• The Publisher’s Notebook •

Civic Constraints

BY ANNE SOBLE

Life can be described as a series of scheduling conflicts, even in the best of times. Malibu’s calendar reflects this, with a lot going on simultaneously one weekend, and little, or nothing, the next. For example, a wildfire expo, sheriff’s station open house and the annual coastal cleanup were part of what was on tap two Saturdays ago. This weekend, there’s the eco festival, the Methodist Church pie fest, an art association exhibit, and more.
The 2008 Presidential election is historic on a number of counts, and the importance of an informed citizenry as the cornerstone of the democratic process is a no-brainer. So why is the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board holding one of its all too few Malibu meetings on Thursday, Oct. 2, during what may be one of the most interesting vice presidential debates ever?
Even if the VP debate doesn’t offer anything to match Lloyd Bentzen’s classic riposte to Dan Quayle’s inflated self-appraisal, a lot is at stake. Since the first Presidential debate wasn’t on a par with the talents of the riposte-meister himself, Ronald Reagan, some sparks are sorely needed.
On the City of Malibu calendar, the meeting of the Los Angeles Regional Paparazzi Task Force is set for 4 to 6 p.m. It doesn’t end, if it indeed even ends on time, until the start of Thursday night’s debate. The meeting’s conclusion may depend on how long TV news crews hang around to give the participants the publicity they hope to reap from the meeting.
Even more of a conflict for potential debate watchers is the city’s scoping session on the Crummer property at Malibu Bluffs that is set for 6 p.m. If anyone laments the lack of interest on the part of the community, will the reason be obvious?
No TV crews are required for locals to enjoy a dose of Presidential politics close to home when two Pepperdine professors, Douglas Kmiec (an Obama supporter who took flak for this stance because he is Catholic) and Robert Kaufman (a McCain supporter dealing with other faith-based issues) debate such hot topics as abortion, gay marriage, immigration and education on Monday, Oct. 13, from 7–8:30 p.m. at Smothers Theatre. The free program is open to the public. Of course, that event conflicts with a Malibu City Council meeting, but usually only special interests show up for them.
Scheduling conflicts notwithstanding, people who regard politics and religion as topics that are off-limits in civil conversation are missing some of the best verbal exchanges around.