Grumpy Editor

L.A. gears for street snarls as Obama heads for fundraiser

Outside of the Los Angeles area, not much will be reported by print/TV media about huge traffic jams clogging freeways and city streets for going-home drivers this evening in the City of the Angels, predicts Grumpy Editor. 

Street closures and traffic backups will be triggered by the arrival of President Barack Obama and his entourage on their way to another Los Angeles fundraiser, this time at actor George Clooney’s home. 

Drivers, already facing daily traffic jams, will be grumbling even more as the president and company make their way from Los Angeles International Airport by freeways and surface streets to Clooney’s property in the Studio City section of the San Fernando Valley.

That’s about a 20-mile route.

Motorists in part of the Studio City area can expect delays or closures from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Residents near the fundraiser site will be required to show photo identification for home access, said a city councilman representing the district. 

Prior presidential visits to Los Angeles were not as extensive.  Most involved taking a helicopter from the parked Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport to the Veterans Administration property on the city’s west side, then a short motorcade to a fundraising destination.

Obama’s many visits to Los Angeles have resulted in a new word bouncing around the city:  Obamajams.

After affected motorists settle down after a night’s rest, they will get smacked again tomorrow morning.

That’s when the president is scheduled to depart from an overnight stay in Beverly Hills, again causing street closures and traffic delays, this time along the way to the airport during the A.M. rush to work.

 

First Lady collects campaign funds in Las Vegas today

No doubt about it, the president and first lady love Las Vegas.

Michelle Obama makes her second visit in little over a month to Las Vegas today, part of a four-state campaign swing, where a breakfast fundraiser carries a price tag of $2,500 a person, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Las Vegas in this election year is high on the charts for the Obamas. 

Nevada is an important swing state in November’s voting. 

President Barack Obama also has made two trips this year to Las Vegas, a city that he knocked in recent years that resulted in scaring off tourist and convention activity. 

In February, 2009, aiming at business gatherings, he declared, “You can’t take a trip to Las Vegas or down to the Super Bowl on the taxpayers dime.”  Then a year later, he warned, “You don’t blow a bunch of cash in Vegas when you’re trying to save for college.” 

With ebbing of visitors in a sour economy, thousands of casino workers lost jobs and Las Vegas rose to the top of the foreclosed homes list in the U.S. 

Last year’s unemployment in Las Vegas, at 13.3 percent, was among the highest in the nation. 

Following the Las Vegas visit, Mrs. Obama is schedule to make campaign stops in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Tucson, Ariz., and Albuquerque, N.M. 

 

Did Obama’s NBC appearance violate campaign law?

 Chances are newspaper editorial writers will not tangle with this TV event, ditto with the Federal Communications Commission:  Did President Barack Obama’s appearance on NBC’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” program violate the campaign finance law, questions Grumpy Editor. 

Breitbart.com writer Ben Shapiro thinks so and backs it up with input from federal “Statutes and Rules on Candidate Appearances and Advertising.” 

Aside from the president’s banter with Fallon on Tuesday, which Shapiro describes as “the worst ‘comedy’ segment in the history of mankind,” Shapiro explains: 

“The equal time rule states that if a licensee permits a person ‘who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office to use a broadcasting station, he shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates for that office in the use of such broadcasting station.’” 

Shapiro mentions there are exceptions to the rule, namely, “appearances on (1) a bona fide newscast, (2) a bona fide news interview, (3) a bona fide news documentary, or (4) on-the-spot coverage of bona fide news events.” 

Pointing out “only the second provision could be construed as saving NBC from giving Mitt Romney equal time,” Shapiro adds, “But this was not a bona fide news interview. In fact, it wasn’t an interview at all --- no questions were asked, no answers were given. It was literally Obama reading a campaign speech over a guitar, a horn, a keyboard and some drums.” 

Shapiro figures the president’s appearance on the late-night program “was clearly an in-kind contribution by NBC to the Obama campaign.”

 

Obama hustles to North Korea border for photo op

Within hours of Air Force One’s landing in South Korea, President Barack Obama --- sensing a photo op with the presidential election less than eight months away --- was peering through binoculars toward North Korea yesterday in his first visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which has bisected the peninsula since the Korean War cease fire almost 59 years ago, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Chances are North Koreans had binoculars trained on the president who wore an identification badge reading:  Barack Obama, Commander in Chief. 

