Hogwash and Hypocrisy

By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport on Twitter - Words not matching actions are once again all the rage at LA City Hall.

When former L.A. Mayor Richad Riordan passed away in April, those with whom I spoke, without exception, said he was our last great mayor.

He didn't perpetually make a jackass of himself on a national stage like two of his successors, Eric Garcetti and Antonio Villaraigosa, did.  He didn't sloganeer like they did, and current mayor, Karen "Lock Arms" Bass, does.  And he didn't lose his first bid for re-election as James Hahn did in 2005, becoming the first alcalde to accomplish that feat since KKK member John Clinton Porter did in 1933.

Riordan was a moderate Republican, job creator and philanthropist who got LA through some of its deepest crises.  From time to time, he caused minor stirs by shooting from the hip, but at least he was authentic.

But, oh to have authenticity in LA City Hall these days, where post-pandemic words and actions once again gloriously misalign.

To read this entire column, head on over to DanielGuss.Substack.com, and sign-up for my free newsletter.  

Rejecting Paul Koretz and Ron Galperin, LA Times Regains Some Of Its Marbles

By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport - Like a rare hybrid eclipse, this column finally aligns with at least the essence of the Los Angeles Times' first two endorsements for the upcoming June primary, which are best summarized as:

• Paul Koretz should not be the next LA City Controller
• Ron Galperin should not be the next California Controller

Considering that the Times repeatedly endorsed locals like convicted felon Mitch Englander; indicted Jose Huizar and Mark Ridley-Thomas; Gavin Newsom, Jerry Brown, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis; Eric Garcetti and Antonio Villaraigosa; Nury Martinez and Herb Wesson; Kamala Harris, George Gascon, Mike Bonin, bigamist Curren Price (despite his denials), other fakers and takers, and yes, Koretz and Galperin, it may now see the consequences of those disastrous recommendations.

I don't entirely buy that the Times gets it, yet, and neither should you.  But rejecting Koretz and Galperin in 2022 is a good start.

To read the rest of this column and see earlier ones, go to: https://danielguss.substack.com/ and sign up for the free subscription.

You may also follow me on the Twitters @TheGussReport.

Sigan adelante gente increibles.....

(Daniel Guss, MBA, was runner-up for the 2020 Los Angeles Press Club journalism award for Best Online Political Commentary and was a runner-up in 2021 in the Activist Journalism category.  He has contributed to Mayor Sam, CityWatchLA, KFI AM-640, iHeartMedia, 790-KABC, Cumulus Media, KCRW, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Magazine, Movieline Magazine, Emmy Magazine, Los Angeles Business Journal, Pasadena Star News, Los Angeles Downtown News, and the Los Angeles Times in its Sports, Opinion and Entertainment sections and Sunday Magazine, among other publishers.)

Why Eric Garcetti and Mike Feuer Should Cancel Themselves

 By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport - LA's Buffoon Bros of Miscarriage and Corruption, Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Attorney Mike Feuer, should spend the coming holiday season reshuffling their future plans.

Eric Garcetti and Mike Feuer

Photo Credit: LA Times

In Garcetti's case, he should pick up the house phone and ring President Joe Biden to withdraw his nomination to become the next U.S. Ambassador to India.  Feuer should withdraw from the Mayor's race and see whether any of the other candidates would welcome his endorsement.  If those candidates are smart, they'll politely decline and change their phone number.

Garcetti and Feuer are more likely than not on the verge of being booted from those pursuits and instead creating mortifying footnotes for their forever Wikipedia pages.  

Better for them to quit rather than being publicly shown the door.

Beyond Garcetti's comprehensive failure as al calde of the second largest American city, everyone from his right-hand man Rick Jacobs to his disgraced former chief of staff Ana Guerrero (and those who covered up for them at the LAPD and City Attorney's office) have been exposed for the bullies and harassers many have long-known them to be, as shown by a series of mortifying exposés and depositions.  It is not possible that these issues have escaped the notice of the FBI and Biden advisors. 

The point is that Garcetti is responsible for all that literally took place right in front of him, and more. The buck is supposed to stop with a chief executive, but Garcetti hasn't taken ownership for any of it, including his welcoming Guerrero back into his office after a lengthy suspension for indiscriminately abusing everyone from little-known locals to historic and accomplished women of color like Dolores Huerta.

As for things that took place right in front of Garcetti.....

Rick Jacobs, Eric Garcetti and others

Photo Credit: LA Times

In fact, logic suggests that someone in the White House, perhaps chief of staff Ron Klain, may soon dial up Garcetti and "politely suggest" that Garcetti do exactly as I recommend.

That way, Garcetti can take his rightful place alongside his inglorious predecessors, like "The 11% Percent Mayor" Antonio Villaraigosa and traffic court judge James Hahn.  He can join some corporate boards, teach a college class and be shown on the 11pm sports report cheering on the Dodgers and Lakers.

I left the Rams out of that thought, because, despite Garcetti's untruthful claims that he "brought the NFL back to LA," they in fact play in the world's greatest stadium in a city he never represented; Inglewood, California.  Sure, Inglewood is in "LA," but that's LA County, where Garcetti has never been an elected official. 

