Fillmore is full of champions these days! Congratulations to our Fillmore Girls Softball team, now Western National Champions! That’s tremendous.

And this week, Fillmore walks away with ELEVEN 4-H, FFA County Champion ribbons!

Breanna Berrington raised a 1,342 lb market steer that won FFA Grand Champion and overall Grand Champion got $25/lb for $33,550. Macie Wokal raised a 274 lb market swine that was awarded FFA Grand Champion. Auction results: $40/lb for $10,960. What a year for our 4-H FFA!

Please see fillmoregazette.com for larger photos. There were so many winners this year that the Gazette had to publish them in two sections. Next week we will publish stories and photos of the remaining winners.
Thanks once again to Bob Crum who covers the fair for us every year.

***

Now, for some world class losers.

Thanks to California’s radical leftist-liberal Democrat disease (super majority) we have an amoral madman sailing the ship of state into the perfect storm. Though we are teetering on the verge of bankruptcy this clown managed to snooker ignorant residents of the Golden State into going (a hundred billion dollars?) into debt to build a bullet train to nowhere, which will never be built. Most of the state has finally awakened (too late) to the fact that this is a scam, a wholly fraudulent scheme to enrich unions, which will destroy our economic future.

However, at a more fundamental level, Governor Moonbeam (I remember the day) has inflicted the product of his debauched intellect upon California’s vulnerable school children. This latest legislative assault on traditional moral values should have the populous charging into the street, pitchforks in hand.

San Francisco (surprise!)Assemblyman Tom Ammiano has persuaded our illustrious state senate and assembly to pass into law a bill (AB 1266) permitting students of either gender to use bathroom facilities of the opposite gender. For example if a boy should one day “feel” like a girl he is entitled to use the girl’s bathroom, or locker room. Girls may also use the boy’s bathrooms. You know, sometimes you feel like a nut – sometimes you don’t. He can come to school dressed as a girl, without notification to parents. The next day he can revert to his “normal” gender. Also, boys may choose to play on any girl’s sports team. Tennis anyone? This law was sponsored by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality California, Transgender Law Center and Gay Straight Alliance Network. They believe they are protecting the civil rights of transgender people. Traditionally, the bathroom has been protected by an expectation of privacy and simple decency. Those who cling to traditional notions of civil rights are just out of luck.

Problems arose in Washington State, 2006 when its legislature implemented a similar law. “Parents in Washington state became outraged last year when their young daughters, who participate in their local swim club, discovered a male sitting naked in the sauna ‘displaying male genitalia,’” the Christian News Net reported last fall. However, police and school representatives of Evergreen State College alike said there wasn’t anything they could do about the situation because of state law. The transgender “student” is 45 years old.” - See more at: http://calwatchdog.com/2013/05/16/bill-advances-civil-rights-claims-on-g...

I’ve pretty much had it with this gender confusion. Many people sympathize with these gender issues; My sympathy is on death watch. For those dreadfully confused students who can’t figure whether they are boys or girls (a small part of one percent of the population) seek a chromosome determination. If you still are unable to figure it out, get a chromosome change. Why should 99.9 percent of the normal population suffer because of the confusion of the tiny minority? These transgender groups have become a threat to our society, a potent enemy of Christianity in particular. They have accrued great political power by infiltrating our government. This Politically Correct issue of gender identity is turning our civilization on its head.

Traditional Judeo-Christian morals and the protections they have enjoyed for thousands of years are being destroyed. What about OUR civil rights? Normalcy and Natural Law have rights too.

Gee whiz. President Obama’s claim to have set al-Qaida back on its heels is apparently untrue. Just the internet “chatter” from this terrorist group has caused the US to shut down scores of our embassies around the world and actually evacuate many of them. Think of the expense involved in these precautions – all from the mere chatter of al-Qaida. Why didn’t Hillary Clinton (alleged to be the smartest woman in the world) take any precautions before the Benghazi attack, after repeated requests for assistance? Why didn’t she, as our brilliant Secretary of State, send help when those in Benghazi pleaded for assistance while under attack?

I hope someday the White House begins to understand that we are at war (not with terrorism, which is just a tactic) but with Islam (not radical Islam) but Islam as it has existed and acted since the seventh century. Islam’s entire reason for existence, according to the Quran and Hadith (which must be believed under penalty of death) is to conquer the world by reducing unbelievers to submission (dimitude) or death. Any Muslim who rejects this mission statement is either a heretic or apostate, which, again, deserves death under Sharia law.

Anyone who reads the history of Islam understands these facts and the facts are there for everyone to read. There is only one thing the traditional Muslim mind respects outside its own religious faith and that is force, overwhelming, credible military might – like America once had.

America’s pathetic lack of leadership and weakened state of moral and military readiness is why the dogs of war are once again salivating. Islam has always demanded perpetual war. This is why America must be perpetually strong and alert, and obviously so in the face of our enemies.

So, this latest threat to our embassies is just another example of Islam doing what it has been doing for a thousand years and more. It is, however, past time for our president to call it as it is, Islamic terror, not any form of “workplace violence”, which insults the intelligence of all thinking Americans, and makes us the laughingstock of the modern world.

Our very real bloodthirsty enemies are more inclined to react with contempt for America’s military as they observe some Cavalry units riding sidesaddle waving silken rainbow flags.

America still has the finest fighting force in the world. It’s the sworn moral duty of our Commander in Chief and the entire officer corps, to preserve the honor and integrity of that force, earned by the valor and bloody sacrifice of so many heroes. Anything less dishonors their sacrifice.

This week, after 10 years of outstanding assistance to the Gazette, I regret to announce that Susan Golson will be leaving us. We are lucky to be able to train a promising new replacement for Susan, but there’s no way she can really be replaced.

It’s very hard for me to believe that 10 years have passed since Susan came on board. She has been a key person whom we have relied upon to keep things going smoothly, and it’s difficult to imagine life at the Gazette without her cheerful, competent presence. We are thankful that Pebbles the Wonder Dog will remain with us as executive mascot.

