Does Mary Benson Hate the Homeless?
Don't cry for me Lakeview Terrace...
From Zuma Dogg's blog:
You know, Mary Benson kinda took a jab at me yesterday during her opening statement. She admitted that she may have not been down to city hall as much as Zuma Dogg, because some of us (her) have to earn a living and have jobs and not all of us can live in a cardboard box.
Read the rest here.
Update: It was brought to our attention by someone who attended the VICA "non-forum" that both candidates Frank Sheftel and Tamar Galatzan made personal attacks on Zuma Dogg during that paid event with Galatzan specifically referring to Zuma's homelessness. The video of that is hosted on Facebook which is not compatible with Blogger however if we can get you the actual clip, we will. Interetingly that Paul Krekorian remained a class act and did not drag down to the level of Sheftel and Galatzan.
From Zuma Dogg's blog:
You know, Mary Benson kinda took a jab at me yesterday during her opening statement. She admitted that she may have not been down to city hall as much as Zuma Dogg, because some of us (her) have to earn a living and have jobs and not all of us can live in a cardboard box.
Read the rest here.
Update: It was brought to our attention by someone who attended the VICA "non-forum" that both candidates Frank Sheftel and Tamar Galatzan made personal attacks on Zuma Dogg during that paid event with Galatzan specifically referring to Zuma's homelessness. The video of that is hosted on Facebook which is not compatible with Blogger however if we can get you the actual clip, we will. Interetingly that Paul Krekorian remained a class act and did not drag down to the level of Sheftel and Galatzan.
Labels: cd2 special election, Mary Benson, zuma dogg
Posted by Michael Higby @ 8/27/2009 10:33:00 PM
121 Comments:
I think Benson's comment sounds legitimate and after all the zuma dogg is homeless.
That this ticks of zd shows he's still too thin skinned.
It's all about Zuma, all the time on this blog. Can you kick him off again?
Desperate, and SAD, Michael Very Sad.
I was at the event and was shocked. I was supporting Benson but forget it. How insensitive. I will vote for Krekorian.
Mary Benson is a strong advocate for CD2. How dare you even post this Zuma sympathy nonsense?
click click click click
Tell Mary to explain the comment. Doesn't matter if it was Zuma or not. Mary's remark was what was sad and desperate. Where does she get off?
This was a nicely assembled post, Michael. I enjoyed the video. It's so pathetic that Mary has resorted to personal attacks on Zuma's housing situation when he's been such a champion of the underdogs in S-T. He must be getting under somebody's skin. Go Zuma!
Benson's comment was a cheap shot. I was there and thought it was Benson who was thin skinned. Being homeless is not a crime. Democracy is an equal opportunity employer and she has no more entitlement to a public office than Zuma Dogg. So she had to earn a living. Give that woman a medal. I've never heard of such sacrifice. Bet she walked two miles in the snow to get to work, too. Although I'm not voting for ZD since another has won my heart, he showed more grace under fire than Benson. Guess she felt threatened by his experience and knowledge of city government.
ZD has done as much for S-T as the rock in my front yard. He will not get votes from this area.
It was very nasty the way she portrayed her remarks about someone homeless. I was taken aback.
I'm not sure I would vote for Zuma Dogg but I have friends who are. His comments are more substantial than where Joe B bathes his dog. Benson is a shrew.
OK the truth is he is homeless and he plays it like a fiddle. So please stop all this tea and sympathy for this self-centered jerk! His behavior in public as he scarfs down all free food in sight, then takes on this persona of "Zuma", please, give us all a break. Do the real grassroots cadidates a favor and drop out and go back to Venice! ZD = loser
Go Mary, Frank & Mike!
FUG-LY!
What an unkind gesture. My god! I hope no one votes for these people. Homelessness is a sad state of affairs. Beating up on people who are already down on their luck? Who votes for someone like that?
I was with Kerkorian from the start and I'm staying with PK.
At what point does Frank X Sheftel do the freak out? I would surmise we're getting close. And the secret? Yes people want to know.
If you liked Walter Moore and his minutemen then amigos you will surely love the Sunland Tujunga white lady Mary Benson.
Mayor Antonio must explain why there is no Latino in this race? This is a Latino city. The Mayor is promoting white people to a Latino district? Something is wrong.
¿Dónde está el cambio que todos pudieran creer?
Whats so secret about Sheftel? Front page news, articles everywhere, magazine covers, t.v news. UUUUHH it's no secret, And guess what.(puff puff) WE DONT CARE!!!
12:20 - What exactly do you think is Pete Sanchez's heritage?!?!?!
Think Sanchez said he was Basque.
Zuma dogg,
Now that Frank Shefel is on video attacking you why don't you bring up his marijuana operation in TL. If he made one dollar personal profit then he's in big trouble if the IRS looked into it. Did he use money he collected from his marijuana operation for his campaign?
It is now Villaraigosa's obligation to field a Latino candidate?
What ever happened to martin Luther King's ideals?
Schmaltzenburger is red herring; you can vote for him, but it would be easier to log a few more hours at the office, because the vote is a throwaway.
i don't think its even about what you HAVE done, its about what you can and will DO for the district.
weiss out, y'all, the dogg is in.
I don't understand you Higby. You chastise several of us who ask questions about Zuma Dogg's homelessness.
Then you post a story from Zuma Dogg's blog which talks about his homelessness.
What exactly is the rule here? Can we or can't we talk about the man's homelessness?
If so, I would like to know who it is that paid for Zuma Dogg's current, and previous short-term apartments. Obviously he doesn't have any money to pay for one, and he made a comment that he would endorse the person who gave him a place.
Once he got the place, and didn't follow through on an endorsement, he was tossed out of it after just one week.
So can we or can't we talk about this elephant in the room? Whatever it is, just be consistent.
Yesterday zuma dogg said he would change his behavior and get along with the other cms if he was elected.
Maybe working instead of playing would help him get off of the streets. Karaoke sure isn't doing it.
Congratulations on your win Mr. Dogg, but this is not helping your personal crisis or campaign much.
"Thursday, August 27, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: Kid Rock Asked To Hand The Mic To Zuma Dogg As He Storms Off The Stage and Out of the Club (Defeated By Hometown Favorite, ZUMA DOGG!)"