Garcetti failed to get that stadium built in downtown LA as Farmer's Field, though he squandered much time posturing about it, as I pointed out in the Huffington Post a few years back.

And that's the rosier of the two futures outlined in this column.

Our crystal ball says things are much bleaker for Mike Feuer.

It is delusional that someone who is being investigated by the State Bar of California and whose office was raided by the FBI and whose legal hire, Paul Paradis, agreed this week to plead guilty to a $2.2 million kickback scheme while running that scam under the auspices of Feuer's office, thinks he will be elected to succeed Garcetti as Mayor!

Maybe delusional isn't the right word.  Nuts.  Feuer would have to be nuts to believe that.

Mike Feuer

Photo Credit: KTLA

But it's so much worse than that for The Frazzled 'stache of LA City Hall.   

Despite his assertions to the contrary, the U.S. Department of Justice says that Feuer's office knew that Paradis astonishingly represented both the plaintiff and defendant in the scandalous LADWP / PricewaterhouseCoopers lawsuit.

That alone should result in a suspension of Feuer's law license, if not out and out disbarment, even if he didn't personally profit from the bribery, which could include campaign donations to his nascent mayoral campaign.

And yes, I do speculate that Feuer has already spoken with white collar criminal defense law firms to potentially represent him.  One would have to be a nuts (there's that word again) to be raided by the FBI and not immediately pick up the phone to find one.

But to think he still has even a remote chance of becoming mayor?  

Come on.

Then again, maybe Feuer's counting on LA making the same dumb choices for mayor as it has for the past 20 years with Hahn, Villaraigosa and Garcetti.

Hmmmph.  Perhaps he's on to something.

Nevermind, then. We'll simply say this.  If Feuer runs, he will finish with fewer votes than any other major candidate and perhaps even fewer than the spectacular 9,115 votes hauled-in (without spending a dime) by Venice street performer David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsburg in 2009, when he finished in 4th place in a field of ten.   

That's the over/under for Feuer should he stay in the race. Nine thousand one hundred and fifteen votes.  We will see whether Feuer gets fewer than Zuma Dogg.

Of course, there's more to this story than just that.   

What about the names that keep Mike Feuer up at night and whether and when they might resurface?  That's precisely why Feuer's deputy at City Council meetings, one Strefan Fauble, has established a pattern and practice of illegally censoring this column from participating in the meetings of late and his peers continually failing to cure and correct such abuses, as outlined in upcoming complaints, plural, to the State Bar of California.

(Daniel Guss, MBA, was runner-up for the 2020 Los Angeles Press Club journalism award for Best Online Political Commentary and was a runner-up in 2021 too. He has contributed to CityWatch, KFI AM-640, iHeartMedia, 790-KABC, Cumulus Media, KCRW, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Magazine, Movieline Magazine, Emmy Magazine, Los Angeles Business Journal, Pasadena Star News, Los Angeles Downtown News, and The Los Angeles Times in its Sports, Opinion and Entertainment Sections and Sunday Magazine among other publishers. Tell your friends to follow him on The Twitters @TheGussReport, and DM him there to join his distribution list for early story notifications, tips and more.)

Was Mark Ridley-Thomas On Your Corruption Bingo Card?

 By Daniel Guss 

@TheGussReport - Shame, shame, shame if you are a follower of Southern California politics and didn't have Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, MRT, on your corruption bingo card.  Yesterday, he and a former USC dean were indicted for what amounts to the following.

One of MRT's sons, Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, SRT, who had no legitimate reason for being elected to public office other than sporting a locally famous political surname, allegedly got all "hands across America" with women when he was in the California State Assembly and had to skedaddle so investigations into his haranguing proclivities could be dismissed as politically unnecessary. 

Mark Ridley-Thomas, Sebastian Ridley-Thomas

Photo Credit: ABC7

The media swallowed hook, line and stinker SRT's claim that his abrupt resignation was due to "medical reasons."

Like many coddled, lay-about children of politicians, SRT's daddy came to his rescue to get him a job that MRT apparently felt his son wasn't qualified to legitimately earn on his own and went over the top by allegedly buying him a professorship at the University of Southern California, USC.

Daddy Ridley-Thomas also allegedly bought Offspring Ridley-Thomas a USC graduate school admission and a full scholarship.

Think about that for a moment.  Mark Ridley-Thomas allegedly bought his kid a scholarship.  What bowl of Apple Jacks were those kids fed growing up where nobody seems to have raised the notion of accomplishment over entitlement?

You know, the type of bull that Mark Ridley-Thomas and all politicians spew day and night.

According to the indictment, all MRT had to do in exchange (i.e. a quid pro quo) was funnel your tax dollars and mine back to USC in a twisted amalgam of non-profits, nepotism and looking the other way. But it was apparently so aggressively ill-conceived that even USC couldn't ignore it and appears to have ratted out the wrong-doers to the feds itself.

