HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine Propaganda Hag for Monday

As the 2015 Christmas Season commences, Tribune-financed Buyouts of Los Angeles Times Scribes, Editors and Support Employees, are a barometer of leaner times ahead for the supposed "Fishwrap of Record", in reality, the "Democratic Propaganda Tool of Choice" for the LA Political Elites. 

The increasingly-empty "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street".

** Blogger's Note: On this first Monday after the Thanksgiving Holiday, we want to be the first to wish our cyber-audience a politically-incorrect, MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON. 

Quickly assuming our MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON bloggin persona, we want to spread the CHRISTMAS cheer to counter the UNHAPPY HOLIDAYS PERIOD of those bemoaning the latest constriction underway at the local, "Democratic Propaganda/Agenda Journalism Tool of Choice" known affectionately as the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street (aka LA Times)". 

It would be a copy-edited understatement to keyboard that the once "Fishwrap of Record", is going through a extended period of tumult, which began with the termination of Publisher Austin "Mini Riordan II" Beutner by its corporate Tribune overseers........., and now is manifesting itself, via the latest round of buyouts of Scribes, Editors and assorted support staff. 

To gauge the level of despondence within the Otis Chandler-conceived, "Old Gray Collectivist Hag" aging support base, one merely needs to venture, cyber-westward to the LA Observed Blog where the likes of former Times Scribes Kevin "Westside White Guy" Roderick and Bill "Westside White Guy Emeritus" Boyarski, provide instantaneous updates on who of their former, democratic-leaning brethren, have accepted taken Tribune money in ending their employment.

But while the likes of "WWG", "WWG Emeritus", Jack Humphreville and the Los Angeles Political Machine await in denial, the appearance of the Eli Broad-financed Mothership (with David Geffen and Richard Riordan on board) to return Austin Beutner, to a future, locally-owned, "Hag, turned Agenda Tramp for the Elites", pardon us for this momentary, politically-incorrect musing on the real reasons for the demise of the Times.

First, the Times while espousing diversity, did not back the talk, as its send walking the likes of T.J. Simers, "GOP Blogger" Andrew Malcolm and cartoonist Michael Ramirez in recent years.

Second, the Times ceded its role as a objective, discerning observer of the Los Angeles Political Machine, by its newsroom, editorial wall of separation-breaking, shilling for local democratic candidates (remember the "LA Antonio Times Era"?) .........., and best exampled on its lack of reporting regarding the "background" behind the death of Los Angeles County Labor Federation Leader Miguel Contreras. 

Third, the absence of objective reporting, replaced by Agenda Musings regarding the issues of  Race, Climate Change and ILLEGAL Immigration.

Simply, a objective "Fishwrap of Record", ceases being such, when its factual news missives, are mixed with the agenda desires of a editorial mindset that is exampled by the Times constricting,  circulation Liberal Westside readership. Thus, its time for a new evolution of cyber-Journalism based upon the basic "Who, What, Where, When, How and Why of Reporting" ......, and a healthy, diverse dialog on the opinions, derided from reviewing the contents of record----Scott Johnson.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

With no apologies to "The Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times), CD 8 City Councilman Bernard Parks emerges again from some supposed "wilderness banishment" to keyboard another refreshing, salient missive on the current state of affairs at 200 Spring Street ........, and beyond

Contrary to the summery of misallocated story budgeting at the LA Times, Councilman Parks is all smiles.

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Late Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

What well-known former (or current) Political Officeholder could be looking for a Northeast CD 14 Rental Property?

A new CD 14 Home Address can establish Domicile for a possible CD 14 challenge of current City Clowncil Member Jose Huizar.

Lets get straight to the Hot Morning Chisme out of CD 14.

Reports from the Northeast LA area of City Clowncilman Jose Huizar's District, have associates of a former (or current) Political Officeholder, seeking a rental property to establish domicile for a possible challenge of the Princeton Graduate.

