LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM >> COMING UP NEXT ON HEADLINE HUM BOLD, NATALIE ARROYO WE TALK ABOUT HER VISIONS FOR THE DISTRICT AND FOR THE REGION.

REMEMBER THAT DAY A YEAR AGO WHEN TRUMP MILITIA MEMBERS STORMED THE CAPITOL.

JARED HANDCUFFMAN AND JAMIE RASKIN ARE MAKING SURE NOBODY FORGETS.

THIS IS "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT."

OUR GUEST IN THE BROADEST SENSE IS DEMOCRACY.

WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE CITY COUNCILWOMAN NATALIE ARROYO.

THIS TIME TWO SITTING COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL VIE FOR THE SAME SEAT AT THE SAME TIME AND FACE OFF AGAINST A CURRENT PLANNING COMMISSIONER WHO WAS ON THE COUNCIL A DECADE AGO.

WE WILL TALK TO ALL THE CANDIDATES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WHAT IS THEIR VISION AND EXPERIENCES IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE HELP TO GUIDE THEIR TERM IF THEY WIN AND WHERE DO THEY STAND ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO YOU.

THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED PART ONE.

ALSO COMING UP IS A PASSIONATE DEFENSE OF OUR DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEM BY CONGRESSMAN JARED HANDCUFFMAN AND JAMIE RASKIN FROM MARYLAND.

THE TWO MEN HELD A TOWN HALL TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE OF OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM AND HOW IT IS DOING IN THE WAKE OF THE ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL BUILDING AND COUP ATTEMPT.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE TWO CURRENT REPETITIVES PARTICIPATING IN A CONVERSATION MANY AMERICANS THOUGHT LONG EXTINCT.

WHO CAN BE TRUSTED WITH POWER.

AS RASKIN POINTS OUT, WE NEED TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY FROM THE THREATS ENCROACHING VIRTUALLY EVERY ANGLE.

IT IS A FASCINATING AND SOBER CONVERSATION AND ONE LONG OVERDUE.

WE HAVE TO LEAD WITH THE LOCAL THERE IS NO BIGGER LOCAL RACE THAN THE FOURTH DISTRICT SEAT ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

JOINING US IS COUNCIL WOMAN NATALIE ARROYO.

WELCOME, NATALIE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> YOU HIT THE BIG TIME, RUNNING IF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

LET'S START WITH A BASIC QUESTION, WHY DO YOU WANT A SEAT TO MOVE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL TO THE BOARD?

>> GREAT.

I'M RUNGING BECAUSE I BELIEVE I HAVE THE IDEAL SKILL SET AND RELATIONSHIPS TO TAKE OUR COUNTY FORWARD.

I PLAN TO FOCUS ON ADVANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, HOUSING OPTIONS FOR ALL INCOME LEVELS, TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND PARLY IN EUREKA, WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLISTS AND MOTORISTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND FOCUS ON INCREASING THE SATISFACTION THAT RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY HAVE WITH THEIR COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

>> YOU MENTION A SKILL SET.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PARTICULAR SKILLS YOU HAVE THAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE USEFUL AT THIS MOMENT.

>> SURE.

I HAVE A HECK OF A LOT OF WORK EXPERIENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

SO LOCAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO I SERVED ON THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A LITTLE OVER SEVEN YEARS NOW.

I WILL BE WRAPPING UP MY SECOND TERM ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND TERMED OUT AT THE END OF 2022.

THROUGH THAT ROLE I HAVE WORKED WITH SO MANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND REALLY GOTTEN TO SEE HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> RIGHT.

>> AS WELL AS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS THEMSELVES.

I BRING THAT EXPERIENCE WITH ME.

A LOT OF TIMES FOLKS WANT TO SEE PEOPLE FRESH AND NEW TO POLITICS.

THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR HAVING THAT EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE DECISIONS, NOT IN A VACUUM, BUT WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RESIDENTS.

I ALSO BRING EXPERIENCE IN THE COAST GUARD.

A LOT OF MARITIME KNOWLEDGE THERE, A LOT OF DISASTER RESPONSE KNOWLEDGE.

I TEACH AT HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY -- EXCUSE ME, SORRY, CAL POLY HUMBOLDT.

THAT IS THE FIRST TIME I SAID THE NEW NAME.

