Poll: Was the L.A. City Council right to pass a boycott of Arizona?
The council also called on the city attorney's office to review all of the city's $58 million in existing contracts with Arizona companies to determine which can be canceled.
The resolution, which now heads to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, would still allow city officials to travel to Arizona under "special circumstances" that are in the city's interests. Also, existing contracts with Arizona firms would be exempt from the ban if canceling them would lead to "significant additional cost" to the city.
I can think of one contract the city won't be able cancel, let alone modify because of the boycott: service by Arizona-based airlines US Airways and Mesa Air at LAX. Federal regulations prohibit public airports from unjustly discriminating against different carriers; telling US Airways it can no longer serve LAX because of an ideological disagreement between Los Angeles and Arizona probably wouldn't fly with the feds. Then there's the issue of whether the boycott is even constitutional at all.
The Times' editorial board may weigh in on the boycott in the next few days; for now, share your thoughts by taking our poll, posting a comment or doing both.
-- Paul Thornton
Photo: Los Angeles City Council member Ed Reyes is congratulated by union members after the City Council approved an economic boycott of Arizona on Wednesday. Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
Dear Janice Hahn
I wonder how long
You took to decide
The immigration law was wrong
Was it after the Hispanic busboy
Cleared your plate
Or your Guatemalan gardener
Finished with his rake
Do you think you’re a hero
For taking a stand
Do you think you are smarter
than the fathers of our land
Perhaps you think
You're fixing a wrong
Or improving your ratings
With this dance and song
No matter what your motive was
Our laws you must neglect
Your support displays such ignorance
It garners no respect
Posted by: D.E.Foote | May 13, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Dear Janice Hahn
I wonder how long
You took to decide
The immigration law was wrong
Was it after the Hispanic busboy
Cleared your plate
Or your Guatemalan gardener
Finished with his rake
Do you think you’re a hero
For taking a stand
Do you think you are smarter
than the fathers of our land
Perhaps you think
You're fixing a wrong
Or improving your ratings
With this dance and song
No matter what your motive was
Our laws you must neglect
Your support displays such ignorance
It garners no respect
Posted by: D.E.Foote | May 13, 2010 at 06:03 PM
I live in Santa Clarita and my family and I will never spend another dime in the city borders of Los Angeles again. I say everybody needs to boycott LA. I also just made a $2,000.00 purchase from an Arizona company. Go Arizona!
Posted by: Erik | May 13, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Also I do not want to see the Mayor of Los Angeles at any of the playoff games in Arizona or anyone else that opposes the law signed in to affect in Arizona
Posted by: Donna | May 13, 2010 at 06:04 PM
Also I do not want to see the Mayor of Los Angeles at any of the playoff games in Arizona or anyone else that opposes the law signed in to affect in Arizona
Posted by: Donna | May 13, 2010 at 06:04 PM
I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore! If you are an American citizen from Mexico, welcome. This is your home. My parents came from Denmark. If you are from Mexico or any other country and did not respect our laws enough to come here legally, get the hell out! You have no right to be here and you are causing a lot of frustration and anger. You don't follow civilized rules. If you came here to have a child "citizen", you did so for what America can give you, not what you can give America. When push comes to shove, which country has your allegiance? America needs Americans, not "citizens in name only"!If you just "want a better life" then go home and build one. Don't tear mine down.
Posted by: Steve, Chino Hills | May 13, 2010 at 06:05 PM
I grew up in Switzerland and came to the USA because an American Company wanted my skills (PhD in applied Physics).
I believe in Legal Immigration and for the first 5 or 6 years here before I got naturalized, I carried my green card with me and had to show it several times. I didn't mind:working in the aerospace industry, I had to show that i was legit and not a spy. Even though I was only 5 when the war started, I studied history later and can tell that Arizona wanting to apply the federal law to protect itself has absolutely nothing in common with the advent of Naziism
in Germany. No commonality of causes, of scale, of events.
Posted by: Jacques Linder | May 13, 2010 at 06:05 PM
I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore! If you are an American citizen from Mexico, welcome. This is your home. My parents came from Denmark. If you are from Mexico or any other country and did not respect our laws enough to come here legally, get the hell out! You have no right to be here and you are causing a lot of frustration and anger. You don't follow civilized rules. If you came here to have a child "citizen", you did so for what America can give you, not what you can give America. When push comes to shove, which country has your allegiance? America needs Americans, not "citizens in name only"!If you just "want a better life" then go home and build one. Don't tear mine down.
