Death of a Newspaper

Blog Interrupted...

2008-12-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

Yup, that's right folks. 'Tis the season to be too busy to blog at the moment. Stay tuned for more in 2009...

A message to GM: Kill the Hummer, please!

2008-11-19T08:21:00.001-08:00

I'm not going to pretend to know whether we should or should not bail-out GM.... All I know is that I hated seeing Hummers on the road and never thought GM should have been making them. Funny, I don't see as many Hummers around Redding these days. I wonder why? Perhaps it's the fact they get about 4 miles to the gallon?

As GM executives head to the Hill for a second day of bail-out discussions, I am left wondering whether GM should be "rewarded" for greed, hedonism and ineptitude? Should GM be rewarded for completely being unprepared for the rise in gasoline prices and increase demand for hybrid cars? My knee-jerk reaction is "no," GM should not be rewarded for greed and for keeping their heads buried in the sand.

But at the same time, I'd be an idiot to think that the the fall-out from NOT assisting GM would be anything that this country needs right now, either.

And if Congress does decide to bail-out GM, all I can say is that GM better not make any more Hummers, or I'll be really, really pissed off seeing my tax dollars going towards Hummers!!!

Thus, my quandary. I don't have the answers.... But I suggest these good reads instead:

1. GM, Driven to the Brink. New York Times article, Sunday, October 26, 2008.

2. The Automotive Bail-Out, Asking the Wrong Questions. A nice piece from Cafe de Mello, a fellow Redding blogger.

3. Detroit Chiefs Back on Hill for 2nd Day, NYTimes, 11/19/08.

4. A Sea of Unwanted Imported, NYTimes, 11/19/08

Image Source: Google.

An interesting read over yonder on Really Redding...

2008-11-18T08:44:00.001-08:00

For those of you who may have missed this Really Redding article yesterday, I will re-post it here: "Record Searchlight abandons any hint of journalistic integrity."

I am not going to comment on either the original Record Searchlight article, or this article from Really Redding. Why? Well, because I don't read the Sunday Record Searchlight anymore, and I did not read the original article.

However, I am glad to see that Really Redding is fiercely opinionated, and willing to share his/her views with us about this issue. Right on! Thank you!

A very moving Campoon....

2008-11-11T09:07:00.000-08:00

Philbert the Campoon, our Almost-Esteemed-Emperor of Redding, has a new and very moving cartoon over yonder on Food for Thought ... Check it out!

Image Source: Google.

Speaking of family values...

2008-11-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

I'm still trying to digest the fact that several members of my immediate family voted for McCain/Palin due to Sarah Palin's "pro-life" stance. This doesn't sit well with me, for a myriad of reasons. Here's a Newsweek article written by Jacob Weisberg entitled "What Happened to Family Values?" that summarizes my discomfort with the hypocrisy of throwing Palin on the McCain ticket because she is "pro-life." As Weisberg states, "Palin's pro-life extremism is as ethically flawed as it is politically damaging to the GOP." And I'll leave it at that for now, until my family members are sitting around the turkey on Thanksgiving. Please pass the cranberry sauce.... Thanks! ;-)

Great quote from Jacob Weisberg's article here:
"Forget the 'Juno' scenario—in the real world, few unwed mothers give up their babies for adoption. If you do not allow teenage girls who accidentally become pregnant to have abortions, you are demanding that they either raise their children as single mothers or that they marry in shotgun weddings. By the numbers, neither alternative is promising. Unmarried teenage moms seldom get much financial or emotional support from the fathers of their babies. They tend to drop out of high school, go on the dole and are prone to lives of poverty, frustration and disorder. Only 2 percent of them make it through college by the age of 30. The Bristol Palin option doesn't promote family happiness, stability or traditional structure, either. Of women under 18 who marry, whether because of pregnancy or not, nearly half divorce within 10 years, double the rate for those who wait until they're 25."

Photo Source: Hollywood Celebs' Gossip.

Au revoir, Sarah Palin!

2008-11-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

Apparently Sarah Palin and the Palin Bunch have returned home to govern/mis-manage Alaska...

The real question is what will Sarah Palin do now that she helped John McCain lose his last chance for the White House?

I'm thinking there will soon be a new reality t.v. series soon called "Palin Place."

Or maybe there will be a new cartoon for young girls called "Caribou Barbie," in which young girls are taught to enter beauty competitions at a young age and then spend years trying out different colleges. The cartoon would also promote teen sex, and promote teenagers having babies out of wedlock, and imposing wedlock upon teenagers once they give birth.

Or maybe Sarah Palin will be able to replace Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live and will keep doing impersonations of herself as Caribou Barbie. Let's face it, Sarah Palin is way more Hollywood than Washington, D.C....

Also, stay tuned for Sarah Palin's book about running for Vice President. She's still working on the title. Any suggestions? How about: "Golly gee, I was almost Vice President. Wow!" Or maybe "Only One Heartbeat Away."

Still can't get enough of Sarah Palin? Here's one more hilarious spoof on "President Sarah Palin." Double-click on the items on the wall and on her desk, including the pictures on the wall, the lights on the wall, the college "degree" on the wall, the bridge to nowhere, her desk, the red phone, the photos behind her and the paper shredder. Also note the oil rigs outside her window, as well as the dinasaurs.... Too funny!!!

God Bless America, and thank God Sarah Palin did not make it near the White House... this time.

Image Source: Google.

Al Franken and the Counting Recounters Who Count Them...

2008-11-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Just in case you're wondering, Al Franken's race for the Senate is too close to call in Minnesota, and Al Franken is now calling for a counting of the recounts who count and recount them....

In the mean time, read his books:

1. I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!: Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley (Dell Books, 1992) ISBN 0-440-50470-8

2. Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations (Delacorte Press, 1996) ISBN 0-385-31474-4

3. Why Not Me? (Delacorte Press, 1999) a parody-journal of the fictional “Franken campaign” for President ISBN 0-385-31809-X

4. Oh, the Things I Know! A Guide to Success, or Failing That, Happiness (Plume Books, 2003) ISBN 0-452-28450-3

5. Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right (Dutton Books, 2003) ISBN 0-525-94764-7

6. The Truth (with jokes) (Dutton Books, 2005) ISBN 0-525-94906-2.

Image Source: Patriotroom.com.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered... Hopefully!

2008-11-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've got a serious CNN/Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash hangover today.... So I'm going to keep things simple, and just play you a song I heard on t.v. last night ;-) Here's Stevie Wonder's "Sign, Sealed, Delivered." Original version of the song here. One more version of the song here, which includes the after-party with Stevie Wonder himself.

But speaking of CNN, here's what Karl Rove/Bush's Brain has to say about Obama's pending electoral landslide victory...

Image Source: Wikipedia.

Remember to Write-In Philbert the Campoon!

2008-11-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

I've filled out my absentee ballot, and yes, I wrote Philbert in for City Council with my waxy crayon of democracy. I was just going to throw that second vote away, anyway! Remember to vote often today and tomorrow!

Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin (Fey) address the Nation on QVC

2008-11-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

Senator McCain appeared with Tina Fey on QVC last night (aka Saturday Night Live). If this isn't a total admission of defeat, I'm not sure what is... It appears to be over for Senator McCain. But luckily we can all order a Palin for President in 2012 t-shirt from QVC.

Get your Palin for President pins here on Zazzle.com.

Barack Obama Half-Hour Variety Show!

2008-10-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

My cell phone was ringing off the hook last night. First the call from my friend in the midwest asking me if I'd seen the Barack Obama Half-Hour Variety Show yet. Of course, it was early, and I had not.

He said he was moved to tears, but still scared shitless McCain would sneak through on electoral votes. His main fear is that folks won't be able to vote for a "black guy." I kid you not. That's what he's worried about. And all I can say is that I don't understand this underlying rascism in America. And I hope and pray that a black man and his family become our first black family in the White House, and that we as a nation can move one giant leap forward towards becoming a nation of individuals defined by equality and merit, and away from a nation of individuals defined by skin color. And I'll leave it at that for now....

Then my Mom called from Texas. I won't go into the details of the conversation, other than she picked Obama out of the crowd two years ago and has held steady to her convictions ever since. Alas, she's a displaced Yankee in Texas, where one of her life-long southern belle friends "won't vote for that black guy." So there you have it. Maybe my friend from the midwest is right after all... We shall see what happens on Tuesday.

And finally, in answer to the late night message on my cell phone from the friend who appears to still be voting for Palin/McCain, the answer is: "Yes, of course I was moved by the Barack Obama Half-Hour Variety Show, you idiot! How could I not be moved by that brilliant performance???" Snark! ;-p

And speaking of voting for John McCain, did you guys catch McCain's Larry King interview last night when he stated that he is "uplifted" by Sarah Palin. Holy cow! Was that a freudian slip or what? Gees. Keep it clean, Mr. McCain! Please don't get all hot and bothered by Sarah Palin in front of millions of Americans!! Chrissake, take it easy on that Viagra!

Here's the full interview Larry King interview here.

Here's the real 1/2 Hour Obama infomorcial in which Barack Obama "talks like an angel whispering in our ears" [to quote Tina Fey].

Here's the Saturday Night Live version of the Obama Variety Show.

And here is John McCain talking like a "garbage truck unloading at a landfill" on Larry King Live [another quote from Tina Fey].

And here is some brilliant "Palin Poetry" from Politico.com.

And to quote Philbert, remember to Vote Early and Vote Often! Thanks!

GooooooOBama!!!

Image Source: Google.

Get y'er Campaign 2008 Halloween Masks here!

2008-10-29T08:13:00.001-07:00

I love Election Year Halloween!

Get y'er Campaign 2008 Halloween Masks here from the Chicago Tribune:

Want to frighten your neo-con friends?
Send chills down a liberal's spine?
Just in time for the scary season,
collect the exclusive 4-part Campaign 2008
Halloween Masks from HeadCandy cartoonist Rick Tuma.
1. Download the PDF below.
2. Print it out on a color printer.
3. Follow the instructions.
4. Terrify the Republican/Democrat/Green Party/Swing Voting constituent of your choice.

First up, Gov. Sarah Palin.
> Download Palin Mask Here < or here.

Also, get your McCain mask here on BuyCostumes.com.

Barack Obama paper mask here.

Joe Biden paper mask here.

Image Source: McCain Paper Mask, courtesy of BuyCostumes.com.

Assassination Attempt Thwarted by Red-Neck In-Breeding...

2008-10-27T15:11:00.001-07:00

This just in from Reuters moments ago. It appears that a vague assasination attempt on Senator Obama's life in Tennessee was thwarted by red-neck in-breeding: "An official from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said police found the men in the Jackson, Tennessee area with a number of guns, including a sawed-off shotgun, in their car."

"They wanted to go to a place where they could shoot as many non-Caucasian as they could," the official said, noting that the men first planned to rob a gun dealer. "They also had a plot to assassinate Sen. Obama."

Right. And I'm sure that they would have gotten really close to him with that sawed-off shotgun... What a bunch of hill billy's.

Image Source: Google.com.

Big Bad Barbie Doll...

2008-10-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

I don't usually play music on this particular blog station. But I keep hearing this song by Berkley Hart called "Big Bad Barbie Doll" on Jefferson Pubic Radio's Open Air. I'm sure it has nothing to do with Caribou Barbie, and has everything to do with the fact that Berkley Hart will be coming to Redding on November 14th and performing at Bernie's Guitar. Right on! See you all at the show!

Don't forget to Vote Barbie for President!

Also included with Barbie for President doll:
Bible to thump
Downs Syndrome Baby prop to be passed around for the camera
Assortment of rifles
Polar Bear rug
Books to burn
AIP membership card
Payoffs from various special interest groups

Just pull the string and listen to her talk a lot but say nothing!

Image Source: DemocraticUnderground.com.

Go ahead, make my day, Vote for McCain/Palin!

2008-10-23T06:45:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine keeps reminding me that he's going to vote for McCain/Palin on November 4th. Of course, when he says that, I momentarily stop breathing and my mind goes blank. Speechless, I just give him a quizzical look wondering what in the world would prompt him to do that.... [Of course, now I'm beginning to suspect he is a closet Rush Limbaugh fanatic.]

Then, slowly, as the blood starts flowing again around my cerebral cortex, I remember that it really doesn't matter if he votes for McCain/Palin because Obama/Biden are going to "win" California on November 4th. It's a done deal. So, go ahead, vote for McCain/Palin my friend. Put da "Mavericks" in da House. What do I care? ;-)

But, more importantly, what I do care about is whether you're going to vote for Wally Herger. But I'll leave that debate for another day... Until then, please read Doni Greenberg's excellent column today on Food for Thought: Wally’s all washed up and ready to go. And then vote for Jeff Morris, my friend. Thank you.

Image Source: Anatomy of the Modern Republican Brain. Socialist Brain of a Liberal Democrat.

Wikipedia Revisited....

2008-10-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings, comrades. We here at Death of a Newspaper would like to take this opportunity to evaluate the Record Searchlight Wikipedia entry on a monthly basis.

