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Saturday, September 29, 2018

Friday, September 28, 2018

BABE OF THE DAY


CA - We ask all our friends to boycott this POS bar. ** Address: 351 W Main St, El Cajon, CA 92020 **

OFF THE WIRE
F*#% this place. My club hasn't done anything to warrant this treatment. So apparently, all non 1% clubs will still be allowed in? What a bunch of horse shit. This problem isn't just limited to 1%ers or MC's for that matter. Crap like this whether it is discrimination in the business place or profiling/harassment by law enforcement - don't think for a moment that just because it doesn't affect you now that it never will. In the big picture, what happens to one group will spread...that's a fact.
We ask all our friends to boycott this POS bar.
** Address: 351 W Main St, El Cajon, CA 92020 **
#motorcycleclubsarenotstreetgangs
#supportthosethatsupportyou
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Grand: 9/16/18
Dear Friends, Guests, and Customers of The Grand:
I regret that, today, we are announcing a new policy with respect to individuals and/or groups that we will serve at The Grand. As it is widely understood, every bar reserves the right to refuse service at their discretion for any reason that is not specifically prohibited by Federal, State, or local statutes.
For almost 3 years, I have strived to remain open-minded - - even about people and/or groups to which I had never previously been exposed. Unfortunately, some of the preconceptions that are widely held by a majority of people, have been reinforced despite my efforts to avoid prejudgement.
As a consequence of the complete disrespect that we have been shown and the complete disregard for our rules that has been demonstrated, we will no longer permit members of "1 Percent" Motorcycle Clubs at The Grand. The single greatest contributing factor behind this decision is the contempt that these groups have shown for our "No Weapons" policy.
We are left with no choice but to permanently bar these groups/individuals permanently and effective immediately.
I am confident that this will result in a more pleasant, enjoyable, and safe environment for the vast majority of others who constitute our customer base.
Thank you,
Jeffrey DiLallo
The Grand
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Thursday, September 27, 2018

BABE OF THE DAY


The Mayans MC Snitch

OFF THE WIRE
agingrebel.com
http://www.agingrebel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Mayans-Logo.jpg
You may have become vaguely aware in recent weeks that a television program called Mayans MC debuts tonight on FX at ten in every time zone, except maybe Hawaii, and it is 66 minutes long without commercials. You may not have heard that the show’s leading character is a Drug Enforcement Agency snitch.
Spoiler alert!
Oh?! Oops! I guess I was supposed to say that before I said that the show’s leading character, a Mongols – excuse me, Mayans – prospect named “Easy” Reyes – you know, like “Easy Rider” – is a DEA snitch. Snitch, snitch, snitch, snitch, snitch. Oh well. Too late now.
You have undoubtedly already heard that the show is great art; or rather you have been force fed like you are a Strasbourg goose the notion that this is “the next chapter in Kurt Sutter’s award-winning Sons of Anarchy saga.”

Greatest Of All Time

Right. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote, Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony Number Nine, Johannes Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring, Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim, James Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake, William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, Kurt Sutter’s Sons of Anarchy Saga. Sure. Okay.
Sutter is also widely regarded as being insightful about the motorcycle club world. He has tattoos. He has employed Sonny Barger. He has purchased beautiful, custom motorcycles from Rusty Coones. He has an indoor pool filled with hundred dollar bills. His hot tub bubbles Single Malt Scotch. He is a Twitter tough guy.
Sutter’s partner in this creative endeavor is the incomparable Xicon film maker El Jeen Hahmez (formerly known as Elgin James).

Geography Lesson

The Mayans, after whom the series is named, are cynical drug dealers, as some Entertainment Industry executives may be described as cynical, only without the self-deprecating irony and gentle humor for which Entertainment Industry executives are famous. Their motorcycles are mostly for show. They smuggle drugs hidden in quinceanera dresses for a syndicate called the Galindo Cartel. And they get bossed around by the cartel boss’ son, an Ivy educated jackass named Miguel Galindo.
Easy’s back story is that he was all set to go to Stanford before he got jammed up and flipped. The show is set in a town called Santo Padre which is understood to be the twin cities of Calexico and Mexicali where the first season of Mayans MC was filmed. Calexico is on the Yankee side of la linea and Mexicali is south of the border. Calexico, with a population of about 40,000 is really just a suburb of Mexicali which is about 20 times as large. The cities straddle the border, 125 miles east of San Diego.

Snitches

A show about an undercover informant joining a motorcycle club could be interesting in the hands of film makers who are slightly less self-important and clueless than Sutter and Hahmez. Mel Gibson wanted to make a movie about William Queen. Tony Scott wanted to fictionalize Jay Dobyns.
Gangland Undercover, a television series Mayans MC seems to have broadly plagiarized, was based on the memoir of a snitch named Ashley Charles Wyatt, also known as Charles Falco. Gangland Undercover tried to grab the Sons of Anarchy audience in 2015 and failed but it did succeed as drama in a way that Mayans MC probably will not.
The Falco portrayed in that series was nothing like the real Falco. The television character was actually someone interesting. That character was aware he was playing a role and he portrayed the feelings someone with a soul who got themselves into that situation might actually feel. He was scared when the Vagos he was betraying turned out to be dangerous men. He was touched and felt guilty when they turned out to be generous men. The Falco character in Gangland Undercover was very aware that he was just making things up as he went along.
To date , Sutter has never demonstrated that kind of artistic humility and Hahmez seem to be an even more deluded egomaniac that Sutter.

