LAT editorializes for wolves

The LAT is upset today after learning that 35 wolves were killed in the month that ended April 28th. Gray wolves were taken off the Endangered Species list on March 28th. The LAT wants new regulations to adjust the natural balance of elk, deer and wolves to their liking. The LAT apparently knows the proper number of each and is willing, apparently, to take on the challenge of regulating their quantities. What will they think of next?

LAT: Preacher Wright left of other blacks

The LAT says today that Jeremiah Wright's views "are to the left of most black clergy." That claim appears in a news article written by Peter Wallsten, not as a quote but as a statement of fact. How does Wallsten know?

An article by LAT reporter Teresa Watanabe, also in today's paper, quotes several black ministers who have a range of views, some supportive of Wright and others highly critical of him. That seems to contradict Wallsten.

What recession?

Television talking heads have recently felt free to speak as though the economy were in recession, but it ain't so, if you accept the premise that the definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative growth. According to today's announcement from the Commerce Department, the economy grew in the first quarter by .6 percent. That's not good but it's not negative. The first quarter results will be revised twice, so it's still possible there could be negative growth after revision. For now, though, it isn't accurate to say the economy is in recession.

Abysmal graduation rates

William McGurn writes today in the op-ed pages of the Wall Street Journal of the abysmal rates at which America's students graduate from high school. In the 50 largest cities, the graduation rate averages 52 percent. In city centers it's lower than that, in suburbs higher but any rate below 90 percent is disgusting. For details on these rates, see the recent report of the America's Promise Alliance on their website.

People can argue about why the rates are so low. Some say it's the students, some say it's the parents, some say it's the teachers unions, some say its the lack of money. Money is the least likely cause of the problem.

Whatever the cause, and whatever the solution, this problem needs to be solved. Some people are working on it but not enough. Part of the problem is that not enough people know about it. Every political candidate ought to make solving this problem his or her number one goal. They ought to speak about it every time they get a chance. Political leaders such as Nancy Pelosi ought to get behind solving it. And these politicians should forget about partisanship and work together on this issue. Of course, they will not.

LAT blasts Supremes

The LAT editorializes this morning against the Supreme Court decision allowing voter ID requirements in Indiana. Fair enough but the LAT ought to argue its case fairly. It doesn't. The LAT qotes from a majority opinion that says "the record contains no evidence of any such fraud actually occurring in Indiana at any time in its history." (The majority opinion is referring to voter fraud, resulting from failure to require voters to provide a proper ID.) The LAT argues this proves there's no problem, because no fraud ever occurred. It's a false argument and the LAT knows it. The majority opinion is saying that no evidence is in the record, not that no fraud ever occurred.

LAT editorializes on Ecuador

According to a LAT editorial today, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa is "galvanized" by Columbia's raid last month on FARC guerillas camped along the border with Columbia just inside Ecuador. Ecuador was totally innocent in all this, the LAT suggests. Ecuador didn't know the FARC were there and when Columbia informed them they took no action against the FARC out of love and affection for fellow human beings. Ecuador's anger at Columbia has nothing to do with kowtowing to Hugo Chavez. OK, Chavez pays Ecuador a little but that's not important. Socialists must stick together. It's all good if you hate Bush.

LAT reports on Iranian meddling

LAT reporter Julian Barnes reports today on the U.S. military's recent criticism of Iranian meddling in Iraq. The report is a masterpiece of jumble, chock full of speculation about the meaning of developments, the accuracy of intelligence and other reports and the probability of events. What the piece lacks is hard news.

Jerry Brown: 2,000 murders in CA each year

According to the LAT, California Attorney General Jerry Brown says 2,000 are murdered each year in California. He added "that is 10,000 since the Iraq war started." Is it safer to be in the military in Iraq than to be on the streets of California? Taking into account the number of deaths in vehicle accidents, perhaps so.

Lexington essay relies on non-facts

Lexington, in this week's column, tells us what is wrong with America. Here are some of his (or her) claims, which he or she calls "compelling evidence."

The Democrats are poised to increase their majorities on Capital Hill and have a better-than-even chance of taking the White House.

