Given that I live 450 miles from Orange County, I'll take your word on all these Orange Curtain politicos.
That's okay: I come here not to discuss politics, but -- since there are 600 replies you'll never get around to reading on Youtube regarding your Alan Iverson story -- to hijack this comment section in thanking you for another season of absolutely terrific stories on "Pressbox Chronicles," including the Iverson tale.
I say this as someone who never saw Iverson play, has never paid any attention to the NBA whatsoever, and doesn't care about any sport other than baseball and a bit of flat-track motorcycle racing. I've been to two Laker games, which were fun, but just can't watch the game on TV -- at all. After five minutes of trying to watch an NBA game I feel a sudden need to go sort the socks in my dresser. I used to like basketball in the Olympics back when it was the US college kids against the world (mostly the evil Rooskies), but once NBA players entered the Olympic arena with the "Dream Team" -- which kind of made me sick, truth be told -- I was done with it.
The NFL isn't quite so boring - I might tune in a playoff game or two, and always watch the Super Bowl - but I don't spend my winter Sundays watching armored mesomorphs churn their brains into mush.
As for hockey ... what? No. Same for soccer/futbol.
Oh, and I hate rap music too -- I'm just the wrong generation for that stuff.
So, given that you and I appear to live in and appreciate entirely different dimensions of the universe, why do I love "Press Box Chronicles" so much? Because you tell great stories about people -- the good, bad, and ugly -- in such an urgent, personal, compelling manner. Your stories make those people come alive, and you don't (as an old friend from Texas likes to say) "paint your own fence." You're one hell of a writer and story-teller, so thanks again for sharing them with your growing audience. I look forward to next season's offerings.
PS: I worked an utterly miserable 18 hour day filming one of Shaq's music videos way back in the day, so you can probably imagine how much fun that was for me. But hey, if you do a PBC story about the big fella, I'll be all ears!
100. You can tell they are scared of her, and are desperate. While they’ve taken some targeting off other candidates (Dave Min comes to mind) who knows what they they will throw out there to discredit honest, worthy representatives.
I should say this each time you post, thank you! These are chaotic times and you are a light that cuts through the crap and leaves us even laughing at times.
From Tiffany Ackley, Aliso Viejo city Councilmember and former mayor
I agree that women in politics are often judged differently than men. I’ve certainly experienced that myself as a female elected.
That said, I also strongly believe Katrina Foley is the best person for the job. My comment here is about sexism in politics and not directly Katrina. Nor am I agreeing with Jeff.
Where I disagree is the idea that discussing a politician’s demeanor, communication style, confidence, or likability is somehow off limits when the politician is a woman. We have those conversations about male politicians all the time. Democrats routinely criticize Donald Trump for his temperament and demeanor, and Republicans do the same to Democrats.
As lawyers, I would think we both understand that likability isn’t just some superficial quality. The ability to connect with people, build trust, and persuade others is a huge part of being an effective lawyer and an effective elected official.
I don’t think equality means pretending those qualities don’t matter. They do. Voters care about them, and frankly they should.
What concerns me is the idea that discussing those qualities in a female politician is automatically viewed through the lens of sexism. Sometimes criticism is sexist. Sometimes it isn’t. If we assume every discussion of a woman’s communication style, confidence, or public persona is sexist, we’re effectively creating a different set of rules for evaluating women than we do for men.
To me, real equality means applying the same standards to everyone. If demeanor, communication skills, authenticity, and the ability to connect with voters are fair topics when discussing male politicians, they should be fair topics when discussing female politicians as well.
We should absolutely call out sexism when it exists. But I don’t think every discussion of a female politician’s demeanor or communication style is sexism. Sometimes it’s just political commentary—the same kind male politicians receive every day.
This. If she wouldn't have made the comment on the dais about her certainty about winning - none of this would be brought up right now. It's probably a good idea for anyone running to keep it shut on their "certainty" of winning an election until - they win that election.
I 100% would, and have. It was my biggest complaint about Al Gore when he ran for president and when I was living in Tennessee. You can be great at your job, but if you don’t have a human touch, people struggle to connect. It has 0% to do with physical.
Thanks for acknowledging Foley's competence. I appreciate your OC political coverage knowing all the time you invest and the hits you take. And please don't say that women need to be this: "And, to reiterate: Katrina Foley is great at her job. But she’s not smooth, or warm and cuddly. Which you sorta need to be, especially in local races."
I’ve spoken to OC Supervisor Foley a couple of times and she is the best candidate on the ballot. Unfortunately, women and POC have to be over qualified to be taken seriously by American White men. If Foley were a man your post would not mention needing to be cuddly. Instead, call out how OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee didn’t endorse a fellow Democrat. He is a fail forward man that is not polished and on the dias often sided with fraudster now imprisoned former Supervisor Andrew Do - instead of Foley. Chaffee could do more to uplift and support Foley for the upcoming election.
It's sort of endearing to be great at your job and bad at campaigning, but only if you win.
Given that I live 450 miles from Orange County, I'll take your word on all these Orange Curtain politicos.
That's okay: I come here not to discuss politics, but -- since there are 600 replies you'll never get around to reading on Youtube regarding your Alan Iverson story -- to hijack this comment section in thanking you for another season of absolutely terrific stories on "Pressbox Chronicles," including the Iverson tale.
