The cultural war, Apocalyptic dog-faced felines, and the LOVE CHILD mystery!

• THE CULTURAL WAR

[Praying] gives us pause to reflect on what is really important in life and society. It motivates us to defend causes that are so critical in the cultural war that today engulfs our nation and its society.”

—Thomas Fuentes

Jeez, they want to take away our right to pray. And now they're banning our beloved Pledge.

The enemy must be destroyed.

—Joe Redstate

As you know, some of our trustees view themselves as soldiers in a “cultural war” between the Pious & Traditional and the Godless & Homosexual, more or less. Trustee Don Wagner has been pretty explicit about this role (see Protecting your right to “pack a gun”!), and so has Trustee Tom Fuentes (see Tom’s farewell speech).

In the minds of those who speak of a culture war (I'm thinking: "anger management counseling"), college faculty are definitely on the Godless side. We’re the enemy, the people to be attacked and weakened. Consider how Mr. Fuentes portrayed faculty during his infamous Leisure World TV interview. We're lazy, over-paid, and suspiciously lispy! We're like a disease!

SO: Tom is a steward of college education like James Watt was a steward of the environment. Watt sought to chop down trees. Tom seeks to chop down college professors.

As board president, Wagner was canny enough not to go about that job purely in terms of this supposed cultural war. But one suspects that Mr. Fuentes is quite prepared to use whatever power he has to weaken the supposed Godless and Gay forces who control education and indoctrinate America's innocent children in the ways of abject jocundity and wanton voluptuary libertinism--and worse!

Recently, I raised the specter of a Board of Trustees led by Tom Fuentes. I do believe he’s the only trustee who has not served as president of the board—aside from Bill Jay, who lack’s Tom’s seniority and his impressive stinky-cheesular theatrical pomposity. Plus he’s got the votes.

The yearly “organizational” meeting will occur on Dec. 11, just a month hence. That's when board officers will be elected.

BUT HEY, sources tell me that Tom doesn’t want the job, that others who might want it don’t have the votes, and that Dave Lang, who has support among his colleagues, wants another go at it.

We’ll see.

"I am on the side that thinks ‘under God’ belongs in the pledge of allegiance and that it's all right to wish people ‘Merry Christmas,’ but that free speech does not include burning the flag or dancing in the nude."

—Don Wagner

• THOSE CLUELESS WESTERNERS AND THEIR SILLY POKAGE

According to the New Zealand Herald, the Chinese people are turning away from traditional medicine in droves:

In the West, demand for traditional Chinese medicine [acupuncture, etc.] just goes on growing...[Meanwhile]...the Chinese...are taking a great big acupuncture needle and trying to prick this bubble.

More and more of them are rejecting their ancient remedies in favour of Western medicine. A proposal to remove from the Chinese health care system traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has divided public opinion and outraged the Government which backs its use.

The controversy was sparked by an online petition proposing that only Western-style healthcare be available in China's hospitals. Behind it is Professor Zhang Gongyao, who describes TCM, practised in China for 4000 years, as "untrustworthy" and "pseudo-science".

According to the National Council Against Health Fraud, none of the 46 medical journals published by the Chinese Medical Association is devoted to traditional Chinese medicine (including acupuncture).

• NOW THAT’S A LOVE CHILD!

OK, according to Reuters (Puppies born to cat), a Bazilian couple is claiming that their cat gave birth to dogs. They and their neighbors are blaming the Apocalypse on a neighborhood mut named “Dog.” A geneticist has been brought in to do the necessary tests. The results will be in on Tuesday.

Naturally, if these little guys turn out to be pups, that’ll only mean that the cat found those pups somewhere and enlisted ‘em into her feline brood. But, of course, that’s not what most people will say or think. That’s cuz they’re morons. Or just under-educated.


As you know, in the South Orange County Community College District, we’ve got our own LOVE CHILD somewhere. At least that’s the rumor, and it is, without doubt, intensely VERISIMILITUDINOUS. I mean, we NEED a love child like the Pacific Northwesterners need BIG FOOT. It's a powerful need.

Help us to identify the LOVE CHILD and its notorious districtular PARENTAL UNITS!

Why oh why couldn’t they “hold on hold on just a little bit longer”?

Was the love they were contemplatin’
Worth the pain of waitin’?
Will they only end up hatin’
The LOVE CHILD they’ve been creatin’?

LOVE CHILD!

