What the Democrats Forgot, Republicans Learned

(or why the Democrats will never regain the New Deal Coalition ever again)

What Modern Democrats never say

I touched on this issue a few months back.  But, this article highlights something I've been saying:

"For decades, Democrats have suffered continuous and increasingly severe losses among white voters. But preparations by Democratic operatives for the 2012 election make it clear for the first time that the party will explicitly abandon the white working class.

"All pretense of trying to win a majority of the white working class has been effectively jettisoned in favor of cementing a center-left coalition made up, on the one hand, of voters who have gotten ahead on the basis of educational attainment — professors, artists, designers, editors, human resources managers, lawyers, librarians, social workers, teachers and therapists — and a second, substantial constituency of lower-income voters who are disproportionately African-American and Hispanic."

It doesn't matter about the Republican nominee this minute, just the fact that the Democrats will not retain Congress longer then half a decade.  The "Boston-Austin," connection is gone. Democrats had a 40 year Majority that ended in 1994 and they are still whinging about it.

The Modern Democrats are like Al Bundy, "I scored FOUR TOUCHDOWNS IN A SINGLE GAME for Polk High!!" 

The Democrats USED to be supportive of Free Speech. Not anymore.  The Democrats USED to support Democracy Overseas.  Tell that to the Bush fils Administration.  The Democrats USED to be a "Party of the people," but now they look down upon Wal-mart shoppers and women who rose from PTA  to Governors. (Such as this Blogger)

Unfortunately, with the advent of the Inter tubes, people can see the actions belie the rhetoric (click all the links in the above paragraph, my point is more then proven).

If the Occupy Movement was really about the "people," (I listen to KPFK talk about how they are from "the people," too. Ha!), they would give up their tents, their human microphones (what a way to lose your humanity!) and their tinkle fingers.  But they won't.  (Look at Occupy LA)

If the Occupy Movement was truly serious, it would come up with solutions other then "We hate Capitalism and banks!"  

When the tea party happened, the Left called us all sorts of names and accused everyone involved of anything and everything.  It turned out the tea party waved American Flags high and loved America whomever was in charge.  The anti-war protesters HATED Bush and were shown how hypocritical they are over Libya (Rush to war with NO Congressional authorization. Hypocrites).

Here is picture perfect example of the difference between the two groups and why the new Deal Coalition is flagging:

So, the Democrats attack the older voters, the blue class voters and some of us pale folk.  Fine.

All three of these groups vote in most every election.  The Democrats used to be a "Party of the people,"  The last time the Democrats ran a non-Ivy league for POTUS was 1965.  The last time the Republicans ran a non-Ivy league was 1984.  Think on that, my Democratic friends.  And if Palin decides to get in late and wins, she will be the first non-Ivy since 1984. 

The new Deal Coalition created by FDR was about helping every man, woman and child rise.  Truman, JFK and LBJ subscribed to that theory.  The New Deal Coalition were proud to be American no matter who was in office (yes, the Democrats had the run of Washington, but there was President Eisenhower and Democrats even stood with Ike during the Cold war -- as Republicans did with low polling Truman.) 

Contrary to American myth, the Democrats forgot about "the people," and Republicans aren't really about the ultra rich (look at the voting records of Beverly Hills and Malibu and tell me that the GOP is supported by the Rich.  I dare you)

Most of the Democratic legislators are as old as the New Deal, whereas within the GOP, young activists rise faster. 

When Republicans talk about "the people," we respect them.  No matter what.  If the voters vote against us, we don't whing about (see 1960, 1964), we prepare for the next election. 

The thing every campaigner should know for 2012: Republicans trust the people, Democrats look down upon them.  See 1984 and 1965 for precedent.

My question: Why did the Democrats give up on "the people?"  And why does Occupy care more about tents then putting people to work?

Black Friday Doctor Who -- The Key to Time

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving.  I hope you spent time with your family and friends to enjoy the evening.  And finally, I hope you were able to survive "Black Friday,"

I don't partake the "Black Friday," thing.  I used to work on a register at a Toy Store in New Jersey.  I've seen the craziness and chaos.  So, whomever I marry and when I have kids, "Black Friday," I will ask to be Verboten.

