Top Photography Published in May, 2014

California Chrome, ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, wins the 139th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Kansas City Royals' Eric Hosmer breaks his bat while grounding out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, May 17, 2014. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Riot police use water cannons and teargas to disperse people who were protesting the Soma mine accident that killed 301 miners, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, May 17, 2014. Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Saturday that crews had found more bodies overnight, raising the death toll to 301. An explosion and fire at a coal mine in Soma, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Istanbul, killed hundreds of workers in one of the worst mining disasters in Turkish history. (AP Photo)

Councilmember to be has important implications for the United States

In my last ditch effort to save our republic I believe that we have a duty to not only protect our Constitution but to ensure the future generations prosperity is still possible. when I decided last year I would run for district 3, it became glaringly obvious that my chances of winning the election were superb. Yet during my early days on the campaign trail trying to get signatures from my nominators I couldn't help but notice that so many people no matter the facts, still have a positive attitude towards Barrack Obama.

This and showed me how misinformed the public truly is. We have the most radical, tyrannical government that we have seen in our country's entire existence. Now, when or if Americans finally see the truth will day flee from the Democratic Party or are they so entwined with handouts and healthcare that they are unwilling to banish this communist party, named Democratic Party.  They seem to be more than out of touch but out of this world if anybody can explain to me how our president can both of you tell Congress that he alone has the power and means to dodge the Constitution. To me this alone cause for impeachment on the basis of young people disgusted with his utter disrespect for the law of the land.

Then let's move on to benghazi, and the switching of the talking points to blatantly obvious attempt to attack our first Amendment right to free speech.   The main thing to get from this scandal, is the dumping of the facts, that they were well aware of at the time that it was a terrorist attack on our Lybian ambassador on 9/11/2012. 

The Obama administration has the audacity to get a video posted on YouTube and start stating that it was the video that sparked a riot, which subsequently affected the safety of four Americans.  Why did they say that?  What many top level analysts say that they are sure the only reason Obama didnt want the truth about AL Qaeda's force throughout the middle east which the democrats are funding them through our very own tax revenue, even though the beginning is starting to look like Treason?

The other thing is , why is the man who made the  video the only person that has been charged with a crime, and not those responsible?

To fix this corruption we have to start at the bottom, so let's start with your vote, write in Greg Pitsch for District 3 councilman In stockton. We have the candidate who vows to fight against the Wicked Politics.

Are you a Business in Stockton, Looking to hire an Intelligent College Student?

Below is a copy of my resume, thank you in advance for any opportunity to work.

Four men in custody after officer-involved shooting on Stockton school c...

What were these youngsters thinking? I have a reason: they need parental guidance!

What we rarely notice is the foundation of our Freedom

What we rarely notice is the foundation of our Freedom

I am a 27 year old conservative that knows AMERICA is on the hook, and we the people are solely responsible for everything our Government does. An example would be them spending Trillions that does not exist! All the while, luring us in, then demand that we need to pay more!!!

All of the Politicians use these three keys to keeping us uninformed:

- never mention the revenue
- leave a majority of statements open-ended
- Say Something Stupid, while smiling!

Why is it that they haven't tried to help give us taxpayer's a break? If we want to take our Country back, we must first, END THE FED!!

Nearly half of this country is on Government Aid, sucking down our resources without ever paying a dime! They get free health care, ours goes up!!! They want an equal opportunity because they didn't attend or graduate from a University.

We should let them live life broke, and give them free food, thats it. No public Housing, No Cell phones, Internet, tuition, and all the other handouts the government will hand to them!

We need to put a stop to this monetary madness going on in Washington D.C !



That's what a conservative does, cuts unnecessary spending! I had to turn off my cell, my Directv, give up two cars, still paying on both, had to buy another one to go to work, gas went up to $5.69/gal. I have since lost everything but my home, and my family, everything else is unnecessary.