Random images, more or less

I took this one on the way home from school last night. Driving into Rancho Santa Margarita. They've got a Trader Joe's. Plus ducks.

I'm a close personal friend of the guy on IVC's Holiday Bash committee who is making posters to advertise the event. He said he wanted to go for "elegant and simple." That's Tony as "California Santa." They're trying to make people show up in big numbers. Hence the "free money."

OK, I took this picture of four high-powered IVC faculettas, and, as it turns out, my Nikon was somehow weirded out by their power. Me too.

As you know, IVC's Prez Roquemore promised to finally put some furniture in the so-called A200 "faculty lounge." That was, like, I dunno, a year ago or something? I think Wayne's in charge of securing it. So it could be another year or two before we see the furniture. And when we get it, it will be ALL WRONG, you watch.

Speaking of urinals, somebody told me that the men's bathroom over in B100 smelled like, um, urine. I went in there and found this. Evidently, Wayne had installed a "waterless urinal," but he forgot to order new cartridges for it, and so this is what we get for a while.

Coulda been worse. Wayne mighta bought a waterless toilet.

A few weeks ago, they wheeled in this spiffy new blue contraption over in A200 and they plugged it into the wall. "What the hell is that?" we said. Well, it seemed to be working for a while. I think it made change or something. Or maybe it spit out students' fortunes, or their future careers. Dunno. Then, about a week and a half ago, the thing broke. It's just been sitting there, dead, ever since. I bet it never gets fixed. Nice blue, though.

OK, I took this one out my car window yesterday on Portola. It looks spooky to me. I like spooky.

If you look closely, you can see some kind of monster face in the rear view mirror at the bottom. Could be Raghu, I guess. Or a bug.

We found this one hangin' around the A complex yesterday, and so we took turns watchin' 'im and tossin' 'im in the air. He kept making faces at me. I said, "Go away kid, you bother me."

I think Karima finally grabbed him and sent him on a snipe hunt. After a while, he came back, smilin' more than ever.

This is a highly adulterated picture--cropped to within an inch of its life, filtered up the ying-yang, and still it looks like sh*t. It shows students hangin' in the A quad at IVC. They seem to like it there. I like that they like it there. Ain't life grand?

Friday, driving home

Looking over the valley toward the ocean from the toll road near Portola.

Driving down from Rancho Santa Margarita, to Trabuco Canyon. The Santa Ana Mountains are especially beautiful as the sun sets.

Heading up Live Oak Canyon Road, near O'Neill Park. Three minutes from home!

Less "yadda-yadda-yadda," more "yabba-dabba-doo"

Aha! The “Pledge” controversy LIVES! Here are excerpt’s from A push for the pledge, in this morning’s OC Reg:

"Our early patriots gave up their lives to be United States citizens," [George Key, the great-great-grandfather of Francis Scott Key] said. "(The Pledge) means to me that you are pledging your allegiance and life to your country and your flag."

…Though vets have yet to show up [as they did in 1996, objecting to a similar “ban”] at Orange Coast College, the issue has outraged the community at large, including state Sen. Tom Harman, who criticized the move Thursday in a prepared statement.

…"I think it's amazing how you don't want to say 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance but you'll spend our money, which says 'In God we trust,' " …[said student Justine Wiggans].

Like I said, it’s a nation of morons. ✌

See also:

● 11/17 Conflict in the name of loyalty -- Oregonian commentary defends students
● 11/10 Flashreport: "lack of patriotic leadership" -- A local right-wing perspective
● 11/16 State Senator Harmon criticizes students -- Bold fellow!

● While Googling, I came across the following comment. Apparently, it was written by someone who went to my High School (Villa Park High). I remember the incident well:

This story is deja vu for me. 36 years ago the high school I attended in O.C. had a similar controversy. The newly elected student body president announced he would not lead the pledge because he didn't believe in God and it was a lie that America provided "liberty and justice for all". Great controversy ensued and the story was picked up by the wire services and reported as far away as New York. Eventually there was a recall election, and the students voted in favor of keeping the new president. The vice president ended up leading the pledge, everyone got a lesson in democracy, the republic survived, and those of us on the school newspaper got the thrill of seeing one of our stories go national. And Orange County was way more conservative then than it is today. (Little green footballs)

Previously in DtB re "Pledge":

● 11/9 "Yadda-yadda-yadda," he said
● 11/11 Much ado

Monday's board meeting: preview

OR: "SECRET LOVE CHILD"

This afternoon, I downloaded the agenda for Monday’s board meeting (Nov. 20). (This time, only the brief [undocumented] agenda was available at the district website.)

