Posted by David Letterman, a resident of another community, on Dec 24, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Top Ten Things Gail Slocum and Richard Nixon have in common.

10. Both were graduated from Duke University.

9. Both were fervent registered Republicans.

8. Both were ardent supports of Republican President Gerald R. Ford.

7. Both were lawyers in good standing with the California BAR.

6. Both were dedicated environmentalists.

5. Both held executive positions in Government.

4. Both lived in upscale California neighborhoods.

3. Both dedicated a significant portion of their lives to public service.

2. Both had their admirers and detractors.

And the top thing Gail Slocum and Richard Nixon had in common is:

1. They both had great hair.

Posted by Concerned MP Resident, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Dec 26, 2008 at 10:14 am

After reading such a positive letter about meeting leadership that brought a community together, I am appalled that an individual in our community sees the needs for such a divisive swipe at a dedicated individual with a long history of serving our community. Like her politics or not, it is simply mean to make such a post and certainly not in keeping with the holiday spirit. Let's try to avoid these Scrooge-like postings in the new year and see if we can bring our community together.

Posted by fact checker from way back, a resident of the Portola Valley: other neighborhood, on Dec 26, 2008 at 10:34 am

Shame on you for this unwarranted and inaccurate (though seemingly clever) response to an accurate account of good leadership.

Get your facts straight. One thing Gail Slocum and Richard Nixon do not have in common -- Nixon stayed a Republican his whole life, Slocum switched to permanently become a Democrat early in her adult life and political career.

I have worked with Gail Slocum on Democratic causes for two decades. She was a McCloskey (pro-choice, pro-environment, pro-civil liberties) Republican growing up in Palo Alto (like her parents). She founded CA Republicans for Choice in 1981 and tried mightily to keep the GOP broad-minded, but by the end of the 80's it was clear that the Religious Right was taking over. In 1992, she left the GOP and became a Democrat -- right after Pat Buchanan's prime time "culture wars" speech at the GOP's Houston convention. (It took Pete McCloskey until 2007 to finally re-register as a Democrat, after running against Richard Pombo - Abramoff's third highest recipient, and dismantler of the endangered species act - in that Congressional primary in 2006, and then crossing over to unite in support of Jerry McNerney to secure a narrow general election victory). And guess what - there are a lot of good liberal republicans left in our community, and it's great that they continue to support environmental protection along with fiscal conservatism and prosperity. There is simply nothing wrong with that, whatever party label it's under. That is what we need more of, and it spells "sustainability" which we must hope that enough good people form all political stripes embrace given what we are up against as a planet.

Your veneer of "humor" does not transform a nasty, falsehood into anything else. It is simply unseemly.

Put your time and "cleverness" to some good use in the community -- do something good! ( get a life)... please.

Posted by long-time watcher, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Dec 26, 2008 at 10:49 am

After 8 years of George Bush the 2d - I never thought I'd miss Nixon!

He passed the Clean Air Act, and many other key environmental protections that were continued and expanded under GHW Bush, but which Bush the 2d and his administration has been trying to dismantle.

Kudos to any political leaders who stand up for the environment - locally and nationally!

We need more such public servants - regardless of their "Party."

Posted by Saul Alinsky, a resident of another community, on Dec 26, 2008 at 2:57 pm

Gail,

You honor my memory well. You have followed my rules to the "T" and you have become a most honored and respected fellow traveler. You speak with eloquence and passion. You use examples people can relate to and you follow the game plan of moving Menlo Park slowly but surely to that more perfect City where each gives according to his abilities and takes according to his needs.

I am so proud of you. I liked the way you hectored Mr. Jellins off the Democratic Central Committee. My Jellins made the mistake of being part of the Democratic Leadership Council. We have no room for moderate Democrats. To achieve our goal we must only have pure leftists commited to the goal of ousting the scourge of Capitalism from our society and replacing it with a more egalitarian form of Government. We are almost there and working with our comrades in arms, the SEIU membership, we shall achieve our utopian society in your lifetime. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done. God bless, excuse me, I mean bless you.

Saul in Heaven.

Posted by J. Stalin, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Dec 29, 2008 at 5:01 pm

Saul:

Why not just call her a Pinko and be done with it?

It's so sad that you've been reduced to reviving Red Scare tactics.