Grumpy Editor

Fed figures vary as S.S. COLA calculation time nears

Financially squeezed retirees will be observing prices closely in the July-August-September quarter, since that’s the period the government bases its cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security payments starting in January and already June figures --- released three days apart last week from two government agencies --- showed some wide variations as eyes are fixed on inflation that is quietly stirring on the sidelines, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Focusing solely on the vital food element, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), while emphasizing to media that overall food inflation will remain near the historic norm this year, went on to somewhat contradict itself by mentioning:

■  The drought in California, a prime source for supermarket products, “could potentially have large and lasting effects on fruit, vegetable, dairy and egg prices” while drought conditions in Texas and Oklahoma “could drive beef prices up even further.” The USDA predicted wholesale beef prices advancing 8 to 9 percent this year with pork prices jumping 10 to 11 percent.  In contrast, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said, “dairy and related products turned down in June.” 

■  Before the lack of irrigation water in California smacked vegetable crops, thus boosting prices, the USDA expected 2.5 to 3.5 percent “food inflation” this year. 

■  Also facing higher prices:  fish and seafood due to decreased supplies of some species and higher consumer demand. 

■  News from the BLS cited food costs, after surging in recent months, slowed to a tiny 0.1 percent rise in June from the prior month when it gained 0.5 percent.  That, added the BLS, put June with the smallest monthly increase since January and thus lowered the annual increase in food prices to 2.3 percent from 2.5 percent in May.

Into the final COLA mix, of course, also goes medical, energy, shelter, apparel, new vehicles, among other items.  (CPI-W is the basis for the 2015 Social Security COLA, stemming from the third quarter.) 

The latest tally put the consumer price index on all items in the 12 months to June up a rather modest 2 percent --- with the BLS noting (contrary to the USDA report) “the food index decelerated in June.” 

A Rasmussen Reports survey earlier this month revealed 88 percent of U.S. adults said they are paying more for groceries this year than in 2013.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE...

 

Major media aren’t on to this yet:  Some young illegal border crossers are being transported around the country by --- U.S. Coast Guard aircraft…Grabbing much media attention (especially broadcast news) last week was the report of a female burglary suspect, 28, who was shot dead outside the home of an 80-year old man in Long Beach, Calif. after she allegedly shouted, "Don't shoot me! I'm pregnant ---I'm going to have a baby."  However, there was little follow up following word from the coroner Friday that the woman was NOT pregnant...Attention news release writers:  Chicago-based communications firm Greentarget noted journalists are bombarded with press releases, with 45 percent of them getting 50 or more a week while 21 percent receive at least 100 --- with the majority of recipients spending less than 60 seconds looking at them…New York Daily News trimmed 17 more newsroom staffers…Another HOA in action:  Lake of the Pines Homeowners Association, Auburn, Calif., told a Vietnam War veteran who --- for a decade --- has been building furniture in his garage and giving it to needy families to shutter his activities or be fined between $100 and $1,000.  “I don’t make a profit. The money I spend is my own money, my own time and talents,” said Dennis Kocher …In the “huh?” department:  Pentagon operations in the U.S. and overseas are threatened by climate change.  "The effects of the changing climate affect the full range of department activities, including plans, operations, training, infrastructure, acquisition and longer-term investments," said Daniel Chiu, a deputy assistant secretary of defense…Congress departs on a five-week vacation this week.  A key reason not much has passed:  Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has 330 bills piled up in his office…Associated Press reports that after spending nearly $300 million on a new computer system to handle disability claims, the Social Security Administration still can't get it to work --- and officials can't say when it will.  AP mentioned Maryland-based Lockheed Martin was selected in 2011 as the project’s prime contractor…Alan Murray moves into the editor’s office at Fortune magazine on Aug. 25.  He was president of Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C., and earlier worked at The Wall Street Journal and CNBC.

 

A steamy TV spot for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s pairs swimsuit model Hannah Ferguson and actress-entertainer Paris Hilton promoting the Texas BBQ Thickburger.  Yes, it employs the old soaping down a big, muddy pickup truck routine and munching on the monster sandwich.  See the footage here.

 

Calif. Gov. Brown pushes for more brown in Golden State

California, known to be first in the nation with new methods to pry extra dollars from residents’ wallets, now is aiming fines up to $500 a day from those who waste water washing cars, watering lawns and landscaping, notes Grumpy Editor.

Obviously dirty cars and brown landscapes will be the “in” look now in the Golden State  --- with the blame pinned on the drought which is gaining much media attention. 

After finding conservation measures failing to achieve a 20 percent water reduction use sought by Gov. Jerry Brown, the State Water Resources Board last week approved fines for urban dwellers who overwater. 

