I know that sometimes it is better to ignore the crazy B.S. that comes out of Art Pedroza (failed City Council Candidate)Â and Sean Mill (Santa Ana Planning Commissioner) over on the OrangeJuiceBlog but Sometimes it isn’t.
I have been trying, now unsuccessfully, to ignore their antics for the last week since Mill reposted a photo of Aloha holding up a sign saying “Will Kick Carlos Bustamante’s Ass for Food” that was originally posted on TheLiberalOC.com in August. Aloha happens to be homeless and Pedroza and Mill thought that it was a good time to dredge the photo back up in order to promote their own feud with former Orange Juice blogger Thomas Gordon.
In their zeal to pump up a non-story these malicious opportunists have gone too far. Those who have watched the Orange Juice blog decline in credibility over the past year or so are probably not surprised. They most likely recall the following headline from a post that Pedroza penned on October 19th leading up to the Santa Ana City Council election for Ward 3 (Pedroza was challenging Carlos Bustamante for his seat on the Council).
Bustamante may have been drunk when he hit a police car in Anaheim.
While the story had nothing to do with Carlos Bustamante, Pedroza had no problem posting the misleading headline under the banner of his campaign ad for City Council. 48 comments later, Pedroza closed the comments on the story stating:
UPDATE: You may have noticed that I have closed this post to new comments. I think the horse has been beaten to death. Move on folks.
Well, it seems that someone has stolen Aloha’s shopping cart in Santa Ana during a brief period she left it unattended last week. This is unfortunate for Aloha, and I know of a number of people who plan to do what they can to assist her in getting a new cart as well as possibly replacing some of the belongings she lost.
But in yet another classic example of the never-ending litany of Orange Juice hypes over bull crap this is how Pedroza is spinning the theft of Aloha’s cart:
November 21, 2008
Did Carlos Bustamante tell the City of Santa Ana to go after Aloha?
Posted by: Art PedrozaÂ
The homeless lady made famous by a picture that showed her holding up a sign saying she would kick Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante’s ass for food needs our help. The City of Santa Ana seized her personal cart today…
It really doesn’t matter to Pedroza that there is ZERO evidence connecting the City of Santa Ana to the removal/theft of Aloha’s cart. It really doesn’t matter to Pedroza that there is ZERO evidence that Carlos Bustamante had anything to do with the removal/theft of Aloha’s cart. He just shoots from the hip and fires off what the voices in his head tell him regardless of the truth.
From Art Pedroza’s own commentary on the matter of Aloha’s missing cart:
I wonder if Bustamante tried to get revenge on this poor lady by having her cart seized? That is WRONG. So it is time to act.
Art Pedroza Says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I have no doubt that Busty was behind the seizure of Aloha’s cart and belongings. It is just like him to go after a defenseless, homeless abuelita.
Art Pedroza Says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Again you are assigning blame to everyone EXCEPT the parties who ordered the seizure and who conducted the seizure. I realize that conservatives like to blame the media for everything, but in this instance the blame falls squarely on whoever ordered the hit on Aloha’s belongings. I believe this trail of crumbs will lead directly to Carlos Bustamante. The bad guy in THIS story is whoever decided to take Aloha’s belongings, period!
Art Pedroza Says:
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 pm
The blame falls squarely on four parties: those that seized the cart, those who ordered the seizure, those who took the picture, and those who posted it on the Liberal OC. The primary blame falls on the party that ordered the seizure.
It is libelous to knowingly state something as fact that is not fact. It is defamatory and patently false to insinuate that the posting of Aloha’s photo on TheLiberalOC led to the theft of her shopping cart knowing that there is no relationship between the two events. It is irresponsible to accuse a City Councilman or city staff of “ordering a hit” on Aloha’s belongings when no evidence exists to support that allegation.
Art Pedroza and Sean Mill have been crowing how posting a photo, that Aloha willingly posed for, is somehow taking advantage of her because she is a homeless person. So I have to wonder, what do they call it when they take advantage of Aloha’s misfortune, and twist it to their advantage in a personal vendetta against a former colleague, a City Councilmember, City staff, and the publisher of a competing blog?
Well I spent some time talking with Aloha this afternoon. As far as she can tell the city and poilce had nothing to do with her cart being taken. She left it unattended and when she returned it was gone. She has another cart and plenty of blankets. The wheels on her cart are in need of replacement, so if any of our readers have an idea how to replace the wheels on he cart please let me know. She loves to read political mystery novels. She said she could probably use a few pairs of slacks (size 18, W-22 is the info from what she is wearing now.
