Grumpy Editor

AP gives negative twist to positive GDP news

How does one turn a fresh, positive economic development into negative news?

Toss in some “buts” and rehash glum happenings of recent months, observes Grumpy Editor, after spotting an Associated Press article that will be in many newspapers today.

The Commerce Department Thursday announced gross domestic product grew at a seasonally adjusted 3.3 percent annual rate in the second quarter, revised from the original 1.9 percent estimate.

The strong second quarter economic performance follows a 0.9 percent growth rate in the first quarter and a 0.2 percent contraction in 2007’s final quarter.

Wall Street greeted the bright news Thursday by sending the Dow Jones industrials soaring 212.67 points, closing at 11,715.18.

In reporting the GDP gain in a lengthy piece, Washington-based AP economics writer Jeannine Aversa promptly gave it a negative twist by inserting a “but” in the first line of the lead:  “The economy pulled out of a dangerous rough patch in the spring, thanks largely to strong exports, but the rebound isn't expected to last.”

Aversa continues her lead with:  “Economic slowdowns overseas could make exports tail off just as Americans are hunkering down after the bracing impact of rebate checks wanes, plunging the country into another rut later this year.”

All this without attribution.

A few paragraphs later, she works in “Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has warned the economy will be weak through the rest of 2008.” 

Then she reminds readers (perhaps those who have been holed up in mountain caves without cellphone service), that “for months, housing, credit and financial troubles have hammered the economy” and that “employers have clamped down on hiring.”

To underscore this, mention is made that among companies recently announcing layoffs are Abbott Laboratories, Embarq Corp. and Alcoa Inc.

All this brings to mind a meteorological comparison.

After a major storm has battered a community with heavy rain and strong winds for days, skies are finally clearing with warm weather and a gentle breeze.  Then someone declares there could be another major storm ahead that could clobber the community.

Grumpy Editor’s end-of-week leftover notes:

Getting the local angle:  Pioneer Press, St. Paul, is sending a good chunk of its staff --- more than 30 --- to cover the Republican National Convention which opens in its town on Monday…Nameplate change:  The Sun, in Baltimore, this week boosted its home city by inserting Baltimore between dominant words The and Sun, making it The Baltimore Sun.  A redesign also brings other visual changes with added color and more photos…July New York Times advertising revenue dropped 16.2 percent, as classified sales fell 30 percent…Nick Clooney, 74, journalist and TV anchorman for many years (and father of actor George Clooney), joins the faculty at American University, Washington, D.C., this fall as School of Communication and Newseum “distinguished journalist in residence”…In the staff-trimming department:  Gannett Co.-owned Honolulu Advertiser is cutting 27 jobs; a McClatchy Co. newspaper, Sacramento Bee, after eliminating 86 positions two months ago, is offering buyouts to 55 percent of its full-time staffers…Meanwhile, the Sacramento Bee also eliminated its public editor.  Armando Acuna becomes associate features editor starting next week.

Two N.Y. Times-owned papers combine operations

A growing money-saving trend with common ownership newspapers is to combine some aspects of newsroom operations, such as copy editing, design, layouts and pagination.

While the aim is to boost bottom lines, it also means less face-to-face contacts, especially vital when there is a need for immediate answers to questions regarding submitted copy or layouts, contends Grumpy Editor.

Latest going that route in the newsroom are New York Times Co.-owned dailies in Florida, The Gainesville Sun and Ocala Star-Banner.

Each paper has about the same circulation, 45,000.

This follows an earlier merging of those newspapers’ mailrooms.

Combining certain newsroom functions means handling some tasks remotely.

The newspapers are about 50 miles apart. 

So a copy editor with a question on a story written at the distant location won’t be able to walk over to the writer and discuss a questionable fact, name, address or phrase, for example. 

Likewise, huddling over layouts or design also will be conducted from a distance.

Even walking to the executive editor’s office to discuss editorial matters will be difficult for some.  One person has been given that title for both newspapers.

Accessibility is especially important close to deadline.

The combination also means some jobs will be eliminated, according to The Gainesville Sun, as reported in Editor & Publisher.

Farmers’ Almanac, Old Farmer’s Almanac eye weather

Those who like to get an idea of future weather may run across some confusion in dual, similar named publications with “Almanac” in the title, finds Grumpy Editor.

Farmers’ Almanac on Tuesday came out with its 2009 edition that predicts at least two thirds of the U.S. can expect colder than average temperatures in the coming winter.

