GELFAND’S WORLD - The recent news from Ukraine and from its Russian invaders reveals an unsettling truth about our own country's political culture.

GELFAND’S WORLD - The following story was embargoed until at least Friday, but I decided to release it anyway considering its importance:

GELFAND’S WORLD - Early Sunday afternoon, while film fans and industry people were making their way towards the Academy Awards presentation,

GELFAND’S WORLD - If you, like me, saw the first set of Rick Caruso for Mayor ads on television, you would have come away from them not really knowing the man.

GELFAND’S WORLD - The original idea behind the creation of neighborhood councils was actually pretty simple and at its heart, idealistic.

GELFAND’S WORLD - In 1798, an attempt at rebellion in Ireland resulted in the British capturing and executing rebels.

GELFAND’S WORLD - When you read about the history of the Cold War, the existence of nuclear weapons is the second major issue.

GELFAND’S WORLD - In his lying and making of excuses, Putin is just following in a long tradition that reached a peak in the Nazi’s use of the Big Lie.

GELFAND’S WORLD - There is a website called War on the Rocks which I am told is a credible source.

GELFAND’S WORLD - This is the example of why every European country ought to be a member of NATO.

GELFAND’S WORLD - According to state law, I'm supposed to get two hours of training in ethics every two years if I am to remain on my neighborhood council board.

GELFAND’S WORLD - There was an era when the United States and the USSR were bitter rivals in the Olympic games.

GELFAND’S WORLD - I was going to write about the Super Bowl or about Ukraine. So I think I'll write about both and maybe a few words about Rick Caruso's candidacy.

GELFAND’S WORLD - It's an election year. Everybody is either looking forward to November 8 or dreading it, but here in California, we will be having primary elections in just a few months.

GELFAND’S WORLD - When it comes to the argument over global warming, a recent book called The Story of More, written by a scientist by the name of Hope Jahren, is worthy of discussion.

GELFAND’S WORLD - The Los Angeles neighborhood council system consists of 99 separate councils which are created by act of the City Charter to advise the government and oversee its actions.

GELFAND’S WORLD - One popularly used comment is "there oughta be a law" and following that, "I should write a book. " 

GELFAND’S WORLD - It's been a long two years and it seems like this month has been a replay of last January.

GELFAND’S WORLD - You've got to wonder what those Capitol rioters were thinking.

GELFAND’s WORLD - For all of us, I offer the following New Year's toast: "To 2022, may it bring 2023." It's not supposed to be clever or sarcastic, it's just a hopeful bit I developed for myself back when we were always in danger of being blown to bits by a nuclear holocaust. Anyway, that will be my toast. For most of us, it will be true. 

GELFAND’S WORLD - The problem with end-of-year columns is that they can be pretty redundant.