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Stephanie May 24, 2013 at 06:14 pm
There has been a ban on gun research for the CDC and the NIH since 1996. In 2012 that ban was…Read More extended to all departments of Health and Human services in the US. I had no idea. Plus the ATF has not released any useful data or stats since 2003. Anyone (including myself) saying, "studies show..." in relation to gun violence doesn't have a leg to stand on because there are no national recent studies or data collection on this subject. The only data is coming from the NRA or studies allowed by the NRA. Congress, prodded by the NRA, banned research of gun violence. I am sickened that our government has allowed this to happen. How many suicides are there every year? Who knows? There is just no information. It's so bad that teachers in universities have been telling students not to go into gun studies, because there is no money in it. So even if we start research now, there are only 10-15 gun experts in the country and results take years. I'm so disgusted by this. Who bans research? In 1996 death by shooting was the 2nd leading cause of death to young people the first being car accidents. So Congress told our health institutions, taxpayer funded, they could not research that? That is so messed up. No wonder they say crime is down, but the jails are fuller than they have ever been. Studies show gun ownership does this and that. It's all a bunch of garbage, no one knows the truth. I'm not even mad at the NRA, I'm mad at our leaders for banning research. Who does that? I'm so mad I could spit.
James Gordon May 20, 2013 at 02:18 pm
Stephanie:
I don't recall asking for examples of licensees who made bad choices. I do recall asking…Read More if "you have an objective basis for your concerns?" You responded by identifying some anecdotal (as opposed to statistical) evidence that some licensees made bad choices. Your evidence fails to support your position. Here's a brief article discussing the number of licenses that Florida has revoked because of gun related crimes: http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2012/07/25/florida-approaching-1-million-concealed-weapons-permits/
Regarding your questions about G. Zimmerman. (1) I've already pointed out mistakes ziimmerman made, including following Martin. So, no, I would not want him to be the neighborhood watch captain. (2) I can and do avoid places where there are increased risks of violence (ATMs at night, check-cashing stores, prostitutes, drug dealers). That being said, I cannot accurately predict when/where I will need a gun. People are robbed in grocery store parking lots as well as coffee store parking lots. So, I believe the desire to have a gun in those locations is not unreasonable. More importantly though, I don't think people who are licensed to carry guns should repeatedly take their gun on and off all day long. This needlessly increases the risk of a negligent discharge. (3) The forensic evidence strongly supports virtually every element of Zimmerman's account of the incident. The significant element that is unsupported is whether Martin saw and attempted to grab Zimmerman's gun. Given that Zimmerman was already sustaining serious bodily injuries, this element isn't really necessary to believe the propriety of acting in self-defense. As to the two lies you reference, the first related to Zimmerman's finances. It was his wife who made the representations to the court. Zimmerman sat there "like a potted plant" in the words of the court. This obviously reflects poorly on him, but likely will not be presented to the jury. The second lie relates to his passport. A second passport was issued to him after he reported the prior passport had been stolen. The court itself did not believe Zimmerman was lying about the second passport, but that there were more innocent explanations. You apparently believe I think Zimmerman is innocent. I am waiting to see all the evidence before I make up my mind.
Stephanie May 20, 2013 at 02:39 am
You asked for some licensees who made bad choices with their concealed weapons and I gave them to…Read More you. Why don't you ever answer any of my questions? Knowing what you know now about George Zimmermans arrest record (before he killed Martin), would you want him in charge of your neighborhood watch? Does one need a gun to go to Starbucks? The grocery store? How can we believe anything Zimmerman says after he lied TO A JUDGE TWICE?
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
Diana Swartz (Editor) May 7, 2013 at 04:17 pm
Thank you for your contributions to this conversation. Comments are now closed. If you'd like to…Read More continue sharing your opinions, please contact your local Patch editor about starting a blog.
rubberband May 7, 2013 at 04:12 pm
@Lisa:
cool.
Think of me as a Kung Fu type, wandering the earth playing my flute, visiting cities…Read More and hanging out...but w/o the moral lessons or grasshopper stuff. I laugh a lot.
p.s. bacon
p.s.s the dog pic is cute.
