I read this article and felt compelled to speak up.
Detective Nathan Kouri has served this city for over 25 years. He works in one of the busiest divisions, is on-call for homicides, and has been force-hired during wildfires and civil unrest. His overtime isn’t about chasing pay—it’s about being available when others aren’t.
It’s frustrating to see his commitment portrayed as part of the problem, when in reality, it’s a symptom of deep staffing shortages and nonstop crisis response. Officers like him have missed countless holidays, weekends, and family milestones—all in the name of public service. That’s the kind of personal sacrifice that rarely gets mentioned.
His dedication and time away from his loved ones should not be used to score political points. That side of the story deserves to be told too.
It is ironic that many of the same people who cheered the Feds going to Southern Schools to protect black students ( I was one of those cheering) are so opposed to the Feds sending troops to protect law abiding citizens from mobs encouraged by the same Democrat party that was blocking black children from attending schools.
No police force should ever use a personnel shortage for not being able to put down a riot or an out of control protest/demonstration. There are plenty of local civilians who would gladly volunteer for a chance to put these neighborhood wreckers on the ground and then in a paddy wagon. Aside from maintaining good order and discipline, local authorities should have a well-rehearsed plan and program for organizing local volunteers in the event of natural and man-made disasters. Local assistance is more timely and effective than waiting for state or federal assistance.
How in hell do people think these employees are worth this much money. It’s called raping the taxpayer’s pocketbook and outright STEALING. Investigate everyone involved in this scheme. Lifeguard making more than the US President, this is unbelievable bullshit. It sounds to me like someone is doing everything in their power to wreck California and I believe that people such as Neville singum, george soros and other globalists billionaires are behind these schemes.
So you're saying that there's COSTS - to goading people into the streets with deliberate provocations and inflammatory rhetoric? Perhaps Stephen Miller, Kristy Noem and Trump should pick up that tab.
Also Eric Garcetti was Mayor during Covid lockdowns.
An understaffed police department is going to need to pay more in overtime, to cover essential services.
How much is assisting in the Zionist Entity's War of Aggression against Iran costing? I'll bet it's WAY MORE.
I have never seen so many cowardly little boys about to piss themselves afraid America might get into a war with Iran. What is wrong with you cowards? If they said boo to you I’m pretty sure you all would just shit yourselves. No one wants a war with anyone, no, not even brave Israelis wanted that war but they were attacked by those rabid muslim freaks who constantly threaten everyone who doesn’t bow and kiss their nasty asses. You people make me ashamed to call you American. Israel is doing the world’s dirty work for them and all they get is antisemitic bullshit hate from you damn wimps. Do any of you filthy cowards have a heart or soul? You should ALL be deeply ashamed that you are such cowards. Go back down to mommy and daddy’s basement and pick up your little joy stick and play those big bad war games that make people like you feel so brave, at least in your minds. Israelis are twice the men you skank cowards are, I wouldn’t even call one of you a man, you miserable punks.
So I can only gainsay that you're writing a work of complete fiction here - or perhaps an autobiographical blurb, describing yourself.
War of Aggression is a WAR CRIME - as is annexation (THEFT) of lands taken in war. (An exception was made in the case of Kosovo being stolen from Serbia, by NATO - a precedent, under which Crimea and at least the 4 eastern Oblasts that were for a relatively short period part of Ukraine, are now lawfully deemed to be Russia. The will of the people of those places must be respected).
These are basic elements of the UN Charter, and therefore the law of nations. Genocide is also governed by a treaty, signed by the United States of America, The Zionist Entity, and all of the European powers arrayed into what is sometimes called "the collective west".
Just like it's unlawful for you to go around murdering and r_ping and torturing people who don't conform to your will - it is equally unlawful for any and all of these parties to demand the rescission from Iran (or from the Palestinians), of things which are well within their rights as sovereign people.
Whether we're going to "win" another unlawful and immoral war, for Global Monopolar Hegemonic Empire, isn't the relevant question. Though when the inevitably skyrocketing Gas prices, and political instability within the Southwest Asian region are added into the equation - it is hard to describe any possible outcome, as an actual "win".
These Zionist settler-colonialist militants that you so admire, are the very definition of cowardice. They bomb hospitals, schools, civilian infrastructure and shelters. Their snipers and murder drones shoot innocent children in the heads and chests - in the "lucky" cases only leaving them as amputees. "Dirty work" is a euphemism - it seems - for the most DESPICABLE of crimes against humanity.
