Speak Out
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Rebecca Whitnall (Editor) May 19, 2013 at 10:19 pm
I agree, John! Hope you got a chance to get out of the heat of the Valley over the weekend. (And…Read More wouldn't be nice if we're just getting the heat out of the way now so we can have a pleasant summer?)
Rebecca Whitnall (Editor) May 18, 2013 at 03:21 pm
Hey Sharon, I'm sure your son's checked craigslist, but just in case ... there are some sublets…Read More here: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/search/sub?zoomToPosting=&query=woodland+hills&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=&bedrooms=
and rooms for rent here:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/search/roo?zoomToPosting=&query=woodland+hills&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=
Pat Lukes May 25, 2013 at 06:33 am
Gosh, I can answer a lot of those questions. Our jails are so overcrowded because we have so many…Read More damn illegals here. No brainer there folks. The inmates are running the asylums, as they say. They have cell phones, TV, games, etc. They are inmates, not house guests. This kind of stuff makes me sick to hear about prisoner's right...they should have no rights. Get rid of the illegals and you'll clean up your prison system.
Stephanie May 28, 2013 at 02:03 am
Yes it has been banned. That's why 100 scientists wrote a letter to Vice President Biden asking him…Read More "asking him to allow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to once again fund research into the public health impacts of guns." So why would they have to do that? Because the law that the CDC is following says, "“None of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control.” I know it's hard to believe, because who would make that kind of demand? I'll leave it at that. The Joyce Foundation is mostly interested in education. However, they were involved in a study on gun violence. They compiled and studied data from all the states. What they found was really interesting. There are so many discrepancies in the way gunshot injuries and deaths are coded and classified. Why? Is it because there are not as many experts, as I said before? I don't know. But the website James referred me to actually proves my point. The data is not accurate, and that is what we are using to shape policy. There are some gun stats on the CDC website, but those are reported stats that may or may not be correct. I know there is a margin of error, but that error seems quite large. I'm not anti-gun. But there is absolutely no moderation when it comes to gun control. It's all or nothing. No one wants to hear about faulty data. No one wonders why crime is down, but the jails are stuffed to capacity. There is a bigger picture here, and someone needs to connect the dots. I don't believe in conspiracy theories. But there is something really rotten with policy revolving around inaccurate stats and a lobbying group who can make congress do their bidding to such an extreme. So when people say, "studies say....." about gun violence, there is no way to know if those studies are telling the truth.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-nra-kills-gun-violence-research-2013-1#ixzz2UZjsRvt0
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-nra-kills-gun-violence-research-2013-1#ixzz2UZjMtWYi
Rick Carson June 5, 2013 at 01:24 pm
I agree with Buy Back Programs. Some people have firearms they don't want or have acquired over the…Read More years. The current reregistration and paper work prevent or hinter them into not selling the firearms on an open market so why not ? just drop them off at the no question asked Buy Back Program.
Michael Laney May 12, 2013 at 05:58 pm
Really, is it still always the mother? Numerous variables are involved in a child's eventual…Read More development: Genetics, temperament, dominant neurotransmitters, attachment hormone levels, cultural environment, sibling relationships, influence by extended family & friends, educational experiences, economic & health issues and other innate capacities and challenges the child possesses. I'm afraid developing a BPD isn't quite that simple.
True Freedom May 7, 2013 at 04:17 pm
@Elias: RE: carrying purchases in your hand...
like Chris Rock in "I'm Gonna Get You…Read More Sucka"... "F** the cup, pour it in my hand!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNQRqAoT-2c
classic
Anthony van Leeuwen May 18, 2013 at 02:45 pm
Check out my new blog: http://fighttheplasticbagban.com/
On my blog I have a "downloads"…Read More menu item. If you click on that there are a number of papers that I have written that can be downloaded.
