Angelides brings Iraq into play

In interviews with the Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee, Democratic gubernatorial challenger Phil Angelides has announced that he will push to remove California's National Guard from Iraq if elected (See stories here and here).

My first response is that it sounds an awful lot like something Democrat Chris Lehane suggested a month ago here.

Here's what Lehane, who has been quoted in several newspapers in the last few days bemoaning Phil's chances, had to say:

Angelides needs a game-changer–a big play that will change the direction of this campaign. And the play here is to connect Arnold to the fundamental issue of our times–the War in Iraq–and give voters the opportunity to use their 2006 gubernatorial vote as a way to express their opposition (or support) for the war.

How is this possible given that this is a race for the governorship of California and not the presidency or Congress?

Imagine, for a moment, if Angelides were to make public that he has bought five minutes of statewide primetime TV to make a major announcement about what he will do as governor on the single most important issue confronting California and the country–the War In Iraq.

Lehane even wrote a sample speech. Lehane continues:

Here in the deep Blue–so blue it is indigo–state of California, this proclamation would be a classic example of the right policy translating into good politics. The war is extremely unpopular in California across the spectrum–even with Republicans (surveys show two-thirds of Californians disapprove of Bush’s handling of the war). The announcement would generate enormous free media attention and would change the nature of the campaign from a discussion about taxes–a sure loser–to a discussion about Iraq–a sure winner. And this lightening strike would give Angelides the opportunity to seize the offensive and put pressure on Arnold.

The Angelides campaign’s game plan is to expose Schwarzenegger as a man without values–a pol without a soul. What better way to drive this message than forcing Arnold to take a position where there is no room for triangulation. Arnold will either have to disavow his words of support for Bush and Iraq ("I think he (Bush) is doing a great job. I supported the war in Iraq"; defending the war "as the right thing to do"), and thus be opened up like a soft-boiled peanut (to quote former Senator Bob Kerrey) on the central values issue of the day, or oppose the removal of the Guard and take a position that could be the defining issue of the campaign.

Lehane's hopes aside,the immediate response has been that Angelides is on tenuous legal grounds, without the authority to order such a withdrawal. And that such an announcement--made six weeks before Election Day--has an air of a candidacy in decline.

If Angelides hopes is to rally the base (as strategist Bill Carrick suggests in the Times piece), it could be succesful. Lefty blogger Randy Bayne gives a rave review

True, the Governor is powerless to actually bring home our California troops, but he can ask, and he can challenge the President on the issue. It is this challenge that shows true leadership and a willingness to stand up for California. As he has done since the beginning, Angelides continues to spotlight Schwarzengger's support for George Bush and his destructive policies.

Angelides is scheduled to appear at anti-war events on both Tuesday and Thursday this week.

City Blog Update

CD 13 has two new posts. One post let's us know that the trip to Beirut for the Sister City delegation was a success. The other post has pictures of the CD 13 Dragon boat team training before the big day.

Bill Rosendahl lets us know that Alternative LA , made him one of the areas hottest politicians, all very liberal nominees of course.

Janice Hahn Tells us another story about Banning High School and how she was able to raise over 52,000 dollars for their footbal uniforms and equipment. Boy!!!

Congress of Neighborhoods

Jose Huizar

Eric Garcetti , Janice Hahn, ANtonio Villaraigosa , Wendy Gruel, Bernard Parks

The Congress of Neighborhoods was not all what I expected this year. There was a sense of displeasure with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment that just permeated the Convention Center Downtown.

AS I walked around the large room of the convention center , I took many photos and ran into many people who more recognized me than I them.. But I got a taste that the Downtown Los Angeles NEighborhood COuncil was not the only council upset with Done.

We got to listen to the mayor speak about how he was going to make sure we were all involved in picking the next DONE General Manger as he showed off "one of ours" , that was selected as Fire Commissioner. But I liked his speech especially when he said he likes people coming together..

Greg Nelson

The question is ..... Is the neighborhoood council movement still viable?

I mean after attending the first session on the new elections procedures in which I was in a room full of Neighbohrood Council Leaders from all over the city that were not happy that their Elections have been held up and postponed for some time ;these folks were not very happy. The feeling was that somehow having one Independant Elections Administrator who was making tons of money may be the problem for the delays. Not many people were happy with a guy named MArtinez and questioned his ability to give advice to neighbohroods on how to run a Neighborhood Council election Since he never has run a Neighborhood COuncil election. The accusations were accusations that DONE has become nothing but a bunch of bureacrats with bureacratic delays.

My biggest question is what is the New Neighbohood Congress that the leaders of NEighborhood Councils putting together , what is it all about , and what are they trying to do with it?We shall see...

One thing I did learn is that a lot of these NEighborhood Councils do not have a committee system set up the way Downtown Neighborhood Council does. The questions over how to do outreach for elections involved questions such as where to get the money. These councils sound so top heavy that these councils aren't able to spend part of the 50,000 dollars on their elections outreach .

ODD NEWS : Blogger exchanges a red paper clip for a house in CANADA

One year ago, a 26-year-old blogger from Montreal set out to barter one red paper clip for something and that thing for something else, over and over again until he had a house.

The quest is ending as envisioned: Kyle MacDonald is due to become the proud owner of a three-bedroom home provided by the town of Kipling, Saskatchewan, in Canada. MacDonald and his girlfriend, Dominique Dupuis, expect to move there in early September.



"This is such a cool community project. It feels right," MacDonald said. "And now that I think about it, I can't believe that another small town didn't think of it. It will literally put them on the map."

