When Bill Walton passed away on Monday, fans recalled the UCLA star, two-time NBA champion, and one of the great centers of all time. Walton became a broadcaster and last year he called a foul on misguided government policies in San Diego, the same policies now causing misery across California.
“I love San Diego and it breaks my heart what’s happening to it now,” said Walton a 27-minute speech last October. The dream had become a “nightmare” and the city faced an “existential challenge.”
Balboa Park, near Walton’s residence, is “not safe,” and “downtown for same reason.” Bike trails were jammed with trash and the Embarcadero “a travesty.” For Walton, this was due to homeless people who failed to grasp “the first thing you learn in life—clean up after yourself.” As Walton saw it, the homeless were also into criminality.
“They steal everything,” Walton said, including water, electricity, and “our mail.” This forced Walton to “call the police every single........