B12 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE SUNDAY • OCTOBER 18,2020

STEVEN P. DINKIN A Path Forward The president’s job one: Restoring trust in the United States

With just over two weeks binger of things to come, also concerns about a about in public (religion COVID-19 restrictions — writes, “Partisans who until the presidential elec- with its record-setting peaceful transfer of power, and money were the other thought to be in violation of would never commit vi- tion, our country is on the turnout. especially if Biden wins. two). Aided by social media the Constitution — has olence are transforming brink. For most of us, Nov. 3 But along with a likeli- During the vice-presidential and emboldened by ano- devolved into hatred for the from bystanders to apolo- can’t come soon enough. hood of increased voter debate, Mike Pence evaded nymity, we now say every- governor, Gretchen Whit- gists, making excuses for If current projections are engagement, there are aquestion about whether thing that’s on our minds, mer. Just recently, the FBI the ‘excesses’ of their side accurate, we will wake up on worries about election the Trump administration however inappropriate or foiled a plot to kidnap the while pointing fingers Nov. 4 to learn that a record security. In a Gallup poll will honor this sacred tradi- incendiary. governor from her vacation across the aisle.” Moderates number of citizens have earlier this year, nearly tion. But more than just hurt- home ahead of the presi- are silent because they fear voted. three in five Americans said I’m looking for a differ- ful words, Americans are dential election. for their jobs, social stand- Forecasts suggest that they don’t have confidence ent kind of assurance: a seeing too many instances According to the FBI, ing or lives. more than 150 million of us in our elections. The rea- solemn pledge to rebuild of hatred manifesting itself those involved in the con- Americans have put up will cast ballots, a level that sons range from Russian trust, in our institutions in violence. spiracy met repeatedly for with enough of this mad- would dwarf the 2016 presi- interference to mail-in and in each other. It’s trust On July 19, Daniel Salas firearms training and com- ness. Whether we awaken dential election, with 139 ballot legitimacy to equip- that is really at stake in this opened the door of his New bat drills. on Nov. 4 to a President million voters. This would ment glitches. election. Jersey home to accept a Their plan was to de- Trump or a President-Elect represent the highest voter- Recently, more than 10 With trust flagging, the delivery. He was shot and stroy Whitmer’s home and Biden, the polarization and turnout percentage in more percent of Americans told brink that we face feels killed by the delivery driver, take her to a secure location hatred and violence in this than a century and a big win the Boston Herald that they more immediate and dan- Roy Den Hollander, whose in Wisconsin for a “trial.” We country must end. Full stop. for democracy. are not prepared to accept gerous. It’s weakened our intended target was Judge know what the sentence After all, this is the Fears of the effect of the outcome of the election country’s resilience and Esther Salas, Daniel’s would have been after a United States of America. COVID-19 have prompted if their candidate loses, undermined our well-being. mother. guilty verdict: death. And it’s only with a united many states to aggressively whether the winner is Presi- The loss of trust has also Den Hollander, an Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld, a population that we can expand voting options. dent Donald Trump or given rise to a disturbing avowed anti-feminist, hated senior fellow at the Car- back away from the brink. Early voting — in person or former Vice President Joe phenomenon: the apparent Salas because she was a negie Endowment for Inter- by mail — is available to Biden. So, if turnout projec- acceptability of hating a woman and a Latina, who in national Peace, worries that Dinkin is president of the National most voters. Already, more tions are right, as many as person — not just their her own words, “had the our fading resilience is Conflict Resolution Center, a San than 14 million general 15 million of our fellow citi- ideas. nerve to become a judge.” causing society to break. Diego-based group working to election ballots have been zens could emerge from Ican remember a time (Den Hollander, a lawyer, And no one is doing any- create solutions to challenging cast. Election Day feeling disen- when politics was consid- had appeared before Salas a thing about it. issues, including intolerance and The 2018 midterm elec- franchised. ered one of three taboo year prior to the incident.) In a recent op-ed for The incivility. To learn about NCRC’s tion may have been a har- Meanwhile, there are topics, never to be spoken In Michigan, anger over Washington Post, Kleinfeld programming, visit ncrconline.com

