LA Must Protect Itself From Itself

By Daniel Guss

@TheGussReport - It's 2022 and Los Angeles has a narrow, approaching window to start fixing its copious political challenges and corruption.

Having watched a few decades of local elections, here is what LA needs to do to save itself from itself.

1. Stop electing candidates based on their last name, skin tone and if they sound like an echo chamber of each other and the media.

2. Take everything the Los Angeles Times says or endorses with a grain of salt…and tequila. Stop relying on its endorsements since it almost entirely serves as a protective public relations unit for liberal and left politicians and their ideas to the total lack of balance of other sides, opinions and candidates. It is worth noting that the Times has endorsed, or even repeatedly endorsed, virtually every candidate currently or recently facing recall.

3. Start electing people from outside of the local political ecosystem. Encourage and elect those who have built something significant in the private sector. People who know what it’s like to make payroll in the face of illogical, oppressive and un-scientific government mandates. Think engineers, teachers (not school board members), healthcare professionals, private sector attorneys and the like. Elect reluctant politicians, not career ones.

Let’s repeat that: elect reluctant politicians, not career ones.

***

All the commotion so far about who is running for Mayor of LA and other offices is just that: chatter. It means nothing until February 7, 2022, when the candidate filing window opens to file a Declaration Of Intention to Become a Candidate. That narrow window closes less than a week later, on February 12. That’ll be the entirety of our options. People who fail to file will not make it onto the primary ballot.

Then there’s the race to gather 500 valid signatures by March 9, a rigged process designed to favor monied candidates. Those who submit at least a thousand votes for verification do not have to pay the $300 fee.

To continue reading this column, please join me on my Substack and sign-up to become a free subscriber.  Also, follow me on The Twitters @TheGussReport. Thanks as always to our friend Scott Johnson for this platform.

HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

With termed-out Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Michael Antonovich now officially a candidate for the open 25th State Senate Seat, a new "Uncensored Antonovich Website", is up and running as the main Democratic Candidates, Assemblyman Mike Gatto and Anthony Portantino, prepare for a "Campaign Blueblood Letting" in 2016.  

The State Senate Campaign of termed-out Supervisor Michael Antonovich is already garnering opposition attention.

From last evening's KRLA 870 AM's Randy Economy Show, to this Sunday's afternoon cyber-missive via the LA Daily News, the disclosure of termed-out LA County Board of Supervisor Michael Antonovich's bid for the open 25th State Senate District Seat, is already garnering attention ......., including from Democratic Operatives, who want to keep the Seat in the Blue Category.

A new website titled "Uncensored Antonovich" at uncensoredantonovich.com, is up and running, exposing the supposed "Ethical Lapses", "Inappropriate Emails" and "Head-Scratching Decisions" from the Republican Antonovich's twenty-plus years on the Board of Supervisors.

 Its head-stratching to say the least, that surrogates of one of the two major Democratic Candidates in this contest, 43rd AD Assemblyman Mike Gatto and former Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, would put resources into the creation of this "uncensored outing of Antonovich ........, or maybe not.

While the voting demographics of the 25th State Senate District favors the Democrats, its not a given that under the State of California's "Open Primary Rules", that both Portantino and Gatto make the top two in a Runoff Election, considering that a strong Republican Candidate (in the form of Antonovich), could coalesce the party's register voters into a formidable block, that takes out either Assemblyman Gatto or Portantino.

Thus, if the political planets align the right way (and monetary resources are allocated) the California Republican Party (and Antonovich) can pull the upset in 2016.

** Continuing on the topic of quick responses, the Los Angeles City Clowncil Central Committee was the recipient of same-day recognition for its 12-2 Vote to approve the "Mobility 2035 Plan" (which should also garner legal attention in the near future) at its Friday Meeting. That afternoon, KFI 640 AM Afternoon Drive Duo of John and Ken, wasted no time in bestowing its weekly's "Hacks in the Dumpster Award" on the twelve, yes-voting Clowncil Central Committee Members (click link to hear Podcast), with special attention given to CD 11 Clowncilman Mike Bonin ......., and the "Social Justice Champion" (who went to Princeton) CD 14 Clowncilman Jose "Increase Mobility for USC" Huizar.

