Sunday 03 August 2008
You better live your best and act your best and think your best today, for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow.
Hi, my name is Rob, and this is a web site about my street in Fresno.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Sunday 03 August 2008 - 12:38:35 |
Wednesday 27 August 2008
Calaveras Supports Mental Illness Reform
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTcHT4zpAGs My dears, trite as it may sound to some, we have to stop from time and time and let the folks we meet and come to know that they matter..........
Yesterday MOI went back to the City Council to give a message to the elected officials and appointed 'public employees' gathered there. Some will think MOI a silly goose to do this, schedule an address and have but three minutes to make a point, and not get comments or even know if the message was received by the folks sitting on the dais.
There were 5 sitting members at the City Council meeting, as were the City Clerk, City Attorney and of course His Holiness, Pope AndyI(the City Manager) and his second, the Mr. Rudd. MOI had to follow a tough act. A chap was retiring as City Planner and the MAYOR(yes, my dears, he really was there, sans tie and in jeans) as were many, many public employees.
Mayor Autry for all of his training as an actor does not speak very well. One had to lean forward to catch his words and there was not much style in his presentation. Perhaps it was a true heart-felt moment and the Mayor was playing to a crowd of one, the chap being honoured. The 'KEY TO THE CITY' was given(Fresno spares no expense) as was a formal proclamation. After snaps were taken, the Mayor departed and the City Council took a short break.
MOI got to speak some 45 minutes later than planned but it was all well. For the very first time, not only did the lovely member of the Council, sitting president, Blong Xiong give attention, but MOI noticed that other members were actually listening. It went rather well. Mental Illness is a subject that needs attention, sooner rather than later. Like Blanche DuBoise in the Tennessee Williams play, 'Streetcar named Desire', MOI has '.......always been dependent on the kindness of strangers.' and would like to think that some yet unknown person will come forward and help MOI get the attention required for the folks on Calaveras and in the neighborhood who are so desperate for proper housing and attention.
MOI did a few filmed bits for YOUTUBE, folks were ever so kind. The Fire Chief was game as was a lovely lady working in the City Clerk's office. Sadly, there are some who are loathe to be on YOUTUBE and MOI had to delete the filmed report at City Clerk's office as there was a lady in that did not want to be, MOI did the honourable thing and deleted, although Ms. Yanez was quite brilliant and will have to do another time. MOI ran into Mr. Gregory Barfield, Chief-of-Staff for Ms. Sterling, and he pretended to be ever so busy and would not allow MOI to film. MOI did get promises from other public employees to appear on camera and will have to return to capture them.
MOI ran into another most interesting personage yesterday and will bee meeting with on Calaveras in the near future. My dears, this will be HUGE and you will just have to wait until MOI tells of...........how is that for a tease?
My dears, if you click on the City Council link and bring up the City Council Meeting for August 26, 2008, you will hear the chat MOI gave.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Wednesday 27 August 2008 - 02:04:35 |
Tuesday 26 August 2008
DWARFS grovel in Denver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTpFUT-lxls My dears, MOI is wicked today..............
DWARF Perea and Dwarf Sterling will be AWOL at the meeting of the City Council today as they are attending the Coronation of Barrack Obama in Denver. MOI knows this as a 'farmer' from Fresno area is attending the convention and blogging for the Fresno Bee. He had breakfast with DWARF Sterling and DWARF Perea in Denver. That breakfast might be the closest Ms. Sterling gets to Nancy Pelosi as she does not have $5,000.00 to attend the meet and greet with.
MOI tried to post comments on this chap's blog but the editor rejected them;
Hi, Rob. We are always appreciative of your thoughtful contributions to the Opinion Talk blog. Thanks for your participation.I wanted to let you know, however, that we aren’t going to put up the posting about Cynthia Sterling because it crosses the line into a personal attack. Criticizing her performance is fine, of course. Cordially,Gail Gail MarshallAssociate editor for the Opinion pagesThe Fresno Bee1626 E St.Fresno, CA 93786
To which MOI replied;
MOI can live with that.........mind, as an elected official, Ms. Sterling told the whole world that she is on 'queer street, and her overuse of make-up and the enormous smile are her trademarks. Can only assume the calling it a mask, and piano in style and the fact MOI used 'queer street' makes comments
personal, rather than a wicked observation.
Have a brilliant day
Rob
MOI is bothered most that the blogger and for that matter Gail seem to be ever so thrilled to be giving Mr. Obama all of the attention they can. Regular love fest it is. And to have it printed that the chap was agog to be in the 'presence' of the next mayor is just too much to take. Gag MOI with a spoon, next Ms. Sterling will have this 'farmer' buying the 'manure' she has in garden to grow miracle tomatoes.
Apples and oranges it may be but MOI remembers a chap running for the high office of President of the United States against Harry S. Truman. Folks were so convinced that Mr. Dewey would win they had the next day headline printed in advance. He lost!
DWARF Perea is hoping to be swept into office on the tidewater of support for Obama, and DWARF Sterling is hoping that being a 'close friend and supporter'(remember, she supported Ms. Good, from the closet she was hiding in) she, Ms. Sterling will get another pay packet when she is made redundant. Talk about suck up.............hope Obama wears lots of wash and wear, the salivating must be horrid.
