David Kelsen

Author: admin

  • Trump Speech Fact Check – 071726

    Fact-Check Summary of Key Claims

    Claim-by-Claim Assessment

    Claim What Fact-Checkers Found Assessment
    China interfered in the 2020 election in a way that changed the outcome Intelligence documents discussed Chinese efforts to gather information and potentially influence public opinion. However, publicly released intelligence assessments have not found evidence that China altered vote totals or election results. Not supported by available evidence
    Newly declassified intelligence proves the election was stolen Journalists and analysts who reviewed the released material reported that the documents contain allegations, intelligence reporting, and assessments, but do not establish that fraudulent votes changed the election outcome. Some excerpts were presented without broader context. Not supported
    Intelligence agencies deliberately hid evidence from Trump and the public No publicly available evidence demonstrates a coordinated cover-up. The declassified material itself does not establish such a conspiracy. Unsupported
    Venezuela manipulated U.S. voting machines Election officials, courts, and intelligence agencies have repeatedly examined this claim since 2020 and found no evidence that Venezuelan actors altered U.S. vote counts. False according to available evidence
    Michigan experienced significant voter fraud in 2020 Investigations examined suspicious voter-registration forms but did not conclude that widespread fraudulent voting occurred or that election results were affected. Misleading
    Hundreds of thousands of noncitizens are registered to vote Fact-checkers reported that figures cited were based largely on estimates, database mismatches, or unverified assumptions rather than confirmed illegal registrations. Unsupported / exaggerated
    U.S. elections remain highly vulnerable Election-security experts generally agree that election systems face cybersecurity threats and foreign influence efforts. However, vulnerabilities alone do not demonstrate that election results were successfully altered. Needs important context
    Major TV networks refused to air the speech because of political bias Some networks chose not to carry the speech live on their primary channels, citing editorial concerns about airing unverified election claims. Many still covered or streamed the address. Partly accurate but incomplete

    Detailed Review of Major Claims

    1. China Changed the Outcome of the 2020 Election

    Trump’s Claim

    China conducted a coordinated operation that affected the election outcome.

    What Fact-Checkers Found

    • U.S. intelligence assessments have concluded that China attempted influence operations, similar to efforts attributed to Russia and Iran.
    • The released documents do not establish that China altered ballots or vote totals.
    • Intelligence agencies distinguish between influencing public opinion and successfully changing election results.

    Verdict

    Unsupported.

    1. The Newly Declassified Documents Prove the Election Was Stolen

    Trump’s Claim

    The recently declassified intelligence files prove the 2020 election was stolen.

    What Fact-Checkers Found

    • The documents contain intelligence reporting, allegations, leads, and analysis.
    • They do not conclude that fraudulent votes changed the election outcome.
    • Portions of the material remain redacted.

    Verdict

    Not supported by available evidence.

    1. Voting Machines Were Vulnerable

    Trump’s Claim

    Voting systems contained vulnerabilities that could have affected results.

    What Fact-Checkers Found

    • Security experts acknowledge that no computer system is perfectly secure.
    • Election systems require continual monitoring and improvement.
    • No verified evidence has shown that voting-machine vulnerabilities were exploited to alter certified vote totals in 2020.

    Verdict

    Mostly true regarding vulnerabilities; unsupported regarding claims that the election outcome was changed.

    1. Millions of Noncitizens Are Registered to Vote

    Trump’s Claim

    Large numbers of noncitizens are registered and voting in U.S. elections.

    What Fact-Checkers Found

    • Voter-registration databases can contain outdated records and require maintenance.
    • Registration irregularities do not necessarily indicate illegal voting.
    • Investigations generally continue to find noncitizen voting to be relatively rare.

    Verdict

    Misleading.

    1. The Intelligence Community Hid Information

    Trump’s Claim

    Federal intelligence agencies concealed critical information from the public.

    What Fact-Checkers Found

    • The released documents do not independently prove a coordinated cover-up.
    • Intelligence agencies routinely receive conflicting information and assess reliability before reaching conclusions.

    Verdict

    Unsupported.

    1. The Media Ignored the Evidence

    Trump’s Claim

    News organizations largely ignored the evidence presented.

    What Fact-Checkers Found

    • Some media outlets reported extensively on the released documents.
    • Others questioned whether the documents supported Trump’s conclusions.
    • Whether the evidence was “ignored” is ultimately a subjective judgment.

