Oakland News: Oakland Mayor's Race - thoughts on the forum before video

On Thursday night July 15th, a change in flight plans enabled this blogger to attend the Oakland Mayoral Forum on Public Safety. Here are some thoughts from the distance of Georgia before the forum videos go up.

First, former California State Senator Don Perata's making a huge mistake by not showing up to the debates. As I've explained to Perata, and the other Oakland mayoral candidates when I've talked to them, its very important to have as much internet exposure as possible that's self-generated. Instead, Perata's allowing others - once again - to write his script for him. Come November, it's going to cost him dearly.

As a joke, someone - perhaps longtime Oaklander Pam Drake, since she took that photo - placed a chair next to the candidates panel with the words "Don Perata" on it. While they also should have had one for Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, because Dellums is just that he's making his own media just by working at being Mayor, even if the media approach is clumsy at times.

Second, this is the first time in Oakland's post Equal Rights Amendment (1974) history that we've had more than three white guys running than at any time since the 70s: Perata, Greg Harland, Don MacLeay, and while he's of Middle Eastern-decent, demographically still considered white, Joe Tuman. If you count Mayor Dellums, Orlando Johnson, and Dr. Terrance Candell, that's three African American men (so far), two women, Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan and Jean Quan, with Quan being the only Asian American candidate for Mayor of Oakland.

Overall, this is a great development in Oakland's history of diversity. While someone reading that sentence may laugh, the bet here is they've not been in Oakland longer than 10 years. I've been here since 1974; Lionel Wilson was Oakland's first black Mayor in the late 70s and since then each election has generally had more black candidates than white or any other race or ethnicity.

This one's different.

Third, I resisted this idea of ranking performance of the candidates, but here goes, and to send a message to those at the bottom to do better, and at the top to not get comfortable. From one to nine, Joe Tuman, Rebecca Kaplan, Don MacLeay, Jean Quan, Orlando Johnson, Greg Harland, Terrance Candell, and Don Perata and Mayor Dellums, both who should have been there.

Dr. Candell's a great man and a friend who's video interview with me is live and coming to this blog by Sunday. But his bombastic, theatrical performance totally upset the two women I was sitting next to and they said so in my video - and they were just part of the crowd who didn't like his approach.

Dr. Candell has a great cheering section of people who love him without condition, and that's a beautiful thing. But Terrance is running for Mayor of Oakland, and that means he's got to give the people what they want, or else he loses.

By contrast, Joe Tuman frankly sounds like the best candidate. Again, sounds. The problem with the forum is it's one that's geared to an opinion-centric approach. You have no idea how Tuman's going to handle a complex issue as Mayor from the forum. But Tuman tells it like it is, and has a way of "cutting to the chase" of a problem, and the people in the forum liked that.

Jean Quan has a lot of experience and a big fan base, but she hurt herself by appearing to be too mean. If she wasn't grimacing over what Rebecca Kaplan said on Measure Y, she was not looking at Joe Tuman when he spoke, chosing to wear a "Do I have to sit next to him" look on her face. Councilmember Quan's got to stop this approach. It's not making her look warm and fuzzy; more like someone you'd expect to pull out a Glock.

Rebecca Kaplan did very well and I don't write that because our issue is over. Yep. She apologized and that's enough for me. But even if Kaplan had not, this blogger would be forced by sheer honesty to give her an affirmative nod. Rebecca was particularly clear and intelligent in her knowledge of programs available to help curb the sex trafficking problem - the first question of the forum.

What hurts Rebecca Kaplan  just a bit is her quasi-support for the gang injunction issue, saying she would take action to "to make sure that we're not criminalizing" people of color, is a way of admitting the policy does just that.

Don MacLeay and Orlando Johnson did well by not trying to parrot answers or come up with new, novel ones that might get them into trouble. Both stated where he was coming from openly, in opposing the gang injunction and in general giving simple, direct answers. Where both Don and Orlando can improve is in his overall explanation of his knowledge of the tools available to the Mayor of Oakland.

Greg Harland is a great person.  A kind man. But he makes statements regarding those less fortunate that make one cringe.  He told a story about a fight that he said he witnessed, then broke up a week ago.   The way he delivered the story made him sound like the "white night" flying it to break things up between minority youth because he was identified as "the Mayor."   Harland's take didn't go over well with the crowd.

