By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

I am not a user of much bandwidth. I use my cell phone to take calls and answer them, and they are usually short calls.

If I were to decide to use my cell phone to transmit video, however, I would be a bandwidth hog. It takes 2,000 times as much bandwidth to send or receive a video as it does to make a call.

Video-rich applications, such as Facebook, are bandwidth hogs, especially on cell phones. So is Google. If you access information on Google, and if that information has any pictures with it, you’re a bandwidth hog.

The companies which provide bandwidth, such as AT&T, have plans to start charging big bandwidth users extra money.

Google and Facebook, among many others, are very much against this. They know people would be less likely to use their services if they had to pay for the bandwidth it takes to transmit it. They are bandwidth Marxists. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs” is their way of thinking. Marx’s idea went on to say that would provide the greatest number of low-cost goods and services.

Which turned out not to be true, if you recall.

What Marx forgot, or ignored, was that freeloaders abound. These folks have no intention of providing anything to anybody else. And their idea of “needs” is better described as “wants.”

People who are freeloading the available bandwidths are happy to keep it that way. Oddly enough, the Federal Communications Commission is right along with them. Which is odd. The FCC is a regulatory agency, not a law-making group. Fortunately, the courts did not agree with the FCC.

If we don’t allow bandwidth providers to charge for their services, there won’t be any more new bandwidth at some point.

Thanks to the voters for their support

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the good voters of Madera County for taking the time to cast a vote in my favor! Thank you.

Although unopposed, I am humbled and appreciative that you still selected me on your ballots. Property taxes and the collecting of them are not popular subject and can be very emotional. We try to provide good service and be sensitive to your needs… especially in difficult times like these.

Thank you again for your support.

Tracy A. Kennedy
Madera County Treasurer- Tax Collector

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Why did GOP vote as it did?

Why did Californians vote the way they did on June 8?

Why did Republican voters in California choose an advocate for taxpayer-funded abortions without limit as their nominee for governor?  Why did Republicans also choose a tax-hiker and “Harvey Milk Gay Day” supporter as their nominee for lieutenant governor? 

Why did solid conservatives who were electable, such as Chuck DeVore for U.S. Senate and John Eastman for attorney general, lose?  And why did Prop. 14, which eliminated the party primary system and will result in more liberal Republicans being elected in conservative districts win handily? 

For answers to these questions and much more, I strongly urge you to visit SaveCalifornia.com, Campaign for Children and Families. 

“No people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffused and Virtue is preserved.  On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauched in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders.”
— Samuel Adams, U.S. founding father, 1775.

Pam Pistoresi
Madera

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

The economist and author Walter Williams was talking on the radio the other day, and he told a story that goes something like this:

“Let’s say you are walking down the street and you see someone lying on the sidewalk, begging for money. You give him some money. That might be called an act of generosity.

“Then, someone sees you do this and comes up to you, puts a gun to your head and orders you to give him some money, which you do. That is robbery, is it not?

“Now, let’s say the robber gives some of your money to the fellow lying on the sidewalk. Is that generosity? Is it generosity to give someone money you have stolen?

“The next day, you walk along the same sidewalk, and you see the same fellow lying there, begging for money. But you give him none. He not only got your voluntary gift, but also what was taken from you.

“As you walk past, several men come up to you with guns and demand your money. After taking it, they share it among themselves, then give a share to the beggar. They are felons, of course, but the beggar begins to think he is on to something, being able to share in that crime.

“The following day, you walk along the same sidewalk, and sure enough, the beggar is still there. But he is wearing some new clothes, and looks a bit better fed. You decide to give him a wide berth. As you walk around him, though, several hundred people surround you, and push you and shove you, and demand your money. Once they take it from you, they divide it among themselves, and give some to the beggar.

“Then, they inform you, ‘You do not have permission to walk here anymore unless you pay first.’ And they give you a list of other rules to follow and other fees to pay.

“They are called Congress.”

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

I have one of those cans of compressed air at my desk. I use it to blow the dust and crumbs off my keyboard and the shelf it sits on. That is my way of keeping my desk clean.

But the little blasts of air don’t really clean anything. They just move the dust and crumbs somewhere else. That somewhere else is either elsewhere on the desk or on the floor. I don’t know and don’t care. I am only interested in having a dust-free and crumb-free computer keyboard.

