McClatchy, Keita, Bultena advocate barbarism

 
There are things that degrade a community, and this promotion of cock fighting (1) by McClatchy local outlet columnist Dave Bultena and Modesto Bee’s Joe Keita, “vice president of news” and managing editor, is one of them. These luminaries ought to be sent down to the men’s prison in Corcoran where they can be slapped around, kicked and beat up by real big, stupid men, and get hopped up and all buffed out. Then the guards can send them into that special little yard where they have the gladiatorial contests. The armed guards stand above, betting big wagers, and the prize for the winner is his life (with or without possibility of parole).  
 
Bultena’s “Time to remove the taboo against cockfighting,” is a very special insult to a community that still manages to eke out an economy from animal husbandry, especially dairy and poultry,  We were proud to see that readers in Merced (2) thought the column was either stupid or a stupid joke. The Modesto Bee readers-comment section, by contrast, was monopolized by illegal, underground gamecock-industry flak and a few possible blood-sport fan grunts of approval..(3)  
 
 
It is beyond stupid and beyond ignorant. It is an act of malice against the community.,
 

“First, it is a victimless crime,” claims our McClatchy community columnist.  “No one suffers, no one is forced into it and no one is becoming wealthy by exploiting others.”

 
 
victim (n.)

late 15c., "living creature killed and offered as a sacrifice to a deity or supernatural power," from Latin victima "person or animal killed as a sacrifice." Perhaps distantly connected to Old English wig "idol," Gothic weihs "holy," German weihen "consecrate" (compare Weihnachten "Christmas") on notion of "a consecrated animal." Sense of "person who is hurt, tortured, or killed by another" is recorded from 1650s; meaning "person oppressed by some power or situation" is from 1718. Weaker sense of "person taken advantage of" is recorded from 1781. (4) 

 
As for the wealth gained through the exploitation of others (chickens), article after article on cockfighting busts mentions large sums of money and individual bets are frequently reported in the hundreds of dollars. The victims are sacrificed to the supernatural deity of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
 
It isn’t a written requirement that a McClatchy community columnist be a moral dwarf, but it clearly helps one to qualify. Even the states of New Mexico and Louisiana (5) finally outlawed cockfighting a few years ago, making it illegal in all 50 states.
 
But maybe the column is meant "ironically" (6)  like another McClatchy columnist, David Burke, allegedly meant his slanderous piece on a high school girl picked up by ICE in 2006. Then we can count on getting another lecture on the real meaning of irony from Managing Editor Keita, Burke’s chief apologist.
 
Just because the McClatchy Chain now has 13 media outlets in the former Confederate States (7), its largest concentration of outlets in the country, does not mean that the people of the north San Joaquin Valley wish to be dragged down to the political and cultural standards of states like South Carolina. (8) After all, we have a University of California campus in our region. We are into a higher level of bloodshed these days. What with the drone research going on at UC Merced, we don’t have time for anything as tacky as a knife fight between two chickens.
Keita and Bultena should apologize for the degradation of decent community values that column represents. We don't need one more cynical blow from the local corporate plutopress. – blj
 
NOTES
 
(1)
5-8-14
Merced Sun-Star
Dave Bultena: Time to remove the taboo against cockfighting
BY DAVE BULTENA
columns@modbee.com
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2014/05/08/3639374/dave-bultena-time-to-rem...
 
We are living in an age when previously taboo practices have become legitimate and made part of our societal order. Such things as casino gambling, marijuana use and same-sex marriage have become commonplace since the reasons used to keep them out of society have failed.
 
While we are legitimatizing things, let’s add one more item to the list of things to be made legal: cockfighting.
 
There is no reason to continue to outlaw the practice. The fact it finds favor in a small portion of the Latino community and has no advocate for its legalization might be reasons it remains illegal. But the reasons to legalize it are many.
 
First, it is a victimless crime. No one suffers, no one is forced into it and no one is becoming wealthy by exploiting others.
 
The fact one of the draws to cockfighting is wagering is also no reason to continue to put it in the shadows of society. Wagering is such a part of our daily routine, it is difficult to imagine what life would be like without bingo, the lottery, office sports pools and slot machines, to name a few, and it would not be any problem to add cockfighting to the list.
 
Getting the cockfights out of almond orchards and into the open would also benefit farmers who would not have to put up with the mess such clandestine events leave behind. Law enforcement, already cut to the bone, would be freed up from enforcing an otherwise useless law.
 
The major contestants in cockfighting are the chickens. It takes little effort, if any, to get them to fight, given the right conditions. Their combative nature has given rise to the cliché “pecking order,” in which the strong tend to dominate the weak.
 
There may be some embellishment to the birds, usually roosters, to put them into fighting condition. Cropping of the comb and the addition of spurs to their feet to increase the lethal nature of the sport are some of the things done, but the chickens themselves provide the aggressive nature which is the essential element of the sport.
 
The loss of a few select chickens certainly cannot be a reason to continue the prohibition of cockfighting. Any poultry operation, whether done for eggs or meat, loses chickens regularly for a variety of reasons during the course of routine operations.
 
Cockfighting needs few facilities. Usually a small ring, some makeshift seating and a place for the bagman to collect and distribute money that has been bet. Legalization would increase the number of events and who knows, the state might figure out a way to tax it like it taxes everything else.
 
Assertions that chickens might be more highly developed intellectually than we give them credit for lacks any reason to pause. The presence of intelligence doesn’t complicate the issue since intelligent creatures, such as man, have been engaging in combative behavior every since Cain and Abel.
 
Chickens: They aren’t just for eating and egg-laying anymore.
 
Bultena is a Merced resident and community columnist for The Modesto Bee and Merced Sun-Star. Send comments or questions to columns@modbee.com.