Campaign contributions for congressional candidates SAN DIEGO OASIS HOSTS ANNUAL TECH FAIR Donations raised and cash on hand forSan DiegoCounty candidates. BY LAUREN J. MAPP dayto Friday. Each day will Valanciute, Oasis president focus on a different subcate- and CEO. District Amountraised* Cash on hand Older adults can learn gory of technology, which in- To register for the free more about technology dur- cludes every day tech, tech, view the full schedule of 49 MikeLevin (D) $618,495 $1,840,266 ing the free San Diego Oasis healthcare, smart home de- events or find out more virtual tech fair this week. vices and online security. about San Diego Oasis, visit Brian Maryott(R) $525,420 $221,741 The eighth annual tech Qualcomm founder Ir- www.SanDiegoOasis.orgor fair will be held over the win Jacobs will open the first call (619) 881-6262. 50 Ammar Campa-Najjar (D) $1,763,409 $1,225,077 Zoom video chat platform . day of the fair by discussing This year’s event will be how he started his company [email protected] Darrell Issa (R) $2,882,902 $1,272,780 over four days from Tues- after turning 50, said Simona 51 Juan Vargas (D) $108,263 $136,499 sure mental health and see that with his competi- Juan Hidalgo(R) $21,487 $9,522 MAYOR other services are available tion.” to the population,” Harris Abdur-Rahim Hameed is 52 ScottPeters(D) $243,701 $2,011,417 FROM B1 said. president and CEO of the these leaders’ endorse- Harris also pointed to National Black Contactors Jim DeBello (R) $87,806 $107,024 ments are important indica- Bry’s early support for a bal- Association, which is neu- tions that they have diverse lot measure that would es- tral, but he said he is endors- 53 Sara Jacobs(D) $1,729,358 $376,829 appeal among voters. tablish an independent ing Bry as an individual. He “These are folks who are commission to investigate said he admires Bry’s busi- GeorgetteGómez(D) $375,679 $256,434 not only leaders but doers,” officer-involved deaths and ness experience — she Gloria said Friday. “They misconduct. St. Julian, an founded ProFlowers.com have been on the front lines attorney and author of the and ran other companies — *Amountraised/totalreceipts.July 1, 2020 through Sept.30, 2020. of bringing change, not only “Commission on Police and he appreciates her sup- Source:Federal Election Commission MICHELLE GILCHRIST U-T throughout San Diego but in Practices” charter amend- port of equal access to finan- the southeast. I hope their ment, also has endorsed Bry cial opportunity. support is indicative that I for supporting the amend- He said he could not sup- can help them continue on ment. port Gloria because of the 50TH • Tight race forecast in final weeks that progress.” But Aziz said she dis- candidate’s support for proj- Bry, who is nearly tied agrees with Bry’s support ect labor agreements, which FROM B1 “We’ve been playing with Gloria in the polls, said for maintaining the Police give priority to unionized Jack Pitney, professor of “We’ve been catch-up ever since the pres- every vote will be important. Department’s budget. Aziz workers. political science at Clare- ident encouraged me to “I’m very honored to have said advocates calling for de- Endorsements by Black mont McKenna College, said playing run,” Issa said. adiverse group of support,” funding police want that community leaders are sig- the fundraising gap is not “When I flew back on Air she said, “residents all over money reallocated to com- nificant in this race, surprising. catch-up ever ForceOne, Ihad no money in the city in many different munities, people in-need Hameed said, as it was when “It is a Republican-lean- the bank, and I knew it was neighborhoods who are very and evidence-based pro- Mayor Kevin Faulconer ran ing district, and Issa has an since the going to take a while to get committed to working with grams. for office and enjoyed the en- extensive fundraising net- our fundraising systems up me to fix City Hall, to make it To address homeless- dorsement of a coalition of work from his years of serv- president and running.” accountable and transpar- ness, Aziz said, she supports Black clergyand community ice and has money in his own He said the campaign ent.” Gloria’s focus on a “housing leaders. pocket,” Pitney said. encouraged now has received contrib- Bry and Gloria are both first” model, which pri- This time, however, “the The race should remain utions from more than Democrats and have similar oritizes placing people in Black community is split on competitive, with Election me to run.” 250,000 individuals, with the views on many issues. But housing before steering its decision,” Hameed said. Day less than three weeks Darrell Issa average donor giving less some Black community them toward services, in- Williamson — who ran away, he added. than $60. leaders said they were hon- cluding drug or alcohol against Bry