LOS ANGELES

VOICES-When Donald Trump was elected President in 2016, many people predicted that he would usher in a fascist government in the United States, an updated version of the fascist regime Sinclair Lewis imagined 86 years ago in “It Can’t Happen Here.” 

GUEST COMMENTARY--Merely labeling the Minneapolis police, who killed George Floyd, racist ignores the underlying real cause of these ever more frequently occurring and regrettable situations.

GELFAND’S WORLD--As the late television news explained on Wednesday -- ever so pointedly -- Donald Trump somehow forgot to mention the 100,000 dead in this country from Covid-19.

PLANNING WATCH-While trying to avoid catching or spreading the Covid-19 virus, I have ventured outside to take long bike rides in my own neighborhood, and in many adjacent Wilshire area neighborhoods.

EASTSIDER-The world seems upside down to me and sinking fast. Just look what’s happened to our celebration of May Day, Memorial Day, and the ever so lame latest contretemps from the Democratic National Committee (read establishment Dems).

VOICES-176,090%. That’s a significant number, a really big number.

ALPERN AT LARGE--It still stands to reason that those who WANT to divide the nation should be the ones we fear the most.

DIRTY TRICKS--The California Apartment Association is up to its dirty tricks again — and has stooped to a new low.

PUBLIC HEALTH-On May 20, 2020, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the lead agency for the cleanup of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) issued a press release:

PART OF AN ON-GOING SERIES-Between June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2019, the investments of the Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System (LACERS) made $2.7 billion less than anticipated to fund retirement benefits (not including retiree health benefits). 

CORONA’S WRATH VISITED ON LA COUNTY-Over the next year, experts estimate that the number of unhoused people in California due to rising unemployment from coronavirus can grow by up to 20%, from 150,000 people currently to 180,000.

CLIMATE POLITICS-Earth at 10°C above pre-industrial is unimaginable. It’s a deadly horrifying thought, but as shall be explained here, it should not be dismissed out of hand. 

REPORT FROM THE INTERCEPT--As the coronavirus pandemic devastates the economy and tax revenues drop massively across the U.S., cities have begun to prepare for the hard times ahead by proposing slashed budgets and reduced public services at a time when so many of their residents need them more than ever.

GUEST COMMENTARY-Almost a million and a half Americans have been infected so far in the pandemic.

DEEGAN ON LA---“As with many issues involving individuals experiencing homelessness, no party appears to be addressing this problem with any urgency”.

SALON REPORT--Rectangles are painted on the ground to encourage homeless people to keep social distancing at a city-sanctioned homeless encampment across from City Hall in San Francisco, California, on May 22, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Normally, I would be devoting this article to the dedicated youth in our nation who got up early Saturday morning to dedicate the fallen at the West Los Angeles Memorial Cemetery. 

PLANNING WATCH-The FBI’s investigation of corruption at LA’s City Hall, now in its third year, has, so far, focused on five individuals and lead to several arrests.

GELFAND’S WORLD--When I started doing an internet column in the early years of the new century, I was asked to think critically about the failures of the media.

CORONA WATCH--The United States has long established itself as the neoliberal superstar, the modern nation with the most wealth inequality, threadbare social safety net, and thoroughly corporatized political leaders from both major parties.

EASTSIDER-With all the big ticket things going on, like dealing with corrupt politicians, imploding municipal budgets, and Federal follies, it’s easy to ignore the little stuff, like a sudden offer of $5000 to each Neighborhood Council to pay for good deeds.