In that way, I am like many of us. We are hardly interested in what happens to the trash we put into the wheeled containers we put at the curb each week. When we plunk a can or a plastic sack into the recycling bag (a plastic bag, by the way), we even feel a little smug, although we have no idea what happens at the recycling site.

The Legislature is getting ready to get a nice, smug feeling by banning the plastic sacks that we use to carry purchases from the grocery stores and drug stores where we shop. They also will charge us 5 cents each for paper bags, although I am not sure why. The stores probably would let us have them for free.

I used to work in a town where they made paper bags. Anyone who walked out of a store with a plastic sack in hand was sure to get a dirty look.

Old habits die hard. For a long time, when the clerk in a store would say, “Paper or plastic?” I’d say paper. I still do if they ask.

On a windy day like we had yesterday — like a blast from a huge can of air — you sometimes see plastic sacks blowing all over. Eventually, a lot of them wind up in the ocean. Why don’t they charge 5 cents each for the plastic sacks, and give us the paper sacks free?

The enviros would like us to bring our own bags whenever we shop. If they would pay me $1 every time I did that, I would remember to bring that big red canvas bag with me.

All comments are edited for length and content. Because of content or space limitations, some comments may not be published. More than one comment from the same person during the same week will normally not be published. Please limit calls to two minutes or less.

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“California may ban plastic bags for shopping,” said a woman. “If that happens the stores will surely lose a lot of business. Because, the way it is it’s a lot of hassle. Especially for us folks that are getting older. It will be much harder and we will not shop. And what about the plastic garbage bags? How or where are we going to put the trash?”

A man knew “of several people who wrote letters (to the editor) about candidates. I sure hope we have more letters. Especially this week as we near the election. It seems like a conflict of interest for a retired, former teacher’s union president to be endorsing a superintendent of schools candidate when we have other fine candidates.

A man “directed his letter to the vice-president of the Madera National Little League,” who wrote a letter two weeks ago. “Anyone who volunteers should be commended for their time and effort. That being said, the letter reflects positive things on the Madera National Little League. But, as someone who is involved, this reminds me of a bad concert covered up by loud music and smoke. There are many problems, bad field conditions, communication with coaches, poor financing and the whole league is in total disarray. Maybe it is time to organize the league rather than trying to deceive the people of Madera.”

“Yeah, I just wondered when you guys open,” asked a lady who gave her name. “You could give me a call back.” However, she didn’t leave a phone number. (Note: regular business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.)

A request was sent into one of our columnists by a lady. “Hey, Leon (Emo), a bunch of friends and I were hashing over a bunch of remember whens about Madera. We all came up with one thing disturbing. Remember the D Street bridge (the old one)? At one time it was called hangman’s bridge.” The reader asked our columnist if “he remembered that, or can you find out about that and give us a heads up?

A regular caller said, “congratulations Mr. Doud,” on his coverage (Friday, June 5) of the City Council meeting concerning increased water rates. “Accurate to the letter. I was there. However, the council was playing with 12,000 households. Of that group, they received 79 letters of protest, negating any affect. Only two people spoke out. The first, in regards to her old age. The other, a Hispanic, who said he couldn’t pay the water bill now, what am I going to do in the future? No, I will tell you it’s going to happen. Your water bill will double over the next 10 years.”

A woman hoped “Madera County had money in reserve to pay for all the lawsuits they are going to have because people can’t pull off the road on Avenue 15. There are no shoulders where people can pull off. What kind of contractor would do that?” She also said, “it is very sad when officials are supposed to take care of the elderly and have no people to watch out for them. They are having their assets stolen. Nothing is going to be done about it.”

“Did they move the Pilot Truck Stop (Avenue 18 1/2) to another intersection at Pecan Avenue and (Highway) 145?” asked a gentleman. “Last weekend I counted 15 semi-trucks parked along this intersection and a farmworker bus. There has to be some sort of ordinance. This is a bad eyesore for the community. The city or county needs to do their job.”

”Is there code enforcement in Madera County?” asked a caller. “Trailers parked in residential areas, businesses operating out of residential neighborhoods.” The caller also mentioned, “port-a-potties, weeds, tall grass, old cars and motorcycles and dogs running loose in residential areas. Do our city and county officials drive around with blinders on?”

