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Friday, August 13, 2010

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Friday


I had heard this earlier in the day Thursday; Farmers' Insurance is moving it's massive headquarters operation from Simi Valley - where they've been housed since 1982 - to Woodland Hills.  It extremely rare that a large company like that moves from nearby pro-business cities to business unfriendly Los Angeles. However Farmers picked up some real estate in Warner Center when they bought 21st Century Insurance so it makes sense to move.  According to Mulholland Terrace the move caught the Mayor's office completely unawares.  Perhaps the folks at Farmers could join Councilman Dennis Zine at the new Warner Center Costco for a cheap hot dog.



Where does Councilman Richard Alarcon live? Well we know where he says he lives and where he really lives.  If you want to see a photo of both homes, click here.

Mayor Villaraigosa was on alert to perform the first legal gay marriage in the City of LA once the decision to lift the ban was to be made final on Thursday. It's been delayed until next week so one could imagine the Mayor sitting dejected, in his robe, bible in hand and Bette Midler records playing in the background.  By the way there was no idea who would get married by the Mayor had the ban been lifted.

Blogger Pablo Manriquez can't figure out what is worse: that Republicans vilify Latinos (a ridiculous claim) or that Democrats ignore the nation's residents of Hispanic origin.  Manriquez wonders aloud why, when Latinos vote for Democrats in large numbers and get nothing from them.  Yea all us former Democrats used to wonder the same thing too!

Senate candidate Carly Fiorina - who is now enjoying a comfortable lead over Senator Barbara Boxer in the polls - is breaking with some conservatives who call for a change to the 14th amendment in order to prevent the children of illegal immigrants who are born here from becoming citizens.  I agree with Fiorina we don't need to go here.  Birthright citizenship is a long held American tradition and makes us a richer nation overall.

Councilman Jose Huizar says that it's likely his stupid Downtown Streetcar idea won't happen by 2014 as he had originally planned.  Good thing he won't be Clowncilman after next year anyway.

So when did local scribes decide to opt out of covering local elections? It's a time honored tradition that bloggers and scribes maintain some relationship with political consultants as a valued source for news.  South Bay Daily Breeze writer Nick Green has decided to check out of covering the Congressional race where controversial incumbent Jane Harman is being challenged by Mattie Fein.  At least as much that he has refused requests from Fein's consultant John Thomas (yes that John Thomas) to discuss remarks Harman has made about the local economy.  Say what you want about operatives like Thomas or our friend Michael Trujillo but smart writers maintain contact with these guys - whether you abhor their clients or not - and relu on them for good dish.

We received bittersweet news Thursday.  Longtime Los Angeles County Director of Public Affairs Judy Hammond announced her retirement as of December 31st.  Hammond is diligent in her duties sending out press releases and data on topics related to County government and really does an excellent job.  Her press releases are always a welcome part of our inbox.  She will be missed but we wish her the very best on this next phase in her life.

And good news received from the folks at Google with new features announced for Blogger comment management.  The features will allow us to mark as spam comments such as those from you know who as well as have a more centralized process for all admins to manage comments.

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12 Comments:

Blogger Daniel Kroop said:

Everyone should read the San Fernando Sun article on Richard Alarcon.

If you're interested in learning more, Los Angeles and First hosts a main course of scandal analysis with a side helping of Linda McMahon WWE youtube clips.

http://losangelesandfirst.com/2010/08/13/local-journalist-lays-gold-award-winning-smackdown-on-alarcon-residency-scandal/

- Daniel, Editor at LA & First

August 13, 2010 5:58 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I am JOYOUS over Villaraigosa anticipating a photo op of performing a homo marriage. It wouldn't be about the participants; it would be about Villaraigosa, the biggest scumbag ever to disgrace City Hall.

If there was ever a reason to SUPPORT PROP 8, it's so that Doucharaigosa doesn't get that chance.


Mayor Sam, with respect to the supposed new feature from Google, do you intend to utilize them when the perjorative is aimed at some asshole like Villaraigosa? Or are you only going to do that when the target is you?

August 13, 2010 7:36 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Hey Dummy why are you promoting your blog on Mayor Sam?

August 13, 2010 8:35 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Higby I'm a blogger too and noticed that feature. The more you mark Nutty Scummins as spam Google will ban her for good from all our blogs.

August 13, 2010 8:36 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Don't you just know that AV will use the Farmers move when he's trying to boost his economic development numbers. What this points out is that the city's business tax is just a small part of what is factored in whenever a business is deciding whether to relocate here or not move out.

There are many other much larger numbers that they calculate. Also, by being in Woodland Hills, employees can still find more affordable housing toward Ventura County and be close to work.

August 13, 2010 9:55 AM  

Anonymous trojan2002 said:

It's the hispanics fault for not getting anything from Democrats and being vilified by Republicans.

The big hispanic organizations are owned by dem operatives so republicans for the most part know they will never get a huge support base. While, on the other hand, dems know they just need to pay off folks like mayor tony and hispanic votes will be delivered.

I believe that when hispanics break ranks and pit the two parties against one another, the vote will be split but the hispanics will truly become a signficant voter powerhouse.

Right now their solid dems... support for Fiorina & Whitman is in the low 40's at their highest.

Immigration reform will happen when the hispanic voting block frees themselves from the corrupt shackles the dems have placed on them

August 13, 2010 9:57 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

8:36am, unfortunately, she will just get another Google account, and it's very easy to get your computer a fresh IP address.

It would just be simpler for the people running the blog to glance through the comments before approving them.

August 13, 2010 11:29 AM  

Anonymous g said:

CARLY FARINA SUCKS! THIS WOMEN WAS REMOVED AS HEAD OF HP BECAUSE SHE WASN'T THE BEAT ALL SHE TELLS YOU. THIS WOMEN IS ANTI-ENVIRONMENT,PRO BIG BUSINESS, THIS REPUBLICAN SURGE HAS 2 SIDES AND THEY DON'T FAVOR YOU. IF YOU LIKE BP YOU'LL LIKE HER.

August 13, 2010 3:39 PM  

Anonymous Google Guy said:

11:29 AM: Fortunately, the spam filter works by actually reading the comment, and classifying it as spam or ham based on vocabulary and writing style. She will have to use ghost writers, and keep changing those to get past the filters

August 13, 2010 4:05 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Los Angeles. A city destroyed by over-appeasing to the lowest denominator of crybabies and bending over backwards to make sure their feeling aren't hurt.

August 13, 2010 6:05 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Wow, John Thomas must have some clout. Even lowly daily breeze reporters don't wanna talk to him. Tomorrow when? How about a quarter to never. Ha!

August 13, 2010 10:02 PM  

Anonymous roni said:

this is wonderful post that fills all requirement of article

November 05, 2010 2:07 PM  

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