Wednesday, April 21, 2010

County of San Mateo - Treasurer/Tax Collector







Home page http://www.sanmateocountytaxcollector.org/treasurer.html
The office http://law.justia.com/california/codes/gov/27000-27013.html

The following is the result of some follow-up research to the Pacifica Democrats Forum article by Laurie Frater 4/17/2010 http://fixpacifica.blogspot.com/2010/04/pacifica-democrats-forum-for-candidates.html?showComment=1271823208588 . Laurie's statement summary about each candidate adds a perspective to what little is viewable on google. The candidate statements for 6/2010 did not seem to be available at this time.

What does the Tax Collector-Treasurer do in San Mateo County? From the Smart Voter guide6/2/1998, written by Lee Buffington.
Mainly accounting of incoming and outgoing county monies, investment in Treasury bonds, low cost administration. Buffington achieved a model management program.
http://www.smartvoter.org/1998jun/ca/sm/vote/buffington_l/paper1.html.

Who are they replacing? Lee Buffington background 6/2/1998 http://www.smartvoter.org/1998jun/ca/sm/race/124/

San Mateo Treasurer/Tax Collector Candidates for 6/2010
1. Sandie Arnott - Deputy Tax Collector-Treasurer, Acting Assistant Tax Collector achievements http://www.sandiearnott2010.com/achievements.shtml
2. Joe Galligan - CPA, MA Taxation, Councilmember Burlingame 8 years. http://www.joegalligan.com/about_joe.html
3. Richard Guilbault - Registered Investment Advisor, MS Systems, BA Business Management, 1998 candidate 6/2/1998 http://www.smartvoter.org/1998jun/ca/sm/vote/guilbault_r/
4. Dave Mandelkern - San Mateo College Board, and Entrepreneur, 6 start-up companies http://www.davemandelkern.com/

Related articles of interest
4/20/2010 Sandie Arnott, experience and an investment pool 10 year average of 3.5%, responsible management http://www.examiner.com/x-40581-San-Mateo-County-Top-News-Examiner~y2010m4d20-San-Mateo-County-Deputy-Treasurer-faces-tough-road-to-Treasurers-seat
3/26/2010 Treasurer and other San Mateo County candidates campaign monies spent http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14767782
2/8/2010 candidates race with links http://www.peninsulaexaminer.com/2010/02/explosion-in-san-mateo-county_08.html

Posted by Kathy Meeh

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

From WHISTLEBLOWER. Sandie Arnott and her patron, Lee Buffington, are lying about who she is and what she did in the Treasurer's Office. No one who works for her will speak out because they are terrified of losing their jobs. Buffington has given Arnott free reign. Arnott rewards employees who are pictured on and join her Facebook and/or endorse her. She punishes those employees who do not. This is a violation of the fair political practices law and the San Mateo County District Attorney should investigate.

STAFF said...

As current staff members of the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, we are very disheartened by the online candidate bashing towards Sandie Arnott. One in particular, WHISTLEBLOWER, claims to have intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the department, but does NOT speak for all of the employees. Many of us fully support Sandie Arnott and believe she is the best candidate for this office. She is not a professional politician, but is a professional in her administrative knowledge, public service background and financial abilities. Sandie Arnott is the only candidate that has actual hands on experience in the three divisions that are a part of this department. This office needs a professional, not a politician. Finally, to the anonymous WHISTLEBLOWER, we welcome any and all investigations regarding you poison pen allegations.

Outsider said...

Staff, Are county employees pictured on Sandie Arnott's Web site on county property? Is this fair to the other candidates? Are certain county employees pictured on Sandie Arnott's Facebook? Is this fair to employees who choose not to join her facebook? By taking this approach, Ms. Arnott has created an in-crowd and an out-crowd. Perhaps, since Staff believe Ms. Arnott is a professional, not a politician, she should have kept her political campaign outside of the office.

Kathy Meeh said...

