their calls.
23 Aug 03. I interviewed Ben Lomax. Lomax was the last person to report seeing Chris. Ben Lomax admitted that he had given Chris over $100,000 in cash on the night he went missing. The cash was from over 100 pounds of outdoor marijuana. Lomax and Rebecca had not reported the cash to the Sheriffs because the marijuana business was not legal. Lomax was upset with me for telling the Sheriffs about the cash and his illegal marijuana business. Lomax said he thought Chris was killed while burying the cash in Salmon Creek. I reported this conversation to the Sheriffs along with the fact that Chris had over $1,000,000 in cash buried on his Salmon Creek property that he shared with Rebecca Giauque.
30 Aug 03. Rebecca called me and said that she would have me arrested if I came onto any of Chris’s properties. This was the last conversation I had with Rebecca Giauque.
16 Apr 04. I learned that Ben Lomax had given tens of thousands of dollars in cash to Rebecca’s private investigator, Jeff Cyphers, in the Eureka Bayshore Mall parking lot. The source of this money was Lomax’s illegal marijuana business.
Rebecca’s attorney, Kelly Walsh contacted me that same day. He was very upset. Attorney Kelly Walsh repeatedly threatened me and said, “you better keep quiet or I will have you taken care of”. I later learned that investigator Cyphers and attorney Walsh had used Walsh’s Eureka law office to collect tens of thousands of dollars in cash directly from Lomax, and much more cash indirectly (PR030266, May 21, 2004. Judge J.M. Brown). The source of this money was Lomax's illegal marijuana business.
I have taken attorney Walsh’s threats very seriously. I know that people who are involved in the collection of large amounts of drug money can be dangerous. Chris’s disappearance and homicide s an example. After attorney Walsh’s threats I was repeatedly followed and harassed by investigator Cyphers. I have also witnessed a violent attack against a close supporter of mine.
The Sheriffs admit that private investigator Cyphers has close friends in their department. Cyphers also worked closely with one of the detectives on Chris’s case. I do not know why private investigator Cyphers would collect my murdered brother’s marijuana debts from the main suspect in his homicide. I have tried to interview Cyphers but he will not answer my questions. This information has not interested the Sheriffs department and they will not investigate.
For the past 2 years, I have been too afraid to speak out. By going public with this information, I hope to shut down Ben Lomax’s illegal marijuana business and the flow of illegal cash to people that have repeatedly harassed and threatened me. This would help my family’s search for Chris. I realize that this is unusual but I am asking for help from the local community.
I know that there are people who know what happened to Chris but are not willing to talk to the Sheriffs. I encourage anyone with any information about Chris Giauque to call me (Clint Giauque) directly at (707) 822-4415. This includes people with information about the collection of Chris’s marijuana debts.
I have offered a $50,000 reward that is still available to anyone who can tell me where Chris Giauque is located. Rebecca Giauque and Ben Lomax will not offer any reward.
Sincerely,
Clint
_________
Federal authorities raided Lomax’s property three weeks after publication. Lomax was arrested and indicted on charges of conspiracy to cultivate and distribute 4400 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $17,000,000 along with 14 other people. Lomax was released on bail and is currently awaiting trail. A copy of the US Attorney’s News Release can be seen at:
U.S. Deptartment of Justice - $17 million marijuana cultivation operation uncovered; 15 indicted -
September 8, 2005
_________
Still missing 8/28/03
GIAUQUE BROTHER PUSHES FOR RESOLUTION
COMMET seizes 8,000 marijuana plants
Advocate Missing from Spy Rock Area 8/31/03
Missing Activist Wins Back Disputed Ounce of Pot
Judge Seizes Marijuana at Government's Request
Patient Sues U.S. for Return of One Ounce of Pot 11/19/01
Outrage - No other word for it.
From Today's Eureka Reporter E-edition:
The pictures shown on television in August and September ’07 were clear in spite of the efforts of the Burmese police to restrict coverage: Hundreds of saffron-robed Buddhist monks marched in front of an even larger number of mostly young men.
Repeatedly, they were challenged by security forces and dispersed, first with batons then tear gas and rubber bullets and finally gunfire.