As an exercise of provoking speculation (and paranoia within the insecure persona of the current Officeholder), we list the following names;

1. LA School Board Member Monica "Gorda Boo Boo" Garcia.
2. Former LAUSD School Board Member David Tokofsky.
3. Assemblyman "Tony Villar's First Cousin John" (Perez).
4. Termed-out LA County Supervisor Gloria "Molina Boo Boo".
5. Former CD 14 City Councilman Nick Pacheco.
6. State Senator Kevin de Leon.
7. Former State Senator/Assemblyman Richard Polanco.
8. Former LAUSD School Board Member and Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg.
9. Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez.
10. Former 1999 City Council Candidate Victor Griego.

We are sure that some will bloggin comment on this.

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Two City Hall Strongmen come together to jointly cry UNCLE as an apparent agreement between Mayor Eric Garcetti, the City Clowncil Central Committee and IBEW's Strongman Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo", on the continuing funding of the DWP/IBEW Joint Job Training and Safety Non-Profits, is ironed out behind closed City Hall doors. 

 The two reigning City Hall Strongmen, City Clowncil Central Committee General Secretary Herman "Mini Amin" Wesson (top) and IBEW's Brian "D'Arcy Rizzo" (bottom) agree on conditions (including auditing) for the continued funding of "Working Californians", whoops, the Joint DWP/IBEW Job Safety and Training Non-Profits.

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The Political Place Settings on the Los Angeles Politicos for Sunday, May 13, 2012

The Los Angeles Political Machine Place Setting for the week beginning May 13, 2012. Who will provide the politico's napkins?

Welcome to the Mayor Sam "Political Place Setting" for the week beginning May 13, 2012. Take your seat as we set the political menu for the week but we leave the the daily specials to various politicos to present in real time.

** What documents will Mayor Sam disclose next in its on going coverage of the controversial Charter School Academia Semillas del Pueblo? We can report that rent on the former Xocolatl Coffee Shop now school meal prep kitchen, was paid in full on Friday. But one must wonder how a mere monthly rent payment of $2652.25 was allowed to grow by times six, when records show that Academia Semillas del Pueblo cleared $4,285,317 in revenue in 2010?'

** If one believes the City of Los Angeles Coalition of Unions, Mayor Antonio Villar is waging his own municipal war on woman as denoted in the latest rounds of layoffs. But then the mayor has practice revisionist history when it comes to a certain single woman in his life and her employment background.

** Did the fade away of 2013 Mayoral Candida Austin "Mini Riordan II" Beutner usher in an era of waning business influence in City Hall? Or is it a new type of green business developers (Keith Brackpool, Ari Swiller and S. David Freeman) that are waiting for their pay day?

** Does anyone in the local media community give any credence to City Attorney and District Attorney Candiate Carmen Trutanic as witness the LA Times story questioning facts around his South-Central Shooting Claim and Daily News Editorial that supports Lacey and Jackson over Nuch?

** Lastly, we want to thank the City Maven Alice Walton  for her scoop on DONE GM BH Kim taking out papers for CD 13. We understand that BH has no hesitation when it comes to discussing his opinion of NC's and the Second Amendment  which includes dialog in the men's room.

** In Rick Orlov's "Tipoff Column" for today (Monday), California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsome takes to the Current TV airways to pass away the dead time of office. LA County Supervisor Mike Antonovich is assuming the presidency of the MTA (no more D.C. junkets for Mayor Villar). And lastly, the City of Los Angeles is taking a hit on tax as the Dodgers lower parking prices.   

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

BREAKING NEWS: Times Says Beutner Out

LA Times reports that former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan has said Austin Beutner is ending his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles to "spend more time with his family."

While there are some who are not thrilled with the idea of a Jan Perry, Eric Garcetti or Wendy "Valley Greuel" Greuel pining for an entry into the race by County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, this is actually excellent news for former Federal prosecutor and broadcaster, Kevin James, who in early polling was showing some strength as non-insider candidate.