Now you're the picture police Outsider, Whistleblower, Fiscal Conservative? How about something worth identifying, or better a separate topic. Office, official endorsement, family and golf pictures happen in a campaign, so how about getting over it? Your candidate bashing makes you look like an ethical moron (no offense to special people or IQ considerations).

Why don't you take your photograph "fairness" concern to CA Election Fair Practice, or to the County or State Attorney's Office-- and let them give you an answer, rather than whining and sounding like a complete jerk?

WHISTLEBLOWER said...

Staff, I tried to ask a question, politely. I heard it was against the rules to have campaign pictures on county property, maybe not. If this is legal, sorry. Keeping the political campaign out of the county office would be the polite, kind and professional thing to do. No matter who wins the election, bringing the campaign into the office will eventually hurt someone on one side or the other. All sides say hurtful things in elections whether they mean to or not. I am sure Ms. Arnott wants to do the right thing.

Anonymous said...

Thanks staff, for reiterating Sandie Arnott's campaign speech. The woman does not have the education or experience to do the job. We know about the education and now in a letter published by Lee Buffington on Sandie Arnott's web site, he tells us "Sandie Arnott is not responsible for any investment decisions." It really was nice of Lee Buffington to clear up this issue for the voters.

Steve Sinai said...

While I don't plan to vote for Arnott (I'm leaning toward Mandelkern), it should be pointed out that many of those responsible for the subprime mortgage and derivatives mess have advanced degrees in Finance, Math, Financial Engineering, Business, and so forth.

Having an education is no guarantee of competence, while some of the best managers and hi-tech co-workers I've had didn't even have high school degrees, much less college degrees.

Anonymous said...

Mandelkern is definitely the hi tech candidate. Having an education is no guarantee but it definitely improves the odds. The best hi tech workers I know have an education from either a university or technical school. Companies like Facebook and Google prefer PHDs. The best hi tech companies demand a degree.

Steve Sinai said...

Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Michael Dell don't have degrees.

As I said, I don't plan to vote for Arnott, but I've seen a few of her videos, and she doesn't come off as a dunce. Any kind of degree would be a plus, but if she's elected, I'd expect she'll do fine.

Kathy Meeh said...

Anonymous I think you're really overworking this issue. Mandelkern doesn't have his degrees in accounting, so of the 3 candidates other than Sandi Arnott he appears to be the least qualified.

Someone else in the Tax Collectors office is something akin to a securities analyst or coordinates with such a team through brokerage, or equivalent--remember there are 63 employees in the office. The top person is the office/agency oversight/decision maker and therefore needs good sense, understand of general procedures, history, trend, works well with managers/staff, coordinating agencies, etc.

Currently Sandi Arnott, #2 in charge, with 20 years job experience in this office understands the issues. Along with multiple other supporters, including a long list of CA Treasurers I'm voting for her because I think this is a natural progression for her and this office.

I'm also amused that you who claim not to have any degrees would be prejudiced against someone who is clearly competent, but does not seem to have a formal degree. Steve makes a good point with a few examples of tech innovators without degrees. Initially I was somewhat prejudiced too, but then thanks to some "hard heads" on this blog realized-- hey I know several highly competent ordinary people in key positions who do not have degrees-- the issue is always it depends.

Anonymous said...

Kathy,
If you do not like Mandelkern ,vote for Galligan or Guilbault. The education, accounting backgrounds and experience. Resorting to name calling doe not help you make your case.

Kathy Meeh said...

Hey moron Anonymous, other than you just now what name calling? Please explain.

Otherwise, no offense to any morons other than city council and their friends who have kept this city broke.

Anonymous said...

I think Moron is a very bad name. Calling city council members morons is also not helpful. Do you think you can do better? Terms like comb-over do not positively contribute to the debate. Make your arguments based on incompetency, mistakes and omissions of elected officials. Kathy, why are you so angry? Focus on the issues..

Pacifica Truth Police said...