Post Truth

So far in his career Sutter has seemed not to care that he is just making things up as he goes along. Like so many celebrities in post truth America, he insists that his audience admire the beautiful inanities he pulls out of his ass.
The opening scene of Mayans anticipates the sort of self-reverential, cut rate postmodernism audiences can expect to see for the next six or seven years.
The camera’s eye moves from a slogan scribbled on a wall, “divided we fall,” to a hungry dog gnawing on a dead crow. (You know, the Sam Crow. Get it? Nudge, nudge. Get it?) Then prospect Easy appears, riding alone on his motorcycle. Subtle, huh?

Like Cows?

This isn’t the sort of thing writers invent, let alone writers who know anything or who actually have stories to tell. These are the sorts of images television executives invent. For all his social media braggadocio, Kurt Sutter seems to turn into an ingratiating puddle of goo whenever somebody offers him money and praise.
Who could know better what a mass audience wants motorcycle clubs to be than a television executive with access to hundreds of volumes of audience research and focus group reports? So, you might enjoy Mayans MC.
Do you enjoy long, romantic, moonlight walks in feed lots? Do you like how your boots smell after?
Before you get your hopes up, though, you might want to remember that the executives who are really writing this thing are calling it “the next chapter in Kurt Sutter’s award-winning Sons of Anarchy saga.” Remember that ten years ago, they called that motorcycle melodrama Hamlet. And, remember all that green paper in that big, dry, indoor swimming pool.



Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Breastfeeding in Public Is FINALLY Legal in All 50 States

OFF THE WIRE
Women are constantly criticized and shamed for breastfeeding in public — but they can now officially say that it is completely legal across the United States.
For years, there were just two states — Utah and Idaho — that did not have laws in place to protect nursing mothers who need to breastfeed in public. But with new legislation, both states are now on board.
The bill passed in Utah with some resistance — the legislation at first stated that “A woman may breastfeed in any place of public accommodation … irrespective of whether the woman’s breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breast-feeding,” in line with the rest of the country.
Frazer Harrison/Getty
But, according to the Salt Lake Tribune, Republican Representative Curt Webb thought the wording would lead to immodesty.
“This seems to say you don’t have to cover up at all,” Webb said. “I’m not comfortable with that, I’m just not. It’s really in your face.”
With the second part of the bill removed — it now just reads that women are permitted “to breastfeed in any place of public accommodation,” it passed through the state legislature with a vote of 66-5.
Idaho’s vote was smoother, with a vote of 66-0 approving legislation that protects breastfeeding mothers from indecent exposure and obscenity laws, according to the Idaho Statesman. However, the bill does not make it completely clear, as other states have done, that women have the right to breastfeed in public.

However, issues with the wording notwithstanding, with these two pieces of legislation it is officially legal to breastfeed in public in all 50 states. The United States is now up to speed with the U.K., Australia and other countries across the world that protect nursing mothers.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Monday, September 24, 2018

How for-profit prisons have become the biggest lobby no one is talking about

OFF THE WIRE
Sen. Marco Rubio is one of the biggest beneficiaries..........


By Michael Cohen
April 28, 2015

Several industries have become notorious for the millions they spend on influencing legislation and getting friendly candidates into office: Big Oil, Big Pharma and the gun lobby among them. But one has managed to quickly build influence with comparatively little scrutiny: Private prisons. The two largest for-profit prison companies in the United States – GEO and Corrections Corporation of America – and their associates have funneled more than $10 million to candidates since 1989 and have spent nearly $25 million on lobbying efforts. Meanwhile, these private companies have seen their revenue and market share soar. They now rake in a combined $3.3 billion in annual revenue and the private federal prison population more than doubled between 2000 and 2010, according to a report by the Justice Policy Institute. Private companies house nearly half of the nation’s immigrant detainees, compared to about 25 percent a decade ago, a Huffington Post report found. In total, there are now about 130 private prisons in the country with about 157,000 beds.

Marco Rubio is one of the best examples of the private prison industry’s growing political influence, a connection that deserves far more attention now that he’s officially launched a presidential bid. The U.S. senator has a history of close ties to the nation’s second-largest for-profit prison company, GEO Group, stretching back to his days as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. While Rubio was leading the House, GEO was awarded a state government contract for a $110 million prison soon after Rubio hired an economic consultant who had been a trustee for a GEO real estate trust. Over his career, Rubio has received nearly $40,000 in campaign donations from GEO, making him the Senate’s top career recipient of contributions from the company. (Rubio’s office did not respond to requests for comment.)

