Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Time has come to ban plastic grocery bags in Los Angeles - latimes.com
Time has come to ban plastic grocery bags in Los Angeles - latimes.com
The City Council on Wednesday will consider whether to ban stores in Los Angeles from offering single-use plastic carry-out bags. A ban would take some getting used to, but examples from other jurisdictions, including the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, show that it can be done and that shoppers and stores quickly adapt. A ban is the right move. The council should adopt it.
For a city with such a strong environmental ethic, Los Angeles is lagging on the plastic bag issue. It has been batting around the idea of a ban for three years as cities up and down the state acted to keep millions of the bags from being freely distributed, only to end up fouling waterways, beaches and the ocean.
The City Council on Wednesday will consider whether to ban stores in Los Angeles from offering single-use plastic carry-out bags. A ban would take some getting used to, but examples from other jurisdictions, including the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, show that it can be done and that shoppers and stores quickly adapt. A ban is the right move. The council should adopt it.
For a city with such a strong environmental ethic, Los Angeles is lagging on the plastic bag issue. It has been batting around the idea of a ban for three years as cities up and down the state acted to keep millions of the bags from being freely distributed, only to end up fouling waterways, beaches and the ocean.
Dolores Huerta's righteous ferocity - latimes.com
Disneyland, California Adventure ticket prices to rise - latimes.com
Disneyland, California Adventure ticket prices to rise - latimes.com
If you're thinking of visiting a Disney park in Anaheim this summer, be warned that the price is about to jump by between $7 and $150 depending on the ticket deal.
The annual summer price hike for tickets to Disneyland and the Disney California Adventure Park were announced Friday and take effect Sunday.
For example, a ticket for one day at either Disneyland or California Adventure had cost $80 for parkgoers who are 10 or older. The new price, starting Sunday, will be $87, up nearly 9%.
The biggest increase will hit people who buy the premium annual pass that includes parking. The pass increases to $649 on Sunday from $499 previously, or a 30% jump.
Disney officials declined to say whether the higher prices were meant to compensate for the $1.1-billion investment the theme park has made to expand and overhaul California Adventure.
If you're thinking of visiting a Disney park in Anaheim this summer, be warned that the price is about to jump by between $7 and $150 depending on the ticket deal.
The annual summer price hike for tickets to Disneyland and the Disney California Adventure Park were announced Friday and take effect Sunday.
For example, a ticket for one day at either Disneyland or California Adventure had cost $80 for parkgoers who are 10 or older. The new price, starting Sunday, will be $87, up nearly 9%.
The biggest increase will hit people who buy the premium annual pass that includes parking. The pass increases to $649 on Sunday from $499 previously, or a 30% jump.
Disney officials declined to say whether the higher prices were meant to compensate for the $1.1-billion investment the theme park has made to expand and overhaul California Adventure.
Orange County again declines to officially recognize Harvey Milk Day - latimes.com
Orange County again declines to officially recognize Harvey Milk Day - latimes.com
As cities and schools across California celebrated the 82nd birthday of slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, Orange County elected leaders remained steadfastly silent.
Activists, for the second year, asked Orange County supervisors Tuesday to recognize Milk's birthday with a proclamation, but the board declined the opportunity, as it did last year.
One of the supervisors, Janet Nguyen, walked from the board room shortly after the activists began their presentation. Last year, Nguyen also left the meeting as the activists spoke.
As cities and schools across California celebrated the 82nd birthday of slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, Orange County elected leaders remained steadfastly silent.
Activists, for the second year, asked Orange County supervisors Tuesday to recognize Milk's birthday with a proclamation, but the board declined the opportunity, as it did last year.
One of the supervisors, Janet Nguyen, walked from the board room shortly after the activists began their presentation. Last year, Nguyen also left the meeting as the activists spoke.
Friday, May 18, 2012
A Shameless Millionaire
Hundreds To Protest Carlos Slim At George Washington University Commencement Ceremony (VIDEO)
On Sunday, nearly one thousand protesters are expected to join George Washington University's (GW) students and their parents at a commencement ceremony on Washington D.C.'s National Mall to voice concerns about the honorary degree the school plans to confer on Mexican billionaire businessman Carlos Slim.
Protesters have already begun gathering in the streets around GW. Many of the demonstrators are members of "Two Countries One Voice", a coalition of activists dedicated to "exposing Carlos Slim" for amassing, "his wealth on the backs of the Mexican people and how his practices continue to corrode Mexico’s economic development
"People are in awe of this man and his wealth while ignoring how he's acquired it. He has crippled the Mexican economy through his business practices and has single handedly kept millions in poverty, all while lining his own pockets," said Andres Ramirez, a Two Countries spokesperson according to Market Watch.
