Larry Elder: A nation divided and a world in turmoil

• March 30, 2023

A happy, upbeat friend does not watch television news, whether national or local, does not read a newspaper and avoids discussing politics, religion or even sports. Self-employed, he found out about something called the coronavirus while driving to work the day the California lockdown mandate began. That morning he encountered no traffic on the normally busy streets of Los Angeles and said, “What’s going on?!” It seems unthinkable that someone in his mid-to-late 30s could erect news blinders, especially when he, like most everyone else, uses a smartphone for personal and business matters. He even maintains a Facebook page to keep up with friends and family.

He does not know that since Joe Biden became president, five million migrants illegally entered the U.S. from over 100 foreign countries, their whereabouts now mostly unknown. Border patrol arrested dozens of border crossers on the terror watch list, with no telling how many entered undetected.

He does not know that America faces a crisis of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid more potent than heroin by as much as a factor of 50, and morphine by as much as a factor of 100, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. China supplies the precursor chemicals and Mexican cartels process, manufacture and bring the fentanyl into the United States. At 64,000 deaths among those aged 18 to 49 in 2021, fentanyl killed more than those who died from COVID-19, cancer and car accidents combined.

He knows nothing about a Donald Trump-hating Manhattan district attorney who might arrest and indict the former president under a legal theory that even The New York Times called “untested.” He does not know about the “weaponization” and collusion of the DOJ and Big Tech social media platforms to attack conservatives, stifle dissent about vaccine and mask mandates and suppress the cost-benefit debate about COVID-19 lockdowns. Among other things, the student learning loss suffered due to virtual versus in-school learning.

He knows nothing about communist China’s growing aggression, its increasing world power and our growing dependence on China for things not made here. We rely on China for vital “rare earth minerals” like lithium, cobalt and nickel — used in cellphones and electric vehicle batteries — that are either mined in China or in places under China’s control. Likely encouraged by Biden’s disastrous pull out of Afghanistan, Russia invaded Ukraine with Chinese support. World peace and freedom are now challenged unlike anything seen since World War II.

He knows nothing about how Iran, the world’s largest sponsor of terror, stands on the brink of making a nuclear bomb.

He knows nothing about how inflation, still at 40-year highs, decreased the value of bank holdings, is a major contributing factor to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and threatens the solvency of several more.

He is oblivious to today’s cancerous “cancel culture” professors, who disagree with reparations, race-based preferences, critical race theory and the DEI agenda, face denunciation by students and fellow faculty and termination by woke school administrators.

He, of course, knows about high gas prices but knows nothing the main contributing factor, Biden’s attack on oil and gas and his imposition of anti-fossil fuel policies and regulations.

Related Articles

My friend has a short drive to work in a fairly safe area and knows little about rising crime, including violent crime, and the soft-on-crime policies of the current Los Angeles County DA. This denunciation of the “systemically racist” police has triggered an upsurge in crime not just in Los Angeles, but in other cities.

California has the country’s highest state income tax, ranks near the bottom in K-12 government schools despite spending over $20k per student, has a budget deficit of $20 billion and an unfunded pension liability at over $1.5 trillion, the highest in the nation. Housing prices at 175% above the national average helped drive a net population loss of 500,000 in the last three years.

My happy friend resembles the chain-smoker who grew tired of reading newspaper articles that linked cigarette smoking to cancer. So, he decided to stop… reading newspapers. Who knows? Maybe my friend has a point.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @larryelder.

​ Orange County Register 

Longtime Garden Grove school board member is running for mayor

• March 30, 2023

Lan Nguyen, a trustee at Garden Grove Unified School District, is running for mayor.

Nguyen, an attorney, wants to bring “renewed energy and optimism to City Hall,” he said.

“I have spent over 30 years fighting for the vulnerable people and advocating for my community,” said Nguyen. “Garden Grove will need a strong voice that speaks for the interest of its residents on a wide range of issues, from economic development to dealing with the need for more affordable housing.”

In the city’s leadership position, Nguyen wants to prioritize funding for public safety, transportation and economic development. He also says he has an understanding of the different demographic groups in Garden Grove, including the low-income immigrant community.

Nguyen was first elected to the school district role in 2002 before winning reelection six times over the years, including in 2022.

“My experience of serving 20 years in the school district will be the best asset this city can have in the election cycle,” Nguyen said. The needs of parents and students in the school district are similar to those of the greater community, Nguyen said, specifically pointing to access to affordable housing.

