Wow!

No creepiness.... I'm not very in tune with politics in town, wasn't sure which way you were heading with comments.  I understand now...and I'm with you on it.  The creepiness comes from the man who seems to hide when asked legitimate questions on his activities.  I can't believe this is a man from Tehachapi, representing us.   CREEPY.  That news shot didn't leave a great impression on my senses.

Dreamkiller - Get over your over-excited sense of offense.  Being a councilmember doesn't mean you don't get to express your opinion of other councilmembers.  And the notion that you have some positive control over what he says because he is "representing you" is just narsicism.  You have control only through the election process, but bad-mouthing someone (even if it represents your lack of understanding about the person you're criticizing, as it did in this case) is not a crime.

As for why Stan hasn't done a bettter job illustrating problems - I dunno - maybe he is incompetent, or maybe the establishment controls the news, or maybe they cover up for each other, or maybe everything's being done great - or maybe there is a combination of all four...whatta asking me for?

Curly - As for evidence you have seen or has been plastered on the TV, I give - enlighten me.  Your nebulous hints about information apparently available only to those on the "right email list" or those who attended unspecified "interviews" or references to unspecified investigations are exactly what I was complaining about.  It spreads mud, not enlightment.

Well, thanks for clearing that up PD. If there were any proof of government screw ups, the councilman has had more than a year to show the people some solid evidence instead of just lobbing empty accusations.

And I'm not making claims, I've seen the evidence and it's been plastered on the TV news for the past week. Perhaps you're not on the right email list or were absent during the interviews, but there is an ongoing investigation that has been confirmed by multiple law enforcement agencies.

I've also seen the evidence of the esteemed councilman dodging the press who are offering him a chance to show his righteous indignation, profess his innocense and clear his name. Sort of like you are attempting to do for him, only with your well-intended/written prose. Which is actually preferable to his own tactics of hiding behind his screen door and playing ring-around-the-rosie with the TV cameras.  

As for "personality issues or proof of official malfeaseance," I'm not sure there's a huge distinction in this particular case, except for the legal penalties of course. Perhaps the stereotype that suggests all politicians and lawyers are expected to be self-centered a$$e$ has become so widely accepted that most Americans will settle apathetically for such a glaring lack of ethics from their elected officials. Not I, PD. Just Say Nay to mudslinging and dishonesty in local politics. These are supposed to be our neighbors looking out for our best interests, not plotting how best to thrust the dagger deeply into the gaping wounds they've opened and left to bleed.  (Sorry Olivia, for the dramatic creepiness again, but it's how I feel)       

Ok PD If Stan Beckham wanted to solve the screw ups of the city council. Why doesn't he talk about the issues without attacking the other council members and anyone that disagrees with him? Why does he have to always say something like "I am right because all the others are stupid?" Have you been to wherestehachapi.com or stanbeckham.com? This is Stan and his group at their best! Talking crap about others to make the other side look bad.

PD- "Surely you don't mean Stan Beckham's famous if inaccurate speculation of Debbie Hand's smoking habits do you?  Election to public office surely doesn't prohibit a person from the freedom to engage in private conversations, even gossipy conversations, does it?  Not in the Land of the Free, I would hope."

When you hand a person your City Council business card and say. "Hey that's crazy for them to require that, The Mayor must by smoking that **** again. Like her and her music buddies like to do." That is no longer a private conversation. He represented the City and us when he did that! 

Gee, I thought my reference was pretty clear.  Beckham is telling us that the City Government is screwing up, and those in charge are opposing him with the means at their disposal.  That's what Debs told the country President Wilson was doing and that's what Wilson did back to him.   If, like Wilson, the City thought it necessary and if, like Congress, they could write a law to shut him up, they would.

Organized "mass-slander attacks"?  Surely you don't mean Stan Beckham's famous if inaccurate speculation of Debbie Hand's smoking habits do you?  Election to public office surely doesn't prohibit a person from the freedom to engage in private conversations, even gossipy conversations, does it?  Not in the Land of the Free, I would hope.

As for other outrages, I've read a lot of allusions to them by you and others, and your postings certainly throw a lot of potentially slanderous charges around.  You should drop or clearly explicate the charges you make against Beckham and allow the reader to judge if they are personality issues or proof of official malfeaseance.  Mostly you provide inneuedo and winking references that serve to widen, cheapen, and obscure whatever underlying charge you have against him. 
 

