We told you recently about YouTube’s restrictions on PragerU’s free educational videos on grounds that they are “potentially objectionable.” Google’s YouTube site responded last week by extending that censorship to one of our writers. Columnist Kimberley Strassel debuted a PragerU lecture on Thursday under the title “The Dark Art of Political Intimidation.” It’s a discourse on the First Amendment and … Read More
Mmmm, No on Measure M
L.A. Watchdog — Crony capitalism and pay-to-play are alive and well in Los Angeles. In a well-researched front page story, Los Angeles Times reporters David Zahniser and Emily Alpert Reyes detailed how a sleazy real estate developer illegally funneled more than $600,000 to city politicians. As a result of this play-to-pay scheme, Mayor Garcetti and the City Council “up zoned” … Read More
Living in a Different Kind of Jewish Home
A typical sukkah, where Jews eat (and some sleep) during the week-long holiday that starts Oct. 16. four days after Yom Kippur. Photo: beliefnet.com
First of a series. Every autumn just after Yom Kippur ends, religious Jews build a sukkah in anticipation of the Sukkot holiday that begins four days later4. A sukkah is a very simple wooden or metal frame enclosed space. Palm branches cover the top, and sometimes curtains protect three sides around. The inside is decorated nicely, with handsome tables and … Read More
Firing a Liar
Ms. Brazile. Photo: AP
CNN did the right thing for the wrong reason today, dumping the interim chair of the Democratic National Committee, Donna Brazile, from its roster of on-camera “contributors.” According to the hacked Podesta emails, Ms. Brazile had tipped the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign about questions that would be asked in the primary debates, giving one of her incriminating emails the subject … Read More
Better Teachers Don’t Always Elevate Students
In a report that is likely to raise eyebrows, a federally-sponsored study has found the role teachers play in the outcome of low-income students compared to more affluent classmates is about the same. That is, the achievement gap between children coming from high-income families and those coming from less advantaged households does not appear to be something that can be … Read More
Benefits of Measure CA: None
Let’s keep our Police Chief and Fire Chief more directly accountable to the people by keeping them directly responsible to the City Council, rather than transferring this power to a City Manager. 1. True democracy holds elected officials responsible for major decisions. Ten years ago the Culver City Charter Committee (comprised of residents from a cross-section of the political spectrum) … Read More
Noonan – Black or White?
The latest attempt by liberals to smear America as a racist country bobbed up this morning in the typically murky left-wing waters on page 1 of USA Today: “Blacks forced to wait longer than whites for UberX rides” belched the newspaper’s hottest headline – in Seattle and Boston, at least. Ever vigilant for opportunities to brand the United States anti-black … Read More
Did Lieu Circumvent Law?
Rep. Ted Lieu
Here is an election eve surprise for U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Santa Monica/South Bay): He skirted CEQA environmental regulations for big business to help a billionaire build a sports complex in the City of Industry. When he was in the state Assembly, Mr. Lieu, “Mr. Environmentalist” himself, who declares climate change is the No. 1 priority, exempted billionaire Ed Roski Jr. from … Read More
Turn Both Thumbs, and All Fingers, Down on CW and CA
Re: Measures CA and CW Just say No! Measures CA and CW are two really bad ideas. CA: George Washington was the last politician who voluntarily gave up power until now. Our City Council wants to relinquish power to the City Manager. A government entity that voluntarily gives up power is signaling a trap. The trap is giving more power … Read More
Open Letter to School Board Members
Ms. Robins
Perhaps it is only a rumor. I hope it is just that. But it has come to the attention of the public that the School Board may be considering violating one of its own bylaws in the upcoming election of its board president for next year. As you know, the School Board is bound by its own set of duly … Read More