What's in it for the town? The answer requires a quick MacDonald recap, featuring a menagerie of friendly folk, radio talk show hosts and aging celebrities, all bound together by the internet.

It began when MacDonald, an aspiring writer, doer of odd jobs and apartment dweller, advertised in the barter section of the Craigslist website that he wanted something bigger or better for one red paper clip. He traded it for a fish-shaped pen, and posted on Craigslist again and again.

Roaming Canada and the United States, he exchanged the pen for a ceramic knob, and in turn: a camping stove, a generator, a beer keg and Budweiser sign, a snowmobile, a trip to the Canadian Rockies, a supply truck and a recording contract. Next, in April, he got himself really close, obtaining a year's rent in Phoenix.

His adventure became an internet blockbuster. He did Canadian and Japanese TV and Good Morning America. He made dozens of local radio appearances - one of which, in Los Angeles, was heard by a man who ended up as a pivotal figure.

That man is Corbin Bernsen. You may remember him from his roles in L.A. Law and Major League.

Hip to the publicity-generating machine that is Kyle MacDonald, Bernsen contacted him to say he was writing and directing a movie and would offer a paid speaking role as an item available for trade.

MacDonald was thrilled. But he feared the integrity of his journey would be compromised if he accepted the role without trading Bernsen something he really could use. Say what you want about Major League 3 but Bernsen has done well enough that he doesn't need a free apartment in Phoenix.

So MacDonald kept Bernsen's offer off his blog, but plowed ahead with an eye to finding something Bernsen would legitimately want.

tags : Blogger exchanges a red paper clip for house in CANADA

June - goodtimes

Yet another month passed by. My bad.
In early June, Pk and I checked out an internet marketing seminar in Los Angeles. It was a three day seminar. Didn't actually get to see the city other than the trip from the airport to the hotel and back.
A week later, Pk and I went on a whirlwind 10 day trip back to Ontario to visit family and friends. Flew into the swealtering humidity on the red eye Saturday morning. Drove to k-town to see my family and friends. It was great to see everyone Saturday night. Monday afternoon pk and I took a drive to Elora for lunch and headed to Collingwood to see Pk's mom. Enjoyed a few relaxing day. Went to the beach. Visited Paul's family and headed to Toronto for more visiting. It was great to finally meet Paul's dad who flew in from Newfoundland for the wknd. While in Toronto I decided to chop off the locks again. Much lighter and easier to deal with.
It was an excellent week. Went by much too fast. Next time we will see you all for longer.
Here are some pics from the trip.

New blogger may be coming to Central City East blogger

I met a nice lady tonite at the kareoke at immanuel Church on 6th and San Pedro. This woman may be starting a blog of her own or may be writing here on this blog soon.

We shall see.

Good news. This woman lives in the Yankee HOtel which is on the corner of 7th and San Julian . She has some intersting things to say and write about.

New blogger may be coming to Central City East blogger

I met a nice lady tonite at the kareoke at immanuel Church on 6th and San Pedro. This woman may be starting a blog of her own or may be writing here on this blog soon.

We shall see.

Good news. This woman lives in the Yankee HOtel which is on the corner of 7th and San Julian . She has some intersting things to say and write about.

Cosplay

The Anime Expo 2006 was held last week at the Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles. This event brings out Cosplay participants in droves. You can go check out the pics, but here's some that caught my eye:
















I'm just out of it on recognizing cartoon or video game characters, so I don't know who this woman is supposed to be. A number of people had these huge swords as props; swords so huge that in real life no normal man or woman could effectively wield, let alone pick up.












A sign that American society is becoming more integrated, when you have fans of all colors at these shows.
















I used to think only naive Japanese women flashed a "peace" sign while taking a photo, but now this dumb trend has crossed over to America. When I see a picture of a black woman doing this, we will have achieved a colorblind society.












A sign of the coming Apocalypse. Who is this guy anyway, Mini Mouse? Disney needs to copywrite him to cease and desist.












A bunch of guys show up wearing the same costume and get together for a friendly group shot. You know when one of these guys first ran into another with the same costume he said "Cool costume dude!" I don't think you would have a same situation with women.
















Still in the original packaging!
















Who is this? Fancy Suit Man? I don't care if that is a large violin case next to him, he aint a mobster.
















One thing to be said for Cosplay, only the truly physically fit should practice it.

Misc cool stuff.

I really have only miscellaneous thoughts and photos today about disconnected subjects, so here goes. I was in my favorite clothing store in Kona the other day trying on clothes. No I don't need any more clothes, but it costs nothing to try them on, right? And I won't tell you whether I bought any or not. But the point of this story is that in the dressing room was hanging this cool poster. If you can't read it, it says, 'MOLOKAI TO OAHU PADDLEBOARD RACE JULY 30 2006 32 MILES," and I just thought it was so nifty, that I begged them to sell it to me. And they said they would GIVE me the poster, if I bought something... which, OK, I made the sacrifice and did! It's going to look neat framed. I like my new outfits and my poster. I have two free posters now that need custom frames. How much is THAT going to cost?

And speaking of Oahu, a friend of mine took these shots from a high rise last night! Gorgeous views of Honolulu.





Poll results: What would you like to see more of on Wireless Lanai?



Oh c'mon!! Clever little lists got the most votes? And I see James Blunt picked up a vote. OK... more clever little lists. I can do that.

Lastly, here's a quiz for you...this is a photo take in Los Angeles March 7, 1955. What do you think is lighting up the night sky in the photo? Answer in the comments.