I know, I know, if Zuma Dogg didn't post this, no one would have even seen it. I originally was going to post it as "equal time" for Janice as her own blog post. (Without a critique.) But I was so offended by her verbiage and tone, it ended up pissing me off, more than believing her. [Pictured: Dreamy Councilmember]Thoughts on the Fox Story
By Councilmember Janice Hahn
May 08th, 2008
[What Fox story? You mean the one about Miley Cy...oh you mean THAT Fox News story! ZD's comments in brackets.]
While I know that most of you would never believe the horrible tabloid journalism that was exhibited on Fox 11 last week, it has been brought to my attention that a number of people are continuing the gossip and mistruths from those terrible pieces. So, I wanted to drop you a quick note so that you could hear directly from me and also be prepared if you hear these things out and about in our community.
[oh HELL NO...you don't start off by saying "I KNOW MOST" when "MOST WILL" because they don't consider Emmy Award Winning Fox News to be "tabloid journalism", so you already are creating suspicion with the reader. Gossip does not mean "not true," it just means people are talking about it. "Mistruths" -- that's what O.J. Simpson calls them. I would have called them "lies", unless they aren't.]
First, everyone must know that the allegations that I have assisted or funded gang members, which ran on Fox 11 last week are outrageous, ridiculous and false. [They may be false, but they are not outrageous or ridiculous. We have been hearing about this for years. There have been reports saying there are problems with some of these programs -- and only Hellen Keller would be CERTAIN that this couldn't be happening, so it's not ridiculous. Unless Janice Hahn handed out every dollar herself, and followed every dollars destination, how does SHE know there is no chance of anything running amuck?] The entire story was based on statements made by desperate criminal gang members that would say anything to avoid going to jail. I have never paid these gang members, never had them work for me nor have I ever helped them to get out of jail. [But CM Hahn told Zuma Dogg it was all based on the lies of the two LAPD cops. And she DID call them "lies", not "mis-truths." Isn't the first thing that creates suspicion with police officers when someone can't keep the story straight?]
I also want you all to know that I do not condone hiring current gang members to do any gang intervention work in Los Angeles. However, I do agree with Chief Bratton that the only way to ever get rid of gangs in Los Angeles is through the three-pronged approach-using suppression, prevention and yes, intervention. [Um, Janice...although I agree that theoretically these programs can be good things in the community and help do some good...I THINK YOU'RE FOOT ENDS UP IN YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU START SAYING, "THE ONLY WAY." Some folks would like to think actual LAPD police work is another way.] And I, of course, still believe that preventing kids from joining gangs in the first place is the only way to end the grip that gangs have on our young people. This is why I support the Gang Alternative Program (GAP) which was founded by Angie Papadakis. [Don't say "only" so much, Janice. You can say, "I believe (blank) is the BEST way", or "most effective way"(or something to that effect.]
It is no secret that the current Bridges intervention program, as run by the Community Development Department, has oversight and accountability problems. [SO HOW COME YOU ARE SO SLAM DUNK CERTAIN THAT IT COULDN'T BE HAPPENING ELSEWHERE. Even Mayor Antonio told Zuma Dogg, ""I always support transparency" when I aksed him about the story at City Hall. But Janice didn't have to even think about it, when she shot back a "No" answer when Big ZD aksed her the same question.]
Residents of Los Angeles deserve to know how their tax money is being spent. I am pleased to say that the City Council has voted and by the end of the year, LA Bridges will no longer exist. [That doesn't tell us where the money is being spent, it just tells us that you blew it so badly, you have to pull the plug, before it ALL comes out. It doesn't tell us how money currently being spent, is being spent.] However, the good work of our intervention workers at Toberman Settlement House will continue in another way. Under the Mayor’s office, gang intervention workers will go through thorough training and we will work closely with the LAPD to ensure that the people that are hired are not active gang members. [But what about the claims that the city is knowingly handing it over to known gang members, then what good does training do? THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE GIVING IT TO! It's a political decision, not a screening process.]
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not touch on what has been happening in Watts over the past two years. I have been working closely with community members in Watts and with the LAPD, and I am so proud that homicides in this community are down by 50%–this is truly unprecedented and historic. For the first time, the community is working side by side with police officers to share information and keep the peace. Our work in Watts has been praised by the LAPD, the City Attorney, Chief Bratton, the Mayor and the Police Commission. It is currently being replicated all over the City, including in Wilmington and the Harbor Gateway. It is unfortunate that Fox 11 would take the hard work we have been doing in Watts as an opportunity to smear my name and others in the Watts community. [Well it should be easy to settle this matter. How about an audit and an account of where all the money was spent. YOU DID KEEP TRACK OF WHERE THE MONEY WAS SPENT AND WHO IT WAS GIVEN TO, DIDN'T YOU?]
I hope this helps to explain the terrible stories that ran on Fox. It was truly irresponsible journalism. I know I can count on you to help me spread the truth. [Janice, I wanna love you and support you, but let me go on the record, once again, to say you are the absolute WORST of all Councilmembers when it comes to your own PR comments. I find your press release to be offensive. There's too much here to be so flippant and call it "truly irresponsible." If it is TRULY irresponsible, you should sue them to the fullest extent of the law. And I don't think it was a terrible story. If it was terrible, I don't think it would have taken off the way it did.]
[I always was pulling for Janice because there's a little political tension between her and Antonio and some people like to fantasize about her running for mayor, but I'm nothing but a phony if I give her a pass on the press release critique just because of her blue eyes.
Posts