Gem City Muse May 3, 2013 at 08:39 pm
You are the voice of reason, Stephanie. What certain people haven't learned is that the government…Read More cannot legislate morality or good habits. Certain groups believe if there's a problem the gov't can make a law and solve it. Whether plastic bags or guns, big brother can't legislate morality.
Jonathan Ortega May 3, 2013 at 02:52 pm
All I hear is a bunch of whining, this ban is for the greater good TO PROTECT OUR PLANET, stop…Read More including your ego's and feelings for a lifeless object in this conversation. If you knew anything about environmental law/politics, you would realize that money is spent on hot topics, because if they weren't hot nobody would support their movement and these already limited resources will be wasted.
Cigarette butt's, the e-cig is coming along
Cars and planes, is there an un-disruptive alternative? Get over yourselves
geoff harris May 3, 2013 at 11:20 am
@Can't Say,,,, I hope thew next thing to be banned are the BLOWERS. The worst, constant, extremely…Read More local, violent destruction of our Sonic environment. Talk about disturbing the peace.
Muffle it completely, or back to the rake, I say. (Yeah, I know it would take more time to rake, and it's concomitant adjusted cost might find some up in arms, {since it appears many are willing to argue over 10 cents}).
Ban the blower!! You'll feel so much better!!
Marcus April 30, 2013 at 03:46 pm
1. BAD BOYS: The Hangover 3
2. LAND VS. AIR: Planes
3. ANIMATED: Monsters University
4. SCI FI:…Read More Star Trek Into Darkness
5. HEAVY METAL: Iron Man 3
6. TERRA DYSTOPIA: After Earth
7. COMEDY DUOS: The Heat
8. END OF THE WORLD: The World's End
9. HUNKY HEROES: The Wolverine
10. CARTOON CREATURES: Despicable Me 2
11. SECRET IDENTITY: Man of Steel
12, STYLIZED VISUALS: 300: Rise of an Empire
Man of Steel v Star Trek for the biggest box office this summer
Monica April 29, 2013 at 08:21 pm
1. BAD BOYS: The Hangover 3
2. LAND VS. AIR: Fast and Furious 6
3. ANIMATED: Monsters University
4.…Read More SCI FI: Star Trek Into Darkness
5. HEAVY METAL: Iron Man 3
6. TERRA DYSTOPIA: After Earth
7. COMEDY DUOS: The Heat
8. END OF THE WORLD: This is the End
9. HUNKY HEROES: White House Down
10. CARTOON CREATURES: Despicable Me 2
11. SECRET IDENTITY: Man of Steel
12, STYLIZED VISUALS: 300: Rise of an Empire
Donna Rocks April 29, 2013 at 06:25 pm
1. BAD BOYS: The Hangover 3
2. LAND VS. AIR: Fast and Furious 6
3. ANIMATED: Monsters University
4.…Read More SCI FI: World War Z
5. HEAVY METAL: Iron Man 3
6. TERRA DYSTOPIA: Elysium
7. COMEDY DUOS: The Heat
8. END OF THE WORLD: This is the End
9. HUNKY HEROES: White House Down
10. CARTOON CREATURES: Despicable Me 2
11. SECRET IDENTITY: Man of Steel
12, STYLIZED VISUALS: The Great Gatsby
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.
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.
Vince Waldron April 26, 2013 at 06:03 pm
I agree, those digitals signs have a real quality of life impact for the people who live near them.…Read More Unfortunately, "quality of life" doesn't seem to be a big consideration to the companies that lobby our civic leaders for the right to build these signs. Which is why it's so important that we balance the lobbyist's message by reminding our civic leaders how strongly we feel about billboard blight in general, and the digital signs in particular. It takes less than three minutes to call or email your local council member--and, collectively, our voices carry more weight than most people realize.
Eagle Rocker April 26, 2013 at 03:42 pm
Thanks for letting us know, Vince! We don't need anymore billboards in Eagle Rock especially bright…Read More digital billboards.
