Writing Shotgun

P-T: RICHARDSON AN ACCIDENT THAT’S ALREADY HAPPENED

Dave WielengaSat. June 07
 

An excellent piece of investigative reportage by the Press-Telegram’s Paul Eakins today traces bits and pieces of just-re-elected Congresswoman Laura Richardson’s financial wreckage back to the days in 2005 when she was still a Long Beach City Councilwoman and up Signal Hill to a pair of auto repair shops. Eakins documents how Richardson stiffed the first shop for a $795 bill on her BMW, and later simply abandoned the damaged car with the second guy. Thereafter she checked out a city-paid car, running up 30,920 miles in a year and returning it several days after she’d left office altogether–and only after then-City Manager Jerry Miller sent her a letter demanding that she bring it back.

Meanwhile, I’m thinking about a show I saw at the Hollywood Palladium nearly 30 years ago, when Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds’ short-lived New Wave supergroup Rockpile played a careening version of Graham Parker’s ”Crawling From the Wreckage,” Henceforth, I’ll always think of it as “Laura’s Chorus:”

Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
You’d think by now at least that
Half my brain would get the message
Crawling from the wreckage
Crawling from the wreckage
Into a brand new car

Thank you. Thank you very much.

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  • LB Resident
    Classic analogy. Will someone credible PLEEEEAAASE step forward soon and run against Richardson as a write-in? A recall effort? Anything?? Can someone investigate and then charge her with something? Please??? She's such an unapologetic embarrassment to this community, and yet thousands of, well, I'm sorry, moronic Democrats actually voted for her earlier this week. It's bad enough she has no shame but to vote for her? She's pathetic, atrocious, hapless, clueless, criminal, amoral, and yes, ugly too.
  • Will
    She ain't going nowhere. There is no way a republican or even a middle of the road democrat can beat her in her district and unless they find out she murdered at least two people, there is no way the democratic party asks her to step down. If her district(mine) is stupid enough to vote her in then they get what they deserve.
  • RW Crum
    I found this story because Bill Pearl linked to it on his site. Here's what I want to know, since Pearl never even opens my e-mails anymore- Richardson is HIS congresswoman too- where is the righteous indignation and moral outrage (that so many others are showing) from Pearl? He provides links to stories, but on this issue, we haven't been treated to one of his rambling editorials about all the obvious fraud and, now, it appears, outright theft of property and services by Richardson from the city? Come on, he's a lawyer, he should look up embezzlement.

    Pearl's developed a following, whether or not some of us approve of his methods. This story has been around for a few weeks now. He linked to an audio interview, and made no comment whatsoever about her insane "poor me" defesne. One is only left to presume he must support Richardson, unethical behavior and all.
  • RW Crum
    And if my comment disappears, I'll know it'll be because of Pearl. First Amendment, Billy, First Amendment.
  • Dave Wielenga
    Actually, RW, you found this story because LBReport linked to The District Weekly (we link to one another's top stories) and The District Weekly linked to the Press-Telegram. We're all about informing the community. I wouldn't be concerned that your comments will be removed. Neither would I assume that you can predict how any of us feel about any of this, unless we offer a perspective. In any case, the real obligation is on you--once you know of a situation you disapprove of, what are you going to do about it? Insult and argue with the messenger? Or take action? Let me know what you decide.
  • Kelson
    Um, has there actually been anyone else on a ballot worthy of my support? Yeah, I didn't think so. So until there's a different Democrat on the ballot, you're still voting for their party platform over the platform of that other party. I ain't volunteering to be on the ballot so don't bother asking me in the next comment. Unless you're LBRez or howardx. Heck, not even then. But I'll vote for Andy.
  • Dwight K Snider
    Citizen Journalist Quote of the Day: "…public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty."

    (Source: Preamble to the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics.)
  • LBRez
    Kelson how sweet. I am a Richardson constituent and since no one from the "other party" on the ballot I think I would much rather have you than her as my Rep. What is your sign? Do you like pina coladas and getting stuck in the rain?
  • George F. Babbitt
    Why don't you get over yourselves? Laura is entitled to whatever she can get since she has to put up with so much guff from folks like you. Nobody else wanted the damn job who was even half sane so just be glad she's going to be in there scrapping for the pork and earmarks we deserve here in the 37th. She has shown that she's not above some pretty brazen tactics when they're necessary and we'll all benefit from her acquisitive zeal. In that respect she'll bring us all together just as President Obama has promised. Let's get on board with Laura Richardson and stop with the divisive nonsense now.
  • JuanPardell
    Babbitt --- Laura is all about Laura. Her problem is she financially overextended herself. I would be compelled to feel bad for her, had she gotten into this predicament through no fault of her own. However, this isn't the case. She spent much of her campaign money on expensive limousine rides, steak dinners and fundraisers. That is not the lifestyle of someone who is financially hurting. If you feel she is the best representative for your district, its no wonder most of the 37th looks the way it does.
  • Real Talk
    I'd take Laura Richardson and all of her money problems over most of the weak, milquetoast, city hall politicians in Long Beach. At least she knows how to fight and what's important to fight for. She's one of a few elected officials in this city who doesn't take marching orders from the unofficial mayor, Randy Gordon and the millionaire energy boss. In this weak economy, her problems may become common to many. A year from now, home foreclosures and deliquent bills may have the same shock as $4 a gallon gas prices. We can thank George W. Bush and the special business interest poverty pimps for further weakening the middle class. Let's keep it real people!
  • LBRez
    Babbitt your comments just cause me to shake my head. What exactly is she doing, or will do, to "bring us all together?" For that matter expand as well on what you think Obama will do in that regard. "Nobody else wanted the damn job?" Wrong, first Jenny Oropeza wanted the job and ran against Richard$on, but the union money was on Richard$on because of Jenny's vote on the Indian gaming not having to go union. So while stiffing lenders, vendors, mechanics among others Richard$on put money into her campaign and won. Granted she had very weak opponents this time out, but had her misdeeds and dishonesty been exposed earlier, say before the filing deadlines, for sure others would have entered the race. Take off your Richard$on glasses and look at reality.
  • 'Real Talk' writes: "I’d take Laura Richardson and all of her money problems over most of the weak, milquetoast, city hall politicians in Long Beach. At least she knows how to fight and what’s important to fight for. She’s one of a few elected officials in this city who doesn’t take marching orders from the unofficial mayor, Randy Gordon and the millionaire energy boss."

