Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ellisonz

ellisonz's Journal
ellisonz's Journal
January 6, 2024

My remarks on the 3rd Anniversary of the January 6, 2021 Insurrection

Three years ago we watched in horror as the predictable outcome of Donald Trump’s truly abhorrent presidency came to its conclusions. Even as the media struggled to grapple with what occurred that day in a way effective enough to produce accountability, it was obvious we wouldn’t just get out of the woods.

The threat that Donald Trump has created in brainwashing tens of millions of Americans by convincing them somehow that there are always two sides the story. There are not.

There was no police riot on January 6, 2021. No rather, the riot was instigated by the former President Donald Trump with deliberation and intent. Faced with the refusal of his own Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the lawful outcome of an American election, Trump choose to threaten the life of his own VP and those opposed to him in the U.S. Congress.

Soon the excuses would begin, led by Mitch McConnell and Kevin McCarthy in the Senate and House of Representatives the temporarily ashamed Republicans began a campaign to distort the facts. Today this is more dangerous than ever. Donald Trump again openly threatens his opponents safety.

So why is Donald Trump still on television? Even on Univision? How does he get air time even as his legal troubles pile-up? They give it to him, they show him speaking. The way to stop Donald Trump is to decide he is not worthy of the nightly news. Otherwise it’s clear that the Republicans led by Trump will again refuse to respect the outcome of the election.

There is a choice to be made by most Americans, who don’t vote, don’t care, or otherwise think even voting much less supporting others is too much effort. Stop the indifference, and force Trump out of our lives.

Best,

Zach

🙏🇺🇸🗳️⚖️

January 5, 2024

Joe Biden with the fighting spirit!

Donald Trump is the worst President in all of American history. His election is among the biggest disappointments of my adult life. Joe Biden may want to beat him at the ballot box, but the time is now for the media and civil society to pull the plug out on his hate machine. This should have never been allowed to happen, we must strengthen our democracy. What happened on January 6 was violent extremism with literal de facto state-backing against our democracy. Trump is a Nazi, and his followers are deluded. Joe Biden is right about that:

January 5, 2024

Scandalism from Los Angeles to the Caribbean - Dirty Secrets of Hunter Biden and Jeffrey Epstein

Part 60: Scandalism from Los Angeles to the Caribbean – Dirty Secrets of Hunter Biden and Jeffrey Epstein
Published January 4, 2024

By Zachary Ellison, Independent Journalist

The funny thing about really good scandals is that they revolve around a whole lot of evidence that in turn refers back like a loop to other scandals. Commonly defined and used it means the “focusing of attention on and publicizing information about scandals.” Obviously Hunter Biden and Jeffrey Epstein aren’t in the same category of conduct, but as far as media coverage, they’re part of the revolving door of scandalism that has plagued American politics since, well, basically after 1776.

The idea that dirt and secrets are part of the political trade is nothing new. As the Los Angeles Times reminded me this morning in their full length story on Hunter Biden and his ally Kevin Morris, there’s a lot that can be said about this art of intrigue in a place like LA! And so Matt Hamilton and Stacy Perman do, and out of the whole piece it’s this gem that caught my eye: “Los Angeles is a city swarming with Democratic boldfaced names eager to shell out millions in support of President Biden. But many here are loath to attach themselves to his only living son” for obvious reasons.

Link: https://zacharyellison.substack.com/p/part-60-scandalism-from-los-angeles


Please support local independent journalism in Los Angeles! Hope you enjoy my story!

Zachary "Obama" Ellison out!


January 5, 2024

Jeffrey Epstein Fixer's Office Burglarized Hours Before Document Dump (Exclusive)

BY MICHELE MCPHEE
28 MINUTES AGO

Sitrick & Company, the global crisis public relations firm who has a client list of the rich and powerful — including Jeffrey Epstein — was burglarized over the New Year's holiday by thieves who looted the company's computer servers just hours before a trove of long-sealed court documents related to the admitted pedophile were released.

Michael Sitrick said his penthouse offices at along with other occupants of the four-story building in Brentwood that bears the company name, was broken into by unknown thieves just as explosive new documents about Epstein's proclivities with underage girls were made public. 

