"I honestly wanted it to be better, but it wasn't."

I, on the other hand, did not want it to be better.

I'm about as much of a fan of the Vanguard as David is regarding Measure J.

(Which he claims to be concerned about preserving - by gutting it.)

"But it is true that bringing back the robust community comments would bring more clicks and more eyes."

They're not coming back. The problem wasn't the website (old, OR new).

"DG say: "we now have a team member who is working exclusively on grants which we see as part of the long-term financial sustainability for the Vanguard."

What other organizations AREN'T getting those competitive grants, when the Vanguard gets them instead?

RO say: "What other organizations AREN'T getting those competitive grants, when the Vanguard gets them instead?"

I heard "Save the Puppies" lost out last time :-( #sniff#

"KO say:"

Yup, I had the very first comment on the new Vanguard website. And guess what, it got deleted for some reason. Same old Vanguard... meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Yes the comment got reinstated after I emailed David Greenwald and complained. But I'm tired of dealing with that bullshit. Too many comments either get deleted or sit in the moderation queue for way too long. It's not worth the effort.

Yes they are :-|

or . . . Yes, it is :-|

Depending on whether "The Davisite" is people (like Soylent Green) or an inanimate entity

Alan, I actually look forward to your monthly posts here.

The Davisite is lucky to have you.

I agree. For that matter, you're the only one holding the Davisite together.

You don't need to comment on the Vanguard to be "appreciated".

I didn't create it, and I don't have the keys to the car.

True, but you're the one who created a "corner" (where most of the comments are), and are one of the few who periodically submit articles (with an entertainment value, to boot).

"You don't need to comment on the Vanguard to be "appreciated"."

By three people.

Hard to tell. But some of the same people (other than the "three") have commented on the Davisite, previously. And how many "appreciate" the Vanguard, and how many "hate" it? Certainly, there's some who let their money do the talking.

There's no reason that this can't become what the Vanguard "used to be" (or better).

Vanguard News Group, New Webpage, additional review:

I saw a article I wanted to read in the circulating banner at the top "Top Stories". I went to "More Stories" and didn't see it there, so went back to the top to click, but it wasn't there, and the banner wasn't moving. I waited about a minute, but the banner never moved.

By that time, I forgot what the article even was.

Also, "Top Stories" isn't really the right term, but it'll do. I'd suggest "Featured Stories". And "More Stories" really isn't right. Like "Today's Headlines" would be better, as it starts with the new stuff, and should draw people to it.

The banner at the top needs to have smaller pictures like the old one, and have a border, and move like 2-3 times faster, and actually move all the time and not jam up.

I know I'm being a dick writing the article at all DG, but seriously this was a FAIL, and if you look at my article in different light, JUST TRYING TO HELP, DUDE. Constructive criticism and all that. If you are going to exist, I'd like you to be FUNCTIONALLY USEABLE. As opposed to clunky and a pain in the rear to use.

And until he's ready to address the real problem . . .

Are you referring to what an old Vanguard commenter who played a guitar and gave away GPS coordinates of another commenter used to call "Immoderation"?

Keith: That guy was only a symptom of the problem.

The REAL problem is that the Vanguard encourages personal attacks. That hasn't disappeared even though they've implemented "pre-screening".

Witness the subsequent comments from folks like Walter Shwe, Richard McCann, etc.

They continuously make comments regarding the person whose views they oppose, rather than disputing the actual arguments put forth. The Vanguard purposefully enables this.

Then there's David, who just plows ahead with his same arguments as if there's no legitimate challenge to his claims (e.g., closing a school somehow "costs money", according to him and the school district).

Or in other words, "the more you save, the more you spend"? (I thought it was the other-way around, according to the retail advertisements I see.)

Today, he's rattling on about how there "aren't enough shelter beds" while simultaneously noting that many homeless people refuse to use them. (Actually, his argument is that taxpayers owe these people apartments and services, regardless of where they're from.)

Here's an idea: How about sheltering them in a locale that's someplace other than the most-expensive cities in the country? Wouldn't that make more financial sense?

VANGUARD WEBPAGE IS MESSED UP! The 'hottest July ever' story has a comment on he front page. But when you click on the page it doesn't have a comment. Oops.

DG listened to me and pulled the disfunctional/distracting banner at the top. But instead of fixing it as I suggested, they just pulled it.

Oh, and the content hasn't improved at ALL!

