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Day By Day by Chris Muir
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Los Angeles Times: Give US a Reason to READ
Hugh Hewitt this morning asks the L.A. Times to give us a reason to read and subscribe to the paper and offers suggestions, Memo for Los Angeles Times Publisher Jeffrey M. Johnson.
OK, Kinsley’s on the way out as is Carroll. Baquet’s much admired around the newsroom, and the guys in Chicago will give you a year, maybe 18 months. It isn’t clear that advertisers are that generous, and they appear to be figuring out the dramatic drop in your touch-rate. People are subscribing for sports, comics and the Calender section, and maybe Outdoors. Much of the rest of the paper is unread. Why buys ads in pages nobody touches? That’s the problem. And word is getting out.
You can’t rebuild in a day, but you can start with the obvious stuff.
Give conservatives a rason to read the paper every day. How hard can this be for your team to understand? Get Mark Steyn, Michael Barone, Dennis Prager, Cathy Seipp and keep Max Boot and run one of them on a specific day of the week, every week. Presto! I and millions of others have a reason to check the online edition editorial page every day. Do the same thing for the left, although they can already count on that.
Then line up some regular Southern California commentators for regional issues, again from both sides of the aisle. Have you ever bothered to read Patterico and Carol Platt Leibau? They are excellent writers. RogerLSimon can turn a phrase. In fact, he writes excellent novels and scripts and a great blog. Try Baldilocks. In fact, see if The Green Side’s Lt. Col Bellon or Smash are up for regular contributions. There are hundreds of thousands of active duty, reservist and retired military in Southern California, plus their families. Do you think they’d appreciate a bit of regulalry scheduled space for their worldview? There are other similar underserved or never served communties. Serve them. This isn’t hard.
A good suggestion, Hugh.
There has to be a way to merge the NEW Media and the traditional newspaper both newsprint and online editions.
Also, glad to see you mention my Bear Flag League brothers and sisters.
Here’s my last suggestion for the day: Talk to the people who hate your paper but who love news. I read the Washington Post, the Boston Globe and the New York Times. I don’t bother with your paper. There are thousands and thousands like me. We don’t need the relentless agenda journalism and cloistered opinions.
Good luck. California deserves a first class newspaper, not a newsletter to the left beloved by the Pulitzer voters but not by the people it is supposed to be selling to.
Indeed we do and Flap would like to subscribe again….. but only to the online edition with a new media component.
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Proposition 80: Reinstated to California Special Election Ballot
The California Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s decision Wednesday and ordered election officials to place an initiative that would re-regulate the state’s electricity market back on the Nov. 8 special-election ballot.
The justices, in a 6-0 decision, said the constitutionality of Proposition 80 could be decided after the election if it’s approved by voters.
Proponents: Robert Finkelstein and Michel Peter Florio (415) 929-8876
Subjects electric service providers, as defined, to control and regulation by California Public Utilities Commission. Imposes restrictions on electricity customers’ ability to switch from private utilities to other electric providers. Provides that registration by electric service providers with Commission constitutes providers’ consent to regulation. Requires all retail electric sellers, instead of just private utilities, to increase renewable energy resource procurement by at least 1% each year, with 20% of retail sales procured from renewable energy by 2010, instead of current requirement of 2017. Imposes duties on Commission, Legislature and electrical providers. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Annual state costs of up to $4 million for regulatory activities of the California Public Utilities Commission. These costs would be fully offset by fee revenues. Unknown impact on state and local costs and revenues, as the measure’s impact on retail electricity rates is uncertain.
Is this an OMEN for Proposition 77?
Briefs are due in the Court of Appeal by Friday, so stay tuned.
However, it appears even if approved by the voters the neasure will be back before the courts.
In a suit by energy producers, the appeals court ruled last week that Prop. 80 conflicted with a provision added to the state Constitution in 1911 that gave the Legislature “plenary power” to increase the PUC’s authority over utilities. Plenary power is defined as total and exclusive, leaving no room for lawmaking by initiative, the three-judge panel said.
But the state’s high court said Wednesday it wasn’t clear that the ballot measure and the constitutional provision were in conflict. In those circumstances, it’s advisable to defer any legal challenge until after the election, “rather than to disrupt the electoral process by preventing exercise of the people’s franchise,” the court said, quoting its own ruling in a 1982 election case.
If Prop. 80 passes, the case will be back before the court.
Look forward to Proposition 77 to be treated in a like manner.
It is not over until it is over…..or until the Caifornia or U.S. Supreme Court decides.
Technorati Tags: California Special election, Proposition 80, Proposition 77, California Supreme Court
Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page.
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Day By Day by Chris Muir
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California Special Election Ballot
The California Secretary of State, Bruce McPherson released yesterday the details of the special election ballot.
The Link to the Secretary of State’s Office is here.
The draft copy of the Official Voter Information Guide for the November 8, 2005, Special Statewide Election can be accessed through the PDF files listed below. The law requires the Secretary of State’s Office to place the Official Voter Information Guide on “Public Display” before we print and mail a copy to every household of a registered voter. The Secretary of State is making the Official Voter Information Guide available for public inspection from July 26, 2005, through August 15, 2005.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A FINAL COPY. THERE MAY BE COURT-ORDERED CHANGES MADE TO THIS VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE BEFORE THE FINAL COPY IS PRINTED AND DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.
Please register to Vote and Vote on Election Day.
Flap has included a link for online voter registration below.
Technorati Tags: Bruce McPherson, California Special Election, Bear Flag League
Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page
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MIRROSCOPE: Mirror Imaging Systems
Flap ran across this dental gadget: MirroScopeTM is a unique combination of the familiar intra oral dental mirror, and a sophisticated hi-tech CCD sensor, which transfers a full-color, high-resolution real-time video image of the object reflected in the mirror.