The conservative movement is suffering a collective mental breakdown

Americans strongly favor the introduction of universal health care.

Americans are desperate to improve their global image.

The next administration will undoubtedly see significant moves, such as the closing of Guantanamo Bay or the adoption of stronger environmental regulations, that will be intended to make America less of an outlier.

The big change coming is not the end of American exceptionalism but the end of American triumphalism.

Written like a true liberal.

Syria, nuclear proliferator

The news of the Syrian nuclear facility that Israel destroyed last year calls to mind Nancy Pelosi's visit with Syrian president Bashar Assad last year, sitting in Assad's office in a short skirt that didn't cover her knees and in fact revealed a portion of her upper leg, as if she were selling something.

Noonan, Bush hater

Peggy Noonan's column, published today in the Wall Street Journal, is unnecessary, uninformative and unattractive in the sense that nothing about it attracts your attention. It's vitriol and it serves no purpose except to make her feel better. Bashing Bush doesn't make the world a better place, doesn't make America a better place, doesn't promote any initiative, doesn't stop or delay any either. It serves no purpose. It accomplishes nothing.

Noonan has several gifts: a gift of space in a national newspaper once a week, a gift of name recognition and a gift of facility with words. Yet she wastes her gifts attacking a man who will be a past president in nine months. Why?

Huffington has a cow

On the LAT op-ed page today, Arianna Huffington vents about Tony Snow's new job at CNN. Apparently she's angry that she didn't get it. But CNN needed some balance and with Snow they get a little.

Huffington goes on to badmouth Karl Rove and Bill Kristol, arguing they misrepresent facts and present twisted points of view. And, she agues, apparently, that liberals shouldn't be called liberals. Bottom line, Huffington's piece reads as if she got up on the wrong side of the bed, maybe hung over from a bad night, perhaps angry at her ex, companion or husband and decided a rant would make her feel better. But why would the LAT publish it?

LAT analyzes Petraeus appointment

On the front page today, the LAT assigns devious and complicated motives to President Bush's appointment of General David H. Petraeus as commander of Central Command. It's to solidify Bush's Iraq and Iran policy so that the next president can't easily change it. It signals heightened U.S. attention to Tehran. Petraeus is the "prime advocate" of Bush's policy, and so on.

It's looney stuff and way too complicated. Petraeus is the best we've got. Central Command is the hot spot. Petraeus deserves a promotion. It's that simple, or ought to be.

LAT: Supremes misread statute

Apparently unaware that the Supreme Court is the final authority on what a statute says, the LAT argues today in an editorial, incredibly, that the Court "misread" a statute in a 5-4 decision last year. To correct the "misreading," Senator Teddy Kennedy has introduced a bill that would change the statute. The LAT supports that bill and wrote the editorial to say so.

No problem. That's what Congress should do. After all, Congress writes the laws, the Supreme Court only interprets them and, of course, the Constitution. Liberals, like the LAT editors, want the Supreme Court not only to interpret but also to make laws, which of course is looney.

Tracy Wilkinson of the LAT

On Sunday, the LAT's Tracy Wilkinson provided an excellent report on the pope's activities Saturday in New York. Sadly, her report appeared on page A13 and the related pictures were in black and white. Apparently, LAT editors thought the report was less newsworthy than these subjects, all of which made the front page: Ray Charles's children squabble over his estate, Mexico feels the U.S. economic slump, medical errors at military hospitals, school funding and the effects of "global warming" in the Himilayas. A front page color picture showed flowers in the Antelope Valley.

Today, Wilkinson's report on the pope's activities yesterday got front page treatment with a color picture, below the fold. The pope's picture is smaller than Lamar Odom's, which appeared above the fold. Wilkinson's report included the following elegant words:

Benedict prayed Sunday at the site of the Sept. 11 attacks. He sprinkled holy water in each direction of the compass, blessing as hallowed ground the scarred land where nearly 3,000 people lost their lives.

Benedict walked down a concrete ramp to ground zero, subdued in chilled fog, still and quiet, save for a cellist from the New York Philharmonic who played mournful movements from Bach.

