Westside Today Headlines http://www.westsidetoday.com/news-s1/1/letters-opinions.html Sat, 18 May 2013 16:46:13 -0700 en-us Copyright 2013, Westside Today http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9436/henry-waxman-leading-the.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9436/henry-waxman-leading-the.html Tue, 14 May 2013 16:46:13 -0700 "He [Waxman] fights for us and the things that are important. And he wins - which is important" -- Henry Duclos , Hermosa Beach Council MemberWhat has Henry Waxman fought for? And who is winning?1. We no longer smell cigarette smoke on an airplane. How that constitutes anything heroic is just beyond me. Consumer activism through supply and demand has coerced many companies to change policies noxious to individual consumers.2. The Congressman claims that he passed the first bill to &quo... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9425/henry-waxman-background-checks.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9425/henry-waxman-background-checks.html Fri, 10 May 2013 16:46:13 -0700 Congressman Henry Waxman just sent out another missive on his campaign listserv. Instead of taking on the Republican leadership for "denying science" about "climate change", Waxman slammed United States Senators who had voted against the "background checks" legislation, a bipartisan effort from Pat Toomey (R-Pennsylvania) and Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia)."Dear Friend, "Last month, a group of Senators voted to filibuster bipartisan legislation that would e... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9426/how-waxman-left-the.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9426/how-waxman-left-the.html Fri, 10 May 2013 16:46:13 -0700 When Congressman Henry Waxman (D-33rd, Beverly Hills, South Bay) was running the Westside during the previous decade, he never received less than 60% of the vote. In 2008, he ran unopposed by a major party. In 2010, Chuck Wilkerson sponsored a spirited campaign, complete with embarrassing footage of Waxman openly acknowledging his ignorance about key portions of his Cap and Trade Bill. Republicans swept the House, increased their numbers in the Senate, but Waxman survived.Waxman raises nothing b... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9418/yes-hillary-it-makes.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9418/yes-hillary-it-makes.html Thu, 09 May 2013 16:46:13 -0700 Before the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took "full responsibility" for the Benghazi security breach, which lead to four deaths, including US Ambassador Christopher Stevens.While answering questions about what she knew, and why the failure of security which misjudged the attacks from US Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), she made a fool of herself, dismissing the concerns of lawmakers. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel provided the f... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9402/confirmation-for-why-the.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9402/confirmation-for-why-the.html Mon, 06 May 2013 16:46:13 -0700 The Republican Party is facing soul-searching following the crushing loss in 2012. Should the party be more "Gay Friendly"? Should the party move to the center on key social issues, like abortion and gun control? The Republican Party has turned into a tired bastion of rich, old, white men who control Wall Street and contort national policy to suit their minute yet elite interests.And then there's the "Hispanic vote". If only Romney spoke more Spanish, did not say "self-d... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9377/how-to-take-california.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9377/how-to-take-california.html Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 Here's a positive agenda to take California from "worst to first":1. Give cities, counties, and school districts freedom to negotiate labor costs pensions and benefits. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's 2011 "Act 10" reforms would be a good start: paycheck protection for public employees, plus restricting collective bargaining to wages.2. Pension reform is a must, yet already the state legislature is planning on going backwards. Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville) introduced AB 160, w... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9370/the-legacy-of-democratic.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9370/the-legacy-of-democratic.html Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 The Democratic Party has a supermajority (or in some cases hypermajority control) over at least four states: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Illinois, and California.The states with the most blue are losing more people than they are gaining. They are losing billions because of overwhelming pension obligations. The blue states have the highest taxes, the most taxing regulations, spending problems so overwhelming, one has to wonder why these states attract any business at all. Blue states are blue pl... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9356/carry-the-plastic-bag.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9356/carry-the-plastic-bag.html Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 While writing about local, state, and federal issues affecting the Santa Monica Bay, I also offer my time and services to advocate for a flimsy, polyurethane friend of mine. Since he cannot type or speak for himself, I write for him. State Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Santa Monica) would understand, since he speaks for those who have no voice: the animals. Today, I write on behalf of another creation, the plastic bag, and their spokesman, Carry."My name is Carry, and I am a plastic bag. Today, I am all... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9341/truth-and-the-right.