Sunday Forum
What do you call a landlord who tries to TRIPLE your rent? You call him "Mr. Mayor." Airlines are balking at the proposal, by Mayor Von Munchausen's LAWA appointees, that they play three times the rent they currently pay.
It reminds me of the Eddie Murphy skit on prison poetry, "Kill My Landlord, Kill My Landlord."
For the story, click here.
For the cartoon, click here.
Now blog away, but remember to wait 45 minutes after eating before doing so.
Posted by Walter Moore @ 11/26/2006 09:00:00 AM
33 Comments:
Here's a good one from today's Daily News. (www.DailyNews.com)
Rules of disorder
There are worse things than unruly neighborhood councils
THE elitists in Los Angeles City Hall must take great comfort in their dubious report that cites instances of violence and incivility at neighborhood council meetings.
Such findings confirm the professional politicians sense of superiority, and provide all the reason they need to continue denying the neighborhood councils adequate funding or even nominal power.
But we can think of worse things than government bodies in which people are passionate about what they believe in to the point of incivility — like passionless government bodies, where everyone treats each other well, even as they threaten the public with utter contempt by doing business behind closed doors.
We make no apologies for the scattered examples of poor conduct that have been on display at a few neighborhood councils in the past year. The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment reports that in the first nine months of 2006, there have been 18 incidents of disruptive behavior, ranging from insults, racially charged terms and even physical violence.
But a little heated debate is in some ways better than what we get out of the professionals on the City Council, who seldom seem to disagree on anything because everything is a backroom deal.
The professionals were united on raising trash fees for cops and on Measure R, the fraudulent initiative that gives the pols a chance at an extra four years in office. They rarely part company whenever some new scheme comes along to fritter away taxpayer money or further reduce L.A. s dismal public services. And they've enacted such strict rules of decorum that the public barely gets a chance to voice a protest.
Members of the City Council have achieved near-perfect civility because they re all working toward the same end — benefitting each other and their narrow circle of friends and supporters.
They've also set neighborhood councils up for failure by giving them neither the funds nor the authority to do much of anything. Is it any surprise that these symbolic bodies sometimes end up attracting an irritable, frustrated bunch?
The bad apples on the neighborhood councils are an embarrassment to democracy, but no more so than their mentors in City Hall.
This mayor has to go!
Why does he cater to certain businesses? He favors one over others. LAX is far more important then entertainment or his buddy from Staples Center.
This is just one more arrogant act of unilateral, tyrannical mob rule at City Hall!!!
The voters WILL NOT FORGET this one, either!!! Nor will they forget the audacity of the Mexican midget when he unilaterally gave the toilet cleaners at the LAX hotels (most of whom are ILLEGAL) a huge pay hike and HEALTH BENEFITS!!!
Add this one to the trash fee/TAX, the LAUSD debacle, and PROP R.....WE WILL NOT FORGET!!!!!
We will also NEVER forget that this is Mexican national at heart and a rapist, gangbanger traitor!!!!
The reason why so many people are complaining about Zuma and the other 2 stooges all over the city is because of your immature acts in clowncil. Because of you guys public comment is now only 1 min., a code of conduct had to be implemented because of idiot Michael's rants and because of you guys clowncil holds off on public comment as long as possible to avoid hearing the same crap from you guys. You have lost tons of support.You've done more damage then good for the people and that was mentioned in a communtiy meeting. You guys hurt the process of council for many who want to speak out and do have jobs but can't wait around for 3 hours. Unlike you guys who don't have jobs or a life and nothing better to do. And to think you call yourselves men. Please!!!!
Don't kid yourself: the Clowncil never really listened to public comment anyway.
What Zuma & Co. have done is get the public's attention directed at the Clowncil -- which was a major accomplishment.
Believe me, I know from experience that making calm, reasoned statements to the Clowncil about public policy is about as effective as making the same statements to a cat. Guerilla, street-theater comments have worked.
You guys hurt the process of council for many who want to speak out and do have jobs but can't wait around for 3 hours. Unlike you guys who don't have jobs or a life and nothing better to do. And to think you call yourselves men. Please!!!!
