Kids at risk, and the dangers of drinking-
Researchers find three chromosomal areas with links to alcoholism vulnerability  

"We have met the enemy and he is us." Attribution: Walt Kelly
creator of the Pogo comic strip.
Another "black eye"?

Yesterday, I saw a lot commentary about LA getting a "black eye"
as a result of a story on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
(See here.)

Even metaphorically-speaking, I assume that LA only has two
eyes.   So it is difficult to determine that we got another one blackened.  
In my lifetime our state has gotten so many "black eyes" that they
have become as permanent as those of a raccoon.

Who is that masked man?

The story focuses on George Brown, the chief lobbyist for the alcohol
industry in LA as the culprit for the latest "black eye" on our state.   

LA hasn't had a monarch in quite a few years.   The closest we have
is a governor.    Researching back for the last 80 years, I found that
Mr. Brown has never been elected governor.   Nor do I believe he has ever
been elected to the LA legislature.

I haven't seen Mr. Brown in person in a few years, but the last time I did
he appeared to be a mere mortal who had to put his pants on one leg at
a time. 

The real culprit(s)

So, who's the real culprit in the eye-blackening effort?

LA (according to the state constitution) has a representative form of
democracy.   We elect representatives and senators to vote in our
stead on the laws by which we are required to live.   The constitution
also gives the governor the power of veto over all statutory laws passed.
(Note: Mr. Brown's 80th birthday party was held recently at the Governor's
Mansion.)

We should assume that those we elect to represent us have free will.  
Therefore, either they are voting their personal beliefs, have sold their
votes (that would be illegal) or are representing their constituents when they
support the laws over which Mr. Brown allegedly exercises great influence.

Apparently, few if any of the voters are upset with the leges who
allegedly do Mr. Brown's bidding.  Eighty-two  82% of them were reelected
in the last round of elections.  Likely more would have been reelected,
but some opted to retire or run for other offices.

We, the enemy

Therefore, if anyone is responsible for LA getting another "black eye," it is
not Mr. Brown.  It is the fault of we, a majority of the voters of LA, who
obviously approve of our leges allegedly doing Mr. Brown's bidding.

C.B.

Mullet Scribe
 
 

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Website: www.Forgotston.com
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