Attorney General’s Office Changed Press Release on Bob Filner’s Voting Rights

By calnewsroom

December 10, 2013

Over the past few weeks, California politicos have been quietly talking about whether former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner violated the spirit of his plea agreement by voting in the mayoral special election.

Back on October 15, the Los Angeles Times reported, “During his probation, Filner may not vote, serve on a jury or own a firearm, prosecutors said.”

CalNewsroom has obtained and verified a copy of Filner’s voting history, which shows that Filner, in fact, voted in the special election for his replacement. Does that mean Filner has already violated the terms of his deal?

A month ago, 10 News reporter Mitch Blacher answered that question.

Former San Diego mayor and convicted felon Bob Filner has cast his vote for mayor in the special mayoral election.

The state Attorney General who prosecuted Filner’s case confirmed Thursday that Bob Filner can vote, including for the person to fill the office he resigned.

How, then, did so many reputable outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, get the facts about Filner’s voting rights wrong?

CalNewsroom.com believes we have a plausible explanation for the rumor. The original misinformation came from none other than the office of Attorney General Kamala Harris. Here’s a copy of the original news release distributed by the AG’s office regarding Filner’s plea.

An October 15 press release, titled, “Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces Guilty Plea by Former San Diego Mayor,” stated, “As a consequence of the felony plea, Filner may not vote, serve on a jury or own a firearm while he is on probation.”

Original AG Office Press Release on Filner Plea:

 

 

But, if you go to the Attorney General’s website today, the same press release now states, “As a consequence of the felony plea, Filner may not serve on a jury or own a firearm while he is on probation.”

 

 

Kudos to 10 News’ Mitch Blacher for getting the story right. Some of the best journalism, contrary to conventional wisdom, is happening at the local level. It’s also an important reminder that you can’t always believe everything you read, even if it’s from the Attorney General’s office or Los Angeles Times.

See more at: http://www.calnewsroom.com/2013/12/10/attorney-generals-office-changed-press-release-on-bob-filners-voting-rights/#sthash.fCxIyaU6.dpuf

View the Vitriol from Texas Senator Ted Cruz's Supporters

Ted Cruz posts Mandela tribute on Facebook. His fans go crazy.

By Scout Finch

Daily Kos staff
Profile

You'd think a tribute to one of the greatest leaders in modern history would be controversy-free, but no. The statement from Ted Cruz on his Facebook page:

Nelson Mandela will live in history as an inspiration for defenders of liberty around the globe. He stood firm for decades on the principle that until all South Africans enjoyed equal liberties he would not leave prison himself, declaring in his autobiography, 'Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.' Because of his epic fight against injustice, an entire nation is now free. We mourn his loss and offer our condolences to his family and the people of South Africa.

Cue the crazies. Here is a glimpse at the top-rated comments on the post:

And a few more for good measure:

Just ... sad.

What does this say about Cruz and the Tea Party? 

FDR at his Best

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.                                     

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

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Congress to America's Poor: Let them eat dirt

By Larry Levine

I was prepared to publish an article today about the conjunction of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah later this month. It was going to be fun and informative and include recipes for roast turkey, side dishes and potato latkes. That will have to wait a few days.

Today we must recognize there are millions of people in our nation who will not be eating turkey this Thanksgiving because they can’t afford to buy turkey. They may be able to buy potatoes, but probably not some of the other ingredients for great latkes. They are people who depend on food stamps to feed themselves and their families.

For 48 million of people across our nation, mostly children, the elderly and people with disabilities, this holiday season will begin with an act of inhumanity on the part of the U.S. Congress.

The national program known as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), also referred to as "food stamps," which was enacted by Congress in 2009 as part of the economic stimulus package, expires today (Friday, Nov. 1, 2013). When SNAP expires, for a family of four living on food stamps, it will mean the loss of $36 a month in benefits. That’s the equivalent of 21 meals a month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the food stamp program.

Can a nation call itself great when it tolerates this level of poverty, when it hands scraps to the needy then takes away some of those scraps?

When it allows its leaders to act this way with hardly a whisper of protest?

Can the people of a nation call themselves humane and compassionate, when they provide a pittance to the poorest and feel good about it, while at the same time shrinking from the real challenge of eliminating poverty and assuring that all people can live with a measure of dignity?

Can a nation that fosters public poverty and private shame call itself moral or just?

Last night, across this nation, millions of households handed out more than $36 dollars in Halloween candy to "trick or treaters." Today, as the SNAP benefits vanish, some members of Congress will spend more than $36 for drinks before they even order lunch. They will be the same members of Congress who refuse to extend the SNAP benefits, or vote for the job-training and education funds that can move people out of poverty, or increase the minimum wage and help some people become less reliant on things like food stamps.

Instead, Republicans in the House of Representatives, on a purely partisan vote, approved a measure that would cut benefits by an additional $40 billion over the next 10 years. Have they no shame, no compassion, no morality?

To them I say: let your family skip 21 meals in the next month and try to feed themselves on $1.71 a meal the rest of the month; walk in the shoes of those who suffer at your hands.

The solution to our national shame of hunger and poverty cannot be a never-ending public dole. Instead, it must be a national resolve to end hunger and poverty not through financial assistance programs but with a resolve to give every person the ability to earn a fair wage to support themselves and their families.  

As a nation, we never have adopted or acted upon such a goal. Instead, we smugly pat ourselves on the back for giving minimum handouts to those in need and then we look the other way when those handouts are reduced. Until we change this, we cannot call ourselves great, or exceptional or even worthy. 

BBBy

Larry Levine

By

Larry Levine

DeMaio backed by Issa

By Mark Walker

Oct. 29, 2013

SAN DIEGO — Former San Diego City Councilman and 2012 mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio has been endorsed by Rep. Darrell Issa in the 2014 election for the 52nd Congressional District seat.

"In Congress, we need more members who are committed to improving government transparency and accountability, and I know that Carl DeMaio is the perfect person for the position," Issa said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday.

DeMaio is one of three Republicans running against freshman Democrat Scott Peters, who last year unseated longtime GOP Rep. Brian Bilbray. The others are former U.S. Marine intelligence officer and current Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kirk Jorgensen and Coronado surgeon Fred Simon, the latter a recent entry.

The largely coastal 52nd District is viewed as a toss-up in 2014 based on near equal Democratic and Republican voter registration and a large number of independent voters. The national Democratic and Republican parties have each put the seat on their list of must-have gets in 2014 and are expected to pour money and campaign resources into the race.

DeMaio was the first Republican to announce against Peters and in addition to Issa has picked up the endorsements of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy.

"I'm very appreciative of Congressman Issa's endorsement," DeMaio said in a statement. "As chair of the House Government Reform Committee, Darrell Issa knows we need to see additional responsible and accountable leadership in the House, and I intend to be that leader."

Jorgensen has been endorsed by former longtime Rep. Duncan L. Hunter, father of the current 50th Congressional District Rep. Duncan D. Hunter.

Ballots for mayoral race mail out Monday

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Other Mayoral Candidates to Play "Get Fletcher"