My real estate agent said gas stoves are still a big plus when buying a house in Davis. "Cool Davis" and "Davis CAN" need to get to those home buyers and convince them that natural gas is a scary scary boogeyman!!! Open House Saturday!!! Get out there progressives and save the planet!!!

Alan: That's because you'll need those gas stoves for the "ultimate solution" when the climate becomes unbearable.

Sorry - too much Twilight Zone for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wrmIp8BCEk

Here's how I see it: A developer or lawyer who supports the V saw my article critical of the ads and threatened to pull financial support of the V is something wasn't done to fix the site at once. The V complied and viola, no more ads.

Keith: One of the things I've increasingly-noticed (in regard to some of those who claim a "progressive" outlook) is an attempt to control other people's language.

To the point where a local librarian took action that was likely illegal, but was somehow justified in his own mind. (My apologies for making an assumption regarding that person's gender.)

But it seems as though the ACLU is no longer concerned about such "trivial matters".

I'm betting that David (and pretty much everyone else left of center) keeps calling Trump a "convicted felon" (even seconds after yelling ar someone for usng the term "felon" to describe an actual felon in one of the "classes: of people they find the need to "protect". Whenever you look into "hate speech" it is always hating someone right of center is "free speech" but using the EXACT SAME term to describe anyone left of center is "hate speech". P.S. I was rectntly talking to a group of High School age Davis boys and it seems like all the years in Davis schools with far left teachers yelling at them any views slightly to the right of center has created a buch of super conservative kids (way more right of center than the pro choice on anything kinda right of center kinda libertarian views of most 80's "Regan Era" CA fraternity guys now in their late 50's and early 60's).

There seems to be quite a few threats emanating from folks like Newsom and Bonta, these days. And in this case, it's not about housing per se. Instead, it's due to the unwillingness of places like Los Angeles to clear their streets of homeless encampments.

And the "threat" is to send money for "tiny houses" to places like San Jose, instead. (Can someone explain to me exactly "how" that's a threat? In other words, "if you don't cooperate by clearing your streets, we'll send funds for homeless housing to other cities, instead?) Most cities (not necessarily Los Angeles) would say, "uhm, yeah - go ahead."

The "punishment" being that they'll encourage the homeless to go to those "host cities" instead, I guess.

"Newsom slams Los Angeles County over homelessness, threatens funding cuts"

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/newsom-slams-los-angeles-county-over-homelessness-threatens-funding-cuts/ar-AA1owJmD?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=NMTS&cvid=8343e0ceda124a3492e24f9ede641147&ei=14

A bizarre comment form over on that "other site": from Yesterday's (8/8) Voonsplard article, "Harris’ VP Pick Tim Walz Key Choice by Criminal Justice Reform Advocates"

Kendra Smith says:
August 9, 2024 at 8:45 am

KS say: "The right wing has nothing except their perpetual grievances."

Nothing? How about their conservative social and fiscal values?

KS say: "Period."

OK, How about their conservative social and fiscal values? Period.

KS say: "Just look at the first comment by a conservative in this thread."

Oh my God, the Vanguard allowed a conservative to post? :-|

KS say: "Complete twaddle and just a right-wing shibboleth that cannot be supported by any credible evidence."

I didn't hear an argument or discussion there. Just complete twaddle and just a left-wing shibboleth that cannot be supported by any credible evidence.

KS say: "That is literally all they have."

Still just hearing complete twaddle and just a left-wing shibboleth.

KS say: "I mean, just look at “the other site” here in town for the grievance-filled sweeping claims that can’t be supported with credible evidence."

I believe KS is referring the Davisite. Rah Rah Shish Boom Bah :-|

KS say: "They look and sound like the Pick a Little Ladies from “The Music Man.”"

Don't know the reference, don't care to look it up.

KS say: "And sorry, right wingers. “Christofascist” is fair game."

By fair game, I take that to mean you believe you have the right to special moderation exceptions from a left wing blog because you are using left-wing-created insults.

KS say: "It’s another word for “Christian nationalist.”"

A rather pejorative word for it. And the Vanguard says they don't allow those.

KS say: "That term objectively describes the groups’ aims, and doesn’t constitute “hate speech,” contrary to what people like KO try to claim."

"Hate Speech" is in the eye of the beholder. If one believes they are so self-right or group-right that they can hate on the other side, then how could they even see what they are doing to be 'hate speech'. They are just insulting evil in their humble #ahem# opinions.

