LOS ANGELES

ALPERN AT LARGE--Some of us go on and on with the questions, while others claim to have all the answers. To most of us who want answers to our questions, but don't see the answers coming any time soon (or who see conflicting answers that drive us crazy), welcome to the Human Condition.

PART OF AN ONGOING SERIES-Recap of the $2.7 Billion Question – Part 1:

PERSPECTIVE–Much has happened since the City of Richmond’s Monument Avenue Commission made its recommendation regarding what to do with the statues of prominent Confederates displayed  along the parklike street.  

DEEGAN ON LA-It’s hard enough dealing with today, let alone worrying about tomorrow, or next month, or November. Or, rent. 

GELFAND’S WORLD--I’ve always been skeptical when liberals (i.e.: my side of the fence) complain about the expense of something.

SOUTH LOS ANGELES--Bowing to community pressure, CIM Group backs out of its agreement to purchase the Crenshaw Mall, the iconic center and economic anchor of Los Angeles' Black community.

MY TURN--” INTERNAL AFFAIRS cover up more than they investigate. Stop with the nepotism and cronyism and be fair and by the book.

@THE GUSS REPORT-What started last week in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) is a voluntary abdication of the local government’s responsibility to maintain law and order,

ALPERN AT LARGE--There has been much ballyhoo about funding more or less for police, for affordable housing, for pensions, and for our parks. 

OTHERWORDS--Dear JK Rowling,

AT LENGTH-For most of my life racism was something people just didn’t talk about.

ONE MAN’S OPINION--The sadistic murder of George Floyd outrages the world. Let me re-phrase that, “The world, other than Donald Trump, Attorney William P. Barr and their coterie of predatory racists, is outraged.”  

FIRST PERSON--We shouldn’t have to protest for humans to be treated like humans.

PLANNING WATCH-Like Woodie Allen’s imaginary character, Zelig, who could change his physical appearance to ingratiate himself to those around him, Eric Garcetti skillfully changes his political exterior to placate those who contest his policies.

GELFAND’S WORLD--The past couple of weeks have been a moment for catching up.

PERSPECTIVE--On June 1, President Trump threatened to deploy active-duty U.S. military forces against peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters in cities across America.

EASTSIDER-The rumor mill is cranked up over DONE deploying staff to try and force a single set of Bylaws on Neighborhood Councils, while the General Manager gives interviews. 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING-Big Real Estate continues to shell out major cash to political committees that oppose the Rental Affordability Act, the November ballot measure that expands rent control in California. Equity Residential and Essex Property Trust, two of the largest corporate landlords in the U.S., are among the top contributors.

ALPERN AT LARGE--I'm dedicating this piece to Greg Nelson, who came up with the idea of turning this nightmarish week of riots--not protests that bring out the best of us, but riots that tear everyone and everything apart. 

DOWNTOWN LA-Members of the Minneapolis Police Department recently killed an unarmed Black man named George Floyd.

RANTZ & RAVEZ-As a 50-plus-year sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department, which is recognized as one of the most professional law enforcement agencies in the world;