I COULD TALK MORE ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE, BUT A BROAD RANGE OF EXPERIENCES I BRING TO THE TABLE.

>> WHAT SUBJECT DID YOU TEACH AT HHU OR CAL POLY HUMBOLDT?

>> I TEACH IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.

TEACHING STUDENTS WHO ARE STUDYING ENVIRONMENT RESTORATION AND FORESTRY, FIRE MANAGEMENT.

RIGHT NOW I'M TEACHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCEPT RESOLUTION CLASS SO FOLKS WHO ARE IN THOSE FIELDS OF SCIENCE NEED TO TAKE THIS CLASS TO GRADUATE AND I USE A LOT OF EXPERIENCES FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO REALLY ILLUSTRATE THE POINTS ON HOW TO EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE CONFLICT.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU ARE SORT OF KNOWN FOR TWO PARTICULAR EFFORTS IN THAT DIRECTION.

YOU WERE INSTRUMENTAL ALONG WITH WOMEN BRUGEL, ALSO RUNNING TO THE FOURTH DISTRICT SEAT, TO RETURN LAND TO THE WEYOT TRIBE WHICH GOT ATTENTION.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT DEMONSTRAING YOUR ABILITY TO LEAD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FELT WAS IMPORTANT ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME WAS HOW IMPACTFUL IT WAS TO GO TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY WANTED FROM THE CITY OF EUREKA.

A LOT OF TIMES I THINK PEOPLE MAKE PLANS AND INVITE TRIBES TO THE TABLE, HEY, WE SAVED A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO COME TO US TO SIT IN THAT SEAT.

SO I REALLY WENT TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETING AND ASKED WHAT I COULD DO TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY OF EUREKA AND THE TRIBE.

THE FIRST THING THEY SAID WAS THE RETURN OF TULUWAT WAS FIRST AND FOREMOST ON THEIR MINDS.

I COMMITTED AT THAT TIME TO DO EVERYTHING I COULD TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AT THE SAME TIME, I KNOW KIM WAS TALKING WITH HER PEOPLE SHE KNEW WITHIN THE TRIBE.

WE HAD TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO A SIMILAR ISSUE AND CONTINUED TO WORK TOGETHER ON IT FOR YEARS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

AND EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMITMENT FROM THE CITY, IT STILL TOOK NEARLY FOUR YEARS TO GO FROM IDEA TO ACTUALLY TRANSFERRING THE DEED.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF THINGS WRITTEN ABOUT IT.

THE FFX CHANNEL AT KEET WAS FEATURED IN THAT LINEUP TALKING ABOUT COMMUNITIES AND JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE THESE RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRIBES WHERE THEY HAVE COME TO A STAND STILL ON LONG STANDING ISSUES.

A LOT OF FOLKS THAT POINTED TO PERHAPS A DIFFERENT DIRECTION THAT COULD BE TAKEN.

YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF THAT RELATIONSHIP NOW, DO YOU THINK, AND HOW WOULD YOUR ELECTION -- HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO IMPROVE THAT RELATIONSHIP OR WHERE DO YOU SEE IT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT?

>> SURE.

WELL, WE CURRENTLY MEET PRETTY FREQUENTLY.

THERE ARE TWO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND TWO COUNTY SUPERVISORS WHO MEET REGULARLY TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT WE BOTH FACE AND WE NEED TO WORK ON TOGETHER.

AND SO I SEE THOSE CONVERSATIONS CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD.

IT'S JUST A SPACE TO REALLY VET CONCERNS AND HEAR ABOUT UPCOMING PROJECTS THAT'S REALLY VALUABLE.

SO CONTINUING TO HOLD THOSE MEETINGS IS IMPORTANT.

I CERTAINLY HAVE SEEN THINGS FROM THE CITY'S PERSPECTIVE.

AND OFTEN WISHED FOR MORE RESOURCES FOR THE COUNTY TO BRINGS TO BEAR.

BUT I ALSO KNOW THE COUNTY HAS LIMITED RESOURCES, TOO, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO BRING MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE CITY AND WHAT OUR QUALMS OR AND CHALLENGES ARE TO THE COUNTY AND SEE HOW WE CAN APPROACH THINGS DIFFERENTLY ON KIND OF A BIGGER LEVEL AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR REGION ON THE STATE LEVEL AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO DO THAT.

