---

 [ LOS ANGELES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312)

#  A Moment of Clarity: One Real Nazi, One Real Monster, Dead

ALPERN AT LARGE--Some of us are too quick to accuse others as evil, and both sides of the political spectrum are too quick to decry the other as "Nazis" or "fascists" or "racists". And then there's the real deal: [Charles Manson](http://www.tmz.com/2017/11/19/charles-manson-dead-at-83/).), a man who lived by far too long, is dead at 83.

Written by Kenneth S. Alpern.

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Nov-2017/093r.png)

November 20 2017

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

ALPERN AT LARGE--Some of us are too quick to accuse others as evil, and both sides of the political spectrum are too quick to decry the other as "Nazis" or "fascists" or "racists". And then there's the real deal: [Charles Manson](http://www.tmz.com/2017/11/19/charles-manson-dead-at-83/).), a man who lived by far too long, is dead at 83.

I was told early in my life that if I wanted to be a doctor, and one who truly valued life, that I should be opposed to the death penalty. I always found that to be curious, because I presumed that the value of a life was upheld, and not diminished, by the death penalty.

I also felt that (presuming that guilt WAS confirmed), to NOT perform the death penalty for murderers actually diminished the value and worth of the murdered, and that the center focus of punishment for the crime of murder should focus on the presumed wishes of the murdered, and not the needs of the murderer.

Charles Manson wanted a race war, and convinced well-educated, well-fed, and well to-do groupies to commit some of the most heinous murders in American history to do just that. Why he did it, and why they listened to him, probably involves a mixture of drugs, insanity, and a devaluation of life that cut into the underbelly of the 1960's counterculture movement as all "peace and love".

On the other side of the world, and in a different set of circumstances, another Hitleresque monster, one **Robert Mugabe,** who came to power under the auspices of overturning white colonial rule, is responsible for more deaths of black Zimbabweans than any of the white farmers he removed from power and economic prosperity ... and yet many choose to follow him even after he was just deposed.

Evil comes in all sorts of ways, shapes, and forms, and many of us accidentally walk down the road, or at least ignore, the route to evil that others take.

But virtually all of us walk back--if not run away with all our might--once we realize what our thoughts or implications of our actions might lead to.

Sarah Palin didn't kill those Arizonans and come close to killing Rep. Gabby Giffords ... an evil, deranged monster did.

No Democratic operative or leader came close to killing Rep. Steve Scalise and other Republican leaders on a Virginia baseball field A... an evil, deranged monster did.

Donald Trump didn't kill all those concert-goers in Las Vegas ... an evil, deranged monster did.

Barack Obama didn't kill several Dallas police officers ... an evil, deranged monster did.

Our society is certainly polarized along social, political, economic, and generational groups ... but we still adhere to being human.

And being human means, among a host of things, that "thou shalt not kill". Yes, there is war and conflict that leads to the necessary (and often unnecessary) loss of life.

But in general, humans adhere to the "thou shalt not kill".

I still adhere to the fact that our society would have achieved closure had Charles Manson been summarily executed, and that--presuming we would have adhered to the "thou shalt not kill" there was NO reason for him or his minions to EVER be up for parole.

I do NOT, and I suspect many (most?) do NOT view Charles Manson or his followers as human. I do NOT believe his prolonged life, and the millions of dollars to sustain it, was worth the money. I also am aware that his continued existence allowed future generations to remember what he did...so perhaps there was a good reason to keep this monster alive.

But the rest of us can learn to come together and remember--through all the confusion and distortion that social media and "fake news" can bring--that sometimes the Nazis and monsters DO exist. Charles Manson and Robert Mugabe did and do exist.

And perhaps--for a fleeting moment--we can remember that those of us who would NEVER do what they did are much more alike, and hold the same values dear to our beings, than we are divided.

God bless America, and may God bless us all as we cling to the humanity that makes us so special.

*(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D. is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud father and husband to two cherished children and a wonderful wife. He is also a Westside Village Zone Director and Board member of the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC), previously co-chaired its Planning and Outreach Committees, and currently is Co-Chair of its MVCC Transportation/Infrastructure Committee. He was co-chair of the CD11 Transportation Advisory Committee and chaired the nonprofit Transit Coalition, and can be reached at* [*alpern@marvista.org*](mailto:alpern@marvista.org)*. He also co-chairs the grassroots Friends of the Green Line at* [*www.fogl.us*](http://www.fogl.us/)*. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)*

*-cw*

Tags: Kenneth Alpern, Alpern at Large, Charles Manson, Robert Mugabe, Hitler, monster

[![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/)

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Phone

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/75/064a-75d5dbb3.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

### [Your Boss Owns Your Workday—Not Your Brain](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

THE NEURAL WORKPLACE - California must protect workers before workplace surveillance crosses the final frontier: the hu…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/93/064k-9302351b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33205:biden-family-grift-vs-trump-family-grift-lets-do-the-numbers&catid=9)

### [Biden Family Grift vs. Trump Family Grift: Let’s Do the Numbers](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33205:biden-family-grift-vs-trump-family-grift-lets-do-the-numbers&catid=9)

GRIFTING IN THE DAYLIGHT - Most people recognize that Donald Trump and his kids are stealing from us with both hands ev…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fe/064i-febc3c1a.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

### [All Talk, No Action: Nithya Raman’s Reckoning](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Nithya Raman lost the homelessness gavel, and the most damaging verdict didn’t come from Republicans…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/34/065h-34e1b43b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

### [Reminder to the Red States, Turnabout is Fair Play](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Indiana has been pounded by rains that resulted in widespread flooding. While the rain was still comi…

---

##  [ LOS ANGELES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33215:a-second-karen-bass-term-gets-her-and-us-four-more-years-of-well-earned-voter-outrage&catid=312)### [A Second Karen Bass Term Gets Her (and Us) Four More Years Of Well-Earned Voter Outrage](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33215:a-second-karen-bass-term-gets-her-and-us-four-more-years-of-well-earned-voter-outrage&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065l.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33216:the-cynicism-of-homelessness&catid=312)### [The Cynicism of Homelessness](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33216:the-cynicism-of-homelessness&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33218:la-public-health-is-very-sick&catid=312)### [LA Public Health Is Very Sick](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33218:la-public-health-is-very-sick&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065p.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33219:second-judge-clears-way-for-curren-price-to-face-trial-on-12-public-corruption-felonies&catid=312)### [Second Judge Clears Way for Curren Price to Face Trial on 12 Public Corruption Felonies](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33219:second-judge-clears-way-for-curren-price-to-face-trial-on-12-public-corruption-felonies&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065k.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33220:olympics-la28-controls-the-money-trapping-city-hall-and-taxpayers&catid=312)### [Olympics: LA28 Controls the Money, Trapping City Hall and Taxpayers](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33220:olympics-la28-controls-the-money-trapping-city-hall-and-taxpayers&catid=312)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>