There is Amazon.

And now, the WHOLE Key to Time Series.  Relax and enjoy!

The Ribos Operation

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The Pirate Planet

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The Stones of Blood

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Androids of Tara

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The Power of Kroll

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The Armageddon Factor

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Thanksgiving 2011: History, Charity and Humor

Happy Thanksgiving!

If you are in the Valley looking for Political wisdom, first I want to say, Thank you.  

And secondly, I'm bringing up the Valley's Charities for the end of the year (Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Christmas).

Let me show you the History of Thanksgiving:

First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Jennie Brownscombe (1914) 

"In early autumn of 1621, the 53 surviving Pilgrims celebrated their successful harvest, as was the English custom.  During this time, "many of the Indians coming... amongst the rest their great king Massasoit, with some ninety men...
"The Pilgrims did not call this harvest festival a "Thanksgiving,"  although they did give thanks to God.  To them, a Day of Thanksgiving was purely religious.  The first recorded religious Day of Thanksgiving was held in 1623 in response to a providential rainfall.

"The religious day of thanksgiving and the harvest festival evolved into a single event: a yearly Thanksgiving, proclaimed by individual governors for a Thursday in November.  The custom of an annual Thanksgiving celebrating abundance and family spread across America.

"Some presidents proclaimed Thanksgivings, others did not.  Abraham Lincoln began the tradition of an annual national Thanksgiving in 1863.

"Thanksgiving is an enduring symbol from which millions of immigrants have learned "Americanism."  While not all Native Peoples celebrate the day, the story of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag sharing a harvest celebration remains an inspiration to many".

(Thanks to Plymouth Hall for the information) 

President George W. Bush, pardoning "Stars and Stripes,"

I also mentioned Charities; 

New Charity for the Valley is RAINN to help abused women and children. Please donate.

Freedom House, a charity where they are working on helping people become free around the world; Please Donate


And the last Charity is Fisher House, a place for families of Veterans to stay while their child or significant other heals.  Please Donate.

And I mentioned some humor for today.  Enjoy this skit:

Here is the history of the sketch.  

Have a good Thanksgiving!

How to Vote (And why the GOP Should Defend the Electoral College)

As we inch closer to the Primaries and Election Day, sometimes the basics must be re-introduced.

So, those who are not involved in Politics day-to-day, this half of the post is for you.

Learn it. Know it. Live it.

1) Register with your local Politico  (or your favorite Politico Goth) -- they will move the paperwork as soon as you sign up.  Look for Honest Brokers among the Partisans; There are more "Honest Brokers," in the Right then the Left.  We on the Right might not agree with your Party Designation, but we'll support you're Right to vote as you please.

The best Politicos will Lobby you for their Party Designation and then accept your decision.  (Most Partisan and Bloggers on the Left, don't) 

2)  Confirm with your Secretary of State (no, not the Foreign Policy cabinet, but the folks people who help determine the Votes in your state) that you are Registered.  Give it one month after your Politico mails your Registration. Stay in touch with your Politico.  You can learn from each other.

3) Election Day -- Bring your ID and then, VOTE!  Why the ID? If you never heard of Zombie Voters of Chicago or Identity theft, then ignore it.

However, I cannot go into clubs without ID; I can't use my Debit (or credit) card without ID, so why should voting be exempt?

4) Go home and watch the returns! (Or find your Politico Goth friend and find an Election night party to enjoy)

See how easy it is?

Anyone campaigning against Voter ID's are perfectly fine if your identity is borrowed.  If borrowing identity is bad for Credit reasons, why not for Voting reasons?


Now, we come to the Advanced class, those who don't do Politics full time are excused.

American Electoral College 2012 - 2020

Here is where I introduce my mentor, Shawn Steel's group: Save Our Electoral College!