The last time we looked at it, there were still multiple journalists [who had been fired] listed as employed at the Record Searchlight.

This time we'd like to focus on circulation numbers, and the actual PAID staff versus "volunteers."

But, since all my embedded spies and embedded whackjobs, such as Philbert, have left the Record Searchlight building in straight jackets, I need your help to edit the Wikipedia entry.

Here goes:

Introduction

The Redding Record Searchlight is an award-winning newspaper serving Redding, California. It has a daily circulation of about 44,000 and hosts Redding's #1 news only news website.

[Our view: Um, when was the last time the Record Searchlight won an award under Silas Lyons' tutelage? Daily circulation of 44,000??? Yeah right!]

Going beyond news
The Record Searchlight pays special attention to Redding's rapid growth and ever changing economy. It is known for fundraising for victims of natural disasters, soldiers in Iraq and other problems around the nation and world. Every year the Record Searchlight sponsors dozens of events and activities in the community, including the regional spelling bee. It is known for being a biased news organization, though the local populace cannot decide whether the bias is liberal or conservative.

[Our view: Um, I did not edit that last sentence. I don't have a Wikipedia account. That was already in there, I swear!]

Public opinions
The Record Searchlight, and Redding.com, receives a lot of opinions, letters to the editor, blogs, Q&A pages, and comments about articles on Redding.com every day. However, the opinion section generally degrades into virtual screaming matches between local comment submitters.

[Our view: Ditto on that last sentence. Must have been some other prankster.]

Partnership with KRCR-TV
The Record Searchlight has an extremely limited partnership with KRCR-TV News Channel 7, the ABC affiliate for Northern California. Both news organizations highly advertise each other and E.W. Scripps, the parent company of the Record Searchlight, might buy KRCR-TV in the near future, creating a very dominant news department for a medium-small market, creating more circulation, an expanded website, and wider coverage with KRCR-TV.

[Our view: Huh? This must be an inside story of some sort.]

Staff
"News" Reporters
Tim Hearden
Ryan Sabalow
David Benda
Scott Mobley
Constance Dillon
Kimberly Ross
Jim Schultz
Dylan Darling
Suzy Renaud

Weather
Scott Mobley

Sports
Aaron Williams
John Ryan
Jeffrey Jen

Photography
Andreas Fuhrmann

Features
Damon Arthur, Features Editor

Columnists
David Benda
Aaron Williams
John Ryan
Jeffrey Jen
Laura Christman, Home & Garden Editor
Bob Williams

Online Bloggers
Larry Watters
Chloe Winston
Kelsey O'Brien
Missy McArthur
Kalib Sumter
David Benda
Dottie Smith

Our view: So, does Bruce Ross work at the Record Searchlight any more? His name does not appear on the staff list. Maybe he deleted his name himself? And I guess Marc Beauchamp is no longer considered an "on-line" blogger? And poor Andreas, he must be doing all the photography work for the entire newspaper by himself.

Image Source: Google.

Put the Mavericks in Da House...

2008-10-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

There is a line in the Saturday Night Live "Palin Rap" that states "All the mavericks in da house, put your hands up..." That line just about kills me.

So here are the Dallas Mavericks dancers... Maybe we can put all of them in Da White House as well. Yee ha!!

More Dallas Mavericks dancers here and here. Enjoy.

Oh yeah, and then there is the basketball team.

And here is "Maverick No More" if you want to get serious for a moment.

Image Source: Google.

Live on Saturday Night: Sarah Palin in the flesh !

2008-10-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

I went over to my eighty year old neighbor's house last night to watch the belated 4th of July fireworks... My neighbor had the inside scoop that Sarah Palin was going to be on Saturday Night Live. I had no idea my neighbor was a Saturday Night Live fan, and when I told her that, she said that she "only watches it when Tina Fey is on." Right on!!! As you can tell, there's a very good reason she and I are buds and will be going to see W later today. I just hope I'm as feisty as her when I'm 80.

So, check it out, Sarah Palin's first official press conference on Saturday Night Live here...

Oh my god, and don't miss The Palin Rap.... Saturday Night Live is killing me!

Again, I have nothing against Sarah Palin personally, other than the fact I really, really want her to stay in Alaska and stay the hell away from running MY favorite country. May God Bless America, amen.

But in the mean time, I'll be perfecting my Caribou Barbie Halloween Costume... ;-) Stay tuned.

Get your Caribou Barbie t-shirts here.

The Politics of Cleavage

2008-10-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

I bought my "Women for Obama" button on the streets of San Francisco a few weeks ago, and I've been wearing it with pride ever since. It's just that, well, um, I've been wearing it sort of at mid-center, cleavage level, if you get my mid-drift. So far this method of "informal polling" of the general voting public has resulted in a 100% positive response, mostly amongst the male gender. It's also be a reminder as to what the male species is actually looking at when any women walks into a room. Dang girlfriends, it's been amazing how fast I've been hearing "hey, I like your button!" blurted out. We're talking nano-nano-seconds! So ladies, the moral of this little story is that it's time to start wearing your Obama/Biden buttons where they will result in the most "bang for the buck," so to speak, amongst the general voting public. Amen, sistas!

Get your buttons here at the Shasta County Democratic headquarters on Bechelli Lane....

Or here, or here, or here....

Image Source: Punditkitchen.com.

W. - The Movie

2008-10-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

The new Oliver Stone movie W. starts today at Prime Cinemas in Anderson. Today's show times are 12:40, 3:50, 7:20 and 10:15 pm.

Here's the trailer.

Here's the W. Mashup contest page.

Here's Oliver Stone's MySpace page.

And of course, here's some information about the sound track. The W. soundtrack includes:

• Paul Cantelon, "War Introduction" From The W. Original Film Score

• Collegians Male Chorus, "The Whiffenpoof Song"
• Roy Orbison, "Claudette"

• Alan Jackson, "Chattahoochee"

• Hank Thompson, "Shot Gun Boogie"

• Paul Cantelon, "Bayou" From The W. Original Film Score

• Willie Nelson, "Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys"

• Freddy Fender, "Wasted Days And Wasted Nights"

• Paul Cantelon, "Delta Waltz" From The W. Original Film Score • Dick James, "Robin Hood"
• Gene Autry, "Deep In The Heart Of Texas"

• Paul Cantelon, "The Differencemaker" From The W. Original Film Score

• Eddy Arnold, "What A Wonderful World"

• Mitch Miller, "Yellow Rose Of Texas"
• Paul Cantelon, "War" From The W. Original Film Score

• Blackwood Brothers, "I’m Winging My Way Back To Home"

• Bob Dylan, "With God On Our Side"

Live on Thursday Night - It's Saturday Night Live!

2008-10-17T07:39:00.001-07:00

I confess that I missed the final Presidential debate on Wednesday night.

But now that I've watched the SNL Live on Thursday Night re-cap of it, I feel fully informed.

Don't miss the "Joe the Plumber" skit, as well as the "Crazy McCain Rally Lady." Great stuff!!!

Image Source: Google.

McCain on Letterman last night...

2008-10-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

I did not know that Senator John McCain was going to make an appearance on David Letterman last night. But thanks to Cafe Blog, I was able to catch an insightful and eloquent review of McCain's appearance. I would place this entry from Cafe Blog called "Elect John McCain Weasel in Chief" on your list of "must reads" for today.

Here's the link to the David Letterman show last night. McCain attempts to say he can "relate" to Joe the Plumber from Ohio... Ha! That is hilarious! So, in what way can McCain relate to Joe the Plumber? Does Joe also have seven houses that he can't quite remember where they're located as well?

Also, good article here on the LA Times blog.

Also, watch David Letterman react to McCain bailing on him back in September. Great stuff.

P.S. I have no idea who is writing Cafe Blog, but whoever you are, I am really enjoying it! And I'm ready to buy your book, God is a Rubber Duck! ;-)

Image Source: Google.

Philbert to appear on T.V. debate....

2008-10-15T07:48:00.001-07:00

According to my "inside" sources [which are inside my head], the legendary but ever elusive Philbert D. Cartoonist will be appearing in his big purple undies at the upcoming Redding City Council debates that will be broadcast on Thursday evening, October 16th, on Channel 11 and Channel 9.

Philbert will be demonstrating his big purple political platform (aka BPPP) in which he proves "The Emperor Has No Clothes."

Tune in. Should be quite a healthy, "uplifting" debate....

Read more details here...

Here's a comment from Philbert himself lamenting the lack of media attention his imaginary campaign is not receiving:

Posted by pfountain on October 14, 2008 at 5:12 p.m.

I would like to point out that the Record Searchlight has NOT interviewed ALL of Redding's city council candidates. They haven't sat down with coffee and a danish with ME.

As most well-read readers who have read all the readable and non-readable reading materials know, I am running a rooted in grass WRITE-IN campaign on the Imaginary People's Party ticket (once accused of not being REAL Americans, the IPP was formed to give voice to the intagible among us).

I am a LEGITIMATE candidate for the Redding City Council.

You know why I'm legitimate?

I'll tell you why... I have bumper stickers.

I have endorsements (the Natural Surrealist Light People's Party has backed my campaign, but I'm continuing to run anyway).

I have free crayons for you to utilize when you write me in, I like to call these write-in implements WWODs (Waxy Weapons Of Democracy).

I have everything I need to run for office except lipstick and a newspaper endorsement.

Actually, I have a publication's endorsement but only a small percentage of you P.V.s (Potential Voters) pick up a copy of Slick Nicky's Liquor Store Weekly Coupon-A-Rama Color Circular.

But, those of you who do read the fine print under the expiration date know Slick Nicky is on my side...and I bet you also know Senor Wiggle's Taco Flavored Tequilarilla is on sale for $5.95 a gallon tub.

Talk about your informed electrolytes.

So, Silas ol' pal... when do I get my 8 column inches of fame? You don't want to tick me off...

I might get elected.

--------------------------------------
Image Source: Google.

Final Presidential Debate: Weds., October 15th, 6:00 pm

2008-10-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that tomorrow night is the final presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- "The third and final presidential debate is shaping up to be a make-or-break appearance for both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, one of the last chances to get their message out to undecided voters.

Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain sparred about domestic policy during their second presidential debate.

The debate, taking place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, begins at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday and will be aired live on CNN and CNN.com.

The 90-minute face-off will undoubtedly focus on the economic crisis plaguing the country.
And unlike at the other two debates, the candidates will sit at a table facing one another.
CBS News' Bob Schieffer, host of "Face the Nation," will moderate the debate and told The Associated Press on Sunday that he will be seeking more on what each will bring to the presidency.

"By now, we've all heard their talking points," he said. "We've heard the general outlines of what they are talking about. The time has come to be a little more specific."

All previous debate transcripts located here.

Image Source: Flickr.com.

Speaking of choices....

2008-10-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Please forgive me, but I found this photograph of Cindy McCain just a few minutes ago on Google.... It's the photo that I've been searching for all this time, I just did not know it. ;-) This photograph proves what I've suspected all along, that Cindy McCain is truly an alien space invader. Sorry, Cindy. I know, that wasn't very nice to say..... But you'll get over it. Let us pray you are not the next First Lady. Amen.

Don't miss "The Choice" on Frontline tonight, 9:00 p.m.

2008-10-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

Apologies for this last minute posting.... But you tonight's two-hour Frontline documentary entitled "The Choice" should be excellent. Starts at 9:00 pm on KIXE Channel 9.

"A two-hour examination of the rich personal and political biographies of John McCain and Barack Obama that goes behind the headlines to discover how they arrived at this moment and what their very different candidacies say about America."

There is also an excellent reading list here accompanying the documentary.

Image Source: Google.

Record Searchlight can't afford to endorse Presidential candidate....

2008-10-14T07:12:00.001-07:00

I've always been ambivalent as to whether a newspaper needs to "endorse" a Presidential candidate. I can make up my mind, thank you very much.

However, the way Silas Lyons backed out of endorsing a Presidential candidate in Sunday's editorial was incredibly lame, in my opinion.

Below are all his lame excuses, followed by quite a healthy, heated debate in the comments section.

Lyons: We'll sit out the presidential vote
By Silas Lyons, Columnist (Contact)
Sunday, October 12, 2008

Long-time readers will no doubt find something missing in the Record Searchlight this election season: a presidential endorsement.

Has the paper lost its nerve? Does the editorial board secretly support Ralph Nader, but not have the guts to say it out loud?

For the record, within the coming week we'll be moving on from state propositions to take positions on the Redding and Anderson city councils, on our representative to Congress, on the state Assembly race, on local school bonds.

But not on the next president.

Over and over, both in this space and out in the community, I've talked about the Record Searchlight's focus on local news.

I've acknowledged to anyone who would listen that we don't have any special expertise on global energy policy, the war in Iraq, or the nation's economy.

Collectively, our newsroom knows more about what's going on in the north state than anybody else around.

And that's how it should be. So that's where we focus our editorial energies as well.

When we endorse for other offices, we sit down with the candidates and ask questions.

We get a sense of their values and priorities, their grasp of the issues and their commitment to the people they'll represent.

