TheLiberalOC is pleased to publish the attached op-ed from State Rep. Sharon Quirk-Silva (AD-65):
Along with many Californians, I’m concerned about the current state of politics. There’s too much yelling, finger pointing, and blaming the other person.
A disturbing trend of politicians in essence telling one another to “shut up” is becoming commonplace. Free speech is the backbone of our democracy, but it’s being cast aside more and more as elected leaders treat it as some sort of inconvenience rather than a fundamental right. Both political parties share blame in this.
The examples are numerous. Earlier this month, United State Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell silenced fellow Senator Elizabeth Warren for reading a letter from Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Senate Floor as part of her opposition to the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General.
Last week, California’s State Senate stopped Orange County Senator Janet Nguyen from speaking out against the anti-Vietnam War record of former Sen. Tom Hayden, and had her removed from the senate chamber.
Over this past weekend, Trump Administration spokesman Sean Spicer stopped reporters from various news agencies from attending what is usually an open briefing because those news agencies have regularly questioned the factual accuracy of statements put forth by the administration.
Have we become intolerant of what others have to say? What happened to the concept of the LOYAL opposition? Can we disagree respectfully and end a conversation with respect for one another even if neither person found anything the other had to say persuasive?
The answer has to start with ourselves in our own lives. As a teacher I took pride in listening to my students, their parents and school administrators and giving them a voice in the teaching process. Being a good listener is one of the things that made me a good teacher.
Now, as a state legislator, I’m working hard to reach out to people who I may not agree with on some important issues, but may have other issues where we can find common ground. Listening and learning about other people’s points of view are important in this job because my constituents and all Californians expect their leaders to work for them and quality of life.
They should expect that while we’re working for better jobs, roads, and schools, we’re make our democracy stronger by listening to one another.
Please join me in setting an example for others to follow by taking the time to listen to someone you don’t agree with today. Our democracy and the children who we hope will inherit it will benefit greatly from your leadership.
Until her election to the state Assembly, Sharon taught 3rd grade students fulltime in the Fullerton School District. She represents the 65th Assembly District, which includes Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, La Palma, Stanton and most of West Anaheim.
As long as we have people with CLOSED minds and big ego’s like Greg Diamond and Jeff Letourneu, Sharron’s quest for civility is a longshot.
FWIW I thought Fran has done a good job in her short time at tempering bad behavior.
Sharon’s on the right track and Fran is going a fine job
Hell yeah, THAT’s what “Sharron” is saying – to HELL with progressives and reformers! Keep the faith, business Dems.
laugh at business Dems; we’re the ones progressives hit up for money to do anything. My checkbook is closed to them for now
All I’m saying is that you and your anonymous pals here clearly get the point that Sharon is making: that you should continue to ignore, mock, and try to sideline any Democrats who disagree with you.
And that is called sarcasm, moron, just in case you keep missing the point.
Geez Louise, do you want me to start counting the typos and misspellings in your blog posts dickwad?
The party is bigger than progressives and reformers. Go fluff Bernie while you’re at in AND remember that he’s not a Democrat while you do it.
You love the word “fluff” now because it made your buddy Tardif laugh, but it’s pretty old and trite in the OC blogosphere lexicon.
Everyone knows I used it first around here in 2011 when I was being very critical of Moxley (whom I get along with now) for writing something very credulous and complimentary about Righeimer. (Google “Mosley Cliffs Righeimer.)
If you’d like some help coming up with NEW nasty words to use, just ask.
How about “Donna scats Council?” There’s a visual of your wife grunting and pooping. I need to vomit now.
Go back to your circle-jerk blog dipshit.
What a child you are. I used the most appropriate word to describe you. I don’t care who used it first.
So nice of Vern to now “get along with” Scott Moxley.
I don’t recall Moxley ever taking back any of the horrible things (and grotesque images) he published about Vern’s best pal Greg Diamond.
For example, Moxley called Diamond “clueless,” “inept,” “neurotic,” “disingenuous,” “a hand-wringing whiner,” “rambling,” “obnoxious,” “sweaty,” “crappy,” “inane,” and “incompetent.”