Frank: U.S. a plutocracy

Thomas Frank writes in today's Wall Street Journal that America is a plutocracy, which he abhors. According to the dictionary, a government or state run by the wealthy is a plutocracy. But that doesn't describe the America that is apparent to most of us.

Unions seem to have more influence than anybody. They can kill a free trade agreement if they wish to. They can insist on and get higher mileage standards for cars. They can finance a candidate or promote an issue; they can withhold financing from a candidate or kill an issue. Hardly anyone would describe a union as an organization of plutocrats.

Blacks and gays and women and environmentalist are hugely influential in our politics. Without blacks, Obama would be just another candidate, at home and out of the race at this point. Without women, Hillary Clinton would be at home and out of the race. Without environmentalist, the price of gasoline would be lower and most of our electric power would be produced by nuclear energy. Without gays, the penalty for injuring or killing a person would be the same whatever the victim's sexual proclivity.

Wealthy people are influential but less so than organized groups like those mentioned above. The wealthy seem to be fairly equally distributed between those on the left like George Soros and those on the right like Richard Mellon Scaife. Neither runs the government.

LAT takes a shot at Chertoff

Finally, on today's front page the LAT calls Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff "stubborn." Being stubborn isn't all bad -- some might call it being "dedicated" -- but why is a newspaper engaged in evaluating character traits? There is no standardized test for stubbornness so how does the LAT judge who is stubborn and who isn't? Isn't it a matter of opinion? And why does a newspaper report its opinion on the front page, where news more properly belongs?

LAT badmouths McCain

Also on the front page today, the LAT takes John McCain to task for not releasing his wife's tax returns. It's petty. McCain's wife's share of community income is shown on a schedule attached to McCain's return. Besides, the McCains released the tax returns of their foundation. Did the Clintons do that?

Benedict in color

Pope Benedict finally made the front page of the LAT this morning, in living color. Benedict was at the U.N., which may explain why the picture made the front page. The LAT loves the U.N.

Inside, the LAT devotes a page to Benedict's visit, including pictures in color.

LAT opposes capital punishment

In an editorial today, the LAT speculates that some future Supreme Court will declare capital punishment illegal and argues that the recent 7-2 decision in the Kentucky case makes that more likely. Neither of these arguments makes any sense.

But the LAT compounds its silliness by criticizing Justice Scalia for sensibly arguing that decisions about capital punishment should be made by legislatures instead of courts. The LAT curiously calls that "sputtering."

More importantly, the LAT misses the whole point. Capital punishment is wrong because is requires the taking of a human life which is precious and sacred and God-given, whatever the choices made by the person who lived that life. Capital punishment is no more defensible than abortion or euthanasia. They all involve the taking of a precious, sacred and God-given human life.

LAT pictures Benedict in black and white

LAT coverage of the pope's visit begins on page A3 -- and ends there -- with a couple of nice black and white pictures, both of which would have been glorious in color. Printing press problems prevent color on page A3, you say? Reporting on the Iraq war on page A6 is covered in color. And all the Macy's ads are in color.

LAT whitewashes Dems, ignores pope

On today's front page, the LAT carries a story about how Charles Gibson and George Stephanopolous were picking on Hill and Barack the other night, laments the price of gasoline, trashes California health care insurers, reports that the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles may be "setting quotas" and tells readers that new security scanners at LAX will reveal their private parts. Sadly, it nearly ignores the pope's visit, probably the most newsworthy recent event.

NewsHour reports on Pope Benedict visit

Last night, PBS's NewsHour reported on the visit of Pope Benedict to the U.S. for the first time. The report, however, focused almost entirely on the abuse scandal and other problems within the church. Positive aspects of the visit and the church were ignored. The NewsHour's discussion panel inevitably included a man who touted the end of celibacy, women in the priesthood, abortion and other issues, all of which are dead issues within the church and pointless even to mention in a discussion of the pope's visit. Apparently, NewsHour editors were unable to see beyond the issues they focused on, and this says more about the NewsHour than about the pope's visit or the Catholic Church.

