While constructing a salmon pie in anticipation of my husband coming in from the barely melting fields here in northern Sweden I was simultaneously being revolted at the videos and carnage of the immigrant riots in L.A. I asked myself again how the residents of that State can continually countenance the behaviors of their leaders.
Just then a ding sounded and it was the weekly email from my brother in Utah. He and his wife teach a Sunday School class of 6 year olds each week, one member of which is a frail , semi-silent girl whose family made it to Cache Valley after a 12 year stint in a Zimbabwe refuge camp. She was born during that time. At the end of the class period my brother asked the little one if she woud like to give the closing prayer, offering that his wife would help her if she would like.
That child stood up immediately, walked to the front of the class (nowhere near his wife), folded her hands with the fingers pointed towards heaven and in a clear and resonant voice recited the Pledge of Allegiance! Isn´t it interesting (and reassuring) that a six year old whose family is in America legally, after years of incredible hardship has a deeper grasp of the deep connection to meaning and virtue of this country than those flame throwing freaks in downtown Los Angeles? We think so.
You and Schellenberger say it all here. Thank goodness for California, video cameras, and X. An eye to the future for us if we don't fight like hell at the ballot box.
That pretty much sums it up, Roger, the Dems are simply doing what Dems do, destroying anything and everything while building nothing. With those foreign flags flying, Trump’s contention that we are being invaded is solidified, so deport, deport, deport.
My wife and I were in Napa Valley on election night, 2016, and thrilled with each win announced in state by state. After dinner, we went to the bar in our hotel to unwind and continue to glee with each win announced. However, it did not take long for us to figure out we were alone in our joy - there was actually a couple at the other end of the bar crying! So, we got a bottle of wine and went to our room. In our room we could dance to the election news, and we did.
The real action started the next morning as we were checking out. After checking out and on the curb waiting for our rental car to be brought to us, police cars came flying down the road to block some side streets. Following was a parade of high school students protesting the election. I was, and wasn’t, surprised by the vulgarity demonstrated by the protesters! Included in the protests were dozens of cars - generally BMW’S, Mercedes, or American sports cars, with kids shouting out of the windows while waving Mexican flags! How ironic that these kids must be of Mexican origin, yet moved to the US, only to celebrate, protest an American election by shouting vulgarities while flying a foreign flag. All I could think of is I would be willing to pay the gas for them to simply jump on the highway and head south back home where they seem to want to be. BTW, our illustrious hotel literally closed, AND LOCKED, the door behind us while this all played out! My wife was quite frightened as several hundred of these protesters fold by screaming and gesturing to/at anyone within their line of sight. Note we have not frequented that hotel chain since and I was Platinum level with them at the time. Luckily, neither us or our rental car was harmed and we left to head to the north where it is not so insane; albeit an hour later than planned. But, we still had a huge smile on our faces as we basked in the glory of the win!
Too bad California has turned into a wasteland as it really is a beautiful state with much to offer. Unfortunately, I have serious doubts that it will survive the Democratic Party.
After living in Southern California for 30 years, I left in 2022, no longer able to stomach the “progressive “ madness, especially the tyrannical BS Newsollini and the congress were illegally forcing upon citizens. And police ordered to stand down or keep away from the BLM riots was beyond my tolerance capacity.
I miss the weather, and some friends who stay there despite hating what has become of the state.
After watching (from afar) how the unconscionably bad CA government did nothing to prevent the latest round of entirely predictable fires from decimating beautiful Palisades and portions of Malibu, I don’t even want to return there to visit.
Thank you Roger, as always, for your insight with clear examples of the problems. I am grateful for your perspective, as a former CA resident. Hopefully enough people who love the state will stand up and get it on track...but I must say I am skeptical. I am just grateful to live in the free state of Florida. Keep it up please, we need your voice.
I too left California after living there for almost 30 years. I never dreamed I would ever leave but it came to a point where we had to go. I loved California, there was a time when L.A. was the place, but no more. I don't see it changing in my lifetime.
“They only care about their own power and money”. Indeed, this is often the root of human problems - the quest for power and money 💰💰💰. The problem in California is the one party rule where those impulses are unchecked by an opposing party. The long term upshot of this has manifested itself in today’s California, where open borders, boys playing girls’ sports, DEI, transgender surgery for minors, etc have all taken root. Most normal people find this repulsive 🤮 and many, like you, choose to leave.
