More Hearings, More Stalling, Say Democrats
WASHINGTON — When Republican House leaders announced a new round of nationwide immigration hearings last week, it triggered a wave of eye-rolling among Democrats and immigrant advocates.
Critics see the hearings, which began almost a month ago, as GOP-produced political theater — a diversion from hunkering down for talks with the Senate on rewriting immigration policy.
The sessions have featured some posturing, snarky exchanges and odd scenes, such as Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) assembling a self-made wooden model of the 13.5-foot-high concrete wall he would like to see built along the U.S.-Mexico border.
But if this is theater, it has a clear plot line. . .
Gibson’s Anti-Semitic Tirade—Alleged Cover Up
TMZ has learned that Mel Gibson went on a rampage when he was arrested Friday on suspicion of drunk driving, hurling religious epithets. TMZ has also learned that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department had the initial report doctored to keep the real story under wraps.
TMZ has four pages of the original report prepared by the arresting officer in the case, L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy James Mee. According to the report, Gibson became agitated after he was stopped on Pacific Coast Highway and told he was to be detained for drunk driving Friday morning in Malibu. The actor began swearing uncontrollably. Gibson repeatedly said, “My life is f****d.” Law enforcement sources say the deputy, worried that Gibson might become violent, told the actor that he was supposed to cuff him but would not, as long as Gibson cooperated. As the two stood next to the hood of the patrol car, the deputy asked Gibson to get inside. Deputy Mee then walked over to the passenger door and opened it. The report says Gibson then said, “I’m not going to get in your car,” and bolted to his car. The deputy quickly subdued Gibson, cuffed him and put him inside the patrol car. . .
Police defend handling of Mel Gibson arrest
LOS ANGELES - A sheriff’s spokesman Monday defended the handling of Mel Gibson’s drunken driving arrest in Malibu last week amid allegations the department covered up anti-Semitic remarks reportedly made by the actor-director as he was being taken into custody.
The allegations of anti-Semitism stemmed from a leaked arrest report that quoted Gibson as saying, “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” and asking a deputy, James Mee, “Are you a Jew . . .
Hear John & Ken interview Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy James Mee, The sheriff’s deputy who arrested Mel Gibson for drunken driving in the Audio Archives.
Immigration challenging governor
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s encounter with angry illegal immigration foes this week in La Mesa touched off a furor on the conservative talk radio circuit and blogosphere, creating renewed dissension on the Republican governor’s right as he runs for re-election.
It was a day in which the governor at various times preached compassion toward illegal immigrants, regretted praising the Minuteman border watch group, admitted he made a mistake by voting for the Proposition 187 anti-illegal immigration ballot measure and expressed alarm about the “intensity of prejudice” he detected in some of the more strident illegal-immigration opponents. . .
Cameron Brown’s mom says accused loved his daughter
The mother of alleged murderer Cameron Brown portrayed her son Friday as a doting, if somewhat irresponsible, father to the 4-year-old daughter he is accused of throwing off a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff.
Lynne Brown testified in Torrance Superior Court that the 44-year-old former South Bay resident was a loving father to his daughter, Lauren Key.
But his parenting skills in supervising what she described as a “high-energy child” were lacking, she said. . .
Friday, July 28th, 2006
A penny saved is a penny earned, but guest Jeff Gore’s organization says screw the penny! Guest Joe Johnson went to Iraq to avenge the death of his son by killing some muslims, but had a change of heart and the Mayor is addicted to Listerine Pocket Packs! All this and more on a “minty” fresh John and Ken Show. Saturdays 3-5 p.m.
With two teenage daughters at home and triplets still in diapers, Angela Magdaleno’s family overflowed from a one-bedroom apartment in South Los Angeles that they strained to afford.
Diapers had to be changed 15 times a day, feedings held every three hours. One triplet, 3-year-old Alfredo Jr., needed special attention because he was born with liquid on his brain and partially paralyzed.
Even simple events — like going to the store — required complex orchestration.
And that was before the quadruplets arrived. . .
Runnion sees child-safety act signed
WASHINGTON – Clutching a school photograph of her murdered daughter, Erin Runnion sat in the Rose Garden today and watched as President Bush signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 into law.
“I love this bill,” Runnion said in an interview afterward, holding back tears. “I really am so excited that it really got done, and that it was done well.”
Runnion’s 5-year-old daughter, Samantha, was kidnapped in July 2002 as she was playing outside her home in Stanton. She was then sexually assaulted and killed. Wednesday would have been her 10th birthday. . .