Mary Benson didn't make Zuma Dogg's homelessness an issue. Zuma Dogg does. He announces it all of the time. He announces he's off the streets. He announces he's back out on the sidewalk. He announces he's got another apartment, but it's temporary.
But we are still waiting for him to tell us exactly how long he has been a resident of cd2. I am asking all of the other candidates the same thing. But he continues to evade the question.
Some courageous people pick on the strong- they always have.
Some cowards pick on the weak- they always have.
Some of us will pick on the cowards who pick on the weak, and some of us will pick on the brave who pick on the strong.
And that's the way it is...
It shows these people's character when they make comments that low.
It really shows their inconsiderate feelings for others. It also shows that they have no heart for those that are really homeless.
Those were really mean spirted comments.
"Noone" cares
Words come back to haunt you so be careful what you say and Mary didn't listen. I'm leaning toward Krekorian these days. I like Zuma but I think he's too intense and needs to calm down the rhetoic to have people take him seriously. I do like his passion though. Good post Michael.
On another note why in the hell is the Political Union ohhh!! I mean the Police Union PPL goons giving an award to Trutanich and Garcetti both who haven't done shit to deserve it?
Eagle and Badge Foundation Dinner Honorees, Carmen ‘Nuch’ Trutanich, Los Angeles City Attorney; Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council President; Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., Deputy Asst. Secretary of the Navy;
How about she just hates Zuma?
Why not? Plenty of us do.
You guys forget Jesus was homeles....
Why would Jay Carson who was working for a BILLIONAIRE leave to work for the low life gang banger Mayor? Think MTA, Italian rail
Villaraigosa said Carson would recuse himself on matters involving Carson's former employer. AnsaldoBreda has been lobbying for a renewal of its contract at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where the mayor controls four of 13 board seats.
I was there and didn't hear this directed toward Zuma. Don't get distracted. Some like to distract you.
All the candidates are getting more confident. The next few days and week will be interesting.
Zuma -- sharp cookie. Speaks to the people on issues. He is even giving examples of what difference he will make. Remember, he got a lot of votes during the Mayor's race.
Mary -- another big sharp cookie. Speaks to the issues right in our face now with solutions that she will and can implement immediately. Regardless of the outcome of this race, Mary will get things done.
Paul & Chris -- speak in circles and that they've done this and that so you must like them because of their past experience that you have no intimate way to confirm or know is by their leadership. (Sorry for the run on sentence.) Just listening to the SB1818 support that Essel did while with the Central City Assn is a circle she can't get out of. We shouldn't have to give someone a serious job like this just so they can be closer to their kids. (Sorry Paul this is all your supporters are hearing.) And, the filming credits to keep filming here by Paul and Chris? Sorry, lots still going outside and to New Mexico as I write this. That just won't change. Another circle of spin that can get no immediate solution that we can feel and touch now. Another distraction.
Tamar -- speaks direct to certain issues with Building and Safety and Planning not talking to each other's computers that we experience on an almost daily basis. Word is spreading with what she has accomplished that has improved communities. You know what they say about "word of mouth"?
Pete, Michael, Joe -- are nice and have done some great things locally. I think you will see them moving up in time.
Frank -- is out there in the face of the voters. No real workable solutions popping out that stick with you.
Augusto -- is a good businessman.
BREAKING NEWS: There was an ethics violation filed today with the Ethics Commission regarding Wendy Greuel's recorded, roto phone message to many in CD2 declaring her endorsement of Christine Essel. Identifying herself as City Controller Wendy Greuel, she sang the praises of Essel, even going so far as declaring that they (Essel & Greuel) would reform City Hall. (laugh here) So where was this reformer Greuel for the last 7 years? As for the violations, I guess Essel and Greuel missed the Mayor's course on having a disclaimer on political messages.
Tamar has been the most classless at the forums - she attacked Mary Benson for daring to point out that she already is taking two government salaries, she mocked Zuma for his homelessness, and seemed to suggest Frank Sheftel was a criminal at the S-T forum which is so irresponsible.
No surprise given that this is a candidate who has intentionally violated ethics laws. Tamar is out of control and she would be an absolute nightmare as a the councilmember.
Living in a cardboard box is stereotypically associated with homelessness. However in 2005, Melbourne architect Peter Ryan designed a house composed largely of cardboard.
Folks I'm eavesdropping on meeting of some Sunland-Tujunga "rainmakers" and the buzz is to get the rest of the candidates to drop out in favor of Mary Benson.
Most types of "cardboard" are recyclable. Boards that are laminates, wax coated, or treated for wet-strength are often more difficult to recycle.
Zuma is always telling people he's better and smarter and more diligent than they (in going to City Hall to berate them, except of course "Denny" my friend-enabler-instigator Zine) and that's what prompted Mary to respond and make this remark.
He's asking for it and it's not a general comment I'm sure, it's about HIM acting like he deserves a medal because of the "great injustice" he suffered. This by the way seems typical of many homeless - not the constant saying how superior they are part, but the fact that something bad happened dto them and they can't get over it enough to get off the streets.
He's suing the city now along with Dowd and Hunt, they're anything BUT city leaders.
He does distract from the real business of this election, like he AND the pothead minister did from the mayoral election. When it's such a circus there's less time and attention focused on the real issues and candidates who can win, and like or or not that's bad for the process. Even though is is his "right" like wasting all that time daily to berate everyone is "his right," but it shows a lack of self-discipline and a bizarre sense of ego to keep doing it.
Give it up Michael. Mary wasn't making an across the board comment about homelessness. She was responding to Zuma Dogg's bragging and that he tries to portray himself as the only one who attends City Hall enough to know the issues first hand, blah blah blah. He was trying to make himself look better than anyone else. He failed. He only looks more desparate, if you ask me. On the other hand, Mary Benson has experience and knowledge gained from actually volunteering in the neighborhood, showing up at City Hall, participating on committees, and contributing her time and expertise to make a difference. She has attended thousands of neighborhood and citywide meetings, forums, and public hearings and has demonstrated an ability to collaborate with others. Mary Benson is a credible candidate with a very real possibility for winning this election, and that is obviously why Michael Higby is trying to stir up shit about her. Give it up Michael.