    Verdict

    Opinion claim; not independently verifiable.

    1. The SAVE America Act Is Necessary Because Elections Are Insecure

    Trump’s Claim

    Election insecurity justifies passage of the SAVE America Act.

    What Fact-Checkers Found

    • Election-security experts generally agree that election systems can always be improved.
    • Experts generally do not agree that current evidence demonstrates the widespread fraud alleged in the speech.

    Verdict

    Policy opinion based partly on disputed factual claims.

    Economic Claims

    Trump also stated that:

    • Employment is at record highs.
    • Investment is at record levels.
    • Inflation recently experienced its largest monthly decline in years.

    Assessment

    Fact-checkers generally focused more heavily on the election-related claims than the economic claims. Reporting indicated that these statements were broadly tied to current government economic statistics, although critics noted that the language often emphasized the most favorable interpretation of the data.

    Verdict

    Generally based on current economic indicators, though framed favorably.

    Tax Claims: “No Tax on Tips” and “No Tax on Overtime”

    No Tax on Tips

    What the Law Does

    • Allows eligible workers to deduct qualifying tip income from federal income taxes.
    • Tips remain subject to Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes.
    • State income taxes may still apply.
    • The provision is temporary and currently scheduled to expire in 2028 unless extended.
    • Eligibility limits and deduction caps apply.

    Verdict

    Partly true.

    No Tax on Overtime

    What the Law Does

    • Provides a federal income-tax deduction for qualifying overtime pay.
    • Generally applies only to qualifying overtime premiums under federal law.
    • Income limits and deduction caps apply.
    • Social Security and Medicare taxes still apply.
    • Some workers may not qualify due to differences in how their overtime compensation is governed.

    Verdict

    Partly true.

    Overall Assessment of the Tax Claims

    If interpreted as shorthand for tax relief on tips and overtime, the statements are substantially accurate. If interpreted literally as meaning tips and overtime are entirely tax-free, they are inaccurate because significant taxes, limits, and eligibility requirements remain.

    Areas of Broad Agreement

    Not every statement in the speech was disputed. Analysts generally agree that:

    • Foreign governments, including China, Russia, and Iran, attempt to influence American politics through propaganda, cyber activities, and information campaigns.
    • Election systems require ongoing cybersecurity improvements.
    • Declassification can improve public transparency and oversight, although declassification alone does not prove the underlying claims are true.

    Overall Conclusion

    Across major fact-check reviews, a broad consensus emerged on one central point: the speech did not present publicly verifiable evidence that the 2020 election outcome was changed by foreign interference or widespread fraud.

    Fact-checkers generally concluded that many of the speech’s key allegations repeated claims that have been extensively investigated since 2020 without being substantiated by courts, election officials, or publicly released intelligence assessments.

    At the same time, reviewers acknowledged that:

    • Foreign influence operations do occur.
    • Election systems face ongoing security challenges.

    Sources:

    1. PolitiFact (Primary Fact-Check)

    Louis Jacobson and Amy Sherman. “Fact-Checking Trump’s Address on China, 2020 Election.” PolitiFact, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    This is one of the most direct, claim-by-claim fact-checks of the speech. It evaluates Trump’s assertions about Chinese interference, intelligence claims, and election fraud. PolitiFact is a nonpartisan fact-checking organization known for structured ratings of truthfulness. (PolitiFact)

    1. PolitiFact (Live Fact-Check Coverage)

    PolitiFact Staff. “Live Fact-Check: President Donald Trump’s Address on Election Security.” PolitiFact, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    Provides real-time verification during the speech, useful for understanding how claims were evaluated immediately. Complements the more polished post-event analysis. (PolitiFact)

    1. PBS NewsHour (Fact-Check Syndication)

    PolitiFact Staff. “PolitiFact: Live Fact-Checking Trump’s Address from the White House.” PBS NewsHour, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    PBS republishes PolitiFact’s work, adding editorial oversight from a public broadcasting outlet. Generally considered high reliability and low partisan bias. (PBS)

    1. Associated Press (Straight News Reporting)

    Associated Press. “Trump Doubles Down on US Election Attacks in His Primetime Speech.” AP News, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    A neutral, widely trusted wire service report summarizing the speech and noting that claims about election fraud lacked supporting evidence and contradicted prior investigations. (AP News)

