When the Orange County Fair concert ticket scandal broke, Red County blog editor Matt “Jubal” Cunningham made it clear that he was OK with politicians accepting “free” concert tickets. He even admitted to taking these tickets himself. The irony was that the O.C. Fair concert series loses money every year – and the politicians not only take the best seats, they also feed themselves at our expense, to “free” meals of steak and lobster.
Now the O.C. Register has exposed yet another ticket scandal. The members of the Anaheim City Council have been getting “free” tickets to events at the Anaheim Pond, or Honda Center and at the Angel’s Stadium.
“Every year, Anaheim council members, department heads and other officials get thousands of free tickets to Angels games, Ducks games and top-name concerts – luxury boxes and field level seats – for free. They don’t even have to pay for parking,” according to the O.C. Register.
How does Cunningham feel about this latest ticket scandal?He has not answered that question directly, but he did state this in a recent post, “The City of Anaheim responds, reasonably, that they are not gifts, but simply perks of office.” I guess Cunningham thinks it is OK to take these tickets too.
However Cunningham is WRONG. Politicians should NEVER get free tickets to any event, period. And if they do get free tickets they ought to report them as income on their tax returns and in their financial statements.
Cunningham obviously believes that politicians should relish whatever perks of office they can get. That really gets my goat. Politicians serve the public. When they start helping themselves to freebies they aren’t serving the public. They are being self-serving. And that bodes ill for all of us. That Cunningham doesn’t get this is indicative of the problem that lies in being a consultant and a blogger. Bloggers are supposed to supplement what the media does. We aren’t supposed to be as greedy as the politicians. Our job is to expose them not sink to their level.
It is also rather hypocritical for Republicans to act like this when they are supposed to be fiscal conservatives.
The only way I can think of that these politicians could shelter this “income” (perks) is through their campaign funds. Unelected administrators and others are not tax exempt and would have to report them as income.
The difference between the Fair tickets and Ducks and Angels tix is that the sports teams are privately held corporations. I don’t think it’s unethical to take the tix, but you’re right in that they should be reported as income if they’re ‘perks of office.’
SMS
Just keep the spotlight on those who accept the so-called freebies. I hope you’ll be able to get a list of those who are receiving free meals as well as tickets.
Thank you for exposing this issue, and I appreciated seeing the names of those who accepted. This blog has provided a valuable service by letting politicians (and their friends) know the public will be watching this year. Anyone who accepts meals and tickets should know that their names are going to be published. They deserve criticism, and they’re going to get it.
Politicians should NEVER get free tickets to any event, period.
So declareth Lord Pedroza, the Great and Terrible!
Matt/Jubal,
Yes Matt we know you are without shame when it comes to ripping off taxpayers. Keep it up Matt. The word is getting out about you and your crooked, greedy friends…
You know who else is going to be reading these blogs? The new Sheriff. Who knows this might be a nice opportunity to start things out with a thorough housecleaning? Let the chips fall where they may.
LOL. You crack me up.
Matt is SO funny, Art! When he can’t say anything, he resorts to infantile remarks, the same remarks he accuses you and anyone he disagrees with of doing!
Gustavo,
Very true my friend. Count yourself lucky that you haven’t received a deranged phone call from him.
He called me one day and cursed me out for something I had written, then hung up before I could respond. I thought that he was just having a tough day, but then I found out he did the same thing to a prominent editorial writer at a local newspaper.
Matt would have fit right in with the ancient Roman patricians – kicking back while the slaves brought him wine, women and bunches of grapes. And God forbid that any of the slaves talk back…
My idea of democracy and public service differs a bit from Matt’s, to say the least.
Maybe you two should get a room and continue the mutual admirationathon there.
What’s to say to this post, Gustavo? It’s another Pedroza chest-beater that could be condensed into “Grrrrrr.”
I could go your route and make up an adolescent name for Art, and call him that from now on. Or just throw in a lot of multisyllabic perjoratives.
And Art:
Glad you remember that phone call. I remember your stunned tone at actually being called on a rant. That was also the phone call in which you said you thought Janet Nguyen was “an empty suit” you were only supporting because you couldn’t stand Carlos Bustamante — even while you described her to your readers as a thoughtful, staunch conservative.
And while we’re on historical analogies — you were born 90 years too late. You’d have been an Bolshevik commissar, standing class enemies up against the wall.
Matt/Jubal,
If I said that about Nguyen I was referring to the fact that she did not at the time have a core set of issues she was pushing, unlike Reeps like Mimi Walters who start their issues list with “hate the Mexicans.” If anything it was refreshing that Nguyen’s goal was good government. She certainly has lived up to that.
And I STILL can’t stand Bustamante, just as you still keep shilling for him. Now, as then, your position is hard to understand. Bustamante clearly is not someone anyone can take pride in.
Finally, you would fit right in with a Commie government. You would be one of the party members driving around in a Mercedes and eating steak and lobster while everyone else suffers. People like you take advantage of the public in ANY political system. Hell if you weren’t a Reep you would be a Dem and you would STILL be getting free tickets.
