Raoul Kleven comment-12920 2009-08-31T01:14:35Z 2009-08-31T01:14:35Z I'd wager that most of the people attending the Tea Parties aren't plants. Sure, some probably are, but there are enough people who sincerely hold Tea Party beliefs to make up a fair-sized crowd without any kind of dishonesty in that respect. I agree with the basic idea of the Tea Party rallies, fiscal responsibility and that, but frankly some of the rhetoric displayed there is a little off-putting and scary. It seems like a lot of the people holding signs about socialism, communism, and fascism don't quite know the definitions of each. For example, I saw one sign which said 'It's worse than socialism, it's Marxism.' I'm not quite sure what message that one is supposed to be getting across. If you were to ask a real, doctrinaire communist, they would probably disagree almost as vehemently with Obama's policies as any attendee of the Tea Party rallies. For different reasons, but the point is still worth making. And while anger at political leaders is perfectly normal and probably deserved, the level of what I have to call hatred and vitriol at these events has been scary. On several occasions while I was in the crowd I heard people talking loudly about killing democratic politicians and other 'communists.' No one even batted an eyelash, and I doubt they were speaking ironically or making jokes. So I guess what I'm saying is that the basic idea of the Tea Parties is a good one, but there does seem to be a lot of unpleasantness collecting around them. PS: I've just been talking to an acquaintance who used to work on a farm, and he is of the opinion that the whole water problem could have been solved by the farms in the valley adopting more efficient irrigation methods ten or fifteen years ago. Hindsight is 20/20, but perhaps some similar changes should be made now? I don't claim to know much about agriculture, though. Raoul Kleven 2009-08-31T01:14:35Z Raoul Kleven comment-12919 2009-08-31T01:04:32Z 2009-08-31T01:04:32Z Yeah, I talked to the public info officer for the CHP. He gave me that number around 1:30 in the afternoon. I can contact the tech guy for the sacpress and see if he'll change it to a different figure. It does seem like 1500 wasn't accurate, based on all the other reports I've been seeing. Raoul Kleven 2009-08-31T01:04:32Z Raoul Kleven comment-12815 2009-08-29T10:52:58Z 2009-08-29T10:52:58Z The 1500 number came from Police estimates. This protest did seem smaller than the first, but it's always possible mistakes were made. Raoul Kleven 2009-08-29T10:52:58Z Raoul Kleven comment-6534 2009-04-22T19:46:52Z 2009-04-22T19:46:52Z I go to Starbucks all the time, but the idea of a city government going out of its way to beg the company not to close a location seems bizarre to me. Isn't there another Starbucks just a few blocks down the street anyway? Raoul Kleven 2009-04-22T19:46:52Z Raoul Kleven comment-6276 2009-04-16T23:45:41Z 2009-04-16T23:45:41Z It was actually Jon Mendick who took the pictures. He did a good job. Raoul Kleven 2009-04-16T23:45:41Z Raoul Kleven comment-6275 2009-04-16T23:43:25Z 2009-04-16T23:43:25Z Personally, I found that there were both sorts of people at the event, and at different times one person could be both. I was harassed and accused of being a traitor and a disgrace to the US by one guy (this was without having spoken to him at all, he just kept accusing journalists in general) and then I turned around and talked to a woman who owned a business in Lodi, and she was quite polite. But I tend to be suspicious of any crowd that chants nationalistic slogans, just on general principals. Also, there were caricatures, yes, but none of them were offensive, that I saw. Some were pretty harsh, others were cartoonish, and some were just poorly drawn, but there was nothing like the "Barack the magic negro" things that were publicized during the election. Raoul Kleven 2009-04-16T23:43:25Z Raoul Kleven comment-5805 2009-04-09T20:47:50Z 2009-04-09T20:47:50Z I sense sarcasm... Raoul Kleven 2009-04-09T20:47:50Z Raoul Kleven comment-5155 2009-03-27T21:01:02Z 2009-03-27T21:01:02Z Says Linda Tucker, Media and Commnications Specialist for the City, responded to my inquiries by saying "Truxel, Arena, and Calvine have never been overlaid, and Florin Rd. received a slurry seal in 2001 which is a minor preventative pavement maintenance treatment." She said that once a street was overlayed, the street would be good for "another 10 to 15 years." Raoul Kleven 2009-03-27T21:01:02Z Raoul Kleven comment-5078 2009-03-25T23:25:30Z 2009-03-25T23:25:30Z Well, partially, yeah. I was actually going to make a beard joke/reference in the article, but