When SINS OF COMMISSION filmmaker Richard Oshen takes to the airwaves on Michael Zwerling’s SATURDAY SPECIAL, August 8 on KSCO AM 1080, he will be joined by two prominent guests in the struggle for human rights in California.

Terry Gossett is President, and a founding director of Californians for Property Rights, an educational public benefit corporation. Terry has been a director of a number of technical, financial and community organizations. He currently consults for the aerospace industry in program management and simulation of manned and unmanned aircraft systems.Terry and his wife, Bee, have lived in Moss Beach since 1998.

Damien Schiff is a staff attorney for Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), the oldest and most successful public-interest legal organization that litigates for property rights, limited government, free enterprise and a balanced approach to environmental regulation, in courts across the country. Mr. Schiff obtained his law degree magna cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law, and his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University.

This is going to be an eye-opener of a show for a lot of people, says Oshen. SINS OF COMMISSION is a powerful film because it takes people behind the veil of secrecy surrounding the  California Coastal Commission to reveal how the commission operates, and what they do behind the scenes for the first time.

In NOLLAN v. CALIFORNINA COASTAL COMMISSION, (483 U.S. 825) The Supreme Court of the United States called the coastal commission’s practices an “out-and-out plan of extortion.”

In a controversial 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that a requirement by the CCC was a taking in violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments… and yet it is inconceivable to think that there is a bill currently on the table, AB 226, that proposes to grant this already power-mad commission even more enforcement power?  If you live in a home along the coast of California… or anywhere else in America - don’t miss this show.

SINS OF COMMISSION, the first documentary film expose of the California Coastal Commission in its history, takes to the airwaves this weekend on SATURDAY SPECIAL,  KSCO 1080 AM, (Santa Cruz - San Francisco).  MZ, Michael Zwerling, maverick owner of KSCO and KOMY hosts the 2 hour radio show August 8 from 10 AM to 12 PM.

4 and 1/2 years ago, Filmmaker Richard Oshen lived inland and didn’t know anything about the California Coastal Commission. Like most Californians he figured they had something to do with the beaches or the water.

When close friends called him to document an inspection of their land by the coastal commission, he thought he would just show up with a camera, film the inspection for about an hour or so, hand the tape to his friends, and be done.

It didn’t happen that way, says Oshen.  Instead, he stepped into a shadowy world he never knew existed. The California Coastal Zone is like a parallel universe , he says. You think you are still in California, you think you are still in America… but the reality is anything but.

California’s dirty little secret.

Saturday’s show promises to be an eye-opener.

The scary thing about the whole thing is that I have observed the California Coastal Commission treat human beings living along the California coast as enemies of the state.

-Richard Oshen, filmmaker

It has taken this long to get to this point because the Triple C controls the mainstream media covertly or overtly preventing anything critical of them from getting out. Now, for the first time, the people get to hear the other side of the California Coastal Commission story…the side of the story the commission doesn’t want you to know…

This is a very crucial time for California. Two new bills coming down the pike,  AB 226 and AB 291, are very troublesome because they will give a well documented, historically proven, power mad commission… more power.  Does this sounds like a bad idea for the people of California - or what?

For more information about KSCO and Saturday’s show click SATURDAY SPECIAL

A word about how to listen to KSCO live–

Click this link http://www.ksco.com/listentips.cfm, download a file called kscolive.m3u to your desktop– you should get live feed at that point.

SINS OF COMMISSION needs your support to complete the film, and get it out.

ALL donations are tax deductible when made through the film’s fiscal sponsor the INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION, a 501 c3 non profit foundation. Fastest, easiest way to help is to click the “DONATE NOW button” on the side of this page, and you will be whisked away to a secure PAY PAL page set up for us. Fill in the blanks, click “send” and you’ve helped!  You can also send a check to:

The International Documentary Association
Fiscal Sponsorship Program
1201 West 5th Street, Suite M270
Los Angeles, CA  90017.

Please be sure to write  “for: SINS OF COMMISSION” on your check. 

All contribution information is confidential.

Thank you in advance for your support,

Richard

Filmmaker Richard Oshen’s documentary film SINS OF COMMISSION www.sinsofcommission.com has been subpoenaed by the primary star of the film, the California Coastal Commission.

