Romney Doesn’t Know Why Airplane Windows Won’t Open, Calls The Closed Window Policy ‘A Real Problem’

Is this guy even seriousanymore?? We want Ron Paul to lead the GOP, from Today forward, Deport BHO and Nimwit Mitt, being that they are both foreigners, neither one is a natural born citizen, so ??? W ? T ? F ??

As if thats not bad enough, he goes jumping off his platform again, this time like a sheet in the wind:

Romney Doesn’t Know Why Airplane Windows Won’t Open, Calls The Closed Window Policy ‘A Real Problem’

Caity Weaver
Affluent Imagineer Mitt Romney has some exciting new proposals for the future of airplane design, according to some remarks he made to the LA Times at a fundraiser in Beverly Hills Saturday Night.

Romney was speaking to the Times about his chevalier Ann's brush with danger last week, when a plane on which she was a passenger was forced to make an emergency landing after an electrical fire caused the cabin to fill with smoke.

"When you have a fire in an aircraft, there's no place to go, exactly, there's no - and you can't find any oxygen from outside the aircraft to get in the aircraft, because the windows don't open. I don't know why they don't do that. It's a real problem. So it's very dangerous."

These are all speaking 'in the moment' - if only Pictures could talk

One Foot Forward: REPEAT: Quote of the Day

One Foot Forward: REPEAT: Quote of the Day: "In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future ...

Where is Stockton's Harry Potter?

Where is Stockton's Harry Potter?

You know, the boy wizard who defeated the evil Lord Voldemort and set things right in the wizarding world. That is exactly what Stockton needs, someone to fight this vicious financial crisis.

Need parallels?

This is what Rufus Scrimgeour (pronounced scrim-ger), the Minister of Magic in the Harry Potter series, said to the people in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows": "These are dark times, there is no denying. Our world has perhaps faced no greater threat than it does today. But I say this to our citizenry: We, ever your servants, will continue to defend your liberty and repel the forces that seek to take it from you! Your Ministry remains, strong."

Well, aside from the reference to "ministry" for government, that statement very well could apply to Stockton.

This is in part what Mayor Ann Johnston said during her State of the City speech a few weeks ago: "This has been a difficult year for all of us with tough decisions. The City Council has made extremely tough decisions, and we're going to see even tougher decisions ahead of us. The fixes to our financial issues will not be pretty, but we're determined to come out of this with the city on a solid financial foundation that will move Stockton forward."

When Scrimgeour made his speech, Voldemort's minions had infiltrated the government and were creating chaos in the world. The threat was active and, in that world created by J.K. Rowling, very real.

In our world, the threat is the city's financial crisis. The recession has hit Stockton hard, there is no denying, particularly housing in an area dependent on real estate-generated revenue.

For example, a bank-owned house in my neighborhood is listed at $115,000, about 70 percent less than what it would have sold for six or seven years ago.

Worse, it seems whenever the city has a plan or economic engine to kick-start a comeback, things sputter and fall to the wayside.

Where is a good wizard when you need one?

Contact Donald W. Blount at (209) 546-8251 or dblount@recordnet.com. The Record senior editors' blog is available at recordnet.com/editorblog.

I GUESS THEY FORGOT THAT I AM "THE WIZARD OF O.Z." Let's take this city back!!

To finish reading this article click here.

Ron Paul - Bad Dream

Oh Zee Spits so RAW!!

Mayor's Race Is Wide Open!

By Scott Smith
Record Staff Writer
May 06, 2012 12:00 AM

STOCKTON - Incumbent Mayor Ann Johnston appears to be the candidate to beat, despite leading a city marred by escalating street violence and the looming possibility of bankruptcy.

The Stockton mayor's race is wide open, and it is uncertain who, if anybody, will emerge from the June 5 primary to challenge her in a November runoff. She's up against Ralph Lee White, Anthony Silva, Jimmie Rishwain, James Butler and Gregory Pitsch.

Johnston believes her support base remains solid even as she continually fends off attacks at each council meeting and a recent town hall meeting.

"People are going to have to make a decision, whether they trust what we're doing and the direction we have to go," she said, "or throw it open to inexperienced folks."

Stockton voters in less than one month will narrow the field. A single candidate could win outright with 50 percent of the votes, plus one. With no clear winner, the two top vote-earners will face off Nov. 6.

