Latino and Asian voters...cry foul! At-large elections not fair!



Years ago, when Harvey Milk first ran for office in the Castro District, he lost the first couple of times out at the polling stations.

That is a little known footnote in San Francisco (and LGBT) history.

The reason he failed to nab the popular vote first-time out in the heady days of open-and-out gay activism?

Quite simply, the city districts were structured in such a way, that the election process did not favor the homosexual community.

However, once the Castro District was rezoned, Milk was able to snap up the majority - in neighborhood where the voters were mostly gay or homo-friendly - go figure!

Now, the Asian and Latino communities in San Mateo County are crying foul for the same reason.

The two ethnic groups make up one quarter of the county's nearly 72,000 residents and a slightly smaller share of its voting-age population.

So, what is the fuss all about?

The two minorities are lamenting the fact that only one Latino - and no Asians-Americans - have held seats on the five-member Board of Supervisors since 1995.

According to a spokesperson for the disgruntled voters, the at-large system - combined with alleged "racially polarized voting" - unlawfully deprives Latino and Asian members in the community to voice their preferences meaningfully with ballot-in-hand.

For this reason, a lawsuit - based on voting rights - has been filed against San Mateo County.

The plaintiffs are demanding that the Judge presiding over the proceedings declare the upcoming county-wide elections illegal. 

Pursuant to state law, attorney Robert Rubin (Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights) has argued that new election districts should include a majority-Latino and majority-Asian American district.

"And, perhaps there should be a third district, in which two groups together form a majority," he noted, in an after-thought.

In response, County Counsel John Beiers has stated for the record in no uncertain terms, that he has not seen any evidence that the at-large system weakens the voting power of Latinos or Asian Americans.

The underlying arguments that the suit is based on refers to a 2002 California voting-rights Law that prohibits at-large elections in areas with a history of racially polarized voting - such as in the case where the majority voted as a bloc - against minority candidates and minority interests.

The litigants are optimistic about their chances of prevailing in court.

After all, an appeals court upheld the law in a suit against Modesto, in 2006.

On the heels of the ruling, the city switched from an at-large system to district elections.

In defense, opponents argue quite vigorously that at-large elections encourage voters to consider diverse views of an entire city or county.

But, critics pooh pooh that notion, for good reason.

In their view, the at-large elections allow a majority - whether racial or political - to control a governing board and ignore minority concerns.

We'll see which way the wind blows, after the issues are hashed out in court.

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Beachfront property worth fighting for!

Dancing with Stars...Bristol Palin scandal! Fans irate over ballot-stuffing!

 

In recent weeks, in spite of less-than-stellar dance routines, Bristol Palin has managed to finesse her way to the top of the "Dancing with the Stars" hopeful heap much to the chagrin of  hateful detractors sharpening their daggers on the sidelines.

What accounts for this remarkable phenomenon?

Tea Party Republicans have allegedly hurt the integrity of the ballot-box at the ABC website - by casting excessive double (and maybe triple votes) on her behalf - according to angry viewers who are livid at the prospect of the tarted-up little tramp winning the coveted glitter ball.

Indeed!

On a couple of occasions when I tuned in to catch the top-rated glitzy entertainment bill-of-fare - I couldn't help but notice that the plump homely-looking contestant - with no star quality to speak of - was a mediocre dancer at best!.

Is dirty politics at the crux of it?

There outta be a law.

News at 11!

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Bristol & Levi in happier days!

Casino Jack...Kevn Spacey pays tribute at screening! Film sleazy potshot @ lobbyists!

My favorite scene in "Casino Jack" is when an FBI snitch quotes a line from the "Godfather" to Kevin Spacey's character near the end of the fast-paced political potboiler.

"I know it was you Alfredo. You broke my heart!"

The moral of the story was crystal clear at that juncture.

There is no honor among thieves.

The "Spacey" vehicle was launched last night amid a lot of frenzied fanfare at the exotic Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Sleek limousines purred at the curb, the paparazzi jockeyed for position, and celebrities trotted down the red carpet into the theatre with high expectations.

After all, "Casino Jack" has been garnering a lot of buzz in industry circles of late.

Inside, in the packed lobby - a bevy of bodacious babes and eager male suits - hovered about the fringes like moths to flame anxious to hob-nob with the tony elite.

Meanwhile, from my own perch on the sidelines, I was able to surreptitiously catch the scuttlebutt as it swirled all around me.

A few guests quibbled about the fact the ushers failed to seat them in the prestigious reserved section where they could pass themselves off as industry VIPs for appearances sake.

Tsk!  Tsk!