So, thank you Susan for your friendship, loyalty and hard work; you will remain a true friend and it seems trite to say that we will miss you.

We wish you the best of luck in the future and hope you stay in touch with the Gazette.

Well, here I am again, 90 minutes till deadline without a clue about what to write. Not that there’s a shortage of flammable issues out there. There’s former Congressman Anthony D. Weiner’s run to be New York City’s mayor. He’s trying a bold new campaign strategy of projecting online images of his private parts to win friends and influence people. I think the people of New York City deserve this sort of shock treatment after inflicting Nanny Bloomberg on the masses.

Then there are the disciples of the Reverends Jackson and Sharpton. They want to inflict great bodily harm on George Zimmerman for his alleged premeditated killing of the innocent “child”, Trayvon Martin (almost 18-years-old). This group claims Zimmerman is a racist who “profiled” Martin in order to kill him, though at no time in the entire investigation (including the FBI) and trial of Mr. Zimmerman was race ever determined to be an issue. The world can see how innocent Trayvon was by viewing his angelic photos (as a 12-year-old) constantly posted by the Leftist press. Trayvon’s authentically menacing, and most recent photo tells a different story. 911 tapes were also edited by the media to falsely impute racism to Zimmerman.

Every effort was made by the press, other race-baiting activists, and the prosecution itself, to frame Zimmerman. Trayvon had been suspended three times from school (in one year) and sent to live with his step-father. He was a habitual marijuana user and of other drugs, and was involved in fighting. The prosecution did its best to cover up the facts about Trayvon and to heap hot coals on Zimmerman. Even the president of the United States and his co-conspirator attorney general urged the prosecution of Zimmerman, after the verdict of not guilty was delivered by a jury of his peers. This should be recognized as the truly monumental scandal that it is.

We finally learn why Trayvon chose to purchase the Skittles and “ice tea” that evening. From A Call to Reason, By James H. Lilley, July 22, 2013: “Let's pause on the Skittles issue and look at what they are really used for by drug users nationwide, but especially in the South. A mixture of soda, Robitussin DM (which has the ingredient Dextromethorpha or DXM), or similar brand of cough syrup and Skittles produce a concocted high. One of the street names for this high causing concoction is "Lean." Found at the scene of Trayvon's shooting were two thirds of the mixture, Arizona Watermelon Fruit Cocktail and Skittles. Martin's autopsy showed liver damage from long-term use of "Lean," which can also cause psychosis and aggression.” For those interested in learning the facts about the Zimmerman shooting I suggest reading Mr. Lilley’s column. After the local police investigated this case professionally and determined that no probable cause existed to arrest Mr. Zimmerman, a conspiracy set in at once to convict Zimmerman. This conspiracy involved state and federal departments. Mr. Lilley once again: “Certainly there was no impartiality shown [sarcasm] by the Department of Justice when they sent their Community Relations Section to Sanford, Florida to help organize the Pro-Trayvon/Anti-Zimmerman rallies. In violation of Federal Law, taxpayer money was spent, though not hundreds of thousands of dollars, to plan and support these hate rallies. Members of the Community Relations Service also took part in the demonstrations and drove additional protesters to the events.” These actions are outrageous and should be a cause for alarm among all law-abiding citizens of good will in our republic. This is what “justice” has come to in Obama’s America. There surely is racial prejudice in our country, but it is becoming increasingly clear that most of it is fomented by racial minorities.

The George Zimmerman case should live in prosecutorial infamy. It has only one salutary reason for being remembered. That is the fact that it has exposed the enormity of governmental corruption in the judicial branch of our republic down to the lowest level.

For nearly five years now we’ve witnessed Attorney General Holder’s poisonous political influence on the conduct of our legal system, in what it pursues and what it ignores. With his partner in crime, Barack Obama, he refuses to prosecute two Black Panther thugs threatening would-be voters with blackjacks, releases terrorists, provides firearms to drug cartels, and the list of outrageous conduct goes unabated.

Among other things, the Zimmerman case is extraordinary for the public (world-wide) hostility it has sparked. This was not, as continuously characterized, a complex case. The facts are these: Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain, aware of numerous robberies, burglaries, and home invasions in his area, spotted someone acting suspiciously. The weather was rainy and dark. He reported to 911 in an effort to fix the suspect’s position. He lost the subject and was returning to his car. Out of the darkness he was suddenly confronted and attacked by the subject who came close enough to smash Zimmerman in the face numerous times and break his nose. Zimmerman was knocked backwards to the grass with his head above the sidewalk. The subject began to “ground and pound” him with his fists and then began slamming Zimmerman’s head on the concrete. Zimmerman felt the subject reaching for his gun. Zimmerman, believing the beating could not be stopped without deadly force, drew his pistol and shot one time, killing the subject.

Anyone who has had his nose broken by a fist in the face knows how painful and destabilizing it is. The rest of the beating would seriously aggravate the physical and mental condition of the victim. A reasonable person should conclude that repeatedly slamming Zimmerman’s head against the concrete, with no end in sight, would cause the victim to believe he was suffering serious bodily harm, possibly life-threatening injuries. The facts show beyond reasonable doubt that Trayvon Martin was the aggressor. This was a simple case of self-defense.
According to the local police, after thorough investigation of facts, this incident was determined to be a clear case of self-defense, and they found no probable cause to arrest Zimmerman.

What followed was entirely driven by political pressure, which was itself driven by outside racial hatred. When it comes to promoting racial hatred few racists can compete with Al Sharpton (of the infamous Tawana Brawley case) and Jesse Jackson (just as infamous); they’re professionals who have made millions at the game. Sharpton, now a MSNBC host, is paid well for his infamy. Both of these race-baiting clowns stirred the pot in the Zimmerman case. Co conspirators in the get-Zimmerman plot are President Obama and his lap dog Attorney General Eric Holder. Also, the Florida prosecutor Angela Corey’s participation in this malicious prosecution should result in her disbarment. I find it incredible that I should agree with two flaming liberals, Harvard Law School Professor Alan Dershowitz, and radio commentator Leo Terrell. Both find the prosecution of this case outrageous. Dershowitz calls for Angela Corey’s disbarment. Among the get-Zimmerman zealots is the clueless attorney Jasmine Rand who calls for consideration of social engineering issues in this case.