Rep. Wally Herger and his Democratic rival, Jeff Morris, both came in for conversations on Friday. We've interviewed all the candidates for Redding and Anderson seats.

Alas, we have no such access to Barack Obama and John McCain (who have both long since placed California's 55 electoral votes in the Democrat's column and moved on).

We also aren't so arrogant as to think we're the sole, or even primary, source of news on national politics for our readers. The sheer volume of such coverage, and opinions on it, is staggering this year. Be it Rush Limbaugh or a kid on YouTube or Chris Matthews on MSNBC, you're getting your fill of national political advice from people who actually live and breathe national politics.
We trust you'll make an informed decision.

Here is a review of the comments on the above story to date...
A very interesting read in deed:

Posted by Treebones on October 12, 2008 at 7:35 a.m.
I don't understand why a newspaper has to endorse any ballot measure or politician. Put a sign up in your yard at home or a bumpersticker on your car like the rest of us. Your explanation concerning the presidential vote flies in the face of your recent endorsement of Mr. Herger's vote on the first financial bailout plan. Are you informed enough in the various aspects of global finance to endorse his vote? I think not. But you felt compelled to endorse it anyway.
I don't get it.

Posted by rcalexia on October 12, 2008 at 8:21 a.m.
Endorse McCain, you may lose some subscribers. Endorse Obama, you will lose many subscribers. Economically prudent but cowardly behavior.

Posted by richsteele on October 12, 2008 at 8:39 a.m.
in response to Treebones
Believe it not Treebones I agree with you. Newspapers are suppose to print unbiased news. Enforcements are not unbiased and after the endorsement any information will be tainted. This is very evident in the mainstream media where they have taken up positions forcing most of us that want to figure it out to flip from news source to the other in hopes of getting both sides or at least an unbiased report.

Posted by ceejaycam on October 12, 2008 at 8:52 a.m.
Personally I think it is a great idea for the paper to forget about endorsing either of the Presidential candidates...
After all..the Record Searchlight endorsed Bush twice ( as I recall)...and look where we are..The first term endorsement of Bush should have been sufficient..if anyone at the paper was paying attention to the national news!
As far as an endorsement of Herger..same thing..why would you endorse a person who has done nothing to represent us..A person who only serves at the pleasure of the Bush administration?

Posted by john on October 12, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.
That didn't stop them from endorsing Bush TWICE.
Those two endorsements came from corporate headquarters. Want the reference to it?
This time that same conservative corporate headquarters knows Mccain is neither conservative nor worth endorsing. I'll bet we find the same sort of non-committal editorial in many of the papers which are owned by the RS's corporate masters.

Posted by fromthesixities on October 12, 2008 at 9:09 a.m.
The first responsibility of any media outlet - newspaper, TV, web site - is simply to make money. Dr. Walter Gieber taught me that in my Journalism 101 class at San Francisco State in 1962. The R-S is doing just that --- ducking the single most important issue of the day so as not to loose money by exposing themselves to an irate advertising base or loose a precious subscriber or two.The impact of the presidency reaches into every nook and cranny of the country -- look at what effect the policies of the last few administrations has been on Market Street and even down to Lincoln Street. The R-S is being somewhat gutless in not making a presidential endorsement in my humble opinion but at least it won't loose money.

Posted by NorCalHeathen3 on October 12, 2008 at 9:35 a.m.
BTW - Two new newspaper endorsements for Obama today... these come from a big-time swing state to boot - OHIO!
The Dayton Daily News AND The Toledo Blade have both announced endorsements for Obama.
I take the RS refusal to endorse a presidential candidate as a positive sign... It's certainly better than a McCain endorsement!

Posted by Ken on October 12, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
The staff of the RS are just as well equipped to render a judgement on the presidential election as are all of us citizens who will be voting.
So, either you should stand up and tell us what you think, or you should follow your own logic and urge us to stay at home election day, since we don't have any special expertise either.
Which is it?

Posted by john on October 12, 2008 at 9:38 a.m.
in response to fromthesixities
You might want to read the Constitution. The press has a responsibility within democracy which overrides the money motive.

Posted by Procopius on October 12, 2008 at 10 a.m.
"Collectively, our newsroom knows more about what's going on in the north state than anybody else around. And that's how it should be. So that's where we focus our editorial energies as well."
Other than running editorials from several conservative columnists who lately have nothing to offer other than tired anti-Obama screeds.

Posted by Buzz_Fledderjohn on October 12, 2008 at 10:26 a.m.
Translation: Like most educated, rational people, we can't find one single reason to recommend four more years of GOP leadership. But we're too cowardly to say it out loud.
BOOOOCK bock bock bock bock bock BOOOCK bock bock bock bock bock BOOOCK bock bock bock bock BOOOOCK bock bock bock bock bock BOOOCK bock bock bock bock bock BOOOCK bock bock bock bock...
So much for the "Fourth Estate" of democracy.

Posted by Buzz_Fledderjohn on October 12, 2008 at 10:31 a.m.
in response to Treebones
It's called the "Opinion" page because that's where the editorial staff and others are supposed to editorialize.
Obviously, the editors of the paper don't have to express opinions. Witness the gutless capitulation to the majority of the R-S subscribers in this very Op-Ed.

Posted by Studmonkey on October 12, 2008 at 11:24 a.m.
After twice endorsing our Village Idiot of a president, along with countless endorsements of Wally "The Carp" Herger, you now choose to go sit on the sidelines of one of the more important presidential campaigns in recent memory?What's the matter? The idea of endorsing Grandpa Munster and "You Betcha" Palin too odious for even you guys to bear? Just couldn't manage to find it in yourself to continue pandering to the rubes out there? Why didn't you run one of your traditional "internal editorial caucuses," then place a call to your corporate headquarters to get your marching orders on who to really support? You know, your usual method of operation...I always founded amazing that with all the more liberal members of your editorial staff your vote always managed to go deep and darkly conservative. Golly...The bottom line is you could have wound up either going against the grain and supporting a Democratic candidate for a change or holding your nose and making your traditional Republican endorsement. You chose to do neither.To quote Maj. Margaret 'Hot Lips' O'Houlihan, "You're nothing but a spineless, mealymouthed, fly-fishing impostor!"In this instance, Silas, you're the real thing, dude...

Posted by JustBob on October 12, 2008 at 11:55 a.m.
I was wrong! I predicted long ago that a newspaper editorial staff foolish enough to endorse GW Bush TWICE! would surely endorse McCain. It appears that McCain is so lame that even the Record Searchlight can't bring itself to endorse him. In other words, they see him as worse than Bush? Is this possible?
It is a sad day when the Republican option is so unacceptable that the only other realistic option is our first African American president--but the R/S is unable to recognize, celebrate, and endorse what is obvious to the rest of us: change has already happened!

Posted by walterwhite on October 12, 2008 at 12:36 p.m.
It is pretty obvious by the articles they print that they would endorse Obama. Maybe they don't want to come out and endorse Obama in a community that is largely conservative. It all boils down to subscriptions and dollars. Shows a lack of balls on the part of the RS but does show some business sense.

Posted by Commando on October 12, 2008 at 12:57 p.m.
Wow,
We are all coming together here...in agreement on newspapers stying out of the "endorsement" business. Well said from some posters about the need to stive towards being unbiased. Otherwise you become FOX News...or MSNBC.
But what I would like to know...is this RS a permanent thing? If it is...that is admirable. But if its just because a conservative publisher in a conservative area is dissapointed in the lack of conservatism in this years election, but remains open to it in the future...then its just another form of bias.

Posted by Buzz_Fledderjohn on October 12, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.
in response to Commando
> Otherwise you become FOX News...or MSNBC.
Let it be said that Fox News is biased to the right in the extreme, whereas MSNBC has Keith Olbermann and others on the left, but it also has Glenn Beck and others on the right.
Fox is run by Rupert Murdock, who is a far-right-wing zealot. And Microsoft, which owns MSNBS, is run by Bill Gates, who is a moderate Republican. Conservatives pull the strings at both networks.
NeoCons never complain about Fox, the most biased network on TV. Apparently, it's not bias that bothers them. They just think it's their God-given right to live in a country where nobody is allowed to disagree with them.

Posted by Buzz_Fledderjohn on October 12, 2008 at 1:56 p.m.
It is a sad day when the Republican option is so unacceptable that the only other realistic option is our first African American president...
Huh?
What?
Come again?

Posted by Zebrareader on October 12, 2008 at 2:04 p.m.
Editor Silas Lyons, no one will ever accuse you of being overly brave. Cluck, cluck, cluck.....

Posted by willie on October 12, 2008 at 2:13 p.m.
Maybe the RS is ashamed to endorse Sen. McCain & afraid to endorse Sen. Obama.

Posted by john on October 12, 2008 at 2:25 p.m.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003873282
Published: October 12, 2008 5:30 PM ET NEW YORK Barack Obama picked up at least 12 newspaper endorsements this weekend, including six in swing states Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and Missouri. John McCain, as far as we know, gained none.
The Wisconsin State Journal and The Sun of San Bernardino had backed Bush in 2004. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch called Obama's opponent, John McCain, "the incredible shrinking man" who had made a horrific pick for his running mate.
Backing Obama: In Ohio, The Blade in Toledo and the Dayton Daily News; the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Tennessean of Nashville, the Wisconsin State Journal. the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times, and in California the Fresno Bee, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, The Herald of Monterrey, and The Sun of San Bernardino (which had picked Bush over Kerry)."
Apparently more than few newspapers see it otherwise. They think they SHOULD endorse someone, Editor and Publisher will be posting on some 300 newspapers endorsements this week. Obama is currently up 21-9 in their survey.
http://www.eandppub.com/
The RS saw fit to endorse the worst President ever twice, and now decides it is no longer in that business.
The ink on this editorial should be yellow.

Posted by walterwhite on October 12, 2008 at 4:25 p.m.
in response to john
Its no secret the media in this country is liberal. After all their leftist leaning ways are what gave birth to Fox news. Having the endorsements of the media should be a forgone conclusion for any democratic candidate. When was the last time the newspapers endorsed a republican?

Posted by hawkeye on October 12, 2008 at 5:54 p.m.
The Record Searchlight redefines "yellow journalism". Think they'll quit publishing Sowell and Krauthammer now that they are incapable of making an endorsement on the national level? I'm glad I was already ahead of the curve and quit my subscription a year ago.

Posted by Buzz_Fledderjohn on October 12, 2008 at 6:13 p.m.
When was the last time the newspapers endorsed a republican?
The Record Searchlight endorsed George W. Bush the last two presidential elections. They'll probably endorse Wally Herger once again. I'll be shocked if they don't endorse Jim Nielson.
This paper panders to the majority of its subscribers more than any other newspaper I've ever read.

Posted by thebug on October 12, 2008 at 9:49 p.m.
In one of the most important elections in American history the Record Searchlight gives us a limp wristed cold fish no endorsement. That was some stellar journalism there Lyons.

Posted by Stoneboiler on October 12, 2008 at 10:05 p.m.
Orange County North Palm tree capitol of the world.
This is probably the most important election in the last 100 years.
Your excuse sounds par for the course.It's more of same dereliction of duty that has failed to adequately ask the right question over stolen elections, an illegal war, running the economy and the country into the ground.
Obama's mother was white, so why not print half of an endorsement?

Posted by randy on October 12, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.
The RS would never endorse a Dem and they are just to embarassed by McCain to stand by him. Good time to play the "we don't endorse card".

Posted by bentoman on October 13, 2008 at 12:10 a.m.
I think the RS's refusal to endorse a presidential candidate comes from knowing that their two endorsements of Bush was a catastrophic big mistake, and they're too proud to endorse McCain because they know he is going to lose BIGTIME.
I guess they figure that rigging the local elections for Superior Court Judge is enough of a success for them. What they did to Jim Reed was really despicable. After they knew it was too late to pull his ad, they ran their little judge endorsement letter.
Yes, RS you are big fish in this pathetic, small universe of yours called Shasta County, but fortunately for the rest of us and the world at large, there are a lot of people who are not small-minded and corrupt. Our nation is going to undergo a BIG change in the next four years. You guys had better get with the program!

Posted by HugvesAchet on October 13, 2008 at 6:38 a.m.
Lyons claims not to be endorsing anyone for the presidential position this year BULL CRAP ! Did any one read Saturdays editorial page? 100% conservative, not one progressive commentary on the entire page. If that is not an endorsement, what the hell is?

Posted by yellowhak1 on October 13, 2008 at 8:10 a.m.
in response to ceejaycam
if mccain was born in panama where was obama born? just wondering.

Posted by caltest on October 13, 2008 at 8:51 a.m.
Lyons,
you and your paper are a joke.
you say, "Alas, we have no such access to Barack Obama and John McCain (who have both long since placed California's 55 electoral votes in the Democrat's column and moved on)."
when was the last time you interviewed GWB, prior to endorsing him in 2004 and 2000? both elections the state voted for the democrate.
This time it is different. mccain and palin are so pathetic even the rightwing record searchlight cannot hold their nose and endorse them.
If you are really in touch with the politics of the north state, you would see that change is in the air. there is a good chance that Obama will get a significant percent of the north state's votes this year. He probably won't get more votes than mccain, but it will be a significant count. more than any other democrate in the last 50 years.