There was a reason that the Founding fathers created the Electoral College.  The Occupy Wall Street were mobs of Jacobin's.  If they had the guillotine, I'm sure it would have been very busy over the past two months.

To quote Men in Black: A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. 

Yet, I still trust the people when they vote, Democrats, less so.  I like people, and that's another reason why I am in politics.  If you go around hating on people and hating everything, stay out of Politics, you will have a third heart attack or be a crazy shooter.


Can I get a "Hell NO!" (Hell NO!) (Thank you, Speaker Boehner.)

Now then, why should we partisans, Polticos and Bloggers defend the Electoral College?

Think of Zombie Voters in Chicago or during the Washington Governors race of 2004 or the Minnesota Senate race of 2008.  Zombie Voters exist in cities and can overwhelm the popular vote within a state, and the GOP wants to agree with this?

I'm a Goth; I know about Zombies :} 

Every member of the CRP Platform Committee -- every State in the Union that is building their platform for 2012, and of course, the 2012 Platform being written for Tampa should add these words:

"The Republican Party will stand for, and protect, the Right of each State in the Union to be Represented as the Founders decided, by the Electoral College. The Democrats seek to change the Electoral Rules when they lose, we who are in the GOP trust the Rules as the Founders made.And unlike the Democrats, we also trust the voters."

If we go to the NPV system, Zombie Voters will control the cities and (especially in places without Voter ID's) and the GOP will be shut out of the White House (rather then every few years when the tide changes, no this will be a permanent thing).

So, to my Bloggers, partisans and politicos, please support Save Our Electoral College and promote it in your state!

My question: Why don't the Democrats want Voter Id's and the Electoral College? Why change the rules?

Weekend Movie Night -- The Thirteenth Floor

Before we go back to Doctor Who (next weekend), one more movie to enjoy!

While I am building a couple of things; Practicing a speech for January 2012, and trying to get a Delegate/Blogger position for the Tampa 2012 Convention and still find a beautiful Gothy Muse to dance with [whew!]; I offer a movie night.

I will be posting this week as well.

1) How to Vote (High School and Electoral College Edition)
2) Why the Tea Party will outlast Occupy Wall Street
2A) Possibly comparing Occupy Wall Street to some Roman Republic History -- stay tuned, maybe December for this
3) Foreign Policy and Obama: Obama wins, but in a Charlie Sheen kind of way. 

Ok, enough with me yapping, enjoy this surreal movie!

And now, the Thirteenth Floor!

From Crackle: The Thirteenth Floor

"Commerce, Democracy and Rock & Roll!"

I live in LA. Heck, I love LA!

This is the Land of the Hollywood Pitch. There are books, classes and "days," where you can learn how to use (and also put into use) "The Hollywood Pitch,"

And what is the Hollywood Pitch?

An idea composed of 25 words or less.  Watch below:

The Player (1992), Part 1



The Player (1992), Part 2




As Election 2012 comes ever closer (step by step, inch by inch...), we who are Activists, Bloggers and Politicos should learn to sell the Country, the "Hollywood Pitch," of our views.

Next year will be a two front war, against both Democrats and Media.  While the Democrats and media might be filled with the intellectuals, the Right is the Party of the Car Salesmen.

Very few Intellectuals can sell their ideas, but we on the Right have an easier time.

Except during Elections we must remember to not only sell our candidates (from POTUS to City Council), but our ideas.  This post is not so much for Candidates as it is for their Staff and volunteers.

Ready? Let's Pitch!

Look at the title of this post: Commerce, Democracy and Rock & Roll -- We on the Right stand for all three.

When you make phone calls and knock on doors to people who are "on the fence," when it comes to Candidates and Parties.

Why Commerce?

Unlike the Left who have a large distrust of the Private sector, we believe in Commerce of all sorts makes Peace.  Two people doing business together don't fight unless one Reneges.  (That's why Lawyers were invented)  When you support a Local Conservative candidate, they in turn support Local Business' and make it easier for them to operate.