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5-8-14
Merced Sun-Star
Dave Bultena: Time to remove the taboo against cockfighting
BY DAVE BULTENA
columns@modbee.com
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2014/05/08/3639374/dave-bultena-time-to-remove-the.html?sp=/99/177/
 
Readers’ comments
Peter Lizdas ·  Top Commenter · Merced, California
Great expenditure of ink, Sun-Star. Although it's a little hard to know if Brother Dave is being jokey or jerky. Whatever.
Reply ·  · Yesterday at 8:23am
 
Bob Stern ·  Top Commenter
Yeah! And bring back dog-fighting and bear-baiting. Think of all the jobs for our county.
Reply ·  · Yesterday at 9:19am
 
Cindy Olstad · Pleasant Hill High School, Pleasant Hill, CA
Is this guy serious?
Reply ·  · Yesterday at 10:18am
 
Peter Lizdas ·  Top Commenter · Merced, California
Well, as I said...jokey or jerky. You decide. At the risk of over-interpreting this odd little piece, I suspect that Dave is perhaps suggesting that since such things as casino gambling, marijuana use and same-sex marriage have become more acceptable of late, well...civilization as we knew it has gone to hell in a hand-basket, so what the hell, let's just devolve all the way back to the days when savage blood sports were considered acceptable. Or something like that.
Reply ·  · 1 · 23 hours ago
 
Susan Kimes · Office Manager/Bookkeeper at Commercial Construction Co.
Seriously? It is not victimless! The Victims are the Cocks who have no choice other than to fight! Geez!
Reply ·  · 1 · Yesterday at 10:19am
 
Fred Warchol ·  Top Commenter · Planning Commissioner at City of At
The author has a chicken brain ...no offense intended to chickens.
Reply ·  · 3 · Yesterday at 10:32am
 
Ann Adams · Works at Retired
I haven't read this columnist before so I am hoping this is satire. If so, I think I get the point. You believe all the recent legislation, court decisions, etc. you mentioned shouldn't have happened but, since they did, we might as well toss cock fighting into the mix. Or the opposite. In the past, columns such as this have not been viewed too favorably by the public who have misunderstood. I hope you fare better.
 
(3)
5-8-14
Modesto Bee
Dave Bultena: Time to remove the taboo against cockfighting
BY DAVE BULTENA
columns@modbee.com
http://www.modbee.com/2014/05/08/3330945/dave-bultena-time-to-remove-the...
 
Readers’ comments
9 comments
 
Joan El Mucho Beltran · Server at Antonio's Mexican Restaurant
I like the Idea. Key words "victimless crime" and state can "tax" it.
Reply ·  · 5 · May 8 at 7:51pm
 
East KY Gamefarm DB ·  Top Commenter
Great Article. Agree with everything.
Reply ·  · 2 · May 8 at 8:46pm
 
Tommy Lauramore Cedarhill Gamefarm · Works at Builders FirstSource
Not too mention the impact it has on local businesses!this was once a billion dollar a year business!We have to stop letting ara's run this country!the only reason they do is because they put money in the politician pocket!Cockfighting would put more money in the pocket of the people!Animals do not and should not have the same rights as human beings!!!
Reply ·  · 3 · Yesterday at 12:16am
 
Adrian Peralta ·  Top Commenter · Pico y Espuelas
very nice article.
Reply ·  · 1 · Yesterday at 5:02am
 
Stephanie Mills
One of the best articles I have read in a long time.
Reply ·  · 1 · Yesterday at 8:06am
 
William Bill Ray · Nicholas County High School
Great article!
Reply ·  · 1 · Yesterday at 9:27am
 
Lc Davis
Thumbs up A+.
Reply ·  · 1 · 21 hours ago
 
Wilfredo Garcia ·  Top Commenter
great article...this writer has common sense....don't know why its called common sense when in fact its not so common...especially with people nowadays criminalizing the sport of cockfighting... again great article and praises to this writer...Thanks.
Reply ·  · 2 · 19 hours ago
 
John Demarino ·  Top Commenter · School of Hard Knocks · 707 subscribers
Agree 100%..
Reply ·  · 8 hours ago
 
(4)
Online Etymology Dictionary …”victim”
 
(5)
1-24-07
National Catholic Reporter
New Mexico bishops blast cockfighting
John L. Allen Jr. 
http://ncronline.org/news/new-mexico-bishops-blast-cockfighting
tIn his famous address at the United Nations in October 1965, Pope Paul VI said that Catholics are “experts in humanity.” His point was that no area of human concern, however seemingly remote from traditional “religious” matters, can fail to engage the interest of the church.
 
tFor the latest bit of proof, consider a January 18 declaration from the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued to State Senator Mary Jane Garcia, in support of her bill to ban cockfighting. It’s the first time a Catholic body has ever taken an official position on the subject.
 
tThe conference is composed of New Mexico’s three bishops – Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, and Bishop Donald Pelotte of Gallup.
 
Allen Sanchez, executive director of the conference, said in a prepared statement: “The church teaches that we are called to a stewardship of God’s creatures, and there are principles in how to care for animals. … The bishops recognize that cockfighting is abusive of God’s good creation … Cockfighting promotes violence.”
 
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Proponents of cockfights have argued that it’s part of traditional Hispanic culture, with some insisting that the practice is actually covered by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War in 1848. (A 2003 opinion from the state’s Attorney General disagreed).
 
In their statement, the bishops declared, “It is not a cultural treasure.”
 
Polling suggests that many New Mexicans agree. A 2004 Albuquerque Journal poll found that 66 percent of the state’s residents, including 59 percent of Hispanics, support a ban.
 
Garcia was delighted with the church’s position.
 
