Things are getting exciting around here...

So Mittens came to Thousand Oaks yesterday, to raise money for Tony Strickland's campaign.

I may have mentioned that I'm not a Strickland fan.

Because he wasn't getting enough attention from the Green Wave Energy BS, I suppose, he decided to accept a bunch of money from big tobacco, further exciting the passions of local liberals, democrats, and at least one republican, according to the local paper.

But tobacco money isn't nearly enough to buy yourself a seat so you can peddle your influence and reap in cash, so Romney came to town to tell the folks that Tony has the solutions to California's budget crisis, among other things.

A couple of years ago, I doubt this would have brought more than a few people out of doors, but yesterday, apparently Audra's chief of staff and some suited young republicans clashed with protesters in front of the Hyatt on Westlake Blvd.

The Star's story is here. Ok story, amusing comments thread. (Note to commenter Dmeeks: When you wrote: "The Strickland supporters had been at their location with no problems and it was the protesters and anti-Strickland crowd who caused the "tussle". How sad." the words "how sad" out you. You're a concern troll, and probably lying.)

Better coverage is at Brian Dennert's blog, here. Great photos, some video, first person witnesses, etc. The police may or may not bring charges against Audra's chief of staff for assault.

I continue to question Tony's conflicts of interest (Green Wave and tobacco money being the most obvious), and I also question whether Audra's staff, paid by our taxes, is properly employed as an anti-first amendment campaign thug. As a commenter there said:

Joel Angeles was stupid for getting caught strongarming people and holding a sign. He's a chief of staff for crying out loud and certainly knows better. His office works for all of Audra's constituents - not just the Republican ones that vote for her or her husband. He should resign before anymore political damage is inflicted.

Another interesting note: the comments thread is great, lots of first person accounting, etc. But note the commenters who write that "Union thugs" were harrassing Strickland supporters. Really? Because I have never once encountered a "Union thug" at any political event in Thousand Oaks.

Kind of like the "How sad" commenting. If you think thugs and paid protesters were there to stir up shit with Strickland supporters, you have taken the jump into dark fantasyland.