MOI does not have a crystal ball, and is clueless as to who will be the next President or Mayor, MOI has hopes for the outcome but this act is far from over. MOI does not need a crystal ball to know that Ms. Sterling has not been a good elected official and will coast to the end of her term leaving much undone, and the district worse off than when she got elected. DWARF Perea is not going to be any better on the council, and he misses the big picture about Fresno, and that might be enough to get folks to not vote for. Ms. Sterling will not come on the road or neighborhood any more than she has to. DWARF Perea will not come down onto Calaveras or in the neighborhood as he knows that there are not massive number of voters here. DWARF Perea wants the Hispanic vote, but even he is clever enough to know that 'illegals' can not vote. Perea will not touch the 'third rail' and say or do anything to address the growing problem of 'illegals' in Fresno.
MOI will still don message T-Shirt and go to the City Council Meeting today. DWARF Perea and DWARF Sterling never pay any mind to what this old geezer has to say. Open Government means that 'the people' have every right to take part in it. Matter not that the elected officials and appointed 'public employees' on the dais tune out what one has to say. It is a right that each and every person living in Fresno has and is a shame that many more do not avail themselves of that right.
MOI will be doing 'LIVE' filmed reports for YOUTUBE and will share the experience with the whole world. Wonder if they can prevent MOI from filming at City Hall?
MOI is right pleased that poor Ms. Sterling is getting a feed or two in Denver. Being on 'queer street' must have her feeling left out, what with the digs at MOTEL6 when DWARF Perea probably has a whole suite to self.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le7zzdOKUdg MOI has to leave you with this little bit of music.........meant for Ms. Sterling............PHONE HOME........she misses so many meetings of late.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Tuesday 26 August 2008 - 00:24:33 |
Monday 25 August 2008
Calaveras could use a good wallop
The Fresno Bee ran a story that appeared in the newspaper on Sunday, http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/817668.html, it says a lot about what is of import with folks in Fresno.
As in the days of ancient Rome, the masses were invited to attend an event held in a 'public park'.(for a dear price!) Fresno may love the idea of the Emperor providing sport for the masses but they are a cheeky lot and have to make a quid or tow off the deal.
4000 queued up for over an hour to enter our modern Colosseum and over 1500 disappointed were turned away, according to the reportage.
Bellicosity may ave been lacking on the part of the assembled crowd, but it was surely on their minds. So much so that the promoters had laid on heavy security and had even managed to get the TOP COPPER in Fresno to attend the event.
At ring side for the whole of Fresno to see were Chief of Police Jerry Dyer, Emperor Alan Autry(soon to be redundant mayor of Fresno), and the shocker of all, Paster 'H' Spees(perhaps, acting as High Priest to Mayor Autry and giving a blessing to the event). Chief Dyer and Mayor Autry drip testosterone, and 'H' lays waste the idea that a preacher is a 'girlie man'.
The manly three had a perfect view of the pugilistic(use that word loosely) match that was to take place. They could watch lads pommel one another and run the risk of being covered with sweat and other bodily fluids excreted as the gladiators inside the cage performed their act for all of Fresno to see. Make no mistake about it, the crowd had come to see blood and to see pain.
You may well ask yourselves why this old geezer is apoplexed over an event clearly sanctioned by the City Fathers of Fresno and much supported by the folks who live here.
My dears, MOI is gobsmacked at the priorities of folks in Fresno. The leadership and the common man. Recently there was an election held for seats on the City Council and for the soon to be vacated office of mayor. The turn out to vote was shameful, folks did not queue up to vote and they showed a lack of interest in something of much import for the City. There was a 'National Night Out' held in Fresno, to show support for efforts to rid roads of crime, and they did not queue up to attend, not a single place that held the event reported having to turn away hundreds of folks. To have the Emperor, the palace guard and the high priest all turn up for a public even must have had the chap who put on the event peeing his trousers with joy. What a blessing to bestow.
The whole idea of lads performing in a cage for the masses in such a manner is abhorrent to MOI, as it is to many other folks in this country. This is what Senator John McCain says of it;
McCain himself led a campaign to ban Ultimate Fighting, calling it "human cockfighting", and sending letters to the governors of all fifty U.S. states asking them to ban the event.
Chief Jerry Dyer can put any spin on the event he wants. The mayor can leave 'Starbucks' and mingle with the common folks and 'H' Spees will have to deal with the views of some folks about his very public support for such an event. TO MOI, it just shows what really gets folks worked up here in Fresno and Civic Pride and Moral Responsibility are not as high on the list as one might expect.
Is it any wonder that Calaveras and the neighborhood get 'shat' on? Perhaps we should put on like events and get the attention of the folks in government and in the city. It is blatant that it is possible to make buckets of cash and get the attention of the folks in power in Fresno.
One has to wonder.........
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Monday 25 August 2008 - 02:49:40 |
Sunday 24 August 2008
CALAVERAS - gets 'saved' for a day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXs9bZq-vg This tune is not going to sit well with some folks but it is what it is...........
