My buddy Peter has created the ultimate 2010 Halloween costume. Check out his How-To video below.

Californians, YOU have the chance to MAKE HISTORY this November 2nd. On this year’s ballot there will be nine State Measures, ranging from mundane democratic reforms to critical environmental support to a culture-shifting proposition that will have effects far wider than the state boundaries. Before I give you my choices, feel free to click HERE for a non-partisan breakdown of the propositions, by the League of Women Voters. Now let’s get into it.

Vote YES on Proposition 19.

This is the big one folks. Prop 19 would legalize the personal possession, cultivation and transportation of marijuana, and would set up a showdown with Federal law. I support this proposition because the drug war is by all accounts an abject failure – a horrific waste of money and lives that has not had one iota of impact on the global drug trade and only supports the massive military industrial complex and foreign despots and criminals. Legalizing pot will be a huge weight lifted off the shoulders of law enforcement as well as the state court and prison system, and will be a huge blow to the brutal Mexican drug cartels. The taxes raised from the legal, above-board sale and distribution will be more than enough to pay for added drug-treatment centers, education, and other uses. In addition, we can expect to see a Supreme Court fight that could lead to broader decriminalization/legalization. Make history – vote YES on Prop 19.

Vote NO on Proposition 20 and NO on Proposition 27.

These two, related Measures concern the complicated and corrosive process of congressional and local redistricting. Historically, elected representatives “rig” the district lines every ten years (after the census) to conform to their party, which helps entrench incumbent power by consolidating their supporters while dividing their opponents. In 2008, CA voters passed a proposition to create a 14-member, bipartisan commission to establish Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization districts – a step in the right direction. However, I believe we have not yet gotten conclusive evidence that this commission is cost-effective or actually improves fairness, and it should not be given the additional power to redraw congressional districts at this time. Let’s give them more time to prove themselves by voting NO on Prop 27, which would take away all of their authority, but also voting NO on Prop 20, which would give them more power.

Vote YES on Proposition 21.

This would establish an additional $18 surcharge on your car registration in order to help fund state parks and wildlife programs. Everyone hates taxes, I know, but the CA State Park system is one of the best in the nation, and is currently underfunded. This prop would offset over $200 million of other funding sources currently being used, and anyone who pays gets a free pass. We all need to spend a little more time outdoors, and this is the perfect kick in the pants. Get outside and play in the state parks! Vote YES on Prop 21.

Proposition 22 – no strong opinion, probably NO.

I don’t really know who would go to all the trouble to collect the tens of thousands of signatures necessary to get this one on the ballot, but basically it would further restrict the state government from moving funds from transportation, redevelopment or local government projects and giving it to, say, education or some other area, even in a budgetary emergency. It’s one group of state employees versus another, and I think we can do without the additional restrictions on the legislature’s ability to pay the bills when/where they come up, so I will probably vote NO. However, if you’re the kind of person that thinks tax money should only go to EXACTLY where it was originally slated for (keep in mind none of us actually get to decide where it goes in the first place), then vote YES.

Vote NO on Proposition 23.

This one is absolutely 100% critical to defeat, both for personal as well as economic and environmental reasons. The supporters are two Texas oil companies, Valero and Tesoro, that simply do not want to see their market share of the energy supply in the state to go down. They only care about profits. At stake, however, is the burgeoning green-tech/renewable energy sector, which is the fastest growing industry in the state and has the potential to provide thousands of in-state jobs for decades into the future, including MINE. The passage of Prop 23 would also kill clean air standards in the state, and if you think our air quality is bad now, just wait until you’re choking on smog and drowning in acid rain. Stand up for environmental progress and the clean-energy economy, VOTE NO ON PROP 23!

Proposition 24 – no strong opinion, possibly YES.

This measure would repeal a tax cut for some businesses that gave them some flexibility in terms of what they can write off as losses, what state their income is taxed in (if operating in multiple states), and the ability to transfer tax credits to other businesses. This flexibility likely has some positive effect on some business areas, but the state could also probably use the $1.3 billion the measure would reclaim. I am in favor of a friendly business climate, as that will increase economic growth and jobs, but the education system in CA is one of its most vital resources, and needs the funding too. I would love to see some education reform, but until then I don’t think we can keep starving the children of their right to decent public schools. So, probably vote YES on Prop 24.

Vote YES on Proposition 25.