The film, the first behind-the-scenes look at decades of alleged government corruption and malfeasance by the highly secretive Commission, features a first time in-depth, on camera interview with Peter Douglas, the Commission’s executive director of 20 plus years, as well as with former Commission members.

The sweep of the subpoena includes “all visual and/or audio recordings…as well as Mr. Oshen’s unpublished “Sins of Commission DVD.”

-David Greene, The First Amendment Project

The filmmaker believes the Commission is determined to stop the release of this film and is doing everything in its power to stop it, and Oshen sees the subpoena as the first step.

It’s a sad commentary for America when a government commission at the heart of an investigative documentary film, can summon a work print and raw footage of the film that they believe is exposing their decisions.  If they have nothing to hide - what are they afraid of?

-Richard Oshen, SINS OF COMMISSION producer/director

Oshen believes that the reporter’s privilege, based on the First Amendment and the Liberty of Speech Clause of the California Constitution, applies to him and all documentary filmmakers, as well as print journalists.

Other courts have found that the reporter’s privilege applies to documentary filmmakers, most notably in Silkwood v. Kerr McGee and the same constitutional privilege of press applies to SINS OF COMMISSION - even though the documentary film lacks a distribution deal or a filmmaker, like Richard Oshen, has not previously produced a documentary film.

The First Amendment Project is defending Mr. Oshen and SINS OF COMMISSION and set forth objections in a letter to the CCC. David Greene, staff attorney and executive director at First Amendment Project says the Supreme Court of the United States recognizes the privilege based on the broad protections for Freedom of the Press, extends to documentary filmmakers.

Constitutional protection afforded a documentarian to shield his journalistic work product from subpoenas benefits not only that documentarian, but the public in general.

-David Greene, The First Amendment Project

He added that without these protections, news gatherers of all kinds would be discouraged from investigating, and the public would ultimately suffer by being denied access to important information.

For more information, contact David Greene at The First Amendment Project (510) 208-7744 or Richard Oshen 909 547-6262, sinsofcommission@gmail.com

History is about to repeat itself - and not in a good way.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants the California Legislature to approve his request for the first new offshore oil drilling in California’s waters since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill.

This is the worst time to open up California’s coast to off shore drilling, which is exactly why such a diabolical plan is being foisted on the people .

California doesn’t need money from big oil to fix the California budget woes.  California needs to take a hard look at all the  money we’re wasting on agencies and commissions we don’t need.

I know of at least one commission on the list there that is in major need of reform. Maybe we can find another one.

Before cutting education, take a gander at this list of all the absolutely essential California agencies and commissions  we can’t seem to manage without in our daily lives. Why not reorganize? Merge agencies where effort is duplicated.  Eliminate, reform or sell-off .

California Access for Infants and Mothers
California Acupuncture Board
California Administrative Office of the Courts
California Adoptions Branch
California African American Museum
California Agricultural Export Program
California Agricultural Labor Relations Board
California Agricultural Statistics Service
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
California Allocation Board
California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority
California Animal Health and Food Safety Services
California Anti-Terrorism Information Center
California Apprenticeship Council
California Arbitration Certification Program
California Architects Board
California Area VI Developmental Disabilities Board
California Arts Council