Aloha made it clear that she is not some “stupid homeless person” who was taken advantage of by having her picture taken. “i’ve had my picturet aken alot of times. The young man who took it was very nice.” Aloha said the only person who has treated her poorly has been that “jerk Planning Commissioner” (Mill) who made a big deal out of nothing. “Doesn’t he have anything better to do?” she asked.
Aloha said that she knows nothing about the fundraising campaign on her behalf being promoted by the folks over at OrangeJuiceBlog. “I never asked for their help and they haven’t told me anything about it,” Aloha said.
So, to add insult to Aloha’s injury, Pedroza and Mill are trying to raise money on her behalf and absent her request or consent, in order to make themselves out to be hero’s when in fact they are simply malicious opportunists. But such is the way of Pedroza and Mill as the shovel their Orange Sludge.
It is fortunate that the people of Santa Ana rejected Art Pedroza as a candidate for Santa Ana City Council. It is unfortunate that the people of Santa Ana do not have the same choice regarding Sean Mill’s appointment as a member of the Planning Commission. That decision lies with Councilman Sal Tinajero, who appointed Mill, and the current members of the Council.
regardless of pedrozas crazy accusations doesnt change the fact that you never should have posted that pic prevatt. i went looking for aloha today to offer some help but never found her i hope you helped her while you were there.
Jose S.
As a matter of fact I did help Aloha when I saw her. She also told me that she had no problem with my posting her picture on TheLiberalOC. She was however none too happy with “that Planning Commissioner” (Sean Mill) who reposted it in order to go after Thomas Gordon in a personal feud.
Enough with the false outrage Jose. Aloha had no problem with posing for the picture or its initial posting on the internet. End of story.
Ouch.
They’re going to need to call in the forensics team to locate what’s left of Art and Sean.
Chris, Aloha says thanks for the money and she enjoyed taking to you earlier today.
I hope a replace cart can be secured for her. The following I posted at Orange Juice and it fits here too.
Anyone who would like to give something to Aloha or meet her in a protected safe environment , she comes by my home between 5pm and 6pm, 10th and Broadway.
A word to the wise, money is not the best thing to give to homeless people, food is supplied my all the churches around town. With the weather turning colder and rain bearing down. Waterproof warm jackets would most appreciated in my opinion.
Chris,
Thanks for all the time you spend helping the hungry around Civic Center.
DJ
Chris Prevatt is my new hero. Not!!!
Did you forget that the picture would have never been floating around if it weren’t for the actions of you and Gordon? Mill didn’t have a copy of the photo, Pedroza didn’t have a copy of the photo, but you did. Had Gordon not taken the picture and you not posted it Mill would have never had anything to re-post. Trying to absolve yourself of any responsibility is pretty lame. You had no idea whether Aloha was okay with your posting of the photo before you posted it did you? You never checked with her and got her okay before doing so did you? This self-aggrandizing propaganda is pretty disgusting.
prevatt, false outrage? you just dont get it do you? there is nothing false about my outrage. you can try to twist this any way you want but it doesnt change the fact that you posted that pic. i see this long post of yours as a bizzare way of trying to cover your arse when all you really had to say was you made a mistake.
·a·tribe (dÄ«’É™-trÄ«b’) Pronunciation Key
n. A bitter, abusive denunciation.
[Latin diatriba, learned discourse, from Greek diatribē, pastime, lecture, from diatrībein, to consume, wear away : dia-, intensive pref.; see dia- + trībein, to rub; see terə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
Word History: Listening to a lengthy diatribe may seem like a waste of time, an attitude for which there is some etymological justification. The Greek word diatribÄ“, the ultimate source of our word, is derived from the verb diatrÄ«bein, made up of the prefix dia-, “completely,” and trÄ«bein, “to rub,” “to wear away, spend, or waste time,” “to be busy.” The verb diatrÄ«bein meant “to rub hard,” “to spend or waste time,” and the noun diatribÄ“ meant “wearing away of time, amusement, serious occupation, study,” as well as “discourse, short ethical treatise or lecture, debate, argument.” It is the serious occupation of time in discourse, lecture, and debate that gave us the first use of diatribe recorded in English (1581), in the now archaic sense “discourse, critical dissertation.” The critical element of this kind of diatribe must often have been uppermost, explaining the origin of the current sense of diatribe, “a bitter criticism.”
My Hero,
If there were any connection between the posting of Aloha’s photo and the loss of her cart, you might have a point. But it didn’t and you don’t.