So, you're saying that because you have a job, you have a life? Those who are good at making a living are not necessarily good at living, and vice versa. Both types are vital to the City.
Truth is, if enough people cared about Council to save public comment, public comment would be saved in a strong format. Unfortunately, public comment has never been an effective way to mobilize against an issue, ironically for precisely the reasons you hint at: those who are too busy with other things face an uphill battle when suddenly filled with a sense of civitas over a certain issue. Civitas, alas, is a lifelong engagement, not a willy-nilly one-stop where you expect everyone to drop dead because you actually found time to show up for a meeting.
Getting a group together and going through the deputy channel is far more effective, and will connect you to the City itself far more strongly. Email me if you want to strategize.
Wait 45 minutes after eating before blogging????? It used to be wait 30 minutes after eating before one could go back to swimming in the pool again!
Walter, are you saying that if we wait less than 45 minutes, we bloggers would be risking our health? How about drinking coffee, does that count?
The Daily News fired off quite a broadside at councilmembers! Doing business behind closed doors violates the Brown Act.
It wouldn't greatly surprise me if a few committees were formed by ordinary citizens to picket City Council; worse (for Council), citizens could actually limit some Councilmembers' terms by voting them out of office!
Clowncil members will tell you when certain people speak at public comment they will listen to them. Why? Because they have crediability, a track record of action and moblization and yes they do have jobs. I've seen clowncil totally ignore lots of people who don't make sense yet when a particular person hits that mike they all stop and listen. And Walter, Zuma & Co. aren't responsible for clowncil being criticized and in the limelight. Many reporters will tell you it was already going on before they came on board. Read back the news started getting negative on clowncil before Zuma and stooges appeared.They just jumped on the bandwagon.
MEMO TO REPORTERS
DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
TO: Reporters/ Editors
FROM: Nick Velasquez, Director of Communications, Office of Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo
RE: City Attorney Requests Council Waive Confidentiality in Pierce Matter
Several weeks ago, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office made a comprehensive presentation to both the City Council and an independent mediator regarding the Tennie Pierce case.
After weighing the facts, the City Council voted 11-1 to settle the case, and the City Attorney proceeded accordingly. The Council later voted on a reconsideration motion and essentially re-affirmed its initial decision to settle the matter.
There has been a question about what was shared with the City Council at that time. While we cannot detail specific evidence that was discussed with the members of the Council in closed session due to the confidential nature of the attorney-client relationship, we have requested that the Council waive confidentiality to set the record straight.
Oh yeah.. Ron Kaye, Rick Orlov, Beth Barrett and the best newspaper in town.
Zuma D - I've been fighting city hall for years. You're a good thing. Don't let them kid you. Council can use you for the "one minute" excuse but if they had their way - there would be no public comment on the agenda. If someone thinks you are bad for the city, they mean to say you're bad for them because you are taking up their air time or stealing their attention.
Did Daily News reporter Brent Hopkins out Captain Jack Sparrow accidentally in Saturday's paper? That was great. I've never even heard of Captain Jack so I found that article pretty funny. It will be even funnier if Mayor Sam's own Captain Jack has a bobbing doll head on his desk....
Also in Saturday's Daily News, Eva Longoria called Mayor AV "the most handsome Mayor in the United States". I'd like to hear anyone argue with that. Second runner up - his gubernatorial running mate, Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Blah!
What was the story about in Daily News on Saturday that Brent did?
Many think Mariel Garza is a dumb reporter but in today's opinion she did say something right on the money. She stated Pierce gets millions for eating dog food, yet other sexual harrassement and retaliation lawsuits against LAFD did't come close to that settlement. In other words its worth more to eat dog good. They had one of the wives of the firefighters killed in the fire and was stunned why Pierce is getting so much attention instead of 5 that died trying to help people save their homes. How true!!!!
Any word on the EAA strike at LAX?
Whoever would say that Mariel Garza is dumb is simply dumb for saying that and they've obviously never met her.
I hope she gets the last laugh and makes more money than the people who sit (at home) making judgment calls. For the record, she isn't fat either.
