The Breeze's Stern Problem
The recent controversy of David Zahniser's piece on Fernando Guerra has sparked heated exchanges among various bloggers across the City.
However, there remains one more piece that needs some explanation from David Zahniser -- before i go into it, i want it to be clear from the beginning.
*** I like Kevin Roderick at LA Observed -- Mayor Sam and Mailander may have a different opinion, but LA Observed offers insight into items that even this old chief can't blog about.
Back to the reason i am blogging.
The David Zahniser at the very end of the article uses a quote from Robert M Stern.
"It's not like he's hiding it," said Robert Stern, who heads the Center for Governmental Studies. "A reporter covering City Hall should know" if a source is performing lobbying work."
Let me make a simple point that the public should be made aware of regarding City Hall reporters --- Robert Stern is the best place to go when you need some "filler" for the article you are writing. Robert Stern is always ready to criticize everyone equally for anything that seems unethical in nature. And for that I applaud him, but in this instance even Robert Stern didn't care to be quoted on this article. Essentially he told David Z -- If you did your job there wouldn't be a story. Which is why David Z placed Robert Stern at the very bottom of the article --Robert Stern a man of unquestionable integrity whose whole career is based on talking up clean and transparent government, gets bumped by Art Pulido.
David Z -- why does someone like Robert Stern who really knows City Hall and the ethics needed to hold office quoted at the bottom of your article? While Art Pulido a man whose moral character has been in question gets to come off as an impartial juror.
David Z - the impartial juror was Robert Stern not Art Pulido.
Mr Z -- welcome to my shit list -- again not upset it was about Guerra --and i don't care to get in the middle of the Mailander-Roderick war (which by the way is kind of cool) -- but the fact that you give Art Pulido the credibility of an impartial juror shows you sir are not an impartial reporter.
However, there remains one more piece that needs some explanation from David Zahniser -- before i go into it, i want it to be clear from the beginning.
*** I like Kevin Roderick at LA Observed -- Mayor Sam and Mailander may have a different opinion, but LA Observed offers insight into items that even this old chief can't blog about.
Back to the reason i am blogging.
The David Zahniser at the very end of the article uses a quote from Robert M Stern.
"It's not like he's hiding it," said Robert Stern, who heads the Center for Governmental Studies. "A reporter covering City Hall should know" if a source is performing lobbying work."
Let me make a simple point that the public should be made aware of regarding City Hall reporters --- Robert Stern is the best place to go when you need some "filler" for the article you are writing. Robert Stern is always ready to criticize everyone equally for anything that seems unethical in nature. And for that I applaud him, but in this instance even Robert Stern didn't care to be quoted on this article. Essentially he told David Z -- If you did your job there wouldn't be a story. Which is why David Z placed Robert Stern at the very bottom of the article --Robert Stern a man of unquestionable integrity whose whole career is based on talking up clean and transparent government, gets bumped by Art Pulido.
David Z -- why does someone like Robert Stern who really knows City Hall and the ethics needed to hold office quoted at the bottom of your article? While Art Pulido a man whose moral character has been in question gets to come off as an impartial juror.
David Z - the impartial juror was Robert Stern not Art Pulido.
Mr Z -- welcome to my shit list -- again not upset it was about Guerra --and i don't care to get in the middle of the Mailander-Roderick war (which by the way is kind of cool) -- but the fact that you give Art Pulido the credibility of an impartial juror shows you sir are not an impartial reporter.
Posted by Anonymous @ 6/03/2005 02:35:00 PM
41 Comments:
How many posts are you going to do on this crap? Let me sum it up – Dave Z is on the shit list. End of story. I hope you realize that all you are doing is giving more credibility to the story and the parties involved than is worth the time. I can’t believe I am going to say this, but all this redundant and useless writing is making me long for the Hahn and ADV bashing posts! Bring back the good old days!
I can't believe you morons want to go back to the Hahn-CD 14-ADV cutting and pasting days. We're getting back to our roots before all this damn election crap started and covering the whole God damn city. I am sure the next election comes up, we'll back to the bullshit. I can't wait to see the Steve Westly or Phil Angelides or Arnold S. cutting and pasting crews.
This is good work the Chief is doing and the rest of you can play on the freeway where you can cut and paste ADV stuff all day long.
You Go Bad Ass David "The ZZZZ Man"
The only reporter who kick the lazy LA Times on there ass.
3:07 just shut the fuck up you dip-shit.