Don't believe me? Look at these two charts:

 

 

Now we move onto Democracy:

Back in my formative youth, both parties agreed to this dictum: Politics stops at the Waters edge.

First Speaker Wright (D-TX) broke that rule (read about it in The Ambition and the Power) then the protests began over Gulf War I.  

Why did the Left protest during Bush pere's Administration? Because America was not bringing democracy to the Middle east.

Twelve years later, Bush fils spent Political Capitol to bring Democracy to the Middle East, starting in Iraq.  Where were the Democrats? Out washing their tights! Or protesting again, saying that Dictators are fine to work with.  

When it comes to Foreign Policy, Democrats and their supporters make their decision depending on who is in the White House.  Rush to war? When President Obama went into Libya, he neither got Congressional Authorization or went to the UN.  Where was Code Pink?  Quiet as a lamb.

The Republican Party was founded on expanding the Democracy franchise.  The Confederate States of America were defeated in that purpose (with protests and non-support by, you guessed it, the Democrats).  Every time a Republican is in power, the franchise grows.  African-Americans, women and other nations (excepting FDR, Truman, JFK and LBJ who followed Lincoln's lead -- Democrats since Carter gave up on that belief).

When a Republican votes, we accept that vote no matter where it comes from.  If we lose, we don't blame the voters -- Democrats do.  

Thus, we on the Right support Democracy.

Finally, Rock and roll!


When you have Commerce, you have bands trying to get better to get the best equipment (say, Gibson guitars) by being better musicians, and under Democracy, teenagers need not rebel against a dictator but against their parents.  

And the first thing any teenager wants to do is start a Rock band, not set off bombs.  

And now, a little rock and roll:

My question: What is your Political Philosophy in a Hollywood Pitch? 

Romney, Meg Whitman and the "Local Yokels"

When I lived in New Jersey (briefly), I contacted the New Jersey Republican Party.  This was in the early 90's.  At the time, former President Nixon was still alive and living in the Garden State.

I asked: "Does President Nixon ever involve himself in New Jersey politics?"

The answer cracked my late father up for years.

On the phone, the lady from the New Jersey Republican Party said: He doesn't deal with us Local Yokels.

The Original "Local Yokels," -- The Dukes of Hazzard

As we get close to the beginning of Presidential primary season (and Primaries for all other positions for 2012), let me step in and say Romney will be not be helpful to any 2012 Candidate below Senator.  Hence, us Local Yokels.

I always say "History is Precedence," And we Local Yokels in the Southland need only to look to Election 2010 to see how Romney (Meg Whitman's ally and someone who works with her former staff) will screw the rest of the Local Republicans.  From New Jersey to California, and everywhere in between. 


Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. 

After the Governator debacle, Meg Whitman bought up the Primary.  

Her staff never visited Los Angeles until ONE MONTH before the Primary.  And to throw ignorance upon stupidity (with lots of Money as well), Meg Whitman never made it any of the local meetings in the basin. Not the SFVRC; Not the Westside GOP; and even more important, Whitman never showed up to RPLAC.  You can thank Maya Buki, who was in charge of LA basin for that quick thinking (who now works with Romney in Massachusetts)

When I was at the 30th CD Primary party with Ari David, there were multiple groans among the multiple communicators who were there.  Whitman could buy a Primary, but she had never won an election.  

It was during this time that I was promoting the Southland Fundraiser.  Following Sun Tzu's dictum of Regular and Irregular forces, I was planning on bringing New Media to work with our "Local Yokel," candidates to help flip the basin in a Tidal year.  (If I work for the California Republican party, I hope to promote the Southland Fundraiser once more and use it every two years)

The Whitman people (as the Romney people) think they are the smartest people in the room.  There is a story from my Sue Abato (Marcia Tookey Golden Bear winner) on how the Whitman staff thought they knew more then the Woman's Federated here in LA.  I laughed myself silly thinking about that scene. Locals beating the slickster again.  

During Election 2010, our local candidates could have used some funds (as did RPLAC and all of our Assembly District Committees). 

