Oh my, Caruso almost had me warming up to him and then he labeled JB Pritzker an up and coming moderate. Okay maybe 60 is the new 40 but Pritzker is nowhere near center on any of the important issues of the day. And that is before we even delve into how he has basically bought the State of Illinois and overseen the massive migration out of the state.
No. 1: Rick Caruso made a mistake in the mayoral election essentially attacking Karen Bass for speaking at a Church of Scientology community event. There are a lot of Scientologists in LA (largest community in the world I think). Didn't make much sense alienating a voting base that might have turned out for him on the issues.
No. 2: On immigration and agricultural workers, so you are admitting California is essentially a plantation? Worrying about the economic impacts of absent illegal immigrant laborers means the sector demands underpaid workers with no protections or recourse (overtime, unemployment insurance, workers comp) to survive. I think we all know why "a path to citizenship" is never in the cards no matter what party is in power because too many like it that way. Those crops aren't going to pick themselves... amirite?
Rick Caruso has been touring podcasts recently and getting an uncritical opportunity to deliver a stump speech. A few weeks ago, he was platformed on Sam Harris’ Making Sense with essentially no pushback. Now, Honestly portrays Rick Caruso as an expert on disaster preparedness. But he didn’t show it. Bari claims the fires are the worst in LA history, but Caruso takes it further, suggesting they're among the worst in the country. His assertion is a cruel joke when measured by loss of life. The Oakland hills fire in 1991 took a fraction of the homes (3000) but 25 lives. The worst 9 fires in the 20th century caused almost 7400 deaths, over 1/3 of those in the World Trade Center in NYC.
I’m not familiar with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Rick says he thinks they were “resistant to brush clearing” but I can’t find any recent evidence of the SMC holding up brush clearing. Further back, in 2009, the Conservancy informed the Los Angeles Fire Department that they were ending their practice of clearing brush on properties they owned within 200 feet of residences that did not pay an annual assessment for brush clearance. Bari, you allowed him to wing it.
On to national politics: On the deportation of undocumented migrants, Bari touts Rick’s nuance. Rick says, deport the criminals, keep the good people. Is that what passes for nuance? Caruso's stance on deportation—deporting criminals while keeping 'good people'—ignores complexities of immigration policy and the human impact on families. This is simplistic rhetoric, not nuance.
Bari asks, “Do you think Trump is extreme?” Rick waffles, praising some of his ideas while criticizing others. This response is bizarre, especially considering Trump's role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol violence and his refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. What would extreme look like to Rick? Maybe Bari could have asked. The degradation of our democracy that Trump has already caused doesn't rank? Rick’s evasion is bizarre only for a second. Then you recall that Rick might want to run for governor or mayor or whatever. Is he bending the knee in advance, like too many other politicians? Furthermore, the comparison of Trump to Reagan is mind-boggling, given the significant differences in their approaches to governance and respect for democratic institutions. Once again, no challenge from Bari.
In summary, Bari Weiss' interview lacked any real pushback, contradicting The Free Press's ideals of honesty, doggedness, and fierce independence. The episode is a stark reminder of how normalized this lack of scrutiny has become. The lack of critical questioning and fact-checking in this interview is not just a missed opportunity - it's a disservice to listeners seeking genuine insights into complex issues facing Los Angeles and the nation.
I live in SF, but if I lived in LA, I would vote for Caruso for mayor. He would make a great governor for CA. He seems very work-driven and problem-solving focused.
I need to add a separate comment about Mr. Caruso’s assertion he has no idea what happened to the Republican Party in California. He certainly knows. For Bari’s benefit, here’s the Readers Digest version. Pete Wilson (R) had been elected senator in the early 1980’s and was called upon to run for governor in 1990, mainly due to a weak bench. Two propositions, 187 and 209, came on the ballot in 1994 and 1996. Especially on 187, which cut off benefits for illegal aliens, Wilson took the lead. It was a brutal campaign, in which the republicans won a Pyrrhic victory. The propositions both passed, but the party was destroyed. There was a dual senatorial election in 1992, like in Georgia in 2020, won by Boxer and Feinstein, Gray Davis became governor and the republicans haven’t won a statewide election since.
Bari came into this with an agenda, which is disappointing. I’ve noticed a shift in her reporting since A16z invested in them, with her perspective leaning more toward a Fox News-style, sensationalist approach. In this interview, Rick Caruso came across as more moderate and measured than Bari. While I understand the core arguments and have my own frustrations with California’s ineptitude, I expect Bari to use her intellect to uncover the truth through inquiry—not to steer a candidate toward her own predetermined viewpoints. For example, the empty reservoir had to be repaired, and repairing it in the summer would have been a far larger gamble than during the rainy season.
