But "Schwarzeneggar Stadium" has such a nice ring to it

[Tages]

From imdb (http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2005-12-28/):

Arnold Schwarzenegger's name was quietly removed from an Austrian stadium, formally named after the California Governor, on Christmas Day. The Terminator actor upset his native Austrians when he refused to block the execution of convicted killer Stanley 'Tookie' Williams in California earlier this month. The majority of Schwarzenegger's fellow Austrians are against capital punishment, leading the Mayor Siegfried Nagl in his hometown of Graz to grant a request from the actor to rename the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium as Stadium Graz Liebenau. In a letter to the city council last week, Schwarzenegger wrote, "In all likelihood, during my term as governor, I will have to make similar and equally difficult decisions. In order to spare the responsible politicians of the city of Graz further concern, I withdraw from them as of this day the right to use my name in association with the Liebenauer Stadium." The stadium was named after the actor in 1997.
Ouch, burn.

[Winslow]

Seems kinda silly to name a stadium after an entertainment icon (like Swartzenegger was in 1997) . . . .

But we (Americans, that is) name airports, highways, and stadiums after political icons all the thime . . .

Interesting cultural difference.

[gary bolt]

Seems kinda silly to name a stadium after an entertainment icon (like Swartzenegger was in 1997) . . . .

But we (Americans, that is) name airports, highways, and stadiums after political icons all the thime . . .

Interesting cultural difference.

And increasingly sports facilities are named after corporations.

[BlairH]

I love how -when the Austrians were protesting his descision- ARnold basically turned round and said:

http://chrysler.websitewelcome.com/~user1010/fun/arnold_stfu.jpg

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Yeah, I hope Arnold can talk as tough when he gets bounced from office in the next election.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Yeah, I hope Arnold can talk as tough when he gets bounced from office in the next election.

Are there really any *better* candidates for Governor in California politics, though? Seriously, few states are as full of rampant cronyism, corruption and partisan BS as California. I don't live in CA, so I may well be missing some good folk, but from what I have seen of California politics by regularly scanning some of the state's major papers, I can't think of anyone in politics at the state level who I'd trust to watch my pets while I was away for a trip.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Are there really any *better* candidates for Governor in California politics, though? Seriously, few states are as full of rampant cronyism, corruption and partisan BS as California. I don't live in CA, so I may well be missing some good folk, but from what I have seen of California politics by regularly scanning some of the state's major papers, I can't think of anyone in politics at the state level who I'd trust to watch my pets while I was away for a trip.

Oh, it's got its share of screwballs, there's no doubt. But, Arnold shouldn't have been elected dogcatcher, much less Governor. He's completely unqualified for the job, as his performance has demonstrated. The final straw was his asinine referendum in which he lost across the board and which cost the state millions of dollars it didn't have to waste.

California's problem is that its taxation system has been out of whack ever since Prop 13. Well, that and its crumbling infrastructure, insane housing costs, horrible school system, inadequate power and water supply and flood of illegal immigrants (illegal immigrants who, make no mistake about it, no matter how much Californians bitch about, are absolutely vital to its economy and lifestyle).

The main problem, truly, is that its politicians don't have the courage to level with the people and tell them about all the hard choices they should be making right now, particularly that in order to rectify a lot of the mistakes of the past, the state absolutely must revise its property tax system and (gasp) raise taxes. Otherwise, the state is going to continue in this slow, downward spiral that its been trapped in for the last decade or so.

I think people in California thought Arnold was going to be that politician, but he turned out to be as weak and venal as every other politician has.

The bottom line is that Californians want the problems fixed but really have no interest in making the sacrifices necessary to fix them. And that, by the way, is not a problem endemic to California. My home state of Wisconsin is going through much the same thing right now and is similarly bereft of any able politicians of note that seem capable of exercising the necessary leadership.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Oh, it's got its share of screwballs, there's no doubt. But, Arnold shouldn't have been elected dogcatcher, much less Governor. He's completely unqualified for the job, as his performance has demonstrated. The final straw was his asinine referendum in which he lost across the board and which cost the state millions of dollars it didn't have to waste.

Sure. My point is, are there realistically any *better* prospects for Governor of CA? Or, would they all do something ranging from "worthless" to "making things worse?" The second option seems to be the case from what I see.

I think you're right that California politicians by and large won't make the tough choices to really tackle the state's serious problems, so said problems keep growing. That being the case, is there a good choice for Californians to make who will actually do something about the problems?

[Michael P]

Interesting. This means they didn't already consider "Batman and Robin," "End of Days," "Collateral Damage," and "Terminator 3" ample reason to remove his name from the stadium.

[Tages]

Interesting. This means they didn't already consider "Batman and Robin," "End of Days," "Collateral Damage," and "Terminator 3" ample reason to remove his name from the stadium.
Hey...

I liked "T3."

[BlairH]

Hey...

I liked "T3."
I certianly didn't dislike it. Obviously it was the weakest of the trilogy, but it wasn't bad.

[Michael P]

Hey...

I liked "T3."
Oh, so you're the one.

[Night]

So you lose your name on a stadium and get it on an electric chair... which is gonna keep your name in the history books longer?

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Sure. My point is, are there realistically any *better* prospects for Governor of CA? Or, would they all do something ranging from "worthless" to "making things worse?" The second option seems to be the case from what I see.

I think you're right that California politicians by and large won't make the tough choices to really tackle the state's serious problems, so said problems keep growing. That being the case, is there a good choice for Californians to make who will actually do something about the problems?

