The mayor and the City Council, weary from the daily beating they’ve been taking in the press and public, found the perfect distraction in Arizona’s highly questionable attempt to take federal immigration law into its own hands.
Not only did they condemn the crackdown on illegal immigrants but they reached for rhetorical flourishes in calling for a total boycott of Arizona, comparing what’s going on to slavery, the Holocaust, Manzanar and other terrible crimes against humanity.
A hyperbolic writer like myself was envious. They even boasted their boycott ended apartheid in South Africa — if only balancing the budget could be achieved so easily.
You can be sure, though, that they will all be present for the Lakers-Suns playoff games and in luxury boxes when the Dodgers host the Diamondbacks. Nobody is talking about shutting off the flow of power from Arizona either.
It’s so easy to take a stand against injustice elsewhere but you don’t see anyone at City Hall calling for a truce on the war against the middle class right here in LA.
No, instead we’re seeing taxes, fees and rates going up as fast as they can figure out how to do it and massive subsidies provided to anyone who will set up shop in LA, even sweatshops and distributors of goods manufactured in China.
Clearly, the mayor and Council’s posturing is symbolic when they could be taking real action to fix real problems right here at home.
They could, instead of giving away the farm to get outsiders to locate here, stop the policies that are driving away good jobs much faster than even miracle worker Austin Beutner can buy them.
The Business Relocation Coach website recently provided a list of some of the firms that have left LA, gone out of business or are looking to flee like so many residents have done. I’m not sure anyone of those who have left would call it a boycott but their actions amount to that.
Abraxis Health, a unit of Los Angeles-based Abraxis BioScience Inc, opened a new plant that will create 200 jobs in 2010 — in Phoenix. This follows the company’s Phoenix expansions that occurred in 2007 and 2008.
Bild Industries Inc., which specializes in business news, directories and market
reports, moved to Post Falls, Idaho, from Van Nuys, a part of the San
Fernando Valley in Los Angeles.
Bill Miller Engineering, Ltd., suffering under the “hostile business climate” in
California and Los Angeles County, moved from Harbor City to Carson City,
Nevada.
Creators Syndicate may flee L.A. because it operates like a banana republic.
Nissan North America moved its Los Angeles headquarters to Nashville,
Tenn.
Northrop Grumman by 2011 will relocate its Los Angeles H.Q. to the
Washington, DC metro area. It’s the last major aerospace company to leave
Southern California, the birthplace of the aerospace industry.
Pixel Magic, headquartered in Toluca Lake, Calif. , ( Los Angeles metro area), is
locating a studio in Lafayette, Louisiana, where it will create 40 new jobs
between 2010 and 2013. The company, which provides digital effects for motion
pictures and television, said the Louisiana people they were in contact with have
an immediate understanding of technology and data handling.
Plastic Model Engineering, Inc., a custom plastic injection molder and mold
manufacturer, moved from Sylmar, Calif. to the “Inland Northwest,” notably
Post Falls, Idaho.
TTM Technologies will leave L.A. & Hayward and move to other states and
China to achieve big cost savings.
Twentieth Century Props of L.A. has gone out of business as film-making has
moved to lower-cost states.
US Press shifted work from Los Angeles and San Diego to Portland, “where
union rules were almost rational.”
A hyperbolic writer like myself was envious.
Your Pearl Harbor reference is still up there, don’t worry
It’s the last major aerospace company to leave
Southern California, the birthplace of the aerospace industry.
Honeywell? Boeing? Curtiss-Wright? Raytheon?
You can be sure, though, that they will all be present for the Lakers-Suns playoff games
Lakers in 5
WTF?? These morons further embarrassed our city. BUT thWhat hypocrites. They boycotted but not all the way and not Hahn’s Port because Arizona actually helps with clean trucks. These clowns outright LIED, made up shit, were drama queens etc. They made complete asses of themselves. Talk radio is hammering at all their lies and telling the truth. Not one of them had the guts to say the reason Arizona implemented this law was because illegals were committing crime, killing an innocent farmer who helped illegals with water and food. Killed police officers, had drug dealers kidnapping innocent victims etc. Hahn and Reyes, Koretz, Alarcon, Cardenas, Huizar biggiest losers. Thanks to them Orange County, Burbank, Glendale and other cities are saying they will not come to spend a penny in Los Angeles and boycotting the city as backlash. 75% of America supports Arizona because they know the truth and understand something needed to be done. Another F–K Up from council.
“As an American I cannot go to Arizona without a passport if I come across an officer who is having a bad day,” said Councilman Ed Reyes.
This is what dumb ass Ed Reyes said today. Is he so clueless and uneducated to think you need a passport to travel to a state in the US? Doesn’t Reyes know the difference between International and Domestic? Thank you Greg Smith who I never thought would be the only voice of reason who voted NO on this. Good for him standing up for the American people. The other dumb asses will feel the backlash because its already started. Emails flying all over the internet saying “LA City Council members “STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.”
The idjuts on the council would be better off tending to the city’s business than butting into another state’s business where they don’t belong.
