Question for the morning, and your Saturday open thread
Among other things, I learned this week that not only is public transportation a human right, but increasing fares in order to reduce an operating deficit is a racist move on the part of MTA by virtue of the fact that 85% of bus riders are black, Latino or Asian.(Yes, I know I'm very late to the party. Admittedly, I spend about as much time navigating LA's public transportation system as I spend navigating the Bus Riders Union website, which is to say, not much.)
Anyway, the latter got me thinking: when my favorite mayoral candidate assumes office (and a seat on the MTA board) in 2009 and proposes eliminating bus fares (per his platform), will this be cheered and celebrated in the streets as racist fare elimination?
Labels: bus riders union, mta, transportation
Posted by solomon @ 5/26/2007 03:25:00 AM
42 Comments:
LOL and thank you.
Apparently the manual for making policy arguments in this town begins with "Call the other guy racist."
If you want to enforce immigration laws, you're racist.
If you think $2.9 million is a bit steep as compensation for a dog food prank, you're racist.
If you want to raise bus fares for the first time in 10 years, see above.
I plan to do away with the fares altogether, and to use money currently devoted to rail to instead fund BRT (bus rapid transit). Somehow, though, I don't think I'm going to be credited for repealing the "racist" fare hike. We'll see.
The only people to always use the racist card are the illegals and blacks. The majority of riders on MTA buses are illegal going to the Westside to work for slave wages. Whose fault is that but their own then they have the nerve to complain. I'm tired of these losers complaining about everything in our city when they aren't even legal and DON'T HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS US. Go back to Mexico you idiots!!!!
Before these claims of racism, I was against the fare hikes.
Now I'm for them, because anyone who thinks this is a racist policy is too stupid to be allowed on the bus.
Zuma Dogg this is what you've been saying for months about the corruption of the gang programs. You should bring this up at public comment. Antonio and clowncil wants to give them more money.
ANTI-GANG ACTIVISDT GETS JAIL FOR DRUG, GUN CHARGES anti-gang activist who pleaded no contest to gun and drug charges was sentenced Friday to 32 months in jail. Mario Antonio Corona, 30, who helped find jobs for gang members as former director of development for the Communities in Schools program, was arrested in February after officers found a pound of methamphetamine in his car. Police later searched his home and found a handgun.
File Number
03-1188-S7
Last Changed Date
08/25/2006
9. DIRECT CDD to increase rollover authority by $150,000 to provide funding in the amount of $100,000 to continue the Communities in Schools program, and to add $50,000 to the Incentive Fund - Categorical Exemption APPROVED - (Personnel Committee waived consideration).
OUR TAX DOLLARS GOING TO HELP GANG BANGER BUY DRUGS
Why is that overweight bozo in the pic covering his face with a bandana?? This is what you get when you import millions of uneducated peasants from the 3rd world. But as long as GWB gets his cheap labor and Villaraigosa his cheap votes, I guess everything is ok. BS.
The guy who attacked Sandy Wells (the KABC reporter) apparently works for "Homeboy Industries."
We need less "Homeboy Industries" and more REAL industries.
Does anybody on this blog actually know who or what "Homeboy Industries" is? Raise your white hands and speak up, please.
As for eliminating the transit fares altogether, assuming Hell freezes over and Walter Moore ever gets a chance to propose it in the real world (as opposed to his own ego- and fantasy-driven blogosphere), he will be laughed out of the MTA Boardroom. Maybe all those "illegals on the buses" he seems to despise will embrace him, however. Ironic comfort, eh?
Is it just me, or is the case against my proposals weaker than ever? I mean, the best they can come up with is "raise your white hand" and "you'll be laughed out of the boardroom?" This could be easier than I thought!
8:28, I was wondering the very same thing. We see this at the amnesty marches, but at a fare hike protest?!
Is dressing like a violent anarchist the new way to debate every issue?
HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES
Also Known As: Homeboy Industries
1916 E. First St
Los Angeles, CA 90033
GENERAL INFORMATION
Contact: Veronica Vargas, Associate Director of Development
Telephone: (323) 526-1254
Fax: (323) 526-1257
Web Site: www.homeboy-industries.org
Who We Are
Homeboy Industries assists at-risk and former gang-involved youth to become positive and contributing members of society through job placement, training and education.
