Grumpy Editor

FEMA denies aid where 300 homes were destroyed by fire

Getting surprisingly little attention from major media was the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny financial assistance to Washington state’s Okanogan County residents where more than 300 homes were lost in wildfires, notes Grumpy Editor. 

The Wall Street Journal, however, reported the rejection, pointing out in addition to the lost homes in the state’s worst fire outbreak on record, “more than 100 outbuildings were destroyed, hundreds of cattle died and thousands of acres of rangeland and farmland were burned.” 

The Republican-dominated county with 41,000 residents is the largest in the state. 

WSJ reporter Jim Carlton said Elizabeth Zimmerman, FEMA deputy associate administrator, denied assistance for “individuals and households” in the county near the Canadian border because “damage assessments determined the impact to residents was ‘not of the severity and magnitude’ to warrant FEMA assistance.” 

Carlton added Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said, “We don’t always ask for help, but when we do we would have expected a little more help from the federal government.”

An appeal is pending on the FEMA decision.

 

DID YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISS THESE?

The evils of hiking sales tax:  After Japan raised the national sales tax to 8 percent from 5 percent on April 1, corporate investment dropped, households cut spending and gross domestic product fell an estimated 7 percent in the second quarter…Of interest to U.S. households that find raising kids is becoming increasingly costly:  A Reuters/Ipsos poll tallied 51 percent of Americans believe children who crossed the border illegally from Mexico “should be allowed to remain in the country for some length of time”… Good time to ask for a bank loan.  U.S. banks posted $40.24 billion in net income in the second quarter, the industry's second-highest profit total in at least 23 years, according to research firm SNL Financial…A Rasmussen Reports survey found a whopping 83 percent of American adults believe English should be the official language of the United States. (The U.S. government has yet to take that step.) “Most also agree overwhelmingly that it’s important to know the language to get ahead in today's world,” added Rasmussen…An ABC Radio news report on unusually heavy rain on New York’s Long Island worked in mention that the cause was attributed to --- global warming…To illustrate an Associate Press story on increasing numbers of Cubans migrating to Florida, a photo showing a Florida Straits rescue in rough seas by the U.S. Coast Guard was found deep in the files --- from 1994. It ran complete with AP photographer’s credit line…Debuting in the news field, Austin Beutner, 54, former Wall Street investment banker and a former Los Angeles deputy mayor, was named CEO and publisher of the Los Angeles Times…Another case of a burglarized TV van. This time while the news crew from CBS affiliate WUSA was in the Petworth neighborhood in northwest Washington, D.C. conducting interviews, most of their gear was stolen from the locked van.  Some items were recovered from dumpsters.

Current line tossed to media when details from the Pentagon are unavailable:    “We’re assessing the situation.”

Sequester cuts trigger major air traffic delays, loom as hindering National Weather Service forecasts, too

Not widely grabbing space over the past few days to inform travelers:  Federal spending cuts that furlough air traffic controllers --- requiring one day off without pay for every 10 days work --- kicked in over the weekend, that could delay close to 7,000 flights a day at about a dozen of the biggest U.S. airports, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Thus, few passengers heading for airports are aware that sequester cuts are now triggering disruptions in air travel. 

At Los Angeles International Airport, for example, aircraft arrivals are expected to sink to 48 an hour from 80.  Departures also are affected. 

The Federal Aviation Administration’s plans are “illegal, irresponsible and damaging,” says Nicholas E. Calio, chief executive of Airlines of America, which represents major U.S. airlines. 

Michael Huerta, FAA administrator, says the air traffic controllers furloughs are unavoidable.

“We’re basically dismantling” the world’s safest and most efficient air traffic control system, warns Paul Rinaldi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

 

Budget cuts could affect weather forecasts 

Also not widely mentioned is that sequester action also could affect the National Weather Service. 

The Washington Post reports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposes furloughing employees for four days across the agency that includes the National Weather Service. 

The newspaper notes NOAA would give labor unions the opportunity to offer alternatives to furloughs before finalizing its plan for reducing costs as part of the sequester. 