“It seems appropriate that in a state whose patron is St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, the church should take a stance against this cruelty,” she said. “I am particularly pleased by their recognition that so-called ‘cultural’ argument is not valid.”
 
Currently, only New Mexico and Louisiana permit cockfights. Massachusetts became the first American state to enact a ban in 1836.
 
A group called “Animal Protection Voters” in New Mexico, which advocates a ban, has described cockfighting as “nothing more than a knife fight between two chickens.”
 
“The birds’ natural spurs are replaced with razor-sharp knives or ice pick-like gaffs. They fight until one bird is no longer “game” or dies, while spectators place bets. There’s big money in cockfighting and winners can take home many thousands of dollars,” the group’s website states.
 
Sanchez said he hopes the ban will pass, so that the New Mexico legislature can address “more important” issues, including the church’s call for an end to the death penalty and its opposition to Governor Bill Richardson’s proposal for stem cell research.
 
3-11-07
Newsweek
How New Mexico Banned Cockfighting
By Nathan Dinsdale

http://www.newsweek.com/how-new-mexico-banned-cockfighting-95481
A few quick pen strokes from Gov. Bill Richardson and decades of contentious debate in New Mexico came to an end. The second-term governor and Democratic presidential candidate had done something no other politician in New Mexico's history had accomplished. "This is a historic day," Richardson said solemnly. "Today, New Mexico bans cockfighting."
 
Richardson received a standing ovation when he signed Senate Bill 10 into law just after noon today amid popping camera shutters and shouts of support from a standing-room only crowd jammed into the cabinet room on the fourth floor of the state capitol building in Santa Fe.
 
It isn't universal health care or same-sex marriage, but cockfighting has been a hot button issue in New Mexico for years. Opponents of the sport—which is now only legal in Louisiana—called cockfighting the severest form of animal cruelty. Supporters call it an important cultural tradition in this heavily Latino state. Despite polls that cited more than 80 percent of residents in favor of a ban, state legislators launched several previous attempts to pass a ban, to no avail.
 
"This has been one of our dirty secrets for a long time, and quite frankly, this [ban] has been a long time coming," said Democratic State Rep. Peter Wirth. "I'm thrilled that we're finally putting Louisiana in the rear-view mirror on this issue."
 
It's been a long road. State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia—a Democrat from southern New Mexico who sponsored SB 10—first introduced the ban when she arrived in the legislature 18 years ago. Back then, Garcia was ridiculed on the senate floor with crude jokes and innuendo from her male colleagues. In recent years, the ban had passed the state's House of Representatives, but had always fallen slightly short in the senate. This year, the combination of Richardson's support and Garcia's willingness to soften the penalties for breaking the law swayed the handful of state senators needed to pass the bill.
 
The gravity of the moment could be felt when a reverent hush fell over the cabinet room as Richardson was ushered in through a side entrance and took a seat at a large round conference table flanked by Wirth, Garcia and Santa Fe actress-activist Ali MacGraw.
 
"I am so glad we can finally put this aside," MacGraw said. "I'm glad that we have finally joined the vast majority of people in this country who acknowledge that cruelty to animals for recreational enjoyment is not OK."
 
Lisa Jennings, executive director of Animal Protection Voters New Mexico, presented the governor with a few tokens of appreciation, including an "Ante Up for Animals" poker set and a WILL THE FIGHT GO ON? T-Shirt depicting a faux boxing match between two cartoon roosters named Rocky "Not So" Cocky and Joey "The Chicken" Rooster. "What a difference one man can make," Jennings gushed. "Mr. Governor, you were the difference, and we're all deeply grateful for your participation."
 
Richardson was indeed the catalyst for finally passing the ban. But the governor had refused to take a stance on the issue throughout his entire first term before finally expressing his support for it last December. The delay, Richardson explained, was due largely to his focus being previously diverted toward issues like improving education and the economy. "I always felt it was wrong, personally, but it was a process issue," Richardson says. "This is a very emotional issue and I think you have to wait to pass it when the support and votes are there. Now, I feel the time is right. Timing is very important."
 
Indeed. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Richardson is now an Oval Office candidate eager to keep something like rooster-on-rooster combat from providing critical fodder on the campaign trail. Not surprisingly, though, Richardson denied it when asked if there was a connection between his sudden appreciation for poultry and his aspirations for Campaign 2008. "None," the governor replied flatly, before quipping, "I don't think this is a major issue in the [presidential] race."
 
Maybe not, but the ban's opponents say Richardson's support was political. "Flat out, the governor told them to pass it and that was the difference," says Jim Nance, a rancher from Magdalena who testified against the ban at a state Senate hearing last month, even though he himself has never watched a cockfight. "He wants to be president and you know how politicians are, they're always trying to get as many people to vote for them as they can."
 
Whatever the governor's motivations, supporters and opponents of the ban agree that it was unlikely to have passed without his political heft placed squarely behind it. Nonetheless, Garcia was still forced to dilute the criminal penalties (changing a first offense from a felony to a petty misdemeanor) of the bill in order to ensure its safe passage. "This is at least a beginning," Garcia says. "The most important part was getting the ban in place. It's been a long, tough road, but we've finally persevered."
 
The battle may not yet be over; game-fowl breeders have threatened to challenge the ban in court. And if it does become law on June 15, it will be as much a symbolic gesture as a practical one, considering that more than a dozen counties and nearly 30 municipalities in New Mexico already ban the sport. Some speculate that the new law will do little to dissuade cockfighting--instead just pushing it further underground. "Most criminal activity is already underground," Jennings said. "That doesn't mean those activities shouldn't be outlawed. We have a lot of support from the law-enforcement community and, just like with any other criminal activity, it will be up to them and the citizens to remain vigilant about showing that New Mexico will not tolerate this kind of violence." If passing the ban was tough, making it stick could be even tougher.
 