California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
California Assembly Democratic Caucus
California Assembly Republican Caucus
California Athletic Commission
California Attorney General
California Bay Conservation and Development Commission
California Bay-Delta Authority
California Bay-Delta Office
California Biodiversity Council
California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists
California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
California Board of Accountancy
California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
California Board of Chiropractic Examiners
California Board of Equalization (BOE)
California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection
California Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind
California Board of Occupational Therapy
California Board of Optometry
California Board of Pharmacy
California Board of Podiatric Medicine
California Board of Prison Terms
California Board of Psychology
California Board of Registered Nursing
California Board of Trustees
California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
California Braille and Talking Book Library
California Building Standards Commission
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
California Bureau of Automotive Repair
California Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair
California Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation
California Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine
California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services
California Bureau of State Audits
California Business Agency
California Business Investment Services (CalBIS)
California Business Permit Information (CalGOLD)
California Business Portal
California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
California Cal Grants
California CalJOBS
California Cal-Learn Program
California CalVet Home Loan Program
California Career Resource Network
California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
California Center for Analytical Chemistry
California Center for Distributed Learning
California Center for Teaching Careers (Teach California)
California Chancellor’s Office
California Charter Schools
California Children and Families Commission
California Children and Family Services Division
California Citizens Compensation Commission
California Civil Rights Bureau
California Coastal Commission
California Coastal Conservancy
California Code of Regulations
California Collaborative Projects with UC Davis
California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth
California Commission on Aging
California Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation
California Commission on Judicial Performance
California Commission on State Mandates
California Commission on Status of Women
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
California Commission on the Status of Women
California Committee on Dental Auxiliaries
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, Junior Colleges
California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office
California Complaint Mediation Program
California Conservation Corps
California Constitution Revision Commission
California Consumer Hotline
California Consumer Information Center
California Consumer Information
California Consumer Services Division
California Consumers and Families Agency
California Contractors State License Board
California Corrections Standards Authority
California Council for the Humanities
California Council on Criminal Justice
California Council on Developmental Disabilities
California Court Reporters Board
California Courts of Appeal
California Crime and Violence Prevention Center
California Criminal Justice Statistics Center
California Criminalistic Institute Forensic Library
California CSGnet Network Management
California Cultural and Historical Endowment
California Cultural Resources Division
California Curriculum and Instructional Leadership Branch
California Data Exchange Center
California Data Management Division
California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission
California Delta Protection Commission
California Democratic Caucus
California Demographic Research Unit
California Dental Auxiliaries
California Department of Aging
California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
California Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating)
California Department of Child Support Services (CDCSS)
California Department of Community Services and Development
California Department of Conservation
California Department of Consumer Affairs
California Department of Corporations
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
California Department of Developmental Services
California Department of Education
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
California Department of Finance
California Department of Financial Institutions
California Department of Fish and Game
California Department of Food and Agriculture
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF)
California Department of General Services
California Department of General Services, Office of State Publishing
California Department of Health Care Services
California Department of Housing and Community Development
California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
California Department of Insurance
California Department of Justice Firearms Division
California Department of Justice Opinion Unit
California Department of Justice, Consumer Information, Public Inquiry Unit
California Department of Justice
California Department of Managed Health Care
California Department of Mental Health
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
California Department of Personnel Administration
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
California Department of Public Health
California Department of Real Estate
California Department of Rehabilitation
California Department of Social Services Adoptions Branch
California Department of Social Services
California Department of Technology Services Training Center (DTSTC)
California Department of Technology Services (DTS)
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVets)
California Department of Water Resources
California Departmento de Vehiculos Motorizados
California Digital Library
California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certification Program
California Division of Apprenticeship Standards
California Division of Codes and Standards
California Division of Communicable Disease Control
California Division of Engineering
California Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control
California Division of Gambling Control
California Division of Housing Policy Development
California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
California Division of Labor Statistics and Research
California Division of Land and Right of Way
California Division of Land Resource Protection
California Division of Law Enforcement General Library
California Division of Measurement Standards
California Division of Mines and Geology
California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA)
California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources
California Division of Planning and Local Assistance
California Division of Recycling
California Division of Safety of Dams
California Division of the State Architect
California Division of Tourism
California Division of Workers’ Compensation Medical Unit
California Division of Workers’ Compensation
California Economic Assistance, Business and Community Resources
California Economic Strategy Panel
California Education and Training Agency
California Education Audit Appeals Panel
California Educational Facilities Authority
California Elections Division
California Electricity Oversight Board
California Emergency Management Agency
California Emergency Medical Services Authority
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
California Employment Information State Jobs
California Employment Training Panel
California Energy Commission
California Environment and Natural Resources Agency
California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA)
California Environmental Resources Evaluation System (CERES)
California Executive Office
California Export Laboratory Services
California Exposition and State Fair (Cal Expo)
California Fair Political Practices Commission
California Fairs and Expositions Division
California Film Commission
California Fire and Resource Assessment Program
California Firearms Division
California Fiscal Services
California Fish and Game Commission
California Fisheries Program Branch
California Floodplain Management
California Foster Youth Help
California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
California Fraud Division
California Gambling Control Commission
California Geographic Information Systems Council (GIS)
California Geological Survey
California Government Claims and Victim Compensation Board
California Governor’s Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons
California Governor’s Mentoring Partnership
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
California Governor’s Office of Homeland Security
California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
California Governor’s Office
California Grant and Enterprise Zone Programs HCD Loan
California Health and Human Services Agency
California Health and Safety Agency
California Healthy Families Program
California Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau
California High-Speed Rail Authority
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
California History and Culture Agency
California Horse Racing Board
California Housing Finance Agency
California Indoor Air Quality Program
California Industrial Development Financing Advisory Commission
California Industrial Welfare Commission
California InFoPeople
California Information Center for the Environment
California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (I-Bank)
California Inspection Services
California Institute for County Government
California Institute for Education Reform
California Integrated Waste Management Board
California Interagency Ecological Program
California Job Service
California Junta Estatal de Personal
California Labor and Employment Agency