Thanks PD for the judicial history lesson. But I'm not quite sure where you stand on the issue of organized mass slander campaigns by elected officials.

"...as usual, the powerful and well-connected used the law and media dominance to silence their opponents.  Same as some folks here."

Are you comparing the publication of anti-war materials with anonymous, vicious, unfounded attacks against anyone who unwittingly steps into your (figuratively speaking, of course) political cross-hairs?

The more well known angle on yelling "fire" in a crowded theater is that if unfounded, sounding such an alarm under those circumstances can cause serious damage and possibly even death. It creates a credible threat where none existed. Granted that death might be someone's career, political or otherwise, but it could also result in a chain reaction of events that could pose no end of physical and emotional harm. Even if it's not "personal," there is such a thing as a community consciousness.  

You can't just rinse, spit and then put the toothpast back in the tube. Such behavior leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.     

The much-used "Fire in a Crowded Theater" analogy was stated by Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes in his decision upholding the conviction of Eugene Debs for violating the Espionage Act of 1917. 

The Espionage Act was essentially the Patriot Act on steroids, making it against the law to oppose government policy and Debs had been convicted of discouraging army enlistments and of defending draft-law violators in his speeches.

Debs' conviction followed the conviction of Charles Schenck who was prosecuted for distributing 15.000 hand-bills containing such un-American statements as "Assert Your Rights":

http://1stam.umn.edu/archive/primary/schenck.pdf  (see the offending hand-out here)

In other words, Debs and Schenk were trying to convince people that the building WASN'T on fire, and, as usual, the powerful and well-connected used the law and media dominance to silence their opponents.  Same as some folks here.

As a outsider looking in for the last several months it hasn't been to hard to see who is who in our local political arena. After watching the news video link on the emails I have to say that someone looks rather guilty of something. Hiding behind a screen door and briskly walking past a news reporter says it all. Body language doesn't lie and there is a certain councilman that has such body language. I don't have a problem with people posting using different names but when people falsely send emails under someone Else's names and use the type of language that was used even I have a problem with that. If criminal laws where broking Then that person should be held accountable.

I like the way this blog is going. I hope Jim Richards doesn't delete it when he sees it. I also hope this group doesnt take Henry Schaeffer down with it. He is a good guy!

Thanks Gube. I believe it is possible to respect our differences, honor our common bonds and work together for positive change. The system begins to break down without real democratic participation. If justice were truly blind, there would be no need for both prosecutors and defenders within our legal system (hmmm...no law = no lawyers?!)  The same is true of the checks and balances for governments of any size. The people need to be the eyes and ears and voices that remind our representatives they have the privilidge of speaking and acting for us - and that privilidge can be taken away by the people.   

curlyshirly thanks for the reply.........I am on the same page as you are.

Gube, I along with dozens of others have personally seen the emails (and some short lived blog posts) full of profanity and racial slurs calling various people criminals, stupid, negligent or worse, sugesting drug and alcohol abuse, promiscuity, extramarital  affairs, along with various pecadilloes and unsavory activities.

Many months ago, I casually started asking questions and making small talk before and after public meetings, just to see what kinds of respones I'd get from our elected officials. It only takes about 10 minutes of listening to the individuals in question to determine the degree of fanatism that is their only political platform. It's never about any "issues" that might help people to decide how these individuals might contribute positively to improving the community, they just go on about how corrupt and stupid any and all of their opponents are. The self-proclaimed campaign manager, "theoneandonlyannonymous" for both the rogue councilman and his 80-something candidate-protege has said publicly that "All's fair in politics." In one of the posts that was deleted yesterday, theoneandonlyslanderer told riceme that she'd continue to say/write what she pleases about whomever she chooses.  

Don't take my word for it. You just have to show up and listen to the horses mouth (actually the polar end) to figure it all out. I'm guessing that blog was deleted because it outed the guilty profile users by name, which is a violation of privacy and the terms of use for this site. Apparrently the 21st Century interpretation of the First Amendment gives everyone the right to express themselves anonymously and with rampant disregard for the personal rights of others. In other words, in 2008 it's apparrently now okay to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater as long as you do it annonymously. Hence the term "flame wars." A battle that simply cannot be won without a shock and awe plan of no mercy, just ask Hillary. The only defense against such tactics is to tell the truth and subscribe to the "give em enough rope" theory. 

