LOS ANGELES

VOICES--In Erik Erikson’s “Age/Task Development” (Psychosocial Systems) model, certain tasks or jobs and “roles” (parts played in society) are associated with an age.  For example, persons in their mid-twenties as the present millennial generation would have completed educational levels, secured employment, and lived alone or with partners. 

DEEGAN ON LA-Malibu, already famous, captured attention a couple of weeks ago when it came perilously close to being torched and ruined by the horrific Woolsey Fire that forced a total evacuation by residents of the seaside enclave, as fire ravaged the hillsides and threatened the community.

VIEW FROM HERE--Surprised and disappointed to read the grossly inaccurate and offensive post from Dennis Zine regarding my involvement and that of my hardworking staff in response to the devastating Woolsey fire.

@THE GUSS REPORT-Between Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles Times and this column, only one of us has ever told the truth about John Vidovich, (photo above, right) the now-retired 36-year Deputy Chief, Fire Marshall of the Los Angeles Fire Department. 

GELFAND’S WORLD--Although we've survived two years, now is not the time to become complacent.

THE CITY--An FBI investigation of powerful LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar is roiling City Hall, his wife Richelle has dropped her bid for her husband's seat, and the Planning and Land Use Management Committee that Huizer chaired is in disarray. 

DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN?-An FBI investigation of powerful LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar is roiling City Hall, his wife Richelle has dropped her bid for her husband's seat, and the Planning and Land Use Management Committee that Huizer chaired is in disarray.

VIEW FROM HERE-In Ramachandra Guha's book, Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914-1949 (Knopf), he writes, "Activists fighting for the environment, for refugees' and immigrants' rights, and against racial discrimination and violence continue to be inspired by Satyagraha, Gandhi's neologism meaning nonviolent direct action.

Is It time for Eric Bauman to Face the Music? 

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.