The riots/protests re immigration are a natural progression now that there is national pressure, via Trump, to end the madness. We will see the self proclaimed Dem elites continue to support the madness from the safety of their perch over the masses they enjoy controlling. Fortunately for the US, the Trump is running full speed and will turn these miscreants into bugs on the bumper of the Trump Train 🚂!
I haven’t been to California since 1963 and for the last 20 years have refused to do anything that involves of trip there because I will NOT leave any of my money there for them to waste. The place is rapidly turning into a Third World Country. WHY do they keep voting for the people who are destroying their lives? I’m baffled.
Not all do vote--but the ones whose candidates lose are outnumbered.
Also, a lot if this is orchestrated outside of the ballot box, by enabling churches, agencies, employers, school districts, and citizens who benefit from a Third World peasant clsss, or who will at least not bestir themselves to ensure that following our laws is the norm and that citizenship & permanent residency are precious.
Not all do vote--but the ones whose candidates lose are outnumbered.
Also, a lot if this is orchestrated outside of the ballot box, by enabling churches, agencies, employers, school districts, and citizens who benefit from a Third World peasant clsss, or who will at least not bestir themselves to ensure that following our laws is the norm and that citizenship & permanent residency are precious.
Not all do vote--but the ones whose candidates lose are outnumbered.
Also, a lot if this is orchestrated outside of the ballot box, by enabling churches, agencies, employers, school districts, and citizens who benefit from a Third World peasant clsss, or who will at least not bestir themselves to ensure that following our laws is the norm and that citizenship & permanent residency are precious.
Me too, Simon & I am a 5th generation Californian that loves my native state but not the infestation that has occurred that you describe so well. I am reminded of Victor Hanson's book Mexifornia, the multiple Watts Riots, the imposed bankruptcy of major utilities & the abuse of the beautiful countryside and its resources as indicators.
I hope Gavin and the peeps follow through on their threat to secede. "We are taking Silicon Valley with us" they said. I have news for them. No one "migrates" or tries to cross a border into a Marxist country. Otherwise, China would be overflowing. So would have East Germany.
I know. I was 49 when I moved to the mid west. I am 69 now and I breathe in a sigh of fresh air often. It is heartbreaking. I do not really want to live here. I am a fish out of water and I miss my Pacific Ocean (as it was in the '60's and '70's).
You have again “nailed” the issues. I would add a few more observations since I didn’t have the courage, like yourself, to leave California in the 1980s when the rot began to really surface.
Those 20 to 30-year-olds who protested the Vietnam war in the 1960s and 1970s, some with valid reasons and others who thought protests were cool, became anti-establishment and anti-common sense. Everything Ronald Reagan did as governor and later as the US president was wrong and bad. As many of those protesters aged, and prospered, they became disengaged from reality. They no longer used public transportation. They no longer strolled the streets of their city, especially at night. Their children no longer attended public schools. They unwittingly ignored what California was becoming.
So, at what time in a mature Californian’s life should that individual take a hard look at what’s wrong with their state government? When shoplifting doesn’t become a crime? When their home burns to the ground because of the negligence of their mayor? When the Democratic state legislators propose eliminating felony charges for someone who solicits sex with a 16-year-old? When the governor spends $15 billion on the train to nowhere (really Madera to Bakersfield, CA). When Oakland high school students are paid $50 on Friday if they’ve showed up every day for the past week?
Has everything the Republicans proposed or legislated in the last forty years been idyllic? No. But look at where we are now.
Change is hard. Admitting that your state is not what it used to be is even harder. I hope Californians will see the light, but I’m not holding my breath.
I just wanted to correct one thing in today’s opinion piece: Please don’t refer to these lawbreaking criminals as “protesters” or “demonstrators.” They are rioting, criminal thugs who need to be punished for their crimes. The fear loving democrat “leadership” who condone this lawlessness need to be punished for the assistance they give to this kind of behavior. Choosing the correct words matters in this case.
The full force of global communism is on display in LA. This is a true insurrection. They have a long term plan to destroy our country. I recommend this book: "How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World." Written by journalists from the Epoch Times. It is political revolution, enabled by cultural revolution, and ultimately manifesting as violent revolution. I believe it will get worse before it gets better, and we all need to start calling it what it is if we have a chance of beating it back.
While constructing a salmon pie in anticipation of my husband coming in from the barely melting fields here in northern Sweden I was simultaneously being revolted at the videos and carnage of the immigrant riots in L.A. I asked myself again how the residents of that State can continually countenance the behaviors of their leaders.