I have some hope for Phil Angelides. As State Treasurer, he has more knowledge about California's financial problems than most. I'm not sold on him yet, but he seems like a pretty bright guy. I'll have to do a little more reading about him and exactly what his proposed solutions are.

The problem with Angelides is that he lacks the one thing that Arnold has: charisma. If only Arnold would use his star power to do something useful rather than attack state employees, school teachers and nurses. Sure, the unions are a pain, but on the list of Big Problems facing California, they don't even rate in the top 100.

[StoneGold]

Seems kinda silly to name a stadium after an entertainment icon (like Swartzenegger was in 1997) . . . .

But we (Americans, that is) name airports, highways, and stadiums after political icons all the thime . . .

Interesting cultural difference.
Apparently you haven't been to the Southern California area. Within spitting distance we have both the John Wayne and Bob Hope Airports. Although both were named posthumously.

[StoneGold]

I have some hope for Phil Angelides. As State Treasurer, he has more knowledge about California's financial problems than most. I'm not sold on him yet, but he seems like a pretty bright guy. I'll have to do a little more reading about him and exactly what his proposed solutions are.

The problem with Angelides is that he lacks the one thing that Arnold has: charisma. If only Arnold would use his star power to do something useful rather than attack state employees, school teachers and nurses. Sure, the unions are a pain, but on the list of Big Problems facing California, they don't even rate in the top 100.
Why would an out of state guy like you know anything about Angelides? Hell, there was just a poll where most voters in-state don't know jack about him.


And I still think the best thing to do is get Magic Johnson to run. Not technically a politician, but he's been a major businessman in the state, apparently with some actual integrity, since the early 90s.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Why would an out of state guy like you know anything about Angelides? Hell, there was just a poll where most voters in-state don't know jack about him.

Lived in LA and OC for 10 years. And nobody knew this hick gov from Arkansas back in the day either.

I suppose it's hopeless. Angelides seems way too smart to take the job.

And I still think the best thing to do is get Magic Johnson to run. Not technically a politician, but he's been a major businessman in the state, apparently with some actual integrity, since the early 90s.

If he runs it like his movie theaters and not so much like The Magic Johnson Show, you may have something there.

Seriously, Califronians have to give up on the celebrity politicians. Rob Reiner, Warren Beatty, Arnold, all of them. This theory that "he's popular and on TV, he must know what he's doing," doesn't really hold water.

[StoneGold]

Seriously, Califronians have to give up on the celebrity politicians. Rob Reiner, Warren Beatty, Arnold, all of them. This theory that "he's popular and on TV, he must know what he's doing," doesn't really hold water.
Magic actually makes some sense though. Although probably more on the mayoral than gubernatorial, given I'm not sure his interests lie too much outside the Greater Los Angeles area, but the man is far more involved with actual politics, rather than just social causes.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Magic actually makes some sense though. Although probably more on the mayoral than gubernatorial, given I'm not sure his interests lie too much outside the Greater Los Angeles area, but the man is far more involved with actual politics, rather than just social causes.

I'll have to take your word for it. I'm not too familiar with his involvement in politics. Personally, he never struck me as someone with enough brain power for the job. But then again, neither does our current President, so what do I know?

[StoneGold]

I'll have to take your word for it. I'm not too familiar with his involvement in politics. Personally, he never struck me as someone with enough brain power for the job. But then again, neither does our current President, so what do I know?
From what I've seen, he's pretty smart. He just had a lousy television show. And I don't think having a good television show is the basis for having intelligence.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

From what I've seen, he's pretty smart. He just had a lousy television show. And I don't think having a good television show is the basis for having intelligence.


"It's almost like we have ESPN."
-Magic Johnson, on how well he and James Worthy work together

[StoneGold]

"It's almost like we have ESPN."
-Magic Johnson, on how well he and James Worthy work together
Considering they were athletes, you sure that wasn't actually a joke?

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Considering they were athletes, you sure that wasn't actually a joke?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure. Have you ever watched Magic doing commentary on TNT? It's painful. And basketball is something that he knows a lot about.

[Winslow]

And increasingly sports facilities are named after corporations.

Heh - good point.

But someone has to have enough money to get the financing necessary to build the things, since the blackmailed* and bankrupt cities don't have the cash . . .

*I know - controversial and unfair term, but I'm an advocate . . . er . . I mean construction disputes expert . . .

Apparently you haven't been to the Southern California area. Within spitting distance we have both the John Wayne and Bob Hope Airports. Although both were named posthumously.

Well, waddayaknow . . .

I was on vacation to So. Cal in 2004 - but I missed the airports . .

[StoneGold]

I was on vacation to So. Cal in 2004 - but I missed the airports . .
Burbank airport got renamed after Hope died, and the airport in Orange County has been John Wayne for ages. LAX isn't named anything though, just the individual terminals. Or at least the international terminal, which was named after the late Mayor Tom Bradley.

[Paradox]

Sorry, SG, I'm pretty sure Magic's about as dumb as a box of hammers. Every public speaking apprearance has given me that impression and I know someone that went to high school with him. He was apparantly as he seemed, then and now. A nice, good guy that's lacking in the cranial development area. I'm also sure, good guy that he is, that he's got some good people around him to help make his businesses work (and nothing wrong with that). Him personally? I'd have my doubts about him babysitting, much less holding public office.

[king mob]

I've actually been to the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium (as it was) as part of a corporate jolly to a Man Utd European Cup game. It wasn't very exciting.