Then there’s The Old Farmer’s Almanac that also engages in long-range weather forecasting in print and on the Web.

Here’s how to tell them apart.

Farmers’ Almanac, based in Lewiston, Maine, goes back to 1818.  It claims its published edition “not only provides amazingly accurate long-range weather predictions (for both the U.S. and Canada), but also articles, calendars, and information on everything, from the best days to garden, fish and take vacations, to recipes for healthy homemade dishes, and ways to use natural remedies to cure a cold and stop the sniffles.”

Its long range weather forecasts --- which it claims are 80 to 85 percent accurate --- are really into the future.

Predictions are made two years in advance, using “a top-secret mathematical and astronomical formula, taking sunspot activity, tidal action, the position of the planet and many other factors into consideration.”

Also in New England is The Old Farmer’s Almanac, based in Dublin, N.H., marking its 217th anniversary with the 2009 edition, out next month.  It contains long-range weather forecasts from November, 2008 to October, 2009.  (Its Web site provides free detailed predictions for the current and next month.)   Weather forecasts are “proven 80 percent accurate,” it maintains.

The New Hampshire-based Almanac says, “Our weather forecasts are determined by the use of a secret formula (devised in 1792 by the founder of this Almanac, Robert B. Thomas), enhanced by the most modern scientific calculations based on solar activity, particularly sunspot cycles. We also analyze weather records for particular locales.” 

Along with the weather outlook, gardening advice, folklore and home remedies, The Old Farmer’s Almanac also includes such topics as:  Is global warming on the wane?, creatures that glow in the dark and how to live to be 100 or more.

Mercedes-Benz airs spot with muddled ‘fine print’

A growing trend with radio commercials is ultra-fast delivery of the equivalent of newspaper and magazine ads’ fine print at the tail end of spots, observes Grumpy Editor.

They usually involve rates, terms and other qualifications.

The speeded-up audio “fine print” not only brings to mind a fast-talking, shifty-eyed used car dealer on the outskirts of town, but also raises a red flag to consumers who face an increasing number of scams and rip-offs these days.

An extreme example of “fast talk” currently making the rounds on radio is a one-minute spot that has a male voice making a pitch on the benefits of a certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz.  The understandable part of the pitch may have some appeal to those seeking a classy used car.

However, after the message in normal speech delivery, a female voice spews --- at electronically-enhanced super fast speed --- the nitty-gritty details, including financing.  That portion goes on for 15 seconds, or one-quarter of the commercial’s time.

Faster than an auctioneer, the female voice is completely unintelligible.

If the deal is so good, then it should be promoted at standard speed for human ears rather than utilizing the hypoed-blabber tag in the commercial.

Spurred by some advertising agencies, the bad habit is increasing in frequency on radio at a time when companies, in a down economy, are seeking to lure buyers for their products.

One wonders how long it will take before the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Federal Communications Commission clamp down on the slippery-fast, muddled audio routine.

Jerry Brown nixes request to probe fellow Democrat

It didn’t take long for California’s attorney general to decide on whether to pursue a request last week from 51 former employees of IndyMac Bancorp Inc. to investigate if a New York U.S. senator’s negative comments in letters to federal authorities contributed to the collapse of the major thrift, notes Grumpy Editor.

The prompt answer:  No.

The $32 billion-in-assets financial institution, which had been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, was shuttered by federal regulators on July 11, leaving many angry investors and depositors.

Anxious depositors withdrew a hefty $1.3 billion over 11 business days following letters by Sen. Charles Schumer to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Federal Housing Finance Board and the Office of Thrift Supervision.  The thrift had been on shaky ground with heavy losses stemming from loan defaults.

In making the decision not to pursue the request from more than four dozen former employees, California Attorney General Jerry Brown’s office said:  “While we deeply regret the circumstances surrounding IndyMac's failure, we believe that there is insufficient evidence for us to investigate Senator Schumer at this time,” adding, “"We have no reason to believe that Senator Schumer's statements were false."

What makes the quick decision politically-tinged is that Brown, a former California governor, is a Democrat.  Schumer is a Democrat.  The public relations company that distributed the request letter from former IndyMac employees represents some Republican political groups.

In letters to regulators, Schumer wrote he was "concerned that IndyMac's financial deterioration poses significant risks to both taxpayers and borrowers and that the regulatory community may not be prepared to take measures that would help prevent the collapse of IndyMac or minimize the damage should such a failure occur."

