One Excuse
Having scanned the most arcane reaches of my mind, I only found one reason Mr. Ridley-Thomas could give for skipping the Artwalk.
I fear the self-guided tours of 42 art galleries and spaces that will start at 12 noon will attract more whites than non-whites.
Where Is the Exit Sign?
In which case, the state senator probably would prefer to be on the moon, or at least in Timonium, Md. anyplace but Culver City.
Unfamiliar as I am with Mr. Ridley-Thomass taste in the fine arts, it may be that, like many Democrats, he finds an art environment boorish.
Maybe he finds bullfighting more enticing.
For Whom Do You Root?
A quick check of Culver Citys history while balancing myself on one foot shows no record of bullfights within the beautiful confines of our town, and certainly no record of a detached state senator stumping for such a match between man and beast.
Who knew the wise voters were electing a state senator who is allergic to Culver City?
Not quite true.
Even vaguely astute voters knew that making Mr. Ridley-Thomas the state senator of Culver City or Aptos would be like recreating one of those bi-coastal marriages.
Phoenix Calling
Wonder if there is any sentiment for making Mr. Ridley-Thomas the state senator for Peoria or Phoenix?
Wouldnt matter. He just would not make an in-person appearance unless the demographics were correct.
LBJ for Senator
It would have served Mr. Ridley-Thomas right if Culver City voters had written in LBJs name or Grover Clevelands instead of his last November.
The problem, you see, is not that both elder statesmen have underground addresses so much as they belonged to the wrong race.
When Is Groundhog Day?
Judging by the public record, Mr. Ridley-Thomas, elected last November by a huge margin as the the state senator for Culver City, could find Punxatawney, Pa. easier than the community he allegedly represents.
Linking a politician to the community he is to represent in Sacramento should not occasion a joke. We shall, however, make an exception in the case of Mr. Ridley-Thomas.
I do not resent his enthusiastic participation in events that mainly, or only, are for black people.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
But when is it Culver Citys turn to host him, to toast him, to pose questions or just to shmooze?
You would think Culver City was under quarantine, suffering a massive infectious disease that jeopardized the health of politicians of a certain color.
A Few Plusses
Culver Citys state senator possesses appealing qualities, charm, a splendid sense of humor, a nimble mind, an enviable gift for riveting oratory.
Those sound like attributes you would like to find on the resume of a sensitive political candidate.
The Best He Did
It never has been Mr. Ridley-Thomass goal to recall in a few decades that the pinnacle of his political importance came during the two years he was the state senator for Culver City.
He is bound to find a more attractive office. Soon, perhaps, our political pain will be over.
