J Street is NOT anti-Semitic, it is just a "Pro Israel, pro-peace organization." Reed should not better than that. It is similar to other pro peace and pro Israel organizations like the Progressive Jewish Alliance, Americans for Peace Now and the New Jewish Agenda.

Reed is following the principles of Republican orthodoxy in a year when Republicanism is dominated by an extremist point of view. For example ...

Saying the J-Street folks are anti-semitic is the height of hubris. AIPAC, the "pro-Israel" lobby is as influential as it is because it has decided to support every jot and tittle of the Israeli government's expressed policies, no matter who it is making those policies at any given moment. AIPAC is supported financially not by the American Jewish community overall, but by those in that community for whom the primacy of Israel in the region is the only significant issue. Most American Jews subscribe to a more moderate and peaceful approach and recognize that like the American government, the Israeli government is put in place not by God but by an electorate - and just as it can be in the United States, the electorate in Israel is capable of being wrong once in awhile.

For a candidate to adopt a position of blind followership and Reed's brand of extremism on this issue constitutes, if not anti-Semitism itself, a profound insult to the intelligence of voters to whom Israel is very important, but whose views may diverge from that of any given Israeli government.

The truth is that if you're a social conservative (ie gay marriage), you're not going to make it in the city of Los Angeles. Haven't Republicans learned by now? You've got to evolve with the times. Fiscal conservatism is where you'll get people to cross party lines.

You're trying to refute my point of view by citing the prattling of Ayn Rand freaks? Join the Twenty-First Century, pal - and while you're on the way to catch up with the rest of us you might try expressing a point of view of your own.

And as for the rest of the people reading this, for heaven's sakes do click over there and see how far you get in the essay Mr Reed recommends before you choke on the simplistic attempt at character assassination of a Holocaust victim who had the temerity to survive, earn a few billion in the investment business and then turn out to be a capitalist with a social conscience. God-willing there'll be a lot more of that going around in the next few years.

Civil unions? Really? This is 2012 for crying out loud and this is LA. You're not going to even get your foot in the door with that close-minded mentality.

Now if you really want to talk about cow farts ...

Spoken like a true politician, decisive "There's some that I like, yes. There's some that I absolutely disagree with." factual cows pollute more than cars, and the always popular scare tactic, "There's an airliner that's flown in once a week to Venezuela. They have no idea who the people are, they come from the Middle East, a lot of them from Iran, and they don't go back. A reminder to all the candidates IT'S THE ECONOMY!

As usual Mark Reed shows that he has no solutions. This just seems like a lot of talking points all bunched together. If the people of California's 30th District want real solutions to our economic problems and sane foriegn policy, please look into Vince Gilmore. Vince Gilmore is the only candidate offering solutions and the only candidate that will actually follow our Constitution.

Is this going to be his stock reply to all statments he makes. What did he think the point of meeting with a reporter for a few hours was about? Is this new verson of flip flop. I did have a press meeting but I did not think they would write down what I said.

ATTENTION PATCH READERS: Mark Reed is of the mindset that poor people are stupid. This is not opinion, this is what was basically said to me personally by Mark Reed. After Mark Reed could not make a half decent case in regards to attacking Iran and after he not only made the case for corporate personhood, but also said corporations do not charter with government in order to exist he told me that I don't know what i am talking about because I "have never made any money" So then I ask if that means poor people are dumb and he did not say no, so i asked again, thinking maybe he did not hear me, only this time he refused to answer and turned his back to me. Maybe I should have shown him my check stub and he would have answered me, but only if the check is for a big enough amount of course. So a warning to everybody who wants to question or disagrees with Mark Reed, have either your bank statement or pay stub handy because if you have fallen on hard times and/or have been out of work and are not doing well then Mark Reed needs that information in order to decide if you are smart enough to question the great Mark Reed. Is this really the type of person we want representing California's 30th District? Do we really want somebody who believes the amount of wealth you have determines how smart you are? There is an alternative to Mark Reed and it is not Susan Shelley. The only candidate in this election with real solutions in Vince Gilmore.

Thanks for the campaign advice. Seems to me, that debating the issues is what led to your comment. Seems to me, that calling me desperate and deplorable are personal attacks on my character. I never attacked you personally, I only attacked your policies and your statement, wich is fair game. I never have, or will, slander anybody.

Thank you all for weighing in. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind comment makers to keep their discourse civil and focused on the issues. Voters will judge those running for public office based on their comments.

