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Articles by Pat Orr
Does the March California Primary Matter? Yes it does, if you look closely
You should have your mail-in ballot by now if you are a registered voter in California. The “Official Voter Information Guide” was delivered a few weeks ago to give you a glimpse of the one ballot proposition, Prop. 1, and the 23 candidates vying for a full-term as our new United States Senator and the seven candidates running to fill the unexpired term of the recently deceased Diane Feinstein.
California’s future bleak because of Gavin Newsom Original
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent campaign to raise his visibility through foreign trips, commentary on national issues, and the recent “debate” with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has achieved its goal. People and statisticians are looking closer at Newsom, his leadership, honesty, and the state he continues to brag about.
Will the New Year bring cheer or fear?
Traditionally I end the year with a column about predictions, prognostications or promises. As each year unfolds it has become clear that no one can predict the future of America, despite what the politicos will tell you. Some say our days of greatness lie ahead, another group wants to focus on the sins of the past. Last year, I vowed to find positive things to write about. I failed miserably on that score most weeks. It prompted a brief review of past year’s writings.
Consumers will pay for California fast food wage increase with higher bills
Show Caption Hide Caption High gas prices in Florida: Tips on saving some money at the pump Shop around. Keep your tires inflated. Avoid fast starts and sudden stops. There are lots of ways to make a real difference in your gas mileage. One of the reasons I always advise folks to only vote for candidates who have signed the front of the paycheck, is that former business owners know the importance of ROI, that’s return on investment.
I was a fast-food franchisee. California's new fast-food worker law will cost jobs
Pat Orr Around Town A week ago, our union-dominated legislature passed Assembly Bill 257, known as the FAST Act and Governor Newsom signed it into law with a grand flourish on Labor Day. He confidently decided to further hurt consumers in California by signing this bill into law just before an election. As a former quick-serve food franchisee for more than 30 years, I have a perspective on this bill's effect on my old customers and employees, and it will not be pretty.
Around Town: With California propositions 26 and 27, look carefully at the backstory
Pat Orr Special to the Daily Press Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer is famous for being destroyed by a combination of Native American tribes led by Lakota Sioux Chief Sitting Bull at the Little Big Horn River in Montana in the summer of 1876. Less reported were the many atrocities visited upon the Lakota and other tribes by Calvary troops who would sweep in and destroy entire villages, including women and children.
Around Town: How we must deal with Putin — and end him
The diminutive shirtless sociopath that has control of Russia has what he most desires: the world’s rapt attention. We hear so much about this man, but know so little except snippets about his service in the KGB and his desire to reconstruct the old Soviet empire. Who is this guy? Putin will be 70 years old in October, which explains his public relations effort to look virile and manly.
Gavin Newsom for president of the United States? God help us all
Apparently, the power elite of the Democratic Party along with selected media mavens have decided that California Gov. Gavin Newsom is the best choice to head the ticket in 2024. He swamped the competition in last year’s recall effort and there is no discernable significant challenger to his easy reelection in November. No “name” Republican is willing to fall on the sword of a massive voter registration imbalance. Even Larry Elder would rather sell supplements on Fox than take another shot.
Around Town: A new year in California means new laws
In 1966 California voters passed Proposition 1A that changed the California State Constitution to allow full-time legislators. Until then, folks elected to the State Senate and Assembly were ordinary working people whose part-time job was to go to Sacramento and help run our government. By way of personal excuse, let me say I did not vote for this proposition — I was not old enough to vote in 1966. In hindsight, it was a terrible mistake.
Around Town: It's time to put Christ back in Christmas
There are thousands of “religions” worldwide, but the five oldest and largest religions are usually considered the main ones. In order of their population percentage according to yourdictionary.com are, Christianity 31.5%, Islam 23.2%, Hindu 15%, Buddhism 7.1%, and Judaism at 0.2%. All other religions account for 6.7%, and those who claim no religious affiliation are 16.3%. Why is Christmas, a holiday associated with only one religion, a worldwide phenomenon?
Around Town: Principles are a matter of convenience for politicians
It seems that for many in government, the principles they espouse to attain elective or appointed positions of great influence are often at odds with the actual policies and actions they carry out or promote when given the levers of power. There is great concern right now over the Supreme Court’s review of cases that, if decided one way or another, could impact the Roe v Wade precedent, which granted a constitutional right to women to end their pregnancies before the third trimester.
Around Town: 'Blame Game' never goes out of style
I like politics because if you are alive for enough election cycles, you begin to see common patterns emerge as office holders and parties rise and fall in prominence.
Around Town: Keep calm and carry on, it's no time to panic
In 1939, the British government was facing the imminent start of hostilities and possible direct attack by air and sea from Nazi Germany. To boost morale among the general populace, a slogan was developed and posted on flyers, advertisements, and billboards throughout the country. That simple message, “Keep calm and carry-on.” Not only did the slogan reinforce the English “stiff upper lip” persona, but it let the citizens of the small island nation feel that they could prevail — together.