"It didn't cross my mind," Sitrick told Los Angeles magazine over the phone Thursday when asked if he was concerned about the timing of the burglary, just hours before a years-long records fight ended when a judge ordered the release of roughly 900 pages of documents from the 2015 case Giuffre v. Maxwell.

https://lamag.com/crimeinla/jeffrey-epstein-former-fixer-michael-sitrock-office-burglarized


Now that's not weird...seems like some of the fixers are moving ahead of schedule! Los Angeles, you gotta wonder...

January 3, 2024

A New Year's Day Angeles Crest Highway Story - Should the Racetrack Be Saved?

Part 59: A New Year’s Day Angeles Crest Highway Story - Should the Racetrack Be Saved?
January 3, 2024

By Zachary Ellison, Independent Journalist

The Los Angeles Times ran the most beautiful story on Wrightwood on New Year’s Day 2024 by journalist Grace Toohey entitled “Wrightwood youth connect with elderly neighbors facing extreme weather, dangerous loneliness.” The piece described in detail the new Golden Raccoon program launched by Wrightwood Elementary School to keep lonely seniors company including one retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy with some new youthful, lifelong friends.

Wrightwood sits at the eastern end of the Angeles Crest Highway, Highway 2 by the State of California’s numeration under Caltrans. We salute the Golden Raccoon’s and even the housebound retired Sheriff’s deputy, but grandma wasn’t out on the Highway this New Year’s Day along with just about everyone else not at the Rose Parade. The San Gabriel Mountains can indeed by a place of “extreme weather” and “dangerous loneliness” and not only for senior citizens, but also for hikers stranded just as Rene Compean several years ago in a then closed section of the forest.

Link: https://zacharyellison.substack.com/p/part-59-a-new-years-day-angeles-crest


The second part in my new storyline on Angeles Crest Highway and the Angeles National Forest. I'm worth reading!

Zachary "Obama" Ellison out!


January 3, 2024

California's Ban on Cruising Has Been Lifted

California’s Ban on Cruising Has Been Lifted, And Other New Laws L.A. Drivers Should Know
A crush of L.A. car clubs celebrated with a New Year's Day cruise along Whittier Boulevard in East L.A. yesterday, in which over 200 lowriders rallied over the reversal of anti-cruising laws enacted on the first day of 2024.
11:20 AM PST on January 2, 2024

By Hadley Tomicki
The new year came a cavalcade of polished chrome through East Los Angeles.

A crush of L.A. car clubs celebrated with a New Year's Day cruise along Whittier Boulevard yesterday, in which over 200 lowriders rallied over the reversal of anti-cruising laws enacted on the first day of 2024.

NBC reports that those long-signaling "No Cruising" signs are being taken down from their posts in light of last October's passage of CA Assembly Bill 436, making it no longer a crime to pass the same spot within a six-hour period. The signs stem from a 25-year-old law designed to tamp down on nocturnal celebrations on the street and at neighborhood chill shops, as well as California's infamous car culture and the gathering of young lowrider and classic car enthusiasts of color.

The law also removes restrictions on vehicle owners modifying their cars to a specific lower height.

Link: https://lataco.com/california-cruising-law


I think this is an interesting test of whether or not the public can keep order on it's own. Not too long ago there were multiple shootings at unsanctioned events in San Pedro. Hard to capture everything on a complicated issue in a single story or news update.

December 31, 2023

Champions of Angeles Crest Highway - Stories from the Racetrack in the San Gabriel Mountains

Part 58: Champions of Angeles Crest Highway – Stories from the Racetrack in the San Gabriel Mountains
December 31, 2013

By Zachary Ellison, Independent Journalist

Where will I be on the last night of 2023? On Angeles Crest Highway of course, but I won’t be there alone, and the Highway I travel is both the source of consternation to many and as I discovered in interviewing three champions of ACH there are many questions about the future. Earlier this year, Fodor’s Travel magazine put the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument on their “No List 2024” citing “Trash Production” declaring that a “lack of oversight and environmental awareness has led to the deterioration of what should be a natural oasis for Los Angeles County.”