The Zimmerman case should never have been brought to trial!

The general public should study the Zimmerman case thoroughly. It tells a startling story of a legal system completely out of control, forcing its agenda of social engineering into constitutional law.

It is reported that two or three citizens have been murdered over the verdict of acquittal in the Zimmerman case. Riots are deliberately provoked by Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Zimmerman is faced with serious death threats, both against himself and his family members. From the president on down the Leftist-liberal line “justice” has become just another tool for social engineering, as are other government departments like the IRS, Justice Department itself, and numerous other sub-departments. It’s no wonder the Left wants to snuff-out our Second Amendment and the most ancient laws like self-defense. It all facilitates the liberal agenda.

Keep your powder dry.

Conway Spitler (twice) Citizen of the Year, passed away this week. He was a pillar of our Fillmore community for many decades, and a friend to the Fillmore Gazette for 25 years. He was a thoughtful man of strong, patriotic opinions.
Rest in peace, Conway.

***

For those interested in learning how quickly Fillmore is recovering from the last six years of city council mismanagement, take a look on Channel 10. Finally, we have a council that works thoughtfully and professionally together. It’s a pleasure to attend the meetings these days.
Welcome our new City Manager, David Wayne Rowlands. He comes to Fillmore with the highest recommendations for his solid experience and great success as a city manager. The bad old days will soon be just an uncomfortable memory. Our city is really coming back to life!

***

Like many people, I worry about the health and welfare of our armed forces laboring under a charlatan masquerading as Commander in Chief. Here’s a recent report on how the troops are doing under Obama’s new policy of welcoming openly gay service men and women:
http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/sharp-increase-in-man-...

When I read these sorts of things I have to ask why – why did the president and some of his top brass think it necessary to go beyond “Don’t ask-Don’t Tell”? After all, that policy didn’t exclude anyone, and it preserved the dignity of the vast majority of our armed forces who respect traditional Judeo-Christian mores. Whose business is it to know just what anyone else’s sexual proclivities might be? And, why would any normal person feel compelled to announce to his/her (Judeo-Christian) teammates that he/she celebrates the sacrament of sodomy. Those responsible for forcing this new policy on the captive, unsuspecting 99 percent deserve close scrutiny. What could their payoff possibly have been – promotion and retirement? How could this policy possibly contribute to military cohesiveness? Up to the present day, such a policy would have led to confusion, deep resentment, disorder, even bloodshed. “Be all you can be” is picking-up a loathsome connotation among millions of veterans who served their country with valor and sacred honor without the need to reveal their sexual values.

Check out the photo in this link and ask yourself if a determined enemy would feel terror or aggravated contempt when confronting these guys.

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mullen (against the unanimous condemnation of his fellow Chiefs, and thousands of flag officers throughout the American military) insisted on this policy. American defense is weaker for it. His name, with his co-conspirators, will live in infamy.

Just a short note to explain why I’m substituting an opinion piece from the Washington Times for my usual scribbling this week. First, Mr. Whitehead accurately sums-up the fears of most U.S. citizens today in his first paragraph, and I share those concerns. With the election of Barack Obama to the office of chief executive and Commander in Chief our fundamental constitutional rights are disintegrating as never before. I agree we have now become a nation of men instead of laws. Government agencies ignore the demands of Congress, Congress ignores the demands of “we the people”, and the Supreme Court, ignoring the clearest Constitutional demands, does whatever it pleases by rewriting the Constitution. Certainly, Obama will appoint two new justices to the Supreme Court during the next three years. The traditional moral norms of the nation are disappearing. America’s very identity is up for grabs. As never before, we are a nation of special interests, unions, financial institutions, and radical Leftists. The conservative will of the people is forgotten.

We are among the lucky few in feeling secure in our county and city. Beyond this, I worry for the less fortunate others.

Our enemies smile at the sight of the Political Correctness which has destabilized military organization and preparedness. Our military has been utterly corrupted from the top down (the only possible way). Only catastrophic military defeat will correct this deviance, if we survive it.

With those happy thoughts, here’s Mr. Whitehead:

OPINION: From a Nation of Laws to a Nation of Men
How a cozy police state tempts a distracted republic

Written By John W. Whitehead

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” — Abraham Lincoln

With each passing day, America is inching further down the slippery slope toward a police state. While police clashes with protesters, small farmers and other so-called “lawbreakers” vividly illustrate the limits placed on our freedoms, the boundaries of a police state extend far beyond the actions of law enforcement. In fact, a police state is characterized by bureaucracy, secrecy, perpetual wars, a nation of suspects, militarization, surveillance, widespread police presence, and a citizenry with little recourse against government actions, to name just a few.

Sound familiar? If it does it is only because the signs of an emerging police state are all around us. In Orwellian fashion, it has infiltrated all aspects of our lives, from the mundane to reality-television shows to the downright oppressive.

We were once... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/3/from-a-nation-of-laws-to-...

The good news due from the Fillmore City Council that I spoke of last week has begun to appear. At Tuesday’s meeting the council announced that the bitterly controversial Sales Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement (from 2003)) has finally been settled. It is anticipated to bring in from $700,000 to $ l million to the general fund, until the year 2023. As former City Attorney Ted Schneider had informed us all along, the contract with Owens & Miner was valid and legally enforceable. The rancorous, unjust criticism of Mr. Schneider, which most of the former council engaged in for years, has now been shown to be the raw political slander it was from the beginning. Kudos to Councilman Steve Conaway for having the guts and stamina to stick up for Schneider, and for publically exposing the malice spewed by Patti Walker, Gayle Washburn, Jamey Brooks, Gary Creagle, and Bob Stroh against Schneider for so many years. For the record (and not to diminish by any means the great work done by present City Attorney Tiffany Israel to conclude this victory) Schneider had won every case on this issue. He was removed from his job by an extraordinary act of Machiavellian treachery, thanks to Gayle Washburn and (I’ll say it for the last time) the Katzenjammers (forgot how to spell it).
Thanks to Tiffany Israel for her tremendous work, and to our great new council which never lost faith.
*******
The national news is so bad today I will skip my comments until next week. I’m anything but a defeatist, but I truly believe that Obama and friends have done terminal damage to America, American culture, American defense, and, in particular, American religion. These are evil people.

