LA And NYC Have Similar Congestion Problems, Face Different Roadblocks To Change

Yesterday New Yorkers lost out on a chance to improve their mass transit system when the congestion pricing debate was stifled in the Assembly up in Albany. Now we have a $17 billion dollar shortfall in our MTA capitol plan. On the upside, at least we have an expansive transit system, unlike our cosmopolitan neighbor across the country, where Los Angelenos depend on clogged streets and myriad freeways to get to and fro.

California Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) came up with an idea to add a tax for motorists to approve and then subsequently pay in order to increase the necessary cash for a budget that can begin to get a handle on Los Angeles's ridiculous congestion problems. However, it isn't their state government that is the biggest obstacle as of yet, it is some of the opinions in the local papers that are surprisingly thickheaded.

From The Orange County Register:

Congested traffic is easily verifiable. If it went away tomorrow, politicians would be unable to persuade voters to tax themselves to fix it.

Global warming at best amounts to less than a degree of temperature increase during the past century. If the recent several-year cooling trend is an indication, global warming may be going away. But because the only "proof" of long-term catastrophic consequences lies in contrived computer models, politicians like Mr. Feuer can insist even as temperatures decline that doomsday still lies ahead unless people tax themselves to fix the problem.

Los Angeles County motorists should ask Mr. Feuer what global temperature would persuade him that a new tax is unneeded. Global warming, now conveniently rechristened "climate change," is perfect for demagoguery. Those advancing the cause won't explain how they will know we have won the global warming fight, let alone what the ideal temperature is supposed to be.

Climate has changed as long as the Earth has spun on its axis. It's been considerably warmer in recent centuries than today, and during those periods humanity simply adapted, indeed, flourished with fewer cold-weather deaths and more abundant crops.

But facts don't deter schemes like Mr. Feuer's to raise $400 million in additional taxes to pay for already funded transit projects. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority would have to place the issue on the ballot if AB2558 becomes law, and probably would do so because the agency would reap the bounty.

Um, it looks like facts do not deter the OC Register as well. They are one of the few and far between that still believe there is no connection between cars (that create pollution) and the environment (that suffers from pollution) among other vehicles (pun intended) of pollution into the atmosphere.

Now that of course is the OC Register, comparable to a conservative paper here in NYC. Unfortunately there are others with similar demented thinking, as Streetsblog LA points out.

From Streetsblog LA:

Slightly closer to home than San Bernadino, the Santa Monica Daily Breeze also seems offended that Assemblyman Mike Feuer would make a link between global warming, air pollution and congestion and that he would actually try to do something about it.

Here's a novel way to combat global warming: Get Los Angeles County drivers to pay a new tax to combat traffic jams.

Confused? That would be the only reason to vote for Assembly Bill 2558. If the author, L.A. Democrat Mike Feuer, were serious about dealing with either issue he'd come up with a better plan than lumping them together.

Feuer was quoted in the Orange County Register as saying the people in the Los Angeles region have had it when it comes to traffic and air quality. Well, yes. But now he's talking about three problems: global climate, local traffic and air pollution.

The Breeze is acting like there's no relationship between these three things, even though it's pretty well documented that climate change is caused in part by the air pollution created by cars. I think their point is that it will take more than just LA to reverse climate change, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything at all. That's the kind of thinking one would expect from the Washington Times, not a newspaper in Los Angeles.

Unfortunately it is a paper in Los Angeles and one among at least a few. And in Santa Monica, geez, I expected better from a small local paper in that neighborhood. Why is it that we have so much trouble trying to fix the problems we create for the environment (and inherently ourselves)? People need to wake up and talk back to boneheaded newspapers like these and replace stalwarts in our government (like Shelly Silver). True change comes from within, not vestiges of the past like certain editorials and politicians.

Isn't This Illegal?

Racial profiling is generally seen by civilized society as a no-no but not so much by the nation's police forces. True to form, the LAPD's "strategy" of documenting the Muslim communities of Los Angeles is sparking outrage while the LAPD Deputy Chief Michael P. Downing sees it as finding terrorist cells. I'm sorry Mr. Downing, but this sh*t just ain't gonna work.

From The Huffington Post:

The LAPD's counterterrorism bureau plans to identify Muslim enclaves in order to determine which might be likely to become isolated and susceptible to "violent, ideologically based extremism," said Deputy Chief Michael P. Downing on Thursday.

"We want to know where the Pakistanis, Iranians and Chechens are so we can reach out to those communities," said Downing, who heads the counterterrorism bureau.

(snip)

On Thursday, several Muslim groups and the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California sent Downing a letter expressing "grave concerns" about the program.

"Singling out individuals for investigation, surveillance, and data-gathering based on their religion constitutes religious profiling that is just as unlawful, ill-advised and deeply offensive as racial profiling," said the letter.