8-12-08
About Animal Rights.com
Cockfighting Illegal in Louisiana - It's About Time!
By Doris Lin
http://animalrights.about.com/b/2008/08/12/cockfighting-illegal-in-louis...
 
 
On Friday, August 15, 2008, cockfighting will become illegal in Louisiana, making cockfighting illegal in all 50 states as well as Washington D.C. It's about time!
 
In 2007, the Louisiana state legislature passed a measure that banned cockfighting and gambling on cockfighting. The ban on gambling took effect immediately. The ban on cockfighting will take effect on Friday.
 
In a cockfight, roosters have sharp blades or spikes attached to their feet, and then are released in a pit where they battle each other to the death or until they can no longer fight. In this barbaric bloodsport, spectators place bets on the roosters, so banning the betting a year ago has already greatly reduced the number of cockfights and participants.
 
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Subject: 
4-22-06
Merced Sun-Star 
Weekend voices: Liberty, opportunity are for Americans only
By David F. Burke
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/story/12086617p-12838624c.html
 
 
Get out of this valley, Alma Oseguara. Maybe after a few weeks in a Kern County jail you'll finally understand that we don't want you and your kind here in the San Joaquin Valley.
 
Never mind that you spent the last 12 years attending school here, and were weeks away from graduation at Le Grand High School. You and your bleeding-heart classmates need to understand that we expect you to obey the law of the land.
 
Even six-year-old illegals have to play by the rules and because you entered our country without permission when you were six, our agents were perfectly within their rights to "target" you and to bang on your door at 3 in the morning, demanding that you pack your bags and go directly to jail.
 
And don't start that old song about escaping from Mexico to get away from an abusive father, Alma.
 
Do you think we're the kind of nation that would welcome the wretched refuse of another country? Do you think we want more homeless, tempest-tossed masses of tired and poor people like you? Does our border look to you like some kind of golden door?
 
Forget that idea. We stopped holding the torch for your kind of immigrants long ago.
 
Liberty and opportunity are for Americans only. Did you imagine that we were talking about Mexicans when we said, "all are created equal?" Get real, Alma. Say goodbye to Le Grand High, to dreams of college and to friends and relatives you've known for a dozen years.
 
Bienvenidos a Mexico.
 
Let me explain how it works, Alma. My son looks a bit like you; he has the same skin tone. But Jesse had the good sense not to be born in Mexico - he was born in New Mexico.
 
About 300 years ago, his ancestors, named Garcia, came through Texas -- well, it may have been "Tejas" then -- and up into northern New -- I mean Nuevo -- Mexico and southern Colorado.
 
Then, 150 years later, my ancestors picked a fight with Mexico. We first tried to get what we wanted peacefully, offering our neighbors to the south $25 million for California. But the ignorant Mexicans thought the state was worth more than that.
 
So, we sent two armies into Mexico and a third to California, by way of New Mexico. The silly Mexicans refused to surrender, so we captured Mexico City and "convinced" our captors to accept just $15 million for the Golden State. The vanquished Mexicans threw in New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Utah - about half of their country, all told - for free.
 
And that, Alma, should explain why my brown-skinned son -- who was born in New Mexico -- gets to stay while you -- who were born in Old Mexico -- must leave.
 
It's not personal. It's the law. If you like, you can think of it as manifest destiny.
 
Now, get out of my country. And don't come back until you are legal.
 
 
6-23-12
Badlands Journal
Public Letter from Central Valley Safe Environment Network to the McClatchy Company Officers and Board of Directors
Submitted: Jun 23, 2006
Central Valley Safe Environment Network
P.O. Box 64
Merced, CA. 95341
cvsen@sbcglobal.net
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2006-06-23/00129
 
Senior Officers of The McClatchy Company
 
Gary B. Pruitt - Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Heather L. Fagundes - Vice President, Human Resources
Christian A. Hendricks - Vice President, Interactive Media
Karole Morgan-Prager - Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Patrick J. Talamantes - Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Howard Weaver - Vice President, News
Robert J. Weil - Vice President, Operations
Frank Whittaker - Vice President, Operations
 
Directors of The McClatchy Company
 
Elizabeth A. Ballantine
Leroy Barnes Jr.
William K. Coblentz
Molly Maloney Evangelisti
Larry Jinks
Joan F. Lane
Brown McClatchy Maloney
Kevin S. McClatchy
William McClatchy
Theodore R. Mitchell
S. Donley Ritchey
Frederick R. Ruiz
Maggie Wilderotter
 
2100 Q Street
Sacramento CA 95815
 
P.O. Box 15779
Sacramento 95852
 
Tel. (916) 321-1855
Fax (916) 321-1869 Via: Email and Fax
 
contact@mcclatchy.com
 
Re: Public Letter from Central Valley Safe Environment Network to the McClatchy Company Board of Directors
 
Date: June 23, 2006
 
McClatchy Officers and Directors:
 
In late April, Merced residents complained to you about a racist column by regular Merced Sun-Star columnist, David Burke, that appeared during a highly inflammatory period of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on undocumented workers in the county.
 
At that time we asked for an apology from McClatchy for allowing a column to be printed that was an insult to the entire Hispanic community during a period when it is under mounting racist pressure.
 
To date, we have received no apology from the board or the Sun-Star.
 
We did receive a telephone message from Lynn Dickerson, vice president for operations, explaining that we had just misunderstood the satire, irony and sarcasm. We also read Sun-Star editor, Joe Keita’s editorial, which followed the same line – a lecture on irony.
 
We have waited, patiently, for nearly two months for some sign of community sensitivity from the McClatchy corporation, as patiently as we have waited for years for competent journalism from our city’s newspaper.
 