But Moxley must have patted Vern on the head, so all’s cool.
Actually, moron, (apart from Vern does not equal Greg) Scott did pretty much take all that back when he lavished Greg with compliments for having the guts to run against Rackauckas.
So you can go take a short walk on a long pier.
“Vern does not equal Greg.” Nice self-serving excuse for throwing your pal Greg under the Moxley bus. As to whether Moxley “pretty much” took back the horrible things he’s said about Diamond, post a link. If you can find a link to Moxley’s alleged change of heart (and mind) regarding Diamond, you can post it on your own blog. I don’t think you’ll find one.
See below, dirtbag. And I never throw my buddy under the bus.
Vern “Trite” Nelson
When did Moxley say that? Long walk off a short pier…wow. Did you write that one first too?
I didn’t say that, moron. I AM the first person to insultingly wish somebody a “short walk on a long pier,” as I did just now, which entails the person getting stuck halfway down said pier for many months, becoming grizzled and weathered, and having to learn to fish and bum for smokes. DUH!
You didn’t learn how to fish as a kid? No wonder you’re such a dick
SQS: “Trump Administration spokesman Sean Spicer stopped reporters from various news agencies from attending what is usually an open briefing because those news agencies have regularly questioned the factual accuracy of statements put forth by the administration.”
SQS needs to get her story straight and tell the full story. There are 2 sides to this story.
Spicer said he was “disgusted” with the way CNN handled a particular story, calling it “disgraceful.” Later the same day the White House hosted a gaggle for the press pool in Spicer’s office, and included reporters from One America News, Breitbart News, The Washington Times, and The Washington Examiner.
Similar exclusions of press outlets took place under the Obama Administration, which restricted some press meetings to liberal outlets – as reported by The New York Times.
So supporting a politician most (Bernie) or much (Tait) of the time is the same (in your mind) as “preparing their genitals for a porn scene.” You are one sick little puppy.
Neither are Democrats Vern. And I’d say the description of how your blog treats both of them is apt
weren’t you just taking credit for using this term first?! Have another drink
1. It was more apt then, as at that point Scott was really falling hard for Right (which he quickly got over)
2. At least it was original back then;
3. I didn’t say it just to make an old reactionary like Tardif cackle.
If this were a real liberal blog you’d be more concerned with politicians like Righeimer than Sanders or Tait.
Moxley does a fine job. While I might disagree with him over certain stories, it doesn’t diminish my respect for his work. Scott was falling for the right; you’ve fallen completely….what a hypocrite you are for lecturing me about what it is to be liberal as you continue to fluff conservatives who give you the time of day.
Righeimer isn’t relevant anymore; he’s in a minority.
Dope. Yeah, since November, duh. Is that how far back your memory goes?
would you like to see our file with lawyer letters we got from Costa Mesa city council members demanding retractions and apologies for various posts over the years? You’re a dope with no short term memory — the booze has done a number on you hasn’t it
Yes, Chris Prevatt did good work. None of us have forgotten and we all miss him dearly.
The lawyers letters were a result of my posts Vern. Nice try. And I do miss Chris too
I read with interest the ridiculous effort by two NON-ANAHEIM DPOC members to make that whole Kid VS. Cop thing. I think the publisher there called it “lawngate” that’s about original as Planned Parenthood killing babies……what a blow job.
But, Jeff and Karina, two of the biggest idiots you’ll ever meet in local politics came up with some toothless, worthless, HARMFUL resolution tying the events of last week to “Homeless Kids” and “Brown Kids” and such.
Despite being POORLY WRITTEN (did Greg or Jim draft that POS?), it is an apparent attempt to further Jose Moreno’s silly agenda. It has ZERO affect and is akin to WHITE NOISE in an otherwise important debate.
Certainly, anybody, “Business Democrat”, “Bernie Progressive Democrat” even “Responsible Republicans” want to help underserved, homeless kids (Who the F%$K does Jeff Letourneu and Karina Frank think donated the MILLION DOLLARS to Brunos Katerina Kitchen??????It wasn’t Yesina and Vern! or Jeff, Or Greg or Miravette!!). But, back on point, the unfortunate events last week HAVE ZERO TO DO WITH Homeless, Hungry, Latino Kids.
