Tribune Granted Regulatory Approvals By FCC

FCC Grants Transfer of Television Station Licenses and Extension of Waivers

Going-Private Transaction Expected to Close By End of 2007

CHICAGO Nov. 30, 2007 -- Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) today announced that the Federal Communications Commission has approved the transfer of its broadcasting licenses and the extension of its cross-ownership waivers in markets where the company owns both a television station and a newspaper. Tribune’s going-private transaction is expected to close by year end following satisfaction of the remaining closing conditions, including the receipt of a solvency opinion and completion of the committed financing.

"We appreciate today’s action by the FCC, which allows our transaction to move forward," said Dennis FitzSimons, Tribune chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to implementing the new ownership structure that will enable us to focus all of our energy and resources on Tribune’s future."

On April 2, 2007, Tribune announced its intention to become a private company, owned 100 percent by an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). When the transaction closes, Sam Zell’s investment in the company will increase to $315 million and he will become chairman of Tribune’s board of directors.

To complete the transaction, Tribune sought FCC approval to transfer the operating licenses of its broadcast stations to new ownership. The company also asked for an extension of existing waivers of the FCC’s cross-ownership rule in New York, Los Angeles, Hartford and South Florida -- markets in which Tribune operates both a newspaper and television station. The waivers granted today are temporary, pending the outcome of the FCC’s ongoing review of media ownership rules. In Chicago, the company will be exempt from cross-ownership restrictions through a permanent waiver provision.

SOURCE: Tribune.com

End of the Week News

Marvin Ferguson

• Try to Comment at LA Times Site--We Dare Ya! - Kate Coe
• Producers Present New Media Proposals to Writers - Nikki Finke
• Garth Brooks 'Fire Relief Concert' in Los Angeles - Brian Humphrey
• Tribune launches branded partner channels on YouTube - 901 AM
• The Sun could be sold, reports financial paper - Baltimore Sun
• Welcome Aboard, Matt Welch! - Reason Magazine
• Size limits for cable look likely - CNET News
• Why So Bitter Bernie? - Mayor Sam
• CNN's YouTube GOP Debate Draws Record 4.49 Mil. Viewers - Media Week
• Media Predictions for 2008 - Business Week
• ABC News, union reach contract agreement - Crains New York Business
• FCC to Give Stalled Tribune Sale a Push - Newser
• Journal Sentinel gags retiring employees - Uppity Wisconsin
• Union Organizing at Contra Costa Times - Media Workers
• News deaths hit an all-time high - Guardian
• Website displays all California Newspaper Headlines - CA Newswire
• Middle Easterners Ready to Pounce on U.S. Media - The Street
• Moody's Cuts Tribune Ratings Further - Associated Press
• Billionaire Zell Barges Into American Commercial Lines - Insider Score
• Overnight shift to be classified as 'probable' cancer cause - CNN
• FCC Chair Martin Urges Loosening of Ownership Restriction - Media Law

Cancer and Working the Graveyard Shift

Seems shift workers are more prone to develop cancer than workers that work normal daylight hours, and sleep at night. As newspapers shifted from evening editions to morning editions, many production workers have worked nights at newspapers across the country, making them candidates for the dreaded affliction.

Hat tip to Mike Harnish for sending in this link to cancer and night workers.

Kim McCleary-LaFrance Memo

As many of you may have seen in today’s paper, Garth Brooks will be performing a benefit concert in Los Angeles with all ticket proceeds going to the “Southern California 2008 Fire Relief Campaign,” a campaign of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. Funds raised will benefit agencies assisting fire victims, the first responders to the Los Angeles and San Diego wildfires and California's other firefighting departments. The event will be sponsored by American Express and the Los Angeles Times will be the official media sponsor. The McCormick Tribune Foundation will match the first $2 million raised from ticket sales at 50 cents on the dollar (up to $1 million dollars).

For more information, the press release with complete ticket and campaign details is below.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Kim

Los Angeles Times Official Fire Relief Media Sponsor

LEGENDARY PERFORMER GARTH BROOKS
TO PLAY LOS ANGELES TO RAISE MONEY FOR
THE RECENT FIRE VICTIMS AND FOR THE FUTURE OF
FIRE FIGHTING IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Tickets Go On-Sale December 1 at 9:00 AM – Procedures Announced

“Southern California 2008 Fire Relief Campaign”
is sponsored by American Express and the Los Angeles Times in Partnership with the McCormick Tribune Foundation


LOS ANGELES (November 28, 2007) – Having been approached by California state elected officials as well as civic leaders from areas affected by recent wildfires, music superstar Garth Brooks has agreed to perform a benefit concert to raise money for the recent fire victims and for the future of fire fighting in the state of California.

