---

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

#  Ten Things To (Hopefully) Be Thankful For In A Lousy And Challenging Era

November 24 2021

Written by Ken Alpern.

<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)

THE DOCTOR IS IN - These times challenge our souls, health, and pocketbooks...to nothing of our collective sanity.

I can only hope that YOU, the reader, have a few--maybe all--of what you read below, because a whole lot of the nation and world doesn't have it what you will read:

1\) I hope you're thankful to have a [home](https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/understanding-homelessness-city-los-angeles)[.](https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/understanding-homelessness-city-los-angeles).) This will be particularly hard to achieve because our so-called "homeless advocates" fighting for those with no place to live are either corrupt, inappropriately influenced, naive, or just plain stupid. No one more than the homeless are suffering while those who make a living being "homeless advocates" are in charge.

2\) I hope that--if you DO have a home--that you have a form of housing that is economically feasible and [sustainable](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2021/05/california-affordable-housing-crisis-newsom-union/). As with the "homeless advocates", we have too many "affordable housing advocates" who are either corrupt, inappropiately influenced, naive or just plain stupid. "Elegant density" was a term that former Mayor Villaraigosa coined...and we just ain't doing that.

3\) I hope that you have enough to eat. The pandemic is certainly a reason that is overwhelmingly [the main culprit](https://www.dailynews.com/2021/10/14/food-insecurity-hits-nearly-1-million-la-county-households-during-covid-says-report/)[.](https://www.dailynews.com/2021/10/14/food-insecurity-hits-nearly-1-million-la-county-households-during-covid-says-report/).) Yet our leadership is AWOL with respect to runaway inflation, increased cost of living, the supply crisis at our ports, and the inflation that makes the ability for us all to eat horribly, horribly worse.

4\) I hope that you are safe. It's amazing to consider that experts are puzzled as to what causing the [rising crime wave](https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/crime-in-los-angeles/) in Los Angeles[,](https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/crime-in-los-angeles/),) when it's pretty obvious that a sense of psychological/psychiatric illness borne of the pandemic-induced desperation affecting so many is right in front of us. And "Defund the Police" could not have come at a worse time.

5\) I hope that the stress, fear, grief, and uncertainty that has [overwhelmed our children](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Signs-your-Teen-May-Need-More-Support.aspx) and teens (and for that matter, young adults) hasn't hit your family too hard[.](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Signs-your-Teen-May-Need-More-Support.aspx).) It's painful to think that we are not prioritizing our children, and are focusing too much on priorities on our adult populations...but it's true. And they'll likely be impacted for the rest of their lives.

6\) I hope that your psychiatric status, and that of your family and friends, aren't too shattered. The COVID pandemic, decreased economic opportunities for the average American (particularly our youth) and social/crime/political divisions are shattering and bringing down our lives and our [mental health](https://www.anxietycentre.com/faq/why-is-mental-illness-on-the-rise/)--that is a REAL THING, and those claiming to unite us and make our lives better are doing anything BUT that.

7\) I hope that you're not one of the COVID-exploiters and anti-vaxxers who are ignoring the reality of a whole lot of us aren't doing much to "follow the science". If you got COVID within the past 6-8 months, and have measurable serum antibodies, vaccinations won't do much. And if you are fearful of the mRNA vaccines, then there's the more old-school Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. We don't need to suffer needlessly.

8\) I hope that you and the rest of us can all admit that we need to consider that our [energy independence](https://www.aol.com/finance/us-release-50-million-barrels-121604263-125553666.html) has been shattered[,](https://www.aol.com/finance/us-release-50-million-barrels-121604263-125553666.html),) and that we're now at the mercy of China and Russia and OPEC. This has harmed the middle class and poor more than anybody. Pray for those of us who are increasingly having trouble affording the basics because of this challenging and divisive conundrum.

9\) I hope that you have not suffered either directly or indirectly by the sweeping violence and divisive rhetoric that are making recent tragedies, such as that recent horror [parade massacre ](https://www.aol.com/news/needs-miracle-fundraisers-plead-waukesha-165110640-210217459.html)in Milwaukee[,](https://www.aol.com/news/needs-miracle-fundraisers-plead-waukesha-165110640-210217459.html),) infinitely worse.

10\) But most of all, I hope and pray that you have not lost empathy or sympathy for those who suffer from what you read above, and who do not have what the rest of us have if we've survived so far without too much sacrifice and misery. Because if we take the approach of "that's their problem, and it's not mine", then we've lost a whole lot more than we can ever understand or realize.

*(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father to two cherished children and a wonderful wife. He was termed out of the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) twice after two stints as a Board member for 9, years and is also a Board member of the Westside Village Homeowners Association. He previously co-chaired the MVCC Outreach, Planning, and Transportation/Infrastructure Committees for 10 years. He was previously co-chair of the CD11 Transportation Advisory Committee, the grassroots Friends of the Green Line (which focused on a Green Line/LAX connection), and the nonprofit Transit Coalition His latest project is his fictional online book entitled* **The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth** *and can be reached at* [*Ken.Alpern@MarVista.org*](mailto:Ken.Alpern@MarVista.org)*. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)*

 [ ![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)")

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

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

 Phone

 [ ![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/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ed/068d-ed5f9acd.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

### [Zuckerberg May Finally Pay a Price for Preying on Our Children](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

IN MY VIEW - As a mother of two children who has often been on the losing side of family battles against screen time, I…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/27/070e-279910b9.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

### [Nithya Raman Has Yet to Address Hasan Piker’s Antisemitism Controversy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

THE VIEW FROM HERE - While it was outrageous that in May 2026 CD 4 councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman end…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a9/070g-a9407aaa.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

### [They Said It Made No Sense. Then They Voted Yes.](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - Sacramento has streamlined housing approvals so aggressively that residents rarely get a heari…

---

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

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070d.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33281:designed-to-fail&catid=312)### [Designed to Fail](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33281:designed-to-fail&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33287:la-mayor-in-flip-flops&catid=312)### [LA Mayor in Flip Flops](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33287:la-mayor-in-flip-flops&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070k.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33276:karen-bass-just-sent-l-a-businesses-a-dangerous-message-follow-the-rules-or-dont&catid=312)### [Karen Bass Just Sent L.A. Businesses a Dangerous Message: Follow the Rules or Don’t](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33276:karen-bass-just-sent-l-a-businesses-a-dangerous-message-follow-the-rules-or-dont&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/068r.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33272:how-likely-is-an-all-la-super-bowl-next-february&catid=312)### [How Likely Is an All-LA Super Bowl Next February?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33272:how-likely-is-an-all-la-super-bowl-next-february&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/068q.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33271:flying-out-of-lax-its-time-to-streamline-your-airport-strategy&catid=312)### [Flying Out of LAX? It’s Time to Streamline Your Airport Strategy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33271:flying-out-of-lax-its-time-to-streamline-your-airport-strategy&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>