So it looks like Benson attacks at least one candidate at a forum for nonsense reasons.
This lady is too angry and self-righteous to be a council member. She does not inspire leadership to me.
She seems to have some technical skill. She might make a good planning deputy. But she appears too anti-business for that.
That's true she did try to beat up on Tamar. Everyone pretty much commented after that Mary's comment was nonsensical.
Right now I only see Krekorian, Zuma Dogg and Essavi as having the chops to be good Council members. The rest of them are either weirdos or lightweights or shady.
I do think Tamar has potential but have to cross her off the list for her connection to the Mayor and recent poor decision making/questionaable ethics.
Mary's comment was uncalled for. If Zuma is a distraction and all you say she should not be drawing attention to him. Nor Tamar. Obviously they're concerned about him.
You don't see Krekorian attacking the other candidates personally as Benson, Tamar and Sheftel are (and its not just Zuma Dogg they personally attack they personally attack each other as well such as Benson's comments about Tamar's paycheck and Tamar's comments about Sheftel's pot store).
Krekorian remains heads and shoulders above all, a class act, and working like the dickens to win while the rest of them are just making noise.
Think about it Michael would you want someone boring, cold and prickly for a council member or someone warm, engaging and experienced?
You will discover that is the reason why Neighborhood Council leaders in CD2 are backing Paul. He has been there for us. Who are the rest of these people?
Krekorian was on Kevin James last night making excessive claims for himself as a Board member in Burbank. "I turned around that district," he said, "I improved attendance records, I improved test scores," and so on, as though he were the only board member and as though any of them could have personally dragged the kids to school.
At least Tamar talks about what she has really done, like getting computers into the schools, not taking credit for such broad things with a first person "I."
Ok Krekorian's self praise shows an emphasis on education, which is like what Tamar is doing and they're all trying to minimize.
But both of them have at least done SOMETHING - people talking about what they will do, even if it runs counter to what they HAVE done their whole lives, is typical of the candidates Shallman works for. A disaster so far. Running on hot air has led to a bad joke. Of course, Essel is not planning to just spite the Mayor and those who didn't support her.
Big irony is this one allegedly has the mayor's backing, while the last one was elected largely to spite the mayor. This election seems all about Antonio but not in a way he'd like. He clearly is NOT backing Tamar, who's been the victim of nastiest Shallman attacks on behalf of Essel. She's got a scrappy grassroots campaign that's succeeding way better than they could have imagined. And now Gruel's "big guns" phone call may actually get her in trouble or at least cancel out any alleged "ethics violation" Shallman's trying to hurl at Tamar.
Well no more click click click from me. I won't be wasting my time reading this blog any longer. Mr. Higby, you have gone over the deep edge with your personal roller coaster, the Zuma Dogg problem. And he is a problem. And so are you.
I wouldn't put too much stock in the quality of Michael Higby's political evaluations.
True, while he created this blog, he picked that homeless man to be the next mayor, failing to recognize he didn't have a sliver of a chance.
It doesn't matter how many votes Zuma Dogg got in the election, but rather whether he got close to the runoff. He didn't. He was beaten soundly by Gordon Turner, a man who nobody outside of city hall ever heard of.
What I have noticed about Michael Higby's prognostications is that he will make them vague, so he can usually claim some sort of victory. In his comment above, he is choosing three to be at the top. That's not exactly picking a winner.
It's unfortunate that Michael has very limited ability to put his neck on the line and just choose his candidate.
I'm sure that this will either not be posted, or he will respond by challenging me to my choice. But my comment isn't about MY choice, since I'm not putting myself out there as an expert. It's about pointing out that Michael is not. And if one dares to point that out, he runs around like the bully on the schoolyard. After all, this is his playground I guess.
Tamar's statement about Sheftel's pot shop is just a statement of fact: your own beloved Jane Usher is the one who says that's how the current city attorney's office views pot shops and as long as Tamar is an employee there, she can't make up her own interpretations. When she's a council member, she can review and set policy however and direct the city attorney's office. Having another lawyer on the council will be important, there's a big hole in that regard right now.
Zuma’s life style gives him the freedom necessary to do the job he has been doing for us. The sad part is that it’s not a paying job. All the other candidates had to take care of their possessions, image and careers first. So they do not have time for others. Even now as they claim to want the position to help the people of S-T, the reality is they want the benefits this position will bring to them.
Some very sweet people in the community feel that a good Neighborhood Council member means you will make a good City Council member. And I'd like to think so, too. But when you look at Mary Benson, I just do not see how there is any chance at all that she has what it takes to run the entire office and district.
She is so methodical and slow and lethargic I am really scared to death that the entire district would fall apart with Mary Benson at the wheel.
It takes a lot more than Planning and Land Use knowledge to run and entire council district. You have to be a people person. You have to keep a very fast pace.
I have dealt with Ms. Benson in the community and I must say, in the time it takes for her to speak her peace and finish with her comments the first term will be over and the district will come to a grinding halt.
There's a reason Mary is good at what she does as an NC member and that is the reason she would make a lousy council member. And in my opinion it would be a disaster. She'll get eaten alive at City Hall and completely sucked away by the undertow as she tries to wrap up her first thought. But a great thought it will be, indeed.
News flash Michael:
Benson took her first blue collar job as a teen - packaging and delivering auto parts for a shop owner in town - so that her family didn't end up homeless (and as her mother used to phrase it "...living in a cardboard box.") She's been working continually since then. So no, she doesn't hate the homeless. She has worked her whole life to make sure she and her family are never homeless - two very different things.
Meanwhile, Zuma doesn't let anyone forget for one second that he gets to play advocate using other people's money because he is homeless. That is his main reason he gives for supposedly being the right candidate for the job. He repeats this every chance he gets.
Hm. Tough decision here on which moral compass is more compelling. Hm.
I'm really surprised, but it looks like you have totally lost it, Michael. I am really shocked at how much of a slave you are to certain personalities and to clickity-clicks. I am also glad that I myself unsubscribed myself from being a Mayor Sam administrator and from being a writer here. I'm sad the blog has come to this, but it is your blog to do with as you wish.
Now I just have to get out of the habit of even bothering to read it as part of my daily blog-scanning. My problem to deal with.
