Grumpy Editor

Stranded Americans in Egypt await word on escape route

As chaos and lawlessness continued for a seventh day in Cairo, print and broadcast coverage by U.S. media has been scant on weary and concerned Americans stranded in Egypt awaiting overdue word on evacuation, notes Grumpy Editor.

While meetings, including photo ops, focusing on the violent protests  in Egypt continued in Washington, and the U.S. embassy in Cairo yesterday recommending that Americans leave Egypt as soon as possible, getting out of the country posed a major problem.

Thousands of travelers, including Americans, were stranded at the Cairo International Airport.

Among Americans were Diane Kelley and her husband.  She managed to tell CNN Saturday that they were concerned by the lack of help from U.S. authorities and they were awaiting a way out.

Through yesterday, the U.S. had not dispatched any special flights to fill cancellations by airlines, including Delta, the only U.S. carrier with direct service to Cairo.  Delta earlier suspended service to the area.

Meanwhile, other nations --- acting promptly --- have flown in additional flights to evacuate their citizens.

An airport official told Associated Press that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan sent in more than 15 flights in total to transport their nationals out of the country, adding that Royal Jordanian and Bahrain's Gulf Air switched to larger aircraft to accommodate more people.

A State Department spokesperson late yesterday said the U.S. was hopeful in sending chartered aircraft to Cairo for the trapped Americans today --- one week after protests started.

However, chaos mushroomed at the airport today as thousands of foreigners, including Americans, sought to flee the unrest.

Setting off further grumbling by Americans was word from the State Department that those taking chartered flights will be billed for the cost, mainly to Europe, and would then need to make their own travel arrangements home.

About 52,000 Americans are registered with the U.S. embassy in Cairo.

 

 

Record N.Y. snow puts ‘global warming’ phrase on ice

With the record, and disruptive, snowstorm that swept from the mid-Atlantic to New England this week, Grumpy Editor noticed one phrase was missing in the heavy coverage by print and broadcast media:  global warming.

 Nobody, it seems, sought to contact Al Gore for comment.

There also was silence from usually talkative global warming “experts” who regularly grab chunks of newspaper space and airtime at other times during the year.

From Washington, D.C., to Boston and beyond, schools closed, planes were grounded and government workers stayed home.

This week’s storm left a total of 19 inches in New York City, with 12.3 inches falling on Wednesday, breaking the day’s snowfall record of nine inches in 1871.

The storm elevated the month’s total snow to three feet in New York City --- making January the snowiest on record.  

New York City also was hit by a blizzard one month ago, marking the first time on record that two storms dropped 18 inches or more of snow in the same winter.

New York City, during the full winter, usually records a total of 21 inches of snow.

The same storm brought 17 inches of snow to Philadelphia, a foot to Boston, and sleet and snow to Washington.

And more snow is predicted for next week for a wider area, including the battered East Coast, just in time for Groundhog Day on Wednesday.

That’s when Punxsutawney (Pa.) Phil --- with media in attendance --- will emerge from his burrow.  If he casts a shadow, according to folklore, it means winter will continue for six more weeks.

 

It’s lights out in Maryland, but full illumination in D.C

With energy a prime concern these days, editors across the country missed an opportunity to link two Tuesday news items --- with developments 23 miles apart --- involving opposite actions over government spending (that’s taxpayers’ money) on power, discovers Grumpy Editor.

Near Columbia, Md., the state extinguishes some highway lighting while in Washington, U.S. government buildings are ablaze throughout the night.

About 75 overhead lights along six-lane Route 100 near Columbia are turned off by the State Highway Administration (SHA), reports The Baltimore Sun’s Michael Dresser.

Primary aim is to reduce energy consumption --- with resulting less cost --- as a “green” initiative.  But the action also raises concerns from some drivers and AAA about safety for motorists, especially with some elderly drivers who have difficulty in night driving.

Dresser quotes a SHA spokesman declaring (presumably with a straight face) that safety is another reason for the experiment, pointing out if the state can reduce the lighting, it also can cut the number of poles hit by vehicles.

Meanwhile, lights are left on during the night at large Washington, D.C., buildings housing federal agencies, uncovers Andrea McCarren, a nightside reporter at WUSA (Channel 9), a Gannett Co., Inc., operation, in the nation’s capital.  

Through the Freedom of Information Act, she obtained six months of utility bills for buildings housing more than a dozen federal agencies.

Findings among one-month electric bills last year:  At the Department of Labor, more than a $1 million tab; Department of Health and Human Services, $799,000; Department of Commerce, $794,000 and at the Department of Energy (where energy is in workers’ minds, with more inspiration to turn lights off) the monthly bill came in lower than others --- averaging $260,000.

 

Survey: Obama should change tax policies to boost hiring

With President Barack Obama focusing on jobs creation in his State of the Union address last night, a just-released survey by Opinion Research Corp. for Adecco Staffing US, finds 73 percent of respondents believe the president “should change current tax policies to better encourage businesses to hire,” notes Grumpy Editor.