KS say: "And I just love how many “nice polite bystanders” in the comments here (and elsewhere) are the first to go after liberals for biting back, but don’t remark on anything that the right wing does to attack Democrats and liberals."

I believe the 'nice polite bystanders' leave it up to people such as yourself, KS, to remark on anything that the right wing does to attack Democrats and liberals.

KS say: "But, sure. It is conservatives who are wronged."

Everybody's is wrong, when everybody's right. Or as Stephen Stills penned, "Nobody's right if everybody's wrong."

KS say: "Cry me a river."

Not humanly possible, and I don't do things just because someone on a blog who I disagree with tells me to.

By the way KS, do you have any idea what a real right-wing extremist is like? Like, what are you attacking those who comment on the Davisite for? Some may appear right-wing in the backdrop of town like Davis, but you might want to visit some 'flyover' states and talk to people there. Yes, there are bigots, like anywhere. But that's what I did and learned at a young age not to hate conservatives, and that the decent ones actually just have a different way of viewing the world, and I realized some of it had value.

So I despise bigots as much as you do, but I don't despise someone just for being 'conservative' or 'right wing', whatever you are defining that as. You act much like someone who condemns anyone who does not subscribe fully to the political agenda you subscribe to, and has no interest in discussion or nuance.

In 2-days Voonsplird: "My View: Davis Is Falling Behind on Housing Progress According to One Tracker"

DG say: "This week, YIMBY Law introduced its Fair Housing Element Tracker."

In others news, African lions just introduced their first Gazelle Tracker.

DG say: "Buried within my article is the fact that Davis, while in compliance with its Housing Element, is making what they call “slow progress.”

That's the kind of progress I like !!!

DG: say: “This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets,” they write."

In other news, 'Sun Hot'.

Oh, and unlike the Vanguard, I'll actually PROVIDE links to what David is citing:

https://cities.fairhousingelements.org/

I'd suggest that YIMBY Law members join Habitat for Humanity, if they want to appear to be something other than paid shills.

If it's good enough for Jimmy Carter, it's good enough for these people. Just remember - the "clawed" end of the hammer faces outward, when hammering nails. (No doubt, some of those people would need such instruction.)

I've heard the saying (below) a number of times. It also applies to the housing market, which is the reason we're seeing prices crash in some markets (like Austin):

"And that’s what you want: The solution to high prices is high prices.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/americans-refusal-to-keep-paying-higher-prices-may-be-dealing-a-final-blow-to-us-inflation-spike/ar-AA1oDEoY?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=e43fd484a980462a98d17d5c0591a2fd&ei=61

I don't know how/why the people who end up on councils (or as other government representatives) constantly try to fight the will of its own citizens, not to mention abandonment of responsibility for safety and the natural environment. I can only summize that the process of elections themselves "weeds out" those without connections to development and other funded interests. Anyway, here's yet another example:

"The court rightly rejected the city’s attempt to ram through the Fanita Ranch project without considering the dangers of developing in a wildfire-prone zone,' Senior Counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, John Bose, told The Union-Tribune."

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/california-town-at-war-over-plan-for-3k-homes-on-stunning-lakeside/ar-AA1oRgWl

Keith there were comments about a guy that I won't name (his name starts with an F and ends with an Ouchie) who "stands for science". Anyone that points out that when EVERY time he says "follow the science" is a synonym for "increasing pharmaceutical industry profits" (and his personal net worth with millions in pharmaceutical investments) must be a crazy right wing MAGA person and the post must be deleted. My off the grid vegan friend in Sonoma County does not understand why most of his moderate Democrat "fight the man" friends from 40 years ago that joined him at Bohemian Grove Action Network protests now sound like paid lobbyists for the pharmaceutical industry. They say they don't have time cook healthy food or go for a walk every day and since Ozempic is "safe and effective" and just $600/month it seems like the best way to lose weight…

Looking at the article now there are no comments at all.

I believe that's increasingly the goal, on here and on the Vanguard.

I'm happy that Alan had not deleted comments since RFK Jr recently said that throughout history the good guys were never the ones censoring speech.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuCldz_OSej/

It is crazy how in a few years people like me, Elon Musk, Bill Mahar and RFK, Jr. have gone from "Moderate Democrats" to "Ultra MAGA Far Right Extremists"

I can understand why the "media" likes big pharma (since they buy tons of ads that say things like "ask your doctor if this pill that costs us a penny per pill to make and costs your insurance company $300 a month is right for you".

