Port Chair Attacks Port — Again
Once again, James Preston Allen, the Chair of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council’s Port Committee, is attacking the Port in his for-profit tabloid and pandering in his Labor Day issue. “Building a Stronger Economy: The Ports’ Neglected Role,”
Sept. 1 - 14, 2022).
This is neither leadership nor diplomacy. The Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council will never be respected by the Port of Los Angeles as long as its Port Committee Chair is James Allen, aided by his accomplice and Vice Chair Frank Anderson.
On the opposite page, you’ll also notice Mr. Allen publishing a full-page attack ad against our likely next city council member. Again, this is neither leadership nor diplomacy. James is just burning bridges for fun and profit.
Louis P. Caravella Recently deposed president of Central San Pedro Neighborhood
Council
Clarification
Santich Responds
I would welcome a conversation on how I came to my endorsement of Danielle Sandoval for City Council.
I understand you characterized my article as an “attack ad,” which is puzzling since I outlined how I came to my decision. The article (based on facts, research, debates and discussions with both Tim and Danielle) is simply my opinion and my recommendation. I don’t know what your conflict is with James Preston Allen, but misrepresenting my endorsement of Sandoval seems like an ineffective way to make a point.
Anyway, I am willing to further discuss Tim, Danielle, POLA or any of the district issues I’m involved with.
Anthony Santich San Pedro
To the readers and stakeholders,
Regarding the above attempt by Mr. Caravella to once again slander my work both at this publication and in the community, the now deposed ex-president of the Central San Pedro Neighborhood Council continues on his rampage of rants not unlike Donald Trump. Has he been infected by the same virus that spread nationwide or is this a manufacture of his own delusions? It’s difficult to tell. What I can tell you is that democracies both large and small are threatened by such persons and it is wise to be vigilant against all those who accuse others for that which they themselves are guilty of.
James Preston Allen, Publisher
Of Power and Speed
A friend of mine from back east just asked me, “How are we going to combat and deal with all this violence and lawlessness.” He was referring to last week’s television coverage of a large flashmob ransacking and vandalizing a Los Angeles 7-Eleven store after an illegal street takeover.
Recently, the brand new 6th Street Bridge in LA, became a hotspot for illegal street takeovers one week after its grand opening! The point here should Television coverage of violence share responsibility for encourage more of the same. Watching a mob break into a store on TV can be an addictive motivator for a person with a propensity for violence to steal and destroy property and get away with it.
“In 2014, California adopted Proposition 47, which made thefts of $950 or less a misdemeanor. Once people realized that they were unlikely to be arrested or prosecuted for stealing below $1,000, they, of course, responded to the incentive. For their part, the stores advise employees not to interfere with shoplifters lest they get hurt.” — LA County County Public Defender’s office
The same holds true for a recent TV car commercial, “Highway 93.” The spot highlightsDodge cars racing on public roads, with the announcer noting “smoking tires, the s-curves” drifting car with tons of white tire smoke billowing out from behind it. Today, it’s hard to miss the tell-tale circular black-tire marks of a car spinning “donuts” in residential intersections. The current attraction of the Fast and Furious movie series (7) reinforces the appeal of driving fastcars on streets and highways. But is the following TV ad a case of the tail wagging the Dodge?
The Dodge Demon comes with a 6.2L HEMI V8 engine that has a supercharger on it.This massive engine can produce 808 horsepower and 717 pound-feet of torque. This is a modified version of the same engine that you can find across the Hellcat line including the Challenger and Charger. (2022) www.vehiclehistory.com
Here in Los Angeles, local TV station are often interrupted with live coverage of police and CHP car chases of alleged law breakers. TV executives must believe this dangerous activity is good for ratings because they direct their station helicopters to follow the action. With the never-ending miles of roads and highways in Los Angeles, these chases can and often do go on for hours. Recently, I watched a car chase that ended in a shootout with police with the driver being shot and killed — on live TV!
Admittedly streettakeovers, car chases, and flashmob theft make for captivating TV, but my question is, does this kind of live “news” coverage inspire others to do these crazy and dangerous things? The American Psychological Association points out that this (kind) of ‘fame’ is something that many mass shooters desire, often inspiring copycat shootings where a copycat tries to kill more people than their predecessor.
TV sports networks long ago decided to stop airing baseball fans running onto the field of play, to discourage others from seeking the same attention. That baites the question; when does freedom of speech as a right, including not only the content but also the means of expression, trespass on the rights of a business owner or the safety of a society? This is a difficult moral question that baffles free societies like the U.S. But, when the scale of justice leans heavily towards dangerous and illegal activity, then I feel that scale needs to be recalibrated.
Mike Ryan Former CBS, CNN and Public Radio journalist, Pasadena