The moral arc of the universe may be long - but it does eventually reach towards justice. The Apartheid colony and settlers in South Africa, were eventually brought to heel, and leashed. It's only a matter of time before the Rogue Nuclear State in Southwest Asia is brought to the place of the law - and held accountable for the litany of atrocities and crimes against humanity, in whose support you appear to be prepared to propagandize, facts be damned. I hope that you face justice, just as Julius Streicher did, at Nuremberg.
This comment is made by a mentally disturbed anti-Semite. The article has nothing to do with the Middle East but “the writer” brings up this bogus “connection.”
Palestinians are ACTUAL Semites - unlike Persians. Is Genocide, and the highest of War Crimes - War of Aggression - somehow a Jewish value, now? Not in my copy of the Torah.
And it's all a zero sum game, isn't it - money spent in unlawful and immoral wars abroad, to the benefit of the war manufacturing industry, and the Zionist settler colonial AbomiNation State, has to come from somewhere.
It is you, who is mentally disturbed, deluded and confused apparently.
I'd much rather pay for firefighters, than Genocidal War Criminals, properly wanted by the Hague, already.
There is gov corruption and then there is Ca. gov. corruption! The water dept acts like it is being paid minimum wage- not the millions they pay to DEI morons- oh well
Apparently school admins everywhere get paid for producing students incapable of competing on the world stage.
Like so many organizations in the land, those at the top are living the high life. From nearly every so-called "charity" or church or for profit operating there are precious few who manage to live out their missions beyond personal financial greed and corruption.
Sad state of affairs. Greed is the call of the day. We review Charity Watch regularly. The info they publish helped us drop contributions to some and choose to support the operations rmthat make a real difference in the lives of Anericans. .
We looked up the salaries of Goodwill, ASPCA, the NAACP, and several mega church bohemeths including TV "ministries." Beyond eye opening and 😞 dissappointing. Form 990 tells the ugly truth of where donations DON'T go!
This is an actual list of many donors and you still complain. Like I said, do your own f’n research and get a OTB for analysis. And you called me lazy 😂😂😂
Most of the costs of the parade were covered by corporate donations. General Dynamics and USAA were presenting sponsors. Textron, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, Leidos, and Leonardo DRS were also sponsors. Tech giants Coinbase, Amazon, Oracle and UFC, FedEx, Lockheed Martin privately funded a good portion. Just do so some research instead of even trying to find some answers.
A big portion of that was covered by donors/corporations. Also, the original parade plans were started in 2023 to recognize the Army’s 250th birthday. This did not originate under Trump, but he definitely was on board and happy it was happening during his presidency.
This is his last go around. What we saw wasn't a parade. It was pathetic. As for him being happy? He hasn't a clue--just as he didn't have a clue about the rabid shootings in MN. Did he condemn his supporter? Did he say anything that even slightly resembled a "presidential statement?"
I have been a reader of Open the Books for a long time. Accountability and transparency are hugely important to me as without those things, corruption flourishes. LA overtime pay is part of the rot. If you are going to delve into that (which you should), you must also talk about the COST to TAXPAYERS of sending Marines and National Guard to LA, when protests there were mainly peaceful (except on Fox). And about the rot of this transactional presidency: the shocking looting of America. There is a book called "Corruption in America and What is at Stake." Corruption is at the heart of every failed state. I read Open the Books because it uses data to uncover legal and illegal government corruption. But failing to address the most blatant corruption hurts us all and destroys your credibility for readers like me.
By way of background I spent much of my life in LA and often dealing with major issues. If you have an interest in facts go to the LA Times archives and do some research on the Marina Del Rey ground lease negotiations many years ago.
Thanks to help from Jeff Rabin of the LA Times ( and some others who needed to remain unknown) we were able to show that the highly corrupted process was about to make a gift of close to $.5 Billion to some political insiders. Those were the old days when half a billion was real money. One of the participants Marc Nathanson did hard time as a result . Others should have followed.
Mainly peaceful ....... is not a satisfactory standard - if you were being robbed, injured etc mainly peaceful is not an acceptable standard. . In addition to the injuries and property destruction the riots and attacks deprive American Citizens of their rights. . As Citizens we surrender rights to the government in exchange for their agreement to protect us from dirtbags. In the case of LA the politicians surrendered the rights of citizens to their political beliefs and their friends the thugs
"...if you were being robbed, injured etc mainly peaceful is not an acceptable standard."