I rate her right up there with the rest of the DN reporters that I love. She is hilarious.
Brent did a story about shopping the day after Thanksgiving and all of the nutty people who go out thinking they're getting bargains.
He mentioned that one of his coworkers loves Captain Jack Sparrow and he bought him something for his desk. If he mentioned his name, I'm not going to say. You'll have to go dig it up. But hey.. at least they don't charge you like the Times.
Eva is an actress, she'll say anything to be nice. Especiall to that tin head Mayor.
Plaaaeeezz.
BRAD A. GREENBERG?
Taken for Public use,
used for PrivateSometimes cities will take someone’s home or business for what sounds like an actual public use, only to turn it over to private parties
once eminent domain proceedings
are concluded. Vaughan Benz had
a successful furniture business with three warehouses on the 5900 block of South Western Ave. in Los Angeles until the City used eminent domain to take Benz’s property in order to build a public animal shelter. Benz
fought the taking, but after “three years of torture” agreed to a settlement in February 2005. Then in November 2005, Councilman Bernard C. Parks,
who was not in office when City
officials initiated the condemnation action, introduced a motion to consider building the animal shelter at a different site. The City now plans
to transfer the property to Cisco Bros., another furniture manufacturer, whose owners, Francisco and Alba Pinedo,
have donated $17,600 to local officials including Parks, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who will have to sign off on the deal, and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, who will have to provide the legal justification for it.11 Patrick McGreevy, “Land seized for animal shelter may be sold to developer-donor,” Los Angeles Times, January 14, 2006, at A1.
Christopher Sutton, an attorney specializing in eminent domain law, said a city can legally change its plans for use of the property as long as it genuinely intended to use the site for a public purpose when it began condemnation proceedings.
But he said the city's handling of the shelter project looks bad.
"I think it's terrible," he said.
Parks said the change would be a big boost for a community in need of jobs and business. "We think the furniture marts [in the area] may double over the next 10 years," he said.
Coupal's group hopes to qualify an initiative for the November state ballot that would outlaw the use of eminent domain to benefit private developers.
That move follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that approved the plan of New London, Conn., to force some homeowners to sell their properties for a private development.
"It's not right. It's not fair," Coupal said. "The power of eminent domain should only be used for public purposes, not including economic development to the extent you hand property over to another developer."
Is David Pierson of L.A.TIMES related to Donna Pierson (Paul Rusnak's partner) of RUSNAK AUTO SALES
LA Observed posted the schedule for the ceremonies being held tomorrow in Los Angeles, where Judge Steven Reinhardt, (not exactly a moderate of the kind everyone claims Antonio is), swears in Mayor-elect Villaraigosa. The Interfaith Service at downtown's Our Lady of Angels Cathedral runs like this:
* Prayer of St. Francis by Sebastian Temple
* Processional by the Gabrieleno-Tongva Tribe
* Welcome by the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
* Reading from the Quran by Dr. Maher Hathout of Islamic Center of Southern California
* Reading from the Five Books of Moses by Rabbi Harold Schulweis of Valley Beth Shalom
* Reading from the Christian Scriptures by the Very Rev. John Bakas of St. Sofia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
* Buddhist Meditation Chant by Monastics from His Lai Temple
* Reading from the Sikh Scriptures by Sardarni Sahiba Simran Kaur Khalsa of Sikh Darma
* Remarks by Bishop Charles E. Blake of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ
* Reading from the Hindu Scriptures by Swami Sarvedevananda of the Vedanta Society
* Moment of Silent Prayer, Prayer Circle and Benediction by Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles
* Recessional Hymn of De Colores by Mariachi Divas
We here at Local Liberty Blog are absolutely outraged that Antonio has given the cold shoulder to practitioners of Satanism, Kabbalah (you are the mayor of Los Angeles now, HELLO!), Voodoo, or even the Church of Scientology. Tom Cruise's cultish smile might give you nightmares, but that's no reason to promote other religions over Scientology, now is it?! Not even a Wiccan priestess—or say, an anti-prayer statement by a prominent atheist? You call this diversity?!? Anyone ever heard of Shinto?!? What's Antonio's beef against Asians, huh? Looks to me like Animism in all its forms is woefully under-represented here—not to mention the pathetic absence of real Deism. The Tongva tribe no doubt worshipped totally different gods from many of Southern California's other ancient Indian tribes, such as the Chumash. Given the culture of Los Angeles, how about at minimum a nod to the gods of Aztec culture? And like one Americanized variant of Islam represents the entire religion!