Whitman wanted to win, but she did not care if any other Republican would win.  

And that's what you'll get if Romney wins the primaries.  Any "Local" candidate from your part of the country will be abandoned.  All the Political funds will be held onto by Romney only, and like Meg Whitman, they will not share, no matter how close the Election in your area is next year. 

So, Iowa, New Hampshire and North Carolina, I ask you and all of your voters, if you want to win 2012, do NOT support Romney.  Look at how California lost out on the 2010 tide.

Romney, with a touch of Zaphod Beeblebrox

My question: Now that you know what makes Romney's team go, how will you defend your "Local Yokels?"

Saturday Night Movie Night -- Red Rock West

As I get ready to post this week (and move forward in a couple of places -- more news later on this), I will give a movie night tonight (we will be back to Doctor Who around Thanksgiving).

So, I have to Embargo a lot of news, but I can say this:

Enjoy Red Rock West!

From Crackle: Red Rock West

Remember the Veterans! Veterans day: 11/11/11

Today is 11/11/11 -- not only is the day a Palindrome, but its also Veterans Day.

Veterans day came from Armistice Day, the last day of World War One.

WWI: American Soldiers in the Argonne Forest (FR) (h/t:: Truman Library)

If there are any Veterans in your life and town, find them and Thank them.  Every day.

The Valley Endorses Lynn Haueter for RPLAC Chair

This Thursday, the Voting members of RPLAC (and Alternate Members such as myself) should vote in Lynn Haueter by Acclamation .  And there should be a motion to praise Chairwoman Barnett for the great work she has done.  (again, by acclamation)

Since I was introduced to the Future Chairwoman by my friend (and Marsha Tookey Golden Bear Winner) Susan Abato, I cannot praise Mrs. Haueter enough. 

Out of the 3,143 Counties in these United States, the candidate who wins Los Angeles wins California (and the 55 Electoral votes).  Thanks to these rising leaders (such as Mrs. Haueter), we who are on the Right in the City of Angels are spreading that word. 

And we have a leader who, like her predecessor, wants to shout those words from on high.  Every Republican County Committee that wants to win a longer term majority should start donating money to RPLAC today.

Now, let me introduce the next Chairwoman:

Her first vote was for California Governor Ronald Reagan in 1980 and she has supported every Republican Presidential candidate since. Currently, she serves on the 38th ADC (up in Santa Clarita); the CRP Platform Committee and also the Executive Committee as well. Under the last RPLAC Administration, she was Assistant Treasurer and Intern co-ordinatior.  (very important, she knows about the funds and the youth!).  Also, she serves as Vice Chair for the [Santa Clarita] CRA and the Executive Board of Santa Clarita Republican Woman's Federated. 

She currently serves as District Representative on State Senator Tony Strickland's staff (and her husband is the District Chief of Staff to Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon), thus she has the Established Elected officials in RPLAC's corner.
-----------------------
And let me quote directly from her FB Wall on her goals for RPLAC: 

VOTER REGISTRATION
Each AD should adopt a plan of voter registration based on a two year goal of raising registration in their district. Information on voter registration can be found on the County Registrar Recorder's web site. A suggested increase of at least 3% should be stressed. This can be accomplished by a combination of volunteer efforts and a paid bounty program. AD's should work with volunteer Republican clubs in their respective AD's to assist them in meeting their goal. Clubs can be asked to report their progress at the AD monthly meeting. In turn AD's can develop a spreadsheet showing the progress made and which can be assimilated into a County spreadsheet. To maximize registration the AD's should develop a calendar of events in the district, and work with clubs and volunteers to assure coverage at these events. Starting January 1, 2012 voters will be able to register on line. RPLAC needs to work with the CRP to develop a coordinated strategy for this new process.

FUNDRAISING
Each AD should be encouraged to develop their own fundraising plan. RPLAC needs to secure a Finance Chair with a supporting committee of key donor's and elected leaders. A fundraising goal should be developed with an action plan to achieve it.