One paper titled “Negative Health and Environmental Impacts of Reusable Shopping Bags” deals with the health issues more extensively than you did in the article above. For example, in addition to bacteria, viruses and virus transmission with reusable shopping bags could make other sick. Also, people who have AIDS or a suppressed immune system may be more sensitive to bacteria in reusable bags then people who have normal immune systems. About 20% of the population fit in this category.
Also, when bag bans are implemented people always complain about all those plastic bags that end up in the landfill. But they have never stopped to calculate all the stuff going into a landfill after a plastic carryout bag ban compared to before. It would surprise you to know that 3 to 4 times the amount of material goes into the landfill post ban than pre ban. Those plastic carryout bags are sure looking good. see my article titled “Fact Sheet – Landfill Impacts” for the details and the calculations.
There is much more.
Susan Campisi June 12, 2013 at 09:48 pm
How many plastic bags does it take to kill a dolphin?…Read More
http://www.surfrider.org/coastal-blog/entry/how-many-plastic-bags-does-it-take-to-kill-a-dolphin-4
Pat Lukes May 7, 2013 at 03:42 pm
How much did Eric Garcetti pay you to write this? He is the same old career politician we've had…Read More forever. Wendy Gruel didn't grow up with a political silver spoon in her mouth. She worked her way up and did a great job along the way. I believe Wendy Gruel will be a breath of fresh air, not to mention a really good option for the residents of Los Angeles. I CAN VOTE IN THIS ELECTION and I'm voting for Wendy Gruel...and she doesn't even know me or pay me to write this.
Howard Cowan May 9, 2013 at 04:25 pm
Hi, Pat. I don't know Jack's rationale. It is quite possible he's trying to influence local voters…Read More at the behest of Garcetti or another alligned interest group. It is also true, however, that Greuel did accept 1.5 million from the IBEW local. Both are fairly liberal Dems, so the issues separating them seem minimal. In your defense there are a number of respected Dems supporting Greuel. I'm going for Garcetti, but I'm not adamant in my position.
Pat Lukes May 17, 2013 at 10:11 am
Are you going to post your love for Eric Garcetti every day? Still on payroll?
Mark Paxson May 9, 2013 at 11:41 pm
You imply far too much, sir. But your further response implies other things. First, that I have…Read More ever questioned your interest in defending the Constitution. I have not. Second, that somehow those who haven't served in the military would somehow have less of a desire in preserving and defending the Constitution.
It's interesting, everybody I know who has served in the military who has expressed an opinion on the issue has stated that above all, they believe in the right of others to express their opinions, that what they were defending when they served was the beauty of the divergent views and opinions that exist in this country. Sadly, most of what you've done on Patch is contrary to that concept. As you have done everything you can to squelch any legitimate conversation about these important issues.
No, sir, I have not served in the military. A fact that I am not ashamed of. And a fact that is irrelevant as to whether or not I have a strong desire to preserve and defend the Constitution. Nothing I have suggested is an attack on the Constitution.
Mark Paxson May 9, 2013 at 11:51 pm
Once again you misdirect. You made a specific statement about one California piece of legislation…Read More you claimed did very specific things and, therefore, was unconstitutional. I'm not arguing the constitutionality. I'm arguing that the factual basis, the things that legislation does, is wrong. We can't even begin to discuss the constitutionality if the facts are wrong. I have provided the evidence that your facts are wrong. You have yet to counter that evidence. And now you change the conversation to "the constitutional intricacies within hundreds of pages of proposed state & federal firearms legislation written in legalese." You made very specific factual claims about one specific piece of California legislation. I've provided the bill number as well as the analysis. And all you can do is now quibble over whether eristical is a word that I should have looked up.
I will never understand why you and the rest of the right-wingers are so incapable of understanding that if they post "facts" in the context of their arguments that are proven to be false, they believe the problem is with the person who proves them wrong. Seriously, Jeff ... if the factual basis for your claim of unconstitutional provisions is wrong, how can you keep arguing the legislation is unconstitutional? Why is it so hard for you to back up those "facts?" You're proving yourself to be no better than the rest.