An online contributor, self-identified as Mark A. Chadwick, said “I am not in the Madera National Little League, however, I can whole heartedly agree with and support Mike Gentry and the entire volunteer crew of board members, coaches and others who make the league function… without them there would be no kids’ baseball program! Until someone gives of their time, energy and resources … they simply won’t understand what it means and how much it takes to put yourself out there on the line … Please keep up the good work and for those who can’t or won’t offer their expertise … then shame on you.”

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Thank you for your calls. Remember, the Red Line is open for your messages 24 hours a day by calling 674-4478, or by accessing maderatribuneredline.com.

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

Proposition 14, the open-primary ballot measure, passed handily even though all the political parties were against it.

You would have thought that with nearly 100 percent opposition from the left, the right, and the many small parties, that the open-primary would have sunk like a granite submarine. But no, it prevailed, with not all that much money having been spent to promote it.

Next to what Meg Whitman spent, for example, the Prop. 14 campaign was backed by chump change.

Why, then, was it able to overcome the shoulder-to-shoulder opposition from the political establishments? Probably because the political establishments don’t seem to have quite the influence they once had.

Meg Whitman, for example, politely thumbed her nose at the Republican pooh-bahs, as well as at the political press, and got elected. Most newspapers, for example, who endorsed GOP candidates endorsed Steve Poizner, primarily because he granted them interviews. Whitman granted few interviews, basically snubbing the press.

The Democrats, on the other hand, raised only one candidate for governor — Jerry Brown, who didn’t campaign. The Dems must be out of leaders.

The smaller parties, who believe they will be disenfranchised by Prop. 14, disenfranchised themselves in this election by winning not a race.

The real fear of the parties, and of the left-wing and right-wing ranting industry, is that Prop. 14 will put them out of jobs. Or, at least change their jobs, having to provide something of use to the public.
As constituted now, the parties and the partisans who are elected thrive on Sacramento gridlock. That will be less true once Prop. 14 kicks in.

Some think that will make for worse government. But would it? Right now, a majority of lefties is in charge along with a gang of lobbyists and factotums. The righties, with little power, just show up, collect their paychecks and complain. Who wouldn’t like that?

Three who have signs left standing

Small sampling, on Road 26 from Ellis Avenue north to Club Drive:

Betty Barker has at least one sign left; Maria Velarde-Garcia, the same; the wanna-be judge, Brian Austin, has at least three; and, of course, there are Pombo signs. Being the anti-environmentalist that he is, he doesn’t even care.

Lyle Holven,
Madera

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Bigelow’s signs come right down

The candidates from the recent election would all have us believe they are model citizens.

In my opinion, a good citizen will have his or her campaign signs taken down immediately, so as o not further blight the landscape of our county.

I noticed Supervisor Frank Bigelow taking his signs down personally, today.

Ray Krause,
O’Neals

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

Mom would not be pleased with President Obama. The president has been quoted as saying he is looking for somebody’s “ass” to kick because of the Gulf Oil spill.

I once told my little sister I was going to kick her ass, and Mom overheard. The next thing I knew, I was biting off a big chunk of Dial soap.

Certain words in our house could not be said. If Mom were around today, and she heard the language that is common in movies, in music and in television shows — oh! She would have thrown out the radio, the TV, the phonograph — and a lot of the books I read today. She was not to be trifled with.
Had she been able, she would have wagged her finger in President Obama’s face, then handed him a bar of Dial and said, “Eat this, you potty mouth.”

She did make some allowances, however. If one had to refer to the part of one’s body that one sits on, she would tolerate “seat.” Obama could have said “I’m looking for some seats to kick,” and gotten away with it. Or, he even could have said “patooties,” or “keisters”

President Reagan was known to say keister, and if Mom was anybody, she was a Reagan fan. She liked him when he was host of GE Theater, and she liked him when he was president.

It was while he was president that Reagan referred to “being up to our keisters” in something. And the word took off big time.

If Obama has said, “I’m looking for some keisters to kick,” and Mom had heard him, she would have said what a bright guy Obama was.