Ok, so you got Zuma's Pity party reaction to what Mary said.
How about quoting WHAT MARRY SAID?
I know people in Sunland Tujunga would like to see someone from their area as CM but think what a disaster Mary Benson would be for the rest of the district and city.
It's a whole other situation out there in ST and she has been specializing in land use issues out there.
You are not going to "plan and land use" your way out of the crisis situation the city faces.
It is an important issue, but I am not voting for someone just because they are a good neighborhood council member who specializes in ST land use. Not at this time.
I'm scared to death the district would fall apart under Mary.
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Michael I'm sorry to see that Petra has joined the Moore-Berger-Mmmary Army of Loons supporting Nutty Mary Benson.
She used to write a lot of good stuff.
I am sorry you have to take the Mmmore-Mmmary Abuse. But you handle it well. As a journalist myself I am well aware.
Michael, you can't censor comments about Krekorian just because you're endorsing him and have credibility. Where's the comment about what he said on the radio last night to James etc.? If it doesn't turn up soon I'll have to agree with Petra.
It's been clear for some time that since you don't have Jack Weiss to attack any more, and since only a couple of weird people like the grave-spitter and persistent hater actually bother to even try to say anything in favor of Nuch, you're looking for a new "center" for this blog.
Just attacking Antonio has become too easy and depressing so now it's Benson and anyone who makes one comment, that you take out of context, against those you're pushing for or who generate hits (even if it's the same few people arguing with each other over this polarizing Dogg person. Whose bizarre self-glorification and thin skin is very sad.
Uh, nice try.
All the Krekorian comments are up.
Don't flatter Mary, she's not enough to center the blog around.
I knew Jack Weiss. I wrote about Jack Weiss. Mary, you are no Jack Weiss.
I mean seriously. Mary is getting way more air time than she deserves. I just haven't had time to put up the expose on Essel I've been working on so I guess you guys have to play in the bush league until then.
Lots of people say they never read the blog again. But they keep at it.
Michael, like I said before, which you didn't print. You must be worried about PK or you wouldn't be landing on MB so hard. Especially, when she wasn't even referring to ZD. Watch the video. She was talking about her own living standards, but, if someone is bother by their own life style, they will take offense and others like you will use it to advance your own cause. You are not fooling anyone...just losing stature in the community. If PK is going to win, let him do so fair and square not because of shadiness. Is this a sign of thinks to come?
Sunland-Tujunga would have had a GREAT representative if Abby Diamond had run like I urged her to. I totally understand - given what the candidates are taking from us and others - why she would opt not to. Still she would have been great and would have stood head and shoulders above ALL candidates. She would be seen as a respected, reasoned voice with a positive attitude and actual experience in the field. She would have been formidable against Essel, Tamar and Krekorian and would have been taken seriously by the media and even VICA!
Ditto for Louis Pugliese.
I think people are getting stuck on "homeless".
Homelessness is just a symptom.What needs to be looked at are the mental issues and character flaws that lead to it.
2:42 your point has been printed many time. I get it. I doubt PK or any of his supporters are worried. He's the only candidate not going on the defensive and not pulling shady stuff. His team is just working and he's staying classy.
I can't speak for Paul but I doubt they're worried about Mary.
Now if Abby was running, they would ALL be worried.
You can't spin your way into Mary winning!
Her comments were ill advised and serve as a distraction irrespective what she, her mother or the guy who owns the shoe store thinks.
Maybe you would be better served to post Mary's qualifications, job history and leadership skills than to point to pretend conspiracies of the human landscape.
Michael, John and I were at the debate and heard Mary's comment. It was mean spirited demonstrating she was on the defensive. It was delivered angrily and shrewlike turning many in my neighborhood off.
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Michael, if you re-read Maeve Reston's hit piece on Tamar prompted by Shallman, he does get in the loudest and most gratuitously hostile sound bites about her ("this is corruption, pure and simple!") as is his standard practice. BUT Paul K's person attacks Tamar's mailer for asking what people think about the Assembly's handling of the budget regarding schools, e.g. cutting the budget that's having repercussions on LAUSD. Do they think these cuts are necessary, or coming in the wrong place, etc.? Legitimate questions as LAUSD has to lobby Sacramento for funding. The mailer never mentions him.
BUT Paul K's people attack her for just bringing up the Assembly, and claim it's an indirect attack on him.
IF he's so proud of his record as he keeps saying, why is he ashamed of any mention of the Assembly anywhere? Clearly because it has an 18% approval rating and he's part of it. So he's talking about his work on the Burbank School Board way before that instead. (And taking credit for things in the first person.)
He does take credit for trying to keep film production in the state, claiming that Essel who's running on her film company experience has not.
So one minute the Assembly is a calling card, next minute his people are claiming that any mention of the Assembly even NOT mentioning him, is a smear tactic.
BUT having said this I think he's personally not so bad, just doing what politicians do, and he himself isn't nasty or low or dirty and neither is Tamar. They are both just touting their accomplishments and experience most of all.
It's hard to see Essel as Mary Tyler Moore, however, when Shallman is playing so dirty like he did for Nuch. Nuch was a thug and had no problems with playing a phony saint even quoting the Bible -- Essel's not, so her campaign just comes off as schizophrenic.
Let's be clear. At no time did I "take offense," however I did have to stick up for myself and let it be known that I WAS NOT living in a cardboard box BEFORE I chose to take on the responsibility and leadership role to stand up to the fraud, waste and abuse. And added that I DID have the experience, knowledge and relationships because I did what others were not willing to do.
The point is, Mary cannot say the reason I am more qualified than she is doesn't count because she couldn't make the sacrifice I made.
AND YOU MUST REMEMBER, at no time in these debates did I ever mention I am homeless or that I did everything I did WHILE homeless: I just say I am most qualified because I paid the dues on a day in and day out basis. MARY IS THE ONE WHO HAD TO BRING THAT UP BUT IT DOES NOT TAKE MY EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE AWAY FROM ME AND IT DIDN'T STOP THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM TELLING ME HOW MUCH MY EFFORTS MEAN TO THEM. Sorry people respond to me that way and sorry I am so tenacious and relentless and will do what no one else will to get to the bottom of something and that the top insiders are amazed.
AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT PEOPLE LIKE MARY BENSON AND WALTER MOORE AND KRISTEN SABO HIDE BEHIND THE "SOME OF US HAVE TO WORK AND EARN A LIVING ROUTINE."
BULLSHIT! You can't tell me that you can NEVER make it to a council meeting. I think a lot of you using that excuse are just lazy. It takes A HELL OF A LOT OUT OF YOU GOING TO THOSE MEETINGS AND YOU KNOW THAT. Try going to three in a row.
And I am not saying anyone even has to attend ONE meeting. BUT DO NOT USE THE EXCUSE THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR A LIVING IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO PITCH IN AND SHOW UP.
Pretty weak, Kristen. You seem to have a pretty flexible schedule. EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES!!!! YES, That's all I hear from SOME PEOPLE!
The only way to shut down this Mexican gateway to America is to replace Villaraigosa with a real American mayor. That man is Walter Moore who is sworn to put a stop to this practice in Los Angeles. Walter needs all the help he can get from American Citizens all over the country to raise enough funds to defeat Villaraigosa and his illegal alien sympathizers in the next election. It doesn't matter where you live, you can still contribute to Moore's campaign. Walter tells me he has been receiving contributions from all over the country but still needs a lot more to get the word out and gain a spot in the TV debates.
Walter Moore is Mary Benson's attorney. So Walter is endorsing his own client. I'm sold! Has Mary Benson made this disclosure when she brags that Walter endorses her? And why is Walter posting here anonymously, anyway?
I strongly support Mary Benson for City Council. The entire city would benefit from the election of Mary Benson to the City Council for District 2.
I've known Mary Benson for over a decade. She's level-headed; she cares deeply about the quality of life for LA. and its citizens; and she's got integrity, integrity, integrity.
As those of us who live here know, the “sanctuary city” policies of Los Angeles aid and abet illegal immigration. Don’t you hate being a “home equity hostage” in this city? I’m not a celebrity, but get me out of here anyway. And pardon me for asking, but why is the City of Los Angeles hiring a Georgia corporation to test employees’ ability to speak Spanish?! That’s dumber than box-lunch-gate, isn’t it? Do we lack people here in Los Angeles qualified to test Spanish language capabilities? How about the teachers at Villaraigosa’s Spanish-only summer school? Couldn’t they do the job?
Zuma you need to evaluate what GOOD things you bring to city council versus the BAD things you do.
I think at the very best, you contribute a slight bit more than you do harm to the discussions.
You overestimate and misunderstand how people view you. They might enjoy watching you on tv, but you won't be able to convert that into votes. People just don't vote in this city. And the people you need to reach you don't have the money to reach them with.
I fear that people treat you like a retard in order to get a reaction from you. They think that if they tell you you're great, you'll do something wild & crazy. And you do a great job of that. But it's a leap to assume that people are going to translate that into votes. It's just not going to work and I fear for your health if you lose this one. I have never met you but you seem like a good man. But these people are treating you like a retard and that's unfair and not good for your health. Do you know what I mean? I think that they do this because they know you're going to respond as best as you can and then they don't really care about your response but they want to get you to react. Does that make sense? I am sorry to see people who are sadistic do that to you because it's cruela nd unfair. Do you know what I mean? I hope you win but I am going to vote for one of the Big Three because I do not think you're going to be able to get to the people you need to get to but I think the world of you because you are trying very hard, but i wish you were better at attacking these issues in city hall because you can still bring about change from the podium and that's great because the people want to hear from you the great mr. zuma dogg. keep it up bro because you are doing a great job but be careful about these naysayers.
Further proof that Zuma Dogg is a maniac.
From his blog, "which is why I am so confident I can tow the line."
ZUMA, are you aware that towing the line is NOT what you want peopel to think? Towing the line means that you are going along with the same old crew, doing the same old thing!
You are a fucking IDIOT if you think that towing the line is a GOOD thing! Why would you write that if you have no idea what it means?
Seriously do you have a fucking clue about what you're talking about? Please respond and just admit that you had no idea what that means because your blog is chock full of things like that which meand the exact opposite of what you think they mean.
And for god's sake, do not say that you "tow the line" at the next candidate event. It makes you look like a fucking schmuck.
Use smaller words that you understand. Jerkoff.
Let's see, David. Since you feel like throwing a bunch of shit at me, I'll bite. Whatthehell.
Let's compare public service hours. Yours consist of going down to City Hall and speaking during public comment, speaking with people in chambers, blogging, and speaking with people on the street. Is that correct?
Getting out my calendar now, for July (since it is the last complete month), and looking at my notes now just to make a point.
After working 160 hours for the job that pays me, the volunteer work I did (that means for free on my own time usually with supplies I purchased with my own money) was:
I have 82 hours of physical labor, maintenance, etc. on a hill top in Griffith Park. Includes trail building and repair, tree trimming, landscaping, plumbing, graffiti removal, etc. Also includes about 10 hours of interpretive work with visitors and kids from the Boys Camp.
Also during July, I have 63 hours of work at Hansen Dam consisting of graffiti paint-out and removal incl. signage restoration, illegal dam removal and waterway habitat restoration (all done by hand), garbage pick up, and equestrian support-patrol-backup of officers on duty with one of the law enforcement agencies in the dam. Three of these were 16 hour work days. Check with anyone present to see if they thought I was goofing off for even a second during any of this time.
That doesn't count the time and money I spent helping you get on the ballot (getting signatures, paying for a thing or two, driving you around when you needed it), or any of the many public meetings I attended related to any of this stuff.
So that was my July 2009.
Your point was what?
Hate to rain on the bloggin parade
but I heard a disclaimer when I got the call
Who is Mary Benson?
I don't know Kris, I think the point is I think you are nutz. I mean REALLY NUTZ. I mean as in SCARED OF YOU NUTZ. I would like to say in all my years and all my life, I have never encountered anything like it. YIKES!!!!
Anyway, maybe all of that is why you are responsible for providing me with my creepiest experience I have ever encountered with anyone I have know in my life.
And I've been around the block a few time. KRIS, TAKE A VACATION AND CHILL OUT. THIS CANNOT REALLY BE YOU, IS IT?
I'm still wobbling between caring and concern and just thinking I got mixed up with the wrong kind of person and you're just dangerously scary.