It is unlawful, it is ill-advised and extremely offensive, not to only Muslims but society as a whole. Mr. Downing and the rest of the LAPD should be shamed out of trying to put this into practice, unless they have already started of course. You know, this wouldn't be the first time for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Its Against The Law

I've been back in town for a few hours after an incredible weekend up in Mystic, CT (I highly recommend it for a weekend if you live nearby or are in the Northeast)......only to come back to reality and the news that encompasses it. One such story out of the multitude is that of Elvira Arellano. Elvira had been staying in a sanctuary in Chicago to stay out of the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement that wants to send her back to Mexico to carry out deportation orders. She came out to speak at a rally in Los Angeles, only to find herself being arrested and facing imminent deportation.

From The San Jose Mercury News:

Elvira Arellano, who arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday after leaving her sanctuary to campaign for immigration reform, was arrested around 1:30 p.m. outside Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church where she had been speaking to reporters, said the Rev. Walter Coleman, pastor of Adalberto United Methodist, the Chicago church.

Arellano was "being processed for removal to Mexico based upon a deportation order originally issued by a federal immigration judge in 1997," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release.

Immigration activists promised protests and vigils to support her.

"We are sad, but at the same time we are angry," said Javier Rodriguez, a Chicago immigration activist who worked with her. "How dare they arrest this woman?"

"How dare they" is right. Elvira has been fighting for rights, both for herself and many in similar situations. She came to this country over ten years ago to work for a better life. Many people out there think that her deportation is not only following the law, but justified because she had eluded authorities for so long.

Since she has principles, speaking out in Los Angeles was the right thing to do. There is so much to be done and if her voice can help, then Ms. Arellano will step up. Now her activism is going to lead to deportation, no matter how many vigils we hold. The problem is that the "law" is a regressive measure that impedes the way America truly works. So many people want to come here to better their lives as Elvira was once doing. Now she is going to have to pay a price.

Yet what about the people that hire her? What happens to them? Why do they get away with paying ultra-low wages to undocumented workers while the bosses get rich from lower bottom lines. It is time to address the real issues here. People need to put down their hate for others who look "different" from the average WASP. America was founded and brought to glory on the backs of immigrants. Yet somehow there are so many out there that forget that integral piece of our history.

The law is the law, but it needs to be changed, so we can continue to be the country we know and love.

Hollywood Embraces Obama

Barack Obama is taking a break from Washington this weekend to rest and relax out on the Left Coast. Well resting and relaxing may not be on the top of his agenda because it seems that the Senator is set to raise a huge amount of cash. A million dollars to be precise.....just in one night.

Huffington Post has the full schedule:

Along with a public rally to be held at a L.A. recreation center, Obama will also be attending a series of fundraisers, including a breakfast in Hancock Park, a lunch hosted by members of an investment group, a star-studded reception at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and a small dinner party with the fundraising co-chairs of the Beverly Hilton event to be held at David Geffen's Beverly Hills house.

The cocktail reception is expected to bring in over $1 million dollars. Among those contributing $2,300 (the allowable maximum donation) are actors Jennifer Aniston, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy and Tom Hanks, studio chiefs Michael Lynton (Sony), Brad Grey (Paramount), Ron Meyer (Universal), Peter Chernin (Fox), Richard Cook (Disney), and producer Brian Grazer, as well as Jim Wiatt of William Morris, and Richard Lovett of Creative Artists.

The dinner at Geffen's home is for people who helped raise at least $46,000 for the event. About 40 people, mostly part of the Hollywood contingent, will get the chance to get up close and personal with the candidate.

It seems that many big celebrities are gaga over Barack and are willing to put up the cash to back the enthusiasm. As you can see by the slew of names, those supporters include Hollywood insiders along with celebrities like Denzel, Hanks and Eddie Murphy. Steven Spielberg's political adviser, Andy Spahn is impressed by the turnout. To him, these are 'Bill Clinton numbers.'

And just so the rest of us who can't shell out a quick $2,300 for a candidate, you can attend his rally in Los Angeles tomorrow if you happen to be in the L.A. area. It may not be hob-nobbing with the rich and famous, but political rallies are always a scene for a good time.

Now The Wingers Are Messing With My Hometown

I am a New Yorker at heart and thankfully live here now, but I did grow up in L.A. So when a winger like Ann Coulter talks shit about the city of angels, it pisses me off. Of course she is a certified nutcase and under investigation for multiple crimes but this had to be mentioned.

Recently John McCain and Mitt Romney compared NYC to Iraq, now the crazy blond-hair lady compared the civil war in Iraq to California. To her Baghdad is like Los Angeles in that the crips and bloods fight amongst themselves as the Sunni and Shias are slaughtering each other on the streets of Baghdad.

See the insanity if you wish, from Crooks and Liars.

Seriously, when is the media going to understand that putting this woman on television is never a good idea. I don't care about ratings, we need some sanity on cable news and she certainly does not contribute anything like that.