Posted by Buzz_Fledderjohn on October 13, 2008 at 9:12 a.m.
in response to yellowhak1
> if mccain was born in panama where was obama born? just wondering.
Honolulu, Hawaii

Posted by christinehackman on October 13, 2008 at 12:29 p.m.
in response to yellowhak1
John McCain is beginning to hear fat ladies singing everywhere!

Posted by GoGriz on October 13, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
in response to christinehackman
You got that right! And they aren't singing "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran".
Obama/Biden 08!!

Posted by Ken on October 13, 2008 at 2:29 p.m.
in response to walterwhite
It is far from obvious to me why you think a paper that endorsed Bush twice would "pretty obviously" endorse Obama.
The contrary seems far more likely.

Image Source: Stolen directly from Uncle E's Musical Nightmares.

Abuse of Power Comes as No Surprise...

2008-10-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to Jenny Holzer's Truisms over twenty years ago when I was in college. She is still one of my favorite artists today. And sometimes her Truisms just pop into my head... Like this one: Abuse of Power Comes as No Surprise.

Yup, the report is in, and Sarah Palin was found guilty of abusing her power as Governator of Alaska in her attempt to get her ex-brother-in-law's ass canned.

God bless America!???? Amen!

Here's the scoop over here on CNN:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) -- Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin
abused her power as Alaska's governor and violated state ethics law by trying to
get her ex-brother-in-law fired from the state police, a state investigator's
report concluded Friday.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is under investigation
for the firing of her public safety commissioner.

"Gov. Palin knowingly
permitted a situation to continue where impermissible pressure was placed on
several subordinates in order to advance a personal agenda," the report
states.

Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan's refusal to fire State
Trooper Mike Wooten from the state police force was "likely a contributing
factor" to Monegan's July dismissal, but Palin had the authority as governor to
fire him, the report by former Anchorage prosecutor Stephen Branchflower states.

However, it states that her efforts to get Wooten fired broke a state
ethics law that bars public officials from pursuing personal interest through
official action.

Monegan has said he was fired in July after refusing
pressure to sack Wooten, who had gone through an acrimonious divorce and custody
battle with Palin's sister.
___________________________
Image Courtesy of MOMA... Get your "Abuse of Power" T-shirts here.

Live on Thursday Night... It's Saturday Night Live!

2008-10-09T21:02:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the Premiere of SNL's Weekend Update tonight, October 9th, on NBC.com at 9:30 p.m. Grab your popcorn, and try not to choke....

[And here is the link if you missed it....]

Paris goes at it again....

2008-10-08T21:48:00.001-07:00

Yup, that's right. Paris Hilton is going at it again, this time with Martin Sheen. Here's Paris Hilton getting "fake" advice from fake president, Martin Sheen.

Also, here's Paris Hilton in front of the Pink House, as shown in Harper's Bazaar Magazine.

Yup, I'm definitely voting for Paris.

Image Source: Google.

I'm voting Republican...

2008-10-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

I love this YouTube video called "I'm Voting Republican" by a small, award-winning film studio called Synthetic Human. Here's the movie synopsis.

Here's the main webpage: http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/.

Watch all the other SyntheticHuman films here. Don't miss "Tip Jar."

Debate II: Worthy of further debate?

2008-10-07T21:37:00.001-07:00

I watched most of Presidential Debate II tonight, in between gossiping with some girlfriends. Obviously, Senator Barack Obama won Debate II, hands down.

Here's the review over yonder on Politico.com, the New York Times, CNN and the Huffington Post.

And for some hilarious commentary about McCain, check out "Is McCain Drunk?" on Today's Memoirs.

Here are two of my favorite comments about McCain on Todays' Memoirs so far:

"He's [McCain] doddering around the stage like Grandpa at Thanksgiving who got into the cooking sherry, half-finished phrases, blabbing nonsensical thoughts he doesn't finish."
Ha! Well stated!

And this one: "Obama is all facts and stability. McCain is... what the hell is he talking about?"

Good question, in deed.

Image Source: Flickr.

Next Presidential Debate: Tuesday, October 7th!

2008-10-06T22:56:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that tomorrow night, Tuesday, October 7th is the next Presidential Debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. It starts at 6:00 pm Pacific Time. It will be held in a “town hall” format and will last 90 minutes. The debate will be aired on television channels ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and BBC America.

And, more importantly, Saturday Night Live will be running a political re-cap of the week's events this coming THURSDAY night, "SNL WEEKEND UPDATE THURSDAY" (9:30-10 pm on NBC).

Don't miss either event if you're a over-loaded political junkie!

Image Source: Google, Ron Paul.

Tina Fey for President!

2008-10-05T21:16:00.001-07:00

Here's the Saturday Night Live skit of the Vice Presidential debate with Tina Fey. Well done!

Tina Fey for President! Get your t-shirts here!

Image Source: Google.

Record Searchlight delayed (again).....

2008-10-05T08:24:00.001-07:00

The Record Searchlight will be late today (yet again!)

By Record Searchlight staff

Originally published 06:45 a.m., October 5, 2008
Updated 06:47 a.m., October 5, 2008

Production issues caused a delay in the delivery of the newspaper today; your carrier pigeon is not to blame.

Our View: What the Record Searchlight is not telling us is that there was a slight "monkey problem" in the newsroom last night. Alas, those pesky monkeys!

Image Source: Google.

Palin Travel-Gate, Part I

2008-10-04T13:46:00.001-07:00

This just in from over yonder on NPR.org: "Palin's Tax Return Missing Travel Reimbursements." Apparently there are some questionable discrepancies with Governor Palin's 2006 and 2007 tax returns. Hey, why wouldn't a hockey mom be as greedy as every other non-law-abiding politician we have in elected office in this country? Doesn't "being elected" make you above the law????

Oh dear, I better not get started on that one...

But I was happy to find this website about Sarah Palin.

Don't get me wrong. I think Governor Palin is doing a great job governing Alaska... And I just really, really want her to continue to remain governing Alaska!

Image Source: Google.

Harry Ames, Jr. is a Star You Are!

2008-10-04T08:11:00.001-07:00

I've been following with disbelief the brew-ha-ha brewing over yonder on Ames for the Stars. It looks like Philbert's political lackey, Harry Ames, Jr., has his pantaloons in a wad over an alleged photograph of his likeness in the Record Searchlight on September 28, 2008 (see above).

According to Ames, he claims to be in the guy in the Record Searchlight add. Now, statistically speaking, can that really be possible? Could this likeness of Harry Ames, Jr. really have been plucked from the universe and plopped into this add for the Record Searchlight?

Either way, it makes for some gut-wrenching comedy. Here's the letter from Ames' attorney's, known as the lawfirm of Hoongadoonga, Hongadoonga, Hoongadoonga & McCormick, to the Record Searchlight demanding payment of $39.00 for use of the photograph of his likeness.

As always, I look forward to meeting you two town clowns around town some day. We'll probably be able to identify ourselves in our Philbert for Emperor t-shirts, red noses and bubba teeth ;-)

I'm not debating the debate....

2008-10-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to debate or analyze the Vice Presidential debate this morning... I'll leave that to the thousands of other bloggers out there. I intend to wait for Tina Fey's version of the debate this weekend on Saturday Night Live. ;-) If you missed the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler version of the Katie Couric interview, here it is. It's fantastic!

But in the mean time, read over here on Cafe de Mello (my new favorite local blog), The New York Times, CNN, the BBC, The Economist and the Wall Street Journal.

Can't get enough? Watch the entire debate here on the NYTimes.com, along with a transcript.

Image Source: Google.

Getting to Know You...

2008-10-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

This cracks me up... Here's "John McCain's Wandering Eyes" on YouTube. This video reminds me of the Silas Lyons quote a few weeks ago when Lyons stated he "could not look away" from Sarah Palin. Apparently John McCain has the same affliction. John McCain comes across as quite the randy, dirty old man in this clip. Yikes! Run, Sarah, run!

Don't miss "Is McCain Palin's Bitch?"

And here's one more YouTube video about John McCain's lack of recollection.

Image Source: TeamSugar.

Sarah Silverman and the Great Schlep...

2008-09-30T21:34:00.001-07:00

Oh my god, have you seen this? Don't miss Sarah Silverman and the Great Schlep....

Get your Great Schlep gear here on CafePress.com.

Here's Sarah Silverman on David Letterman as well...

Image Source: CafePress.com.

Sarah Barracuda Witch Exorcism...

2008-09-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

I was listening to Fresh Air this morning, and Terry Gross interviewed Steven Waldman, the co-founder of Belief.net. They mentioned this video of Sarah Palin being exocised of "witches" by a controversial, evangelical Kenyan Pastor named Thomas Munthee. Apparently I missed this growing controversy.

Here's the terrifying witch exorcism video of Sarah Palin and Pastor Thomas Munthee. Speaking in tongues, anyone? Or perhaps a little "laying of hands?"

Here's the Keith Olbermann interview regarding the controversial video.

More Keith Olbermann Countdown here.

More on current witch hunts in Kenya here.

Image: "Examination of a Witch" Thompkins H. Matteson, 1853.

Description: Generally supposed to represent an event in the Salem witch trials, an earlier version of this painting was exhibited by the artist in New York in 1848 with a quotation from John Greenleaf Whittier's book Supernaturalism of New England, 1847: "Mary Fisher, a young girl, was seized upon by Deputy Governor Bellingham in the absence of Governor Endicott, and shamefully stripped for the purpose of ascertaining whether she was a witch, with the Devil's mark upon her." See, "A Study of the Life and Work of the Nineteenth Century Artist Tompkins Harrison Matteson (1813-1884), by Harriet Hocter Groeschel, M.A. thesis, Syracuse University, 1985, pp. 37-38. Source: Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA

Image Soure: Salem Witch Trials.

Go ahead, blame Clinton!

2008-09-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

Well, actually, so far I have not heard anyone state that the largest bank failure in U.S. history is actually Bill Clinton's fault... But you never know.

And on that note, I give you this joke that you've probably read before, but you may still enjoy:

Politics 101
A little girl goes to her dad and asks, 'What is Politics?'

Her Dad says, 'Well, let me try to explain it this way: I am the head of the family, so call me The President. Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we call her the Government. We are here to take care of your needs, so we will call you the People. The nanny, we will consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother, we will call him the Future. Now think about that and see if it makes sense.'

So the little girl goes off to bed thinking about what Dad said. Later that night, she hears her baby brother crying, so she gets up to check on him. She finds that the baby has soiled his diaper. So the little girl goes to her parent's room and finds her mother asleep. Not wanting to wake her, she goes to the nanny's room. Finding the door locked, she peeks in the keyhole and sees her father in bed with the nanny. She gives up and goes back to bed.

The next morning, the little girl says to her father, 'Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now. 'The father says, 'good, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about.'

The little girl replies, 'The President is screwing the Working Class while the Government is sound asleep. The People are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit."

Yup, that's right! God bless America!

Welcome Back Black Monday...

2008-09-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

Ah, try not to panic, but the Dow just dropped 700 points today....

Here's the quote from the New York Times:

"Stocks fell by nearly 9 percent on Monday — the worst single-day drop in two decades — after the government’s bailout plan, touted by its supporters as a balm for the current market stress, failed to pass the House of Representatives, setting off a fresh wave of anxious selling." Read the full article here.

Retirement savings? Who needs retirement savings anyway? Don't worry, we can all work a few more decades, right?

Image Source: About.com - WPA: unemployed shown at Volunteers of America Soup Kitchen: Washington, D.C. (Circa 1936).

2008-09-29T08:42:00.001-07:00

I went to San Francisco this weekend, and all got for you was this new pin.... ;-)

You can get one here on CafePress.

Here's the Paris video again on YouTube. It still cracks me up... So does this.

Get Your Debate Highlights Here:

2008-09-27T08:10:00.001-07:00

Get your Presidential debate highlights here on CNN, or here on the New York Times, or here on the Huffington Post... or .... you get the idea.

Polls are showing that Obama won this first debate. Well, yeah, duh??!!

As one of my friends stated: "McCain sounded old, tired and grumpy... He must have missed his nap."

Yes, I'm sure McCain missed a lot of naps this week in his attempt to "fix" the greatest financial debacle in recent American history that he helped create.

And remember, I'm a card-carrying Independent. I am not thrilled with either candidate. I am just much more terrified of the words "President Palin" when and if McCain were to kick the bucket.

Image Source: Flickr, Farmington Maine Debate Watch Party.

Are you a McCainiac?

2008-09-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

Are you a McCainiac? If so, you might want to purchase this handy dandy t-shirt on Cafe Press.

Speaking of McCainiacism, I enjoyed reading this Time article entitled "Gimmicks-R-Us" about John McCain and the weird chaos he injected into presidential politics yesterday with his request to "postpone" the first Presidential debate on Friday night. Huh??? What the hell was that all about?