What is it about USC that makes it a magnet for wealthy, powerful parents who think their kids aren't smart enough to get in on their own but can still be purchased from a cashier, as though the degree is a Prada bag that you carry around town?  Here's looking at you, Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli.

On that note, USC continues to refuse to say whether Gianna "Gigi" Caruso, daughter of bazillionaire and a Chairman of the USC Board of Trustees Rick Caruso, earned her way into the school.  The last time this column asked, the school dodged the question and described Ms. Caruso in a way that was nothing short of shameful.

Rick Caruso, Gigi Caruso, Tina Caruso

Photo Credit: Unknown

By the way, are we still allowed to say "chairman?"  USC still does.

To be fair, we shall assume that the bikini entrepreneur (and gal pal of the Loughlin/Giannulli children) earned her way into USC through exceptional grades, test scores and community service.  It's just that the school and papa bear have refused to say that she did, let alone provide the specifics.

Mr. Caruso might very well make an excellent successor to uber-failure Eric Garcetti, perhaps in the tradition of Richard Riordan, the only stellar alcalde L.A. has had in the past several decades and maybe the best ever.  If he decides to run, the Los Angeles Times should ask about Gigi's admission into USC.

But don't bank on it.

-----

A year ago, the Los Angeles Times endorsed Mark Ridley-Thomas to return to LA City Council despite knowing full-well about the alleged crimes for which he and a former USC dean were indicted yesterday, writing:

"He has made questionable ethical decisions, most notably when he funneled $100,000 from campaign fund to USC, which then hired his son as a professor."

Hey thanks for that endorsement, LA Times.  Imagine what a clear-eyed endorsement of a capable, accomplished community activist and attorney named Grace Yoo, who doesn't have the stink of scandal emanating from her pores, could have done for L.A.

But misapplied power and cronyism are hard habits to break.

The Times also repeatedly endorsed Mitch Englander,  who currently brushes his teeth in a federal prison in Arizona.  It also gave us the thumbs-up for Jose Huizar, who might someday set up camp in Englander's prison. And the Times has repeatedly endorsed others like Mayor Eric Garcetti, former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former L.A. City Council president Herb Wesson.

But there's nothing that the Times loves to do more than floating the notion of coddled, lay-about political offspring (like Sebastian Ridley-Thomas and Justin Wesson) running to succeed their parents rather than encouraging fresh names with better ideas.

Huzzahs!  Everyone gets a trophy, everyone gets to walk in their parents' footsteps just because they're special!

Everyone except the kids who earned those spots in school.

Everyone except the candidates for office who would have worked diligently and with integrity to improve L.A.

Note to the L.A. Times: You can't manufacture the Kennedys. Even the Kennedys were not what the media wanted us to believe that they were. And neither are these locals.

If Los Angeles is going to be a glutton for felons, failures and flunky children of kleptocrat politicians, it is the Times' job to keep us from falling off that cliff rather than giving us a shove.

Thanks again, El Segundo Times.

-----

And finally, this column has chosen the top five politicians or political hangers-on who it thinks might be indicted next. We'll keep that on the note pad over here by the morning lime water.  But here's a hint: Methinks some will be for bankruptcy fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion, forgery and/or voter registration fraud.  Okay, or bribery, but we assume you already knew that.

Tell your friends to follow me on The Twitters @TheGussReport.

(Daniel Guss, MBA, was runner-up for the 2020 Los Angeles Press Club journalism award for Best Online Political Commentary and has contributed to CityWatch, KFI AM-640, iHeartMedia, 790-KABC, Cumulus Media, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Magazine, Movieline Magazine, Emmy Magazine, Los Angeles Business Journal, Pasadena Star-News, Los Angeles Downtown News and the Los Angeles Times in its Sports, Opinion and Entertainment sections as well as its Sunday Magazine, among other publishers.)

Presently using mi amigo Scott's sign-in until tech matters are resolved.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles (and Beyond) Political Machine for Hump Day

Its becoming readily apparent that the formerly "Average Joe (Buscaino)", is morphing into another "Autocratic Politico" as the CD-15 Officeholder faces a backlash over his alleged City Charter-violating Scheme, to arbitrarily change the boundaries of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council, at the detriment to the Wilmington NC.   

Are the formerly "Average Joe" Buscaino's Autocratic Political Schemes, a precursor for his supposed 2022 Mayoral aspirations? 

** Blogger's Notes: Once upon a time in CD-15, there was an "Average Joe of San Pedro" who only wanted to serve his community with home-grown pride ............, but that was back in 2011. Now in 2020, its becoming readily apparent that "Average Joe" is morphing into another "Autocratic Politico" ........., with 2022 Mayoral aspirations. The now "Autocratic Politico (at 200 Spring Street)", is facing a major backlash from Neighborhood Council Advocates for his supposed City Charter-violating Scheme to arbitrarily-alter the boundaries of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council (with non-sanctioned help from Empower LA Staff), to the detriment of the Wilmington NC. 