The Merced Sun-Star has steadily disengaged itself from the community of Merced since the arrival of UC and its induced development. We had hoped that once McClatchy bought the paper, we would get competent journalism in our rapidly changing county. Instead, the McClatchy Co. local organ has continued to ally itself with the propaganda of special, outside, exploitive interests. Worst, it substitutes cheap sideshows for solid news people in Merced County need – often desperately – to know. It is an untrustworthy newspaper.
 
In the days following his literary offense against an 18-year-old high school girl incarcerated at an ICE facility in Bakersfield, Burke tried several strategies to explain himself. His attempt to appear on a local Spanish-language radio station was refused. He asked Le Grand High School administrators (where the 18-year-old was attending school before her arrest) if he could come out to talk to the students. The administrators asked the students. The students said they did not want to hear Mr. Burke’s explanation. The administrators relayed the message.
 
Surely, the second largest newspaper chain in America, based in Sacramento, knew by late April that rightwing Republicans were going to make illegal immigration from Mexico a big campaign issue in the 2006 elections. Its Minneapolis paper is only a stone’s throw from the Wisconsin congressional district of Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, author of HR 4437. Surely, McClatchy added the Merced Sun-Star to its holding because it was aware of the speculative real estate boom unfolding due to the arrival of UC Merced. How could the McClatchy organization not have known about the on-going, heavy development pressure on rural eastern Merced County, home of a large number of the county’s farmworkers and focus of the ICE raids in April. Certainly, a news organization as huge and sophisticated as McClatchy could figure out that the pressure on illegal Mexican immigrants in this part of the Valley is directly tied to escalating real estate values and developers’ plans for that region, which include icing farmworkers and endangered species as quietly as possible.
 
Into that explosive situation, the second largest newspaper chain in America injected this schmuck, Burke, this “former journalism professor,” and his “irony.” When we objected, we got an official explanation of irony instead of the simple, honest apology for a management oversight, which you owe this community and refuse to offer.
 
We are still waiting for that apology to our community for this insult. We live in one of the most ethnically diverse communities in America. We all make it work and this highly inappropriate column insults all of us, regardless of our ethnicity. When you insult the race and status of our neighbors, when you support (however “ironically”) policies that frighten people in our neighborhoods, you harm everybody. Just because McClatchy chooses to ignore – ostrich style – its insult to our community does not mean that the insult is forgotten. However, even at this point, a sincere apology might help.
 
Sincerely,
 
Central Valley Safe Environment Network
-----------------------------
 
Attachments:
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: Merced sunstar article
 
Hi, My name is xxxx xxxxx and I am just asking for help. On April 22 there was an article put into the merced sun star by a David Burke a journalist . I was truly offended , I happen to personally know Alma Osegueras older sister Christina and could not believe what this man wrote but, most of all I cannot believe that the merced sunstar would allow such racism . I am disgusted with this newspaper . I don't really know what I can personally do. can the residents of Planada and Le Grand start a petition to get this man terminated or what ??? I don't know if your office handles things like this. I am just so angry at the merced sun star and I can tell you as a resident of Planada I'm not the only one. Please help..
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 9:39 AM
Subject: RE: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
 
In case you haven't had a chance to read the Sun-Star this morning attached
is Joe Kieta's column as it appeared in our paper and on our website.
Hank N. Vander Veen
Publisher-The Merced Sun Star
 
4-28-06
Merced Sun-Star
Column wasn't meant to offend...Joe Kieta
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/story/12110584p-12860741c.html
 
David Burke was appalled by the strong-arm tactics U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents recently decided to write an ironic column that took the extreme opposite side in an effort to point out what he feels is the senselessness of the agency's actions. Unfortunately, some readers missed the irony in the column -- and for this we truly are sorry if anyone was offended. If used skillfully, a tongue-in-cheek comment or column can effectively crystallize an opinion; if the irony is missed, readers can be confused or outraged by the comments. ...some took his comments literally. ...he received an e-mail hours after it appeared applauding him for the extreme views. He since has received many more messages from readers who missed the irony. Burke's worried the column creates an incorrect perception that he's bigoted and insensitive. He wants to set the record straight: ...
For our part, the Sun-Star will be more careful in the future to make sure satirical columns are clearly labeled as such, which will eliminate any confusion. We could have labeled Burke's column accordingly, but didn't -- and for this, please accept our apologies.
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 12:46 AM
Subject: Saturday's Sun-Star column...
 
I have received a lot of feedback regarding my column from Saturday’s edition of the Sun-Star. I understand that you found the article to be offensive and that you’ve formally complained to officials of the McClatchy Corporation on behalf of the Central Valley Safe Environment Network.
 
My intention with this piece was to use irony and sarcasm to draw attention to attitudes and actions that I believe are cruel, unfair, insensitive and un-American.
 
Irony, as you know, is a technique in which a writer, or speaker, makes a statement that is opposite to their beliefs. This incongruity can have a dramatic effect when combined with sarcasm, as I attempted to do in the commentary.
 
A problem with irony is that some readers may take statements literally and believe that the intended message is actually its opposite. I clearly failed to craft this piece skillfully enough to make the irony clear to some readers.
 
For the record, let me say that I abhor the treatment of Alma Oseguera and her family at the hands of immigration agents. I believe raiding their home at 3 a.m. is the kind of behavior that we expect from secret police or government thugs in other countries, but not in the United States.
 
I do not believe that U.S. citizens are “more equal” than people from other nations and I despise racism and discrimination.
 
I hope you’ll take another look at Saturday’s commentary. A second read might reveal that my use of hateful language was intended to get the attention of good people who have become polarized and now view immigrants unfairly. My hope was that by exaggeration I might open some eyes and force people to look at the impact current policies are having on individuals like Alma.
 