I say this as someone who never saw Iverson play, has never paid any attention to the NBA whatsoever, and doesn't care about any sport other than baseball and a bit of flat-track motorcycle racing. I've been to two Laker games, which were fun, but just can't watch the game on TV -- at all. After five minutes of trying to watch an NBA game I feel a sudden need to go sort the socks in my dresser. I used to like basketball in the Olympics back when it was the US college kids against the world (mostly the evil Rooskies), but once NBA players entered the Olympic arena with the "Dream Team" -- which kind of made me sick, truth be told -- I was done with it.
The NFL isn't quite so boring - I might tune in a playoff game or two, and always watch the Super Bowl - but I don't spend my winter Sundays watching armored mesomorphs churn their brains into mush.
As for hockey ... what? No. Same for soccer/futbol.
Oh, and I hate rap music too -- I'm just the wrong generation for that stuff.
So, given that you and I appear to live in and appreciate entirely different dimensions of the universe, why do I love "Press Box Chronicles" so much? Because you tell great stories about people -- the good, bad, and ugly -- in such an urgent, personal, compelling manner. Your stories make those people come alive, and you don't (as an old friend from Texas likes to say) "paint your own fence." You're one hell of a writer and story-teller, so thanks again for sharing them with your growing audience. I look forward to next season's offerings.
PS: I worked an utterly miserable 18 hour day filming one of Shaq's music videos way back in the day, so you can probably imagine how much fun that was for me. But hey, if you do a PBC story about the big fella, I'll be all ears!
She makes the Energizer Bunny seem languid.
100. You can tell they are scared of her, and are desperate. While they’ve taken some targeting off other candidates (Dave Min comes to mind) who knows what they they will throw out there to discredit honest, worthy representatives.
Money talks, or should I say, money squawks!
Katrina works harder than any other politician in OC! She delivers
I should say this each time you post, thank you! These are chaotic times and you are a light that cuts through the crap and leaves us even laughing at times.
To Lauren Johnson Norris
From Tiffany Ackley, Aliso Viejo city Councilmember and former mayor
I agree that women in politics are often judged differently than men. I’ve certainly experienced that myself as a female elected.
That said, I also strongly believe Katrina Foley is the best person for the job. My comment here is about sexism in politics and not directly Katrina. Nor am I agreeing with Jeff.
Where I disagree is the idea that discussing a politician’s demeanor, communication style, confidence, or likability is somehow off limits when the politician is a woman. We have those conversations about male politicians all the time. Democrats routinely criticize Donald Trump for his temperament and demeanor, and Republicans do the same to Democrats.
As lawyers, I would think we both understand that likability isn’t just some superficial quality. The ability to connect with people, build trust, and persuade others is a huge part of being an effective lawyer and an effective elected official.
I don’t think equality means pretending those qualities don’t matter. They do. Voters care about them, and frankly they should.
What concerns me is the idea that discussing those qualities in a female politician is automatically viewed through the lens of sexism. Sometimes criticism is sexist. Sometimes it isn’t. If we assume every discussion of a woman’s communication style, confidence, or public persona is sexist, we’re effectively creating a different set of rules for evaluating women than we do for men.
To me, real equality means applying the same standards to everyone. If demeanor, communication skills, authenticity, and the ability to connect with voters are fair topics when discussing male politicians, they should be fair topics when discussing female politicians as well.
We should absolutely call out sexism when it exists. But I don’t think every discussion of a female politician’s demeanor or communication style is sexism. Sometimes it’s just political commentary—the same kind male politicians receive every day.
This. If she wouldn't have made the comment on the dais about her certainty about winning - none of this would be brought up right now. It's probably a good idea for anyone running to keep it shut on their "certainty" of winning an election until - they win that election.
I will concede that Katrina Foley is tough as nails. I would be too if I were the hardest working politician in the OC.
BUT.
“Present better,” as your advice isn’t it.
Would you say this if she were a man?
I 100% would, and have. It was my biggest complaint about Al Gore when he ran for president and when I was living in Tennessee. You can be great at your job, but if you don’t have a human touch, people struggle to connect. It has 0% to do with physical.
Well that’s good (and important!) to know.
Thanks for acknowledging Foley's competence. I appreciate your OC political coverage knowing all the time you invest and the hits you take. And please don't say that women need to be this: "And, to reiterate: Katrina Foley is great at her job. But she’s not smooth, or warm and cuddly. Which you sorta need to be, especially in local races."
You might have liked her talk at the canyondems meeting. Traditional polished talk that went over well with the audience.
I’ve spoken to OC Supervisor Foley a couple of times and she is the best candidate on the ballot. Unfortunately, women and POC have to be over qualified to be taken seriously by American White men. If Foley were a man your post would not mention needing to be cuddly. Instead, call out how OC Supervisor Doug Chaffee didn’t endorse a fellow Democrat. He is a fail forward man that is not polished and on the dias often sided with fraudster now imprisoned former Supervisor Andrew Do - instead of Foley. Chaffee could do more to uplift and support Foley for the upcoming election.
This is a perfect example of targeted campaigning, and it works for the primary.
Let’s make sure we get out there in all our neighborhoods and get worthy candidates messages out there.
Keep eyes on the uniformed voter, and inform!!
Hmmm. I read this hoping to find out what Randy Jones has to do with it. Alas, nada.
There's a big difference between confidence and cocky. I'm not a fan of cocky. Male or female.