Nicole Mooradian April 22, 2013 at 01:43 am
We've closed comments on this post; thank you for your contributions.
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.
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.'
.
.
Is lesson one how the Conservative economic policy of the Bush administration crashed the economy?
Marcus April 16, 2013 at 02:25 am
Interesting to see a photo of her in LA back in the 80s. I'm sure a lot of politicians are…Read More personally charming but my impression of her is shaped by her policies. But that's another discussion. As it is, she was the first female PM, and certainly won't be forgotten.
Dwain Wilson April 13, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Yes, this garden is just one of a long string of accomplishments for which Mitch O'Farrell deserves…Read More credit. I remember running into him when they were in the thick of it, just a few days before the opening. I got chills listening to him talk about this collaborative effort.
Mike Woodward April 12, 2013 at 11:07 am
Mark,
Thanks for clarifying and for bringing human faces to the amazing story of the birth of this…Read More Community Garden.
The sources used to write this blog post were the LA Weekly and the Times combined with what I know my wife went through during the lockdown.
This is a compelling story that everyone in LA should know about.
Mike
Mark A Quiroz April 11, 2013 at 10:22 pm
The community garden was actually created by the Drew Estara Neighborhood watch.Bradley,Maggie…Read More Robles,Mark A Quiroz and Maggie Darett Quiroz.They were assisted with this through the tremendous efforts of Mitch Offarel from CD13 at the time.The gathering of the chilldren in the community was a tremendous effort done by Maggie Quiroz .Who was able to have a shed purchased thanks to the generous contribution made by the GPIA.
nonoise March 30, 2013 at 02:41 pm
Any medicare or health insurance premium increase or decrease all has to be approved by the…Read More Department of Insurance. And, it is a really tough job to put the paperworkk (red tape) together to ask the insurance commissioner for a rate increase or decrease. That is why may insurance companies do not ask for a rate decrease when they would like too. It is too much red tape.
nonoise March 30, 2013 at 02:37 pm
There will be some winners and losers. Lowering costs for some will cost jobs. There is always…Read More good and bad. Some good health care providers will be lost and some bad ones (with inexperience) and otherwise, will come in.
And, many insurance companies are no longer selling Long Term Care insurance. That means when people no longer pay for that insurance the taxpayers will end up paying more money for people to be in nursing homes. This is a HUGE expensive. In trying to save money and making things more difficult for insurance company and agents through too much red tape, the taxpayers will be picking up more of the bill instead of individuals willing to pay for insurance.
Ask your favorite insurance agent or company. They will tell you what a mess ObamaCare is going to cause. Just wait one more year. Those "freebies" people think they are getting is going to be a rude awaking when people find out there really are no freebies. People will be forced to pay whether they want to or not or be taxed.
Low income people will not be affected because they will continue to get free medi-cal. The rich people are not affected because they can buy whatever health insurance they want. It is the middle class that will suffer.
Just wait the lower income middle class will figure out a way to wiggle out of ObamaCare because they simply can not afford it. They will either quit their jobs and go on medi-cal or fraud will come into play. It always happens.
Bruce March 28, 2013 at 02:17 am
Mr Sayen sounds like he works for CMS Medicare. His comments are straight out of the same old…Read More talking points that have been spewed over and over since this competitive bidding program started. Its gonna be a mess with the disabled and seniors as the major losers. Not to mention the countless jobs that will be lost from all the good dealers going out of business. I guess Mr Sayen doesn't think unemployment cost the taxpayers extra money.
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.
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 06:33 pm
Bob, my use of the F bomb has knocked a few on their keisters, too. LOL
Randall Haney May 7, 2013 at 09:34 am
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the…Read More people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Is there something that you do not understand about the word SHALL?
Had it said "should" your argument may have merit. Our framers of the constitution used the strongest language possible to ensure at some point in the future there would be no misunderstanding of their intent.
There are other gun free countries that, I am sure, would allow you to take up residence there. If you don't like the constitution I suggest you move. I took an oath to defend that document and I will, with every means possible.
