Good old Tony Villar - working hard for Los Angeles (San Bernardino: how much, transfer)

[majoun]

Originally Posted by californio sur

There are some odd events like Upton Sinclair [noted novelist] who ran for governor of California as a socialist while living in Los Angeles in 1920's. The "Hollywood Blacklist" of communist sympathizers in the 1950's. Tom Bradley was the 1st black mayor of a major U.S. for 20 yrs.

I wasn't referring to Sinclair. I was referring more to guys like William Gibbs McAdoo, the son in law of Woodrow Wilson, one of the richest and most influential attorneys in 1920s Los Angeles, a pillar of the old "Committee of 100" (the elites that effectively controlled L.A. business and politics in the era when the old charter was written), and a Democratic US Senator from California as well as being on the Fed board.

William Gibbs McAdoo was originally from Marietta, Georgia, and had the attitudes of Georgia. Now, what was the Democratic Party like in Georgia in the early 20th century? I think you know the answer to this one. Particularly considering he had no problems with accepting the endorsement of guys in funny white sheets and hoods when he ran for office.

The old elites contained some Democrats as well as Republicans, but those Democrats weren't exactly liberal. They were wealthy businessmen just like their GOP counterparts who happened to come from states which were strongly Dem like Texas and the South. They did unite with the GOP elites in order to keep power in their own hands, and prevent any independent force from challenging their own political power. Even after they no longer ethnically reflected the city, and even when they lost economic power, they still managed to hold on to political power longer than anything else. A strong mayor had the potential to develop his own power base that would threaten them. It was easier for them to make the mayor weak and the city council strong. And they were able to sell it to the public out of a widespread antipathy to the Eastern cities and to San Francisco. They did delegate the courts and the DA's office to white (mostly Irish and German) Catholics as they realized they could no longer get away with politically isolating non-Protestant whites, but otherwise didn't play ethnic politics like other cities. (They didn't delegate the LAPD to the Irish, IMO was a mistake- L.A. would have been a better place if it had the "Irish cop" tradition, like SF and the eastern and midwestern cities.)

[DontH8Me]

[mod cut: in response to deleted posts/comments]

The point of my thread is that our mayor is booking trips to places that have no justification to his role as mayor of our city, and especially worthy of noting since we are currently experiencing a budget crisis. Did Mayor Bradley regularly find justification to book flights to Europe, Iceland, South Africa, etc.? It seemed to me that Bradley was always to be found around the city he loved and represented with honor and dignity. Villar is only around if there is a camera and TV crews.

[californio sur]

Originally Posted by DontH8Me

Everyone that you disagree with does not = republican. Does it bother you that I am not a republican? Does it bother you that I am not frustrated? Something about me bothers you - that is the one thing I am certain of.

The point of my thread is that our mayor is booking trips to places that have no justification to his role as mayor of our city, and especially worthy of noting since we are currently experiencing a budget crisis. Did Mayor Bradley regularly find justification to book flights to Europe, Iceland, South Africa, etc.? It seemed to me that Bradley was always to be found around the city he loved and represented with honor and dignity. Villar is only around if there is a camera and TV crews.

Sorry it is unfair to assume anyone who criticizes Villaraigosa is not a Democrat. It just seem that the only posters who attack him unrelentingly are Republicans but that is not necessarily true as you point out.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by SoCal35

Visit a Library: More racist diabtribes from a guy/girl who claims to visit libraries and to use "reason"....Please buddy get over your hatred of Latinos and non-whites. Trust me, I am one of your "white" brothers...it's really not hard if you try!

The Voice of Reason Network is a right-wing Russian Orthodox Christian network which is very anti-Semitic and anti-American. Its political views are similar to those of Pravda (now Russian Nationalist, not Communist, although run by the same people) I quizzed "Visit a Library" if that was the Voice of Reason Network he was referring to - while he never responded to me he did admit in another post that it was.

