The great pumpkin in the sky

• Agran: O.C. Great Park could take 30 years (OC Reg)
• Romney attracts hundreds at Newport fundraiser (OC Reg)

Familiar bad news, broadly cast

California Cuts Threaten the Status of Universities (New York Times)

...For generations, the University of California system — home to such globally renowned institutions as Berkeley and U.C.L.A. — has been widely recognized as perhaps the best example of what public universities could be. Along with the California State University system and the state’s vast number of community colleges, higher education options here have long been the envy of other states.
     But after years, and even decades, of budget cutbacks from the state, that reputation is under increasing threat.
. . .
     Jon Coupal, the president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which strongly opposes the proposed tax increase, said the colleges should do more to show they are cutting spending, like reducing pay for top administrators or closing programs that do not directly benefit the state.
. . .
     [UCR] Chancellor White and others say the concerns about the budget cuts are beyond academic. For generations, the universities have been economic engines for the state, graduating hundreds of thousands of students each year. At every level, the universities are receiving more applicants than ever. But without more state money, colleges are struggling to find room for eligible students.
. . .

Jack Scott

     The financial picture will grow even more dire if the tax increase backed by Governor Brown does not pass in November. The president of the University of California and the chancellor of California State University are both urging voters to approve the increase, saying that any more cuts would mean irreparable harm.
     As it stands, community colleges will not receive the same level of financing as they did in 2007 until 2014. If voters approve the governor’s tax proposal, they stand to receive $300 million more this year, but they will lose another $300 million if the tax increase is rejected.
     “We just have to get behind this initiative,” Jack Scott, the community colleges chancellor who is retiring this year, urged his colleagues in a conference call last month. “This is no time to quibble about whether the governor’s initiative is exactly what it ought to be or that you would change it here and there.”
. . .
     “We’re not replacing library books, we’re not providing the kinds of student services that we need to, we’re not providing the kind of health care that we need to,” said Charles B. Reed, the chancellor of the Cal State system who recently announced his retirement. “This is supposed to be our work force for the state. We go down this road and we’re looking at an ugly Russian winter for the economy.”

TJ Fuentes “to become the most insightful and wily political monster,” says Tom Fuentes’ hagiographer

Starry-eyed Wu (has dad issues)

     The peculiar Mr. Jack Wu continues his hagiographic labors with yesterday’s column (TJ Fuentes is a chip off an amazing block; Daily Pilot) about Tom Fuentes’ standard-bearer, twenty-five year old TJ, a real up-and-comer.
     Wu notes that young TJ is running to become the Republican Party of Orange County Central Committee representative for the 74th Assembly District.
     Well, that answers one question. The 74th was recently redrawn to include Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and part of Irvine—but not Lake Forest and environs. Hence, TJ doesn’t live in Area 6 of the South Orange County Community College District.
     Back to the multi-generational hagiography: Starry-eyed Wu reminisces:

     I remember, years ago, speaking with UC Irvine student Thomas A. Fuentes Jr. (Tj), and I asked him what he wanted to do when he "grew up."
     "What my dad does," he said.

     I believe the kid means it. I noticed that, on his Facebook page, TJ lists only “my dad” under “People who inspire TJ.” Sheesh.*

E. Burke

     According to Wu, TJ has indeed been the dutiful and devoted son for several years now:

     Since Tom's liver transplant four years ago, Tj has been at his father's side at almost every political meeting, and every political lunch and dinner, quietly soaking up every bit of information spoken, written and implied.
     Tj started attending the Republican Party of Orange County Central Committee meetings, asking me, texting me, emailing me, "Who is that?" "Why are they doing this?" "What does that person do for a living?"
     Tom, Tj and I drove up to Sacramento for the California Republican Party State Convention last March so Tj could meet, see, eat, listen and learn at the state level the difference between principles and politics.
     And while Tom was in hospice care, Tj stayed close and continued to learn while also grabbing what tidbits of information Tom's students like me could contribute.

     What has provided the finishing touches to TJ’s education, says Wu, is his continuing employment with Tom Phillips, long-time Fuentes crony and chairman of Eagle Publishing (which runs Regnery Publishing):

     Phillips … is the founding chairman of the National Conservative Campaign Fund [of which Tom was a Director], among other influential, conservative-based organizations….
     Tj became Phillips' assistant and had a front row seat to another part of politics that most mere mortals could only hope to be touched by: the major donor community. Phillips has been a benefactor to countless conservative causes and candidates for numerous years.
     Now, in order to get to Phillips, you would mostly have to get through Tj first. His education of reading people, learning about their political motivations and intentions, would be part of his job description.
     Couple this with Tom's lessons in principles over politics, and Tj has the potential to become the most insightful and wily political monster at the tender age of 25.

Dad liked this guy; so does TJ (left)

*Under philosophy/political views, TJ lists "conservatism" and provides a portrait of Edmund Burke. I too am somewhat of a Burke fan. Dad would certainly approve.

Tom Fuentes’ heroic labors contra nepotism & cronyism:

• Tom Fuentes goes after nepotizers! (April 25, 2010)
• Vigilant Fuentes on the lookout for nepotism, wants the “cleanest” operation possible! (February 23, 2010)
• Tom's concerned about faculty cronyism! (December 19, 2005)