This organization is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity
But the reason you will be laughed out of the boardroom, Walter, is that you would be ask to shut down all rail construction projects and reallocate them to bus rapid transit. Unfortunately, contractors have already been paid for the Expo and Eastside lines and they do not like to shut down in the middle of the project. Board members still have the dream of extending rail out to Ontario Airport and down Crenshaw, two of the worst projects on the table. Unfortunately, operating expenses are never sexy.
Oh, well, you're right then. If contractors want public money, there's absolutely no way the people, by electing honest officials, can possibly decide to favor one form of mass transit rather than another.
What is WITH you people?! You're all whipped -- pre-whipped! Elected officials work for us, not vice-versa. If you cower at the very thought of demanding competent politicians who evaluate the costs and benefits of public policy options, then you deserve to get the same crummy career politicians over an over.
Look, WE, the people, get to decide whether we'll waste $5 billion on a single stretch of subway along Wilshire, that will take 15 years to build, or whether instead we'll spend money rationally, to take advantage of the existing infrastructure.
Walter,
That's why when you run for office you propose policy ideas -- because then voters can know what they are voting for and against.
Mayor Villaraigosa proposed the subway to the sea during the campaign, costs and timeline were public as well.
The Mayor received a clear mandate to go forward with the idea on election night.
Cooley to Jews, blacks: 'Quit your complaining'
Feb. 8, at the State Capitol hosted by the Anti-Defamation League, told Jewish News, "The blacks go out and make a brouhaha about all these different things and what they're doing is alienating the people over here that they want to accept them."
"I think the Jews, when they go out and complain about a particular something, they're alienating (other groups)," he said.
Cooley was commenting about remarks made by Tamar Galatzan, the ADL's western states associate counsel, during a speech to the lawmakers about issues - separation of church and state, hate crimes, civil rights and hate on the Internet - the ADL is concerned about.
Galatzan mentioned church-state separation cases, including one some four years ago in California that involved a school play about the birth of Christ. In response to a complaint by a Jewish parent whose child was given a role requiring a bow to the baby Jesus, school district officials canceled the production.
Cooley, commenting when the floor was open to discussion after Galatzan's remarks, said he believes the play should not have been stopped and that no offense should have been taken. He said that he had recently worn a kippah (skullcap) at a Jewish funeral without feeling offended.
Tamar Galatzan: I'm not the kind of person where you say "jump" and I say "how high?" I'm a thoughtful, independent person who pretty much speaks her mind. And I got into this race never having spoken to the mayor. I met with him by the end of November and I told him what I wanted to do, why I was running.
2:49 --
You're half right. He talked about a "subway to the sea." He did not mention it would take 15 years and $5 billion.
But I sure hope he continues to advocate it in the next election.
Tamar + 2 sisters + 1 sista
=
1 prez
sorry gordita
We need an express subway to TJ and not one of the racist ones that charge a fare or just go one way to TJ and it better not have a bigoted ice check point
if i could take the subway to mexico for cheap mexi-whores and margaritas i would all the time
Why all the Tamar-bashing posts all of the sudden? The election is over. This is all old stuff. If you were opposition to Tamar you would have posted recent mayor sam blog hits during the election. Why now? Why all the posting of Tamar's mind-speaking independence and how she never met the mayor until after she was already running? Has someone turned their back on someone, already? And if so, who to whom? Zuma, ask one of your humans if Tamar still plans on voting out Marlene and voting in Monica.
Was told today that the bullet train was approved from LA to Las Vegas....89 minutes...same as the airplane. Will be completed in two to three years. Stops along the way. Anybody know about this? Amtrack denies it.
^ Now there is a rail project I can support. Please post if you find out more.
7:27
Approved by whom? Its Saturday!
7:27pm,
Yes, I know one thing...do you really think a bullet train to vegas in 89 minutes is 2 to 3 years from completion when no one has even heard about it yet? I swear to GOD I have never laughed out loud so hard reading any post on this blog. TEARS are actually streaming down my face and I can't stop laughing and people are looking at me.