Finally, I have a track record with the Sun-Star and I believe my body of work provides clear evidence that I am an advocate for children and for causes that are completely inconsistent with racism and intolerance.
 
I invite you to take a look at back issues of the paper. One article that may be particularly revealing is still posted online. You may choose to visit the following site:
 
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/story/12042436p-12798745c.html
 
I hope you will reconsider your position regarding my column or at least accept that my intent was not to promote racism. Though I may have missed the target on Saturday, a dialogue has begun and I believe the end result may still be enlightenment. I hope you’ll participate in the discussion and that you’ll continue to read the Sun-Star and my column.
 
Sincerely,
 
David Burke
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:50 AM
Subject: Quepasa News
Merced Newspaper Article
 
The following is an article published by the Merced Sun Star. It is very disturbing and in the "Gray" area of Hate Mail. It was written by a retired journalist. A group called Central Valley Safe Environment Network has responded to the McClatchy Newspaper Company. I will print their response at the next QUEPASA NEWS.
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 8:40 PM
Subject: Letter to The McClatchy Company re: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
 
Wow - hard to believe they would publish that crap!
Juan de la Rana-Salta
 
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 3:28 PM
Subject: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
Re: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
Date: April 25, 2006
 
McClatchy Officers and Directors:
 
We write you to protest the publication on Saturday, April 22, 2006 of a column by a regular contributor to the Merced Sun-Star titled “Liberty, opportunity are for Americans only.”
 
Speaking as citizens of Merced and for citizens of the San Joaquin Valley and of the United States, we will not tolerate racist smears of 18-year-old high school girls in our newspaper; we will not tolerate our newspaper publishing its contempt for an entire ethnic minority; we will not tolerate a vicious attack on a person little more than a child without any means of defending herself, presently in a Border Patrol holding tank in Bakersfield; we will not tolerate our newspaper bullying the weak and defenseless.
 
We are not asking for or demanding the immediate dismissal of the publisher and the editorial staff of the Merced Sun-Star that published this racial slander and libel against a high school girl. We expect nothing less than their dismissal and an apology from the McClatchy board for publishing material with racial hatred content intended to intimidate and incite.
 
This newspaper has entirely lost contact with its community and with decency.
 
Merced Sun-Star, April 22, 2006
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/story/12086617p-12838624c.html
Weekend voices: Liberty, opportunity are for Americans only
 
The Central Valley Safe Environment Network is confident McClatchy officers and directors will do the right thing in a timely manner, removing the “leadership” of this newspaper, which increasingly over the last decade become a source of unjust speech and propaganda.
 
Central Valley Safe Environment Network
 
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 3:23 PM
 
 
cc:
 
Hank Vander Veen
Publisher, Merced Sun-Star
hvanderveen@mercedsun-star.com
 
Joseph Kieta
Editor, Merced Sun-Star
jkieta@mercedsun-star.com
 
 
(1)Subject: Sun-Star article Weekend voices
By David F. Burke
Last Updated: April 22, 2006, 03:31:08 AM PDT
 
Get out of this valley, Alma Oseguara. Maybe after a few weeks in a Kern County jail you'll finally understand that we don't want you and your kind here in the San Joaquin Valley.
 
Never mind that you spent the last 12 years attending school here, and were weeks away from graduation at Le Grand High School. You and your bleeding-heart classmates need to understand that we expect you to obey the law of the land.
 
Even six-year-old illegals have to play by the rules and because you entered our country without permission when you were six, our agents were perfectly within their rights to "target" you and to bang on your door at 3 in the morning, demanding that you pack your bags and go directly to jail.
 
And don't start that old song about escaping from Mexico to get away from an abusive father, Alma.
 
Do you think we're the kind of nation that would welcome the wretched refuse of another country? Do you think we want more homeless, tempest-tossed masses of tired and poor people like you? Does our border look to you like some kind of golden door?
 
Forget that idea. We stopped holding the torch for your kind of immigrants long ago.
 
Liberty and opportunity are for Americans only. Did you imagine that we were talking about Mexicans when we said, "all are created equal?" Get real, Alma. Say goodbye to Le Grand High, to dreams of college and to friends and relatives you've known for a dozen years.
 
Bienvenidos a Mexico.
 
Let me explain how it works, Alma. My son looks a bit like you; he has the same skin tone. But Jesse had the good sense not to be born in Mexico - he was born in New Mexico.
 
About 300 years ago, his ancestors, named Garcia, came through Texas -- well, it may have been "Tejas" then -- and up into northern New -- I mean Nuevo -- Mexico and southern Colorado.
 
Then, 150 years later, my ancestors picked a fight with Mexico. We first tried to get what we wanted peacefully, offering our neighbors to the south $25 million for California. But the ignorant Mexicans thought the state was worth more than that.
 
So, we sent two armies into Mexico and a third to California, by way of New Mexico. The silly Mexicans refused to surrender, so we captured Mexico City and "convinced" our captors to accept just $15 million for the Golden State. The vanquished Mexicans threw in New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Utah - about half of their country, all told - for free.
 
And that, Alma, should explain why my brown-skinned son -- who was born in New Mexico -- gets to stay while you -- who were born in Old Mexico -- must leave.
 
It's not personal. It's the law. If you like, you can think of it as manifest destiny.
 
Now, get out of my country. And don't come back until you are legal.
 