The photo of Aloha holding the sign was sent to me. She is obviously not under any duress and is smiling.
Jose S,
I make no excuses for posting the photo of Aloha. I make none, because no excuse is necessary. Be as outraged as you like.You outrage does not change the facts.
Seems like Dictionary.coms’ word of the day is spot on for this subject and I’m NOT talking about Chris or anyone here. I am of course talking about those who are a legend in their own mind.
reprobate \REP-ruh-bayt\, noun:
1. a very wicked, unprincipled person; scoundrel
adjective:
1. very wicked; unprincipled
verb:
1. to disapprove; condemn, censure
noun:
1. a person predestined to damnation, rejected by God
adjective:
1. rejected by God; damned
verb:
1. to reject from salvation; predestine to eternal punishment
Awww those comments were made to me now I get to read them twice I feel so special jk. I said it on the Juice and I’ll say it here its like some bs high school pissing match between grown men (I was not including you in that statement) Aloha and her photo just got used in the process kinda sad.
Carlos Bustamante is anti union and Matt Cuningham is no friend of labor? Why would you support Bustamante by attacking Pedroza?
well prevatt you got one thing right, the facts are the facts.
Criticizing Art Pedroza does not equal support for Carlos Bustamante. If you are trying to categorize “Libertarian” Art Pedroza as pro-union then somewhere along the line you’ve gotten the definitions screwed up. Libertarians, as a matter of principle oppose unions. Art Pedroza was not endorsed by the Labor Coalition. But for the record, there were certian endorsements by labor groups that I disagreed with.
I received a copy of an email from Mark Larwence of the Santa Ana City Manager’s office regarding the rumor spread by Art Pedroza about the theft of Aloha’s Cart.
The City Manager’s office received several calls today (Monday) regarding the alledged confiscation of a homeless woman’s shopping cart in the Civic Center area last week. Apparently thee is a rumor circulating that city staff confiscated the woman’s cart.
We have receved confirmation this afternoon from the Santa Ana Police Department, Community Preservation Public Works, and Parks ans Recreation, that staff did not confiscate the shopping cart in question, nor do we have the cart or personal belongings in our possession.
Well, there you have it, just another rumor started by Pedroza on the OrangeJuiceBlog. I wonder what the value is of the time wasted investigating this false rumor..
Chris. Pedroza and Mill are attention whores and losers. Stop talking about them. They do enough by talking about themselves CONSTANTLY! They are self-destructing all on their own. They don’t need your help. Let the losers jump off the cliff without any fanfare. They deserve no such attention.
Yeah I don’t like to go blaming things on friends, but now Robin Cook has admitted in our comments, that he’s the one who first got the impression from Aloha that the city had taken the cart, and the rest of us went with that since he knows her best. I went to Rob’s place yesterday to help hook Thomas and others up with Rob since his e-mail was down.
It’s still a mystery what happened to the cart, but if the city didn’t take it then its disappearance probably had nothing to do with the infamous picture being posted EITHER here or on the OJ, and the cart theft was just a routine humiliation that homeless people have to put up with.
And ironically, none of us would have been aware of the theft of Aloha’s cart or been in a position to help her, if it weren’t for the posting of her cool picture here in August, and on the OJ last week. That’s my position and I’m sticking with it!
Rob wrote in our comments today: (and I fix some of his spelling)
I had already searched for her cart from 1st street to 17th and Flower to the train station and did not find it. I called the city to find who I should check with if they took it and was told to check the police evidence or the City Yard. I was told they didn’t have it, but I did not go and look myself. (My looking and calling all happened before I posted her cart lost on 11-21)
But in re-reading what I posted and Art reposted under its own heading, it looks like I owe some apologies.
To the city of Santa Ana, I apologize for saying , “the one in the picture was taken by the city†without any proof. I still believe, weighing many factors, that the city is most likely the ones who removed her cart.
To Art Pedroza, I apologize for misleading him with the same statement.
And to thank him for reposting as a separate post. That has done far more in addressing her missing cart than I could do by myself.
To Sean Mill, I apologize for the comment by Aloha to Chris about “that commissioner†cause she has never met Mr. Mill and those words sounded a lot like mine and out of context.
As to my telling her to go to the commission meeting. Mr. Mill is a stand-up guy and would be able to get to the bottom of any city involvement better than I could.
And I apologize to all of the readers whose personal feelings got hurt during all the flaming and roasting associated with the cart posting.