Mitt Romney: $2 Billion on Campaign
Barack Obama: $4 Billion on Campaign

FREEDOM: Priceless,

Some things money can't buy, but for everything else there's the FEDERAL RESERVE

The total cost of the election is close to $6 Billion, how much of that is for schools?....0
Or, feeding the poor?....0
So tell me that you really believe that the government has your best interest at heart? Even though they have never met you? We are the government, so why do we not have access to the same money they get to spend? Or do we??

truth be told: The USA is Rolling into Fascism - Rodney Shakespea...

truth be told: The USA is Rolling into Fascism - Rodney Shakespea...: Richard Shakespeare explains why America is falling into Facism. The world is not going to forgive the USA for its warring and Torture ...

CNN News Correspondent Says 'F--king N--ger' On The Air

I was laughing so hard when I heard this clip, because of the Correspondent saying "please excuse the vulgarity, it is very graphic." LOL

Stockton CA: Vote Dale Fritchen for City Council District 6

District 6
Weston Ranch 95206 (6)

Here in Weston Ranch I think it would be our best interest to Vote for Dale Fritchen, a proven politician who votes in honor of citizens!

Prince Harry Stuck in the Dungeon by Grandma Q

Nude photos of Prince Harry in Vegas cause royal hangover for Buckingham Palace.

Naughty spare heir!

Prince Harry is in hot water after TMZ posted naked photos of the single British royal, 27, partying in a Las Vegas hotel room last weekend.

"This is a mess," a source close to Harry tells Us Weekly. "This was not the type of fun he was supposed to be having. He's in trouble."

PHOTOS: Prince Harry's sexiest moments

But the third-in-line to the British throne isn't the only culpable party in the debacle.

"Protection officers are also in trouble because they could have controlled this," the source explains of the pics, in which Harry and others (including an apparently nude young woman) were playing "strip pool."

But a second source close to the party-hearty redhead shrugs off the birthday suit brouhaha.

"He's a lad!" the second insider says. "This is just him messing about on holiday. No one was hurt, he's on proper vacation from his work, so he's not breaking any rules. He's using his own money."

And however shocking the snapshots appear, "The photos look sleazier than they are," the source continues. "They were playing strip billiards."

It's not the first time Harry has been photographed in a less-than-dignified light. Back in 2005, he attended a costume party wearing a Nazi swastika armband, later apologizing for the "poor choice of costume."


One royal watcher who's not applauding the naked snapshots? His more mild-mannered big brother.
"William was told about the photos this morning," a third royal insider tells Us of Kate Middleton's hubby, 30. "He's not impressed."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Prince Harry "in Trouble" After Shocking Naked Photos Surface.

White, Pitsch, still fighting Ann Johnston's illegally sought Candidacy

By Scott Smith
Record Staff Writer
August 18, 2012 12:00 AM
STOCKTON - City Hall, under a provision of the federal bankruptcy code that gives debtors a bit of breathing room, has suspended 54 pending lawsuits, mostly those known as trip-and-fall cases.

But Ralph Lee White, a wealthy bail bondsman, former councilman and recent mayoral candidate, said the city has wrongly entangled him with one of those frozen decisions.

White earlier this year sued Stockton and Mayor Ann Johnston, arguing that an ambiguously worded line of the city charter means Johnston has already termed out of office. She was ineligible to seek another term, he said.

Making this argument, White lost his first round in San Joaquin County Superior Court, and he also lost his mayoral bid at the polls in June's primary election.

But White hasn't given up his fight to bring clarification to the city's charter.

He said his case shouldn't be subject to a suspension because he isn't seeking millions in recompense, like other litigants. The city is using its ailing finances as an excuse to skirt his challenge, he said.

"If the charter is our constitution, we have to follow our constitution," White said. "You can't put a stay on our constitution."

