Karen Bass makes history, the governor goes to Torrance, JetBlue is sued over toilet seat assignment — it's last links
That's Assemblywoman Karen Bass on the right, hugging her stepdaughter, Yvette Lechuga, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger applauds. Bass was sworn in as speaker of the California Assembly at the Capitol in Sacramento. She is the first African American woman to serve as Assembly speaker.
Thieves hit 11 JC Penney stores and make off with $2.5 million in gold. L.A. Times
Save the honey bees — eat free ice cream today. LAist
Hillary is now a noun. LA MetBlogs
The Governator goes to Torrance. Daily Breeze
A historic mural is vandalized in Inglewood. Wave Newspapers
A JetBlue passenger sues for being forced to sit on a toilet on a San Diego-New York flight. AP
—Veronique de Turenne & Jesus Sanchez






The Jet Blue thing is really bizarre, since violating FAA regs about seatbelts is the biggest taboo even on cheapie airlines, can get them shut down. But being told to do what he was told or else, by a gun-toting captain and a Gestapo flight attendant, doesn't surprise me at all. I've been treated hideously over minor requests, you lose your civil rights when you fly these days, you're like a criminal subservient to prison guards, in the name of "national security."
This is an authority the government gives the airline workers, carte blanche, for any reason at all, the passenger is always wrong. Starts at checkin with the TSA strip search (which isn't as rude in smaller airports), barefoot spread 'em stance, sets the tone that carries onto airlines. Then often stuck on the tarmac with no water, food or fresh air -- it's illegal to do that to a dog in civil society.
I used to fly all over the country and the world but I absolutely loathe it now, just thinking about it gives me a panic attack.
Posted by: janet | May 13, 2008 at 09:38 PM