Alas, apparently he came to his senses (or what's left of them), and he's backed off his request to postpone the debate tomorrow night. Can you say "wishy washy?"

Here's the best quote from the article:

"McCain suspends his campaign because of financial crisis? Oh please. Given today's poll numbers--even Fox has him dropping--it seems another Hail Mary (like the feckless selection of Palin) to try make McCain seem a statesman, which is difficult given the puerile tenor of his campaign's message operation.

Perhaps, if he's really interested in this financial stuff, McCain should propose that he and Obama change the topic from foreign policy to economics this Friday night--they could even stage the debate in Washington, so they wouldn't have to stray far from the bailout negotiations. I'm sure their fellow members of the Senate won't mind if McCain and Obama spend a few hours enlightening the public on this crucial subject.

Oh, and By the Way : I thought it was fairly gimmicky for the Obama campaign to reach out to McCain to make a joint statement of principles about the bailout, too. (Note to Commenters: I know that Obama's outreach to McCain was done privately, this morning--and I still think it was a bad idea. Obama has the advantage here: he has more credibility on the economy than McCain. If I were Obama, I'd also have some doubts about whether McCain, a career de-regulator, really is philosophically committed to the greater government role that he is suddenly spouting.)"

-- All the above excerpted from Time's "Gimmicks-R-Us."

All this is enough to make a McCainiac out of me... Or maybe not! Yikes!

Sarah Palin on her "Bush Doctrine"

2008-09-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

Apparently I'm way behind on my Sarah Palin videos, and need to play catch-up. Have you seen this ABC interview with Sarah Palin in which she has no clue what the Bush Doctrine actually is? Holy crap. This is beyond terrifying. She is merely a walking talking Caribou Barbie controlled by ??????

Great link here also to "Talking Points Memo."

Quote of the Day:
"I'm a Republican, and I love my country... That's why I'm not voting for Palin/McCain."

Matt Damon is not bleeping Sarah Palin...

2008-09-24T20:55:00.001-07:00

I just came across this great interview with Matt Damon on YouTube where he bashes Sarah Palin. If Matt Damon wasn't so damn good looking, I might even take him seriously. ;-)

Here's Matt Damon "on" Sarah Palin...

Did you know that "I'm not bleeping Matt Damon" won an Emmy? Yeah, neither did I. Holy cow.
Here's the original video by Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon.

Image Source: Google.

First Presidential Debate this Friday!

2008-09-24T10:23:00.000-07:00

I stole this calendar item from Food for Thought. Kelley Brewer supplied all the dates for the upcoming Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. Thanks, Kelly! Anybody who cares should mark their calendars.

Each debate will begin at 6 p.m. Pacific time.

First presidential debate: This Friday, Sept. 26th, 6:00 p.m.
Location: The University of Mississippi
Moderator: Jim Lehrer, Executive Editor and Anchor,
The News Hour on PBS.

First Vice presidential debate: Thursday, Oct. 2nd, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, MO
Moderator: Gwen Ifill, Senior Correspondent, The News Hour,
and Moderator and Managing Editor of Washington Week.

Note: Marge will be supplying a keg-o-Pango
at her house for this one. ;-)
Email me for directions.

PBS Second presidential debate (town meeting):
Tuesday, Oct. 7th, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Belmont University, Nashville
Moderator: Tom Brokaw, Special Correspondent, NBC News.

Third presidential debate: Wednesday, Oct. 15th, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Hofstra University, NY
Moderator: Bob Schieffer, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent,
and host of Face the Nation.

More information here on the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Image Source: Google.

Oh my, look what's on Greg's Plate...

2008-09-22T22:14:00.001-07:00

Holy cow... I think Greg Pate may have knocked the ball out of the park this time! Good heavens! Goooo Greg!

Image Source: Greg's Plate.

Redding BLM-Gate, Round 1

2008-09-21T07:11:00.001-07:00

In the words of Bill Shakespeare, "something stinks" in the state of the Redding Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

And it's been stinky for a long, long time. And no one in the local media ever picked up the story. Why?

Some of you may have heard about the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decision that was recently issued in favor of Traci Hallstrom, an employee at the Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office. If you're interested, here's the link to Hallstrom's EEOC decision 550-2006-00227X. It's a fascinating read. There is more than three years of information to wade through, and it's one hell of a story.

But this is only the beginning, and the whistle continues to blow. Stay tuned for more.

For the record, Traci Hallstrom was just interviewed by the Los Angeles Times and the Huffington Post, among other media. Apparently folks outside the Redding bubble decided her EEOC case had relevancy.

Inside the bubble, silence continues. Interesting. Very interesting..... Something definitely stinks in the state of the BLM Redding Field Office.

Image Source: Google.

Reward offered in news-rack thefts....

2008-09-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a few days because I've been too busy stuffing the mattress with all the remaining cash and gold bouillon I can get my hands on.... ;-)

But this headline in the Wretched Flashlight did catch my eye yesterday morning:

Reward offered in news-rack thefts
Friday, September 19, 2008

"The Record Searchlight is offering a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people who are breaking into newspaper racks in the Burney and Round Mountain areas.

If you have any information about the thefts, please contact Circulation Director Robbie Parham at 225-8281."

Our View: What???? Why would anyone want to break into a newspaper rack to steal copies of the Wretched Flashlight? Or maybe they're stealing the newspaper racks to sell as scrap metal??

Well, here's how I recommend the Record Searchlight catch the wig-wearing thieves....

Also, here's a brilliant short film entitled "Newspaper Thief" that might assist in the investigation...

Newspaper thief video, continued.... Warning: Think twice before taking your neighbors newspaper in the age of YouTube.

Last but not least, has anyone been tracking the whereabouts of the elusive Philbert, the Masked Blogger? Does he live anywhere near Round Mountain?

Image Source: Google.

News from Outside the Bubble: AIG Bail-out...

2008-09-17T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought the news of the FEDERAL $85 BILLION DOLLAR BAIL-OUT of AIG would be on the front page of the Wretched Sexlight today. Alas, apparently I am wrong.

In case you haven't noticed, the global economy is wobbling on the edge of a dark abyss... But why the hell would we want to discuss that on the front page of the local newspaper?? Apparently we're not actually connected to the global economy in Shasta County. (Silas, this is a fib - a joke - as in I'm joking.)

Instead, we get this blog entry from Bruce Ross entitled "Booster Club Makes a Splash." Yikes! H-E-L-P!?

For those of you interested in the future of the global economy and your personal financial future, read here for news from outside the bubble:

New York Times

San Francisco Chronicle

The Economist

The Wall Street Journal

The London Times

South China Morning Post (MY favorite hometown newspaper)

Now, please, whatever you do, don't run to the bank and empty your bank account. That would be a very, very bad thing to do today....

In Other Make Believe News...

2008-09-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

I just found this on Philbert's blog... It's a link to the Talon News, which is running a Pampoon for President. Philbert, you're killing me!

Full "pretend story" below:

September 15, 2008

PUDDLEBY-ON-THE-MARSH:

The Pushmi-Pullyu, famous two-headed animal from Dr. Doolittle, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the McCain campaign by their extensive use of "Push-polling."

"Push-polling, or 'push-pulling' is confusing consumers by its similarity to 'pushmi-pullyu'" said Dr. Doolittle, acting as an interpreter for the Janus-like antelope. "We believe that all this bad press will damage our reputation as a unique creature."

Though push-polling is not always legal, it is being done on behalf of John McCain in Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Ironically, McCain was the victim of this push-poll question from George McBush in 2000:
"Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain for president if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?"

Our View:
Oh my god, can they say that in blogland? Wait, oh my god, can I say "Oh My God" in blog land????

Image Source: Dr. Dolittle.

Sarah Palin "Invented" Tina Fey....

2008-09-16T05:40:00.000-07:00

I missed the Tina Fey and Amy Poehlin skit on Saturday Night Live this weekend. If you missed it as well, here it is. Needless to say, it's brilliant. In the words of Silas Lyons, "I too can't keep my eyes off Sarah Palin," oops, I mean Tina Fey.

As it turns out, Sarah Palin thought the SNL skit "was quite funny, particularly because she once dressed up as Tina Fey for Halloween," her spokesperson Tracey Schmitt said, according to CBS News.

Note to Silas Lyons: The photo above is a FIB, and is meant to remain a FIB. Most of us are smart enough to know that. And if the Record Searchlight wasn't such a piece of crap, we would not have to rely on FIBs and would enjoy a real newspaper with our coffee every morning, thank you very much.

D.O.A.N. Fashion Exclusive: Get your Sarah Palin "God Bless America" bikini here and here.

Cyrus T. Pylon, Editor-In-Cheese

2008-09-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

Who needs Monty Python when we have Philbert? Thanks, Philbert. You just made my day. No wonder you were fired.

For the record, Philbert the Fibber's fib is based on Silas Lyons Sunday, September 14th editorial. I glanced at Silas Lyons editorial on Sunday morning, but did not have the strength to read it. My stomach was already turning at the headline. I got the gist of it. So I wrapped some fish with it instead and felt much better.

But what struck me the most when I finally read his editorial just now is that Bruce Ross actually wrote that editorial, not Silas Lyons. At least that's my fib, and I'm sticking to it. ;-)

And remember, Silas Lyons "can't look away" from Sarah Palin (See his 9/5/08 blog). Hey, wait a minute, is Silas Lyons allowed to say that about the next potential Vice President of the United States? Does Silas Lyons really have a crush on Sarah Palin or is that really a sexist comment about an uppity woman?

Image Source: Google.

Don't Text and Drive: A moment of silence

2008-09-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

Let's take a moment of silence for the families of loved ones who were lost in this horrific train accident in Simi Valley yesterday. What a tragedy....

Why did this happen? Why???

Good New York Times article here.

Carrier pigeons on strike, newspaper "very delayed"

2008-09-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

Looks like Shingletown and Weaverville are going to have a "very delayed" newspaper today, as opposed to just plain old "delayed."

Darn, those pesky carrier pigeons. They were probably demanding a livable wage, and got fired by Silas Lyons and Shanna Cannon.

Or maybe they got outsourced to Outer Mongolia, and/or replaced by monkeys?

Maybe they should switch to FedEx?

Check out this cartoon as well. ;-)

Image Source: Google.

Where for art thou, Tim Hearden?

2008-09-09T21:36:00.001-07:00

I am beginning to wonder if Tim Hearden is also on "indefinite leave" from the Redding.com blogosphere. There's no one home on his blog, and he's no longer listed as one of the Redding.com bloggers. In addition, there aren't any bloggers listed on Red Bluff.com.

Anyone got the inside scoop on where Tim Hearden's blog went?

Or maybe you're like me and you're enjoying his blog silence?

Was Tim Hearden's blog outsourced to outer Mongolia by the Wretched Flashlight? Or perhaps he was replaced by a blog-monkey-in-training?

Speaking of Blog Monkey's, you really need to check out this rude, boorish and 6th grade Blog Monkey video on YouTube. You can subscribe to Blog Monkey here. It beats the hell out of Tim Hearden's lame blog any day.

Image Source: Google.

Slogan-o-the-Year: "Because she's a woman..."

2008-09-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

Yup, here it is again. Cindy McCain says the media is picking on Sarah Palin "because she is a woman."

Cindy McCain believes the American media is being sexist towards Sarah Palin.

Here's her quote: "It's outlandish... the media has decided to treat her differently, because, I believe, because she's a woman."

Now, I'm a woman, and I'm picking on Sarah Palin because I truly believe she is wholly unfit to be Vice President of the United States. Folks, do you realize John McCain is 72 years old??? Do you truly want a hockey mom from Alaska representing the United States of America? H-E-L-L-O???

Personally, I have nothing against Sarah Palin and her family. I just want them to stay in Alaska, that's all. In fact, maybe the Palin family could just agree to secede from the nation?

Image Source: 236.com.

My, what big hands you have!

2008-09-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

I peeked at the Record Sex-light as I was eating lunch. I had to turn the page as fast as I could because there was an extremely depressing picture on the front page. And that's when I noticed the gigantic add for Marc Beauchamp's new version of his old blog called "Not Business as Usual." And a few thoughts crossed my mind, such as, "dang, when did Marc get a grey beard... I guess I haven't seen him for a long time." And, then I thought, "dang, nice leather chair" and "cool typewriter."

And then I noticed his hands, his BIG hands on the laptop keyboard. And something just doesn't look right. So, check out page 2 of the Record Searchlight today (Monday, September 8th, 2008). Are those really Marc's big hands? Or are they fake?

Greg Pate, I throw this "hand" bone over to you and Philbert to finish off because I'm really bad at scanning. Hint, hint... ;-)

Seriously, Marc, it's a nice add. I just hope you're finally going to be get paid the big bucks that you deserve by Scripps Howard (??). Oh wait, I'm sorry, those guys are all out of big bucks (or so they say).

Image Source: Google.

Six Random Obsessions

2008-09-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

It seems that the word "obsessed" and "obsession" are getting tossed around rather frequently on Redding blogs these days. Here are Six Random Obsessions from the Redding blogosphere:

1. Here's Christy Lochrie, a self-unemployed reporter being "obsessed" with Large Marge, and hunting her down over the internet again (can you say cyber-stalking?).

