7 ARRESTED IN EAST COUNTY “OPERATION OVERWATCH”
June 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) — Deputies from the Santee Community Policing and Problem Solving Unit (C.O.P.P.S.), Santee Detectives, and Officers from the San Diego Probation Department conducted "Operation Overwatch" in Santee, Lakeside, and Unincorporated El Cajon at 6 a.m. on June 27. The purpose was to conduct compliance checks on subjects who were released early from custody under Assembly Bill 109, also known as the "Public Safety Realignment Act." A total of 19 residences were visited by deputies and officers. Seven subjects were arrested and placed back into local custody. Four of these subjects were taken into custody for violations of their conditions of release. Three suspects were arrested on new charges ranging from possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and hypodermic syringes, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and child endangerment. A total of approximately nine grams of methamphetamine was seized, approximately one pound of marijuana, anabolic steroids, prescription medication, hypodermic syringes and a stolen motorcycle, which was located in the residence of one of the suspects. Two children were taken into protective custody and placed at the Polinsky Center. This collaborative effort is an example of the team work between the Sheriff’s Department and Probation Department that will continue.
EARTHTALK® E – THE ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINE
Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss Dear EarthTalk: Who are the “Clean Air Ambassadors” and what are they trying to accomplish? — Brenda Coughlin, Pittsburgh, PA June 29, 2012 — Clean Air Ambassadors are everyday folks from across the U.S. who have committed to speaking up for everyone’s right to breathe clean, healthy air. The effort is part of the “50 States United for Healthy Air” campaign, a joint endeavor of Earthjustice, the American Nurses Association, the Hip Hop Caucus, the National Council of Churches and Physicians for Social Responsibility. In the spring of 2011 these Ambassadors—people from all 50 states and every walk of life—convened in Washington, D.C. to ask members of Congress, leaders at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and high-ranking officials in the Obama administration for stronger protections against air pollution. Earthjustice, which specializes in litigating on behalf of environmental causes, initiated the effort as part of its larger “Right to Breathe” campaign. “Every year, many people young and old get sick because of air pollution,” reports Earthjustice. “Clean air should be a fundamental right.” According to the American Lung Association (ALA), the most widespread kinds of air pollution are ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot). “When inhaled, ozone irritates the lungs, resulting in something like a bad sunburn within the lungs,” reports the group. “Breathing in particle pollution can increase the risk of early death, heart attacks, strokes and emergency room visits for people with asthma, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” In its 2012 “State of the Air” report, ALA reports that 127 million Americans—some 40 percent of our population—live in counties where either ground-level ozone or particle pollution is frequently at dangerous levels, despite significant progress in cleaning up the nation’s air since 1970. While there are many sources of air pollution, dirty power plants are among the biggest culprits. The ALA reports that over 400 coal-fired power plants across the country “are among the largest contributors to particulate pollution, ozone, mercury, and global warming.” In 2011, the EPA issued the final rules that will cut the emissions that create ozone and particle pollution and, for the first time, set national limits on the toxic pollutants they can emit. While Earthjustice and other groups have challenged the EPA for not going far enough, the ALA is defending the plan as significant enough to warrant implementation. Of course, everyone can play a part in cleaning up air pollution. The ALA recommends driving less, using less electricity, refraining from burning wood or trash, and making sure local school systems require cleaner school buses. Even better, get involved: “Participate in your community’s