The crowds ran away only to reform and be attacked again. A Japanese photographer was shot and left in the street to die. It took a concerted effort, but the Burmese police and military quelled the uprising by killing and maiming scores of monks and imprisoning hundreds of others, along with civilian supporters. The United Nations’ special envoy, Paulo Pinheiro, estimates there were about 4,000 arrests (government figures say 2,927), 31 dead, 74 missing and hundreds injured. Local opposition sources say those figures are off by a factor of 10.
It certainly was a heroic if futile cry for democracy. The question is, who was behind this action and why were the demonstrators encouraged to take on armed security forces with nothing to protect them other than their belief in freedom. While such motivation may be laudable, its efficacy is highly questionable. Those who organized and supported the action seem to have a naïve idea of what it takes to overthrow a dictatorial military government.
As it turns out, George Soros and his Open Society Institute contracted with professional trainers to instruct Burmese dissidents. These clandestine sessions were held in Thai border towns that the volunteer activists travel to covertly, sometimes from long distances. They attend one-week to one-month programs which include the basic elements of dissidence through to sophisticated operational tradecraft.
Soros is not the only source of financing and technical assistance to Burmese dissidents, but, according to Thai political sources, Open Society is the one spending the most. Overthrowing an oppressive military junta may be a worthwhile aim, but having some plutocrat funding his own international paramilitary operation is the ultimate in autocratic ambition, to say nothing of ego satisfaction.
Soros would argue that his money goes to encourage peaceful, nonviolent civil disobedience. To do so in Burma, where the innocent activity was launched against a brutal, entrenched police state, is a moral crime. Only if a government in power is at least relatively respectful of human rights can unarmed civil disobedience work as an effective political device. Having innocents wantonly killed and wounded might stir up external support for their cause, but that is certainly not necessary in the well-known case of the repressive Burmese regime.
Overthrowing police states is a job for special operations personnel and professional soldiers. Even then, it doesn’t always work. It seems, however, that George Soros believes the world awaits his particular brand of affluent leftist activism that sends well-meaning monks and students to the hospital, prison and death.
If the Burmese people seek to overthrow their oppressors — and there is every sign many of them do — it will have to be accomplished by more professional methods than a Soros-backed deadly “peace corps” of amateur spooks and well meaning do-good contractors. George Soros, however, wants to buy his way into changing the world, while he sits fat, dumb and happy flying high above that world in his corporate jet.
In the business of freeing the oppressed there are well-known professional limitations. One of the most-important is not to encourage your democratic movements to rise up until they have the ability to overcome at least an influential segment of the reigning authority. Premature and inadequately guided operations inevitably lead to failure. Unfortunately, Mr. Soros thinks in financial terms where one can always follow-up a bad investment by dollar averaging and carrying on. Sorry, George, in the real world people are not investment credits.
According to the Soros mentality and political theory, the invasion of Iraq to depose the dangerous and destructive Saddam Hussein was deceitful and wrong. Yet, encouraging holy men, farm kids and students to march to bloody and futile confrontation is not. Imagine being a multibillionaire and being that irresponsible.
Happy New Year to frauds everywhere, and especially to you, George. We’re on to you!
(George H. Wittman, a member of the Committee on the Present Danger, was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy. Reprinted with permission from The American Spectator Online.)
The pictures shown on television in August and September ’07 were clear in spite of the efforts of the Burmese police to restrict coverage: Hundreds of saffron-robed Buddhist monks marched in front of an even larger number of mostly young men.
Repeatedly, they were challenged by security forces and dispersed, first with batons then tear gas and rubber bullets and finally gunfire.
The crowds ran away only to reform and be attacked again. A Japanese photographer was shot and left in the street to die. It took a concerted effort, but the Burmese police and military quelled the uprising by killing and maiming scores of monks and imprisoning hundreds of others, along with civilian supporters. The United Nations’ special envoy, Paulo Pinheiro, estimates there were about 4,000 arrests (government figures say 2,927), 31 dead, 74 missing and hundreds injured. Local opposition sources say those figures are off by a factor of 10.
It certainly was a heroic if futile cry for democracy. The question is, who was behind this action and why were the demonstrators encouraged to take on armed security forces with nothing to protect them other than their belief in freedom. While such motivation may be laudable, its efficacy is highly questionable. Those who organized and supported the action seem to have a naïve idea of what it takes to overthrow a dictatorial military government.
