Rubber bullet by jank0
Bratton: Disturbed by MacArthur Park Videos
Cops busting heads, especially when there are poor people involved is nothing new in Los Angeles. Yesterday's May Day Melee appeared to be the latest unnecessary, illegal use of force by officers needlessly breaking up a peaceful protest because of the actions of a tiny minority. The only differences today seems to the the widespread videotaping of the event by professional and amateur camera crews, and the subsequent release of the video all over the internet. Also new is the reaction of our police chief, William Bratton, who has said: "quite frankly, I was disturbed at what I saw. Some of the officers' action … were inappropriate in terms of use of batons and possible use of nonlethal rounds fired." Compare this to past denials or obfuscation by those at the top. While as far as we know, no one was severely injured, it's obvious that ordinary citizens were put at risk by the people meant to protect and serve.
4,018,080
That's the new population estimate of Los Angeles. New York has roughly double the population of Los Angeles, but that might also have something to do with the Borough system and the way people are counted.
Hollywood Funds Republicans Too
Hollywood is known as a Democratic haven, but Rudy Giuiliani, who recently endorsed the "Bush Doctrine" whole-heartedly, going so far to say "they hate us for our freedoms", has gotten money from Adam Sandler, Kelsey Grammer, and Brad Grey for his Presidential run.
LA Has the Worst Air in the Nation
Not exactly a shocker, but a new study puts us at the top of the list for crappy, smog-filled air. Regardless of global warming, climate change, ice caps melting, shouldn't we work towards simple goals of having clean air and water in our cities? Rounding up the top 5 are Bakersfield, Birmingham, Detroit, and Cleveland.