Johnston said the city's future is at stake.

"It's no time for the faint of heart to be in City Hall," she said.

Bob Benedetti, a University of the Pacific political science professor, attributed the attacks to Stockton having a full-time mayor. Johnston is a natural point person for personal unhappiness, he said. Benedetti said he didn't see a strong candidate rising to oppose her.

"It's hers to lose," said Benedetti, adding that none of her challengers command citywide respect. "Many people recognize, like it or not, she's under a hard situation. She's done a credible job."

White, a perennial candidate and former councilman, has most doggedly attacked Johnston. He lost the first round in a courtroom challenge over term limits when a judge sided with Johnston.

"The judge didn't shoot me down," said White, promising to press the issue. "If Ann Johnston doesn't make the runoff, we're done. If she does, I go back to court."

White served 16 years on the City Council beginning in the 1970s. That and his business experience, acquiring wealth through his bail bonds and property investments, make him the best candidate, he said.

Silva, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stockton, has won support from the Stockton Police Officers' Association and the Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456.

Silva said he has put $20,000 on his credit card to fund his campaign.

He also has been the subject of questions for registering as a mayoral candidate at one home address and then moving to another within Stockton. City Clerk Bonnie Paige said he remains a valid candidate as long as lives in Stockton.

Silva said he believes that many of the city's problems could be solved by fostering a tone of mutual respect between City Hall and the labor groups. That takes good listening, he said.

"That's one thing I could be effective at," he said. "Shutting my mouth."

Silva served as a Stockton Unified trustee and also ran unsuccessfully for the Lodi Unified board and the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.

Former mayoral candidate Tony Stevens stands to complicate things. His name remains on the ballot, even though he has dropped out.

Jimmie Rishwain, a businessman, also has funded his own campaign with a personal loan. He donated $100,000 to his campaign. Rishwain served four years on the City Council in the 1960s and was appointed mayor three times.

Rishwain said he estimates that an incumbent such as Johnston has a 20 percent advantage through name recognition, but he envisions a runoff between him and Johnston.

"Every time there's a story, she gets her name out," he said. "But I've got the experience. I know City Hall. I know what the problems are and I know the solutions."

Butler, who declines to take campaign donations, said his decades working inside the city give him the insight into untapped resources for making money and for cutting inefficiency and waste.

"I'm formulating a plan to get us out of this," he said. "Everybody else is focusing on the devastation."

Butler said Stockton is missing an opportunity to create more public-private partnerships with power companies to capitalize on the city's ample water sources. Johnston is too far removed from the city's daily operations, he said.

Pitsch has collected $125 in donations and spent that on painting two signs and on gas. As mayor, he vows to have open communication with residents.

"Stockton will accomplish amazing things if we work together," said Pitsch, who doesn't deny using medical marijuana to alleviate pain from an old neck injury. "That's why I can't sit back and wait any longer."

Would you like to see a 'Strictly Solar Stockton?'

The candidates

James Butler, 59

Party affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: None

Education: High school graduate

Work: Senior plant maintenance supervisor for Stockton's Municipal Utilities District, retiring June 30

Personal: Married 33 years to Myrna Butler

Quote: "I know the inside system. I know there's some substantial savings. I'm also looking long term — how do we become less dependent on state and federal money and more dependent on our knowledge?"

Ann Johnston, 69

Party affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: Two terms on the council and in her first term as mayor, Lodi Unified School District's board of trustees for 13 years representing north Stockton

Education: B.A. San Francisco State, General Social Science, Secondary teaching credential

Work: Owner of The Balloonery

Personal: Married 43 years to Cliff Johnston; the couple has two adult sons and three granddaughters

Quote: "We have to make Stockton the very best it can be, and that means solving problems and detailing a plan to move forward."

Gregory Pitsch, 26

Party affiliation: Republican

Political experience: none

Education: High school graduate and some college

Work: Online clothing, electroncs retailer and fledgling music producer

Personal: Wife Brittany Pitsch, an American Sign Language interpreter in Manteca schools

Quote: "We need to start thinking collectively and find out what each of us can do with our time in a more productive manner, rather than this destructive path we are on."

