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OK, can we just agree right now that Eric Garcetti is the coolest LA City Council President, like, ever? That's him on the red carpet — the one crouching down, taking the photo of other guests.
The occasion was last night's screening of The New LA on the Paramount lot. So much LA political high-wattage was there that I couldn't get them all down: three or four city council reps, Mayor Villaraigosa, controller Laura Chick, Tom Bradley's widow, movers and shakers from the African-American, Latino and Korean communities. Gary Leonard was there, shooting like crazy. Everyone seemed to know each other; as Mayor V waited on the aisle for his turn at the podium, he was giving private smiles and waves to practically everyone in the room.
The New LA is part of the documentary series California and the American Dream on PBS on Thursdays; look for it next week on KCET at 10pm. The New LA provides a good history of post-1960s labor efforts in LA, while also tracing Mayor Bradley's legacy to Mayor Villaraigosa. It's best when focusing on Maria Elena Durazo, who is a skilled, impassioned organizer, and Miguel Contreras, her husband, who led the LA County AFL-CIO until his sudden death last year. The filmmakers captured Miguel in his last long-form interview; the film is dedicated to him.
In other ways, we think the film falls short, but we'll save that for another day. If you watch it next week, tell us what you think: thumbs up or thumbs down?
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Yeah, except for the whole seizing businesses to give the land to a private developer, he's great.
Nunya - don't be a hater. I'd love to hear a specific example of this "give the land to the private developer" bullshit claim. I work for a private developer, and the last thing he does is give away "the land".
Eric is the bomb. He is a smart guy, and he has an honest and thoroughly modern style of politics that L.A. desperately needs.
Okay, how about how he fucked up Spaceland's parking for everyone by rezoning the street.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?
Shove it, Ubray. The guy's an asshole.
KneeJerk, that's not giving land to a developer. And while we are very sorry that you don't have a place to put your car when you go to Spaceland, we're glad that you haven't discoverd our secret spot.
Eric is great. I knew him when I was an intern for Human Rights Watch. He drove a ratty old car, had a beautiful girlfriend, and was the most non-politician politician I've ever met.
BTW Kneejerk, whining about the parking at Spaceland may be the most breathless example of hipster self-centeredness I've come across in a long time. What were the reasons for changing the zoning? I'll bet you apples to oranges that it was something that many local community members supported for a reason. I mean, I know that naval-gazing is an art in L.A., but get over it and try walking a few blocks. It won't hurt, I promise.
Good grief, the troll signs its comments "kneejerk" folks. Let it goooooooo.