A boycott will never happen. For them, its just feel-good blustering.
And they better be careful of what they wish for.
If they think they can break existing contracts with Arizona, then there’s nothing to stop Arizona from cutting off L.A.’s water and power!
It could be a long, hot, thristy, dark summer.
Good companies are leaving L.A., while Tony and the de facto Mayor, Beutner, are jerking off with dubious characters, giving away taxpayers money for their own future financial benefits. Morons, try to keep legitimate companies from leaving. But, you cannot keep them, because they know better.
Tony loves to go away under the guise of ” city business “. He is going AGAIN to D.C. to lobby for transit dollars. Can`t stand the heat in City Hall. Well, can`t blame him. Enjoy while you can, on taxpayers` sweat money.
Who in Congress will give him any money when he can’t even make an intelligent presentation. He always talks like he just got back from one of the hundreds of pot shops he allowed in the city.
Tony is really going to D.C.to address a Latino gathering, a distraction from the true business at hand, and that is to deal with financial problems in the city. Lobbying for transit dollars is b.s., an excuse, so that MTA pays for the trip,including his detail. Where is the LA Slimes? Ron, why don`t you request this info and prove me wrong.
WE WILL BOYCOTT ALL LOS ANGELES PRODUCTS & SERVICES UNTILL THE CITY GOES BANKRUPT OR COMES TO ITS SENSES (BANKRUPTCY CLOSE ANYWAY) STUPID IGNORANT SOCIALIST PIGS..!!!
LOS ANGELES HAS WAY MORE TO LOOSE THAN WE DO IN AZ..!!
What I find ridiculous is boycotting businesses in Arizona would be like people boycotting businesses in Los Angeles because of Council votes–and we know how special their voting record is.
Considering what Sandy Sand wrote, do you think we should write them (the Arizona folks) a letter clarifying that the City Council does not represent us? I really do not wish to be without air conditioning this summer.
We could write something like this:
Dear People of Arizona-
We, the residents of Los Angeles, write to you today to express our disagreement with the City Council’s intent to boycott your State’s businesses. Regardless of one’s opinion of your new law, we wish to make it clear that our City’s leadership does not represent us in this matter(or any matter). Please ignore them.
Thank you-
The residents of Los Angeles
Letter should start out as:
Dear WORLD:
The morons in City Hall never learned that for every action there is an equal reaction. LA will not go to Arizona, then Arizona will not come to California. But again, who suffers? The small business.
Might this boycott violated any Federal law regarding trade and commerce?
Ron,
I thought it in bad taste that you went on Kevin’s show, and spit in the faces of his loyal supporters and sounded like you are envious for not being Ed Reyes, for not being in the city council…touting your opposing view on Arizona’s law…unabashedly!
Trust me AZ Gov. know city council did not speak for the people of LA. AZ is hearing about LA backlash for stupidity. Gov. Brewer announced
Microsoft to Provide 20,500 Vouchers to Job Seekers in Arizona. Gee, why didn’t the Mayor do this for LA?? Talk radio had a field day making fun of moron council and highlighting their ignorance. Called Janice Hahn the “dumbest politician in America” Wiesenthal Center Jewish group upset with Koretz and others who compared illegl bill to Nazi’s. Dennis Zine the flip flopper lied and stated people will to carry ID. Dumb ass former cop should know its against the law NOT to carry ID. Arizona wins in the end cause they will save millions not having to pay out for illegals free services and save on crime.
What the hell was Gerry Miller doing giving and interpreting law yesterday?? He’s a numbers guy
Lots of residents upset city council totally ignored the brutality of crime and violence by illegals in Arizona. Gang member mentalities like Alarcon, Cardenas and Huizar, Reyes are clueless. I’m glad Arizona is getting rid of those radical, revolutionary stupid Mecha, Chicano bullshit clases. To show his stupidty Cardenas said he went to Texas to get some stats from a banker. Does he not know how to use his phone? Known fact Kobe hates Mayor and Lakers can’t stand city council members. When was the last time idiot Janice Hahn went to Laker game since she sent them list how to boycott AZ.
The backlast has started. Blogs and emails saying don’t travel to LA. LA Residents eat and shop outside LA boundries on weekends.
Media websites posting very negative comments against city council members.
I am beyond appalled at the absolute exaggeration and outright lies told by Council about this issue. They are either incredibly dishonest or completely stupid.
Ed Reyes saying that he can’t go to Arizona without a passport, and that a police officer who’s having a bad day would deport him? Give me a friggin’ break. The police officer has no authority to deport! If you cannot provide proof of your legal right to be in this country, you will be taken into custody. Then, if you happen to be out without your driver’s license, can’t give a valid ssn, etc., only then will you be remanded to ICE for deportation. Reyes’s statement was so stupid and alarmist that I can’t even describe it. Does he REALLY believe that? Can he really be that stupid?