The 2024 mayoral contest will be an open-seat election to succeed Mayor Steve Jones, who faces term limits. In Garden Grove, the mayor cannot serve four consecutive two-year terms as mayor.

Recently, former Garden Grove councilmember Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen announced her candidacy for the seat as well.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

5 things to know about what may be distracting drivers on the road with you

• March 30, 2023

Travelers Cos. released its annual survey on the leading causes of distracted driving in the face of an alarming reality: more than 46,000 people die in preventable traffic crashes in the United States in 2022.

That’s up 9% from 2020, according to the National Safety Council, when the pandemic tightened its grip.

Chris Hayes, assistant vice president of workers compensation and transportation, risk control at the property-casualty insurance giant, said debate abounds about the role played by the pandemic in the rise in traffic fatalities and why distracted driving is increasing.

One theory gaining traction is that in the early days of the pandemic roadways were relatively deserted as people worked at home. That gave drivers the freedom to take more chances with their vehicles — driving faster and while doing so, using their cell phones for everything from checking Facebook to taking photos and even shopping, Hayes said.

“But a lot of those driving behaviors really haven’t changed,” Hayes said.

The Travelers survey — used to compile the Travelers Risk Index — found that 70% of drivers believe that distracted driving is more of a problem now than it was just a few years ago.

While the cell phone may be the biggest culprit in distracted driving, Hayes said even hands-free devices distract because the motor vehicle operator does not have full attention on the road.

The index, now in its fifth year, was compiled through a national online survey in January of 1,000 consumers in January, ages 18 to 69, about their perceptions and behavior pertaining to distracted driving. Separately, 1,116 executives from businesses of all sizes were surveyed. Both surveys were commissioned by Travelers and conducted by Hart Research.

The national survey found these causes of distraction behind the wheel:

1. Technology

Those responding to the survey said electronic devices were among the leading causes of distraction. Drivers admitted these behaviors while behind the wheel:

• 80% made or received calls.

• 57% used handheld devices.

• 28% posted social media updates.

•  27% took photos or videos.

2. State of Mind

The survey found:

• 75% of drivers said they experienced stress or intense emotions.

• 62% admitted to feeling drowsy.

3. Employer expectations

• 86% of business managers expect employees to respond to work-related communications at least sometimes while outside the office during work hours.

4.  Juggling work and driving

• 30% of business executives said their employees has been involved in crashes while working because they were driving distracted.

• 37% of workers said they have taken work-related calls, texts or emails while driving. When asked why, 44% said there might be a work-related emergency, while 43% said they felt they always needed to be available.

5. A reason to change behavior

The survey found:

• 84% would stop using their phone if a passenger asked.

• 83% would not use their phone if there was a financial reward.

• 82% would put down the phone if there was an insurance discount.

• 81% would reconsider using the phone if there were increased monetary fines.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.

​ Orange County Register 

WrestleMania 39: Bianca Belair prepares for title defense against Asuka

• March 30, 2023

WWE RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will defend her title against Asuka at WrestleMania 39 this weekend at SoFi Stadium. Belair is closing in on a full calendar year as champion after beating Becky Lynch for the title last year at WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium in Texas.

Belair spoke to the Southern California News Group about her time as a college athlete in the SEC (South Carolina, Texas A&M, Tennessee) and how she finds time to make her handmade wrestling gear.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Russell Westbrook leads short-handed Clippers past Grizzlies

• March 30, 2023

By CLAY BAILEY The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Russell Westbrook might not be playing at the league MVP level he did earlier in his career, but he can still carry a team at times.

Westbrook had a season-high 36 points, Robert Covington had a season-best 27 points and the short-handed Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 141-132, on Wednesday night to open a two-game set.

The teams – both playing without several rotation players on Wednesday – will meet again Friday night in Memphis.

Westbrook made five 3-pointers without a miss and added 10 assists. Covington was 9 for 10 from the field, making all seven of his 3-point attempts.

Bones Hyland scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers pulled away in the final seven minutes.

“Just being composed,” Westbrook said about the difference down the stretch. “As a point guard, I was taught the last five or six minutes of the game were very important. Getting stops, getting good shots. We did a good job of executing down the stretch.”

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points and nine assists. Dillon Brooks added 30 points as all five Memphis starters finished in double figures. The Grizzlies had won seven in a row and 12 straight at home.

While the Clippers were already without All-Star Paul George as he recovers from a right knee sprain, two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was a late scratch for personal reasons.

The Grizzlies sat a number of key players on the second night of a back-to-back set. Morant was back after sitting out against Orlando on Tuesday night, but Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones and reserve John Konchar were declared out with various ailments.