I thought it might have been impolitic. But it's not just hipsters (aghhhh, that word!) who ride them. Lately, I've been seeing a lot of professional-looking business types riding fixed. Raoul Kleven 2009-03-25T23:25:30Z Raoul Kleven comment-4977 2009-03-23T19:17:41Z 2009-03-23T19:17:41Z Well, it wouldn't. Except, I suppose, for eliminating the remote possibility that someone might recognize the voice of someone who used the telephone to make their tip. The point of the program isn't that it's somehow more anonymous, it's that it adds another avenue for people who want to report crimes. Especially young people who are constantly texting anyway. Raoul Kleven 2009-03-23T19:17:41Z Raoul Kleven comment-4976 2009-03-23T19:12:18Z 2009-03-23T19:12:18Z If anyone is unfamiliar with exactly what a fixed gear bike is, they might refer to previous entries in this storyline. I don't ride one myself, but I do find them kind of interesting. Raoul Kleven 2009-03-23T19:12:18Z Raoul Kleven comment-4678 2009-03-17T19:59:43Z 2009-03-17T19:59:43Z I notice that the first picture you used seems to be in England. I also notice that there's about 9000 pairs of shoes on the wire. They just don't quite get it, poor guys. Raoul Kleven 2009-03-17T19:59:43Z Raoul Kleven comment-4611 2009-03-15T18:57:25Z 2009-03-15T18:57:25Z Personally, I've never had a problem with people picking through my trash and recycling. It's always old Chinese ladies in colorful sweaters who smile and wave nervously when they notice that I can see them. And while I do see the problems that can and do arise from scavenging, it really doesn't seem like a new law is necessary - all the crimes committed in the act would seem to be covered by current laws. Also, I think the 'scavenging robs the city of a potential source of income' line is a spurious argument. Yes, if someone removes the recycling from a bin, the city doesn't get that money. But every time someone parks properly without the risk of ticketing, that's also potential money the city will never see. What right does the city have to my recyclables that it can claim them as its own before they're even on the trucks? Raoul Kleven 2009-03-15T18:57:25Z Raoul Kleven comment-4271 2009-03-08T02:55:53Z 2009-03-08T02:55:53Z Yeah, they have a ton of dresses, skirts, and other stuff. Plus they are seriously well-stocked when it comes to leathuh jackets. I found a great one today. Raoul Kleven 2009-03-08T02:55:53Z Raoul Kleven comment-4209 2009-03-06T19:01:07Z 2009-03-06T19:01:07Z now that sounds like a good idea Raoul Kleven 2009-03-06T19:01:07Z Raoul Kleven comment-4105 2009-03-03T20:32:39Z 2009-03-03T20:32:39Z Doubtless you would have been far too 'real' for the Hilton. Raoul Kleven 2009-03-03T20:32:39Z Raoul Kleven comment-3742 2009-02-20T14:48:36Z 2009-02-20T14:48:36Z This will make my daily commute a lot simpler. I can go up 10th street in the morning, and then in the evening I can go back down it. Raoul Kleven 2009-02-20T14:48:36Z Raoul Kleven comment-3528 2009-02-14T00:06:12Z 2009-02-14T00:06:12Z This is making me shake with rage. I would gladly go and shout myself hoarse at the capitol if I thought it would change anything. Raoul Kleven 2009-02-14T00:06:12Z Raoul Kleven comment-3147 2009-02-06T01:00:04Z 2009-02-06T01:00:04Z I've always wanted to go to one of these. Is it anything like 'Rollerball'? Raoul Kleven 2009-02-06T01:00:04Z Raoul Kleven comment-3067 2009-02-04T01:06:38Z 2009-02-04T01:06:38Z I would like to point out that print media is not any more trustworthy than electronic media, but slightly harder to alter after the fact. There are many examples of news articles going up on the CNN, MSNBC, NY Times, and others, and then being removed without comment several hours later. And I think my point about electronic media depending on the whim of electric and telecommunications companies is still valid. Raoul Kleven 2009-02-04T01:06:38Z Raoul Kleven comment-3051 2009-02-04T00:25:17Z 2009-02-04T00:25:17Z I'd like to mention that I think print media is still valuable, and that I am foursquare against an absolutely electronic media. The fact is, anything on the internet is very mutable, and to a certain degree, untrustworthy. Having a hard copy provides a valuable record that is not dependent on the whims of electric and telephone companies. Raoul Kleven 2009-02-04T00:25:17Z Raoul Kleven comment-3010 2009-02-03T08:58:08Z 2009-02-03T08:58:08Z I was listening to NPR the other day, and there was a segment about social networking sites. The main thrust of the segment was that they, by themselves, are not adequate substitutes for human contact, and it had some research behind it. This is something that I can