Sunday, September 07, 2014

Headlines and Ponderings

Today I'm going to experiment by looking at some eye-catching headlines and pondering about them.

Senator John McCain (R) of Arizona and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) of Connecticut wrote a bi-partisan op-ed piece for CNN, calling on the FCC to finally make a decision on a proposal to change the rules that cause some football games to be blacked-out in the local area.  Reporter's note:  It's long past time to change this rule.  The fact that a game will be unavailable on television in the local area isn't going to encourage anyone to buy a ticket to the game.  Nor will the presence of local television do anything to stop fans from buying tickets.

 
The so-called Central Park Five are finally done with the courts, as a federal judge approved a settlement that will pay them $41 million.  Convicted in 1990 of a crime they did not commit, they all went to prison.  One spent 13 years behind bars while the other four each spent roughly seven years in prison.  Zachary Carter, Corporate Counsel for the City of New York,  says "the settlement should not be construed as an acknowledgment that the convictions ... were the result of law enforcement misconduct."  Reporter's note:  When it comes to Mr. Carter's statement, the best response would be


A slew of photographers were on hand as the body of Joan Rivers was taken from a funeral home to a crematorium.  Her daughter and granddaughter were on hand.  Reporter's note:  Just once I'd like to see a celebrity's family left alone immediately after the death.  At least long enough for the family to have a memorial service and so on.

Jim Cornette is a retired wrestling commentator, manager and so on.  He know what he is talking about when he is critical of the WWE or any other pro wrestling company.  His comments about a script for their flagship TV show, "RAW" aren't just critical, they are highly amusing.  Reporter's note:  Cornette's criticisms are on target.  Current WWE management and writers are either inept or trying to ruin the company.

Former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell plans to appeal his conviction.  Reporter's note:  Did anyone think he wasn't going to appeal?  So why is this a headline?

There's an article on Yahoo that's headlined "Meet Jessica Biel's look-alike brother."  Reporter's note:  There were no pics of Biel's brother in the article.  Misleading.

Congress returns to work on Monday with two critical issues that must be resolved quickly.  Pass a bill to fund government through the end of the year and to keep the freeze on taxing the internet in place.  The Republican-led House plans to spend only 12 days in session in September.  Reporter's note:  Both parties should be renamed the Do-Nothing Party for this month.  That's because leadership is going to do everything they can to keep vulnerable incumbents facing reelection from having to make difficult votes before Election Day.

Teens in Ohio who pulled a horrible prank on an autistic child by putting urine and excrement into the bucket that was supposed to contain ice water for an ALS challenge are on the radar of "Price is Right" host Drew Carrey.  He is offering to put up $10,000 reward for their arrest.  Reporter's note.  This is bullying of the highest order.  Reprehensible.  But I'm not sure they violated any laws.

President Obama, according to the Associated Press, will unilaterally provide illegal immigrants with a path to legal status of some kind; if Congress doesn't pass the kind of immigration reform he is seeking.  Reporter's note:  Our Constitution gives authority over immigration to Congress and NOT the President.

A student at Sacramento City College had more than $1,000 in his Google Wallet and then he wrote a joke in the memo line of a payment.  Google closed his account and wouldn't give him his money back.  He got a consumer reporter involved and got his money back, eventually.  Reporter's note:  A bank can't keep your money indefinitely if they decide to close your account.  Why should Google have that right?

Sarasota, FL is following the example of San Francisco in trying to send homeless residents elsewhere, by paying for their travel.  The State of Nevada sued San Francisco, accusing the City By the Bay of doing this to avoid the cost of treating the mentally ill homeless population.

The new conservative leadership in the House wants to shut down a little-known federal agency.  The Export-Import Bank exists to help U. S. businesses sell their products overseas.  The agency's charter is another problem that must be solved by September 30th, as that is when it will expire if not renewed.  Reporter's note:  This is an agency that actually makes money for the federal government.  It contributed a record amount of $1.1 billion to government coffers.  It needs to continue.

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen (D) has disclosed that she suffers from debilitating depression