There was no “if” Art. You said “she’s an empty suit.” You said you asked her what her top five issues for running for supervisor were, and said she could only, finally, come up with one: “business.” You said your only reason for backing her was you thought she had the best chance of beating Carlos.
And that was while you were telling your readers the exact opposite about Janet.
Boys, can’t you play nice and stop the name calling?
I’m going to have take all of you out behind the woodshed and wash your mouths out with soap and spank you!
What’s to say, Matt? How about answering Art’s pointed question (do you or don’t you approve of Anaheim officials getting free tickets as shown in the Register) instead of sinking to our level? Again, I don’t deny my methods and am rather fine with them, but spare me your sanctimony until you can refrain from what you preach against.
By the way, Art, Matt making angry phone calls to reporters and editors is old news. Scott Moxley told me a couple of fun anecdotes involving Matt and the Weekly from years back! The more things change…
Matt/Jubal,
It’s pretty funny that you cannot answer the very simple question Gustavo posed. Instead you keep bringing up Janet Nguyen.
I think I have made it clear that Nguyen was not overly burdened by preconceived notions as her campaign started up. Hutchens appears to have a similar mindset. Now that Nguyen has been in office for awhile it is obvious that she is doing a great job – and that she is dedicated to good government that serves her constituents.
Imagine what Bustamante would have been like as a Supervisor. He would have been just as useless a Supervisor as he is a Councilman. His latest verbal gaffe has made it eminently clear to everyone except you that he is worthless.
Face it Matt. You don’t back the best candidates. You back whomever it is you are told to back. Or whomever it is who will feather your nest with cash and freebies. That is pretty despicable Matt. It means you are for sale. Well, I’m not.
I don’t expect you to understand that. Frankly, it is obvious that your entire approach to politics differs greatly compared to mine. I don’t think we will EVER see eye to eye. That’s a good thing. I would hate to think I could ever end up being a shill and a sycophant like you.
Looks like Matt “Jubal” has retreated yet again. I wonder how many times his buddy Curt Pringle has given him free tickets to Angels and Ducks games, as well as concerts at the Honda Center? Hmmm…methinks Matt has blood on his hands.
And while we’re on historical analogies — you were born 90 years too late. You’d have been an Bolshevik commissar, standing class enemies up against the wall.
Are Matt and Stanley related?
I thought that “Bolshevik ” comments were unique to nutty old Stanley.
What’s to say, Matt? How about answering Art’s pointed question.
Sorry, Gustavo. I didn’t realize there was any mystery in my position. No, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Anaheim Councilmembers getting tickets to see events at city-owned facilities. The FPPC position is full of holes.
…but spare me your sanctimony until you can refrain from what you preach against.
I tried to get some sanctimony, but they’re all out. You and Art have bought up the market.
I think I have made it clear that Nguyen was not overly burdened by preconceived notions as her campaign started up.
I think that is the most creative euphemism for “empty suit” I have ever heard. That was your choice of phrase, Art — even as you were simultaneously telling your readers that Janet was the conservative in the race. On other words, you didn’t believe your own sales pitch on Janet.
Instead you keep bringing up Janet Nguyen.
Art, you opened the door by bringing up that phone call in a lame, but characteristic, attack.
You back whomever it is you are told to back. Or whomever it is who will feather your nest with cash and freebies.
Uh-oh — Art has retreated to fantasyland again. Either that, or Gustavo has transferred his famous mind-reading abilities to you. Same difference.
That is pretty despicable Matt. It means you are for sale. Well, I’m not.
Which completes Art’s circular argumentation.
No one in the OC blogosphere comes remotely close to Art in spilling pixels patting themselves on the back and protesting how honest and ethical and beyond taint as you do. Which reminds me of the axiom: people who have to constantly tell you how honest they are probably aren’t.
Matt/Jubal,
And you STILL haven’t answered Gustavo’s very simple question. No one in the OC blogosphere comes close to evading simple questions as well as you do.
Let me be clear about where I stand re the concert tickets and sporting event tickets – I would not accept them. In fact I never have accepted such freebies. You on the other hand admitted to accepting OC Fair concert tickets. And now you won’t tell us whether or not your buddy Pringle set you up with free tickets at the Angels Stadium and at the Honda Pond. I think we can deduce from your continued evasion what the answer is…
Art:
Gustavo asked where I stood on the Anaheim ticket thing. I answered. Try reading.
And now you won’t tell us whether or not your buddy Pringle set you up with free tickets at the Angels Stadium and at the Honda Pond.
I’m not evading anything, Art. That’s in your dishonest, fantasy-filled mind.
I have no problem telling anyone: I have, a number of times over the years, contacted council members to request tickets for events at Angel Stadium and The Pond.
Ta-da!
Matt/Jubal,
Why am I not surprised? Well, at least you’re consistent. Consistently greedy that is…but thanks for coming clean. Now go do about a dozen Hail Mary’s…
Sorry Art – nothing to confess and no need for absolution.
You might try consistency.