We will, very soon, pay a horrendous price for this collapse of the American moral tradition. The key to the conclusion of the final act is held by our Supreme Court; those nine will bury the traditional “American Way” in a Leftist avalanche.

For those of us who continue to believe in the Judeo-Christian God — it’s time to pray, with enthusiasm.

Attending Tuesday’s Special Budget Workshop was a positive experience.

Financial Advisor Frank Catania has been doing a splendid job of organizing the budget, and making sense of so-called budgets from the recent past. The new council is making substantial progress in its work to stabilize the city’s finances and secure new sources of revenue. It’s still a little too early to announce particular achievements but they are right around the corner. I would urge residents to view the Channel 10 video of that meeting; it’s very informative. The General Fund items were discussed in detail.

***

I recently challenged a friend to identify some major piece of state or national good news. I’m trying to counter my growing sense of massive pessimism. All I have to do to fan the flames of that personal pessimism is scan the latest DRUGE links. Clearly, the Western World (once recognized as the “free world”) is in a free-falling tailspin. It appears we have a cultural death wish. We have a fool for Commander in Chief. Not surprising since he has no military experience.

President Obama threatened to change America forever and I now believe he will accomplish that goal. With his ordering the recruitment of openly gay men and women into all military services he has defiled more than two centuries of American Judeo-Christian tradition. The reasonable “Don’t ask, don’t tell” rule (which was reluctantly approved by our Joint Chiefs of Staff) opened the path of enlistment to “openly” gay enlistment, bringing with it conduct intolerable to traditional Christians.

Obama crows about his lesbian General and her female “spouse”, herself a colonel. The military is particularly vulnerable to corruption because of its command structure. Orders come from the top on down. As they say, a fish rots from the head first. This facilitates the growth of “special” groups and affiliations within the command structure and in the ranks. This profound rejection of traditional Christian moral conduct happened suddenly (following 30 years of scheming by the radical Left) and was facilitated by people like Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen. This massive change was created just to placate 2 percent of the public.

I once stated, to the chagrin of a number of distinguished veterans, that I would refuse to serve in any openly gay military unit, and would discourage my children from joining as well. I would explain my stance by paraphrasing a great hero of mine, whose biography was filmed in “A Man For All Seasons” back in 1966. Sir Thomas More, in refusing to recognize the marriage of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn, had his head chopped off. Before the axe came down he is quoted as saying (paraphrase) “I die my King’s true servant – but God’s First.” My convictions about our military are equally strong.

My deepest sympathies go out to the family of Ramon Alvarez of Piru upon hearing of the drowning death of Ramon and his son Nelson Alvarez.
Rest in peace Ramon and Nelson.

***

The entire city council and city staff are anxious to welcome our newly hired City Manager, David Wayne Rowlands. Mr. Rowlands will be taking over his new duties on August 12. From all reports, without exception and from many sources, Mr. Rowlands is an outstanding city manager. We wish him a warm welcome to Fillmore and every success.

***

On a less auspicious theme, it’s hard to sort through President Obama’s growing stack of critical foreign and domestic failures to determine which is most serious. All of them betray the trust and confidence of the American people and jeopardize our health, safety, and traditional moral ideals. From selling guns to drug cartels, causing the death of our ambassador and three other Americans in Libya, the IRS scandal, the info-data tapping, double cost of Obamacare, and on, and on.

Expect more because Obama has no idea what the consequences of his foolish policies will be.

I do have a contrary take on the data sweeps, however. I agree with some conservatives about the necessity and legality of this massive federal undertaking.

Information tapping may be of questionable value (according to some new reports) but if they are providing significant intel in the war against worldwide Islamist-Jihadist butchery (let’s call it as it is) I think we have to tolerate the loss of privacy. If it turns out that serious abuses arise from this program then those should be addressed with harsh punishment. But we all should understand our vulnerability to insidious global Jihadist terrorism.

Just recently, reports are addressing the alarming news that thousands of Soviet era SA-7 surface-to-air missiles are in terrorist hands. The threat was known early on in the Lybia rebellion. This weapon alone would seriously challenge our defense against Islamist terrorism because it can take down an airliner from about a mile-and-a-half distance.

Obama refuses to identify Islamist anti-infidel terrorism as the problem. Since he is our commander in chief this places America at great risk for any number of attacks. I have to hope that the NSA’s PRISM system is at least targeting China, our prime enemy, as well as the murderous Islamic terrorist states seeking to kill-off Judeo-Christian civilization. We have to choose between privacy and an effective terrorist defense. I would choose survival, with as much control as possible over outfits like the NSA.

How great it is to see our new Fillmore City Council membership! I think this will prove to be one of the best functioning councils in decades.

It’s gratifying to anticipate that justice and common sense will once again prevail over the bitter personal politics which nearly destroyed our town a short time ago. The fragments of our formerly fractured city government are being mended.

Diane McCall, mysteriously removed from our Planning Commission without cause has returned as a council member. “Manny” Minjares, laid off as Assistant Planner, is back also as council member. Doug Tucker, former Planning Commissioner, won a seat on the council as well; Former Senior City Planner, Kevin McSweeney, is back as Planning Service Consultant. And last but for sure not least, former long-time councilman Steve Conaway was recently appointed to replace Brian Sipes on the council. With our new Mayor Rick Neal leading the way Fillmore is solidly back on track.

As Jackie Gleason used to say, “How sweet it is!”