White and the Stockton Black Leadership Council originally brought the suit, citing problems they saw in Section 606 of the charter, which dictates term limits. It says:

"No person elected as either Mayor or Councilmember shall be eligible to serve, or serve, as either Mayor or Councilmember for more than two (2) terms ... ."

Johnston, who declined to comment, has served two terms on the City Council and now seeks a second term as mayor.

Superior Court Judge Lesley Holland heard the case in May and ruled in Johnston's favor, while criticizing the charter's language as being less than clear.

After White's courtroom defeat, his attorney, Michael Babitzke, who declined to comment, filed a new writ of mandate under the names of another failed mayoral candidate, Gregory Pitsch, and four other residents.

And then the city on June 28 filed bankruptcy. Officials shortly thereafter invoked the court stays.

City Attorney John Luebberke defended the move against White, saying this provision of the bankruptcy code is to be construed broadly.

The city is not arbitrarily selecting to temporarily stop White's suit or any of the others, he said.

"We're not using it. It's the law," Luebberke said. "We can't pick and choose."

Rather, the city filed notices to let the relevant judges, litigants and their attorneys know of the provision halting the cases. The city has to pay to defend the case, creating a financial burden, Luebberke said, refuting White's claim that his suit doesn't have financial ramifications.

Most of those suspended in Stockton's bankruptcy are tort cases, like trip-and-fall lawsuits filed against the city. Others include employee-related litigation and those arising from scuffles people have had with police officers, Luebberke said.

Among the suits also on hold is one filed by former Deputy City Attorney Lori Whittaker, who in 2009 accused then-Stockton City Attorney Ren Nocky of sexual harassment.

Another stay applies to the city's legal battle with the Stockton Police Officers' Association over millions in pay cuts the city imposed on its officers. But the association's Sacramento attorney, David E. Mastagni, said police had no problem with the suspension.

"We're working with the city to get a contract," he said. "We agreed to have ... the whole case stayed."

But White, who suspects foul play is at work in his case, may have a good argument, said Riverside attorney Franklin Adams, a partner of Best Best & Krieger LLP.

The bankruptcy code allows for stays on certain cases to prevent a rush by creditors to the courthouse with everybody wanting to collect. Adams said that based on his limited knowledge of the case, White wants a ruling on the city charter and nothing more.

"I don't think that's what the stay was intended to prevent," Adams said.

If White wanted his advice, Adams said he would suggest approaching U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Klein, who is overseeing Stockton's Chapter 9, and ask for a "comfort order."

Under such an order, White could ask the judge to send his case back to the San Joaquin County Superior Court, and then return it to the federal bankruptcy court with a resolution, Adams said.

"Some bankruptcy judges are willing to do that," he said.

White argues that if the incumbent mayor beats challenger Anthony Silva on Nov. 6, and if a court later were to rule that Johnston is ineligible to serve, the city will have the expense of holding a special election.

"I ain't asking for no money," he said. "There's no money there to be asked for."

Contact reporter Scott Smith at (209) 546-8296 or ssmith@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at

LATEST NEWS IN STOCKTON

RECENT STORIES ON STOCKTON

Stockton's fabric of faith

Stockton tech firm growing with Verve

Pool tragedy claims life of 4-year-old boy

Prison guard facing sex charges

Family out for justice

Oh Zee's Words of Wisdom: Ron Paul to Hold Major Rally in Tampa Ahead of RNC...

Oh Zee's Words of Wisdom: Ron Paul to Hold Major Rally in Tampa Ahead of RNC...: August 26, 2012 Ron Paul to Hold Major Rally in Tampa Ahead of RNC LAKE JACKSON, Texas – 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Pau...

Stockton, CA Bankruptcy Totally Avoidable?

Stockton, CA Bankruptcy Totally Avoidable?

Oh Zee's Words of Wisdom: Stockton, CA Filed for Bankruptcy, but What's Next...

