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.