The Justice Policy Institute identified the private-prison industry’s three-pronged approach to increase profits through political influence: lobbying, direct campaign contributions, and building relationships and networks. On its website, CCA states that the company doesn’t lobby on policies that affect “the basis for or duration of an individual’s incarceration or detention.” Still, several reports have documented instances when private-prison companies have indirectly supported policies that put more Americans and immigrants behind bars – such as California’s three-strikes rule and Arizona’s highly controversial anti-illegal immigration law – by donating to politicians who support them, attending meetings with officials who back them, and lobbying for funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Showing just how important these policies are to the private prison industry, both GEO Group and Corrections Corporation of America have warned shareholders that changes in these policies would hurt their bottom lines.

In its 2014 annual report, CCA wrote:

    The demand for our facilities and services could be adversely affected by the relaxation of enforcement efforts, leniency in conviction or parole standards and sentencing practices or through the decriminalization of certain activities that are currently proscribed by our criminal laws. For instance, any changes with respect to drugs and controlled substances or illegal immigration could affect the number of persons arrested, convicted, and sentenced, thereby potentially reducing demand for correctional facilities to house them. … Legislation has been proposed in numerous jurisdictions that could lower minimum sentences for some non-violent crimes and make more inmates eligible for early release based on good behavior.

This outlook runs counter to what should be a rehabilitative mission of the nation’s criminal justice system. Instead, private prison contracts often require the government to keep the correctional facilities and immigration detention centers full, forcing communities to continuously funnel people into the prison system, even if actual crime rates are falling. Nearly two-thirds of private prison contracts mandate that state and local governments maintain a certain occupancy rate – usually 90 percent – or require taxpayers to pay for empty beds. In Arizona, three private prisons are operating with a 100 percent occupancy guarantee, according to Mother Jones. There’s even a lockup quota at the federal level: The Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention budget includes a mandate from Congress that at least 34,000 immigrants remain detained on a daily basis, a quota that has steadily grown each year, even as the undocumented immigrant population in the United States has leveled off. Private prisons have profited handsomely from that policy, owning nine of the 10 largest ICE detention centers, according to a report released this month by Grassroots Leadership.

With the growing influence of the prison lobby, the nation is, in effect, commoditizing human bodies for an industry in militant pursuit of profit. For instance, privatization created the atmosphere that made the “Kids For Cash” scandal possible, in which two Pennsylvania judges received $2.6 million in kickbacks from for-profit juvenile detention centers for sending more kids to the facilities and with unusually long sentences. The influence of private prisons creates a system that trades money for human freedom, often at the expense of the nation’s most vulnerable populations: children, immigrants and the poor.

The biggest beneficiaries of private prisons’ political donations have been Republican politicians in Florida, Tennessee, and border states with high populations of undocumented immigrants. The Republic Party of Florida PAC has received nearly $2.5 million from GEO and CCA since 1989.  In 2010, GEO and its affiliates pumped $33,500 into political action committees benefiting Florida Republicans, including the Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate PAC. Since 2009, GEO Group’s co-founder and chief executive, George Zoley, has personally donated $6,480 to Rubio.

A 2011 investigative report published by The Center for Media and Democracy detailed the connections between Rubio and GEO during his time in the Florida House. It notes that Rubio hired Donna Arduin, a former trustee for GEO’s Correctional Properties Trust, as an economic consultant. Arduin worked with Rubio’s then-budget chief, Ray Sansom, who pushed through a $110 million deal for a new GEO prison in the House Appropriations Bill. The report also detailed how legislation favorable to GEO Group has shadowed Arduin’s presence in government from California to Florida. In 2011, Florida Gov. Rick Scott – who also used Arduin as a budget adviser – pushed (unsuccessfully) to privatize 27 prisons south of Orlando.

Upon winning the Senate seat, Rubio tapped former lobbyist Cesar Conda as his chief of staff in 2011.  Conda had co-founded what is now GEO’s main lobbying firm, Navigators Global, and after joining Rubio, continued receiving payments of $150,000 from the firm as part of a stock buyout arrangement. In April 2014, Conda went on to lead Rubio’s Reclaim America PAC as a senior adviser, until recently rejoining Navigators. During Conda’s time with Rubio, GEO became a top-10 contributor to Reclaim America, giving $16,000 in 2014, according to OpenSecrets.org. Conda’s firm also banked $610,000 from the private prison company between 2011 and 2014 as its lobbying firm. According to a disclosure form obtained by The Nation, among the issues Navigators lobbied for on GEO’s behalf was immigration reform, an issue on which Rubio has remained dubious. In an e-mail responding to these issues, Conda said Navigators never lobbied for GEO’s prison business (he said the services were for GEO’s subsidiary, BI Incorporated, and the team working on it, which he wasn’t a part of, focused on homeland-security issues), and that he never met nor communicated with a Navigators lobbyist about GEO while working for Rubio, though he couldn’t speak for other members of senator’s staff.

But Rubio shouldn’t get a pass just because there’s no clear quid pro quo. What our criminal justice system needs is reform, not incentive for expansion. In fact, opposition to criminal justice reform should render any candidate woefully inadequate to lead a nation suffering from a prison system that essentially perpetuates the oppression of its most vulnerable citizens. We can’t allow the proliferation of private prisons and their political influence to remain the most important issue that no one’s talking about.

