Dykes' Yikes Leadership

I’m doing my utmost to keep this blog on the high road, but I’m headed another way this one time to write about Mr. Dykes.  I did the same in an editorial for Patch when he first announced his candidacy.  I’m again giving into the temptation because, well, he offers so much material to work with, you know?

Related Editorial: Dykes Getting Ahead of Himself

I stopped for a red light the other day and saw a guy with a piece of cardboard stuck up under his chin saying he was a VietNam vet and could I help.  I rolled down the window of my six month old Camry and said, “I have it on expert authority that you just aren’t trying hard enough, Dude.”  He responded with a very scowly face and pointed to the sky.  Not with his thumb and not with his index finger.   I rolled up my window to preserve the air-conditioned cool of my car.  Normally, I’d not say such a thing, but I wanted Chip, my prospective leader, to be proud of me.  I’m one of the masses and Chip says I need leadership.  And the guy holding the cardboard needs to try harder.

I’ll just bet Chip would tell us that those soldiers who are committing suicide and suffering from PTSD just aren’t trying hard enough either.  Imagine, if you can, how much better off they’d be if they had Chip leading them away from the quagmires of self absorption.  Wait!  Imagine the places he could lead the masses of Oceanside!

On other occasions, Mr. Dykes has told us how veterans are being used as pawns.  So are pawns like the masses?  Needing leadership?  Most especially HIS leadership.

Anyway, I’ve been to more than a few gatherings where veterans are present.  My neighbor and friend is a WWII vet as is my brother.  I’ve known several others over the years.  And you know, whether at a public gathering or at a family or neighborhood visit, I never thought of veterans as pawns.  In fact, I think of them as autonomous, independent, individuals.

Of course, I need to keep in mind that I and many others in Oceanside don’t see what Mr. Dykes sees.  What we do see is Mr. Dykes being moved about the chessboard by the likes of Jerry Kern, Gary Felien, Jack Feller, Darryl Issa, and Bill Horn.  And for us in the masses, having such a pawn sitting on our city council is more than a bit unsettling.

Another point.  I’ve been going to council meetings pretty regularly for a couple of years.  Mostly to learn how things are done, mostly to listen.  Pardon my pedestrianism, but I’m guessing if anyone wanted to know what was going on in Oceanside’s politics and policymaking, attending council meetings would be helpful.  Maybe I missed him, but I have yet to see Mr. Dykes in attendance.  Could it be that he sees the council meetings as merely a charade for public consumption while the real leadership is done behind closed doors?  That would fit nicely with the way Messrs. Kern and Felien do business.

I’ll end by endorsing an idea (gasp!) voiced by Jack Feller when Chip announced his candidacy.  At that august event, Feller responded to Mr. Dykes self promotion as one time lifeguard with, “We can use some life saving up in the chamber.”  Jack’s way of asking Chip for some mouth to mouth to prevent his snoring during council meetings? 

Anyway, Jack went on to gush, “We … definitely need you in that seat next to Jerry.”  That’s where I agree with Jack.  The seat to the right of Jerry is empty.  Actually, there’s nothing anywhere in politics to the right of Jerry.  I’m urging all members of the masses to insure Mr. Dykes wins the seat next to Jerry.  To Jerry’s right.  Where there is no seat.

To Jerry’s left, and quite appropriately, sits Esther Sanchez.  Oceanside’s safety and future is in better hands when Esther sits at Jerry’s left.  In the middle of the dais, let’s return Mayor Wood.  And to Felien’s left, let’s put Dana Corso in the seat that will be vacated by Jack Feller.  Let the image seep into your mind, Oceanside.  It will bring rest and reassurance.