In general, the people running for Mayor of Oakland present a good, strong group that gave the packed Lakeshore Baptist Church crowd an excellent discussion on the problems of Oakland and how they would address them. Not bad.

Jessi Slaughter given PCP by her father? Kerligirl13 a study in teen Internet abuse

This is the kind of thing you find after a day of travel across the country. To learn that a father is so messed up, he thinks it's just fine to give PCP to his daughter? Not really, but that apparently was the issue with the father of Jessi Slaughter. A deeper look reveals that's not the case, and shows a study in teen Internet abuse writ so large, it became the hottest search on Google Trends as of at 9:39 PM PDT.

Why did other news websites miss this? Because the vast majority don't know what they're doing when it comes to the generation of news on the Internet. Keep reading for a look into how the Internet is really influenced.

From the looks of the videos below, Kerligirl13 has been on a video chat that is common for teens is the 21st Century. Specifically creative use of the latest Internet technology but for the development of hurtfully interactive exchanges.

In this case, the exchange was so damaging that Jessi Slaughter went and told her father. He came into the room as she was making a video to tell the kids bothering her to stop.

Apparently, it all started with the video below that Jessi Slaughter made - which was done in response to comments she apparently got in a live video chat using Stickcam, an online live video chat system - and awful comments she got in response to them.

As a warning, the video contains language you and I would not expect to hear from a young girl (unless you're an educator), but here it is and in it a study in the root causes of the decline of civility in American society, where rudeness is in some parts of the country, all too common:



What shocks me is her statement that she would "pop a Glock in your mouth and make your brain a slushie" - which means she would use a gun against someone and to their brain - and forms her hand into a gun that she's "shooting."

I looked up the term Jessi Slaughter used - "pop a Glock in your mouth and make your brain a slushie" using Google and found 2,780 results using the exact same term that she used but only because Jessi's Internet blasts have been the talk of some web forums as of this writing. Where Jessi learned that saying is from hip hop pop culture, where "pop a glock" or "pop the glock" is said so often, there's even a song of the same name.

The artist Uffie's song "Pop The Glock" has these lines:

i got a loaded bodygaurd
dont make him pull out the glock and pop

And

pop the glock,pop the glock, pop the glock, pop the glock, pop the glock pop the glock pop the glock, the glock you pop
sound like twista, fast as hell
i rock this beat you know damn well

So when you consider how often the term's said and the popularity of such songs with young teens and in this case, even young girls, Jessi's comment becomes less surprising. But it's still very disturbing.

It explains the Internet culture we've allowed to form before us, and, I argue, oozes into American society beyond the web. It's gone unchecked under a wave of families without two parents or parents so busy they don't take time to manage their kids.

The fact that Jessi Slaughter's father breaks in during her second video  below and issues a stern warning is evidence that there's something wrong:




After what's now called the "muh breakdown video" was posted, another YouTuber who was apparently part of the Internet interactions using Stickcam that led to the production of Jessi Slaughter's two videos above, made the video below. This video is a screenshot of a then-new Stickcam exchange between Jessi Slaughter and her Internet contacts. The view shared is that Jessi Slaughter is, as one viewer put it...

She's just trolling for attention. She invited folks to join the chat via Twitter, and just hours AFTER her breakdown video. Her parents really should get a clue OR get a visit from CPS.

"CPS" is Child Protective Services.

This is the video one hour after the "blast" video. It's graphic in speech:




It's obvious that Jessi Slaughter's actions - not just the YouTube videos, but the use of Twitter, and Stickcam - have gotten her far more than the common level of attention. Her "muh breakdown video" has been repeatedly copied on YouTube channel after YouTube channel (not mine).

It's hard to tell who started the post "jessi slaughter given pcp by her father" that led to the term dominating Google Trends results, but from my poking around, it appears the first forum post was at Jumptags.com, a very effective social bookmarking service.

Then the title, and Jessi Slaughter's explosive videos, including the one with her father, caused repeat after repeat of the "jumptag" and more blogs and videos with the same title. Soon, searches for the term gave demand for the content containing the title and the result was a top ranked search on Google Trends...

Where it still sits as the #1 Google Trend as of 10:50 PM, PDT.