The game built in intensity and the teams got into a scrum near midcourt in the third quarter with Brooks and Covington barking at each other. Throughout the game, coaches were yelling at officials, players were mouthing off to each other and the physical play put everybody on edge.

For the Clippers, the 3-point line was a huge benefit. They made 22 of 37 from behind the arc, fueled by Covington and Westbrook making all of their attempts.

“I think this is the first time in my career that I went perfect from the 3-point line,” said Covington, in his 10th season.

The shooting percentage from outside the arc – just under 60% – was well above the Clippers’ season average of 38%.

“Obviously, they made a lot of shots,” said Memphis forward Santi Aldama, who finished with 17 points on 6-of-7 from the field, adding: “The looks we gave them were very easy for the most part. They just got so many free looks.”

The win left the Clippers (41-36) in fifth place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of idle Golden State (40-37). But the way the middle of the conference is jumbled, each game is important.

Related Articles

“It’s going to be tight,” Covington said of the playoff spots. “The West from four through 12 or 13 is like a three-game gap, something like that? So, anything can happen. That’s why these last five or six games for us are very important.”

Clippers: In addition to George and Leonard, Marcus Morris Sr. sat out his second game under the health and safety protocols. … Terance Mann started in Leonard’s spot. … Guard Norman Powell returned after missing 11 games with left shoulder subluxation and scored 13 points.

Grizzlies: Center Steven Adams missed his 30th game with a PCL sprain in his right knee. … Former Clipper Luke Kennard, obtained in a trade-deadline deal, started his 12th game of the season, but his first in a Memphis uniform. He finished with 12 points. … Memphis’ last home loss was on Feb. 5 to Toronto.

Russ finished with 36PTS tonight and caught up with @BSieman & @jimjackson419 @LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/pz7vGAl6M2

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

Ty Lue speaks with the media following the W against the Grizzlies@LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/Y7R1Ul0Clj

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

https://t.co/UtRiLn1tFl pic.twitter.com/cfV2Lst6iw

— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2023

RoCo @LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/YScFHGLy2N

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

What a move@LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/GLrLZhM6sv

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

​ Orange County Register 

Anthony Davis’ big night helps Lakers avenge loss to Bulls

• March 30, 2023

By JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO — LeBron James wants to build up his stamina, and there are a few more little things he is working on.

“I think by the end of the road trip I should be pretty good,” he said.

He certainly looked pretty good Wednesday night and so did teammate Anthony Davis.

Davis had 38 points and 10 rebounds in his hometown and James had 25 points in his return to the starting lineup, leading the Lakers to a 121-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

“I always look forward to coming back home,” Davis said. “Kind of one of the first games I look at when the schedule drops. … It’s always a great feeling coming back, especially getting a win.”

James also had seven rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes in his second game back after he was sidelined for a month because of a torn tendon in his right foot. The four-time league MVP scored 19 points in Sunday’s 118-108 home loss to Chicago in just his second appearance as a reserve in his 20-year NBA career.

“I’m just trusting the work that I’ve been putting in,” James said. “I know I put in a lot of work. I know my body.”

Fighting for playoff position in the tightly packed Western Conference, the Lakers kicked off a five-game trip with their fourth win in five games overall, returning to .500 at 38-38 and sitting in eighth place. They used their league-high 38th starting lineup to get there, with Davis and James joined by D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Reaves had 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting to go with five assists and a memorable “too small” gesture on former teammate Patrick Beverley, while Russell added 17 points in his return after sitting out two games with a sore right hip.

“The No. 1 thing is we have multiple ball handlers,” James said of the latest starting group. “So no one has to feel stressed handling the ball every possession. We got shot-makers in that starting lineup. And we have a lot of length.”

Nikola Vucevic had 29 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Chicago in its second straight loss. DeMar DeRozan (Compton High, USC) scored 22 points, and reserve Coby White had 17 points and nine assists.

The Bulls (36-40) are 10th in the Eastern Conference, clinging to the last spot for the play-in tournament.

“Obviously we didn’t close the (first) half very well. … And in the third quarter, LeBron made some tough shots and then our inability to score with them hurt us,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said.

LaVine’s dunk got Chicago within seven with 56.7 seconds left in the third. But the Lakers quickly pulled away in the final period.

Dennis Schröder’s three-point play made it 97-79 with 8:22 left, capping a 12-3 Lakers run. Davis – who was 13 for 20 from the field – connected on his only 3-point attempt with 6:07 to go, lifting the Lakers to a 105-87 lead.