Just then a ding sounded and it was the weekly email from my brother in Utah. He and his wife teach a Sunday School class of 6 year olds each week, one member of which is a frail , semi-silent girl whose family made it to Cache Valley after a 12 year stint in a Zimbabwe refuge camp. She was born during that time. At the end of the class period my brother asked the little one if she woud like to give the closing prayer, offering that his wife would help her if she would like.
That child stood up immediately, walked to the front of the class (nowhere near his wife), folded her hands with the fingers pointed towards heaven and in a clear and resonant voice recited the Pledge of Allegiance! Isn´t it interesting (and reassuring) that a six year old whose family is in America legally, after years of incredible hardship has a deeper grasp of the deep connection to meaning and virtue of this country than those flame throwing freaks in downtown Los Angeles? We think so.
Perfectly written with superior proof! G-d bless that 6 year old and her family for reminding us all how great our country can be.
LOVE this story -- THANK YOU!
Fantastic!! Thank you 😊
I’d gladly trade some immigrants for our own unhappy campers. Look at what our cities have become; is this the Dem template for America?!
It's about power over taxpayers, as Roger points out.
You and Schellenberger say it all here. Thank goodness for California, video cameras, and X. An eye to the future for us if we don't fight like hell at the ballot box.
That pretty much sums it up, Roger, the Dems are simply doing what Dems do, destroying anything and everything while building nothing. With those foreign flags flying, Trump’s contention that we are being invaded is solidified, so deport, deport, deport.
My wife and I were in Napa Valley on election night, 2016, and thrilled with each win announced in state by state. After dinner, we went to the bar in our hotel to unwind and continue to glee with each win announced. However, it did not take long for us to figure out we were alone in our joy - there was actually a couple at the other end of the bar crying! So, we got a bottle of wine and went to our room. In our room we could dance to the election news, and we did.
The real action started the next morning as we were checking out. After checking out and on the curb waiting for our rental car to be brought to us, police cars came flying down the road to block some side streets. Following was a parade of high school students protesting the election. I was, and wasn’t, surprised by the vulgarity demonstrated by the protesters! Included in the protests were dozens of cars - generally BMW’S, Mercedes, or American sports cars, with kids shouting out of the windows while waving Mexican flags! How ironic that these kids must be of Mexican origin, yet moved to the US, only to celebrate, protest an American election by shouting vulgarities while flying a foreign flag. All I could think of is I would be willing to pay the gas for them to simply jump on the highway and head south back home where they seem to want to be. BTW, our illustrious hotel literally closed, AND LOCKED, the door behind us while this all played out! My wife was quite frightened as several hundred of these protesters fold by screaming and gesturing to/at anyone within their line of sight. Note we have not frequented that hotel chain since and I was Platinum level with them at the time. Luckily, neither us or our rental car was harmed and we left to head to the north where it is not so insane; albeit an hour later than planned. But, we still had a huge smile on our faces as we basked in the glory of the win!
Too bad California has turned into a wasteland as it really is a beautiful state with much to offer. Unfortunately, I have serious doubts that it will survive the Democratic Party.
After living in Southern California for 30 years, I left in 2022, no longer able to stomach the “progressive “ madness, especially the tyrannical BS Newsollini and the congress were illegally forcing upon citizens. And police ordered to stand down or keep away from the BLM riots was beyond my tolerance capacity.
I miss the weather, and some friends who stay there despite hating what has become of the state.
After watching (from afar) how the unconscionably bad CA government did nothing to prevent the latest round of entirely predictable fires from decimating beautiful Palisades and portions of Malibu, I don’t even want to return there to visit.
Thank you Roger, as always, for your insight with clear examples of the problems. I am grateful for your perspective, as a former CA resident. Hopefully enough people who love the state will stand up and get it on track...but I must say I am skeptical. I am just grateful to live in the free state of Florida. Keep it up please, we need your voice.
Agreed. This is one of Roger's best columns.
I too left California after living there for almost 30 years. I never dreamed I would ever leave but it came to a point where we had to go. I loved California, there was a time when L.A. was the place, but no more. I don't see it changing in my lifetime.
“They only care about their own power and money”. Indeed, this is often the root of human problems - the quest for power and money 💰💰💰. The problem in California is the one party rule where those impulses are unchecked by an opposing party. The long term upshot of this has manifested itself in today’s California, where open borders, boys playing girls’ sports, DEI, transgender surgery for minors, etc have all taken root. Most normal people find this repulsive 🤮 and many, like you, choose to leave.