This is Jeff PIMPING out these kids, this issue. WTF.
Democrats, need to recognize the hijacking of issues that are serious for CHEAP headlines is bad for our brand.
Moxley on Diamond, after all the nastiness wore off (which it NEVER does on the Liberal OC) :
http://www.ocweekly.com/news/democrat-greg-diamond-plans-challenge-to-da-tony-rackauckas-6471932
Greg Diamond–a ranking member of the Orange County Democratic Party, a progressive activist as well as a civil lawyer trained at Columbia University–announced this week that he plans to challenge Tony Rackauckas’ Republican campaign for a fifth term as district attorney.
You may recall we’ve had our spats with Diamond in the past, but there’s good reason to applaud his move…
I’ve previously described the DA’s public speaking style as “swinging wildly between wooden and stiff.”
A more feisty Diamond–who specializes in employment law, regularly writes for Orange Juice Blog, aligns himself with Occupy Wall Street causes and served as co-chair of Jerry Brown’s 2010 campaign for governor in OC–is among those who see the DA’s administration as tainted.
http://www.ocweekly.com/news/is-the-das-office-race-a-one-man-show-6429616
We reported on our news blog, Navel Gazing, last week that Brea’s Greg Diamond, a member of the Orange County Democratic Party, an employment lawyer, political blogger and fiery Occupy Wall Street activist, announced he intends to challenge Rackauckas.
***
I remember stuff that was even more complimentary, but you can find it yourself, I’m working on something else.
Faint praise at best
There is something in the archives from around the same time where Scott complimented Greg for his “guts and courage,” but I got tired of looking, I’m working on a couple of serious things.
I bet nobody ever complimented YOUR guts and courage, or called you a “fiery activist.” “Feisty”, MAYBE. Like feisty acid reflux.
Pathetic.
So your activism and Greg’s activism is all for the glory of recognition by OC Weekly? Thanks for the laugh
Idiot. Milton asked. Ah, The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, that is Dan.
Try Eggers, “You Shall Know Our Velocity.” I like the character named Will. See if you can guess why. And I replied via the dashboard function so I just assumed you were talking to me
Uh Oh.
Henry “Paul” Lipton strikes again!
This time with a personalized letter to 200 high level donors in Newport Coast and Laguna.
I am told it RIPS Jeff, Greg, Jose and company as threating to “destroy” what the party has worked for for more than a decade.
This is dangerous, a couple of $10,000. checks withheld will hurt. Hurt bad.
These clowns don’t get it. What’s more is they have pissed somebody high level inside the party to the point where that person would consider risking funding.
Old Fran’s gonna have her handsfull (and good old fashioned ass chewing at the hands of Eric Bauman).
I’ll try get a copy of the letter and distribution list to publish, but Nobody I know seems want to talk about it.
Please provide the letter with your commentary next time. It’s unfair to make allegations without proof. Vern and Greg do that on their blog.
Gottcha.
I donate but, not at the levels the recipients do, so I did’nt get it. I was just told while at a birthday party at Javiers this weekend.
I’ll try and get a copy.
Thank you; if Paul wrote a letter, it will be loaded with poor spelling and fractured grammar.
Heh, always taking the bait. SURE Paul wrote a letter to bigwig Dems ripping Greg, Jeff, and Jose. Makes all kindsa sense.
Paul is a DOPE ADDICT. By your own counsels admition, unpredictible and likely to serve up violence.
Why would he not be so unstable to rock the DEM establishment.
Like YOU Henry”Paul” Lipton spent time in lock up.
Paul is a maverick for sure. But he is also an addict. That equals unpredicability.
Remember his “insane diatriabe” to the young Dems on behalf of Joe Done? Paul is 50 not 15
Every time I try to speak to a Paul about something he has totally wrong, he shouts “stop harassing me!” Guy never got out of junior high. I just ignore him these days
Do you get drunk when Paul gets high?