Reuters said Obama “spent about 10 minutes on a viewing platform at the DMZ, talking with some of the soldiers on guard as the flags of the United States, South Korea and the United Nations flapped loudly in the brisk, cold wind.” 

With print and broadcast media trailing his movements, the president visited the DMZ on the eve of a global summit on nuclear security hosted by South Korea. 

“You guys are at freedom's frontier," Obama told about 50 troops crammed into a dining hall at a U.S. camp near the DMZ, one of the world's most heavily fortified frontiers. 

The Korean War remains open ended with no peace treaty signed. Battles ended with a cease fire on July 27, 1953.  

The Korean War, also labeled the “forgotten war,” erupted when 135,000 communist North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea in pre-dawn hours of June 25, 1950. 

For the U.S., the war resulted in 36,940 military deaths, 103,000 wounded, 8,142 missing in action and 3,746 prisoners of war.  

Prolonging the war were entries of communist Chinese soldiers battling U.S. troops on the ground and Russian pilots in Soviet-built jets fighting U.S. airmen.

Chinese troops killed or captured thousands of U.S. military personnel and managed many prisoner of war camps in North Korea. 

Obama was threatening to cancel planned U.S. food aid to North Korea following its announcement that it plans to launch a long-range rocket next month.

 

Obama's image on U.S. flag irks veterans in Florida

Following a Florida television station report about a desecrated U.S. flag, a dozen veterans descended on Lake County Democratic headquarters, resulting in the flag --- bearing President Barack Obama’s image replacing the 50 stars --- being removed from a flagpole at the site, notes Grumpy Editor.

A number of Web sites jumped on the story aired Tuesday on WFTV, Orlando.

But, surprisingly, the report was missing from most newspapers yesterday --- and today. 

The TV station reported Korean War veteran Don Van Beck said his blood was boiling.  "I can't describe how upset I was because you just don't do that to the American flag," he declared.

Other veterans joined him in expressing outrage. 

Greeting them where the flag was flying, Lake County Democrat Party chairwoman Nancy Hulbert said, "This is private property. This is private property. You're not allowed to touch anything. I'll call the police." 

But she went online to look up the flag code --- which should have been done prior to raising the altered flag.  The flag then was taken down. 

"If you've been a veteran and fought --- and some died for this flag --- you don't want to see it desecrated,” emphasized Van Beck.  "That's how simple it is."

 

Lengthy Medicare paragraph features a load of ( )s

If you think some newspaper paragraphs run too long, just try to follow what’s going on with this Medicare provision, as pointed out in the Wall Street Journal, urges Grumpy Editor. 

As unearthed by WSJ writer Joe Palazzolo in Friday’s WSJ:

"In the case of a plan for which there are average per capita monthly savings described in section 1395w–24 (b)(3)(C) or 1395w–24 (b)(4)(C) of this title, as the case may be, the amount specified in this subparagraph is the amount of the monthly rebate computed under section 1395w–24 (b)(1)(C)(i) of this title for that plan and year (as reduced by the amount of any credit provided under section 1395w–24 (b)(1)(C)(iv) [2] of this title)."

Clear enough?

Nothing simple with many government texts.

Makes one think the writers get paid by the word --- or symbol.

Palazzolo also points out the Dodd-Frank financial law runs 2,300 pages while President Barrack Obama’s health-care law fills more than 900 pages.

Perhaps, in efforts to keep word volume shorter, more former tabloid newspaper staffers --- brought up to “write tight” --- should be called on to assist with authoring legislation.

 

Editors should note FEMA aid denial to 5 Illinois counties

Editors in hurricane, earthquake, tornado and flood-prone areas should be concerned about how five southern Illinois counties and especially Harrisburg, Ill, recently smacked by a 170-mph twister that damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, are being nixed for assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), advises Grumpy Editor. 

The “no help” should spark editorials because the same thing could happen in the areas they serve. 

Denial of aid comes despite the stated mission of FEMA, with about 7,500 employees, that is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:

“FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

Denying aid means residents of the region will not be eligible for federal funds to assist in repairing or replacing damage from a mighty Feb. 29 twister.

Eric Gregg, mayor of Harrisburg, where the tornado killed seven residents, said, “I want to know how this decision was reached and why because frankly, I don't understand it.”  He estimated damage to his community at “tens of millions.” 

