First Bark: All Bite

Thank you to fellow Buckeye Eric Hogue for having me as a contributor to HogueNews.com.   I’m calling the column Bones from the American Bulldog for several reasons. 
First, I’ve got an American Bulldog called Rocky Balboa.  That’s him to the left.  He’s a great dog that shares my values.  He loves my family, celebrates eating and is always ready for a nice long nap.

The second reason is that I’d like to honor my first boss, Governor Pete Wilson.  He’s often been referred to as a bulldog…for all the right reasons.  For almost two decades, I’ve been part of his government and political organization as well as a friend.  I’ve learned a great deal about leadership, integrity, principle and politics from Governor Wilson and take pride in the fact that my experience as part of Team Wilson absolutely frames how I conduct myself personally and professionally.  And I’m always ready to engage anyone who wants to debate Governor Wilson’s contributions to the Golden State.  His legacy and accomplishments will outlive my grandchildren.

Finally, like Eric, I’m a Cleveland guy, having spent every summer in Northeast Ohio from third grade through high school.  I grew up with Brian Sipe, Bernie Kosar, Jim Thome, and Omar Vizquel.  I’ve frozen in the Dawg Pound and suffered through the Drive, the Fumble and heard all the jokes about the Cuyahoga River catching fire.  I must admit that I, too, chuckle at the thought of a river burning, but as we say, “only in Cleveland”.  The byproduct of these life experiences is an extremely thick skin, which I would argue prepared me quite well for a career in politics and public relations. 

So thank you Eric.  You’ll be sorry.  Now, here’s what’s on my mind…

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I applaud Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and community leaders for turning up the volume on the effort to build the Kings a new arena…downtown, Cal Expo, Placer County…I don’t care where.  I’m in favor of public funding to help get it done too. 

And, no doubt, folks on the right and left will disagree with me.

But here’s why and once again I would point to Cleveland (I promise not to invoke Ohio for at least the next five columns after this one, but indulge me for a minute).  You see, I lived through a team moving because it didn’t have a quality stadium, and I’ve seen the resurgence of a downtown because city government invested and built a downtown around a sports complex.  Downtown Cleveland with modern facilities for the Cavaliers, Indians and Browns has become an economic engine for the city.  It creates thousands of jobs and drives municipal revenues.  These revenues, in turn, can be invested by government to provide all kinds of services. 

For those committed to helping revitalize Sacramento’s downtown economy, the Kings and a new arena can be the foundation of that effort.  And yes, we may need to invest taxpayer funds to get the deal done.  But at least this would be an investment that could pay for itself and much more.  That’s a pretty Republican philosophy that helps deliver dollars to support Democratic government programs.

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I was shocked and saddened to read in the Sacramento Bee that the parents of slain Sac State student Scott Hawkins were sent a $29,186.50 bill and form letter from UC Davis Medical Center.  I understand that, given the size of the healthcare system, there is a need for automation and that the billing process is something that is made more efficient thanks to technology.

But, correct me if I’m wrong, but this was a very high profile tragedy. I cannot imagine anyone in the greater Sacramento region missed the story.  Hospital spokesperson Carole Gan was absolutely right when she said that sending the letter and bill to the family was “a mistake”. 

Yes, a mistake of epic proportions, one that feeds the perception that hospitals care more about billing than they do patients.  I don’t think this is the case and believe that the physicians and professionals that tried to save Scott Hawkins did everything they could.  But it’s hard to argue with someone that uses this example to suggest otherwise.

Let’s hope that UCD is working behind the scenes to offer big time apologies to a family that was already forced to endure pain well beyond anything I can imagine.

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Now, I’m an optimist by nature and refuse to finish my first column on a down note.  That’s why I want to take a moment to celebrate the USS New York’s cruise into New York Harbor.  The Los Angeles Times “Top of the Ticket” blog by Andrew Malcolm reported that the Navy’s newest amphibious ship includes seven tons of recycled steel from the World Trade Center and today houses 700 Marines. 

All I can think of is that there’s no better way to honor the innocent citizens and rescue workers who lost their lives on 9/11 than by transforming the tragedy into a symbol of our great nation.  The ship’s crest carries the simple statement, “Never Forget”.

I couldn’t agree more, and I will never forget.