UPDATE: KEVIN JAMES REACTS TO AUSTIN BEUTNER'S RESIGNATION FROM MAYORS RACE

"I commend Austin Beutner for his work in being part of the solution at City Hall while others are merely contributing to the problems. Austin's focus on job creation has been important to the City. We shared a mutual disgust for business as usual in City Hall and I will work as hard as I can to carry on our similar sentiments to make Los Angeles great again. I also want to wish Austin the best in his future endeavors and a speedy recovery to his father," stated Kevin James.

Are Greuel, Perry, Garcetti and Beutner Afraid to Debate Kevin James?

Kevin James, photo by Gary Aminoff

Back in early January, we reported that Mayoral candidate Kevin James had raised enough money to qualify for matching campaign funds from the City. Quite often, this is the threshold that many organizations set for candidates to appear in various debates.

As such, James was invited to appear with the other candidates in a series of events covering a number of important topics, hosted by an organization called Talking About Los Angeles. The events have several sponsors such as Microsoft, AOL Patch and Time-Warner Cable where the events would air.

However, following the announcement that James had been invited to participate in the first of the events, that was to be held on February 23rd at LA Trade Tech College, James' fellow candidates City Controller Wendy Greuel, City Councilmember Jan Perry, former City Council President Eric James and financier Austin Beutner, all mysteriously dropped out from the event.

Kevin James' opponents for Mayor

The campaigns have not made it clear why they will not participate in the debates, but many have their suspicions.

They are afraid to debate James, former host of a popular talk radio show, first on KABC and then on KRLA radio. James, has spent the last few years speaking with individuals, neighborhood councils and other organizations and has developed a deep understanding of a wide number of issues facing the city and has proposed significant plans to address local problems. James is articulate and convincing; certainly the other candidates should be concerned.

James spoke with Frank Sheftel and myself on our show on LATalkRadio Saturday night and said he'll be working to bring this issue to the attention of the press over the next several days. At press time, Talking About Los Angeles has not issued a statement as to the future of their events.

Stay tuned!

Los Angeles Politics HotSheet for Thursday

The wheels coming off the bus is a term that seems to have been used quite a lot lately, but it's probably an apt one to describe the campaign of UFLAC President Pat McOsker for CD15. Here in our pages we've chronicled (as well as other blogs) McOsker's apparent foul temper and even fouler mouth. Those qualities generally do not endear one to others and that appears to be the case here.  McOsker has failed to gain the endorsement of his own union and may face a vote asking him to step down as head of the union next week.
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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

The Real Republican

Jim Newton profiles "Republican" mayoral candidates Austin Beutner and Rick Caruso.  Last I heard Beutner was registered decline to state and rumor is Caruso has or is re-registering as a Democrat.  Newton fails to mention actual Republican Kevin James, who has the backing of most Republican power players in LA.  He also says that Villaraigosa's victory against "goofy" Walter Moore "doesn't count" even though Moore and several other "goofy" candidates with little money and no name ID held the overfunded and popular incumbent to just 55% of the vote.

Apparently bloggers Joseph Mailander and Phil Jennerjahn have found an interesting way to amuse themselves - they will bet on whether or not Republican Sarah Palin will run for President.  Jennerjahn is convinced the former Alaska Governor will drop her hat into the ring; Mailander is putting his money on that Palin will remain on the book and talk TV circuit that's been so lucrative for her.  Mailander and Jennerjahn tried to get me involved in their reindeer games, holding their funds and being the final arbiter, I have politely declined.

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Tuesday

Paul Hatfield makes a good point that downtown development projects no longer need multi-million City subsidies.  However he thinks the money would be better spent in North Hollywood, where bringing back desperately needed retail back to North Hollywood is de rigeur.  That is, however, if you really think taxpayer money better spent on public safety and other vital needs should go to ANY development.

