Posted on 07/18/2011 8:15:32 PM PDT by doug from upland
Downtown Los Angeles boasts some big-city perks like spacious lofts and trendy restaurants, but living there is a different kind of beast.
By Mike Armstrong
July 17, 2011 "Look, Daddy, that man's going to the bathroom!"
No, not the words any daddy wants to hear from his 10-year-old daughter, especially during a stroll through their brand-new neighborhood.
Moving my wife and kids into a downtown Los Angeles loft may not win me "Dumbest Dad of the Year" honors, but it should at least get me into the quarterfinals. The loft itself was great. More like a movie set than an apartment. High ceilings, new appliances, breathtaking views and a deck with a Jacuzzi that was used at least once every six months during our year there. It wasn't what was inside the building that broke the deal; it was what was out there on the mean and strange streets of downtown Los Angeles.
Why we moved there is academic. More space for less money, a new environment, cool restaurants and various other meaningless enticements. I got sucked in; I was wrong, and I admit it. I've apologized to everybody involved, and I will continue to do so until I am either dead or forgiven. In the meantime, let me tell you about my downtown L.A.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
That's what concealed handguns are for.
There was a crack "hole" in the empty parking lot next door, underneath where they had torn down a building, from my loft you could watch people go into the old basement / hole and smoke up. You could watch the dealers all day long. You could watch the hookers and listen to them fight with their pimps. One time I was out walking on Main St. in daylight hours and there was a cop walking on the street and I said "Hey, do you guys know about his crack hole over here, where all the crack heads smoke crack all day long? Why don't you send someone over and arrest them? He said: "yeah, we know. We will". Eventually they did.
I had a fun time there, it was weird and art infested and I made some great friends, but we all grew up and left.
I was in my late 20s. I carried a Smith and Wesson 9mm with me at all times. I never shot anyone, but I pulled it with the intention after being followed by some black parasite for a few blocks. I pulled it out of my pocket, turned around and drew down right in his ugly face: "get the f*ck away from me or die". He got.
The parasites all knew each other. Word spread. I was left alone. I'd walk down the streets and the cretins would say "Five Oh, Five Oh" ie: he's a cop. Pretty much any large white man with a gun walking there was a cop from their point of view. The bartender at my favorite watering hole was in the same position. The cops new we carried and didn't give a damn. People hate on the LAPD, but at least in the 1980s they were quite reasonable for productive humans.
Friends were mugged in broad daylight. Large men. It was no place for woman, ever.
I took my kids back, at noon on a Saturday to walk around. They are grown now. It was worse, more horrible, a deeper level of Dante's inferno. The stench of excrement was overwhelming in some areas, so was the physical presence of it on the sidewalks. Absolutely disgusitng.
Hopefully that line from a movie happens: "Some day a real rains gonna come and wash all the scum from the streets".
Failing that, a neutron bomb would do wonders.
Incidently, you fell for one of the biggest lies promulgated by the left that Reagan closed the California mental hospitals, when in fact it was signed into law by Governor Pat Brown (D) in Assembly Bill 691.
Deputy Chief? I've been through Gun Barrel City, he'd be chief and he'd be bored out of his gourd. Now maybe Sheriff of Bexar County would interest him. Enough crime to keep life interesting, but his employers, the people of the county, would expect him to come down on the criminals like.. well.. like Joe Friday.
Why not chief of the city of San Antonio you say? Well city police chiefs are appointed by Liberal politicians.. or city managers that answer to the politicos, while sheriffs are elected directly by the people. 'nuff said
While it may not be your cup of tea, at least it was music and not screeching. You could understand the words. The message was simple, and generally sweet. The "B" word was not to be found, nor the F bomb.
Muskrat Love Forever! :) (Actually I prefer a little older stuff, like the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, or Chuck Berry)
My family too has made the mistake of renting a “great place” in a lousy neighborhood.
Never again.
Before Disco... music was pretty good.... BD....
This father seems like the typical clueless, shallow liberal. Moving his family to the inner city so that they can experience “multiculturalism” first hand. Trendy loft, “cool” restaurants...street people! Hey, stepping over used condoms and hypodermic needles to get to the Starbucks is cool! Of course, the novelty wears off quick and when the lease is up, he’s back to some upscale suburb where he can talk about multiculturalism but not have to live it anymore.
He found a nice girl and settled down; didn’t want to deal with all the political crap that comes with being chief and San Antonio reminded him too much of San Diego.
DISCO DEMOLITION!
Doesn’t matter is Reagan did it or Brown did it. It was 40+ years ago. They could have been reopened. And should be reopened but State legislators have their priorities ass backward.
Hehe. In LA I bet having one of those on your car is a good way to get it keyed ... or worse.
Heck, from the sounds of this place, I'd be happy with Sledge Hammer.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing."
Ok guys....Tommy’s on the corner of Rampart and Beverly.
2am Sunday night and you were 7th in line. Burger covered
with Chile and sodas on the honor system...
You’re very much mistaken.
Reagan signed the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) in 1967, which banned forced medication or extended hospital stays without a judge’s order. He also defunded the entire system so they were forced to shut down.
“Doesn’t matter is Reagan did it or Brown did it. It was 40+ years ago. They could have been reopened.”
Agreed.
I love it when liberals dismiss all the horrors of living in a downtown, crime-ridden environment because of some great ethnic restaurants. Yeah, it’s really worth it to have your family’s and your life put in danger because of ethnic foods. I swear, I’ve heard that explanation more than once reading accounts of people living in dangerous, urban areas. “Oh, there was a murder every other minute, but the boiled goat souffle at the Uzbek restaurant was so great, I couldn’t turn down living there.”
Tom: (singing) Back in the funky 70s--ow!
the party didn't ever stop--ow!
The city of Pompeii was doing all right
but Vesuvius blew her top.
Crow: (spoken, baffled) Huh?
Tom: (still singing) Wowow! Back in the super bad 70s
the Roman Empire still reigned supreme.
Emperor Titus came to power
and he finished up the Colosseum.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.