DISCLAIMER: 'H' Spees is a neighbor on Calaveras, he is being a brilliant neighbor and supports efforts to make neighbors aware of efforts to make the community and the road a better place. MOI is not attacking 'H' or organized religion, rather pointing out the misguided 'good intentions of Cornerstone Streets Ministry' to save souls and bring the 'Word of God' to Calaveras.
Saturday morn, bright and early, the good folks from Cornerstone Streets Ministry rolled onto Calaveras to hold a block party. They came with their canopies, bounce houses, chairs, sound system and their fire pits. The folks from Cornerstone Street Ministry also came bearing gifts, loads of toys and bikes for the children, as well as candy.
MOI checked with some of the neighbors, 'H' and Phil, and they were as clueless as to the event as MOI was. 'H' did not know of until the folks from Cornerstone Street Ministry knocked on door and asked if the could set up in from of his lovely home. Of course 'H' allowed, and he is personal friends with the chap who is the pastor at this church.
MOI had asked the young chap who was leading the crusade if MOI could interview a filmed bit for YOUTUBE and he declined as he felt that MOI was against the church and would not be fair or kind in the filmed report. MOI had filmed a bit with the voice of the chap in the background but thought it best to let the chap be. One could hear the passion of the chap as he loudly proclaimed his desire to save souls and lead the poor souls on Calaveras to the light. To be fair, the chap leading the crusade did not try to mask his message, he was filled with the 'spirit of the Lord' and he was on a personal mission, that was the reason for him to be on the road and he did not mislead any of the party goers into thinking it was anything other than a good 'old fashioned tent revival' meeting.
True to their word, there was food and drink and there were loads of gifts on a table ready to pass out to the children. There was also a massive amount of sweets. MOI saw a free for all take place as the children swarmed forward to grab the sweets. The poor chap and his helpers were not prepared for the rush and had to get the children to calm down. One would have thought that the children had not had sweets for a very long time, so greedily did they snap up all of the chocolate bars. MOI spied on small boy walking away from the party with so much candy that he could barely hold it all. The small boy had both hands pressed tightly to his chest to keep the bounty of sweets contained in his possession. MOI asked why he felt he had to take so much and the small boy told MOI to bugger off...........so much for a Christian attitude.
In a filmed bit MOI did with 'H' you can hear the voice of the young preacher telling 'H' that he best mind MOI as the filmed bit was going to be used to slam the block party and shame good folks. 'H' is no stranger to being interviewed and he allowed MOI to film. If you checked out the bit on YOUTUBE, it is not a slam at religion or the block party. MOI believes that however good the intentions of outsiders are about Calaveras, it will always be the efforts of the neighbors on the road that are of most import. 'H' lives on Calaveras and he has much to say on the matter. 'H' is not shy and he told his views and MOI did not edit them. The young preacher was offered the same opportunity but did not trust in the goodness of his fellow man enough to do it. More's the pity.
MOI also got to chat with another lovely neighbor, Emily, and she had kind things to say, and noted the improvements to the road. Again, it is a neighbor that matters most. Phil was also about and MOI spoke to and gave some goodies to. MOI blessed many folks with goodies and was right happy to see so many folks taking part in a road event.
MOI is perplexed about some things. When the 'Evening of Music' was held, food as not part of the event. The requirements for giving food away were so severe to deal with, MOI backed off, as did neighbors who had wanted to make food available. Cornerstone Street Ministry did not have any problems with their food give-away. They set up fire pits on the dirty pavement, no safe guards as to lighting, and no clean areas to deal with the preparation of food. Poor Councilman Calhoun and MOI were not so lucky. DWARF Calhoun was made to stop giving away FREE coffee and MOI was told very strongly that he would be fined if food was prepared with out the necessary safeguards in place. MOI can only assume that Cornerstone Street Ministry has very powerful friends in City government as they can hold an event and do as they pleas, the law does not apply to them.
MOI did not stay all day at the event. It was hot and MOI had other thing to deal with. What is clear about events on Calaveras or in the neighborhood is that many children will attend. Far more children than adults. It was so at the 'Evening of Music' and at the recent 'National Night Out' block party. Cornerstone Street Ministry stacked the deck well, they had all of the things in place to make sure that a turnout happened. On Calaveras, mention FREE and the swarms of children will appear as if by magic. Food, toys, bikes, sweets all are a sure way to get the children to stand in line, listen to the Word, and to take part. One wonders as to the honour of the children who have been taught to grab it all and not think of others. Or the good folks who put on an event and feed into this.
What is clear to MOI is that Calaveras will change due to the neighbors who live on the road 365 days a year. Folks who come to do good are appreciated, but their message is slanted for their purposes and one has to question their motive. The poor on Calaveras and in the neighborhood have heard it all before, they are very wise to the ways of these good folks.
Brick by brick, house by house, neighbor by neighbor..........that is the way of it..........no quick fix but a lasting solution to the ills of the community and the road. Ms. Sterling was not at the block party(she being at the orgy of love for Democrats) but none of her staff attended as well, perhaps the Cornerstone Street Ministry left them out of the loop as well.
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Posted by Rob Defrees on Sunday 24 August 2008 - 01:58:06 |
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