Target 633
Exuding all the authority of a James Frey narrative, President Bush set the town on its ear this morning, including the Mayor's office, by detailing a 2002 terror plot that targeted the Library Tower---which he called the "Liberty Tower" just in case anyone thought he might actually be interested in getting things right about the War on Terror.
Mayor Antonio responded energetically, claiming that he was surprised by the announcement.
As of early evening, two questions remained unanswered:
1) The Bush Administration did not speak directly to the Mayor's office about the announcement. But the Administration claims that it told the California Department of Homeland Security yesterday about the coming announcement---Scotty McClellan said so. So---does the Mayor's office agree that that happened? Which Deputy Mayor fielded the call? Did she ever indeed communicate anything to the Mayor? Or is this merely the way that the Administration and El Alcalde have decided to pocket the miscommunication?
2) As it's an election year, here's the question Bush wants to raise in everyone's minds: What if a terrible disaster had occured at 633 West Fifth? So what about that? How might the City have functioned without the dozen-odd registered City lobbyists who call 633 West Fifth their home away from home? Think carefully before you answer...
Mayor Antonio responded energetically, claiming that he was surprised by the announcement.
As of early evening, two questions remained unanswered:
1) The Bush Administration did not speak directly to the Mayor's office about the announcement. But the Administration claims that it told the California Department of Homeland Security yesterday about the coming announcement---Scotty McClellan said so. So---does the Mayor's office agree that that happened? Which Deputy Mayor fielded the call? Did she ever indeed communicate anything to the Mayor? Or is this merely the way that the Administration and El Alcalde have decided to pocket the miscommunication?
2) As it's an election year, here's the question Bush wants to raise in everyone's minds: What if a terrible disaster had occured at 633 West Fifth? So what about that? How might the City have functioned without the dozen-odd registered City lobbyists who call 633 West Fifth their home away from home? Think carefully before you answer...
Posted by Joseph Mailander @ 2/09/2006 06:47:00 PM
7 Comments:
I can't believe Hizzoner's handlers. They made him look like a bumbling fool. Fact is, he was contacted yesterday by the State offfice of Homeland Security... by a good friend of the city that used to run LACMA's security... and his glorified and pretty staff (that's about the best thing that could be said about them) dropped the ball big time. On KNX this afternoon TonyV sounded inept, out of his leauge and had a tantrum like a child.
What he should have done:
Step in front of the cameras and said:
Citizens of Los Angeles, you have just heard our commander in chief reveal that Los Angeles is at the top of the terror target list. Our city has been working diligently and feverishly in hardening the targets and investing heavily in homeland security. Just last week I announced our latest investment in counter terrorism steps with the formation of the 78 person unit dedicated to intelligence gathering and preparedness.
However, my fellow citizens, there is much left to be done. The federal governement has allocated (stick your favorite number here) for Los Angeles homeland security, which equals $1.34 per Angeleno, while Sheboing, Idaho has recieved the equevlant of $56,980.00 per citizen.
The federal government has the duty and obligation to cover the costs of our counter-terrorism efforts and as such we are seeking $17 billion dollars from Washington so that Los Angeles stays safe.
Please call the White House and let your feeling be known. Their number is 202-456-1111 or fax them at 202-456-2461.
End of story!
He turns the White House on the defensive and maybe actually delivers a nice chunk of change to L.A.
Just some musings..... from the fly!
According to the Associated Press, "Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Thursday he was blindsided by President Bush's announcement of new details about a purported 2002 plot to crash a plane into a city
skyscraper," namely, the U.S. Bank Tower, previously known as the Library Tower.
"I'm amazed that the president would make this (announcement) on national TV and not inform us of these details through the appropriate channels," the mayor said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I don't expect a call from the president - but somebody."
However, on March 31, 2004 -- repeat, 2004, two years ago -- the Los Angeles Times reported in an article by Richard Winton and Andrew Blankstein that, according to two law enforcement sources, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told his interrogators that the Library Tower was targeted along with Chicago's Sears Tower.
Reading the local paper isn't as exciting or prestigious as getting calls from the White House, but it would seem to be the bare minimum for anyone serious about fighting terrorism. Plus, there's funnies and the horoscopes . . . .
you don't think it coincidence that MAV did the rebuttal to GW's last speech.
politics. Hilary is right- GW and co are scaring us to vote for him
but who really is the enemy?
What a whiner AV is. He's just pissed off that the President didn't call him personally. Geez, what an ego. Who is he going to blame this one on now? Time to step up to the plate Villababoso and take responsibility.
Why is it AV's fault for not knowing about an asinine announcement by GW? (I mean, we can assume that any GW press conference is going to be asinine, but the particular topic is another story.) Any reasonable person would hardly expect to hear about a press conference regarding an event FOUR years ago, and if GW is going to tell the whole damn country, he might as well tell the mayor too.
GW is probably going to tune in to the Salt Lake City Olympics tonight and congratulate himself every time an American wins a medal.
mayor sam, the president did not call me regarding his press conference.
well, av tough shit if you missed a photo-op with president. he understands you're nothing more than an empty suit.
i agree that president was not cool by shining the mayor of los angeles, but since it happen to be av pay-back is a bitch. av treat alot people like shit now he knows how it feel.
AV is an empty suit. He couldn't even pass the bar after several tries and now he can't remember being briefed about this and changes his story as often as he changes shirts. We are in trouble. If this guy is the best the Democrats have, no wonder this state and city are so screwed up. Calfornia is run by big labor and big lawyers who pick flunkies to run and win. The people are brainwashed into voting against their interests by these groups.
The result empty suits like AV, JH get elected. It would be nice to have a healthy opposition party. It's needed both in the state (with republicans) in the country (with democrats), but both parties don't understand how to win in enemy territory. Until they learn one party control does not work we will continue to suffer.
AV is acting like a baby. "No one told me" boo hoo. Grow up man and act like a real mayor.
Another big thing that happened this week. The police commission has taken the air out of the police department. If something is not done to remedy this. AV will been known in a few years as the Mayor who increased crime.
How stupid can you be to place ACLU hardcore nuts in commissions? What was he thinking? I know he belongs to the ACLU, but he wants to succeed right?
Next thing you'll know he'll fire Bratton and hire Ripston to head the LAPD.
Just when morale was improving AV comes.
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