Tickets for the January 26, 2008 9:00 PM benefit concert at Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center starring Brooks will be available this Saturday,
December 1 at 9:00 AM.

Tickets priced at $38.60 (plus 1.40 city amusement tax and $5.00 handling charge) for all seats will be available via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone network and on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will not be available at the STAPLES Center Box Office or other outlets. There will be a limit of six tickets per person.

Organizers AEG and Garth Brooks announced that all ticket sale proceeds from the concert sponsored by American Express and official media sponsor the Los Angeles Times, will be donated to the “Southern California 2008 Fire Relief Campaign,” a campaign of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. The funds will be granted to agencies providing aid to victims and the first responders of the Los Angeles and San Diego wildfires in addition to providing financial assistance to California firefighting departments and
organizations in need of additional or replacement firefighting equipment to better perform their heroic duties. The Foundation will also be responsible for grant administration and recordkeeping.

Concert sponsor American Express announced that their organization will donate $20 for each ticket purchased with an American Express card with a
guaranteed commitment to the fund of $1 million. The McCormick Foundation has also pledged to match the first $2 million raised at 50 cents on the dollar (up to a $1 million match) in addition to promotional support from the Los Angeles Times. AEG has donated the use of STAPLES Center for the night of music starring Brooks who last appeared in Los Angeles in 2001.

“Please let everyone know I hate to ask so much for a ticket but, 100% of the money is going to victims of the recent fires and to the firefighters facing future fires,” said Brooks.

“Garth was extremely aware of what our region has had to endure and was on-board the very moment our City and State leaders requested that he perform,” said Tim Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG. “Having the ability to play a role in helping Californians who have lost their homes and possessions get back on their feet in addition to helping our firefighters, the true heroes to us all, be better prepared to do their jobs was all it took. Those lucky enough to be at STAPLES Center on January 26th will not only experience one of the greatest live performers of all-time but will be joining Garth in helping firefighters and our fellow Californians who are in need.”

“We are eager to partner with Garth Brooks, a dynamic musician and philanthropist, to help revitalize the California communities affected by fire devastation and will donate $20 for every ticket purchased by our cardmembers to further help the cause,” said Rich Lehrfeld, Vice President, Global Sponsorship, American Express.

“The Times is honored to join Garth Brooks, AEG, American Express and the McCormick Tribune Foundation in this effort to bring much needed fire-relief aid to Southern Californians.” said David D. Hiller, Los Angeles Times Publisher and CEO.”

Elected officials on both the state and local levels have already spoken with Brooks to pledge their support for his appearance and tremendous efforts to make this important event a reality.

On behalf of the State of California, Speaker of the State Assembly Fabian Nunez commented, “On behalf of the people of California, I want to thank
Garth Brooks for taking the initiative to provide critical leadership during this time of need. When I spoke to Mr. Brooks last week, he immediately responded and will make a difference in thousands of lives not only now, but in the future by helping fire agencies throughout Southern California.”

“This is an incredible gesture of unparalleled generosity by Garth Brooks for which we are all sincerely grateful. It really counts for a lot as we move forward with the healing and recovery efforts,” commented Zev Yaroslavsky, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

“On behalf of all San Diegans, I commend and thank Garth Brooks, his band, American Express, the Los Angeles Times, McCormick Tribune Foundation and STAPLES Center for making this benefit concert a reality,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “To have a star of Mr. Brooks’ stature dedicate his talent and time to help raise funds for those who lost their homes and to better equip our brave firefighters is truly uplifting.”

"All of Orange County thanks Garth Brooks and appreciates his efforts to bring needed relief to those suffering from the recent fires," said Chris Norby, Orange County Supervisor, Board Chair.

“Garth Brooks is an American music legend, and his benefit concert is going to be a huge boost for the fire relief efforts in Southern California,” San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Paul Biane said. “Garth’s efforts will surely gain him some new friends in ‘high places’ here in the San Bernardino Mountains where more than 500 homes were damaged or destroyed by the recent fires.”

"The residents of California owe a debt of gratitude to Garth Brooks for supporting this worthy cause, commented Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “This event will not only benefit the victims of the recent wildfires, but the firefighters who risk their safety to protect our lives and property."

“The recent tragic fires have taken lives and destroyed property in this region, but they have not destroyed the spirit of giving that exists here, commented John F. Tavaglione, Chairman of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. “We are incredibly fortunate to live in Southern California, not only for its environment and active lifestyle, but for its generosity and caring. I’m confident this event, featuring the great Garth Brooks, will raise a lot of money for the victims of these fires and I’m certain it will lift their spirits. Thank you to Garth Brooks and the promoters of this concert, for helping improve the lives of the fire victims.”