If the builders of California's bullet train switch the route to run over the Grapevine instead of a circuitous one that goes through the Antelope Valley, they can save millions of dollars, avoid potential earthquake issues and detour around some NIMBYs in upscale portions of Palmdale (is there such a thing?). But gravy train Republicans from Palmdale are up in arms.

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Afternoon Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Wednesday

Depose Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt and Lame Duck Mayor Antonio Villar

Lets state that April 20, 2011 will go down in history as the start of the Lame Duck Era of Mayor Antonio Ramon Villar (formerly Raigosa in 2013).

On a day that saw Mayor Antonio Villar proclaim "we're beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel" in regards to the city budget crisis, former supporters and a friend were looking beyond Villar's "tunnel of failure" to an uncertain future.

Former supporter and Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan chose to forsake Mayor Villar's 2011-2012 Budget photo op to stand behind the doentown elites anoited one Austin Beutner to replace Mayor Villar in 2013. Whether voters in 2013 will join ranks behind the likes of Riordan (with Wardlaw, Broad, Soboroff and the LA Times?) will play out in the months ahead. But let remember that it was this crowd that help grace us Angelinos with the eight year reign of Mayor Villar.

But the big shocker of the day is Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig deposing Mayor Villar's friend Frank McCourt as owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It seems that McCourt share the same fiscal proclivities of his political friend Mayor Villar and lucky for the Dodgers, Commissioner Selig had the power to depose McCourt before financial Armageddon. Thus, Villar's ticket request will face an uncertain future.

In recent weeks, Dodger Stadium has become an candidate for GRYD zone designation, with LAPD adopting CLEAR tactics to rid the stadium of Raiders fans, sporting their springtime Dodger Blue. This after the beating of Giant Fan Brian Stow on Opening Day.

This afternoon, TMZ is reporting that the IRS, along with state tax officials are investigating the McCourts financial records. Thus, for Angelinos the process of restoring class and honor to the Dodgers Organization has commenced. Meanwhile, others are awaiting the end of the Villar Era to restore ethics and financial order to 200 Spring Street.

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14.
Great comment from the LA Times on the deposing of Frank McCourt.
machthree at 3:22 PM April 20, 2011
Its days like today that I really miss Jim Healey!
** Civic leaders in shock over Dodgers situation. Mayor Villar declines  comment.  . 

Friday Free for All: Wagging the Fishwrap

The Return of MEAT?

I guess we made the LA Times and cub reporter Maeve Reston look somewhat out of touch for neglecting to mention the candidacy of Los Angeles broadcaster and former US Attorney Kevin James for Mayor in their piece about Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner's plan to jump into the race.

The Times later quietly revised their story to include James.  Pathetic.  Some however see the Times failure to note the candidacy of James as more than malfeasance.  Former candidate Walter Moore commenting on Mayor Sam said, "This isn't an oversight. This is an agenda."  Essentially agreeing with Moore - from the other side of the political spectrum - was blogger Mulholland Terrace who claims that Reston sees James as a threat to Beutner who is likely to become the Times' and Downtown set's favored candidate.

Not good for Beutner, who no one likes anyway, that some of the focus was shifted to James when it should have been all Beutner. Also not good for Wendy Greuel, who was enjoyed the support of Mayor Villaraigosa that his own personal lackey has entered the campaign.

Also mentioned in the Times story was that veteran consultant Ace Smith is joining Team Austin; could that mean that Michael "MEAT" Trujillo might find his way back to run the Beutner campaign? Probably not, Mike is damaged goods after his Jules Winnfield like political bullet in the head memo. But stranger things have happened.

Beutner Jumps In; Maeve Phones It In

There's Maeve!

The new AOLHuffPo (big step down from Time Warner, eh?) reports that Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner has resigned to run for his boss' seat in 2013.

