Letter of the Day

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa of Los Angeles has acted like a complete fool over the Arizona Immigration law, supporting a boycott of Arizona and even making stupid, petulant sports bets with the Phoenix mayor (who himself is a nutcase).  Liberals believe their actions have no consequences, so while they are free to boycott Arizona and attempt to damage the state's economy, no harm will come to the liberal boycotters.

Not necessarily true.

Gary Pierce is an elected member of the panel that regulates Arizona's utilities.  He has written a letter to Mayor Villaraigosa offering to help him with his boycott, but not in a way the Mayor will enjoy (h/t Hot Air):

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,

I was dismayed to learn that the Los Angeles City Council voted to boycott Arizona and Arizona-based companies — a vote you strongly supported — to show opposition to SB 1070 (Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act).

You explained your support of the boycott as follows: “While we recognize that as neighbors, we share resources and ties with the State of Arizona that may be difficult to sever, our goal is not to hurt the local economy of Los Angeles, but to impact the economy of Arizona. Our intent is to use our dollars — or the withholding of our dollars — to send a message.” (emphasis added)

I received your message; please receive mine. As a state-wide elected member of the Arizona Corporation Commission overseeing Arizona’s electric and water utilities, I too am keenly aware of the “resources and ties” we share with the City of Los Angeles. In fact, approximately twenty-five percent of the electricity consumed in Los Angeles is generated by power plants in Arizona.

If an economic boycott is truly what you desire, I will be happy to encourage Arizona utilities to renegotiate your power agreements so Los Angeles no longer receives any power from Arizona-based generation. I am confident that Arizona’s utilities would be happy to take those electrons off your hands. If, however, you find that the City Council lacks the strength of its convictions to turn off the lights in Los Angeles and boycott Arizona power, please reconsider the wisdom of attempting to harm Arizona’s economy.

People of goodwill can disagree over the merits of SB 1070. A state-wide economic boycott of Arizona is not a message sent in goodwill.

Sincerely,

Commissioner Gary Pierce

I like it. Smack that smarmy Mayor Villaraigosa right in the tacos.