and Gloria in the “Democrats have a lot of two cycles though. ... The Campa-Najjar’s cam- ing in on the candidates’ dif- treatment. primary — said she, too, is money sloshing around, and bottom line is, the entire paign was not shy about ferent ideas about housing, “The housing first model split and is struggling to de- Iwouldn’t be surprised if county is now in play for dropping funds either. His homelessness and trans- has not been given the re- cide whom to support. She there is some outside Demo- Democrats.” campaign spent more than portation. sources it needs to show how said she feels Bry and Gloria cratic money that comes The fundraising totals $1.4 million during the quar- Harris, who founded the it can truly work in San Di- already have caused harm to into the district,” he said. “In generated by Issa and ter mostly on media buys, People’s Alliance for Justice, ego,” Aziz said. the communities she loves anormal situation, you have Campa-Najjar were two of fundraising services and di- said Bry’s stance on housing She said Gloria has al- and that Gloria is influenced to rate Issa as a heavy favor- the highest fundraising fig- rect mail. density is one of several rea- ways supported issues that by special interests and Bry ite, but it’s an unusual year ures of any congressional Campa-Najjar said Fri- sons he personally is sup- concern the Black commu- doesn’t understand her and with a blue tidal wave candidate in San Diego day his campaign was porting her. The Alliance is nity and has worked at pro- community’s issues with po- potentially in California, I County and serve as a re- mainly funded by small not endorsing a candidate. viding equity for all resi- lice brutality. certainly wouldn’t count minder that this contest is donors, with an average do- Harris said he doesn’t be- dents. Community leaders Bry said many who have Campa-Najjar out.” far from over. nation of under $25. lieve residents in southeast- Tracy Morris and Barry Pol- endorsed her have known Carl Luna, professor of During the third quarter, “I’m proud of the extraor- ern San Diego and other pre- lard also pointed to Gloria’s her during various chapters political science at San Di- Issa’s campaign led the way dinary grassroots support dominantly minority neigh- year-round interaction with in her life, and she has taken ego Mesa College, said he in spending, dropping more we’ve received as we fight to borhoods should be pushed residents in southeastern the time to meet with com- was more surprised Issa than $2.1 million mostly on bring an independent voice aside at the expense of af- San Diego, saying he under- munity members to learn “wasn’t running up the score direct mail, media buys and to Washington,” he said. fordable housing. He said stands their issues. about neighborhood issues more,” given the business- fundraising services. County officials said reg- Bry’s focus on encouraging “It’s about a person who all over the city. man was formerly an en- Issa said Friday that he istered voters should have higher density near public understands the needs of Gloria said the diversity trenched, longtime incum- knew his campaign had to received a mail ballot by transportation would allow the community, Black folks, of his support demonstrates bent. pick up ground on fundrais- now, but if not, they should the city to create more hous- and talks to an assortment that he can unify San Diego. “It is an expected bad ing during the third quarter contact the county regis- ing while ensuring commu- of Black people,” Aziz said. Bry and Gloria were in a omen for Campa-Najjar, be- while recovering from his trar’s office. nities are preserved. Harris King, who runs mentor- dead heat in a recent San Di- cause the district has a long brutal primary fight with fel- The last day to register to said also he believes Bry will ing programs, said he sup- ego Union-Tribune/10News history of funneling money low Republican Carl vote is Monday, although un- push the county for more re- ports Gloria’s approach to SurveyUSA poll. Gloria to Republican candidates, DeMaio. registered voters can file sources and assistance for social justice, racial equity leading Bry by 1 percentage and Democrats are rela- He added that DeMaio provisional ballots on Elec- homelessness. and his focus on bridging the point, with a quarter of likely tively new to trying to make and Campa-Najjar had en- tion Day, Nov. 3. “We need a mayor who gap between police and com- voters still undecided. it a district that is in play,” tered the race before Issa de- will challenge the county, munity. “He is the change Luna said. “This is how you clared his candidacy and [email protected] who won’t just build afford- that San Diego needs in gov- andrea.lopezvillafana build a base in which you can had a long head start on able housing but will make ernment,” King said. “I don’t @sduniontribune.com grab the district in the next fundraising.