It’s impossible to predict what will spark one of this board’s notorious FOOD FIGHTS. Sometimes these trustees’ll fight over lint--or less.

Nevertheless, below, I mention the items that seem most likely to provoke snipage—or that simply seem most interesting to me. You really ought to review the agenda yourself. (Click on link above.)

CLOSED SESSION:

The 5:00 Closed Session agenda includes the following item:

A. Public Employee Appointment, Employment, Evaluation of Performance, Discipline, Dismissal, Release (GC 54957):

1. Public Employee Appointment/Employment...

2. Public Employee Evaluation of Performance

a. Chancellor

3. Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release (5)

I wouldn’t get too excited about this. The board'll likely issue Raghu a Brownie Point or two. They do that, even when they think he's an incompetent rat bastard. Go figure.

OPEN SESSION

The 6:00 Open Session agenda includes:

• A report of any actions taken during Closed Session
• The invocation
• The Pledge [there’s a rumor that somebody plans to sit on a Whoopee cushion in the middle of this; can't wait]
• Resolutions
• Public comments
• Reports

Among the “consent items”:

13. SADDLEBACK COLLEGE: NEW RESTROOMS AT MCKINNEY THEATER: HIRE ARCHITECT -- Agreement with R2A Architecture in the amount of $90,850.00

OK, do I read this right? $91K to draw up plans for the Theater restrooms? Must be the world's biggest restrooms.

Item 23 is the crew of speakers for Spring in-service:

SOCCCD: SPRING 2007 IN-SERVICE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS -- Approval of keynote speakers Dr. Wallace Walrod, Dr. Robert Bramucci and Jim Gaston and singer Scott Robertson to perform at Spring 2007 In-Service for an amount not to exceed $500.00.

Who is Dr. Wallace Walrod?

Back in July, Walrod gave a presentation re OC’s “economic future” before the Association for Strategic Planning in Costa Mesa. According to ASP’s website, Walrod is (or was) Research Director of the Orange County Business Council--you remember them. Evidently, he has headed research projects for various corporations, including the Irvine Company. Nowadays, he's the managing partner of TCCG Tech Coast Consulting Group.

Bramucci is the "district dean" of the "open campus" of the Riverside Community College District. I.e., he's in charge of distance ed.

Have you been reading recent positive reports about the efficacy of distant ed? Hey, you oughta read your DtB more regularly. It's all here, baby.

Robertson? Well, I’m not sure who this is. There’s a (more or less) local guy who does an Elvis Presley tribute. Is it possible...?

—Naaaah. This guy'll likely warble about the Lord. Well, I guess he could warble about the Lord as Elvis.

Among the “Chancellor’s items” is

29. SOCCCD: EFFECTIVENESS OF BOARD AGENDAS AND MEETINGS -- Authorization to develop a revised Board agenda format and implement changes to increase effectiveness and efficiency of Board meetings.

Raghu’s been fretting about this for some time. I think the board is sick and tired of his makin’ them look bad. And his wasting their incredibly precious prayer-filled, Limbaugh-listening time.

There are two requests for “additional funding from basic aid”: to pay for temporary classrooms at Saddleback ($400K) and the “launch program project” at ATEP ($425K). These basic aid funding requests usually don’t piss off the board too much if they’re one-time requests.

Some board policy revisions are up for approval:

34.SOCCCD: BOARD POLICY REVISIONS: BP 4011: EMPLOYMENT PROCEDURES FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND MANAGERS AND BP 4083: VACATION LEAVE FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND CLASSIFIED MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

THE CHANCELLOR’S COLA:

The board will be asked to approve some “academic personnel actions” (#35), including “Compensation Increase/Cost-of-Living Adjustment, Chancellor.” You’ll recall that, at the last board meeting, Raghu tried to sneak this item through, using various ploys--such as failing to even mention the item during docket and ultimately listing it in such a way that no member of the community could possibly detect that it concerned throwing more cash at the Chancellor, etc. Essentially, Raghu was trying to hoodwink both the public and the board into giving him EVEN MORE MONEY.

VC Bob King ended up taking all the heat. Wagner smacked him around pretty good. Raghu just watched, wearin' one of his fancy suits.


At the last meeting, a trustee asked for a report on “study abroad programs.” Item 40 is that report.