Greg Coppes May 9, 2013 at 11:58 pm
In our first meeting here I told you that I believed that any discussion or argument here was not…Read More done to change the minds of those involved, rather it was to influence those who are reading them; third parties.
You have been very helpful in that regard. Anyone reading our exchanges can see you for what you are.
I tried to have a discussion with you and could not even agree on the definition of words with out hours of argument
You have an agenda and you will not allow anything to get in the way of it. That agenda includes trying to circumvent and weaken the 2nd amendment and redefine it's intent.
Pamela Smyth May 10, 2013 at 08:57 pm
We thank our teachers from elementary school through graduate school by remembering that spelling…Read More and literacy in the language of one's culture and community matters, that reading newspapers matters, that what we publish online represents their efforts to teach us how to articulate our thoughts and ideas, and how to read with care and consideration the opinions of others with that same thoughtful consideration. We thank our teachers by taking the work they do and the hours and hours of unpaid and free or volunteer work "behind the scenes" and the money they spend out of their pockets to improve the learning environment for their students seriously. Most of all, we thank them by growing up to be civil and to work hard at whatever jobs or tasks we are given in life to the best of our abilities; and if some of that work began with the encouragement and recognition given by a teacher, then that is a joyful word of thanks to all of us who were students and are indeed, today, teachers.
geoff harris May 9, 2013 at 09:48 am
Thanks, Marty. Definitely one of The most troubling issues of our times. Monsanto wields a great…Read More power (check: farmers in India), and their intent is bordering on the diabolical, to say the least. (also check the bee decline in recent years--a decade--dropped by a third. There's a bill coming up in congress to address this similar issue.)
Yikes. Too bad we weren't able to pass that initiative for food labeling.
Growing your own food is part of self empowerment, but also a wonderful miracle to observe.
Stuart Clark May 9, 2013 at 06:57 pm
Any time I see "single use bag" I know that the writer has an agenda to foist. Most people…Read More will reuse these bags or put them in the recycling bin that all markets are required to have. One of these bags weighs 1/7th the weight of a TJ's paper bag and this affects transportation costs as well as recycling volume. Recycling paper, the primary component in our landfillls, takes lots of water. If you miss the carry home bags, you can buy them on the internet at $20 / 1000.
David Haake May 16, 2013 at 08:49 am
Great article! Its great to see that Culver City is finally going to ban plastic bags!
Jeffrey Sabatini April 24, 2013 at 06:37 pm
Advertising is an art in itself. The ad spoof movie Crazy People showed how important the right tag…Read More line can be with "Metamucil, use it or you will die!". Or like the motto of my former firearms dealership... "If our guns can't kill it, it's immortal!". Good times, good times.
Jeffrey Sabatini April 24, 2013 at 07:22 pm
In the mid 80s & 90s it was "SEX SELLS". The late 90s into 2005 brought us funny ads…Read More that centered around dumb stunts, usually ending up with some poor guy getting hit in the 'boys'. Between then and now, the "heart tug" or "real men cry" ads like the Budweiser "Clydesdale friends forever" ad. Which of course was the perfect follower to Bud's "Mascot dog trains horse Rocky style" and "Donkey gets a shot" ads. All ad hall of fame'rs in my humble opinion.
Sadly, it looks like the ad world has taken two giant steps backwards with the bevy of male & female eye candy flashed over disclaimers of side effects such as : Nausea, vomiting, uncontrollable flatulence, sudden weight gain, sudden weight loss, skin rash, welts & boils, hair loss, blindness, heart arrhythmia, swollen glands, muscle atrophy, Turrets, short term memory loss and how the product should not be used by or in proximity to pregnant women or nursing mothers.
However, I would like to say "feek'n about time" for all the "thank you and honor our military and first responder" theme ads.
But if I could change ONE THING in regard to this discussion... It would be to finally apply "Truth In Advertising Laws" to political ads!
What say you?