** Anybody with a spare "Benjamin" can get a inside look of a Former Failure Mayor Antonio Villar's Hollywood Hills Bachelor Pad as the former City Terrace Native hosts a fundraiser for the "2016 Hillary Indicted Legal Fund" tonight. While the "Person of Interest" will not be in attendance, you may have the opportunity to enjoy a ride with a "certain blogging, designated driver (for the right price of course)".

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

Mid-morning briefs and reminders on the issues of the day

We start with these comments from Mayor Villar about the cover of next weeks Los Angeles Magazine.

......when Villaraigosa was asked about the magazine cover he smiled, rocked back and forth a bit and said: "Well, it's a pretty nice smile. A few pounds lighter and a couple of years younger. So what can I say?"

One can't remember what Villar thought of this cover, but we link here to the story by Alan Mittelstaedt , which contain a comment on Jack Weiss and his role in the contentious "Pico and Olympic Traffic Plan".

Weiss, by the way, does get rewarded for his blind support of the mayor. During the news conference on Olympic, KNBC’s Laurel Erickson asked if the neighborhood critics of the plan were correct to say that he had sold them out. The mayor took the microphone and defended Weiss, a vocal opponent of the traffic plan when it bore Yaroslavsky’s name.

Republican candidate in CA 32 Congressional Race, faces audit.

Some would say that the timing of this, races eye brows, as noted in this San Gabriel Valley Tribune story.

A restaurant owned by the lead Republican in the Congressional race to replace former Rep. Hilda Solis is being audited by the state tax board which one of her main opponents, Democrat Judy Chu, helps lead.

Candidate Teresa Hernandez received a letter from the Board of Equalization Monday saying her South El Monte Mexican restaurant, Cielito Lindo, is being audited for sales tax payments.

Chu, who is an elected member on the five-member Board of Equalization, said neither she nor her staff had any knowledge of the audit.

"I know nothing. I have nothing to do with the selection of places for audit. This is the first I knew about it," she said Thursday.

Parke ???? There is a mailer making the rounds that ask some tough questions about Gil Cedillo days at SEIU 660.

LA Weekly has these offerings in this week's issue.

Why Governor "Kennedy Republican's" May 19 bailout is failing.

LAPD Chief Bill Bratton's political endorsements.

Vahedi vs. Koretz CD 5 slugfest.

........and props to the scribes at the "Weekly of Record" for their multiple award nominations from the LA Press Club. I guess there was no P.R. catagories for the graying writers at the "OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET".

Rally reminders:

Join John and Ken at their next Tax Revolt Rally Saturday, May 16 from 4-7pm at Tom’s Farms in Corona. From John and Ken, "Our last Tax Revolt Rally in Fullerton had 15,000 angry taxpayers, Let's make this one bigger!"

Thanks to Phil for this.

Please join the Westside Republicans as they host the Westwood Tea Party Rally on Sunday, May 17th from 3pm to 6pm at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd (near UCLA).Multiple speakers (including KRLA's Kevin James, will protest higher taxation in the form of Proposition 1A, on the ballot in the election on Tuesday May 19th.http://www.westsiderepublicans.com/

FREEDOM AND FREE ENTERPRISE!!

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Sunday

Turns out that Walter Moore was elected Mayor after all - in CD12 that is. According to the LA Times, Moore won 42.4% of the vote to Villaraigosa's 37.3%.  Perhaps Moore should consider moving to Chatsworth instead of France and running against rumored candidates Mitchell Englander and Jim Alger in 2011.