You’ll recall that Don Wagner (and Tom Fuentes?) got all bent out of shape because, in their view, Saddleback Lib Arts Dean Kevin O'Connor didn’t make a genuine effort to find cheaper study-abroad trips for Spanish students.

As you know, Trustee Fuentes wants students to go to Mexico, not Spain, cuz Mexico is way cheap. I don't know why he hasn't suggested Santa Ana. That's cheapter still.

Prompted by some peevish remarks by a Lariat editor—something about the Lariat’s not getting $14K in funding—a trustee requested a report on the paper's funding. Item 42 is that report.

Students have told me that something's rotten in the state of Denmark--er, Liberal Arts--and its funding of journalism/Lariat is seriously hinky. Maybe this "report" will shake something loose, if there's anything there, hinky-wise.

Don't count on it.

(Top photo: Thursday, taken from the 2nd floor of IVC's SCC.)

P.S.: I heard a "true rumor" yesterday that a certain manager or administrator (note the vagueness) has a SECRET LOVE CHILD. For now, I'm sworn to secrecy, but I thought you'd like just hearing about it.

I mean, even if it isn't true, it's a really cool idea. Have a nice weekend.

Wayne's teaching gig

As you know, Wayne Ward is the Director of Facilities and Maintenance at Irvine Valley College. According to the IVC website, Wayne has an M.A. from Chapman University, a B.S. from the University of Phoenix, and an A.S. from Rancho Santiago College.

Does anyone know what his Masters is in?

I ask because, when he’s not directing F&M, Wayne teaches Electronics 102, on Monday nights: Basic Electric Circuits.

No doubt he’s qualified. (Does Chapman give degrees in electronics? I did not know that.)

I mention Wayne’s electronics class because employees tell me that Wayne keeps parking his snazzy Camaro in the RED ZONE behind B300 when he teaches.

We’ll have a stake-out ready come Monday night. (Not.)

Employees also tell me that, a few months ago, President Roquemore issued an email to (F&M?) workers, instructing them to cease the practice of driving their personal vehicles across campus—you know, as if they were the King of the World or something.

Well, according to people with whom I’ve spoken, after that email was issued, Wayne continued to drive his Camaro across campus, especially in the morning, after his “workout.”

Is Wayne an insubordinate and defiant kind of guy? That would be ironic, if true. Know what I mean?

Tasering guys in the butt; paying CEOs after they leave; etc.

● Uh-oh, they're on to us: Two-year colleges failing mission; 
Study finds too few students transfer up or attain degrees:

California's large community college system is failing in its role of graduating two-year students and as a feeder system for the state's four-year colleges and universities, according to a study by the Public Policy Institute…The report … was released Wednesday and found that only about one-quarter of students who concentrate on transfer courses eventually move on to four-year institutions. In addition, only one-tenth of community college students who concentrate on associate's degree courses eventually earn those degrees…..

See IVC's rate

● This morning’s OC Register offers an interview with Eric Schlosser, who is making a fictional movie about you-know-what, set in OC: 'Fast Food Nation' goes back for seconds.

● David Horowitz’s stupid “Academic Bill of Rights” is a dud, but then there’s this committee: Who Won the Battle of Pennsylvania?:

For all the fears about David Horowitz’s Academic Bill of Rights, the proposal ended up going nowhere in state legislatures last year. But in Pennsylvania, the House of Representatives voted to create a special legislative committee to investigate the state of academic freedom and whether students who hold unpopular views need more protection…The final report of the committee is still being negotiated between Republican and Democratic members of the panel. But consensus already exists that problems with students being punished for political views are rare and that no legislation is needed. From the start of Horowitz’s movement, academic leaders have been saying just that…..

● What’s next? Tasering the rabbits? A cellphone camera captures UCLA police using a Taser on a student who allegedly refused to leave the library Tuesday night:

…"It was beyond grotesque," said UCLA graduate David Remesnitsky of Los Angeles, who witnessed the incident. "By the end they took him over the stairs, lifted him up and Tasered him on his rear end. It seemed like it was inappropriately placed. The Tasering was so unnecessary and they just kept doing it."….

● Wait'll Raghu hears about this deal: 1,000 rally against CSU pay packages:

More than 1,000 students and faculty from California State University campuses rallied Wednesday to protest a controversial pay package that keeps some former CSU executives on the payroll for an extra year, even after they take other jobs.