# # #

Media News Today

Bill and George

• FCC chief favors waivers for Tribune - USA Today
• US FCC chairman seeks ownership waiver for Tribune - Reuters
• FCC Chief Would OK Tribune Buyout - Associated Press
• FCC head sides with Tribune - Mark Lacter
• More On FCC Chairman's Plan For Tribune Buyout - Paid Content
• Stocks to Watch: Anadarko, E-Trade, Tribune - Maryanville
• EXCLUSIVE: Talks Day #3 'Stalemated' - Nikki Finke
• Variety's publisher to step down - Los Angeles Times
• LAT Joins Pique Discovery Network to Drive Engagement - Business Wire

TRIBUNE COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

TRIBUNE COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

November 28, 2007

Tribune Company Statement on Federal Communications Commission Proposal

CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2007 - Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis FitzSimons today issued the following statement:

We are pleased with Chairman Martin's proposal which, if approved, will enable Tribune's going private transaction to close by the end of the year. This will allow Tribunes local media outlets to continue their commitment to outstanding journalism and service to our readers, viewers, listeners and advertisers.

FCC Proposes 2-Year Exemption for Tribune

Looks as if the sale of the Tribune will go through, with a proposed vote this Friday by the FCC to give the Tribune time to complete the Sam Zell deal. If the Tribune stock is any indication of how the FCC will vote, it's a done deal.

Click on the title for complete story.

Hump Day News

Our favorite and last tour guide Darrel

• Honig resigns as Santa Cruz Sentinel editor - San Francisco Peninsula PC
• Times Announces Layoffs, Enforcement of Hiring Freeze - New York Observer
• CBS Writers Considering Dec 10th Strike - Nikki Finke
• Michelle Obama Gives Excellent Reasons to Vote for Barack - Electronic Village
• Newspaper Announces Voluntary Buyouts for Workers - Kansas City Star
• “Youths” now shooting at police in Paris - Michelle Malkin
• Nine for DONE General Manager Post - Mayor Sam
• Disintermediation Growing Credit Rating Factor For Big Media - Research Recap
• Three Top Execs Fired at Johnson Publishing - Folio
• The Science Behind LAFD Fire Weather - Brian Humphrey
• Cable Industry Wins Compromise on F.C.C. Plans - New York Times
• Just Be Thankful...For What You Got - Militant Angeleno
• Xavier Alvarez, is back in the news - Claremont Insider
• Banc of America Securities Downgrades New York Times - Associated Press
• LA Press Club: National Journalism Awards - Kate Coe
• Editor Tom Honig to leave Sentinel - Santa Cruz Sentinel

Sick Days, Use Them or Lose Them

There has been a great deal of confusion regarding unused sick days at the Los Angeles Times, and I’m certain, at all Tribune Companies. Past practice at the Times allowed employees to carry over unused sick days, with a maximum of ten sick days in the bank, anything in excess would be paid out to the employee every December. In their wisdom, the executives sitting in Tribune Towers decided paying employees for unused sick days was a waste of money and could pad their own golden parachutes, and stopped the practice. What was in question was the last day sick days could be used without losing them, which I reported as December 15th. I was in error; Tribunites can use their sick days up till December 31st, without losing them.

LAT Readers' Representative Journal

From Jim O'Shea Editor Los Angeles Times

To the staff,

Numerous studies have tied declining public confidence in journalists to the news industry's lack of openness about how and why we make decisions about the stories we cover. As a result, The Times today is unveiling the Readers' Representative Journal (latimes.com/readersrep), hosted by Jamie Gold. In the journal, Jamie and assistant readers' rep Kent Zelas will coordinate with editors and reporters to wrestle with some of the same issues the readers' representative office has dealt with since it started in 1999, including questions and answers on how The Times covers particular stories. The journal, which grew out of the recommendations of the Reinvent Committee, is an important step in making our newspaper a more open civic institution that explains itself better to readers. It will give readers and staff members a fair and open venue to professionally discuss many of the issues that flow from the stories we cover. It also will contain information about The Times, including our ethics guidelines and frequently asked questions about practices followed at The Times and other newspapers.

Please give Jamie and Kent your full support as they undertake this new, stimulating challenge.

The press release is below for your reference.

Regards,
Jim

Los Angeles Times News Release

LOS ANGELES TIMES RAMPS UP READER ENGAGEMENT
AND FURTHER ALIGNS NEWSGATHERING

latimes.com Unveils Redesign, Debuts Interactive Readers’ Representative Journal and
Elevates Online Executive Editor and Op-Ed/Sunday Opinion Editor to Masthead

LOS ANGELES, November 27, 2007 – The Los Angeles Times today announced several editorial changes that increase newsroom access to better serve and communicate with readers throughout Southern California.