Erin Runnion will be on the show at 5:00
WASHINGTON – Clutching a school photograph of her slain daughter, Erin Runnion sat in the Rose Garden on Thursday and watched as President Bush signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 into law.
“Our society has a duty to protect our children from exploitation and danger,” Bush said before signing the bill. “By enacting this law, we’re sending a clear message across the country: Those who prey on our children will be caught, prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. . .
Bush, Blair call for Mideast cease-fire
WASHINGTON (CNN)—President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced Friday their support for a U.N. cease-fire resolution to end the Mideast crisis and a multinational force to stabilize southern Lebanon.
The leaders said the force would help Lebanese troops take control of the south, where the Hezbollah militia is firing rockets into Israel and Israeli soldiers are striking Hezbollah positions.
“We want a Lebanon free of militias and foreign interference, and a Lebanon that governs its own destiny,” Bush told reporters after meeting with Blair at the White House. . .
The problem, my friend, is blowin’ ...
During the past half century, a handful of inventions have reshaped American life. Topping the list are television, passenger jets, computers and—humming in the background—air conditioning.
To step from a sizzling parking lot into a cool, low-humidity shopping mall is to enjoy a degree of instantaneous relief and pleasure available through few other legal means. But this nation’s addiction to air conditioning, like all addictions, is costly.
Air conditioning accounts for 16 percent of the average U.S. household’s electricity consumption, the Energy Department says—the same as all lighting, music systems, televisions, videotape and DVD players, desktop computers and printers combined. Usage peaks in summer, forcing utilities to build generating capacity that sits idle much of the year. . .
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
When I thought about this movie a bit after I saw it, I realized it’s sort of an adult version of “National Lampoon’s Vacation”, the hit movie from about twenty-five years ago starring Chevy Chase. As in that movie, you have a loser Dad, a well-meaning Mom, a disconnected teenage son, a bouncy daughter and an elderly relative off on a “road trip”. In this version, the elderly relative is now a nutty Grandpa and not a nutty aunt, and they’ve added a gay uncle. I say this because I loved the original “National Lampoon’s Vacation” movie, and I love this weird take on the same concept. This is a movie that has a few sight gags and some physical comedy, but much of the focus is not on what people do, it’s what they say. (more…)
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
Poll says 70% of Californians want immigration reform
A majority of California voters considers illegal immigration a very serious issue, and 70 percent want Congress to pass an immigration overhaul bill this year, according to a Field Poll released today.
The statewide survey of 494 registered voters reached findings very similar to those in a national poll released Tuesday by the Tarrance Group and Lake Research Partners. That poll found that 71 percent of likely U.S. voters favor a comprehensive plan similar to a bill passed by the Senate in May.
“This is a very hot issue, a very emotional issue,” said Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo. “What has emerged is a consensus that this should be dealt with in a comprehensive way. Congress should attempt to not only address border security but guest workers and a path to citizenship. ... I was expecting more division, especially among Republicans and conservatives. . .
Muslims fret over FBI’s Hizbullah probe
Leaders of American Muslim and Arab groups urged the FBI on Wednesday to be sensitive when scrutinizing activities by the Hizbullah on US soil.
Twenty-five groups, including the Islamic Society of North America and the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, urged FBI Director Robert Mueller in a letter to instruct field offices and agents to avoid unwarranted profiling and to respect legal protections during questioning.
“We want the FBI, obviously, to protect our nation from those who do us harm, but we want them to focus on actual credible evidence of wrongdoing and not target people based on their ethnicity or religion or political expression,” said Farhana Khera, head of Muslim Advocates, the lead drafter of the letter. . .
Defense witness says girl fell off RPV cliff
It was a case of dueling expert witnesses Wednesday at the murder trial of a former South Bay resident accused of throwing his 4-year-old daughter off a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff six years ago.
On the opening day of the defense’s case in Torrance Superior Court, an expert in biomechanics testified that Lauren Key’s injuries were consistent with those caused by multiple impacts arising from an accidental fall from the 122-foot-high cliff at Inspiration Point.
Prosecutors had previously produced an expert witness who concluded that her injuries were in line with those stemming from a single, violent impact. That was more likely to have occurred had 44-year-old Cameron Brown hurled his daughter to her death, prosecutors had argued. . .
Riverside Woman Recalls Bradford
Tina Teets remembers Bill Bradford from her days as a young woman on the Westside.
She was in her early 20s and modeled for photographers and entered bikini contests at car shows.
Bradford was one of several photographers who frequented the car show. She agreed to model for Bradford and several other photographers at several shows.
One of those shots became Photo #8. . .
