• Audra Strickland,  Tony Strickland

    Shocker: Ventura County Star Endorses Audra Strickland for California Assembly

    Audra-and-Tony-Strickland
    California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland and her husband Tony, the former Assemblyman and current California State Senate candidate, Camarillo, California September 2008, Photo by Flap

    Flap is truly shocked that the left-leaning Ventura County Star editorial board would actually endorse a Republican incumbent Assemblywoman.

    Twice now in four years, The Star Editorial Board has endorsed Democrat Ferial Masry, a remarkable woman who has run unsuccessfully against incumbent Republican Assemblywoman Audra Strickland in the 37th Assembly District.

    This year — the last for which Ms. Strickland can run for the Assembly before she is termed out in 2010 — The Star Editorial Board is endorsing Ms. Strickland.

    We continue to admire Ms. Masry, 59, a high school teacher in the San Fernando Valley, for her common-sense approach to governance, democratic ideals and grasp of the issues. She would make an outstanding legislator.

    However, voters have twice chosen Ms. Strickland over Ms. Masry to represent them in the 37th Assembly District, which includes Camarillo, Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. This year, the Republican registration lead in the 37th Assembly District has been whittled down to 7 percentage points from 11 four years ago — still relatively safe for a Republican.

    Flap bets the Ventura County Star is acknowledging that the 37th Assembly District is a GOP “SAFE” one and why fight a rising tide in a sinking boat.

    The real prize is, of course, the California State Senate District which Audra’s husband, Tony, is seeking.

    There is no way the Ventura County Star will endorse Tony Strickland in that race and Flap bets the editorial is especially scathing – even for the VC Star.


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  • Audra Strickland

    Audra Strickland Watch: Ferial Masry – A Politician Out of Touch

    Flap gets campaign mail for the California Assembly race pitting incumbent GOP Assemblywoman Audra Strickland and Democrat challenger, high school teacher Ferial Masry.

    Ferial Masry 1
    Back side
    Ferial Masry 2

    Click on images for larger view

    Flap will be voting for Audra Strickland on November 4 and urges his colleagues, readers and friends in the California 37th Assembly District to re-elect her.

    As for Ferial Masry, she looks more like Taxin’ Jackson each day – a typical lockstep tax, spend and redistribute Democrat.

    Audra-and-Tony-Strickland

    California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland and her husband Tony, the former Assemblyman and current California State Senate candidate, Camarillo, California September 2008, Photo by Flap


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  • Audra Strickland,  Tony Strickland

    Ventura County District Attorney Refers Audra Strickland Aide Case to California Attorney General

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 040

    Joel Angeles, California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s Chief of Staff during protests of June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

    The Ventura County District Attorney’s office has referred a potential criminal case resulting from a protest flap against Joel Angeles, California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s chief of staff, to the California Attorney General’s office.

    The request was made because county prosecutors felt there was a potential conflict. District Attorney Greg Totten has endorsed Strickland in the Senate campaign and is working alongside his wife, Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, in efforts to oppose a proposed prison healthcare facility in Camarillo.

    “Certainly someone could say there is an appearance of a conflict,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Jim Ellison.

    So, what does this mean politically for Audra and Tony Strickland who are both running for office this November?

    Not much.

    The flap was politically generated/motivated in the first place to embarass Tony Strickland who is running for California State Senate and Flap doubts the California Attorney General would waste state resources to prosecute a he said, she said, he said minor physical altercation. But, you never know, the partisan Democrat Jerry Brown COULD be out to embarass the Republican Stricklands.

    However, Angeles, undoubtedly, would ask for a jury trial and litigation would drag on way into 2009 without any political effect on the 2008 elections or the Stricklands.

    Stay tuned….

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 043

    Joel Angeles, Chief of Staff of California Assemblywoman Audra
    Strickland, R- Moorpark talking with a Ventura County Sheriff Officer
    during protest rally on June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

    Previous:

    Audra Strickland Watch: Three Protesters File Criminal Complaints Against Chief of Staff Joel Angeles

    Audra Strickland Watch: Chief of Staff Joel Angeles Placed on Leave

    Hannah-Beth Jackson Watch: Blows More Smoke Over Tobacco Company Protest

    Tony Strickland Watch: Taking it to the Streets – Politics That Is


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  • Audra Strickland,  Tony Strickland

    Audra Strickland Watch: Three Protesters File Criminal Complaints Against Chief of Staff Joel Angeles

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 040

    Joel Angeles, California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s Chief of Staff during protests of June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

    Remember the Flap, Protest and Aftermath? This is what Flap said at the time – over thirty days ago.