2. Here's Large Marge "obsessed" with her First Amendment blogging rights, as usual.

3. Here's Marc Beauchamp obsessed with the new dancers at Johnny's. (Just kidding, Marc!)

4. Here's Philbert, who is obsessed with his fear of Thom G. No wonder Philbert "ran from the Record Searchlight building" a few weeks ago.

5. Here's Still Married obsessed with Philbert, who's still afraid of Thom G. (Hey, doesn't that sound like the title of a potential book, or t-shirt: "Who's Afraid of Thom G?) Hey Philbert, can you get right on that?

6. And here's Silas Lyons on Bruce Ross stating that Ross is "obsessed" with statistics. How dull!?

Well, apparently we're all one big happy, obsessed family around these parts.

Got any of your own local obsessions to share? Please let me know.

And of course, outside of Planet Redding, there's also Victoria's Secret "Supermodel Obsessions" and "Hair Obsessed" here.

Don't forget to enjoy your healthy obsessions today! Cheers!

Image Source: Google.

How to get that Barracuda look...

2008-09-06T08:03:00.001-07:00

This just in from over yonder on The Huffington Post:

"When a woman wants to be taken seriously she can go down one of two routes: she can read the Economist from cover to cover, inject a little environmental hand-wringing into her dinner party repertoire and take a vow never, ever to mention designer footwear in public. Or, she can tie her hair up and don a pair of glasses."

Find out how you too can get your Sarah Barracuda makeover. Here's the whole scoop here on the The Daily Telegraph.

More styles here: Vintage Updo's.

Heart to McCain/Palin: Back off on "Barracuda"

2008-09-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

I caught the tail end of this story on NPR yesterday... I could not believe my ears. Here's the story from the Boston Globe:

"The rock group Heart has sent a message to John McCain and Sarah "Barracuda'' Palin: quit playing our 1977 hit ''Barracuda.''

Soon after the presidential nominee finished his acceptance speech late Thursday and running-mate Palin joined him on the Republican National Convention stage in St. Paul, the sound system pumped the throbbing introductory guitar licks to "Barracuda.''

It seemed the cleverest musical choice of both conventions. Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson, like Alaska Governor Palin, are outspoken products of the Pacific Northwest, and the sisters's tune also could refer to Palin's Dazed-and-Confused-Era nickname of Sarah Barracuda, given for her intense high-school basketball play.

But the Wilsons condemned the usage then and earlier in the convention, adding that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to the McCain-Palin campaign, according to CNN.

UPDATE Friday morning:
Here's a statement by Ann and Nancy Wilson from EW.com:

"Sarah Palin's views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song 'Barracuda' no longer be used to promote her image. The song 'Barracuda' was written in the late 70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The 'barracuda' represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there's irony in Republican strategists' choice to make use of it there."

No word so far on whether the tune would be dropped from the GOP playlist. "If the real thing don't do the trick,'' Ann Wilson sang in "Barracuda,'' "You better make up something quick.''

The song seemed a much better fit than several played during the Democratic convention in Denver. After ailing US Senator Ted Kennedy made it to Denver for a pro-Obama speech, the Denver house band played "Still The One,'' the 70s hit from Orleans. (Clearly intended to reflect Kennedy's vigorous effort, it was still risky to evoke any possible reference to ''The One,'' being used as anti-Obama term. After former President Bill Clinton's ringing speech last week, the band struck up the intro to Robert Palmer's 1985 hit, "Addicted to Love.'' C-Span showed a group of delegates dancing to the opening strains and singing along until stopping on the chorus, "Might as well face it/I'm addicted to love.'' [Our view: Um, this was a very bad choice. Someone needs to be fired.]

Comment du Jour: "I think the republicans have found the eighth wonder that is Dan Quale's intellect in a dress."

Image Source: Google.

Silas Lyons hearts "La Barracuda"

2008-09-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

You know, I think there is one person Sarah Palin is probably a lot smarter than: Silas Lyons. However, similar to Silas Lyons, Sarah Palin has a chance at stumbling and bumbling her way to the top of the monkey heap through incompetence. It figures that Silas would dig her. Here's the start of Silas Lyons' love affair with The Barracuda: "What Liberals Really Think of Sarah Palin." Silas Lyons actually says "he can't look away" from Sarah Palin. Give me a break.

Our View: So, since I'm a woman and I played basketball in high school, I should endorse Palin? I think not. For the record, I'm not a registered Democrat. I'm a registered Independent. Which means I get to make fun of both sides, liberally. Besides, my decision is made, and I'm voting for Philbert for Emperor.

Comment du Jour, found on Today's Memoirs:
"What? Being Mayor of a city smaller than Anderson doesn't make you the best choice for president? Surely, you jest!"

McCain Voicemail to Palin Leaked to Press

2008-09-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

This just in... Unbelievable: McCain's voicemail to Governor Palin linked to press.

You know, I really thought McCain could do better than this.

Image Source: Google.

Sarah Palin: Beauty without the brains...

2008-09-04T05:51:00.001-07:00

I was going to read Bruce Ross's blog about Sarah Palin's hilarious acceptance speech last night... See Ross's blog "Don't Count Her Out." But the Redding.com link to it is not working. Surprise, surprise.

I wonder how Redding.com manages to generate such fluffy numbers when there are technical difficulties so often?

Maybe they're paying a bunch of monkeys to sit around and comment on Redding.com all day long.... Or wait, maybe people just do that for free?

Our View: If Sarah Palin is not dumped from the Republican ticket, there is no way in hell McCain will be the next President of the United States. McCain needs to dump Palin as fast as he can, and pick a new running mate.

HELP! I'm being sexually harassed by a building!

2008-09-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Hmm... I'm not sure if this was appropriate for Marc Beauchamp to blog about. You be the judge.
Our View: Gee whiz, most people think my mind is in the gutter... Tsk, tsk, Marc. ;-)

Here's Marc's blog entry yesterday:

A tip I could have lived without
Tuesday, September 2, 2008

"Ever had something pointed out to you that you then can't get out of your head (but wish you could)? A friend pointed to the mini dome atop the Shasta College Health Sciences & University Center, as we were driving downtown on Eureka Way, and noted how much it resembled the business end of a certain male body part. Now, every time I see it, I see "it."
Speaking of altered states of viewing, remember this one?" Click here for related image.

*********************************************************************************
Want to read more weird ideas about alleged "sexual harassment" at the Record Searchlight? Go here to Christy Lochrie's latest blog "Boodica" about Christy Lochrie's interpretation of working at the Record Sexlight, a supposed den of sexual inequity and on-the-job harassment.

Image Source: Google.com.

Bring on the chickens....

2008-09-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

You know, I've always wondered if Bruce Ross reads this here blog. Rumor has it that a long time ago the management monkeys at the Record Searchlight had somehow blocked access to this blog.

Well, apparently Bruce is reading every word.

Hi, Bruce! Thanks for reading! ;-)

Now, for all you readers out there, don't worry about this little pie throwing episode between Bruce and I, as Bruce and I go way back. Bruce loves a good debate as much as I do, and Bruce and I have debated and argued for years. I'm very good at getting Bruce a little red-faced at times over beers at Carnegie's.

So, here's one more adjective to add to the list of names I'm going to call Bruce Ross this week: "Chicken."

Yup, Bruce, I'm calling you a chicken. I'll buy you a pitcher of beer at Carnegie's if you have the guts to actually add a link to Death of a Newspaper on your Redding.com blog. How about a link right after "local bloggers argue...".

Chicken? I'll see you at Carnegie's on Wedsnesday night to buy you a pitcher. ;-)

Get your Deluxe Cock Fighter costume here on CostumeCraze.com.

Speaking of media bias...

2008-09-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

Apparently Bruce Ross got a little testy with folks who were posting the Daily Kos link about Sarah Palin's pregnancy rumors. See his blog "Filthy lies are bipartisan." Ha! I think that is hilarious. At least we know where Bruce Ross stands when it comes to media bias (most definitely on the right).

OUR VIEW:
The rumors (aka "filthy lies") on the Daily Kos may have actually forced the hand of Sarah Palin to set the record straight regarding her allegedly 5 month pregnant daughter, Bristol.

What I heard on NPR tonight was that it was the internet rumors of Sarah Palin's alleged 5th pregnancy that forced the truth to surface. And if the Daily Kos had a hand in shedding light on the truth, then more power to the people! Right on!

More food for thought:

Click here for more discussion from The San Francisco Chronicle, which includes my favorite comment of the day:

"The Republican Platform in a nutshell: Pregnant white teenager from small Republican town - family values!!! Pregnant minority teenager from big Democratic city - lack of good parenting! welfare state gone amok! the end of civilization!.What's the McCain/Palin-Saunders position on abstinence-only education, now? The hypocrisy... it burns..."

Here's the scoop from NPR:

The Anchorage Daily News reported on its Web site that it had asked Palin spokesman Bill McAlister about Bristol's pregnancy over the weekend. It said he replied he had "no evidence that Bristol's pregnant."

He said he just found out Monday morning "like everyone else." [DOAN Commentary: Ha! Liar!**]

McCain announced his selection of Palin as his running mate on Friday. The response among social conservatives was enthusiastic, based in part on her self-proclaimed background as a regular "hockey mom" and her strong pro-life, pro-gun views.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, in a Michigan news conference, was asked about reports about Palin's daughter's pregnancy. He said the media should back off the story.
Obama told reporters that "people's families are off limits, and people's children are especially off limits." He said it has no bearing on Palin's performance as governor of Alaska or what kind of vice president she would be. Obama denied anyone in his campaign was responsible for spreading rumors about Palin, and added that anyone caught doing so would be fired.

Rallying Around Palin
James Dobson, founder of the conservative religious group Focus on the Family, issued a statement commending the Palins "for not just talking about their pro-life and pro-family values, but living them out even in the midst of trying circumstances."

He added: "Being a Christian does not mean you're perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord."

Reaction among GOP delegates to Palin's daughter's pregnancy was largely supportive.
Mike Knopf, 17, a delegate from Dubuque, Iowa, said the news "reaffirms the Republican strength of family values and great ethics." He said he had "no second thoughts about [Sarah Palin] being on the ticket."

"It shows that they've got normal things going on in their family," added Nancy Riley, a delegate from St. Petersburg, Fla. Rep. Peter King of New York's 3rd Congressional District agreed, saying, "There's not a family in America that doesn't worry about this. It's a different world we live in today, and there are fears like that in every family." [DOAN Commentary: Um, having babies at seventeen is not exactly 'normal' in every American family, nor should it be.]

When asked if McCain should have vetted Palin more thoroughly, King replied, "If I were going to pick, I would still pick her."**

** According to NPR, McCain already knew Sarah Palin's daughter was pregnant when he selected Sarah Palin to be his V.P. running mate. Hence, Bill McAlister might need to pay more attention to Sarah Palins' political career before he lies on the record.**

Photo Source: Celebritybabies.com.

Sarah Palin T-shirts are (cashing) in...

2008-09-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

It did not take long for the McCain/Palin political machine to realize that if they are going to compete with the likes of Philbert, they better open a CafePress.com store. So, here it is. Get your McCain/Palin gear here. However, unlike Saint Philbert, none of the proceeds will be going to charity. Philbert, you've still got my vote.

Philbert for Emperor! Long live The Emperor!

Image Source: Melanie Morgan Cafepress shoppe.

Baby-gate, Episode 2

2008-08-31T21:47:00.000-07:00

CONSPIRACY THEORY?
I could not help getting sucked in by this juicy story over yonder on Today's Memoirs and Pink Hollyhock regarding a conspiracy theory about Sarah Palin's newborn baby.

I have no idea if this is true, but I'm thinking someone should hire Spot.us to find out.

Here's the link to the Daily Kos that has the whole scoop, and nothing but the scoop.
Check it out. True or false? We shall see.

Our Opinion: There's nothing like a paternity test to make a candidate sweat.

Sunday PSA: Your Carrier Is Not To Blame!

2008-08-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

Papers will be late today (again!)

By Record Searchlight staff
Originally published 07:33 a.m., August 31, 2008

"Production issues caused a delay in the delivery of the newspaper today; your carrier is not to blame.

Newspapers will be delivered to metro areas by 8 a.m. this morning, rural area delivery will be 9:30 a.m.

We appreciate your patience."

Our Opinion:

So, is the Record Searchlight going to be late today because they actually decided to edit it, and use spellchecker? Let's hope so!

Image Source: Monkey Newspaper.com

Signs of Intelligent Life... ?

2008-08-30T09:06:00.001-07:00

Thank you, Dumb Plumber. Thank you for writing intelligently about McCain's "Rovian Moment." Right on. I'm glad to see there are still signs of intelligent life on Planet Redding.

I still can't wrap my mind around the idea of Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. I can't figure out if this is the most brilliant moment in the 2008 Election season, or the stupidest moment in McCain's entire political career. All I can say is that it feels a bit surreal, and bizarre. But hell, it will probably make me watch the Republican National Convention every night next week.