The union that represents National Weather Service employees criticized the furlough plan, saying it is “unnecessary and places the public at greater risk,” adds the Post.

 

In case you missed these… 

Boston radio stations plan 60 seconds of silence at 2:50 p.m. today to honor victims of last Monday’s Marathon bombing at that time…While much TV coverage of the Marathon bombing saw reporters standing in streets over the past few days, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer this morning was still reporting from a breezy, cool (temperature in the low 40s) Boston street corner --- competing with busy vehicular background traffic and sounds --- when his stand-up could easily (and more comfortably) be done from a quiet studio…A first in baseball:  the Red Sox-Kansas City Royals game in Boston was postponed Friday because of local manhunt…Still no explanation, one week after the bombing in Boston, on the role or observations of two law officers with rifles seen on the roof of the Lenox Hotel overlooking the marathon’s finish area in an Associated Press photo by Elise Amendola…Newly christened 21^st Century Fox will include the 20th Century Fox film studio, 20th Century Fox Television, Fox Broadcasting network, Fox News Channel, FX, Fox Sports, National Geographic channels and interests in foreign TV broadcasting companies, including British Sky Broadcasting...Las Vegas Sun editorial cartoonist Mike Smith captures the busy news week with a news junkie saying, "Me? Just trying to keep up with the news" while facing monitiors tuned to NBC, ABC, MSNBC, CNN, Fox, CBS plus You Tube, Facebook and Twitter.  See it here.

 

TV documentary details WWII Marine aviation disaster

Sometimes it’s a long road getting a “never-before-told” documentary on a World War II event to the television screen, finds Grumpy Editor, in the airing Sunday of “The Flintlock Disaster” involving the loss of 22 Navy aircraft in the Pacific when bad weather was encountered. 

How difficult was it? 

Los Angeles-based Leon Furgatch 15 years ago started work on the true story involving the Marine squadron in which he served as an aviation mechanic on F4U gull-winged Corsairs. 

Furgatch, an executive producer of the documentary, says he didn’t learn about the Jan. 25, 1944 tragedy until he attended a reunion of VMF-422 squadron mates in the early 1990s. 

“I was smitten with it and decided to break it to the American public because it was the greatest disaster in Marine Corps aviation history, where not a shot was fired in anger, and it also involved a cover-up by the general in charge of the Marine Air Wing," he relates.

The planes were lost on a flight from Tarawa to a safe haven.  The central Pacific atoll had been taken two months prior by Marines. 

Six pilots, including the squadron commander, died in the disaster, with remaining fliers rescued after several days at sea in one-man life rafts, notes Furgatch.  One pilot managed to get his aircraft through to the final destination 750 miles away. 

Narrated by veteran NBC newsman Tom Brokaw, the one-hour documentary airs at 5 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, on KOCE, the Public Broadcasting Service TV station that covers Los Angeles and Southern California. 

Hopefully, the full PBS network, or others, will get around to airing the program produced by Triple Threat Television. 

Furgatch says in an attempt to go the motion picture route, he ran into roadblocks “because producers or their reps informed me that WWII was out of style with the 18-to-49 age group who were the principal moviegoers.”

He adds, “Another excuse was that it was a ‘period’ piece and it would be too costly to film.”

Hit by Isaac, Times-Picayune uses Ala. backup for printing

Nothing shakes up a newspaper operation more than a power outage, especially during a major news event, such as when Hurricane Isaac hit New Orleans this week, cutting off power for the Times-Picayune, notes Grumpy Editor. 

The newspaper, in the Advance Publications Inc. family with daily circulation of about 141,000, called on the Press-Register, a sister publication in Mobile, Ala., 130 miles away to handle the printing. 

Isaac grew into a hurricane as it reached Louisiana and was downgraded to tropical storm on Wednesday afternoon. 

The howling wind and heavy rain cut power for 83 percent of the New Orleans metropolitan area.

Those able to access the Web kept up with news developments via NOLA. com.