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED EUREKA, BUT I DON'T WANT TO FORGET THE DISTRICT ALSO INCLUDES PORTIONS OF MYRTLETOWN AND THE PENINSULA.

>> SURE.

>> I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH FOLKS ON THE PENINSULA ON COMMUNITY ORGANIZING EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORT.

SO BEING ABLE TO SEIZE SOME OF THOSE THINGS COME TO FRUITION, REDUCING DUMPING, ADDRESSING DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS OUT THERE IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY, TOO.

>> TALKING ABOUT THE PENINSULA BRINGS ABOUT THE SUBJECT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK OVER THE YEARS OF DOING SOMETHING OUT THERE TO INCREASE INDUSTRY.

I MEAN, WHERE DO YOU FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION AND BASICALLY LIFESTYLE PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BRINGING IN BUSINESSES THAT CAN BRING JOBS.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE BALANCE THERE?

>> YEAH.

THAT IS A TRICKY ONE.

MY BACKGROUND IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER SO IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER THINGS I MENTIONED, I WORK FOR A LOCAL NONPROFIT IN THAT COMMUNITY FOR 15 YEARS DOING FISHERIES RESTORATION AND TRAILS PLANNING AND ALL KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS THAT HAVE A NEXUS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

AND SO I BRING THAT KIND OF THINKING TO THINGS AND I AM IMPRESSED, FRANKLY, I HAVE TO HAND IT TO THE HARBOR DISTRICT FOR THE INNOVATION THEY HAVE SHOWN WITH NEW PROJECTS THEY ARE BRINGING FORWARD AND COLLABORATING WITH THE COUNTY ON.

I HOPE TO SEE THE WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT MOVE FORWARD.

I HOPE TO SEE SOLUTIONS TO THE REMAINING CHALLENGES WITH THE FISH FARM, BUT I THINK WE ARE SEEING GREAT DIRECTION THERE.

AND I KNOW FROM TALKING TO PEOPLE ON THE PENINSULA, MANY PEOPLE WANT TO SEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OUT THERE AND A LITTLE BIT MORE HOUSING, NOT A LOT, BUT A LITTLE BIT.

AND FOLKS THINK IT IS WORTH IT TO SEE THAT KIND OF DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO HAVE A COMMUNITY GROCERY STORE OR MORE COMMUNITY SPACES THAT ARE THERE, SO IT IS NOT JUST A BEDROOM COMMUNITY.

SEEING THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS GOING BE HUGE FOR THE PENINSULA.

BY AND LARGE PEOPLE REALLY WANT IT, I THINK >> YOU MENTIONED WORKING WITH AREA NONPROFITS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NONPROFITS.

THIS JUST IN, RIGHT?

BUT WHAT IS IT ABOUT HUMBOLDT COUNTY THAT FOSTERS THAT NONPROFIT SPIRIT AND DO YOU THINK IT COULD BE USED BY THE COUNTY IN A MORE PRODUCTIVE WAY OR IS THAT RELATIONSHIP MAXIMIZED RIGHT NOW?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I MEAN, SO OUR COMMUNITY IS RICH WITH NONPROFITS AND IT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE AND AS TO WHY THAT IS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVE HERE WITH A LOT OF PASSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND PASSION FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THEY WANT TO LIVE CLOSER TO NATURE AND ONE ANOTHER, BUT IN SOME WAYS THEY WANT TO LIVE MORE INDEPENDENTLY.

SO THERE IS THAT SPIRIT OF SELF-RELIANCE THAT I THINK BRINGS PEOPLE TO REALLY WANT TO CREATE NEW ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

IN THE WAYS THEY THINK ARE BEST.

SO THERE ARE ALL THESE NONPROFITS IN THIS COMMUNITY, MORE THAN ANY PLACE I HAVE EVER LIVED.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT NONPROFITS CAN DO WELL IS WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT ARE REALLY CRITICAL TO THE COMMUNITY.

I KNOW I, IN THE NONPROFIT WORLD, HAVE WORKED WITH COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FOR MANY YEARS TO GET THINGS DONE THAT THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE BANDWIDTH FOR BUT ABLE TO COLLABORATIVELY APPLY FOR GRANTS TO ENACT.

AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF -- WE REALLY SHOULDN'T UNDERAPPRECIATE THE ROLE OF THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY IN HUMBOLDT BECAUSE SO MANY RESOURCES AND SERVICES WE ALL VALUE COME FROM.

AND SO I THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY THERE.

WE CAN LEVERAGE THAT NOW AND CONTINUE TO LEVERAGE IT IN THE FUTURE.

>> EXCELLENT.

YOU SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THE RENEWAL CORPORATION.

>> YES.

>> ADVOCATING FOR DAM REMOVAL ON THE CLAMATH RIVER.

THAT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND A HICCUP HERE AND THERE.

IT SEEMS THAT MAY COME TO PASS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE COUNTY SHOULD LEARN ABOUT THAT RESOLUTION AND WHERE COULD THAT KIND OF WORK POINT US IN THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF UNDAMMING RIVERS OR JUST TRYING TO REPAIR WATERSHEDS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO DO WITH WATERSHED RESTORATION AND PARTICULARLY DAM REMOVAL AND COMING UP WITH APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING FAILING DAMS.

ON THE KLAMATH, IT IS MORE CUT AND DRY AT THIS POINT.

THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR THOSE DAMS NEED TO COME OUT.

THEY ARE NOT SERVING THE FUNCTION THEY SHOULD BE SERVING.

AND THAT THERE'S -- IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO TRIBES THOSE DAMS BE REMOVED SO I SEE MY ROLE ON THE KRRC BOARD, WHICH I WAS APPOINTED TO BY THE GOVERNOR, BUT IT IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TASKED WITH REMOVING FOUR DAMS ON THE KLAMATH RIVER.

I SEE MY ROLE ON THAT IS AN EXTENSION THAT WHAT STARTED WITH THE WEAT TRIBE AND PASSION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND MAKE SURE WE SEE PROJECTS LIKE THAT THROUGH.

THIS IS HUGE.

THE SCALE OF IT, IT WILL BE THE LARGEST DAM REMOVAL IN THE WORLD WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE DOING THE BORING BUT IMPORTANT STUFF TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GO THROUGH THE DRAWDOWN PROCESS AND CONSTRUCTION REMOVAL OF THE DAMS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THAT COME TO FRUITION AND I THINK WE'LL BE LOOKING AT WHAT THE DAMS ON THE -- ARE DOING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND WEIGHING THOSE SAME NEEDS AND BENEFITS OF POTENTIAL DAM REMOVAL THERE AS WELL.

SO I HOPE TO SEE MORE PROJECTS LIKE THIS COME FORWARD.

IT IS CERTAINLY ONE OF A KIND RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

TWO MORE QUESTIONS.

I HAVE TWO MINUTES.

WE'LL TRY TO GET BOTH OF THESE IN.

AS A COUNTY SUPERVISOR YOU'LL BE IN CHARGE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE AND OBVIOUSLY YOU WILL DELEGATE TO YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE COUNTY'S RESPONSE THUS FAR TO COVID-19?

ARE YOU HAPPY THEY HAVE TAKEN THINGS THE WAY THEY HAVE OR SHOULD THEY HAVE BEEN MORE STRINGENT WITH THE EMPLOYEE VACCINE REQUIREMENT.

WHERE DO YOU FALL ON THAT?

>> WE REQUIRED VACCINES FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE CITY OF EUREKA, I CAN TELL YOU THAT.

WE THE ONLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO HAVE DONE SO.

I THINK THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, SO, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE I REALIZE THAT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS MUCH LARGER.

THERE ARE A LOT MORE EMPLOYEES AND THEY HAD A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MORE AGGRESSIVE RESPONSE TO DEALING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE.

I CERTAINLY THINK I'M PROUD OF WHAT THE CITY HAS DONE.

IT HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL, BUT TO ME IT WAS ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FINALLY, IF YOU ARE ELECTED YOU WOULD BE THE ONLY WOMAN OF COLOR ON THE BOARD.

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK THAT PERSPECTIVE WOULD BE?

>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME, HONESTLY.

I HAVE SO MANY STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR WHO WILL COME UP TO ME AND SAY THAT IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO THEM TO SEE ME IN A POSITION OF LEADERSHIP AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY HOPE TO EMULATE ME.

