Category: Politics

Bilingual commentary — The Devastating Costs of Mass Deportations

One of the factors that swept Donald Trump back into power and onto the world stage was his inexhaustible and malicious exaggeration of the “immigrant problem.” Images of immigrants eating pets and walking into kitchens and slitting our throats danced in his supporters’ heads as they marked their ballots last month.

Many of us realize, intuitively, that “mass deportation” of “all the illegals” is hardly possible without great damage to the American economy and to our personal lives.

Not wanting to rely on my “intuition,” I searched online for some hard numbers. The information I uncovered was shocking. A “special report” by the American Immigration Council (AIC) laid out the devastating consequences of such a massive operation.

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council — This Week in Immigration

Biden makes critical last-minute change to help combat USCIS backlogs. More options available. Immigrant farmworkers make our holiday meals possible

***

President Biden has just over one month left in office. He can still take decisive action to protect people at risk of indiscriminate immigration enforcement.

Among other priorities, the Council encourages the administration to protect DACA recipients; extend and redesignate Temporary Protected Status for certain countries; and rescind remaining Trump-era immigration regulations.

Read more: Urgent Last Requests for the Biden Administration

Bilingual report ‚ Ventura County Certifies Nov. 5, 2024 Presidential General Election

VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced today the official certification of the November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election. A total of 394,197 ballots were cast in the general election; with 84.17% of the voters utilizing their vote-by-mail ballot and 15.83% voting in person. Ventura County had a 76.25% overall voter turnout for this election.

The November 2024 General Election marks Ventura County’s fourth election conducted under the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) election model. It also marks a significant increase in the number of voters taking advantage of the expanded voting opportunities provided under the VCA.

Bilingual commentary — Thoughts on the Presidential Election

Like nearly half of the country, I’ve been in a funk over the past couple of weeks. As I process the astoundingly unexpected sweep of the Republican victory in this election, my mind fills with questions. 

Some of those questions are being answered as the statisticians dissect the body of electoral evidence and conduct a postmortem on the results of the election. 

The voters have spoken. They lurched rightward in spite of the signs indicating that women were galvanized in their support of reproductive rights, that Latinos were tired of the insults directed at them and their families, and that Blacks were not going to abandon the Democratic Party in its hour of need.

But enough women, Latinos, and Blacks did indeed abandon Kamala Harris to trigger the avalanche of support for Donald Trump that even he did not seem to expect—much like when he won the election in 2016. To add insult to the Democrats’ injuries, Republicans took control not only of the White House, but also of the House and Senate. 

Moorpark College Alumnus Mike Madrid Recognized as a 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

MOORPARK — Moorpark College alumnus Mike Madrid will be honored with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Community College League of California (CCLC) at its Annual Convention on November 22 in Burlingame, California.  

Madrid and fellow honorees Marlin “Skip” Davies (Yuba College) and Mike McGuire (Santa Rosa Junior College) were nominated by their peers and colleges to receive this honor. 

“On behalf of the Community College League of California, I am immensely proud to celebrate the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees,” said Larry Galizio, CCLC president and CEO.  “Their achievements exemplify the transformative power of California’s community colleges and reflect the profound impact our community colleges have on individual lives and our society as a whole.” 

Guest contribution — American Immigration Council: Biden has 64 days left in office to protect vulnerable immigrants

The federal government currently lacks the resources to fulfill Trump’s pledge of mass deportations in the first months of his presidency, but ICE?can and will act?quickly to target immigrants for arrests. However, before that begins, President Biden has two months left in office to take decisive action to protect people at risk under Trump’s indiscriminate immigration enforcement plans.

Gov. Newsom convenes a special session of the Legislature to protect California values

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom (on Nov. 7) issued a proclamation convening a special session of the California Legislature to safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration. The special session will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families.

This is the first of several actions by the Newsom Administration, in partnership with the Legislature, as the Governor begins shoring up California’s defenses against an incoming federal administration that has threatened the state on multiple fronts.

Santa Barbara City College thanks community for passing Measure P and welcomes new Trustee-elects

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and the Santa Barbara City College Foundation express heartfelt gratitude to the Santa Barbara community, Yes on Measure P campaign, and their volunteers for the passage of Measure P, a vital bond extension that will enable the college to enhance facilities, update technology, and continue offering a high-quality educational experience. This bond extension reflects the community’s commitment to SBCC’s mission of empowering students through affordable, accessible, and innovative education.