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9341/truth-and-the-right.html Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 Recently, I contacted a local writer about Republicans in Santa Monica, then I shared with him about impressing Congressman Waxman to move on behalf of our veterans, as Waxman has supposedly represented the Brentwood VA ever since he entered Congress.His response did not address “homeless veterans”, but his previous connections with the Congressman. Then he added:YOU, sadly, are on the wrong side of history politically. At least it gives you something to write about.This argument from libera... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9355/governor-jerry-brown-what.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9355/governor-jerry-brown-what.html Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 PBS recently broadcasted an informative and provocative documentary about former California Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown called "The California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown".A liberal organ such as PBS tends to demonize the right and conservatives, with a media bias toward activism and skewed minority outreach, spotlighting a few elites at the expense of every other individual within a select group. Talking heads like Bill Moyers hammer the right, yet even this le... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9306/henry-waxman-climate-change.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9306/henry-waxman-climate-change.html Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 Congressman Henry Waxman is so concerned about "climate change", that he dedicated another Twitter Account to the issue: @WaxmanClimate. Recently, Congressman Henry Waxman has been reaching out to "faith communities" to "pray up" support for "climate change" intervention. Some of his tweets include:We should heed the faith community’s call to action on #climatechange http://1.usa.gov/ZQZrFsthenWe are called upon to be good stewards of our environment and... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9305/does-state-senator-lieu.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9305/does-state-senator-lieu.html Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 State Senator Ted Lieu proudly champions those who do not have a voice of their own. When he affirmed this compassionate stance earlier this year, he was speaking at the League of Humane Voters Mayoral convention in February, 2013. He was not talking about the youth in our state, but about the animals, both domestic and wild. State senator Lieu has a glowing record when it comes to the furry creatures in California, but not much for the voting, speaking, and thinking creatures in California.Whil... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9282/people-s-republicans-of.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9282/people-s-republicans-of.html Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:46:13 -0700 A friend of mine told me that Santa Monicans do not trust Republicans. I think it's because of George W. Bush. Some liberals think that he wanted to impose some a right-wing religious theocracy. Others are still mad, very mad, about Iraq and Afghanistan. Aside from tax cuts (which Obama has made permanent) and judicial appointments (one who supported Obama-WaxmanCare), President Bush soured a lot of Republicans, too.In 2004, I was reluctant to vote for Bush. I was not happy with "No Child L... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9229/letters-.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9229/letters-.html Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:46:13 -0700 I am responding to your Brentwood Beat in which you discuss businesses coming and going in Brentwood. As a former small business owner on San Vicente (remember the sweet baby store “My New Friends”?) I can sum up the reason most retailers give up with two words: GREEDY LANDLORDS. Here is what happened with me and I bet it is exactly the same scenario with the independently owned shops that are closing now:1. You lease a space at x amount of dollars a year.2. You budget and price your mercha... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9010/mike-bonin.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-9010/mike-bonin.html Sun, 17 Feb 2013 16:46:13 -0700 Marvin Braude (1920–2005) was a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing the 11th district for 32 years, between 1965 and 1997—the third-longest-serving council member in the history of the city. His influence is still felt in Los Angeles through the many young people he mentored including his daughters, Ann Braude, professor of Religious History at Harvard Divinity School, and Liza Braude- Glidden, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Beanfields Snacks, a Los Angeles-based compan... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8986/congressman-henry-waxman-time.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8986/congressman-henry-waxman-time.html Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:46:13 -0700 According to the February 7th, 2013 edition of the Hermosa Beach, CA publication "The Beach Reporter", Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Brentwood/South Bay) “mingled with South Bay Democratic Club Members”. After a twenty-minute speech about the fractious culture of Washington politics, from the fiscal cliff, to the sequester, the debt ceiling, and resolutions to fund the government, Waxman paraded his resume and promoted the unique, fanciful liberal interest of “climate change”.Res... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8737/rape-and-murder-in.