MirroScopeTM allows the freedom to work without having to change standard procedures, but at the same time, be able to upgrade some of the procedures to a new improved operative level. This new concept provides for the first time a real clinical value to the old Intra oral camera.
The unique design of the sensor eye, mounted in a small one millimeter in diameter hole in the center of the dental mirror and its special focus system, allows for complete imaging intra oral and extra oral capabilities, along with complete accessibility to all areas of the mouth cavity, including hard-to-see regions. Independent lighting capabilities allow operating easily in the dark or obscure areas.
The need for the mirroscopeTM (Size: 2 MB)
Clinical Procedures (Size: 6 MB)
Check it out!
An interesting concept!
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Schwarzenegger: Tinkertoy Terminator
Jonah Goldberg of the National Review has, Tinkertoy Terminator No more power to the people! in which he blames Californians for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s woes.
It’s not nice to kick a guy when he’s down, but I’m thinking he can handle it. Arnold Schwarzenegger is falling apart like a Terminator made from Tinkertoys. About a year ago, flibbertigibbets and voluptuaries in Washington and California were convinced that Arnold could somehow intimidate the entire political process into revoking that pesky amendment that bars the foreign born from running for president (though I suppose it doesn’t bar them from running, just serving). Now Schwarzenegger is doing worse in the polls than that vaguely remembered political skid mark of the Schwarzenegger juggernaut, Gray Davis, was when he was ousted from office in a recall.
These Washington columnists do not have an appropriate read on California politics or the Governor. Schwarzenegger has skillfully been raising and saving resources for the November special election and grooming a donor base for his re-election in 2006.
The governator has been successful in attriting the special interests that will coalesce in an attempt to deny him re-election. He has made them raise an inordinate amount of money (by surcharging the paychecks of union employees, teachers and prison guards) and waste resources on an off-year election. Granted he needs a better media campaign, but as a Hollywood Star, when the times comes…..He’ll BE BACK.
True, he has slipped in the polls. And true, he should have launched his own media campaign to combat the well conceived television ad campaign of the unions. But……. the Governator has been keeping his powder dry, is right on the issues and is ready for a November fight.
I’m sympathetic to the substance of Schwarzenegger’s agenda. But the last thing California needs is more populism. What it needs are strong, competitive political parties, run by people who are held accountable for their actions, not overruled by special elections and referenda every time things go south.
Ultimately, the real culprits are Californians themselves. They don’t want responsible leaders so they don’t get them. Golden Staters would do well to remember their Shakespeare. The fault lies not in the movie star, dear Californians, but in yourselves.
Stay Tuned.
Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, Bear Flag League
Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page
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Day By Day by Chris Muir
Congrats, Captain Ed!
Captain’s Quarters is one of Flap’s favorite Blogs.
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Medical Scans Can Set Off Airport Security Alarms
Oooopsssss, you are not a terrorist, just someone with a recent medical scan. The BBC has the story.
Over 18 million scans using radioactive versions of common elements are carried out in the UK each year.
They include tests of the thyroid gland, bone, and blood flow to the heart muscle.
Professor Richard Underwood, of London’s Royal Brompton Hospital, said the side effects should be made clear.
Patient information cards could lessen the impact of such false alarms and avoid unnecessary interrogations by airport security personnel 
Professor Richard UnderwoodHe called for patients to be issued with standard information cards about their scan if it made use of radioisotopes.
The Lancet piece highlights the case of a 55-year-old commercial pilot referred for cardiac investigation.
Doctors carried out a scan using a radioisotope of the element thallium.
Two days after the scan the patient travelled to Moscow as a crew member.
While passing through customs, the radiation detector alarms were triggered, and the patient was detained for questioning.
After extensive interrogation, he was released, but experienced the same problem at the same airport four days later.
Eventually the airport security officials gave him a card to carry while travelling that explained his scan was to blame.
So, what are you waiting for……….GET the CARD.
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Move America Forward.org: “I LOVE AMERICA†ART EXHIBIT
This coming Thursday the heated political debate surrounding an art exhibit co-sponsored by State Attorney General Bill Lockyer will intensify when conservative opponents of the Lockyer-sponsored exhibit put on their own, counter exhibit.
The Sacramento-based pro-military non-profit group, Move America Forward, has announced it is teaming up with Sacramento talk show host, Mark Williams of KFBK 1530, to put on an “I Love America†art exhibit and rally.
Organizers say they want to showcase a pro-American display of art because they feel the artwork hanging from the walls of the California Department of Justice is anti-American, anti-military, anti-Christian and anti-Semitic.
About time!
Read the Move America Forward.org news release here.
Read it all!
The “I LOVE AMERICA†art exhibit will be featured in front of the California Department of Justice building (located at 1300 I Street in Downtown Sacramento) from 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM this Thursday, July 28, 2005. The pro-American art exhibit will be directly in front of the offensive exhibit on display on the first floor of the California Department of Justice building.
Additionally hundreds of people are expected for a pro-America rally that will take place simultaneous to the art exhibit.
The rally will take place in front of the California Department of Justice building at 1300 I Street in Downtown Sacramento (corner of 13th and I streets).
Participants are invited to bring American flags, and signs showcasing their support for our troops and America’s heritage of democracy and liberty.
“We want to send a message heard round the world that Americans stand united with our troops and the fight against terrorism. And we want to make it very clear that those who constantly howl about how bad they think our nation is are but a very small minority,†Melanie Morgan said.
The event will also be carried live on KFBK 1530 AM in Sacramento from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM on Thursday, July 28.