Mr. Higby please answer these questions:
1) When "Kristin Szabo" said she would not continue to read this blog why does she insist to still comment?
2) Where did "Kristin Szabo" attend school? She has enumerated more time volunteering and working during the month of July than there are given hours in a month.
3) Who is Mary Benson?
Will I be seeing Nuch, Mary Benson, Walter Moore, Higby, Phil Jennerjahn and Kristin Sabo at the next Minuteman Meeting? or Tea Paty?
Oh yeah:
In my emotionally weak state where I sit around home doing nothing like a weak little girl and fret my poor little female head off because I am such an emotional weakling, I forgot to say:
I AM VOTING FOR MARY BENSON.
Consider find another way to use your considerable entertainment abilities, David. Speaking in public comment at City Hall does not equate to "experience at that level". And as for research, are you including calling me up to ask me about the background of a council file just before you are going to speak on it? Um, okay. Maybe. I suppose that might be included.
Do the math moro- I mean Rit- uh. I mean moron:
24 hours x 31 days = (jeopardy theme)
.
.
.
744
luv ya luv ya luv ya
(From Mary Benson via email):
To all those who read the Mayor Sam Blog:
I'm stunned that Zuma Dogg is taking my personal admission that I chose to work instead of living in a cardboard box to be a comment about HIM.
I delivered machine parts (aircraft subcontractor) by driving a delivery truck all over the City of Los Angeles. That's what I did to get enough money while I was attending Valley College. I chose to work. Before that, I worked at San Fernando High School, first in the school's employment office and then, when school let out for summer, I washed down desks. It wasn't easy. I had to pinch every penny. I spent most of the money on food for myself and two younger brothers. My parents were divorced and we were sometimes left to fend for ourselves. I was even the one who took responsibility for enrolling my youngest brother in kindergarten.
I don't have to do that anymore, but I'm like a lot of people who worry every day about how to cope. What new challenge is tomorrow going to bring? I worry most about people with fixed incomes and families. These people have responsibilities that go beyond themselves. I'm one of those people.
With businesses shutting down every day, a lot of people in the private sector are looking at not being able to make ends meet. These are the people that I worry about the most. The lady we talked to at the nail salon whose utility bill has gone from $200 to $2000. The folks running the animal rescues that are filled to over-flowing with pets abandon at foreclosed properties. The entire state is facing hard times. It's the reality. I say we must face up to that reality and choose to deal with the situation at hand.
Zuma isn't the only underdogg that has seen hard times.
Interesting letter from Mary.
I think it further demonstrates my point that Mary who may be a nice lady, I don't know, makes poor decisions and is not being intellectually honest.
She chose to offer as her reason that she does not have as much experience with the City Council as Zuma Dogg is that she does not live in a cardboard box. Obviously that's a slam at Zuma Dogg. That's typical in politics and not out of the ordinary necessarily but like politicians such as Trent Lott who made remarks celebrating Strom Thurmond or Hillary Clinton with her famous Tammy Wynette comments it amounts to a poor choice of words that causes the individual an unnecessary distraction in that they have to defend their words. Poor decision making. That Mary had to express her spin through a surrogate is telling.
Contrast this to someone like Paul Krekorian or even to some degree Tamar Galatzan who are bright individuals and who (in Krekorian's example) have incredibly bright staffers and experienced campaign teams. Krekorian especially has been able to avoid the fray and has not found himself embroiled in the petty politics that Benson and the others have. Though Krekorian might slam an opponent on an important issue, you don't see him getting mixed up in these kind of brouhahas.
BTW, the rest of Mary's letter is pure classic politician gobbledygook I almost thought she was channeling Antonio Villaraigosa.
This verifies the point that we've made that Frank Sheftel is a superior candidate to Mary Benson.
If you like'a da ganja,
Frank is dope!
It's time for zuma dogg to make some changes in his life after this election, assuming he loses, which I think we can all agree he is going to do.
I think he doesn't need to go back to cleveland, unless he really wants to restart his allged radio career.
He should stay in los angeles where he gets some of the attn he craves so much. But he should limit his crazy time to karaoke nights, and put all of that energy into getting a regular apartment and a regular job.
Who's with me? Any other ideas of what zd can do after the election?
@ 6:14 PM
just like when you go into a restaurant, and you ask for a coke, but they got pepsi.
Same difference, but in this case, im in a restaurant that only has one brand.
Liberal.
Buh bye zuma dogg. You are not gonna make it to the runoff. You are going to lose worse than Jack Weiss did.
Your friend,
Jack Weiss
zuma can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.
KNOCK-KNOCK
what's the knocking sound?
it's zuma banging his head against the wall when he gets only 15 votes, two of which are from matt o'dowd and mike hunt.
All this shit was started by Frank Sheftel right?
Chris Essel for one is relieved that the Crazy 7 has finally imploded and the attention is off her for once.
Taking a play from the Walter Moore playbook it seems.
Rep. Diane Watson Raises Race, Praises Fidel Castro in Obamacare Debate
Did Mary Benson really write that letter or did Kristin make it up?
Here I thought Sheftel was smoking it.
Mary, I don't care if try to post comments saying I'm a fat bastard, etc. but seriously all the comments you're trying to post about Joe B and Zuma are silly.
Oh and you out yourself when you use the same terms amongst your different characters that you do in your anonymous emails to me.
Just thought I'd let you know in case there was something else you needed to do.
Cheers!
In response to the Mary Benson supporter: "Zuma Dogg's bragging and that he tries to portray himself as the only one who attends City Hall enough to know the issues first hand, blah blah blah. He was trying to make himself look better than anyone else."
[I wasn't bragging, I was trying to let people know why I was most qualified to be city councilmember. I thought that's what you were supposed to do at a forum. Is it bragging when Mary Benson and all the other candidates say what they say about themselves. Sorry you think my achievements sound like BRAGGING.
But, I guess I have to admit I was trying to make myself look better than everyone else. That's what you are supposed to be doing during a forum, I thought. I wasn't trying to look worse than the others. NO, I admit, I was trying to look better. And yes, it's true, I HAVE attended all those meetings and I have the knowledge and experience and historic perspective that any other candidate, including Mary has.