* * *

Much controversy was caused these past several weeks over an alleged incident of American flag disrespect by a teacher at Fillmore Middle School. The teacher claims it was part of a lesson plan on the First Amendment, others strongly disagree. I see no resolution here without the teacher’s public explanation. Incidentally, the small photo used with the letter about the flag being stepped upon was a stock photo from the internet, unrelated to the incident in question.

My congratulations to all of the award-winners recognized at Tuesday’s school board meeting. I was really impressed with the accomplishments of our students. It’s great to hear such good news about our hard-working students after having to report on so much delinquency elsewhere.

* * *

I left at the break before I had the chance to hear Charles Richardson’s remarks condemning English teacher Jennifer Fitzpatrick for dishonoring the American Flag during one of her classes several weeks ago. Asked by a student why the flag was rolled-up on her desk, Ms. Fitzpatrick picked it up, waved it at her class, told the students that it was “only a piece of cloth”, threw it on the floor and stomped on it. She is alleged to have said that she had a legal right to do so, and challenged the class to take her to court, where, she assured students that she would win. Pastor Leslie R. Lanier also wished to make a face-to-face statement regarding this infamous incident but Ms. Fitzpatrick left during the break.

I’ve been under the weather these past several weeks and am, once again, short of time and space. Mr. Richardson’s statement can be found at fillmoregazette.com and page 2, Letters to the Editor. So much is happening these days at the local, state, and national level, I hope to have more opportunity to comment next week.

This was a challenging week to cover. Adding to the number of accidents, Middle School troubles, flag stomping discussion, and Teacher of the Year (one bright thing), was the fact that the school district chose to schedule its regular meeting on the same day as the regular city council meeting.

First, congratulations of our Teacher of the Year, Laura Todis. Ms. Todis teaches science at Sierra High School.
With so many serious disciplinary problems erupting these days it’s a happy relief to report this kind of teaching excellence. Thank you Ms. Todis for the great work you do.

* * *

Another positive event took place during this week’s city council meeting. Mayor Rick Neal and Councilmen Doug Tucker and Manuel Minjares chose to appoint Diane McCall as replacement for former councilman A. Eduardo Gonzalez who recently resigned for health reasons.

Diane was chosen from a group of three, among whom were two other excellent applicants, Dante Diaz and Kendall Hancock. Diane, veteran of 6 years on our Planning Commission, and active in several other civic works, will be a valuable asset on the council. Our new council is doing great things.

Councilperson Brian Sipes was absent as he was for the previous council meeting.

Again, congratulations Diane!

* * *

Middle School miseries
I was approached by a parent of another Middle School student just before Tuesday’s school board meeting. Like two other students mentioned last week, her daughter is being bullied and was assaulted by another girl at school recently.

I have asked parents who may have children attending Fillmore Middle School to contact the Gazette in the event their kids are being bullied, threatened, or assaulted by other students. So far three have cooperated. Letters have also been received alleging serious threats of bodily harm, assaults, and classroom disruption which goes unpunished. These complaints are serious. I hear of legal action if these allegations are not quickly corrected. Getting someone to take action is the problem.

Here is how one concerned resident describes the atmosphere at the Middle School: “...You have a student body who has taken on a Lord of the Flies type mentality as even the good kids have seen that hard work and a positive attitude do nothing to advance their cause at the school.” The actions of some students are truly outrageous. One teacher was “struck by a purposely thrown burrito for the second time in 5 days.” The student responsible for this assault was not suspended; he just had to pick-up trash for a couple of days. “This type of “’discipline’” is the norm ... at FMS.” “Neither the AP [assistant principal] nor the Principal seem to have any grasp of how to handle students of this age group.”

This complaint continues: “There is such a high level of disrespect from students towards all staff that we will be lucky if no other staff members are attacked by students. Defiance towards authority is where it all begins and students routinely defy everyone from the Principal on down. This stems from one of the weakest efforts towards discipline ever put forth at the middle school.”

“New kids routinely get beat up because they are new, look different, talk differently, are a different race, or come from a rival place.” This situation is outrageous and intolerable.

I am convinced that our Fillmore Middle School is out of control and presents a threat to the safety and wellbeing of students, teachers, and staff alike.

* * *

Time and space prevent me from commenting on Pastor Leslie R. Lanier’s comments at yesterday’s school board meeting. I support him in this effort and will say more about this later. Our flag is a sacred symbol to be honored.

BLACKBOARD JUNGLE?

To date, the Gazette created and has maintained its website for about 7 years. It has been a notably expensive undertaking. It has also been a valuable resource provided free of charge to our readers during that time.

As a way of providing news of Fillmore and the rest of the world it has been a remarkable success. In a town of about 14,000 residents the website welcomes from 25,000 to 32,000 “unique” visitors per month.

Those many photos, videos, stories, legal notices, and reports require time and expense to produce. As another example of that old saying (tongue-in-cheek) “No good deed goes unpunished” this internet expansion is hurting the print version of the Gazette. This is simply because many readers say “Why should I pay for the paper when I can get all of that information at fillmoregazette.com free of charge?”

Why indeed. From the mightiest daily newspapers (Wall Street Journal) to the most humble community weeklies, if the online products were to survive without eating away at the traditional printed product, a way had to be found to pay for the website version.

For this reason the Gazette has been diligently searching for a workable solution in the form of what is called a “pay wall”. Most recently, the Ventura Star has chosen a similar solution for its website.

So, in its 25 years of bringing news and information to the residents of Fillmore the Gazette will soon introduce a new format for accessing its website, fillmoregazette.com. It is hoped that this will facilitate another 25 years of service for the City of Fillmore. We will do our best to make the transition as quick and easy as possible.

***

As we approach that happy time of graduation I regret to have to revisit some extremely important issues regarding delinquent behavior in our schools, our Middle School in particular.

I have received several thoughtful letters from parents and friends of Middle School students complaining about ongoing bullying, violence, and schoolyard intimidation. Reports continue to cite numerous fights on school grounds, threats of doing serious bodily harm, as well as documented death threats.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the repeated violent conduct of certain students have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation on the Middle School grounds and in the classroom. School discipline is lacking and the situation appears to be out of control. This can only be attributed to administrative incompetence.