    Flap was there and wrote this post after the altercation/protests and the fundraising event for Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s husband, Tony.

    The entire Flap was and continues to be a “He Said, They Said” argument. Flap did not see the supposed “smack down” but did interview one of the female alleged victims. She did have scratches on her right arm which she said she received by being pushed into an adjoining hedge.

    But, the hedge had sharp prongs, the sidewalk was filled with people and Flap was easily pushed into it and scratched his own arm.

    Ventura County Sheriff officers interviewed all parties and since none of the parties would pursue prosecution or a citizen’s arrest, no arrests were made.

    Today, three of the protesters, all of a sudden, marched right down to the Ventura County Sheriff’s station and filed complaints.

    Three people who were allegedly “body checked” by a local politician’s top aide at a protest last month say sheriff’s deputies are investigating the incident and criminal charges may be filed.

    Thursday afternoon, Sandy Quiring, John Phillips and Louis Pandolfi filed complaints with sheriffs at the East Valley Station in Thousand Oaks against Joel Angeles, chief-of-staff to Assemblymember Audra Strickland.

    They maintain that on June 17, Angeles attempted to prevent a peaceful protest against the tobacco industry, using both verbal and physical threats, during a fundraising event for Strickland’s husband, state Senate candidate Tony Strickland.

    Audra Strickland (RMoorpark) placed Angeles on an unpaid one-month leave for showing “poor judgement,” according to a written statement from her office. He is to return to work Aug. 3.

    Yada Yada Yada

    This smells of hardball politics and an attempt to smear California State Senate candidate and former Assemblyman Tony Strickland via his wife’s Chief of Staff, Joel Angeles. As if, either of the Stricklands have control over a grown-up, California State employee on his day off, right?

    Who knows if the Ventura County District Attorney will take the case? And, who knows why this trio of protesters waited over 30 days to get their asses down to the Sheriff’s office and file a complaint in the first place.

    Maybe it is better timing for the Fall election season?

    Ya think?

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 031

    GOP and Democrat demonstrators line Westlake Blvd. Photo By Flap

    Previous:

    Hannah-Beth Jackson Watch: Blows More Smoke Over Tobacco Company Protest

    Hannah-Beth Jackson Watch: Blowing Smoke Over Tobacco Company Contributions

    Audra Strickland Watch: Chief of Staff Joel Angeles Placed on Leave

    Tony Strickland Watch: Taking it to the Streets – Politics That Is

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 3

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 2

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue?


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  • Audra Strickland,  Hannah-Beth Jackson,  Tony Strickland

    Hannah-Beth Jackson Watch: Blows More Smoke Over Tobacco Company Protest

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 040

    Joe Angeles, California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s Chief of Staff during protests of June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

    Former California Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson and Democrat nominee for the California State Senate, District 19 has issued a press release.

    Contact: Chris Lanier Friends of Hannah-Beth Jackson 2008 Press Release

    HANNAH BETH JACKSON STATEMENT ON ATTACK OF PROTESTERS Tuesday, June 20, 2008

    On Tuesday, June 17th, a state employee on Assemblymember Audra Strickland’s staff Joel Angeles attacked several participants of a protest of candidate Tony Strickland’s acceptance of massive contributions from the tobacco lobby. Mr. Angeles’ attack was provoked only by the protesters’ desire to exercise their first amendment rights.

    Had Joel Angeles been my employee he would have been fired on the spot. There is no justification for anyone, let alone a state employee, to deprive anyone of their free speech rights. A public employee on the staff of an elected representative is committed to protect the constitution on behalf of his employer, the State of California. Assemblymember Strickland has apparently suspended Mr. Angeles for a month. It is incomprehensible that someone with such a long history of service with Audra and Tony Strickland as Mr. Angeles would not understand the public’s basic constitutional rights and the responsibilities of a public official. Audra and Tony Strickland should ensure that he has no future role in fulfilling their public responsibilities or campaigning for public office.

    I have asked everyone associated with my campaign to respect our opponent’s right to express their views, and believe that the public has the right to a full debate on the issues that face us in this election. The choice of who will represent the 19th Senate District next year is far too important to allow bullying or intimidation to disrupt the process.

    — Hannah-Beth Jackson, June 20th, 2008

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 024

    GOP and Democrat demonstrators line Westlake Blvd. Photo By Flap

    Yada  Yada Yada

    Hannah-Beth Jackson, a former attorney and prosecutor has AMAZINGLY already convicted Joe Angeles of a civil rights violation, and would fire him, a California State employee, on the spot for depriving people of their free speech rights. Flap had this account of the original fracas.