EXCUSE ME...IT WAS A FORUM WHERE THEY ARE ASKING WHAT MAKES YOU MORE QUALIFIED THAN THE OTHER CANDIDATES? How about next time I say, "Well, I think I should be councilmember because I really hope you are a mind reader and can just tell by looking at me." LOL!]
"On the other hand, Mary Benson has experience and knowledge gained from actually volunteering in the neighborhood, showing up at City Hall, participating on committees, and contributing her time and expertise to make a difference."
[Excuse me, NO, NOT on the other hand. On the SAME hand as Zuma Dogg. Are you trying to say my experience and knowledge gained was NOT volunteering, since you say, "actually volunteering?" And Mary even said that she it's true that she can't match me on that, which is why she blamed it on living in a cardboard box.]
And MIND YOU, when I discuss that I have attended the meetings and done all the research and spent all this time round the clock, I DO NOT SAY AS A HOMELESS PERSON, because that part doesn't matter. Would you feel better about it if I were living in a mansion?]
Kristen/Petrified said, "Meanwhile, Zuma doesn't let anyone forget for one second that he gets to play advocate using other people's money because he is homeless. That is his main reason he gives for supposedly being the right candidate for the job. He repeats this every chance he gets."
No Kris, the reason I give for being the right person for the job is because I have the most experience at the council level since I have attended all the meetings and have taken it upon myself to thoroughly research and investigate it all.
I am being asked to answer the question during candidate forums as to why I am most qualified for the job. What answer should I give? And wrong and Kristin, I do not get to play advocate because I am homeless. I am homeless because I am an advocate. Sorry I have all the experience and knowledge and history and sorry I took the time on my own to research everything I did and stood up to it all. Yes, I admit, I was willing to do what others weren't and now, with an election coming up in a few weeks, I am most prepared and ready.
The comments she's posting about Zuma are hurtful and mean spirited, considering where Zuma is in his life and how proud he is of his accomplishments. We need a better society to reach out to every Zuma in LA. Not people like Mary whose comments are about her own life and unhappiness.
Putting aside this stream of ad hominum drivel of terribly self-absorbed folks, there are a number of neighborhood councils in the CD2 who have favorites in this Special (levy) Election.
The one candidate in this impressive field who stands for truth, integrity, facing whatever and any issue, and is capable of answering with compassion the ripping of the social fabric by dysfunctional government on all levels (city, county, state) is Mary Benson.
Mary Benson will be a great Council Member representing District Two, of, by and for our community of interests in the East San Fernando Valley and across Los Angeles.
Zuma dogg you still haven't corrected your FALSE statement that you are "the most qualified at the city council level."
You are NOT qualified at the "city council level" until you HAVE BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL.
You are highly experienced in making obnoxious public comments. That's all. Nothing more. Nothing less.
you look like a moron when you say you are experienced at the "city council level."
you are a fucking idiot.
Well stated 8:21pm. ZD's experience is in making public comments.
No you idiots, I am not 8:21pm.
That is NOT a false statement by ZD. It is a campaign statement, much like Hillary Clinton's phone call at three AM. Believe it or not it's a free country.
Kristen/Petrified said, "Meanwhile, Zuma doesn't let anyone forget for one second that he gets to play advocate using other people's money because he is homeless. That is his main reason he gives for supposedly being the right candidate for the job. He repeats this every chance he gets."
No Kris, the reason I give for being the right person for the job is because I have the most experience at the council level since I have attended all the meetings and have taken it upon myself to thoroughly research and investigate it all.
I am being asked to answer the question during candidate forums as to why I am most qualified for the job. What answer should I give? And wrong and Kristin, I do not get to play advocate because I am homeless. I am homeless because I am an advocate. Sorry I have all the experience and knowledge and history and sorry I took the time on my own to research everything I did and stood up to it all. Yes, I admit, I was willing to do what others weren't and now, with an election coming up in a few weeks, I am most prepared and ready.
AND KRISTEN: Yes, calling you before I speak on a council file IS EXACTLY the type of research I am speaking of. I say, it is the members of the community that I reach out to for the stuff that I know. I have been saying that I DO seek it out. So yeah, it's GREAT when I can pick up the phone in council chambers when something is coming through that catches my "shady radar" and have someone look it up and then I can speak out on it and alert people and put it on the record in case others want to take legal action in the future if they are violated.
I made it all up! Mary Benson never said that!
ANYWAY, I just called Joe B. to say that I don't like that we are all unraveling, because the election will be over, chances are we'll still be on the same side of the rope together and we've all broken up.
And I'm sorry for lumping Joe in there with the other people, anyway, cause it's not like EVERYONE in S-T is sitting there in a room together taking like a political war room.
AND, I REALLY, REALLY want to stay focused on issues and visions for the district, and I'm just as bad as everyone else, and can see it could REALLY go south, quickly, when ZD feels he has to defend/spin for himself...
AND THEN: THAT'S JUST WHAT THE BIG 3 CANDIDATES AND ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS WANT.
For all of us that are on the same side all the time fighting against them, falling apart fighting amongst ourselves. (Activist on activist crime, y'all.)
So Joe B. sure likes the idea of no negative campaigning and even though from a marketing strategy standpoint, it might be better for me if I was out there attacking other candidates and trying to "take them out" BUT I DON'T CARE.
I DON'T WANT THIS CAMPAIGN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXTENSION OF MY ACTIVISM TO TURN INTO KARL ROVE/ACE SMITH BULLSHIT AND TURN IT INTO A POLITICAL BATTLE AND THAT TAKES ALL THE INTRINSIC ENJOYMENT OUT OF IT.
I know Michael Higby is bummed about all of this, cause Higby is friends with all of us and it makes it cranky for him, and that's what kinda made me want to call Joe about it.
And I gotta say, I speak with a lot of "so called" political strategists and operatives and have heard a lot of people from all over the place speak CD2 campaign strategy, and Joe B., YOU WERE WAY BETTER THAN ANY OF THEM. Joe really helped straighten me out of getting all caught up in this stuff and reminded me the way to win this is to get out there and tell people what I would do as Councilmember; but specifics, not the same old re-capping of problems or trying to sell what you've done and why you are best for the job.