@Anonymous 3:44 PM:

You seem to be a bit slow. This is not a personal attack but rather a compassionate acknowledgment that it's not your fault - your parents are to blame. Allow me to try and explain some of the double entendre remarks that surface on this blog from time to time. For example, the term "comb-over" refers to the process of covering up either the naked truth or bald lies. In this context, the comb-over is a very common practice we have observed from our Council members. The person who has perfected this technique, almost to a science, is Council member Jim Vreeland. So henceforth when we discuss Mr. Vreeland's comb-overs, you now know what we are talking about. No need to thank me – it’s what I do…

Kathy Meeh said...

Anonymous, for your 5/24, 11:28AM comment, you apparently didn't read or understand my comment 5/24, 12:13AM, or couldn't track back to the initial 5/17, 1:48PM comment...and okay Truth Police probably has the answer "not your fault--your parents are to blame", but...
just in case here's the
TEST . Good luck!

Kathy Meeh said...

Hey Anonymous, recognize this dude from Daly City? WARREN MORRISON ON TWITTER or YOUR WEB PAGE FOR JOE GALLIGAN .

However, I trust Terry Nagel and the long list of COUNTY TREASURER ENDORSEMENTS .

Here's a 5/26/10 SANDI ARNOTT UPDATE
update with a campaign promise advocating to re-instate the senior citizen homeowner tax deferral. Don Horsley was also there, and would support the same effort should he be elected to the County Board of Supervisors.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, Kathy - or whoever you really are (aka Sandie). This is not candidate bashing. It is candidate "outing". Sandie's campaign promise is meaningless, there is no such senior program. Call the County and ask for an application. None of these responses have been "bashing" they are the truth. Why don't you do some research? In addition, your rambling makes no sense.

Anonymous said...

BTW, "Kathy", the endorsements from the other CA County Treasurers are meaningless. They are all members of a state treasurer's association and know her socially. Where are her San Mateo County endorsements??

Vote for Mandelkern said...

Warren Morrison talks to Pacifica Riptide because Riptide is the cool group seeking to become rocket bloggers. Pacifica Riptide does not allow anonymous posts. DA! Fix Pacifica should adopt the same standards and perhaps fix their lack of cred.
MORRISON's big problem is that he needs to switch to Mandelkern the MAN to be county treasurer. ENTREPRENUERS ROCK.
I am outa here!

Staff..Just get over it, Dave Mendelkern is going to win the election by a landslide. This guy knows how to run a business and clean house. Every single major endorsement flier is for Mandelkern and HE ROCKS!
GO MANDELKERN and HELP OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES!

Pacifica Truth Police said...

Terms like "combover" "morons" "a bit slow" "cat Lady" "ethically challenged" "your parents fault" are harmful to the discussion, no matter what!
Pacifica Riptide gets it! Who is running this blog and is Kathy Meeh a real person in Pacifica?
"Somehthing is fishy in Denmark"
Out everybody! Demand authentication.

Kathy Meeh said...

But, Truth Police, Anonymous is a "moron" and continues to bash Sandie Arnott. He says she's not qualified, here's what Lee Buffington says which describes a substantial educational and professional background (scroll all the way down to testimonials). "Financial management courses at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Investment Management at The Wharton School, Pension Fund Investing at UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management and Public Financial Management at USC (the University Steve Sinai attended, its got to be good). ..you always know Sandie will not only get the job done, it will be done well." That's what Lee Buffington, current Tax Collector-Treasurer said of Sandie Arnott as he steps away for that position. Guess Anonymous didn't read that before he began bashing Sandie Arnott's educational and professional background. Actually neither did I know the extent of her impressive graduate work.

Anonymous says Sandie Arnott doesn't have endorsements or they're social. Is this different from other candidate variations, including his candidate? Actually Sandie Arnott's endorsements look seriously professional. And these are hardly a "county tax collector blanket association endorsement". These are real people who put their names and reputation to these endorsements. That's the way we all do it, unless the endorsement is stated as an association, union, etc., then there would be criteria or possibly a vote Endorsements for Sandie Arnott. Let's see, here's a few noteworthy endorsements: Assemblymember Tom Torlakson, running for CA Supermendent of Public Instruction; Carpenters 22, Northern Alliance of Law Enforcement; Peace Officers Research Association; San Mateo County Deputy Sheriffs Association.