Read more »

A "LA Antonio Times" Flashback which Shakes of Journalistic Hypocrisy (again)

As the "Old Gray Collectivist Hag, relocated to El Segundo (aka. LA Times)" joins in playing up an alleged, Supreme Court-disqualifying "Act of Ice Cube/Bar Violence" by Judge Brett Kavanaugh, we conveniently remind the formerly, "LA Antonio (for Governor) Times Editorial Board", of the real Violent Past of its "Courageous Gubernatorial Candidate (rightfully rejected by the California Electorate)".         

The Ruins of supposed Objective Journalism ....... on Spring Street. 

Mad Antonio.

** Blogger's Note: Please pardon the momentary blogging flashback to a repudiated, Era of Subjective Agenda Journalism (on Spring Street) known simply ......... as the "LA Antonio Times". 

We sincerely thought that the White Privilege Liberal Scribes at a El Segundo-relocated Fishwrap Producer (along with like-minded "Westside White Guy Bloggers"), were over their co-enabling role (with help from Parke Skelton), in elevating a rebellious Offspring of a remarried City Terrace Mother of four children, into a Horatio Alger-like Progressive Political Savior/Rock Star and after the June Primary ......, they have mostly moved on.

Read more »

Morning Briefs/Flashbacks Regarding A Voter Fraud-rendering (allegedly) Los Angeles and National Political Machine

With absolutely NO APOLOGIES to the "Old Gray Hag Propagandist on Spring Street (aka, LA Times), we disclose some bloggin inconvenient linkage between alleged (and DOCUMENTED) examples of Voter Fraud , perpetrated by the Local and National Democratic Political Machine, in lieu of Republican Candidate Donald Trump's Debates Comments regarding the acceptance of November's Election Results .  

** Blogger's Note: In the aftermath of last evening's Presidential Debate, THEE dominate post- debate topic is the Republican Nominee's comment regarding the Acceptance of November's Election Results ............... and well, Trump has a valid Point (think Bush vs. Gore 2000), contrary to the subjective, journalistic-disqualifying rants/missives, originating on Spring Street. Local supporters of Bernie Sanders know all too well the Democratic Establishment's proclivity to ......., dare we say, F-ING RIGGED, the electoral process, as exampled by the recent DOCUMENTED, unbalanced Democratic Primary. Many local Progressive True-believers, who we have seen commenting on Social Media and conversed with during the 2016 Presidential Proceedings, know all-to-well the Democratic Political Machine's past episodes of "RIGGING Elections" for their chosen proxies. We can Flashback to 2003 when a certain, reelection-seeking City Councilman gathered with his followers in a second story office, near the Intersection of Soto and Cesar Chavez in Boyle Heights ........... and warned those gathered, that "outsiders would be bused into the district", seeking to (successfully) install the Machine's latest "Chosen One ". Thus, possibly the motivation for the superb "Caption This Missive" we excerpted below ........, along with inconvenient examples of past and present Election Rigging----Scott Johnson. 

A blogging flashback from a 2007 "Photo of the Day/Caption this Post". 

Mayor: So then I put them on the bus, and sent them to the polls and told the poll workers to look the other way or they would be fired...
Paris: Oh mayor, you're so strategic.
Mayor: Yeah, I know Stevie Wonder. We did a duet last week, like he did with Paul McCartney in the 80's.
Paris: Maybe you can sing on my next record?
Mayor: Yeah, I would also like to make a video with you. I've heard you like to do that. I live in a huge mansion.
Paris: I have a special camera that films even in the dark.
Mayor: I did 500 sit ups today.
Paris: That's hot.
Mayor: I AM hot!

** Fast forward back to the present as Project Veritas exposes Democratic Operatives orchestrating Election Fraud. 

Ex. (fired after video went public) Democratic Operative Scott Foval.

Sound Familiar? From NPR Report on Project Veritas Voter Fraud Video . Unaware that he was being recorded by a hidden camera, Foval appeared to walk through how operatives could commit voter fraud by shipping in out-of-state people to vote. "You can prove conspiracy if there's a bus," he says at one point. "If there are cars, it's much harder to prove."

**  Lets not forget Los Angeles reigning (and convicted) Poster Child for Voter Fraud Larry "Nativo" Lopez ............., and "Politico Soul Mate" CD 1 City Councilman Gil "One Bill" Cedillo.

Dinner with Gilbert and Larry regarding Driver Licenses for Undocumented Democratic Voters, as supported by Hillary Clinton Campaign Leader John Podesta? See below ......

** Via the Wikileaks Emails Disclosures, we have found the root motivation for the years-long quest of Career Politico Gilbert "One Bill Gil" Cedillo ........, and his "Close Relationship" with the  infamous Larry "Nativo" Lopez. From the Gateway Pundit.

John Podesta supporting Non-citizens with Driver Licenses "Right to Vote".

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

The Newly-Engaged "Antonio and Patricia Villargovea" Do Easter Day of Service on Skid Row

 In a setting reminiscent of past Governance via Photo Ops, by a certain Former Failure Mayor, the Newly-Engaged Duo of Antonio and Patricia Villargovea made their First Public Appearance during an Easter Day of Service on Skid Row.  