So curlyshirly exactly how has your character and intelligence been insulted ? You talk as if you have a personal stake in all this.

So what I'm really getting from all this, is that folks were totally caught off guard as to the true nature of someone that was elected to the city council, and also a few 'supporters', is that essentially it?  I'm guessing the next election will change things a bit.  All this BS really makes it difficult for me to know who's who since I don't live here full time, but I think it's becoming clear finally.

Yes, Olivia, politics do indeed suck.

Sorry to creep you out and for the high "drama," but I think you'd feel differently if emails and blogs started popping up in public, smearing your good name in every way possible. From alledging serious violations of your workplace policies and practices to accusations of criminal activity and just your basic immorality claims. Throw in a few racial slurs and vulgar insults to your character and intelligence and the recipe for corrupt politics just needs to simmer slowly on the burner of public speculation.

The real downside to the community is that it makes it impossible for government to function smoothly with the threat of public humiliation hanging over everyone's head like a dark cloud ready to spit lighting. It doesn't matter if you have no skeletons in your closet, they'll just make some up and dance them around wearing someone else's dirty underwear.

I've lived here for 37 years and I've seen lots of "creepy" things in local politics, but never anything like this.  Our elected officials are supposed to work together to represent lots of differing viewpoints and political temperatures. They're supposed to find a way to compromise and represent the people of Tehachapi's best interests. As humans, they're bound to disagree at times, but they're expected to work it out with intelligent diplomacy and professionalism.  In whose best interest is it to throw a dirty blanket of nasty accusations over ever single civic leader who cares about this town simply because you can't agree to disagree with anyone? Doesn't it raise and eyebrow or two when a politico manages to find serious fault and spread ugly conspiracy theories with absolutely everyone and anyone they're supposed to work for or with, or who in any way supports or demonstrates respect for the city leaders?   

Politics suck ....

Look at what they did to Shane!!!!!  They tryed like hell to destroy him!

Riceme....My husband has lived here much longer than I have.  I've been here about 15 years.  Never paid much attention to what goes on in the political part of the city.  Just love Tehachapi.

CurlyShirly, I'm not sure who you are.  But this is the kind of stuff that really creeps me out.  The dramatics of...This group has vowed over and again to destroy anyone who gets in their way, and they have no regard for the truth.

How is anybody going to be "destroyed".

Olivia, your comment that you're relieved that you don't live in the city and won't have to make a decision is just what these slandering, mudslinging  candidates are banking on. This group has vowed over and again to destroy anyone who gets in their way, and they have no regard for the truth. Their philosophy is to sling enough mud and a good portion of it is bound to stick.

Whether you live in the city limits or not, everyone in the Tehachapi Valley would be wise to "adopt" a local voter - or three - who shares your viewpoints, regardless of which side of the fence you sit.

The Tehachapi City Council has the power to influence outlying areas through growth issues and other important decisions that will influence the city's revenue base for years to come. We may not all live in the city's hub, but we all use the stores, banks and other businesses to some degree. The city is working with the county on a general plan update that could change the way zoning (rural, ag, commercial, industrial all mixed together) is handled and possibly open the door for more projects such as the Cummings Valley development, while passing the buck for our much needed infrastructure improvements.  Prison expansion, box stores, more empty KB Homes and a serious lack of water and wastewater treatment are just the visible tips of the icebergn here.  

Don't breathe a sigh of relief because you don't live in the city/can't vote unless you want to spend the next 20 years wishing you had become involved before it was too late to preserve this valley's character - in every sense of the word.

I was taking a drink of milk the fist time I saw the comment from "SheriffJRS" and almost choked. Did you catch that avatar that our friend chose for him?? Comical and embarassing... not something Sheriff Smith would have selected, I am POSITIVE. I didn't even have to read the post to know it wasn't him, but after I read the "Sheriff's" post and the following one, I was almost sick to my stomach.

Honestly, 'Livie, this is the creepiest thing that I've ever known to happen. There have been BAD things, yes, but nothing ever totally freakin' creepy like this. How long have you all lived here?

Is it me or is this town just a little on the creepy side at times?  I would hate to think that people who are running for office are talking all kinds of crap while using mulitiple personalities to do so.  I'm glad I don't live in the City, I don't have to filter through the sh*t in order to make a decision.