By the way that's Don Horsley standing next to Sandie Arnott in the video where she promises to reinstate the Senior mortgage tax deferral. Anonymous says she's lying. Really? A public statement made by a fiduciary representative of the County Treasurer's office for a campaign is lying? Anonymous let's see you prove that brash, unsubstantiated statement and apologize when you can't.

There is much to learn from each of these non-partisan candidates, important issues and understandings about the county and the state. And, they all deserve credit for running for office.

Anonymous, from your 7:25PM comment, you seem to be concerned about who I am, but I have a first and last name (sometimes post with only the first name); you, on the other hand, well you're just unidentifiable you with no name whatsoever. Why worry? This is America, those of us who qualify all get to vote.

A little grouchy tonight aren't you Truth Police? Riptide "gets it" because such colorful, descriptive, aggravating comments; as well as sometimes important informational comments are edited-out, or just not posted. And, there is no unidentified Anonymous or pen name fun guys like "Truth Police" or jokers on that blog.

Jeffrey W Simons said...

PTP,

Riptide stifles debate, as has been proven over and over again by the moderator's willingness to edit or deny posts that he deems politically liable to his cause. He admits as much. He also took money from an organization seeking to get rid of Sharp Park Golf Course and gleefully supported their propaganda (which has proven to be untrue time and time again) for months.

I might agree with you about the name-calling, but I've always found this strange philosophy of Pacifica to be a little unsettling: better to be a polite liar who gets along well with others in public than an honest jerk who will fight for the average citizen.

Steve Sinai said...

Kathy and Jeffy are correct. The whole reason Fix Pacifica got started was because Riptide was refusing to post submissions that didn't reflect its editor's personal viewpoints. In addition, comments were being altered enough so that their meanings were lost.

That's why "do it like Riptide" suggestions are non-starters here. We didn't like the way Riptide was doing it.

And why do people who advocate use of real names (as I do) so often do it under a fake name?

PTP said...

@Pacifica Truth Police June 1, 8:51 PM

Impersonating an officer is a criminal offense and may be punishable by an extended stay in the Pacifica Graybar Hotel. Use your own handle you slow, cat lady of a man, ethically challenged moron of a parental mistake with a comb-over!

Pacifica Truth Police - ask for me by name; accept no substitutes...

Vote for Mandelkern said...

Don Horsely is endorsing Joe Galligan. Check it out on his web site.

I already voted for Dave Mandelkern and he is going to be the new treasurer. Get on board with the winner, Kathy. Steve is voting for Mandelkern.

Kathy Meeh said...

"No name" @ 10:16 AM, I voted this time for the deserving sisterhood. Richard Guilbault was my initial consideration; Joe Galligan 3rd, Dave Mandelkern 4th (last).

Don Horsley stood with Sandie Arnott to reinstate the Senior mortgage deferral-- you know, the one "Anonymous" 6/1/10, 7:25PM claimed never existed.

Happy to have canceled your vote. Have a good day!

Anonymous said...

Kathy "who ever you are", Sandie's list of 18 certificates are merely evidence that she attended a seminar or short term course. They are not any equivalent to a degree or certification that requires passing a test. So, she attended some courses - did she pass? We will never know. However, the other candidates have proof positive that they passed their exams and earned proof by their degrees and licenses (CPA, Certified Investment Advisor, etc.) I don't know about you but I would not trust my billions of tax payer dollars to an amateur who will "keep the office running". By the way, if you do not graduate, it is not "graduate work". As Lee Buffington said "she will not only get the job done, she will get the job done well." I have heard similar comments about my gardener.

Kathy Meeh said...

Anonymous, if your 18 Certificates information is correct, please note these "Certificates" were graduate level work from the most prestigious University Financial Schools-- very impressive! And, certificates may even require a ton of classes and take 1 or 2 years to complete, example Teaching Certificate, Financial Planning Certificate.