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8737/rape-and-murder-in.html Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:46:13 -0700 No woman asks to be raped. Blaming the victim -- whether in the Delhi or Los Angeles -- is so tempting. So tempting, that far too many men and women cave in to this pathetic excuse so as to avoid a challenge to their world view. "She wore a short skirt,” she asked for it. “She had ‘that’ look,” she asked for it. She … well, she existed… so naturally, she ‘asked for it’. Maybe some women find this belief of comfort; “I will never be raped because I don't wear, do, lo... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8408/la-open-call-cbs.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8408/la-open-call-cbs.html Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:46:13 -0700 Are you a passionate amateur baker? Can you whip up an impressive cake, tart or loaf of bread? You may be the perfect candidate for an exciting new competition baking series on CBS!!Amateur skilled bakers will compete against one another in baking challenges that will test every aspect of their baking skills. At the end of the competition, one baker will ultimately be crowned the winner. The series follows the trials and tribulations of the competitors – young, old, from every background and e... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8250/letters-to-the-editor.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-8250/letters-to-the-editor.html Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:46:13 -0700 Hi, this is ALFRED, THE BRENTWOOD SINGER. I am responsible for the work being done on the Post Office sewer line and at Barrington Ave. I had the entrance to the parking lot closed down by hazmat for the second time this year a few weeks ago. I had been fighting for about 13 years to get them to stop the sewage leaks and now I WON. Thank you for the time to express myself. http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7972/los-angeles-civil-grand.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7972/los-angeles-civil-grand.html Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:46:13 -0700 In Los Angeles, CA, on August 20, 2012, one of youngest, female Civil Grand Jurors, was detained and then forced from the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Courts Center building by a full complement of half a dozen sheriffs, a few attorneys and administrative personnel.What does it say about our elite hierarchy- when despite no wrongdoing a grand juror in pursuit of their civic duties to the community can be dismissed for questioning the very systems and methods they are appointed to review in th... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7880/ghs-letter.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7880/ghs-letter.html Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:46:13 -0700 To the Editor:Reading the latest Brentwood News, I was inspired to send you my thoughts about The Maligned Barry building. I have lived in Brentwood for 44 years. I’m a professional artist. Every time I would go to Duttons Book Store, I would look at that poor excuse for a building, the Barry Building, and wish someone would buy it and raze it. If there is an iota of redemption to this rickety structure, I would say yes, move it somewhere –preferably out of Brentwood – but it would not ... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7879/dog-owners-.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7879/dog-owners-.html Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:46:13 -0700 What happens if your child or dog becomes ill because someone doesn’t pick up their dog’s mess!!!!I have lived in Brentwood for over 13 years. During that time I have tried numerous ways to get some dog owners to clean up after their dogs. However, some I believe feel it is someone else’s job. I would like to mention to these self-centered criminals that 1) it is against the law and 2) it is not healthy for the children and community.If a child steps in the dog waste then goes home and ... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7707/my-response-to-your.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7707/my-response-to-your.html Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:46:13 -0700 As a psychologist, I treat people who want to create change and enjoy healthier relationships. I am particularly committed to helping women move from emotional submission towards empowerment and healthier relationships: 1+1=3. To do this, we look at the life stories and the belief systems that keep one locked in old, destructive patterns. To change the future, change the story. We live and build our lives by stories, including those handed down over multiple generations. Some are silently incorp... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7647/our-homeless-guy.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7647/our-homeless-guy.html Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:46:13 -0700 I don’t remember when I didn’t see the homeless man walking up and down San Vicente. Pretending not to notice, people call him Khaki Guy, because of the color of his tattered, smelly clothing. He never seems to be going anywhere, just trudging along, weather-beaten, with a cigarette stub hanging from his lips.Bald, with dark, scraggly hair on the sides, lately he has been limping, and I wish I could take him to my kind orthopedist, who would treat him, though the hospital would probably g... http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7672/letters-to-the-editor.html http://www.westsidetoday.com/s1-7672/letters-to-the-editor.html Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:46:13 -0700 My home is within 500 yards of the proposed Green Hollow Square project.Having said that my first reaction was negative. Who wants change? After investigating the current plans, I feel everyone should support this project. The Barry building is ugly, and should be torn down. It looks like the cheapest buildings that one can find in lower-to middle class Areas in Southern California.This is a no-brainer. I am an attorney with extensive development experience (but have no connection with this pro...