That is what the police are for. I am a fiscal conservative from a conservative state. Conservatives don't think it's ok to take away state's rights and call in the Federal military force to attack civilians. And they don't like the government wasting citizens hard earned money. We see the role of the Feds as limited, and we don't make exceptions based on political propaganda.
“that is what the police are for” sounds good but the LA Mayor ordered the police to stand down and other leftist politicians did the same. LAPD has a long standing order not to work with Immigration. Same Mayor that had a bit of a problem with the fires after sending her PC candidate to run the Department. Most Police Departments have agreements with neighboring departments. The truth is that the Mayor wanted the violence and destruction as political theater.
When the State fails to protect its law abiding citizens it is the role of the Feds to fill the gap. We sent Federal troops to integrate schools and fulfill the intent of “equal” and the rejection of “separate but equal”. Y’all might recall that Federal troops were sent to southern states by a Republican President to protect the rights of black citizens from club weilding Democrats .
Lizzie - Trump did not take away State’s Rights. Rather he stepped into the void when Governors and Mayors refused to perform the most basic function of government - to provide protection from those who break the law.
The “Why” liberals are so determined to flood the US with illegals dates back to the 1960’s and Tom Hayden (aka Mr Jane Fonda). A leader of the California far left Hayden advanced the message that Democrats needed to abandon African Americans because they were not “politically reliable” and to shift Democrat recruiting to Hispanics including those entering the country illegally. They were far more likely to embrace the agenda of the far left.
Americans should take a look at what’s happened in California with its sanctuary cities, prohibitions against police cooperating with immigration and soft on crime posturing. San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland are disasters. How bad is it? The Oakland California NAACP branch went public with a call for more police and the firing of the Soros sponsored prosecutor.
Businesses are fleeing San Francisco, LA and other cities, taking hundreds of thousands of good jobs and leaving behind vacant office buildings. The consequences are economic disasters for LA and SF. Around 30% of the downtown offices are vacant due to tenant relocations. Thanks to the soft on crime laws that make the theft of less than $1,000 about the same as a parking ticket, retailers have fled, leaving empty shops and lost jobs.
For decades California lead the nation in great ideas, economic growth, innovation and opportunity. Today it is the dying swamp of corrupt politicians. There’s few better examples than the “Bullet Train” that’s made politicians rich from the billions spent on a project that will never be completed. How did this happen? Well, Nancy Pelosi’s husband just happened to be on the board of the corrupt contractor who submitted a bid the professional staff of the agency deemed deceptive and the contractor lacking competence. Of course there were other politicians involved.
I admit did not read your comment after the first inappropriate change to my name. You are now blocked and this thread is muted. When you restore your respect for other people’s opinions and engage with facts, it would be better for the Open the Books comment section.
"that's what the police are for". That's true until the rabid Democrat running the city decides that the police need to be handcuffed and the rioters let loose like a pack of feral dogs.
If you are old enough to remember the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s you would recall that the federal government intervened multiple times and at multiple levels to protect civil rights.
I have worked with LAPD officers operating under the constraints of liberal politicians. At times we were told that LAPD could not help us.... An then a quiet voice suggested we have a cup of coffee next door. " Officially the LAPD can not help you with break-in and property crimes. However a lot of guys work privately after hours and there is usually someone in the station coordinating during off hours.
The results were awesome but the cost significant and an insult given the taxes we paid. Of course the then Mayor had a very large personal detail.
The youngsters here are probably not aware that it was the President who sent federal troops into the south to protect black school children. Federal troops have been called to many civil emergencies over the decades.
The states do not have the "right " to allow law abiding citizens to be attacked by organized gangs of thugs as is the case with the downtown looting and attacks on shops, pedestrians, and those driving by.
Sadly the police in many American cities, especially those in the southwest , are overwhelmed by the numbers of violent illegals in their midst. There are times when Federal action is necessary.
We support federal action against criminals, thugs, gangs , cults, lawless racists and monsters of all varieties. Injustice is never an answer. Today, the regime cries out about "illegals." Not too long ago, Japanese Americans were herded into encampments controlled by the feds.
The USA broke every treat it made with First Nations people--then created "reservations." In the inner cities ghettos were created and maintained. Exclusive high-dollar neighborhoods are created and maintained so as to keep the "undesirables" out. And Critical Race Theory isn't a theory--it happened right here in America.
Every generation the world over comes up with "something to hate and blame." Every generation seeks power over targeted groups, and greed coupled with corruption is typically permitted by the entities who live "high on the hog." The "win/lose/team" mindset is programmed into everyone from the inception of what's called "socialization." It begins in kindergarten; and, "everybody loves a winner--hates a loser."