Bilingual report — Election 2024: Ventura County, It’s Time to Vote!

VENTURA — Whether you send in your vote by mail ballot or go to a vote center to vote in person, the time is NOW to make your voice heard for the November 5th Presidential Election.

More than a half-million ballots were mailed to Ventura County registered voters in early October. At the same time, the Elections Office at the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura opened for early in-person voting. This week, beginning Saturday, October 26, an 11-day vote center will open in each city in the county, allowing additional opportunities for early voting. More than forty more vote centers open beginning November 2. Vote Centers are open every day through Election Day, and you can visit any location in the county.

Bilingual report — Ventura Registrar Launches “Election Smart!” Online Resource Ahead of Nov. 5th Election

VENTURA — Michelle Ascencion, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters, announced the launch of Election Smart! and the Election Smart! Blog, a new online resource at VenturaVote.org, to help provide Ventura County voters with accurate, official information about local elections and the upcoming November 5, 2024 General Election. Election Smart! is part of the Registrar of Voters’ commitment to increase transparency around election laws and procedures while countering the spread of misinformation during election season.

Registrar Ascencion’s larger efforts in public outreach began with the Election Education Series, a four-part series presented from October 2023 to February 2024. The series covered different election topics, such as running for office, election integrity and security, and the unique features of Presidential primaries. Videos of the presentations are accessible on the Election Smart! page.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura preparation for Nov. 5th Election Ramping Up With Less Than 30 Days To Go

VENTURA — Michelle Ascencion, County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters, announced important activities for the November 5, 2024 Presidential General Election that will begin on October 7.

Throughout the State of California, counties will begin mailing Vote by Mail ballots to all active, registered voters on Oct. 7. Voters should expect to receive their ballot by Oct. 17; anyone who hasn’t received their ballot or State/County Voter Information Guide in the mail by then should contact the Elections Office. Voters are reminded they need to return their ballot in the SIGNED return, postage-paid envelope, and return it by U.S. postal mail; or, in 1 of 38 official ballot drop boxes; or, at 1 of 52 vote centers; or, at the County Elections Office by 8 pm on Election Day, Nov. 5.  Mailed ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received within 7 days. …

Bilingual commentary — Voting ‘Emotionally’

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…

Bilingual report — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters — List of City, School District and Special District Elected Offices in Extended Nomination Period for November 5, 2024 General Election

VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the extension of the nomination period for the following City, School District and Special District elected offices that are scheduled to be voted on in the November 5, 2024 General Election. The incumbent officer in each of these positions did not file nomination papers before the August 9, 2024, 5 PM deadline.

UCSB — The Current — ‘How the romantic institution props-up a racialized dating landscape’ and more news, events

View this email online May 16, 2024 Top News How the romantic institution props-up a racialized dating landscape In a new book, Sabrina Strings blends historical research, personal anecdotes and cultural criticism to consider the demise of romantic partnerships, emphasizing…

CLU School of Management — Watch and Explore second video from ‘Separating Myths From Realities’

We’re delighted to present the second short video in our series that brings attention to the pivotal themes of the recent conference, “Separating Myths from Realities,” hosted by the Center for Economics of Social Issues. Our second video focuses on the crucial topic of “Fear of Undocumented Immigrants”, containing key insights from our esteemed presenter and panelists. We invite you to watch this informative video, which aims to present how fear is a human emotion that oppressors use to subjugate and rule over lives. Stay tuned for more insightful videos covering various aspects related to undocumented immigrants in California, from the demographics and economic impact to the degradation they experience.

Bilingual commentary — Using Science to Scare, Intimidate, and Control Americans

The methods used to frighten and manipulate the ancient Mexicans are still being used today, for the same purposes, in modern America.

In the seventh and eighth centuries, the Mayan priests used their profound knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, and politics to control and subjugate the masses within their jurisdiction. American politicians who understand politics and social media, but who have no apparent understanding of mathematics or astronomy, are attempting to do the very same thing.

Bilingual report — Michelle Ascencion, Ventura County Registrar of Voters, Announces 2024 Presidential Primary Election Night Results and the Start of the Canvass Period

VENTURA — Primary Election Night Closing Results for Ventura County came in at 1:50 a.m., March 6, 2024, and are posted on the VenturaVote.org  Election Results page, along with a link to the Secretary of State’s Semifinal Official Results for the State of California.

The Ventura County Election Night Results include: vote-by-mail ballots received and processed before Election Day, in-person ballots cast during early voting, and non-conditional and non-provisional ballots cast on Election Day.

