A DAY IN THE LIFE OF OUR GOVERNOR, THE PERPETRATOR
By Pano
Douvos
The L.A. Times offers a wide
range of news covering local and world-wide events. Astonishing and
unexpected items drift in periodically. Recently, I was much surprised by a
report concerning our good Governor Schwarzenegger. He was proposing legislation
that would rescind long-standing practices, and usher in a new/day for our
incarcerated citizens.
Counter to all expectations of mine, he was
pushing the positive idea of providing for the rehabilitation of prisoners
rather than continuing with the present benighted policy of merely warehousing
them...offering prospects of a new life rather than the current practice of
punishment and revenge.
That was the
unexpected good-Terminator news, unfortunately, it coincided with bad-Terminator
news -- specifically that his private life includes at least one act of the
criminal kind. This crime I was witness to on the second Sunday in
February. However, the thought crossed my mind that the good
Governor’s new prison plan was motivated by a desire to receive better
future prison treatment for himself, down the
road.
Wait a minute, wait a
minute – hear me out. His criminal-rights stance helps felons today
and, luckily, provides him leniency when he hits the Big House
tomorrow. So, let's break that down, he committed one crime in Venice but
whose to say it won't lead to a future pattern of more criminality? I could have
attempted a citizen’s arrest but the criminal flashed past me in an
instant. Even commandeering a bike, I would have had slim or no chance to
bring him to earth.
The Perp came
speeding erratically toward me on his crime spree, busting through the large
Sunday crowd strolling the boardwalk as sunset neared. People were moving
peacefully, content in one of only 4 or 5 places in all of L.A. where
pedestrians can walk safely in a pedestrians-only walk-way. Remember, flanking
the boardwalk is a bike-path, recently installed -- naturally for bicyclist's
only. So, right, conversely, the boardwalk is for pedestrians only. Bike-riders
are forbidden by law!
So, as it
happens, some miscreants ride their bikes on the boardwalk, bereft of all
righteousness. I've been known to confront them by leaning into their space and
yelling loudly – “No bike riding.” That Sunday, I moved nose
to nose with this unknown law-breaker, giving him my call out. Immediately, I
recognized this wide-eyed Perp with the large head and large teeth... the
Terminator incarnate.
The idiot
criminal was followed closely by two large accomplices, but their leader gave no
thought to the welfare of the People as a result of his lawlessness. So, our
esteemed Governor, dodging a near collision, dove past me, giving a startled
"umpf" while looking anxiously at me. He careened on in his zig-zagging
rush, scattering the People. He was in his glory, this common scofflaw, a
law unto himself. Obviously, no role model for the People of
California.
So, Governor Terminator, I
say you are not a good leader. I accuse you (of malfeasance and hypocrisy). You
can expect a short stay on high, you can expect that your title will be soon
relinquished, going from Terminator to Terminated. We will have to bid you
adieu, more sooner than later.
P.S.
Perhaps, Governor, all is not lost. You, too, can go straight and be
rehabilitated. Life is a paradox, instead of striving for money and power for
success, instead of following the money trail as the mantra goes, to get
answers, you will prosper doing the exact opposite. Turn from money and power to
ethical purity. Go to the People and their aspirations, share your
fortune. They will guide you, they will give you a ride on their
cart...when they have inherited the
earth.
Solitary contemplation now
will spare you solitary confinement later.
Posted: Fri - April 1, 2005 at 11:45 AM