Paul Rodriguez -- Water War Turns Violent

31. There are always two sides to every story. I don't know about this situation, but the farmer seem pretty impassioned. Perhaps he really is worried about the water shortage. Perhaps he is feeling desperate and worried about feeding his family. Also, did I hear correctly? Did Paul Rodriguez tell him to learn to speak English? Unbelievable.

Posted at 4:29PM on Jun 19th 2009 by DasGoont

32. Ay Carumba!!!!!!

Posted at 4:43PM on Jun 19th 2009 by Harvey Likes Shlongs For Breakfast!!!

33. This water issue is only going to get worse with time... and it will spread beyond california. I am skurred!!!

Posted at 4:55PM on Jun 19th 2009 by Chica

34. I love when the racists in this country always turn a situation into a white against "them" issue. This is about water and saving some stupid little fish. Democrats and Republicans alike are furious over our farmers not getting the water they need to plant and continue a tradition that for many has been around for generations. The fact is that a lot of American born individuals living in this region will not do the work that the illegals are more than happy to perform. Some would rather get welfare than to do this back breaking work. Until the non-farming, non-laborer resident gets up and says "This is enough" we will continue to become the dust bowl of California. It is unconciousable for there to be 40% unemployment in some of these regions.

Posted at 4:58PM on Jun 19th 2009 by Ms.Ida

35. Gee Paul, thanks for giving this town something REALLY GREAT TO BE PROUD OF

If Fresno was not already the arm pit of the state

I did not watch all the local news this morning, but did anyone go after Arnold for his TERRIBLE JOB OF BEING GOVERNOR?

Posted at 5:20PM on Jun 19th 2009 by Ms Kris

36. What a couple of pussies.

Posted at 6:43PM on Jun 19th 2009 by eric jensen

37. Ok that settles it, just like Mencia, Paul is not a real mexican, if he was he would have shanked the other guy, everyone knows that.

Posted at 11:15PM on Jun 19th 2009 by LeSpwn

38. I wonder what would happen if we had a Caucasian Water Coalition? I wonder what groups would scream racism?

Posted at 8:02PM on Jun 19th 2009 by to little

39. Lation water? Is that distinguishable from white water?

Posted at 8:36PM on Jun 19th 2009 by John

40. Why are you making this about ethnicity. It is about our government's continuing to make decisions that place greater value on animals than on its citizens. All Americans will suffer if the San Joaquim valley is no longer able to produce food.

Posted at 11:36PM on Jun 20th 2009 by Stonybrook

41. I came to this site to learn more about what was going on with the water supply and the Fresno California farmers. After viewing the video clip of Paul and the protester and reading the comments on this site I am really wondering what in the hell is wrong with so many people in this country. First of all, Paul is trying to help these farmers...he is fighting for the underdog against policy makers who do not seem to be concerned about ALL OF OUR FOOD SUPPLY. The farmers in California feed most of this country and other parts of the world. California exports enough goods to be its own country...exportation from California is the 5th most in the world...in the WORLD...by itself not including the midwestern farmers. This situation, if not resolved, will have a very negative impact on EVERYONE.
These comments should have been addressing the issues with Paul, Fresno and their water issues. How it became a racist issue and so hateful towards Mexicans really shows how ignorant and uneducated most people really are on several different levels. First of all, not all of the immigrants coming from our southern boarders are Mexican! Also, if you are not 100% Native American you are also as much an intruder in this country...more so because California belonged to the Mexicans until 1848...maybe you need to go back home yourself because these people are returning to their homeland!
In addition, I don't see all of the individuals so concerned with illegal immigration focusing on the tons of illegals flooding in from other countries such as Russia, I believe it is because the Russians and other white illegals blend in better with white America. Before you post such ignorant comments, educate yourself.

Posted at 12:01PM on Jun 26th 2009 by california indian

42. Paul Rodriguez has been outspoken, and fighting with government to have them turn their farmland water back on. It is personal for him because his parents have a farm with dying crops because of this. The environmentalists have shut off the water because they noticed some fish were getting caught in the water system and dying. So instead of some fish dying, there will be many farms crops dying (no food shipped to us), and farm animals will dye from lack of water. Brilliant, huh. This guy picking a fight with Mr. Rodriguez was out of line and should apoligize to him once he finds out Paul is on his side.

Posted at 12:11PM on Jun 21st 2009 by Karen

43. That fact that the water from the Northern part of the state is being shipped to the Southern part is one of the problems that has pitted those dairy farmers whose waste water and lagoons contribute to the increased amounts of salts in the ground as well as when the well water pumped from the ground, which re-circulates the pesticides and fertilizers and further destroys the land for growing anything, against those other farmers who grow the other crops we need. Fresh water from the rains and snow packs do not have the salts and would help “flush” out the salts from the grounds, but these waters are transshipped across the state with SoCAl getting the bulk of it. It is more complicated than it appears here.
If you are truly interested in seeing what this is about you can read more at:

http://www.watereducation.org/store/itemdetail.asp?id=415

Paul did a video for the Water Education Foundation and his involvement is personal as his family is involved in farming the land just as the other gentleman who was interrupting Paul is, the difference between them is the issue of who contributes the most to the problem or the solution.

Posted at 5:37PM on Jun 22nd 2009 by Rayz4u

44. First of all, Pal Rodriguez was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, so that seems to make him pretty Mexican to me, but that isn't the point here. Paul has been standing up for farmers on the water issue and has been an outspoken voice on this for a long time. This isn't about politics here, because he is a Democrat after all. This is about the government being responsible for over 40,000 people in the Central Valley to be out of work, because they have completely shut off the water supply from the Delta that has been part of a system for nearly a century. This is the same water that the cities of L.A. and San Diego use as well, and sooner or later not only will there be no more food being produced in California, there will be no water for Southern California either. This will soon become a national issue, so if you like foreign oil already, you will all love your foreign food as well.

Posted at 4:46PM on Jun 24th 2009 by Dave

45. The entire Ray Appleton radio affair with Paul Rodrieguez has been bizarre. Looks to me like "General" Appleton"
and "Private" Rodriguez marched the people away from the problem of the dying trees of Santa Nella,CA. Paul wants
to call Fresno County "Nobama" County. The protestor smells a rat in the fact that suddenly it is not the Republican
Arnold S. to blame but the Federal Government and Barack X's fault. The California Aqueduct runs behind the lands that
do look like a thermonuclear bomb has hit them....the Sun over many days! "We can't get things done because of you, Paul
Rodrigez" was the comment of this brave protestor. The fact that Rodriguez is so sensitive to this criticism gives the protestor
great credibility. Really a shame to see Latinos go at it on camera! The Republicans are sticking them even with a Democratic
President in office with plenty of Appleton propaganda and Media "kabuki". Farm workers need a Cesar Chavez, not a clown like PR.

Posted at 12:06AM on Aug 2nd 2009 by john rogan