So, will the real who's who's please come out of your closets???

 Yeah--let's not kill jimr---maybe roast him a little but we all have opinions and we all sometimes stick our foot in thy mouth--or wish we would have--maybe it would have slowed down what we were going to say.  And jimr is of a little later generation and may not have thought this post very well out.  Keep posting jimr ; )

 WOW! Many thanks for your thoughtful and incisive comments, Sheriff. I have taken them to heart and maybe learned a lesson or two here. That's makes me a little smarter than I was yesterday and I continue to learn something new every day. From everybody/

Yes, I DO have the "fire in the belly" and appreciate all the encouragement and support I can get. I hope this doesn't sound like a "wimp" but I honestly think it's time for the citizens to elect  real representatives who will champion THEIR needs and concerns and not some personal agenda or foto op's ego trips.

Henry Schaeffer is also running and I will do everything I can to see that we succeed.

Thanks again,

Jim Richards

Jim, sorry to be joining the pack picking on you, but you really stepped into it this time.  I can see it was a matter of you not understanding this is Women’s History Month, hell who can keep up with this crap anymore.  Every special interest seems to have its’ own month, week, day, whatever.

You disappointed me that this is the item you chose to attack Hand on.  She has so many other political gaffs to attack.  You have to pick your battles more carefully that’s all.  You swung in the dirt on this one, but hey, so did the great Babe Ruth.  He still hit plenty out of the park. 

I am going to give you credit for the fact that you are standing up and running for office.  I see a lot of people out here complaining but I don’t see them stepping up to the plate to run for city council seats that are sorely in need of fixing.

One thing I gotta tell you my friend is, your first apology was enough.  Your second apology with you whimpering off into a corner because you got your butt chewed on annoys me.  Do you have the fire in your belly to stick out the council position for four years or not?  Or, are you a quitter?  Things get a lot more heated at the council and not everyone is going to agree with you all the time.  If you are going to quit when the going gets tough, perhaps you need to reconsider your run, or you need to find the courage to quit wimping out when the going gets tough. 

Do you have the fire in your belly or not?  I hope so.  Hand and Grimes have to go and I don’t see many other solid citizens willing to get off their butt and run for office.  They all just want to whine out here on the blogs when the city makes a wrong decision.

 I'll ignore the last line in your statement which I find catty and sexist, certainly not professional.  Perhaps that is your problem.  You threw out a bunch of statistics.  Here are some more, but you'll have to go to the link:

http://www.forbes.com/workspecial/2006/05/12/women-wage-gap-cx_wf_0512earningmore.html

Interestingly this 3 time Board of Director of the National Association of Women in New York City has a common sense take on why your statistics show what they do.

Basically it boils down to the choices women make in their life and not the lack of opportunities you would have us believe all women are subject to.  When women choose not to educate themselves their choices are diminished.  The chosen career can diminish a woman's chances.  Having different priorities, such as more men focus on money and women focus on families has a definite impact on a woman's pay scale.

Sushi, I'm not going to waste valuable time trying to enlighten you to my philosophies or trying to change your mind.  You've done enough bloviating for everyone.  Just let it be said, that as a woman, I never asked for special treatment, I worked harder and smarter than my male counterparts and I outearned everyone of them.  I made personal choices to do that.  So, thank you to the generations that went before us, we should be able to take it from here.

Bitter? No, teresr, I'm simply stating a historical fact that women make as much as 50% less on average than men for the same job, even when they have the same level of education and/or experience.     

Your supposition that I am have had a "tough time in the business world," or "been so ill used" is completely unfounded. I was not making a personal observation. I never made mention of my personal business, nor do I intend to. I could be making a six figure living as a pole dancer in clear heels and hoochie mama clothes for all that it matters.     

Could it be your feminist attitude has kept you down and not the fact that you are a woman? 

Why is it that promoting women's historical achievements, in the 21st Century no less, is so distasteful to you? What exactly does a "feminist attitude" mean to you? Why must there a difference between being a "feminist" and feminine, or a being female for that matter? Why must the two be separate? Isn't that the very heart of the double standard you refer to? 

And, how has this double standard served in elevating the people who "pander" to it?  Has it helped the blacks, or has it hurt them?  When you, as an individual, refuse to join the mainstream but rather, demand your rights based on your terms, then don't be surprised when you lose. 