    Real Talk sounds to be sharing real truth with real backbone. Except that when it comes to millionaire or billionaire energy bosses it aint so. Among other stiffing jobs, it was Laura that made sure that the City Council woundn't ever quite bring itself to say NO to LNG. She even stiffed a resolution (of Bonnie's) that simply restated what is already law, namely the presumption that the farther away an LNG terminal is, the safer it is. Yes, I admit that Laura knows what she wants, and that's primarily Laura. And at this rate she'll get it, what with opponents of the ilk we have just seen, who either perennially and incredibly promise everything to everyone, or can't utter two coherent sentences in a row.
  • G.F. Babbitt
    What vicious, jealous, nasty people to say such negative things about a woman who has given so much to her community. The few things she needs to maintain her simple middle class lifestyle are begrudged her by the opponents of Change. The forces for constructive engagement in our district are once again under fire from the right wing fanatics who will stop at nothing to bankrupt the innocent victims who are only now attempting to assert their God given right to live in dignity and peace...unmolested by fear of exposure to the caustic disregard of fascist, corrupting Republican tricksters posing as concerned citizens. Shame! Shame on you for your greedy disinterest in fair play and honest government! Laura Richardson is the only woman standing between us and the reckless exploitation being devised by her avowed enemies on the far right. We shall overcome these forces of division and distrust to correct the course of a nation hijacked by greedy corporate manipulators such as those besmirching our loyal friend and ally, Laura Richardson!
  • Andy
    People...please check your high school reading material (oh, no one reads anymore? OK, Google it) and look up G.F. Babbitt. Then, you won't make an ass of yourself when you respond.

    And, I will be announcing my candidacy shortly, but first I'm changing my name to Lowenthal. The illegitimate, red-haired bastard one.
  • drnoe
    Any relation to Shooty Babbitt?
  • LBRez
    I think Babbitt and Real Talk are really Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleger. At the Randy Gordon School of Indoctrination we were not allowed to read Lewis, too progressive!! Andy when you run as a Lowenthal how will which Lowenthal on the ballot is you? Maybe we can save some bucks and Bonniee can run for Assembly on the ballot and Congress as a write in and take the Lowenthal record to 18-0.
  • Andy
    On the other hand, I feel like an ass for not knowing that was actually a Graham Parker song. If Laura doesn't want it, I will use it for my campaign. Which will focus on my ability to actually pay my bills.
  • JuanPardell
    G.F. Babbitt. Why not check out who Laura has received campaign contributions from? You will see, that she's received money from business interests that you would perceive as " the far-right". Frankly, its hypocritical for her to say she's worried about high gas prices, when she's accepted thousands of dollars from the big oil companies.
  • Kelson
    I'd take their money, too.

    Contributions are a nice indicator for someone who has not yet entered office but she's been in now for long enough such that you should look at how she votes. So, Juan, does she vote along with those interests, or agin' 'em?
  • Roy
    She is a crook.....What has she done? What did she do while on the LB City Council? Nothing! She takes money from everyone and never returns the favor.....What a loser
  • John
    Wow check out #12 above, sounds just like what gordons pal joe prevratil allegedly did-stiffing and stuffing-but for years and years and years, and millions and millions and millions of dollars. randy, maybe you can show laura how a real business-type did it. She's so small potatoes compared to your good bud.
  • LBRez
    Bang, bang, bang John continues to bang the drum....Dude, I'm not Randy Gordon, I think unlike you and me he has better things to do than banter with folks on a website. Your myopia is very funny to me though.
  • Dave Wielenga
    Hey Andy.... I didnt know the "Crawlin' From The Wreckage" was a Graham Parker song, either. I had written that it was by Rockpile, and only when I looked up whether it was Dave Edmunds or Nick Lowe did I realize I'd nearly made a big mistake. Great song, either way.
  • Chris Ziegler
    are people talking about nick lowe in here?
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