Now, everyone knows who Jessi Slaughter is and what her dad looks like, as someone posted a video with his face on it - and that I will not post here - that has been repeated, even as it's removed.

I feel sorry for him and for his little girl. I know others will not, but I do. Internet technology consists of the most powerful set of communications tools yet developed in history. This is why I call it "social broadcasting" and not "social networking." Using them without knowledge of the consequences either emotionally, spiritually, or legally is unwise, yet done every day.

Now, Jessi Slaughter's become a limited purpose public figure. The best action to counter her status is to keep her offline for about a year (seriously) and let the chatter die down.

The videos were apparently made during the day; Jessi's parents should find something more constructive for their daughter to do during the Summer.

Hopefully enough people see this story and take steps to manage what their kids do online.

Stay tuned.

Apple Heaven no more Hell by Suzannah B. Troy

The New York Post has an article on one update with the Iphone 4 and I tell you another hot off the press or should I say Apple website!

Pull up to my bumper baby....Grace Jones song way back when....

Well Apple is giving out free Bumpers.

Apple also has a notice on their website new download able to give you more bars.

I posted this comment on the article.....

Suzannah B. Troy

07/16/2010 4:07 PM

I wrote a blog piece Apple Hell but the reality is Apple is mind blowingly awesome out of this world flaws included. They have the best customer service on the planet. If you buy a computer they will educate you once a week for one hour every week for a year. If you walk in the store you may see them doing amazing programs with inner city kids and people older than me (I am 48) eagerly learning in the one on one sessions which are 99 dollars a year. The press may be trying to drive down Apple's stock but it won't work because Apple has too many happy customers. Yes it sucks when the calls drop and or I can't get data. I hate being forced to sign a contract with AT&T or any company for 2 years -- sounds illegal but Apple rocks the house. I have filmed a homeless musician that made 2 records in the 1960's and self destructed and put the film "Giuseppi Logan playing Begin the Beguine" on YouTube radically changing his life. I helped him reconnect with people around the world that had bought his records in the 60's and his youngest son a musical gifted artist like him who had not seen his father in 40 years all because I threw out my Dell. Bought a MacBook and took one on one classes for $99 a year. I filmed NYU and a little local rag the villager turning away senior citizens, the press including NY1 to Christine Quinn and her opposition in the candidates debate for city council and posted this injustice and undemocratic activity live from the street all on the 3Gs. Now that I am using Apple 4 with rubber I am glad to have the much improved camera despite the frustrations encountered with every version of Iphone so I would like to drop AT&T and try Verizon.

Warriors sale at $450 million: I'm glad it's not Larry Ellison!

Larry Ellison 

The Golden State (Oakland) Warriors NBA organization was sold today for a record $450 million and this space is happy Oracle Chairman of The Board and Co-Founder Larry Ellison wasn't the buyer of the storied Warriors because from all accounts, Ellison would have worked to move the team to San Francisco.

Instead, the buyer was famous Hollywood movie producer Peter Guber and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers Venture Capitalist Joe Lacob. While it's not clear these two will keep the team in Oakland, at least its more certain than if Larry Ellison had bought the team.

Ellison claims that he, and not Guber and Lacob, had the highest bid for the team, but he was snubbed. According to S.I.com's Frank Hughes, Ellison said "Although I was the highest bidder, Chris Cohan decided to sell to someone else. In my experience this is a bit unusual. Nonetheless, I wish the Warriors and their fans nothing but success under their new ownership."

Whatever the case, the next steps are for the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority to approve the sale, which should not be a problem, and to determine what the new owners are going to do.

My personal view is the sale was engineered to keep the team in Oakland. To do otherwise - to give it to the combative Ellison, would produce a scenario that would tie both he and the City of Oakland and The County of Alameda in court for years to come.

Why? Because Larry Ellison would have been sued if he tried to move the team. In fact, so will Lacob and Guber, if they try to do so. But that group's not going to do it; Ellison would chance it.

Stay tuned.

Oakland Mayor's Race: Black Clergy endorse NO candidate for mayor

Greg Harland - no endorsement 

Yesterday this space ran a blog post based on a source who was under the impression that Oakland Mayor's Race candidate Greg Harland beat out Don Perata for the endorsement of a group called the Bay City Baptist Union at a Tuesday meeting at The Good Hope Church in Oakland. One of its members is Oakland Pastor Joe Smith who's at Good Hope Church. Pastor Smith was kind enough to call this blogger and help set the record straight.