Paul S April 24, 2013 at 11:25 pm
always has been about sex or the promise of perfection or happiness- it's never changed- Robert…Read More Downy Jr's father - Robert D Sr did a movie in the 60's - "Putney Swope" - a good send up of the ad game- I worked as a copywriter in the late 60's and couldn't wait to get out- never disliked a business more than the ad one- yet- some ads are pure genius- many Bud ads definitely- those Honda blowfish ads are incredible - I love a good ad- they are rare
Carl Petersen III April 21, 2013 at 10:03 pm
Carl Petersen III
5 hours ago
Robert Livesay
2 minutes ago
'ou folks that voted for Liberals need…Read More some lessons in economics.'
.
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Is lesson one how the Conservative economic policy of the Bush administration crashed the economy?
Carl Petersen III April 21, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Robert Livesay
8 minutes ago
"Herr Carl Petrersen III I have some concerns about your…Read More postings."
.
.
Sounds like someone is a little bit upset over getting proven wrong about his allegations about the cause of our economic crash.
Nicole Mooradian April 22, 2013 at 01:43 am
We've closed comments on this post; thank you for your contributions.
Bandelier Pilferage May 5, 2013 at 12:16 am
@ Patricia. Garcetti was groomed as part of the L.A.political machine. Don't tell Bandelier who to…Read More vote for. Felon on parole. Can't vote. Right stripped away by the state because of bad decisions I made. Nepotism,favoritism, cronyism. All part and parcel to what voters get these days. Same old, same old. Just what we need, another 'Boss Hog' to continue bending statue and law to feather ones own retirement and reward friends and favors. I'll sit this one out. And they talk about Nigga's errant ways. I am a mere neophyte compared to these career politicans. These are the 'Real Nigga's' playing hard and fast.
Alex White May 5, 2013 at 12:15 pm
The only thing Garcetti will change is to add more apartment buildings and commercial development to…Read More an already congested, dysfunctional city infrastructure. And, yet, I still vote for the lesser of two evils-- Garcetti-- for one particular reason, W.G.'s relationship with the DWP coupled with my escalating (actually out of control) utility costs, including the sanitation charges. It is absolutely unbelievable that in a city with almost year round sunshine, the DWP thwarts "accessible" solar energy incentives and programs because it will reduce their profits when people sell back their unused energy to The Grid? I mean come on! The monopoly is as clear and painful as an electric cattle fence, a puddle of water, and an errant touch. Even the simplest of solutions for the people are ignored for the profit of the elite. In the end, no matter who wins this clearly "bad choice" election, LA is in a Sanctuary City slide, and the most industrious, intelligent, and financially capable will seek safe harbor in another city, if not another state to both reside in, to raise their children, and to conduct their business ventures. The rest will wallow and complain as they wilt from lack of inspiration, leadership, and a general fleecing.
Monica G May 16, 2013 at 01:36 pm
I have also encountered similar such LACKS in service on my street...however, I do NOT excuse even…Read More ONE missed day because I am being charged for the service to be completed on a weekly basis, and I shouldn't have to go out of my way to call to have that service carried out. Street cleaning is another CHARGED service that is now routinely carried out bi-monthly instead of weekly (supposedly due to furloughs and budget cuts), yet I am still being charged the same monthly fee. If the city expects us to either do the service ourselves (i.e. sweeping the street on their furlough days) or find ways to carry out city-provided (and charged) services ourselves, then they had better give us a refund, or offer us the option of privatizing the service. Most unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County (such as Rowland Heights, Whittier, etc) have outsourced their city services such as trash collection. There are many limitations, such as bulky items are only picked up on one city-wide scheduled day per year, however, how many times per year do we use the bulky item pick up. The service is also not much cheaper than what we now pay...however, it IS consistent, and rarely to never miss a day. I think there are certain cases where your entire block can privatize it's services, such as trash, but I'm not sure how to go about it.