[Time 41:00]; Discussion of schools hiding gender change from parents. I observe a disturbing stubbornness among pediatric-Trans supporters including SF Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. I recently delivered a 2-page letter to his office offering a free coffee and presenting 6 medical questions that reveal no tool to capture Trans evidence in patients. No response. I will have to return to his office to request a meeting.
[Time 23:00]; Regarding criticism of less funding for fire departments- the math equation needs to include the increase in number of buildings equipped with sprinkler systems and other fire-control measures during the past 30 years.
On fire preparedness (brush removal, personnel, water supply, vehicles, etc.); municipal and state officials discovered that refusal to be transparent allows evasion of accountability and consequences. Subsequently, said officials became freer to luxuriate in expensive ideological projects while neglecting basic safety needs.
Since all roads lead to Trump...you could sense what Mr. Caruso was saying is not what he felt or would say in private. Much like that leaked audio of Jamie Dimon, in private he likely kicks ass and here he circumscribed ever issue so as not to offend.
Sorry, but giving Newsom a B is a joke. Giving Shapiro a great review, when he twice welched on his word to support school choice is odd considering Caruso's interest in school choice. I don't know enough about Whitmer, but by what objective measure can he say Pritzker has made Illinois better? Maybe their credit rating falling like a rock? Pride in the job Brandon Johnson is doing with Chicago? Madsen's conviction. Gimme a break. That's just trying to please the party elders.
Back to Trump, you get the feeling, other than less profanity, what he says in public is what he says in private. I wish more politicians would follow this maxim.
Caruso sounds determined to rebuild LA quickly. Such an endeavor probably benefits from a cooperative, rather than hostile relationship with the governor.
I usually listen to entire episodes but not this one. From the start it was full of pablum and nothing of substance. Just look at the federal government and Washington swamp with all the bureaucrats. Trump wants to fire them all because they have vested interest in propagating the same old ideas that enabled their existence. The same applies to California.
Any politician who gives equal standing to illegals and citizens is not worthy of holding office. Illegal aliens should never have representation over rights of Americans. This is insanity.
Even if the words were somewhat garbled, I rather read the interview than have to listen. Can you make it available? I can read much faster than listening even at 1.25-1.50. Thanks
I never listen and always prefer to read. When reading one can re-read an important section, as well as scan and move ahead. Listening to the conversational aspect is too much a waste of time.
Testing
Oh my, Caruso almost had me warming up to him and then he labeled JB Pritzker an up and coming moderate. Okay maybe 60 is the new 40 but Pritzker is nowhere near center on any of the important issues of the day. And that is before we even delve into how he has basically bought the State of Illinois and overseen the massive migration out of the state.
A couple of comments.
No. 1: Rick Caruso made a mistake in the mayoral election essentially attacking Karen Bass for speaking at a Church of Scientology community event. There are a lot of Scientologists in LA (largest community in the world I think). Didn't make much sense alienating a voting base that might have turned out for him on the issues.
No. 2: On immigration and agricultural workers, so you are admitting California is essentially a plantation? Worrying about the economic impacts of absent illegal immigrant laborers means the sector demands underpaid workers with no protections or recourse (overtime, unemployment insurance, workers comp) to survive. I think we all know why "a path to citizenship" is never in the cards no matter what party is in power because too many like it that way. Those crops aren't going to pick themselves... amirite?
Rick Caruso has been touring podcasts recently and getting an uncritical opportunity to deliver a stump speech. A few weeks ago, he was platformed on Sam Harris’ Making Sense with essentially no pushback. Now, Honestly portrays Rick Caruso as an expert on disaster preparedness. But he didn’t show it. Bari claims the fires are the worst in LA history, but Caruso takes it further, suggesting they're among the worst in the country. His assertion is a cruel joke when measured by loss of life. The Oakland hills fire in 1991 took a fraction of the homes (3000) but 25 lives. The worst 9 fires in the 20th century caused almost 7400 deaths, over 1/3 of those in the World Trade Center in NYC.
I’m not familiar with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Rick says he thinks they were “resistant to brush clearing” but I can’t find any recent evidence of the SMC holding up brush clearing. Further back, in 2009, the Conservancy informed the Los Angeles Fire Department that they were ending their practice of clearing brush on properties they owned within 200 feet of residences that did not pay an annual assessment for brush clearance. Bari, you allowed him to wing it.
On to national politics: On the deportation of undocumented migrants, Bari touts Rick’s nuance. Rick says, deport the criminals, keep the good people. Is that what passes for nuance? Caruso's stance on deportation—deporting criminals while keeping 'good people'—ignores complexities of immigration policy and the human impact on families. This is simplistic rhetoric, not nuance.