California Labor and Workforce Development Agency
California Labor Market Information Division
California Land Use Planning Information Network (LUPIN)
California Lands Commission
California Landscape Architects Technical Committee
California Latino Legislative Caucus
California Law Enforcement Branch
California Law Enforcement General Library
California Law Revision Commission
California Legislative Analyst’s Office
California Legislative Black Caucus
California Legislative Counsel
California Legislative Division
California Legislative Information
California Legislative Lesbian, Gay , Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus
California Legislature Internet Caucus
California Library Development Services
California License and Revenue Branch
California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program
California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board
California Maritime Academy
California Marketing Services
California Measurement Standards
California Medical Assistance Commission
California Medical Care Services
California Military Department
California Mining and Geology Board
California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts
California Museum Resource Center
California National Guard
California Native American Heritage Commission
California Natural Community Conservation Planning Program
California New Motor Vehicle Board
California Nursing Home Administrator Program
California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board
California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
California Ocean Resources Management Program
California Office of Administrative Hearings
California Office of Administrative Law
California Office of AIDS
California Office of Binational Border Health
California Office of Child Abuse Prevention
California Office of Deaf Access
California Office of Emergency Services (OES)
California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
California Office of Fiscal Services
California Office of Fleet Administration
California Office of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Implementation (CalOHI)
California Office of Historic Preservation
California Office of Homeland Security
California Office of Human Resources
California Office of Legal Services
California Office of Legislation
California Office of Lieutenant Governor
California Office of Military and Aerospace Support
California Office of Mine Reclamation
California Office of Natural Resource Education
California Office of Privacy Protection
California Office of Public School Construction
California Office of Real Estate Appraisers
California Office of Risk and Insurance Management
California Office of Services to the Blind
California Office of Spill Prevention and Response
California Office of State Publishing (OSP)
California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
California Office of Systems Integration
California Office of the Inspector General
California Office of the Ombudsman
California Office of the Patient Advocate
California Office of the President
California Office of the Secretary for Education
California Office of the State Fire Marshal
California Office of the State Public Defender
California Office of Traffic Safety
California Office of Vital Records
California Online Directory
California Operations Control Office
California Opinion Unit
California Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN)
California Park and Recreation Commission
California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)
California Performance Review (CPR)
California Permit Information for Business (CalGOLD)
California Physical Therapy Board
California Physician Assistant Committee
California Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services
California Policy and Evaluation Division
California Political Reform Division
California Pollution Control Financing Authority
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California Postsecondary Education Commission
California Prevention Services
California Primary Care and Family Health
California Prison Industry Authority
California Procurement Division
California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB)
California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
California Real Estate Services Division
California Refugee Programs Branch
California Regional Water Quality Control Boards
California Registered Veterinary Technician Committee
California Registrar of Charitable Trusts
California Republican Caucus
California Research and Development Division
California Research Bureau
California Resources Agency
California Respiratory Care Board
California Rivers Assessment
California Rural Health Policy Council
California Safe Schools
California San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
California San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy
California San Joaquin River Conservancy
California School to Career
California Science Center
California Scripps Institution of Oceanography
California Secretary of State Business Portal
California Secretary of State
California Seismic Safety Commission
California Self Insurance Plans (SIP)
California Senate Office of Research
California Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Certification Program
California Small Business Development Center Program
California Smart Growth Caucus
California Smog Check Information Center
California Spatial Information Library
California Special Education Division
California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board
California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR)
California Standards and Assessment Division
California State Administrative Manual (SAM)
California State Allocation Board
California State and Consumer Services Agency
California State Architect
California State Archives
California State Assembly
California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
California State Board of Education
California State Board of Food and Agriculture
California State Chief Information Officer (CIO)
California State Children’s Trust Fund
California State Compensation Insurance Fund
California State Contracts Register Program
California State Contracts Register
California State Controller
California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)
California State Disability Insurance (SDI)
California State Fair (Cal Expo)
California State Jobs Employment Information
California State Lands Commission
California State Legislative Portal
California State Legislature
California State Library Catalog
California State Library Services Bureau
California State Library
California State Lottery
California State Mediation and Conciliation Service
California State Mining and Geology Board
California State Park and Recreation Commission
California State Parks
California State Personnel Board
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
California State Railroad Museum
California State Science Fair
California State Senate
California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)
California State Summer School for the Arts
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS)
California State Treasurer
California State University Center for Distributed Learning
California State University, Bakersfield
California State University, Channel Islands
California State University, Chico
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University, San Marcos
California State University, Stanislaus
California State University (CSU)
California State Water Project Analysis Office
California State Water Project
California State Water Resources Control Board
California Structural Pest Control Board
California Student Aid Commission
California Superintendent of Public Instruction
California Superior Courts
California Tahoe Conservancy
California Task Force on Culturally and Linguistically Competent Physicians and Dentists
California Tax Information Center
California Technology and Administration Branch Finance
California Telecommunications Division
California Telephone Medical Advice Services (TMAS)
California Transportation Commission
California Travel and Transportation Agency
California Unclaimed Property Program
California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
California Unemployment Insurance Program
California Uniform Construction Cost Accounting Commission
California Veterans Board
California Veterans Memorial
California Veterinary Medical Board and Registered Veterinary Technician Examining Committee
California Veterinary Medical Board
California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board
CaliforniaVolunteers
California Voter Registration
California Water Commission
California Water Environment Association (CWEA)
California Water Resources Control Board
California Welfare to Work Division
California Wetlands Information System
California Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch
California Wildlife Conservation Board
California Wildlife Programs Branch
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board
California Workforce and Labor Development Agency
California Workforce Investment Board
California Youth Authority (CYA)
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Center for California Studies
Colorado River Board of California
Counting California
Dental Board of California
Health Insurance Plan of California (PacAdvantage)
Humboldt State University
Jobs with the State of California
Judicial Council of California
Learn California
Library of California
Lieutenant Governor’s Commission for One California
Little Hoover Commission (on California State Government Organization and Economy)
Medical Board of California
Medi-Cal
Osteopathic Medical Board of California
Physical Therapy Board of California
Regents of the University of California
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San José State University
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy
State Bar of California
Supreme Court of California
Teach California
University of California
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Merced
University of California, Riverside
University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Francisco
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz
Veterans Home of California

