Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is all in favor of those lovely junkets that legislators like so much. But it isn't for the sordid reasons you might expect. It's not so that they can pick up great deals on expensive luggage and fine wines in France, or luxuriate in palatial hotels and feast on the finest viands in the world -- at someone else's expense. It's not about getting free vacations in return for a measly vote or three.
No, it's because the junkets have such educational value for all those bumpkins from the hinterlands who populate the Capitol, and need a dose of sophistication.
Here's what the governor told a big-city audience at the Beverly Hilton -- to much laughter, according to Capitol Alert:
“And that’s why I always encourage the legislators in Sacramento, because some of them come from those little towns. You know what I’m saying? They come from those little towns, and they don’t have that vision yet of an airport or of a highway that maybe has 10 lanes. Or of putting a highway on top of a highway. They look at you and say, ‘Well we don’t have that in my town, what are you talking about?’ So they are kind of shocked when you say certain things."
Weelll, dogies, Arnie. I reckon you got us backwoods types figured out, all right. Big ol' airports, 10-lane highways -- what'll them city slickers come up with next? Movin' pictures that talk?
(Check Capitol Alert here, though you'll have to register.)
You need to poll Madera County resindents NOT other Countys!!! If you look at the facts and not listen to here say the Restort will help Madera to stop being the a nieghorhood community of Fresno. The Bee and other Countys need to stay out of Madera County's business!!! We want the Casino has the EIS has proved!!!
I ran into my local Assemblyman while he was loading up some hay at the local feedstore, and asked him what he thought of your blog.
“What’s a blawg?” he asked. I tried to explain what the internet was, but he got hopelessly confused. So I just asked him whether he’d ever seen an airport or a 10-lane freeway.
“Sure I’ve seen an airport,” he replied. “My brother in law even took me up in one of them crop-dusters at the Reedley airport a few years ago. You ain’t gonna get me up in one of those things again!”
What about 10-lane freeways, I asked?
“Whattaya talkin’ about? Everybody knows a freeway is two lanes each way, and a row of oleanders in the middle! I don’t need no Hollywood city slicker with a furrin accent telling me what a freeway is!”
I then asked him if he thought there would be some benefit from seeing the rest of the world.
“What fer?” he asked. “We got the Raisin Capital of the World right here down 99. The world oughtta be comin’ to see US, not the other way around!” he exclaimed.
I conceded his point, and he finished loading his truck and went on his way.
Mike(D)Where were you during the "Writers Strike"?