Box gets the finger
Thread started by
marino at 03.8.11 - 11:24 pm
In early results Stephen Box gets the finger coming third and last as I had predicted all along.
http://cityclerk.lacity.org/election/Results.htm
I know many of you supported him but many of us didn't.
This is not a loss for the cycling community, it's a loss for Box.
For those of you who feel disappointed, you may want to consider the following.
- Incumbents win 99% of the time.
- Pick a candidate who is good at building bridges instead of burning them.
- LaBonge will get reelected with over 50% of the vote. There won't be a runoff. Learn to suck up to him. I posted on his Facebook "Cyclists for LaBonge" and got a bunch of "Likes". I just didn't want this race to appear as "Cyclists vs LaBonge". We'll need to work with him in the future.
If you find all of this too political as in too disgusting, that's a healthy response too.
The real change comes from the street.
More ridazz on the road. More bikes on the road.
People take notice. Even politicians.
The minute someone claims to represent you, is the minute you lose all power.
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More races to run, more offices to fill, plenty of years left.
I say use this as a learning experience and improve for future successes.
The results in the desert were more reminiscent of an all-out, trash dumping fest.
Anyone that showed the remote signs of being aligned with the old guard were summarily stuffed in the Hefty, and left to rot.
bentstrider03.9.11 - 12:04 am
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Well, I'm sure glad you could get that out of your system.
I don't see what's so wrong for supporting a member of our community, even if he was the underdog. But I'm sure you have your reasons - I just don't want to hear any of them.
You obviously take this all too seriously. Which confuses me to no end because I thought I knew you better. I just hope you feel good about yourself now.
I think Stephen made a good effort. More attention will be given to our needs because of his involvement. But now we get to deal with more of the same stalling tactics and meaningless rhetoric from LaBonge who mainly is catering to the wealthy and to those who view cycling as a sport. Oh joy.
Time for me to take a cold shower.
Joe Borfo03.9.11 - 12:11 am
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really? i guess im gonna have to look for titles on "sucking up to politicians" at the anarchist book fair.
cycling got more press during this campaign than had Box not ran for election. i think there will be some soul searching about the combative styles in our movement, which i think you're alluding to, esp by potential political peeps.
the bike scene created icons overnight, and we see/know people are eyeing top spots. its a bit antithetical to the essence of the movement I suppose. but I would support new blood, before I kowtow to an incumbent out of fear he/she won't work with "us".
that's a power hierarchy, which Marino is against, right?
markd03.9.11 - 12:31 am
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I voted for Box today and I'd vote for him any other day in the future. Just having bikes on the streets isn't going to cut it when there's government, money and power involved. They'll burn the bridge for you while giving you reason as why that bridge had to be burned in the first place. Having someone who actually cares about true growth of community in Los Angeles will always get my support. Congrats to Box for putting forth such a great effort and all those on his campaign staff.
et03.9.11 - 12:41 am
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He gets the finger from me too. BIG THUMBS UP!
I saw him work really hard these past months.
I was very impressed what Enci and crew made of this campaign. The inroads they made and what they accomplished impressed me very much.
Depressed about the poll numbers though.
He raised more money then I though would be possible. Sadly only a small
percentage of that came from this community and only from a few people here.
Stephen had done more for this community then anybody I know it, and has personally helped me more then anybody here. Big congratulations is in order.
I look forward to his next campaign and only hope I can be more involved then I was able to be in this one.
Sadly the City Of Los Angeles is the big loser for not electing Stephen today.
sexy03.9.11 - 1:23 am
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I understand a lot of what Marino is saying, but not all of it. I'm disappointed, I really do want LA to show it had the potential to somehow pull itself out of the decline it won't even acknowledge it's in but... as Marino said Incumbents rule, and the status quo is their domain.
I'd would like to congratulate Stephen and everyone involved in his campaign for all the work they did.
franz responding to a
comment by sexy
03.9.11 - 1:42 am
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OK. Let me get it all out.
The problem I have with Stephen Box and AT is that they are so cocksure they are geniuses and born leaders that they will never listen to any of you. Cause they know better. They've worked harder. They know all the parliamentary rules. You are beneath them.