review of its air pollution plans and support state and local efforts to clean up air pollution.” Finding a local air pollution control agency is now as easy as steering a web browser to the National Association of Clean Air Agencies’ 4cleanair.org website. While there are no plans for another visit to Washington, D.C. by Clean Air Ambassadors in the near future, concerned citizens can do their part and join thousands of others in signing on to Earthjustice’s “Right to Breathe Declaration” that calls on the federal government to require major air polluters to utilize existing technologies to significantly reduce the amount of air pollution coming out of their smokestacks. CONTACTS: Earthjustice, www.earthjustice.org; ALA, www.lung.org; 4cleaair, www.4cleanair.org. Dear EarthTalk: Renewable energy production in the solar and wind markets currently receives about $7 billion in government subsidies annually, but is still not competitive against fossil fuels on a large scale. To what extent should the U.S. continue to prop up these industries as they compete against dirty energy? — Jack Morgan, Richmond, VA Given the importance of abundant amounts of energy for Americans, the federal government tends to subsidize all forms of energy development, including fossil fuels and renewables. A recently released report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that in 2011 the federal government spent $16 billion of our tax dollars in subsidies for the development of renewable energy and increased energy efficiency, and only $2.5 billion in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry in the form of tax breaks. But this breakdown in favor of larger subsidies to alternative renewables is a recent product of President Obama’s stated goal of cutting back on subsidies to the hugely profitable oil industry. Historically the vast majority of energy subsidies have gone to developing fossil fuel resources and reserves. The CBO notes that until 2008 most energy subsidies went to the fossil fuel industry as a way to encourage more domestic energy production. A report by the non-profit Environmental Law Institute (ELI) confirms that, between 2002 and 2008, the federal government provided substantially larger subsidies to fossil fuels than to renewables. “Subsidies to fossil fuels—a mature, developed industry that has enjoyed government support for many years—totaled approximately $72 billion over the study period, representing a direct cost to taxpayers,” reported ELI. “Subsidies for renewable fuels, a relatively young and developing industry, totaled $29 billion over the same period.” Even though subsidies to the oil industry may be down substantially from what they once were, the Obama administration and many others would like to see any such subsidies to the oil industry stripped completely. This past March the U.S. Senate rejected the so-called “Repeal Big Oil Tax Subsidies” bill that would have eliminated several of the tax breaks still enjoyed by the five largest oil companies—and use some of the proceeds to extend expiring energy tax provisions including tax breaks for renewable energy, electric cars and energy-efficient homes. A September 2011 report from DBL Investors, a San Francisco-based venture capital fund specializing in renewable energy, backs up environmentalist calls for increased subsidies for renewables by showing how early subsidization of other energy keystone sources helped secure their respective dominant places in the energy marketplace. The report calculates that, in the U.S., nuclear subsidies accounted for more than one percent of the federal budget in their first 15 years, and that
FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL FIRE HAZARDS; USERS CAN BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES, CAL FIRE WARNS
June 29, 2012 (San Diego)–Your Independence Day celebration can be ruined if fireworks injure one of your family or friends. Cal Fire reminds everyone that all fireworks are illegal throughout San Diego County. Their use, transportation or possession could result in a fine or jail. Cal Fire also advises anyone causing a fire with fireworks would be responsible for the damages. Fireworks last only a few seconds, but the burns and other injuries they cause, can last a lifetime. So don’t celebrate the Fourth of July inthe hospital. Be fire safe, not sorry!
