Grumpy Editor

Col. Sanders holds his rank at KFC worldwide outlets

After a KFC Corp. news release earlier this month announced a search for "a new iconic face for the brand's new Kentucky Grilled Chicken,” rumors started that the long-used illustration of founder Colonel Sanders would be replaced on the KFC bucket spotlighted at the more than 15,000 KFC worldwide outlets, observes Grumpy Editor.

That brought a public outcry, claims the Louisville, Ky.-based company.

Now, KFC, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., reports that “while KFC is happy to confirm that Colonel Sanders will continue to represent the company he founded and built, the search continues for the ultimate KGC fan, who could potentially appear in future advertising.”

"While we've received a lot of interest in our search for the ultimate KGC fan, we've also heard from many passionate supporters of Colonel Sanders," says Javier Benito, KFC’s executive vice president of marketing and food innovation.

"We want to make sure that everyone who has an opinion on this issue has the opportunity to be heard, so we've decided to let America vote. The 'poultry polls' are officially open."

So through July 8, fans of the brand can visit the KFC Web site and vote on whether they'd like Colonel Sanders to be the only icon for the brand or if they'd rather see the winner of the KGC Ultimate Fan search be the colonel's counterpart, adds Benito.

Ugliest dog coverage replaces shuttered Congress

One can always tell when Congress takes a holiday break.

That’s when Associated Press starts moving animal stories to fill the news vacuum until lawmakers return to Washington on July 6, notes Grumpy Editor.

First animal story out of the chute, in many newspapers yesterday with art, of course, covers the winner of the “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest in Petaluma, Calif.

Yes, the pooch is, indeed, ugly.

Pabst, a four-year-old boxer-mix rescued from an animal shelter three years ago, displays a prominent underbite, scrunched face and floppy ears.

The ugliest dog event, in its 21st year at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, brings a $1,600 award to Pabst’s owner Miles Egstad, 25, of Citrus Heights, Calif.

Footage of the show is scheduled to air on the Animal Planet network in the fall.

In the meantime, check out photos of toothy Pabst here.

Week’s wrapup: Talk show hosts target 8 Republicans

Look for eight Republicans who voted with Democrats on the Waxman-Markey Energy Tax bill (also known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act) --- that passed the House yesterday afternoon by a vote of 219 to 212 --- not to be forgotten by top radio talk show hosts, predicts Grumpy Editor.

Within minutes of the House action, Mark Levin --- who hosts a nationally-syndicated talk show and also is author of the current best-selling Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto --- on his Web site posted names of the eight defectors who voted for the bill that would require large companies, including utilities, oil refiners and manufacturers, to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels.

The eight wrong-way Republicans voting for the measure:  Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Mike Castle (Del.), Mark Steven Kirk (Ill.), John McHugh (N.Y.), Dave Reichart (Wash.), and Leonard Lance, Frank A. LoBiondo and Chris Smith (all from N.J.).

The so-called “global warming” bill, which goes to the Senate later this summer, would result in higher taxes and a jump in gasoline and utility bills to consumers.

In other Grumpy Editor end-of-week leftover notes:

Negative reviews bring big box office.  Movie critics generally gave “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” sour reviews, citing special effects as bigger, faster and dumber, but Wednesday’s debut brought a hefty $60.6 million in ticket sales.

Elle edges Vogue in ads.  Women’s magazine Elle attracted more advertising pages than competitor Vogue so far this year.  First-half 2009 score: 970 ad pages vs. 956.

Times proves it can stay mum.  While the New York Times can’t keep a blackout on some developments considered sensitive by the government, it managed to keep word of reporter David Rohde’s abduction in Afghanistan out of its columns for seven months --- until he escaped late last week.

GM keeps ad agencies happy.  Even as it works its way out of bankruptcy, General Motors Corp. plans to spend between $40 million and $50 million a month on advertising.

Book deal for Saberi.  Freelance American journalist Roxana Saberi, who was jailed in Iran for four months before being freed last month, is working on a memoir that HarperCollins plans to publish next March.

Twitter, CEO, mpg, Libor debut in latest AP Stylebook

After ample use in recent years, most newspaper readers and broadcast listeners should know what CEO and mpg mean, so now the latest edition of The Associated Press Stylebook --- the bible for writers and copy editors --- allows acceptance of those initials in news stories on first reference, notes Grumpy Editor.

So a tiny amount of newspaper space is saved in referring to chief executive officer as simply CEO and, with growing use in auto “green” stories, shrinking miles per gallon to just mpg.

Another Stylebook change, after all these years of copy editors double-checking dictionaries, is an adjusted spelling:  cesarean section rather than caesarean section.

Also new to the Stylebook is Twitter, the social networking Web site that limits messages to short Tweets.

In connection with business stories, terms debuting in the Stylebook include collateralized debt obligations, Libor, recession-proof, reverse auction, securitization and solvency.