 
6-23-12
Badlands Journal
Public Letter from Central Valley Safe Environment Network to the McClatchy Company Officers and Board of Directors
Submitted: Jun 23, 2006
Central Valley Safe Environment Network
P.O. Box 64
Merced, CA. 95341
cvsen@sbcglobal.net
http://www.badlandsjournal.com/2006-06-23/00129
 
Senior Officers of The McClatchy Company
 
Gary B. Pruitt - Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Heather L. Fagundes - Vice President, Human Resources
Christian A. Hendricks - Vice President, Interactive Media
Karole Morgan-Prager - Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Patrick J. Talamantes - Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Howard Weaver - Vice President, News
Robert J. Weil - Vice President, Operations
Frank Whittaker - Vice President, Operations
 
Directors of The McClatchy Company
 
Elizabeth A. Ballantine
Leroy Barnes Jr.
William K. Coblentz
Molly Maloney Evangelisti
Larry Jinks
Joan F. Lane
Brown McClatchy Maloney
Kevin S. McClatchy
William McClatchy
Theodore R. Mitchell
S. Donley Ritchey
Frederick R. Ruiz
Maggie Wilderotter
 
2100 Q Street
Sacramento CA 95815
 
P.O. Box 15779
Sacramento 95852
 
Tel. (916) 321-1855
Fax (916) 321-1869 Via: Email and Fax
 
contact@mcclatchy.com
 
Re: Public Letter from Central Valley Safe Environment Network to the McClatchy Company Board of Directors
 
Date: June 23, 2006
 
McClatchy Officers and Directors:
 
In late April, Merced residents complained to you about a racist column by regular Merced Sun-Star columnist, David Burke, that appeared during a highly inflammatory period of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on undocumented workers in the county.
 
At that time we asked for an apology from McClatchy for allowing a column to be printed that was an insult to the entire Hispanic community during a period when it is under mounting racist pressure.
 
To date, we have received no apology from the board or the Sun-Star.
 
We did receive a telephone message from Lynn Dickerson, vice president for operations, explaining that we had just misunderstood the satire, irony and sarcasm. We also read Sun-Star editor, Joe Keita’s editorial, which followed the same line – a lecture on irony.
 
We have waited, patiently, for nearly two months for some sign of community sensitivity from the McClatchy corporation, as patiently as we have waited for years for competent journalism from our city’s newspaper.
 
The Merced Sun-Star has steadily disengaged itself from the community of Merced since the arrival of UC and its induced development. We had hoped that once McClatchy bought the paper, we would get competent journalism in our rapidly changing county. Instead, the McClatchy Co. local organ has continued to ally itself with the propaganda of special, outside, exploitive interests. Worst, it substitutes cheap sideshows for solid news people in Merced County need – often desperately – to know. It is an untrustworthy newspaper.
 
In the days following his literary offense against an 18-year-old high school girl incarcerated at an ICE facility in Bakersfield, Burke tried several strategies to explain himself. His attempt to appear on a local Spanish-language radio station was refused. He asked Le Grand High School administrators (where the 18-year-old was attending school before her arrest) if he could come out to talk to the students. The administrators asked the students. The students said they did not want to hear Mr. Burke’s explanation. The administrators relayed the message.
 
Surely, the second largest newspaper chain in America, based in Sacramento, knew by late April that rightwing Republicans were going to make illegal immigration from Mexico a big campaign issue in the 2006 elections. Its Minneapolis paper is only a stone’s throw from the Wisconsin congressional district of Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, author of HR 4437. Surely, McClatchy added the Merced Sun-Star to its holding because it was aware of the speculative real estate boom unfolding due to the arrival of UC Merced. How could the McClatchy organization not have known about the on-going, heavy development pressure on rural eastern Merced County, home of a large number of the county’s farmworkers and focus of the ICE raids in April. Certainly, a news organization as huge and sophisticated as McClatchy could figure out that the pressure on illegal Mexican immigrants in this part of the Valley is directly tied to escalating real estate values and developers’ plans for that region, which include icing farmworkers and endangered species as quietly as possible.
 
Into that explosive situation, the second largest newspaper chain in America injected this schmuck, Burke, this “former journalism professor,” and his “irony.” When we objected, we got an official explanation of irony instead of the simple, honest apology for a management oversight, which you owe this community and refuse to offer.
 
We are still waiting for that apology to our community for this insult. We live in one of the most ethnically diverse communities in America. We all make it work and this highly inappropriate column insults all of us, regardless of our ethnicity. When you insult the race and status of our neighbors, when you support (however “ironically”) policies that frighten people in our neighborhoods, you harm everybody. Just because McClatchy chooses to ignore – ostrich style – its insult to our community does not mean that the insult is forgotten. However, even at this point, a sincere apology might help.
 
Sincerely,
 
Central Valley Safe Environment Network
-----------------------------
 
Attachments:
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: Merced sunstar article
 
Hi, My name is xxxx xxxxx and I am just asking for help. On April 22 there was an article put into the merced sun star by a David Burke a journalist . I was truly offended , I happen to personally know Alma Osegueras older sister Christina and could not believe what this man wrote but, most of all I cannot believe that the merced sunstar would allow such racism . I am disgusted with this newspaper . I don't really know what I can personally do. can the residents of Planada and Le Grand start a petition to get this man terminated or what ??? I don't know if your office handles things like this. I am just so angry at the merced sun star and I can tell you as a resident of Planada I'm not the only one. Please help..
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 9:39 AM
Subject: RE: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
 
In case you haven't had a chance to read the Sun-Star this morning attached
is Joe Kieta's column as it appeared in our paper and on our website.
Hank N. Vander Veen
Publisher-The Merced Sun Star
 
4-28-06
Merced Sun-Star
Column wasn't meant to offend...Joe Kieta
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/story/12110584p-12860741c.html
 
David Burke was appalled by the strong-arm tactics U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents recently decided to write an ironic column that took the extreme opposite side in an effort to point out what he feels is the senselessness of the agency's actions. Unfortunately, some readers missed the irony in the column -- and for this we truly are sorry if anyone was offended. If used skillfully, a tongue-in-cheek comment or column can effectively crystallize an opinion; if the irony is missed, readers can be confused or outraged by the comments. ...some took his comments literally. ...he received an e-mail hours after it appeared applauding him for the extreme views. He since has received many more messages from readers who missed the irony. Burke's worried the column creates an incorrect perception that he's bigoted and insensitive. He wants to set the record straight: ...
For our part, the Sun-Star will be more careful in the future to make sure satirical columns are clearly labeled as such, which will eliminate any confusion. We could have labeled Burke's column accordingly, but didn't -- and for this, please accept our apologies.
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 12:46 AM
Subject: Saturday's Sun-Star column...
 