The group "did not endorse any candidate" Pastor Smith said. "Harland wasn't supposed to be there."

According to Pastor Smith, what happened was the chair of the Bay City Baptist Union said something inappropriate to Don Perata to the effect of "you should retire" or words to that effect. Perata said something to the effect of "well, you can vote for who you want to."

Pastor Smith explains that he personally supports Don Perata for Mayor, even though the 60-member Bay City Baptist Union has made no official endorsement. They're set to have a meeting on the Oakland Mayor's Race within the coming days.

Is it a setback for Greg Harland? No. For Don Perata? Not exactly, but clearly, and from Pastor Smith's perspective, the chair wasn't nice to Perata.

But remember, Pastor Joe Smith is backing Don Perata.

Stay tuned.

America's Got Talent: Fighting Gravity wins the crowd by: Nikky Raney

America's Got Talent has always had unique talent, but this year Fighting Gravity has brought a whole new act.

Fighting Gravity consists of 24 fraternity brothers from who came together to form a very unique dance group, but once on stage it seems to be only three brothers in all white attire while there is one brother above as a "puppet master." There are also multiple neon colored balls which seem to float in synchronization.

(Photo taken from NJ.com)

Howie Mandel has compared them to Blue Man Group, but goes on to say that Fighting Gravity is even better than Blue Man Group.

"It's so different, it's very current, it's edgy," said judge Sharon Osbourne. "Your timing is absolutely precise. I haven't gotten one negative thing to say about it.

"The most unique thing I've ever seen up to this point with a black light is trying to find stains on a comforter in a hotel room," said judge Howie Mandel. "So this beats that by far. You guys are phenomenal."

It's hard to put into words, so watch the video and see:

Oakland Mayor's Race: Joe Tuman is running for mayor

Joe Tuman 

The Oakland Mayor's Race added its 11th candidate: San Francisco State University Professor of Communications and Legal Studies and 25-year Oakland resident Joe Tuman. Tuman came from out of nowhere Wednesday to a formidable media splash suitable for, well, for someone who worked in the media.

In addition to teaching at SFState, Joe Tuman's other title was "CBS 5 Eyewitness News Political Analyst," a job he gave up to run for Mayor of Oakland.

Joe Tuman and I talked twice: the first time briefly at his campaign kickoff by Lake Merritt and the second time at Cafe DiBartolo on Grand Avenue (a video that will come later). Tuman says he simply felt that it was time for the right leadership at Oakland City Hall and he believes he can provide that.

In that way, Tuman is no different that Terrance Candell or any of the other candidates in the Oakland Mayor's Race, except that Tuman and Candell point to the leadership problem as they see it more often than the other candidates.

But what other difference does Tuman bring? Tuman has a more corporate style than his competitors. He comes with well-tailored suits, shined shoes, and tightly-tied tie. He stands ramrod straight, thin, and very well-tanned. Tuman looks more like a Miami Beach hotel developer than a guy running for Mayor of Oakland.

But the reality is Tuman came to Oakland 25 years ago and from Berkeley, settled in Trestle Glen, not far from Lakeshore and got tired of Oakland's direction. One day, at his wife's behest, he decided to run for Mayor.

What Joe has is a savvy media team that really gets the Internet, much better than the other candidates. Plus, he knows people like KTVU's Political Editor Randy Shandobil, who gave him a good long segment on The Channel Two News Wednesday night. On an Internet marketing scale of 1 to 10, I'd give him a 6; there's room for improvement but where the others are at a 4, with an easy-to-read website  at Joe4Mayor.com and constant use of his social networks, he's a step ahead.

But where Tuman has a long way to go to prove he's the right "Joe" for Oakland, is in his knowledge of the players in Oakland. A mayor has to know what buttons to push in order to get things done. With the exception of Don Perata, and Councilmembers Jean Quan and Rebecca Kaplan, both running for Mayor of Oakland, the people running haven't demonstrated that feel for the city.

On the other hand, they have three months to develop it.

Stay tuned.