LAT pokes fun at Bush, passes on Pelosi

On the front page today, the LAT pokes fun at President Bush over a comment he made yesterday at his news conference when he seemed surprised to hear that someone was predicting $4 gasoline. The joke is on the LAT. Bush's comment isn't newsworthy. Reporting it only satisfies a twisted mind that is confused about what is newsworthy and what isn't.

The LAT has not yet reported that a majority of House members favor passage of the Senate-passed bill to renew the Protect America Act but that Nancy Pelosi has blocked House consideration of it. That is newsworthy and the LAT should report it.

Substandard writing on business and economics

LAT reporting on business and economics is seldom worth reading because it so seldom is accurate. Too much reporting is interpretive instead of objective. Usually, such interpretations are anti-business, pro-union or pro-government (advocating more governmental restrictions on businesses or investors.) Tom Petruno and Peter Gosselin are most likely to do this but others do it as well. The one bright spot is Kathy Kristoff, who invariably reports factually and who almost always has the facts right.

Heilbrunn on conservatism's death

Today the LAT provides op-ed space for Jacob Heilbrunn to argue that with Buckley's death conservatism has died also, because the current crop of conservatives have allowed it to "collapse". Reports of conservatism's death are greatly exaggerated (with apologies to Mark Twain.)

LAT praises Buckley, sort of

On the editorial page today, the LAT eulogizes William F. Buckley, with a few good words but many critical words as well. Taking a shot at the conservative movement, the LAT says today's conservatives are shrill and lack humor. Wonder if they ever read their own product?

Kind words for NAFTA from the LAT

Will wonders never cease? The LAT editorializes this morning on NAFTA, and has kind words to say, unlike most liberals and especially unlike the two Democrat presidential candidates, who can't find enough bad to say about it, though Hillary's husband pushed it through Congress.

LAT reports on Buckley death

The LAT reports this morning on the death of William F. Buckley, and puts it on the front page with a picture, but below the fold. Inside, they devote an entire page to his life, which is good, but it doesn't compare to the space they gave Fidel Castro when he resigned. And Castro isn't even dead yet.

Petruno on the front page

LAT columnist Tom Petruno appears on the front page again this morning, offering little new information but lots of opinion. It's routine and it's a disservice to readers.