IT BRINGS A LITTLE TEAR TO MY EVERY TIME.

IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME TO SHOW THAT IS POSSIBLE.

AND I SEE IT AS MY ROLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE OF A VOICE IN THEIR COMMUNITY'S DECISION MAKING.

I THINK IT MEANS A LOT TO PEOPLE AND I'LL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR FOLKS WHOSE VOICES HAVEN'T BEEN HEARD AS MUCH TO BE INCLUDED.

>> EXCELLENT.

THAT IS PRETTY MUCH ALL I HAVE FOR YOU.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND I'M SURE WE'LL TALK AGAIN.

IT IS A LONG RACE AND THEN THERE IS THE RUNOFF.

WE'LL BE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD.

CAN I GIVE MY WEBSITE.

IT IS ARROYOFORSUPERVISOR.COM.

>> EXCELLENT.

TALK TO YOU SOON.

>> TAKE CARE.

>> HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THIS SHORT BREAK.

>> IN A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL HELD THIS WEEK CONGRESSMAN JARED HUFFMAN HOSTED TRUMP IMPEACHMENT MANAGER JAMIE RASKIN ON THE THREATS THAT AFFECT OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> I HAVE RARELY SEEN MORE INTEREST IN A SUBJECT THAN THE ONE WE ARE GOING ADDRESS TONIGHT, SAFEGUARDING OUR DEMOCRACY.

WHETHER YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS OR ONGOING THREATS RELATED TO THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION.

ALMOST EVERYONE I TALK TO IN MY DISTRICT SHARES WITH ME THEIR CONCERNS OF WHETHER WE ARE AT RISK OF POTENTIALLY LOSING AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AS WE KNOW IT.

I SHARE THAT CONCERN AS A BIG PART OF WHAT REPETITIVE JAMIE RASKIN AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE PAST YEAR AND BEYOND.

I WANTED TO DEDICATE A TOWN HALL TO THIS SUBJECT.

WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THIS CONVERSATION TO HAVE A BIT OF A RINGER WITH US TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.

I HAVE SO MANY TALENTED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS, BUT IF I HAD TO PICK JUST ONE TO CONSULT WITH REGARDING THE CONSTITUTION AND LEGAL AND HISTORICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF OUR DEMOCRACY, IF I ONLY HAD ONE FRIEND I COULD PHONE TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IT WOULD BE THE INCOMPARABLE JAMIE RASKIN.

>> RASKIN LAID OUT A BREATHTAKING AND SOMEWHAT SURREAL SUMMARY OF WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6, DESCRIBING THE SEPARATE LAYERS THAT ALL TOOK PART IN THE ATTACK.

>> I SAW ESSENTIALLY THREE RINGS OF SEDITION TAKING PLACE ON THAT DAY.

THERE WAS AN OUTER RING THAT WAS A MASS DEMONSTRATION CALLED BY THE PRESIDENT.

YOU WILL RECALL FOR A WILD PROTEST.

THAT RING OF PROTESTS BECAME A MOB RIOT.

WHICH ISN'T TO SAY EVERYBODY THERE PARTICIPATED, BUT LOTS OF PEOPLE DID AND, OF COURSE, 150 OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS WERE WOUNDED, WERE INJURED WITH BROKEN NECKS, JAWS, NOSES, VERTEBRAE, ARMS, LEGS.

PEOPLE LOST FINGERS, EYES GOUGED, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN A NUMBER OF CASES, POST TRAUMATIC SYNDROME FOR DOZENS AND DOZENS OF OFFICERS, OKAY.

THE MIDDLE RING WAS THE RING OF THE INSURRECTION.

HERE YOU FOUND A COUPLE THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO WERE PART OF THE PROUD BOYS, THE OATH KEEPERS, THE 3%ERS, THE ARIAN NATIONS, THE MILITIA GROUPS, THE FIRST AMEND PROTORIAN, SOME RELIGIOUS CULTS.

THE UNIFICATION CHURCH WAS THERE.

CHRISTIAN WHITE NATIONALISTS.

THESE GROUPS HAD BEEN PREPARING FOR A PARA MILITARY ASSAULT ON THE CAPITOL.

