Category Archives: Politics

Patriot No More

I am grateful to live in this state (California) but really done with the USA experiment. I have had so much respect for those who have served in the military including so many in my family (soon to be five generations). However, American pride is really gone when I think about how the electorate in disproportionately powerful states are invoking the worst of the puritanical roots of this country’s political origin.

Yes I’m lucky that I am eligible for European citizenship, even though Italy itself, the country through which I can obtain that citizenship, has a fascist bitch at the helm. However, that country still has universal healthcare and a high standard of living, even based on my own family’s prosperity. Almost all of them have a vacation home in addition to their primary home, which they own. They work far fewer hours and have vastly more time off from work.

The garbage picture is self-explanatory.

I woke up this morning considering throwing my US flag in the garbage. I used to insist on having it out for every holiday that was appropriate to show that a liberal like me would still always identify as American. I don’t think I can bring myself to do that again, even if the next president is a butch, full melanin, indigenous Latina trans woman. I would say, “great,” but it will never reverse allowing Bush 2 to get the popular vote the second time because he used racist electoral college methods to steal the presidency the first time. Very similarly the name recognition of Felon McRapist was something the ignorant American electorate gravitated to rather than another overqualified, experienced, and competent woman.

Cults are a real problem and misinformation is rampant. Things are not going to get better, but the white supremacists will go to the ends of the earth to maintain their power.

He doesn’t know what a tariff is. He doesn’t know what a socialist or fascist is. Everything is a word salad and the man is declining, with a 39-year-old nutjob as his VP pick.

What could possibly go wrong?

Bay Area Clean Air Talk

Attended a Clean Air talk with various organizations and concerned citizens about the air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area. This one occurred at the JFK Library in Vallejo, where I was a few days ago for a mayoral candidate forum. While not specifically about tobacco, I introduced myself as someone who volunteers in the area of commercial tobacco control and indoor air quality, although outdoor public, tobacco use is a huge problem as well.

Multi Community Association Mayoral Candidate Forum

As president of Glen Cove Community Association, I had the privilege of being asked to present a question to the mayoral candidates of Vallejo at the Alliance of Vallejo Neighborhood Associations, which took place at JFK Library near city hall.

You can find me in a few of these pictures taken by others at the event:

Vallejo Candidate Forum hosted by Glen Cove Community Association

As president of the Glen Cove Community Association, I had the honor of emceeing the Vallejo City Council District 3 and mayoral candidates forum tonight. Thank you to the participants, the rest of my Board including Christine who professionally kept the time, and Shea for taking the footage which streamed live.

Andrea Sorce Mayoral Picnic

Yesterday in Highland Park we went to the Labor Day BBQ for Vallejo Mayoral Candidate Andrea Sorce (in a red tank top). We brought the dogs and I also met County Supervisor-Elect Cassandra James in person for the first time (after years of seeing each other on Zoom)!

Shea and I are in a lot of these various pictures from the candidate site:

Sister Cities Dinner and Auction 2024

Had an amazing time at the Sister Cities International Dinner and Auction, which took place at the Filipino Community Center here in Vallejo. I helped Shea pick out this beautiful barong at Vallejo’s own Barong & Formal. The event was in recognition of Sister City La Spezia, Italy, where my cousin lives with his family. I got to speak a little Italian with the Italian dancers who performed, which I think they appreciated. There was a buffet from at least nine different cultures, as well as representatives from many parts of the world.