For one example, one female student was threatened and beaten (bloodied) by another female student several weeks ago. That aggressor later threatened to cut the throat of the victim as she returned home from school. This was reported, investigated, and the aggressor student is alleged to have been suspended for 5 days, returned to school where she quickly re-offended.

Chaos is alleged to reign in several classrooms, with foul language common, students disconnecting electrical equipment, students refusing to do their work, etc. Disrupting students are said to be sent to the principal’s office and routinely returned to the classroom. Fights in the school yard are said to be frequent.

The mother of the girl who was beaten and received a death threat, has referred these issues to the school board and reported these problems to every level of school administration without, it’s alleged, receiving necessary assistance. Although she asked to be on the agenda for the next board meeting this is presently uncertain. She also alleges that, although the girl who assaulted her daughter was arrested, and a “no contact order” was issued, the offending girl was merely cited and released, and the “order” is being ignored.

It seems clear that a lack of student discipline at our Middle School continues to create a state of disorder. As I’ve said before, who can be expected to teach anything under these circumstances – and who can expect normal students to learn anything.

For those who may care, very serious legal issues are arising from this Middle School chaos, especially for the alleged gross absence of due diligence. The repeat offender students must be removed for the sake of those students who are striving to educate themselves.

Hello! Is anybody there?

Last week I reported on statements given our school board by a Fillmore Middle School student’s mother. She claimed that both her daughter and son were physically assaulted (bloodied), repeatedly threatened on and off campus, including a threat to her life. The mother also alleged that her daughter was being “cyber bullied” by other girls. She also alleges that classroom discipline was almost absent at times and that she has been unable to get assistance or protection for her children after several attempts.

The mother of the victim children moved here from Alaska in January. They thought Fillmore was a small, friendly place. I intend to find out what I can about this violent situation on the Middle School campus, where fighting among students is apparently becoming commonplace.

I wish I had a larger staff which would permit me to make a true investigation of these serious allegations, but I don’t. I will do the best I can.

I invite anyone with information on the bullying, fighting and threats, to contact this office. I would be glad to meet with you and discuss the situation.

I have not requested a meeting with school officials as yet but will attempt to do so this week. The administration has always been cooperative in the past and I am anxious to hear its side of the story as insofar as the law permits the release of information.

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If the world has gone off its rails, and I think it has, America is certainly the Pied Piper of crapulous travels.

I keep hunting, in vain, for some encouraging news. In my traditional world I search for evidence of normalcy, morality, frugality (low taxes), common sense, Judeo-Christian integrity, courage, justice and freedom; those kinds of things. I mean America as it was until the radical-Leftist infestation of about 1960. We had conquered our enemies and secured the blessings of liberty for our posterity.

Back then America was the undisputed powerhouse of freedom. As a nation we took things seriously, our religion, our Constitution, our schools, our military, our American way of life. It has never been perfect, that’s certain, but there was never a better nation on earth – and we were confident of that fact.

I have witnessed the most glorious points of our history, and have lived long enough to see the most infamous.

Today America is in latter stages of societal freefall; moral, financial, military, judicial, and religious collapse. A corrupt government (all three branches) has facilitated our demise. We have killed more than 50 million unborn children at every stage of development (including newborn). We have printed and speculated our currency into sums beyond imagination with hedge funds and sophisticated new financial creations. Christian churches are splintered into the thousands. Moral conscience has disintegrated into previously unimaginable depravity, abandoning most traditional Christian teaching. Government is suffocating business with confiscatory taxes and complex regulation. Political correctness has infected all of our thinking. The only standards remaining are fundamentally anti-religious. We have become ignorant and naïve.

On the other hand, our enemies have become strong and intimidating. We bow to communist China; we weaken our military forces and strengthen the enemy.

We are fearful of identifying our most deadly and active enemy, Jihadist Islam. It is not so-called “radical” Islam that is the enemy. According to Islam, the Quran cannot be interpreted in any way but literally. To do otherwise, by Islamic law, is blasphemy and subjects those who do so to a death sentence.

America’s prime enemy is fundamental, Jihadist Islam. The believers (hundreds of millions) tell us so, and demonstrate this repeatedly. It’s passed time to wake up and smell the gunpowder.

Our country has been struck once again by a terrorist attack. So far it has caused three deaths, including an 8-year-old boy, and nearly 200 serious injuries. These innocent people have lost limbs and suffered many other horrible injuries because someone with a diseased mind or soul carefully planned to cause maximum mayhem and suffering.

The sorts of criminals that create these killing fields have been a plague on humanity for just about all of human history. Those of us who follow the Judeo-Christian religious tradition know that such crimes against humanity never go unpunished. Ultimately, justice is always done. When we pass from time into eternity with unrepentant murder on our conscience scripture and justice demand eternal Hell.

As we seek to learn who is responsible for these horrific killings we also seek reasons. This was either a rational act by another evil person or persons, or an irrational act by someone criminally insane. I think the day, the time, and the place of this bombing points to a terrorist. However, since the word terrorist focuses reasonable suspicion on certain ethno-religious people I’m going to reserve my judgment awaiting more details. It was either foreign-planed or domestic, politically or socially motivated. But it was undoubtedly a terrorist attack and we should call it like it is.

Like it or not, it’s virtually impossible to prevent attacks like this. It would be much easier to defend a school full of students by training and arming school personnel in firearm defense techniques - and publishing the fact that the campus is ready to respond to any lethal attack. That option is not available in any comprehensive way dealing with such a huge public forum. Evil will out. All we can do is anticipate and cover as best we can.

We all send our prayers to the victims of the Boston attack and their families, and hope for justice. Those hoards of leftist lawyers, who stubbornly oppose the death penalty, frustrating the law by consciously delaying (for decades) the execution of the sentence on frivolous grounds, dishonor the innocent victims. They deny justice. If the killer or killers in this case are found, tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, let’s execute them without undue delay. The maxim “Justice delayed is justice denied” (Pirkei Avot 5:8, Ethics of Our Fathers , 100 B.C. - "Our Rabbis taught:...The sword comes into the world, because of justice delayed and justice denied....", Magna Carta, etc.) applies to the people as well as the criminal defendant. And let’s not “put them to sleep” as you would a rabid pet. Justice in such outrageously violent cases deserves a demonstrably violent execution, by rope or firing squad, preferably in public view. Liberals could be correct in their belief that the death penalty does not deter heinous criminal activity (I disagree) – but it sure eliminates recidivism.

