Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

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  • "Is the left really just a giant kleptocracy?" Asks Elon Musk. X.com's AI Grok says "nope."

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Feb 15, 2025

    The phrase "a dream that was Rome" refers to Marcus Aurelius' vision of transforming Rome into a democratic republic, where power is held by the people rather than corrupt leaders. This ideal is central to the story of "Gladiator," symbolizing hope for a better governance system in ancient Rome. "Is the left really just a giant kleptocracy? tweeted Elon Musk Sunday night. "The evidence increasingly suggests it is." So we decided to ask GROK, Twitter's AI protocol, if it...

  • Trump orders US Mint to Cease Production of Pennies, Saying at 2 cents each "It Doesn't Make Sense."

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Feb 9, 2025

    President Trump said on Sunday night that he had ordered the Treasury secretary to stop producing new pennies, a move that he said would help reduce unnecessary government spending. "Let's rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it's a penny at a time," he said in a post on Truth Social. He characterized the production of pennies, which "literally cost us more than 2 cents" each, as wasteful. The United States Mint has not officially announced plans to stop...

  • SamoHi Students Protest at City Hall On Thursday, Saying "America Was Never Great."

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Feb 8, 2025

    Shouting that "America has never been great," a group of Santa Monica High School students protested against Donald Trump, Elon Musk, the end of Diversity Equity and Inclusion policies, the deportation of illegal migrants, and other issues on 2.6.25. The event drew about 250 Participants carrying Mexican flags and signs that said "Trans Rights are Human Rights," "Elect a clown, expect a circus," and "No one is illegal on stolen land." Santa Monica High School students...

  • Ethereum, Bitcoin Prices Collapsing Sunday Night. Bottom So Far, $91,000 for BTC, $2,150 for ETH

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Feb 2, 2025

    No, It isn't the Trump Tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Here are the reasons for BITCOIN's sudden decline. Bitcoin is currently in a steep dive, having lost almost $8,000 in Value over the last 24 Hours. Bitcoin is experiencing a decline due to a combination of factors, including stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data, which has diminished hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts, and significant liquidations in the crypto market. Additionally, the U.S. government's planned sale...

  • Has California Diverted Infrastructure Funds From Reservoirs, to Bike Lanes and Road Diets?

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 26, 2025

    California has allocated significant funding for both bicycle infrastructure and reservoir projects, but there is no indication that funds specifically for reservoirs have been diverted to bike lanes. Instead, the state is investing in a variety of transportation and water management projects simultaneously to address different needs. National Guard checks ID on California Incline. Foreground, forest of bollards and bike lanes is what your infrastructure money was spent on,...

  • What did President Trump say When Visiting Pacific Palisades on Friday?

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 24, 2025

    US President Trump visited Pacific Palisades on 1.24.25. Here are my notes of what he said to a room full of Congressmen, County Supervisors, Mayor Bass and others: You know what's amazing? Every homeowner I met with wants to rebuild. It's like a family. It's incredible when you think about it I just met with homeowners in NC, and it's the same thing, it's water disaster not fire. But it's the same thing They gave me a little helmet that says 47, I said is this real? Your gove...

  • Jeep Hits a Building On the Corner of Wilshire and Lincoln Blvd., Barely Missing a Homeless Couple

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 24, 2025

    On Monday night a jeep collided with a building on Wilshire Blvd. The collision involved just one vehicle, but the jeep nearly hit a homeless couple standing where their possessions and holding their dog by a store window. Christian and Ingrid told this author that "we lost the puppy," who ran off after the accident. They also said they had been living in a campsite in Malibu until 2 weeks ago. The fire forced them to move to Santa Monica. There are about 2 incidents a month...

  • Moments Before Trump Sworn In, Biden Pardons Anthony Fauci

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 20, 2025

    Former president Joe Biden engaged in a round of pardoning close associates during his final hours in office. In addition to Fauci, he pardoned members of the January 6th committee and Gen. Mark Miley. Having previously pardoned Hunter Biden, who had been recently convicted of firearm possession and drug related offenses; this morning Joe Biden pardoned all the other members of his family. There is no indication that incoming president Donald J. Trump intended to prosecute...