But when THE CALL comes at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, and Palin needs to step up for duty, she might have to answer "I'll be there as soon as I'm done breastfeeding my baby."** Is this a good thing, or a bad thing? Only time will tell.

**I understand Sarah Palin is the mother of five, and her youngest child is a 3-month old baby with Downs Syndrome. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Image Source: Sarah Palin, Miss Alaska Runner-Up, 1984.

Typo du Jour: Pary-line ?

2008-08-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here's today's Typo du Jour on Redding.com:

Senate rejects budget on pary-line vote

Darn those editing monkeys, why can't they catch this stuff?

Image Source: Google.

Ross on Palin.... Sexist???

2008-08-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

I just found out that John McCain picked the current Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, to be his running mate. Apparently I completely missed Bruce's blog this morning about her. I may or may not be a McCain/Palin supporter, but I sure was shocked to see how quickly Bruce Ross discounted her governorship as something "a trained monkey could do." Um, excuse me? That was an elitist and sexist quote if I've ever seen one. And I'm not the kind of person to play the "because she's a woman card," either. Nice job, Bruce. Maybe a trained monkey could do your job, too. We sure as hell know there are trained monkeys running the Record Searchlight. Bruce, you can do better. Please write a decent Opinion piece about the McCain/Palin ticket and cut the cutesy crap. I'd especially like to know who does her hair, her nails and what her favorite perfume is. Thanks! ;-)

Here's Bruce's blog post from this morning:

McCain goes out of the box
Friday, August 29, 2008

This is interesting:
DAYTON, Ohio -- Senator John McCain chose Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate on Friday, shaking up the political world with a surprise pick at a time when his campaign has been trying to attract women, especially disaffected supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
In choosing Ms. Palin -- a 44-year-old conservative Christian and self-described "hockey mom" who has been governor for less than two years -- the McCain campaign reached far outside the Beltway in an election where the Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama, is running on a platform of change.

From Alaska, eh? Sounds pretty exotic to me.

Here's Palin's entry on Ballotopedia. With an approval rating at 80 percent, she must be doing something right. Of course, the price of oil being what it is, trained monkeys could run Alaska. Maybe we could send them some of ours.

Photo: Google.

"Red Nose Day" Declared in Redding!

2008-08-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

After Philbert's recent campaign visit to Marketfest last night, small children all over Redding are now being seen wearing their red noses to school. They've also been heard singing and chanting the People's Imaginary Party (PIP) red nose song: "Philbert the Campoon for Emperor!"

Way to go, Philbert! Way to indoctrinate the youth of Redding by declaring every Friday a "Red Nose Day" in honor of Philbert the Soon-To-Be Emperor with No Clothes!

Wow, I just noticed that we even have the color "red" in our town name!? Smart, very smart!

P.S. Philbert, can you please add your official campoon red noses to your CafePress.com website. Thanks!

Image Source: Google.

Minneapolis Star Tribune Ditches AP News Service

2008-08-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

I found this link to "Newspaper Death Watch" over yonder on Kelly Brewer's Pink Hollyhock blog.

Check out this story: "Star Tribune Ditches AP, others Expected to Follow." Interesting, very interesting.

Image Source: Google.

Philbert for Emperor!

2008-08-28T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well, we all knew Philbert the Campoon was too big for his britches, even though he still refuses to wear them.

Alas, Philbert is not only a crayon-in candidate for City Council, a gainfully under-employed cartoonist and a blogger for the Record Searchlight, he is now a write-in candidate for President of the United States!

So, who will Philbert pick for his Vice Presidential candidate? I hear Hillary Clinton is still available. The "Fountain/Clinton" ticket has a nice ring to it. Or maybe the "Fountain/Hilton" ticket. Yes, that sounds much better.

Phil, we need your presidential bumper stickers on CafePress.com as well!

Image Source: Google.

Made fresh, weakly...

2008-08-28T04:51:00.000-07:00

This just in from over yonder on Doni Greenberg's Food for Thought: Disappearing Ink. Great article that lifts the "newspaper print curtain" at the Record Searchlight in Redding, California. It's nice to have embedded reporter's at the Record Searchlight who are willing and able to leak information to the press/media.... Wait, that sounds odd, doesn't it? Does that mean the press/media are leaking information to the press/media? Hmm....

Also, if those are actually the new circulation numbers at the Record Searchlight (Daily circulation of 29,249 newspapers, Sunday circulation of 32,920), does that mean Silas Lyons and Shanna Cannon will now update their false newspaper circulation claims on Wikipedia?

Speaking of Wikipedia, Philbert is still listed as a blogger for the Record Searchlight on their Wikipedia page. Way to go, Philbert! You make such an excellent, embedded spy! ;-)

Don't forget to meet and greet Philbert the Great tonight at Marketfest in downtown Redding!

Image Source: "Weak Coffee."

H-E-L-L-O ??? Is anybody covering this story?

2008-08-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

H-E-L-L-O media world?

H-E-L-L-O is anyone out there? Too busy twittering to cover this small, minor lawsuit that was filed against Barack Obama?

H-E-L-L-O ???????????

Well, at least one person is concerned, and left the following comment below:
Berg vs. Obama, Civil Action No. 08-cv-4083, in Federal Court (Philadelphia).

What is going on here!??

Is it true that Obama was born in Kenya, Africa?

Is it true that there are no records of his mother giving birth to him at any hospital in Hawaii?

Is it true that his Grandmother, and half-sister have said he was in fact born in Kenya?

Is it true that Republicans have records to prove Obama was born in Kenya?

And is it true that he was registered as a citizen of Indonesia as a Muslim?

Is there any truth to any of this???? Where is the major media on this story? [insert chuckle here] Have they investigated this? Has any of the above been proved untrue?

If any of the above is true this is very serious. What's up!????????

Death of a Newspaper disclaimer: I'm sorry I can't be of more assistance in this matter. However, this blog is not actually a newspaper, and I don't make my living as a journalist.... I am merely documenting the demise of the Record Searchlight in Redding, California. ;-)

Image Source: Gawker.com.

More twittering....

2008-08-27T05:41:00.000-07:00

While I was on the Obama/Biden campaign home page, I could not help but notice what giant, white teeth Biden and Obama have. So, here's what twitterer's are saying about Biden and his teeth:

1. "I want a photo timeline of Bidens teeth, hair and tan over the last 4 decades.” - Eric

Deep, man. Deep.

2. "Can we harness the energy in Biden's white teeth." - Haloscan

3. "Here is Barack Obama’s adult supervision. Why do Mutt and Jeff come to mind? We need an Obama Bin Biden cartoon stat." - Uppity Woman

See also Joe Biden's Bite.

Image Sources: Uppity Woman and here.

You make me twitter....

2008-08-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

I just found out about a lawsuit that Philip Berg, an attorney in Washington, D.C. and an alleged Hillary Clinton supporter, filed against Barack Obama last week.

So, let's see, Senator Hillary Clinton is passed over for the Vice Presidency.... Shortly thereafter, a lawsuit is filed. Or maybe it was filed before she was passed over for the Vice Presidential nomination? Hmm.....

Whatever the story is behind this lawsuit, it is not good news for the Democratic Party.

See these related links:

1) America's Right.com.

2) PDF of Berg vs. Obama lawsuit filed in Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

3) Interview with Philip Berg on FreeRepublic.com.

4) ObamaCrimes.com.

5) And you gotta love this "Election Astrology."

See also: Google.

Meet the Candidate at Marketfest!

2008-08-26T20:26:00.000-07:00

I went to the computer thinking I would write about Hillary Clinton's amazing DNC speech tonight... But instead, I got distracted by the idea of actually meeting Philbert the Philanderer at Marketfest this Thursday night. Check it out:

"I've just heard from Philbert that he will be appearing at Thursday's MarketFest in Downtown Redding.

He will be handing out leaflets and WWOD's (Waxy Weapons of Democracy or crayons for the uninitiated) which voters will then be able to utilize to write-in Our Candidate on Election Day! Isn't that super!?!

He may also do some glad-handing and baby kissing.

He balked at first about the glad-handing and baby kissing, because in Pomerania those terms have a completely different meaning.

In Pomerania, to "Kiss The Baby" is a slang term for touching your toes as part of the state mandated daily Nude Calisthenics.

"Glad-handing" means drawing lips on your thumb and forefinger to make a cheezy handpuppet to make babies laugh before you kiss them. It's so very different in foreign countries, isn't it? I'll be there too to help answer questions about the campaign and to keep the candidate supplied with Ho-Ho's and chocolate milk. He gets cranky if his blood sugar gets too low.

So, mark your calendars and be sure to show your imaginary support for our imaginary candidate."

You can read Philbert's latest article on Food for Thought: A News Café.

And don't forget your Philbert-gear here on CafePress.com.... All proceeds will benefit local charities!

Digging Ryan's Privates...

2008-08-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

This is cool, way cool. Ryan Sabalow has a real editor to work for in Denver. Check it out! Cool stuff. Way to go, Ryan! Keep up the good work.

P.S. Also see "Saving Ryan's Private's" below. Don't miss the YouTube.com video. It's phantabulous!

Daily DNC 'toons...

2008-08-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

I would like to give Silas Lyons credit for this hot lead about Drew Litton's animated DNC cartoons... However, when I went to his Redding.com blog and clicked on the cartoon image, it said the cartoon link was no longer available. Figures.

So, here is the actual YouTube link to some wonderful and hilarious animated cartoons from the Rocky Mountain News about the Democratic National Convention.

Get your Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or John McCain papermasks here.

Ryan Sabalow twittering away...

2008-08-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Record Searchlight must have sold off some extra desks and computer equipment on Craig's List in order to afford to send Ryan Sabalow to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Looks like Ryan will be twittering away his time while he is there.

Also, hopefully Ryan Sabalow gets hired by a real newspaper while he's there, because we all know this guy has talent.

See the Urban Dictionary (my fav!) for more info on twittering.

Image Source: GoogleImages.

Breaking News: The Record SexLight....

2008-08-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

FYI: If you want to read about Christy Lochrie's alleged complaints of on-the-job sexual harassment at the Record Searchlight, aka the "Record Sexlight", you can read them on her blog:

Standing up to harassment, scarlett letter be damned
Posted on August 1, 2008 by Christy Lochrie

"A funny thing happens when a woman utters the words “sexual harassment.” It’s as if she’s suddenly donned a scarlet letter, which brands her as a troublemaker, complainer and, worst of all for corporate America, not a team player.

When I wrestled with taking my complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – forgive me for vagueness on that front; details will come later, although not necessarily in a blog form (It would be foolish of me to publish details that would help my employer’s sexual harassment attorney hurt me) – I was met with staunch, blue-collar, gotta-protect-your-career-and-livelihood-(is a $28,000 income really a livelihood these days?) wisdom from loved ones: Don’t do it.

But I did do it. I had no choice, I felt. To give in to the harassment – it appeared intended to silence me as a journalist, humiliate me as a human being, punish me as a woman and strike fear of sexual assault in my heart – would be unthinkable to me ethically and professionally. To give in would be a betrayal to myself as a woman and a journalist. Fighting back, career consequences be damned, was – and continues to be – my only option.

As far as career suicide goes, which my father cautioned me would be a result of my stance, I felt and feel that I not only can’t work with colleagues who engage in such vile behavior, but I most definitely don’t want to work in an environment in which my employer allows it. (That, by the way, is not a statement about my current employment status or desire. I have not quit, and I refuse to quit, my job.)

All of that leaves me with one choice as a journalist: dig in, document, fight back, provide resources for others who have been hurt in similar ways, shine the light and tell the painful truth: Some 83,000 people filed employment discrimination charges with the EEOC in 2007. That figure doesn’t include complaints filed with state commissions, such as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. And it leaves out another painful truth: More employees ducked filing charges out of their own career suicide fears, figuring that to endure harassment or to move on in silence were better options.

I didn’t want this fight. It was thrust upon me. I didn’t want the depression. Didn’t want the anxiety. Didn’t want the stress. Didn’t want the fear. Didn’t want the sexual harassment and didn’t want the cyberstalking. And I don’t want it for any other woman, or any other person, who finds herself or himself the object of base, sexual, racial, religious, ethnic background or any other where-we-live characteristic. That, in a nutshell, is why I’ve taken this route, scarlet letter and all.

Garbage stinks more when it’s closed up and hidden away. I’m opening the lid. Stand up, ladies and gentlemen. It’s your right to work in a harassment-free environment. And if you’re worried about employment retaliation, know that it’s illegal – both to retaliate against an employee who complains and to refuse to hire an applicant based on her or his harassment complaint, which the EEOC dubs a “protected activity.” It’s not about being a corporate drone, who fears the loss of a paycheck and career advancement opportunity for speaking up. It’s about standing up for your rights and refusing to accept less-than-humane treatment while earning a living in this corporate-America work zone."