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I had only a short time to inquire into the following allegations since Tuesday’s board meeting. I am waiting for written statements from the victims and victim’s families. I did speak to another witness for the victim’s in this case and will publish a full report next week. If these allegations are true, Fillmore Middle School is dangerously out of control. The victim’s mother addressed the board Tuesday and passionately demanded protection for her children who she said are in serious physical danger. She asked that her issue be agenized for the following meeting. The board agreed to look at the matter but did not vote to do so, which I believe is required for action.

Schools for Scoundrels?

I’ve never been able to tolerate bullies.

During Tuesday’s School District meeting I was startled to hear a mother report on a series of violent bullying incidents against her Middle School daughter and son. The family arrived in Fillmore from Alaska where her husband is a member of our Coast Guard.

Her report to the board was prompted by fear for her children’s safety and frustration after her alarming reports to Middle School teachers and administration have been repeatedly brushed aside or ignored altogether.
In short, her children have both been threatened and assaulted on school grounds. Her daughter, after repeated physical threats, was slapped, punched and bloodied on two occasions outside the school gate, first by one girl then by two. One of the girl assailants is alleged to have threatened to cut her throat as she was returning home. This, of course, would be a felony, making a terrorist threat.

Repeated complaints and requests for protection for her children have been unavailing.

Similarly, her son was beaten following numerous physical threats, and continues to be bullied. Threats continue after school.

Oddly, this mother’s daughter (the victim) was finally required to attend bullying classes – again, she was the repeated victim not the bully.

The battered victim is the constant object of cyber-bullying, with the alleged bullies congratulating themselves about the “beatdown”, saying “She deserved it.”

One of the alleged leaders of these assaults was, it’s alleged, suspended for a short while. Upon her return to classes she immediately resumed the attacks and was subsequently suspended a second time. I’m told, it’s alleged, that that girl was finally expelled. After threatening to murder the victim by cutting her throat, as alleged, I would question the wisdom of a mere double suspension.

Complaints have been reported about alleged ineffective supervision, during class, at recess, and after school on school grounds, in the face of numerous fights between students, seven recently alleged in a single day.
In another alleged event, a girl brought a gun to school for the purpose of “killing” another girl. The gun was discovered and confiscated. The girl was, allegedly, expelled and charged with a drug violation – with nothing being said of the firearm violation.

The Middle School appears to be out of control. I will research this allegation, but I have been told that the school has had 7 principals in 7 years.

The complainant mother’s attempts to see the superintendent were, allegedly, brushed aside. According to the mother the administration does nothing to correct this arguably lethal situation.

Utter lack of control allegedly goes uncorrected in the classroom, with students seriously disrupting class by doing such things as unplugging electronic devices and disrupting attempts at teaching. Some teachers allegedly can do nothing about the out of control classroom condition. If so, who is learning?

This corroborated report makes me livid. Should there be any mystery why so much deadly violence has infected our school system? Many public schools have become breeding grounds for future career criminals who have no respect for human life. In this case I suspect the heavy influence from a small number of gang-associated suspects. Are we looking at future thieves, robbers, rapists, and killers, maybe even racists? It’s time to correct any such criminal conduct in criminal institutions, not by ruining the entire school environment for the good kids. What incredible fear must be infecting our Middle School grounds if these allegations prove true? Who can learn anything in such a dangerous, threatening environment?

Let’s get these questions answered – now, for the sake of all those wonderful, normal, good-natured, innocent kids trying to educate themselves!

Virtually every American public school seems to be lacking student discipline these days. How can we wonder where all those murderous monsters are hatched? The incubators can be found in the amoral, anti Christian system of public education carefully nurtured by greedy, anti-religious, anti freedom teacher’s unions, incompetent and overpaid administrations (not signaling-out Fillmore) and a largely indifferent and distracted populous.

A partial answer – home schooling, voucher schools, and a good dose of Christian ethics.

Unprecedented efforts at every level are being made by state and federal governments to neuter America’s Second Amendment, and disarm American citizens, depriving them of the ability to defend against tyrannical governments and criminals. The clear intent of the liberal Left is to diminish gun ownership to a point as close as possible to confiscation without triggering an armed rebellion.

Not wishing to waste what they see as an opportunity flowing from the horrific tragedy of Sandy Hook, the usual ill-informed firearms-phobic politicians seek to impose draconian restrictions not only on so-called “assault weapons” and high capacity magazines, but on many handguns and ammunition as well. These gun-grabbers have one thing in common (aside from an irrational fear and loathing of firearms), and that is a psychological impediment to logical thinking. Typically, they reject obvious facts and refuse to apply logical thinking.

These people cannot understand that there is no silver bullet for defending against this world’s evil actors and the criminally insane. They can’t grasp that simple truth so often repeated, that is, guns do not kill people - people kill people. For example, Scientists can observe a firearm placed on a table for years without ever witnessing a threatening motion of any kind. This is because it is an inanimate object; it cannot think or move. This is true of every inanimate object in the world. This seems simple enough, yet members of the liberal Left can’t manage to understand this fact – which leads me to believe that members of the liberal Left should be watched carefully for other signs of instability. They should not be trusted with law-making.

Further efforts should be made by normal people to penetrate what appears to be a sort of invincible ignorance in liberals. They need to understand that the only thing capable of stopping an evil, deranged person from perpetrating a heinous act of murder with a firearm is a good person with equal firepower.