Jeffrey Sabatini April 20, 2013 at 04:02 pm
Hi LBV and yes, the bill authors & cosigners are punishing lawful gun owners. Several took…Read More Obama's lead, but others like DeLeon have a long anti-gun history. And I was thinking of that exact blog, but it would need to get fairly deep into constitutional law, and I'm not sure how to keep it from reading like the Infield Fly Rule or 1040 instructions. But how's this; Some of the problems Toomey had:
1. No list protections. Any crook could file an FOIA and get the full database.
2. No provisions to keep only flagged backgrounds and dump the database say every 30 days to prevent it from ever being used for confiscation.
3. No provisions to license "background agents" who could travel to gun shows to perform instant checks. Or, provisions requiring gun show promoters to provide a free kiosk with internet access & power for background agents to set up.
Toomey was a great try, but it failed to address the little things that history has well shown can turn an innocent snowball into an avalanche. When you STUDY history and the Constitution, you come to understand why the first ten Amendments were placed in their order. The 1st being the whole reason for all the blood spilled, and the 2nd to protect the rest of the document & insure no tyrant foreign or domestic could compromise or negate it. I often ask anti-gun folks to tell me what rights the 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Amendments insure in daily life. They rarely can, which is why they don't understand what losing the 2nd really means.
beaumontdave April 20, 2013 at 06:59 pm
"Steve, like all liberal mind numbed Obama-bots, you go right to insults..." Too funny!
Andrew M Halmay May 6, 2013 at 06:53 pm
More polarizing conversation that results in nothing. I am a liberal, and do not hate guns. I hate…Read More mentally deficient and deranged people with guns. I hate laws passed upon laws that do not address the real causes and effects of gun violence. Lots of knee-jerking on the left and right, and very little thought. That's what I hate.
William Lashbrook April 15, 2013 at 03:38 pm
Hey, Trash Cowboys, never knew I was looking for you 'til just recently. Got to make up for lost…Read More time now! Here's to a terrific resurgence of all the trashy things your music stands for. See you at the Viper. Daddy Goodtimes
Leigh Datzker April 9, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Perhaps you should also focus on the LIBOR scandal which affects over $30 Trillion in contracts…Read More including many real estate loans. These loans contain a provision that says that if the LIBOR becomes unreliable, then a new index must be chosen, however that choice could invalidate the loan agreement as being illusory.
Chuck Cannon April 10, 2013 at 07:25 pm
I'm with you. I doubt that you could ever get enough Repub senators to vote that way, because too…Read More much money would flow their way once they hinted they might. Say 25 Repub senators went Tea Party on the banks, do you think 26 Dems would join them?
Sagar Jethani April 13, 2013 at 02:10 am
In that scenario, I think 26 Dems would suddenly receive calls from Wall Street donors eager to fund…Read More their next re-election campaigns.
Gayle M. Montgomery April 5, 2013 at 06:33 pm
Bob, my use of the F bomb has knocked a few on their keisters, too. LOL
Gayle M. Montgomery April 5, 2013 at 06:37 pm
With respect to the question about why teach technology? Because our old school ways are not working…Read More and doing nothing to help our economy. Getting young people prepared for jobs now, where they may not go to college anyway, would be better for them and for the rest of us. Back when the dinosaurs roamed, and I was in school, girls took Home Ec (oh, yuck), and boys took woodshop and/or auto mechanics. To this day, I am annoyed at my mom because she would not let me take an auto mechanics course. She said that is for boys. Well I could have saved myself some money on a few things and not felt like such a victim until I found a great mechanic.
Gayle M. Montgomery April 5, 2013 at 06:39 pm
The cost of college is being put well beyond the reach of many students. Tuition as spiked rapid…Read More fire. If we don't push some job skills down to the high school level, to kids who are probably better prepared to receive them and to put them to use, we're going to be hurting as a society. There are not enough grants and scholarships to go around, not all kids know to settle down in high school cause they're getting over being kids and have that disease called teenager, which can be very frustrating for them and aggravate those around them, and we've got to find innovative ways to prepare them for fruitful lives.
Will Angelinos be Submerged With a New Water Tunnel Tax?
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