The LA Times gets it wrong again, this time under wunder-kind reporter Maeve Reston, counting up real and imagined Mayoral candidates while forgetting to mention actual candidate Kevin James, despite having raised $500K in campaign pledges and hosting a top rated radio program six times a week.  Maeve can't claim she didn't know, she covered his announcement.

It's really sad to see the Times reporters continue to just phone it in.

Friday Free for All

Jack Mc Grath interviews Austin Beutner

Part One



Part Two after the jump...

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Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Public Employee Unions Need to go
on a Diet Just Like Mayor Sam has

One of the smartest bloggers in town when it comes to public finance, Paul Hatfield, dices up the Wisconsin labor reform law and details how similar changes should come to California.  It's apparent that politicians like Governor Brown and former State Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (no relation) understand that public employee unions have been given a sweeter than sweet deal for decades and with most governments near bankruptcy it's time to pay the piper.

Governor Brown also gets it when it comes to the Community Redevelopment Agency. It's time to shut these inefficient, wasteful and fraudulent distributors of corporate welfare down but Mayor Villaraigosa doesn't think so.  He cites examples of YMCAs and shopping centers the CRA built, yet shopping centers and YMCAs have been built for decades without YMCA - and the attendant multi-million dollar payouts to politically connected non-profits around these projects that don't see one cent go into building anything on the ground.

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Sunday Hotsheet

Jane Harman and her cigar club

Villaraigosa consigliere Austin Beutner is mulling over thoughts of succeeding his boss and says he will decide next month.  In a Daily News piece, the Deputy Mayor says despite his personal wealth, he does not intend to self-fund his campaign.  He'd rather sell himself to the usual suspects.

Has LA's teacher union, UTLA, found itself in it's waning days? The LA Times takes a look at the curent state of the once powerful organization which has not elected a school board member in eight years and isn't even trying this year.  As public employee unions fall more and more out of favor with the public, the UTLA has become the poster child for greedy special interests that have sunk California fiscally.

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Tryptothan on the Stoop

Looks like Austin Beutner is thinking of becoming the Meg Whitman of Los Angeles and perhaps using his personal largesse to run for Mayor.  Will Mike Trujillo run the campaign?

"The Situation" attended the American Music Awards at the Nokia last weekend.  At first some folks had thought it was a recently elected State Assemblyman.

Getting harder to figure out what is illegal and where.  Plastic bags are on the way out but pot may be on the way back in the City of Los Angeles.  But not in Orange County and parts of LA County.

The City of LA wants folks to shop at car dealerships and malls within city limits.  However the sales tax is too damn high! On big ticket items you could save hundreds or thousands of dollars say buying those items in Simi Valley (Ventura County) for example where sales tax is a penny and half per dollar less than LA County. That's money folks could put towards savings or other purposes, fully jumpstarting the economy than handing it over to Tony Villar.

At MayorSam we're looking to meet and profile up and coming leaders in Los Angeles.  If you'd like to suggest someone you can email us at mayorsam@mayorsam.org or use this handy online form.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Dream with me!

Bloomberg profiles Villaraigosa hatchet man Austin Beutner who says that LA needs to "grow up and focus on things that matter." In the piece former Mayor Dick Riordan says Beutner could be a possible candidate for Mayor in 2013.  That probably won't sit well with Riordan's buddies at the Clean Sweep campaign. Oh, Eli Broad agrees too.

Jane the Joker on Clownman's jihad against pot shops: "We're trying to be proactive."

A bunch of NIMBYS and Dangerous Enemies of Freedom (and prosperity) in Stupido City have been fighting to block NBC from moving thousands of high paying entertainment jobs from Burbank to the City of Los Angeles at the Universal City Metro Station.  Their economic terrorism has resulted in a delay to the NBC project however the Conan O'Brien debacle is at least providing an opportunity for NBC to make a partial move. The studio created for the red headed comedian's version of the NBC at Universal Studios institution is being retrofitted for the KNBC local news operation to move over along with some of their tabloid entertainment news shows.  NBC has sold their historic Burbank facilities to developers and will eventually have to move out.