Antonio and Patricia Villargovea happily serving the masses.

** Blogger's Note: The Coming Together in Matrimony Tour of Antonio and Patricia Villargovea made its Public Choreographed Debut on Skid Row during an Easter Day of Service. Surely, the first impressions of the soon to be Mrs. Antonio Villargovea, is that she looks quite comfortable playing the image-enhancing partner in the latest political incarnation of City Terrace Native Tony Villar. In comparison to the former Mrs. Corina Villaraigosa, one could make the argument that the pending Mrs. Patricia Villargovea, is more at ease in a public setting with the self-absorbed Politico. Plus, in momentarily channeling past Antonio Villaraigosa's Campaign Consultant/Choreographer "Parque" Skelton,, the new union of Antonio and Patricia Villargovea, is an attractive political offering, especially to the low information voter, who is not well-verse with the past Former Assembly Speaker and Failure Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's moral (and political) failings. But rest assure as the upcoming 2018 Campaign to replace Governor Jerry "Moonbeam II" Brown commences, California voters will get a refresher education on the soon-to-be Antonio Villargovea's past political (and personal) life----Scott Johnson in CD 14.     

 Patricia and Antonio Villargovea engaging in foot interaction.

 Congresswoman Maxine Waters shares in the New Union of Patricia and Antonio Villargovea.

The First Public Display of Servicing between Antonio and Patricia Villargovea.

A perplex Easter Bunny trying to make political sense of the Villargovea Union.

....... and lets not forget narcissus Antonio want's for attention,

BREAKING NEWS!! Tony Villar engaged to become "Antonio VIllargovea for Governor 2018"

Just in time for his rumored, next Political Incarnation, former Los Angeles Failure Mayor Antonio Villar Tweets his Engagement to a centain "Patricia Govea". Thus, setting the stage for his "Antonio Villargovea for Governor in 2018 Campaign, allegedly".

Who is the soon to be Mrs Antonio Villargovea? See below.

** Blogger's Note: Happy sacred Good Friday to all as many of the devout prepare to celebrate Easter 2016. Thus, on this weekend Christians World-wide celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it comes as no surprise that a certain, narcissus, self-absorbed, former "Rock Star Politico", turned former Failure Mayor ......., takes another consultant-choreographed step to reincarnate his Political Persona.

With no apologies to the likes of Lu, Eva, Corina, Chulitas from City Terrace, Telebimbos, telegenic Gabachas, Mirthala ........, and Charlie, the former Tony Villar, turned Parke Skelton-crafted Antonio Villaraigosa, is now set to become Antonio Villar-govea.

Via his Twitter (in English y Esponal), the City Terrace Native announced his engagement to a certain "Patricia Govea", who has been dating the former Los Angeles Mayor after his fling with Terminator III Actress Kristanna Loken.

Little is known about the soon to be Mrs. Antonio Villargovea, but then people remember little about the rumored Candidate for Governor's First Wife Corina, who played the role of supporting spouse ......, until that day she found incriminating messages from the "Other Woman" on her husband's Blackberry. 

Thus, for many long term observers of Tony/Antonio, his latest attempt at matrimony will surely be seen cynically as another Parke Skelton-crafted attempt to reinvent City Terrace Tony into 2018 Governor Antonio Villargovea ........, but the voters will be timely-reminded of the political (and personal) baggage of a certain, former Failure Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa----Scott Johnson.  

Antonio with First Wife Corina Raigosa.

Antonio with Sancha Mirthala 

Antonio with Lu Parker

Antonio with Kim Honig.

Antonio with Kristanna Loken.

........, and we can't forget that Cabo's Fling with Charlie.

Read more »

HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

As we near the One Year Mark before the 2017 City of Los Angeles Municipal Elections, we ponder what could possibly inflict damage to the formidable, Second Term Campaign of Mayor Eric Garcetti. Hint, mayoral office staff infighting ........., or worst.

An upward ambitious Mayor should never go soft on staff nefarious behavior, allegedly. 

Could there be a mystery mayoral staffer in need of behavior modification (again), allegedly?

** Blogger's Note: We will call this a momentary, bloggin intuitive episode, driven by whispers originating from somewhere within the confines of 200 Spring Street. While the speculation here is only that, the potential for inflicting damage to the Second Term ambitions (and possible future higher office aspirations) of Mayor Eric Garcetti, if true, would be major. 

To be specific, there are whispers of someone within Mayor Garcetti's inner-circle, who allegedly has issues restraining her/himself within the workplace, in regards to conduct with other staff. Names have been broached, but in the interest of protecting the duo process rights of those individuals, they won't be mentioned here.

Its not out of the norm for another political faction, to exaggerate a officeholder staff's inner-debate, disagreements, arguments .......... and misrepresent them as something more nefarious, especially at Election Time.

But with the recent high-level departures in recent months from Team Garcetti, these momentary intuitive moments, merit further vetting. 