Don't get me wrong - I don't hate Kevin. I like a lot of the stuff on his blog. Some of its a little on the brie and chablis side (is that what suburban white guys consume?) but he does have some good shit.
I simply maintain - as do many others - that he is full of shit.
I also like the comment that Roderick's skin is as thin as a CD14 neighborhood watch!
3:18 – you must work for Hahn. I want to let you know how profoundly moving your “3:07 just shut the fuck up you dip-shit,” comment is. With all the words in the English language that’s the best you could do? That’s the best insult you could put together? Pathetic!! I guess now we know why Hahn is out of office.
3:18 you crying bitch what did I hurt feeling.
Is that article so damning that you have to keep making posts to discredit it?
Chief Parker, I heard your senior year in high school they caught you with a big cock in your mouth? True or False.
No 3:30...the big cock is in your ass
Ummm 3:27, a question: is that feeling or feelings? Did they already take away the computers with spell and grammar check from the 3rd floor?
I guess when the Hahnistas tire of cutting and pasting they talk about gay sex. Mature.
Do you actually think anyone is still working on the third floor this late on a Friday? What a joke.
To all you Hahn flunkies – I am here to help you find your ideal job. Check out this page for answers……… www.jobpredictor.com When I plugged in Jim for Mayor Hahn (it works by plugging in your first name) it says: Jim, Your ideal job is a Trained Assassin
Mayor elect Villaraigosa, you still owe me 3k mula, you know, pay me vato.
Roderick,
This is a clear cut competition piece, you have envy of David and jealousy. Leave it alone. Go find your own story to catapult you to the limelight. You write good too, I would hate to see you wasting your time on this blog explaining away something that does not exist. You are better than that.
Actually he's not. He's a pimpledick that the Times doesn't even want. Why do you think he's always bagging on them.
Did you know that California's oldest person just died?
California's Oldest Known Person Dies At 112
http://www.kfmb.com/stories/story.14171.html
The only thing that I have seen in the area is Jose "Trenchcoat Mafia" Aguilar walking around Boyle Heights handing out a flyer promoting the recall and a flyer for Richard Alarcon (oh yeah, you can see how effective that was with his 5.23% in CD14).
Los Angeles is second only to Mexico City in Mexican population, and Villaraigosa stressed that as mayor he would look to improve relations with Mexico.
"I support Special Order 40 (prohibiting police from making migration-related arrests)," he [Villaraigosa] said. "We need our police officers to fight [Latino] gangs and organized [Mexican mafia] crime. That will keep them more than busy."
It's good to see Tony the Mexican (AKA Tony Villar, Antonio Villaraigosa, whatever his alias is today) running his mouth off this early. Shows that leopards don't change their spots - he's going to push and push hard to make LA a colony of Mexico City.
Look forward to the "Recall Villaraigosa" campaign coming soon, followed hotly by the "Valley Secession" campaign.
The American people would be very surprised at the huge number of US politicians who are taken, all expenses paid, to Israel for political indoctrination. One of these Democratic Party politicos is Antonio Villargairosa (aka Tony Villar) whom we call the "Chicano Manjewrian Candidate". Tony is running for mayor of Los Angeles for the second time.
http://us.altnews.com.au/drop/node/view/503
With that knowledge, Villaraigosa began his teenage years on unsteady ground, embarking on a difficult search for his identity. The trajectory of his life at times became as treacherous as the curving streets in the City Terrace neighborhood where he grew up.
Villaraigosa got into fights. He dated around. He was kicked out of one high school and dropped out of another. He had his arms tattooed: "Tony {heart} Arlene" and "Born to Raise Hell."
Mayor Sam have you seen that chick Blake Lively from the movie the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She is HOT and will be 18 in a month or two. Man, I'd like to travel in her pants!
Let's talk about something interesting.....are there any new couples at city hall? any good gossip?
With so much venom being directed to the "Z" Man, you'd have to wonder if Barkan is hosting this blog in Guerra's lobbying firm. Is that what the $71 K went for?
Please. This blog hasn't cost $71 let alone $71K. And if that cash was spent on this blog, it never made its way to me.
I've cashed one $18 check, our cut of the ad West LA Online bought. That paid my gas for the day.
So the question is - where is my $71K? :)
Our County whale is Gloria Molina
La Eme Del Condado.
"Meat" is such a great handle. Is it a translation of "Carnal." You know, the EME term for blood brother, made man in the Mexican Mafia.