The riots/protests re immigration are a natural progression now that there is national pressure, via Trump, to end the madness. We will see the self proclaimed Dem elites continue to support the madness from the safety of their perch over the masses they enjoy controlling. Fortunately for the US, the Trump is running full speed and will turn these miscreants into bugs on the bumper of the Trump Train 🚂!
I haven’t been to California since 1963 and for the last 20 years have refused to do anything that involves of trip there because I will NOT leave any of my money there for them to waste. The place is rapidly turning into a Third World Country. WHY do they keep voting for the people who are destroying their lives? I’m baffled.
Not all do vote--but the ones whose candidates lose are outnumbered.
Also, a lot if this is orchestrated outside of the ballot box, by enabling churches, agencies, employers, school districts, and citizens who benefit from a Third World peasant clsss, or who will at least not bestir themselves to ensure that following our laws is the norm and that citizenship & permanent residency are precious.
Not "turning into," has become.
Not all do vote--but the ones whose candidates lose are outnumbered.
Also, a lot if this is orchestrated outside of the ballot box, by enabling churches, agencies, employers, school districts, and citizens who benefit from a Third World peasant clsss, or who will at least not bestir themselves to ensure that following our laws is the norm and that citizenship & permanent residency are precious.
Not all do vote--but the ones whose candidates lose are outnumbered.
Also, a lot if this is orchestrated outside of the ballot box, by enabling churches, agencies, employers, school districts, and citizens who benefit from a Third World peasant clsss, or who will at least not bestir themselves to ensure that following our laws is the norm and that citizenship & permanent residency are precious.
Me too, Simon & I am a 5th generation Californian that loves my native state but not the infestation that has occurred that you describe so well. I am reminded of Victor Hanson's book Mexifornia, the multiple Watts Riots, the imposed bankruptcy of major utilities & the abuse of the beautiful countryside and its resources as indicators.
I hope Gavin and the peeps follow through on their threat to secede. "We are taking Silicon Valley with us" they said. I have news for them. No one "migrates" or tries to cross a border into a Marxist country. Otherwise, China would be overflowing. So would have East Germany.
Thank God you left, Roger!
So glad to have you I u and Sheryl here in Middle TN!
I know. I was 49 when I moved to the mid west. I am 69 now and I breathe in a sigh of fresh air often. It is heartbreaking. I do not really want to live here. I am a fish out of water and I miss my Pacific Ocean (as it was in the '60's and '70's).
You have again “nailed” the issues. I would add a few more observations since I didn’t have the courage, like yourself, to leave California in the 1980s when the rot began to really surface.
Those 20 to 30-year-olds who protested the Vietnam war in the 1960s and 1970s, some with valid reasons and others who thought protests were cool, became anti-establishment and anti-common sense. Everything Ronald Reagan did as governor and later as the US president was wrong and bad. As many of those protesters aged, and prospered, they became disengaged from reality. They no longer used public transportation. They no longer strolled the streets of their city, especially at night. Their children no longer attended public schools. They unwittingly ignored what California was becoming.
So, at what time in a mature Californian’s life should that individual take a hard look at what’s wrong with their state government? When shoplifting doesn’t become a crime? When their home burns to the ground because of the negligence of their mayor? When the Democratic state legislators propose eliminating felony charges for someone who solicits sex with a 16-year-old? When the governor spends $15 billion on the train to nowhere (really Madera to Bakersfield, CA). When Oakland high school students are paid $50 on Friday if they’ve showed up every day for the past week?
Has everything the Republicans proposed or legislated in the last forty years been idyllic? No. But look at where we are now.
Change is hard. Admitting that your state is not what it used to be is even harder. I hope Californians will see the light, but I’m not holding my breath.
What a shame...a beautiful area run by fools!
I just wanted to correct one thing in today’s opinion piece: Please don’t refer to these lawbreaking criminals as “protesters” or “demonstrators.” They are rioting, criminal thugs who need to be punished for their crimes. The fear loving democrat “leadership” who condone this lawlessness need to be punished for the assistance they give to this kind of behavior. Choosing the correct words matters in this case.
The full force of global communism is on display in LA. This is a true insurrection. They have a long term plan to destroy our country. I recommend this book: "How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World." Written by journalists from the Epoch Times. It is political revolution, enabled by cultural revolution, and ultimately manifesting as violent revolution. I believe it will get worse before it gets better, and we all need to start calling it what it is if we have a chance of beating it back.