I have received a lot of feedback regarding my column from Saturday’s edition of the Sun-Star. I understand that you found the article to be offensive and that you’ve formally complained to officials of the McClatchy Corporation on behalf of the Central Valley Safe Environment Network.
 
My intention with this piece was to use irony and sarcasm to draw attention to attitudes and actions that I believe are cruel, unfair, insensitive and un-American.
 
Irony, as you know, is a technique in which a writer, or speaker, makes a statement that is opposite to their beliefs. This incongruity can have a dramatic effect when combined with sarcasm, as I attempted to do in the commentary.
 
A problem with irony is that some readers may take statements literally and believe that the intended message is actually its opposite. I clearly failed to craft this piece skillfully enough to make the irony clear to some readers.
 
For the record, let me say that I abhor the treatment of Alma Oseguera and her family at the hands of immigration agents. I believe raiding their home at 3 a.m. is the kind of behavior that we expect from secret police or government thugs in other countries, but not in the United States.
 
I do not believe that U.S. citizens are “more equal” than people from other nations and I despise racism and discrimination.
 
I hope you’ll take another look at Saturday’s commentary. A second read might reveal that my use of hateful language was intended to get the attention of good people who have become polarized and now view immigrants unfairly. My hope was that by exaggeration I might open some eyes and force people to look at the impact current policies are having on individuals like Alma.
 
Finally, I have a track record with the Sun-Star and I believe my body of work provides clear evidence that I am an advocate for children and for causes that are completely inconsistent with racism and intolerance.
 
I invite you to take a look at back issues of the paper. One article that may be particularly revealing is still posted online. You may choose to visit the following site:
 
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/story/12042436p-12798745c.html
 
I hope you will reconsider your position regarding my column or at least accept that my intent was not to promote racism. Though I may have missed the target on Saturday, a dialogue has begun and I believe the end result may still be enlightenment. I hope you’ll participate in the discussion and that you’ll continue to read the Sun-Star and my column.
 
Sincerely,
 
David Burke
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 10:50 AM
Subject: Quepasa News
Merced Newspaper Article
 
The following is an article published by the Merced Sun Star. It is very disturbing and in the "Gray" area of Hate Mail. It was written by a retired journalist. A group called Central Valley Safe Environment Network has responded to the McClatchy Newspaper Company. I will print their response at the next QUEPASA NEWS.
 
To: cvsen@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 8:40 PM
Subject: Letter to The McClatchy Company re: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
 
Wow - hard to believe they would publish that crap!
Juan de la Rana-Salta
 
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 3:28 PM
Subject: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
Re: Racially offensive commentary in the Merced Sun-Star
Date: April 25, 2006
 
McClatchy Officers and Directors:
 
We write you to protest the publication on Saturday, April 22, 2006 of a column by a regular contributor to the Merced Sun-Star titled “Liberty, opportunity are for Americans only.”
 
Speaking as citizens of Merced and for citizens of the San Joaquin Valley and of the United States, we will not tolerate racist smears of 18-year-old high school girls in our newspaper; we will not tolerate our newspaper publishing its contempt for an entire ethnic minority; we will not tolerate a vicious attack on a person little more than a child without any means of defending herself, presently in a Border Patrol holding tank in Bakersfield; we will not tolerate our newspaper bullying the weak and defenseless.
 
We are not asking for or demanding the immediate dismissal of the publisher and the editorial staff of the Merced Sun-Star that published this racial slander and libel against a high school girl. We expect nothing less than their dismissal and an apology from the McClatchy board for publishing material with racial hatred content intended to intimidate and incite.
 
This newspaper has entirely lost contact with its community and with decency.
 
Merced Sun-Star, April 22, 2006
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/opinion/story/12086617p-12838624c.html
Weekend voices: Liberty, opportunity are for Americans only
 
The Central Valley Safe Environment Network is confident McClatchy officers and directors will do the right thing in a timely manner, removing the “leadership” of this newspaper, which increasingly over the last decade become a source of unjust speech and propaganda.
 
Central Valley Safe Environment Network
 
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 3:23 PM
 
 
cc:
 
Hank Vander Veen
Publisher, Merced Sun-Star
hvanderveen@mercedsun-star.com
 
Joseph Kieta
Editor, Merced Sun-Star
jkieta@mercedsun-star.com
 
(7)
 
http://www.mcclatchy.com/our_markets/
 
(8)
5-9-14
Charlotte twcnews.com
100+ birds from SC cockfighting bust headed to sanctuaries
By: Becky Bereiter
- http://charlotte.twcnews.com/content/news/707554/100--birds-from-sc-cock...
… The Humane Society is working to stiffen the penalties for cockfighting in South Carolina. In neighboring states like North Carolina and Georgia, the rules are much tougher, making the Palmetto State a magnet for this illegal activity.
"There's gang violence, illegal drugs, illegal weapons, so it's not just animal cruelty," said Kim Kelly, state director of the Humane Society of the United States.
South Carolina is one of nine in the country where cockfighting is a misdemeanor, not a felony…
(California is another one of the states where cockfighting is only a misdemeanor)
Citation: West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597j --blj