THEY WERE THE FIRST ONES TO SMASH OUR WINDOWS AND BEGIN THE VIOLENT ASSAULT AGAINST OUR OFFICERS ON THAT DAY.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THAT WAS NOT EVEN THE SCARIEST RING.

THE SCARIEST RING WAS THE VERY INSIDE RING OF THE COUP.

IT IS AN ODD WORD IN AMERICAN POLITICAL PARLANCE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH COUPS IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

WE THINK OF IT TAKING PLACE AGAINST A PRESIDENT.

THIS WAS A COUP ORCHESTRATED BY THE PRESIDENT AGAINST THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE WAS TO OVERTHROW THE 2020 ELECTION RESULTS.

JOE BIDEN CLINCHED THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE 306-32.

TRUMP HAD GONE TO REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED STATE LEGISLATURES TO URGE THEM TO VOID OUT THE POPULAR ELECTION AND TO SUBSTITUTE IN PROTRUMP ELECTORAL COLLEGE SLATES.

TO THEIR CREDIT THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN SEVERAL STATES, INCLUDING WISCONSIN AND PENNSYLVANIA SAID NO.

THEY WOULD NOT DO THAT.

AT THAT POINT, TRUMP DECIDED THEY WOULD GO DIRECTLY TO ELECTION OFFICIALS AND THEY APPROACHED AROUND 30 OF THEM INCLUDING MOST PROMINENTLY SECRETARY OF STATE OF GEORGIA SIMPLY TO URGE THEM TO FIND MORE VOTES.

AND TRUMP, OF COURSE, WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE TELLING THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN GEORGIA ALL I'M LOOKING FOR IS 11,780 VOTES.

THAT WAS NOT DONALD TRUMP TRYING TO STOP THE STEAL, THAT WAS DONALD TRUMP TRYING TO STEAL THE ELECTION AND COMMIT VOTER FRAUD WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

SO THE WHOLE THING CAME DOWN TO WHETHER THEY COULD GET VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE TO DECLARE LAWLESS, UNCONSTITUTIONAL POWERS ON THAT DAY TO REJECT AND REPUDIATE AND RETURN ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES TO ARIZONA, GEORGIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AT LEAST THOSE THREE STATES, PERHAPS WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN AS WELL.

BUT THE IDEA WAS TO GET THAT 306 NUMBER IN BIDEN'S COLUMN DOWN TO BELOW 270.

AT THAT POINT UNDER THE 12th AMENDMENT IF NO ONE HAD CAPTURED A MAJORITY IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE THE CONTEST WOULD HAVE BEEN KICKED OVER IMMEDIATELY INTO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR A SO-CALLED CONTINGENT ELECTION.

IF NOBODY'S GOT A MAJORITY IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, IT GOES IMMEDIATELY TO A CONTINGENT ELECTION WHERE WE WILL VOTE NOT ACCORDING TO ONE MEMBER, ONE VOTE, BUT ONE STATE, ONE VOTE.

AFTER THE 2020 ELECTIONS THEY HAD 27 STATES IN THE GOP COLUMN.

WE HAVE 22 STATES.

ONE STATE PENNSYLVANIA WAS SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE.

SO EVEN IF THEY LOST, THE AT-LARGE REPETITIVE FROM WYOMING, THEY STILL WOULD HAVE HAD 26 STATES AND THEY WOULD HAVE DECLARED TRUMP THE PRESIDENT.

HE WOULD HAVE SEIZED THE PRESIDENCY FOR FOUR YEARS.

HE LIKELY WOULD HAVE COME OVER AND INVOKED THE INSURRECTION ACT AND DECLARED SOMETHING LIKE MARTIAL LAW TO PUT DOWN THE INSURRECTION HE UNLEASHED AGAINST US.

THAT WAS BASICALLY THE PLAN.

>> HUFFMAN ASKED RASKIN TO TALK ABOUT HOW BIPARTISAN -- PARTISANSHIP, EXCUSE ME, HAS BECOME SO POISONOUS AND HOW WE MIGHT MOVE PAST THE VITRIOL.

>> I'M A PARTISAN, YOU ARE A PARTISAN, WE ARE PASSIONATE DEMOCRATS, PROGRESSIVES.

WHEN THE SYSTEM IS WORKING THERE IS A CONSTRUCTIVE FRICTION BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

WE HAVE VIGOROUS DEBATES.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OUR COUNTRY THE FEDERALISTS AND ANTI-FEDERALISTS.