I attended the Elephant Hill hearing by PLUM (as referred to below) -- and as I was watching, I remember making a mental note: If this thing gets approved in the face of all this public input, including from experts -- then this whole public hearing process is the biggest crock of shit and waste of time on the planet. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME YOU STEAMROLLING, PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD MUTHERPHUGHERS...NOW Y'ALL DONE PISSED ME OFF...Payback WILL be a BITCH on this one. ZUMA DOGG ON THE REALEST!]
For anyone who's been watching this -- apparently the City planning department says no additional environmental review is in order for Elephant Hill, El Sereno. The full correspondence is here:
http://clkrep.lacity.org/councilfiles/04-1413_rpt_plan_5-22-07.pdf
The cover letter from Planning, dated May 22, 2007, summarizes:
Council File No. 04-1413
To: Los Angeles City Council
Attention: Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Honorable City Council:
Request for a determination by Planning Department as to whether there exists the need for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for Tract No. 35022 aka Elephant Hill based upon new information or a substantial change in the project.
It is the determination of the Planning Department staff in conjunction with the Bureau of Engineering that the development under Tract No. 35022 requires no additional discretionary actions in order for it to be built. A City Attorney memo addressing this issue is attached. Per
CEQA guidelines Section i 5162( c), when there is no further discretionary action required, the
Department of City Planning lacks the legal authority to require the preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR).
Section 15162(c) of CEQA states: “Once a project has been approved, the lead agency's role in project approval is completed, unless further discretionary approval on that project is required. Information appearing after an approval does not require reopening of that approval. If after the project is approved, any of the conditions described in subdivision (a) occurs, a subsequent EIR or negative declaration shall only be prepared by the public agency which grants the next discretionary approval for the project, if any. In this situation no other responsible agency shall grant an approval for the project until the subsequent EIR has been certified or subsequent negative declaration adopted.
In 1984 a Vesting Tentative Tract map was filed. At that time an EIR was being prepared for the proposed project. Work on the EIR was halted for a number of years and then resumed in 1989. The EIR for the project was completed and certified in 1992 and the Tract was approved on appeal to City Council in July of 1993.
The Tract recorded in 2004.
Commentors have asserted that changes in the project and new information trigger the requirement for an SEIR.
It is the determination of the Planning Department staff in conjunction with Bureau of Engineering and Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety that no additional environmental review is triggered under CEQA, Sections 2166 and Guidelines 15162-15163. The factual analysis supporting this conclusion is attached. Specifically attached are responses from Planning Department to questions raised by Councilman Huizar and local constituents (in bold print) regarding the need for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for Tract No.35022. Attached are also comments from the Bureau of Engineering and LA Department of Building and Safety.
(signed)
S. GAIL GOLDBERG
Director of Planning
Will the residents living below elephant hill face big development of big single homes and multiple apartments above their backyards and in front of their homes facing this hill since this has come to what it is right now? Yes or No not a maybe just a flat yes or no!
Does Huizar OWN Planning?
tamar es una venida.
Now that there is almost total domination of the world mainstream media by one group with a specific interest, can we really say that there is "Freedom of the Press"? These global media conglomerates have gone further to subjugate free thinking. Not only do they put the screws on journalists under their employment, but they are also going after small independent news services like La Voz de Aztlan. Our readership is well acquainted with the varied methods that have been employed to silence us. The most recent one has been the use of a Los Angeles weekly tabloid to attack our publisher Hector Carreon. The article quotes Ms. Tamar Galatzan of the ADL of B'nai B'rith (Sons of the Covenant), a well known U.S. branch of the Israeli MOSSAD, as making a statement that should chill the spines of every freedom loving American. Her statement also shows that there is a very well orchestrated and coordinated movement around the world that is working in union. The Canadian media mogul Izzy Asper won the coveted B'nai B'irth International Award of Merit and Tamar Galatzan of the ADL of B'nai B'rith was quoted, in the last sentence of the tabloid's article, as saying, concerning our publisher, "We're going to keep an eye on him."
When will you quit whining?
Who appointed you the arbiter of good and bad?
Projects go through a set process and there is time and place for input. Nothing in the process says that Dave Elliott also has to give his approval before project can proceed.