    1. Associated Press (Live Updates)

    Associated Press. “The Latest: Trump Delivers Primetime Address to the Nation.” AP News, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    Provides timeline-style reporting and includes reactions from officials and experts, noting that audits and investigations found no widespread fraud. (AP News)

    1. Reuters (Context & Analysis)

    Reuters. “Trump’s Championing of Debunked Vote Conspiracies Casts Shadow Over Midterms.” Reuters, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    Reuters provides global-context reporting, emphasizing expert concern that repeating disproven claims could affect election trust. Highly regarded for fact-based, minimally biased journalism. (Reuters)

    1. Reuters (Media Coverage Decision)

    Reuters. “US Networks Face Dilemma Over Whether to Air Trump’s Election Security Speech.” Reuters, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    Explains why some networks declined to air the speech live, giving context to Trump’s claim of media bias. Useful for evaluating that specific assertion.

    1. CBS News (Mainstream Broadcast Coverage)

    Caitlin Yilek and Joe Walsh. “Trump Gives Primetime Speech on Elections as White House Alleges Chinese Access to Voter Data.” CBS News, July 17, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    Provides broad narrative coverage and summarizes key claims alongside expert responses. Represents mainstream U.S. broadcast journalism.

    1. The Guardian (Live Blog / Reactions)

    The Guardian Staff. “Trump Rehashes Election Claims in Primetime Address – Live Updates.” The Guardian, July 16, 2026.
    Read article
    Accessed July 19, 2026.

    Annotation:
    Offers real-time political reaction and international perspective. While slightly more interpretive in tone, it helps capture criticism and political implications. (The Guardian)

    ? How to Use These Sources (Quick Guide)

    • Best for factual accuracy: PolitiFact, AP, Reuters
    • Best for context & reactions: CBS, Guardian
    • Best for media/meta-analysis: Reuters (networks decision article)

    ?? Bottom Line

    Across these sources:

    • Claims about foreign interference changing vote results ? consistently unsupported
    • Claims of widespread fraud ? repeatedly contradicted by audits and investigations
    • Some concerns about election security risks ? valid but often misused without evidence of impact (AP News)

     

     

  • The Reflecting Pool Screw up

    The information below is by courtesy of my Gemini Clanker, I’ll call him George.

    I can assign a pronoun to my Clanker, it’s my Clanker after all.

    The recent multi-million-dollar renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool involves two primary contractors that were hired under controversial arrangements.

    Here is the breakdown of who they are, their experience, and their ties to Donald Trump:

    1. Atlantic Industrial Coatings (Sealing & Painting)

    • The Job: This Virginia-based company was awarded the main contract to apply a waterproof sealant and paint the floor of the 7-acre pool a custom “American Flag Blue.” The cost of this contract ballooned from an initial estimate of less than $2 million to roughly $14.7 million.

    • Their Experience: Prior to this project, the company had never won a federal contract. Labor unions and industry critics heavily criticized the choice, arguing that many other firms with deep expertise in historic monument restoration were locked out of the process.

    • Relationship with Donald Trump: Accounts of their relationship have been contradictory. Trump initially claimed a direct connection, stating that he sent “my guy” who had previously done “unbelievable” work on swimming pools at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. However, Trump later reversed course, stating he had never worked with the company and didn’t know them. The White House later stated that while Trump has no personal relationship with the firm, he was simply “familiar with the company’s work.”

    2. Green Water Solutions / Greenwater Services (Water Purification)

    • The Job: This Ohio-based company was brought in on a $1.7 million contract to install a patented “Nano Bubble” ozone filtration system aimed at clearing up the pool’s notorious algae blooms.

    • Their Experience: Federal contracting records show the company has minimal federal experience. Its only other government contract was a $1 million deal in 2025 to conduct a feasibility study on sewage flows in the Tijuana River.

    • Relationship with Donald Trump: The company is owned by an investment trust run by John J. Cafaro, a prominent, longtime Trump mega-donor who has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into Trump’s campaigns (including a $250,000 donation to a Trump fundraising committee). Cafaro is also one of Trump’s wealthy neighbors in Palm Beach, Florida, near Mar-a-Lago, and the water company even used Cafaro’s Palm Beach mansion as its corporate Florida address. Trump has publicly praised Cafaro in the past as a “fantastic man,” though Cafaro told local reporters that Trump “doesn’t know a thing about” the firm securing the pool job.

    Was it Really a No-Bid Arrangement?