I can't understand why most people in Davis like (and trust) big pharma and will say things like "sure all the unvaccinated people you know have never had Covid even once but I'm getting my 6th booster anyway because I trust the science"…

So, here's yet another nail in the confirm regarding the state's efforts to force housing:

" . . . the original goal of AB 2560 and go beyond the scope of it by giving more authority over housing to the Coastal Commission, which has proven to not prioritize the building of housing, . . ."

Right - because they're trying to preserve the coast - for everyone (rather than those who would prefer to privatize it).

"The California coast should not be for a select few."

I (and the California Coastal Commission) agree, which is exactly why it's fortunate that this politician's efforts failed. But I have no doubt that this Wiener-wanna-be will try again.

Ironic, how he views the effort to preserve the coast as somehow in opposition to his claimed goal.

Building more housing along the coast destroys, rather than preserves it. Honestly, I thought this would be understood by now - since the effort goes back decades at this point.

But as long as there's potential money to be made, there will always be a fox trying to get into the henhouse. (Actually, they're already in there, but they are still sometimes having trouble getting the eggs and chickens.)

https://davisvanguard.org/2024/08/guest-commentary-the-failure-of-affordable-housing-in-coastal-california/

This is the third day in a row, regarding the problem with the Vanguard's "new and improved" website. One wonders if they're even aware of it - maybe no one brought it to their attention.

Maybe no one other than the "Three Musketeers" (or is it the Three Stooges?) even tries to read it.

It does still work if you have a direct link to an article.

“One wonders if they're even aware of it - maybe no one brought it to their attention.”

David knows, he reads the Davisite.

On the subject of taxes, I found the following video interesting. Apparently, the state of California is rolling-out a device that would "allow" (aka, "force"?) drivers of older vehicles to report the number of miles they drive, in order to tax them.

And of course, drivers of new vehicles would already have a "built-in tattle-tale".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_NmR8JJUBo

Yeah Ron, you pretty much nailed it.

Subsidized, by whatever means, ("affordable"/"Affordable") housing is an inconceivably ginormous political scam and mass brain-washing of the sheeple.

It's expensive to live in much of California because a lot of people want to live here, and a lot of them don't want to pay for that.

Now government does have a place in the system, to set up an actual market by stopping collusion, and now A.I. controlled price-fixing. But stupid people listen to politicians speak of 'price controls' and 'rent control'. Never worked, never will. Except to pooch the very people it is meant to help.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it :-|

What I don't understand is anyone who thinks that subsidizing a small number of people to live in an expensive community like Davis actually helps people of lower income overall. The dangerous neighborhoods in Sac and the Bay Area will still exist. It would be more beneficial to invest gov't money into those neighborhoods, than subsidize a select few to escape those neighborhoods.

The reason that DG is seeing the Davis not doing "enough" on 'A/a'-ffordable housing is that any subsidy that would 'make a difference' (whatever the f*ck that means) would break the budget -- the City budget that is, that is already broken. Pumping government money of that quantity only inflates the market, and overall inflation is just a tax that most affects the poor.

That's one of many reasons I will not vote for the City sales tax doubling. Anything that goes into a/A-ffordable (subsidized) housing just goes into a black hole that will never be enough and actually and overall makes the problem of high rents even worse.

Alan states:
"That's one of many reasons I will not vote for the City sales tax doubling. Anything that goes into a/A-ffordable (subsidized) housing just goes into a black hole that will never be enough"

Now come on Alan, everyone knows that if all Davisites are willing to pay higher taxes the housing "crisis" will come to an end just like if Davis bans gas stoves that the climate "crisis" will be over.

KO,

Davis-CAN! Davis-CAN! D-CAN D-CAN D-CAN D-CAN!

Do the Davis CAN CAN !

https://tenor.com/view/can-can-gif-23923681

In case you want to join in the fun with your fellow dewy-eyed Davisites:

https://www.daviscan.org/

"Catalyzing Housing and Climate Justice Advocacy for the Future of Davis and Beyond" Bleeeeeeech!

Davis CAN solve both the housing 'crisis' for the state and the climate 'crisis' for the word, if it just really really really really really really really really wants to :-|

Actually, the City listening to the likes of Davis CAN is a big reason I will be voting "NO" on Measure Q. Because Davis *can* flush a lot of money down the toilet subsidizing housing in numerous ways, *trying* to solve the state housing 'crisis', and *trying* to solve the world climate 'crisis'.