Another pretty critical vote, which will help to break the budget deadlock that has been so brutal this year. Currently the CA legislature requires a 2/3 majority vote to pass a budget, which, as is readily evident from our disfunctional national Senate, gives the minority party undue power to hold the budget hostage until their special demands are met (usually money for their districts). Passing this measure would withhold the lawmakers’ salaries until they do their damn jobs and pass the budget. Keep in mind that a 2/3 majority would still be required to raise taxes, so you can be rest assured that they wont go up very easily. Help democracy do its job – vote YES on Prop 25.

Vote NO on Proposition 26.

This is the “rename business fees as taxes” measure, which is an underhanded way for corporate interests to avoid paying for potential damages to society or the environment. If the fees are reclassified as taxes, which everyone hates, then the legislature will require a 2/3 majority to impose them, thus making them unlikely to be assigned. The reason you should vote NO is because the government needs the power to assess fees for the ill effects of business when and where they occur. In addition, the power to impose fees is the most direct and effective way to address underfunded state assets, such as entrance to state parks or continuing garbage service. So, vote NO on Prop 26.

In summary:

19 – YES!

20&27 – NO

21 – YES

22 – no?

23 – NO, NO, A HUNDRED TIMES NO!

24 – yes?

25 – YES!

26 – NO

For the top spot on the CA ticket this year I endorse Jerry Brown, a Democrat. Whatever else you might say about this guy, the thing that distinguishes him the most from his main opponent, Meg Whitman, is that this guy really knows government. In addition to already being governor from 1975-1983, he’s served in many other public positions, including the Mayor of Oakland and Secretary of State (CA), and is currently the state Attorney General.

Basically, my thinking comes down to a few points. First, California is a mess. The political system is screwed up, and the reality of actually attempting to fix it will take an intimate knowledge of all the different players, agencies, interest groups and so on to coordinate. Brown is a career politician, which I believe is a good thing – better than simply wanting to jump into politics for a quick romp and then exit to a high-paying lobbying job. This guy actually wants to work for the state. Crazy, I know.

Second, Brown supports the clean tech economy and environmental leadership that California will hopefully continue to lead in. This one hits close to home for me, as I work in the renewable energy sector. Much work still needs to be done to improve the green business climate in the state, and due to the reasons above, I believe Brown will be able to understand and cut the red tape faster and more effectively than Whitman. I believe Whitman would also be a good thing for business in the state, but much in the same way that Arnold Schwarzenegger spent years simply learning the ropes, I believe her effectiveness would be limited and/or misguided. In terms of actual climate policy, as well, Whitman is suspect, promising to suspend the incredibly important AB-32, which established California’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (which mandate that the utilities get 20% of their power from renewable sources by 2013) and set the state up to be a leader in the new clean tech economy of the future. VOTE NO ON PROP 23! (more on that in a subsequent post).

Third, I am much less worried about Brown’s “ulterior motives”. While in his previous stint as Governor he ran several times for President, his age would now preclude that possibility, as well as the previously mentioned golden parachute as a lobbyist. This guy will probably be a public servant until he dies. If not, he’s spent more than 35 years trying to fool us otherwise.

What gives me serious pause to Meg Whitman is first and foremost her disregard for politics for most of her adult life, having rarely voted at all. Her work as a businesswoman is impressive, but the state is simply far more complicated than running an IT company, and it strikes me that her goal to be governor is not out of a sincere desire to serve the state’s interests (as opposed to just business’s interests). I also don’t like the idea of Whitman’s use of her massive personal fortune for campaigning. What it says to me is that rich people can simply buy their way into politics (see: The Governator) without really having a demonstrated interest in serving the interests of the people. Brown may be supported by unions, which have their problems, but unions at least represent real people, banding together for collective and community betterment. There are no union chiefs who are billionaires, and a very few who are millionaires. Whitman represents the few, the powerful, the elite, who don’t necessarily want more than to enrich themselves and their friends. They see themselves as Masters of our Universe, who should simply be trusted to set the listing ship straight. But aren’t they the ones who got us into this mess?

In addition, Whitman supported Proposition 8, which took away the right of gay and lesbian people to marry. I would never vote for a person who supports taking away the civil rights of others.

If people really want to see uncorrupted campaigns based on real issues and policies, they should also support public financing of elections (which probably equates with a large tax hike). Otherwise politics will always be dominated either by the wealthy elite with big business behind them or the less-wealthy elite with giant unions and a lesser portion of big business behind them.