Betty Pleasant is finding picking friends based on their enmity to Bernard Parks isn't working out for her.

Emergency Preparedness Month kicked off last week.  The LA Fire Department Blog has good tips on being prepared for good sanitation and being safely and comfortably dressed in a disaster.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Monday

Mayor Villaraigosa's Deputy Chief of Staff Jimmy Blackman - a longtime part of the Mayor's inner circle - is leaving reportedly to "spend time with his family." What we're hearing is that Blackman was pushed - by new Villaraigosa point man Austin Beutner.

Councilman Eric Garcetti is throwing some red meat to the anti-billboard NIMBY wackos by seeking to ban supergraphics in Hollywood however the business community is fighting back. If there is a place in LA that is suited for this type of signage that creates a district where economic activity could benefit all of LA it is Hollywood. Someone please explain that to the Birkenstock wearing, soy milk swilling BANANAs who don't care if LA goes into the economic crap hole.

Apparently folks Downtown are more concerned about what restaurants get big rankings in the Downtown News than anything else.

Attorneys for the Hare Krishnas have succeeded in getting blocked at least for now of an LA City law that would have prevented them from soliciting at LAX. However putting a nativity scene on public property is still considered to be something akin to pornography.

Have a complaint about a tow truck company in the City of LA? The LAPD has a new hotline you can dial up to turn them in.

Despite near universal satisfaction with his performance amongst his constituents, Council Member Paul Krekorian still hasn't won over one detractor. Phil Jennerjahn's latest screed rips Krekorian with near Zuma Dogg like passion.

And finally it's been a time for anniversaries lately. Congratulations to the always excellent Village to Village Blog which marked it's first anniversary this week.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

You make fun - yet I'm the one attempting to do some good. Or do you really want a neighborhood where people piss on your stoop every night? Bohemia, Bohemia's a fallacy in your head. This is Calcutta, Bohemia is dead. (with apologies to Jonathan Larson and props to Ron Kaye)

Democrats across the land, including Joe B, were pleased when the Obama Administration filed suit against the State of Arizona over their controversial immigration reform law, SB1070. However that's not exactly the case for Blue Staters within the Grand Canyon territory as nearly the entire Arizona Democratic Congressional delegation and the current Attorney General and Democratic nominee for Governor Terry Goddard expressed reservations about the DOJ suit. The Arizona Dems are fearful of a backlash within the state, where immigration is a hot issue, if it appears that Obama is meddling. At the same time these Dems should be concerned that Latino voters may see them as vendidos and either stay home or support other candidates. No doubt a tough place for them to be in and Obama could have probably helped them more by first making some stand on the border before calling out the lawyers and offering up red meat to the liberal base (as might be said about the Republicans who promoted SB1070 as well).

The DWP drama continued at City Hall Wednesday when interim General Manager Austin Beutner failed to show up to a joint Council committee meeting reviewing Controller Wendy Greuel's recent audit of the utility. The no-show by Beutner or anyone else of significance from the DWP incensed Members Paul Koretz and Greig Smith who both found the snub to be unprecedented. In other DWP news Councilman Tom LaBonge has cancelled the DWP's annual Holiday Light Show in Griffith Park due to water main construction.

No surprise here. A Rand Corporation study finds that the cost of pot could drop significantly if a ballot measure legalizing the crop passes in November. Among the low prices the move could encourage "pot tourism" in California as well as have an impact on smuggling from Mexico. In the meantime a group of African American leaders are calling on California NAACP President Alice Huffman to resign her post due to her support of the legal grass proposition.

If you're passing by LA Trade Tech College Friday morning and think that Al Queda has hit don't worry. It's actually a simulated homeland security exercise coordinated by the LA Sheriff's Department. The exercise will involve a Blue Line train and about 35 actors in a fake terrorist attack staged to test local responders. We send our props to the Sheriff's office!