    Yes, completely. Both companies were handed their contracts without having to compete against other businesses.

    To bypass the standard federal procurement laws—which strictly require competitive bidding to ensure taxpayers get the best value—the Department of the Interior invoked an exemption for projects of “unusual and compelling urgency.”

    The administration justified skipping the bidding process by arguing that the pool had to be overhauled at “Trump speed” so it would be ready for the United States’ 250th birthday celebrations on July 4, 2026. However, because the contracts lacked competition, they faced heavy scrutiny. Internal National Park Service documents revealed that Atlantic Industrial Coatings was locked into a 20% profit margin, which government analysts flagged as “excessive” and roughly double the standard 6% to 12% margin typically allowed on federal projects.

    Synopsis:

    A longtime Trump financial supporter and neighbor got a no-bid contract with very favorable terms but they weren’t the ones who screwed this up by themselves.

    The other no-bid contractor screwed up the painting and sealing because…they are completely unqualified.

    Then typical Trump, he denies knowing the paint contractor (after previously calling them “my guy”) and blames vandals for causing the issue (without evidence), which is ridiculous considering that there are 24/7 cameras on the Reflecting Pool.

    If this was a screw-up at Mar-A-Lago, privately owned and funded, that would be fine. But this is our tax dollars paying for corruption and incompetence.

    What bothers me most is people I deem as intelligent are falling for this because they believe everything, unconditionally, Trump says. sad.

  • Twilight Zone Episode

    I keep thinking this show will end, or I’ll wake up. But I feel the pinch and it hurts.

    We’re watching the de-evolution of American society.

    Disrespect for the law is the first sign of cancer in a culture. That’s where it starts and it will lead to the collapse of this social experiment called democracy.

    Trump was the first president in the history of the United States to reject the peaceful transfer of power.

    That was Treason.

    Disrespect, anger and hate are the driving factors of this putrid individual.

    They are the tenants that rule his damaged psyche.

     

     

  • January 20, 2025 Inauguration day

    Awesome, Here’s what I’m expecting on day one:

    Gas prices go down

    Grocery prices go down

    End of the Russian incursion into Ukraine

    11 million illegal immigrants deported

    Border crisis solved

    That’s it.

    Peace

     

  • What Are You Fighting For..Really

    What do you want?

    To wake up?

    yeah that’s cool

    Open your crusted lids?

    yeah that’s cool

    Is it blurry?

    most-times,

    sometimes-less

    Food?

    yeah, that’s cool

    A place to Piss?

    yeah that’s cool

    Rinse your scummy dermatology?

    yeah that’s cool

    Coffee or Tea?

    okay

    You care whether the people you love live or die?

    Yeah.

    Would you protect them?

    Yes.

    Has anyone ever helped you?

    yeah.

    Have you ever helped anyone?

    I think.

    Do you give a shit?

    about what?

    Anything.

    maybe.

  • Nickel Beer Night

    Inebriation Isn’t Just an Adventure, Its a Career

    Some of them do it once in a blue moon, some every now and then.  Some of them do it regularly, and some do it all the time.

    Wednesday’s at Close Encounters. Yes he did, the Persian owner, Ezra, named it after a popular Spielberg flick.  I say owner, but in truth, his mom owned it.  He runs it so he can meet chicks.  Problem is, it’s in the middle of suburbia.  If you’re a stag female, sucking down brews in a mid-suburbia dive on Nickel Beer Night it means you’re married, overweight and angry.

    Tina, the singer, designed and sewed costumes for everyone in the band.  Nobody asked her to do it, nobody ever hinted at it, but they arrived on Nickel Beer Night with high expectation.

    The costumes consisted of long-sleeve beige turtleneck shirts and beige pants.  Each horrible shirt was hideously amplified by “artsy” themed-designs made of misshapen, sloppily sheared rayon sewed in random patches. A unique fluorescent color scheme for each band member.  The seams were bulging and some of the thread matched.

    We started the set as usual, with a medium energy pointless pop number but there was magic in the air.  Although that might have been someone smoking pot.  It was the 80’s in California.  You could still smoke indoors in those days and the foul stench of sour smoke encrypted on your clothes when you went home at night was an added bonus.  Sticky floors, stained chairs and someone always passed out on the bar.  Ahhh, just like home.

    There was a lovely “one big happy” family sitting in front of the stage, just off the dance floor. Frequent toasts and gulps, joyous laughter, crackling guffaws.