LAT assigns burdens to Pope Benedict

In an editorial this morning, the LAT loads down Pope Benedict with things to avoid during his visit to the U.S. Among these is that Benedict should not fault Catholic colleges for allowing "robust debate" about "abortion, homosexuality and women's rights." Benedict surely appreciates the help.

LAT: U.S. at fault in Iran/Iraq

The LAT, this morning, blames the U.S. for Iranians supporting the Sadr militia in Iraq. According to the LAT, the U.S. is inciting Kurds and Sunnis to stage cross-border raids into Iran and that's why Iran is sending arms and aid to the Sadr militia. Furthermore, the LAT says, everyone knows that the U.S. intelligence assessment last December cleared Iran of having nuclear ambitions and also that Iraqi government forces lost the battle of Basra two weeks ago. The LAT goes on to say there's no proof of what they say about U.S. aid to Kurd and Sunni infiltrators but that's because the U.S. is so skilled at hiding it.

Anti-coal

The LAT reports today on Sierra Club efforts to prevent construction of new coal-fired power plants. The LAT piece reflects favorably on Sierra Club efforts, meaning the piece needs balance.

The Sierra Club is not what it appears to be. It was formed to preserve the Sierra for backpackers and others who enjoy the outdoors. It has evolved into a radical environmental organization that opposes not only coal but nuclear power and property rights. It favors taking properties or the benefits of property ownership from property owners and converting the properties to uses Sierra Club approves. In this respect it is like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and the Castros of Cuba, where property rights don't exist. The U.S. does not need to become more like Zimbabwe or Cuba.

A confused Spano writes about Mao

In today's LAT travel section, travel writer Susan Spano writes about Mao Tse-tung as if the jury were still out on his true nature. One can imagine writing about Adolph Hitler or Joseph Stalin in the same way, undecided and confused about their true nature. Some things are true and some things spin. Spano seems to have swallowed the spin.

Will exposes myths

A column by George Will, published today in the Orange County Register, tells it like it is. America is not going to hell in a handbasket, as many suppose. If we're in a recession, we won't know it until July or August. The stock market is down but only modestly. Home prices are down but only to 2004 values. A minority of a minority of mortgagors are behind in their payments. Retiring at age 59 is not a natural right, and besides, work is beneficial. These are Will's points and he's right. Our lives shouldn't be perfect and we shouldn't expect them to be.

O.C. Register on Columbia free trade agreement

The Orange County Register editorialized this morning on the Columbia free trade agreement, arguing that Dem ignorance and hostility to free trade are "sad indeed."

Buzzards circle

With the news that GE profits for the first quarter were down, the buzzards -- Tom Petruno and Walter Hamilton of the LAT -- are out and in print in today's newspaper. What a surpise.

LAT says judges should get a vote

In another of today's editorials, the LAT rightly argues that Senators ought not stall any further on Bush judicial nominees. Those people deserve an up or down vote, the LAT argues, and of course the LAT is right on this. Two out of three ain't bad -- today only.

LAT does the right thing

Now, Nancy Pelosi should do the right thing and allow the House to vote on the Columbia free trade agreement. That's the position the LAT takes in an editorial today, and of course the LAT is right on this occasion. Will wonders never cease?

LAT covers Dem double-cross

The LAT covers Nancy Pelosi's double-cross on the Columbia free trade agreement, but on page A14, not on the front page. In covering it, the reporter who wrote the story claims that Pennsylvania residents have lost jobs due to globalization. How does she know? She doesn't say. If you're going to make a claim like that then you should name your source.

President Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi must think she is president. She obviously believes she has veto power. She has now vetoed the Protect America Act extension (terrorist surveillance) and the Columbia free trade agreement. Neither of these will even get a vote. The House is not democratic but autocratic. There are 435 members but only one counts. That's Dictator Pelosi's.

Tutu in San Francisco

Bishop Desmond Tutu was in San Francisco yesterday talking up demonstrations against China's Olympic Torch parade. He should have been in Zimbabwe working out Robert Mugabe's voluntary or forced retirement. Is Tutu serious or just another talking head?