Clarification: This story has been updated to include more details on lobbying by the for-profit prison industry and on CCA’s lobbying policy.

More from PostEverything:

We should stop putting women in jail. For anything.

Heroin addiction sent me to prison. White privilege got me out.

Children who are prostituted aren’t criminals. So why do we keep putting them in jail?

FLORIDA - Bikers not welcome in Key West? Talk about Biker Unfriendly: Police association: Biker gangs mocking Government

OFF THE WIRE

Miami Herald
Key West didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for bikers taking part in a long-standing poker run over the weekend.
Instead of blocks filled with tricked-out motorcycles and classic Harley-Davidsons, visitors were greeted with barricades. City employees rolled out barricades along Duval Street to block bikers and anyone else from parking on Key West’s most famous street during one of the historically slowest months in the tourist season.
For the first time in its 45 years, Phil Peterson’s Poker Run didn’t finish in Key West, but at Boondocks restaurant located at mile marker 27.5. The first stop was Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo.
Workers and business owners on Duval said turning the street into a no-parking zone — bikers were directed toward one of the city lots where they could park for $20 each — was a poor decision when it comes to entertaining guests and making money off a weekend event.
“You have taken money out of all of our pockets during September, the slowest month and the time we need it the most,” bar manager Jenn Stefanacci posted on her Facebook page in response to the city’s move. “Way to kick us while we are down.”
City Commissioner Sam Kaufman on Sunday sent out an email statement on the parking zone decision, saying it wasn’t good.
“Not good for business, not good for locals and not good for tourists,” he wrote. “The city of Key West needs to work out a compromise with the organizer of future Poker Run events whereby there are the appropriate agreements in place for an orderly, safe and fun event.”
“They erred on the side of public safety,” said City Commissioner Clayton Lopez, whose district includes lower Duval Street. “We still had to be prepared. I’m glad they did do something.”
Lopez said he hopes the city can craft a better plan next year but wouldn’t criticize city managers. “That may not get me votes but it’s a realistic point of view,” he said. “Sometimes you have to make these kinds of decisions.”
While Peterson’s blames last year’s canceled event on Hurricane Irma, it had been on hold and then canceled as organizers scrambled to find a nonprofit partner. The event costs at least $30,000 to close the street for two days.
Phil Peterson created the Keys poker run in 1971 as a way to bring business to the region during the slow tourism season. After his death, son Drew Peterson has kept it going.
City commissioners had approved the permits. Kaufman voted against it, saying the event attracts gang members. No application was submitted for this year’s event.
The Key West Sunrise Rotary in 2016 dropped its sponsorship of the event and a biker brawl at the Rumor Lounge downtown left some city leaders wary of allowing the event to continue.

Peterson’s, on its website, said it’s too much risk legally for someone to take on the closure of Duval. “The city of Key West did not want to take the risk even though the Poker Run brings millions of dollars in tourist spending, other revenue and subsequent taxes to the city.”