If you ask most people what they think of Angeles Crest, the 66 mile route built from 1929 to 1956 that forms the backbone of the Monument crossing its highest elevation, they will tell you that it is dangerous. The Monument was established in 2014 by President Barack Obama, and has been essentially overlaid over the Angeles National Forest to give additional protections and distinctions, but without any additional funding or transference. Proposals to further expand the designation have faltered, and yet life goes on at a daily basis with people of all types safely accessing its splendor. I’m not sure about an “oasis” but if you ask me it’s a true paradise.

Link: https://zacharyellison.substack.com/p/part-58-champions-of-angeles-crest


Happy New Year DU! Please support local independent journalism. I know all three people I interviewed appreciate this story. Also Fodor's needs to take us off the "No List 2024" c'mon now!

Best,

Zach

Zachary "Obama" Ellison

December 29, 2023

Part 57: Will Pay-To-Play End in Los Angeles in 2024? Dealings of Jose Huizar and Rick Caruso

By Zachary Ellison
December 29, 2023

The walls must be closing in slowly on former Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar these days. As Los Angeles Times journalist reported yesterday evening, the U.S. Attorney’s Office isn’t backing down on their case against José Huizar all the way through sentencing. They have continued to request a 13 year prison sentence even as Huizar pleads for a cool 9 years as part of his plea deal concluded January 20 of this year.

His attorneys had sought to move the upcoming January 26, 2024 date with U.S. District Judge John F. Walter to February. As part of the deal, Huizar once flush with cash from his corruption will pay $1,019,174 in restitution to the city of Los Angeles. That’s no small amount of cash, it’s unclear how Huizar would pay such a fine having not served on City Council since his June 23, 2020 arrest by Federal agents and suspension from that body.

Link: https://zacharyellison.substack.com/p/part-57-will-pay-to-play-end-in-los


How bad do you have to screw up to get RICO'd? Read this and find out. Not about Donald Trump?

Zachary "Obama" Ellison out!

December 29, 2023

Prosecutors seek 13-year prison sentence for former L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar

BY DAKOTA SMITH
STAFF WRITER
DEC. 28, 2023 5:28 PM PT

Federal prosecutors are seeking a 13-year prison sentence for former Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar for his role in an expansive bribery scheme, according to court documents filed Thursday.

After a years-long federal investigation, Huizar pleaded guilty in January to charges of racketeering and tax evasion, admitting that he extorted at least $1.5 million from real estate developers.

Huizar is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 26 by U.S. District Judge John F. Walter.

Ahead of the sentencing, the government filed documents Thursday asking the court to sentence Huizar to 13 years and to order him to pay $1,019,174 in restitution to the city of Los Angeles.

Link: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-12-28/prosecutors-seek-13-year-prison-sentence-for-former-city-councilman-jose-huizar


Bet a lot of people around here wish Donald Trump would get a prison sentence like that! But nope, it's Sleazy Huizy taking the hit.

December 25, 2023

Merry Christmas DU!

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Holiday!

Cheers,

Zach

Profile Information

Name: Zachary Ellison
Gender: Male
Hometown: Los Angeles
Home country: United States of America
Current location: Los Angeles
Member since: Tue Oct 4, 2005, 03:58 AM
Number of posts: 27,711

About ellisonz

Zachary Ellison is an Independent Journalist and Whistleblower in the Los Angeles area. Zach was most recently employed by the University of Southern California, Office of the Provost from October 2015 to August 2022 as an Executive Secretary and Administrative Assistant supporting the Vice Provost for Academic Operations and the Vice Provost and Senior Advisor to the Provost among others. Zach holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Policy and Planning from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. While a student at USC, he worked for the USC Good Neighbors Campaign including on their newsletter distributed university wide. Zach completed his B.A. in History at Reed College, in Portland, Oregon and was a writer, editor, and photographer for the Pasadena High School Chronicle. He was Barack Obama’s one-millionth online campaign contributor in 2008. Zach is a former AmeriCorps intern for Hawaii State Parks and worked for the City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation. He is a trained civil process server, and enjoys weekends in the great outdoors. Find me on: https://zacharyellison.substack.com/
Latest Discussions»ellisonz's Journal