Happy New Years Eve, Orange Juice lovers! It’s that time of the year again – the end of it – during which we revisit which stories on this blog were the most read, discussed, discoursed upon, shared, ridiculed, excoriated, shat upon, all that good stuff.
And what a miserable year it seems to have been. Nearly all of our top stories (except for the one that brought down Jordan Brandman) fall into three categories:
- The Jan. 6 Insurrection (along with Tito and Trump);
- Killings by OC police; and
- Sad untimely deaths of good people.
Certainly, there were other topics Greg, I, and the rest of our part-time staff wrote about fervently over the year, but the fact these three topics were what you dear readers were most interested in…. shows what sort of year 2021 was. So let us look back on this year, these stories, with sorrow, horror, and hope for some good shit to happen in 2022…
1. The Insurrection, Tito Ortiz, and Related
You can’t have not noticed – our American democracy is now hanging by its fingertips. A year ago next week, a giant goofy but bloody mob descended on our national Capitol to try to keep a President the rest of us had voted out.
And across the nation, patriotic folks looked around and said, “Hey, did any of MY neighbors participate in this sedition?” Here in the OC we found a lot of these traitors, and this blog was in the forefront of finding ’em. (And we were contacted plenty by the FBI.)
First, in January, we had (with tip & video from old friend Naui) a piece called From HB to DC: Michelle Peterson and Tanned BF Help Storm the Capitol for Trump! – with over 5000 hits, and which led to the arrests of Ms. Peterson and her tanned boyfriend Mark Simon…
And, building on this, we created in February the “Insane Coup Posse – OC’s Gallery of MAGA Goofballs & Terrorists!” We know this was useful in the arrest and prosecution of Kim Sorgente, Alan Hostetter, and others. To America, the Orange Juice Blog humbly replies, “You’re welcome.”
Meanwhile Huntington Beach had elected a professional-wrestler Councilman who was part of this same movement – one Tito Ortiz – and this blog was fortunate to have, during the most important months, an anonymous correspondent calling themselves “Tito Watch.” These were some of Tito Watch’s most-read posts last year:
- Tito Tries a Council Meeting!
- Tito’s TK-Burger-gate!
- Tito to be stripped of “Pro-Tem” title? We answer his distraught fans’ complaints… and of course
- On the Banal Incompetence of Councilman Tito.
Long story really short, the guy didn’t have much staying power, and when he quit Council in June after six months I ended up having to write the final piece myself:
TITO BALES!
…as well as the definitive piece on his destructive, propagandist love interest: “Marjorie Cheesecake Greene”: the Insidious Lies of Amber Nichole Miller.
Three more of our year’s top pieces sorta fall into this category:
Right before the beginning of the year, we wrote Trump Dead-Enders Assault Three Santa Ana Locals, about a December 2020 incident near Santa Ana College, where a mob of Trump-loving “Stop the Steal” protesters maimed three local guys. This was also a piece of ours that the authorities took great interest in, from the SAPD to the FBI – Sorgente and Vargas were both violently involved in the Jan 6 Insurrection. Again, the OJ Blog says “you’re welcome.”
Alan Hostetter was a La Habra police chief, then a popular YOGA instructor in San Clemente, before he got caught up in the Insurrection. Interesting stuff, and we were lucky to have a commentator, very knowledgable on both Yoga and the South County, who prefers to remain anonymous but wrote for us: Bad Yogi!
And somewhat conversely, we’ve been covering the Tatiana Turner case – the Black Lives Matters organizer who is being charged by our DA with attempted murder for trying to drive out of a threatening crowd of Trumpies in Yorba Linda. I wrote Free Tatiana Turner: Is Orange County Waging a War on Black Lives Matter? and have been covering her preliminary hearings as well, here and here.
Category 2. OC Police Killings
Okay, it wasn’t like Anaheim 2012, or Anaheim 2016, or Anaheim 2018, but there were a few questionable police killings in Orange County this past year, and the Orange Juice Blog is where people came to find out what they could about them, knowing we’d have the most skeptical reportage (along with anonymous comments from what could be either police lovers or policemen themselves.)
TWO stories about the September Anaheim Police killing of Brandon Lopez in Santa Ana … initial reportage: Anaheim Police Kill Unarmed BRANDON LOPEZ in Santa Ana and a look at the APD video of the incident a few weeks later: The Anaheim PD Video on the Killing of Brandon Lopez.
TWO stories about the August Tustin PD killing of homeless Luis Manuel Garcia … initial reportage: Monday Candlelight Vigil for unarmed Luis Manuel Garcia and a look at the TPD video of that incident a few weeks later: Footage of Luis Manuel Garcia’s Killing
Quick initial reportage on the September killing of armed Ronnie Andrew Garcia at a Huntington Beach surfing event.. which may have sadly been unavoidable: The Fatal HBPD Shooting of Ronnie Andrew Garcia, at the US Open
And a slightly overdue skeptical look at the 2019 Fullerton PD killing of Hector Hernandez on his front lawn, including all the FPD lies and DA Spitzer’s coverup: What Hector Hernandez’ Neighbors saw that night.
