Bright Hall http://brighthall.aol.com Bright Hall http://brighthall.aol.com/media/feedlogo.gif Bright Hall http://brighthall.aol.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/CA Democrat Kicked Out of Capitolhttp://brighthall.aol.com/2008/08/19/ca-democrat-kicked-out-of-capitol/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/08/19/ca-democrat-kicked-out-of-capitol/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/08/19/ca-democrat-kicked-out-of-capitol/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

California State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has a mess on her hands, and she's taking it out on Nicole Parra.

Parra, a moderate Democrat in the left-leaning Assembly, told Speaker Bass in July she wouldn't support the state budget until the Assembly passed water bond legislation, ensuring water supplies for the agriculture-dependent Central Valley. (Full disclosure: I interned in Parra's district office in summer 2006, having lived in the area for 18 years.)

The state budget is now 50 days late, as legislators argue over how to close a $15.2 billion deficit. As is the norm, Republicans want to cut spending, and Democrats want to raise taxes. Nobody wants to compromise.

But when Parra followed through Sunday on her threat, abstaining on a state budget vote which failed by nine votes (a two-thirds majority is required), Bass flexed her own political muscle: She evicted Parra from the State Capitol, to an office across the street. She gave Parra's office a few hours to pack.

Parra said she had expected some retribution for bucking her party. But typically, an unruly lawmaker is sent to a smaller, cramped office space, not kicked out of the building entirely. Parra is now the only state legislator without an office in the Capitol.

Because she isn't running for re-election in November, having served the maximum three terms in the Assembly, Parra's punishment can't last for too long.

But Parra has always put the needs of her district and the Central Valley ahead of her own political interests. Water supply is a serious concern for farming communities (and the world they feed), and it always takes political muscle to get the job done. Parra's principled stand was clearly one of those moments when she decided to stand up and fight on the issue.

I can't say I agree with her ultimatum. We need a budget passed, and we need it now. But it makes me proud to see her courage in the face of immense political pressure. (Parra has previously all but endorsed a worthy Republican to take her seat, also infuriating party colleagues.)

The larger issue is about the principle of party discipline. Party leaders want legislators to do their bidding on almost every vote, but legislators need some freedom to vote according to their own integrity and their own district. The sad fact is, this is enforced successfully by restricting party funds and leadership positions to those who "follow the rules." Voters deserve better.

See also:
In a fantastic op-ed, the Fresno Bee recommends Bass spend more time trying to get the other party to agree on a budget. "Bass should toss the entire Assembly out of the Capitol if she wants to punish people who have failed Californians," the Bee writes.

"But if Republicans can vote against the budget because of their opposition to tax increases, Parra surely can abstain on the budget because she thinks her constituents deserve a solution to the water crisis.

"Bass' reaction to Parra revealed more about her weaknesses as speaker than it did about the Hanford Democrat not being a team player."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Joshua Sharp2008-08-19T03:16:00+00:00'Peace' Protesters Get Violent Outside McCain-Obama Forumhttp://brighthall.aol.com/2008/08/17/peace-protesters-get-violent-outside-saddleback/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/08/17/peace-protesters-get-violent-outside-saddleback/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/08/17/peace-protesters-get-violent-outside-saddleback/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disclaimer: This author is a volunteer supporter of John McCain for President. Views expressed here are his own and do not speak for any candidate or candidate group.

What a day.

I caught a ride down to Lake Forest, California, today to join a pro-McCain rally outside Saddleback Church's Joint Forum with John McCain and Barack Obama.

I've never joined a rally or protest before, so I was a little overwhelmed by the hundreds of people gathered on the sidewalks outside the church -- not just the large delegation of McCain supporters, but others holding signs for Barack Obama, Bob Barr, and Ron Paul; anti-abortion activists holding graphic pictures of small fetuses; and advocacy groups ranging from anti-illegal immigrant groups to peace groups like Code Pink and A.N.S.W.E.R.

We had spent some of our early time establishing a presence on the intersection where McCain's motorcade was going to enter, on the side of the church. Only a few Ron Paul people were there, and I just ignored their loud rants about the Federal Reserve and the Iraq War. I came in knowing there would be a few crazies around.

But I didn't expect the "peace" groups to get violent...

