Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums Endorses "Sideshows"

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by sav858

I find that extremely hard to believe. Mira Mesa is not known as some ultra conservative area at all, it's mostly Asians and whites with lots of college kids from UCSD. SD is a lot more moderate and doesn't display the extreme politics found in the Bay Area.

Considering it looks likes more than 50% of Mira Mesa voted for Obama I think you're making that up just to counter Bay Dude's statement:

election08.png (image)

you're entitled to your opinion and we both know you and I will likely never agree on anything.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by BayDude

True, its odd how even the suburbs seem to lean left in the Bay. However when I visit cities such as pleasanton or even fremont you can really feel the difference between that and cities such as Oakland.

I guess what I'm saying is that the general moonbattery, levels off, as you move away from Oakland and Berkeley. Say towards Walnut Creek or even south towards the San Jose.

Southern Alameda County is indeed less freaky. As is central Santa Clara County (but oh, the NW part ... that's another story).

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by BayDude

What do you mean by that?

Presently, the I-85 strip. At some point, places further West such as AL, MS and LA will be pulled in. That is where the sun is rising, so to speak. The Left Coast will go the way of the NE and Great Lakes.

[PeixeGato]

Originally Posted by BayDude

My main problem is that they are intolerant. People of other points of view (eg conservatives, libertarians, republicans), people who don't look and act like them etc,. and they make it known that they are not welcome. They also seem to sanction dysfunctional and even criminal behavior and try to legalize it call it the norm. They are filled with enviro-nazi's and over-regulated environments (for example the strict zoning laws raise rents).

It must be so hard being a conservative white male libertarian. Let me pause a moment and shed a tear for you. And tell me, what exactly do people from Oakland, Berkeley, and SF "look like"? When combined together, this area is one of the most diverse areas in the world. There is no one type of person who "looks like" or for that matter DOESN'T "look like" the people you refer to as "them".

And I hardly think that communities in places like Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama, South Carolina, and so on and so on are any more welcoming of far left wingers.

[PeixeGato]

But back to the subject raised by the OP; I may be mistaken, but I believe Dellums was referring to legalizing carefully organized and orchestrated "sideshows" where public safety can be addressed and the gang/violence element can be significantly mitigated. It would essentially grow to become the urban version of the Monster Truck show, where people buy tickets to watch the sideshows at licensed venues like The Collesium (or even County fairgrounds). In such a controled venue, rules can be enacted to remove the dangerous and undesirable aspects of it while allowing people the ability to continue to take part in it. Then once you offer a legal outlet for people, you get much more harsh about punishing people who participate (both active participants and observers) in "unpermitted" sideshows. You dangle the carrot (the legal sideshow), but back it up with a REALLY REALLY big stick (seriously heavy punishment for participating in non-legal sideshows). Another thing to consider is that it could become a source of revenue for the city.

While I don't necessarily agree with his approach to the problem I do understand what he is getting at. I mean, what better way to make an "outlaw activity" less appealing than to make it a "lawful" activity.

[BayDude]

Originally Posted by PeixeGato

It must be so hard being a conservative white male libertarian.

I'm not white. Neither am I "conservative" as its understood by most. Libertarian most closely describes my position. And yes it is hard being openly known for having an opposing view to the general leftism in the Bay Area. For example calling out the latest antics of stupidity in Oakland (sideshows,riots,shootings etc) will get you called a "racist". Frankly it has nothing to do with race and they are "racist" for making it a racial issue. Its just ignorance.

Originally Posted by PeixeGato

And tell me, what exactly do people from Oakland, Berkeley, and SF "look like"? When combined together, this area is one of the most diverse areas in the world. There is no one type of person who "looks like" or for that matter DOESN'T "look like" the people you refer to as "them".

Racially diverse maybe. But there is virtually no political or philosophical diversity. In other words, diversity of opinion. That's the only "diversity" that counts. Racial diversity is irrelevant because its just outward appearance. 90% of pretty much everyone thinks exactly the same. Go to SF people even dress more or less similar regardless of race. Hipster fashion, jeans etc,. Try walking through SF in khakis and a polo shirt lol. Saying someone is "Republican" is almost like a racial slur in the Bay Area. Try wearing a Mccain t-shirt in Oakland, see how far you get. People might litterally get violent or at the very least expect to get cold stares of disaproval and disgust from everyone. Thats not "tolerant" nor is it "diverse".

Originally Posted by PeixeGato

And I hardly think that communities in places like Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama, South Carolina, and so on and so on are any more welcoming of far left wingers.

My point is that leftists take the moral high ground and say that they are "enlightened" and "tolerant" of other points of view. Atleast the right makes no such claims so theres no reason to hold them up to the same standard. It becomes painfully clear when living around rabid leftists that they are fact not tolerant of anyone who disagrees with them. And so the irony.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Presently, the I-85 strip. At some point, places further West such as AL, MS and LA will be pulled in. That is where the sun is rising, so to speak.

I really have not seen any trends to indicate this is the case at all.

The Left Coast will go the way of the NE and Great Lakes.

California's economy is far more resilient than the NE and Great Lakes.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by PeixeGato

But back to the subject raised by the OP; I may be mistaken, but I believe Dellums was referring to legalizing carefully organized and orchestrated "sideshows" where public safety can be addressed and the gang/violence element can be significantly mitigated. It would essentially grow to become the urban version of the Monster Truck show, where people buy tickets to watch the sideshows at licensed venues like The Collesium (or even County fairgrounds). In such a controled venue, rules can be enacted to remove the dangerous and undesirable aspects of it while allowing people the ability to continue to take part in it. Then once you offer a legal outlet for people, you get much more harsh about punishing people who participate (both active participants and observers) in "unpermitted" sideshows. You dangle the carrot (the legal sideshow), but back it up with a REALLY REALLY big stick (seriously heavy punishment for participating in non-legal sideshows). Another thing to consider is that it could become a source of revenue for the city.

While I don't necessarily agree with his approach to the problem I do understand what he is getting at. I mean, what better way to make an "outlaw activity" less appealing than to make it a "lawful" activity.

I also understand what he's getting at -- but it's still wrong. If they sanction it, when the morons get killed their families can legally sue the city.

And this view also takes the tact that the people doing this are doing this for fun. They aren't. This isn't a fun activity, this is an activity designed to terrorize.

[City Boy]

Why is this guy obsessed with posting about Oakland and he's not even from Oakland or probably ever been to Oakland.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by City Boy

Why is this guy obsessed with posting about Oakland and he's not even from Oakland or probably ever been to Oakland.

It is very strange.