Jerry Brown: The Ghost of Fiascoes Past

If you liked Gray Davis, you'll love his old boss!

Thomas Sowell reminds us of the Ghost of Fiascoes Past that was Jerry Brown:

At one time, Gov. Jerry Brown was riding high in the Democratic party, and was considered a rising prospect for that party’s nomination for president of the United States. Then something happened that told us all what kind of man he was. There was an infestation of Mediterranean fruit flies out in California’s agricultural heartland in the interior valleys. Despite being urged to allow spraying of insecticide out in the valleys, to nip the infestation in the bud, Governor Brown pandered to the environmental extremists and refused. The net result was that the “Med flies,” as they were called, spread from the valleys out into cities and towns as far west as the San Francisco Bay area. Faced with a major political disaster, Jerry Brown finally authorized spraying — over a vastly larger area than would have been necessary when he was first asked. That fiasco spared us a Jerry Brown administration in Washington.

Sowell also touches upon Brown's appointment of Chief Justice Rose Bird to the CA Supreme Court:

Bird overruled 64 consecutive death-penalty verdicts and upheld none. Apparently no judge or jury could ever give a murderer a trial perfect enough to suit Rose Bird.

When Bird came up for confirmation, as required by CA law, she was rejected by 67% of California voters. As should Jerry Brown have been, and now, should be.


Cross posted at Left Coast Rebel

Jerry Brown: Fictional Crimefighter

In 2006, while running for AG, one of Brown's opponents ran this ad. It may be noteworthy today, in light of ads that the former Governor Moonbeam is running these days portraying himself as a law and order candidate, and the news that California may be executing a death row inmate soon.

For those with short memories, or who weren't born when Jerry actively opposed the death penalty, to the point of appointing the infamous Rose Bird as Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, according to wiki:

She reviewed a total of 64 capital cases appealed to the court. In each instance she issued a decision overturning the death penalty that had been imposed at trial.

Sixty four cases. Sixty four times Bird voted to overturn the death penalty. Rose Bird was ideologically opposed to the death penalty as was Brown. Brown appointed Bird as Chief Justice in a state where the electorate voted to uphold the death penalty by a two to one margin.
We used to say that "Jerry Brown gave California the Bird!"

As AG, Brown is touting his position as "Chief Law Enforcement agent of the state", as in order to appeal to the center (or the uninformed). He may even play a role in this upcoming execution to bolster his law and order cred. Whether he cynically takes credit for it or subtly undermines it on some point of procedure remains to be seen.

In the meantime, look for Brown to continue to tout his imaginary zeal for law enforcement with a straight face.

Cross posted at Left Coast Rebel, Say Anything