BABE OF THE DAY

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Sunday, September 23, 2018

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Friday, September 21, 2018

Thursday, September 20, 2018

AUSTRALIA -

OFF THE WIRE
Riot Act

The four outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in Canberra are making a mockery of the ACT Government and putting the lives of Canberrans in ‘incredible danger’, according to the president of the Australian Federal Police Association, Angela Smith.
On the back of shocking footage released recently of a bikie shooting and arson attack at a Calwell home in June (shown below), the association has renewed its calls for anti-consorting laws in the ACT, saying there will be more shootings unless the laws are introduced.
“The footage of the bikies we saw last week in Calwell is yet another frightening reminder that it’s only a matter of time before an innocent member of our community is hurt or killed by this turf war,” Ms Smith said.
“The ACT government must act now and back up police by introducing laws to tackle this violent bikie menace.
“The Adler shotgun is an incredibly dangerous and powerful weapon, especially in the wrong hands.
“This won’t be the last shooting here in Canberra unless anti-consorting laws are introduced. This legislation only applies to people with criminal convictions.”
Ms Smith said there has been an influx of bikies into the ACT since tough anti-consorting laws have come into force in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
“NSW is getting tougher on outlaw bikie gangs by giving police additional police to target and disrupt their violent activities. It’s a stark contrast to the weak bikie laws we have here in the ACT, where gangs are free to roam and incite violence in our community,” Ms Smith said.
“It has been confirmed by ACT Policing that the ACT has four outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in Canberra: the Finks, Rebels, Comancheros and Nomads.
“These gangs are making a mockery of this government. And while the government stubbornly refuses to enact these laws it is putting the lives of Canberrans in incredible danger.”
Ms Smith said that the point of anti-consorting laws is to disrupt and break apart the gangs and their criminal activities.
“These laws make it difficult to function and force bikies to do their business outside of the ACT. We don’t want these gangs in our community.
“The ACT government has responded to further calls for anti-consorting laws by saying they are not going to simply follow suit with NSW,” Ms Smith said.
“The AFPA is not asking the ACT government to simply follow NSW. We are asking for laws to prevent gangs from congregating in our city.
“The ACT Government is dragging its feet and the community will pay the price.”
The Canberra Liberals have also renewed their calls for anti-consorting laws, which Opposition legal spokesman Jeremy Hanson said they have been calling for over the past nine years.
Last year, the Labor Party and the Greens voted down Mr Hanson’s Bill, to introduce anti-consorting laws and criminal control measures to stamp out Canberra’s bikie gang wars. The laws were drafted in consultation with the Human Rights Commissioner to allay concerns that other groups could be targeted.
“We strongly believe and the evidence is very clear that without anti-consorting laws we will continue to see a continuation of this bikie war which is raging through our suburbs,” Mr Hanson said today.
“The failure of the Greens and the Labor Party to introduce these laws is a disgrace and it will eventually lead to someone getting killed or seriously injured.”
A spokesperson for ACT Policing said they have had conversations with the Government regarding anti-consorting laws but the Government has indicated these are “off the table”.
“ACT Policing supports and encourages nationally consistent legislation – to deal with what is a national issue,” the spokesperson said.
“In regard to anti-consorting laws, those are tools that other jurisdictions have explored and implemented with some effect.
“Preventative powers should not be seen as a silver bullet, but we will continue discussions with Government to explore preventative powers which are proportionate and meet the community’s expectations.
“Further questions regarding anti-consorting laws are a matter for Government.”
A spokesperson for the ACT Government said that the government is not considering introducing anti-consorting laws.
“Even in jurisdictions where anti-consorting and other legislation is already in place, criminal gangs remain a problem,” the spokesperson said.
“The NSW Ombudsman’s report on anti-consorting found that it disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and children and young people, and there was no evidence to establish a measurable crime prevention benefit.
“The ACT Government is committed to introducing laws, and investing resources in methods, that are proven to combat crime and deprive gangs of the financial incentives that motivate their illegal activities.”
The Government spokesperson said that during its current term in office, the Government had invested millions of dollars into ACT Policing’s Taskforce Nemesis, which has to date charged more than 260 people, laid more than 740 charges and executed over 200 search warrants.
The spokesperson said that during the current term, the Government had also:

  • strengthened police powers to set up a crime scene and preserve evidence
  • provided funding to the Director of Public Prosecutions to seize criminal assets
  • introduced laws to prevent gangs from putting in fortifications that could be used to hinder a lawful search by police.

NUFF SAID..............

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BABE OF THE DAY

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

CALIFORNIA- law, updates 9/20/18 - firearms L 20 C O C

OFF  THE WIRE

CALIFORNIA- law, updates
SCR151: Firearms: ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Campaign
Status:
09/04/18: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 184, Statutes of 2018.
09/04/18: Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State at 3 p.m.
---
AB1927 [update]: Firearms: prohibition: voluntary list.
Status:
08/30/18: Assembly- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m.
08/24/18: Assembly- Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
08/24/18: Senate- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. Vote: 39-0
---
AB1968 [update]: Mental health: firearms
Status:
09/04/18: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
---
AB2103 [update]: Firearms: license to carry concealed
Status:
09/05/18: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
---
AB2222 [update]: Crime prevention and investigation: informational databases: firearms
Status:
08/30/18: Assembly- Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling.
08/29/18: Assembly- Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
08/29/18: Senate- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. Vote: 79-0
08/27/18: Senate- Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
08/24/18: Senate- Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
---
AB2888 [update]: Gun violence restraining orders
Status:
08/28/18: Assembly- Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
08/28/18: Senate- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. Vote: 25-12
---
AB3129 [update]: Firearms: prohibited persons
Status:
09/05/18: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
---
SB746 [update]: Firearms and ammunition: prohibited possession: transfer to licensed dealer.
Status:
08/30/18: Senate- Assembly amendments concurred in. Vote: 33-2. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
08/29/18: Senate- Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
08/29/18: Assembly- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. Vote: 33-2
---
SB1100 [update]: Firearms: transfers
Status:
08/29/18: Senate- Assembly amendments concurred in. Vote: 26-12. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
08/28/18: Senate- Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
08/28/18: Assembly- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. Vote: 47-30
---
SB1177 [update]: Firearms: transfers
Status:
08/30/18: Senate- Assembly amendments concurred in. Vote: 25-12. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
08/29/18: Senate- From committee: That the Assembly amendments be concurred in. Vote: 5-2.
08/28/18: Senate- From committee: Be re-referred to Com. on PUB. S. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d). Vote: 5-0. Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
08/28/18: Senate- Re-referred to Committee on Rules pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(d).
08/28/18: Senate- Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
08/27/18: Assembly- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
---
SB1200 [update]: Firearms: gun violence restraining orders
Status:
08/31/18: Senate- Assembly amendments concurred in. Vote: 22- 5. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
08/31/18: Senate- Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
08/31/18: Assembly- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. Vote: 64-1
---
SB1346 [update]: Firearms: multiburst trigger activators.
Status:
08/31/18: Senate- Assembly amendments concurred in. Vote: 28-9. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
08/31/18: Senate- Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
08/31/18: Assembly- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. Vote: 57-19