The two-party system exists for one reason and one reason only--to control the masses resting power among the 1, 2 and, 3 per cent of the population. Equality? Diversity? Inclusion? These are fighting words to those who count themselves among the elite or "royal." Unity is the enemy of tyranny. This is the human condition.
It doesn't matter whether a state leader is red or blue. What matters is keeping the populace at odds with each other while they relax in luxury most of us will never experience.
People cry for peace as they constantly find justification to war against others--the world over. Cain and Abel live on as do Ahab and Lilith.
To much to reply to each point but let’s look at the “ghettos” . They were not created as Ghettos (other than perhaps Pruitt Iglo) but rather grew as law abiding citizens fled the growing lawlessness of so many inner cities.
For example Los Angeles used to have a number of wonderful neighborhoods only minutes from downtown. However, with drugs and a liberal government those residents who could fled the often deadly crime. One of my associates who was determined to stay in the area to prove his liberal creds had a change of heart finding two addicts in the living room at 3AM and thinking of the consequences for his wife , who was even more liberal.
In downtown LA the welfare folks started putting drug addicts into a number of single room hotels which were largely occupied by widows living on meager income. The SRO hotels frequently had only communal bathrooms which exposed the senior citizens to the drug addicts in the middle of the night. The results were predictable - assault, robbery , rape and murder. In one case the dirtbag disposed of the body in the building water tank.
We could solve the problem of the illegals if America’s liberals adopted 2 per family and moved them into their homes. Yes many come here only seeking a better life. However, many others come here to advance the financial interests of the cartels.
We lose 100,000 Americans each year directly from Fentanyl and thousands more from crimes related to Fentanyl addicts. Yet it is considered Un American to seal the border. By way of contrast there is a vast cry to eliminate “ Assault Weapons” notwithstanding that the total annual homicides where a rifle of any kind was the weapon and including negligent homicide (accidents) are 0.6% of the Fentanyl deaths.
As a lifelong resident of LA and veteran of numerous riots, rampant corruption and misuse of LAPD perhaps some facts might help
A - The Marines and National Guard were needed only because the Mayor chose to allow the violence to occur. The Useful Idiots failed to recognize the corruption and neglect that has resulted in the loss of more than 25% of the Downtown office users. OK the Mayor is not alone as California police do not cooperate with the INS.
B - The press wants to pretend that the riots were not violent, tell that line of BS to the shop owners who were looted, owners of cars burned and folks simply assaulted and battered because they were in the way. "Mainly peaceful" is a joke that translates into "only those I hate were being beaten, looted and threatened".
C - The most foundational obligation of State, County and local government is to keep the peace and protect the rights of law abiding citizens. Unfortunately each deserve an F for their performance which was the sole reason the Guard and the Marines needed to be called. From the Governor to the Mayor law abiding citizens and guests were sacrificed for the benefit of the violent thugs whom the far left sees as the foundation of their movement.
D - Far beyond the shop owners who are left with smoking ruins and debt the negligence and failure to perform of the Mayor and Governor have caused irreparable damage to law abiding citizens across the state. They failed to perform their most basic obligation for purely political gain.
I have and will continue to take such steps as are necessary to protect myself, family, friends and assets from the lowlife thugs (including those in city , county and state government) using such means as are appropriate. Ironically, many of the victims of the thugs are among the minorities and those least able to suffer the economic consequences. The victims are those who came here to contribute to our nation not to try to turn it into the despotic, mob ruled environment from which they fled.
I read this article and felt compelled to speak up.
Detective Nathan Kouri has served this city for over 25 years. He works in one of the busiest divisions, is on-call for homicides, and has been force-hired during wildfires and civil unrest. His overtime isn’t about chasing pay—it’s about being available when others aren’t.
It’s frustrating to see his commitment portrayed as part of the problem, when in reality, it’s a symptom of deep staffing shortages and nonstop crisis response. Officers like him have missed countless holidays, weekends, and family milestones—all in the name of public service. That’s the kind of personal sacrifice that rarely gets mentioned.
His dedication and time away from his loved ones should not be used to score political points. That side of the story deserves to be told too.
It is ironic that many of the same people who cheered the Feds going to Southern Schools to protect black students ( I was one of those cheering) are so opposed to the Feds sending troops to protect law abiding citizens from mobs encouraged by the same Democrat party that was blocking black children from attending schools.