YOU DO GET CAUGHT UP IN THAT, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE KIND OF QUESTIONS THEY ASK AT THE FORUMS, SO THEN YOU START TO THINK THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT...and to some extent it needs to be addressed, but it's getting too competitive in that area, and MAAAAAAAAN, competitive experience proving is as bad as homework over the summer.
SO I GOTTA GO AND TAKE JOE B.'s ADVICE TO START POSTING ABOUT THE SPECIFIC THINGS I WOULD DO AS CM.
THAT IS SO MUCH MORE FUN!
First thing: Propose $2 Billion CRA Karaoke Center called "THE ZUMA DOGG HOUSE".
Just kidding. Will start typing up some real ideas.
8:21pm, who is more qualified of the candidates "on the ballot" because I always make sure to say that, cause I'm not THAT arrogant to think I am the best person in the district, just of those on the ballot.
So who do you think is more prepared to address the concerns and issues of the district and city (because you vote on citywide issues) than myself? I'm not being a smart ass...seriously...who?
Why not call them and ask if they will have a private debate with me and YOU can be moderator. I'm available whenever you want. So you pick whichever of the 9 people on the ballot who you feel is more ready to hit the ground with the issues that fly across the agenda than myself, and arrange for the debate.
(And no, that is not negative campaigning, I guess because I am not attacking any specific candidate. But you gotta remember, saying I am not going to go negative on the other candidates does not mean that I am going to let people post whatever they want, without a reply posts about me.]
Oh - just in case anyone misunderstood - the Mary I was talking about, the one who makes comments about me, Zuma, Joe B, Valley Doll and others is not Mary Benson but Wacko Loon Mmmary who is well known to the City, LAPD, Council, etc. and who, for the most part gets most of her comments deleted on Mayor Sam and other blogs. She sometimes slips some through but she is often sloppy and slips up and uses the wrong email address or various sayings that out her.
All of the bloggers, candidates, investigators, etc are aware of her. Mostly we laugh at her.
But she is not Mary Benson.
Now Mayor Sam is being dishonest.
He DID mean to make his snide comments to Mary Benson.
What he didn't say in his correction is that he was WRONG in accusing her. He was just stupid and wrong and now he is correcting it.
Right Fatso? You were wrongfully accusing Mary Benson and now you're correcting it. It's not the readers who got it wrong, it was you.
Just admit it. I was nice enuf to tell you you were wrong. So fess up and admit you wrongfully accused her. Dumb ass.
Mayor Sam is NOT being dishonest. All he said is that there are two Marys. Mary Benson and Mmmary or Mary Cummins-cobb.
Wow...I missed all the excitement today.
I was busy at work.
For what it is worth......
1) I don't think Mary was too hard on Zuma Dogg. I think Frank and Tamar were tougher on him at the VICA Social Cotillion the other day.
2) You have to be tough to be in politics. People are going to hate you and call you names. It's part of the job. When I was running for Mayor, Carlos Alvarez had a temper tantrum when I called him "Taco Truck" Alvarez for his stance on illegal vending. People like that have no business running for office. Walter Moore was a bit thin-skinned, too.
Speaking of Walter...
3)Mary is endorsed by Walter Moore@ 3:16pm
What are you...a lunatic? Walter Moore lost to Villaraigosa in 2005...badly. Then he lost to Villaraigosa again in 2009. Antonio Villaraigosa cannot run for Mayor again. It's over. Let it go.
4) Many City Council seats are coming open in 2013. People should plan accordingly. Including Walter Moore.
Voice of reason = Phil
Not that she is begging for a ZD reunion, or anything, but I also want to say to Kristen Sabo that when she posted the list of stuff she did in comparison to what I do, it made me realize maybe when I am touting my benefits during a campaign, it may be coming off as, "COMPARED TO YOU!"
So I wanna say, Kristen Sabo is out there doing a lot of the stuff in the community that other people don't do, but are glad when they see the results. It's a lot of thankless effort, for the most part, but at least I was at a Shadow Hills Property Owners meeting and they recognized her for the stuff she is doing in the area (cause they sure don't want to). AND, I don't think Kris is even a big property owner like the rest of them.
Kristen is like "Scrubbing Bubbles," she works hard, so you don't have tooooooooooooooo!
8:05 Zuma' accomplishments
is this a joke? 18 minutes a week of public comments,a good amount of which are about promoting himself for whatever. Wow!!!
That is correct Zuma's accomplishments, starting with the street vendor issue in Venice. He won that!
You're a gracious man, Zuma Dogg. I hope Kristen realizes that and comes back here to make peace with you, despite that she supports Mary Benson.
12:24,
Thanks for your comments. But no need to put K on the spot for anything. I hope she likes the "no negative" thing, and just carries on as a supporter of Mary without the ZD co-mingling. And it will be all's well that ends well, cause she helped me with the signatures to get on ballot in the first place, but she's such good friends with Mary for so long (and the friendship is based on activism together), so it was just very stressful for her to have us both on the ballot. But remember, just because I wanted to let people know Kris works hard, doesn't mean she doesn't still want to attack me. (The feeling might be mutually exclusive, y'all.)
:) PETRA/KRISTEN SABO.........
You'll be back, to read M.S.
blog posting's!
Not, doubting you'll post.....
using many aliases!...........
WHO KNOWS??!! maybe you'll be
back, JUST to read, what WE'RE
POSTING! (maybe-about-YOU!)
WE WELCOME YOU BACK!
Friendly suggestion;...........
'DRINK YOUR COFFEE FIRST!'
OUR BEST REGARDS, to you!
Your's truly,*****************
THE THREE WRATHS!!!
PETRA/KRISTEN
yeah, I miss you writing here too. Forget Zuma's blathering , He's on a see-saw. Up and down and up and down and bouncing people up and down. One day someones his bro and the next day he's a crybaby loser. Just ignore him .
Hope to see you back!
Thank you Zuma, for reminding me of why I support you. I adore Mary and Kristen both. I really do. I despise two of the "big" three. Paul is okay. I want there to be a shakeup though and only you can do it. As much as I like Mary, I believe you'll be able to get more done than her. I really do. I think you'll learn in no time whatsoever to get along within council chambers and I would love to see CD 2 shaken up. Big time. It needs it. Wendy didn't help much there.
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