Buzlightyear aka marty March 30, 2013 at 03:43 am
Why would they not be used in self defense? I have never even seen one. But my guess is if someone…Read More is in your house at 3 in the morning, and you had no choice but to defend, it would be a bit bulky to maneuver. I didn't know you were so busy on this subject in other places. I won't get on you for "disappearing" again.
I will tell you something that is new however. And yes this is the part where you might think one is off a bit.
For the first time in my life I do see the possibility of needing guns. The economic system will fail. I have been following this for 14 years, and went into gold in 1999, just before the nasdaq crashed. All FIAT currencies in history have eventually failed. I believe most in positions to know, do know. And it is possible Obama in the Presidency at collapse time will doom our country. Everything changes once in a while throughout all of history. This has happened before.
And hey, Robert, I used to be a Democrat. And as a republican I even voted for Clinton both times.
Robert Defulgentiis March 29, 2013 at 04:25 pm
GIT - "The government said that ..."assault weapans are suitable for personal defense use…Read More in close quarters.”
I will investigate that quote for context.
Nevertheless, I stand 100% behind this statement: "assault-type weapons with hi-cap magazines have virtually NO demonstrated utility as a weapon of home or self-defense".
My essay elicited over 1,000 comments in Connecticut. I asked my critics there to give me examples of assault weapons with hi-caps used in self defense....they were VERY MOTIVATED to find such incidents. They came up with 3 since 2007 + in one cease the AR-15 wasn't even loaded!)
They have no civilian utility other than to mass killers.
Baird Martin March 1, 2013 at 09:21 pm
This guy is nothing more than another Bain Capital, McKinsey empty suit. Go sell your crazy…Read More somewhere else you troglodyte.
Jimmy Iaei February 27, 2013 at 10:52 pm
OK Pleitez I'm calling your bluff.
Each Policeman hired costs the City $150,000. Hire 3000 officers…Read More without any increase in revenue and that leaves us where we are now. Plus the huge increase in pension benefits given by Riordan. Increase taxes or lay them off?
Green power is inefficient and expensive. There isn't enough green power in the State to supply the 3000 megawatts the City uses. How will you pay for it without tripling our utility bills? Pension buyout is illegal. Need to do something with future employees. Changing the pension system is needed, yes. But you must stop the City from spending more than it takes in, not adding more programs. Transportation? First raise bus fares to reduce the huge taxpayer subsidy. Then you will be unable to get people out of their cars because to take a bus from Eagle Rock to El Segundo is not feasible. People would love to live near their work but I can't bring the Port of LA to Eagle Rock.Education is not your purview. But the first think you could do is get down to business instead of grandstanding like Little Tony while his staffers do all the work.
Alex White February 24, 2013 at 09:14 am
@Nimby...you forgot the Pope-- the Bishop of Rome. I was thinking if it was me, I'd just go right…Read More over that monsignor’s head, and the Cardinal's, and the Archbishop's, and send a video documenting the "For Whom the Bell Tolls Too Damn Much!" nuisance abatement letter to the Pope himself—or, just convert then attend Mass and pray the apparently insufferable cacophony has coutis interruptus. Imagine what confessions would be like. "Father I have sinned." Yes, my child, what is it that you've done?" " "Well, Father...it involves a Bell...."
Alison Gee February 20, 2013 at 03:01 am
Thanks so much, Vanessa, Hope you enjoy the book -- let me know your thoughts. And please join us at…Read More Vroman's. It's going to be a real party. xx
Vanessa Brunkhorst February 19, 2013 at 07:53 pm
Congrats!! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy, sounds like its going to be a great read!
Alison Gee February 19, 2013 at 06:02 pm
Yes, Stephan, 7pm at Vroman's on Colorado. Can't wait to meet you!