“Out goal here is to light a fire under those who aren’t taking the drought seriously,” said a WRB official.  California’s new public service slogan:  Brown is the new green.

Los Angeles already has overwatering penalties of up to $600.  But in Glendora, 26 miles east of Los Angeles, voluntarily withholding water on outside greenery posed another problem.  A water-conserving couple with a wilted front lawn in Glendora received a letter from that city last week threatening a $500 penalty for not watering their lawn, giving them 60 days to “keep their landscaping looking healthy and green” in order to correct a “potential public nuisance problem.”

Already, though, Santa Cruz is bending for residents socked with hefty water fines.  Overwaterers can attend the “Santa Cruz Water School,” a free class that eliminates all water penalties, if successfully completed.  Among topics: how to read a water meter.

And regarding the much-talked-about drought:

California always has had years of varying precipitation.  Focusing on Los Angeles, while the 2012-2013 rainfall season saw only 5.85 inches of rain, two years prior brought no mentions of drought as 20.20 inches of rain drenched the area.  About double that --- close to a hefty 40 inches of rain --- were measured in 2004-2005, a season that triggered media headlines and photos showing flooded roads, tumbling hillsides and sliding homes.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…

Drought headlines may soon take a back seat.  Risk of earthquakes rises for one third of the U.S., warned an update from the U.S. Geological Survey.  States with the highest risk of shakers:  California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, South Carolina, Alaska and Hawaii…Inflation indicator:  A Rasmussen Reports survey tallied 88 percent of American adults said they are paying more for groceries this year than last year, up six points from last month and the highest since May, 2012…Lost among soccer stories:  Baseball still grabs attention as the All Star Game last Tuesday averaged more than 11.3 million Fox viewers to the American League’s 5-3 win.  That’s up from 11 million last year…Politico reported former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney joined the Washington Speakers Bureau which could result in payments of up to $100,000 per speech…A Hong Kong investor group has acquired a majority stake in Forbes Media LLC, which includes Forbes magazine.  Steve Forbes, chairman and editor in chief, will continue with the operation.

 

DOES THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER READ NEWSPAPERS, WATCH TV?  Despite bold headlines and lead broadcast stories on thousands of illegals crossing the porous border from Mexico, Harry Reid (D-Nev.) declared, “the border is secure.”  Responding to that, Pinal County (Ariz.) Sheriff Paul Babeu, highly involved with the illegal border crossers, said Reid is “completely devoid of reality.”

Feds place barriers in illegals coverage by media

Restricting media from fully covering newsworthy, front-page happenings --- especially with the government involved --- always has been a strong no-no, reminds Grumpy Editor.

Thus, it was interesting to see media back off when Health and Human Services (HHS) officials threw up a barrier to on-scene coverage of border-crossing illegal minors being housed at Fort Sill, Okla.  It is the same federal facility that on July 1 thwarted entrance by Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), the congressman who represents the area.

HHS later invited the media, but issued seven rules that would make any grizzly, grumpy editor pound on his desk, utter some nasty words and call for immediate action from Washington…or else.

The unusual restrictions to visiting media as spelled out by HHS “in order to protect the safety and privacy of the children” call for:

   “■ No recording devices will be allowed.

    ■ No questions will be allowed during the tour.

    ■ No interacting with staff and children at the shelter.

    ■ We ask that your questions be provided via email or phone after the tour to Kenneth Wolfe.

    ■ HHS ACF (Administration for Children and Families) public affairs will provide answers to your follow up questions as quickly as possible.

    ■ We will provide photos of the facility after the tour.

    ■ There will be no on-site interviews by HHS staff before or after the tour, all inquiries go to Kenneth Wolfe.”

“This is not transparent,” declared Bridenstine.  “HHS is trying to muzzle the media and hide the human tragedy that has resulted directly from the administration’s failure to enforce the law.”

Meanwhile, along with other restrictions imposed by the Obama administration on coverage of the young illegals making their way around the country, Media Research Center president Brent Bozell said in a Fox News interview:

"This is an administration that is becoming unglued...reacting with panic the way the Chicago machine reacts where they're just trying to ram down the throats of the public the rules as they see fit," adding "they are breaking the Constitution at every level. This seems to be the First Amendment that's threatened by these people."

Bozell added the press is taking it lying down rather than telling "the Obama administration to go fly a kite."

But grumbling among journalists is nearing a crescendo. 

Last week, 38 journalism groups, led by the Society of Professional Journalists and including the American Society of Journalists and Authors, American Society of News Editors, National Federation of Press Women and National Press Photographers Association, sent a letter to the White House assailing the president’s team for censoring media coverage, limiting access to top officials and overall “politically-driven suppression of the news” despite the president’s 2008 campaign pledge to provide transparency.