Not Brad Greenberg.
Keep guessing..
Someone needs to tell Zuma Dogg and the others who wear those ridiculous tee shirts that say "Fuck the CRA", etc. that advocacy is an art.
People do not take you seriously when you show up unshaven, wearing a watch cap and dark glasses, wearing those tee shirts.
I told my kids that "If you want to be treated as adults, then dress and look like adults; as long as you wear jeans with holes in them, and dirty tee shirts, you will be treated like kids."
This is a constructive criticism for all. I have been a lobbyist for a long time, and am successful. I am probably one of the folks you despise, because I can get the ear of the Mayor and members of the council. Why don't you guys give this a try, so that the message(s) is (are) not obscured by the messenger(s)?
Your message(s) is (are) valid, but they get lost in the presentation. You are not making the progress you seek, why not change and see if it helps? It sure won't hurt.
Phil these stooges can wear Armani suits but as long as they behave like immature teenagers at the podium no ones listening.
Eva Longoria's boyfriend looks like something off Mars. So for her to say Antonio is handsome is hilarious. Sadly, Corina didn't ride in the Hollywood parade with Antonio and the kids this year.
Dear Phil CrackOver,
You say you have the "ear of the mayor"
Ask the mayor why is he screwing the only middle class left in L.A. by taxing the shit out of us.
He's worst than a communist. He is a plain dictator hiding under Riordan's wings.
Philip Krakover is aka Ace Smith
Dirty Hairy, how's the weather in San Fran?
You are Wrong!
Phil Krakover is Brady Westwater.
Seldom does he revert.
Phil Krakover=Michael Muskal, Times Staff Writer
Joe Ramallo worked under Alex Penela -Florida. Sounds similiar to Villaraigosa & Travel Traders-Florida.
June 07, 2004
Quote of the Day
"The single most treacherous and dishonest person I dealt with."
-- Al Gore on Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas(D), quoted by the Miami Herald.
Villaraigos wants us to trust him when he hires (Joe Ramallo) individual organized illegal fundraisers, worked under Alex Penelas?
Why did Floridians give $179,000 to Villaraigosa?
Employees of hotel gift shop operator -- with ties to concessions at LAX -- come up with $41,000 for a candidate who has questioned Mayor James Hahn's fund-raising.
By David Zahniser
Copley News Service
Los Angeles politics might seem a world away for William Pineda, a business license sales analyst who lives in Plantation, Fla.
But Pineda and 18 of his colleagues at Travel Traders, a Miami-based company that operates hotel gift shops, are playing a key role in Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa's campaign for mayor.
"These are people 3,000 miles away who are ... not executives of the company and are giving the maximum amount," Stern said. "And the most important question in my mind is, what does this company want in L.A.? What do they want from the Mayor's Office?"
Many of those who gave as employees of Travel Traders also donated as workers for S.E. Florida Investments. For example, Travel Traders executive assistant Lisa Edouard gave Villaraigosa $1,000 on April 1, while she gave a second $1,000 contribution on Sept. 28, during the primary campaign.
Sales audit analyst Eddie Garcia, who left Los Angeles when he was 15 but still has family in the region, said he believes the councilman would be "a breath of fresh air" in Los Angeles. Garcia said he learned about the candidate during a meeting held by his company in September.
"It was kind of like a meeting about possible business in Los Angeles," said the 25-year-old analyst, who would not provide additional details. "I'm not sure if a fund-raiser is the right word."
MAYOR IS CRAZY. HE WANTS TENANTS OUT AND TRADERS FROM MIAMI TO COME HOME AND ?
DeLeon and Nunez took money from Florida. Our city is no longer our own. Face it kids, we've been sold to the highest bidder by the best candidates money can buy.
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