We went to the front of the church, where most of the protesters had assembled. It was largely peaceful, as groups lobbed chants back and forth and waved signs. Bob Barr's people were insulted he wasn't invited, Ron Paul's people said they support the Constitution, and Barack Obama's people just kinda stood there.

It was definitely a mix. Some were just everyday folk supporting their candidate; others were wild-eyed nutcases I wouldn't trust with a toothbrush.

When we crossed the intersection toward the least-populated spot, where A.N.S.W.E.R. and other peacenik groups were gathered, the protesters locked arms and tried to block us from stepping onto the sidewalk. When police yelled for everybody to get off the street and onto the sidewalk, and we filed into the open spaces of concrete we could find, the peaceniks went ballistic.

"This is our sidewalk!" yelled a lady behind me, pushing people out of the way.

"What do you mean, 'this is our sidewalk'?" somebody asked. "I pay taxes, too."

The lady and a few other peaceniks started ripping our signs, pushing more and yelling about the war. Some older guy was yelling in my face, and as many times as I tried to ask him to calm down and let us stand there, he wouldn't have any of it. I then looked over and saw one of the more aggressive pacifists shove our smallest supporter, so I stepped between them. All I got was a hard shove into the street.

Nice to know they support First Amendment rights.

Eventually the police said they couldn't guarantee our safety, and escorted us back across the street, where we loaded onto a bus and waved signs from there, on our way back to the side entrance, where McCain's motorcade was soon expected to arrive.

And then, waving signs and chanting, we saw McCain's motorcade pass by as he entered Saddleback Church. One of the other supporters saw him waving through the glass, and Cindy, too.

What a day. Two observations:

(1) I'm glad I went.
(2) I worry that some of the crazy, unstable people actually vote while cooler heads stay at home on Election Day. I'd like to think the people voting for the other guy are at least rational.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Joshua Sharp2008-08-17T00:22:00+00:00Meeting John McCainhttp://brighthall.aol.com/2008/07/28/meeting-john-mccain/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/07/28/meeting-john-mccain/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/07/28/meeting-john-mccain/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

De-brief from John McCain's fundraising luncheon in Bakersfield, CA, today:

The $1,000-a-plate event was packed with nearly 400 people and included a number of local dignitaries, including Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), one of the event hosts. Some seats went for up to $2,300 per person, and organizers announced it was the single largest fund-raising event in Bakersfield for a presidential candidate. (A family friend paid for my seat, unsolicited.)

The event started about an hour late, but that was quickly forgotten. Cindy McCain spoke for a few minutes about her husband's sacrifices as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, citing his later actions in Congress to normalize relations with the country as an example of ultimate forgiveness and compassion. She then introduced her husband, who addressed the room for about 20-30 minutes, focusing largely on energy policy and Iraq.

He repeated some of his stump speech, adding a few extra jokes with local appeal. He brought up the surge, noting that even when it was politically unpopular to call for 30,000 additional troops, he put "country first" and risked his presidential campaign's chances. He did not repeat his recent criticism of Obama being willing to lose a war in order to win a campaign. Actually, McCain didn't mention Sen. Obama until at least halfway through the speech, and not often after that. Besides general criticism for Obama's opposition to the surge, McCain challenged Obama's opposition to a comprehensive energy production platform which includes nuclear power and offshore drilling. On energy policy, Obama is "Dr. No," McCain said.



But McCain largely focused on his own proposals, including off-shore drilling at states' discretion, nuclear power, and a gas-tax holiday "to help the lowest-income Americans." New domestic drilling could impact the market in a few years, if not months, McCain said, by linking new production to existing infrastructure.

He also said he would compete for California in the fall. The remarks were well-received, and McCain earned long standing ovations both before and after his speech.

Afterwards, a guest commented, "He looks much more impressive in person than on TV," which is probably true for most politicians. McCain spoke passionately, had a clear command of local facts, and avoided reading notes for most of the event.

He also promised, from the very beginning, that he would try to shake every guest's hand after the event, in appreciation of their time and support. True to his word, Sen. McCain spent about 15 minutes walking around every table, shaking almost everybody's hand and thanking them for coming.

When it came my turn, I quickly said, "Thank you," shook his hand, and in a second, he was gone. What more can you say to a man who's served his country his entire adult life?