Oh Zee's Words of Wisdom: Stockton, CA Filed for Bankruptcy, but What's Next...: Stockton, California files for bankruptcy By Jim Christie SAN FRANCISCO | Thu Jun 28, 2012 11:49pm EDT (Reuters) - Stockton, Californi...

Tonight Stockton Will Decide To Go Forward With Bankruptcy or Not

What would your solution be, if you were one of the council members during all the bankruptcy negotiations with the City's creditors?

One has to begin contemplating, whether our city leaders have even tried to figure this whole problem out, or if they are just sweeping it under the rug? The real question that needs to asked, is when are "we" as a community going to elect accountable people to run this city?

There are plenty of faults that could be dished out, but I'd rather look at possible solutions, rather than focusing on the things in the past that put Stockton in this dreadful financial situation. Staying positive is Stockton's #1 priority, if any do in fact exist.

Let me break down the gist of "staying positive." It may seem hard to do in a city that was ranked the most miserable place to live by FORBES magazine, in 2010 and 2012. But there is always two ways to look at everything, some bad occurrences may show some type of positive results.

Murder is always bad, and some times it is just outright evil. However there is a positive spin to everything, in this case, maybe the person who was shot jumped in the line of fire to protect a woman or child. If this dead man's life can be summed up in one word, it would undoubtedly be "heroic."

Heroes are always looked at in a positive light, even if the hero was a high-school drop-out, who got addicted to multiple drugs, as well as alcohol, and spent six years in the corrections system. His last living moment he was a hero, not only to the girl whose life he saved, but to her entire family, as well as an inspiration to many others in the community.

This is just one example, but to every event in life, there are two ways to look at it!

"The past is the only thing that cannot be changed, so instead, try to apply just as much energy towards benefiting for the future, as you waste dwelling on the past. " Oh Zee (GP)

Vote Tuesday could send Stockton to bankruptcy court

Photo courtesy of Ben Margot


By Peter Hecht
phecht@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Jun. 24, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Sunday, Jun. 24, 2012 - 3:12 pm

Barely five years ago, Stockton looked like a winner.

Local real estate values quadrupled between 2000 and 2006. City tax revenues skyrocketed. Stockton's general fund was growing by 10 percent a year. The port city redeveloped its waterfront and built a new arena. It gave pay raises to cops and cut deals in 2007 to boost pensions and pay for other employees.

Now Stockton is broke.

After years of bad budget decisions based on an overly rosy reading of the economy, Stockton – population 292,000 in 2010 – this week faces the ignominy of becoming the largest city in America ever to file for bankruptcy.

The City Council has scheduled a vote Tuesday on an austerity program that the city could carry out while in Chapter 9 bankruptcy reorganization, which would provide protection from creditors while it renegotiates its debts. Plans are to slash retired employees' health benefits, and perhaps eliminate them altogether; end city bond payments, and restructure labor agreements.

"The city is insolvent from a service and budget basis today and faces cash insolvency in its general fund by July 1," City Manager Bob Deis wrote to the City Council on June 5 – the same day the council voted to give Deis authority to take Stockton into bankruptcy reorganization.

In an effort to avert a bankruptcy filing, Stockton held last-minute negotiations to seek concessions from bondholders, employee unions and retirees. The city manager is scheduled to tell the City Council on Tuesday whether sufficient savings were found by the Monday deadline.

Deis could not be reached for comment last week. But in a letter he sent to employees on Thursday, he suggested that no miracle rescue is in the works. "At this point, the city must make plans to move forward and use the services and protections in bankruptcy to preserve basic health and safety services for the citizens of Stockton," Deis wrote.

This is not what city leaders had in mind.

Stockton was the place where the median home price shot up from $110,000 to $400,000 in six years. The city issued 3,000 new residential building permits a year between 2003 and 2005.

It was the place with the $129 million waterfront redevelopment, including a gleaming new $68 million arena for a minor league hockey team.