On Sunday, nearly one thousand protesters are expected to join George Washington University's (GW) students and their parents at a commencement ceremony on Washington D.C.'s National Mall to voice concerns about the honorary degree the school plans to confer on Mexican billionaire businessman Carlos Slim.
Protesters have already begun gathering in the streets around GW. Many of the demonstrators are members of "Two Countries One Voice", a coalition of activists dedicated to "exposing Carlos Slim" for amassing, "his wealth on the backs of the Mexican people and how his practices continue to corrode Mexico’s economic development
"People are in awe of this man and his wealth while ignoring how he's acquired it. He has crippled the Mexican economy through his business practices and has single handedly kept millions in poverty, all while lining his own pockets," said Andres Ramirez, a Two Countries spokesperson according to Market Watch.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin may avoid $67 million on U.S. tax bill - NY Daily News
Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin may avoid $67 million on U.S. tax bill - NY Daily News
For Facebook’s co-founder, being unfriendly will really pay off.
Eduardo Saverin, 30, may avoid at least $67 million on his U.S. tax bill by renouncing his American citizenship ahead of Facebook’s massive multibillion-dollar IPO this week, Bloomberg reported.
Saverin will become a citizen of Singapore, where he has lived for the past three years.
The savings were calculated based on the 15% capital-gains tax Saverin would owe on his holdings as a U.S. citizen, as well as the increased price of Facebook’s initial public offering.
Singapore does not have a capital-gains tax.
Facebook’s IPO, already the largest ever for an Internet company, got even bigger this week. The company increased the initial stock price to as high as $38 per share, putting Facebook’s total value at more than $100 billion, more than major companies such as McDonald’s.
The public offering will put an estimated $2.89 billion in Saverin’s pocket, reported Bloomberg.
Saverin was part of a group of Harvard students who helped Mark Zuckerberg launch Facebook in 2004. Born in Brazil, he became a U.S. citizen in 1998.
For Facebook’s co-founder, being unfriendly will really pay off.
Eduardo Saverin, 30, may avoid at least $67 million on his U.S. tax bill by renouncing his American citizenship ahead of Facebook’s massive multibillion-dollar IPO this week, Bloomberg reported.
Saverin will become a citizen of Singapore, where he has lived for the past three years.
The savings were calculated based on the 15% capital-gains tax Saverin would owe on his holdings as a U.S. citizen, as well as the increased price of Facebook’s initial public offering.
Singapore does not have a capital-gains tax.
Facebook’s IPO, already the largest ever for an Internet company, got even bigger this week. The company increased the initial stock price to as high as $38 per share, putting Facebook’s total value at more than $100 billion, more than major companies such as McDonald’s.
The public offering will put an estimated $2.89 billion in Saverin’s pocket, reported Bloomberg.
Saverin was part of a group of Harvard students who helped Mark Zuckerberg launch Facebook in 2004. Born in Brazil, he became a U.S. citizen in 1998.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
States Diverting Mortgage Settlement Money to Other Uses - NYTimes.com
States Diverting Mortgage Settlement Money to Other Uses - NYTimes.com
Hundreds of millions of dollars meant to provide a little relief to the nation’s struggling homeowners is being diverted to plug state budget gaps.
In a budget proposed this week, California joined more than a dozen states that want to help close gaping shortfalls using money paid by the nation’s biggest banks and earmarked for foreclosure prevention, investigations of financial fraud and blunting the ill effects of the housing crisis. California was awarded more than $400 million from the banks, and Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed using the bulk of that sum to pay the state’s debts.
Hundreds of millions of dollars meant to provide a little relief to the nation’s struggling homeowners is being diverted to plug state budget gaps.
In a budget proposed this week, California joined more than a dozen states that want to help close gaping shortfalls using money paid by the nation’s biggest banks and earmarked for foreclosure prevention, investigations of financial fraud and blunting the ill effects of the housing crisis. California was awarded more than $400 million from the banks, and Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed using the bulk of that sum to pay the state’s debts.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Chen Guangcheng, a Blind Activist, Escapes House Arrest in China - NYTimes.com
Chen Guangcheng, a Blind Activist, Escapes House Arrest in China - NYTimes.com
BEIJING — Chen Guangcheng, the blind rights lawyer who has been under extralegal house arrest in his rural village for the past 19 months, has escaped from his heavily guarded home and is in hiding in the capital, rights advocates and Chinese officials said on Friday.
BEIJING — Chen Guangcheng, the blind rights lawyer who has been under extralegal house arrest in his rural village for the past 19 months, has escaped from his heavily guarded home and is in hiding in the capital, rights advocates and Chinese officials said on Friday.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Raids broaden corruption probe of L.A. County assessor - latimes.com
Raids broaden corruption probe of L.A. County assessor - latimes.com
Boxes of evidence are taken from the home of Assessor John Noguez, who is the focus of an influence-peddling probe, and other sites. The Phoenix-area home of a campaign donor who has secured large tax reductions for clients is also raided.