Gregg hoped President Barack Obama will visit southern Illinois to see the devastation first hand. 

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said he was “extremely disappointed that FEMA denied our request for federal assistance that is needed to help people in Harrisburg, Ridgway and the other communities.  After personally surveying the damage and talking to many residents who lost their homes, I firmly believe federal assistance is crucial to help them begin the recovery process." 

The governor hoped to get the FEMA decision appealed.

A FEMA spokesman said agency officials determined assistance from state and local agencies, combined with volunteer groups and private insurance, would be enough for the five counties to rebuild on their own.

 

Las Vegas unveils glittering $146 million non-casino

Las Vegas quietly added a new attraction last week:  a sparkling $146.2 million, seven-story building with high-tech features and Italian marble floors and walls inside the main entrance --- but no slot machines or craps tables, thus not much appeal to tourists from around the world, notes Grumpy Editor.

Without glittering casino action, the unveiling didn’t get much media attention outside of Southern Nevada.

And it will be a while before tour books include it as a Sin City sight to see.

It’s the new Las Vegas City Hall, owned by taxpayers in the city.

City fathers, in the U.S.’s foreclosure capital, went all out to build a monument to local government.

It replaced an “old” city hall built in 1973.

Cost of the 310,000-square-foot building compares with $24.7 million for New York City’s 102-story Empire State Building that opened in 1931 during the Great Depression.

The City Council chamber has a Vegas-like ambiance, similar to a Strip casino sports book --- namely, several 103-inch flat-screen displays above the council dais, making it easy for up to 450 people seated in the room to view displayed information.

First Las Vegas City Council meeting in the new quarters is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Don’t be surprised if showgirls appear at the debut.

Then media will be on the scene.

That’s Vegas, baby.

 

Photos showing pain at the pump are pain elsewhere, too

Rather than repeated tired images of drivers filling up at the pumps and shots of gas station prices, print and broadcast editors should try something different to illustrate the soaring cost of gasoline --- run photos of U.S. locations were oil drilling or pipelines would alleviate the high cost and dependency from foreign lands, advises Grumpy Editor.

The aim is to remind Washington to zero in on energy independence in a country rich in oil as analysts predict gasoline prices soon could reach $5 a gallon.

U.S. field production of crude oil peaked in 1970 and has since drifted downward to the early 1950s level.

Lost in the shuffle of election news that dominated print and broadcast media late last week are comments from Jack Gerard, president and chief executive, American Petroleum Institute.

President Barack Obama “is misleading Americans about his energy strategy” in an effort to ease pain at the pump, proclaims Gerard.

“Since taking office he has declared 85 percent of our offshore areas off limits, decreased oil and gas leases in the Rockies by 70 percent, rejected the Keystone XL pipeline and has 10 federal agencies planning more regulation of hydraulic fracturing, which is key to oil and natural gas development,” reminds Gerard.

“The president’s Jekyll and Hyde approach to energy security is hurting consumers,” he adds.

“We urge the president to work with our industry to generate more supply to the market and create new American jobs."

Meanwhile, another result of higher prices at the pump --- inflation.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke yesterday (when the Dow Jones Industrials later fell 53.05 points to 12952.07) tells the House Financial Services Committe that "gasoline prices have moved up ... (which is) a development that is likely to push up inflation temporarily while reducing consumers' purchasing power."

 

Shhh! More Mormons live in Arizona than in Nevada

In today’s Arizona primary, chances are broadcast and print media will not mention Mormons in connection with votes for Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor, one of four Republican presidential candidates actively seeking the nomination, predicts Grumpy Editor. 

This contrasts with the Nevada caucuses Feb. 4 --- with Romney coming out the winner --- when media repeatedly overstated the Mormon influence in Nevada.  On-scene reporters implied that many Mormons in the Silver State led to an easy victory for Romney. 

However, Arizona ranks third in the number of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members.  Number one is Utah, followed by Idaho. 

Washington State and Nevada follow. 

Interestingly, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was running for reelection (and won) in 2010, not much was said about the Democrat from Nevada being a Mormon.

Meanwhile, Reid has offered no Mormon-to-Mormon counseling to fellow politician Romney.

Reid once confided to a newsman, “Well, I believe that Mitt Romney is a man I’ve never met.  Don’t particularly want to.”