Joe Mathews

How Dare You Call Californians Flaky?

Sure, We’ll Bail On You Without Warning. That’s Because We’re Too Busy Supporting You.

As a rule, Californians shouldn’t have too many East Coast friends, and we should never listen too closely to the ones we do have. East Coasters know little about California but fancy they know a lot. In their eyes, we are sun-bathing, Kardashian-marrying airheads. Above all—and this slur has been popular for almost 50 years—we are flakes.

We all know this is nonsense. Most of us have only dated a Kardashian. But strictly between you and me and the other 38 million of us, let’s admit that, when it comes to …

by Joe Mathews |

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My 2013 High School Commencement Speech

Dear Graduating Class, You’ve Already Survived California’s Gutted Schools. Here’s How You Can Thrive In California’s Post-Dream Economy.

by Joe Mathews |

To the distinguished California Public High School Class of 2013.

I’m sorry James Franco canceled at the last minute. I’m even sorrier that you wound up getting me as your substitute …

But Can Our Governor Handle a Mule?

Political Debate Is Dead. So Let’s Put Our Candidates to Some Truly Californian Tests.

by Joe Mathews |

Last week, I watched a Zócalo/KCRW debate between Los Angeles mayoral candidates Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, and a clear winner emerged: Warren Olney, the moderator. I’m not saying that …

I Hope the Kochs Buy the Times

L.A. Is Terrified Its Main Paper Will Be Owned By Rightwing Zealots. I’m Not Bothered—and Here’s Why.

by Joe Mathews |

As you read this, I am surely reading e-mails from my former Los Angeles Times colleagues angry about the following sentence:

I’m rooting for the Koch brothers to buy the L.A. …

Californians, Please Visit Your Water

Any Water Plan For California Made Behind Closed Doors Without On-Ground Inspection Won’t Work. Here’s What Will.

by Joe Mathews |

There’s consensus that California needs a big new deal to govern water. There’s no consensus on what should be in it. Habitat restoration? Rebuilt levees to withstand earthquakes? Or new …

Ask Not What You Can Do For Your Veterans

Ask How We Can Get More of Them To California

by Joe Mathews |

Should California recruit more military veterans to move here?

If that question seems ridiculous, it’s only because we have some mistaken ideas about both California and veterans.

The first common but incorrect …


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