Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye
With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008, our site was designed to offer an opportunity to those who wished to engage in public debate on many issues, especially in politics and business, but found it difficult to get placed in newspaper op-ed pages.
Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help. Last year at this time we considered closing the site, however with an election on the horizon we decided to keep F&H going through the election year. With the election come and gone, and with no sense of additional resources, we have decided to close the site down.
Fox and Hounds will live on, at least, with my articles collected in the California State Library.
On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years in California policy and politics. There have been some incredible high moments and some difficult low points. It pains me that politics too often is a blood sport, frequently demonizing the motives of opponents and using the legal system as a weapon in public discourse. At Fox & Hounds, we tried to adhere to the practice of giving all a voice in the debate, yet keep the commentaries civil and avoided personal attacks.
F&H offered the opportunity to publish different perspectives (even ones that criticized my writings!). We had success as indicated by the Washington Post twice citing Fox and Hounds Daily one of the best California political websites and many other positive affirmations and comments received over the years.
Tom, Bryan and I want to thank our many readers and writers for being part of our journey. The publishers of Fox and Hounds Daily believe that we added value to California and its people. We hope you agree.
Time for Bill Review is Critical
Can you imagine only having only a few hours to review important work documents and then be forced make snap decisions that are critical to the future of your business? It might be awarding a contract, reviewing financial documents or preparing a proposal. Sound crazy? Unfortunately more times than not, this is the way the legislature works in California. Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 10, authored by Senator Lois Wolk, would change that.
SCA 10 would requires all legislation to be in print for at least seventy-two hours before legislators are able to act on it, giving them more sufficient time to review the finer details and nuances of the bill. (more…)
California’s Pro-Athlete Workers’ Comp Loophole is Bad Business
Professional sports are part of the excitement Los Angeles offers to residents and visitors. We have the privilege of cheering for some of the world’s best teams and finest athletes.
What most of us did not know until recently was that our state workers’ compensation laws allow professional players from teams in 49 other states to file claims within California for the same workers’ compensation benefits that the hardworking citizens of California rely on. (more…)
When the Trial Lawyers Come to Town…
Recently, the American Association of Justice (AAJ), the national association of plaintiff’s lawyers, held its annual national convention in San Francisco. Unfortunately, these lawyers weren’t interested in growing our economy or creating jobs. With several of their sessions focused on lawsuit creation, it’s obvious they’re interested in just one thing: lining their own pockets by manipulating laws to further incentivize litigation from which they profit. (more…)
Truth in Labeling
SB 556 sponsored by unions to label non-public employees doesn’t go far enough. The bill requires that subcontractors who are hired to perform labor or service for a government agency wear a label that reads: “Not a Government Employee.” Any vehicle used in service of government must also be labeled: “The Operator of this Vehicle is Not a Government Employee.”
The unions behind the bill carried by Senator Ellen Corbett say the public must have the means to distinguish between government employees and non-government employees. To which the Sacramento Bee asks in a dismissive editorial, “We would be curious to know which members of the public are clamoring for more signage in their lives so they can distinguish between contractors and true public employees. Is there a petition drive we missed? Have there been mass rallies at the Capitol on this cause that have escaped our attention?” (more…)
Does L.A. History Include Humans?
We Angelenos were never supposed to be here.
In an 1868 essay considered so powerful it was taught to schoolchildren for a century, writer and economist Henry George predicted that California would become one of the most prosperous places on earth. San Diego was destined to become a major destination. Oakland’s docks would grow to rival those of “Jersey City, if not of Liverpool.” San Francisco, he wrote, would become perhaps the greatest city in North America, without a rival “for a thousand miles north and south.”
And Los Angeles?
George never mentioned the place. (more…)
Making Fun of Dems and Reps on Late Night TV
While President Barack Obama appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night and engaged in some serious conversation, the president was the butt of many jokes from late night comedians in the early months of 2013. According to the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University, the president was the target of 288 monologue jokes by late night comedians during the first part of the year.
The Center tallies the amount of jokes made by late night comedians about politicians from both major political parties. While Democrats have been targeted by the comedians almost twice as much as Republicans this year, the numbers were quite different during the election year in which Republicans were hit with the majority of the jokes. (more…)