Following his election victory Tuesday, Mayor Villaraigosa's staffers started sending out notices that this win - along with his decent standings in a recent Field Poll - put him in prime position to run for Governor. Though the Villaristas hoped for a landslide, as the SF Gate said, "55 percent against nine pretenders, who most voters couldn't have picked out of a police lineup" isn't it.  In a recent Lake Poll, Villaraigosa comes in second to Jerry Brown and both Brown and fellow contender San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom would have no trouble defeating most of the so-far Republican contenders. Tom Hayden via Celeste Fremon says that Villaraigosa will run for Governor and has an excellent chance. 

Speaking of Celeste Fremon in that same piece she has an a-ha moment when she realizes that the reason Laura Chick won't seek Wendy Greuel's Council seat is she's expecting to run for Mayor when Villaraigosa is elected Governor.

Rick Orlov reports that despite the defeat of Measure B, the DWP is going to go ahead with a solar program, without all the shady parts deleted by the voters on election day. That's fine with the No On B folks as long as the DWP offers transparency in the process.

Actress Maria Conchita Alonso - a Venezuelan national - is speaking out about actor Sean Penn's legendary friendship with her homeland's strongman dictator, Hugo Chavez.  Maria says that Penn should "shut up."

John and Ken on another bombastic rant about elected officials and this time it's Governor Schwarzenegger and pro-tax members of the Legislature.  The radio talk show hosts held a rally in Orange County which drew thousands for a tax revolt.  Though most of us agree that the Governor and Legislature's response to our budget woes were basically giving the finger to the people, John and Ken - compared to hosts such as Doug McIntyre, John Phillips and Kevin James - don't have much of an idelogical committment personally and actually phone in part of their performance.  It is has been long rumored that the pair slips out of the studio whenever they feel like it during their final hour and pre-recorded bits fill the remainder of the hour.

Former GOP Presidential candidate John McCain's daughter/writer Meghan McCain finds dating following her father's defeat troublesome.  On one hand if she dates an Obama supporter who rambles on about how the President was a better choice than her fathe, it brings up old hurt.  Yet Meghan often finds herself going out with McCain voters who gush over her father and quote his lines that she says "It’s like someone taking Lisa Marie Presley out on a date and singing Hound Dog in the middle of dinner."

BREAKING NEWS!!! Jamiel Shaw Sr. seeks removal of Deputy D.A. Michelle Henisee from his son's murder case

Jamiel Shaw Sr. is calling on District Attorney Steve Cooley to remove Deputy D.A. Michelle Henisee from his son's murder case.

This is the latest turn of events in this controversy regarding the alleged actions of Deputy D.A. Michelle Hennisee which broke Thursday on the "Kevin James Show" and continue on Friday in the last hour of the KFI "John and Ken Show"

Shaw Sr. stated on the Friday show that Henisee try to get the Shaw Family to drop their campaign to modify Special Order 40 with the Walter Moore written "Jamiel's Law", and hinted that a different portrait of Jamiel Shaw Jr. would be introduce in trial if the Shaw Family did not waver in their crusade.

District Attorney Steve Cooley was not avalible for comment on today's show, but will hold a private meeting with the Shaw Family tomorrow.

Link to Fox News John Schwada report on the Shaw murder.

Link to "John Schwada's Newsroom"

Link to KFI's Podcast page, click "John and Ken, 5:00 PM for 5/5/08"

BREAKING NEWS!!! Jamiel Shaw Sr. claim D.A. threats to taint his son as "gangbanger" for his crusade against Special Order 40.

****Link here to the KFI Podcast page, then click on the 5/2, 6:00 PM "John and Ken Show" labeled Jamiel Shaw, for audio.

Jamiel Shaw Sr. is on KFI's "John and Ken Show" with the startling story of Deputy D.A. Michelle Henisee and her stance made to him for maintaining the status-quo in regards to Special Order 40 and the repercussions that would result if Shaw Sr. continue his crusade for Jamiel's Law.