Let’s 'overfund' the police
The holidays have officially commenced. Hannukah begins today and the Christmas season kicked off as soon as the turkey was finished on Thursday. That means it is time to develop the “wish list.” Top on my personal list this year are two related items. First, I would like a new widespread appreciation and support from the public for America’s law enforcement personnel.
Around Town: Governors preparing to get schooled
Much has been made of the recent Virginia Gubernatorial election in which newcomer Glen Youngkin ousted long-time politician Terry McAuliffe. McAuliffe was expected to win and regain a job he had previously held. As a stalwart of the Democratic establishment and ally of the Clintons, he had a lot of favors to call in from his days as National Chair of the Democratic Party. He had a massive war chest, a big-name line-up of surrogates coming to Virginia to stump for him.
Around Town: The 2022 election will be a whopper in California
We just finished a recall election in which the outcome was seldom in doubt but brought us entertaining candidates and made the governor leave the 5-star restaurants and lobbyists to visit real people for a few months. If you thought that was fun, just wait for our next foray into voting. There are more than two dozen state ballot initiatives currently being reviewed or preparing to enter the signature-gathering phase to qualify for November 2022. Four have already qualified for the ballot.
Around Town: The power to change your school is yours - not the school board's
As a former elected member of a local school board, I’m duty-bound to clarify some widely held misconceptions, the foremost being that a school board “dictates” what’s taught in your schools. Once elected to any public agency’s board, the power to “order” employees of that agency to follow your directions is almost non-existent. The school board has only one employee, the superintendent. School boards are policy makers — or, these days, policy approvers.
Around Town: On World Polio Day, remember those who work together
Today is World Polio Day, designated by the CDC as the one day a year when the global effort to end the disease is recognized. Medical historians know the polio virus plagued humanity for a millennium, but epidemics didn't spring up until the late 1890s in Europe. The immigration rush to America brought polio with it. The first American epidemic occurred in 1916, with 27,000 reported cases nationwide and over 2,000 dead in New York City alone.
Around Town: Footing the bill for a better tomorrow
The Oct. 5 Apple Valley Town Council meeting included a presentation by CalRecycle Environmental Scientist Darin Sprecher on Senate Bill 1383, which was also mentioned in the recent Burrtec newsletter. Now, California was a pioneer in legislation to cure the planet’s ills, starting in the mid-1960s with the simple goal of cleaning up our dirty Southern California air. That evolved into smog rules, catalytic converters and clean-air standards that our state imposed on the automobile industry.
Around Town: 'Uncle Joe' is not who we thought he was
The country elected Joe Biden primarily because he was not Donald Trump. He was low-key, psychologically stable to the point of being comatose — a moderate who promised to bring us together as a nation. His basement campaign was never too clear about the specifics of his “Build Back Better” plan, but it sounded positive. Yes, he kissed and touched too much but he wasn’t a world-famous philanderer as his opponent was.
Around Town: Why can’t Americans understand who pays for deficit spending?
In the distant, distant past I was a Reagan Republican. In those days politicians talked about the national debt and how deficit spending was a never-ending burden on our children and grandchildren. Just a few years ago, presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, held campaign events with a “National Debt Clock” spinning in the background.
Around Town: 'You keep me hangin' on'
There are now two “blockbuster” abortion cases making their way to the U.S. Supreme Court with one more — from Texas — likely to end up on the court calendar next year. This will add to the liberal frenzy over fast-tracking changes to remake the Court to favor laws of questionable constitutionality. The clock is ticking on cementing permanent future control of voting and of interpretation of the U.S. Constitution to favor the rule of progressive Democrats.
Around Town: We love a good conspiracy theory
“The country knows I was elected president,” claimed the losing candidate in the most hotly contested election in U.S. history. At the time, this election boasted more votes cast than any other in history — so many in fact that the state of North Carolina had a 110% turnout. The loser was Democratic New York Gov. Samuel J. Tilden, who was so far ahead at the end of election day that the Republican Party chairman went home to get drunk.
Around Town: A new world where terror lives and we deal with it
Terror is defined as a “state of intense or overwhelming fear.” In the early 1990s, America knew the concept of terror. The buzz bombs that Hitler launched over England were designed to invoke terror. The 1983 massive bomb that killed our Marines in Beirut was a message to American “invaders.” The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center by Islamic extremists was designed to cause widespread terror, but it mostly fizzled.
Around Town: Labor Day soon to be a victim of progress
Tomorrow we will celebrate Labor Day for the 127th time with flags, parades, too much beer, hot dogs and barbecue. Many Americans have no idea why we celebrate this holiday and are just happy to have a three-day weekend. The holiday, created by President Grover Cleveland, initially wasn’t as much a celebration of the American worker as it was a band-aid to placate a restless — and sometimes violent — working class.
