Phil Shuman

The (Very) Few, the Proud

Published on November 13, 2003

Drew Ullman, age 20, after two years at college in Santa Barbara, had announced that was putting college life on hold and would join the Marines. He heads to boot camp in January, and said he wishes he could go sooner. His father, a former anti-war activist and full-fledged liberal, said at one time he would have talked his son out of it. Now he realizes he couldn't be prouder.

"My father and I have similar thinking," said Drew, who grew up in Beverly Hills and the West Valley, "what we call our 9-10 and our 9-12 thinking. I feel like I owe a lot to this country, more so than someone who needs to go into the military as a way out. I grew up with money, with a great education, had a lot of advantages that other kids don't have, so I really owe a lot to this country."

Lack of Radio Link Raises Deadly Peril

Published on February 20, 2003

It's 6 p.m. on a busy Friday night at Fire Station No. 9 in downtown Los Angeles. When the alarm rings, a truck races out the doors to a hotel fire. Before the engine pulls up to the burning building, city Fire Capt. Carlos Calvio keys the mike on a two-way radio and quickly checks in with the Police Department, which also has sent officers to the location.

It’s a Full Plate in Nourishing the Sick

Published on January 9, 2003

Bob S. insists that his mother back in Virginia made the best chicken soup ever, but he's willing to admit the homemade version delivered to his Van Nuys apartment is a close second.

The delivery is part of the mission of Project Chicken Soup, an all-volunteer group that cooks, packages and personally delivers kosher meals twice a month to patients living with HIV and AIDS. It might be a chicken breast or a casserole, along with the soup, salad, fruit, dessert or even a protein drink.

Bratton Reaches Out to Jewish Community

Published on December 5, 2002

William Bratton, newly appointed Los Angeles police chief, is off to Israel.

Security—Israeli Style

Published on October 10, 2002

For a nice Jewish boy who grew up on Beverly Hills' Whittier Drive, Aaron Cohen has an unusual skill: He can kill people.

LAPD Preps for Sept. 11

Published on September 5, 2002

The big new Ford Excursion sat baking in the hot afternoon sun. A closer look at this massive vehicle was chilling.

Dirty Facts

Published on June 6, 2002

The lawyers have a term for it, of course. A situation where certain facts don't make their client look so good, even though their client is innocent and righteous. They're called "dirty facts." The Middle East is hardly a courtroom, yet I think the term applies. I'm thinking of things like Israelis bulldozing homes with people inside them. Like sharp-shooting soldiers taking out old women in the street. Like denying food, water and medical care to those who are injured and dying. Get the picture?