The Los Angeles Times: on Technology


Al Gore: Loss of Mars orbiters in part from “reinvention” reductions

Seven years after Al Gore smashed an ashtray on TV and vowed to fix an inept government, there are fewer bureaucratic rules, fewer workers to invoke them and a bit more common sense, [but] there’s criticism that the vice president is taking too much credit for a “reinvention” that even he admits isn’t finished. While most everyone can find some good in Gore’s reinventing government program, nicknamed REGO, in some instances government waste and inefficiency have grown worse, an Associated Press review of audits and investigations shows. NASA blames the loss of two Mars probes and other failures on the departure of too many experienced engineers during downsizing. Critics say REGO has focused on image instead of tackling the most troubling, entrenched problems. Gore says REGO saved $137 billion. But the auditors who scrutinized $30 billion of those savings said most couldn’t be substantiated, and the program took credit for reductions that would have occurred anyway.
Source: Connie Cass/Karen Gullo AP in LA Times Jun 17, 2000

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving

Legislative Summary: SB1613: This bill would make it an infraction to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless that telephone is configured to allow hands-free operation, and is used in that manner while driving.

Los Angeles Times analysis: California became the fourth state in the U.S. to ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving. Though the only official opponent of the bill was the Sprint-Nextel cellular phone company, several lawmakers argued that the act of conversing--not of holding a phone--is the real distraction to drivers. Some Republican lawmakers criticized the bill as "nanny government."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 78-0-1 on Aug/24/06; Passed Senate 21-16-3 on Aug/31/06; Signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sep/15/06

Source: Los Angeles Times on California SB1613 voting records Sep 15, 2006

George W. Bush: V-chip OK, but cultural changes are better

On questions relating to the influence of popular culture, Bush said he had no problem with Clinton's initiative to require a V-chip in televisions that parents could use to block objectionable material. He also said the kind of ‘tools' for parents Clinton has proposed (such as the V-chip and a television rating system) are less important than cultural changes. "The fundamental question is going to be, can America rededicate itself to parenting as the No. 1 priority for all of us?" he argued.
Source: L.A. Times May 1, 1999

Jerome Horton: Ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving

Legislative Summary: SB1613: This bill would make it an infraction to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless that telephone is configured to allow hands-free operation, and is used in that manner while driving.

Los Angeles Times analysis: California became the fourth state in the U.S. to ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving. Though the only official opponent of the bill was the Sprint-Nextel cellular phone company, several lawmakers argued that the act of conversing--not of holding a phone--is the real distraction to drivers. Some Republican lawmakers criticized the bill as "nanny government."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 78-0-1 on Aug/24/06; State Rep. Jerome Horton voted YES; Passed Senate 21-16-3 on Aug/31/06; Signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sep/15/06

Source: Los Angeles Times on California SB1613 voting records Aug 24, 2006

Mimi Walters: Ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving

Legislative Summary: SB1613: This bill would make it an infraction to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless that telephone is configured to allow hands-free operation, and is used in that manner while driving.

Los Angeles Times analysis: California became the fourth state in the U.S. to ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving. Though the only official opponent of the bill was the Sprint-Nextel cellular phone company, several lawmakers argued that the act of conversing--not of holding a phone--is the real distraction to drivers. Some Republican lawmakers criticized the bill as "nanny government."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 78-0-1 on Aug/24/06; State Rep. Mimi Walters voted YES; Passed Senate 21-16-3 on Aug/31/06; Signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sep/15/06

Source: Los Angeles Times on California SB1613 voting records Aug 24, 2006

Ted Lieu: Ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving

Legislative Summary: SB1613: This bill would make it an infraction to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless that telephone is configured to allow hands-free operation, and is used in that manner while driving.

Los Angeles Times analysis: California became the fourth state in the U.S. to ban motorists from holding cell phones while driving. Though the only official opponent of the bill was the Sprint-Nextel cellular phone company, several lawmakers argued that the act of conversing--not of holding a phone--is the real distraction to drivers. Some Republican lawmakers criticized the bill as "nanny government."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 78-0-1 on Aug/24/06; State Rep. Ted Lieu voted YES; Passed Senate 21-16-3 on Aug/31/06; Signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sep/15/06

Source: Los Angeles Times on California SB1613 voting records Aug 24, 2006

  • The above quotations are from Media coverage of CA political races in The Los Angeles Times.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Technology.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2016 Presidential contenders on Technology:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Aug 06, 2024