Villaraigosa is a committed Leftist. He bankrupted the state budget as Leader of the Assembly, and as mayor would do far worse for Los Angeles. Why is it that the hard won lessons of socialism learned in the 20th century are so casually disgarded by liberals in the 21st century? It's as if the Left wants to roll the clock back to the 1930s and pretend all the carnage and misery caused by progressive policies never occurred.
Do we really want to pursue a Latin American civic model of corruption, patronage, graft and wealth destruction? That pathological model has been this guys road map in political life. I see no indication that he would change. It's just mind boggling that anyone could support a relic from a failed past, relying on failed ideology, not to mention his association with known racial hate groups. Los Angeles doesn't need a populist hate-monger as mayor.
Don't expect the LA Times to show the full portrait. They made their desires known the last time around. Pravda would be proud.
http://www.laobserved.com/archive/002290.html
Roderick I know you are pissed Hahn lost but don't worry about the Mexicans taking over LA, its not that bad.
Mayor Sam,
Knowing Fernando Guerra, he ended up with $70,982 and gave you $18. Can't beat those Jewish accountants. But not a bad job for $18. That's good you didn't take any money. That way there's no gray area that would lead people to barkan up this tree.
Did you know that Nixon hated the Jews?
Mayor Sam and Chief Parker must be women. I don't know any real men that would go to such lenghts to kiss ass to a gangster Mayor. You sure as hell didn't say anything when Rick Orlov quoted Art Pulido in his story. You don't post the bullshit Jessica Villagarrison, the Antonio groupie writes. She interviewed CD14 residents and didn't like what they had to say.
You guys sound so gay and have yet to come out of the closet. Why else go after the most credible reporter in LA that got national attention. Why don't you tear apart all the Antonio paid campaigners that have been quoted? Cause you guys/women have a hard on for ADV.
David Z" Man is the ONLY credible reporter LA now has. How sad is that? You're just mad cause he got national attention with his Floridagate story, the Guerra story and so many more. People are talking about him all over this city.
Read this morons. This is what people are laughing about citywide:
I will not forget the people in my district,” said Villaraigosa, My staff will remain in place, taking care of the needs of the 14th; the people in my district have been very good to me. “I will be working two jobs until someone is elected to take my place on the council. We will continue to do the district’s work, fill the potholes, and represent the district on the city council.”
Asked if he has considered who he would like to replace him in the 14th and if he anticipates making an endorsement, Villaraigosa said the he will endorse someone for his position, but is not yet ready to say who that person will be.
Carefully choosing his words with a sincerity that spoke volumes about his desire to reassure the people of his district that he is still committed to seeing after their welfare, Villaraigosa said, “The people in the 14th district deserve a leader with the highest integrity, and the skills to get the job done. This district is diverse, from Eagle Rock to Boyle Heights, whoever is elected must work with all the people of the district, and not just one group or another. And I will work with that person to make sure that the 14th gets its fair share of support from the city,” concluded Villaraigosa.
What an asshole! Antonio hasn't even been in his own district since the election. All of a sudden he's acting as if he cares. CD14 has been without a councilman for 2 yrs.
LA WEEKLY
JUNE 3 - 9, 2005
Ethics in Transition
Antonio’s camp defends latest chance for fund-raising: “Everyone Does It”
by ROBERT GREENE
One of the first things Antonio Villaraigosa did after raising and spending nearly $6 million in campaign cash and getting elected mayor of Los Angeles was open up a fund for additional donations, these for the six-week transition between election day and July 1, when he takes office.
The new spate of fund-raising won’t be governed by the city reporting and disclosure laws or the campaign-contribution caps that are administered by the City Ethics Commission, since these new contributions will be neither campaign funds nor officeholder funds under city law.
The City Council cheerfully signed on to a program that is run through the controller’s office but puts Villaraigosa himself in charge of the fund, which will be capped at $200,000. In the resolution put forward by the council, the public is supposedly assured that the new donations from free-spenders in the city are in the public interest, since taxpayer funds won’t be used.
In its nascent form, the transition-fund details were chilling. Anyone who wanted to throw around his or her weight in the new administration and be owed a hefty share of gratitude by the mayor had been frustrated by the city-imposed $1,000 campaign-contribution limit. After he takes office, if some influence-seeker wants to show Villaraigosa his, uh, appreciation for the fine job he’s doing, he can add to his officeholder fund, but still, only at $1,000 a year. How can you buy access and get your calls returned for a measly $1,000? Why, just about anyone could donate $1,000!