By all means, please explain this to me in terms of race. For all you know, I am not only a woman, but black, jewish, disabled and a senior. 

Also, if one doesn't "demand your rights based on your terms" then whose terms shall you accept? Shall we all just resign outselves to joining what you call "the mainstream?" How does that serve democracy, let alone preserve any culture or history?     

I'm also still confused about what exactly Ms. Hand could have said that was so offensive to both you and Jimr. I also should not have assumed you speak for Jimr, but I guess I got confused about whose tongue is in whose/which cheek.      

There's plenty of things Debbie and the City Hall clique can be criticized about.  Trying to make some issue out of this makes about as much sense complaining about an announcement of Boy Scout Day.  Save your fire for something worth hitting.

Jimr,

Do you not feel your last two "tongue in cheek" post could be seen as a personal attack?

Do you not blog to suit your own particular agenda?

I felt the above blog was for your own particular agenda and the other "tongue in cheek" post was a personal attack. I am sure others will soon blog how they felt about your post. Then I am sure to be proven wrong. Like you said, I am entitled to my own opinion. When someone post their opinion on a site like this, it makes it free game for others to disagree and make post as such. I hope you don't take this post as a personal attack. I was only disagreeing with your opinion. Anything that hurts your feelings was made "tongue in cheek".

Well, it's clear that no matter how well intentioned a post is, there are those who will take it out of context or bend it to their own way of thinking. I respect everyone's right to their own opinion but they step out of line when they feel the need to resort to personal attacks. They will find a way to interpret a blog comment to suit their own particular agenda.

There seems to be no point in blogging here any more except to play into the hands of those who will find fault, no matter what you say.

I agree with countygirl on this one. This is the second post made by jimr directed at a good person in a bad way. Then when called onto the carpet, jimr goes with " It was all in fun, lighten up, it was done tongue in cheek" I feel it is in bad taste to say something bad about someone then say it was all in fun later. I know it is difficult for you jimr to find topics to run against now that the city manager is gone. I suggest finding something to run for.

I'm really sorry to see some of the negative comments on my post here. In all candor and honesty, I meant it to be funny and thought that it would be taken as such. I've been accused of having a "warped" sense of humor before, and I guess this is just another such occasion.

I have always been proud of my many positive blogs here and hope this one will not be taken out of context with all the others. I am the type of person who always see the glass as half full, and will continue to do so.

Best wishes to all,

Jim Richards

Normally I agree with Jim's posts, but this post was not very well thought out and just plain negative. Honestly..............who cares.  Let's say for two seconds this was some personal agenda of Mayor Hand's...............Who is it hurting? Who is it affecting? Who is gaining a profit from it? Is it cosing us( the tax payers) money? Will it hurt Tehachapi somehow? I don't know about you, but so far all I'm coming up with is NO ONE and NO.

Also, will people please start owning up to their actions!! If you made a choice to post something and it did not go over well or you were just in the wrong for posting it and you're to proud to delete or edit it please don't try to insult our intelligence by saying it was done "tongue and cheek" when it is beyond obvious it wasn't!! This is like the 3rd or 4th time someone has done this and it is just annoying!

Sushisoo - You speak bitterly.  Apparently you have had a tough time in the business world.  Could it be your feminist attitude has kept you down and not the fact that you are a woman?  And, just who are you to say that I have been appointed to speak for jimr?  I speak for myself and I don't need anyone to appoint me.  But, I do know jimr and I do not like seeing jimr attacked unjustly.  

As to segregation, if you as a woman have allowed men to segregate you then perhaps you need a bit more spunk.  Pandering (To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses) describes perfectly what Mrs. Hand said about a "Woman Mayor" and a "Woman Mayor Pro-Tempore."

If you have been so ill used in the business world don't blame it on the glass ceiling.  If indeed you are talented and resourceful you will succeed as I have an out earning your male counterparts and not depend on statistics from the New York Times, which we all know is such a legitimate rag, to excuse your shortcomings, female or male.

Do you deny that we have a double standard in this country?  And, how has this double standard served in elevating the people who "pander" to it?  Has it helped the blacks, or has it hurt them?  When you, as an individual, refuse to join the mainstream but rather, demand your rights based on your terms, then don't be surprised when you lose.  This is analogous to playing a baseball game, but demanding to play by your rules.  Doesn't work and no one will honor you for it.

