MAY DAY MELEE

It's all over the news and press these days. The barbarous actions of the LAPD at Tuesday's May Day rally in MacArthur Park. How many of us who live in Los Angeles and have been witness to such behavior are really all that surprised? I'm not. What gets me about all this is the amount of air time being given to news reports about this single incident and the swift response by the city's police chief.Over the past 37 years I have found myself in the midst of protest and peace rallies for a number of wars and countless human rights issues so I know of the intimidation tactics used by LAPD and LA Co Sherrif's Dept. I am also quite aware of provocateurs who infiltrate peaceful gatherings to stir up confrontation taking an opportunist approach to address their own agenda regardless if it has any relevance to the issue at hand. I have been witness to unprovoked uses of force and wonder why it is that I can't find a single news report willing to air the days events even though I saw network news crews on the scene with cameras on and rolling.

No one likes being treated with disregard. The fact that the press found themselves at the receiving end of rubber bullets and/or a clubbing makes a world of difference for how this will all play out. It's all unfortunate and I wish it never took place but if this is what was needed to finally bring the ongoing and ever increasing level of police brutality in Los Angeles to the forefront then sobeit. Let the press not forget Ruben Salazar and how one of their own was taken out on August 29, 1970 at the National Chicano Moratorium March against the Viet Nam War in East Los Angeles.

Let us not forget the fact that Chief Bratton is vying for another term of office which plays a key role in his determination to appease the public and press with his investigations.

100 Mile Limit - continued

Ok, I had full intention on Sunday of driving out to PCH via Wilshire Blvd. but I hit a brick wall at Westwood and could go no further. Well, I didn't psychically hit a wall but it sure felt that way -- actually my car's thermostat reached the 'pushing it' level. To be honest, my tolerance to the heat reached it's peak when I first got into my car to head out in the first place so I really didn't mind calling it quits. Either way it felt good to get out and I was able to relieve myself of the frustrated feeling I was experiencing.

100 Mile Limit

I heard the temps are expected to be in the upper 80s/low 90s here in the city today. It's barely 12:30 in the afternoon and it's already heated up to where I don't like it. I have a feeling it's going to feel more like 100 seeing how it should really be 11:30 a.m. right now had we not gone through an early daylight savings. It's Sunday and I have this incredible urge to get in my car continue driving until it just can't go any further and/or I've had enough of my own back-seat driving.
Sounds like a plan -- doesn't it. Yea, well it would be if I had reliable wheels. You know I can't really complain about my car seeing how I have a tendency to neglect the hell out of it. Never bothered to fix the dented in passenger door since I was sideswiped 9 years ago nor do I remember the last time it had an oil change. All I can say is it runs good enough to get me where I need to go but what happens when I want to go beyond my necessary mileage range? Do I take a risk that I'd wind up stranded on the side of the road or do I preserve whatever life my car has left by limiting it's use for practical purposes?

With the mood I'm in today I have a feeling it's going to be a tough call. Of course I'll have to weigh out all the pros and cons of hitting the road. That's the Libra in me talking. Sometimes I wish it would just shut up and let me be spontaneous. Toss caution into the wind and free myself from that nagging sensibility which more times than not sways my decision making process. What the hell, I have AAA roadside service with a 100 mile limit on towing. Do you have any idea how much I can do within a 100 mile radius? I can head up to Santa Barbara or down to Del Mar. I can hit Vasquez Rocks, Zuma Beach, or Joshua Tree if I want to risk the additional 39.1 miles it takes to get there from here.
What's the alternative? Head home to my little oven of a cottage and it's silent emptiness. It's been a year since my son moved out and 8 months since my dog died so the adjustment to not feeling a sense of responsibility has been a real kick in the ass. I can be gone for weeks on end for whatever it's worth and everything will be the same when I get back. Maybe a bit moldier but that's something I'd have to deal with, right. So what do you think I'll end up doing? As of this moment I'm still undecided but I'm getting ready to leave soon so I'll have to make up my mind one way or another.

To be continued.....