totally agree with. However, sites like facebook are excellent (and I hate to belabor the word) tools to arrange actual social contact. That said, I do think that periods of disconnectedness are as important as community, and when you are constantly available by cell phone or internet, that kind of solitude can be lacking. Raoul Kleven 2009-02-03T08:58:08Z Raoul Kleven comment-2971 2009-02-02T22:10:51Z 2009-02-02T22:10:51Z Well, you know, go on down to Atelier! Raoul Kleven 2009-02-02T22:10:51Z Raoul Kleven comment-2835 2009-01-29T21:31:09Z 2009-01-29T21:31:09Z Speaking as someone with a decidedly leftist viewpoint, I didn't like Air America all that much. Trapper is right- they didn't really offer compelling programming. I used to listen to Bernie Ward on KGO - he had a good program. It's a little disappointing that there aren't any liberal talk radio hosts locally. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-29T21:31:09Z Raoul Kleven comment-2856 2009-01-29T07:53:02Z 2009-01-29T07:53:02Z It seems reasonable to ask if Rush was making such a big deal about the bailout when a Republican administration was implementing it. I ask the question honestly not knowing what he said - does anyone else? As an aside, why is it that no one ever decries the socialism that pays for the police department, or the fire department, or the military? Raoul Kleven 2009-01-29T07:53:02Z Raoul Kleven comment-2313 2009-01-15T23:21:57Z 2009-01-15T23:21:57Z As far as my own (admittedly narrow) nightlife interests go, I just wish there were more under-21 places to dance. Alcohol is not strictly necessary for it to be 'nightlife' in my book. Doesn't hurt, though. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-15T23:21:57Z Raoul Kleven comment-2294 2009-01-15T21:52:37Z 2009-01-15T21:52:37Z This is a pretty good articulation of my feelings on the subject as well. Thanks for commenting. Edit: Let me clarify that I have no problem at all with being cool for cool's sake. That's, well, cool. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-15T21:52:37Z Raoul Kleven comment-2292 2009-01-15T19:11:58Z 2009-01-15T19:11:58Z This kind of thing is important to cover- a lot of people depend on those programs to make their lives livable. Those cuts affect me as a student, they affect the older members of my family, plus they offend my sense of decency. Also: There's currently a protest going on in front of the capitol. It seemed to be about the budget, but there was also a big van that said 'Sodomy is Sin' so I don't know for sure. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-15T19:11:58Z Raoul Kleven comment-2290 2009-01-15T18:53:07Z 2009-01-15T18:53:07Z Well, when I was at Lucky Lefty's looking at the map and talking to people, I got some names thrown my way ("what asshole brought a road bike?") but on the whole, people are friendly. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-15T18:53:07Z Raoul Kleven comment-2289 2009-01-15T18:48:17Z 2009-01-15T18:48:17Z A few of my friends use clip-ins on their fixed gears. It usually doesn't pose a problem, but once I saw someone fall down at a stop light while trying to track-stand (balance the bike without moving forward or backward) and since he was clipped in, he fell with the bike and just kind of squirmed around on the road for a minute before he managed to unclip. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-15T18:48:17Z Raoul Kleven comment-2284 2009-01-15T08:35:39Z 2009-01-15T08:35:39Z Yeah, that is a rather common sentiment, and one that isn't without a grain of truth. However, more and more non-hipsters (as an aside, the word hipster and its misuses deserves an entire article to themselves, but maybe not on the Press) are riding them. As I was biking to the press today (on a single speed road bike) I saw a state worker looking guy riding one down O street. PS: Hey look, we are the same person! I really ought to get a picture up. Edit: Oh, you got a picture. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-15T08:35:39Z Raoul Kleven comment-2249 2009-01-14T22:49:51Z 2009-01-14T22:49:51Z Yeah, quite apart from the terrible, civilization-destroying consequences of global warming, I really just don't like hot weather. I sweat. It seems like my entire life (spent in Sacramento) summers have been getting longer and winters shorter, and I don't like it. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-14T22:49:51Z Raoul Kleven comment-2112 2009-01-11T04:19:24Z 2009-01-11T04:19:24Z Good job on the article, Jonathan. I'm just about to go out for the Second Saturday of the month, and I think I'll stop by this exhibition. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-11T04:19:24Z Raoul Kleven comment-2106 2009-01-10T18:56:40Z 2009-01-10T18:56:40Z By which I meant to illustrate that in terms of the violence they can cause, the sides are rather mismatched. The Israelis, by virtue of their large military, can commit much larger acts of violence than the Palestinians, who, since they don't possess a modern military, are limited to asymmetrical forms of warfare. Not to imply that all Palestinians are just about to blow themselves up, nor that all Israelis spend their lunch breaks shooting Palestinians. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-10T18:56:40Z Raoul Kleven comment-2075 2009-01-10T00:48:10Z 2009-01-10T00:48:10Z Speaking as the writer of this article, I'd like to point out that no point of view is endorsed. I only reported the opinions of the people there. I'm not reporting on what's happening in Gaza, but what's happening in Sacramento. Speaking personally, I think it's ridiculous to talk of nations having rights. Nations do what they want, to the extent that they have the power to do it. The Israelis have had enough power to conquer and expel the natives from the regions they've chosen to settle. The Palestinians have had the power to blow themselves up in cafes and on buses, and to launch shoddily made rockets at Israel. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-10T00:48:10Z Raoul Kleven comment-2027 2009-01-08T23:34:18Z 2009-01-08T23:34:18Z I absolutely love Time Tested. Their selection of political science and theory books has no rival in the city. Also a big fan of the dollar rack. I've seen B.L. Kennedy at Luna's and been impressed. This looks good! Raoul Kleven 2009-01-08T23:34:18Z Raoul Kleven comment-2026 2009-01-08T22:19:01Z 2009-01-08T22:19:01Z Oftentimes, when I'm biking around town, cars will forget that bikes have a right to the street as valid as their own, and so I'm often forced to take (rather sudden) detours onto sidewalks or down alleyways. Running into a No Outlet sign at 25 mph or so would be unpleasant. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-08T22:19:01Z Raoul Kleven comment-2025 2009-01-08T22:10:03Z 2009-01-08T22:10:03Z Looking over the list of supporters on the 'Sacramentans for Accountability' website, I saw mostly business owners. Also the VP of the Sacramento Police Officers association, the president of the California AARP, a former member of the state legislature, and the co-chair of Sacramento for Obama. While there isn't anything wrong with this, it just seemed like there wasn't the voice of an average citizen anywhere on the list. I'd like to know more about who's organizing Sacramentans for Accountability. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-08T22:10:03Z Raoul Kleven comment-1989 2009-01-07T23:48:20Z 2009-01-07T23:48:20Z I'd like to take issue with the statement that Sacramento deserves to be a world class city. Personally, I like that Sacramento is not San Francisco, and I'm satisfied with the fact that things are maybe a little slower paced here. I'd like to see a city government that focused on making a more safe, livable city, not one that spends its time chasing glamor and some ephemeral idea of being a 'world city.' Raoul Kleven 2009-01-07T23:48:20Z Raoul Kleven comment-1985 2009-01-07T22:30:02Z 2009-01-07T22:30:02Z As much as my sympathies are with small record stores, I can't deny how terribly convenient itunes is. True, there's no interaction with a music clerk (of course, that isn't always a benign sort of meeting. Usually, but not always) but having the flexibility to pick three or four songs out of an album is pretty seductive. Is only buying songs as singles necessarily a good thing, though? What happens to the idea of a cohesive album of songs that are designed to be appreciated together? Raoul Kleven 2009-01-07T22:30:02Z Raoul Kleven comment-1984 2009-01-07T22:19:38Z 2009-01-07T22:19:38Z In theory, I'm very in favor of increasing the accountability of city officials, but I'm also a little wary about overly centralizing authority in one person. I'd like to see specifics on the changes, as well. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-07T22:19:38Z Raoul Kleven comment-1983 2009-01-07T22:16:29Z 2009-01-07T22:16:29Z I dropped by K street just before the ball was dropped, and I have to confess, I was a little underwhelmed. It was a little, well, little, like Jonathan Mendick mentioned. The crowd was great though, even though I had stupidly decided to bring my bike with me into the crowd. It was a little exhilarating to see so many people out on the streets - it wasn't anything I'd really seen before in Sacramento. Raoul Kleven 2009-01-07T22:16:29Z