And I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the search for her cart and the other gifts of charity including, this morning, a drop-off of a waterproof jacket.
Hey everyone enjoy Thanksgiving!
Chris,
When the Republicans want to take out their opponents, they send out a hit piece. You paid for a hit piece that helped a Republican. Not a good use of money when there are great Democrats like Bill H. running for Congress. Are you now favoring the Pulido machine?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but I did not pay for the mailer that was send out highlighting the type of character Art Pedroza really is.
Art Pedroza is a DTS voter who has expressed nothing but contempt for Democrats and the Democratic Party. He gets no support or sympathy from me.
sounds like robin cook is a pretty stand up guy. too bad others arent the same.
Mr. Prevatt,
I saw this question on the Orange Juice and I thought some legitimate questions were asked regarding the use of stereotypes. I would like to hear a response from you because I read this blog often for left of center point of views on current local politics and I was disappointed when you first posted the picture of the homeless woman. I think that as a liberal blog writer you should be setting an example of what is decent. In publishing this photo I was disappointed in you.
2. Chris Prevatt, on November 24th, 2008 at 7:40 pm Said:
Jose S.
“As a matter of fact I did help Aloha when I saw her. She also told me that she had no problem with my posting her picture on TheLiberalOC. She was however none too happy with “that Planning Commissioner†(Sean Mill) who reposted it in order to go after Thomas Gordon in a personal feud.â€
Chris,
I wonder then why you felt you had to “help†Aloha if she was compensated by Thomas at the time he took the picture and you posted it?
The fact is that you recognize that you exploited her. But like I said before, I believe you were manipulated and influenced. Regardless, you held up to ridicule, a woman who is homeless with a sign the said “Will Kick Bustamante’s ass for Food†The Will do X for food is a stereotypical epithet used to ridicule the homeless. You were used by Republican Thomas Gordon to hold a homeless person up to ridicule by using a stereotypical epithet known collectively by society at large as a point of ridicule for the homeless. That is tantamount to any number of stereotypes attributed to the gay community or any other minority group or vulnerable population.
This is evident by the fact that Thomas is apparently sending money to put Aloha up in a motel for the night. A “Homeless By Choice†person according to Vern Nelson. I find that statement just odd as it would usually be uttered by a Republican commenting on the state of the homeless.
You should understand that just because a person is complicit in others exploiting them does not make it ok. Take for example how you were used and manipulated by Phil Becerra, and Janet Nguyen. Or how you were used as a pawn to wage a war against Edgardo Reynoso for Melahat by proxy through Hoa Van Tran.
“She was however none too happy with “that Planning Commissioner†(Sean Mill) who reposted it in order to go after Thomas Gordon in a personal feud.†Chris Prevatt
Chris,
Aloha has never met Sean Mill. I’m sure any homeless person would be happy to say what ever you ask them to after you and apparently another person for reinforcement come to them and give them money and other aid.
The fact that you were used and manipulated by Phil Becerra to post this picture taken by Thomas Gordon does not negate the fact that this woman was exploited. My friend Vern Nelson puts forth a valiant effort to steer the focus of disdain for this act by the perpetrators to one of adulation by the fact that this crass act resulted in a host of guilt buying efforts by you and Thomas. But this effort by Vern is simply because he is sick and tired of all the personal squabbles being waged here on this blog. I don’t blame him. It must be wearying for him.
Mr Prevatt,
I don’t understand why you deleted my post. Im very serious about this. I think that there are some questions here that you need to answer. I am a liberal Democrat in Orange and I am glad that Dems have made some gains locally and nationally. But I am losing faith in the Liberal OC as a point of information for Liberal Politics in OC. I want to know what youre answer will be on the questions about stereotypes. Please respond tot he questions below.
Adrian
2. Chris Prevatt, on November 24th, 2008 at 7:40 pm Said:
Jose S.
“As a matter of fact I did help Aloha when I saw her. She also told me that she had no problem with my posting her picture on TheLiberalOC. She was however none too happy with “that Planning Commissioner†(Sean Mill) who reposted it in order to go after Thomas Gordon in a personal feud.â€
Chris,
I wonder then why you felt you had to “help†Aloha if she was compensated by Thomas at the time he took the picture and you posted it?
The fact is that you recognize that you exploited her. But like I said before, I believe you were manipulated and influenced. Regardless, you held up to ridicule, a woman who is homeless with a sign the said “Will Kick Bustamante’s ass for Food†The Will do X for food is a stereotypical epithet used to ridicule the homeless. You were used by Republican Thomas Gordon to hold a homeless person up to ridicule by using a stereotypical epithet known collectively by society at large as a point of ridicule for the homeless. That is tantamount to any number of stereotypes attributed to the gay community or any other minority group or vulnerable population.