WE WERE ALL AMERICANS.

MOST OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, NOT LIZ CHENEY AND ADAM KISINGER, BUT HOW THEY APPROACH OUR TWO-PARTY SYSTEM.

THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THAT WE EVEN HAVE ANYTHING VALID TO OFFER AND UNWILLING TO ACCEPT ELECTION RESULTS WHEN THEY LOSE.

SO IT IS NOT A PARTICULARLY HOPEFUL TIME AND WE HAVE THIS MEDIA MACHINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE PEOPLE HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO MAKE HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY OFF THE DYSFUNCTION AND CONFLICT.

I DON'T HAVE A SINGLE SOLUTION OF HOW WE BREAK THROUGH THAT AND END IT, I THINK ALL OF US HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE MAKE IT BETTER.

I WANT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK YOU CAPTURED MY THOUGHTS MOSTLY.

I WILL SAY THAT EVERY AGE, ALMOST, BELIEVES IT IS IN AN AGE OF UNPRECEDENTED PARTISAN AND VITRIOL AND BITTERNESS.

GO BACK AND LOOK AT EVEN JEFFERSON AND ADAMS WHO WERE BEST FRIENDS, BUT THE THINGS THEY WERE SAYING ABOUT EACH OTHER IN THAT 1800 ELECTION, I MEAN, IT WAS BRUTAL.

SO IT DOES GO BACK TO THE FEDERALISTS VERSUS THE DEMOCRAT REPUBLICANS.

YOU CAN HEAR PEOPLE SAYING NASTY STUFF ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON WHO GOT ALL THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES WHEN HE RAN.

BUT HAVING SAID THAT, THERE ARE MOMENTS WHEN PEOPLE DO SEEM TO STEP OUTSIDE OF THE EXISTING CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER AND YOU CAN FIND SOME OF THE HALLMARKS IN IT IN THE USE AND DEPLOYMENT OF VIOLENCE.

AND ALSO TRYING TO QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF ELECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN UPHELD N THIS CASE 60 STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS EIGHT JUDGES WHO WERE NOMINATED TO THE BENCH BY DONALD TRUMP HIMSELF.

THEY REJECTED EVERY CLAIM OF ELECTORAL FRAUD OR CORRUPTION.

LOOK, WE KNOW HOW TO BE NONPARTISAN WHEN WE WANT TO.

I'M SURE IF YOU CALL CONGRESSMAN HUFFMAN'S OFFICE AND YOU ASK FOR HELP ON A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK OR VA BENEFITS OR PPP LOANS, HE DOESN'T SAY, ARE YOU A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.

JUST DO YOU LIVE IN MY DISTRICT?

WE ARE BOUND TO HELP PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT.

IT IS FINE TO FIGHT LIKE CATS AND DOGSS ON THE CAMPAIGN, BUT WHEN THE CAMPAIGNS ARE OVER AND WE ARE SWORN TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION, PARTY COMES FROM A FRENCH WORD, APART.

OUR PARTY IS PART OF THE WHOLE.

IT MIGHT BE THE PARTY WE AGREE WITH THE MOST, BUT WE REPRESENT EVERYBODY AND WE KNOW HOW TO DO THAT WHEN WE WANT TO AND WE HAVE TO THINK LIKE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE ITSELF.

BECAUSE ALL OF US ARE INVESTED IN IT AND WE HAVE TO BE NONPARTISAN AND VIGOROUS, ZEALOUS.

>> THIS WEEK HHU ANNOUNCED, HHU, THIS WEEK HHU ANNOUNCED THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS APPROVED ITS NEW DESIGNATE NATION AS CALIFORNIA STATE POLLEE TECHIC HUMBOLDT.

THAT IS CAL POLY HUMBOLDT.

THIS IS TWO YEARS FOR CURRICULA, FACILITIES AND KBPTED ENROLLMENT GROWTH.

THE EXPANDED CURRICULA WILL EMPHASIZE STEM INFUSED WITH HUMANITIES, ARTS ANDthICES AND GROUNDED IN SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL JUT.

THEY WILL WORK WITH LOCAL TRIBES TO REFLECT INDIGENOUS.

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