Posts From Chris Reed
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CA school districts treat troubled kids like cash cows
The idea that the people running public schools are “all about the kids” is one of the great canards in California life. Among the many examples that show this is ridiculous: — Absurdly easy, undemanding tenure policies that allow horrible
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L.A. Times continues to keep pro-fracking news from public
The Los Angeles Times has somehow managed to write dozens of stories about hydraulic fracturing — the newly efficient methof of underground energy exploration — without noting the Obama administration says it is safe. This is diametrically opposed to the
Read MoreDoes obstacle to one bullet train project apply to other, too?
The Obama administration continues to push California to build its $68 billion bullet train, a measly 5 percent of which ($3.5 billion) comes from the federal government. After the first segment is built in the Central Valley, however, there is
Read MoreIgnore East Coast dolts: San Diego mayor girding for long fight
The East Coast media do such an amazingly superficial job of covering California politics that it’s no surprise they’re missing the boat on the Bob Filner scandal in San Diego. This is the same bunch that thought the 2003 recall
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Having no fixed beliefs could pay off for Nathan Fletcher
Sometimes, when lawmakers change parties, it has an obvious logic. When Texas Congressman Phil Gramm, a free-market economist before entering politics, switched from Democrat to Republican during Ronald Reagan’s first term, it made sense. Gramm had little in common with
Read MoreHow Clintonian: Bob Filner is going to parry like it’s 1998
SAN DIEGO — Late last week, Mayor Bob Filner was playing the Hollywood card when it comes to the multiple sexual harassment allegations against him. Filner said he had a problem, pleaded for forgiveness and vowed to get therapy. Hey,
Read MoreFBI eyes San Diego mayor; his biggest risk may be perjury rap
Happy 237th birthday, America. No, that is not a reference to “The Shining.” Now, onto the news: Well, that didn’t take long. Multiple news outlets are reporting that the FBI and/or the U.S. Justice Department is looking at a San Diego
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Congrats to LAT on success of fracking disinformation campaign
June 9, 2013 By Chris Reed The new Los Angeles Times poll showing sharp skepticism among Californians about hydraulic fracturing — the newly improved oil-gas drilling process that has triggered a brown energy revolution — should trigger fierce pride among
Read MoreJerry Brown disguises fear of CTA with pretentious babble
James Fallows of The Atlantic has written a long and entertaining essay about Gov. Jerry Brown that is miles better than the usual East Coast journo’s take on California politics, probably helped by the fact that he grew up in
Read MoreBankruptcy Didn’t Make the Sky Fall In Orange County
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a CalWatchDog.com Special Series of 12 in-depth articles on municipal bankruptcy. Overwhelmed by enormous unfunded liabilities for retired employees’ pensions and health care, local governments throughout California are increasingly contemplating what once seemed
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