Ah, but with this new opportunity, you could shovel as much as $10,000 in the new mayor’s direction. Sure, he’s already been elected, and your donation is for transition staffing and an inaugural party rather than leading him on to victory. But still, $10,000! That’s real gratitude-inducing money. That’s enough for several years of hobnobbing, returned phone calls, maybe even a special meeting to discuss a city contracting opportunity.
And the bonus — this is a good one. If you wanted to donate money to the campaign or the officeholder fund, everyone is going to know it. You put in $100 or more, and the public gets to know your name, how much you gave and what you do for a living. They can pull it right off the Ethics Commission’s Web site. It’s that bothersome “openness” thing. But for the transition team, you could donate just under $5,000 and still keep it under your hat. What a deal!
Now you voters or would-be contractors who donated your $1,000 or some such pittance and thought you could enjoy the same access as a business tycoon or a union boss, wise up! Sure, they could only put in $1,000, just like you. But that was then. This is now. Ten grand. Fork it over. Or else wonder why the phone doesn’t ring.
By the way, good news for you people who couldn’t read the writing on the wall and gave your paltry grand to Jim Hahn. You thought you were pretty much cashed out of the new era, but wait! You get another chance. A few thousand bucks to the transition team and you’re back in the game. This is as great an opportunity as when Hahn opened his legal-defense fund and you got to curry favor by donating to that pot. But hurry, because there’s that $200,000 cap on the transition fund, and there just may be 20 bigwigs with their checkbooks already out.
The real chilling part of the story is the response that the mayor-elect’s defenders gave when an eyebrow or two was raised at the transition fund-raising. It’s Antonio, many said. You know how he feels about ethics and buying City Hall. He’s not like Hahn. You can trust him.
But then we thought we could trust Hahn, too. Didn’t we?
Then there was this one: Don’t you think things like transition staffing and an inaugural party should be paid for privately, instead of by the taxpayers?
Well, no, since you asked. The transition — doesn’t that mean interviewing and hiring and loads of paperwork to make sure the new mayor can hit the ground running? That’s public business. Those transition people holed up in the 15th floor of City Hall — are they paying rent? No. They’re doing public business. To the extent it’s not public business, it’s a continuation of the campaign, and campaign reporting, spending and contribution-limit laws should apply. That’s especially true if these donations are for a big inaugural gala.
Then there was the kicker. Hahn did it this way! Riordan did it! Everyone does it!
There it is. Those words. You may have had a sinking feeling they were coming, but so soon? Before Villaraigosa even takes office? The watchwords for the new era at City Hall?
“Everyone does it.”
But wait. Villaraigosa apparently thought this whole thing over and decided there was something amiss with a chance to write him a check for $10,000. It took him a few days, but that’s okay. He’s been busy.
Robin Kramer, who is heading Villaraigosa’s transition effort, said on Tuesday that the mayor-elect had decided to put a $1,000 cap on individual contributions after all. No one could say exactly when the decision was made, but it was done sometime after last Friday afternoon. It’s still not perfect. There’s still another chance for the access-seeker to jump in with a now-smaller contribution to pay for something that ought to be an accepted city function. But it’s surely a step in the right direction.
What is the money for? There is a “rough budget,” Kramer said, with costs being allocated to lawyers, Web site maintenance, a fax machine, “a lot of paper” and a few “woefully underpaid” staffers. According to transition spokeswoman Elena Stern, there are no contributions so far.
Kramer noted that Villaraigosa’s six-week transition is twice as long as Hahn’s. I’m not sure I buy the implied argument that the new mayor therefore should be able to raise more money than Hahn did, since there’s now twice as much time to get things done before July 1, but we’ll let that go. I still don’t see why it’s such a great idea that Villaraigosa’s people, instead of the Ethics Commission staff, examine the checks to make sure that no one is sneaking in an extra $1,000 by using a nickname or a pet’s name, but okay.
And about that requirement that only checks in the $5,000 range or higher are subject to disclosure: That’s moot now, and Controller Laura Chick claims that any funds handled through her office will be a matter of public record.
Villaraigosa is a creature of politics, and of the entire money-based system on which elections are based, so it should come as no surprise that despite his high-minded and self-serving campaign talk about changing the pay-to-play culture of City Hall, his first instinct is to raise cash at every opportunity.
But he deserves credit for stepping back from the brink in this case, even if it’s just to acknowledge his campaign claims that he would be different.