    Beer is 5¢ a glass, and a dollar a pitcher from 8PM – 915PM.  If you’re a bartender, you know what this means.  People with only a dollar to their name come in and drink 20 beers in an hour and fifteen minutes.  Probably the worst drink promotion ever conceived.

    By 10PM the initial friendly buzz of carbonated domestic swill has worn off and the violent uglies begin to emerge.  At the friendly, loud, squinting smile “one big happy” family table in front, all of a sudden the mom, late 50’s, and daughter-in-law, early 40’s, furiously jump to their feet.

    Fire bellowing from all four eyes, in a blink clenched fists pummel wrinkled skin cheeks, smearing foundation and blush.  Arms swinging and flailing, profane screams of fierce acrimony released.  Strikingly more terrifying and vicious than ultimate cage fighting.  A couple of the men at the table get up seconds too late to pull them apart, but manage to rush them outside.

    The band plays on, doesn’t stop, doesn’t miss a beat.

    Mock Manager Mark is the self proclaimed manager of the band. A friend of Mark, the drummer, Mock Manager Mark professes to be the bands manager in an attempt to get free drinks whenever he attends one of our gigs. Never one to miss an opportunity, Mock Manager Mark goes outside to inspect and possibly wager.

    Seconds later Mock Manager Mark and one of the female pugilists’ escorts fly through the door, tumbling across the dance floor.  Toppling tables over, flinging half empty glasses through the air, flipping the torn vinyl chairs upside down and more fists recklessly swing with abandon or poor drunken aim, you pick.

    The band plays on, doesn’t stop, doesn’t miss a beat.

    The two bleeding drunk strangers are pried apart, but two more fights break out across the room, people fighting about the fighting.  Enraged suds soaked patrons turn on each other in riotous dysfunctional union. Enraged fractious anarchy right here, in the middle of a bedroom community in sleepy South Orange County.

    By the time police arrived, shattered glass was swept up, stained bent chairs and wobbling tables were put back in place and all members of the “one big happy” family had escaped.

    Tina was pissed and a little hurt. Not one word about the new threads.

    Another freaky night in the life of the working musician.

  • You Wake Up Suddenly, You’re a Glove

    Part 2

    When we left off, Tina was coughing, I was drinking and the unknown drummer was doing alright.

    The odd assemblage of players in the band was a tribute to tolerance.  Tina was a washed-up waitress from Buena Park with a kid.  Lots of gumption, but no goods.  Paul was the keyboard player who gigged with us when he wasn’t touring fairs with 70’s bands.  Henry the sax player, was big, black and really black.  An okay player, but great charisma, we always put him center-stage.  Mike, my guitar playing brother and myself, well let’s just keep us out of it for now.

    The fill-in drummer was a Basque.  If you’ve never met a Basque then I apologize.  There isn’t enough space in this story to adequatly describe the psychological complexities of the Basque heritage.  Suffice to say that the tension was high and the behavior erratic.  This does accurately describe every drummer I’ve ever worked with, but being Basque adds an entirely new dimension to the equation.

    The night wears on, the drunks get braver and the room stinks.

    The dust and scum filled corners of the 34 year-old building hasn’t seen a sober broom since 2 months after inception.  The gum stopped urinals are stained and just plain nasty.

    The frequenters of this establishment are locals.  There is nobody at home they want to hang out with, so they come here.  The bartenders and waitresses are their family.  The clientele choose to soak their heads in alcoholic splendor rather than have an actual life.

    That’s where we come in.  It’s our job to encourage and incite the rabble and boost sales.

    We think we have it.  The people are dancing and smiling and getting it on.  The staff are bobbing their heads and nudging their neighbors in excited, useless conversation.

    People are buying rounds, the manager is smiling and nobody has been arrested or died.  It’s been a good night.

    The last song is played and I expel a sigh of ouzo drenched relief as the evening seems to come to a close without incident. But of course, it’s never over until it’s over.

    We’re packing up, carelessly swinging the heavy equipment through the thin doorways and tossing it into our cars.  The Basque wants a beer, but the place is closing and the bartender and the manager are anxious to leave.  The answer is no.

    The Basque does not accept this answer and waits until no one is looking and while the competent staff are busy restocking for the following day, the Basque steals a 6-pack off the top of the bar and runs out the back door.