Read more here:

Cen Cal Hip-Hop: MAJOR LEAGUE AND DUB*B ON TOP

Cen Cal Hip-Hop: MAJOR LEAGUE AND DUB*B ON TOP

Oh Zee's Words of Wisdom: Video Clip of Britney Spears Saying she's "off to ...

Oh Zee's Words of Wisdom: Video Clip of Britney Spears Saying she's "off to ...: Britney Spears announces she's off to see the wizard... I've been waiting to meet her for 10+ years! Can't wait!

Stockton makes Bob Deis the Authority to go through with Bankruptcy

Stockton isn’t giving up on AB 506, but should the confidential mediation fail to realize significant savings by June 25, the city will have just three business days until it is general fund balances reach zero and the city becomes insolvent.

That’s why at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, a majority of the council authorized the city manager to file for Chapter 9 Bankruptcy protection if AB 506 does fail. It wasn’t a vote for bankruptcy, it was a vote to prepare for a potential bankruptcy.

“We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement with a sufficient number of our creditors to get our fiscal house in order,” said Mayor Ann Johnston. “However, we must have a plan for any possible outcome to protect the health, safety and welfare of our community and maintain basic services. Without significant fiscal relief, the General Fund will be out of money by June 30, 2012.”

While immediate deficits pose the greatest threat to the city’s solvency, the long-term implications of the city’s structural deficit continue to drive the city’s aggressive approach to cutting costs. According to the staff report produced by the city manager’s office, the “long term obligations approach $1 billion. Relief from such obligations can greatly improve the City’s viability.”

Contributing to that long-term imbalance are costs associated with personnel, including pension and retiree health benefits.






Over the past three years, the city has trimmed $90 million from its budget to ensure a balanced ledger. However, this year the deficit is pegged at another $23 million, $26 million if the city takes certain actions to stabilize its accounts and rebuild a responsible reserve. The annual deficits will continue for the next decade, reaching $46 million by 2015/16 and $56 million in 2020/21. That number could reach $88 million by 20/21, if salaries and benefits are restored to pre-concession levels.

Even as the confidential negotiations of AB 506 continue behind closed doors, , a very public debate continues in Stockton.

Those who supported moving into the AB 506 process – including the city’s mayor and city manager – continue to assert that further cuts to services will endanger public health and safety. Citing recent crime statistics in the staff report, city manager Bob Deis says that violent and gun crime has risen in recent years as a result of cuts to police.

“In 2011, there were 58 homicides in Stockton, an all time record,” reads the staff report. “At this time last year, there had been seven homicides, but as of May 4, 2012 we were already up to 23 for the year. We are also experiencing a 30% increase in gun violence from last year.”

Much of the blame for the current financial trouble has been placed on the city’s retirees and the cost of their healthcare.

In late 2011, those retirees formally incorporated their own association, the Association of Retired Employees of the City of Stockton. They are working to protect the benefits promised to retirees and are preparing to defend those benefits in bankruptcy court.

“While mediation is proceeding, I am no more optimistic today than on the day the City was required to begin the Mediation Process because the City Manager and the City Council (with the exception of Dale Fritchen) continue to publicly attack retiree medical,” writes the Association in a newsletter to members dated June 1.



“As a result of what has been reported to the Board of Directors concerning the real content of the mediation sessions… We are accelerating the process of preparing for a legal defense in bankruptcy,” continued the report to members.

The Association has retained the services of Felderstein, Fitzgerald, Willoughby & Pascuzzi LLP, the same firm that represented CalPERS in Vallejo’s bankruptcy case.

With the 6-1 vote, the city has opened the door to a potential bankruptcy filing.

“We will come through the AB 506 process or chapter 9 with a financially sustainable future,” said Mayor Johnson. “Even though we have inherited this mess, we are committed to doing everything in our power to leave this City better, stronger and healthier.”




Ron Paul asks the RIGHT Questions!

More info on Stockton Mayoral Candidates

California's Smart Voter Guide, for the June 5th Primary election.