Noguez's relationship with Salari has been at the center of an influence-peddling probe launched last year after assessor's office employees complained that Salari and his wealthy clients were getting special treatment from Noguez and his top aides.
A former employee in the Culver City office recently told The Times that he secretly and improperly slashed the taxable values of more than 100 Westside properties in the hope that their wealthy owners would donate money to help retire debt Noguez had amassed during his successful 2010 campaign for assessor.
COMMENTS:
Dina Nava at 7:12 AM April 26, 2012
Don't you just love our Mexican government.
GREGORY L KUMP at 5:51 AM April 26, 2012
THIS CITY IS GIVING MONEY AWAY, TO FAMILES JUST KEEP HAVING KIDS AFTER KIDS. 'MEXCIANS LETS BE CLEAR' SOME FAMILES GET FROM THIS WELFARE $1300.00 A WEEK, WHY SHOULD THEY WORK?
kazz23 at 9:13 PM April 25, 2012
Of course, he's in Mexico......
Boxes of evidence are taken from the home of Assessor John Noguez, who is the focus of an influence-peddling probe, and other sites. The Phoenix-area home of a campaign donor who has secured large tax reductions for clients is also raided.
Noguez's relationship with Salari has been at the center of an influence-peddling probe launched last year after assessor's office employees complained that Salari and his wealthy clients were getting special treatment from Noguez and his top aides.
A former employee in the Culver City office recently told The Times that he secretly and improperly slashed the taxable values of more than 100 Westside properties in the hope that their wealthy owners would donate money to help retire debt Noguez had amassed during his successful 2010 campaign for assessor.
COMMENTS:
Dina Nava at 7:12 AM April 26, 2012
Don't you just love our Mexican government.
GREGORY L KUMP at 5:51 AM April 26, 2012
THIS CITY IS GIVING MONEY AWAY, TO FAMILES JUST KEEP HAVING KIDS AFTER KIDS. 'MEXCIANS LETS BE CLEAR' SOME FAMILES GET FROM THIS WELFARE $1300.00 A WEEK, WHY SHOULD THEY WORK?
kazz23 at 9:13 PM April 25, 2012
Of course, he's in Mexico......
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Feud between 2 little-known water agencies costs consumers - latimes.com
Feud between 2 little-known water agencies costs consumers - latimes.com
Bell resident Robert Mackin is frustrated that his monthly water rate keeps rising, by about 50% in the last few years.
He writes the check to his water provider, Golden State Water Co. But he is actually served by six separate agencies that each play a role in delivering his water — and charging him for the service.
"I'll be honest, I don't really have an idea of what all these agencies do … it's hard to understand," Mackin said. "When the bill comes in, I look at the total and write the check."
And he's not alone.
Two of those water districts — which serve more than a third of the nearly 10 million residents of L.A. County — have more than doubled their fees in recent years while spending significant amounts of time and money battling each other in a series of lawsuits, legislative showdowns and unusual PR campaigns.
Bell resident Robert Mackin is frustrated that his monthly water rate keeps rising, by about 50% in the last few years.
He writes the check to his water provider, Golden State Water Co. But he is actually served by six separate agencies that each play a role in delivering his water — and charging him for the service.
"I'll be honest, I don't really have an idea of what all these agencies do … it's hard to understand," Mackin said. "When the bill comes in, I look at the total and write the check."
And he's not alone.
Two of those water districts — which serve more than a third of the nearly 10 million residents of L.A. County — have more than doubled their fees in recent years while spending significant amounts of time and money battling each other in a series of lawsuits, legislative showdowns and unusual PR campaigns.
Supreme Court skeptical of striking down Arizona immigration law - latimes.com
Supreme Court skeptical of striking down Arizona immigration law - latimes.com
Before U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. could deliver his opening comments, chief justice John Roberts in an unusual move interrupted to say that “no part of your argument has to do with racial or ethnic profiling.”
The Supreme Court justices, hearing arguments Wednesday over Arizona’s tough immigration law, suggested they were inclined to uphold parts of the state’s law but may block other parts.
The Obama administration lawyer who wanted the entire law struck down ran into skeptical questions from most of the justices, who said they saw no problem with requiring police officers to check the immigration status of people who are stopped.
But the justices also said they were troubled by parts of the Arizona law that made it a state crime for illegal immigrants to not carry documents or seek work. The stop-and-arrest provision has been the most contested part of the law.