Call/write or fax Governor Schwarzenegger and let him know you think there are better options

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

State Capitol Building

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-445-2841

Fax: 916-558-3160

Wednesday, Governor Schwarzenegger announced California’s deficit has grown to $26.3 billion and there is only one thing do do. The governor proposed billions of additional cuts to education. It doesn’t make sense. Leave education alone. California needs smarter kids – not dumber ones.

The governor declared a fiscal emergency. That declaration triggered an automatic 45-day deadline for the state legislature to come up with a plan to cover the shortfall and balance the budget. If that fails, they’re banned from considering any other legislation until they come up with a solution.  Which, I guess is like saying to a kid, finish your homework or no more homework.

Clearly they need help. Only one thing to do.

We need an intervention.

If California can’t pay their bills, why not do the same thing to this reckless bunch of CEO’s we did to GM and AIG? Place California in receivership. Call in the note. foreclose, evict them, throw the bums out. Start from scratch. 150 years apiece - for all of them…put ‘em right next to Maddoff – no chushy white-collar criminal country clubs for this bunch for all the misery they have inflicted. Take their assets, too. That ought to produce results fast. How many more weeks of failed proposals and bickering can we stand for? Aren’t they embarrassed? Even a little ashamed?

A fiscal train wreck.

Thursday the state planned to pay its bills with IOU’s instead of cash. I tried that today at my local food store. It didn’t work. People giggled for a moment. Then got quiet. Dead quiet. The kind of quiet that silently speaks outrage. Yep…People are angry.