As it turns out, George Soros and his Open Society Institute contracted with professional trainers to instruct Burmese dissidents. These clandestine sessions were held in Thai border towns that the volunteer activists travel to covertly, sometimes from long distances. They attend one-week to one-month programs which include the basic elements of dissidence through to sophisticated operational tradecraft.
Soros is not the only source of financing and technical assistance to Burmese dissidents, but, according to Thai political sources, Open Society is the one spending the most. Overthrowing an oppressive military junta may be a worthwhile aim, but having some plutocrat funding his own international paramilitary operation is the ultimate in autocratic ambition, to say nothing of ego satisfaction.
Soros would argue that his money goes to encourage peaceful, nonviolent civil disobedience. To do so in Burma, where the innocent activity was launched against a brutal, entrenched police state, is a moral crime. Only if a government in power is at least relatively respectful of human rights can unarmed civil disobedience work as an effective political device. Having innocents wantonly killed and wounded might stir up external support for their cause, but that is certainly not necessary in the well-known case of the repressive Burmese regime.
Overthrowing police states is a job for special operations personnel and professional soldiers. Even then, it doesn’t always work. It seems, however, that George Soros believes the world awaits his particular brand of affluent leftist activism that sends well-meaning monks and students to the hospital, prison and death.
If the Burmese people seek to overthrow their oppressors — and there is every sign many of them do — it will have to be accomplished by more professional methods than a Soros-backed deadly “peace corps” of amateur spooks and well meaning do-good contractors. George Soros, however, wants to buy his way into changing the world, while he sits fat, dumb and happy flying high above that world in his corporate jet.
In the business of freeing the oppressed there are well-known professional limitations. One of the most-important is not to encourage your democratic movements to rise up until they have the ability to overcome at least an influential segment of the reigning authority. Premature and inadequately guided operations inevitably lead to failure. Unfortunately, Mr. Soros thinks in financial terms where one can always follow-up a bad investment by dollar averaging and carrying on. Sorry, George, in the real world people are not investment credits.
According to the Soros mentality and political theory, the invasion of Iraq to depose the dangerous and destructive Saddam Hussein was deceitful and wrong. Yet, encouraging holy men, farm kids and students to march to bloody and futile confrontation is not. Imagine being a multibillionaire and being that irresponsible.
Happy New Year to frauds everywhere, and especially to you, George. We’re on to you!
(George H. Wittman, a member of the Committee on the Present Danger, was the founding chairman of the National Institute for Public Policy. Reprinted with permission from The American Spectator Online.)
The Dowdy Steed Fortuna Christmas Murder case
☛ ER Investigation under way in death of Fortuna man on Christmas Eve 12/25/2007
☛ TS Officers sorting through incidents that led to Fortuna man's death 12/26/2007
☛ ER Questions remain in Fortuna homicide; probe continues 12/26/2007
☛ TS Preliminary results point to gunshot wounds as cause of death 12/29/2007
☛ TS Week in Review 12/30/2007
☛ TS Chief says charges will be filed in Fortuna shooting 1/01/2008
☛ ER Arrest warrant to be issued in Fortuna homicide 1/2/2008
☛ ER FPD requests arrest warrant for shooter in homicide 1/12/2008
☛ ER Christmas Eve killing leaves one man on suspicion of homicide 1/23/2008
☛ ER Fortuna man charged for involvement in Christmas Eve homicide 1/24/2008
☛ TS Fortuna suspect surrenders in Christmas Eve death 1/24/2008
☛ TS Shooting suspect pleads not guilty 1/26/2008
☛ TS Fortuna man pleads not guilty in fatal Christmas shooting 4/25/2008
☛ ER Christmas Eve shooting death case heads to trial 4/29/2008
☛ TS Judge denies motion to dismiss Dowdy case 6/14/2008
☛ ER Jury selection in Christmas Eve homicide to start Monday 6/14/2008
☛ link
☛ TS Fortuna Christmas murder trial begins 7/08/2008
☛ ER Justifiable self-defense argued 7/7/2008
☛ ER Witness testimony continues 7/8/2008