March 6 is also the start of the Official Canvass Period, which must be completed within thirty days after Election Day. Election officials conduct numerous post-election activities during the canvass as mandated by State Law.

Bilingual commentary — How and Why to Vote Responsibly

As I was filling out my ballot for the coming election here in California, most of the items were fairly easy choices for me (one of them at the top of the ticket was very easy). But then I came to the choices for judge for the Ventura County Superior Court. We are directed to vote for only one.

I stared at the names. One of them was immediately recognizable because I had seen his name in news items about some of our local civil and criminal trials. His credentials seem impeccable.

But then I realized that I knew essentially nothing about the other three candidates. 

So why is it so important to vote for judges and not just skip over this section of the ballot?

Bilingual report — Ventura County Registrar of Voters Announces Schedule for Election Results Reporting for Presidential Primary Election Night

VENTURA COUNTY — With March 5, 2024, Election Day less than a week away, Michelle Ascencion, Registrar of Voters, and her Elections team are not only planning for the busy voting days that remain ahead, they are also preparing for the long night of election results reporting that follows.  The 8:00 p.m. official close of the Election starts the clock when candidates, voters and the media all start looking for the first ballot count results to be reported.

Bilingual report — Ballots for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election Are On Their Way to Registered Voters in Ventura County

VENTURA — Today, Feb. 5, 2024, starts the 29-day countdown to the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary election and all the activities mandated by California State Election law.

Throughout the State, Vote by Mail ballots are prepared to go out to all active, registered voters. Those voters should expect to receive their ballots within ten days. Military and overseas voters have already been sent their vote by mail ballots to ensure they have enough time to receive and return them and have them postmarked before the 8:00 pm deadline on Election Day.

Guest commentary — A Chicano’s Education Or How I Decided to Educate Myself on Zionism, part 1

   As a Chicano who lives in the historically conquered territory of the Southwest after the US attack on Mexico in 1846 and who lives in the state of California that systematically dispossessed indigenous peoples of their land and relegated them to lives in concentration camps known as reservations, I identify with the Palestinian struggle for national liberation. Hence, I refuse to abet via silence the continued catastrophe, Nakba, of ethnic cleansing against the people of Palestine perpetuated since 1948 by the United States-backed state of Israel.[i] This moral stand arose from witnessing the brazenly decontextualized propaganda of commercial network news streamed to my television since October 7, 2023. Indeed, I have yet to view corporate news functionaries addressing the fundamental causes of Zionist invasion, racial apartheid, and theft of Palestinian territories even before the mid-twentieth century that induced Hamas’ recent attack on Israelis and the taking of hostages. 

Bilingual commentary — Preparing For the Collapse of Society

Previously I was not known to be a pessimistic person by my friends and colleagues. Quite the contrary. They know me as someone who is forward-looking and generally optimistic about life. 

Until recently.

Just over three years ago, I breathed a sigh of relief—not so much because Joe Biden had won the presidency, but rather because Donald Trump had lost. 

However, by that time Trump had already primed his supporters to reject the possibility that he could lose. That Biden’s win was not exactly a landslide only served to infuriate his base as they disregarded all evidence supporting the results of the election. 

Local Grassroots Organization Endorses Slate of Candidates Committed to Immigrant Worker Power, Environmental and Housing Justice for California’s Central Coast

Editor’s note: * Shooting Star Communications LLC, the parent company of www.Amigos805.com, does not endorse candidates running for political office. We reserve the right to refuse any political advertisement.

“Every election cycle we witness huge sums of money drop into our communities to sway races in support of candidates that represent powerful interests’ runaway profits instead of peoples’ lives – and this year is no different. CAUSE Action’s people power will continue to defend our communities from the special interest money flooding into our communities,” said Hazel Davalos, Co-Executive Director of CAUSE Action. “We have laid the foundation for us to have one-on-one conversations with thousands of voters. And CAUSE Action will work from now until election day to educate and mobilize voters to support candidates committed to environmental and housing justice, and building immigrant worker power.” 

Feb. 22 — Moorpark College and The Colleges of Law Present How to Save Democracy with David Pepper

MOORPARK — Moorpark College and The Colleges of Law welcome the community to attend “How to Save Democracy with David Pepper” on Feb. 22. This special event will feature a lecture by esteemed author David Pepper on election law and voting rights. Following the lecture, Dr. Jackie Gardina, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of The Colleges of Law, will engage in a conversation and Q&A session with Pepper.