    Flap was there and wrote this post after the altercation/protests and the fundraising event for Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s husband, Tony.

    The entire Flap was and continues to be a “He Said, They Said” argument. Flap did not see the supposed “smack down” but did interview one of the female alleged victims. She did have scratches on her right arm which she said she received by being pushed into an adjoining hedge.

    But, the hedge had sharp prongs, the sidewalk was filled with people and Flap was easily pushed into it and scratched his own arm.

    Ventura County Sheriff officers interviewed all parties and since none of the parties would pursue prosecution or a citizen’s arrest, no arrests were made.

    Hannah-Beth Jackson was NOT present but would FIRE someone based upon conflicting press reports or the observations by partisans supporting her candidacy? Hey, Hannah-Beth ever hear of “DUE PROCESS?”

    As far as bullying and intimidation of the political process there was none. Both sides demonstrated and protested vigorously.

    It is not surprising that Hannah-Beth Jackson is wrong in her characterization of events of June 17. She is just blowing smoke again.

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 031

    GOP and Democrat demonstrators line Westlake Blvd. Photo By Flap

    Previous:

    Hannah-Beth Jackson Watch: Blowing Smoke Over Tobacco Company Contributions

    Audra Strickland Watch: Chief of Staff Joel Angeles Placed on Leave

    Tony Strickland Watch: Taking it to the Streets – Politics That Is

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 3

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 2

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue?


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  • Audra Strickland,  Hannah-Beth Jackson,  Tony Strickland

    Audra Strickland Watch: Chief of Staff Joel Angeles Placed on Leave

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 043

    Joel Angeles, Chief of Staff of California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R- Moorpark talking with a Ventura County Sheriff Officer during protest rally on June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

    Joel Angeles, Chief of Staff for California GOP Assemblywoman Audra Strickland has been placed on a one-month unpaid administrative leave according to a written statement.

    Assemblywoman Audra Strickland placed a top aide on leave Thursday following his involvement earlier this week in altercations during a demonstration outside a fundraiser for her husband, state Senate candidate Tony Strickland.

    Audra Strickland, R-Moorpark, announced she was placing Joel Angeles, her chief of staff, on “a one-month leave of absence without pay for what I view as a show of poor judgment,” according to a written statement issued by her office.

    On Tuesday, Angeles took the day off from his job as her chief of staff job to join her husband’s campaign supporters outside the Hyatt Westlake Plaza hotel in Thousand Oaks. Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney appeared there Tuesday night to stump for Tony Strickland, who is locked in a critical battle for the 19th District Senate seat.

    Flap was there and wrote this post after the altercation/protests and the fundraising event for Assemblywoman Audra Strickland’s husband, Tony.

    The entire Flap was and continues to be a “He Said, They Said” argument. Flap did not see the supposed “smack down” but did interview one of the female alleged victims. She did have scratches on her right arm which she said she received by being pushed into an adjoining hedge.

    But, the hedge had sharp prongs, the sidewalk was filled with people and Flap was easily pushed into it and scratched his own arm.

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 024

    GOP and Democrat demonstrators line Westlake Blvd. Photo By Flap

    Ventura County Sheriff officers interviewed all parties and since none of the parties would pursue prosecution or a citizen’s arrest, no arrests were made.

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 042

    Joel Angeles, Chief of Staff of California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, R- Moorpark being interviewed by Ventura County Sheriff officers during protest rally on June 17, 2008. Photo By Flap

    Tony Strickland Fundraiser June 17 2008 041

    Joel Angeles, Democrat protesters and the “HEDGE.” Photo By Flap

    Both groups used poor judgment in this altercation. But what is clear is that someone was looking for a fight to embarass Tony Strickland who was inside with Mitt Romney raising money for his California State Senate campaign. Wasn’t that the point of the demonstrations?

    How do you spell set-up?

    Joel Angeles used “poor judgment” being involved with the Democrat protesters – at all. He should have walked away. Angeles is now being punished.

    A lesson for everyone: Let the politicians “DUKE IT OUT” in debates on the issues and leave the physical confrontations out of the campaign.

    Previous:

    Hannah-Beth Jackson Watch: Blowing Smoke Over Tobacco Company Contributions

    Tony Strickland Watch: Taking it to the Streets – Politics That Is

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 3

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue? Part 2

    Receiving Campaign Contributions from Tobacco Companies a Campaign Issue?


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