There are people who can get the job done and do it well, and those who can't. Lee Buffington chooses Sandie Arnott, because she is qualified, smart and "can do". Based upon known County Treasurer/Tax Collector information, including county investment diversification and results-- my educated (financial background) opinion is "yes she can."

Anonymous said...

Lee Buffington lost $155 MILLION DOLLARS OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS. No one has ever done anything that bad in the history this county.(NOT EVEN COMBOVER) Get It! Buffington's main responsibility was to keep our tax dollars safe and he FLUSHED them down the subprime mortgage toilet. Who cares who Buffington endorses????? His endorsement is worth ****.
Do you know how many jobs were lost because of his screw up? Do you know what a $155 million dollars could do for our county, our schools, our kids?
Kathy Meeh, you are out of your mind or not Kathy Meeh, in which case the Pacifica
Police should haul you off to jail and take away your crayons.

BTW Dumb certificates can be bought at a dime store for $1.50, NOT GRADUATE WORK...free classes, **free hotel** free drinks **and free food on our tax dollars.

Your "dog" in this race, is a "dog" and nobody reads this stupid BLOG anyway. Get a life and vote for Dave Mandelkern!

If Kathy Meeh read anything other than Sandie Arnott's web site and got her nose out of Sandie Arnott's ***, she would know this.

Maybe Fix Pacifica should start censoring comments!

Universal Truth Police said...

Kathy Meeh,

What are your degrees and from what universities did you graduate? The truth police can tell if you are lying.

The quality of your writing indicates that you could not have passed a freshman English class.

This would explain why you do not understand the value of education.

Not bashing, outing! Don't bother answering because I won't be back!

Kathy Meeh said...

Anonymous, loss of $155 million on a $2.3 billion dollar portfolio is .0001%; the 10 year return was 3.4%. How did your investments do during that same tracking period? The tracking period would have been either to the end-of-the-calendar year (2009), or the end-of-the-fiscal year 6/31/2008 (yours to discover).

And while you are looking at the investment returns, also check-out the portfolio diversification which is very conservative. Bond rating agencies failed, and the investment firm was Lehman Brothers which failed. The San Mateo County Treasurer's office was prudent. This temporary portfolio loss could have been much worse than .0001%. Keep in mind the loss is 100ths of 1%.

So, how did it go with our own investments genius? Your comments comparing post-graduate certificates from the top financial schools in the USA to "dime store" fill-in acknowledgment certificates is definitely crass, ignorant and false. Or, giving you benefit of the doubt maybe just ignorant.

"Financial management courses at Stanford Graduate School of Business, Investment Management at The Wharton School, Pension Fund Investing at UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management and Public Financial Management at USC" (Lee Buffington testimonial).

Oh, now we have a Truth Police imitation @ 8:34PM. Sorry to disappoint you but I graduated several times. Related to financial issues: post graduate Professional Financial Planner, Business/Real Estate and 5 securities licenses.

Guess the "UT Police" are great spellers, and make no typos, and is probably how you got through freshman English which is the reason that issue came-up. Doesn't look like you've got anything else to add. Any luck you won't be back?

2 Book Betty said...

And when did it take a qualified, educated, person to run a financial position in government? For a prime example, look within our own city hall. Mr. Comb-over has a beef with the truth so engineers a "layoff" of a more senior, qualified person for someone that will jiggle the numbers until they work. The same person is also an expert at avoiding, delaying, preventing any information requests that may shed light on the acct. mess that is Pacifica.

Kathy Meeh said...

Actually, I made a calculation error (missed some zeros) on the portfolio loss percentage, its -6.7391%. That did seem a bit low. Nevertheless, think the loss during that period and the long-term 10 year 3.4% outcome (a correct number) has been quite acceptable if compared to other municipalities.

Anonymous, obscene vulgarities do not improve your advocacy for your candidate, nor do your attempts to disqualify a proven qualified candidate.