The Sandy Hook elementary school had in place every reasonable measure to avoid such an attack, except a human trained in defensive firearms tactics to react when the usual defensive measures have been defeated. Since even the quickest response by the police couldn’t have helped here, an armed guard, teacher or custodian would have been a quicker defense, lessening the carnage. Had the perpetrator known that he would confront armed resistance he would likely not have attempted this attack. Prohibiting large magazines would have solved nothing. Semi-automatic pistol magazines can be quickly and easily changed-out, and fire just as fast. To eliminate semi-automatic firearms would mean taking away the vast majority of firearms in American hands.

About 90 percent of firearms crime is committed by criminal gangs (more than a million members) and they will always have guns. With the huge drug cartels raking-in $35 billion in Mexico alone, they can buy anything they want in a worldwide market. If the war on drugs, after decades of strong effort, catches only 15 percent of the trade (liberal estimate) a nationwide ban on all guns would be fruitless. Gun bans are a mere inconvenience for criminals, but they devastate the 99 percent of honest, law-abiding, God-fearing American citizens in their attempts to defend themselves from criminals and tyranny.

Another fact seldom voiced: Up to three million crimes are deterred and criminals defeated in America by firearms every year. (John R. Lott, Jr. PhD, More Guns Less Crime, 3rd edition).

Infringing on our Second Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” by restricting ammunition, magazines, and particular firearms for foolish reasons and by unreasonable means (taxation) will spark a serious reaction from the 250 million holders of these guns. This would not bode well for domestic tranquility.

It’s great to see so many kids at the pool complex. Our city council is doing a great job of balancing the pool’s budget and making it possible to keep the kids swimming through the summer.

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After so many years of aimless leadership from the former city council, it’s encouraging to see so much enthusiasm expressed during the recent Goals-Setting meeting. Clearly, Fillmore is back on track.

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The constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 is being argued in our Supreme Court as I write these words. Let’s hope that the court will not toss-out 4,000 years of moral common sense and biblical dogma. I wish I had more time for this issue this week. I have some fear that perhaps a justice of that court might imitate that Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judge who refused to recuse himself before finding Prop 8 unconstitutional. He happened to be homosexual himself, wanting to destroy the people’s decision in order to “marry” his long-time boyfriend. So much for blind justice. My faith in our judicial system is quickly disappearing.

As conservatives continue to battle liberals and leftists to assure that our Second Amendment rights remain intact, it’s reassuring to hear that our sheriff stands with us.

The Gazette is pleased to have received a short letter from Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean which restates his sworn commitment to upholding our Constitution with its Second Amendment.

Our Constitution is under attack by liberal-radical revisionists who view that document as something soft and flexible rather than a thing chiseled in granite.

As the Founders continually emphasized, we receive our rights from God, not the government.

The Obama administration seeks to “infringe” on our Second Amendment rights as never before in American history. American citizens should defend against this force as never before.

One of the best summaries I’ve seen concerning the issue of gun violence and our Second Amendment has been set out in a video to be found on front page at www.fillmoregazette.com. The information is absolutely true and heavily documented. It clearly sets out the facts, which demonstrates that the rationale behind all of the so-called “reasonable” gun control bills being foisted on America is pure rubbish. As all credible studies and recent experience shows, gun control laws do absolutely nothing to diminish criminal conduct of any kind. To the contrary, the largest and most respected studies clearly show that more guns mean less crime. Removing guns from the law-abiding populace simply facilitates violent criminal activity. Criminals will always have guns and good citizens will always need an equal method of defending against criminal activity.

The most respected studies by the world’s most eminent scholars show, indisputably, the meaning of “More Guns Less Crime” (John R. Lott Jr., PhD).

The whole problem of violent criminal activity relates directly to criminals themselves and to criminal insanity. And, these two social problems continue to grow, fast. Here are some statistics from two years ago. “According to the Justice Department’s National Youth Gang Center, since 1980 the growth of gangs in the United States has been incredibly rapid, from an estimated 286 jurisdictions, which reported the presence of
Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment, 09/20/11 Colgen LP 23

Approximately 2,000 gangs made up of nearly 100,000 members in 1980 to over 30,000 gangs with more than 1 million members in 2011.” And, they all have guns, not purchased through legal transactions.

Does any sane person believe “gun control” will lessen this threat? Gun control makes criminal activity easier.

Sheriff Geoff Dean's Comments on Gun Control:
In recent months, there has been a great deal of discussion and debate about gun control, which was brought into sharp focus by the tragic shooting of elementary school children in Connecticut. As the nationwide debate continues, I have received many phone calls and e-mails asking about my position on the Second Amendment.

As a peace officer, I have ...sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States and of the State of California. I believe in and support all aspects of our Constitution, including the Second Amendment. California already has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country.

There are several new gun control measures being discussed at both the state and federal level. It is a complex issue, and I have been involved in discussions with various elected officials on some of the proposals. I will continue to be involved in the discussion and evaluate each proposal on its merits.
-Geoff

As I write these words the Catholic Church has just elected a new Pope. He is from Argentina and has taken the name of Francis. He is conservative and is expected to accomplish some much needed house cleaning within the Vatican bureaucracy. The church rejoices and I wish him well.

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The residents of Fillmore should also be happy to hear that our new children’s park (the Tot Lot at Two Rivers) will be completed next month. The long awaited facility will be located south of the baseball field. Instead of grass, the park will have a rubberized flooring about three inches thick. I’m waiting for a press release which will detail the costs and grants which made the facility come to life. Some details were mentioned at the photo op but I wasn’t taking notes. You will all be very pleased with the design and location.

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Our interim City Manager, Rigo Landeros, and the entire council are making great progress concerning the swimming pool complex opening as soon as possible. The deficit has been reduced from $76,000 to $41,000, and usage is up. The American Water company (designers and builders of our treatment plant, and much maligned by previous council members) is due thanks for covering the cost of swimming pool chemicals.
These are the first really positive developments brought to fruition by our new city council. Fillmore seems to be back on track.

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Congratulations to Myrna Taylor (awarded Lifetime Citizen of the Year by our Fillmore Chamber of Commerce) and Citizen of the Year, R. J. Stump. It’s great to see that Fillmore continues to value our small town traditions.