    None of the band members are new, but we are a new band trying to break in to the club scene.  We start getting regular work and BAM, it’s gone.

    Welcome to Rock-n-Roll

  • Everytime You Go Away, You Take a Piece of Meat With You

    PART I

    The Rendevouz Room, 1988

    A young but frivolous group of slightly stupid musicians mount a stage covered in rotting orange plush carpet and old duct tape.

    Their mission:

    Entertainment.

    It’s the first time the group has attempted to crack this smelly crowd of regular suds swaggers and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be pretty.

    A cloud of stale cigarette smoke hangs face level and Tina, our singer, releases a dry, lung-damaged cough, buy it’s okay.  She’s a smoker.  She can’t sing that great anyway.

    There’s a twist in my pre-gig martini and in the night.  Our regular drummer is double booked.  He took the higher paying gig, just like the rest of us would have.  The keyboard player, Paul, asked one of his friends to sit in.

    He assured us the guy was good and we all believed him because, well… we didn’t have anybody else.

    The guy, we’ll call him the drummer, was alright.  That was, until the end of the night when things started getting freaky.

    We’d been on freaky gigs before, like when Andy, the 60+ year-old owner of the Bunkhouse would do a complete striptease in the middle of the dance floor.  A gay, 60-something, overweight man suggestively removing all of his clothing in middle of biker bar in Garden Grove.  Freaky.

    I could tell this was going to be exactly the same, but different.

    Stay Tuned.

  • buckle up it’s going to be a bumpy night

    1 in 10 homeowners behind on mortgage or in foreclosure. 533,000 jobs lost in November. Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. US Big 3 automakers asking for $34 billion bailout. 30 daily newspapers up for sale from New York to Los Angeles. Temp worker crushed to death in black friday free-for-all. Pirates make a comeback in Somalia.

    Welcome to earth, 2008

    Do you clean your own toilet? My definition of prosperous depends solely on whether or not you have a toilet to clean. If you have your own toilet, you’re not doing too bad. What about this other stuff? Not really important.

    Fat and happy

    Ignore practicality and common sense and go with what feels good. Believer of belief, believe and all that you wish will dematerialize. Stay within predefined, controllable boundaries of observation and comprehension, disavow ideas that don’t suit you. Blindfolded travel.

    Don’t look back

    Forward thinking.  Irrelevant past.

    Next.

    Same as it ever was.

    Dedicated to Neil Aspinall 10/13/1941 – 03/23/2008

  • McCarthyism in San Clemente?

    San Clemente still embroiled – You’re a Jerk, and I’m not

    In response to Jim Cogan’s letter, (San Clemente Times, Vol.3, Issue 45, Nov. 6-12, 2008)
    Mr. Cogan is a wonderful writer. His eloquent, articulate and image-evoking pen is no doubt the reason he is so revered. Writing style aside, his robust command in communicating a message is equaled by few, particularly in the hack-ridden “letter to the editor” arena. I may not always agree with his position, but I delight in his wit and rhetoric.

    Comparing Rick Collins effort to enlighten San Clemente to McCarthyism however, is farfetched. The tactics may bear similarity, but certainly not the motivation. A recent newspaper article publishing an email thread proving councilman Wayne Eggleston was less interested in due process than a business owner’s rights was reason enough to question his integrity.

    Planning commissioner Brenda Miller, a fervent Charles Mann supporter and intimately involved in the anti-measure C effort and Mann campaign, exercising illegal behavior could be seen as an example of corruption and cronyism. The Mann campaign website proudly displays an image of Mann and Eggleston smiling near the Marine monument in the pier bowl. Mr. Mann’s attempts to mislead the residents of San Clemente on the measure C ballot arguments were well documented.

    The problem was that the Pacific Golf rezoning issue made Charles Mann a rockstar. Save San Clemente Open Space, (Mann, Jim Smith and Gary Hopp) set up a perfect Davy and Goliath scenario and Pacific fell full-force into the trap. I mean how hard is it to vilify a “Los Angeles” developer. That said, it was important to loosen the foundation of what could be perceived as a collusive power grab in city hall. The only way to broadcast that message effectively was with a broad stroke in a grand gesture. That’s precisely what Mr. Collins did. You may not agree with Mr. Collin’s but there is truth in what he says, and if at the very least it leads you to pay closer attention to what takes place at 100 Avenida Presidio, it was worth it. Sorry Mr. Cogan for the poor grammar.