People In The News

[cahwyguy]

Today’s news chum is about people in the news. So, without further fanfare, some items noted whilst perusing the news over lunch...

• From the “Walt Disney” File: The Los Angeles Times is reporting on the updated plans for Disney’s California Adventure. As they say, “This time, for sure”. The general approach is to theme the area and entrance to

Comments

[terpsichoros]

So when the Chosen One asks you a question, and you give the wrong answer, his partisans will dig into every aspect of your life, broadcast your address and personal financial details to the world, and smear you all over the media. That's an encouraging prospect!

[cahwyguy]

I don't think it was the fact that "the Chosen One" asked him a question. If it had been a question at a rally, we probably wouldn't have heard more about the guy. I think the investigation occurred because the guy was brought up by McCain so much during the debate, and the news media was attempting to fact check the claims made. I, for one, am glad that the news media does check facts and claims.

(ETA: Further, I doubt McCain asked his permission before bringing him up in the debate, which invited the fact checking).

[ah1270]

The news media only "fact checks" Republicans. This is correct. My complaint is that they rarely fact check Democrats. When they do they often provide some excuse or "moral equivalence" such as "Republicans do it too" and then drop it.

For example: A certain Republican congressman was voted out of office for carrying on text message dalliance with an 18-year old young man who was once a Congressional page. The TV guys went wild with hours of news coverage. The reason his opponent gave for voting for him was to vote for the forces of goodness and light. The Democrat won. Now, the self-same Democrat is being sued by an former employee for an adulterous affair with her, paying her off and otherwise trying to make her feel like a bad person. She may be a bad person but she didn't deserve the abuse she received from him (on tape), and the media is curiously incurious about this sex scandal.

[cahwyguy]

In terms of the debate, I saw CNN doing fact checking of statements from both sides. In terms of other organizations doing Fact Checking, there is FactCheck.org, a program of the Annenberg organization.

[neo_tanuki]

On a less political note...I'm intrigued by the idea of California Adventure being redone in a 1920's theme. I've been to the park, and enjoyed it overall, but it does feel a bit watered-down in comparison to Disnelyand itself...more like a carnival or boardwalk with a bigger budget.

Having been recently been reading some material about Howard Hughes and some 1930's alternate history-fiction material, I think I'd enjoy an attraction that recreates that period of L.A. History. Actually, I'd even enjoy elements that taught visitors about L.A.'s early history. (Which I think is pretty fascinating).

All that aside, I think one of the biggest negatives right now is that both parks are expensive, and you have to pay for them separately. Disney would be smarter to just charge a single admission for both. (And lower the price!!!)

[zarchasmpgmr]

I think Disney would be better off and turn CA Adventure into Disneyland South.

The L.A. Times endorsement shocked me when it came across this morning. The mindset at the Times has been to (almost) never endorse in partisan races.

I wonder who will get the axe from Zell for such shenanigans.

[cahwyguy]

Hard question. If you read LA Observed or LA Biz Observed (great reading, and I have both syndicated to LJ -- look at my list), you'll see there aren't that many folks left at the Times. Perhaps is was that roboeditorial software they installed recently to save money. It scans the news headlines and spits out editorials it thinks the public will like.

[zarchasmpgmr]

I wonder now...since the Chicago Trib, that "Republican-leaning newspaper", endorsed Obama as well...

[cahwyguy]

I like the:

Your comments: 'Is that chill coming from hell?'

[jumbach]

Overhauling CA Adv already???? It's only a few years old.

We were incredibly unimpressed during our 2003 visit.