"Indefinite" commitment

The LAT argues in an editorial today that Petraeus and Crocker are advocating an "indefinite" commitment in Iraq. Demonstrators on the street carry sign that say "Endless War." Democratic senators say Petraeus and Crocker will never bring our troop home regardless of conditions in Iraq.

It's false. No responsible person is advocating endless war or an indefinite commitment in Iraq. Petraeus and Crocker are just asking for patience. Why are Democrats so impatient? Why are they so anxious to give up?

Petraeus "ribbon creep"

The LAT published a piece on today's opinion pages with that title. The author of the piece takes General Petraeus to task for wearing his ribbons when testifying before Congress. If you can't dispute Petraeus's testimony or results in Iraq then you attack his ribbons.

LAT: Petraeus, Dems square off

That's today's headline and it reflects a curious point of view, which is that American senators oppose an important American general who is in charge of a major military undertaking. Are we not all on the same team? Do we not all want the same thing: whatever is best for America? Can Democrats not listen objectively to the testimony of an American general without questioning his honesty and motives?

The short answer is no. Actually, it doesn't matter what General Petraeus says or that he may be brilliant or that he may be an expert in military strategy and tactics. It doesn't matter that Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker were careful to a fault, that they made no unsupported claims or any promises at all. It doesn't matter that Petraeus and Crocker were offering their best judgments based on their experiences in Iraq. It only matters that Democrats want what they want, which is victory in November. Nothing else matters.

LAT supports free trade

The LAT argues in an editorial this morning for passage of the Columbial free trade agreement, but not without taking a swipe at President Bush -- compulsive behavior for the LAT -- and confusing the issue with talk about Bill Richardson acting as go-between in negotiations with the FARC. A simple statement in favor of free trade would have done the trick.

LAT pushes sub-prime bailout

On the front page today, the LAT, in a piece by Peter Gosselin, promotes a sub-prime bailout. Gosselin recites all the previous bailouts as far back as the 1790s to prove that bailouts aren't unusual and sometimes can produce a small profit for the government. Fair enough except that a newspaper is supposed to report the news, not promote federal bailouts.

LAT advises Petraeus

On the front page today, two LAT reporters advise General Petraeus to tell Hillary and Barack what they want to hear when he testifies next week. One of them may wind up his boss, they argue. But recent polls suggest it's more likely that John McCain will wind up Petraeus's boss. McCain isn't likely to look kindly on Petraeus if he softens his testimony next week.

In truth, there is only one course for Petraeus: tell it like he thinks it is. Adjusting your point of view to gain favor with particular audiences is a death sentence in the military. It sacrifices respect and trust for expediency.

Demolition derby a gift from God

The Economist's Lexington columnist this week argues that the contest between Hillary and Barack, in which each tries to destroy the other, is a gift from God to John McCain. Lexington could have more accurately argued that you reap what you sew. Democrats generally, not just Hill and Barack, are on a suicide mission, freely chosen. They narrowed their race to two flawed candidates, one an inexperienced black man with skeletons in his closet, the other an inexperienced white woman who is a compulsive liar. Democratic voters rejected other candidates who were more experienced and better qualified but male and white.

LAT editorializes in favor of Paulson plan

In an editorial today, the LAT applauds Henry Paulson for presenting his plan and urges that Congress take it up and act on it. It's rare good sense from the LAT and it demonstrates a split between editorial and news people, who oppose the plan. News people, of course, aren't supposed to have opinions, or reveal them if they do, but that's often violated.

LAT on Basra

In an incomprehensible editorial today, the LAT argues ... what? It's hard to say.

Of course, whatever the Bush administration has done is wrong. And since Bush supports Maliki, Maliki is therefore wrong. But Iran is smart. And the guys standing around with guns in the streets of Basra must be freedom fighters since they oppose Maliki, whom Bush supports.

It makes sense to the LAT.

LAT lobbies against Paulson plan

Rather than report the contents of Paulson's plan, announced yesterday, the LAT lobbies this morning against it. The author of that front page piece: none other than Peter Gosselin.

Inside, on page A13, Maura Reynolds argues that Paulson's plan is designed to help Wall Street, not average Americans. She doesn't report the contents of the plan either.

Why read the LAT?