**  We have a bloggin tip from a reliable source that former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar, is set to front a Super PAC on behalf of his female political twin US Senate Candidate Loretta Sanchez. The duo who share the love of drink ...... and of the opposite sex, support the same want of replacing the retiring Senator Barbara Boxer with a So Cal Democrat.

** In response to our Francine Godoy/Marco Soto Missive last week, we received this tip from within the confines of the Bureau of Sanitation Workplace, which simply stated the following; "Who will you see at work first, Bigfoot or Francine Godoy?"(** if you have a confirmed Francine Work Sighting, email us at redspotincd14@yahoo.com)

An alleged Bigfoot sighting in 1969.

A confirmed Francine Godoy photo during her CD 14 Employment.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Happy April Fools from Mayor Sam!

Normally, for April Fools' Day, we craft up some jokey, satirical nonsense fake stories. You can see some of our past work here.

This year, I thought funny photos might be more fun. Enjoy.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for MLK Day

Is CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino playing a dangerous game in escalating the contentious Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) West Coast Ports Labor Dispute, by his supporting of a March along the San Pedro Waterfront?

CD 15 City Councilman (and ILWU Supporter) Joe Buscaino.

** The former "Average Joe of San Pedro" who brought San Pedro and the Greater CD-15 together in electing a Native Son done great, to replace now Congresswoman Janice Hahn as its Councilperson Joe Buscaino, is using his homegrown, political capital, in taking a side on a contentions labor issue with local and nation economic implications. Via the "Average Joe's Official Facebook Page, the former LAPD Senior Lead Officer is organizing a Major Rally in support of ILWU's grievances against PMA as noted below.

The PMA's action in further cutting night shifts at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is another step closer to a lockout. It’s the wrong time to take the type of actions that will hurt the hard working residents that I represent. It will only serve to worsen the slowdown and congestion at the ports, disrupt the global supply chain, and result in irreparable damage to the reputation of our ports complex at a time when competition is peaking. I believe we are at a point where there may be no winners in the end. I beg the PMA to come to a resolution by allowing the ILWU jurisdiction over the chassis issue and bring our economic engine back to efficient operation before we lose business permanently.

** A Kamala Harris and Antonio Villaraigosa Weekend Meeting?

Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaking with Attorney General Kamala Harris. 

From Willie Brown Jr. in today's Column within the Opinion Pages of the San Franscisco Chronicle ......, State Attorney General Kamala Harris and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa were spotted having dinner the other night. I assume they were talking about her — and possibly his — bid to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2016.

My speculation is that Villaraigosa was looking to cut a deal under which he would opt out of the Senate race and Harris would stay neutral in the 2018 governor’s campaign, which could well pit Villaraigosa against Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

** From the dark underworld comes the below video featuring the Evil Dictator Adolf Hitler's diatribe on California Governor Jerry "Moonbeam II" Brown's proposed High Speed Rail's route through the western Angeles National Forest. Enjoy and props to its creator. 


Hitler not a fan of Moonbeam's Choo Choo.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

2014 Predictions

After a two-year hiatus, I'm back with your annual predictions post. You should be warned, I have a horrible track record here, so take each prognostication with a grain of salt. Here we go...

Mayor Eric Garcetti's Chief of Staff, Ana Guerrero, will continue to earn electability chops in Jose Huizar's Council District, much to the chagrin of the incumbent and his supporters. Following her appearance in the Boyle Heights Christmas Parade - which included distributions from an 18 wheeler filled with toys and goodies - Guerrero will stage a special production of Ana Lloyd Weber's "Evita" where she will give a stunning performance of "Don't Cry for Me CD Catorce," at the bandstand at Olvera Street, followed up by Target gift cards raining from the sky.

Much to the chagrin of Blogger Scott Johnson and the community around the Arroyo Seco, the former site of the Southwest Musuem will be rededicated as "Villaraigosa University," with a special degree program in broadcast journalism taught by the ex-Mayor.

Following a special election in the summer of 2014, LA Fire Commissioner and former teacher Jimmie Woods-Gray will pull out a surprise win in the race to replace the late Marguerite LaMotte. Woods-Gray's victory, will deal a severe blow to LA's charter school movement.

Blogger/Writer Joseph Mailander will sign a deal for the movie version of his non-fiction book "Days Change at Night: LA's Decade of Decline." Esai Morales will be signed to play Mayor Villaraigosa and the film will feature a cameo by Randy Quaid as blogger Scott "Red Spot" Johnson.

The storied Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, which spent it's salad days with wins such as blocking a controversial Home Depot store, but in recent years has found itself the subject of questions on finances and it's policies on the homeless issue, will find it's incumbent members facing an electoral challenge in the spring from a coalition assembled by controversial local newspaper publisher David "Doc" DeMulle. The uprising will fail when all realize that Joseph Mailander was right when he said that the community is "18 people arguing with 17 people over 14 microphones and 60,000 that don't care." (Turns out the finals of Dancing With the Stars featuring Chaz Bono and Kim Kardashian is on TV the same night as the elections.)