In other efforts to spur hiring, about 68 percent of those surveyed want businesses to be offered more incentives or tax breaks to encourage adding to staff, while 67 percent would like to see the government eliminate unnecessary regulations that discourage businesses from adding to payrolls.

In his State of the Union address, Obama urged efforts to create a wave of innovation to create jobs --- without getting into specifics.

With unemployment now at 9.4 percent, the push to speed up jobs creation comes after the current administration marks more than two years in the White House.

"The message is loud and clear: Americans feel changes are needed in government's approach to jobs and labor in order to get people back to work quicker," says Tig Gilliam, CEO of Adecco Group North America, a key provider of recruitment and workforce solutions.

"What we have now isn't working well enough or quick enough and people feel it, especially the unemployed,” he continues.

Gilliam adds, “Americans aren't asking for a handout. Rather, they'd like to see some of the barriers to jobs lifted --- better alignment of incentives and elimination of barriers --- to free up hiring."

 

U.S. readies order to buy 21 helicopters --- from Russians

Amid loud cries to create more U.S. jobs, Grumpy Editor finds there has been scant media coverage of last Friday’s news that the U.S. Army plans to award a “sole source” contract to a Russian firm for 21 Mi-17 Russian-produced helicopters to be used by Afghan military forces.

The order is slated through Russia’s state arms trader Rosoboronexport which, until last year, was under sanctions that prohibited the U.S. government from dealing with it following its transactions with Iran.

Left out are helicopter manufacturers in the U.S., including Boeing Co., Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and Robinson Helicopter Co.

The Russian firm’s sanctions were lifted last year as part of a White House push “to patch up relations with the Kremlin,” mentions The Wall Street Journal, which ran a story on the helicopter deal Friday.

The basic Mi-17, with a crew of three, is used for military, police and civilian purposes.  In military use, it can carry up to 30 troops.

The latest action follows eyebrow raising by six members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation five months ago in writing to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on a U.S. Navy decision to purchase a similar quantity --- 21 --- of Russian-made helicopters, also for Afghan’s military.

They wrote:  “Particularly in light of the great commitment the United States is making to Afghanistan, rather than procuring Russian helicopters with unclear reliability and cost, we believe it is only prudent to consider proposals from U.S. manufacturers, employing American workers, with a history of providing the Defense Department with the best equipment at the best value to the U.S. taxpayer."

 

Grumpy Editor lists days off for Congress in 2011

Look for the regular flow of news to resume from Capitol Hill today as both the Senate and House of Representatives are back on full schedule, rolling up sleeves for 2011 legislative activities, points out Grumpy Editor.

But many non-legislative days lie ahead, too.

Thus, as a guidance (or score card) to taxpayers, Grumpy Editor ---in this special compilation that you won’t find in your local newspapers --- unveils this year’s non-legislative periods (subject to change and including Saturdays and Sundays) for both the Senate and the House.

Washington media covering Congress also enjoy time off from the beat.  Yet, they are likely to imply that just about every day, even during holiday periods, carries a full slate of pursuits by lawmakers busy in their Washington offices.

The many non-legislative days ahead give reporters ample opportunities to tidy up their desks.

Note:  “State work period” for the Senate and “constituent work week” for the House often translate into free time and overseas “fact finding” trips.

Scanning this schedule, taxpayers may be surprised at the high number of non-legislative days in coming months.

Examples:  No sooner are both chambers together again when in about four weeks both the Senate and the House take a break from legislation between Feb. 19 and Feb. 27.   The House, meanwhile, takes a break at the end of this week, returning Feb. 7.

Non-legislative days:

2011 Senate schedule, 112^th Congress

Feb. 19 – 27, state work period

March 19 – 27, state work period

April 16 – May 1, state work period

May 28 – June 5, state work period

July 2 – July 10, state work period, with Independence Day

Aug. 6 – Sept. 5, state work period

Sept. 24 – Oct. 2, state work period

Oct. 10, Columbus Day

Oct. 22 – Oct. 30, state work period

Nov. 11, Veterans Day

Target adjournment date to be determined

 2011 House schedule, 112^th Congress

 Jan.29 – Feb. 6, constituent work week

Feb. 19 – 27, constituent work week

March 19 – 27, constituent work week

April 16 to May 1, spring recess

May 14 – 22, constituent work week

May 30, Memorial Day

June 4 – 12, constituent work week

June 25 – July 5, constituent work plus Independence Day

July 16 – 24, constituent work week

Aug. 6 – Sept. 5, August recess, with Labor Day

Sept. 24 – Oct. 2, constituent work week

Oct. 10, Columbus Day

Oct. 15 – Oct. 23 constituent work week

Nov. 5 – 13, constituent work week, including Veterans Day

Nov. 19 – 27, constituent work week

Nov. 24 – 27, Thanksgiving

Dec. 8, target for adjournment

 

CNN anchor John King bans on-air use of ‘crosshairs’

Latest word to be banned, at least by CNN anchor John King, is the long-used crosshairs, notes Grumpy Editor.

