There was no demonization of Liberate Laguna in the City Council election by Village Laguna—unless you consider laying out a factual account of the PAC’s activities to be somehow unfair.
The only demonization of Liberate Laguna came from Steve Dicterow, a longtime aide to Dana Rohrabacher.
That was internecine warfare between Republicans—right in line with the now-normal vernacular of the party and its dear leader.
If Liberate Laguna had not paid for Peter Blake’s victory, we would have no incivility problem at all and Mr. Ray could relax.
I wonder how it is that Mr. Ray merits a weekly opportunity in The Independent to demonize a large cross-section of Laguna’s citizenry?
Kiku Terasaki, Laguna Beach
Kiku Terasaki, here’s your harsh political lesson for the day – demonization is normal and expected between two PACs during an election. Maybe in the land of Kumbaya, PACs get together and recite poetry? Not in Laguna. Sorry!
Steve demonized Liberate Laguna and it was understandable and expected. Nice shout-out about his affiliation with Rohrbacher. We all know Steve is a Republican. He never hid it. A little passive/aggressive knock-down via association with his previous employer to keep things in check? Oh, and your claim of “internecine warfare” between Republicans (Dicterow and Liberate Laguna) shows just how ignorant you are. Liberate Laguna’s founders are liberal Democrats. Michael Ray, Sam Goldstein, and Cindy Shoppoff are NOT Republicans.
But you really scored the idiot of the week award with your comment about Liberate Laguna buying my seat on the Council. I announced my candidacy in May, they endorsed me in September. By then everyone knew I had the election won. I ended up beating 3 candidates who had already served on Council and I received more votes than Toni, a 20-year incumbent. Do you think some glossy fliers of me in a suit accomplished that? Is that how easily you think the residents of Laguna can be swayed?
You actually got one thing right in your letter when you stated that we would have no incivility problem at all if it weren’t for me. Obviously you’d prefer that Village Laguna would continue to maintain the unchallenged control they’ve had over our community since the 70’s. Well, sorry! the silent majority elected me to be their voice (a loud one) and to fight for them. I suggest you find your safe space and grab a box of tissues, the next two years and the 2022 election will get even uglier. Promise!
Finaly, you return to the D word (you must have demons on your mind) to describe the “large cross-section” of Laguna that gets their feelings hurt over Michael’s mean and insensitive comments. You question the “merits” of his column just because you disagree with him. So much for the 1st Ammendement if it doesn’t please your leftist sensibilities. How bout we remove Anne Christoph’s column while we’re at it. Would you miss the sanctimonious rants from her weekly bully pulpit for Village Laguna and their lapdog on the dais?
Kiku, please spare us your self-rightious virtue-signaling. No one’s falling for it. Civility begets civility!
I will reply to this letter, but reluctantly, because so much of it is nonsense. I have been writing columns for over twenty years and have something to say, lately much about the nonsense Village Laguna spouts. Every single one of it ads and emails—every one—lied about Liberate Laguna. Every one. To call them “civil” is to misuse the term.
As for a counter-balance, Village Laguna activist Ann Christophe also writes for the Indy. So, if you want to complain, complain about her.
Finally, Liberate Laguna did not pay for Peter Blake’s win. He would have won regardless because he did, and does, touch a nerve. If he ran tomorrow afternoon, he would garner more votes than any one else on the City Council.
I guess it is time to review (correct?) Councilman Blake’s and Mr. Ray’s “Silent Majority” numbers from the two elections.
2018 Election Results
Peter Blake 4,881 (14.8%)
Toni Iseman 4,792 votes (14.5%)
2020 Election Results
Bob Whalen 6,442 votes (24.5%)
George Weiss 5,665 (21.6%)
Looks like either way you cut it that the Silent Majority’s majority vote wanted the following people on City Council in order of top votes/percentages in the last two years: Whalen; Weiss; Iseman; Blake. The people have spoken, and turned out in record numbers to have their votes heard. Democracy works.
Deborah Laughton,
I’d like to remind you that there were only 5 candidates to choose between in 2020, compared to the 9 candidates who ran in 2018.