LOS ANGELES

CORONA WATCH--The United States has long established itself as the neoliberal superstar, the modern nation with the most wealth inequality, threadbare social safety net, and thoroughly corporatized political leaders from both major parties.

EASTSIDER-With all the big ticket things going on, like dealing with corrupt politicians, imploding municipal budgets, and Federal follies, it’s easy to ignore the little stuff, like a sudden offer of $5000 to each Neighborhood Council to pay for good deeds.

JIM CROW 2020--How deep does American racism go?

PERSPECTIVE-“We have met the moment and we have prevailed,” Donald Trump said at a news briefing May 11.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Thank god someone in the national media finally pointed out what many in LA, outside of most people in the local media, have long whispered: LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is a kooky guy hell-bent on obtaining power and attention to satisfy his peculiar cravings rather than doing what he was hired to do: govern fairly, transparently, and honestly. 

RANTZ & RAVEZ-I was invited to join the parade celebrating the 100^th Birthday of Encino resident and military veteran Ernest “Ernie” R. Dutcher, Jr. Senior citizen members and friends from the Wings over Wendy’s military group gathered in cars, many decorated with festive Happy Birthday signs and colorful balloons.

VOICES-When I heard that my wife’s book club was meeting in the home that the architect, S. Charles Lee designed for himself (photo above), I decided to read a book I didn’t want to read.

ONE MAN’S OPINION-It took a long time for our country to devolve to such a low level that we have become one of the world’s most corrupt and poorly run nations. 

CLIMATE POLITICS--The human body has limits. If “temperature plus humidity” is high enough, even a healthy person seated in the shade with plentiful water to drink will suffer severely or likely die.

DEEGAN ON LA-Being a landlord of a rent stabilized (RSO) property these days is more challenging than ever.

POLITICS--From the beginning of this pandemic, the response of our elected officials has prioritized private profits over saving lives.

@THE GUSS REPORT-The best way to read the LA Times for the past few decades is to do so with an open and fair mind, and then read between the lines to figure out its lies by omission.

PANDEMIC IN LOS ANGELES: DAY 60--Following George Chiang’s guilty plea in the FBI’s case against Council Member Jose Huizar, I am firmly of the belief that all fifteen members of the LA City Council should now resign, pack up their bags, and try their luck elsewhere. 

GUEST COMMENTARY-There are times to be measured and reasonable, but this is not one of them: 

VOICES-The following letter was sent on Monday, May 18, to Mayor Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell and Director of Planning Vince Bertoni.

GUEST COMMENTARY--Just how dirty is Los Angeles City Hall?

AT LENGTH-I’ve been thinking lately that perhaps America should build a wall like Donald J. Trump suggests, just not where he envisions it or for the reason he proposes.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Some of us want to find solutions, and some of us want to exploit this crisis.

PUBLIC HEALTH POLITICS--On Friday May 8, 2020, the West San Fernando Valley was experiencing excessive heat. 

ONE MAN’S OPINION-If you think things are bad now, just wait. Americans are moving towards a second civil war. 

GELFAND’S WORLD--I’ve been ruminating over the following question: Since so few people in this giant county have actually come down with the Covid-19 illness, are most of us at least modestly immune to it?