On the sports side, new listings include knuckleball, timeout, tipoff, water sports and USGA (for United States Golf Association).

Online or print edition, AP brands its Stylebook as “the essential tool for writers, editors, students and public relations specialists.”

Of interest to broadcasters, the online version features audio pronunciation guides.

Now updated annually, the Stylebook --- first produced in 1953 as a stapled collection of rules totaling 60 pages --- has grown to more than 400 pages.

The new edition costs $11.75 for AP member news organizations and college bookstores, and $18.95 retail.

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Grumpy Editor's end-of-week leftover notes now appear on Saturdays.

Waxman, Markey team up to snatch more in taxes

Americans only grumble mightily about taxes when it comes time to file federal income tax forms by April 15 each year but are lax to follow tax developments the remainder of the year, such as with the Waxman-Markey Energy Tax bill (also labeled the patriotic-sounding American Clean Energy and Security Act) that is being pushed for House action tomorrow, notes Grumpy Editor.

What’s more, one wonders how many lawmakers have read the weighty 932 pages of the energy tax bill from its authors, Reps. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) and Edward Markey (D., Mass.).

And interestingly, one also wonders why there haven’t been more editorials unearthing the taxing plan in daily newspapers --- where staffs and operations would be smacked by a tax boost, resulting in further cutbacks in payroll and production in efforts to maintain bottom lines.

While the bill’s name may sound harmless, like “taxes for the other guy, not me,” citizens should be aware that the bill’s passage means a hefty chunk of money will be picked out of every person’s pocket in the years ahead.

To put it bluntly:  The economic impact would be harsh.

The independent, non-partisan Heritage Foundation claims the bill’s passage would have devastating impact on average American families.

Its research projects that by 2035, we’ll see prices on gasoline increase 74 percent, while natural gas rises 55 percent, home heating oil jumps 56 percent and electricity soars 90 percent.

It would lead to a double whammy.

In addition, providers of goods and services, socked by higher energy prices, will have to hike costs to individuals and businesses to recoup what they pay in additional taxes.

Indicated total costs to the average American family via higher prices from the energy tax bill are seen reaching a stiff $71,493 from 2012 to 2035.

That should spur financially-squeezed Americans to contact their representatives in Congress.

New newspaper focuses on crimes, suspects with photos

Relish details on crimes and bad guys?

A monthly eight-page newspaper, focusing on suspects, surveillance images and descriptions of crimes debuts in Omaha and what’s more, it’s free, a product from an unusual publisher, observes Grumpy Editor.

Don’t look for bylines.

There are none.

But there are plenty of color photos showing suspects in action.

The Omaha Police Department is behind The Crime Stopper, a printed effort to help fight crime and aid in capturing the most-wanted suspects in that region.

The free read is available at grocery and drug stores, among other locations throughout the Omaha metropolitan area.

"I'm excited about it,” says Police Chief Eric Buske. “It's new to this area and I'm very optimistic about how it's going to turn out."

After 74 years, Kodak retires its Kodachrome color film

It’s sad to learn that Eastman Kodak Co. later this year will discontinue production of Kodachrome, a color film that, during its 74-year run, captured memorable images ranging from World War II action to family photo sessions that resulted in slide shows, notes Grumpy Editor.

It became the first commercially successful color film.

Publications delighted in Kodachrome film grabbing more attention than black-and-white shots as color made its way to covers of popular magazines such as National Geographic and Life, and onward to front pages and travel sections of daily newspapers.

Kodachrome now represents just a fraction of one percent of Kodak’s total sales of still-picture films, relates the Rochester, N.Y.-based company. 

Kodak currently derives about 70 percent of its revenues from commercial and consumer digital businesses.

For all of its magic, Kodak says Kodachrome is a complex film to manufacture and an even more complex film to process --- and there is only one remaining photofinishing lab in the world:  Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kan.

But there still is some Kodak color remaining for photographers.

The company says current Kodachrome users are encouraged to try its “extremely fine grain” films such as professional Ektachrome E100G and Ektar 100.

Las Vegas Sun pushes scary pedaling in busy traffic

Some newspaper editorial page writers should put a bit more thought (mainly common sense) before preparing editorials --- and, in the case of the Las Vegas Sun, check with the metropolitan editor to see what staffers are working on, suggests Grumpy Editor.

On Saturday, a Sun editorial covered “Relief from heavy traffic” in the Las Vegas Valley by using bicycles.

Pedaling, as a mode of transportation, means going back in time.

Citing “bikes don’t pollute, take up little road space and help their riders become more fit,” the Sun suggested local officials “might be able to put a dent in vehicular traffic by considering bike-sharing programs.”

The only “dent in vehicular traffic” is via many current accidents involving bicycles and speeding drivers.  Many bicyclists, unfortunately, get more than a dent.