Andrew Beaujon, writing at Poynter.org, reported an email from Ricky Mathews, Times-Picayune publisher, explained the newspaper has not missed a day of publication.  Mathews pointed out:

“We printed in Mobile, Alabama last night (Wednesday) since we have no power at the plant in New Orleans. Our drivers braved high wind and rain to get the papers back to Louisiana. Of course, there will be spotty delivery, but subscribers will get deliveries when conditions permit. We also enabled free access to the e-edition of the Times-Picayune via NOLA.com and communicated that access in advance of the storm.”

Meanwhile, the Times-Picayune, established in 1837, continued with plans to shift to a non-daily in the fall, printing three days a week.

Mathews earlier said the switch was necessary by the upheaval in the newspaper publishing industry and the future focus will be on boosting online news.

Isaac throws curve as Tampa 'hurricane’ muffled for GOP

Out of the 15,000 news folks sent to Tampa to cover the Republican National Convention, now starting tomorrow rather than today because of earlier concerns about inclement weather, it seems 14,999 have turned into weather reporters, observes Grumpy Editor.

They continued to be focused on Isaac --- whether labeled a tropical storm or a potential hurricane --- long predicted to bring wind and rain to the gathering at Tampa Bay Times Forum. 

Since early last week, media have been working Isaac into reports relating to the GOP gathering. 

However, latest forecasts now place Isaac on a course heading toward the New Orleans area, rather than western Florida. 

With all the hurricane talk popping up last week when Isaac was 1,600 miles southeast of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, the city’s mayor, on Wednesday said he was ready to call off the Republican convention, if necessary, because of the predicted bad weather and much talk (mostly by media) on a direct hit on his fair city. 

That made front-page headlines and grabbed prime time broadcast coverage as Tampa geared up with storm preparations. 

TV cameras stepped up ever-popular shots of far-away wind-blown palm trees --- with fronds that flutter even with the slightest breeze on clear-sky days. 

Yesterday in a turnabout, the Tampa mayor, a Democrat, said he saw no problems with the weather during the GOP convention period. 

That cut the stress for the expected 50,000 visitors to Tampa in connection with the convention. 

But fidgety, Weather Channel-watching Republicans already had pushed today's speakers into Tuesday and beyond. 

Print and broadcast media have been heralding hurricane since the middle of last week. 

Media predicted Isaac "could" become a hurricane on Thursday.  Then hurricane status was delayed to Friday.  Saturday was next with no graduation.  Yesterday it still was a tropical storm on a more western path as it passed Key West, Florida, with few incidents. 

Meanwhile, umbrella sales continued to rise in Tampa.

U.S.’s $2 billion clean air package story mostly buried

With most editors focused on a flurry of Washington developments plus problems connected with a tropical storm and expanding wildfires, many missed a $2 billion clean energy package that the U.S. announced during a three-day United Nations conference in Rio de Janeiro attended by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Editors who drive to work dodging growing roadway potholes, not fixed because of lack of funds, should be concerned on $2 billion more going in the form of grants, loans and loan guarantees for programs to advance the adoption of clean energy solutions in developing countries. 

"In the 21st century, the only viable development is sustainable development,” said Clinton to delegates from 192 nations.  “The only way to deliver lasting progress for everyone is by preserving our resources and protecting our common environment." 

Earlier, a State Department spokesperson mentioned, “The UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative represents an important opportunity for the international community to address issues critical to the future of sustainable development, energy access and economic growth.

“Expanding the use of efficient and clean energy technologies is a priority of the Obama Administration, domestically and internationally, and increasing energy access is a central challenge facing the world.”

With all this going on in Brazil, lacking in news reports from current heavy flooding from a tropical storm in Florida and major wildfires in several states, including Colorado, affecting many thousands of residents, was any mention of financial aid including assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 

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.

 

Costa Concordia disaster sparks editorial cartoonists

The captain of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia that tumbled against rocks near the port of Giglio, an island off the Italian coast, is getting it from all sides --- and inspiring editorial cartoonists overseas and in the U.S., observes Grumpy Editor. 

In Europe, the Brussels newspaper, La Libre Belgique, in an editorial cartoon this week, links the maritime disaster with the euro. 

