What "Predatory Creature" is the bigger danger to Foothill Residents and Visitors?

** Blogger's Note: As the "Old Gray Eco-Hag on Spring Street " notes today, above the fold and to the left, the mountain lion known as "P-22" has set up residence in the nation's largest municipal park In honor of the return of another link in the food chain to Griffith Park and in the spirit of educating our cyber audience, we bring you this tutorial comparison on "two predatory creatures" (one natural and the other political) that make their home (or grow their political empire) within our foothill interface habitat/communities---Scott Johnson.

"Natural Predator": The P-22 Mountain Lion of Griffith Park (photo via LA Times). 

"Oops P-22, caught on the remote camera again".

In the second half of the decade of the 1980's, this blogger worked within Griffith Park at the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Griffith Park Boys Camp facility. During the course of my duties, I led countless of hikes through all corners of the park, from the flats to the top of Mt. Hollywood. The only story of Mountain Lions roaming the park that I could remember, was centered on one that escape the LA Zoo. But in recorded history, mountain lions along with Grizzlies, with Condors overhead, once roam the Griffith Park parkland and surrounding areas. 

It is a rare and special moment to observe a mountain lion in the wild (lucky to experience this twice), let alone our interfacing communities. But don;t forget that the pretty picture of P-22 above is countered with the reality that this animal will protect itself to the fullest  If you ever come face to face with a mountain lion, NEVER PANIC AND RUN! STAND YOUR GROUND, ASSUME A LARGER AND LOUD PERSONA.  What could happen if  you  panic and run?. In the eyes of "P-22" and his brothers and sisters, you have become prey, with your life coming to a possible end as a lower part of the food chain..

"Political Predator": Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy/Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority Strongman Joe Edmiston .

"The Predatory Joe Edmiston searching for cheap land and sources of revenue to grow and sustain his SMMC/MRCA habitat".

Just as much as an one and one encounter with "P-22" can be life altering, an encounter with the political predator Joe Edmiston can be life-changing, especially if  he desires your land, money or if you are caught violating the Predatory Joe's habitat..

Some background on the Predatory Joe Edmiston. Predatory Joe has evolved from his initial habitat creation via California Governor Jerry "Moonbeam I" Brown , into a larger political-than-life predator that some feel has grown too far beyond its past politically-intended habitat. Once only mandated to grow open space for natural predators such as "P-22", the Predatory Joe has assumed "top predator status" over his own growing habitat by parasitic and mutualistic adaptations.

The Predatory Joe has evolved his parasitic abilities to ensure the sustainability of his habitat. Unlike "P-22" who bites his prey in the neck for the kill, the "Predatory Joe" aims for the wallet of its intended victim (more like thousands of victims) and proceeds to eat away at the monetary resources. This fiscal parasitic bite can came in many forms. For example, if you dare venture into "Predatory Joe's" habitat (SMMC/MRCA Land) via vehicle and you come to a stop sign, STOP!! If you don't, the chances are good that Predatory Joe will bite you for $175 dollars.

Another form of parasitic behavior via "Predatory Joe", is noted by one of the reigning authorities on the unique political predator, KABC Talk Radio Host Doug McIntyre. McIntyre himself was a victim of this assessment bite to the wallet area via mutualistic ignorance of foothill property owners,

The SMMC and MRCA are the perpetrators of the Stealth of Election of ’03.  They created an election to give them an enormous new source of funds for the acquisition of public lands, the maintenance of public lands, including brush clearance, and the further entrenchment of their own power..

Thus, once the "Predatory Joe" gets his share of  fiscal tidings from thousands of bites to the wallets, he crafts mutualistic relationships with other political predators.This helps grows his habitat in places such as Elephant Hill in CD 14 with little notice and  a big cost to taxpayers

......... and who is afraid of a little "P-22" now?

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14