Around Town: Democrats are not having a good year
Even six months ago, it appeared that Democrats were in the catbird seat when it came to determining the future of America. The biggest states and metropolitan cities, Congress, Senate and White House were all theirs to do with as they please. Be careful what you wish for politically. New York and California have gone from success stories with superstar governors to tales of incompetence and disappointment.
Around Town: Will Donald Trump ever fade away? Not if liberals can help it.
It is common for a new administration to blame the previous one for any and every bad thing that happens for six months. Well, that time is up. Even President Joe Biden, experienced as he is, had to give the Trump administration some credit for development of the COVID-19 vaccine last month. But Biden could not help but agree to use Donald Trump as a scapegoat for a botched Afghanistan withdrawal last week.
Around Town: Will Gov. Gavin Newsom survive his political judgement day?
“Great and Beautiful” Gov. Gavin Newsom is making every effort to convince California voters that this recall is “just unfair” and will have “repercussions across the country.” It is nice to see his unabashed self-worship has not been diminished by the likelihood of being fired by voters Sept. 14. Newsom has been unwilling or unable to tell the truth about why the recall election is now a toss-up and trending badly for him.
Around Town: Information is a powerful weapon
In the last year or so, one of my favorite words has become misinformation. When at war, parties often use disinformation to confuse or get the enemy to commit a costly error. You might recall the Allies successful campaign to make Hitler believe their European invasion was set to occur at the Pas de Calais rather than the intended target, Normandy. Today, misinformation often takes the form of what appears to be “informed reporting” but is nothing more than opinion sprinkled with facts.
Around Town: With Joshua trees, it's common sense that’s endangered
The concept of a state where good solid policy drives us toward mutually shared goals to make our communities better, more affordable places to live is unknown in California. Instead, we have dueling progressives slowly tearing away at the fabric of a once-great state. Case in point: The Yucca brevifolia, or Joshua tree. Western lore tells us the plant was given its popular name by Mormon settlers passing through the Mojave Desert on their way to Utah.
Around Town: Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
A few weeks ago, I received a solicitation from the insurance company that underwrites my homeowners insurance to consider purchasing earthquake coverage. I wondered whether this was their annual prompt, as my policy anniversary date is approaching, or a clever marketing tool to take advantage of the news of recently clustered quakes in Northern California. Either way, it worked. I signed up.
Around Town: Know what Jim Crow represented
You may think you know what Jim Crow represents, but the phrase “Jim Crow law” has, of late, been politically weaponized to convince those who seemingly had no civics or history classes that organized racial evil still lurks in legislatures around the country. Thomas Dartmouth Rice became known as “father of American minstrelsy” not by creating the minstrel show but growing its popularity with “Jump Jim Crow,” a racist song-and-dance number he created alongside the Jim Crow character around 1830.
Around Town: America, battered but still beautiful
Some of us have a sexist view of this place we call America, making reference to our country as “she” and talking about “Lady Liberty.” But the Statue of Liberty still identifies as a woman, so I’ll accept that. These days, some might suggest that the opening lines of “America the Beautiful” be more reflective of current liberal thinking. Something referring to “CO2-filled skies” and “toxic waves of grain” could replace stanzas that do not project woke environmental concerns.
Around Town: Don’t blame it on the weather
I am a life-long Californian. Born in Los Angeles, I spent most of my years in Southern California with a brief stint in the Bay Area for college. It gets hot here. It has always gotten hot here. Apart from the coast, most of California ranges from very warm to blistering hot in the summer. And Southern California is basically a desert kept alive through imported water and power.
Around Town: Future connections to health care
The surprise and concern over the recent announcement that Apple Valley will lose the only hospital serving the community has brought into focus the options for future health care. My friend, Bill McDaniel, and I served on the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation board several years ago. Recently, we were discussing the iterations of management control at St. Mary. Bill has been in the community longer than I. He remembers when the Brothers of St. John of God operated the hospital.
Around Town: Defund politicians and their lies
In a highly unusual move, a local California labor leader spoke truth to power recently when he declared his union, the powerful SIEU, would no longer support Gov. Gavin Newsom. Why? Newsom lies to the union, its members and the general public. New union President Richard Lewis Brown declared Newsom faked a huge budget deficit last year to wrangle wage concessions from the massive public employee union.
Around Town: Pandemic puppies deserve our loyalty
As we put 2020 further behind us, some important lessons need to be reviewed and learned from our behaviors under duress. In particular, let’s talk about how we feel about cats and dogs. Regular reader of this column know our house dotes on Sadie, an aging chocolate Labrador Retriever. We adopted her from the Apple Valley Animal Shelter when she was about 1 ½ years old. Multiple people entered a lottery to adopt Sadie way back in 2013.
