LOS ANGELES

STRIKE SCHOOL--Educators in Los Angeles, the second-largest school district in the country, went on strike in January 2019. By deciding to walk out for smaller class sizes, more support staff, fewer standardized tests and charter school regulation, LA’s teachers became part of a strike wave that shows no signs of ebbing anytime soon. 

NEW GEOGRAPHY--For decades California’s regulatory and tax policies have undermined our middle class, driving millions out of this most favored state.

ALPERN AT LARGE--In theory, education is meant to teach children, among other things, the power of critical thinking. In theory, throwing more money at a problem isn't necessarily going to make things better. In practice, however, our hearts are the right motivators while our brains are the right executors of how we operate. 

VOICES-Several years ago, I found thick colorful balloons and metal objects similar to fat bullet casings in my home. I soon learned that those items were evidence of recreational nitrous oxide abuse and my high schooler had developed a life-threatening addiction. He fed this addiction by easily purchasing staggering amounts of “Whippits” in neighborhood smoke shops. 

@THE GUSS REPORT-Corruption takes many forms in LA City Hall. There’s the figurative satchel of quiet cash traded for land development approvals, which may be at the root of the recent FBI raid of LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar’s home and office, and a lower profile FBI raid which took place a few weeks later and a few blocks away from City Hall. 

FROM CATASTROPHIC TO APOCALYPTIC-America’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, (photo below) speaking at the prestigious Arctic Council biannual meeting in Finland, christened the Arctic meltdown: “A wonderful economic opportunity for international trade.”

DEEGAN ON LA-Many more drinks “for the road” may be served if SB-58 Alcoholic beverages: hours of sale, passes in the State Legislature, where it is slowly moving through committees.

GELFAND’S WORLD--Over the past year, Kaiser Health News and National Public Radio (NPR) have been exposing the scourge of surprise billing by emergency rooms and other medical providers.

ENVIRONMENT POLITICS--Why is the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) so important to the community of West Hills? According to the map above, most of West Hills is within the five-mile radius of the SSFL site. The numbers on the map above are the census tract numbers included in studies by Dr. Thomas Mack and other epidemiologists. 

ONE MAN’S OPINION-Perhaps, we should start calling Jefferson “Tommy.” He was only 33 years old when he started on his first draft of the Declaration of Independence. Because one does not start at the top, Tommy already had gained the respect of other thinkers of his day. The use of the name Tommy could serve to highlight that hard work, youth and intelligence may coincide, albeit not always.

WORLD WATCH--Prime Minister Netanyahu has served as prime minister for the past 11 years, coinciding with Hamas’ rule over Gaza ever since it usurped power in 2007 from the Palestinian Authority after a brief violent confrontation between the two sides. During this period, Netanyahu has deliberately perpetuated the conflict with Hamas as a means by which to promote his sinister political agenda. 

THE QUESTION WILL COST CA-If all goes according to the Trump administration’s plan, the U.S. Census form in 2020 will ask people to state whether they’re citizens of the United States.

ACCORDING TO GOD--A bill in Texas would allow professionals of all kinds — doctors, pharmacists, electricians — to deny services to LGBTQ customers on religious grounds.

RANTZ & RAVEZ-June 4, 2019 is the day the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) School Board is scheduled to RIP YOU OFF once again. Vote NO on Measure EE.  

EASTSIDER-In their 2019 Election Manual, the City set two-year terms for Board members, odd year elections, and incorporated a number of rules. They also unilaterally canceled the Glassell Park Neighborhood Council elections at the last minute. Which leads to this article. 

THORNBURG’S HAMMER—In the rigged game of Los Angeles city planning, where well-meaning urban planners refuse to acknowledge the power relations existing between them and LA’s neighborhoods and residents,

THE CLOCK IS TICKING-Rachel Carson’s famous and brilliant book Silent Spring (1962), which single-handedly ignited the environmental movement, has never been more relevant than it is today. 

GELFAND’S WORLD--The late-night TV news shows were suggesting -- dare we say it -- that the House of Representatives could withhold pay from Trump administration staffers who refuse to cooperate with congressional inquiries. This is a good start.

PLATKIN ON PLANNING-It’s rare that I use my CityWatch column to praise a City Hall official for doing the right thing. But, Councilmember David Ryu and his staff deserve compliments for their clear and critical letter to the Director of Planning, Vince Bertoni, posing their many criticisms of the Purple Line “Transit Neighborhood Plan (TNP)” as tough questions.

ONE MAN’S OPINION-What does “Liar, Liar, pants on fire” mean? We know it’s not literally true. If it were, then all politicians would be burnt to a crisp.

AT LENGTH-Sitting in my office on 13th Street, I have gotten used to the sirens routinely screaming up and down Pacific Avenue.