Editor’s Note: The full articles alluded to in this report may be accessed via the U-T website.
Two Jewish Democratic officeholders from Los Angeles – Congressman Adam Schiff and Assemblyman Richard Bloom – are in the thick of the controversy over whether it is either ethical or humane to keep orcas and cetaceans in captivity. Michael Gardner’s story in the U-T notes that Schiff, in concert with Jared Huffman of San Rafael, has persuaded Congress to set aside $1 million for a study on what impact captivity has on the sea creatures. Meanwhile, in the California Legislature, Bloom’s bill was unsuccessful to prohibit using orcas in performances—such as occurs at Sea World’s “Shamu” show. However, Bloom vows to reintroduce the issue in the Fall.
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In the wake of Eric Cantor’s announcement that he will step down as House Majority Leader following his defeat in a primary election contest against David Brat, an AP story in the U-T reports that Congressman Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield quickly put together a coalition to become the favorite to succeed Cantor in the Number 2 spot. Current McCarthy is the Republican Whip in the House of Representatives. … Cantor was the subject of a Steve Breen cartoon on the editorial page. A cartoon titled “Eric Cantor’s Leadership Roll” showed his body-less head being rolled along the floor of political misfortune. … There also was a comment from letter writer David Baron who said Cantor had an Achilles heel: “his brazen arrogance and lack of contact with and concern for the needs of the voters.”
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Mark Greenberg, The Department of Health and Human Services’acting assistant secretary for the administration for children and families, has estimated in a MCT News Service story published by the U-T, that as many as 60,000 unaccompanied children may cross the U.S. border this year in an attempt to gain citizenship. Some of the children are deported, others are put into the foster care system, and still others reunited with their families.
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David Blatt, a coach with the champion Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, is stepping down to explore options in the NBA. According to the U-T’s sports digest column at least four teams may be interested: The Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Hawks and Warriors.
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IN MEMORIAM — Selma Tennebaum (October 17, 1926-June 9, 2014), wife of I Harry Tannebaum, and mother of Adrienne Alpert, will be buried at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, at El Camino Memorial Park in the Sorrento Valley neighborhood of San Diego.
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San Diego Jewish World staff report