Anchoring the changes is today’s launch of the “Readers’ Representative Journal,” a new blog (www.latimes.com/readersrep) aimed at bringing the public deeper into the process of how editorial decisions are made. Hosted by readers’ representative Jamie Gold and assistant readers’ representative Kent Zelas, the journal will feature a Q&A-oriented conversation to engage reporters and editors in addressing reader queries and observations. Among the rotating features will be “Ask a Staffer,” a chance to get the story behind the story; “Whatever Happened to…,” where readers can ask for updates on past stories; and grammar critiques. Users will be able to view a staff directory, peruse the L.A. Times ethics guidelines and get answers to frequently asked questions about newsroom practices, as well as outside-the-newsroom operations such as how to buy back copies. The Readers’ Representative Journal will explore virtually anything readers want to know about the editorial operation of the Los Angeles Times, online and in print.

“The ongoing changes reflect The Times overarching goal of becoming a more transparent and integrated news organization,” said Los Angeles Times editor, James O’Shea. “Most important, we’re further opening the lines of communication with our readers and using new ways to make the newsroom more accessible.”

Underscoring this commitment, The Times masthead has expanded to include latimes.com executive editor Meredith Artley as well as Op-Ed and Sunday Opinion editor Nicholas Goldberg.

Tuesday Morning Linkage

Mike Rubio Newsprint Handling

• An Interview with Sam Zell - Z Metro
• Rest of the Welch shoe drops - Kevin Roderick
• The Video Explosion - American Journalism Review
• Sam Zell on "Business Ethics" - Ben Casnocha
• Something Foul in the Air - Claremont Insider
• Today's Talks Productive; "Reasonableness Ruled The Day" - Nikki Finke
• Show pitches ads as entertainment - Los Angeles Times
• Mayor Sam's Hotsheet for Tuesday - Mayor Sam
• An ugly, ugly market - Mark Lacter
• LAT Goes After Global Warming With Fly Swatter - Ken Reich
• Publisher Gets Web Readers to Fill the Pages of Its Magazines - NYT
• Craft looking for investors to buy AM station - SFP Press Club
• Tribune October Revenue Dips 9.3 Percent - Associated Press
• Storming the News Gatekeepers - Washington Post
• Tribune revenues down 9.3% in October - Chicago Tribune
• MediaNews uses Topix for online newspaper comments - Reuters
• Dow Jones considering sale of Ottaway newspapers - Market Watch
• Los Angeles Times Ramps Up Reader Engagement - PR Newswire
• Tribune Revenue Hit by Real Estate Slump - Associated Press
• Start of new radio ratings system delayed - SFP Press Club

Tribune Revenues Down 9.3% in October

TRIBUNE COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

November 27, 2007

CHICAGO, Nov. 27, 2007 - Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) today reported its summary of revenues and newspaper advertising volume for period 10, ended Oct. 28, 2007. Consolidated revenues for the period were $383 million, down 9.3 percent from last year $422 million.

Publishing revenues in October were $287 million compared with $311 million last year, down 7.9 percent. Advertising revenues decreased 10.6 percent to $222 million, compared with $249 million in October 2006.

Retail advertising revenues decreased 7.8 percent with the largest decreases in the department stores, amusements and electronic categories, partially offset by an increase in the health care category. Preprint revenues, which are principally included in retail, were down 5.7 percent for the period.

National advertising revenues decreased 2.3 percent, with the largest decreases in the auto, transportation and technology categories, partially offset by an increase in the movie category.

Classified advertising revenues decreased 19.2 percent. Real estate fell 26.9 percent with the most significant declines in the Florida markets, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Help wanted declined 21.7 percent and automotive decreased 4.9 percent. Interactive revenues, which are primarily included in classified, were $22 million, up 11.4 percent, due to growth in most categories.

Circulation revenues were down 6.3 percent due to single-copy declines and continued selective discounting in home delivery.

Broadcasting and entertainment group revenues in October were $96 million, down 13.3 percent, due to decreases in television group revenue and Chicago Cubs revenue. Television revenues fell 7.1 percent, due to declines in political, movies and retail, partially offset by strength in the food/packaged goods, telecom and restaurant/fast food categories. Radio/entertainment revenues declined primarily due to five fewer Cubs home games.

December is Upon Us

December will be watched rather closely by employees of the Los Angeles Times and other Tribune Companies, on December 18th the FCC will vote to allow media companies across the country to own media outlets in the same market.

Another important date for Tribune Employees will be December 15th, this is the last day to use your sick days or lose them. Remember to only use your sick days if you are indeed really sick.