NEW EVIDENCE LINKS OZONE EXPOSURE TO POTENTIAL HEART ATTACKS
June 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Young, healthy adult volunteers exposed for two hours to ozone developed physiological changes associated with cardiovascular ailments, according to a small study reported in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal. Study participants showed evidence of vascular inflammation, a potential reduced ability to dissolve artery-blocking blood clots, and changes in the autonomic nervous system that controls the heart’s rhythm. The changes were temporary and reversible in these young, healthy participants. Ground level ozone is created when pollutants from vehicles, power plants, industry, chemical solvents and consumer products react in the presence of sunlight. Recent epidemiology studies have reported associations between acute exposure to ozone and death but little is known about the underlying pathophysiological pathways responsible. "This study provides a plausible explanation for the link between acute ozone exposure and death," said Robert B. Devlin, Ph.D., the study’s lead author and senior scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory in Research Triangle Park, N.C. Devlin and colleagues focused on a single, short-term exposure and not the effects of years of exposure to ozone. Researchers exposed 23 volunteers, ages 19 to 33, to 0.3 parts per million (ppm) of ozone. The dose was higher than the EPA’s eight hour ozone standard of 0.076 ppm. However, a person breathing 0.3 ppm for two hours receives roughly the same amount of ozone as does a person breathing the lower 0.076 ppm for eight hours, Devlin noted. Study participants underwent two controlled exposures — one to clean air and one to ozone-polluted air — at least two weeks apart. During each exposure, participants alternated 15-minute periods of stationary cycling and rest. None of the participants reported complaints or physical symptoms after inhaling clean air or ozone. However, immediately following and the morning after ozone inhalation, tests showed significant ozone-induced vascular changes compared to clear-air exposure. These changes included: Increase in blood levels of interleukin 1beta, a signature marker of inflammation that appears to play a key role in heart disease. Decrease in plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and plasminogen, components that play an important role in dissolving blood clots that may form along arterial walls. A change in heart rhythm, indicating altered autonomic nervous system control of heart rate. Epidemiology studies have also associated acute exposure to another ubiquitous air pollutant, particulate matter (PM), with death in elderly people with cardiovascular disease. Particulate matter is tiny airborne particles that can be inhaled into the lungs. Controlled exposure studies of both humans and animals have described PM-induced changes that are very similar to those described in this ozone study, suggesting that both pollutants may be causing death by affecting similar pathways, the researchers said. The World Health Organization estimates 2 million people worldwide, mostly elderly people with cardiovascular disease, die because of acute exposure to air pollution. The EPA puts the yearly U.S. toll at 40,000-50,000 deaths. "People can take steps to reduce their ozone exposure, but a lot of physicians don’t realize this," Devlin said. The EPA website, airnow.gov, explains how you can reduce ozone exposure. The American Heart Association supports EPA guidelines for restricting activity of people with heart disease, certain cardiovascular risk factors, pulmonary disease, diabetes and for the elderly. Co-authors are Kelly E. Duncan, Ph.D.; Melanie Jardim, Ph.D.; Michael T. Schmitt, M.S.P.H.; Ana R. Rappold, Ph.D; and David Diaz-Sanchez, Ph.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript. The EPA funded the study. Read the American Heart Association scientific statement on air pollution and cardiovascular disease. Take free risk assessment quizzes and find your risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and diabetes. Statements and conclusions of study authors published in American Heart Association scientific journals are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the association’s policy or position. The association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: THE BAD NEWS TEDDY BEAR
By Brian Lafferty June 29, 2012 (San Diego) – The average person would likely perceive teddy bears as cute, innocent, and sentimental toys. What about someone with a devilishly twisted sense of humor like Seth MacFarlane? John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) is thirty-five and in a tenuous four-year relationship with his girlfriend, Lori (Mila Kunis). Twenty-seven years earlier, he wished for his teddy bear to come alive, a wish granted courtesy of a streaking comet. His teddy bear, Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane, who sounds way too much like his Family Guy characters Peter Griffin and Brian), is a horny, pot-smoking partier. Their friendship and carefree ways threaten John’s relationship with the exasperated Lori. Meanwhile a nutty and creepy father (Giovanni Ribisi), becomes fixated on Ted