Near the end of the argument, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, an Obama appointee, advised Verrilli he needed a stronger argument than the ones he delivered. His argument “is not selling very well,” she commented.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Democrats plan to force vote on Arizona immigration law if it’s upheld by court - The Washington Post
Democrats plan to force vote on Arizona immigration law if it’s upheld by court - The Washington Post
Senate Democrats are making plans to force a floor vote on legislation that would invalidate Arizona’s controversial immigration statute if the Supreme Court upholds the law this summer.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) will announce the fallback legislation at a hearing on the Arizona law Tuesday, a day before the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a suit to determine whether Arizona had the authority to enact the 2010 state crackdown.
The legislation would have little chance of passing in a stalemated Senate or being approved by a GOP-held House, but it would allow Democrats to push their electoral advantage with Latino voters just as the presidential campaign heats up in July.
Senate Democrats are making plans to force a floor vote on legislation that would invalidate Arizona’s controversial immigration statute if the Supreme Court upholds the law this summer.
Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) will announce the fallback legislation at a hearing on the Arizona law Tuesday, a day before the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a suit to determine whether Arizona had the authority to enact the 2010 state crackdown.
The legislation would have little chance of passing in a stalemated Senate or being approved by a GOP-held House, but it would allow Democrats to push their electoral advantage with Latino voters just as the presidential campaign heats up in July.
You Can Get a Permit To Carry a Concealed Weapon In One Hour | The Range: The Tucson Weekly's Daily Dispatch
You Can Get a Permit To Carry a Concealed Weapon In One Hour | The Range: The Tucson Weekly's Daily Dispatch
The one hour course I took, taught by Bob Denis of CCW AZ School, LLC., advertises on the website “1hr Law Gets Permit!”
But one could make the case that her gaming of the system exposes loopholes that could be exploited by more dangerous folk than a 22-year-old woman with no gun-ownership experience.
Of course, that case would be ignored by legislators, such as Rep. Jack Harper, R-Surprise
The one hour course I took, taught by Bob Denis of CCW AZ School, LLC., advertises on the website “1hr Law Gets Permit!”
There’s a disclaimer, that the one-hour stint is “for the person with experience with firearms, who does not have time to seat through several hours of additional firearms training” [sic], as well as a statement in class that the one-hour class is not designed for those new to guns.Now, most responses (focus on the comments section there) to Mejdrich's article say that she misrepresented her experience to game the system, that she is a liar, a perjurer, that she doesn't respect the law and that she should be held personally accountable for what she did (on top of the usual internet slander, of course).
But Denis never asked me whether I had shot a gun before, or evaluated my proficiency once I sat down for class.
But one could make the case that her gaming of the system exposes loopholes that could be exploited by more dangerous folk than a 22-year-old woman with no gun-ownership experience.
Of course, that case would be ignored by legislators, such as Rep. Jack Harper, R-Surprise
Monday, April 23, 2012
Arrested 35 Times, Illegal Immigrant Sofyan Eldani Still Not Deported
Arrested 35 Times, Illegal Immigrant Sofyan Eldani Still Not Deported
In Alabama, federal authorities said they have tried to deport Sofyan Eldani, a Palestinian man, who has been arrested 35 times in 12 years, but several countries have refused to take him.
In addition, news reports claim that because Eldani says he's from Palestine, the U.S. government cannot send him there -- because the country isn't officially recognized. Thus, you can't send a man to a place that doesn't exist.
Eldani's arrests include: assault, fraudulent checks, criminal mischief, resisting arrests, reckless endangerment, shoplifting, burglary, drug possession, failure to appear, probation violation, possession of a drug paraphernalia and DUI.
Last week, Eldani was arrested by Hueytown, Alabama police after he was found during a traffic stop to be in possession of crack cocaine.
In Alabama, federal authorities said they have tried to deport Sofyan Eldani, a Palestinian man, who has been arrested 35 times in 12 years, but several countries have refused to take him.
In addition, news reports claim that because Eldani says he's from Palestine, the U.S. government cannot send him there -- because the country isn't officially recognized. Thus, you can't send a man to a place that doesn't exist.
Eldani's arrests include: assault, fraudulent checks, criminal mischief, resisting arrests, reckless endangerment, shoplifting, burglary, drug possession, failure to appear, probation violation, possession of a drug paraphernalia and DUI.
Last week, Eldani was arrested by Hueytown, Alabama police after he was found during a traffic stop to be in possession of crack cocaine.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Justices poised to hear SB 1070
Justices poised to hear SB 1070
Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services
When attorney Paul Clement walks into the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, he'll try to convince at least five justices that Arizona has an inherent right to enforce federal immigration laws.
Apr 22, 2012 | 12:01 am | Comments
Justices poised to hear SB 1070
Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services
When attorney Paul Clement walks into the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, he'll try to convince at least five justices that Arizona has an inherent right to enforce federal immigration laws.
Apr 22, 2012 | 12:01 am | Comments
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