The Lakers shot 52% (45 for 86) from the field.

“Just wanted to try to put them in some uncomfortable positions with their defense,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said, “and sort of spread the ball around a little bit, not overdose on any one or two actions, but just try to slowly sift through the offense and see what was bringing us the most returns.”

After leading by as many as 17 in the first quarter and then squandering all of it, the Lakers closed the first half with a 10-0 run for a 59-51 lead at the break. James made four foul shots and a driving layup during the spurt.

“We understood the assignment,” James said of the payback win. “Every road trip is huge, but because of our season and the way things have gone, this is the biggest road trip for us in this moment.”

With six games left in the regular season, the Lakers are trying to show they can be a factor in the postseason, and Davis has often been leading the way.

“It all starts with A, man,” Ham said. “Him just playing with force, him not settling, putting pressure on the defense to foul, him just loving and living in the paint.”

Davis is optimistic about what this group can do.

“We’ve got everything we need. It’s just about going out and applying it,” he said after his 16th game this season with 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds. “We can definitely make a run. We’ve got all the right pieces from top to bottom.”

FAIR PLAY

Reaves had a little fun with Beverley in the fourth quarter.

After driving into the lane and making a floater over Beverley with 2:50 left, Reaves lowered his right hand to make the dismissive “too small” gesture players sometimes use to taunt their opponents.

Related Articles

Beverley had done the same thing against James on Sunday.

“It wasn’t something I thought about doing all game,” Reaves said. “But I felt like right time, right situation. Me and Pat (have) a good relationship. I respect him. It’s just me competing.”

TIP-INS

Lakers: Russell started after he was sidelined for the previous two games. He went 7 for 12 from the field. … Led by Davis, the Lakers had a 45-32 rebounding advantage.

Bulls: Center Andre Drummond missed the game because of personal reasons. Drummond posted on Twitter on Tuesday that he was deleting his social media apps to focus on his mental health. … Guard Alex Caruso (left foot soreness) returned to the starting lineup after missing Monday night’s 124-112 loss to the Clippers in L.A. … Vucevic scored Chicago’s first 13 points of the game.

UP NEXT

The Lakers play at Minnesota (39-38) – the team directly in front of them in the standings – on Friday at 5 p.m. PT. The Lakers are 0-2 against the Timberwolves this season.

A dominant performance by AD

38 points
10 rebounds
65% FG

Lakers got the W in Chicago pic.twitter.com/4GF6yTbUti

— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2023

“I always try to come out and perform well and have this moment especially not just for me but for the family as well.” Anthony Davis is looking to take some teams out on the way to the playoffs and more. pic.twitter.com/abRKdMMqdo

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

“We understood the assignment… this is the biggest road trip for us at this moment.” @kingjames speaks about the importance of tonight and the road ahead. pic.twitter.com/02yxoiqvIp

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

Darvin Ham with his takeaways from tonight’s win over the Bulls and how the team is functioning with players returning. pic.twitter.com/inSUivaR6k

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

D’Angelo Russell addresses his hip injury, return, and what it’s like playing with the #Lakers on the floor. pic.twitter.com/WRm93xrbPQ

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

“Right time, right situation… it’s just me competing.” Austin Reaves was just having fun with Pat Bev and more on @SpectrumSN. pic.twitter.com/pY6QpLjJhX

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 30, 2023

​ Orange County Register 

Olivet University target of state attorney general complaint that could shut down Anza campus

• March 30, 2023

Amid a federal investigation into money laundering, labor trafficking and fraud at Olivet University, state Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs that could shutter the Anza-based Christian college.

The complaint, or “accusation” as it is called in official terms, was filed by Bonta on March 17 on behalf of Deborah Cochrane, chief of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. It alleges 14 violations of state education regulations found during unannounced site visits to Olivet’s main campus in Anza and a satellite campus in Mill Valley, near San Francisco, on Nov. 15 and Jan. 31, respectively.

Matthias Gebhardt is the fifth president of Anza-based Olivet University. (Photo by Angel Pena, contributing photographer)

DCA spokesperson Monica Vargas said in an email Wednesday, March 29, that an accusation initiates a hearing to determine whether an institution’s approval to operate should be revoked, suspended, limited or conditioned.

“The approval to operate remains in place pending the outcome of the proceedings,” Vargas said.

Cochrane is asking the Department of Consumer Affairs to either revoke or suspend Olivet’s approval to operate and order the university to pay the BPPE for the costs of its investigation and enforcement of the case, according to the complaint.