  • Pete Hegseth Defends Nomination In Fiery Senate Hearing

    David Ganezer, Observer STaff Writer|Updated Jan 14, 2025

    13. Pete Hegseth finished his 3 hours of verbal beating on the Senate defense committee. Sitting next to his 3d and current wife, liz Rauchet, Hegseth argued for equality but not equity. The women on the Senate Defense committee questioned the qualifications of Pete Hegseth. Financial mismanagement and sexual misconduct allegations come from Tammy Duckworth and Elizabeth Warren. Pete Hegseth has expressed opposition to women serving in combat roles, stating that he...

  • LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Again Throws Mayor Karen Bass Under the Bus for Cutting LA Fire's Budget

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 12, 2025

    LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley publicly criticized Mayor Karen Bass for budget cuts that she claimed made it harder for firefighters to perform their duties, especially during the recent wildfires. She also pointed out that a significant number of fire hydrants ran dry during the crisis, which she attributed to the city's lack of resources. Crowley said Bass' leadership did "negatively impact" their efforts to stop the fire. The Dept. has received 50% more calls since 2010,...

  • City Lifts Evacuation Order South of San Vicente; Warning Remains In Effect San Vicente to Montana Avenue

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 12, 2025

    9: The City of Santa Monica has lifted its evacuation order for all areas of Santa Monica South of San Vicente Blvd. It also lifted the Evacuation Warning for Montana Avenue South to Wilshire Blvd. The message from the City reads An Evacuation Order remains in effect for all areas of Santa Monica north of San Vicente. Residents should continue to stay out of the area, which remains closed to public access and residential reentry. All areas of Santa Monica between San...

  • National Guard Begins to Require ID's to Enter Firestruck Areas of LA County

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 12, 2025

    The National Guard has been deployed to the Pacific Palisades area to assist with law enforcement duties and to help prevent looting amid the ongoing wildfires. They are stationed at checkpoints and are actively monitoring evacuation zones. We photographed Specialist Etheridge and PFC Tito, as they checked ID Saturday morning. They are allowing in residents, police and firemen, reporters and medical personnel. Only local residents and emergency responders are allowed into...

  • Winds Switch and Palisades Fire Pushes Down Into Brentwood, Bel Air, Encino Hills.

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 11, 2025

    CHP is setting up for a full closure of the 405 Freeway at 9 pm PST Friday night. There are new mandatory evacuations in Mandeville Canyon, and near the Mountain Gate Country Club. "405 Freeway is closing at Sepulveda as the Palisades fire is on the move. Raining ash in the area and mandatory evacs ordered," Elex Michelson of FoxLA tweeted. FoxLA denied that the 405 was closed as of 9:31 pm PST. The entire area West of the 405 Freeway, between Sunset and Mulholland has been...

  • LA County Accidentally Sends Evacuation Order to the Entire County

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 9, 2025

    LA County accidentally sent an evacuation message to the County's entire population of 10.5 million. The message was rescinded 20 minutes later, but frazzled some already frazzled nerves. LA County currently has 4 or 5 active fires, ranging from the 20,000 acre Palisades fire to the 750 Kenneth fire. The message was meant for just one neighborhood near the latter. A mom I know started crying, unsure of where she would take her child....

  • Santa Monica Evacuates Area North of Montana Ave, West of 11th Street, all the way to PCH

    David Ganezer, Observer STaff Writer|Updated Jan 8, 2025

    16: Through an Everbridge Mass Notification, the City of Santa Monica has evacuated the area West of 11th Street and North of Montana Avenue. This includes large parts of 90402, the most expensive Zip Code in the City. " A new expanded evacuation ORDER has been issued for all areas north of Montana Avenue from the beach to 11th Street. Residents in this area must leave IMMEDIATELY and the area is closed to public access." This is of course due to the Palisades Fire, which...

  • Rick Caruso: Why are the Fire Hydrants Empty? Why is Mayor Karen Bass Out of Town?

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 8, 2025

    Rick Caruso appearing on the local fox affiliate said we have had decades to remove the brush, why wasn't it done? The brush up in these hills controlled by the City and the County, why haven't they been mitigated for 30 years? This is a disaster waiting to happen. We have a mayor who's out of town. I'm going to spend some time in the next few months asking some questions. Why wasn't the brush mitigation done? Why aren't the hydrants full of water? Developer Rick Caruso both...

  • Santa Monica Issues Evacuation Order for All Areas of the City North of San Vicente

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 7, 2025

    City of Santa Monica, has issued an Evacuation Order (Wild Fire) for all areas of the city north of San Vicente. Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is closed to public access. An evacuation warning is in effect from Montana Avenue to San Vicente. Pack a bag and listen to emergency evacuation orders....

