Friday random thoughts

• Speaking of a city with walls I: Thank goodness that the decision was made to not fence off the 2007 Tracy Dry Bean Festival like last year. I guess it was simply too ironic to close off what is supposed to be the most inclusive event in the city's calendar.

• So the city manager's office thinks Measure A is to blame for the city spending more than it takes in? could've sworn that an increase in discretionary spending or a flailing housing market would have been the obvious culprits. Good thing the fearless Dan Hobbs is there to set us straight.

• Anyone care to wager how long Hobbs' statement is used to wronly justify short-sighted deals with developers for sports parks? Let's see, from when I'm writing this the Tracy Press should hit the stands in about five hours. So my over-under line is five hours.

• The Iraqi parliament plans on taking a break while American troops continue to die to try to secure their country. Hopefully the Bush administration can put some pressure on Iraqi lawmakers to stay in session. Because if they're not going to break their backs to save their country, why should Americans?

• Speaking of a city with walls II: Walking around my old college campus last weekend, I saw the chunk of Berlin Wall that sits proudly on campus. It reminded me how happy people were when it was torn down, and what a source of tension and hatred it was. (Baghdad generals, are you listening?)

• One more reason to fight for open government: it's hard to speak truth to power if you don't know what the powers that be are doing.

• Pester Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, during his office hours this weekend. The more people who express their concerns to him, agreeable or not, the better the 11th District will be.

• Random thought of the week: "It's already been sung, but it can't be said enough. Love is all you need and all you need is love."

• Calvin and Hobbes quote of the week: "Mom won't let us play with guns." "I get to be the zoning board!"