and wants to have him for himself and his son. The screenplay, co-written by MacFarlane and a pair of his Family Guy colleagues, somehow manages to be simultaneously messy and formulaic. The structuring of the script’s numerous plots isn’t so much random, as much as unevenly and oddly imbalanced. The script sometimes spends considerable time on one plot, then briefly on another, then a long time on another, and so on. The narrative plays like the screenplay was rushed and the writers had to do a major, yet unfinished, restructuring and polishing job. The individual plots may be haphazardly placed, but they follow to the letter the established "rules" that how-to screenplay manuals dictate to neophyte writers. Even more awkward than the story structure is the dialogue. Pop culture references are a major component of Seth MacFarlane’s humor. When smoothly integrated into comedic dialogue, it can add a layer of humor that average viewers may find funny, but audiences familiar with the subjects referenced will appreciate and find funnier on a deeper and rewarding level. MacFarlane gives all the pop culture references to Ted. I got many, if not all, of the references, but I didn’t laugh or feel rewarded for having known them. The references sound like they exist to test audiences on how much in tune they are with film and TV history. They are so desperately penciled in that they routinely disrupt the timing. Even worse, whenever Ted speaks, a grating know-it-all subtext arises that says MacFarlane is trying to be too smart. Even the basic jokes failed to make me laugh. Some of them are hateful and even homophobic. In one scene, John hugs Ted and inadvertently pushes the bear’s button that says in his childlike voice, "I love you." Ted recoils, worrying that whoever might have heard it might think he’s gay. John assures him it’s fine. At the risk of sounding like I’m pro-political correctness, in my opinion there are certain things that should not be mocked. Any joke that demeans gays will not get a laugh from me. As unfunny as I found Ted, I applaud MacFarlane for at least trying something unique. It’s unfortunate such an intriguing premise was squandered by a raunchy premium-channel sitcom mentality, offensive humor, and an inability to do anything meaningful with it beyond a streamline of lame jokes. Think about it. A grown man and an actual living, breathing teddy bear. A teddy bear that happens to be horny, vulgar, and every bit the last thing the average person would envisage a cuddly childhood toy. Imagine the comedic possibilities waiting to be explored. If only Seth MacFarlane did. D+ Ted is now playing in wide release. A Universal Pictures release. Director: Seth MacFarlane. Screenplay: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin, and Wellesley Wild. Original Music: Walter Murphy. Cinematography: Michael Barrett. Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Seth MacFarlane (voice), Joel McHale, and Giovanni Ribisi. 106 minutes. Rated R. Brian Lafferty welcomes letters at brian@eastcountymagazine.org. You can also follow him on Twitter: @BrianLaff.
LAKE MURRAY JULY 4th MUSIC FEST AND FIREWORKS CANCELLED
June 28, 2012 (La Mesa) — Due to the continuing litigation by the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) and its lead attorney, Marco Gonzalez, the Lake Murray July 4th Music Fest and Fireworks Committee has regretfully decided to not hold the fireworks display over Lake Murray this year. This difficult decision was made after careful consideration of the liability exposure which the event would produce and the possibility of litigation directly involving the Committee. For more updates about the Music Fest and Fireworks and other events in our area, please visit www.navajoevents.com.
HUNDREDS TURN OUT TO OPPOSE QUAIL BRUSH POWER PLANT; SD PLANNERS POSTPONE ACTION UNTIL JULY 19
By Paul Kruze June 28, 2012 (San Diego)–Facing a sometimes boisterous crowd of onlookers garbed in a sea of bright orange T-shirts and hats packing the San Diego City Council Chamber this morning, members of the San Diego Planning Commission took public comment on a San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) proposal to build a 100 megawatt “peaker” natural-gas fire power plant. The Quail Brush Generation Project would be sited on 10 acres of privately-owned land in the city of San Diego that abuts Mission Trails Regional Park, north of State Highway 52 and right outside of Santee’s city border. The builder, Cogentrix, has signed a power purchase agreement with SDG&E to build, own and operate the plant and provide power to SDG&E. The purpose of today’s meeting was to affirm a planning commission staff recommendation to allow consideration of the proposal: a zoning amendment to the East Elliot Community Plan. If approved, construction of the plant would begin in early 2013, with completion slated for 2014. Planners voted 3 to 2 to deny initiation of the amendment; however 4 votes are needed for a decision and two commissioners were absent. So the matter will be taken up again on July 19. The power plant’s primary purpose would be as a “peaking facility.” According to proponents, it would provide electricity when needed quickly. The plant would provide support to the existing transmission grid