LOS ANGELES

PLANNING WATCH-Despite the White House’s pre-pandemic boasts about a booming American economy, its bungled response to the Covid-19 crisis was the straw that quickly broke the back of the American financial system.

EASTSIDER--There are three basic facts about the much maligned public sector in the United States.  There are over 90,000 distinct units nationwide, representing about 10% of the Annual US GDP. 

PERSPECTIVE--The “final” Burbank Airport Noise Task Force hearing was held over two nights, May 6th and 7th, via Zoom. 

ALPERN AT LARGE--While it's entirely understandable to acknowledge that people act--and react-- in fear, as time goes by the need to "keep it together" and "think clearly and calmly" is greater than ever.

VOTING POLITICS-Americans hoping for a clean, fair, and reliable vote count this fall must pay attention to how their state and local officials intend to handle this election. 

@THE GUSS REPORT-How’s that for a provocative question? Ventura Boulevard is the world's longest avenue of contiguous businesses, stretching from Universal City to the front stoop of Calabasas.

A POST-PANDEMIC PROPOSAL-What makes great lives for Americans? Great jobs. A livelihood that they are passionate about. 

GELFAND’S WORLD--Is it possible to impeach a president twice? We all know that the guy, currently holding the job in this country, doesn’t like to accept blame for anything.

DEEGAN ON LA-City Hall has been locked down to the public for the past several “at home” weeks,

FIRST PERSON--The cabin was restless. It was a weekday afternoon in late April, and I was among dozens of people boarding an airplane that most of us had assumed would be empty.

RENTERS’ RIGHTS-The California Apartment Association, one of the most powerful landlord lobbying groups in the state, has a long, sordid history of opposing renter protections.

NEIGHBORHOOD POLITICS--Rental units in the City of Los Angeles do not all fall under the same housing category or city programs.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Just as it's too simple and myopic to blame the end of the world on the automobile...

BCK FILE-The 24/7 news cycle during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown can be equal parts overwhelming, frustrating, heartbreaking, and infuriating.

PUBLIC HEALTH-On May 8, 2020, the Los Angeles County Department of Health (LAC DPH) put out a Health Advisory.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Los Angeles is roughly two months into the corona virus lockdown and its Mayor, Eric Garcetti, still mistakenly thinks it needs comforting and a shoulder upon which to cry rather than advancing plans to de-handcuff LA so it can cautiously and independently return to work, school, shopping, recreation and self-sustainability. 

ONE MAN’S OPINION-Political philosophy pre-dates our trek out of Africa.

PLANNING WATCH-If you live, work in, or visit LA, you know that the city’s sidewalks desperately need repairs,

TRANSIT LA-Since March 19, 2020, California has been under COVID-19 restrictions, and Metro is just now discussing the possibilities of requiring all bus and train riders to wear face masks.   

ALPERN AT LARGE--Much of the problem with current liberal politics--and it's probably tearing up moderate liberals the most (the so-called "JFK Democrats" or "Blue Dog Democrats) is that things are evolving and without coherence so fast that it's difficult to determine who to despise more, President Trump, Governor Newsom, or Mayor Garcetti. 

OTHERWORDS--I’ve held off saying what I have to say for a while because I don’t want to engage in “both sides-ism.”