In another corner of the plush environs, a couple of seasoned pro's cynically advised their friends to gobble down a bit of popcorn during the screening,  before heading over to the Roosevelt for the chi-chi after-party.

"There isn't any food this year.The PR folks cut back."

Golly, how the mighty have fallen in these tough economic times.

Imagine that!

A powerful Hollywood studio scrimping on the Tinsel at a splashy World Premiere!

In due course, the lights were dimmed, signalling that the screening was about to get underway.

At this juncture, a posse of stragglers were hustled into their seats, just as Kevin Spacey was invited up to the podium to launch the premiere of the much-anticipated feature about a posse of smarmy lobbyists plying the hill in Washington D.C.

Unfortunately, there was sad news.

Director - George Hickenlooper - would not be attending the festivities because of his untimely death a couple of weeks ago.

The actor - recently bestowed with an honorary Commander of the "Order of the British Empire" (for his role in reviving London's Old Vic Theatre - proceeded to pay tribute to his good friend and business associate who he greatly admired.

Spacey - with a wide smile on his likable face - fondly recalled that he was cast for the role of the scoundrel - Jack Abramoff - on Facebook.

"Someone mentioned that I might be good for the part. So, George was poked," he chuckled with glee, looking back.

After flying over to London to meet with Spacey on location, the respected director signed the award-winning actor on for the five-week shoot.

"Casino Jack was well-received at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)," Spacey proudly noted to the attentive filmgoers - obviously saddened - by the loss of Hickenlooper.

"In fact, for the first time, George was starting to receive long overdue rave reviews and accolades for his work," Spacey underscored to the rapt audience now hanging on every word.

"Thank you for coming and supporting the film and his family who are in attendance tonight," he finished up, with a touch of emotion in his voice.

The applause was stupdendous!

In a nutshell, "Casino Jack" is a dark political satire that takes a pot-shot at unscrupulous snake-oil salesmen lobbying for special interests (and in search of good favor) on Capitol Hill.

Kevin Spacey turns-in a remarkable bravado performance - one of his best - to date.

In fact, the celebrated thespian not only gets beneath the skin of the slime-ball character he is portraying, but breathes like into an unforgettable role that won't be soon forgotten.

For Spacey, the remarkable performance is a defining moment in both his personal life and professional career.

In reflecting on the film after the screening, I was inclined to recall a piece of advice my Art Professor once offered up on the subject of critiques.

"When viewing a work of art - whether it be a painting, a movie, or dance performance - the viewer must first stand back and fathom what just washed over them."

In the instant case of Casino Jack, the fast-paced dark farce about dirty politics, is so slick (well-written, acted to perfection, lushly produced) that it capably seduces filmgoers right out of the starter's gate before they are aware of what hit 'em.

Unfortunately, once the credits crawl to a close, there is a rude awakening.

I'll wager that once the initial potent power of the story-telling wears off, that - ten to one - a gaggle of filmgoers will ultimately feel like the innocents depicted in the film - that they have been taken.

But, if they're keen on a couple of hours of delicious raucous fun, all will be forgiven!

http://www.thetattler.biz

John Lovitz & Kevin Spacey turn in brilliant performances!

Barack Obama...touches down in San Francisco! Don't Ask! Don't tell!

The beleaguered President is touching down in San Francisco tomorrow - and expected to perform a few perfunctory political duties - before he jets off in Air Force One the following Friday morning.

Essentially, the trip is an over-nighter!

A stiff night cap. Fresh towels. Nourishing breakfast on-the-go courtesy of room service!

And, a plea for big bucks!

Speaking of which - handlers have noted that Mr. Obama is a headline speaker at fundraising events for the Democratic National Committee and a political candidate by the name of Kamala Harris who is running for the office of California Attorney General.

Obama's visit falls in the shadow of a recent poll which rated his job performance as just so-so.

According to pollsters - 49% of the voters disapproved of the job President Obama is apparently "not doing" - while 45% were inclined to give the Commander-in-Chief a nod.
 
The trip out West is viewed - by many - as a sly attempt to swing public favor in his direction.
 
If he stalls a lot of traffic over the next couple of days in the picturesque Bay area, it is doubtful he'll be able to bootstrap his image up at all.

The riots he nearly caused in Hancock Park (Los Angeles) over gridlock last summer are a surefire   indication of that.

If 'ya don't ask, I won't tell!
 
San Francisco is a quaint provincial two-wheel town, after all!
 
Big city slickers are generally frowned upon when they breeze into town with their nose out of joint whack.
 
In Obama's case, time will tell.
 
News at 11!
 
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