LOS ANGELES

PERSPECTIVE--For more than four decades the Hip Hop culture and rap have been bundled with a range of negative connotations, but while many people struggle to look past the profanity, materialism, and high-risk messages often celebrated within mainstream rap music, the hip hop culture at its core, is built on values of social justice, peace, respect, self-worth, community, and having fun, and because of these values, it’s increasingly being used as a therapeutic tool when working with young people.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Paging LA Mayor Eric Garcetti. Return to Los Angeles today and start solving our problems, most of which have grown worse on your watch. Your presidential dreams, and the continuous tease about them between you and the local media, are over. 

GUEST WORDS--In its June 25 editorial, the Los Angeles Times created the impression that the Expo Corridor Plan presented to the Council’s PLUM Committee was the product of over five years of community input, meetings.

COMMON DREAMS-As progressives nationwide celebrated Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's primary victory in New York's 14th congressional district over establishment 10-term Rep. Joseph Crowley

FOSSIL FUEL FIGHT--California elected officials on Tuesday sent a letter urging Governor Jerry Brown to phase out fossil fuel production in the state. Elected Officials to Protect California, a group whose mission is "to empower bold, courageous leadership from elected officials on climate change from the ground up," sent the letter.

DISABILITY PERSPECTIVE--When you live with a disability, finding a home that meets both your desires and needs can be challenging. Like everyone else, you want your home to provide you with more than just a roof over your head. Your home should offer comfort and support as well.

PERSPECTIVE--The question is, why are our campuses still rife with such racism a half-century after the racial integration of American higher education?

BCK FILE--Since 2015, Donald Trump has used explosive rhetoric to promote his “border wall” and has demonized people from Mexico and Central America. 

@THE GUSS REPORT-In downtown Los Angeles, Tuesday is when more local government meetings are held, making it the juiciest day of the week for anyone who enjoys seeing aloof politicians and their sometimes unqualified appointees get torched by critics who are keyed-in to civic issues and political corruption. 

GELFAND’S WORLD--Back during the administration of George W Bush, I pondered the goal of restoring liberalism to American politics. 

JUST SAYIN’--The Koreatown subdivision election had a voter turnout of almost 19,000 stakeholders. 

CORRUPTION WATCH-The difference between corruption and ‘corruptionism’ is crucial.

DEEGAN ON LA-The density versus housing preservation argument is as much about politics as it is about the specifics of density, preservation or the need for abundant and affordable housing.

FIRST PERSON-So how does one deal with a problem like the present never-ending stream of undocumented aliens and their children flocking to and illegally crossing our borders?

ANIMAL WATCH-On Tuesday afternoon, June 19, Ursula Carmody, an experienced volunteer at the Los Angeles Animal Services' Harbor shelter in San Pedro, bathed and brushed a medium-sized, male Shepherd-mix dog which had been picked up as a stray eight days before.

ALPERN AT LARGE--As stated in my last CityWatch article, conflating "feelings" with law enforcement on such heart-wrenching issues as homeless and border law enforcement lead to cruel results, and with the critical resources needed to help the truly unfortunate being squandered on those who are anything BUT victims. 

RANTZ & RAVEZ-I have some timely subjects to share with you this week from RantZ and RaveZ. 

MISERY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD-Sky-high housing prices in California and New York have made the two states the epicenter of America’s homeless crisis.

BE RICH OR BE SCREWED--The White House on Thursday released a 32-point plan (pdf) to reorganize several departments of the federal government.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Whether we like it or not, both liberals and conservatives alike are becoming equally, and emphatically, disenfranchised and angry at how our homeless and border policies are being enforced ... or, perhaps, more accurately, NOT being enforced. 

CORRUPTION WATCH-The most dangerous notion in Western Civilization is the idea that one religion or one people has an exclusive lock on The Truth.