Glen K Dunbar March 20, 2013 at 03:20 pm
I would LOVE to be Your Mayor my friends in LA I am stuck here in New Canaan, CT You are lucky…Read More not to live here as I have NO friends or live and am in SEVERE depress state. The people here are not nice like You all are. They shun me and will NOT help me despite desperate pleas. If anyone wants to be my friend/pen-pal I would be glad to be a friend. I think I would make a great friend as I would make a great Mayor too
M. Saint-Jean March 17, 2013 at 05:30 pm
Regretably James didn't make it, but he did attract positive attention for the future. He was a…Read More breath of fresh air for this election and I'm sure we'll hear from him again. We'll let Wendy and Eric duke it out and see who is left in the ring as the outcome with either will only be "more of the same". But we voted and that counts above all else.
nonoise February 22, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Jimmy, very well put. Peter, keep trying. It is not working. But good try.
Peter Choi February 22, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Jimmy, there is no doubt or debate that the city has faced and will face many issues like those you…Read More highlight, but as Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti would bring the same focussed problem solving approach he demonstrated as City Council President. As the LA Times wrote today "The councilman's greatest contribution may have come after city leaders set their position on pensions. Garcetti took the unusual step of visiting groups of workers. Some employees booed. Some asked him why city lawmakers, among the highest paid in the nation at $178,000 a year, didn't cut their own salaries.
"There was a lot of anger," said a labor leader who spoke on condition of anonymity because that union has not endorsed in the race. "But Eric talked to people as if they were adults and stayed until he answered all their questions. People appreciated him ... taking that kind of heat."
Matt Szabo, a former deputy mayor who helped negotiate with labor, said Garcetti deserved "every bit of credit" he has claimed for deficit reduction. "He knew he was running for mayor, and he was doing the right thing, but it was something that was going to cost him later" in terms of union support, said Szabo, who is running to replace Garcetti on the council."
Willing to take the heat. Able to resolve conflict. Working toward solutions.
This is why Eric Garcetti is the answer to your questions.
Jimmy Iaei February 22, 2013 at 09:52 pm
Garcetti is incapable of solving the City's problems. For one, he is part of the problem.
Support…Read More for schools is fine, charter schools are huge ripoff of taxpayer funds. But the mayor is not charged with running schools and they are out of his job description.
The problem is that the City is going broke by spending more than it takes in. The new mayor must eliminate unnecessary programs, cut waste, and address the runaway cost of police and fire protection. He has to increse revenue to support LAPD and LAFD or reduce the number of personnel. He (or she) has to decide which do we need more, parks, libraries and streets fixed or useless fluff like a gang czar, Commission on the Status of Women or the Dept of Aging. Or if the public decides they must have these services, raise taxes. No candidate has really come out and stated how they will right the financial collapse. Pandering to neighboorhood meetings about baloney like "cultural touchstones" will not solve the budget woes.
Garcetti is an empty suit. Fluff, politically correct attention to special interests, but no substance. How will he address the LAPD-LAFD pension obligation this year of 580 million dollars, soon to be rising to one trillion dollars? How will he pay for all the new firemen needed to reduce response times? How will he make this City green without doubling the cost of electricity?
All this foo foo talk sounds good but means nothing.
Glen K Dunbar March 20, 2013 at 03:35 pm
Dear Princess Jasmyne: hi nice to meet you. I am Glen from New Canaan, CT I hope it is OK if I…Read More join YOUR patch here in LA Why do I want to join here compared to New Canaan?? Well, I HATE New Canaan dearly. It is wronged me and I am shunned for life and have NO love or friends.
regarding LAPD. I do not know. It must be a very very hard job. So, I will not Judge
here. The Police where I live believe it or not if I have to be honest are actualy pretty cool and nice. Yet, sometimes they nit pick over nonsense and get their priorities mixed up when they should let certain things "just go"
If you want to be my friend Jasmyne...feel free to write or anyone here. Thanks
GLEN
Stephanie February 27, 2013 at 01:58 am
Cover up what exactly? These was a 4 hour stand off and Dorner could have come out anytime. They…Read More were trying to smoke him out and he chose to shoot himself in the head. This was the sheriffs department not the LAPD in Big Bear running the standoff. And what do you think Dorner was going to say. He was on the force for 10 months 4 years ago, he knows nothing. Anyone who thinks he was some fallen martyr is delusional.
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