by The Editors on January 29, 2008
The list of people who were sitting with First Lady Laura Bush last night during George W. Bush’s final State of the Union Speech included Carlsbad Navy physician Dr. Bill Krissoff. We guess we would have seen him on TV last night if we’d taken the time to watch the address, but we didn’t want to spend the evening angry. Here are his vitals:
Dr. Bill Krissoff was commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Medical Corps on November 17, 2007, at the age of 61. His decision to apply to the Navy Medical Corps to care for Marines came in response to the death of his oldest son. In December 2006, his son First Lieutenant Nathan Krissoff, USMC, who was serving as a Counterintelligence Officer with the 3rd Recon Battalion in Iraq, was killed in combat. Inspired by his son’s commitment and dedication to serving his country, Dr. Krissoff decided to apply himself. Initially told by his recruiter that it was very unlikely that he would qualify because of the age limit, Dr. Krissoff did not give up. During a private meeting with President Bush in Reno, Nevada, Dr. Krissoff asked for assistance on an age waiver for the Navy Medical Corps. The wavier was soon granted so that he could begin the application process. Now commissioned, he is preparing for deployment as an Orthopedist in a Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS), a Level II combat surgical team treating injured Marines in the field. Dr. Krissoff has closed his private practice, and he and his wife, Christine, have relocated to the San Diego, California area, where he is assigned to the 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group. In addition, the Krissoff’s youngest son, Second Lieutenant Austin Krissoff, USMC, is stationed at Camp Pendleton, California.
[Link: Washington Post]
by The Editors on January 26, 2008
Ron Paul supporters Mellissa Ingram, Mike Ladda, and Eric Ingram.
Carlsbad Ron Paul meet-up members were out in force at the corner of Coast Highway and Carlsbad Village Drive today reminding people to Google Ron Paul. The fact that Ron Paul’s chances of winning anything are extremely slim did nothing to deter this group
“To me it doesn’t matter if we win or lose, this is the first time I’ve been able to get behind any politician so I wanted to do what I can,” said Elton Tidwell. “If the media is not going to get his name out there then this is the only thing we can do.”
According to Eric Ingram there will be a big Ron Paul rally at Balboa Park on February 2, 2008 and “Ron Paul just might be there,” he said.
More photos after the jump.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on January 22, 2008
With a “projected $14 billion budget shortfall over the next 18 months” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is suggesting slashing funding to most state agencies, according to a story in the North County Times. Carlsbadistan educators are not happy:
Carlsbad Superintendent John Roach called the governor’s command for across-the-board cuts “cowardly, lazy and thoughtless. . . When a governor proposes an across-the-board cut, he’s taking what work should be his and giving it to others,” Roach said Thursday. “Slashing everyone equally doesn’t take any real thought.”
The cuts will mean Carlsbad Unified School district will need to cut $4.3 million. That’s not cool.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on January 15, 2008
According to a story in the North County Times (are we quoting them too much these days?) the Surfrider Foundation and the Planning and Conservation League filed lawsuits on Monday January 14, 2008 claiming that “The California Coastal Commission acted illegally when it granted a permit to the proposed $300 million plant despite acknowledging that commissioners needed more information.”
Surfrider representatives say the desalination plant would hurt marine life and Agua Hedionda Lagoon, where the plant would be located, and that Poseidon hasn’t proved otherwise. . . . “The substantive issue of whether they can even mitigate (the harm) is still out there,” said Marco Gonzalez, the lawyer representing the environmental groups.
Of course, Poseidon officials are denying this:
Poseidon Vice President Peter MacLaggan said that over the course of eight years of study, the company has proved the plant will not harm the environment. . . . He said the company is simply working out details with the Coastal Commission and that the suit was without merit. . . . “They’re challenging eight years of environmental research and study by pre-eminent scientists in this field from Scripps that has been reviewed by the various permitting agencies, who all came to the same conclusion — move forward,” MacLaggan said.
We’re happy to see someone standing up to industrialization of the Carlsbadistan environment.
[Link: North County TImes and San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on January 13, 2008
In an opinion piece for the North County Times Ted Owen, the president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is urging voters to vote “yes” on propositions 94, 95, 96, and 97. He agrees that ratifying Indian gaming compacts negotiated by the Governor will bring in and extra $9 billion into the state coffers.
That much-needed new revenue can be used by the state to avoid service cuts for fire protection, health care and other programs. . . . Under the compacts, the tribes will pay a much higher percentage of gaming revenue to the state. The compacts also provide increased oversight by local government over any new casino projects. The new agreements require full environmental impact reports and a binding agreement with the county to ensure full mitigation of any environmental impacts from new projects.
Ted, while you’re basking in all the money that increased taxation of gambling would bring in, just think how much budget relief legalized marijuana and prostitution would generate. With that money our kids would never go without needed school supplies.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on January 12, 2008
Megan Martignago is hosting a Carlsbad Obama meet-up at 2 PM at the Avenida Encinas Starbucks on February 2, 2008. Megan explains why:
Barak Obama has inspired so many already and we need to make sure as many people as possible hear his words. Barack Obama IS the voice of change for our nation. I’d like to get a group of supporters together to go spead the word of Obama.
We’re not personally following Rat Race 08, but if you’d like to join the 24 people who have already signed up click the link.
[Link: Barackobama.com]
by The Editors on November 21, 2007
Bill H.R. 4134, which was passed by the House of Representatives last week, earmarks $25 million in funding directly to the Carlsbad-based non-profit online safety organization i-Safe to “carry out Internet crime prevention education programs.” It has yet to pass the Senate, however, not everyone is happy about it.
There are a number of organizations in this space and it makes no sense for Congress to single out one organization,” Larry Magid, co-director of ConnectSafely.org, a nonprofit Internet safety organization, wrote in an e-mail. “I would prefer specific funding to be handled by a federal agency rather than Congress, which really isn’t in a position to evaluate effectiveness or appropriate messages.”
According to the National Journal, Nancy Willard, executive director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, says this would be a waste of public funding because iSafe offers a:
Web 1.0-style Internet safety education — fear-based, simplistic rules with a ‘just say no’ approach that is doomed to failure with today’s totally wired kids and teens.” Investing so much in one group would eliminate benefits derived from competition and diversity, undermine collaboration, and stifle innovation, she said.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
[Link: National Journal via CNET]
by The Editors on November 16, 2007
The Sierra Club California Coastal program director Mark Massara says that Poseidon Resources will likely be challenged in court before they can build the desalination plant, according to KPBS.org.
I’d say it’s a virtual certainty given the massive unaddressed questions and information inadequacies that are still associated with the project.”
Through all of this we’ve got one question: what is the ocean around warm waters going to be like with water that is twice as salty as it should be? What will that do to the lobsters? What will it do to what they eat? Anyone have any answers?
[Link: KPBS.org]
by The Editors on November 15, 2007
In a classic case of legalese the California Coastal Commission took roll and voted on a motion regarding Poseidon Resource’s Carlsbad desalination plant at 9:06 PM tonight. It passed 9 to 3. That means the desalination plant proposal has been approved, however, there are still many details to work out and be approved by the Coastal Commission before construction can start.
by The Editors on November 14, 2007
The votes are in and the new student council at Kelly Elementary school includes (from left to right): Grady McDermott, vice president; Allison DeGour, secretary; Ethan Emery, president; and Analisa Almaguer, treasurer. Given the chance, we’d swap these four out with the Carlsbad City Council immediately. No questions asked.
[Link: North County Times]
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