Benghazi Blues

In our modern age of communications, nothing is more sacred than the old fashioned document dump. A Washington staple, it has been used by both the executive and legislative branch to release voluminous information on a Friday afternoon at 5pm in order to lessen media scrutiny. The House Intelligence Committee headed by Mike Rogers R-Michigan did so Friday.

The subject of this dump was the 9-11-12 attacks on the US consulate in Benghazi. The far right, aided and abetted by Fox News has been carping on this for the last 2 years. First brought up in the Presidential debates by Mitt Romney, it has now been used by GOP operatives as an attack on Hilary Clinton in an attempt to derail her 2016 assumed Presidential run.

The House Committee basically debunked all of the conspiracy theories that have been floated around about Benghazi. Basically it was a very fluid and confused situation. Tragic as well of course, because 4 Americans including Ambassador Christopher Stevens and 3 others were killed in the attacks.

Of of the most egregious lies that was spread was that there was a "Stand down" order issued to military personnel who could have aided the Benghazi compound. And of course this order supposedly emanated from the very top. Why President Obama would have done so has never been articulated.Of course in Cuckooville, an explanation is not always offered readily. As long as it involves the Muslim, Kenyan, Socialist, Nazi, Racist, President, all appears to be fair game.

The other big form of controversy is what sparked the attacks. At first Administration spokespeople including UN Ambassador Susan Rice said that attack was launched in reaction to an anti-Islamic video. Soon she was attacked from all sides. Again the House Committee found that while there was more involved than just the film, it was demmed a contributing factor.

Benghazi has become a cottage industry for far right conspiracy theorists and Senators such as Lindsay Graham and John McCain. Graham has already denounced the report as "full of crap." Interesting. This GOP on GOP violence is very disturbing.And amusing. Fox News has run as fast as way from this story as they can.

But all is not lost for you Benghazi buffs. The House has yet another committee investigating the attacks. Of course they will find nothing either as this tragedy will become as farcical search for Ahab.

Steve Kelly is a broadcast journalist based in Palm Springs. He can be heard Monday through Friday on 1450 KPTR or 1450kptr.com from 4 to 6P time.

Cat Got Their Tongue In Cathedral City

With the 2014 election  finally certified and now in the books, speculation must now turn to who will be the 5th council person in Cathedral City. That seat will open up in just a few weeks when councilman Stan Henry is promoted to Mayor. The city council can then call a new election or appoint someone though, all we hear is deafening silence from the powers that be. The term will be for 2 years.

The logical choice would be to appoint the 3rd place finisher but in this place, it appears doubtful that will happen. Despite being endorsed by Stan Henry, Theresa Hooks has a huge hurdle to overcome. That would be her comments about gay conversion therapy and the Focus On The Family. 2 members of the council, Greg Pettis and newcomer Shelly Kaplan are gay. I can see no way they could support Ms. Hooks. Especially Mr. Pettis who has built up a little political power machine in the Cathedral City gay community.

I also see no way that a city teetering on bankruptcy can afford the cost of a new election. So there is going to be a lot of wheeling and dealing in the next few weeks between Mr. Pettis and Stan Henry. A compromise candidate from the sorely under represented Hispanic Community may be floated. The 2 new council members, Mr. Kaplan and Mark Carnevale will be more like spectators in this process.

No matter what happens, in the next few months it would behoove the council to codify the 3rd place finisher like Palm Springs did over a decade ago. That would put a stop to political shenanigans that are likely to be coming in Cathedral City in the future.

New Leaders Stiff LGBT Event

I recently had the pleasure of being a representative of my company Saturday at Palm Springs Pride. There was a great atmosphere as thousands of people went downtown to take advantage of beautiful weather and it was a lovely day in Palm Springs.

While I was there, I looked for and could not find both State Senator Elect Jeff Stone and Assemblyman-Elect Chad Mayes at the event. I can confirm that both newly elected officials were invited to the event and both no showed both Pride Saturday and the parade on Sunday. 

Because of re-districting Palm Springs. a stronghold of liberal Democrats and LBGT friendly groups, is now located in GOP leaning Assembly and State Senate districts. One would think however, that both Mayes and Stone would make at least a pro forma effort to reach out to an important city in their districts. But alas that was not to be.