Bari asks, “Do you think Trump is extreme?” Rick waffles, praising some of his ideas while criticizing others. This response is bizarre, especially considering Trump's role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol violence and his refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power. What would extreme look like to Rick? Maybe Bari could have asked. The degradation of our democracy that Trump has already caused doesn't rank? Rick’s evasion is bizarre only for a second. Then you recall that Rick might want to run for governor or mayor or whatever. Is he bending the knee in advance, like too many other politicians? Furthermore, the comparison of Trump to Reagan is mind-boggling, given the significant differences in their approaches to governance and respect for democratic institutions. Once again, no challenge from Bari.
In summary, Bari Weiss' interview lacked any real pushback, contradicting The Free Press's ideals of honesty, doggedness, and fierce independence. The episode is a stark reminder of how normalized this lack of scrutiny has become. The lack of critical questioning and fact-checking in this interview is not just a missed opportunity - it's a disservice to listeners seeking genuine insights into complex issues facing Los Angeles and the nation.
I live in SF, but if I lived in LA, I would vote for Caruso for mayor. He would make a great governor for CA. He seems very work-driven and problem-solving focused.
I need to add a separate comment about Mr. Caruso’s assertion he has no idea what happened to the Republican Party in California. He certainly knows. For Bari’s benefit, here’s the Readers Digest version. Pete Wilson (R) had been elected senator in the early 1980’s and was called upon to run for governor in 1990, mainly due to a weak bench. Two propositions, 187 and 209, came on the ballot in 1994 and 1996. Especially on 187, which cut off benefits for illegal aliens, Wilson took the lead. It was a brutal campaign, in which the republicans won a Pyrrhic victory. The propositions both passed, but the party was destroyed. There was a dual senatorial election in 1992, like in Georgia in 2020, won by Boxer and Feinstein, Gray Davis became governor and the republicans haven’t won a statewide election since.
Bari came into this with an agenda, which is disappointing. I’ve noticed a shift in her reporting since A16z invested in them, with her perspective leaning more toward a Fox News-style, sensationalist approach. In this interview, Rick Caruso came across as more moderate and measured than Bari. While I understand the core arguments and have my own frustrations with California’s ineptitude, I expect Bari to use her intellect to uncover the truth through inquiry—not to steer a candidate toward her own predetermined viewpoints. For example, the empty reservoir had to be repaired, and repairing it in the summer would have been a far larger gamble than during the rainy season.
[Time 41:00]; Discussion of schools hiding gender change from parents. I observe a disturbing stubbornness among pediatric-Trans supporters including SF Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. I recently delivered a 2-page letter to his office offering a free coffee and presenting 6 medical questions that reveal no tool to capture Trans evidence in patients. No response. I will have to return to his office to request a meeting.
[Time 23:00]; Regarding criticism of less funding for fire departments- the math equation needs to include the increase in number of buildings equipped with sprinkler systems and other fire-control measures during the past 30 years.
On fire preparedness (brush removal, personnel, water supply, vehicles, etc.); municipal and state officials discovered that refusal to be transparent allows evasion of accountability and consequences. Subsequently, said officials became freer to luxuriate in expensive ideological projects while neglecting basic safety needs.
Since all roads lead to Trump...you could sense what Mr. Caruso was saying is not what he felt or would say in private. Much like that leaked audio of Jamie Dimon, in private he likely kicks ass and here he circumscribed ever issue so as not to offend.
Sorry, but giving Newsom a B is a joke. Giving Shapiro a great review, when he twice welched on his word to support school choice is odd considering Caruso's interest in school choice. I don't know enough about Whitmer, but by what objective measure can he say Pritzker has made Illinois better? Maybe their credit rating falling like a rock? Pride in the job Brandon Johnson is doing with Chicago? Madsen's conviction. Gimme a break. That's just trying to please the party elders.
Back to Trump, you get the feeling, other than less profanity, what he says in public is what he says in private. I wish more politicians would follow this maxim.
Caruso sounds determined to rebuild LA quickly. Such an endeavor probably benefits from a cooperative, rather than hostile relationship with the governor.
I usually listen to entire episodes but not this one. From the start it was full of pablum and nothing of substance. Just look at the federal government and Washington swamp with all the bureaucrats. Trump wants to fire them all because they have vested interest in propagating the same old ideas that enabled their existence. The same applies to California.
Any politician who gives equal standing to illegals and citizens is not worthy of holding office. Illegal aliens should never have representation over rights of Americans. This is insanity.
Even if the words were somewhat garbled, I rather read the interview than have to listen. Can you make it available? I can read much faster than listening even at 1.25-1.50. Thanks
I never listen and always prefer to read. When reading one can re-read an important section, as well as scan and move ahead. Listening to the conversational aspect is too much a waste of time.