No police force should ever use a personnel shortage for not being able to put down a riot or an out of control protest/demonstration. There are plenty of local civilians who would gladly volunteer for a chance to put these neighborhood wreckers on the ground and then in a paddy wagon. Aside from maintaining good order and discipline, local authorities should have a well-rehearsed plan and program for organizing local volunteers in the event of natural and man-made disasters. Local assistance is more timely and effective than waiting for state or federal assistance.
And nobody published that it is included in in determining their retirement money. A year of this OT and you could retire comfortably
And nobody published that it is included in in determining their retirement money. A year of this OT and you could retire comfortably
And nobody published that it is included in in determining their retirement money. A year of this OT and you could retire comfortably
How in hell do people think these employees are worth this much money. It’s called raping the taxpayer’s pocketbook and outright STEALING. Investigate everyone involved in this scheme. Lifeguard making more than the US President, this is unbelievable bullshit. It sounds to me like someone is doing everything in their power to wreck California and I believe that people such as Neville singum, george soros and other globalists billionaires are behind these schemes.
Incredibly outrageous salaries. This should be front page news from coast to coast!!
This is why I don't approve of 'no tax on overtime'. I would support it if it were capped on those with total incomes MORE than $100K/year.
So you're saying that there's COSTS - to goading people into the streets with deliberate provocations and inflammatory rhetoric? Perhaps Stephen Miller, Kristy Noem and Trump should pick up that tab.
Also Eric Garcetti was Mayor during Covid lockdowns.
An understaffed police department is going to need to pay more in overtime, to cover essential services.
How much is assisting in the Zionist Entity's War of Aggression against Iran costing? I'll bet it's WAY MORE.
I have never seen so many cowardly little boys about to piss themselves afraid America might get into a war with Iran. What is wrong with you cowards? If they said boo to you I’m pretty sure you all would just shit yourselves. No one wants a war with anyone, no, not even brave Israelis wanted that war but they were attacked by those rabid muslim freaks who constantly threaten everyone who doesn’t bow and kiss their nasty asses. You people make me ashamed to call you American. Israel is doing the world’s dirty work for them and all they get is antisemitic bullshit hate from you damn wimps. Do any of you filthy cowards have a heart or soul? You should ALL be deeply ashamed that you are such cowards. Go back down to mommy and daddy’s basement and pick up your little joy stick and play those big bad war games that make people like you feel so brave, at least in your minds. Israelis are twice the men you skank cowards are, I wouldn’t even call one of you a man, you miserable punks.
So I can only gainsay that you're writing a work of complete fiction here - or perhaps an autobiographical blurb, describing yourself.
War of Aggression is a WAR CRIME - as is annexation (THEFT) of lands taken in war. (An exception was made in the case of Kosovo being stolen from Serbia, by NATO - a precedent, under which Crimea and at least the 4 eastern Oblasts that were for a relatively short period part of Ukraine, are now lawfully deemed to be Russia. The will of the people of those places must be respected).
These are basic elements of the UN Charter, and therefore the law of nations. Genocide is also governed by a treaty, signed by the United States of America, The Zionist Entity, and all of the European powers arrayed into what is sometimes called "the collective west".
Just like it's unlawful for you to go around murdering and r_ping and torturing people who don't conform to your will - it is equally unlawful for any and all of these parties to demand the rescission from Iran (or from the Palestinians), of things which are well within their rights as sovereign people.
Whether we're going to "win" another unlawful and immoral war, for Global Monopolar Hegemonic Empire, isn't the relevant question. Though when the inevitably skyrocketing Gas prices, and political instability within the Southwest Asian region are added into the equation - it is hard to describe any possible outcome, as an actual "win".
These Zionist settler-colonialist militants that you so admire, are the very definition of cowardice. They bomb hospitals, schools, civilian infrastructure and shelters. Their snipers and murder drones shoot innocent children in the heads and chests - in the "lucky" cases only leaving them as amputees. "Dirty work" is a euphemism - it seems - for the most DESPICABLE of crimes against humanity.
The moral arc of the universe may be long - but it does eventually reach towards justice. The Apartheid colony and settlers in South Africa, were eventually brought to heel, and leashed. It's only a matter of time before the Rogue Nuclear State in Southwest Asia is brought to the place of the law - and held accountable for the litany of atrocities and crimes against humanity, in whose support you appear to be prepared to propagandize, facts be damned. I hope that you face justice, just as Julius Streicher did, at Nuremberg.