State Treasurer Bill Lockyer calls it an “institutional breakdown.”

I call it just plain wrong. It’s like watching a rerun of a television show everyone knows.  We’ve seen the story a dozen times, know the plot by heart and what is going to happen at the end, and we still watch…hypnotized into thinking - some way, some how how, this time, things are going to be different.

The particular rerun we’re all watching over and over again is called: Corruption, Cronyism, Partisan Bickering, and placing personal self-interest above the needs of an ever increasingly growing desperate citizenry.

Tomorrow we commemorate our independence from that long-ago forgotten, except one one-day-a-year-on the 4th day of July, struggle against tyrannical abuse of power. This is a great topic for tomorrow’s barbecue… but after the barbecue… its time to get busy and deal with what is important.

I think what this song stands for is important…Very Important.

Deep in my heart, I know you do too.

I love Ray Charles.

California Coastal families, farmers, and ranchers are not enemies of the state and deserve equal protection under the law.

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.

-Thomas Jefferson

We celebrate our Nation’s Birthday in a few days. It’s a good time to reflect on what we Americans stand for…and what we don’t.  At a time we are fighting tyranny overseas, let us not forget to stand up to tyranny in our own backyard.

There is a concept in America we call “term limits”. They apply to everyone in office, including  Peter Douglas, Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission. Can anyone name someone besides Mr. Douglas who has reigned in office as long as Sir Peter?

In a Monarchy, kings reign… in a democracy, elected officials serve the people - all of the people for limited terms.

-Richard Oshen filmmaker

Amendment 22 to the United States Constitution ratified February 1951, specifies term limits for the President of the United States. Seems that Mr. Douglas thus declares himself to be above the constitution. Like the rights to property Mr D despises, he seems to view the constitution as a petty annoyance.

In a 1997 speech at a conference in Monterey…Peter Douglas called for the U.S. Constitution to be amended to make courts the “arbiters” in what he called the “debate” over property owners’ rights. That seems to be the issue right there, Mr. Douglas:

Property rights is not a debate. It is the LAW OF THE LAND.

Me thinks this is the trouble in a nutshell. Did Mr. Douglas or did he not take a Civil Service oath to defend and protect the constitution of the United States? If he did, he hasn’t done a good job of it… if not it is a charade on scale unparalleled in California, possibly the nation, and must not be permitted to stand any longer.

In my 90 minute interview with Peter Douglas for SINS OF COMMISSION, Mr. Douglas makes a bold, provocative statement on camera that he is not a civil servant - Question: If Mr. Douglas is not a civil servant, then who or what does Peter Douglas serve?

I was appointed on a seven to five vote. And there have been at least 11 attempts to get rid of me over the years because people don’t, for whatever reason, uh, can’t control me. And I’m (Stammers) the only non-civil service employee of the Coastal Commission. Everybody else is civil service.

- Peter Douglas, SINS OF COMMISSION

If he is not a civil servant…all the more reason to to send him packing. Especially after the Ramirez Canyon travesty SHAME ON YOU!

Time to break up the CCC’s corrupt fiefdom, especially with so many overlapping regulatory agencies in the state. It seems to me the resource agencies can be streamlined - trim the fat, and become much more efficient thus saving an already overburdened budget, and WE the people, lots of money.

The commission’s little scheme works like this: The governor selects 4 commissioners, the speaker 4 and legislature 4 then, they in tern, keep anointing Peter, over, and over, and over again. If that isn’t a racket, a shell game…what do you call it? I call it time for Term Limits. You serve a term, or two -just like the president… then thank you , and buh-bye!

Protection of the environment and protecting our human rights guaranteed under the constitution  ought not be at odds with each other, they support each other, and need each other to survive. Douglas has cunningly put them at odds and uses it to wage class warfare.

-Richard Oshen, Filmmaker

People are inseparable from the land…although the Triple C is trying real hard.

Billion Dollar fires that need not be.

Americans have the constitutional right to own property, Mr. Douglas. ALL their property…and to be secure on that property.

Property Rights is not a privilege like a drivers license - it is an inalienable right.

Mr. Douglas, it seems, does not like the idea of we the people owning land at all, yet he owns land…and a house.

Property and property rights are what separates free men from serfs and indentured servants.

Take away the right to own land and be secure on it and people can never be secure.