Tina Teets will be on the show at 4:30
L.A. Puts Affordable Housing Bond on Ballot
In a move widely supported by housing advocates and the business community, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to place a $1-billion affordable-housing bond measure on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The measure, if approved by two-thirds of city voters, would provide $750 million in grants and loans for developers to build affordable rental units and an additional $250 million for a loan program to help some workers in the city buy their first homes.
Property owners in Los Angeles would see their annual real estate taxes increase by an average of $14.66 for every $100,000 of assessed value for a duration of 20 years. For example, the owner of a home assessed at $300,000 would probably see an increase of $44 annually. . .
Wednesday, July 26th, 2006
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks you’re prejudiced for wanting to stop the illegal alien invasion. Call him and tell him to stop dodging the issue!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Los Angeles Office
300 South Spring Street
Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-897-0322
Fax: 213-897-0319
Riverside Office
3737 Main Street #201
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-680-6860
Fax: 951-680-6863
San Diego Office
1350 Front Street
Suite 6054
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-525-4641
Fax: 619-525-4640
DWP admits its system is a lemon
The Department of Water and Power has failed to invest enough in a modern power system, creating the potential for wider outages and failures as record heat stresses a now-inadequate distribution system, utility officials admitted Tuesday.
While DWP officials had blamed triple-digit temperatures and aging transformers for outages that left 16,000 San Fernando Valley households without power on Monday, they acknowledged the problem had worsened by Tuesday and could spread even further.
The admission was among the first indications of potentially sweeping problems at the nation’s second-largest utility, which has long touted its reliability and surplus power supplies, even as it spent tens of millions of dollars on union salaries, public-relations contracts and other perks. . .
Mood on illegal immigration surprises governor
He also backs away from previous support of Prop. 187
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger—a day after expressing the view that his past support of Proposition 187 was “the wrong decision”—said Tuesday he has been surprised at the anger and “intensity of prejudice’’ he has sometimes encountered among voters on the issue of illegal immigration as he campaigns statewide.
But the governor also said he recognizes the attitudes may stem from the deep frustration of many Californians on the issue, saying “people are angry … they feel nothing is being done.’’
The statements came a day after Schwarzenegger told the Spanish-language La Opinion’s editorial board that his past support of Prop. 187, the controversial anti-illegal immigration measure passed by voters in 1994, was “the wrong decision. . .
Israel Faces Fierce Resistance From Hezbollah
AVIVIM, Israel—At least eight Israeli soldiers were killed and nearly two dozen wounded as Israeli troops today battled Hezbollah guerrillas for control of a strategic Lebanese border town and its environs.
The number of casualties in close-quarter ground fighting with Hezbollah was the highest daily toll in years, and fueled the ongoing debate in Israel about the army’s tactics against a determined, heavily armed and deeply entrenched guerrilla force in southern Lebanon.
At nightfall, the Israeli army confirmed the eight deaths and reported four other casualties, using language that suggested there might be at least one additional death. Arab-language media had earlier reported 14 Israelis killed in two engagements. . .
No carbs. Just fish or chicken. And keep a takeout box handy in case he has to rush. Tea, please (green, with four packets of Splenda). Water (bottled, preferably room temperature.) And never leave his sight.
In the year since he became mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa has undergone a transformation from garden-variety public official to something approaching a rock star, drawing crowds wherever he goes.
And attending to L.A.’s celebrity mayor — according to a confidential memo — is no small endeavor.
It’s up to a swarm of harried aides to keep the boss hydrated and happy, primped and pampered, ensuring that he has clean hands and fresh breath (he gobbles Listerine strips by the pack). . .
Brown’s lawyer challenges expert witness; prosecution rests case
The prosecution rested its case Tuesday in the murder trial of a man accused of throwing his 4-year-old daughter off a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff after defense attorneys spent the afternoon attempting to discredit the conclusions of a key witness.
Celebrity Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos, known for his unsuccessful defense of convicted wife murderer Scott Peterson, tried to inject doubt into jurors’ minds regarding the testimony of Wilson Hayes, an expert in the biomechanics of falls. . .
They are all-American young women, blondes, brunettes and redheads with feathered “Farrah Fawcett” hairdos, the kind of women who show up in Beach Boys songs.
From the 1970s to mid- 1980s, the women, many aspiring models, shared two things in common: They all had their photos taken by convicted double-murderer William Richard Bradford and they’re all unaccounted for.
“We always believed that Bradford was good for more murders,” said former Deputy District Attorney David Conn, whose prosecution put the amateur photographer on California’s death row in 1987 for the killings and mutilations of two young women. “The question is ‘How many more . . .