The other thing they have proved in all these years, is that they are truly ineffective as politicians. They are more interested in winning an immediate smirk or applause by belittling their political opponent (Mowery, LaBonge, whoever) than finding some type of common ground and squeezing a solution out of them.
If "one of our own" is going to speak on our behalf I would prefer someone who is more reluctant about it. Someone who is less desperate about being a leader. Someone who is good at making friends.
Patrick, Ingrid, Joe Linton, Roadblock, Borfo, Josef, Ashira, Jimmy Lizama are some names that come to mind.
I feel that what Midnight Ridazz has built is so pure, so unique and so wonderful that I can't stand seeing people who had no part in building it using it as a stepping stone for their careerist ambitions.
You want to support them? Go right ahead.
marino03.9.11 - 2:12 am
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What ? isn't voting rigged to keep things status quo ?
Dedicated81803.9.11 - 3:46 am
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I'm proud of Stephen. I think it took courage to throw his hat into the ring.
alicestrong03.9.11 - 8:46 am
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i wish more of the internal bickering between Box, AT and the cycling community was more out in the open. not only would it clear the air, but it might even get a debate going.
i supported Box and encouraged others to vote for him because--like him or not--he is the best candidate for our community. my main concern with the two of them is that they represent the stereotypical faces of cycling-as-gentrification, something picked up on in the recent LA Weekly article.
I support the LACBC because they are actively pushing to make LA not just bike-friendly, but socially just. Allison's City of Lights program and her contribution to planning have made a significantly positive impact on our community, and has done so while prioritising issue of social justice and openness.
I can't say the same of the Bikeside Vanguard, but nonetheless I'm glad they're there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityprojectca/970169907/
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by marino
03.9.11 - 9:02 am
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Marino has some very legitimate facts. I know the group think sheeple mentality with the bike people leads you to BOX but he lost me when he chose horses over mountain bikers.
sack or crack you choose03.9.11 - 9:36 am
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You're bummed cuz you can't grow a goatee....
barleye responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
03.9.11 - 9:46 am
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I supported Box because in the big picture it would have been nice to see a bike commuter in office period. A lot of what Marino said is true to put it mildly Box has a reputation for being abrasive even towards members of the bike community. When it comes to the "movement" I would rather cheer and lobby another advocate into a better solution than to criticize. I think it's a valueable lesson learned for me, and Im still trying to attain the right pitch. I think by next election cycle Box will win it because by definition if Box is still with us it will indicate just how dedicated he is.
I first knew of Box 13 years ago through the commercial film industry. He had a story about him where the people called him "the enabler." He had a big jeep and he talked his way onto the production just standing around and helping out. People had respect for him for his resourcefulness.
I hope Box continues and, like every advocate who sits through umpteen city hall meetings of miniscule detail and delay, he works to unify and lead his finger of the hand that is bike advocacy in Los Angeles. The hand eventually grasping the city and molding it. There are many parts to the body. The more we act helpful and respectful of ANY effort to promote bicycles, pedestrians, safe streets... the better chance we have. We are David. They, the automotive interests the energy interests, businesses in power are out to keep their status quo. We need every finger in this hand to work together! Especially the middle finger. Ha.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by sack or crack you choose
03.9.11 - 9:57 am
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Marino has had some dumb one-way personal fantasy feud going with S.B. for years. Nothing worth taking seriously, as usual. At least he didn't compare Box to Stalin this time.
I would have liked to see LaBonge at least forced into a runoff. I guess people get the government they deserve, though, and for some reason CD4 has declared unambiguously that it wants and deserves to be represented by an intellectually incurious buffoon. What can you do?
PC responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
03.9.11 - 2:19 pm
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Politics isn't all that different from high school, is it?
What I'm most surprised about is that the majority of people in LA appear to be comfortable enough that they overwhelmingly supported all the incumbents.
angle responding to a
comment by PC
03.9.11 - 3:31 pm
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Too bad, I voted for Box. With that said LaBonge does have the ear of the bike community and even had a ride with LaBonge day last year. We just need to be on top of him letting him know we are a huge force in this town and we need to be heard.
ToddAlmighty03.9.11 - 11:23 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!