Former City Controller and failed Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel will jump into the race to succeed termed out LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Once again Greuel will use "Political Consultant/Private Citizen" John Shallman to helm her campaign and once again will lose, this time to former State Senator Sheila James Kuehl, "The Child Start Formerly Referred to as Zelda."

California Republican candidates for the State Assembly will pick up some unexpected wins in various races around the state, it won't be enough to assume control of the lower chamber, but it will take away the Democrats current veto-proof majority, leading to several deals between Republican legislators and Governor Jerry Brown, who will be by the way, re-elected handily.

Former radio talk show host and Mayoral candidate and current President of the Board of Public Works, Kevin James, will announce he is leaving the Republican party and register as "Decline to State." James will then announce his candidacy for the Council District 4 seat being vacated by Tom LaBonge.

County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas will announce that he has brokered a deal for an existing NFL football team to move to the LA Coliseum with the 2017-18 season, but the deal will fall apart at the last minute. An expansion team for Los Angeles will eventually be located in a yet to be built stadium outside the city limits.

And finally, on the steps of the State Capitol, just after Thanksgiving, Governor Jerry Brown will announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President in 2016.

While Villaraigosa Danced

(Photo by Venice4Change)

The shooter who killed four (with one more barely clinging to life) last Friday in Santa Monica, California has been identified as 23 year old John Zawahri. Before his rampage across town and on the campus of Santa Monica College he killed his father, Samir and brother, Chris at the father's home and set it on fire.

Breaking: KCBS reports that a sixth person has now died as a result of the shooting.

All of this shortly followed by a taxpayer funded romp on behalf of Mayor Villaraigosa (complete with free nachos, Ryan Seacrest and Bill Clinton), where, according to those in attendance, no mention was made of the tragedy just a few miles away nor was the tone of the event moderated out of respect.

Outside, he car-jacked a woman, shot another who hesitated after he had told her to leave, and then forced the first one to drive him to the college. Along the way he shot up a bus (no one injured) and as they approached the college parking lot he shot and killed the driver of an SUV, Carlos Navarro Franco, 68, also hitting Franco's daughter who is the one still in critical condition on life support.

Being pursued by police, Zawahri ran toward the college library, shot a woman outside the entrance (she later died at the hospital) and from various reports fired up to 70 rounds inside the library, not injuring or killing anyone else. Police engaged the shooter and he was hit and died a short time later after being carried outside by the officers.

The image above shows him entering the library via security footage, his Santa Monica High School yearbook picture and some of the tactical gear he had been wearing plus 1,300 rounds of ammunition in multiple magazines, "not clips" for the AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle he used in the attacks. He was also carrying a handgun, what looks like a 6-shot revolver, had some body armor and a tactical belt for holding the clips.

Zawahri was reported to have been a very angry man who as a juvenile had a run in with police in 2006 and had been hospitalized for mental illness in recent years after allegedly talking about harming others. It's being said that he was distraught over the divorce of his parents.

Because of the last name Zawahri, Internet discussions are assuming that he was a terrorist, which authorities are denying at this time. The Zawahris reportedly were Orthodox Christians from Lebanon. The mother is out of the country, which one could assume has most likely saved her life.

AR-15 type rifles are legal in California under strict conditions, but those with easily changed ammo clips are not. Where he acquired this weapon has not been reported so far.

The question begged is: Why was someone with a history of mental illness who had previously threatened to harm others not being treated in a facility somewhere? The super-strict gun control laws of California couldn't stop this angry young man from getting the firepower he desired... couldn't stop him from destroying the lives of multiple families... couldn't stop the EVIL that was John Zawahri.

Suzanne Lauer and I will be discussing this story and more, today at 4pm as we fill in for Frank Sheftel and Tai Babalonia at 4pm PDT on LATalkRadio.com

(Reporting from The Kitchen Cabinet)

Jan Perry: If You Like Antonio, You'll Love Wendy!

Mayoral candidate Jan Perry reminds voters of Wendy Gruel's deep ties to Antonio Villaraigosa. Click here for link to full mailer, print them out and send to your friends!


 

Villaraigosa Schedules Gun Buyback: But They Don't Work

Mine is this big!

In the wake of the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, as those impacted mourn and experience incredible pain, and the rest of the nation weeps with them, leave it to glad handing politicians try to exploit the issue for the latest gain.

Locally, we hear word that our own Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, is moving up a planned gun buyback program to the day after Christmas.

We all know about these programs. Those with guns are encouraged to bring them to some location in exchange for cash, Nikes, movie tickets, lap dances, whatever is enticing to the gun owning public.

The problem is, like gun control, they don't work to reduce gun violence. We have seen hundreds of these events around the country and the level of violence has yet to reduce

From Wikipedia:

Gun "buy-back" programs are a strategy aimed at influencing the firearms market by taking guns "off the streets". Gun "buy-back" programs have been shown to be ineffective, with the National Academy of Sciences citing theory underlying these programs as "badly flawed." Guns surrendered tend to be those least likely to be involved in crime, such as old, malfunctioning guns with little resale value, muzzleloading or other blackpowder guns, antiques chambered for obsolete cartridges that are no longer commercially manufactured or sold, or guns that individuals inherit but have little value in possessing. Other limitations of gun "buy-back" programs include the fact that it is relatively easy to obtain gun replacements, often of better guns than were relinquished in the "buy-back." Also, the number of handguns used in crime (approximately 7,500 per year) is very small compared to the approximately 70 million handguns in the United States (i.e., 0.011%).