Once upon a time, thirty plus years ago, it sounded like a good idea to isolate the CCC from the politics of politics.The point is, over time, that seemingly “good idea” to isolate a regulatory commission from our democratic electoral process contributed mightily to its corruption and, along the way, made it subservient to its political patrons - not the people of the state of California.

-Richard Oshen, Filmmaker

Combining all three branches of government into one entity for “expediency” is a Kangaroo court. It is what the coastal commission has become: writer of its own laws, enforcer of the laws they write, judge, jury, and executioner. That is not America.

Who protects the people?

Not the government of California - and certainly not the attorney general of the state.

The attorney general is litigating the people on behalf of the Triple C to the tune of upwards of $ 2 billion dollars per year. They are using our own money to fight us.

Where are the CCC’s checks and balances? The answer, sadly, for all of us is…there are none.

A dysfunctional coastal commission handsomely benefited the big picture plan of certain self-interest Non Governmental Oragnizations to such a degree it appears the CCC is their de facto enforcer - the legal muscle in the service of the elite ones who secretly contribute to them - not the people of California.

Tom Hayden tried to break up this little PONZI SCHEME back in1988, but it was soundly defeated by the same elitist interests that still pull the CCC’s strings today.

Last year Senator Denise Ducheney introduced a bill that would prohibit the commission from appealing itself. Which to this writer, sounds like a very normal thing to do - to prevent a commission from appealing itself  It too was squashed by these same NGOs and their elite supporters.

Where is the legislative oversight?

There is much more to it….the politics of fire…the devaluation of property,  destruction of the family farm, more open space than we can afford, the destruction of infrastructure from lack of property taxes, people living in fear of retribution if they speak out. The CCC is not the STASI.

When the governor of our state tell us education must be sacrificed because there is no money left, and you cast your eyes up to dark billowing clouds of smoke, and expensive leased aircraft zooming overhead, when a fleet of weed-wackers could have prevented all or most of it - you begin to see the huge scope of the disaster by these Pirates of California.

The tyranny by small imperceptible changes that has been obscured for the last 30+ years comes into focus and once seemingly isolated dots connect.

-Richard Oshen, filmmaker

Yes, well past time for Mr Douglas to go - but to go not because someone is anti this, and someone else is pro that, but because no one is above the law.

It is time we, the people of California get down to the business of determining the Coastal Commission’s next chapter post  Douglas and whether we repair or replace the California Coastal Commission.

It is time for a change in California.Time to breathe fresh air into a stale decadent demagoguery.

General Motors held on to their self righteous beliefs to the very end. We cannot afford to.

The future of California hangs in the balance.

SINS OF COMMISSION needs your help. A work print of the film and “other” material is being subpoenaed by the California Coastal Commission. I believe this is an egregious violation of our 1st Amendment Rights.

If you’ve ever considered making a donation to help the film finish or want to defend freedom of speech, now is the time. All donations made through our fiscal sponsor, The International Documentary Association, a 501 c3 non profit, are tax deductible.

Please click the link on the navigation bar, or you may send a check by mail:

The International Documentary Association
1201 West 5th Street, Suite M270
Los Angeles, CA  90017

attention: Fiscal Sponsorship

Please mark your check “for the account of Sins of Commission”

Thank you.

These are my thoughts on something very un-American… Censorship.

The California Coastal Commission is demanding I produce a work print and raw footage from a film not yet finished. I say this is a violation of the First Amendment.

I wrote my guild, The International Cinematographer’s Guild, the American Society of Cinematographers, the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America, the Producers Guild of America, and Screen Actor’s Guild alerting them to the gravity of my situation.

What world our world be like if the government censored ON THE WATERFRONT

or FAHRENHEIT 451 -

or any other controversial film.

What happens to the least of us inevitably happens to the most of us - over time.

The suppression of free speech through intimidating legal efforts such as serving you with a subpoena and demanding a copy of a film … and additionally requesting all of your production records is an interesting story of overreaching abuse of power on their part. This story needs to be told to the largest possible audience. It appears that another chapter in the Sins story is being written.

-Jim L

It is vitally important to a free American process that controversial films like SINS OF COMMISSION exist.