-Christy

It’s not OK
Posted on July 15, 2008 by Christy Lochrie

This entry is for my colleagues, those dedicated souls who create miracles on a daily basis. The journalists who track down the news, report it and take the heated phone calls when folks don’t want to read– or believe – the truth (or, perhaps, just squelch or influence what’s reported in a daily newspaper). The editors who drill the journalists, challenge them and then stand behind them and their work. The pressmen who keep the print churning. The Web editors who post the stories. The folks who sell ads, place classifieds and, generally, keep the process in motion. It’s a tough job, at any newspaper. And most do it with grace, diligence and dignity. They’re folks who have my admiration.

Don’t know the head count at my – present – employer nowadays, but a year or so ago there were more than 200 people on the rolls. My complaint is with a small percentage of them — like one percent – and a management team that let down women everywhere (especially women journalists) by creating and nurturing an environment that sowed the seeds of harassment — and allowed it to grow and flourish.

I’m already aggravated with corporations, which treat employees – read: people – as if they are expendable and replaceable objects to be used and then dumped. And it’s everywhere. A dear friend who lives in SoCal was stressed when her employer thrusts a three-year, six-figure contract at her. She’s an IT guru and, while she commands a good living, her employer seemed, to her, exceedingly generous. More: The contract insulated her from firing for its duration. It seemed too good to be true. She finally acquiesced, signed it and discovered her employer’s true motive: They expected her to continue managing her department while outsourcing it – unannounced to her charges – to a firm in India. Her boss’ secretary died, from, my friend believes, exhaustion and stress created by a take-it-or-leave-it-you’ll-work-as-much-as-I-demand work culture. The secretary was in her mid 30s, couple of kids and a husband. My friend works some 80 hours a week supporting this company, which looks at employees as bottom-line numbers on a spreadsheet.

It’s rampant. Everywhere. Employment loyalty is lost – and that’s a parallel street headed straight to hell. I don’t know what, if anything, will change that. But I do know what happens to people – good people – when they have to deal with it. I’ve seen it up close. Watched the layoffs. Ranted with others as they wiped away tears of frustration. And felt the hollow stings as emotionally jolting goodbyes punctuated Friday afternoons for some six months.

Again, I don’t know the answers. But what I do know: I feel and felt the pain – and wrote about it – along with my colleagues as we all experienced it. I’ve felt frustrated, angry and powerless. It’s hurt to see so many people hurt and, I believe, maltreated. But somewhere in this, groupthink (for a few) seemed to come to the conclusion that I was part of some sinister corporate plan or that I was in need of some good, old fashioned rough justice. And the response was to support, and contribute (again, for a couple), to a sexually harassing site which took aim at my female parts.
Forget naming names – at least here. And details will come later, if at all. As I’ve said before, however, I’ll be damned if sexual harassment will control or define me. No one deserves it. No one deserves harassment based on some where-I-live characteristic, such as race, ethnic background, religion, sexual preference or gender, to name a few. Not my friend who endured KKK scribbles at his SoCal workplace and a racially hostile environment (the EEOC stepped in; it was less than 10 years ago), not Tammy Blakey, an airline pilot who endured sexual harassment in both the cockpit and on the Internet, not anyone."

-Christy

Death of a Newspaper Image and Disclaimer: The photo above is of a woman dressed in an Office Tramp costume. It is a costume, and it is not real. Also, it is NOT A PICTURE OF CHRISTY LOCHRIE. If you, as a reader, would be interested in purchasing said costume, one is available in a plus size at 3Wishes.com. This blog, and this photo of an office tramp costume are protected free speech under the First Amendment. No further comment your honor.

Saving Ryan's Privates...

2008-08-25T09:03:00.001-07:00

According to all my embedded contacts at the Record Searchlight who have recently been fired (Philbert), or fled the building**, I just wanted to pass along this gossipy, possibly truthful rumor:

Christy Lochrie, former Phat & Pink Currents reporter/blogger for the Record Searchlight is most likely accusing Ryan Sabalow, and other male employee's at the Record Seachlight of on-the-job sexual harassment, and is taking her case to the EEOC.

No, I'm not completely sure if this is true, but I'm sort of sure. Just thought I would let you know.

Give me your thoughts on this, please. It certainly boggles the mind.

And whatever you do, please don't miss this "Saving Ryan's Privates" video on YouTube.com.

Image Source: Amazon.com. Saving Ryan's Private CD.

**Direct quote from Christy Lochrie's blog 8/7/08:

"Let’s see, I haven’t set foot inside of the R-S newsroom since February, when, awash with fear, anxiety, depression, anger and more, I essentially fled the building. And my physician, upon examination and listening to what I’d been through – base sexual harassment, harassment, cyberstalking, intimidation (all of which involved one or two colleagues), employer abandonment and more – ordered me off of work. Through January.

Since, I haven’t been exactly ingratiated with the inner sanctum of the R-S, although friends have and continue to reach out. Part of that estrangement stems from an EEOC sexual harassment charge and another, from an uphill battle with my employer over Workers’ Comp.

Both battles, predictably, continue. But the Workers’ Comp one simply blows me away. My employer hasn’t paid a dime toward helping me recover from my workplace injury. So, with a $324-a-week income from California’s SDI, I’m left to foot the bills. Women, predictably, are injured at least twice for standing up for their civil rights – first with the social scarlet letter for uttering a taboo that no one wants to believe exists and the second from economic reprisal that cascades out of the first. Ah, economic justice."

From the pen of Silas Lyons...

2008-08-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

I was travelling this weekend, and I could not read the Wretched Flashlight (I got to read a real paper, instead!). So, I completely missed this "editorial" by Silas Lyons.... But Jim pointed out this gem of a sentence buried in it.

Here's Jim's comment on it:

From the pen of Silas:
"We're careful to print fewer pages that aren't full of local news."

How do you interpret that???

Thanks for the hot tip, Jim! You're definitely hired! Keep up the good work!

Obama / Hilton ticket announced...

2008-08-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

My mother called me yesterday morning to make sure I knew that Obama* was about to announce his running mate any minute. I flipped on the television while I was doing my morning yoga stretches. No announcement. I jumped in the shower, hurried, and jumped out to check CNN when I was finished. No announcement. I called a friend in the know in Washington D.C., checking to see if he knew anything. Nothing. I debated about signing up for the sexy text message that might come from Obama later in the day. I queried one and all, and made beer bets. I picked Gore as Obama's first pick, and Hillary as his second pick. Later in the day, it was Hillary first, then Gore second. And today, I'm back to just a good 'ol Clinton/Gore ticket. Just kidding. Sort of.

I'm still digesting the concept of the Obama/Biden ticket. It has a better ring to it than Obama/Baugh, that's for sure. But why did "Mr. Change We Can Believe In" pick such an old-Washington establishment-white guy? And when, oh when, will we see a woman on the ticket?

And, more importantly, how does Paris Hilton feel today about not being selected?

* Note: Death of a Newspaper is a non-partisan blog. The only candidate we truly endorse is Philbert. ;-)

Typo du la Jour: Surgeoun ?

2008-08-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here's the on-line headline over yonder on Redding.com:

"Not butcher or saint, but a fine surgeoun."

Ha! That's a classic!

Typo du la Jour Score: 9.5 points*

*Typo du la Jour Daily Score ranges from 1-10, 10 being the highest.
Leave me a comment with your typo rating for the day, or let me know about other typo's you catch. Thanks!

Image Source

Vote for Philbert! Vote Often!

2008-08-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

Psst.... Check it out! Philbert's filled his war chest with illegal funding
from "Deep Pockets," aka George LeRoy Tirebiter.
Check it out, he's got his own line of campaign merchandise for sale on CafePress.com.

He's even reduced the carbon fingerprints of his campaign materials
by printing them on Organic Tees. Way to go, Philbert!

All of Philbert's CafePress.com campaign merchandise
will be sold at cost except for the Organic Tees and the bumper stickers.
The proceeds from those sales will go to local charities
(i.e. Women’s Refuge, People Of Progress).
Wow! How cool is that!?

And remember girls and boys out there in VoterLand:
Vote Early! Vote Often! Vote for Philbert!*

* Oh yes, and don't forget he's not really running for City Council.... Or is he?

Stun gun subdues alleged tree stabber ?

2008-08-19T22:20:00.000-07:00

"No way," I thought as I read the Record Searchlight on-line headline last night that stated "Stun gun subdues alleged tree stabber?" I was certain it was just another screwed up headline. Some guy didn't really get stun gunned for stabbing a tree, did he? Alas, apparently he did.

Maybe the tree stabber was playing this song called "Stabbing Tree" by A Small Victory on his iPod before this unfortunate incident.

Hey, by the way, did anyone find out how the tree is doing??

Philbert, this has your fingerprints all over it. Cartoon, please, I beg you!

ImageSource: DCpages.com

Typo du Jour: Yoga in the Buff

2008-08-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I missed this typo yesterday in the Record Searchlight. However, someone who has a better grasp of the french language than I tuned me into this fabulous play on words.

It's located on the side bar of the front page, called "In the Green Zone," with a picture of Nancy Sutton doing a yoga pose. Caption is "Yoga Classes go au naturale at Turtle Bay's McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens."

Apparently the replacement of the replacement of the copy editor who got fired who replaced the one who is out on "stress leave," must not have taken a french class.

First, the spelling should have been "au naturel," which means en plein aire, or outside.

Instead, the caption is basically promoting "yoga in the nude," or au naturale.

Yoga in the nude at Turtle Bay's McConnell Arboretum? That is the best idea I've heard lately to increase Turtle Bay membership! Right on!

(Viva Babelfish!)

Alas, in all seriousness, it sounds like a great yoga venue, with an excellent teacher. Don't miss the last class this Thursday, August 21st, from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Clarification: This is not a clothing optional yoga class!

And for all the folks who really do want to do nude yoga, I give you this nude yoga photoblog (not porn!), and this YouTube video (semi-clean) and a link to Shakti: The Feminine Power of Yoga.

Image Source: TeamSugar.com.

Viva la Paperboy and Papergirl!

2008-08-18T07:49:00.001-07:00

Apparently I missed this blog post by my favorite local attorney over yonder on Food for Thought back in July.

I completely relate to Mr. Winter's tale of woe about delivery of the Record Searchlight newspaper. However, my problem is not getting the newspaper, my problem is stopping delivery of the newspaper during vacation.

For 2 years I tried to use the Record Searchlight's vacation stop voice mail system. Alas, each time I used it I would come home from vacation only to discover a pile of newspapers on the driveway. And everyone knows that a "pile of newspapers on the driveway" signals "we're on vacation, rob our house!" to local bad guys. O.k., slight exaggeration on that latter part, but still, no one really wants to advertise the fact that your house is uninhabited during vacation.

The point is, I have completely given up trying to coerce the Record Searchlight to stop our newspaper delivery while we're on vacation. There's just no point. Luckily, this newspaper delivery glitch on the part of the Record Searchlight has actually proven to be an economic boon to the neighborhood kids. Most of my neighbors, including myself, now pay minimum wage to neighborhood kids to pick up our newspapers during vacations. Livrez-nous de l'indifférence? Pas nécessairement! :-)

Also, check out the movie/documentary "Paperboys" if you have a chance.

From the acclaimed music video director comes an exploration of paperboys and their place in the American culture...

“Nobody makes American Life look as beautiful as filmmaker Mike Mills.”- Paper Magazine

“Poignant and quietly hilarious…a fascinating study of small-town life…”- NY Daily News

Synopsis: This documentary by Mike Mills--who has directed acclaimed music videos for Moby, The Beastie Boys, Beck, Sonic Youth, and Air--takes a look at an important piece of Americana--the paperboy. Examining the tradition of the suburban newspaper carrier, Mills compares and contrasts the... This documentary by Mike Mills--who has directed acclaimed music videos for Moby, The Beastie Boys, Beck, Sonic Youth, and Air--takes a look at an important piece of Americana--the paperboy. Examining the tradition of the suburban newspaper carrier, Mills compares and contrasts the classic, Norman Rockwell-associated version of the paperboy with the contemporary, suburban, hip-hop/television influenced model. Spending time with a handful of newspaper carriers themselves, we get to see where they live, what their lives are like, and exactly what the job means to them.

PAPERBOY won the Best Documentary award at the Santa Fe Film Festival.

Paperboy was an official Selection of the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

Here's a great paperboy video on YouTube also.

And of course, the Nintendo version.

Image Source: Memory.loc.gov - Boys standing in a wagon at a Volunteers of America free picnic for newsboys, Chicago, 1902.

Other Sources:

Rottentomatoes.com.

PalmPictures.com

Internet Movie Database

2008-08-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Eddy Hartenstein, a former head of DirecTV, will soon become publisher of the Los Angeles Times.

I love this APNews quote: "Hartenstein, a pioneering satellite television executive with no newspaper experience, will take over Monday."

"Hartenstein will be the fourth Times publisher since the newspaper was acquired in 2000 by the Tribune Company."

So, is "no newspaper experience" and "no journalism degree" a current qualification for editors and publishers of newspapers in America at the moment???

Check out his executive compensation on Portfolio.com.

FYI: This guy is actually a former rocket scientist.. No kidding!

Image Source: Let's Go Digital.com.