Category: Politics

Library cash story brings out good comments on SacBee

cold hard cashI expend a lot of hot air trashing the Bee’s comment feature, but today I have to eat my words. (It appears I must also attend mixed metaphor college.) From today’s Bee story about two library branches no longer accepting cash after the branches have experienced thefts.

Commenter “kevinakin1950” smartly questions the legality of refusing to accept American currency, and goes on to point out that a no-cash policy would discriminate against the poor, who presumably don’t have credit cards. (Let’s not get started on all the people out there who are poor because of their credit cards…)

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KJ proposes to increase mayor’s power

Mayor Kevin Johnson plans to present a voter initiative to increase the power of the office of the mayor, the Biz Journal reports. The office would function as an executive one rather than simply another vote on the council. My hunch is that the voters will probably first want to see whether KJ can actually execute something other than sick dunks 15 years ago, but I suppose it will depend on how he sells it.

Local “college” goes Hollywood

Link to Prop 8 - The Musical

I am sure many of you caught the opening scene in “Prop 8 – The Musical.” It stars Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, John C. Reilly, Andy Richter, Maya Rudolph, Margaret Cho, Rashida Jones and others as the “Sacramento Community College Players.”

That’s pretty much where the fun ends as the video’s writer, Marc Shaiman, brings Scott Eckern into the mix.
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A fire inside?

Today is Sacramento’s first “Stage 1 – No Burn” residential wood burning restriction. This means that “…burning is prohibited when air quality is forecast to be 36-40 micrograms per cubic meter unless EPA certified fireplace inserts or stoves, or pellet stoves are used. First time violations will result in a $50 fine or a requirement to attend compliance school, fines for subsequent violations will be higher.”

The funny thing about this policy is that the Spare The Air site states “Sacramento County Only” as the area affected by this law. But, when you scroll down a bit you find this detail:

    Check Before You Burn is in effect in Sacramento County and its cities: Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento.

Does “Sacramento” mean anyone with a Sacramento, CA mailing address? Folks who are normally under the City umbrella can burn away? I checked the FAQ document and still couldn’t find anything concrete. Granted, I am not the brightest bulb so if I am missing this important detail, please comment.

Don’t Vote!!!!!

I am a big fan of not voting.

No, not me not voting. YOU not voting.

Specifically, I mean the pressure that people feel to vote on everything. I encourage you to leave some stuff blank.

This morning, CNN had a film of a person flipping a coin to determine her vote for president. FLIPPING A COIN, FOR GOD’S SAKE. People like this should just not vote for president. Encouraging or pressuring these people to vote doesn’t support democracy. It hurts it.

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Election Notes 2008

So, how is your voting experience going? Feel free to comment and share your story.

My polling place is being held at an elementary school. Sort of an odd idea to have a steady stream of adults coming and going while school is in session, but that could just be my paranoia.

I was not asked to show ID as I had voted there before. Another interesting one. I guess I see them working, but would it be that much of a time killer to require an ID every election?

What about the folks that hang signs on the overpasses? Or the groups that gather at major intersections during heavy rains and jump in and out of traffic to get their message out there? The hand painted signs with way too much information to make out as you fly by. Wackiness.

Anyone cashed in on the free Starbucks coffee?

Last minute Voter information…

All polls are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4th.

You can use the County lookup tool to find your local polling location. While you are there enjoy the drop down menu of “city or community” names. The super sized photos of each polling location are kind of fun, too.

Another lookup tool to determine if you are eligible to vote tomorrow. Yahoo! offers up some tips, too (vote mid-morning or early afternoon, for example).

Here’s a Computer page that displays the proposition positions of the left and the right.

And of course, free coffee.

By no means are we telling you to vote. Just some links in case you, you know, need them and stuff.