The California Coastal Commission doesn’t think so - especially when they are the focus of investigation. Why? because they don’t want you to connect the dots like we did to a crumbling California economy due to fires like the Santa Barbara Fire, and other destructive, anti-people policies.

They don’t want the people of  Californians to ask questions like, why hasn’t anyone taken a weed-wacker to the overgrown brush?

They don’t want you to find they play a big role in destroying infrastructure along the coast,  because if we improve water lines, and sewers, or put in a new high school in Half Moon Bay for instance, that would mean more people might move there.

Can it be that the California Coastal Commission doesn’t want people to live along the coast?

It will be interesting to see if California Coastal Commission trumps the United States Constitution or not.

Given California courts record involving the Triple C and recent attempt to go squash the filming of an inspection by a commission on private property - jury is out on this one as they say.

I’m intending to vigorously defend our right to free speech, and free press - and invite everyone to join me.

I believe the CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION’s request is unconstitutional and believe I have a right to politely, and firmly refuse to comply on the basis of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Support SINS OF COMMISSION, documentary film, and Freedom of Speech with a tax-deductible donation to our fiscal sponsor the International Documentary Association, a 501 c3 non profit foundation dedicated to promoting and preserving documentary film.

Sins Of Commission in West Hollywood International Film Festival

It’s official, SINS is in.

I would like to publicly say thank you to Martin Deluca the Director / Producer of the West Hollywood International Film Festival for having the courage to screen controversial films from around the world like ours.

Embrace the controversy! Revel in the process of Free Speech. This is Democracy! Use it or loose it as the saying goes.

Whether you agree with SINS OF COMMISSION or not is irrelevant to me as a filmmaker.

What is relevant to me, as a filmmaker, is that Americans are not stopped from being able to choose what to read, or watch.

KNBC reporter Cary Berglund asked the California Coastal Commission’s lawyer [Christina Bull Arndt] in the Attorney General’s Office, (because that’s who defends the Triple C -to the tune of $2 Billion a year…is that right?) why they want a copy of the film.

The assistant A.G said that it is “discovery”, and that the commission is casting a “wide net for information.”

I know how tough things are in California financially right now so rather than burden the state with more costs, I’d like to offer to buy a ticket for Attorney General Edmund Brown Jr. Unfortunately, sir, you would have to provide your own transportation.  I know, with the recent gas tax hike it is kind of expensive but it maybe more cost effective in the long run.. Can you cover your own parking?

Governor Schwarzenegger has a place in Malibu, maybe you can crash there and save the people the cost of a hotel. Come to think of it, I’ll spring for two tickets - Arnie can go too…call it a guys night out kind of thing.

For more information about the festival, SINS OF COMMISSION, and the other fabulous controversial films from around the world please visit the film festival Site

SINS OF COMMISSION - KNBC Los Angeles 6 O’clock News

SINS OF COMMISSION, the documentary film expose of the California Coastal Commission broke into the mainstream news.

The documentary film expose of the secretive commission aired at the top of the hour in the number 2 television market in the US.

A subphoena for a work print of the film has been issued by the commission and Richard Oshen, the filmmaker plans to vigorously defend wht he calls ” a blatant attempt” by the commission to silence the film.

No matter what the commission says regarding their demand for the film… the commission’s history, revealed for the first time in SINS OF COMMISSION,  clearly shows how the California Coastal Commission obscures their real motives and objectives.

They simply want the film blocked, and will go to any length to accomplish their goal - eiven if it means violating the 1st amendment of the US Constitution to do it.

-Richard Oshen, filmmaker

SINS OF COMMISSION filmmaker Richard Oshen talks to the camera tonight 6pm KNBC, Los Angeles TV 4.

People in California need to know the real story, from both sides…what is going on right now, in their name - and what has been going on for decades. 

Richard Oshen, SINS OF COMMISSION, filmmaker

The televised interview follows hot on the heels of a this morning’s interview with Doug McIntyre on KABC 790 AM  TALK RADIO.

It seems to me that the people, all the people need to revisit the California Coastal Commission, which they have not done in over 30 years to see how it can to be restored to “fairness and balance”, a cornerstone of the Coastal Act and our system of government. 

The people can’t do this as it now stands because of the way the commision has been isolated from the electoral process… and…the legislature seems to be unwilling to step in.

Richard Oshen, SINS OF COMMISSION, filmmaker