have a right to protect their call themselves forth into things, being quick to con- beliefs is that Trump is fight- Last week, Trump took to SMOLENS communities with weapons. militia service; the Second demn police actions during ing a military-backed holy Twitter to retweet the “A militia in fact is a per- Amendment does not pro- peaceful social justice pro- war against a secretive ring QAnon conspiracy theory FROM B1 sonal right under the Second tect such activity; and all 50 tests, while reluctant to of satanic elites who sexually that Osama bin Laden was Barack Obama, Hillary Amendment and your right states prohibit it.” speak out against violence exploit children, and some- not killed in Pakistan by Clinton and the Clinton to defend your community In Georgia, appointed- by some demonstrators. times eat them, while being SEAL Team Six in 2011 — Foundation. He also equiv- and to take charge, if your U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler and On Thursday, Greene protected by a “deep state” instead, a body double was ocated about whether he government fails you, or to her chief Republican oppo- endorsed Loeffler. The global bureaucracy, accord- the victim — and he could would vote for Democratic take arms if your government nent, Rep. Doug Collins, incumbent is counting on ing to a story by Kristina still be alive. The claim goes presidential nominee Joe turns on you; those are your sought the endorsement of Greene’s backing to boost Davis and Joshua Emerson further: that President Biden, even though Campa- original constitutional congressional candidate her past Collins in the Nov. 3 Smith of the U-T. Barack Obama and Vice Najjar last month promoted rights,” Issa said, according Marjorie Taylor Greene, a special election and into a Hollywood A-listers and President Biden had the the endorsement he re- to an article by Charles T. Republican who has spread likely runoff in January with Democrats are seen as the SEALs killed to cover it up. ceived from the former vice Clarkof the U-T. QAnon conspiracy theories Raphael Warnock, the villains in the baseless con- Aformer SEAL who has president. That’s wrong, according and posted racist and xeno- leading Democrat. spiracy theory. The FBI in said he killed bin Laden, Some Democratic activ- to Mary B. McCord, who phobic videos on social me- Eighty-one candidates Phoenix last year character- Robert O’Neill, is very much ists, who earlier had criti- served as acting assistant dia, according to the Atlanta who adhere — to some ized QAnon theories as a alive. He quickly went public cized Campa-Najjar for attorney general for na- Journal-Constitution. degree — to QAnon conspir- domestic terror threat after to knock down the notion shifting positions, were tional security at the end of In September, Greene acies ran for House and linking them with violence. that bin Laden’s death was incensed. Obama’s second presi- posted a photo of herself Senate seats and 24 will be Trump has said he ahoax — and criticized the Campa-Najjar later dential term. holding what appeared to on the November ballot, knows little about the president, who is spreading backed away from many of “Although these vigilan- be an assault rifle next to according to Alex Kaplan of group, and did so again arumor by a group now his statements and said he te groups often cite the the images of Democratic Media Matters. He said 22 of Thursday night during a linked with terrorism. “messed up bad” by appear- Second Amendment’s men- Reps. Alexandria Ocasio- the remaining candidates town hall-style meeting ing with Defend East tion of a ‘well regulated Cortez, Ilhan Omar and are Republicans and two are broadcast by NBC. Tweet of the Week County. He added he was militia’ for their authority, Rashida Tlaib. “We need independents. “I know nothing about Goes to SFGATE (@SF- aware of some of the group’s history and Supreme Court strong conservative Chris- Most are in heavily QAnon. . . I do know they are Gate), lest we forget... conspiracy theories but not precedent make clear that tians to go on the offense Democratic districts and very much against pedo- “U.S. climate officials say its views about violence the phrase was not intended against these socialists who likely to lose. Greene is philia. They fight it very there’s nearly a two-to-one toward protesters, both of to — and does not — autho- want to rip our country among the exceptions; her hard,” he said. chance that 2020 will end up which were prominent in rize private militias outside apart,” she wrote. Democratic opponent with- Asked by host Savannah as the globe’s hottest year the Dyer story on the front of government control,” she Republicans from Presi- drew from the race and she Guthrie to condemn the on record.” page of the U-T in August. wrotein the N.Y. Times. dent Donald Trump on is virtually assured of win- group, Trump declined. Yet, In his interview, Issa told “Indeed, these armed down have accused Demo- ning a seat in the House. he has repeatedly spread michael.smolens Haskins that citizen groups groups have no authority to crats of, among other One of QAnon’s main QAnon’s ideas online. @sduniontribune.com