3. Sad Untimely Deaths of other Good People
Thousands of readers were also drawn to peruse our obituaries of a few great people who died this year. People we thought were great.
- North OC Democrat activist Beloved Jagerhaus owner Sandie Schwaiger.
- Irreplaceable Sacramento political commentator Scott Lay.
- Tireless and fearless cannabis activist Marla James.
- And a much-missed thespian from Rancho La Paz mobile home park – Who Killed Kathleen Fabry?
It’s enough to make you want to hear the latest recording of Dirty Snow:
4. The Year’s Top Stories about OTHER things!
Readers left and right credited us this past summer with taking down one of OC’s most corrupt Democrat politicians, Jordan Brandman. But we really preferred to do it for a long list of reasons that had to do with his votes and public policies; what happened instead is he took himself down with his unbelievably hateful texts, which came to us via Kathy Chance. Our publishing those was just like the end of a James Bond movie when the bad guy is hanging by a thread and 007 just has to give a slight kick or shove. Jordan Brandman’s Vicious Texts. Also our joy was tempered by the fact that since he resigned instead of us recalling him, the corrupt Anaheim Council was able to replace him with someone whose votes will be just as bad (see our two-part “Anointment of Gloria Ma’ae.“
Thousands and thousands of folks read a piece by our Ron and Ana Winship this October called OVERPOPULATION?
In April Santa Ana police held our blogger Igmar at gunpoint and illegally searched his car. In May our elderly homeless friend Allen Saul got the shit beat out of him by some psycho in Orange and for the longest time the Orange police and DA did nothing about it even though it was on video. We let them both tell their stories here, and thousands of you read their stories.
We spent lots of time in the spring and summer trying to Save Anaheim’s Jägerhaus and Sunkist Plaza! from rapacious out-of-town speculators who’d paid off the Council and Mayor; it woulda been much bigger news if we’d have succeeded against the big money. Now everyone is dead and gone.
In March, our San Juan Capistrano friends who call themselves “The Swallows” reported on some big-scale corruption in that twon: San Juan Capistrano: Stop Subsidizing the for-profit Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park!
But NOTHING matches the generosity of Anaheim politicians to their patrons at Disney! Showdown over Mickey & Friends Parking Structure!
Down in Irvine, many Democrats were dismayed and outraged that the County Party was planning to give a “TRUTH AWARD” to Mayor Farrah Khan, whose relationship to truth has been at best troubled; we published their thoughts and got plenty of comments back. DPOC to bestow “Truth Award” on Mayor Farrah Khan, Irvine Democrats disagree.
And THIS is still going on; my report from the Santa Ana River Quality Review Board, and the corruption of so many OC officials, many of them disappointingly Democrats: THE POSEIDON WHORES.
Wow, you would almost think we are a county-wide anti-corruption blog, especially when you read this next one: In a Slap at the Kleptocracy, San Clemente Ditches the TCA (Toll Road Agencies.)
And in the last of our top most-read stories, we have Greg’s new contribution to our knowledge of next year’s Congressional elections: OC’s 6 New Congressional Districts: Done!
Chestnut: Steve Lodge
Finally we always have some stories we call “chestnuts” from previous years that continue to get lots of hits. I won’t list them all this time, but one is amusing: Why did nearly a thousand readers click on Cynthia Ward’s 2016 classic “Steve “Chavez” Lodge is a Very Bad Man? Why, because the corrupt goofball ran for Governor during the failed Newsom Recall this year, and folks went to the Orange Juice Blog to determine if he was a worthwhile vote! (And it seems voters were unimpressed.) Funny coincidence, as I wrap up this story, Steve is in the news again! Turns out he’s recently left his “Real Housewife of OC” Vicki Gunvalsen, is engaged to some “OC educator” instead, and they’re all talking shit about each other!
Well, best of luck to the ever-childish Steven Albert Chavez Lodge, 2012’s “Sudden Mexican,” as long as he stays out of politics. And seriously, 2022 is going to be life-or-death for our nation, so FORWARD!
*First off; Happy New Year to all. As we look back at 2021 we can’t pass up the observation that the Inquiry into January 6th….is taking longer than the investigation into the Kennedy Assassination.
As we recall our good buddy Darrell Issa spent almost four years of weekly investigations on “Fast and Furious”….which only counted for the death of ONE DEA Agent.
Then there was the investigations into the missing Hillary Clinton e-mails, which also were covered on C-Span endlessly, week after week for years.
There were more “Trump type investigations” that yielded nothing. The investigation into Jim Comey….yeilded something…but who knows what?
Why the connection between Jeffrey Epstein and Donny Trump has not been brought out yet….is strangely scary.
Why we are not going forward with indictments on those that refuse to come to the January 6th Investigation is also bothersome.
Why we have not put Legislation forward to save the DACA Kids and make them not only Green Card, but Naturalized Citizens is also bothersome.
Why 26 states have Statewide IQ’s of less than 80 explains a bunch about what is going on in this country. Pennsylvania…..State IQ 80 and so it goes. And you wonder why folks are afraid to even mention Critical Race Theory, even in common conversation, much less on the National Stage with National Town Hall….reqarding CRT.