This comment is made by a mentally disturbed anti-Semite. The article has nothing to do with the Middle East but “the writer” brings up this bogus “connection.”
Palestinians are ACTUAL Semites - unlike Persians. Is Genocide, and the highest of War Crimes - War of Aggression - somehow a Jewish value, now? Not in my copy of the Torah.
And it's all a zero sum game, isn't it - money spent in unlawful and immoral wars abroad, to the benefit of the war manufacturing industry, and the Zionist settler colonial AbomiNation State, has to come from somewhere.
It is you, who is mentally disturbed, deluded and confused apparently.
I'd much rather pay for firefighters, than Genocidal War Criminals, properly wanted by the Hague, already.
There is gov corruption and then there is Ca. gov. corruption! The water dept acts like it is being paid minimum wage- not the millions they pay to DEI morons- oh well
Excellent article, shared.
And this doesn’t even start to reflect the total cost to taxpayers.
If it’s anything like Illinois, this huge payout also gets factored into pensions. Which are then COLA’d.
I lived in a school district where the superintendent retired in a $300,000+ annual pension - at its inception 15 years ago.
And of course she was never evaluated based on student achievement.
Apparently school admins everywhere get paid for producing students incapable of competing on the world stage.
Like so many organizations in the land, those at the top are living the high life. From nearly every so-called "charity" or church or for profit operating there are precious few who manage to live out their missions beyond personal financial greed and corruption.
Sad state of affairs. Greed is the call of the day. We review Charity Watch regularly. The info they publish helped us drop contributions to some and choose to support the operations rmthat make a real difference in the lives of Anericans. .
We looked up the salaries of Goodwill, ASPCA, the NAACP, and several mega church bohemeths including TV "ministries." Beyond eye opening and 😞 dissappointing. Form 990 tells the ugly truth of where donations DON'T go!
I would be interested in Detective Kouri's clearance rate.
How about doing an analysis of the parade in D.C.?
This is an actual list of many donors and you still complain. Like I said, do your own f’n research and get a OTB for analysis. And you called me lazy 😂😂😂
how about a breakdown of the private donors, who are they? and they public funds used?
Do your research. I read several articles about it. You can find it if you look. I’m not doing it for you cause I don’t want to 😂😂
I knew you were lazy but geeze!
😂😂😂😂😂
where do I find these fake articles?
Most of the costs of the parade were covered by corporate donations. General Dynamics and USAA were presenting sponsors. Textron, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, Leidos, and Leonardo DRS were also sponsors. Tech giants Coinbase, Amazon, Oracle and UFC, FedEx, Lockheed Martin privately funded a good portion. Just do so some research instead of even trying to find some answers.
Private funding vs the hundreds of millions in public funding for the No Kings circle jerks.
How does that work, reimbursing the military for moving equipment?
🤦🏻♂️
I see you don't have a answer...EK!
I see you just want to play with logical fallacies.
No, I just asked OTB for an analysis, not you...armature.
Great suggestion!
A big portion of that was covered by donors/corporations. Also, the original parade plans were started in 2023 to recognize the Army’s 250th birthday. This did not originate under Trump, but he definitely was on board and happy it was happening during his presidency.
Who are the donors? It deserves a $ for $ analysis!
This is his last go around. What we saw wasn't a parade. It was pathetic. As for him being happy? He hasn't a clue--just as he didn't have a clue about the rabid shootings in MN. Did he condemn his supporter? Did he say anything that even slightly resembled a "presidential statement?"
I have been a reader of Open the Books for a long time. Accountability and transparency are hugely important to me as without those things, corruption flourishes. LA overtime pay is part of the rot. If you are going to delve into that (which you should), you must also talk about the COST to TAXPAYERS of sending Marines and National Guard to LA, when protests there were mainly peaceful (except on Fox). And about the rot of this transactional presidency: the shocking looting of America. There is a book called "Corruption in America and What is at Stake." Corruption is at the heart of every failed state. I read Open the Books because it uses data to uncover legal and illegal government corruption. But failing to address the most blatant corruption hurts us all and destroys your credibility for readers like me.
100% spot on!
Mostly Peaceful.......
By way of background I spent much of my life in LA and often dealing with major issues. If you have an interest in facts go to the LA Times archives and do some research on the Marina Del Rey ground lease negotiations many years ago.