The Pasadena-based financial institution, under federal supervision, now operates as IndyMac Federal Bank.

The Schumer vs. IndyMac link may get renewed coverage next month.  The senator may be in the spotlight when Congress returns from vacation and the banking committee is expected to hold a hearing on the thrift’s failure.

California mulls probe on Sen. Schumer’s comments

Predicting an east vs. west battle shaping up, Grumpy Editor on July 14 asked:  Did comments from Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.) contribute to the collapse of a major California-based financial institution with about $32 billion in assets?

Grumpy Editor also said to look for discussions in coming days on the role of Schumer in the July 11 closing of the New York Stock Exchange-listed thrift that left many angry investors and depositors.

Now, a decision by California attorney general Jerry Brown could be made as early as next week on whether to act on a request from 51 former employees of IndyMac Bancorp Inc. to investigate whether Schumer triggered the financial institution’s collapse by releasing confidential information.

In addition, Schumer may be in the spotlight next month when Congress returns and the banking committee is expected to hold a hearing on IndyMac’s failure.

The Pasadena-based financial institution, now under federal supervision, operates as IndyMac Federal Bank.

The original IndyMac, which already was on shaky ground with heavy losses stemming from loan defaults, got smacked following June 26 letters that Schumer sent to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Federal Housing Finance Board and the Office of Thrift Supervision.

Schumer wrote that he was "concerned that IndyMac's financial deterioration poses significant risks to both taxpayers and borrowers and that the regulatory community may not be prepared to take measures that would help prevent the collapse of IndyMac or minimize the damage should such a failure occur."

Spooked by the senator’s words, anxious depositors withdrew a hefty $1.3 billion over the next 11 days.  Live TV coverage at that time focused on long lines of concerned customers leading to IndyMac offices.

John Reich, Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) director, blamed IndyMac's failure on Schumer’s June comments.  Reich said Schumer gave the thrift a "heart attack."

Grumpy Editor’s end-of-week leftover notes:

A mini-revolt is brewing over new rates Associated Press charges newspapers.  Giving notice to cancel the wire service are three Washington State newspapers: Yakima Herald-Republic, Wenatchee World and Spokesman-Review, Spokane.  Also giving notice to AP are the Bakersfield Californian and Post Register, Idaho Falls, Idaho…Lopsided score:  Sept. 1 issue of Time Magazine marks the seventh time in a year Barack Obama made the cover vs. two for John McCain…New managing editor at the Chicago Tribune is Jane Hirt.  She has held various posts at the Tribune over the past 15 years, most recently as editor of RedEye, a youth-aimed, quick-read free tabloid…Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio’s largest newspaper, offered voluntary buyouts to most of its 370 non-union office workers.  The newspaper also raised its newsstand price to 75 cents from 50…Current issue of TV Guide has ABC as the sole advertiser, with 21 ad pages promoting the TV network’s fall lineup…Citizen journalism is active at CNN.  The network reports receiving 175,000 videos and stills in two years from folks at scenes of news developments.

Bigfoot ‘discovery’ grabs media attention, then fizzles

Tip to PR specialists:  Want to attract a big turnout of print and broadcast media for an outdoor press conference on a warm summer day?

Mention something about Bigfoot.

Link the hulky, hairy creature to a client’s product.  Toothpaste would be ideal. Or much-needed soap (since the smelly, unbathed creature lives in the forest, far from spas).  Maybe Viagra.  That would spark things.

Last Friday’s press conference, with major TV networks (CNN carried it live) and print media in attendance, focused on the revelation that legendary Bigfoot was “discovered” in the north Georgia mountains, notes Grumpy Editor.

Some talk shows, especially overnight ones through Wednesday morning, were all over the finding.  It was on par with little green men from outer space.

Presenters at the news conference were Matthew Whitton, an officer on leave from the Clayton County (Georgia) Police Department, and Rick Dyer, a former Georgia corrections officer.

The pair proclaimed that while hiking in June, they found the remains of Bigfoot.  They dragged the creature out of the woods, they added, and moved the remains to a hidden location after it had been in a freezer.

They told the usually skeptical news folks that it wasn’t a hoax.

On Tuesday it was disclosed to be just that.

What had been touted as the remains of Bigfoot was simply a rubber gorilla outfit.

Clayton County Police Chief Jeff Turner, Whitton’s boss, said he has processed paper work to fire him.

