Hometown Radio is Alive and Well

Thanks to Jack Greene for dropping by on Friday and taking your phone calls. I've always respected Jack on questions of foreign policy and military issues. He joined us to respond to assertions made earlier in the week by Santa Maria Bill that the U.S. would attack Iran on April 6th, citing a Russian newspaper columnist.

Jack doesn't believe that specific scenario, though he was quick tp point out that he does believe the U.S. will launch a limited air strike on Iran SOMETIME prior to September.

Also enjoyed the conversation with Bob Sachs about the raid on the Morro Bay marijuana dispensary. As we suggested on the show, it struck both of us as a waste of law enforcement resources, better devoted to anti-terrorism, anti-gang activity. I don't use the evil weed, but there are those who do need it for health purposes. The phone calls were pretty balanced, but I appreciate the discussion.

And can someone please get out to Animal Services and adopt that sweet cat, Danny Boy? Our Pet of the Week is on the web site. Check out his photo.

Remember that if you miss any segment, you can always check out the Podcast on our web site.

Finally, in response to Anonymous criticism posted on an earlier thread, here's the scorecard for this week in terms of programming choices:

Foreign policy 1 Hour

National issues 2 Hours

Promoting upcoming events 4 hours

Local issues 6 hours

Travel segments 2 hours

Pet of the Week 30 minutes

Getting your child into the college of their choice 1 hour

Challenges facing small business in SLO 1 hour

Profile of local nonprofit 1 hour

Brush with Greatness 30 minutes

Other (Giveaways, Storytelling, etc) 1 hour

And already booked for next week: Sam Blakeslee, the apartment tax in SLO, property rights in Atascadero, expansion of the SLO County airport, the new curator at the art museum, the people behind CASA/Voices for Children and an upcoming musical event.

So I think we can put that argument to rest.

Have a good weekend.

Orchids, Golf and Chavez

Good show today. I thought all four segments went extremely well. If you're into orchids, be sure to head over to the S. County Center on Branch Street on Saturday and Sunday to check out the 12th Annual Central Coast Orchid Show. Five bucks gets you in the door and there will be plenty of orchids for sale.

Listeners certainly wanted to discuss golf courses today and thanks to Lance Parker for playing through during the 4:05 hour. I have nothing against golf, but I'm still puzzled by the need for county government to subsidize golfing and why we need to spend $1.5 million update three local golf courses. As Lance argued today, Dairy Creek should never have been built and we really don't need three courses. You can privatize Chalk Mountain and even get rid of Dairy Creek. Morro Bay is the course that counts because it brings in the tourists and still provides affordable golf. Why can't we just let the market forces dictate what happens?

Nice to see Bruce Gibson again. I'm hearing good things about his work as county supervisor and he seems very excited and gung-ho about his job. He danced around questions about the 3-2 pro-development majority that seems to be shaping up on the board and remains convinced that he can bring his new colleagues over to his point of view. Hmmmm. We'll see. Not a single call tonight about the Los Osos sewer. More calls about golf courses.

I've always admired Pedro Arroyo for the work he does with troubled youth. I think he's a real asset to the community. They're having a Ceasar Chavez celebration in Paso Robles Saturday at the Culinary Arts Academy, starting at 6 p.m. to mark the new state holiday. More great calls on this segment and I had to agree with another Pedro, this one from Pismo who wanted to know why the days we have to honor people are simply days off for government workers. Good point. If we're going to have a Dr. King day or a Chavez day or a Washington day, kids should be in school, learning about why these men are so important. Too often, these "holidays" are just that -- another day off. Pretty pointless.

Finally, I'm still hearing from listeners about comments made earllier this week by SM Bill, who is convinced that we're going to attack Iran in early April. Personally, I don't believe it, but some of you do. So I've asked our military affairs expert Jack Greene to share his opinion. After all, Jack predicted our invasion of Iraq months before it was announced, so I respect his opinion. Tune in Friday at 5:05 to hear what Jack has to say.

Will We Bomb Iran? Will We Bomb Dave?

Tom and I have been extremely pleased with how Hometown Radio has been hunning along lately. We've had a nice mix of topics and the call-ins have been especially strong as we seem to be drawing in a new wave of callers. I repeat the infamous stat that only about 1-2 percent of people who ever listen to talk radio will pick up a phone and call in.

I have been drawing a lot on Santa Maria Bill lately as he patiently and thoroughly dissects everything that is wrong with the current administration and I thought Bill was especially insightful tonight when he explained the need for Congressional oversight on this White House. Remember that whenever you miss the show, you can always catch the podcast posted the morning after at http://www.920kvec.com.

About one-third of the way in the discussion, Bill shifted to an article by Seymour Hersh, the legendary correspondent who broke the My Lai case and who was one of the first journalists to predict our involvement in Iraq.

Hersh is now predicting U.S. bombing of Iran in April, somewhere around April 6th. Tony from AG called in and bet SM Bill $1000 that it wouldn't happen and then Fred called in to defend Bill and offered free kitchen installation. Let's not measure conviction or belief by the dollar standard we're willing to bet. This is what Seymour Hersh believes. This is what Bill believes. I don't think it will happen, but I've learned not to be surprised by anything President Bush attempts. He does need something to shift away public attention, so let's see if Bill and Hersh are correct.