We need to educate our population in the country. We need a national reporting center for Rape, Incest and Child Abuse. You can try this one to get started.
http://www.dayoneri.org (Look under Stats and Facts)
Make 2022 mean something folks. Do something to make our country better and that means tell those Trumpsters to put their Flags away and help a neighbor!
I have a sad addition to the list of deaths. I’ve just been informed that Kelly Ernby of Huntington Beach has died, survived by her husband Axel (not sure about others. She was a Leap Day baby and would have turned 47 next month.
She was a prosecutor in the DA’s office, a member of the RPOC Central Committee, and was narrowly defeated by Dianne Dixon in 2020 in the primary race to take on Cottie Petrie-Norris in AD-74.
I’d never heard of her. Apparently she is some anti-vaxxer who died of Covid, so probably not someone we would have written an obituary about, not someone like Hanson, Schwaiger, Lay, James or Fabry.
After you wrote this comment, one of our anonymous trolls wrote (in a comment I trashed) “LiberaOC had a post of this two hours before you did with a quote from Spitzer. You must have been in a sofa cushion fort. Dipshit”
As though you’re expected to check Liberal OC all day before you make a comment that may duplicate something Dan posted. Sure enough, here’s Dan’s “piece,” just a reprinted press release like most of what he does: https://theliberaloc.com/2022/01/03/former-gop-candidate-for-ad74-and-ocda-staffer-kelly-ernby-dies-from-covid19/
Which is all kind of ironic, because on the same day Dan breathlessly broke the news that Harley Rouda is dropping out of his Congressional race in consideration of Katie Porter, which I’d already reported here on Dec. 23, ten days earlier. https://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2021/12/jay-chen-to-face-off-against-michelle-steel-in-new-45th-district/ Payasos.
To be clear: I build the sofa cushion and blanket forts. I do not go inside them.
I think I’m down to reading LibOC about once per month.
There is disagreement about whether she was an anti-vaxxer and about whether she herself was vaccinated. She was anti-vaccine mandate, but I don’t consider that position to be beyond the pale — especially for a lawyer who is trained to think about slippery slopes.
*January 6th? Next time bring out the Firehoses in the first 10 minutes. Bring in the 100 buses and handcuffs in the next 20 minutes. Arrest everyone in attendance. Do the traditional flyover with the bull horns….saying to disperse. After the 2nd warning, start shooting. Keep it simple! Arrest all those involved in the planning and direction of the event. Keeping the peace is a Government responsibility…right? Violence and insurrection can be tolerated once the bullets start flying…….but in the end is obvious that simple protesters don’t break windows in the Capitol building….eh?
Happy January 6th…..time to celebrate! Can you believe that the Trumpster wanted to have ANOTHER Rally on January 6th but cancelled?
*When will every member of Congress be interviewed by the January 6th, Commission? They should all have to tell their own stories, of where they were and if they are now in denial or still believe the 3000 folks that broke into the Capitol were just invited guests! .
*The Supreme Court comes down on Vaccine Mandates for Employers for over 100 employees today.
Here are your thought balloons for the day: When you go into the military, you are required to get several vaccines. You have no choice. You can get the vaccines or be dishonorably discharged. Who do you want in your foxhole? Someone Vaccine complete or one not.
The Covid-19 Vaccine is up to the Omicron Mutation that they have discovered. It is very likely that several more virulent Mutations are coming. Those that are NOT vaccinated create “The Host” to create additional Mutations that then can affect those that have already been vaccinated.
Every person that is not vaccinated is another opportunity to create additional mutations that will travel around the world. Most Medical Scientists believe that until, most people in the world are vaccinated……this Pandemic will continue unabated,
When you get the Booster shot…..you then become less likely to get Delta or Omicron Virulent Strains …..For those unvaccinated…..you become another Typhoid Mary that is able to pass on Delta, Omicron and perhaps 10 different Mutations.
This is totally understandable that there are stupids that do not want to be vaccinated and are so paranoid to the idea that the Government is out to get them. It is probably true…..however…….they could just as easily put things in our water supply and get that done in 24 hours. Maybe they put these things into various Fast Foods or Junk Foods, Diet Coke or any number of things. Get real folks. If you want to kill someone close to you, a neighbor or a dear friend because you refuse vaccination. That is your choice.
But do not complain when bad things happen. Some people refused and continue to refuse the Chicken Pox, Small Pox and Salk Vaccines. Do people still get these diseases? Yes they do.
The time has come to come to the aid of your country. Be brave and pretend that you really care about your own family and your fellow man. We all can go with just a swipe of the pen. How many more people will have to die until you get the message? Do your duty and do what is right. But what do we know?
If you don’t get vaccinated you become “A Candidate Host” for another Covid-19 Mutation which can then affect even more people that have already been vaccinated.
Don’t be a Typhoid Mary.
Kelly Ernby:
Not only was she not vaccinated (despite the urging of Mr. Ernby), but Ernby is on record to be against ALL VACCINATIONS, including children vaccines against small pox and measles.
“There’s nothing that matters more than our freedoms right now.”
Kelly Ernby, Turning Point USA Irvine Rally Dec 4, 2021