Dyer is back to selling cars.

And the red-faced media?

Dispatching an investigative news team on a renewed search for the elusive Loch Ness Monster, “inhabiting” that 23-mile-long lake in the Scottish Highlands since 1933, is sure way to grab a fresh audience.

New L.A. Times publisher may be proper fit

While he has no newspaper experience, the Los Angeles Times may have found a publisher that will mesh with the daily which has gone through several publishers in recent years, observes Grumpy Editor.

Eddy Hartenstein, a former head of DirectTV, took over the publisher’s post on Monday.

What makes him different?

The 57-year-old Caltech-educated engineer, has been familiar with The Times since he began reading it at age 11.  He was raised in Alhambra, a small city east of Los Angeles, and has worked in the area.  Thus, unlike others since the Chandler family was at the helm, he knows the region.

Hartenstein’s background includes working on satellites (he is considered one of the founding fathers of satellite TV) and digital technologies.

What is most interesting, however, is rather than being confined to executive offices in an upper floor of The Times building, he informs the staff in a memo:  “I manage by walking around, try to listen more than speak, make decisions quickly after hearing all sides, and am not afraid to reverse course if we happen to stumble into the cauldron of unintended consequences.”

He tells employees at a meeting that "to be publisher here in L.A., you need a local, and I am a local,” adding “I’m a 213 kind of guy, not a 312 kind of guy,” referring to area codes for downtown Los Angeles, where The Times building is located, and Chicago, where parent Tribune Co. is headquartered.

“I’m not coming into this with blinders on.  I realize that the problems are huge and daunting, but I don't believe there's anything that can't be fixed as long as everyone is pulling in the same direction."

Among those problems are declines in The Times advertising revenue and circulation.  The latter has dropped to about 774,000 from a peak of 1.2 million in the early 1990s.

Press photogs back images of flag-draped caskets

Press photographers are hopeful about lifting the ban on capturing images of flag-draped U.S. military caskets, notes Grumpy Editor.

The National Press Photographers Association last week endorsed proposed legislation that would allow access to ceremonies honoring fallen military personnel.

Photographers would be allowed to capture the “powerful images of flag-draped caskets arriving on American soil during wartime,” is the way writer Daryl Lang put it in Photo District News, a publication for professional photographers.

The fascination for this is puzzling.

All military flag-draped caskets look alike.

The only changes are different, tearful faces of families, seeking privacy during sorrowful moments.  What they don’t seek are clicking camera shutters punctuating the solemn atmosphere.

The Defense Department for years has nixed press images of returned military dead out of respect to service members and their families.

The Fallen Hero Commemoration Act, as it is called with the recent introduction by Rep. Walter B. Jones (R., N.C.), would grant media access at military ceremonies and memorial services for troops who died on active duty and when remains of military personnel arrive at U.S. military reservations.

Jones, now in his seventh term in Congress, served four years (1967 to 1971) in the North Carolina National Guard and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

McCain’s solid responses surprise Obama backers

A solid showing by John McCain at a two-hour, nationally-televised forum Saturday night from Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, Calif., has Barack Obama followers grumbling, with some crying what amounts to be “foul ball,” notes Grumpy Editor.

The audience was told neither presidential candidate knew the questions and a coin toss determined that Obama, the Democrat candidate, would appear in the first hour, fielding questions from Pastor Rick Warren at his Orange County megachurch.

The Q&A session was broadcast live on CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, C-SPAN and Orange County TV station KDOC.  The two-hour event was rebroadcast by some on Sunday.

McCain, the Republican contender, was placed in a soundproof room so he could not hear the questions.  The format called for each candidate to answer similar questions.  When McCain came in for the second hour, he said he did not see or hear Obama’s portion.

With McCain bringing a “crisp, immediate, forceful response,” as described by Andrea Mitchell on Sunday’s NBC Meet the Press roundtable, it didn’t take long for Obama backers to question the “green room” where McCain waited before his stage appearance.

Surprised by McCain’s straightforward responses, the Web became live with comments such as, “Did anyone check McCain’s phone for text messages?” and “He probably had an ear piece and someone was transmitting him the answers.”

Mitchell told Meet the Press listeners that what the Obama people “are putting up privately is that McCain may not have been in the ‘cone of silence’ and may have had some ability to overhear what the questions were to Obama."  Then she added, "He seemed so well prepared.”