In the same conservation Henisee made some not so veil insinuations that the D.A. office would paint a portrait of Jamiel Shaw Jr. that is contrary to reality. One where Shaw is type casted as a red wearing, gang member who character is different from what has been portray in the multi media forums.

Currently, District Attorney Steve Cooley is on the air doing spin control on the actions of his prosecutor in this case. Shaw Sr. is standing by his story on the actions pertaining to the actions of Henisee.

Shaw Sr. in his brief appearance before Cooley called in, paints a picture of a political community that is adamant in maintaining the status quo regarding Special Order 40. He sights repeated visits and calls from the likes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, council members, and their respective staffs.

We invite Jamiel Shaw Sr., Walter Moore or other reps of the family to email further information to redspotincd14@yahoo.com for prompt posting on this thread.

The John and Ken Effect

Love 'em or hate 'em, the John and Ken Show on KFI is a tour de force on talk radio in the afternoons. Albeit bombastic, steady offerings of barbed language and an in-your-face-style, they are anything but boring and never seem to violate the 1st Rule of Radio: Be Entertaining.

Today, the Los Angeles Times opines on the famous shock jocks in the context of the trial of Orange County's ex-sheriff Mike Carona. I suppose it is a badge of honor for them and I'll have to tune in Monday to see what they have to say about it.

At issue: a series of readings by the hosts, John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, from transcripts of Carona conversations that were secretly recorded by federal investigators. When Carona's legal team objected to the pretrial publicity, Kobylt and Chiampou rose to the challenge, dubbing this segment of the show "Taint the Carona Jury Pool" and advising fans called for jury duty to lie if asked about their radio listening habits. Daring stuff -- and stupid too -- but the purpose of a venue change is to ensure that the accused gets a fair trial, not to address media buzz.

Considering the size of the Burbank-based show's listenership (about 1 million a month), the widely dispersed audience in L.A. and Orange counties and the vagaries of listeners' habits, the probability that a substantial number of jury pool members have even tuned into "John & Ken's" Carona coverage seems vanishingly small.

Read the full editorial.

Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday

A big day for one of the projects on our list of faultlines for the Coming City Superstorm happens Tuesday in the Los Angeles City Council Chambers. Councilman Greig Smith will seek to put an end to work by the City of Los Angeles on the environmental impact report for the controversial Las Lomas development. Smith will battle Councilman Richard Alarcon who is seeking to bring the project under the control of the City of Los Angeles despite objections from the County and the City of Santa Clarita.

Mayor V wants to raise your trash fees and he supports raising your electricity and water rates too. If you want to protest the trash tax, KFI's John and Ken are encouraging you to mail your trash to Tony Villar.

Our friend Jon Regardie at the LA Downtown News has a great piece - the Tony Villar re-election announcement press conference that wasn't. But we can dream right?

Rick Orlov is right that it won't go anywhere but a group of "progressive" Democrats held an event to issue a "no-endorsement" for Democrats Henry Waxman and Howard Berman. I guess Waxman and Berman are not liberal enough for this group. (Okay I'll stop laughing.)

And finally Mayor Villaraigosa won an award from a Filipino group and told attendees gathered "Filipinos are not invisible to me." By the way the event was held at the Autry National Center, another faultline on our list of The Coming City Superstorm.

Breaking News!!! Richard Riordan on KFI's John and Ken at 6:00 PM

Former Mayor Richard Riordan (RINO) will be in studio with KFI's "John and Ken" during the 6:oo PM hour.

Let's guess that a critique of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Budget Plan will be the topic on the table.

Consider this your open thread for Dick's dialog on Antonio.

(Quick thought, expect a "contested" election for Mayor in 2009)

John and Ken Mention Zuma Dogg's Coverage of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Here's the Video They Were Talking About

HA! How's that for political payback? ZD woke up extra cranky at the mayor today for many reasons, so I hit the "sell-out his own people loser" with a little extra passion today. Seems to have been worth it. (For me, not for you Loserosa.) John and Ken were just mentioning Zuma Dogg's Villarahole coverage on KFI. (#1 show on #1 rated station.) LOL! I hope you had a hell of a piss, Arnold.

