Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

-The trapped Chilean miners have all been safely rescued after spending 69 days underground. A flawlessly executed rescue operation conducted by the Chilean government is receiving high praise from around the world. The rescue craft used in freeing the miners has been dubbed the "Fenix 2". It was designed and built by the Chilean navy, with some help from our very own NASA and based on a German rescue craft from the 1950's. Shockingly, San Esteban, the company employing the 33 miners, has refused to pay the trapped workers wages since the accident occurred, nor has the company contributed anything towards their rescue. Is that called protecting your bottom line? When the mining company gets ordered to pay up will Chilean conservatives call this a "shakedown"?

-Still lagging in the polls, Meg Whitman drops another $20 million into her campaign. Aw, who's counting at this point?

-For the last 10 years or so, there have been dozens of Medical Equipment Supply stores operating in the neighborhood. A wheelchair in the window, a locked door, and never a customer in sight. Evidently, business is booming! Video.

-Free the Cyclists! CicLAvia draws 100,000! Soon to be a monthly event?

- A Prominent GOP Ute sees the light, and immediately jumps off a cliff!

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

-On 10/10/10, inspired by a 30 year old tradition originating from Bogota, Colombia, CicLAvia gets to do what only a presidential motorcade has done in the past; clear 7 1/2 miles of LA streets of cars for 5 hours.
Instead of secret service agents riding on the side of black suv's, the streets will be open only to pedestrians, skaters, and bicyclists.
CD4 candidate and transportation advocate Stephen Box couldn't be happier!

-In case you didn't know, Californians want to legalize marijuana, and not just for the recent tsunami of stressed out suffering teens that flood our local "collectives" up here in Sunland-Tujunga.

-Are Canadians wimpy? Of course they are.
The Canadian Dept of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel warning for citizens thinking of traveling to Mexico. Maybe the Canadian gov't is just covering their ass, but Mexico is as safe as just about anywhere else that's outside of Bel-Air. Just don't be buying drugs or trying to muscle your way in on somebody's human smuggling operation. My good friend, Abby Diamond, just returned from a very relaxing trip to northern Baja's Guadalupe Canyon, and an adventurous 61 year old guy from El Cajon is about to embark on a 1500 mile walking trek of Baja with his burro Don-Kay and 2 dogs.

-Jerry Brown began his campaign for governor just a few short weeks ago and already has gained significantly in the polls over billionaire Meg Whitman, who has been campaigning for almost a year to the tune of $120 million and at least that many annoying radio spots.

-E-Bay founder Pierre Omidyar, says he will NOT endorse Meg due to her support of Prop 8 and her selection of former governor and Prop 187 proponent Pete Wilson as her campaign manager.

And finally, Oh boy am I glad my name isn't Robert Rizzo, who's only barely good news for the day was that a judge reduced his bail from $3.2 million to $2 million. That should help!

Your turn.