Posted by: Steve, Chino Hills | May 13, 2010 at 06:05 PM
The City Council has driven this city into the ground. They have no right to tell Arizona how to deal with their concerns. The Council has taken the side of the illegal immigrants over the safety of the Arizona people.
This is just the latest example of the council's sideshow behavior being totally irrelevent to the real needs of the city and its citizens.
Posted by: afterglow | May 13, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Seriously?
Isn't LA bankrupt as it is? And this is what your city council is wasting your money away on.
Way to go California... destroying your State from the inside on a daily basis.
Posted by: Jeff | May 13, 2010 at 06:07 PM
I boycotted LA & The LA Times long ago. The city counsel is a bunch of buffoons.
Posted by: Scott Palhidai | May 13, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I say we start a boycott of L.A. No buying cars in LA, no eating at restaruants, no flying out of LAX, no Dodger games, no business period.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I say we start a boycott of L.A. No buying cars in LA, no eating at restaruants, no flying out of LAX, no Dodger games, no business period.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I say we start a boycott of L.A. No buying cars in LA, no eating at restaruants, no flying out of LAX, no Dodger games, no business period.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2010 at 06:09 PM
I say we start a boycott of L.A. No buying cars in LA, no eating at restaruants, no flying out of LAX, no Dodger games, no business period.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2010 at 06:09 PM
I say we start a boycott of L.A. No buying cars in LA, no eating at restaruants, no flying out of LAX, no Dodger games, no business period.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2010 at 06:09 PM
I say we start a boycott of L.A. No buying cars in LA, no eating at restaruants, no flying out of LAX, no Dodger games, no business period.
Posted by: David | May 13, 2010 at 06:09 PM
I work in LA but live outside the city. I used to shop, buy gas, go out after work, dine and spend in Los Angeles but I am now boycotting Los Angeles until they cease this silly boycott of Arizona. No more tax revenue from me.
Posted by: Lars Morgan | May 13, 2010 at 06:09 PM
Why? Why do 70% of Arizonians like this law? Want to tell the truth? Like Arizona is the #2 kidnap capitol in the entire world? Like the bill doesn't allow law enforcement to discriminate? Want to tell the truth? This is why you are losing readership. You don't print the facts, only opinions.
Posted by: PJ Barrett | May 13, 2010 at 06:12 PM
Why? Why do 70% of Arizonians like this law? Want to tell the truth? Like Arizona is the #2 kidnap capitol in the entire world? Like the bill doesn't allow law enforcement to discriminate? Want to tell the truth? This is why you are losing readership. You don't print the facts, only opinions.
Posted by: PJ Barrett | May 13, 2010 at 06:12 PM
Please America... don't judge all Angelenos by the behavior of the jackasses that are on the City Council. The HUGE majority of people in L.A and the rest of California totally support Arizona !!!
Posted by: McMomX6 | May 13, 2010 at 06:13 PM
I think California should probably remember how much money Arizonans spend in their economy with summner travel/vacations. They should also think about the fact that California buys water rights from Arizona every year and Arizona could shut off that tap with no problem and then where will all that extra water Californians require and get at a bargain price from
Az??? No need for California to cancel that contract because Az may do it for them.
Boycotts work both ways and government officials of California should probably remember that.
Posted by: Brenda | May 13, 2010 at 06:15 PM
I think California should probably remember how much money Arizonans spend in their economy with summner travel/vacations. They should also think about the fact that California buys water rights from Arizona every year and Arizona could shut off that tap with no problem and then where will all that extra water Californians require and get at a bargain price from
Az??? No need for California to cancel that contract because Az may do it for them.
Boycotts work both ways and government officials of California should probably remember that.
Posted by: Brenda | May 13, 2010 at 06:16 PM
Out of touch liberal idiots strike again.