Belgian cartoonist Christian Louis (who signs his work simply “Clou”) sketches a large cruise ship, named Euro, on its side against rocks near a beach where two men stand.  One asks, “Is the captain on board?”  The other responds, “What captain?” 

While that might not bring a Jay Leno-type laugh, the cartoon illustrates two mighty events that happened on Friday the 13^th: 

Standard & Poor's downgraded the debt rating of several eurozone countries in the euro area and the Costa Concordia keeled over at Giglio. 

Among editorial cartoonists in the U.S., Mike Luckovich, of the Atlanta-Constitution, wasted no time in drawing a sinking ship, identified as Titanic 2012, with a message, “Attention passengers, the icebergs melted and we hit a drowning polar bear…” 

 

NOW ABOUT THE CAPTAIN IN THE LIFEBOAT

Meanwhile, much is being made of cruise ship captain Francesco Schettino’s remarks while chaos spread on the stricken vessel. 

Quotes from La Repubblica, one of Italy's two national daily newspapers, makes worldwide rounds in describing how the ship’s captain explained how he wound up in a lifeboat while passengers were struggling on decks. 

“I was trying to get people into the boats in an orderly fashion,” the newspaper quotes Schettino explaining to a judge during a hearing Tuesday. “Suddenly, since the ship was at a 60-70-degree angle, I tripped and I ended up in one of the boats. That's how I found myself in the lifeboat.”

As for crashing the 114,500-ton, 952-foot-long ship --- in service for five and a half years --- with 4,234 people on board, the captain says:

"I made a mistake on the approach.” 

 

Most media miss Carnival Corp. as Costa Concordia owner

Many print/broadcast reporters have been confused over ownership of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia that ran aground with 4,234 people on board Friday night off Giglio island, 18 miles off Italy’s central west coast, observes Grumpy Editor.

The 114,500-ton, 952-foot-long Italian-built ship, in service five and a half years, hit an object (possibly a rock) that caused a 160-foot gash in its hull, sending water gushing into the vessel.  It rolled over in shallow water.  

Passengers described the resulting confusion as reminiscent of the Titanic. 

The ship was near capacity, with 4,234 people, including about 1,100 crew, on board. 

Death toll reached five with 29 missing. 

While most print and broadcast reports identified the ship as being Italian, run by Genoa-based Costa Cruises, actual owner is New York Stock Exchange-listed Carnival Corp. & plc, the world’s largest cruise ship operator, with dual headquarters in Miami and London. 

Along with Costa, the company owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line among others, with a fleet of 101 ships.  Another 10 ships are scheduled for delivery by March 2016. 

Costa Cruises operates 15 ships. 

Corporate public relations people will be very busy in the days ahead. 

"This is a PR nightmare for the Costa brand," said Jaime Katz, equity analyst from investment research company Morningstar in Chicago, Reuters reported. 

The stricken vessel was one of Carnival Corp.’s key assets in the lucrative European cruise market.

 

Casey Anthony trial tops Bing’s 2011 most searched list

Already, one month before year’s end, and a Bing top 10 list of most searched news stories for 2011 is the first out of the chute, notes Grumpy Editor. 

Search engine Bing, from Microsoft Corp., tallied news items on high profile trials of Casey Anthony (tops on the list) and Michael Jackson/Dr. Conrad Murray (No. 7) as among those getting the most attention. 

Also sought by inquisitive minds were natural disasters Hurricane Irene (No. 3), Japan’s earthquake and tsunami (No. 4) and the Joplin tornado (No. 6). 

Remembrances ranking high included the 9/11 10-year anniversary (No. 8) and the one-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake (No. 10). 

How they stacked up for Bing searchers: 

• Casey Anthony trial
• Osama bin Laden death
• Hurricane Irene
• Japan earthquake/tsunami
• Amy Winehouse death
• Joplin tornado
• Michael Jackson/Dr. Conrad Murray trial
• 9/11 10-year anniversary
• Republican candidates Herman Cain, Rick Perry
• Haiti anniversary 

Interestingly, nothing connected to Congress, jobs, taxes, economy or unusual stock market gyrations made the top 10.