Thataway Jimmy.
I know it will sound sarcastic after the rough time I've given Jim Hahn for so long but I genuinely mean it. Congratulations on your decision to become a judge.
From my days in the early 1980s at the Herald Examiner, I knew Kenny Hahn. He was always good for a quote whenever you needed someone official to bolster a story of misfeasance or malfeasance, someone who would demand a full investigation or was angry to find out something was amiss.
Kenneth Hahn was the consummate politiician. His son was not. My dad was meticulous and organized; I'm chaotic and sloppy. The apple does not fall far from the tree in all ways.
And that was why I gave City Attorney James Hahn such a hard time and why I gave Mayor James Hahn a much harder time. He didn't have a political bone in his being. He not only didn't like to glad hand the public, he didn't even like to be touched.
During his four years as mayor, Hahn never spoke to me. I can't really blame him. He was the first mayor in modern
Instead of asserting his authority, Hahn let the council continue to run the show and maintain its fiefdom power over its members' individual districts. Instead of chasing the lobbyists and manipulators out of City Hall, he opened the doors to them and let them call the shots.
I never thought his was a moral failing but a failing of leadership. He would never have been in politics if his name wasn't Hahn, if it wasn't for the shadow of his father who stayed in elected office for decades representing a largely African-American constituency because he had the gift of the natural born politician.
Personally, I don't think that gift is such a great thing or that it alone has produced great results.
I think James K. Hahn is perfectly suited to sit on the bench and I think he'll be a good judge. I'm happy he's found his calling and I'm sure he'll be happier too. The best to you Judge Hahn.
Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests.
Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to
carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner,
Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers
in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the Naitonal Enquirer.
That was a very truthful and also passionate tribute.
"During his four years as mayor, Hahn never spoke to me."
That is absolutely incredible.
I thought the guy was smart and awesome. I had a really good relationship with him. I can't believe he never spoke to you once in 4 years. I knew he hated touching (most people do, why do you think Antonio carries wipes?) but I always gave Jim a big old hug.
Now I've been pretty busy lately but how come I don't know anything about this? I'm about 4 days behind in the newspaper. I suppose I should go check it out.
He'll make a great judge.