COMMUNICATIONS
RPLAC needs a press operation geared to the local and ethnic press communicating at least once a month then shifting in August 2012 to twice a month. A GOP speaker's bureau and list should be created. (RFW has a tremendous resource of speakers and should be consulted in the development of a list) The list should be provided to all AD's and community groups based on the needs of the group and the policy involved.

RPLAC needs a presence associated with Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc, to find volunteers, educate the public and reach the all important youth voter. A policy for how we use these new social media outlets needs to be approved ASAP and immediately implemented.

PRECINCT OPERATIONS AND GOTV
While this is the responsibility of each AD, RPLAC needs to monitor and receive reports and assist where necessary each AD in their efforts. AD's should provide, as part of their monthly report, the number of precincts in their district, how many precinct captains they have and a spreadsheet detailing their progress.

HEADQUARTERS
This committee shall be tasked with developing a needs assessment for County HQ's, number and location, as well as working with existing HQ's maintained by AD's. This committee can assist AD's in ways to secure a HQ's and the proper ways in which to operate a HQ's

OUTREACH, CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
AD's should develop an ethnic makeup of their district. The Registrar Recorder has an ethnic breakdown of each AD on their website. Los Angeles County has dozens of ethnic groups, from Chinese to Persian. We should concentrate on the largest and most geographically defined of these groups.

Hispanic
Black
Chinese
Korean
Jewish
Armenian
Hmong
Cambodian
Iranian


Once a county and individual AD ethnic surveys are completed each AD should appoint one person, either a committee member or leading activist to head up their outreach program. This will be another county meeting report item.

Using the Chinese community as an example, here are some suggested areas of approach:

Churches or Temples
Chinese Chamber of Commerce and localized business groups
Providing speakers to Chinese schools.
Attending and supporting Chinese social and cultural events
Surveying the public policy needs of the community
Holding Townhall forums to listen to the community
Talking with the Chinese press

In LA County, success means being part of these communities, not outsiders looking in.

--------------------

Good targets. Good goals.  

And Future RPLAC Chairman Hueter's favorite political quote:

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

"When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it".  
~Adrian Rodgers

The Valley endorses Lynn Haueter for RPLAC Chair. 

Why 60 Minutes Reports on Abramoff and Madoff

As I counted previously, 60 Minutes errs on the side of the Democrats.

When there is a Democratic president in the White House, there are no Woodward or Bernsteins in the News media.  

Heck, even Ben Bradlee doesn't investigate Democratic Administrations!

Woodward, Bernstein and Ben Bradlee

Even without Blogging, I can point 60 Minutes to Solyndra, Fast and Furious (NOT the cool movie series) and the closeness of Wall Street to President Obama. 

And last I checked, Lobbying is a Legal profession in the Political Sphere. 

My question: When will 60 Minutes learn to speak "Truth to Power?" 

Fighting the System: Why the Avery Cates Series is Worth Reading

I am a sci-fi geek from way back.  I was into the original Star Wars and Star Trek growing up.

Before Peter Jackson came out with his version of Lord of the Rings, I saw the Bakshi version. 

And when I discovered the Avery Cates series, I wrote about it after book three (The Eternal Prison).

When I first started reading the series, I always felt the best background music was this:

If you think we live in an Income Disparity NOW, read what happens when the hippies get together and decide that the world should go under One Government.  Here is a piece from The Electric Church:


"The streets of new York were always crowded, because no one had anywhere to go. Hovers zoomed by overhead, rich kids toys.  Nothing commercial went by hover -- all the shipping was automated, on specialized underground routes, though garbage was sometimes hauled in the air.  The...robots had all the jobs; they were self-healing, intelligent machines that never tired, never showed up late or hung over," 
-- Jeffery Somers, The Electric Church, pg 66

In a world of Cyborg Monks, Psychics and Police from the Government (called the System Security Force), Avery Cates is a low man on the totem pole. heck, anyone living below 23rd Street (the Flatiron building) has a limited lifespan.