Kurt Sutter Calls Emilio Rivera The Linchpin Between Sons Of Anarchy And Mayans MC

OFF THE WIRE
Charlie Ridgely
Kurt Sutter brought Sons Of Anarchy to life in the fall of 2008, and the show became an immediate hit for FX. In fact, the biker drama became the networks highest-rated show in its history.
The creator is looking to strike gold again this year, with the SOA spin-off series Mayans MC. This show will take place after Sons Of Anarchy ended, and follow the Mayans Motorcycle Club - a former rival of the Sons.
In order to carry the magic over from one series to another, Sutter needed to bridge the gap between worlds. Something, or someone, is needed to get fans of the original show invested in the spin-off, as well as help the story keep continuity from one series to another.

This is where Emilio Rivera comes in.
The actor played Mayan founder Marcus Alvarez for all seven seasons of Sons Of Anarchy, and instantly became beloved by fans of the series. While he hasn't been officially revealed as a part of Mayans MC, Sutter recently said that Alvarez is the entire connection between the two shows.
During an interview with Desde Hollywood, Sutter began talking about Rivera's role on Sons. After singing his praises, and revealing what a talented and humble actor Rivera is - the creator went on to explain Rivera is so vital to making Mayans MC run smoothly.
"When this other project was coming up with the Mayans; he's my linchpin in fusing these two mythologies. It's so great to be able to work with him again, and be around that energy, because it reminds me that this is why we do what we do."
Rivera's character is one fans are familiar with, so it makes sense to utilize him in the next series. But, it doesn't look like that was Sutter's only reason.
Emilio Rivera is not only a talented actor, but a great guy to be around. If you had that kind of talent in your inner-circle, why wouldn't you want to utilize it?



More MAYANS MC News:
What To Expect From The Show / Emilio Rivera Weighed In On Jax And Mayans MC / Kurt Sutter Set To Direct Mayans MC

Mayans MC is set in a post Jax Teller world, where EZ Reyes, a prospect in the Mayan MC charter on the Cali/Mexi border, struggles with his desire for vengeance against the cartel, and his need for respect from the women he loves

Islamization of Britain is now complete

OFF THE WIRE
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BABE OF THE DAY

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Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Court Rules That Medical Marijuana Card Holders Can't Buy Firearms

OFF THE WIRE

If you have a medical marijuana card, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says that you can’t buy a gun.
The court ruled 3-0 on Wednesday that a ban preventing medical marijuana card holders from purchasing firearms is not in violation of the Second Amendment, the Associated Press reports. There are nine western states under the appeals court’s jurisdiction, including Nevada, where the case originated.
A lawsuit was filed in 2011 by Nevada resident S. Rowan Wilson after she tried to purchase a gun for self-defense and was denied based on a federal ban on the sale of guns to users of illegal drugs. Though marijuana has been legalized in some places on a state-by-state basis, it remains illegal under federal law. The court maintained that drug use “raises the risk of irrational or unpredictable behavior with which gun use should not be associated.”
Wilson claimed that she doesn’t actually use marijuana, she simply obtained a card to show her support for its legalization. The appeals court agreed with guidelines from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that firearms sellers should assume that medical marijuana card holders use the drug.

California tells NRA to stop selling insurance policy

OFF THE WIRE

By  | 


SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California has ordered the National Rifle Association to stop selling an insurance policy that covers legal costs for injury or damage from legally using a gun.
The state Department of Insurance on Tuesday issued a cease and desist order saying that the NRA sold an unlicensed insurance product in the state.
The order refers to the Self-Defense Insurance Policy included in the NRA's Carry Guard membership program. The policy covers some legal costs from criminal cases or lawsuits that arise when a gun is used for self-defense, recreation, hunting, or when a weapon fires accidentally.
About 2,400 Californians are policyholders.
The order carries a potential fine of $5,000 a day for violations.
The NRA can request a review of the order.
Messages to the NRA seeking comment weren't immediately returned.

BABE OF THE DAY

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TV’s “Sons of Anarchy’s” Iconic Biker boss, Emilio Rivera