That was the trouble with the Hahn administration; nothng got done because they listened to every gadfly in LA, lest someone not support him for reelection. Antonio doesn't do that, and isn't afraid of beggers who sleep in their vans and rant and rave and put on a comedy show.
That's why this city, despite the lack of approval of beggars, is moving forward a good speed and people are employed and mostly off the streets.
And that's why Antonio Villaraigosa has 84% approval and 16% disapproval.
7:16am, you dumb f*ck. Were you at the PLUM hearing? Did you HEAR and SEE the info presented? And YOU see no problem here. I'll tell yo uwhat Mr. Do-Nothing Smart guy...why don't you explain the situation and tell me how EVERYONE was wrong, except the ONE person who says it is safe: The attorney for the developer. And even HE didn't say it was safe...just allowed.
As long as it follows CEQA guidelines, thats all that matters Zuma bitch.
5:25pm,
Who's side are you on? The side of common sense and public safety, or the people making money off the development? To say, "all that matters is that it passed SEQUA" -- failing to consider it was 20 years ago -- means you need to sit down and read Deming. If the development slides down the hill into the homes below, will you say, "all that matters is that it passed SEQUA 20 years ago?"
Again, you are demonstrating the problem at City Hall. Thank you for showing the readers.
5:25pm,
YOU DO NOT COMPUTE. MENTAL AND ETHICAL ERROR. TAKE TO SHOP FOR REPAIR. SEE ANTHONY ROBBINS!
Does anybody on this blog actually know who or what "Homeboy Industries" is? Raise your white hands and speak up, please.
My hand is Latino and we all know about the corrupt Father Gang Banger Boyle. His gang members are still active and getting arrested all the time. Homeboy doesn't have one single intervention/prevention guy out in the community. They just bought a building for $10 million downtown thanks to corrupt Antonio and our tax dollars. Everyone in the community knows Homeboy gang bangers are still active and killing. Father Gang Banger makes calls all around telling politicans help him get his guys out of jail and has even refused to testify when subpoenaed to help his gang bangers. Homeboy just got $650,000 from the Gang Reduction Program and people were pissed. Father Gang Banger has never showed how many people he's helped, where the money goes, who he has donated to campaigns. They need to be audited now.
Zuma
Once again...if it follows the CEQA guidelines, thats all that matters.
Whether or not the CEQA guidelines are inadequate are another matter entirely.
But blaming people for following the guidelines set before them shows ignorance and studpidity on your part.
I'm not blaming. I'm asking that common sense and safety prevail.
Common sense did prevail...its called The Law (and ya can't blame Nunez or MAV for CEQA quidelines...so who are you going to blame bitch?)
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME YOU STEAMROLLING, PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD MUTHERPHUGHERS...NOW Y'ALL DONE PISSED ME OFF...Payback WILL be a BITCH on this one. ZUMA DOGG ON THE REALEST!]"
1- How are they steamrolling the process? They are doing everything required by CEQA...they don't have to do anything more.
2- Who cares if they pissed you off...its not like anyone cares about you or your ideas. You're an annoying bee that won't go away...and soon enough you'll sting someone (the wrong person) and die (metaphorically of course)
The law and common sense do not always over lap. And yes they DO have to do more. If it is obvious, as it is the the pueblos, that this is an unsafe, un-desired threat to public safety, you know full well elected officials (NOT POLITICIANS) should represent those public interests. Are you kidding me...this involves Jose Huizar so you KNOW it's fucking shady as hell. It's a highly protested project, and he sits on the planning committee, and after hours of testimony, the CM, who is standing on shaky ground anyway (and you know he is) decides everything is hunky dory.
Ever hear my saying, "You beat us, but you didn't fool us."
Don't cofuse the two. Shall I did a little deeper into Elephant Hill dirt?
You're best bet, if you are supporters of mayoral posse is to back off and quit escalating this...cause here's the problem:
You may notice a slight widening of areas I am "going". Places I chose not to "go" before, because others already "go" there, and I have been focused on issues others don't cover in the media.
But since I've been trying to research a couple corrupt issues of interest, it all keeps tying back to the same fucking sh*t everyone else has been talking about.
And if you piss me off, you're gonna hear me blabbing the whole scenario on talkradio and sting a whole bunch of people who tip you like to jock.