Sept. 27 — Meet and Greet event to be held for Thousand Oaks City Council Candidate Connie ‘Tie’ Gutierrez

THOUSAND OAKS — A Meet and Greet event for Thousand Oaks District 5 City Council Candidate Connie ‘Tie’ Gutierrez will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Dover Hendrix Park, Picnic Table 2, Thousand Oaks.

Oct. 12 — Bilingual report — Latinx Voters Forum to be held at Santa Barbara City College

SANTA BARBARA — Stop by Santa Barbara City College and join us for an important discussion on upcoming issues in the November ballot affecting the Latinx community. Santa Barbara City Council members and candidates will be on hand to answer questions and share their perspectives on key issues. This non-partisan, informational forum will feature a moderated panel discussion. Spanish translation services will be provided. Stay after the forum to enjoy lunch and connect with your community! This event is sponsored by the Latinx Mental Health Students at Antioch University Santa Barbara and Antioch Works for Democracy.

Bilingual commentary — It’s Been Quite a Year

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…

Bilingual report — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Notifies ‘No Party Preference’ Voters of Their Ballot Options for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election

VENTURA COUNTY — This week, the Ventura County Elections Division will begin mailing notification cards to the nearly 113,000 County voters who are registered without a qualified political party.  The notification cards will explain how No Party Preference (NPP) voters can request a ballot that includes the presidential contest.

All March 5, 2024 primary election ballots will have contests for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Senator, State Assembly Member, Judges of the Superior Court, County Supervisors (if applicable), and state and local measures. However, only voters registered with a political party will have a ballot listing the party-specific contests for the office of U.S. President and County Central Committee members.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Begins Board of Supervisors Presidential Primary Election Education Series Oct. 17, Nov. 7, Feb. 6, 27

VENTURA — In anticipation of the upcoming March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election, Michelle Ascencion, County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, will be presenting a five-part Election Education Series at the Ventura County Board of Supervisors Meetings. Over the next few months, Ascencion will be covering election topics that are of interest to the Ventura County voting and candidate community.

Bilingual commentary — The High Price of Illiteracy

I was recently listening to a radio program discussing illiteracy and poverty in our country. These two intractable problems in our society are inextricably linked to each other. They also explain a lot of the darker forces that are shaping our future—and that of our children.

As I searched the Internet for some insight into the aforementioned forces, I came across a few uncomfortable propositions. I was reluctant to accept them. But I had to admit to myself that there were good reasons to at least entertain the possibility that these propositions contained some truth. 

Bilingual report — American Checkmate, 2024

In chess, “checkmate” occurs when the “king” on the board is threatened with capture and has no way out. At that point, the game is, for all intents and purposes, over. 

We in the United States are being checkmated by Donald Trump, the current GOP frontrunner for the presidential primary nomination. Rather than a checkmate of the king, the very foundation of our country is being threatened. Increasingly, it appears that there is no way out of the upcoming fraught battle for the very soul of the nation. 

Bilingual commentary — Is Teaching Conventional English and Math “White Supremacy”?

A California high school English teacher, Marta Shaffer, has declared that teaching proper English grammar in our classrooms sustains white supremacy in our education system. 

Either Ms. Shaffer has a point, or she is someone who searches tirelessly for supremacist underpinnings where there may be none—or at least not to the extent that she perceives. 

Bilingual commentary — And We Thought Florida Had Problems with Gender…

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis, now officially a presidential candidate, has been implementing a tumultuous “War on Woke.” His crusade within the ongoing culture wars has infamously targeted transgender, LGBTQ, “personal pronouns,” and sexual identity issues. 

Mr. DeSantis has gone so far as to place Disneyland directly in the crosshairs of his political weaponry. Disneyland dared to publicly disagree with one of his more contentious edicts against the gay population in his state. The governor has conjured a maelstrom of hatred to rile up and anger his base.

Bilingual report — Public Comment Period Begins for Voter’s Choice Act  Election Administration Plan Renewal

County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the start of the 14-Day public comment period for Ventura County’s new draft of the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) Election Administration Plan (EAP) Renewal. Comments can be made directly on the Elections website at www.VenturaVote.org or they can be sent to the Elections Division email at elections@ventura.org, from May 22 through June 5.

Bilingual commentary — Are Latinos “White”?

