AFFORDABLE HOUSING--Since it was enacted in 1970, California environmentalists have hailed the state’s most sweeping environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, as a bulwark against destruction of California’s natural resources and endangerment of its most vulnerable residents.

GUEST COMMENTARY--After Los Angeles voters approved a ballot measure to remake a key part of the police disciplinary process, City Council President Herb Wesson promised a series of hearings around the city on LAPD reform and the kinds of complaints about policing that have riveted the nation’s attention over the last several years: Excessive force. Dishonesty. 

EASTSIDER-A number of people corrected my first post on the recent Assembly District Delegate Elections, and they are right. But I’m just an ordinary democrat who wanted to participate in the elections, not a Party Insider who knew that the State Party, not the Local Party, controls local elections. So... 

RANTZ & RAVEZ-I find many things wrong with the political leadership in California, especially in the greater Los Angeles region where I have spent my entire life.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Looking at the outgoing flight of Californians to other states (particularly the middle class, and of all political and racial and socioeconomic backgrounds), and how both Sacramento, Downtown Los Angeles (and other major city counterparts in San Francisco, San Diego and elsewhere) are doubling down on stupid, silly, untenable ideas that make no environmental sense ... 

DROUGHT WATCH--For the first time in eight years, California is drought-free. According to the United States Drought Monitor, which uses data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, parts of the most northern and southern counties are still "abnormally dry," but the state has no drought conditions to show.

SKIP THE SLIP-Paper receipts are a habitual end to retail transactions. But their usefulness is questionable — they can be tossed out within minutes of being printed or go on to line the bottoms of our bags and wallets. 

EXPOSED--Sixteen years after the United States invaded Iraq and left a trail of destruction and chaos in the country and the region, one aspect of the war remains criminally underexamined: why was it fought in the first place? What did the Bush administration hope to get out of the war? (Photo above from left: Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, President George W. Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney.

LA WATCHDOG--QUALITY TEACHER, CLASS SIZE REDUCTION, AND LOCAL SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURE

To retain/attract quality teachers; reduce class sizes; provide counseling/nursing/library services, arts, music, science, math, preschool, vocational/career education, safe/well-maintained schools, adequate instructional materials/supplies; support disadvantaged/homeless students; shall Los Angeles Unified School District levy $0.16 per square foot of building improvements annually, exempting seniors/certain disability recipients, providing approximately $500,000,000 annually for 12 years, requiring annual audits, oversight, and funding local schools? 

PERSPECTIVE--Artificial Intelligence is one thing. Artificial morality is another. It may sound something like this:

RACIST POLITICS--It's inspired terrorist attacks — and entire governing structures — on multiple continents.

ANIMAL WATCH-A March 6, 2019, report prepared by LA Animal Services GM Brenda Barnette recommended to the Mayor and City Council that the LA Municipal Code (LAMC) be amended to prohibit rodeo events in the city. There was no public notice other than the agenda for the LA Animal Services Commission meeting on March 12. 

ONE MAN’S OPINION-Neither political party shows any respect for the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution. Both the GOP and the Dems find money and power in killing off the individual inalienable rights including Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness in favor of Group Rights.

MY TURN-Being a liberal activist is not only a personal choice, it is a passion. I always embraced the many people who would join the cause for equality and protecting the planet, and never really thought about those who chose to sit it out.

2020 -- When Bernie Sanders launched his 2020 presidential bid this week, a Vermont Public Radio interviewer asked him how his candidacy fit into a moment when the Democratic Party is looking more diverse than ever?