Another Monday is with us

• You've Lost That Local Feeling - Karen Hunter
• Dare We Hope A Deal Has Been Struck...? - Nikki Finke
• Where will Sam Zell take the struggling Tribune Company? - Reflections on Value
• Santa Barbara News-Press Wins Some, Losses Some - Fishbowl L.A.
• Newspapers Should Not Be Owned By Media Conglomerates - Courant
• Journalist’s Web Site Is Scrutinized for Writers’ Strike News - NY Times
• Tucson Citizen newsstand price $1.50 Thursday only - Tucson Citizen
• Matt Welch Leaving Los Angeles Times for Reason - Kevin Roderick

Computer Vacation Over

Thanksgiving was a sad day for my children and myself, but we somehow managed to pull through with Bryan’s absence and get together Saturday and Sunday. In the mean time I took a four-day vacation from blogging, but did not stay far from the Internet as I have been keeping myself busy uploading over 1,600 photographs to Flickr.

If you would like to upload pictures to my Flickr account, you will need to add me as a contact.

Thanksgiving --resisting down at the heels

Over on my blog, read about my Thanksgiving!
Get Lost With Easy-Writer

"My daughter and I flew to Tucson to spend time with an elderly aunt an uncle. The desert air was hot and dry, and so I made a quick change from a blazer, sweater and slacks into a pair of jeans a t-shirt and flip flops...."

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much for me to be thankful for, not the least of which is being part of this blog and the little "family" we've created. Although the circumstances were not ideal, it was wonderful to meet some of the other bloggers in August.

I am also very thankful for the safe return of my son-in-law, Thomas, from Iraq on October 27. Please continue to pray for our troops still serving overseas, as well as their families. My daughter sent a video of Thomas' homecoming and it was breathtaking to watch. I will continue to pray that every single person serving overseas will have the same type of homecoming.

God bless all and have a safe Thanksgiving!

Pre-Thanksgiving News

Marty Keegan in front of Olympic Facility

• FCC Creates Dimmer Picture for TV Stocks - The Street
• Another opinion on saving the Merc - San Francisco Peninsula Press Club
• What's Wrong with KGO and ABC News These Days? - Brad Kava
• Stop before you gripe - Michelle Malkin
• Some Doubt Journal’s Board Clout - New York Observer
• Newspaper’s publisher, editor, managing editor resign - Journal Register
• WGA 07 Strike Week 3: The Long March - Kate Coe
• News-Press in Case Against Independent - Santa Barbara Independent

Los Angeles Times Pressmen Dinner

Owen Brennan Jr., Owen Brennan Sr., and John Kane
Last Saturday the pressmen gathered for another dinner at Luminaries Restaurant in Monterey Park, with forty-five in attendance we somehow squeezed everyone into our cramped room. For hundreds of additional photographs, visit our new Flickr page here.







Tom Sellers and Mark Crawford


















Traverse Kay and Gary Burchfield


















Bill Walby, Emmett Jaime III, and Gary Connaught


















Will Marquez and Al Eslava


Our next dinner will be scheduled for Monday March 17th, 2008.

Tribune Company Stock Retreating

Tribune stock is taking a beating this week with a loss of 98 cents per share on Monday, and down $1.30 a few moments ago. Could the Sam Zell deal be in jeopardy of not going through?

Tuesday's Linkage to the Media World

Edward and Orange County Pressman Gary Bunch

• Pressroom Posting - Al Albanes
• Media Ownership Plan has had Lengthy Study - Reuters
• Deal to sell KTLA studios - Mark Lacter
• Actors Star In Internet 'Speechless' PSAs For Writers - Nikki Finke
• LAT In 90 Seconds - Mayrav Saar
• Employees at CBS News Vote to Authorize a Strike - New York Times
• Classified Advertising Slump Worsens at Newspapers - Associated Press
• How to Save the San Jose Mercury News - Washington Post
• Hudson Capital Said to Deal for Former Warner Studio - Deal Book
• McClatchy Oct. Revenue Down 9.9 Percent - Associated Press
• What Price Affordable Housing? - Claremont Insider

Another Tribune Asset Sold

Hudson Capital has been named as the possible buyer of the property KTLA Channel 5 occupies, and will then lease from the new owner if the transaction is completed. If there were any questions which Tribune Company assets would be spun off if the FCC does not allow cross ownership in one market, such as Los Angeles, it’s obvious the television station will be sold and not the Los Angeles Times.

In another development, it has been reported by Radio Online that Sam Zell is considering the sale of WGN-AM radio located in Chicago for $300 million, as a way of appeasing the FCC, and pushing the Tribune Company sale through before the end of the year.

Tribunites across the country await the FCC vote on cross ownership scheduled for December 18th; with fingers crossed it is completed.

