Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Letter to the Editor ... About Voting

   Dear Editor:

    How stupid are we Democrats anyway?  My friends say boycott or write in some other candidate because there are two Republicans in the Assembly race.

   You are the smart ones, Sierra Sentinel! Are you Democrats or what? Oh, well, please give me more information on Frank Bigelow.  I just read that Oller has already declared he's a candidate for Senate two years from now.
 
    How over confident can one person be?

   Anyway, don't throw away your vote, Democrats! That will secure Oller in the Assembly. I'm voting for Bigelow. He's the only one who seems moderate enough to be sensible.

   No more Bible in our laws and politics! I'm sick of it.

                                                 T in Arnold

Mitch McConnell Takes No Chances

  When Mitch McConnell called for the vote for Vice Presidential nomination Paul Ryan, he called for the ayes and the nays at the same time, and you could hear both. Then he said the ayes have it. Strange things are happening in Florida this week.

   Will it be the same for the Democrats next week?

New Song for Romney is "Shout"?

    After Mitt Romney was declared to have enough delegates for the Republican nomination at the Convention August 28, 2012, a rather strange rendition of the old song "Shout" was played.

   Most of us really preferred "Sweet Caroline". Oh, well, I guess he didn't want any reminders of the Kennedy years at his convention.

60's and 70's Music

  When I heard theY dumped the song "Caroline" from the music menu, I wondered what kind of music was going to be played at the Republican National Convention.

  Actually, it's not bad, and the audience doesn't boo it. It's mostly 60's and 70's pop.

Republican Convention Rules--More Noes and Boos!

  What is going on? John Boehner and John Sununu presented the motion to accept the rules of the delegations to electing a nomination for President.

   I've watched many conventions of both parties, but do not remember so many voting NO to a motion made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Then when Boehner declared the ayes have it, (which was a tie in my opinion) there was loud booing.

   Is this the tea party faction causing all the noes and boos? Who is it then?
.

RNC Boos! And Then Chants!

  When the motion was made to accept the roles of the delegates to the 2012 Convention, there were nearly as many noes as ayes. Why? We aren't sure.

   Then when the lady from Puerto Rico came forward there was a loud chanting USA, USA, drowning out her speech. Reince Preibus, Chair, had to ask for respect to allow the lady to speak.

   This seemed to be the first sign of racism to a woman with a strong Puerto Rican accent. How disturbing.

Republican Convention Finally Underway

   UPDATE: August 28, 2012 at 12:30 PM  I just love conventions! It's such a conglomeration of politicking and hoopla you just have to sit back and laugh. The best thing in this Republican Convention so far is that they are all limited to 2 minutes and must stick to the speech they prepared.

   America has never had so many blessings!

 UPDATE:  Ricky Gill made a 2 minute speech, indicating that his parents are farmers and immigrants from India and Africa. It officially opened around 11 AM on August 28, 2012.

   One hour into the convention and one man has  already mentioned ending a woman's right to choose.

 Although TV is not carrying all of the action at the conventions this year, the Republican National Convention, and probably the Democrats Convention is streaming live on the internet.

Fire in Copperopolis Quickly Extinguished

   A fire on the 900 block of Reeds Turnpike in Copperopolis was reported about 12:15 PM on Saturday August 25, 2012.

   CalFire quickly extinguished the fire at 1/4 acre. The cause has not yet been determined.

  

What About Women?

   We had several of our readers want to know where Frank Bigelow stands on a woman's right to choose.

   So, we asked him point blank, "Would you overturn Roe v. Wade if you had the opportunity?

  Mr. Bigelow stated , "Absolutely not. My personal belief is to be against abortion, but  I  would not try and turn back the clock or get rid of the law."

Oller Announces Run for Senate Seat in Two Years?

   In a surprise announcement in an interview, Rico Oller, currently running against Frank Bigelow for Assembly, said that he only plans to spend only 2 years in the Assembly.

   In what many believe is a sign of arrogance, Oller then said he can serve another term in the California State Senate. Does he plan to run against Tom Berryhill, a very popular State Senator,  for his seat?  Berryhill has endorsed Frank Bigelow for Assembly.

    So, since this is merely a stepping stone to what Oller seems to think are bigger and better things, why would anyone vote for him?

   This is one reason, among many, why the Sierra Sentinel is endorsing Frank Bigelow for Assembly

    Much more to come!
  

Republican Convention a Bust!

   After all the promotion and every cable and network station stationing their best reporters at the convention hall, interviews in an empty auditorium just don't make good ratings.

Rush Fire East of Hwy 395

Photo courtesy USFS
   The Rush Fire, which has consumed 318,400 acres, is now actively burning mostly in Nevada. Containment is considered to be 74% at this time, August 28, 2012.

Chips Fire in Plumas National Forest

  The cause of the Chips Fire is still under investigation, and the total acres burned is 73,193 with 71% containment as of August 28, 2012. This fire started one month ago tomorrow.

double-click to enlarge map
   Evacuations still remain in place, as firefighters continue to hold containment lines, and put out spot fires caused by the winds.

Noth Pass Fire in Mendocino County

 As of August 27, 2012 at 8 AM, the North Pass Fire is 35,270 acres and 32% contained. 116 engines, two air tankers, 33 bulldozersss, and 1692 firefighters are assigned to this fire.

   Caused by lightning, this fire has destroyed 4 homes and several outbuildings. 74 homes are currently threatened.

Littering in Valley Springs

  The Calaveras County Sheriff got a call on August 27, 2012, that someone had littered, throwing trash into the street at Daphne, Rose and Paloma Rds in Valley Springs.

   The litterers were contacted and made to clean up the mess by a deputy sheriff. No citation was issued.

Squatter in Murphys?

   The Calaveras County Sheriff was called to report a possible squatter at Big Trees Rd and Hwy 4 in Murphys on August 27, 2012.

   Apparently someone was camping at that location. A deputy responded. No one was arrested.

Valley Springs Man Arrested

  Russell Alan Moore, (52) of Valley Springs, was arrested August 27, 2012 at Thornicroft and Cox on outstanding local warrants for alleged Possession of a Controlled Substance, a felony, and Possession of Unlawful Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

   Moore was booked into the Calaveras County Jail by the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department.

If You Care.....

This is Teddy...he and his brother Bear were found
starving near the body of their mother, who had
been brutally killed and left. They were taken to a
wildlife shelter and cared for, then released back
into the wild.

CA: State Assembly to Vote on Cruel Hounding of Bears and Bobcats

CA S.B. 1221—Ban on Hounding Bears/Bobcats ASPCA Position:  Support
Action Needed:  Using the email below, contact your California state senator to urge him or her to support this important humane bill! For added impact, you may also call your state assembly in Sacramento.





Tahoe Plane Crash Kills Five

   It was confirmed late yesterday, August 27, 2012 that the crash of a small plane near Lake Tahoe on Sunday cost five people their lives.

   The plane was destroyed by a fire after the crash near South Lake Tahoe airport. Reports are that the single engine plane appeared to be having engine problems.

   Authorities removed five bodies from the crash site. Autopsies are being performed and the names of the victims will be verified later.

  Apparently, the owner of the plane, who was part of a trucking company in Fresno, flew to Tahoe with his wife, daughter and two friends.