Posted on 06/20/2005 11:13:12 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
If nothing else comes from his foray into politics, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is convinced he can come up with a reality show.
"If you would have a camera in my office -- I mean, people would be howling," Schwarzenegger said last week in a meeting with Daily News reporters and editors. "It would be the highest-rated show in the nation. This is the wildest thing.
"You know, I negotiated with studios and others, and (Sacramento) is no comparison. It is much tougher."
Schwarzenegger, who has not decided if he will run for a full term next year, said he is always surprised by the attitude of legislators when they meet with him privately and then after they leave his office.
"These guys come in and smoke a stogie and drink a little schnapps and everyone loves you. Then they go out and say, 'This governor is unacceptable and this means war,"' Schwarzenegger said. "It is all theatrics. Sen. Gloria Romero comes in and takes the biggest cigar in the humidor and brings her daughter in and they all say how can we work together.
"Then, they all leave and five minutes later they are all voting to get rid of my cigar tent. It's incredible."
As far as his plans to run for re-election, Schwarzenegger continues to be coy.
"I live somewhat in denial of that," Schwarzenegger said. "It's typical behavior for me. Even the night before I had heart surgery, I didn't acknowledge it. I think it's something I learned in sports, to focus on one thing at a time."
At this point, the governor said he is focusing on the Nov. 8 special election and does not expect to make an announcement until that is over -- or once there is a clear indication of how that election is going.
And, in an example of your state tax dollars at work: Assemblyman Rudy Bermudez is trying for the second year in a row to protect what he described as "the ancient art" of hair threading.
Bermudez, a Norwalk Democrat, wants to change the state's cosmetology regulations to exempt hair threading -- where excess hair is removed though use of a cotton thread.
Describing it as a technique passed down from generation to generation in Asian and Middle Eastern families, Bermudez said the exemption is needed to protect small businesses.
And, to convince his colleagues, he staged a demonstration of the technique last week to show how it is practiced.
The annual Congress of Neighborhood Councils is scheduled for this Saturday, and members of the organizations are being offered a host of door prizes as inducements to attend the event at the downtown Convention Center.
Greg Nelson, general manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, sent out a memo last week listing more than a dozen items that will be given out as door prizes.
There are some good ones, such as tickets to a Dodgers game, a chess set and tours at various museums. Then there are the oddball treats, such as tagging along with housing or building inspectors or winning an emergency preparedness kit.
Former Councilman Mike Feuer, who is attempting a political comeback with a run for the state Assembly seat being vacated by Paul Koretz due to term limits, has picked up a popular supporter.
With ticket prices going from $100 to $1,000 a person, the featured special guest is city Controller Laura Chick, who was easily re-elected with only token opposition this year.
Perhaps of even more interest is the site of the event, one which will be easily recognized by crime aficionados.
It is being held at Vitello's Restaurant in Studio City, where actor Robert Blake dined with his wife Bonnie Lee Bakley the night she was murdered. Blake was acquitted in a lengthy jury trial of killing her shortly after they left the restaurant.
There are more than a few legislators I'd like to see voted off the island.
The days when they could hide what they say is about over. The Truth will Out.
Already done, it's called C-Span.
He's already let 'em come up for air! He shoulda kept sucking up all their oxygen without interruption and driven stakes through their political hearts when he had the chance. Now they'll do it to him, instead, like they did ol "one term" Jesse Ventura!!!
BWAHAHAHA! BUSTED!
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