Thanks to help from Jeff Rabin of the LA Times ( and some others who needed to remain unknown) we were able to show that the highly corrupted process was about to make a gift of close to $.5 Billion to some political insiders. Those were the old days when half a billion was real money. One of the participants Marc Nathanson did hard time as a result . Others should have followed.
Mainly peaceful ....... is not a satisfactory standard - if you were being robbed, injured etc mainly peaceful is not an acceptable standard. . In addition to the injuries and property destruction the riots and attacks deprive American Citizens of their rights. . As Citizens we surrender rights to the government in exchange for their agreement to protect us from dirtbags. In the case of LA the politicians surrendered the rights of citizens to their political beliefs and their friends the thugs
"...if you were being robbed, injured etc mainly peaceful is not an acceptable standard."
That is what the police are for. I am a fiscal conservative from a conservative state. Conservatives don't think it's ok to take away state's rights and call in the Federal military force to attack civilians. And they don't like the government wasting citizens hard earned money. We see the role of the Feds as limited, and we don't make exceptions based on political propaganda.
“that is what the police are for” sounds good but the LA Mayor ordered the police to stand down and other leftist politicians did the same. LAPD has a long standing order not to work with Immigration. Same Mayor that had a bit of a problem with the fires after sending her PC candidate to run the Department. Most Police Departments have agreements with neighboring departments. The truth is that the Mayor wanted the violence and destruction as political theater.
When the State fails to protect its law abiding citizens it is the role of the Feds to fill the gap. We sent Federal troops to integrate schools and fulfill the intent of “equal” and the rejection of “separate but equal”. Y’all might recall that Federal troops were sent to southern states by a Republican President to protect the rights of black citizens from club weilding Democrats .
Lizzie - Trump did not take away State’s Rights. Rather he stepped into the void when Governors and Mayors refused to perform the most basic function of government - to provide protection from those who break the law.
The “Why” liberals are so determined to flood the US with illegals dates back to the 1960’s and Tom Hayden (aka Mr Jane Fonda). A leader of the California far left Hayden advanced the message that Democrats needed to abandon African Americans because they were not “politically reliable” and to shift Democrat recruiting to Hispanics including those entering the country illegally. They were far more likely to embrace the agenda of the far left.
Americans should take a look at what’s happened in California with its sanctuary cities, prohibitions against police cooperating with immigration and soft on crime posturing. San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland are disasters. How bad is it? The Oakland California NAACP branch went public with a call for more police and the firing of the Soros sponsored prosecutor.
Businesses are fleeing San Francisco, LA and other cities, taking hundreds of thousands of good jobs and leaving behind vacant office buildings. The consequences are economic disasters for LA and SF. Around 30% of the downtown offices are vacant due to tenant relocations. Thanks to the soft on crime laws that make the theft of less than $1,000 about the same as a parking ticket, retailers have fled, leaving empty shops and lost jobs.
For decades California lead the nation in great ideas, economic growth, innovation and opportunity. Today it is the dying swamp of corrupt politicians. There’s few better examples than the “Bullet Train” that’s made politicians rich from the billions spent on a project that will never be completed. How did this happen? Well, Nancy Pelosi’s husband just happened to be on the board of the corrupt contractor who submitted a bid the professional staff of the agency deemed deceptive and the contractor lacking competence. Of course there were other politicians involved.
I admit did not read your comment after the first inappropriate change to my name. You are now blocked and this thread is muted. When you restore your respect for other people’s opinions and engage with facts, it would be better for the Open the Books comment section.
"that's what the police are for". That's true until the rabid Democrat running the city decides that the police need to be handcuffed and the rioters let loose like a pack of feral dogs.
If you are old enough to remember the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s you would recall that the federal government intervened multiple times and at multiple levels to protect civil rights.
I have worked with LAPD officers operating under the constraints of liberal politicians. At times we were told that LAPD could not help us.... An then a quiet voice suggested we have a cup of coffee next door. " Officially the LAPD can not help you with break-in and property crimes. However a lot of guys work privately after hours and there is usually someone in the station coordinating during off hours.
The results were awesome but the cost significant and an insult given the taxes we paid. Of course the then Mayor had a very large personal detail.
The youngsters here are probably not aware that it was the President who sent federal troops into the south to protect black school children. Federal troops have been called to many civil emergencies over the decades.
The states do not have the "right " to allow law abiding citizens to be attacked by organized gangs of thugs as is the case with the downtown looting and attacks on shops, pedestrians, and those driving by.
Sadly the police in many American cities, especially those in the southwest , are overwhelmed by the numbers of violent illegals in their midst. There are times when Federal action is necessary.
