By now, no doubt, you have seen the ads in support of Proposition 50, the redistricting measure, which are all Gavin all the time. It is just a taste of what is to come, of course.
In one of the ads, Gov. Newsom argues for the measure with a phrase to justify that appears to have become the rhetorical coin of the realm: “We’re going to fight fire with fire.”
I thought you fought fire with water, or that red stuff they drop from airplanes? But what do I know about fighting fires? When I was in the eighth grade, my friends and I started a fire in a vacant lot behind my home. We did not put it out with more fire.
Anyway, the “fire-with-fire” line makes me think of a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”
Newsom also said in one ad, “The gloves are off.” I actually heard a member of Congress from another state, commenting on the redistricting fight, that the Democrats are done “bringing a stick to a knife fight,” a paraphrase of a line from the movie “The Untouchables,” I think.
It hands me a laugh when I hear Democrats talking tough. Maybe they are trying to emulate President Trump in a misguided belief that coarse, tough-guy language will counter the absence of a coherent message. In any case, it kind of rings false. What knife?
TO HOKE, OR NOT TO HOKE: Speaking of Democrats and heartfelt rhetoric, U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin did something during an interview on The Game podcast that I have seen only Democrats do.
He was asked how it is to serve in Congress at what is conceded to be an unpleasant time.
“Every single day I go there, I have to pinch myself,” he said. “Honestly, that sounds sort of hokey, right? … It sounds a little Pollyanna, but it is an enormous responsibility that I feel that I represent 762,000 people on this Peninsula at a time when our democracy is under attack,” he said.
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So, he was apologizing for expressing his feelings about serving in Congress. I have heard this kind of thing from Democrats for decades. Rarely, if ever, have I heard a Republican apologize for his or her emotions about the job, the office or the country, even when some of them probably should have. Why is that, do you suppose?
YOUR MESSAGE HERE: I loved a quote from one of the sign-toting protesters who showed up Labor Day on El Camino Real at the 17-mile protest, which is not to be confused with the 17-mile Drive in Monterey. I have no recollection of the message he was carrying, but he said, “It took me two days to figure out what to put on my sign.” I know what he meant, but it still seemed funny to me.
THE PERIPATETIC SENATOR: State Sen. Josh Becker apparently roamed up and down the Royal Road during the elongated protest, as evidenced by the numerous videos he posted along the way.
These were just the latest in an onslaught of news releases and social media postings from Becker. Some are personal, some political, but the rate is relentless. I get that the senator is busy, I get that he wants to communicate. But he is approaching this with all the energy and self-awareness of a golden retriever.
IN OTHER NEWS: Bicycle activists, with whom I had considerable experience during my tenure at Caltrain, and who, not incidentally, lobby like no one else I have ever seen, will not like this.
But these kids on e-bikes are an increasing hazard. It is almost a daily experience to see kids — often in groups — blow through a succession of stop signs. Many of the kids are without helmets. As my friend, attorney Ilya Frangos noted in an essay in this very newspaper, e-bikes are vehicles that are subject to all the traffic laws of any other vehicles, and there is a need for more safety training.
A TIMELY THOUGHT: As I read about the Ukraine and Russia, I am reminded of a comment by the late and irreplaceable Tom Lantos, the Peninsula congressman from 1981-2008, and a survivor of Nazi and Soviet occupation of his home country, Hungary.
He likened Russia to a hotel burglar, walking down the hall and trying one door after another. When one of them opened, the burglar went in.
I’LL BE AROUND: You deserve a break. I am taking a breather from this exercise in journalism. Enjoy.
(4) comments
Mark, I would expect you to do better. Bullying kids is a very bad look on you.
So where did these kids see this behavior? They don't call it the "California STOP" because California's adults are so great in stopping or police is great at enforcing the law? So please look in the mirror before going after kids.
Now challenging the reporter in you:
These aren't e-Bikes. These are e-Mopeds even e-Motorcycles.
E-Bikes are already highly regulated and speed limited - they are also legally to be regarded as regular bicycles.
The moment you see a vehicle going 30mph or faster it's an e-Moped or electric motorcycles.
Now the education part:
There are a few solutions to this problem:
1) stop the sale - currently shops and Amazon are allowed to sell something like this with the label "off-highway bike" meaning the aren't street-legal.
2) enforce traffic laws - why isn't police out there stopping vehicles that aren't street-legal (cars and mopeds) anymore?
3) provide safe spaces where these kids can do their stunts without annoying "get of my lawn"-adults.
Thanks for your column today, Mr. Simon. It also hands me a laugh when I hear Democrats talking tough, or singing, or practicing to swear like sailors. What is also funny is Democrats tying themselves into knots attempting to irrationally rationalize the threat to democracy known as Proposition 50, all while obeying the edict of wannabe dictator Newsom and showing where their true moral compasses and loyalties lie, and it’s not with California citizens. What isn’t so funny is that Democrats have been puppet-strung by Trump into now being the party of defending criminals and terrorists. Congrats, Democrats, on that dubious achievement. Meanwhile, I’m rooting for the lawfare against Prop 50 now and tying up the results of any vote. Perhaps forever. Meanwhile, have a great breather. I’ll miss your column, especially, the “As the Sheriff’s World Turns” updates.
Ppp
Something Newsom said on a podcast was that in the 2030 census California is slated to loose 10 seats due to all of the people moving out of California. My concern is the Orange dude with try to speed up this process.
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