Posted by: kedo | May 13, 2010 at 06:16 PM
It's amazing how many people, who have so much to say about this law, HAVE NEVER READ IT! Shame on the media for cultivating misinformation and lies about a law that, 1) is based on a FEDERAL law that is and has been on the books, and 2) has specific verbiage that states people cannot just be picked up based on the color of their skin or their ethnicity! Even more troubling is the fact that the people, elected to know better, and keep in touch with the law, make their decisions based on what the media and others say about an issue without actually doing their own homework, like actually reading the law. Try talking to the families who have lived and worked ranches along the border for generations, who continue to be terrorized by the criminals who traffic drugs and human beings across our border. Talk to the families of illegal immigrants who are the victims of the countless numbers of kidnapping incidents. Additionally try talking to the LEGAL immigrants who are being most affected by the boycott. They are the workers who support the tourist industry in Arizona. People, politicians, media, get a clue!
Posted by: Nancy | May 13, 2010 at 06:16 PM
My family and I will now be taking our vacation in Arizona this year instead of California.
California would do well to mind it's own business and fix it's own problems!
Posted by: Max Power | May 13, 2010 at 06:16 PM
It's amazing how many people, who have so much to say about this law, HAVE NEVER READ IT! Shame on the media for cultivating misinformation and lies about a law that, 1) is based on a FEDERAL law that is and has been on the books, and 2) has specific verbiage that states people cannot just be picked up based on the color of their skin or their ethnicity! Even more troubling is the fact that the people, elected to know better, and keep in touch with the law, make their decisions based on what the media and others say about an issue without actually doing their own homework, like actually reading the law. Try talking to the families who have lived and worked ranches along the border for generations, who continue to be terrorized by the criminals who traffic drugs and human beings across our border. Talk to the families of illegal immigrants who are the victims of the countless numbers of kidnapping incidents. Additionally try talking to the LEGAL immigrants who are being most affected by the boycott. They are the workers who support the tourist industry in Arizona. People, politicians, media, get a clue!
Posted by: Nancy | May 13, 2010 at 06:17 PM
what a despicible shame...how much can't be said to describe the bafoons at city hall...not nearly enough.
Posted by: cali resident | May 13, 2010 at 06:17 PM
Devide and conquer that is what this is if the city council wants to support illegals then i say thay all resign and give there jobs to a illegal. That would be putting thare money whare thare mouth is. I think LA needs to fix mayor villaraigosa and all his extramarital affairs. Hey villaraigosa put you makeup on and go on the news and talk about this you p.o.s. !
Posted by: Billy | May 13, 2010 at 06:18 PM
AZ and US need tougher law to deter illegal particular with drug traffickers and smugglers. We can no longer social costs and crimes especially during this depress. I don't believe police will necessary 100% enforcing the law due to limited resources and potential for law suits but this law will send strong messages to anyone who are planning to illegally cross our border.
Every country in the world has to protect their borders. We have legal process that foreigners can apply for green card and citizenship.
Posted by: james | May 13, 2010 at 06:19 PM
I live in Texas. LA stand your ground. It's going to make my home value go up. At some point the states surrounding California will have to put up a fence.
Posted by: Mike Malan | May 13, 2010 at 06:19 PM
The LA City Council has stepped way over the line, and they do not represent the tax paying voters of the city.
I would like to see Arizona stop sending LA 22 M dollars of electrical energy, oh and turn off the water LA City purchases.
This City Council is one disfunctional group of Hate Mongers, they should be boycoted by the people of LA.
They are an embarrassment to the whole world.
Posted by: Tom | May 13, 2010 at 06:21 PM
The sad thing about this vote is that there will be a retaliation boycott on LA and California in general, and the residents of California will suffer. I've already spoken with friends (not from Arizona, but from other states) will have said they will boycott California tourism and products. What a short-sighted decision by the council!
Posted by: Carpe Diem | May 13, 2010 at 06:21 PM
Thank God a state finally found the cajones to stand up to the uncontrolled flood coming across the border. It is time to do something for the law-abiding taxpayers of the country - the revolt is on!!
Posted by: The California Dude | May 13, 2010 at 06:27 PM
Dear LA City Council:
What makes you think that Arizona does not have the right to to protect their citizens and defend the laws of this land?
Why do you continue to lie aout what SB1070 contains and the manner in which it can be applied?
No City Council member or legal citizen of the US will be 'detained because of their skin color' or 'be required to carry their passport in Phoenix.'
That is just nonsense!
Stop the theatrics and get a real job.
Posted by: Tonia | May 13, 2010 at 06:28 PM
no one seems to be considering the fact that LA purchases a large chunk of electricity from AZ. Let's see them cancel that contract and live in the dark.