Davis TRY

Davis FAIL

Davis FEEL GOOD ABOUT ITSELF

Davis FLUSH money down the toilet

Join me and my like-minded blokes at "Davis CAN'T" !

Davis CAN'T save the world -- so stop TRY-ing!!!

And . . . . . . . NO on Measure Q

RO, you got it wrong. It's not just the heat that proves we are in a climate crisis, it's the cool, too. You see, the extremes are just getting extremier! It's scientific proof, don't you know. It's science, and Davis represents science. Just like (name removed to avoid removal) who also represents science. Who? Yeah, ¿Who? That's who.

Of course, if a wall of fire hits Davis, that will be hot.

Does anyone know who is funding the Davis Community Action Network (Davis CAN)?

Most YIMBY groups are funded by the guys building $1mm+ homes on small lots who also build a small number "affordable" homes (that seem to end up going to people like DG or others that helped them build lots of profitable $1mm+ homes rather than "regular" poor people) and most "Climate" groups are funded by guys making piles of "green" from "green" business.

Just like the Climate Crisis people are sure that if we just ban gas stoves or fund more "climate justice" groups the "climate crisis" will end the YIMBY Housing Crisis people tell me that all we need is a few thousand more homes like this in Davis and it will end the crisis.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1725-Heirloom-St-Davis-CA-95616/249657281_zpid/

Few people grew up dreaming of living in Davis where it is over 100 for days on end every summer and homeless people are alowed to set up camp and smoke meth (when they are not out stealing bikes and breaking into cars). Most (but not all) of us live here because of a job or because it was where we could afford to buy a home and was "cheaper than Moraga, but not as crappy as Woodland". Rather than tax everyone that lives here to build "affordable" housing we should tell the people that live here to look for a place they can afford that is cheaper than Davis bur not as crappy as Downtown Stockton)

Was just looking at Beth's Facebook page, and found that she referenced an article that could (almost) be from my perspective (regarding population AND gender):

"That message doesn’t go over well on the left, right, or center. Whether folks believe in democratic socialism or the magic of the market, they rarely acknowledge the relevance of population (which we should, for starters, aim to cut at least in half) or the need to reduce the material standard of living in affluent sectors of the world (again, a good start would be cut at least in half). Instead, most everyone has their favorite technological fix (endless renewable energy, “clean coal,” carbon capture) that they believe will allow 8 billion people to consume at the current aggregate level. Even with a more just and equitable distribution of wealth, which my left comrades and I agree is crucial, we should plan for a down-powering."

Though where I might differ with this author is that we all might be able to drive Hummers, if there were fewer of us. Assuming one wants to drive a Hummer. (And assuming there were enough engineers and workers left to design and build a Hummer.)

https://juliebindel.substack.com/p/how-to-lose-friends-and-influence?r=gnrei&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawE0zflleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe_OGNYL7D2JRt3WPTUCHqZh2NAWmPvnb8P9CCL8tOj76Ep2ZNHvaZZVww_aem_SfKs2EK7US8bdM0pZXGuMg

South of Davis: "Most (but not all) of us live here because of a job or because it was where we could afford to buy a home and was "cheaper than Moraga, but not as crappy as Woodland".

I believe that's Davis' official motto. Either that, or "we're in-between some nice places". (Though the latter might also be Sacramento's official motto.)

Though there is "North, North Davis" these days, which might be sort of a somewhat lesser-version of Davis. On the other hand, able to attend DJUSD schools without paying DJUSD parcel taxes and CFDs.

To me, the sin was in being 'strategic' in what was told to the American people (about masks early on, to avoid a shortage in the medical field, for example), because once started down that road, the people knew they had been lied to, and the trust was lost, so in the long run more harm was done. When dealing with a pandemic, this is unforgivable. I forgot which country did the following, but one was famous for just saying, 'this is what we know, this is what we don't know, we'll update you when we know more.'

I'm hoping that more people (on BOTH the right and left) will realize that when people are paid to tell you something they are probably not telling the truth. When drug companies pay politicians (and the "experts" paid by politicians) to say something they will say it (they will work to stop anyone from saying you will be fine if you do not get Covid boosters and flu shots every year) just like when defense companies pay politiciuans (and the "experts" paid by politicians) to say something they will say it (and work to stop anyone from saying things like Sadam does not have "weapons of mass distruction"). If anyone wants to see this in action drive to South Davis and go into the Honda dealer and ask them if Honda it better than Toyota, then go across the street and ask the Toyota guys if Toyota is better than Honda.