Since this also a Politico Blog, keep this quote in mind:


"The misfortune of high minded intellectuals [in politics] is that, until it is too late, they remain unaware of the sudden waves of emotion which the majority can be swayed...of the shabby secret stratagems of ambitious men," -- Sir Harold Nicolson

The highest enforcer for the "Joint Council," in this Unified World is Richard Marin, the Director of Internal Affaits of the SSF.  Think of Marin as the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard in this New World.

He put Cates on the board to rid the world of the Electric Church.

There is blowback in the second book, the Digital Plague.

In the aftershocks of the Plague a Civil War begins between the Army and the SSF.  With Marin leading one group and Undersecretary Ruberto leading the other. There are cyborgs involved.  Keep your eyes peeled.
This all happens in the Eternal Prison.

So, the world the "Joint Council," built is smashed to pieces by book 4, the Terminal State.  But remember the psychics in Book 1, they're back!

And to parallel Marin is another character, Canny Oral.  His story ties into Unification.

I won't say how or why, just it leads to a satisfying conclusion in Book 5, the Final Evolution.

As I finished the last two books, this was Cates' theme:

As a Goth, I enjoyed reading this Dystopian series.  Ruins everywhere. The pre-unification Riots play a big role in the cities the books go through.

But the scariest place was Chengara Prison.  And until you read the series, you won't know why.

As a Politico of the Right, I can easily say "See, this is what happens when you try for a perfect world,"  

I'm sure Cates would agree with me (before he killed me, of course).

The writing is tight.  Jeff Somers writes like a futuristic James Ellroy.  Except with Cyborgs and Dystopias.

The series is enjoyable, whether Cates is surviving against the Monks, Marin, Ruberto or Oral.  On a cold night, the novels can take you into this disintegrating world. While the novels start in New York, Somers brings his characters to different cities, changed by Unification, riots and war.  At times, you feel as if you are walking with Cates.

Read this series.  Tell your friends to do the same!

Fired up, in the Cold of Los Angeles!

Mom's better? Check!
Cold's gone? Check!
Ready to write? Here I am!  

Sometimes it takes a simple thing to re-boot my own head (i.e. Get out of my own way); For me, it's eating at a California Pizza Kitchen reading the current issue of The Economist.  

(if you ever want to convince me of almost anything, feed me)

OK, enough with the introductions, time to Blog!

 Benny Goodman; Sing Sing, Sing

Ready to Post, but Under the Weather!

Turkey, the Sick man of Europe by Punch magazine (UK)

 
Excitement! Drama! Dancing!

Is this a Bollywood flick?

It's the story of my life.

However, before I can write about Rising Los Angeles GOP Political Stars, Primary 2012, or Avery Cates, I am sucking on some Chicken Soup.

My 24 hour cold expanded 48 hours because I could not find the right pills (they were discontinued -- Boo! Hiss!).  I finally found their equivalent after searching throughout the Basin.

As I write this, I am finishing my soup and starting to wind down.  Posting, come Hell or High water (wait! This is LA! there are neighborhoods for both! :}) tomorrow.

I leave you all with a tune:

The Church, Metropolis

November 2011 Tip Jar (with ANOTHER Gothy Actress!)

Welcome to November!

The first day of November has been good to me; It makes up for a horrible October. 

What happened? And what news? 

The Artist in me will always go for slow reveal.  If I am able to raise $300 for this month, I will tell you in this post.  (So, please donate to the Tip jar).

I am going back to Blogging this month, I am on fire!

Again, I'm trying to raise $300 for my Tip jar. Any help is most appreciated.

And since I am a Goth (and Politco), allow me to introduce you a Goth Actress by the name of Kate Beckinsdale.

Her roles in the Underworld series and in Van Helsing cemented her in the Goth Actress Hall of Fame. 

Enjoy! (And please hit the Tip Jar!)

Kate Beckinsdale in GQ (UK)

In Van Helsing

Contemplating

KB in Underworld:Evolution

Keep on following this great Gothy actress!  

And thank you again for reading the Valley!