The election of 2 very conservative legislators from a minority party in Sacramento does not bode well for state funding for projects in Palm Springs. Local leaders will have to use contacts in local Democratic clubs or perhaps reach out to the new Democratic Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia from the East Valley for help with the Brown administration.

All this comes in a week when the local paper wrote an editorial about the triumph of "moderates" in recent California elections. By definition a moderate is a tolerant person. Perhaps someone needs to tell Jeff Stone and Chad Mayes that.

War On Thanksgiving

As one grows older, there is a natural tendency to look back in the past with affection for times gone by. With the month of November rapidly advancing, my thoughts turn to the wonderful Thanksgivings I had as a youth with my family in New Jersey. It was very important that we sit down and give thanks for all we had. I think it was very special to my father who grew up in dire poverty to see that, he like millions of others, had survived the War and the Depression. To have his family sit around that noisy table meant something. My story was repeated in countless homes across America.

But now the holiday and traditions of Thanksgiving are under assault. Unlike the dubious so-called War On Christmas, there is a full frontal assault on Thanksgiving. And we are the attackers. Retail stores will now open on Thanksgiving as mobs rush to save 20 bucks on a flat screen tv. People who work in those stores will have either little or no time to spend with their families on this holiday. There will be no shared meal for hundreds of workers, some in our Valley as people ironically enough rush to buy gifts to express love and affection at Christmas time.

Yes people have worked on previous Thanksgivings. Restaurant have always had one of their busiest days on Thanksgiving. Plus our emergency workers and first responders are always on duty. But in attempt to revive a changing retail sector, almost all the big chain stores are opening on Thanksgiving Day. Local outlet malls will be open all day. Most Millennials with no “Traditions App” on their I Phones or Droid devices will flock to these stores. In the long run it is dubious whether or not opening on Thanksgiving is economically viable.

3 states, Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts ban shopping on Thanksgiving. Thank God for some common sense in this era of all for me. Many pay lip service to “Family Values”, yet what could be of more value to a family than having a real family meal at Thanksgiving? Will our future generations memories of this day include missing Grandma or Grandpa's last Thanksgiving because they had to work as a stock boy or counter girl at some long dormant retail chain? Or how they had dinner at 11am so Mom could rush off to work?

It has amazed me how easily our society has surrendered in this War On Thanksgiving. There has been little or no reportage on the encroachment of the forces of greed and avarice and most of all, instant gratification as they have converged to perhaps permanently destroy Thanksgiving. A sad commentary on modern times indeed.

Steve Kelly is on 1450 KPTR weekdays from 4 to 6PM. He can be reached at skelly@rrbroadcasting.com.

Carnac Kelly Predicts Elections

All right kids, it is time to put on the old Wizard's hat and Carnac Kelly will predict the local elections:

US Congress

A long night awaits but Dr. Raul Ruiz squeaks by Brian Nestande.

State Senate

Bonnie Garcia buoyed by Latino support beats Jeff Stone

Assembly

Eduardo Garcia easily. Chad Mayes but Mayes has a caveat.

Local Council Winners:

Cathedral City- Shelly Kaplan and Mark Carvenale

Coachella: Mayor Steve Hernandez Council: Manny Perez and Margie Zepeda

Indian Wells: Dana Reed and Richard Balocco

La Quinta: Mayor Don Adolph Council: John Pena Bob Wright

Palm Desert Sabby Jonathan

Indio: Mike Wilson, Sam Torres and Elaine Holmes

What to watch:

La Quinta is very intriguing as John Pena a former mayor mounts a comeback and Linda Evans is a candidate being pushed by East Valley Republican Clubs. Can Don Adolph fend her off?

Cathedral City: Who will finish 3^rd and will that person be appointed to the council after Stan Henry steps up to mayor.

Palm Springs School Board:Will James Williamson beat Vanessa Sheldon? James has been feted by the LBGT community and it will be interesting to see if that translates into votes.

Upset Of The Night

No candidate has worked harder than Kara Lee Hargrove. None. If there is a huge upset tonight, this is it.

Steve Kelly Weekday Afternoons At 4p on 1450 KPTR