The term has been used over the years to cite someone who is at the center of attention or, on the scientific side, fine strands of wire crossed in the focus of an eyepiece of an optical instrument used as a calibration or sighting reference.

The banning comes in the aftermath of this month’s Tucson shootings.

About 19 minutes after a Tuesday interview, King faced TV cameras declaring:

“Before we go to break, I want to make a quick point. We were just having a discussion about the Chicago mayoral race. Just a moment ago, my friend Andy Shaw, who now works for a good government group out there, used the term 'in the crosshairs,' in talking about the candidates out there. We're trying to get away from that language. Andy is a good friend. He's covered politics for a long time, but we're trying to get away from using that kind of language. We won't always be perfect. So, hold us accountable when we don't meet your standards.”

What’s next?

Will business writers be muffled for using “target” earnings or “aimed at” new customers when referring to corporate developments?

Will those seeking employment get reprimanded for saying they’re “taking a shot at” new positions?

Will politicians be scolded for “blasting” opponents in speeches?

And will local newspaper editors be rebuked for declaring the city council budget is “under fire?”

 

Alaska oil pipeline resumption gets little print coverage

When a leak in the trans-Alaska oil pipeline was repaired and oil started flowing again earlier this week, the resumption didn’t garner much newspaper space in contrast to a few days earlier when comments by analysts brought headlines, including “an appreciable impact on the oil market” with oil headed toward $100 a barrel, reminds Grumpy Editor.

Many newspapers, in fact, did not report the resumption.

The 800-mile pipeline, carrying about 630,000 barrels a day, was shut down on Jan. 8 after a leak was discovered near a primary pumping station on the North Slope.

Gasoline stations, especially along the West Coast, immediately raised fuel prices.

The pipeline, owned by BP PLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corp. and Koch Alaska Pipeline Co. LLC, resumed delivery of about 13 percent of the nation's daily domestic oil production to tankers for West Coast delivery.

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. restarted the pipeline after installation of 157 feet of new pipe to route oil around the pumping station's leaking section.

 

Breaking news often comes with misidentified locations

News editors and writers, in efforts to be first with breaking news, often pinpoint an incident at wrong locations, latest case being yesterday’s shooting at Gardena (Calif.) High School that resulted in two injuries and the arrest of a student, observes Grumpy Editor.

When the story broke mid-day, television news channels and other news sites identified the location as at a “Los Angeles high school.”

Associated Press (with contributions by five writers) even after all was under control, later continued to report the event with a Los Angeles dateline.

Others also continued to put the scene in Los Angeles.

Later, however, CNN, for example, identified the location as a “school near L.A.”

Going into early morning hours today, CBS on-the-hour radio news placed the incident "in Southern California."

The official address of Gardena High (which has its own Web site) is 1301 W. 182^nd St., Gardena, about 16 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.  Gardena has a population of about 59,000.

Police said a gun in a 10^th grader’s backpack accidentally discharged when the bag dropped, wounding two 15-year old students, one critically, with  the same bullet.

The student who brought the gun to school was taken into custody and then to a police station.

Officials were looking into how the gun in a backpack got past the school’s metal detectors.

 

2-year study predicts 'catastrophic storm' for California

As media, and others, relish socking it to California --- keeping residents and public officials on edge --- with periodic predictions of earthquakes and droughts, now comes a study (two years in the making) that the Golden State faces a catastrophic storm that could last for more than 40 days and dump 10 feet of water on the state, notes Grumpy Editor.

Forty days and 120 inches of rain? 

That certainly would curb the continuous talk of extended periods of dry weather.

But don’t be alarmed.  It’s not in the seven-day forecast.

The watery outlook seems to be something right out of a Hollywood horror movie thriller (perhaps in splashy 3-D) rather than from the U.S. Geological Survey which issued the warning after input from scientists who relied on what came out of a computer model.

Climate researchers caution that such a superstorm is hypothetical but not improbable.

Still, while not indicating factors or pinpointing areas (desert, mountain or urban) in the calculations, the report precisely puts damage at $300 billion to $400 billion.

“We think this event happens once every 100 to 200 years or so, which puts it in the same category as our big San Andreas earthquakes,” according to Lucy Jones, USGS scientist.

Others label it as a "500-year storm.”

California now “has the potential for the biggest rainfall events in the country,” mentions Jones.

Hundreds of local and national news stories in recent months have focused on drought conditions in California --- low reservoirs, vegetables drying up in the fields after lack of water to irrigate them, lower river levels, a curb on backyard watering, and such.

However, just last month a series of storms broke records in California, dumping up to 17 inches of rain over three days in one section of Los Angeles County.

Perhaps emergency planners, with the USGS report in hand, will call for more reservoirs, levees, bridges and flood control construction in the financially-smacked state that already is deeply in the red.