☛ TS Evan Steed testifies about father's death in Fortuna murder trial 7/09/2008
☛ ER Fortuna murder case continues 7/9/2008
☛ TS Scene of shooting described in murder trial's third day 7/10/2008
☛ ER Steed died from gunshot, specialist says 7/10/2008
☛ TS Forensic pathologist testifies in Dowdy trial 7/11/2008
☛ TS Jurors hear Dowdy's post-shooting interviews 7/12/2008
☛ ER Dowdy admits shooting man, but didn’t intend to kill 7/12/2008
☛ ER Department of Justice witnesses to testify today 7/14/2008
☛ TS Witnesses: Testimony in Dowdy trial differs from statements 7/15/2008
☛ ER Dowdy says he wasn't shooting to kill David Steed 7/16/2008
☛ ER Testimony in Christmas Eve murder trial to conclude Thursday, jury to start deliberations Monday 7/16/2008
☛ TS Dowdy's former friend testifies in shooting trial 7/16/2008
☛ TS Dowdy takes the stand in Fortuna murder trial 7/17/2008
☛ TS Dowdy testifies in Christmas Eve murder trial 7/18/2008
☛ ER Closing arguments in Christmas Eve murder trial slated for Monday 7/18/2008
☛ ER Final arguments made in Fortuna Christmas Eve murder 7/21/08
☛ TS Dowdy case sent to jurors 7/22/2008
☛ TS Dowdy acquitted of murder
Thomas Dowdy Jr. was acquitted of second-degree murder in the Christmas Eve shooting death of David Steed on Thursday, but the court declared a mistrial on the lesser manslaughter charge due to a hung jury.
The foreman told the court the jury was deadlocked 11-1 on the manslaughter charge after voting on the matter four or five times during more than three days of deliberation. Sources told the Times-Standard the 11 jurors voted not guilty on the manslaughter charge, but prosecutor Ben McLaughlin and Dowdy's attorney, Blair Angus, would not comment on which way the vote fell.
McLaughlin did say that the one opposing juror refused to engage in deliberations.
”My understanding is that when they got to the manslaughter, this juror had his or her mind made up and would not deliberate,” McLaughlin said.
☛ ER Dowdy’s future remains unclear after mistrial declared
Update: ☛ ER Dowdy pleads guilty to misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter 7/29/08
☛ TS Dowdy to be released today
☛ TS Dowdy: No contest to manslaughter 7/30/08
☛ ER Fortuna Christmas Eve murder suspect freed 7/30/08
☛ TS Officers sorting through incidents that led to Fortuna man's death 12/26/2007
☛ ER Questions remain in Fortuna homicide; probe continues 12/26/2007
☛ TS Preliminary results point to gunshot wounds as cause of death 12/29/2007
☛ TS Week in Review 12/30/2007
☛ TS Chief says charges will be filed in Fortuna shooting 1/01/2008
☛ ER Arrest warrant to be issued in Fortuna homicide 1/2/2008
☛ ER FPD requests arrest warrant for shooter in homicide 1/12/2008
☛ ER Christmas Eve killing leaves one man on suspicion of homicide 1/23/2008
☛ ER Fortuna man charged for involvement in Christmas Eve homicide 1/24/2008
☛ TS Fortuna suspect surrenders in Christmas Eve death 1/24/2008
☛ TS Shooting suspect pleads not guilty 1/26/2008
☛ TS Fortuna man pleads not guilty in fatal Christmas shooting 4/25/2008
☛ ER Christmas Eve shooting death case heads to trial 4/29/2008
☛ TS Judge denies motion to dismiss Dowdy case 6/14/2008
☛ ER Jury selection in Christmas Eve homicide to start Monday 6/14/2008
☛ link
☛ TS Fortuna Christmas murder trial begins 7/08/2008
☛ ER Justifiable self-defense argued 7/7/2008
☛ ER Witness testimony continues 7/8/2008
☛ TS Evan Steed testifies about father's death in Fortuna murder trial 7/09/2008
☛ ER Fortuna murder case continues 7/9/2008
☛ TS Scene of shooting described in murder trial's third day 7/10/2008
☛ ER Steed died from gunshot, specialist says 7/10/2008
☛ TS Forensic pathologist testifies in Dowdy trial 7/11/2008
☛ TS Jurors hear Dowdy's post-shooting interviews 7/12/2008
☛ ER Dowdy admits shooting man, but didn’t intend to kill 7/12/2008
☛ ER Department of Justice witnesses to testify today 7/14/2008
☛ TS Witnesses: Testimony in Dowdy trial differs from statements 7/15/2008
☛ ER Dowdy says he wasn't shooting to kill David Steed 7/16/2008
☛ ER Testimony in Christmas Eve murder trial to conclude Thursday, jury to start deliberations Monday 7/16/2008
☛ TS Dowdy's former friend testifies in shooting trial 7/16/2008
A former friend and roommate of Thomas Dowdy Jr. testified in his second-degree murder trial Tuesday that Dowdy acted on his own volition when he allegedly stole a trailer filled with firewood, sparking a confrontation that ended in the fatal Christmas Eve shooting of David Steed.