A Tale of Two Cities

Program reminder: John Spencer visits on Tuesday to discuss a possible strike against Albertson's, Lance Parker will discuss county subsidies for golf courses on Thursday and Bruce Gibson also checks in at 5:05 on Thursday. Sam Blakeslee will take your phone calls Monday at 5 and we'll look at SLO airport expansion plans on Wednesday, April 4th.

Meanwhile, here's my latest column from SLO City News. FYI.

"San Luis Obispo is where I work, and often play, but Nipomo is where we live, which means I spend a lot of time in Santa Maria.

It’s unavoidable. Life on the Nipomo mesa is great, but if you crave food or other basic necessities, you have to choose between the ten-minute drive north to Arroyo Grande, or the ten-minute drive south to Santa Maria. Charlotte and I tend to go south. Say what you will about the town, but they seem to have at least one of everything.

For as long as I can remember, Santa Maria has been viewed with mild disdain by SLO folks, considered some kind of ugly Central Coast stepchild, only good for the shopping at Costco and other large chain stores that dominate the town (that was until San Luis Obispo went out and got its own large chain stores).

You’ve heard the arguments. Santa Maria doesn’t have a Mission. They don’t have a four-year university. They don’t have a downtown core. It’s certainly not a walking-friendly place. Their idea of a good restaurant is Olive Garden or Red Lobster. The city thrives on agriculture, not tourism. We have the Tour of California; they had the Michael Jackson trial.

On the other hand, Santa Maria doesn’t have parking meters, or parking garages, except at the shopping mall. It’s family-friendly with pockets of affordable housing still available. Shopping choices are plentiful. After all, didn’t Macy’s bail out of San Luis Obispo and come to Santa Maria, instead?

And Santa Maria is especially rich in ethnic diversity—this is a town whose people actually look like the rest of California.

When I visit Santa Maria, I’m reminded of a scaled-down version of Fresno, with its wide, sun-baked streets and a strip mall seemingly on every corner. It’s easy to bemoan the explosion of big-box stores, but the parking lots always seem full.

There are several good Japanese restaurants to sample and Café Monet seems the closest thing to a Linnaea’s-style coffeehouse. I’ve been known to frequent Orcutt Burgers on Broadway and sit in the booth where the Paul Giamatti character in Sideways drank his prized ’61 Chevel Blanc.

The locals talk up the food at the Santa Maria Inn and Shaw’s Steakhouse. They still dress up for church. People seem friendly, a little Midwestern in their demeanor, more conservative in their politics. Family. Country. Church. All three seem important in Santa Maria.

Oh, and tri-tip. That’s up there, too.

* * *

Charlotte and I proudly display a framed photograph of Bill Roalman in our living room. He’s playing the guitar, the thought of which makes me smile, because Bill once admitted to me that he couldn’t read music. He always improvised and he always played beautifully.

They gathered earlier this week to honor Bill—family, friends and colleagues coming together to mark the fifth anniversary of the former city councilman’s untimely death. Bill supposedly had a bad heart, but those of us knew him, those of us who loved him, will never believe that for a second.

Five years? It hardly seems like five days since the town fell into shock as the grim news spread. More than 400 people turned out in Mission Plaza to say goodbye.

Other environmental voices have emerged since then, but Bill’s was unique. He was a gentle, quiet man of great integrity and compassion. He voted his conscience and loved his adopted San Luis Obispo.

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County dedicated a memorial to honor Bill this week for his tireless efforts on behalf of the environment, and the community at large.

The site, located along San Luis Obispo Creek at the intersection of S. Higuera Street and Prado Road, features a circular sitting area nestled below a sprawling tree with an engraved plaque dedicated to Bill.

Longtime friend John Ashbaugh was at the ceremony. John told me that he still thinks of Bill constantly. “His memory resonates in my mind and brings back a time and a friendship that we yearn to relive. Bill stood for so much that was important in our lives.”

I miss Bill’s voice in the dialogue on important issues like Dalidio and Iraq. I wonder how he would feel today after a bike ride through all the new development along Los Osos Valley Road.

That is perhaps the saddest irony in all this. Bill Roalman left us just when we needed him the most. I miss the man. I miss the music."

(Ralph) Bush's View of the World

Ralph Bush is an interesting guy down in Arroyo Grande, a proud Republican who has been active in promoting the infamous No Child Left Behind education program. Not suprisingly, Ralph is a staunch defender of the president and one of his top cheerleaders locally.

What I've posted below is typical of what Ralph sends me from time to time. Thought I might post it for your comment. Also, some good segments coming up on Hometown Radio this week. On Thursday, District II supervisor Bruce Gibson makes his first appearance with us since being sworn in and Adam Hill visits on Monday to discuss the flap over a UN designation for the Carrizo Plain monument.

Made in the USA : Spoiled brats

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who to ok us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is th i s the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk
show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? _Think about it_......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a "'general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody wil watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way...... Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

WE ARE THE MOST BLESSED PEOPLES ON EARTH, WE SHOULD

THANK GOD SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY.....