Betty, Mr. Comb-over has been busy eliminating quality people during his 12 year city council tenure: Dave Carmony, City Manager; Mike Angel, City Inspector; Maureen Lennon, City Treasurer. And, how much expertise, lawsuits, and money did that cost the city?

Anonymous said...

Everyone, there is nothing wrong with certificates, but do not misrepresent them as certiFICATIONS. There is a difference, one has to pass exams and take many courses to earn a certification (e.g. 'CPA'). One only need attend sessions for the course of the seminar to earn a certiFICATE (no test required.) Your analysis of the pool earnings is impressive for someone who does not work in the Treasurer's Office... interesting. The key here is: Sandie was NEVER in charge of investments - just go to her website and read Lee Buffington's confession (to protect her from critisism about the Lehman Loss). "She was never in charge of investments". The Assistant Treasurer (NOTT Sandie) and Lee Buffington were in charge of investments. Why does Sandie need to exaggerate and lie about her credentials? Could it be that she cannot compete with the other candidates on the basis of Truth?

Kathy Meeh said...

63 people in that office, again there is someone designated to handle "investments" and coordinate with brokerage. The CEO offers management and oversight for the entire San Mateo County Tax Collection process and Treasury. 2nd in charge doesn't mean "knows nothing".

Everything that can be said has been said. Something is wrong you that you don't quit? You're like the "de-entergizer bunny"-- here he comes again. Quit already. Go to a movie or something. Find something else to fixate on.

Anonymous said...

Hello, "he's back", too bad there are not any movies that are worth watching of late (have any suggestions?) Anyway, you obviously miss the point which is Sandie Arnott was never "second in command". Charles Tovstein is the Assistant Treasurer in charge of investments. Sandie only became "acting" Assistant Tax Collector in November 2009 when the assistant retired and Lee Buffington Appointed Sandie (no competition)as she had been "appointed" Deputy Treasurer-Tax Collector 9 years earlier. Why doesn't Sandie publish her resume? All of the other candidates have nothing to hide and all have truthfully stated their credentials, why all the smoke and mirrors with Sandie??

Anonymous said...

BTW, Why all of the rambling emotional reaction to valid critisism? Could it be that you are a friend or relative of Sandie Arnott?

Pacifica Truth Police said...

Oh choices, choices... What makes this race so difficult for me is that unlike our current Secretary of the Treasury Timmy Geithner, none of the candidates really stand out in terms of tax evasion. Makes it pretty much a dead heat for moi. Just sayin'...

Doctor Phil said...

Kathy Meeh, Go back to school and earn a degree. You are the poster child for the "need for higher education."

Please start with freshman English or better yet, ESL might be more helpful. My 3rd grader and 90% of my immigrant friends write better than you.

11 years of basket weaving in a JC does not an education make.(kind of like certificates) You ooze GED and sychophantic brown nosing of people like you. "Sandie Arnott"??
Oh and by the way, many people in Pacifica like Jim Vreeland, which is why he was elected to city council.

If you think you are all that, run for city council and see what happens! Whoops!

I admit it is horribly rude, but now I actually sympathesize with the people who called you the "Cat Lady" and I pity the poor cats.

Get help before it's too late. Every person has worth and that includes you!

Grim Reeper said...

Actually Sandie Arnott is lying through her teeth but those that can testify are terrified!

ANYBODY BUT ARNOTT FOR SAN MATEO COUNTY TREASURER!

Warren Morrison said...

Excuse my manners, Kathy. I really am an asshole!

Kathy Meeh said...

Who is Warren Morrison? I do not see any posts by this person. Is this "Staff"? Surprising, huh?

Kathy Meeh said...

Thank you Dr Phil. I acknowledge that I have lied about my education. I was embarrassed to admit that I have only a GED.

I plan to enroll in an ESL class and try very hard to improve my writing skills.

I also promise to stop using profanity, go to church and ask God to forgive me for my sins!

Pacifica Truth Police said...