We support federal action against criminals, thugs, gangs , cults, lawless racists and monsters of all varieties. Injustice is never an answer. Today, the regime cries out about "illegals." Not too long ago, Japanese Americans were herded into encampments controlled by the feds.
The USA broke every treat it made with First Nations people--then created "reservations." In the inner cities ghettos were created and maintained. Exclusive high-dollar neighborhoods are created and maintained so as to keep the "undesirables" out. And Critical Race Theory isn't a theory--it happened right here in America.
Every generation the world over comes up with "something to hate and blame." Every generation seeks power over targeted groups, and greed coupled with corruption is typically permitted by the entities who live "high on the hog." The "win/lose/team" mindset is programmed into everyone from the inception of what's called "socialization." It begins in kindergarten; and, "everybody loves a winner--hates a loser."
The two-party system exists for one reason and one reason only--to control the masses resting power among the 1, 2 and, 3 per cent of the population. Equality? Diversity? Inclusion? These are fighting words to those who count themselves among the elite or "royal." Unity is the enemy of tyranny. This is the human condition.
It doesn't matter whether a state leader is red or blue. What matters is keeping the populace at odds with each other while they relax in luxury most of us will never experience.
People cry for peace as they constantly find justification to war against others--the world over. Cain and Abel live on as do Ahab and Lilith.
To much to reply to each point but let’s look at the “ghettos” . They were not created as Ghettos (other than perhaps Pruitt Iglo) but rather grew as law abiding citizens fled the growing lawlessness of so many inner cities.
For example Los Angeles used to have a number of wonderful neighborhoods only minutes from downtown. However, with drugs and a liberal government those residents who could fled the often deadly crime. One of my associates who was determined to stay in the area to prove his liberal creds had a change of heart finding two addicts in the living room at 3AM and thinking of the consequences for his wife , who was even more liberal.
In downtown LA the welfare folks started putting drug addicts into a number of single room hotels which were largely occupied by widows living on meager income. The SRO hotels frequently had only communal bathrooms which exposed the senior citizens to the drug addicts in the middle of the night. The results were predictable - assault, robbery , rape and murder. In one case the dirtbag disposed of the body in the building water tank.
We could solve the problem of the illegals if America’s liberals adopted 2 per family and moved them into their homes. Yes many come here only seeking a better life. However, many others come here to advance the financial interests of the cartels.
We lose 100,000 Americans each year directly from Fentanyl and thousands more from crimes related to Fentanyl addicts. Yet it is considered Un American to seal the border. By way of contrast there is a vast cry to eliminate “ Assault Weapons” notwithstanding that the total annual homicides where a rifle of any kind was the weapon and including negligent homicide (accidents) are 0.6% of the Fentanyl deaths.
As a lifelong resident of LA and veteran of numerous riots, rampant corruption and misuse of LAPD perhaps some facts might help
A - The Marines and National Guard were needed only because the Mayor chose to allow the violence to occur. The Useful Idiots failed to recognize the corruption and neglect that has resulted in the loss of more than 25% of the Downtown office users. OK the Mayor is not alone as California police do not cooperate with the INS.
B - The press wants to pretend that the riots were not violent, tell that line of BS to the shop owners who were looted, owners of cars burned and folks simply assaulted and battered because they were in the way. "Mainly peaceful" is a joke that translates into "only those I hate were being beaten, looted and threatened".
C - The most foundational obligation of State, County and local government is to keep the peace and protect the rights of law abiding citizens. Unfortunately each deserve an F for their performance which was the sole reason the Guard and the Marines needed to be called. From the Governor to the Mayor law abiding citizens and guests were sacrificed for the benefit of the violent thugs whom the far left sees as the foundation of their movement.
D - Far beyond the shop owners who are left with smoking ruins and debt the negligence and failure to perform of the Mayor and Governor have caused irreparable damage to law abiding citizens across the state. They failed to perform their most basic obligation for purely political gain.
Cry harder dimwit
I have and will continue to take such steps as are necessary to protect myself, family, friends and assets from the lowlife thugs (including those in city , county and state government) using such means as are appropriate. Ironically, many of the victims of the thugs are among the minorities and those least able to suffer the economic consequences. The victims are those who came here to contribute to our nation not to try to turn it into the despotic, mob ruled environment from which they fled.
WWJD?
The thugs who prey upon the weak or the outnumbered would , at a minimum, have their reproductive competence neutered.