Obama is under pressure to behave as if he was somehow in charge of fixing the oil leak. But we all know he isn’t. He didn’t make it happen and there isn’t much he can do to make it stop besides getting his keister out of the way. That must be griping his patootie.

On Tuesday, June 2, the greatest disrespect to the best pitcher in the history of Madera South High School Varsity Baseball team was displayed by head coach John Fernandez at the awards banquet.

Let me start by stating he did thank everyone for the support that has been given by the community and the parents, and how the Stallion program has been progressing with the up-and-coming players. It was an evening to say good things to the seniors who will be moving to better and greater things and a bright future.

Fernandez started handing out the awards to the underclassmen, handing them their Varsity letters and certificates, with each player being called up to the stage, such as Jason Ibrahim, Spencer Sheets and Anthony Gamboa. Fernandez spoke highly of them, such as their batting averages, league averages, defensive averages, stolen-base averages or how that player did not play for the first three weeks due to academics, but studied hard to become part of the team and had a great year, or how a player is being looked at and asked about by colleges.

To all these players I take nothing from them and I agree with it all. But now here comes the sadness that so many witnessed, if all of you know of this team that has done so much, you know there is one player that I have yet to mention.

He was the first Varsity player called up to the stage, and Head Coach John Fernandez did mention he made All League, and then handed him his certificate. Fernandez never mentioned that this young man, only a sophomore, was the best pitcher in the league. He was No. 1 in earned run average, No. 1 in wins, No. 1 in innings pitched, No. 1 in fewest runs allowed, No. 2 in strikeouts, No. 3 in stolen bases, (and) batted .281. He was No. 3 with a .359 slugging percentage and a .473 on-base percentage.

Fernandez never mentioned any of these numbers that this young man with such a large heart had put up. Fernandez failed deeply in recognizing that this player who started the season by scoring the only two runs against Madera High School, including a home run, and never got credit for that home run on maxpreps.com. In fact Fernandez, even failed to give him his varsity letter, that by all means he deserved and more.

Yes, everyone, I am talking about Anthony Valle, the best pitcher in NYL, who accepted his certificate and stood there at the end of the stage listening as Fernandez praised the other players as mentioned above.

Sitting two tables away I could clearly see his parents in disappointment, and that a kid who last year handed the Stallions the road to their first championship, would this year be worth nothing, not even his Varsity letter, that by the way at the end of the night his parents had to go and ask for.

Several players received awards such as Best Offensive, Best Defensive or Mr. Stallion, but Anthony Valle, with the great numbers he put up, received nothing.

This is a tragedy and great sadness in the Valle home, where hard work, sacrifice, trust and loyalty are pressed.

I want everyone to call MSHS and ask to speak to the athletic director, Mr. Bitter, and ask him, “Is this what you meant by the Stallion Brotherhood?” Because head coach John Fernandez gives it a whole new meaning.

Ben Rodriguez,
Madera

By Chuck Doud
The Madera Tribune

The brilliant people who design and market the digital devices most all of us live with are not unlike the people who figured out how to make crack cocaine. I’ve never had crack cocaine, but I understand that it will take over one’s life in nothing flat. One minute, you’re a normal person, and the next minute all you can think about is your next fix.

So it is with all the new gizmos.

I write this on a day that Apple has come out with a new iPhone, hot on the heels of the introduction of the iPad a couple of months ago.

People with iPhones, or Droids, or Blackberries seem not to be able to put them down.

I happened to be eating in a restaurant the other day, and noticed two fellows in the booth across from me thumbing their big cell phones. They weren’t making phone calls. They were texting, or playing games, or surfing the Internet. Something.

The waitress brought their food, and they pushed it aside so they could keep thumbing.

When the waitress came by to pour me some more coffee, I asked her, “Do you have Wi-Fi in here?”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“It’s something that lets you get on the Internet without plugging into the wall,” I said.

“Oh,” she said. “I think the place next door has something like that.”

The two guys still hadn’t started on their dinners. They were just thumbing. Maybe they were doing something important, but I think they just couldn’t put their gadgets down long enough to put food in their mouths. Like crack addicts, it was more important to them to keep satisfying their craving than it was even to eat a nice meal they had ordered.

Those two fellows aren’t alone. A lot of people just simply can’t keep their hands off those things. That’s why I’m kind of afraid to get one.