and maintain overall reliability of the system to deliver electricity to customers without interruption of service. With new wind power and desert solar facilities slated to come online in the near future, the plant has also been touted as a backup power source for when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. Operation of the plant would be limited to 3,800 hours, or 43% of total hours in a year. It was standing room only in the 400-seat hearing room, with the crowd spilling out into the hallway. Over 200 people signed up to speak, with some ceding their time to others. Despite admonishments from planning commission chairman Eric Naslund for speakers to keep comments brief and not repeat points made by others, speaker after speaker representing local homeowners and environmental groups expressed widespread vocal opposition to the plant. Speakers opposed to the project expressed concerns that the electric plant would produce exhaust and particulate containing dangerous concentrations of lead and carcinogens and carbon dioxide which may contribute to global greenhouses gas, and could negatively effect local property values, and confound local homeowners from purchasing reasonably priced fire insurance. Others stated that the plant was not needed and did not fulfill a true public need and necessity. Several speakers brought up how opposition to the plant has united city and county politicians on both sides of the political aisle, including Congressman Bob Filner, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, and 77th District Assemblyman Brian Jones. Local community activist and “intevenor” Rudy Reyes, an archeologist and 2007 Cedar Fire burn victim, cited concerns that the plant construction could end up desecrating local Indian burial grounds, disrupt the ecology of Mission Trails Park, and spoil the wide vistas afforded by the park. He also said the plant could be a fire danger. “Look at the cultural history on that site. Native American bodies were used to build the dam on that site. They have found things of significance which have been hush-hushed,” he said. Lori Ziebart, Quail Brush’s project consultant and coordinator, said the site for the plant was selected because of its proximity to existing electric transmission corridors and an existing natural gas pipeline, and the ability to deliver economic electric generation to the utility system where it is needed. She challenged community claims that the plant’s two-thirds of a mile proximity to West Hills High School posed an environmental threat to students, citing the operation of similar larger plants in Escondido and within t he urban areas of Los Angeles County. Regardless of what decision planners reach on July 19, the issue may be appealed to the City Council. In addition, the California Energy Commission has the power to override both local boards under certain circumstances. That power is rarely invoked, thought the CEC did so to push through approval of the Carlsbad Energy Center Project locally. Naslund advised project opponents to “concentrate your energy on the California Energy Commission, regardless of what happens here. That’s your next line of attack.”
SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE AND LEGAL EXPERTS, POLITICAL LEADERS REACT TO SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING OBAMA HEALTHCARE PLAN
By Nadin Abbott June 28 (San Diego)– This morning the United States Supreme Court ruled to uphold the key provisions of President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA). The majority decision was written by Chief Justice Roberts, who was joined by Justices Elena Kagan, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor in a 5-4 vote. Dissenting were Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. The majority ruled that the ACA mandate requiring individuals to purchase healthcare is Constitutional under the federal government’s power to levy taxes. The high court ruling will allow provisions in the ACA to stand, assuring healthcare coverage for virtually all Americans including 41 million who previously were uninsured. The ACA also has forbidden the practice of denying people coverage for pre-existing conditions. Young people will be allowed to continuing staying on their parents insurance until they turn 26. Insurers can’t impose lifetime caps on benefits. Plus insurance companies must now spend 85% of premiums on actual healthcare reimbursement–not overhead that had been 30% at some companies. Benefits not yet realized are the healthcare exchanges, which will allow people who cannot get insurance right now to obtain it in 2014. Majority Whip Eric Cantor (7th-VA-R) announced that the Republican-controlled House would hold a vote to repeal “Obamacare” on July 11. Given that Democrats control the Senate, however, passage will go nowhere barring a shift in the balance of power after the November election. