First Visit to the Convention Floor By Frances Barbour

(Editor’s Note: The latest from CC’s intrepid, embedded journalist from the Democratic National Convention. How many pedometer steps is a mile?) Tonight was my first night on the “convention floor.”  It was fun. Really fun.  By the time we got to the California delegation, there were no seats left.  They organize the delegates’ seats around the states that elected them.     Read more »

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A Busy Democratic Convention

It wouldn’t take a lot of enterprise to successfully eat and drink for three days without spending a penny at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  

A tentative schedule of the convention was prepared by Quinn Gillespie & Associates LLC, a Washington D.C. public relations and lobbying firm.   

The 15-and-one-half page listing contains roughly 300 parties, receptions, hospitality suites, meet-and-greets, dances, teas, lunches and desserts.      Read more »

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This Just In from the Democratic National Convention by Frances Barbour

I was out with my mom and her friends this morning. I was in a very interesting conversation about Sen. Biden. All the people at the table said he was a good choice and good for America.  I agree 95 percent but I’m waiting to make my final decision until I hear him speak on Wednesday.    Read more »

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Exclusive Coverage of the Democratic National Convention by Frances Barbour

(Editor’s Note: California’s Capitol has 9-year-old Frances Barbour as an embedded journalist at the Democratic National Convention. Frances’ mother, Sacramento PR maven Karen Skelton, is a delegate. Below is Frances’ response to some questions from the know-nothing editor.) One of the pins we bought is “Soccer Moms for Obama.”  Another one says, “Whatever Their Style, Women Shoes Obama.”    Read more »

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Exclusive Democratic National Convention Coverage — By Frances Barbour

Editors’s Note: California’s Capitol’s embedded correspondent at the Democratic National Convention is Frances Barbour, age 9.  Her mom, Karen Skelton, is a Clinton delegate.  Frances’ first post:

I got off the plane around noon.  Lots of people were holding up signs saying, “Barack Obama for President.”  I could tell this was going to be a busy trip.    Read more »

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Money, Honey

So I asked my baby, “How can this be?”

She looked me over and said to me:

“Money, honey.

Money, honey.

Money, honey

If you wanna hang around with me.” 

Rather than threatening to veto their genius legislation, Gov. Schwarzenegger might have instead asked California’s lawmakers to tithe some of the loot from their prodigious fundraisers to state coffers and erase some of the debt.     Read more »

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They Don’t Make ‘Em Like This Anymore

Dean Misczynski is retiring for state service. If anyone deserves a tip o’ the hat for his contributions to California, it’s Mr. Misczynski.

“He is one of the most remarkable of the extraordinary, quiet people who do their jobs at the capitol with humor and professionalism,” to quote Rob Gunnison, my former colleague at the Chronicle, who has known Dean for several decades.     Read more »

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Lifted from the “Unclear on the Concept” File

Note the salutation on the letter linked below.

This epistle, from the hand of California’s CEO, was sent to state employees late Friday August 8. It explains the ramifications to them of a recent executive order cutting their pay to the federal minimum wage and firing thousands of their friends and co-workers.    Read more »

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Paging Franz Kafka. Mr. Franz Kafka

While this news item, culled from the most recent Cal-TaxReport, needs neither commentary nor cockroach to sharpen its point, the length of time this legal tussle has dragged on is both remarkable and indefensible. 

A protest over a tax audit took more than a decade to be fully adjudicated by a state agency?    Read more »

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A Few Words In Defense of Our Country

A president once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” 

Now it seems like we’re supposed to be afraid. It’s patriotic in fact and color coded. 

And what are we supposed to be afraid of? Why, of being afraid. That’s what terror means, doesn’t it?

That’s what it used to mean.    Read more »

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