This is evident by the fact that Thomas is apparently sending money to put Aloha up in a motel for the night. A “Homeless By Choice†person according to Vern Nelson. I find that statement just odd as it would usually be uttered by a Republican commenting on the state of the homeless.
You should understand that just because a person is complicit in others exploiting them does not make it ok. Take for example how you were used and manipulated by Phil Becerra, and Janet Nguyen. Or how you were used as a pawn to wage a war against Edgardo Reynoso for Melahat by proxy through Hoa Van Tran.
“She was however none too happy with “that Planning Commissioner†(Sean Mill) who reposted it in order to go after Thomas Gordon in a personal feud.†Chris Prevatt
Chris,
Aloha has never met Sean Mill. I’m sure any homeless person would be happy to say what ever you ask them to after you and apparently another person for reinforcement come to them and give them money and other aid.
The fact that you were used and manipulated by Phil Becerra to post this picture taken by Thomas Gordon does not negate the fact that this woman was exploited. My friend Vern Nelson puts forth a valiant effort to steer the focus of disdain for this act by the perpetrators to one of adulation by the fact that this crass act resulted in a host of guilt buying efforts by you and Thomas. But this effort by Vern is simply because he is sick and tired of all the personal squabbles being waged here on this blog. I don’t blame him. It must be wearying for him.
Adrian —
Your post was never deleted, but wasn’t yet reviewed and approved for comment.
The homeless problem in Santa Ana extends far beyond Aloha. Individuals seeking to help the homeless always deserve our praise and not scorn.
Adrian,
If you have no personal knowledge of the situation then I would suggest that your ASSUMPTIONS are unfounded. Like so many today you ASSUME you know both the motivations and the desires of others, when you seem to have no personal knowledge of either. Like others in the blogs you jump to conclusions without a shred of fact to back up your assertions. That in itself is prejudicial. Chris had personal knowledge because he made the effort to help someone and find out the facts for himself. Then you have the audacity to condemn him for it and ascribe his motivations as guilt because of what he did.
So what did you do in the past that was so bad, that you are now motivated to condemn others who you know must be guilty? As well, have you stopped doing it or is that why you take such a zealot’s view point?
BTW Will xxxx for food/money etc. is something that very often the “street people†use themselves on their advertising signage to elicit pity from those of us who are privileged to work and therefore have something they want and need. So how is that in any way being stereotypical of those who you believe, exploit the homeless? Exploit how? Further you assume that Aloha has no personal integrity and that she is willing to say anything to someone who has contributed to her. How freaking belittling and condescending can you get! Much less, your assertions about Chris being manipulated and lacking in his own free will. Your pompous and condescending assertions aside, you obviously have superiority issues you need to deal with in relationships with others since you assume you are the only one who is correct and make yourself the PC authority to others conduct. Get a grip on reality, it isn’t at all like you claimed, twice by the way, because of your impatience and unfounded assumption.
Adrian,
Since you seem to already have your mind made up I see no reason to try to convince you otherwise. Believe as you will. I took advantage of no one and no one was taken advantage of.
I wouldn’t blame you guys for closing comments on this thread; Aloha-gate is so over…
Vern,
It’s too bad Aloha-gate was opened at all, especially with the absurd assumptions made by those who would rather jump at an opportunity to foment discord and seek revenge, rather than attempt to make things better. It unfortunately shows tons about their underlying character. Goes to the substance of the headline Chris chose.
Chris,
I think the point that Adrian was trying to make is that the picture that you published and the method in which you came by the picture were very low brow. To sum up, you made a faux paus in thinking that that picture would be funny. It wasn’t. You were played like a harp by this Phil Becerra guy to publish it so he wouldn’t get his hands dirty. And you later went back to attempt to buy your shame off with this Aloha person by giving her money when you first tried to sell the theory that she was already paid off by Thomas and it was ok because she was complicit in the staging of the photo. Then you gave her some money to say some things about That Commissioner guy that you would be able to publish on this site.
So to sum it up; I think you should just admit that publishing that photo was in the least very bad taste. The five dollar fee Phil Becerra paid her to get her to hold that sign up was just taking advantage of someone who probably didn’t eat that day. And that you got schnookered into publishing that photo by the same Phil guy.