Labor Negotiations at the Los Angeles Times

Labor negotiations between the Tribune Company and the Los Angeles Times Pressmen’s Union are running at a snails pace, with all the T’s crossed and periods inserted into the proposed contracts from each side. The two parties are light years apart in reaching any type of agreement, with additional meetings scheduled for December.

Not much news coming from either party at this time.

Something To Go With Your Morning Coffee...

ORANGE COUNTY ( CALIFORNIA ) NEWSPAPER
This is a very good letter to the editor. This woman made
some good points. For some reason, people have difficulty
structuring their arguments when arguing against supporting
the currently proposed immigration revisions. This lady
made the argument pretty simple. NOT printed in the
Orange County Paper .................

Newspapers simply won't publish letters to the editor which
they either deem politically incorrect (read below) or which
do not agree with the philosophy they're pushing on the
public. This woman wrote a great letter to the editor that
should have been published; but, with your help it will get
published via cyberspace!

New Immigrants
From: 'David LaBonte'

My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful letter to the editor
of the OC Register which, of course, was not printed. So, I
decided to 'print' it myself by sending it out on the Internet.

Pass it along if you feel so inclined.
Dave LaBonte (signed)

Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in
the Orange County Register :

Dear Editor:
So many letter writers have based their arguments on how
this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one,
suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because
the people now in question aren't being treated the same
as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports
of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out
to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing
to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in
1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to
come to the United States , people had to get off a ship and
stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some
would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the
ground.

They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their
new country in good and bad times. They made learning
English a primary rule in their new American households
and some even changed their names to blend in with their
new home. They had waved good bye to their birth place
to give their children a new life and did everything in their
power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare,
no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the
skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to
trade for a future of prosperity.

Most of their children came of age when World War II
broke out. My father fought along side men whose
parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy ,
France and Japan None of these 1st generation
Americans ever gave any thought about what country
their parents had come from. They were Americans
fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan
They were defending the United States of America as one
people.

When we liberated France, no one in those villages
were looking for the French-American or the German
American or the Irish American. The people of France
saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that
represented one country. Not one of those immigrant
sons would have thought about picking up another
country's flag and waving it to represent who they were.
It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had
sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly
knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the
melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

And here we are in 2007 with a new kind of immigrant
who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they
want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules,
one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of
being faithful to their mother country.

I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about.
I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in
the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil,
hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to
create a land that has become a beacon for those legally
searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled
that they are being used as an example by those waving
foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of
Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are
voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking
about dismantling the United States just yet.

(signed) Rosemary LaBonte


I hope this letter gets read by millions of people all across
the nation!!

Ever onward!!

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA

How to remove our Troops from Iraq

If I was the Presidential candidate I would have some suggestions on how to bring our troops home. Do not buy oil. Once the interest of oil is gone, so will our reason for being there.However getting there will be the tricky part. I think that if we push our young minds, and challenge them the next 4 to 8 years, and ask them to develop new technologies that would allow us to be independent of oil, we would be very successful. Instead we will be bogged down by political bull crap, and see no progress or developments for the next generation of kids. As a nation we have adopted the school of video games, and someone else will take care of it attitude. I don't know about you, but I get upset knowing that Carter's party learned nothing from the oil embargo of the late 70's. The Regan administration was so full of oil, trembling at the Soviet Union that they spent trillions of dollars on the defense of a system that has to be used, money that we could have been used to develop technologies that could had us win the war along time ago had we figured out how to be oil free. Maybe it's not to late, but I sure hope that the next administration has enough sense to use eaves dropping to the fullest extent, I have nothing to hide so go right ahead and listen to my deepest fantasies I share with my wife. Please use racial and any other type of profiling as I don't fear a few questions that I know are there to help prevent another 9-11 attack. Feel free to close the borders so we can feel safe in our own nation. Export all Illegal Criminals that are apprehended so we don't have to pick up the added cost of prisons. Give the saved money back to the people in larger scholarships for the hard working Americans. And why don't we make every elected official use a hybrid car? This would save Americans Millions of dollars in Fuel expenses alone. Lets challenge ourselves to the new needs of the new millennium, by allowing us to explore the possibilities of an oil less society, or find some other alternative. Helping us make this war a success, and return home with dignity.

Monday Morning News

Chris and Bill Conover

• 17 More Newspapers Join Yahoo Group - Associated Press
• Attention David Hiller - Joseph mailander
• Linda Alvarez prepares to Leave CBS - Kevin Roderick
• WGA 07 Strike Week 3: Coming Attractions - Kate Coe
• CJR Gal Tries to Gotcha My "Media Activist" - Matt Welch
• Another Variety Anti-WGA Slanted Article - Nikki Finke
• Time is Running Out For Zell, May Spin WGN-AM/Chicago - Radio Online
• Redesign of Sports section is no easy game for editors - San Diego Union Trib
• Production problems delay Daily News delivery - Daily News
• In San Jose, Downsizing With Dynamite - Washington Post
• Public Trust vs. Maximum Earnings - Customers and Capital
• Various Alternative Weekly Editors: Interview Classic - Bob Andelman
• Current Arbitrage Situations and their Spreads - Street Capitalist
• FCC is always ready to run the fast break for big media - EyeinL

Take Back the Times: Is The Sunday LAT Moving Toward The Future?