I have had issues with Tony for being a "celebrity-politician" more interested in living a celeb lifestyle than governing (although he seems to be making an actual effort to tackle the budget crisis now, albeit belatedly and probably because his own political future depends on it) but I do give credit when credit is due (and I don't deny he's a pretty nice guy having met him. I've met all the L.A. Mayors of my lifetime except for Yorty and Hahn.)

In a post I made regarding Pasadena's changing demographics you wrote:
"That's somewhat troubling. In just a few years, Whites will probably be only a plurality, then eventually a minority."

Assuredly Pasadena will be just fine barring some major catastrophe happening.

Got news for you: The planet is mostly non-white...get used to it!!!!

If we colonzie the moon...how about we send you out there so you can be all by your pathetic self.

Or just send him (back?) to Russia where his views are more accepted and popular.

[SoCal35]

Thanks Majoun.

Yes, and to be clear, I do NOT associate Visit a Library's nonsense views with the OP's who was clearly upset with Villaraigosa based on merit, not race/ethnicity, even I don't fully agree with the merits of that criticism.

[BlackShoe]

Originally Posted by Visit a Library

Business as usual for Slick Tony. It's too bad he can't travel to some place that specializes in tattoo removal so he can have those gang tattoos removed from his forearms.

After he gets that task taken care of, perhaps he will then remove his MEChA membership card from his wallet and destroy it, along with its ideology. So far, Tony V. would seem to have had a problem losing those old beliefs. When he finally gets squared away, and he is done being mayor, he will then be free to pursue an acting career, something that he has always wanted, and seems to be suited for.

[californio sur]

Some people fail to understand that Los Angeles is the celebrity capital of the world. Villaraigosa is in People magazine\ etc because celebrities make great contributions to LA. Nearly all are liberals interested in helping the community. They are an excellent resource that most cities lack [make that nearly all cities outside NYC & Los Angeles]. So much of the dislike of Villaraigosa is overt jealousy & barely concealed racism. Villaraigosa is a good fit for LA

[uptown_urbanist]

Please try to keep this on-topic, or at least avoid the personal attacks (or what could be perceived as personal attacks); if you see something that crosses the line into violation of the TOS then please report it.

[SoCal35]

Ok, back squarely on the topic. I am old enough to remember these same charges (too much travel on the public purse) placed on the much beloved Tom Bradley. See this link from 1990.

Bradley to Visit Mexico; 5th Foreign Trip This Year - Los Angeles Times

I think the biggest issue here is how inconsequential the power of the Mayor of LA is as compared to other big cities...be in NYC or Chicago.

As has been noted, the LA Mayr has MINIMAL power to influence the schools. And let's remember that May (Republican) Richard Riordan tried to put his stamp on the public schools and failed...just like Villaraigosa. Give them both credit for trying.

[SoCal35]

Originally Posted by bhcompy

1) How a rail to nowhere gets built a millions a mile while job centers on the westside and the South Bay(except a new bus line, wow!) remain untouched?

2) How the LA controlled Harbor Gateway remains one of the worst areas in the South Bay?

3)How the SFV keeps trying to break off from the city because of the terrible fiscal, economic, and social policies?

4) If all you measure a mayor on is public transport, you're head is in the sand.

1) Not sure what rail line to nowhere you are referring to...can you elaborate?

2) Villaraigosa has remained steadfast in keeping LAPD staffing levels up...despite the biggest recession in 50 plus years. The falling crime rates are the biggest public policy success in LA over the past 15 years. There are MANY reasons for that decline but at least T.V. is wisely keeping those policies in place and the drop in crime continues, despite the recession.

3) The SFV secession is old news...I grew up there. They ALWAYS complain...and have been since the 1950's and 1960's. That movement peaked when Hahn was in office....when times were relatively good.

4) Public transit is just ONE measure but it's an IMPORTANT one. T.V. is showing leadership here. If he gets the 30/10 plan moving...it will be a BIG deal. I saw him on CSPAN when he was in Washington, D.C. testifying to congress. That was a GOOD use of public funds!!