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s campaign issued a statement that “What the court did not do…I will do on the first day if elected president of the United States, and that’s to repeal Obamacare.” George McGreggor, General Manager of VEBA, (a health co-op that administers coverage for 105,000 San Diegans), told ECM in a phone interview today that the ACA “will guarantee access to health insurance with pre-existing conditions.” McGreggor confirmed that contrary to what some opponents of the plan have claimed, in fact private insurance should not change. Both McGreggor and Professor Susan Channick of Jefferson School of Law advised ECM that nobody should lose their insurance because of the ACA. If you like your private insurance, you have every right to keep it. Professor Channick did qualify that statement; there is a possibility that some employers may decide not to offer insurance, at which time the consumer will be able to get insurance from the State Exchange. As far as the Medicaid expansion, Channick clarified that in states that choose not to participate, providers themselves, such as hospitals may lobby Governors’ to join the system. This will not be an issue in California, that is moving to set up exchanges. http://www.healthexchange.ca.gov/Pages/Default.aspx The goal of the ACA is to contain costs. On the plus side, Channick agreed with McGreggor that it has succeeded in closing the donut hole, and preventative care should be less expensive. This is a clear benefit for Medicare recipients. Chanick does see a potential effect on costs of Medicare Advantage, but she said costs have already been on the rise. McGregor emphasized that it will be illegal for any insurance company to deny insurance on any pre-existing condition. According to the American Heart Association the true winners of this decision are patients. “Because of this ruling, the ACA can be fully implemented to help reach the American Heart Association’s 2020 goal to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans and, more immediately, prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years through the Million Hearts initiative,” the AHA stated in a press release issued after today’s ruling. The ruling will also allow the preventive health screening of millions of people for things like high cholesterol. In addition, it will enable people to obtain medical care they need, without the fear of losing it due to pre-existing conditions. Julie Rabinovitz, President and CEO of the California Family Health Council announced that “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a momentous win for women and Americans across the country. We commend the Supreme Court for their sound decision to uphold the law, thereby ensuring new consumer protections and access to quality healthcare for millions throughout California and the United States.” The organization concedes that the ACA is not perfect, but views it as a very good start in the goal of affordable health care for all. The landmark legislation guarantees healthcare coverage to 41 million Americans who had no healthcare coverage before. It also provides financial assistance to low income individuals who cannot afford premiums, while requiring those with means to pay to purchase healthcare coverage either through private insurance or through public healthcare exchanges, whichever the individual chooses. Reaction to the decision from local politicians was swift, and predictable, split down party lines. Congressman Bob Filner (51st-CA-D), currently a candidate for Mayor of San Diego, said in a news release that “Health insurance bureaucrats can no longer deny a child health care because of a pre-existing condition, millions of young Americans can receive coverage through their family plans until they are 26 and women and minorities are protected from discrimination in health care. Scott Peters, a Democrat running for the 52nd, Congressional seat against Republican Brian Bilbray, issued the following statement. “"I know we all watched with anticipation as the Supreme Court issued its decision earlier today. In affirming the President’s health care insurance reform initiative, the Court reminded us that the powerful health services industry does not control the administration of health care. That control rests firmly in the hands of doctors and patients. The President’s health care reform initiative is not perfect, but it’s a good start. We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that care is affordable for all consumers and small businesses. But under the Affordable Care Act, and over time, Americans will benefit from critical patient protections, increased access to the care they need, lower costs, and greater accountability for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.” His opponent, Congressman Brian Bilbray, (52-CA-R) denounced the decision.“Simply put, we
THE WEEKEND IS HERE AND GARY KELLEY HAS A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER
June 27, 2012 (San Diego)–Your Online Weather for SD: A system moving inland to the north will weaken the high pressure with a deepening of the marine layer this weekend. High pressure will start to rebuild through Tuesday, with a slight cooling trend with more clouds and higher humidity over the mountains and deserts. Coast: Friday: Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 71. Inland: Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming west between 5 and 10 mph. Mountains: Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Deserts: Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 110. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.