Since he had hordes of competition, let us just say that Bob Rosebrock, stouthearted defender of military veterans and their rights – especially National Home – was one of the happiest Westsiders when his No. 1 political nemesis, U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills/South Bay), announced his retirement yesterday.
Mr. Rosebrock has written here for years that Mr. Waxman has been wildly uninterested in veterans’ affairs.
He cites their wretched, widespread homelessness, their insufficient healthcare and most spectacularly of all, what he deems the obscene abuse and takeover of the National Home by corporate interests.
The passionate Mr. Rosebrock and his equally aroused fellow veterans have staged a vigil in front of the Home every Sunday from 1 to 4 for six years and counting.
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Under the banner of his Old Veterans Guard group, Mr. Rosebrock sent out the following message to his fellow veterans moments after he heard the joyful news:
“Fellow Veterans and Friends of Veterans:
“When Gen. George Patton outmaneuvered Germany's Field Marshal, Erwin Rommel in World War II …. He proclaimed: “Rommel … you magnificent bastard, I read your book!”
“Well, we read Henry Waxman's magnificent quote: “The secret to effective legislating is you outlast the opposition.”
The single remaining question is whether Mr. Rosebrock and other veterans will forge any better headway with Mr. Waxman’s successor.
[img]1680|right|Henry Waxman||no_popup[/img]The best known early contender is the failed mayoralty candidate Wendy Greuel, labor’s wrong-guess choice last March and May to beat Mayor Garcetti.
A few minutes later, Ms. Greuel said she was running for County Supervisor. Moments later, flighty Ms. Greuel said “Never mind.” A few more minutes later, Ms. Greuel said she wants Mr. Waxman’s office. State Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), state Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), Debra Bowen and Fran Pavley, who, for years, have sought any open office, and possibly South Bay moderate Republican Bill Bloomfield, who faced Mr. Waxman a year and a half ago, are in the early mix.
