California Insider

A Weblog by
Sacramento Bee Columnist Daniel Weintraub

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February 17, 2004

Rumor up in smoke

I fielded a call from BBC radio this morning, asking me to comment on our good governor's plans to blow a hole in the Capitol roof to accommodate his cigar smoke. I told them that as far as I knew, Schwarzenegger had no such plan. This afternoon, the Don & Mike Show, fresh off a two-week suspension for allowing foul language on the air, reported the story on their newscast: Schwarzenegger plans to blow a hole in the Capitol dome as part of his effort to install a smoking lounge. Just in case, I checked with the governor's office. They officially confirmed: no plans for any demolition or altering of the Capitol. They have, of course, installed a donated tent, about 10 feet by 10 feet, in the center of the governor's (pre-existing) open air courtyard. The tent looks for all the world like a smoking tent, complete with ashtrays. But Schwarzenegger aides insist on calling the shelter a "deal-making tent."

UPDATE: Now the story. inching its way toward full urban legend status, is in the Washington Times. The governor's office had demanded a retraction.