Mr Reed pursues a hoary tactic used by those attempting to hoist themselves a quantum level among the luminaries of their ideological bent. He spouts the fashionable inanities promoted by those already as successful as he'd like to be - cattle responsible for methane pollution, exclusionary restrictions on personal rights masquerading as protection of traditional values, and so forth - and then he retreats behind the fantasy that it's the reporter, not he, who is responsible for the whack-a-doodle notions we perceive from the expressions of his point of view.

But in response to questioning about a specific idea he expressed to Ms King, rather than engage the issue himself he suggested we read a scurrilous libel posted by an extreme ideologue into whose dream world Mr Reed has chosen either to buy or to believe. I'm not sure which, but if it's the former that makes Mr Reed an exploiter of blinded fear and if the latter it makes him a nincompoop.

We all saw a presidential candidate respond effectively this week to a question about his marital history by evading the question and pouncing on the questioner. We've seen that above as well.

I have, over the years in this valley, been represented well both by Mr Sherman and Mr Berman and I've voted for both of them. This time, between them, I have no clue whom I'll support. But I do know that my vote is going to the guy who most assuredly lays off his fellow Democrat and most effectively refutes this character instead.

Not one of these people with all the wise crack answers will call Mr. Reed to dicuss their point of view or to hear his. I have been to Mr. Reed's website and I like what he has to say. I am not in his district however if I was he would have my vote. Everyone on here just attacked as most do when confronted with a conservative republican. You have a better idea then write it down and leave out the insults. Present your argument but again most of these posters can't and they won't call either. Mr Reed comes off as the only one here and out on the campaign road with real courage.

Mark one more thing, you might want to know the names of the elected Neighborhood Council Board members in the 30th congressional district are.

Mark again facts. One, There are three separate neighborhood councils with in North Hollywood. Two, which are the neighborhood councils that you are making the accusations against. Three, now you are bashing neighborhood councils

That is not what happened at all, but hey, spin it how you wish Mr. Reed . I really do not see how me not owning a business has anything to do with the case for Federal Chartering anyways. What happened to sticking to issues? In fact I think Patch readers would be interested know how you legitimize a first strike on a nation that did not attack us, did not declare war on us and poses zero threat to us? Is it not an issue if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz? Will that be good for the economy? U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta was quoted as saying that an attack on Iran "could have a serious impact on U.S. forces in the region" Is that not an issue? Mr. Reed to do you support America's current role as the world's police force? If the people of California's 30th District want to put an end to perpetual war and intervetionist foriegn policy, then the only choice is Vince Gilmore.

Which Neighborhood Councils were you deriecting your accusations to? Unless you answer the qestion do not bother to reply. Unless you answer this specific question do not bother to reply.

Reed, what the hell are you doing on this board responding to comments?
You may think that's something a responsible elected official or candidate should do, but it's not.
It shows have thin skin and let people get to you. As any marketing manager would tell you, by responding you made it WORSE for yourself. You've kept this forum going for a week. Only for a celebrity is any press good press.
You don't come off well with your comments.
You got baited and I am now more convinced your chances at winning are gone.

You should have just written an opinion piece airing out the issues you've raised, your clarifications and the NC matter.

Again, spin it how you want. I still do not see how me not owning a business has anything to do with the idea of Federal Charters. On top of that, I do not blame you for not wanting to debate foriegn policy with me. If I had zero legit reasons to back up my war mongering, maybe I would bow out too. If the people of California's 30th District want a real Constitutionalist, want an end to these senseless, illegal, unconstitutional wars and do not want to start another senseless war then the only choice is Vince Gilmore for Congress.

California Buzz has an amazing article profiling the race in the 30th CD. http://www.calbuzz.com/2012/01/berman-v-sherman-politics-v-politics-in-cd-30/

After reading the 'tripe' on this discussion thread, I just see polarization- much like the kind that came from President Obama down through Congress. Wasn't he suppossed to give us 'Hope'. I see little here. Leftists count on the "us vs. them" mentality. They count on the fact that the rank and file will dismiss the truth about the Left as simply "them" attacking "us" with lies. And even when everything said turns out to be true, they still don't believe it. They even think reality is lies. They don't get that the "us" is the citizens and the "them" is the "elite political class" represented by the cronie Democratic encumbants in this elections. So they sell the nation out stupidly. But the broom is coming in Nov. to sweep clean this blight on America. PS...Those 'haters' who wish to personally attack to destroy others and intimidate others to stay silent & not speak their opinion, show the readers they lack the confidence and initative of those that they childishly and jealously attack.

CSUN is hosting a debate for the 30th district
The debate—featuring Democratic Congressmen Howard Berman and Brad Sherman, and Republicans Mark Reed and Susan Shelly—is scheduled to take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 30, in the Valley Performing Arts Center on the south side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge
For more information about “Big Politics,” visit www.csunas.org/bigpolitics/