P.S. Any idea what the deal is with all the colored cans of paint that have been splattered on the road over the last month or so? Driving from the South Davis Nuggett to Recology today there are probaly 20 splatters of paint over the overpass and down 2nd past Target. The number has been growing by a few cans a week on both sides of the road so it is not from a truck tith the tailgate down.

Forgot to mention: I was truly impressed by the crews who were "chipping" entire half-stumps of what I believe were pine trees, in what used to be a parking lot that was parallel to Sycamore.

All I can say (regarding that stump-chipping equipment) is that I "want one".

So today, David is putting forth "evidence" of a housing shortage, by citing (among other statistics) that rents have risen by 10% in San Francisco over the past nine years.

The question I'd ask is, how does that compare with the general rate of inflation for all products and services, during that time period?

Seems to me that it's well-below the general inflation rate. And if it's not even keeping up with inflation, wouldn't that be an indicator of an "over-supply" of housing in San Francisco - using David's own logic?

Regardless, there is an actual "over-supply" (a glut) of housing underway in places like Florida these days. It has tripled in some areas over the past year.

David frequently conflates "housing supply" with "new housing". "Housing supply", of course - refers to all housing that's on the market - including "pre-owned" housing. When "inventory" increases, it's usually "pre-owned" housing which creates the bulk of the increase.

https://www.newsweek.com/florida-housing-market-inventory-triples-1914520

And again, one has to question the claims of a "housing shortage" in the first place.

"In fact, from 2000 to 2020, housing production exceeded the growth of households by 3.3 million units. The surplus from 2000 to 2010 more than offset the shortages from 2010 to 2020."

https://www.aau.edu/research-scholarship/featured-research-topics/study-finds-us-does-not-have-housing-shortage

DJUSD superintendent Matt Best is apparently STILL trying to force Davis to change (in regard to declining enrollment), rather than advocating for DJUSD itself to change.

Compare/contract Matt's comments with those of the other superintendent speaker in the video below.

For Matt, it's all about approving more sprawl. Right out of the gate. For that matter, he also suggests that California itself needs to change, in regard to a total declining student population.

That, my friends, take some "chutzpah" for a self-interested school district representative to say.

Unlike what Matt apparently believes, schools exist to serve communities, not the other-way around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiFaBONhbxk

Not breaking news, WS. We’ve all known this for a week. I haven’t seen any whining and crying, as you put it, just a great big quiet nothing which is all that is deserved. And as much as anyone cares. Of course the joke is actually on you and the Vanguard, since for the last two days and for many days before that, we get an Indonesian lottery page on the Vanguard’s URL. Put that in your vindication pipe and smoke it :- |

Regarding 501(c)(3) organizations (like the Vanguard), this has to be one of the most-abused sections of the IRS code. Note the following passage from the IRS:

"In addition, it may not be an action organization, i.e., it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

Organizations described in section 501(c)(3) are commonly referred to as charitable organizations. Organizations described in section 501(c)(3), other than testing for public safety organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in accordance with Code section 170.

The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests, and no part of a section 501(c)(3) organization's net earnings may inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual."

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-501c3-organizations#:~:text=To%20be%20tax%2Dexempt%20under,any%20private%20shareholder%20or%20individual.

I have no idea why the IRS allows businesses such as the Vanguard (and more importantly - business-supported YIMBY organizations) to claim this status.

"Alan C. Miller's devices or ISP must have gotten screwed up royally. No Indonesian site was pointed to the Vanguard's domain name."

Walter, I was subject to the same thing. I would try to access the Vanguard and it would take me to a "Bento4D" gambling site.

Then I was leery that the site might put a virus in my computer.

"Your attempt to take down the Davis Vanguard failed spectacularly. Ponder that for eternity."

It wasn't an attempt to "take down the Vanguard". It was an attempt to get them to pay their taxes - like the Enterprise is required to do.

Ron asks: "I have no idea why the IRS allows businesses such as the Vanguard (and more importantly - business-supported YIMBY organizations) to claim this status." I'll give you a hint it is the same reason that the IRS goes after conservative groups the administration does not like (and the DOJ is cool with left of center people violently taking over a a neighborhood and police station in Seattle but if a guy in a MAGA (Make Affordable Groceries Again) hat walkes into the US capitol after getting invited in by the guards he will spend years in jail).