Jimmie Rishwain, 82

Party affiliation: Republican

Political experience: Stockton council member and mayor in the 1960s

Education: high school graduate

Work: Real estate developer and investor

Personal: Three grown sons and seven grandchildren

Quote: "I believe in Stockton. My heart and soul are in Stockton. I'm concerned about the direction the city of Stockton is going: crime, foreclosure and bankruptcy."

Anthony Silva, 38

Party affiliation: Republican

Political experience: One term on the Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees, 2004-08

Education: Humphreys College, B.S. Science, Communities Studies

Work: CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Stockton

Personal: 7-year-old son, Caden

Quote: "The current levels of crime and unemployment are unacceptable. I will increase police presence and bring new businesses into town."

Ralph Lee White, 69

Party affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: Served 16 years on the City Council beginning in the 1970s

Education: Finished high school in Texas

Work: Bail bondsman and property owner

Personal: Five daughters, 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Quote: "I will guarantee within one year that the murder rate will drop 50 percent and the crime rate 60 to 65 percent. If not I will resign. I will put 125 police on the street. If we can spend $12.7 million on lawyers and consultants in one year, we can put policemen on the street."


Contact reporter Scott Smith at (209) 546-8296 or ssmith@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/smithblog.

Stockton Should boost its Image with Jobs

Stockton city leaders met for a town hall meeting with residents, and together they discussed the ongoing financial challenges that are facing the city.

The meeting lasted more than two hours, and Mayor Ann Johnston and City Manager Bob Dies answered the questions posed by the 100 or so attendees. They even waited out a protest by representatives of the Occupy movement.

Throughout the meeting, city officials stressed the steps being taken now do not mean the city is heading to bankruptcy. In fact, the AB 506 process is designed to avoid bankruptcy. However, they presented three options for a balanced budget: deep cuts to personnel and salaries, a successful AB 506 negotiation, or bankruptcy. The city has until July 1 to adopt a balanced budget.

Should the city look to further impose cuts on employees, the city would have to cut 64 police officers, close two fire stations, and instill other cuts. In the opinion of the city leaders, those cuts are both unsafe and unwise.

Meanwhile Barack Obama, Overstays his Welcome in Afghanistan.

'We the People' can bring Stockton back to the top

With less than 6 weeks until California's Primary, I have found myself in a tough position, yet still ahead of the pack. The reality is that Stocktonians know who I am, being one of the top record producers in the region, as well as being the founder of Oh Zee Clothing, a popular brand here in the Central Valley. I felt more compelled to begin a Political movement to bring the power back to the people. An ideal society, is one with a small governing body, nobody can argue that as the foundation of my political platform.

The race for the office of Mayor has already given me the opportunity to exceed my expectations, and venture into the Political world a lot sooner than I had anticipated. I made the decision to get involved in politics when I was in the 5th Grade. Here I am fifteen years later, officially listed as a candidate on California's 2012 Primary Ballot. I have not declared myself as a member of any political party, because I do not wish to draw boundaries to confine my decision making to be based solely on that party's agenda.

I have seen what it is going to take to win, and I am taking the necessary steps to ensure victory come June 5th. Regardless of what the other candidates plan to throw at me as we get closer to our State's Primary, I will continue to run a fair campaign all the way til election day.

Already I have seen a flurry of campaign signs being placed all over town, most of which are illegally posted on Public Property, in the Public right of way, or inside the utility easement. What is the penalty for violating the Stockton Municipal Code? Shouldn't they be fined for said offense? As well as full disclosure of their blatant disregard of the statutes concerning sign placement which was put forth in the City's Charter back in 1989.

May I officially call out Mayor Ann Johnston, who is also trying to bypass the rules of the Charter, which states;

"No person elected shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms as a member of the Council or Mayor."

I am asking her to withdrawl her candidacy immediately, before this requires legal attention. The rules set by our fore-fathers were done for a reason, for us to follow. If she chooses not to follow our civil code, what makes you believe that she wants whats best for Stockton? The citizens are furious with this administration laying-off roughly 20% of our City's police force, at a time when Stockton topped the murder per capita nation-wide.

Take a stance in 2012, by joining Greg Pitsch and his supporters in a last chance effort to take our city back! It's time to say, "No more!"



Greg Pitsch 111
The Future Mayor of Stockton.