I had a moment of angst three years ago as I filled out the 2020 U.S. Census form. I froze in my tracks, just as I had with employment forms in the past, when I saw a question asking me to denote my race. I am thoroughly aware that much of the U.S. population, especially in the more conservative states, would not consider me “white.” 

Their assessment is based solely on my appearance. I’m not particularly dark, but neither am I of “fair skin.”

In light of recent developments in our country, I am now less willing to declare myself as of the “white” race on any form inquiring about my ancestral background. However, in the following Census question inquiring about my ethnicity (as opposed to “race”), selecting “Hispanic or Latino” was an obvious choice.

Bilingual commentary — The Attacks on Jill Biden Are Attacks on Women

For MAGA conservatives, women are fair game. Members of the extreme right wing of the conservative movement can pursue and verbally attack women with impunity. In fact, it raises their profile as they become heroes within their authoritarian, paternalistic tribes. 

This was demonstrated recently when right-wing TV host John Fredericks lambasted First Lady Jill Biden on several fronts.

Bilingual commentary — Israel and the U.S.: A Tale of Two Countries

As I read an article this past week about the 75th anniversary of the founding of Israel, I found myself wondering, for a few moments, whether I was actually reading about Israel or the United States.

Israel has been contending with a hyper-religious, ultra-Orthodox contingent in its government that is very influential regarding national policies. Since December of last year, Israel’s government has taken a hard turn to the right, guided by ultraconservative, extremist lawmakers who have strong authoritarian tendencies and who have no intention of negotiating with the Palestinians regarding their statehood. The history of the Palestinian territories has been fraught with dizzying complexity since 1916, around the time of World War I. 

Bilingual commentary — The Statue of David vs. “Parents’ Rights”

Much like a hurricane that roars in from the Gulf of Mexico, the ultraconservative far right is gaining strength in Florida. Ron DeSantis, the Harvard-educated governor of the state, is an emerging authoritarian who is creating a political environment that resembles that of the autocratic government of Hungary. 

Mr. DeSantis is a strong proponent of “parents’ rights.” This concept transfers educational authority from the highly trained educators to parents of elementary through high school students. These parents often have no training whatsoever in child psychology or school curricula, and little or no experience in the classroom. 

Bilingual commentary — The Trouble With Words

I love words. I am a writer. I believe I understand the power of words. The hermit that coined that moronic phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt!’ probably survived in a pitch-black cave isolated from all humanity. Words, as we all know that live in this chaotic and troublesome world, can start insurrections, wars, the collapse of nations, and they may even send a corrupt, immoral and evil ex-presidents to jail. On a personal level mean, abusive and cruel words are like a million vicious paper cuts that will inevitably destroy the intended target. On the flip side loving, kind and affirmative words can help heal the most broken soul, and give hope to a people, and perhaps save a nation and the world.

Registration deadline is Feb. 10 to attend Ventura County Elections Division’s Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC) Public Meeting meeting on Feb. 14

 The Ventura County Elections Division invites you to join our February 2023 Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC) meeting to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. We are requesting the publics assistance in reaching out to the limited English-speaking community to provide important voting information within Ventura County. We will be conducting the meeting via the Zoom web conference platform. I

Bilingual commentary — George Santos for President

Most of us are aware of the story of George Santos, a Republican U.S. House of Representatives Congressman elected in November 2022. Actually, we think his name is George Santos. He has “embellished” his past so thoroughly, we may not ever know who, exactly, he really is. 

“Embellished” is a polite euphemism. Apparently, Mr. Santos has lied profoundly to the American people, particularly to those who elected him based on his stated views and history. The story of his life that he provided was, as it turns out, a complete fabrication. 

Bilingual report — Important Dates for the City of Oxnard Special Municipal Vacancy Election for Council Member District 6 (Short Term)

 County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Michelle Ascencion announced the details of the March 7, 2023, City of Oxnard Special Municipal Vacancy Election for City Council Member-District 6. 

The Special Election is a Voter’s Choice Act Election, giving City of Oxnard District 6 voters the opportunity for “More Days and More Ways” to submit their ballot. Voters in this election can:

Bilingual commentary — The Big Lie and the Erosion of Democracy

When Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, there was some speculation that perhaps he would “go quietly into the night.” On the campaign trail, he himself said that if he were to lose the election, we’d never see him again. He also stated that he “might have to leave the country.” Looking back, we now realize that he was just joking.