AND HERE'S THE VIDEO JOHN & KEN REFERRED TO ONE MORE TIME, SINCE SOME NEW FOLKS MAY BE CHECKING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME. My name is Zuma Dogg, John & Ken listeners. Nice to meet you!



And catch up on all recent ZD stories as posted on Mayor Sam at LADailyBlog.com, then post any comments on this thread. Make sure to catch the story about DWP Fraud, Waste and Abuse lawsuit before you say yes to any rate hike.

Your New Pal,
Big ZD

zumadogg@gmail.com

Set a Google alert for "zuma-dogg" and you will get all blog posts as an auto-email.

Congrats to Citywatch for their story on the Letter from DWP's David Nahai that I posted last week. (They probably saw my post.) You can watch Jefferey Jacobberger reveal his agenda, once and for all. (Even though he revealed it to ZD a long time ago.) If you are contacted by Jefferey Jacobberger, it is ZD's position to "take the opposite position without thinking twice". He just did the thinking for you, and you should do the opposite. He's a nice guy, and I like him as a person, but when it comes to issues, I've found I am always on the other side. I think he's a really smart guy...but I question his motivation. (Can you say "lap poodle"?) Wow...how uncomfortable for me, next time I see Jefferey. (And don't give me that, "He led the No on Prop R battle." B.S., it was a controlled burn. He dropped the suit, right on time. (He does know how to execute a strategy.)

What journalistic secrets lurk in the shadows on Spring Street

What secrets are hidden under the "Journalistic Carpet" at the Los Angeles Times ??

If one was listening to the final hour of yesterday's "John and Ken Show". They were commenting on the "Buzz" from inside the "Beltway". That being Washington D.C. for the sake of disclosure. Speculation is that the "OLD GREY HAG ON SPRING STREET" is sitting on a "explosive" story. This alleged story revolves around the sex life of one of the "major candidates" for president.

Holding stories for the sake of bias and timing is nothing new to the editors at the west coast version of the "OLD GREY LADY". Plus on the timing side, if they can provide a " timely hit" on a member of the "enemy list", in the Editorial/News Room ? Then so much for objectivity. Remember a certain recall election ??, Nick Pacheco ? George Bush ? James Hahn ? Sheriff Corona ? Iraq ? But never a story on "80 Fake Neighborhood Watches" ?

It is speculation such as this. That inspired the growth of a "bloggin cottage industry" of discerning observers of all things, Los Angeles Times. Patterico and Hugh Hewitt are two that come to mind. Mind you that the Times is a "Johnny come lately" to the "Universe of Blogs". One of their own has made the "Jump" in retirement. Kevin Roderick and his "Observing West L.A. Life and his Times", almost on a daily basis, posted tales in "Times Think". His posts highlight the "unique journalistic culture" that is cut off from the realities of Los Angeles and rest of the world.

It is this unique journalistic culture that spawns "old media" scribes such as Tim Rutten. One can see his "love" for "new media". Witness Rutten's past rants against blogs and their roles in breaking stories about the Mayor's affair. Last week in his "Regarding Media" column, Rutten took "Bloggin Giant", Matt Drudge to task for posting documents on a controversial New Republic story, centered around falsehoods written by a U.S. Army soldier. It was both Hugh Hewitt and Patterico who pointed out falsehoods in Rutten's column, nothing new for the bias that is "KIM IL RUTTEN", the "Dear Leader" of "old media".

One can speculate that the unique journalistic culture at the Times has changed reporter David Zahniser. Some have opined that his "INVESTIGATED CONJONES" have been placed in a "TESTICLE LOCK BOX OF EDITING" by the "highers to be". His recent story on Richard Alatorre, coming on the back of Zuma Dogg's postings, kicked off rampant speculations to that effect. Remember, this the same Zahniser who broke the Miguel Contreras story. Will he match that in his new gig at the Times ?