Reading the Sunday newspapers, the L.A. Times and the New York Times, yesterday, it seemed very clear that the most interesting articles were often in the NYT's Week in Review section, the L.A. Times Opinion section, and the two papers' book reviews.

These articles were all columns, interpretive articles, and the reviews. The only real exceptions to the most interesting articles being in those sections were the column by David Lazarus in the L.A. Times Business section on fraudulent offers in the sub-prime lending crisis, and the NYT's headline report, after a Bush Administration-requested delay of three years, that the U.S. has spent $100 million on a highly classified effort to safeguard Pakistan's nuclear weapons from terrorist control. (The New York Times also had a Week in Review commentary by Frederick W. Kagan and Michael O'Hanlon pointing out what should be obvious: The Pakistani crisis could develop in such a way that we would be forced to send military forces into Pakistan to protect the nuclear weapons).

Continue reading Ken Reich by clicking on the link below.

Is The Sunday LAT Moving Toward The Future?

San Francisco Peninsula Press Club: Examiner turns front page over to advertisers

The Chronicle raised eyebrows on April 18 when it began publishing ads on the front page. Now the Examiner, owned by conservative billionaire Phil Anschutz, is running full-page front page ads. The ads contain the regular "Examiner" flag at the top. But below that is a 9.75 x 10.5-inch ad. Yesterday's front page ad was for the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium." The way the ad was designed, a quote from a Gene Shalit review appeared at the top in 48 point type, where a news headline would normally go. On the third page of the paper, the news begins with another Examiner flag and headlines. For what it's worth, the front page does contain the words "advertising supplement," as if people couldn't figure out that it was an ad.

Examiner turns front page over to advertisers

End of the Week News

Randy and Bertha Price

• Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Wildfire Victims - Brian Humphrey
• USA Today to cut 8.8 pct of editorial staff - Reuters
• Writer's Guild strike - Sign the petition - Mack Reed
• Media General opposes FCC media ownership plan - Reuters
• Free Sam Zell! - Matt Welch
• WGA 07 Strike Week 2 : Fans - Kate Coe
• Black is the New White for 'Men's Vogue' - Portfolio
• New York Times October Ad Sales Slip - Associated Press
• 'Economic realities' behind job losses at USA Today - Greenslade
• FACTBOX - M&A spreads for deals under scrutiny - Reuters
• Claremont: Town of Rumors and Gossip - Claremont Insider
• Bring On The Pol: John Edwards To Picket - Nikki Finke
• Web Sites Tear Down That Wall - Washington Post
• Tribune Deal in the bankers hands now - 1060 West
• When will Tribune Company bottom? - Ask Stock Guru
• Tar and Feather Kenneth Todd Ruiz - Foothill Cities
• Auto Club: Gas Prices Continue Skyward - via Mark Lacter
• New York Times Brings Record Visits in October - Beet TV
  

Rest in Peace Gilbert McMurray

From Retired Olympic Pressroom Shift Supervisor Emmett Jaime III

"I received a call from Dan McQuitty today informing me that an old friend of ours passed away. Gil McMurray was 75 years old when he died of heart problems, Gil and his wife Betty were living in Rialto, CA. I believe Gil worked in the pressroom for at least 15 to 20 years before taking one of the many buyouts."

There will be a memorial service held on Monday 19th. At 11:30am at;

McNearney Mortuary
1305 Willow Ave.
Rialto, Ca. 91376
909-875-1123

Date of internment is pending but will be held at;

Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Blvd.
Riverside, Ca. 92518

As soon as I receive more information I shall pass it on. I'm sure his family would like to hear from you, please send your condolences to;

Betty McMurray & Family
802 Fillmore Ave.
Rialto, Ca. 92376
909-875-3930

If you know of any other people that remember Gil please let them know.

David Hiller Blogs on Times Building Sale

Edward with Los Angeles Times publisher David Hiller

Luckily someone leaked David Hiller’s blog entry regarding the story about the Tribune Company selling the Times building to Kevin Roderick, otherwise I would have never knew the Chandler Trusts actually owns the building. I would visit the internal David Hiller blog if I had the time, but I have not had time for a lunch break the last two days.

