The war in Iraq through FY 2007 has cost taxpayers in Sacramento $620.5M.

For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided in Sacramento:

• 255,371 People with Health Care for One Year OR
• 1,105,497 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year OR
• 11,085 Public Safety Officers for One year OR
• 8,765 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year OR
• 93,245 Scholarships for University Students for One Year OR
• 62 New Elementary Schools OR
• 1,857 Affordable Housing Units OR
• 231,931 Children with Health Care for One Year OR
• 74,217 Head Start Places for Children for One Year OR
• 8,911 Elementary School Teachers for One Year OR
• 7,837 Port Container Inspectors for One year

Would you be willing to trade one of the items above for the war in Iraq?

It's your tax money, you are the decider. Know the facts when you vote and vote for the candidate that most reflects your values and will spend your tax dollars in that way you deem best for your community.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Source: National Priorities Project

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 3:37 AM | Permalink

Gillian & I went to Buenos Aires, Argentina last week. We had a fantastic time. Here are memorable street scenes that will no doubt tug on our hearts for a return visit - hopefully soon. Each of these scenes has a story that warrants future elaboration.

Puente de la Mujer (Woman's Bridge), designed by Santiago Calatrava, located in the Puerto Madero district of Buenos Aires

Mothers of Lost Children - a weekly protest for the past thirty years on Plaza de Mayo

The professional dog walker - Cruella style

The Cartonero, a government sanctioned recycle program

High-end Cartonero

Mixed media art - bronze statue with discarded plastic bag - an eye for humor

Latin lovers stroll through Jardin Japones (the Japanese Garden) in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires

The riot police gather for their next assignment in Plaza de Mayo

An Olympic torch protest outside Honorable Concejo Deliberante - and the riot police move in to protect the visiting Chinese dignitaries

A lovers' tango in the park at Plaza San Martin

Posted by Pierre Cutler at 8:18 AM | Permalink

Submitted by a loyal reader:

Could Paul Allen's Charter Communication be working on a deal here in Sacramento?

It's hard to hide a Boeing 757 at any airport, but Paul Allen's private jet (N757AF) has been spotted at McClellan on two recent occasions, leading us to wonder why it was visiting Sacramento and not using Sacramento International.

The shiny plane first appeared a few weeks ago and spent a couple of days in town and recently returned for a couple more. On both occasions we missed seeing who left and who boarded, but it appears that one of the richest men in America (and the co-founder of Microsoft) rarely allows others to use the plane without him. As Chairman of Charter Communications his interest in a local cable, internet and telephone company with an office at McClellan may just be more than a coincidence.

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 1:42 PM | Permalink

We've heard the good and the bad about what Sacramento mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson has done for Oak Park. Cut through the spin and go check it out yourself.

On April 5th, you are invited to join Kevin and his campaign staff on a walking tour. Tours will start at 10am and 2pm. To sign up, all you have to do is call campaign headquarters at 916.441.6500.

And if you go, write a blog detailing your experience and I will post it.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive

Posted by Gillian Parrillo at 9:51 AM | Permalink