Posted by: nguyen | May 13, 2010 at 06:28 PM
Where's the poll option:
"No, because the bill is not unconstitutional and is a good idea and the city is run by a bunch of knuckleheads."
Posted by: Dan W | May 13, 2010 at 06:30 PM
We need 49 more States to get up the NERVE that Arizona has.
To many pansies worry about upsetting anyone who is NOT an Ameican , we need to get back to what America is all about and thats not babysitting any one elses Garbage . You want to be here do it legally and pay your fair share . And Learn The English Language !!!!!!
Posted by: Karl Huther | May 13, 2010 at 06:32 PM
I had planned to visit and take the family to Universal Studios and spend a weekend in LA taking in the sights. Instead, I think a trip to Scottsdale for some golfing and a relaxing in a spa resort will be better.
Too bad for you LA. You bunch of idiots (city council that is).
Posted by: JB58 | May 13, 2010 at 06:33 PM
This whole issue of Calif and the city of L.A. needs to look at their house and not condemn Arizona for doing what it needs to secure its state from what has happen to California. YES I love Arizona who has the integrity and the rights to defend their state, no thanks to this stupid government.
Posted by: Don Beck | May 13, 2010 at 06:35 PM
I SUPPORT ARIZONZ....IF PEOPLE ARE HERE ILLIGAL....THEY SHOULD NOT GET ANY BENEFITS OR MEDICAL ATTENTION...ALSO ANY ONE BORN HERE
OFF ILLIGAL PARENTS SHOULD NOT ABE A CITIZIEN OFF THIS GREAT COUNTRY....
Posted by: Ms.Margret B. Bergener | May 13, 2010 at 06:36 PM
it's always interesting if the counsel has real balls to say that the energy contract with the the arizona department of power should be cancelled...this will of course raise our utility rates with the low cost of power prov ided by the arizona department of power.... if we are true in our convictions the costs of power are not revelan t.....guess what...rate payers in california do'nt want our power to go up no matter what the politics....the reality of all this is arizona has a right to establish the laws to allow it to exist....immigration reform is long ov erdue....when californ ia is bankrupt maybe we'll wake up!!!!!!!
Posted by: dave lonzo | May 13, 2010 at 06:36 PM
It is time to vote all of these people out of office. They do not represent the people. They only vote their personal opinions. There is nothing else I can add to all of these outstanding posts. Get to the polls and vote them out.
Posted by: Steve | May 13, 2010 at 06:41 PM
LA should join with AZ. My immigrant wife and I support AZ.
If illegals are let in they will still work under the table and pay very little toward what they take out.
We are not Mexico's lifeboat. The rats have already flooded the ship... time to goto AZ.
Posted by: Jeffrey C. | May 13, 2010 at 06:41 PM
This is confirmation that the inmates are running the asylum. This group can't do the job they were elected to do and now they can't wait to help destroy another state. Ms Hahn is a joke and it's obvious that she is being led around by the ring in her nose.
You can get some great deals on four-star resorts in Arizona during the summer. If I get stopped I will have my ID. The same ID that I show at the airport, the car rental counter, and at the hotel during check-in.
What a joke.
Posted by: jake | May 13, 2010 at 06:42 PM
Note to LA City Council (to paraphrase an old saying):
It is better to be thought fools, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.
Posted by: OC Mom | May 13, 2010 at 06:43 PM
Only one thing to add, its time the people vote these people out of office. The voice of the people must be heard. No more career politicians.
Posted by: Steve | May 13, 2010 at 06:43 PM
I was planning on taking my 6 grandkids to Disneyland this summer and doing all the tourist stuff with them. We live in New Mexico. I've decided to change my plans.
I also won't be going to Boston.
Arizona has a lot of fun things to do and fewer illegals these days from what I understand. :D My grandkids are gonna love it there!
Posted by: Kam Reed | May 13, 2010 at 06:45 PM
Politician parasites in LA are in desperate need of extermination services, that goes for the LA Times staff as well.
Posted by: MV2 | May 13, 2010 at 06:46 PM
I love Arizona. I will be traveling to AZ twice this summer and plan on spending a lot of money there. Go Arizona!!! Have any of these politicians read the bill? What an embarrassment! It shows how grossly incompetent these people are and we are paying their salaries. Ugh~
Posted by: jkuniverse | May 13, 2010 at 06:47 PM