Olivet President Matthias Gebhardt did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Investigations

The postsecondary education bureau is a division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, but the Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday did not immediately respond to the question as to why it had filed the accusation on behalf of the BPPE.

Nor did Bonta’s office immediately say whether it was building a criminal or civil case of its own against Olivet in conjunction with a federal investigation of the embattled university that kicked off in 2019 by Homeland Security Investigations in partnership with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and district attorney’s office.

In April 2021, special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and Riverside County sheriff’s and district attorney’s investigators served a search warrant at Olivet. The warrant remains under seal, and the government has not disclosed any additional information since then. The focus of the probe reportedly has been fraud, money laundering and labor trafficking.

In April 2022, a former senior DHS official who was briefed on the case told Newsweek that federal agents were looking for any evidence of “force, fraud or coercion” in relation to international students, primarily ones from China and South Korea.

BPPE Anza visit

During BPPE’ unannounced site visit at Olivet in Anza, investigators were blocked from entering the 1,000-acre campus by an electronic gate, according to the complaint. After unsuccessfully trying to contact someone from the university by telephone, the investigators had to follow another vehicle inside that had accessed the gate, the complaint says.

Once inside, the investigators tracked down Gebhardt, asking first for copies of student files and a copy of a specific class syllabus. Gebhardt requested additional time to compile the student files, but did provide them. He did not, however, provide a copy of the class syllabus during the visits, according to the complaint.

Investigators then observed a microeconomics class underway, noticing that while students were present in class, the instructor was conducting the course via a live stream platform.

Mill Valley visit

At their surprise visit to Olivet’s campus in Mill Valley, BPPE officials requested copies of the faculty list, a campus map, course offerings for the winter 2023 term, a list of enrolled students and the faculty handbook.

Investigators requested to see student performance facts sheets for 2020 and 2021, but they were not readily made available. A staff member told them Gebhardt would provide the information by Feb. 3. But by Feb. 8, the investigators still had not received the information, and again requested the data, which was provided the following day, according to the complaint.

Alleged violations

A senior education specialist for the BPPE ticked off more than a dozen findings from the unannounced campus visits that were noted in the complaint, including:

Faulty records contained expired contracts or did not document which course(s) the faculty member was to instruct.
Insufficient faculty members to support the number of programs offered by the institution.
Insufficient number of faculty to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements.
Insufficient faculty to offer graduate degrees.
Inadequate staffing to produce documents requested in a timely fashion.
Inappropriately merged classes.
Two of three class sessions observed during the Anza site visit in November consisted of professors livestreaming via Zoom to students in the classroom, where a faculty member was not present

Among the 14 violations of the California Code of Regulations alleged in the complaint were insufficient course offerings, misrepresentation of method of instruction, faculty not meeting minimum education requirements, failure to demonstrate possession of sufficient financial resources and insufficient administrative staff.

Additionally, during the BPPE inquiry, Olivet failed to provide documentation of student withdrawal requests or proof of a refund for students listed on the withdrawn student list, according to the complaint.

Accreditation at risk

The latest action by the attorney general and BPPE also could influence Olivet’s accreditation, which already is on shaky ground.

In November, Olivet’s accrediting agency, the Association of Biblical Higher Education, placed the university on warning status through February 2024 for failing to demonstrate “integrity in all of its practices and relationships with strict adherence to ethical standards and its own stated policies.”

The association also criticized Olivet for failing in “honest and open communication” with its accrediting, licensing and governing agencies and compliance with legal and governmental regulations.

Olivet’s failure to resolve the deficiencies could result in action ranging from an extended warning status to withdrawal of its accreditation.

While the ABHE has taken no further action against Olivet since November, a regulation visit is scheduled at the Anza campus April 4 through April 6.

​ Orange County Register 

Woman arrested in connection with elderly mother’s apparent Buena Park homicide

• March 30, 2023

A 66-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the apparent homicide of her elderly mother in Buena Park on Tuesday, police said.

Maria Hernandez, 95, was found dead with “visible traumatic injuries” after authorities responded to a medical aid call in an apartment complex at 7551 Orangethorpe Avenue around 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to a press release from the Buena Park Police Department.

Mercedes Camarena, 66, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder after authorities located evidence of a homicide, the release said. It wasn’t immediately clear who made the call to 911 or who the apartment belonged to.

As of Wednesday evening, Camarena remained in custody at the Orange County Jail, according to jail records. Bail is set at $1 million.

Camarena is due in court Thursday.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register