AND I DO NOT WANNA GO THERE...YOU KNOW I LIKE TO KEEP IT FISCAL...But if you unleash the Dogg...I might be much more specif on the radio or this blog and i don't want to. (And I don't want to spend that kind of energy in that direction. And I know you don't want ZD blasting it all on TV 35. BE SMART! Once the ZD kicks in, I can't keep it bottled inside anymore.
Zuma ---
Do you think I really care about you or what you say? You've taken up a NIMBY cause...why not just join Eveloff against Expo while you're at it (especially since his HOA has nothing to do with the Expo route)
Now...as per your ignorant comments:
1- Obviously they DON'T have to do more. They follow the laws and the guidelines, and thats all they have to do. You WANT them to do more, but they don't HAVE to.
2- You think EVERYTHING Huizar does is shady? You're a fucking moron.
3- EVERYTHING project is highly contested...WELCOME TO POLITICS
4- When did I ever say I am/was a supporter of the Mayor or his posse?
5- Do you think anyone who matters cares about you on talk radio?
6- Wow. Yes, please go all in-depth on the issues for once in your miserable life, get into something...because right now, you're a waste of space and pixels.
7- Learn about politics. Learn about civics. Learn about the process. Stay away from the NIMBYs. Get a job where you'll learn how all of this happens, and then comment.
You ever notice how you've been at City Hall for over a year, and yet NOTHING you've done has mattered there?
Either you have a flat out reading comprehension problem, or doing it on purpose cause you think faulty logic and word parsing and taking things out of context is effective spin/argument.
1. You simply don't understand. You are reminding me of my car rides to City Hall with Michael Hunt. I've responded many times now, and you continue to reply with your intial repsonse over and over like a cultish programmer. Doesn't work here, pal.
2. Shady is as shady does. Is Huizar mentioned in a Federal Racketeering/RICO/Corrupt organization lawsuit that hit the US District court this month. ZUMA DOGG SAYS "YES!"
3. You are failing to comprehend the spirit in which I am trying to convey what went down at the Planning Committee. This wasn't like the other public hearings i sat through. You can't just say, "open the roll, close the roll, tabulate the vote" on this one Charlie. Not unless you wanna lose all credibility. (too late, you already did months ago...actually, you never had it.)
4. When did I ever say you were. Re-read Mr. Low Reading Skillz. See the word, "if"?
5. In case you believe your own spin...you SHOULD know...yes, radio is an effective medium.
6. I will continue to, since you continue to read every word. By the way, I no longer have a shred of anonymity in the LA Political and media scene. Everytime I aks someone a question, be it Cedillo's deputy, LAPD inspector general, planning people, assemblymember staffers who i have called in sacramento...people either have heard my voice, or read the blogs or seen the TV 35 -- so yeah...it's a big waste.
7. Maybe you can pay me to tell you, since you are obviously naive as hell, and that's why you are so frustrated. You probably are not even aware of all the stuff I am talking about, so it's uncomfortable for you to find this stuff out...you are uncertain..you don't want to believe I am right.
Ask Housing, Planning and City Attorney's office if nothing I did matters. If nothing mattered, how come they have closed door meetings to figure out how to handle me and CMs ask me not to talk about items?
I ALWAYS JUST FIGURED YOU WERE RUNNING FAULTY LOGIC ARGUMENT PATTERNS JUST AS A SUN ZU TACTIC...but it just hit me...
ZD is the mean old person who was in charge of breaking the news to you that there IS no easter bunny, tooth fairy or Santa Clause.
Don't metaphorically shoot the messenger, complain to your politician and tell him/her to start acting like an elected official.
Anything else to say, call me or send an email...I know you are obsessived with me to the point of compulsion, and that's an endless loop...so I'm onto the next thread.
And call Tony Robbins. He may be able to snap you out of your ZD fixation.
May 26, 2007 6:33 AM
Welcome to:
THE UNITED STATES OF LATIN AMERICA!
Tacos will dominate hamburgers.
May 26, 2007 3:42 PM
THE ONLY WHORE IN THIS PLANET
IS YOUR VERY OWN MOTHER!
SHE IS THE EXPRESS WHORE.
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