LOS ANGELES

PLANNING WATCH-Hats off to former Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and journalist Jill Stewart for schooling us about the WIMBYs (Wall Street in my Back Yard).

(PART OF AN ONGOING SERIES)-“I can’t fit this into my head”. . .“My head hurts”. . .“I just completely do not get it!” 

POLITICS--The U.S. Postal Service plays a vital role in our nation’s health and stability at this time of crisis.

EASTSIDER-As far back as 2009, with the indictment of CalPERS’ Fred Buenrostro and Alfred Villalobos, Private Equity and the delegation of authority to staff without proper oversight, resulted in jail sentences as well as rocking the giant pension fund to its core.

GUEST COMMENTARY--In looking at the coronavirus stats, it becomes clearer every day that the higher the density in a city, the more cases of the virus. 

ALPERN AT LARGE--Fortunately, being stubborn or fixated on the past isn't outlawed.

CLIMATE POLITICS-A new study in Nature (April 2020) casts a disturbing light on the prospects of abrupt ecosystem collapse.

ONE MAN’S OPINION-Impeachment and the 25h Amendment share the same informal procedure.

GELFAND’S WORLD--We have reached the point at which public evaluation of Donald Trump’s behavior vis a vis the Corona virus is now appropriate.

VOICES-Did we really need more proof that developers are calling the shots at City Hall? Of course not. But we got it anyway. 

(PART OF AN ON-GOING SERIES) On July 6, 2017, I sent Mayor Eric Garcetti a memo that stated, in part, “While it is difficult to predict, I would not be surprised to see a 10-12% increase in the City’s contribution rate (to LACERS) between now and 2021. 

VOICES-The leader of the World Health Organization should resign immediately.

ONE MAN’S OPINION-People are all atwitter about former LA City Councilmember Mitch Englander’s indictment -- oh dearie, dearie, what’s next?

PERSPECTIVE--The demolition of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art - LACMA - has started, and one of the first casualties to disappear from the cultural history of Los Angeles is the Bing Theater.

ALPERN AT LARGE-If you read the title and expected either a pro-transit or anti-transit screed, you will probably be disappointed.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Shortly after LA City Councilmember Nury Martinez was chosen to be that body’s president, she was widely accused of not embracing the day-to-day function, tedium and responsibility of the gig. 

NEWS FLASH-Just as I finished this article, Bernie Sanders announced early Wednesday, April 8 that he is suspending his campaign. While I have changed the Takeaway, I stand by the analysis. 

TRUMP’S VIRUS-What is racism? Ultimately, it is fear. A personal fear of a threat a person feels powerless to control. 

PLANNING WATCH:  Even before the Covid-19 Pandemic, our gentrification statistics were grim, such as widespread evictions from demolished affordable apartments.

GUESTWORDS--For Donald Trump’s GOP followers, the real issue in the 2020 election is democracy itself. They want it abolished. 

ALPERN AT LARGE--It's not a shock to many of us in the health care profession, but warm weather alone isn't going to magically make the COVID-19 virus go away.