The law right now, even here in California, allows a police agency to take you into custody if you cannot provide proof of who you say you are. So if Reyes is out without his ID, gets pulled over and cannot satisfactorily (in the officer’s opinion, kind of like the “reasonable suspicion” is left to the officer) prove he is who he says he is, he can be taken into custody for a limited time until he either supplies verification of his identity or they figure out whether he’s a fugitive, etc. I don’t see Reyes getting all bent out of shape about that — it’s not politically expedient.
Hahn is just posturing, but I can tell you, I know many people of every stripe, and they have no intention of voting for her when she runs for the statewide office. None.
“Clearly, the mayor and Council’s posturing is symbolic when they could be taking real action to fix real problems right here at home.”
Yes, because they have no idea of what to do next. When a malfeasance is committed, as many have with campaign supporters, developers, unions, hiding and hoping ignoring them will save their hides is probably the reason for this
action. I wish the election were this year instead of next. On the other hand, maybe the Attorney General would take our case and start some action, It would not be unreasonable.
Is it constitutionally legal for a city to EMBARGO another state or city in the United States? What the LA city council did is not a boycott but an economic embargo similar to what the U.S has done to Cuba or what it declares as terrorists states abroad. By doing so they are economically punishing private citizens and businesses for the actions of their government.
Is that legal? Or is an unconstituional illegal act that opens up the LA City government for any number of private lawsuits against it?
Daily News poll today:
Do you agree with the L.A. City Council’s vote to boycott Arizona?
94.3% NO!!!
It should be easy to get these morons out of office.
Dear Arizona, Please don’t fret over our council’s boycott of your State. They say it may cost you tens of millions of dollars. Look on the bright side: that same council has cost us hundreds of millions of dollars.They could be running your State. Sincerely, LA Citizen.
It was an Ed Reyes and Janice Hahn motion. That explains everything.
Boycott L.A. Look what a s–t hole you have made of L.A. You pathetic politicians pandering for votes would side with child molesters if it meant votes. Stay in L.A. I will never come to L.A. or buy anything from a company there again.
This pathetic creature, Hahn, was on Fox last nite, making fool of herself and the City she represents. How low have we come. Villaraigosa, Reyes, Hahn, Alarcon, It makes me sick.
I was blown away with the polls yesterday.
LA Slimes=The city should mind its own business. 92.9% (19,634 votes)
Daily News 94% against city council vote to boycott. What is amazing is all the negative comments up to 555 hammering hard at city council on one paper. This is incredible and shows how fed up Los Angeles residents are with the politicians. This is going to help CLEAN Sweep LA. I don’t think these morons will ever get elected. Hahn lost major votes on because of her stupidity. We should all start showing our AMERICAN PRIDE and wear red, white and blue flag clothing or just American pride clothing. How often do we see American pride or flags compared to those stupid Mexico flags, tshirts, etc.
OMG!!!!b The Midget Mayor now is weighing in
“”Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa calls the Arizona law unpatriotic and his city is now cutting off most travel to Arizona and city contracts with businesses there”
OMG what a f–king idiot! Unpatriotic to who you loser? The Mayor is such an idiot he can’t even be here for all the backlash but is doing a media circuit telling his side of the issue and sounding like the Mecha, Chicano radical, revolutionary idiot he is.
A few days ago, my son was pulled over for going one mile over the speed limit. He and all his friends were asked if they were legal citizens and had to show identification. I hate to believe he was racially profiled…
And so, that is the problem with this law. It makes racial profiling legal. And that is what the hype is about. Unless you are a minority with brown skin or black skin, you do understand. Imagine YOU or your son, daughter, wife getting pulled over as much as two or three times a day and asked legal residency. How much time would that take out of your day? And what if your late for work more than once for the same issue?
This is a huge inconvenience when you are trying to get to work, or just go about enjoying your day out of the house. No one should have to live like this. So I understand the fear of those who maybe singled out. I am not Hispanic but get mistaken for being Hispanic all the time, so does my son, we are Native American. Have friends of all color, very active in the community, educated and love AZ–have lived in AZ all my life. And this law does concern me.
I think the Feds need to step in and get this illegal immigration issue under control so we can go about living our lives without being bothered at all. And for those of us who look Hispanic and are legal tax paying citizens–we are paying the price for someone else’s problem. It just makes me sick!
As a resident of Arizona — Legal — I am reading these comments and am very sad that this law has divided so many of us. Our Governor and Sen. McCain never asked any of us what we wanted–they just did it. I do agree that AZ does have an illegal immigration problem and it needs to be fixed. But I don’t believe this law is the correct method and wasn’t well thought out. It is only creating more problems and division among our communities both in AZ and LA. By the way I love LA… I hear and understand your concerns too.
I’m a hispanic American 2nd generation, and my mother came into this counmtry legally, and I don’t support any company, city or state, that does not support Az immigration laws. First, illegal immigratants are a drain our state, they don’t pay taxes, they cost us monmey in our school, health care, and so many other services, the DRUG issue is one of the biggest. They are illegal, they should all go back to their country, and applie like ever normal immigratant does, their sucking our system dry.
I’m for Boycotts against states, business, people that are Boycotting Az, and I for one and my family will not be speanding money anywhere where you any of these people actors, business, states are offerring services or are doing business.