 

IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE...

One phrase for sure you will not hear or read today through mid-week:  global warming.  That’s because a cool jet stream will be sending Midwest temperatures as much as 20 degrees below normal…Fortune magazine last week launched (without blushing over the title) a daily online newsletter highlighting news on the world’s most powerful women.  Its name?  The Broadsheet…Steve Roberts, who lives in The Oaks apartments, Santee, Calif., and whose father served for more than 25 years in the military, was told he could not display the American flag inside his apartment window --- and management will not tell him why…Nineteen veteran journalists, with 586 years of combined experience, are departing the Star Tribune, Minneapolis, on Friday, leaving the newsroom with about 230 staffers…Observed on the CNBC website before the stock market opening bell last Monday:  “U.S. stocks begin lower in pullback from record” previous day…University of Georgia researchers tally total enrollment in the nation’s journalism schools has dropped, noting the biggest decline --- 33 percent in five years --- at Columbia College Chicago which specializes in arts and media disciplines, with nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees…The New York Times goes to great lengths to report from the West Coast on “Saving Water in California,” pointing out “the state needs much stronger conservation measures if it wants to battle its worst drought in decades and not to face severe water shortages.”

Declared President Barack Obama --- one day after he was photographed shooting pool in Texas --- in connection with the (nixed) suggestion of viewing first hand the massive influx of illegals at the Texas-Mexico border:  “I am not interested in photo ops.”

Are things really rosy on the U.S. financial front?

Investors heralded the Dow Jones industrial average closing above 17,000 for the first time on Thursday in pre-Fourth of July trading after embracing reports of expansion in U.S. and Chinese manufacturing plus cheering the latest jobs report, notes Grumpy Editor. 

All seems rosy on the financial front. 

But one wonders why all the excitement when, as examples, the communist Chinese are bubbling along in manufacturing while the number of Americans 16 and older, who are not participating in the work force, hit a record 92.1 million last month. 

While a key focus in business reports was U.S. employers adding 288,000 workers to payrolls in June, the number of Americans without jobs and not actively seeking one --- the participation rate --- in the past four weeks is up 111,000 from April, points out Ali Meyer in a CNSNews.com report based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Most news outlets were mum on the “without jobs” statistic. 

Although the unemployment rate drifted to 6.1 percent in June from 6.3 percent in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the labor force participation rate for Americans was 62.8 percent, matching a 36-year low, notes Meyer.

Meanwhile, business economics writer Tom Blumer, on the NewsBusters site yesterday in response to an Associated Press story highlighting the “humming” job market and the economy "finally showing the vigor that Americans have long awaited,” points out the AP piece never mentioned that the U.S. has shown “two straight months (April and May) of real declines in consumer purchases; the seasonally adjusted decline of 523,000 in full-time employment paired with an increase of 799,000 part-time jobs in June; April’s and May's trade imbalance coming in worse than March’s, which was already very high; shipments of durable goods barely budging in April and May; factory orders falling in May; or May’s flat construction spending.”

 

 

In case your favorite news outlets missed these…

IN THE ‘HUH?’ DEPARTMENT:  EEOC DECLARES SPEAKING ENGLISH ON JOB IS ‘DISCRIMINATION.’ Wisconsin Plastics, Inc., A Green Bay metal and plastic products manufacturer founded 42 years ago, is being sued by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for firing a group of Hispanic and Asian employees over their inability to speak English at work.  The EEOC claims the English-language requirement in a U.S. business constitutes “discrimination.”  Says Irene Garcia, of Judicial Watch:  “If you are a private company in the United States, you should be able to require your employees to speak English.”

 

MOBILE ADS SEEN SURPASSING PRINT, RADIO THIS YEAR.  Adweek reports New York-based independent market research firm eMarketer sees mobile advertising accounting for 9.8 percent of total U. S. ads this year, surpassing newspapers (9.3 percent), magazines (8.4 percent) and radio (8.6 percent).

 

ANOTHER (YAWN) BYLINE STRIKE.  Journalists and columnists at Toronto’s Globe and Mail refuse to put their names on copy as negotiations between their union and the paper’s management neared a breaking point.  Other than relatives and friends of the staffers, few readers consider missing bylines something that causes loss of sleep.

 

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO READIES MEDIA SCHOOL. Slated to debut on the Boulder campus in the fall next year is the College of Media, Communication and Information at the University of Colorado.

 

Drivers in Los Angeles are gearing up for another major gridlock in a chunk of the city as President Barack Obama is slated to visit the area again on July 23, speaking at a DNC fundraising dinner and reception.