Impersonation is the reason blogs have authentication

Pacifica Truth Police said...

Impersonation can be construed as liable. Better shut down this blog or demand authentication

Kathy Meeh said...

I apologize to all 2 people on this blog because I have been impersonating people. I just want Sandie Arnott to win so much. It seems like everyone is voting for Dave Mandelkern and it upsets me to think he will be the winner. Only girls should win elections, right?????

Vote for Mandelkern said...

Mandelkern rules and Arnott drools!

Warren Morrison said...

Kathy, allow me to explain who I am. I am on a one man Plater-esque obsessive compulsive vendetta against Sandie Arnott. I am also a shill for Galligan. You can find some of my rantings under my name on Riptide. I have been cowardly attacking you on this blog under the names Anonymous, Pacifica Truth Police, Doctor Phil, Universal Truth Police, Kathy Meeh and so on... Yes, I am a rude, obnoxious coward who lives in Daly City and really could care less about Pacifica. My only concern really is for my butt-budy Galligan. Now if I would only go away as I had promised several posts ago. Oh, and please come visit me on Twitter:
Warren Morrison on Twitter

Bye Bye for now...

Kathy Meeh said...

"Not even close to being Doctor Phil" you have suggested that you might be horrible rude. Congratulations for having enough sense to figure that out.

Unfortunately your fake information doesn't work, and I suspect this college degree issue comes up because of a lack of formal higher education on your part. Life education also helps some people, you might want to work on that.

Thanks for your confession "Warren Morrison". Stay in Daly City, they have an economy there.

Friendly Observer said...

Steve Sinai..I think it is time for authentication. You are the only real person on this blog. It seems like everyone else is impersonating someone. This could present legal issues.
If these posts end up on google, someone could sue for impersonation.

Anonymous said...

Kathy
Vote for Mandelkern!

Vote for Mandelkern said...

Kathy
You can pick up a stack of Mandelkern fliers at Manor Safeway. San Mateo County Democratic party has endorsed Mandelkern. We all voted for him. Come on. Get on board!

Kathy Meeh said...

"William Morrison" @10:16pm see 5/26/10 6:15pm, your identity was know then-- mentioned again @10:16pm. Ramblings on Riptide, ramblings on Fix Pacifica, abbreviated ramblings on Twitter.

Not me @9:52pm, @9:57pm, @10:07pm. Of course, these postings are not mine. Friendly Observer @10:48pm these "fake postings" under another individuals name are unfortunate and unethical lapses in judgment, but might not rise to the level of legal malfeasance, because a contested disclaimer is available (similar to on this comment posting). In this instance the dialog is inconsequential and has no merit other than the brutish promotion of "candidate envy".

Steve Sinai said...

Friendly Observer, I set up the blog at the request of others, and never had any intention of becoming a moderator. I don't have the time for it.

I think it's only two or three people who are abusing the ability to post anonymously. If some people weren't so easily baited, the insulting and abusive comments wouldn't go on as long.

If it gets too bad, we can always do moderation, but for now I'd rather just recognize that free speech is a double-edged sword, and suffer the occasional bouts of serial childishness from a few participants.

Don't forget our semi-official motto: "Let the crap flow!"

Barrack said...

Timmy Geitner,bad boy. Sandie Arnott bad girl, 155 million tax dollars lost.

Anonymous said...

Does Kathy June 3 11:06 PM make sense to anyone? Sounds like the meaningless rambling of a psychotic.

Kathy Meeh said...

Well, I'll just wear that as a badge of honor coming from you Anonymous, or William Morrison.

Warren Morrison said...

Kathy Meeh must love... to smoke. She invokes the tobbaco king. Get some nicorette, girl. Enroll yoself in ESL. Might also want to consider checkin' into REHAB, you know 12 steps, no drugs, no booze, clear yoh brain!
You in trubble girl!

Kathy Meeh said...

Thanks for the advisement, when I take up smoking anything in my ESL class, I'll re-read this and consider the source.