Amber Herman, 20, testified she spoke with Dowdy days before the Dec. 24, 2007 shooting about a trailer filled with firewood, which Steed had placed for sale on a roadside near his residence. Herman told jurors she asked Dowdy not to steal the trailer, but “he just sorta snickered and said, 'Don't tell my parents.'”
In interviews taken after the shooting, 22-year-old Dowdy told police three weeks before the shooting Herman had asked him to steal the firewood for her mother, who had recently run out of wood. When he returned with the wood, Dowdy told police Herman had changed her mind, and “acted like she was joking.”
Herman testified she never told Dowdy her mother needed the wood, and the trailer belonged to her father, Kenneth Hughes -- a close friend of Steed's -- who then notified Steed of the theft.
☛ TS Dowdy takes the stand in Fortuna murder trial 7/17/2008
☛ TS Dowdy testifies in Christmas Eve murder trial 7/18/2008
☛ ER Closing arguments in Christmas Eve murder trial slated for Monday 7/18/2008
☛ ER Final arguments made in Fortuna Christmas Eve murder 7/21/08
☛ TS Dowdy case sent to jurors 7/22/2008
☛ TS Dowdy acquitted of murder
Thomas Dowdy Jr. was acquitted of second-degree murder in the Christmas Eve shooting death of David Steed on Thursday, but the court declared a mistrial on the lesser manslaughter charge due to a hung jury.
The foreman told the court the jury was deadlocked 11-1 on the manslaughter charge after voting on the matter four or five times during more than three days of deliberation. Sources told the Times-Standard the 11 jurors voted not guilty on the manslaughter charge, but prosecutor Ben McLaughlin and Dowdy's attorney, Blair Angus, would not comment on which way the vote fell.
McLaughlin did say that the one opposing juror refused to engage in deliberations.
”My understanding is that when they got to the manslaughter, this juror had his or her mind made up and would not deliberate,” McLaughlin said.
☛ ER Dowdy’s future remains unclear after mistrial declared
Update: ☛ ER Dowdy pleads guilty to misdemeanor involuntary manslaughter 7/29/08
Thomas Dowdy Jr. has been released from the Humboldt County jail or will be released later today with time served. He has been in custody since late January for the Christmas eve 2007 murder of Fortuna resident David Steed.
The jury found him not guilty last week of second-degree murder but was deadlocked regarding the voluntary manslaughter charge. The judge declared a mistrial last week because of that deadlock.
The family of Steed was visibly upset in court today.
☛ TS Dowdy to be released today
Thomas Dowdy Jr. will be released from the Humboldt County jail today after entering a plea of no contest to manslaughter at 2 p.m.
For the misdemeanor crime, Dowdy was sentenced to time already served without probation, and is to be discharged after he is processed at the jail, where he serves 190 days since January, following the Christmas Eve 2007 shooting death of Fortuna resident David Steed.
During his trial, Dowdy faced second-degree murder charges after fatally shooting Steed twice -- in the back and elbow.
After two weeks of testimony, the jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder, but deadlocked on the manslaughter charge, 11-1 in favor of Dowdy's innocence.
☛ TS Dowdy: No contest to manslaughter 7/30/08
☛ ER Fortuna Christmas Eve murder suspect freed 7/30/08
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