  • Does a Hot Looking Hooters Waitress Get Leniency from the Cops When Stopped for DUI? Sarasota PD Says No to Pretty Privilege

    David Ganezer, Observer STaff Writer|Updated Jan 7, 2025

    Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a crime in all 50 states, because it endangers other drivers. But is administration of the law dependent on one's good looks? Sarasota Police just said no to Pretty Privilege. In police cam video shot 11/17/24 by a Sarasota police officer called Nick, a Hooters Waitress named Sophia gets pulled over for DUI while driving in a jeep. She calls 2 or 3 friends, and one of them comes and retrieves the vehicle, saving her impound and tow truck...

  • California Municipalities May Not Require Voters to Present ID In Order to Vote

    David Ganezer, Observere Staff Writer|Updated Jan 7, 2025

    Last year, Cal. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law banning local governments from passing laws requiring ID to vote. The law went into effect this week. In California, local governments cannot require ID to vote. "California has enacted a law that prohibits local governments from requiring voters to present identification when voting. This law aims to ensure that voting remains accessible and does not disenfranchise certain groups of voters." says the internet. So while you are...

  • Fire Burns the Santa Monica Mountains North of Santa Monica Tuesday Jan. 7 2025

    David Ganezer, Observer Taff Writer|Updated Jan 7, 2025

    A Santa Ana wind condition fed fires that came down from the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains and into Pacific Palisades. As residents watched, he Mayor's office issued an evacuation order for the Palisades North of Sunset and East of Merimac Drive. Firefighters are battling a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades that quickly spread to 200 acres Tuesday and triggered mandatory evacuations amid warnings from weather forecasters of "extreme" wildfire risks. With the blaze...

  • Greenland's PM seems to respond positively to Donald Trump's call for an association with the US.

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 3, 2025

    Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede prime minister delivered a speech that some saw as a positive response to President Trump's offer to purchase Greenland from Denmark, the longtime colonial power. The leader of the 56,000 Greenlanders called for independence from Denmark just after Donald Trump called again to acquire the territory."It is now time to take the next step for our country," Egede said, speaking in English. The national language in Greenland is Inuit...

  • Days After Trump Proposes Buying Greenland, Most of the Population Loses Electrical Power in Outage in Severe Cold Weather

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Dec 29, 2024

    6 am PST on Sunday 12/28/24: Latest update from the national power company in #Greenland 🇬🇱 “Notice to citizens of Nuuk, Nuussuaq and Qinngorput. Nukissiorfiit can now say that the whole town is once again supplied with electricity, water and heat. It may happen that there are minor power outages in parts of the city. We will announce more when we know more about the transmission line from the hydro power station. If anyone should still experience problems with the supply...

  • Santa Cruz Wharf Breaks Apart Monday, Stranding Three Men In High California Surf

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Dec 27, 2024

    Wow. A substantial section of the Santa Cruz Wharf collapsed into the Pacific Ocean on Monday morning, 12/23/24. This during an intense winter storm and high surf conditions. A 150-foot portion of the pier started floating away after the area experienced a large swell, seeing waves of up to 25 feet. A piece of heavy equipment floated on former pier decking, as two men were rescued by harbor patrol riding water scooters. Three city workers fell into the ocean, including two...

  • City of Malibu Issues Emergency Evacuation Order for Carbon Canyon, Due to Brush Fire

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Dec 15, 2024

    Just after midnight on Tuesday morning, the City of Malibu issued an emergency evacuation order for the Franklin Fire. The fire has grown to more than 100 acres. The #FranklinFire in Malibu is spreading rapidly east of Malibu Canyon Rd in the direction of Serra Retreat, which is now under a mandatory evacuation order. The fire is currently located east of Malibu Canyon Road and south of Piuma Road, pushing towards Serra Center. Malibu fires have destroyed homes in the past...

  • Why is the Kia the Most Stolen Car Brand in California?

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Dec 8, 2024

    Santa Monica Police towed away yet another stolen Kia, found abandoned in a Santa Monica alley. The Kia is reportedly the most stolen brand of car, because it's easier to break into and hot wire than other models. Kia of the United States denies that their cars are defectively easy to steal. There have been multiple recent incidents involving stolen Kia vehicles in California, including a high-speed chase in Los Angeles County and a settlement for stolen Kia vehicles:...

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