A few Long Beach movers and shakers were involved in a heated online exchange last night stemming from a seemingly innocuous reposting by lobbyist Diane Ripley that resulted in a three-way argument between her, Councilmember Gerrie Schipske, and Josh Lowenthal, son of Sen. Alan Lowenthal — an argument that featured Schipske labeling DeLong “a parrot” for the Republican Party and Lowenthal accusing Ripley of not complying with laws governing lobbyists.

At about 8:30 p.m. DeLong, on his “Gary DeLong for Congress” Facebook page, authored a short post mentioning a dinner meeting he had earlier in the evening with Speaker of the House John Boehner. About an hour later Ripley, president of Kirste/Ripley Public Relations, placed his post on her own Facebook wall, with the comment, “Gary DeLong is our guy!”

This almost immediately drew a response from Schipske: “Not all of us feel that way, Diane.” A civil disagreement ensued between Schipske and Ripley over DeLong’s efficacy as an elected official, during which Schipske derided DeLong’s fitness to represent the newly-formed 47th Congressional District, an office also sought by Sen. Lowenthal.

“De Long [sic] needs to study the issues between now and November instead of ‘parroting’ the standard GOP lines,” Schipske wrote. “Not ready to send a parrot to [C]ongress[,] are you?”

But the real cyberfireworks ensued when Josh Lowenthal entered the discussion. “Thanks for sharing, Diane,” Lowenthal wrote in his initial entry to the discussion thread. “Maybe you’ll have some credibility when you actually register as a lobbyist as you’re legally required to do.”

That legal requirement came in February 2010, when the City of Long Beach adopted an ordinance requiring lobbyists to register as such. Ripley rejoined to Lowenthal that she is, in fact, registered; but considering that in late 2010 there was open discussion around the city about her declining to do so, Lownethal may have not been aware of her registration, which City records list as taking place in September 2011.

But Lowenthal’s accusations went further. “I even know when you’ve accept[ed] cash and not reported it,” he wrote. This elicited from Ripley the claim that Lowenthal is “spread[ing] lies.”

“How about I show you by slamming you with a little lawsuit,” Ripley wrote at one point. “Is this your shining moment? You silly little boy, mind your manners. I know for a fact your Father did not raise you this way.”

Neither Ripley nor Lowenthal could be immediately reached for comment.

The entire, unedited discussion thread appears below:

  • Diane Ripley: Gary DeLong is our guy!
  • Gerrie Schipske: Not all of us feel that way, Diane.
  • Diane Ripley: I know Gerrie, but the alternative has not been working for us
  • Gerrie Schipske: Really? Says whom? The Chamber of Commerce or the Press Telegram or DeLong? All very biased indeed.
  • Diane Ripley: I’m not seeing where we are any better off with Alan.
  • Josh Lowenthal: Thanks for sharing, Diane. Maybe you’ll have some credibility when you actually register as a lobbyist as you’re legally required to do.
  • Gerrie Schipske: And how are we going to be better off if De Long goes to Washington? Oh, wait. He’ll be off of City Council. I may reconsider my endorsement.
  • Diane Ripley: Ya now Josh, if you knew half-a-basket perhaps you’d know i am a registered Lobbyist.
  • Diane Ripley: I’m not saying one man will have all the answers but this state is upside-down … and what’s been going on ain’t working.
  • Diane Ripley: Alan is a GREAT man, he tryley cares about people. Alan is respectful and kind …
  • Diane Ripley: truly
  • Josh Lowenthal: I know more than half-a-basket. I even know when you’ve accept cash and not reported it. Want to keep going head-to-head there?
  • Gerrie Schipske: I think the Press Telegram got it right about DeLong when it wrote in their half ass endorsement – De Long needs to study the issues between now and November instead of “parroting” the standard GOP lines. Not ready to send a parrot to congress are you?
  • Diane Ripley: Josh ….Are you kidding me? Name it dude. Step up? You be VERY very careful
  • Diane Ripley: Josh ………. I MEAN BE VERY CAREFUL
  • Diane Ripley: Gerrie, I don’t vote party-line. I don’t believe in party line.
  • Diane Ripley: Gerrie, I would love to sit down and share a conversation with you. And I’m SURE there are many points I would learn from you. But right now I am so mad and disappointed in Josh. Not only is he RUDE he spreads lies. That is NOT what Alan would be proud of.
  • Josh Lowenthal: rude and lying. and my dad isn’t proud of me. and gary’s a better candidate. and you’ve complied with the lobbying ordinance all the way. all seem plausible.
  • Diane Ripley: No Josh … your dad would not be proud of you during your “silly little moment on FB.” Your Father is a reputable, respectful, caring, kind and decent man. What happened to you? Complying with lobby ordinance? How about I show you by slamming you with a little lawsuit. So Josh … is this your shining moment? You silly little boy, mind your manners. I know for a fact your Father did not raise you this way.
  • Diane Ripley: Sorry Gerrie Schipske. My apologies Gerrie. I get quite heated when someone personally and professionaly attacks me like that. I probably ought to just let it go and consider the source but it makes me mad. Anyway … You make a lot of sense Gerrie, I’m listening. I’m learning. I don’t see one party having all the answers. I just want our country to be better, and this state to be a better place to “hand down” to our grandchildren. Gerrie, humbly … I don’t know how to be on one side. 🙂 Gerrie Schipske: Wow. Diane Ripley appreciate your willingness to discuss. Many of us in the Democratic Party have worked very hard to support small businesses and working people. But the rhetoric gets in the way and it is made to sound like us v. them. We are all in the same boat, unless those that have the yachts…take care.