Around Town: Examining 'The 1619 Project' and Critical Race Theory
I get suspicious when people take virulent positions for and against programs and “facts” they have only heard about online or on cable news. Two cases in point are the hysteria and lack of deep background surrounding “The 1619 Project” and Critical Race Theory. “The 1619 Project” is a series of articles, essays, a podcast and mixed-media presentations published in the New York Times Magazine.
Around Town: You are what your mother made you
There are exceptions to every rule, but, generally, a great deal of who you are — your habits, foibles and strengths — is the product of your upbringing. Central to any childhood is the influence of a mother. Changing mores and government assistance programs have made fathers optional, but mothers are still required to do the heavy lifting when it comes to child-rearing. As we age, we find ourselves either blaming or crediting our parents for how our lives turn out.
Around Town: Leaving California (for a short while)
Last week, I left California for Arizona. Many who read this column will take joy in that news. Unfortunately for those folks, I came back. It was our first post-COVID foray more than 50 miles from home. We have relatives in Arizona, one who just relocated months ago and others who are long-time residents. We had long-overdue promises to visit each of them.
Around Town: Let's tear up the roots of political weeds
In the New Testament, Timothy says “the love of money is the root of all evil.” This saying is often misquoted when three words — “the love of” — are left out. Intrinsically, money is not evil. It is simply a device created to smooth the exchange of goods. It’s much easier than, say, offering up goats or a day’s work in the field as our forefathers may have. Conversely, one can easily make the case that the love of money can be evil.
Around Town: RIPA report produces fascinating data
I am the son and son-in-law of career police officers. Both men – now deceased – served in a much different time and social environment than we have today. My dad never fired his gun or used his nightstick in 30 years. My father-in-law drew his gun once as an undercover vice squad officer in L.A. to protect his partner.
Around Town: Go woke or go broke!
I like to play baseball but never cared much for watching the game being played. Unless you are in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tied World Series Game 7 — with the home team at bat, two outs and the bases loaded — watching the game being played is a lot like watching your grandma knit a pair of overalls: Long and slow.
Around Town: Easter symbolizes hope and a new beginning
If ever there ever was a year in which the world could look to an event to symbolize the resurrection of a fallen world, 2021 is it. A man-made, worldwide pandemic, and violence on many continents driven by political, tribal and cultural differences, lead even the skeptic to conclude that evil lives in our world. As a Christian, it annoys me that Easter has been corrupted in our country primarily to sell candy and stuffed bunny rabbits rather than telling the biblical story.
Around Town: I have a few questions
I have three grandchildren: A 6-year-old grandson and almost 4-year-old twins, a boy and a girl. The 4-year-old boy is in that phase where everything is followed by the question, “Why?” “It is time for bed.” “Why?” “Do not stick your hand in the fire.” “Why?” “Look how pretty the blue sky is.” “Why?” Like him, I have some questions perhaps you can answer. I have applied logic, common sense and historical precedent to these questions but that did not seem to work.
Around Town: Insurrection or resistance, a matter of perspective
The abolitionist movement began in the 1760s in New England as Quaker settlers rejected slavery in their communities. Their belief system held that all men were God’s creatures and were to be treated with love, respect and dignity. Quakers did not condone violence and sought to let their words and actions influence others. By the 1850s, America was clearly divided between the northern states that depended on industry and manufacturing, and the agrarian southern states that relied on slave labor.
Around Town: Is the push for 'equity' reverse racism?
Since today marks our return to daylight saving time, let’s throw light on the progressive drive to infuse an equity “matrix” and racial identity training into every facet of our society. Martin Luther King Jr. would likely be appalled and frightened that his struggle — for which he gave his life — for equality in education, opportunity and economic freedom has been co-opted to completely flip his goals.
Around Town: Are you ready for your vaccination passport?
We have become accustomed to being required to obtain certain documents to live an orderly life in America. The government requires – of most of us – that we have proof of birth, a social security number and various permits and licenses for our professions. A worldwide pandemic and treatments to counter it have spurned new ideas tied to identification systems.
Around Town: Isolation is dangerous at every age
Anna Freud, daughter Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis, began studying the effects of loneliness and isolation on children during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Soon she had a much bigger subject base as the German War Machine began bombing England in late 1939. It was then that concerned parents began removing children from high-target areas like London and “resettling” them in the countryside.
Around Town: Let’s hold a recall and see who comes!
It appears the effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom may qualify for a special election. That has not happened since Gray Davis fell to a successful recall election in 2003. Are recalls that unusual in California politics? Not at all. In fact, there have been 55 gubernatorial recall attempts since 1939. That year, then-Gov. Culbert L. Olson was the subject of three recall efforts and two more in 1940. All failed to qualify for the ballot. Things fell quiet until the era of Edmund G.
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