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Joshua Sharp2008-07-28T21:26:00+00:00Intrigue in the Beer World May Hurt St. Louishttp://brighthall.aol.com/2008/06/16/intrigue-in-the-beer-world-may-hurt-st-louis/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/06/16/intrigue-in-the-beer-world-may-hurt-st-louis/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/06/16/intrigue-in-the-beer-world-may-hurt-st-louis/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Anheuser-Busch. It is both a nationally recognized symbol of Americana and an integral part of the St. Louis economy. And if recent reports of a takeover bid by Belgium-based brewer InBev prove correct, it could soon be neither.

In the last several weeks reports have surfaced that InBev is looking to enact a hostile takeover of Anheuser-Busch; the widely circulated price has been $46 billion, or $65 a share - considerably more than the market value of $56 a share when reports of the deal first began to circulate; Anheuser-Busch closed $60.53 a share today.

The 150-year old company, maker of Budweiser, Busch and more than 100 other beers, is doing all that it can to prevent the takeover and to keep control of the company in St. Louis.

Over the weekend, word got out that Anheuser-Busch is looking to merge with Grupo Modelo, maker of the Corona brand of beers, in an attempt to make the unified company too expensive for InBev. InBev did not take kindly to the rumor of a Grupo Modelo merger, with CEO Carlos Brito remarking that such a deal would have "adverse consequences" for the generous $65 a share offer.

On other fronts, earlier today Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt called for the Federal Trade Commission to review InBev's offer citing fears that such a combined company would create a virtual beer monopoly and that it would have a significant impact on the Missouri and St. Louis economy.

Anheuser-Busch holds nearly 49 percent share of U.S. beer sales making it the leading domestic producer of beer.

In St. Louis, the company donates significantly, with the home of the Cardinals, the Washington University School of Law and more bearing the company's name.

Though it is not clear what would happen should Anheuser-Busch be bought out, it is likely that such a deal would significantly impact the St. Louis economy because InBev has a reputation for cost cutting.

If Anheuser-Busch were bought out, it would be one more in a series of blows to the local economy that has seen major companies like A.G. Edwards, Pulitzer Inc. and May Department Stores bought out by out-of-town corporations.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>anheuser buschanheuser-buschAnheuserBuschbeerinbevst. louisSt.LouisSam Guzik2008-06-16T18:14:00+00:00SOTP in the Name of Newshttp://brighthall.aol.com/2008/06/11/sotp-in-the-name-of-news/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/06/11/sotp-in-the-name-of-news/http://brighthall.aol.com/2008/06/11/sotp-in-the-name-of-news/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A road crew in California misspelled "Stop" when they painted it on the street. A stop sign has since been put up to clarify any confusion.

That item was under "Latest News" today on CNN.com. "SOTP," a moment straight out of a poorly written sitcom, made it to national news.

Why is it that these local news items get so big, at least on the Internet? Crowds in Mobile, Alabama, looking for a leprechaun; a seven year old in CA who stole his grandmother's car; a lady from Georgia who fell out of a bucket and onto the ground. And then made a few very odd sounds. Of course the last one is a variation on the local news item -- a routine story turned infamous when it goes awry -- but still, what do these stories have in common?
They're unusual in their outrageousness, but at the same time, there is something relatable about this stuff. Children have gone for joyrides before, but not with quite the same conviction as Latarian Milton, who managed to get back at his mom and go up in the estimation of his friend's esteem in one property-damaging swoop.

Plus, these crazy local news items come from everywhere and with YouTube and the like, they can go everywhere, too. It's the America's Funniest Home Videos mentality; we unite in poking fun at the foibles of the everyman by repeatedly watching people do ridiculous things or have ridiculous things happen to them. Not only that, but we can take an active role in our appreciation of these moments by choosing how often we watch them or adjusting what we see to focus on our favorite parts. Hence what allows people to not only watch "the grape lady" fall over and over, but to make a music video using those sounds. By the way, as far as I can tell, the music video has more views than the actual news clip.

So do we just laugh at everybody else in the comfort of our own home and hope that no one catches us doing something stupid?

Well, yeah, obviously. Thank you, information superhighway, for giving us access to such needlessly newsworthy moments.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]>Emily Lasky2008-06-11T22:13:00+00:00