Alan needs to remember that "silence is violence" (so if he does not say how great the Vanguard is every day it is like a "violent attack") and laughing at anyone (or a pro developmet website) is a "super violent attack" that abously means you want to "take down" the site.

"They say that the gravel roads can’t safely handle the increasing volume of traffic, and that preserving them could choke development."

Uhm, yeah - isn't that the primary reason to preserve them as is? It's not actually about the "composition" of the road itself.

I see at least some similarities to "preserve" I-80 as a three-lane (in each direction) freeway.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-radical-plan-to-save-a-rural-oasis-don-t-pave-the-roads/ar-BB1hUREf?ocid=msedgntp&pc=NMTS&cvid=cea211cdb28740b69564e151829a7017&ei=24

Sharla Cheney (from today's Vanguard):

"This creates very few options for families to house themselves, much less their elderly parents, so the grandparents go to age-restricted senior housing or assisted living and the families leave the community in search of less expensive options."

None of that is happening. Who, exactly, is suddenly trying to house their "elderly grandparents" (who don't live in Davis in the first place) into a separate house in Davis? How many of those grandparents already live in a more-expensive, more-desirable community than Davis in the first place? (And can easily afford just about any place in Davis - with money left-over to spare?)

Families who own houses don't experience rising housing costs, other than those foisted upon them via parcel taxes and CFDs (e.g., from DJUSD). Along with the annual increase in property taxes and insurance, but those generally aren't forcing people out of their own houses. (At least, not in Davis.)

You seem to be referring to families who don't live in Davis in the first place.

But if anyone is having trouble finding a house to purchase (or rent) in Davis, I'd refer them to Zillow. New listings appear on there on a daily basis.

At this point, I have zero empathy for those who whine about not being able to "afford" Davis. If anything, it's probably slightly less-costly than the state average.

Look - if folks want Davis to grow to accommodate non-residents, why don't they just honestly say so in the first place? Wouldn't that cut back on a lot of nonsensical arguments?

More "NIMBY News" out of Marin. Yay - Go NIMBYs!

Seriously, it's not just residents who are affected by such decisions. Visitors are, as well. Sausalito is already over-run with traffic, visitors, etc. - and has been since I was a child (and probably prior to then, as well).

Truth be told, I'm surprised that there hasn't been more opposition to the state's "housing targets". I'm not sure that the average person is fully aware of what the state is trying to foist-upon cities.

"Opposition is mounting to a condominium development along Sausalito’s historic waterfront."

“Boom, now we start to get Miami Beach,” Collier said. “Starting something like that would destroy Sausalito. Sausalito is this funky, bayside kind of property of different types. Having Sausalito turn into this kind of glass, high-end Miami Beach, the only people that could afford to buy that are very wealthy.”

https://www.marinij.com/2024/09/05/sausalito-housing-project-faces-growing-opposition/

David Greenwald's response to Matt Williams (primarily in regard to Matt's observation that the state is offering very little assistance in regard to its Affordable housing targets):

September 8, 2024 at 12:49 pm

From David: "Good luck with that"

Well, good luck trying to overturn Measure J, as well. For that matter, good luck in trying to force the entire state to adhere to the state's mandates. (Which you yourself have already noted are failing. Not even close, for that matter.)

It could be that the Scott Wieners and the rest of the YIMBYs are going to have to relocate to places like Texas, where they (and Elon Musk) are already welcome with open arms.

Too bad the housing market there is tanking, so I guess you can't claim a shortage there. Or in the entire state of Florida.

Or, how about the ENTIRE rest of the Sacramento region, where the YIMBY interests are already welcome (and have been for decades, as evidenced by the patterns of ongoing development).

Why is it that they can't be $atisfied with that?

The "Austin Vanguard" has a nice ring to it. Hey, it's also a college town, so it would fit right in. But since it's in Texas, the Vanguard's "free the criminals" campaign might not be as good of a fit, so there is that.

But in regard to the state's war against its own cities, this is not a war that the state will win in the long run.

It sometimes takes awhile to "rile up" the citizenry, but when it finally does occur - you get something like Proposition 13.

Ultimately, the people themselves have the power - it's just a question of when they finally use that power.