That said, the answer to the original premise, lies in the Times standing within the city and "ELITE OLD MEDIA". The Times abdicated its role as a neutral observer long ago when Otis Chandler steered them leftward. Thus cementing the Times role as a left of center agenda, P.R. organ. Now its just a matter of what monkey is turning the handle. But is anyone still listening ? Then who will "post" the truth ? Hmm....

Memo To Ray Lopez: Council Members Stepping Up?

Thursday, October 18th, 2007

To: Ray Lopez, Producer, John and Ken Show

From: Mayor Sam, Old, Dead, Republican Mayor and LA's Favorite Blogger

Subject: Topic Suggestion for Today's John and Ken Show


Our City is in such bad financial straights our Council Members and Mayor feel its vital to impose all kinds of new taxes on working people to "avert an emergency."

We know that honestly the City has more money than it needs - its wasteful spending that has led us to where we are.

In one week the Council tells us we are in an emergency - yet at the same time they seem to be able to have enough valuable council time to debate the war in Iraq and to fund a shady, money losing Christmas parade (where is the ACLU on that one?). What gives?

We think its high time to call on our Council members and the Mayor to stand up for the cause and make some personal sacrifice. Each of them is paid much more than many CEOs. They could easily forgo half their salary and still be comfortable. They also get a lot of other perks outside salary like expense accounts, slush funds, city vehicles (which they seem to have trouble parking and keeping out of fender benders), etc. to keep them afloat. They also huge, bloated staffs and multiple offices.

Who amongst our beloved Council leaders will be the first to forgo up to half their salary, cut back on staff, move offices to lower rent facilities (how much rent do Jack Weiss and Tom LaBonge pay for their fancy Toluca Lake and Ventura Blvd. offices?) or close or consolidate them with other city offices?

Who will set the example and be a leader? Who is willing to share the pain? Huh? Anyone? Hello? I'm hearing crickets.

Ivy League Blogging Lesson

I've learned a couple things in the last week. One, try not to blog late at night. Your judgment is impaired and you might just believe high tech spinmeisters.

The other thing is never delete a post, no matter how much others - including Mayoral spokesmen, dedicated fans and your fellow bloggers - purty please you.

Yes this all goes back to the story of Mayoral son Antonio Villaraigosa, Jr. and his pre-freshman hijinks as he prepares to enter Princeton University.

You may remember on the heels of a number of a scandals involving his father (still under investigation by the way) that Antonio Vee (as he has referred to himself online) posted a series of comments on the social networking site Facebook referring to alleged drinking, partying, fake ID making and getting a pass from local law enforcement.

The posts created quite a stir - including getting the dum dums stirred up, a great time on the air for John and Ken (and by the way J&K did your producer ever tell you that I called and left my number?) and some late night spinmeistering from Tony Villar spokes-hole Matt Szabo.

And then I got clowned that I got clowned. That is someone sent me an email claiming that he was the author of the IvyGate blog piece that started it all and that the IvyGate is a fake news blog like The Onion.

Since then I think I've been re-convinced (I hope) that the IvyGate blog is legit. I was contacted by the real bloggers and that the stories about Antonio Vee were true (or at least not fake).

Upon some sage advice of blogger David Markland (yes, the one I called an idiot), I've also learned you never delete posts. Make a retraction, issue corrections, but never delete.

Yup, I goofed. I admit it.

So the real question is (after AVJR's behaivor and possible pass from local law enforcement) who is the bogus IvyGate blogger - the person who posed as writer Jacob Savage?

We don't know yet - but we're on their tail. The fake email has been traced to a computer somewhere in Thousand Oaks.

Inquiring minds want to know.

PS: On the other hand - maybe I've been clowned one more time - and IvyGate is fake. A comment on their blog says that like The Onion, IvyGate is "characterized by hard-hitting fact-based journalism." This sure is shaping up to be an insane summer.