A Sun front-page article the next day (yesterday) focused on “Nevadans have more (car) accidents…and have the ninth highest (insurance) premiums in the U.S.”

The article pointed out:  “We have lots more accidents because we are often distracted.  We live in a 24-hour lifestyle…leading to tired driving.” 

And the Sun’s own editorial writers are promoting more use of bicycles on local roads?

Other factors that can lead to more accidents involving bicyclists in the Las Vegas area:  extreme heat with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees almost daily during summer months then below freezing readings on frosty winter mornings, periodic strong winds, hard-to-see-at-night bicycles with small or no rear red reflectors and no front lights.

Perhaps an upcoming Sun editorial will spotlight the benefits of returning to the West of yesteryear --- and old Vegas --- by using horses for transportation.  But check the metropolitan desk first.

Week’s wrapup: Don’t call Sen. Barbara Boxer ‘ma’am’

Expect a short, sharp lecture if you call U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.) “ma’am,” advises Grumpy Editor.

That’s what happened Tuesday when Brig. Gen. Michael Walsh called the veteran senator “ma’am” in testifying before a televised Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in connection with the Louisiana coastal restoration process.

As the one-star general, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, discussed New Orleans, Boxer interrupted, saying:

“You know, do me a favor. Could you say ’senator’ instead of ‘ma’am?’ It’s just a thing, I worked so hard to get that title, so I’d appreciate it.”

Seems strange that in her more than 16 years as a Senator (after 10 years in the House), the “ma’am” term suddenly irked Boxer. 

Later, an Army spokesman said there was nothing unusual with calling Boxer “ma’am.”   "Sir,” “ma’am” or “senator such-and-such” are appropriate terms when addressing a U.S. senator, he explained..

In other Grumpy Editor end-of-week leftover notes:

Obama names Brokaw.  Looks like NBC special correspondent Tom Brokaw no longer will have to flash a press pass to access the White House.  President Barack Obama named the veteran newsman to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships.

Walled off from outside world.  In a reality show social experiment, CBS erected a 20-foot wall around eight homes in an Atlanta suburb.  For a program tentatively called “Block Party,” the families will be trapped within the walled area for about three weeks, aiming for a cash prize.  But, hey, they’ll be able to watch TV.

ACORN says “no” to Fox News.  Fox News wasn’t allowed inside the National Education Association building in Washington, D.C. Wednesday where ACORN's 39th Anniversary Gala Awards honored Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.), Rep.Luis Gutierrez (D., Ill) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.).  Schumer, who usually has something to say when a microphone appears, and Gutierrez snubbed Fox at the building’s entrance, but Waters said a few words.

Celebrity profiles fade.  Reader’s Digest reportedly is cutting back on celebrity profiles in favor of spiritual articles as the 87-year-old general interest magazine cuts its frequency to 10 months from 12.

Troops to ask financial questions.  Personal finance expert Suze Orman on July 4 hosts a special on CNBC honoring the men and women in the military.  Plans call for Orman to take questions from troops in the U.S. and overseas, focusing on financial topics such as saving for retirement and credit card debt.

3D magazine cover attracts.  Popular Science’s July issue features a 3D cover that allows readers to log onto the magazine's Web site and interact with an animated hologram.

White House doubles as broadcast studio for ABC News

Do one network's TV programs, originating from the White House from morning to night with heavy emphasis on President Barack Obama’s proposed health care reform, constitute something close to an extended “infomercial” promoting the plan, wonders Grumpy Editor.  And does this compromise journalistic intregrity?

Not much has appeared in newspapers this week on next Wednesday’s unusual ABC telecasts originating from the White House, including Charles Gibson anchoring the network’s “World News” from the Blue Room.

Later that day Gibson, along with Diane Sawyer, moderate a prime-time town hall-type special, “Questions for the President:  Prescription for America” from the White House.

During the special on ABC, a division of the Walt Disney Co., plans call for the president to discuss his health care plan and field questions.  But the event will not include a Republican Party response or opposing voices on the issue affecting millions of Americans.

Wednesday’s ABC telecasts kicks off with “Good Morning America” from the South Lawn with health care input from Obama and the First Lady. 

Criticism of the ABC event has been building all week.

It is an “unprecedented use of the White House,” declares Karl Rove, former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush.  “I’m astonished on ABC.”

An ABC spokesman says, “Our starting and ending point is to be informative and fair, thoughtful and thought-provoking.”

Could there be some influence here from ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, former Clinton Administration senior adviser to the president for policy and strategy, and now ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent and anchor of Sunday’s “This Week?”

Stephanopoulos is one of a trio of Democrats who huddle daily (see Jan. 29, 2009 Grumpy Editor) on the telephone with White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

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Grumpy Editor's end-of-week leftover notes now appear on Saturdays.