OFF THE WIRE
 By Dr. Alan Carlos Hernandez on March 19, 2017
HOLLYWOOD (Herald de Paris) —  Emilio Rivera he became one of the most visible Latino cultural icons when he brought life to the role of Marcus Álvarez, President of the Mayan Motorcycle Club in “Sons of Anarchy”.  This role has put him on the very top of the Global Latino “Bad Guy” totem pole, glaring eye to eye for dominance with El Machete, Danny Trejo, for would class intimidation domination.
Rivera will reprise the role in the upcoming “Mayans MC”, Sons creator Kurt Sutter will co-write, executive produce and direct the project.
Emilio was born in San Antonio, Texas as the oldest child of four brothers and three sisters. When Emilio was a young boy his family moved to an area of Los Angeles nicknamed Frog Town and Emilio continued to seek the attention of those around him. His first experience with acting was in his third-grade production of “Rumpelstiltskin”. Emilio admits his childhood was not easy growing up as a minority in a poor section of town.
Growing up, Rivera was known for his fighting abilities, and eventually earned the moniker “Lefty” referring to his ability to knock opponents unconscious with a single left handed punch.
Underneath the exterior, Emilio’s passion for acting thrived and after much soul-searching Emilio decided to take his biggest risk and pursue acting. The training, discipline and extensive hours of studying changed Emilio life forever. Those around him were amazed at the positive, yet radical, change in Emilio and realized he had found his true passion in life. In between his time studying, Emilio worked as a mechanical engineer.
Rivera has discovered that turning your life around is the key to making dreams come true. His acting credentials have allowed him to top the list of successful Latino actors. He worked successfully as a stand-up comic for ten years, and has a wicked sense of humor. He still does 2 shows a year (don’t miss your chance to see it!)
His résumé continued to grow with starring roles in films such as “High Crimes” with Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman and the much-anticipated film “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”, starring George Clooney, Sam Rockwell and Julia Roberts.
His first feature role was in the TV series “Renegade” with Lorenzo Lamas. He left his day job behind after he landed a role in the feature film “Con Air”, co-starring Nicolas Cage. Emilio has appeared in countless commercials, television programs and feature films including “Traffic”, “The Cable Guy”, “NYPD Blue”, “Beverly Hills, 90210”, “Walker, Texas Ranger”, “JAG”, “ER” and numerous other projects.
As stated, Emilio Rivera is most widely recognized for his recurring role on the FX drama “Sons of Anarchy” as the President of The Mayans, a rival motorcycle gang.
The spinoff series taking place in the same universe as “Sons of Anarchy” dealing with the Reaper’s rivals turned allies, the Mayans Motorcycle Club.
Mayans MC is scheduled to shoot its pilot in March, with Sutter directing. The creator is looking to strike gold again this year, with the SOA spin-off series Mayans MC. This show will pick up where Sons of Anarchy left off, and follow the Mayans Motorcycle Club, former rivals of the Sons. In the original show, the California-based Mayans peddled heroin, and in Mayans MC, one of the members, EZ Reyes will grapple with his desire for revenge against a drug cartel and his need for the women in his life to respect him.
In order to carry the magic over from one series to another, Sutter needed to bridge the gap between worlds. Something, or someone, is needed to get fans of the original show invested in the spin-off, as well as help the story keep continuity from one series to another.
This is where Emilio Rivera comes in.
The actor played Mayan founder Marcus Alvarez for all seven seasons of “Sons of Anarchy”, and instantly became beloved by fans of the series. While he hasn’t been officially revealed as a part of Mayans MC, Sutter recently said that Alvarez is the entire connection between the two shows.
Rivera recalls a conversation with Sutter, “I’m just glad that Kurt kept me alive because I remember one time I told Kurt, I go ‘Brother when you finally decide to kill me please don’t let me die in a chicken sh** way. Let me go out blazing.’ He put his hand on my shoulder he goes, ‘Your death will be glorious.’ I’m glad he wasn’t killed then maybe he will be this time around but at least I’m here to talk about it.”
During an interview with Desde Hollywood, Sutter began talking about Rivera’s role on Sons. After singing his praises, and revealing what a talented and humble actor Rivera is, the creator went on to explain Rivera is so vital to making “Mayans MC” run smoothly.
“When this other project was coming up with the Mayans; he’s my linchpin in fusing these two mythologies. It’s so great to be able to work with him again, and be around that energy, because it reminds me that this is why we do what we do.”
Herald de Paris Consulting Editor Dr. Al Carlos Hernandez, an Old-School Oakland Biker Himself, thanks to an introduction by mutual friend, Pepsi Executive Vice President and inventor of Hot Cheetos Richard Montanez, had an opportunity to have a sit down with The Mayan King Rivera…
AC: When you first started out you did stand-up comedy and were quite good at it. Did you write your own material, why did you give it up, and would you ever like to do comedic roles?
ER: When I first started acting, I went straight to comedy because I was trying to break away from who I was from my street life, so comedy gave me an out. I belonged to a skit comedy group already and had done a few plays. So my agent called and said can you do stand-up, I said I can try. I wrote a 10 minute bit in an hour went on to perform the following night at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood and killed it. Did comedy for the next 10 years. I quit doing comedy because the acting gigs were coming in a lot. The money was better, a lot better, and I didn’t have to be in a club every night. I got burnt out on it. Now I do two shows a year.
AC: Isn’t stand up one of the hardest things to do as an artist? Are you still funny?
ER: Am I still funny? Yes, I can find the funny in everything.
AC: Do you feel you have been locked into an acting niche, a character type?
ER: I don’t feel I’m locked into character types. During the first ten of my years of my career, I was pigeon holed to the bad guy. I was paying my dues so to speak. Nowadays I pick what bad guys I want to play, and will play the good guy if the pay is good.
Bad guys are the best to play.
I have found that the fans will accept you in different roles if you play them well. I’ve pretty much played all the roles I’ve wanted to play. I would however like to play a mentally challenged person, I think that would challenge me.
AC: Does being a Latino actor exclude you from opportunity?
ER: I don’t think being a Latino actor limits me. I think actors limit themselves. My philosophy is just do the work. If you’re good at what you do, no matter what kind of job you do, you will always work. Out of 140 roles I have played over the years, 40 of them have been the normal guy. As I said, I would rather play the bad guy any time, more fun to do.
I have done some producing. Directing will be my next stop.
AC: What kind of stories would you like to see?
ER: I want to see more stories of my people who came from the street and changed things around. It’s not easy, believe me, I know first-hand. Those kind of roles I like to do, doing those well would be a challenge.
AC: Favorite performance platform?
ER: I love the stage more than TV and Film, just cannot afford to live on that pay, but stage is the best.

