Homeless in Los Angeles

homeless man in los angeles

The first meeting of the year for Valley Democrats United produced what most members enthusiastically claimed was 'the best meeting ever for the club.'Normally, one would think the issue of 'Homelessness in Los Angeles' would not inspire much enthusiasm, but the club president, Brad Parker, initiated the meeting with a powerful personal story of a homeless individual telling a tale of … [Read more...]

God’s Body, God’s Plan: The Komen Foundation Furor and Abortion as Black/Latino “Genocide”

serious black woman

This is God’s body, the girl says.  She is one of a group of middle school students participating in a youth workshop on misogynist images in media.  The subject has turned to abortion, and her peers nod vigorously in agreement.  Imani Moses, a high school senior who is facilitating the workshop as a Women’s Leadership Project student, challenges her to examine her position—“Does God … [Read more...]

On Komen, Progressives Were Looking the Other Way

komen leaves

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a classic example of a brand being so pure, so above reproach, that the mainstream public doesn’t even think twice about supporting it.  Just last year, Komen ranked second in charities for “trust and tops in brand equity,” but now its brand has been tarnished, most likely beyond repair for many progressives.It may not be a coincidence that General … [Read more...]

Giving Hypocrisy a Bad Name: Censorship in Tucson

occupied america

For the past six years or so I have heard constant threats from Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne (Canada) and Superintendent of Schools John Huppenthal (Indiana) that they were going to ban, destroy and wipe out Mexican American Studies, as well as Occupied America. Now after disregarding a $177,000 report that refutes their charges that the program and the book are racist and un-American, the … [Read more...]

Does AA Really Work?

drinking

It can't be easy to learn that your much-younger ex-husband is hot-tubbing it with a bevy of Brazilian babes. So perhaps it's not all that surprising that an anguished Demi Moore turned to substances to relieve her pain.After suffering a seizure and spending a night in the hospital, the actress—who was famously sober for over a decade—is the latest in a long line of celebrities to publicly … [Read more...]

LA’s Secret Meeting Habit: Contempt and Arrogance or Just Bureaucratic Malpractice?

la county supervisors

We, the people, have the right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies yet our elected officials regularly violate this right, creating obstacles to public attendance, participation, and free speech.This behavior may be due to simple ignorance, although it is hard to believe that elected officials, some having been in public service for more than three decades, are … [Read more...]

Jackie Speier Drops Breast Cancer Foundation Support

jackie-speier-wide

Rep. Speier Pulls Support From Breast Cancer Foundation Over Decision To Sever Ties With Planned Parenthood Wednesday, America’s most well-known breast cancer organization Susan G. Komen succumbed to right-wing pressure and ended its partnership with Planned Parenthood, pulling around $600,000 in grants that allow the women’s health organization to provide breast cancer exams for low-income … [Read more...]

California State Senate Kills Universal Health Care Bill

mark leno

Senate Rejects SB 810 - Bill Solving Healthcare & Budget Crisis: Coalition gears up to build statewide grassroots movement and win universal healthcare The Campaign for a Healthy California (CHC) today denounced the failure of the California Senate to pass SB 810, the California Universal Care Act. The bill died when it remained two votes short of passage.Democrats fell short of previous … [Read more...]

Dealing with City of LA: Get It in Writing

parking ticket

When LA’s City Hall wants something from the residents of LA, it sends a written demand with a threat of fees, fines, and penalties for noncompliance. The next round of nasty communication is also in writing and comes with a notice of potential garnishment, liens, and other legal action.Yet when City Hall makes a promise to the people of LA, it comes in a verbal assurance that gets bookended … [Read more...]

After Redevelopment: Creating Real Investment in Our Cities

downtown-la-wide

On December 29, 2011 the State Supreme Court dealt California’s 400 redevelopment agencies an unanticipated death blow.  This includes the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, where I have served as a commissioner since 2002.  Based on the court’s decision and the legislation that eliminated redevelopment agencies in California, the L.A. CRA and all other agencies will shut their … [Read more...]

Outsourcing America’s Health Care

medical malpractice

“Ola, Amigo! Pack your bags, we’re going to Mexico!” bubbled Dr. Franklin Peterson Comstock III, faux physician and money-maker.“Yeah, I could use a decent vacation,” I replied, figuring he’d pay for both of us since he had just set the world record for the most nose jobs in a 24-hour period.“What vacation?” he said. “I’m setting up practice.”“And give up … [Read more...]

Most Vulnerable Angelenos at Risk

city of los angeles

The fastest growing demographic group in America is senior citizens, a simple fact that should be guiding the City of LA as it goes through the charade of emergency preparedness planning, but one that isn’t even part of the dialogue.The essence of emergency preparedness is based on the notion that in a true emergency, the people of Los Angeles must be self-sufficient, prepared to survive for … [Read more...]

LA Crime Stats: Can You Trust the Spin Doctors?

charlie beck anthony villaraigosa

LA’s Mayor Villaraigosa and Police Chief Beck have taken the city’s 2011 crime stats on the road, holding them aloft and touting the fact that the crime in Los Angeles continues to decline and is currently as low as it was in the 50’s.As Villaraigosa and Beck take a victory lap around the city in anticipation of the upcoming budget hearings, Beck humbly acknowledged that LA’s decade … [Read more...]

RIP, Community Redevelopment Agency

la live

On February 1, 2012, I will be out of a job. That’s because at 12:01 a.m., more than 400 California redevelopment agencies will go out of business, including the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency (LACRA), where I have served as a volunteer (meaning unpaid) commissioner for nine-and-a-half years. California’s $6 billion annual economic development program used by cities to revitalize … [Read more...]

Two Triggers: One Stuffed, One Deflated

jerry brown

Although I have to admit I found it a bit creepy, the stuffed remains of Roy Rogers' beloved steed was displayed on a Rose Parade float honoring Roy's 100th birthday.Dangerously wobbling at the front of a somewhat over-the-top float, this Trigger, though dead, looked fat and healthy.The state budget Triggers, on the other hand, very much alive, looked downright cadaverous. Cutting the … [Read more...]