Tazer Spotlight!

The Tazer, unflinching in the face of controversy, is always open for your commentary, and so, without further adieu, we feature this exchange in response to Mike Ali's allegations of Brown Act misconduct...

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anonymous said...
Mr. Ali: Why not be fair with your commentary to this Tazer audience and broadcast the Brown Act Violations made this week by other candidates for mayor on National Night Out:

Gayle McLaughlin & Gary Bell

Shouldn't THEY also know better?

Now, let's review your campaigning efforts for Mr. Bell - you too gave out campaign material during the cities National Night Out also.

Do you feel justified because you were not on city property? Isn't it the same violation to be using a city event for political purposes?

dread captain shiroiwashi said...
Hey, "anonymous"! Glad to know you're all about being even-handed. I like that.

Me, I happen to think there's a big difference between a city-sponsored event that should (supposedly) have no specific political agenda and a press conference called by a mayor on government property on government time where an employee of a county supervisor may have been campaigning for that mayor on government time. But what do I know, right?

Not that the Brown Act has ever been enforced with any sort of passion or zeal, I say take it up with whichever legal authority is convened for this purpose and let the chips fall where they may.

Mike Ali said...
Okay, this is like one of most weakest and lame agruements I have ever heard. But as anybody in this community knows I am always transparent and very upfront about what I do, so in fairness to YOU I will respond!

First of all I am not an incumbet or elected offical seeking re-election, nor have I called a press conference for campaigning purposes.

You know as well I do that I respectively called and asked the National Night Out organizers if I could set-up a small cardboard table to pass-out campaign literature for the candidate I support. I was cleared to do as such. If I would been told no, I would have respected them and would have brought no literature what so ever.!

Plus I paid to rent a space to have the little table to the event organizers and all incumbents and candidates were entitled to do as such, if they wished to rent a space!

Sis, you know I have always read your postings and will give you your respect at what you post.

But however the day of press conference I saw you hob-nobbing with Mayor Anderson and many people there at that event were kind of surprised how buddy-buddy you were with her. It looked sort of strange that you were all up in face when she got out of her car.

But I do not really care one bit, about your political cronies or who you roll with. Thats your business!But I am saying is I played be the rules that night and I always will!

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The Tazer thanks everyone for their participation. That's why we're here.

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EDIT, August 4th, 11:41 AM: A correction from Michael Ali via e-mail:

Dear Tazer readers, I had mentioned the illegal campaigning by Irma Anderson's supporter passing her re-election campaign literature illegally on City Property and while the Mayor was on duty at a City 'function'. I stated it was in violation of the Brown Act. I should have stated it was A VIOLATION OF THE CALIFORNIA FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION that camapign literature was being illegally passed on City Property and with incumbent being on duty as an elected official! I do apologise for my error! However the point remains...ILLEGAL CAMPAIGNING IS JUST THAT!

Admitting a mistake is never weak and never wrong. Too bad some politicians can't be brave and right.

The Tazer finds itself siding with the assessment of Dread Captain. If someone believes illegal campaigning took place, they can report any incident(s) to the CA Fair Political Practices Commission. Let the chips fall where they may!