Pandering!?! What an unfortunate choice of words, teresr.

(American Heritage Dictionary:)

intr.v.   pan·dered, pan·der·ing, pan·ders

1. To act as a go-between or liaison in sexual intrigues; function as a procurer.
2. To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses: "He refused to pander to nostalgia and escapism" (New York Times).

[Middle English Pandare, Pandarus, from Old Italian Pandaro, from Latin Pandarus, from Greek Pandaros.] 

Promoting women's historical accomplishments is pandering!? Are you speaking for yourself or for Jimr? 

Please explain how noting a historical fact, that never before have two women held the top two council seats be perceived as "sexist?"

And this?  In my generation, as women, we don't need to segregate ourselves.  We have the confidence to know that we have self worth and we are as good at our jobs as anyone, no matter what gender.

Of course we don't have to "segregate ourselves," the male-based business world has done that for us:

The Wage Gap:

The wage gap between women and men cuts across a wide spectrum of occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2007 female financial advisors earned 53.7% of the median weekly wages of male financial advisors, and women in sales occupations earned just 64.8% of men's wages in equivalent positions. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Since you seem to have been deisngated to speak for Jimr, perhaps you both might be interested in the other half of your "tongue in cheeck" reference. It comes from Shakespeare and he warned that keeping the tongue pressed firmly inside the check is a satisfactory precaution against having it cut off, or wishing you had bitten it off yourself. 

TehachapiResident, I quote, "We don't need council members that make comments like this.  These comments don't help Tehachapi grow, but just show outsiders that we are a town that is behind in times.  Current and future council members need to be forward looking, and help guide our city into the future.  Please try to post some positive comments for a change.  Thank You

Jimr is always making positive posts.  Perhaps you missed all of those. And, from your comment I presume that you are including Mrs. Hand's sexist comments about the Woman Mayor and Woman Mayor Pro-Tem?

I come from a later generation than Mrs. Hand.  In my generation, as women, we don't need to segregate ourselves.  We have the confidence to know that we have self worth and we are as good at our jobs as anyone, no matter what gender.

Besides, many double standards definitely exist in America and Mrs. Hand should know better than to pander to them.  But hey folks, Jimr was speaking tongue in cheek, so LIGHTEN UP, PLEASE!

Foul! Foul Jimr!

Face facts, Hammer? The only fact Jimr has stated in this blog is that the mayor made note that it was a historical event for Tehachapi to have two women filling the mayor and mayor protempore positions. She didn't exactly burn her bra and claim a superiority of the genders!   

I agree with Tehachapiresident 200%! Shame on you Jimr for suggesting that honoring women's historical accomplishments must have some "personal agenda" attached. The only personal agenda I see here is another mudslinging campaign and I really hope Tehachapi won't fall for those tactics again. We need leaders who can work with others, not just their 1950's ultra-conservative political clones - or members of their own sex for that matter!

Since you asked, here's what I suggest: Do a little research, join us in the 21st Century, and heed your own advice:

 Now, if a MAN had said that, about MEN, he would have immediately been pelted with over ripe tomatoes and rotten eggs (yes, I think some people bring them) and called a SEXIST PIG and probably even tarred and feathered and run out of town. On a rail. Through the loop. Never to be seen or heard from again.At least 50% of the voting population are now probably more than willing to help you jump the next freight. But don't worry, most women couldn't be bothered with the tarring and feathering, since we tend to leave public humiliation and denigration to those who have far more experience - historically - in such matters. 

Here's a little background, just in case your secretary is too busy getting your coffee...

Dear Jim,

   Ms. Hand did not name March as Women in History Month.....IT IS Women in History Month!  Organizations from from the arts to business are celebrating it.  Tehachapi's own newspaper The Loop is having an entire tabloid about it. 

Get over trying to make out that Ms. Hand is always up to something or trying to pull the wool over someones eyes.

Annette Kirby

Jim,  not a wise move if you are planning on running for office.  Comments like these definately show what generation you come from.  I think you would be wiser sticking to facts and telling us what you plan to do if elected to the council.  We don't need council members that make comments like this.  These comments don't help Tehachapi grow, but just show outsiders that we are a town that is behind in times.  Current and future council members need to be forward looking, and help guide our city into the future.  Please try to post some positive comments for a change.  Thank You.