Fast-forwarding two years, we know that not only did he not leave the country, but rather he is very possibly planning a vengeful return to the White House. We also know that he concocted a Big Lie that has had troubling implications for our democracy. His Big Lie, which is the claim that the election was “rigged” and that he had actually won the election, has spawned an entire industry of election deniers who refuse to believe hard, unequivocal evidence that the election was, in fact, the most secure in American history. 

But election deniers ignore the hard numbers. They “feel in their heart” that they are right, let the facts be damned.

Suddenly—not only here, but throughout the world—election denialism is all the rage (so to speak). Trump planted a seed that was fertilized by strategic misinformation. A plant grew from that seed, blossomed, and in turn nefariously spread its seeds far and wide.

May 15 — Bilingual report — County of Ventura Elections Office seeking community leaders for Language Accessibility Advisory Committee

The County of Ventura Elections Office seeking community leaders to serve on a Language Accessibility Advisory Committee Committee (LAAC) in Ventura County.

You are cordially invited to participate in the quarterly LAAC meeting as we prepare for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election. Your voice matters!

The next quarterly meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 15. We will be conducting the meeting via the Zoom web conference platform.

Topic: LAAC Quarterly Meeting to discuss language preparation for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election

Statistics show dramatic increase in CSUCI student voting

If statistics from the 2020 election are any indication, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) students are very likely to show up at the polls for the critical 2022 midterm elections.

According to The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) out of Tufts University, CSUCI voting rates increased from 55% showing up at the polls in 2016 to 77% in 2020, a 22% point increase.

“Voting rates across the state increased during this period, also, from 59% in 2016 to 71% in 2020, but this was only a 12% point increase, compared with CSUCI’s 22% increase,” said CSUCI Director of Institutional Research & Chief Data Officer Matt Zivot, Ph.D. “This is an indication that the gains we saw at CSUCI reflected the hard work done by the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) team, over and above a general change in voter interest and universal voting by mail.”

Bilingual commentary — The Specter of Nuclear War

Those of us who were in grade school in the 1950s and early 60s will never forget the “duck and cover” drills we used to have in our classrooms. This was a Civil Defense exercise that put the fear of nuclear war into our little heads. At least once a month, as best I recall, we would hear the sirens wailing at 10 a.m. on a Friday. We knew what to do: kneel and drop, face down, below our desk—that mighty protector of our young lives—and cover our necks and heads with our arms and hands as much as possible. 

The Soviet Union became a nuclear power in 1949, and suddenly we had a threatening nuclear rival. The Cold War that followed World War II was replete with the rattles of sabers and ominous words, not too unlike what we are hearing today from the leaders of Russia, the remnant of the Soviet Union.

Guest commentary — Can United States Democracy Survive the Big Lie?

The late great poet, activist and musical genius Gil Scott-Heron, often reminds folks through his work that, “America has always lead the world in selective amnesia and hypocrisy” How can any honest, common sense thinking American disagree?  But alas, we Americans are often a hard-headed, selfish, greedy and stupid people in full display of an incredulous world, some watch nervously others cheering madly, as Trump and his MAGA cult push our nation further toward the abyss of totalitarianism.

So to me, the short and long answer to whether will America survive the big lie is as scary as it is obvious. Of course, the United States of America will survive; it may even continue to flourish if and when Trump and his MAGA fellow fascists take over. After all what is more dangerous and entrenched than an army of MAGA/QAnon zealots that have collectively drank the orange Kool-Aid and believe to the marrow of their soul that the country that they ruled for over 245 years is being “stolen from them by the godless hordes of Mexicans, Blacks and other undesirables heathens.” 

County of Ventura Language Accessibility Advisory Committee to meet Aug. 24. Volunteers needed

The County of Ventura Elections Office seeking citizen volunteers to serve on a Language Accessibility Advisory Committee Committee (LAAC) in Ventura County.

The next quarterly meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. We will be conducting the meeting via the Zoom web conference platform. Attached is a flyer for you to share with your organizations.

Bilingual report — List of City, School District and Special District Offices In Extended Nomination Period for Nov. 8, 2022, General Election

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced the extension of the nomination period for the following City, School District and Special District offices that are scheduled to be voted on in the November 8, 2022 General Election. The extended nomination period will close on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. The extension does not apply to incumbents.

CITIES

The nomination period extension for City offices applies to the following:

Fillmore City Council (Full term, Short term)
Moorpark Mayor
Ojai City Council, District 1
San Buenaventura (Ventura) City Council, Districts 1 and 5
Santa Paula City Council
Simi Valley Mayor
Thousand Oaks City Council