LOS ANGELES

RANTZ & RAVEZ-While I strive to express my honest and sincere thoughts on a variety of subjects in my RantZ and RaveZ columns, I sincerely attempt to look at the positive side of all situations and focus on the issues that affect you the readers and residents of this region -- and in particular, the City and County of Los Angeles.

ALPERN AT LARGE--Perhaps it could be understood by those of us who watch a movie, instead of reading the books it was based on, that some silly conclusion could be reached without being properly informed.

CORRUPTION WATCH-The right wingers who proclaim love for the Constitution’s inalienable right of liberty habitually violate its basic premise – the rejection of Group Rights.

TENANTS’ RIGHTS-When we talk about the current homeless crisis gripping the city our first response is to say we need more affordable housing. But what exactly is affordable housing? And if it’s so affordable, then why don’t we have enough of it? 

MY TURN-A University of Oxford study shows what most of us already knew: conservatives buy into, believe, share, and propagate more false narratives under the guise of “news” than any other group. Of course, these are also the individuals who will be the first to scream “fake news” when it comes to truth in reporting by other media sources.

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.