There will be more along these lines in the coming months. Villaraigosa is having all of his appointees and hires sign an ethics pledge. Having the pledge by itself does nothing, and could be considered at least a little bit sanctimonious. Same with the various pledges about lobbyists serving on commissions or making campaign donations, especially when they can still make “independent” expenditures, and especially when business and labor movers and shakers can host political fund-raisers that bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars without reporting their involvement.
Still, with another month to go before he’s sworn in, it’s good to see that Villaraigosa has the sense to make new rules for himself — better ones — on the fly.
you guys have a hard on for Jim Hahn which is okay because after being married to two lesbians he may go that way
Hey 7:02 Anon,
Villaraigosa has been in the district since he was elected Mayor. You're just too busy wanking yerself to notice. Too bad your not involved in your community or you would have noticed. Obviously you don't even look at the local rags that show pictures of him in the district since election. Turn off your comp dude, there's a whole real world out there if you're not afraid to deal with people face to face...ooohhh scary
Anon 7:11
With the Weekly post. Nice but anyone who is somewhat conservative would understand the battle of public vs. privat funding. If you don't want a newly elected having to raise money to fund transition activities, then have it publicly financed. Pretty simple. Doing a transition takes resources. I know because I was with Riordian when we started. The ultimate irony is that people like you bitch and moan about money being raised, yet refuse to have tax money fund this important part of assuming government. Obviously you've never been in such a position nor do you really know how government works. Otherwise you would not be pasting articles to be inflammatory. If you are as young as I think you are, please understand that this is not the way to get into politics. Get out there and put some time in. Thank you.
5:33...
Carnal is not a direct translation of 'meat'. Carne is. You are definitely an officious fecal sample. I've read back and noticed you say the same incorrect thing over and over again. Your pocho background is showing...not knowing basic Spanish. That's ok because I'm sure chewing gum and walking is also a handicap you must accomodate. Your postings are wonderful material...for me to puke on!!!!!
Its ok Mija. We all know that when King Taco runs out of grease they ask you to squeeze your hair for them. But that's ok because you can't help it. Your mother passed on the oil and hair to you. You are only a victim. Legal Aid might be able to help you...NOT!!! Go to bed and envy those who have friends.
-For me to puke on,
Vici, the insult comic goat
Robert Greene of LA Weekly is yet another great reporter who goes after facts and prints them. He makes some very good points in his story and all you Antonio lovers hate to admit them.
District Attorney, City Attorney, Local FBI, LAPD command staff, rank and file are all WAITING ANXIOUSLY. They know Antonio its only a matter of time the gangster Mayor Antonio screws it up as always. They are embarrassed to have a mayor with a police record, associates with drug dealers, his shady. Men like that don't change and they can hardly wait.
Non assimilation is going to be the destruction of the latinos in the US. They will be a large force, yes, but of welfare recipients. How many lazy thugs do you see in your district and cannot read or write, let alone have a job. They like nice cars, have tons of kids, and spend like crazy. Where does the money come from? Us, the taxpayers. We support this bulk of dependants. We encourage them through liberal government to continue their lack of productiveness. There is no money for college, but there is money for Quinceaneras. They may not have money to pay the rent, but they wear $100 shoes, they don't go to school, but they sure stay home and know all of the cartoons. Go to any apartments that are subsidized by our government, and you will see how many people do not work just lazy around all day. These people do not want anything else in life, but the tax dollars to support them.
Yoo Hoo 11:25 am Anon,
How many white people to you see not working? LA may be top heavy in unemployed Latinos, but have you looked outside of LA and seen the number of whities waiting around for a job?
Listen Mija, I know that you need to prove yourself with your fellow white sheeters. That's fine. But you do it in such a stupid way! Your argument is the same one used for every racist against a newly emerging immigrant group. Your cracker friends are just as equally sucking off the teat of the government as these so called "lazy Latinos".
Oh Mija...it makes me sad that you are so unoriginal to post such tripe. You are a special person...for me to puke on!!!!
Get your sheet drycleaned and starched. Bone up on your secret handshakes and cross burning techniques. You are certainly the future for the David Duke crew and I salute it (arm raised high). With idiots like you hitting the scene...well, Mija....its like shooting fish in a barrel. Thanks and keep blogging! You will provide years of hilarity for me. By the way,you should probably go to your dentist. Most trash like you don't care for your teeth. Seeing a gummer like your ilk really is a give away.
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