But when has a politician ever turned down something that doesn't work if it gets their picture in the paper?

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

Keep dreaming

In a real body blow to residents of North Hollywood and surrounding areas, Curbed LA is reporting that the iconic Valley Plaza in North Hollywood, a long time shuttered and vacant retail site will not be coming back to life for the foreseeable future. Valley Plaza had been owned for the last 10 years by developer J.H. Snyder, who promised but never delivered on a $333 million redo complete with restaurants, retail space, movie theaters, and even sound stages for the film industry.  Instead, J.H. Snyder has now handed the property back (foreclosure?) to the lender, Istar.  A sad day for our friends in NoHo.

Mayor Villaraigosa gave his annual "State of the City" address yesterday, titling it "A New Contract", whatever that means. Something about 300,000 potholes that he's going to fill, port traffic up, fixing education, blah, blah, etc. City Maven live blogged the speech perfectly!

Food sprayer and LACCD candidate Scott Svonkin continues to catch heat for his deceptive absence from Tuesday night's San Gabriel School Board meeting. Our mention yesterday of his lying about being ill in order to attend and schmooze at a LA Democratic Party event at UTLA was picked up and expanded on by the LA Weekly. We're also receiving reports that Scott fled the event as soon as he realized he was being photographed by our sources.

Apparently, we really are the City of Angels.

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday; Phoning it in from the High Desert edition

Brief Hotsheet powered by Droid X;

February is "Sarah Palin Media Blackout Month". Let's see how she's holding up from the lack of attention;

Sarah Palin Media Addict from Gina Gershon

Krekorian on "Which Way LA" @ KCRW- Councilman Krekorian is wisely insisting on an EIR before the proposed NFL stadium in downtown can proceed. Meanwhile, the Mayor appears to be bending over and embracing the hysterical cheerleader approach (see video below). Instead of seeking exemption from needed environmental scrutiny, AEG should welcome it and work with Angelenos to determine whether the location is even appropriate, and if it is, AEG must mitigate the inevitable traffic and other negative environmental impacts a project of this scale will bring. Anything less, and Angelenos will go Egyptian on the whole idea.



Uh-Oh, Red Spot has CRA Chief Chris Essel on his radar! This should be fun!
Speaking of the CRA, the Brown Act kicks in and halts the cockroaches from hiding the cash (for now). Ron Kaye has the story.

Comprehensive Water Reform in California?

I have always loved Dune and the strong ecological themes embedded throughout the science fiction series. We are not as bad off as Arrakis in our semi arid Los Angeles region but touring the Bay Area Delta last April opened my eyes to the need for comprehensive water reform in the Golden State.

Coro has its Water Conservation Luncheon tomorrow and is attempting to surface some solutions with a number of top water experts and officials. I also put together a special Coro CrossTalk on Water a couple of weeks ago that provided some insights into water politics--perhaps serving to remind all present of that famous phrase from another water-themed movie: "Either you bring the water to L.A. or you bring L.A. to the water."

Last Friday, Mayor Villaraigosa, Governor Schwarzenegger, Speaker Bass and a number of others assembled at the Tujunga well field of the San Fernando Valley aquifer, part of Los Angeles' water supply, to sign two bills of a five piece water accord. The remaining parts of the $11.1 billion bond (which is part of a larger $40 billion financial commitment) was signed this past Monday and will go before voters a year from now. It looks promising but there are critics as well as political observers like Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee:

Debt service, now nearly 7 percent of the state budget, could hit 10 percent by the middle of the next decade, Lockyer said, calling for a multiyear master plan for financing infrastructure rather than the current election-by-election game. Repaying water bonds will cost as much as $800 million a year.

The second big question: Will voters go along with it? Asking visibly angry voters to authorize more borrowing in this very bleak economy is dicey, especially since there's considerable opposition, including some environmental groups and perhaps public employee unions that see less program money available if more is spent on bond service.

The question remains, however, is what is the cost of doing nothing or to paraphrase our illustrious former Vice President, to continue dithering. Below is footage from the signing here in the 818 as well as a photo slideshow. I guess we will just have to wait and see if Schwarzenegger will truly be California's Paul Muad'Dib of Water.

List of speakers in order of appearance:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Assembly Speaker Karen Bass; Assemblymember Kevin De Leon; San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders; Paul Rodriguez, California Latino Water Coalition; Jeffrey Kightlinger, MWD of Southern California; Gary Toebben, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; Pankaj Parekh, Los Angelees D.W.P.; and Danny Curtin, Director, California Conference of Carpenters

Video



Rest of the footage: II, III, IV, V

Slideshow