AC: You are now considered a role model, how do you feel about this?
ER: Latino role model is cool, I’m big on family, and family values. I enjoy working, being friendly with all people, I have a very good work ethic, and always show respect to all people. It may seem cliché but, “If you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all”. I feel helping others, is the right thing to do. If we could all live by this, we would be in a better place.
AC: Who is some of your acting heroes?
ER: My acting heroes are Mr. Edward James Olmos. I saw him in Zoot Suit when I was 17 years, old he blew me away with intense art. I learned by watching him work and he is a good friend now. I’m very proud to be working with him on the highly-anticipated “Mayans MC” TV series. I also like and admire John Malkovich, John Voight, Christopher Walken and Javier Bardem, among others. I was also inspired by old school actors, Bogey, Cagney and the Dead End Kids.
AC: SOA is dark, do you ever feel that you are encouraging an injurious lifestyle?
ER: SOA is a TV show, if people do stupid shit after watching it, then they were stupid people to begin with. It’s like if someone try’s smoking meth after watching “Breaking Bad”. It’s only a show.
AC: In one of the episodes, you were supposed to murder you own son, I understand you had a visceral reaction to that?
ER: Killing my son on SOA was one of the toughest things I’ve done in any show that I’ve ever worked on. I broke down hard that day. You have understand, when I work I go all in. For me, I killed my son that day. That’s why everything I do looks real, because for me it is real.
AC: Because you play the evil character so convincingly do you ever have to deal with people who want to call you out?
ER: Yeah been called out a couple of times. Handled it real quick. I’m good like that.
AC: What do the real clubs like The Hells Angels and The Mongols thing about your work?
ER: The real MCs have been kind and have showed me respect for my work, and these are the guys that I like getting the feedback from because I do not want to disrespect their way of life or their culture.
AC: Tell us about the spin off series “The Mayans”, what is the storyline?
ER: “Mayans MC” story line is great! You are in for a crazy ride
AC: What is your role in the series?
ER: I will be reprising my role of President of the Mayans MC, Marcus Álvarez
AC: I’m informed that that the writer/producer wants to turn the whole production into Latino hand. Is this a good idea?
ER: Kurt Sutter has always been an equal opportunity employer, and he has been hiring Latino, Mexican, Chicano, Hispanic talent, behind the scenes on “The Mayans MC” show as he had said he would. I think it’s a great idea, we look at each other for notes if there is something we don’t know. It’s very cool because we come from the same culture, he had created so many jobs for so many people when we did SOA for 7 seasons. We hope to get 7 Seasons out of “Mayans MC” if so, a lot of people will be working. Sutter is a trendsetter. Hopefully people follow suit.
AC: How much impact will you have in helping guide the vision and direction of the project?
ER: Kurt Sutter, has let me have some input on the show, He wants everything authentic, and we are doing our best to keep it that way.
AC: How would you like to see your character evolve over the series run?
ER: I would like to see Álvarez go into some dark places, show his family side, and have some great scenes with Mr. Edward James Olmos and John Ortiz who plays my cousin on the show.
AC: Tell us about the roll out of SOA in Spanish? How do you think that will play out?
ER: SOA en Español was a great idea. It just broadens our audience when it segues into the “Mayans MC”. We’ve been asking for Latinos to be on TV, so here we are on the biggest platform.
AC: How has fame effected your self-image and lifestyle, is it possible to have a normal life?
ER: Fame is a trip. Hard to do anything without being approached, take a pic sign an autograph. But I do it with a smile. If the people run and go out of their way to come see me. I can stand still to take a pic. Just not when I’m eating.
AC: Personal goals in Life?
ER: To have a lot of great times with my familia. To inspire people that you can be whatever it is you want to be, and to save a lot of dogs, I love dogs.
AC: Any regrets?
ER: Regrets? A few, but we move on. Can’t get stuck on them, no more crutches here.
AC: When it’s all said, and done, how would you like history to remember you?
ER: I want history to remember me as a good family man, funny guy, great stories, and fair man. He’d give you the shirt off his back. A good coach, great baseball player, better fighter, always a Leader.

Mariam Salarian contributed to this article.

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Saturday, September 1, 2018