Vote for Brown on November 2!

This article is part of the CA Midterms 2010 series.

They’re voting. And if you don’t, they win. And everybody loses.

This article is part of the CA Midterms 2010 series.

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard that there’s an election coming up in November and that it’s a very important one. So important, in fact, that it’s broken records for how much money has already been spent both by those running for office as well as third parties seeking to influence the results, with totals rivaling and potentially surpassing a Presidential election.

Why all the hubbub? Well, there’s a sense among folks that these are desperate times, and indeed they may be – persistent unemployment, record low faith in government, a worsening deficit and a worn-thin patience for much “change” in the short term. In addition, the recent Citizens United Supreme Court decision has allowed the floodgates to open in terms of unlimited corporate spending by both named and, perhaps most controversially, anonymous donors.

In the following weeks, I’ll be adding posts outlining my advice on how to vote on the various important offices and propositions on the California ballot. Be warned, I will be endorsing progressive candidates and causes, so consider this first post to be the only fully neutral one of the bunch. Rest assured I will be doing my research and hope to at least paint an accurate picture of both sides of the issues and candidates.

So educate yourself! Here are some dates and links to get you started.

REGISTER TO VOTE! DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 18th! Do it today!

Anyone, even you, can vote by mail. Get the vote-by-mail application HERE (.pdf) THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS OCTOBER 26th. Do it today!


Read the candidate statements and learn what propositions will be on the ballot starting HERE. You can also download the entire guide HERE (.pdf).

Election day is November 2nd. Be there or be square.

*Yes, I DO think it’s important to vote. It’s the only way we regularly have the privilege of contributing to and shaping our communities, culture and economy through the democratic system of government. We have to argue and compromise, but therein hopefully lies its strength – that the result is either the will of the people’s vision or the vision of people with will.

This article is part of the CA Midterms 2010 series.

(editor’s note: I couldn’t find the original video, if it exists. There are a host of fan-created ones such as this. It’s the music that matters.)

As usual, an oldie but a goodie. Probably inspired by an idiotic decision to spend some time playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which is essentially one long, interactive, game version of that leaked video of US helicopter pilots murdering journalists and civilians. The sequel, which has been one of the best-selling media properties ever, apparently has a section where you take on the role of a terrorist and murder civilians in an airport.I mean, I get it that it’s a sick, violent world out there and that we’re all partly responsible by allowing it to happen, but sheesh!

The insidious part for me (and the reason I say it was an idiotic decision), is how bloody addictive this and the other Call of Duty games are, and not to note that it’s extremely fun to play would be remiss. The originals were set in World War II, and while many people feel little remorse for killing lots and lots of Nazis, a game, even one that’s fictionalized, set in a modern war with middle eastern terrorists is just a little too close for comfort. It really is stuff like this (masterfully, artfully created) game that programs our perceptions of violent conflict.

This one’s not hard to trace. I went to karaoke last night (it was crazy expensive – $9 beers anyone?) and attempted to sing Kanye West’s “Gold Digger“. Although I thought I knew the lyrics, the delivery is actually really hard. Say what you will about Kanye, but his style is hard to emulate. Also, it was pouring rain, so it made me think of flooding, and then probably the disaster that was New Orleans during and after Hurricane Katrina. In the wake of that tragedy, during a benefit fundraiser, Kanye, in one of his first outbursts, said on live television: “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.” Hence, the inspiration for this amazing song.

(Editor’s note: I’m not sure if this is the original video, but it’s the only one I could find.)

From an interesting interview with Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic:

Jonathan Safran Foer: The question is, if we don’t say no to this, what do we say no to? If we don’t say no to something that systematically abuses 50 billion animals, if we don’t say no to the number-one cause of global causing, and not by a little bit, but by a lot, if we don’t say no to what the UN has said is one of the top two or three causes of every significant environmental problem in the world, locally and globally, if we don’t say no to something that is clearly – not clear to me, but clear to the World Health Organization – a prime factor in the generation of Avian and Swine flus, if we don’t say no to something that’s making our antibiotics less effective and ineffective, if we don’t say no to something that causes 76 million of food-borne illness every year, just what do we say no to? This is not a case where we need to go to war with another country or spend a trillion dollars or elect a new government. We just need to say no to it.