LOS ANGELES

CAL MATTERS-The midterm elections whittled away all the purple sections of the state now represented by the GOP, leaving only the bleeding-red core. 

Platkin on Planning:  According to acclaimed investigative journalist, I.F. Stone, all governments lie.  Now, looking back on his dogged reporting, it would be great if we could ask him one key question: “How do they lie?” 

CORRUPTION WATCH-U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts defended the judicial system from Trump-a-Doodle’s lies about Obama judges by promoting the myth of judicial integrity. 

BCK FILE--Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a judicial rock star. And Angelenos, as well as our visiting friends and family, are fortunate to have the first museum exhibition to focus on the Supreme Court Associate Justice at the Skirball Cultural Center here in Los Angeles.

ALPERN AT LARGE--For better or for worse, for worse or for better, the people have spoken.

NEW GEOGRAPHY--The rise of automation and artificial intelligence is keeping many Americans up at night, worrying about their jobs, and certainly those of their children.

CLIMATE POLITICS--Harken! Good news (maybe) “encouraging news” is a better description, as Negative Emissions Technology (“NET”) starts coming into focus.

TRANSIT TALK-By most accounts (and there are always skeptics) the recent wildfires that rampaged through California bringing fear, danger, destruction, and death, were unprecedented in their ferocity and strength.

CAL MATTERS--Democrats flipped six GOP-held House districts where President Trump had low approval ratings

GELFAND’S WORLD— The president made what he thought was a slighting remark towards a judicial decision -- referring to the judge as being the result of an Obama appointment.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Well, that was quick. Last week, I posed this question about the upcoming race for Jose Huizar’s LA City Council seat: “will (his wife Richelle) quit the race before the end of the year? Smart money says yes.” 

MY TURN--I am thankful for a public education system that devoted a lot of time in the study of fascist regimes.

CORRUPTION WATCH--Years ago I took improv classes at MICE, run by Michael Chain who taught some valuable lessons which also apply outside of theater. 

GUEST WORDS--"If I want your opinion I'll give it to you." - Samuel Goldwyn

CAL MATTERS -- The sun was beginning to set as Jim Wood stepped out of the examination room at the Sacramento morgue and padded into the lobby, white surgical booties covering his shoes.

NEW GEOGRAPHY--In this year’s elections, particularly in California, the suburbs spoke, and essentially destroyed Donald Trump and the Republican Party.

ALPERN AT LARGE--It's hard to say if being positive has any traction these days, but I'll play the role of the "naive doctor" and try a go at it.

CORRUPTION WATCH-Despite the seven warrants for Councilmember Jose Huizar’s offices and home, the FBI will be blind to the vast never-ending multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise which is commonly called the LA City Council.

EDUCATION POLITICS--Why is Betsy DeVos afraid? In her first year in office, some protestors in Washington, D.C., objected to her visit at a public school.

AT LENGTH-I ran into Thom and Jerry at the bank recently — not the cartoon characters, but a local realtor and a businessman.

ALPERN AT LARGE--As stated in my last article, the elections are over but the fires are certainly NOT.