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# Statements by lawyer absurd
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/statements-by-lawyer-absurd-editor/
- Published: 2003-01-07T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:16:45.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

I found quotes in the story “Activists sue city over ‘anti-homeless’ laws” (SMDP, Jan. 4, 2003) quite alarming. In particular, I found the words of James Lafferty, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, without legal merit, when he said “Santa Monica, to its everlasting shame, has made an immoral bargain with the devil.”

To me, this is a completely outrageous statement, which, to the best of my knowledge, is not supported by case documentation, but, is indeed, based on his personal religious philosophy, or possibly his legal tactics. Hell, fire and brimstone have no place in the courtroom. This is just rhetoric of the most bombastic kind.

Don’t fall for it. Equally absurd is the quote of Paul M. Grymkowski, of HOPE, when he states “Santa Monica has always been known for its kind heart... but the Council is collecting a whole lot of bad Karma that could be devastating to the city at some point.” Bad Karma? Yikes, what are we dealing with here? This is nonsense, pure, unadulterated, nonsense. Don’t fall for it.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 7, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/010703.pdf?ref=smdp.com)