Here I am with my favorite Blogger, Kevin Roderick of LAObserved fame. Many of us at the Los Angeles Times are greatful to Kevin, for the information he shares regarding the company we are employed by.

From David Hiller's Blog via LAObserved:

Home Sweet Home

Some local site posted a rumor that the Los Angeles Times building might be for sale (no link since the rumor is bogus).

For the record, our plan is to continue to occupy and operate out of our building here at the Square. As I understand the history, the Times has considered moving to other locations from time to time in the past. We've reviewed all sorts of options over the last year, and again recently with Sam Zell's real estate people, and we've stayed with the conclusion that the best course is to remain here. Anyway, after a year here I am just now finding my way around the building and seems a shame to waste that knowledge.

Incidentally, we don't own our building at the present time. It's owned by one of the Chandler Family Trusts and we lease it from them. We have an option to buy the building early next year, which it is likely we will do.

This story has done a complete turnaround from last night, and instead of the Tribune Company selling the Times property, they may be buying the property next year. And in closing, I hope David Hiller will consider allowing access to his blog from our homes sometime in the future, just make it a private blog that only Tribune Employees can access.

Thursday Afternoon Linkage

Danny Bonaduce and Edward at the Love Ride

• Tribune Plans to Sell Los Angeles Times Building - Joe Scott via LAObserved
• Message from LAT Negotiation Committee Member - Lance Farrar
• US lawmaker asks FCC to delay media ownership vote - Reuters
• Tribune Co. Makes Problems For Itself - Ken Reich
• TRIBUNE CO Financials - Edgar Online
• Bitchslapping Between IATSE & WGA - Nikki Finke
• Why Don't Journalists Get Residuals? - Huffington Post
• Newsroom noose leads to firing - Star Tribune
• Troubling news for newspapers online - San Francisco Peninsula P.C.
• Post owner reports loss for first quarter - Denver Post
• Los Angeles City Clowncil To Get Pay Raise - Mayor Sam
• Media Mogul's Flirtation with the New York Times - Newsweek
• A Final Farewell To The Boss - Militant Angelino
• LA's Broadway Makes Wall Street Journal! - Brady Westwater
• Media General may have to sell properties - Reuters
• Rutten, Lait, Goldberg, Artley Moves at L.A. Times - Ken Reich
• Hearst, MediaNews do another deal - San Francisco Peninsula P.C.
• USA Today to eliminate 45 newsroom positions - Poynter Online

Tribune Properties Being Sold Off

Tribunites around the country watch, with a wary eye, as the Tribune Company is slowly dismantled with the sale of several properties over the last year. The company can be compared to a sinking ship tossing un-needed articles overboard in an attempt to stay afloat as the waters of ever increasing losses edges the company closer to sinking.

Last December the company jettisoned WLVI television in Boston for $113.7 million, WCWN television in Albany for an undisclosed price, and announced on August 30th that the KTLA building in Hollywood would be sold for an estimated $175 million. The Recycler was sold to Target Media Partners for an undisclosed amount on October 18th, and The Advocate of Stamford and the Greenwich Time newspapers were sold to the Hearst Corp. for $62.4 million on November 2nd.

Now that the baseball season has come to a close, the Chicago Cubs are on the chopping block, with an asking price of $500 million, which does not include the property.

Last night Kevin Roderick wrote about the sale of the Los Angeles Times building, which would fetch a large sum to payoff a portion of the debt, we hope the money pays down the debt?

With Christmas fast approaching I'm certain a new wave of buyouts and layoffs will be announced within the next few weeks in keeping with Tribune Company tradition the last few years.

Mid-Week News Links

Orange County Pressroom Supervisor Ken Templeton

• Tribune future hinges on FCC - Los Angeles Times
• FitzSimons: Can't Tell How FCC Proposal Will Influence Zell - E&P
• Few Friends for Proposal on Media - New York Times
• Rutten column moves to Op-Ed - Kevin Roderick
• Embattled Ellen Cancels NYC Show Plans - Nikki Finke
• Haunting questions linger over fatal brawl - Sandy Banks
• FCC chief recommends easing some media ownership rules - USA Today
• Teamsters take own paths in writers strike - Los Angeles Times
• News Writers Weigh Step Toward Strike Against CBS - New York Times
• FCC Chief Offers New Plan on Cross-Ownership - Washington Post
• FCC Chairman's PR Can't Disguise Big Media Giveaway - Huffington Post
• DNC to Welcome Bloggers at Convention - Talk Left
• Blogging for dummies - Darleeneisms
• The Merits & Defects of Anonymity - Foothill Cities
• Jack Fuller on Free Expression Theory - netZoo
• Presidential Candidate Quiz - Mayor Sam
• Spitzer cuts and runs from his illegal alien license plan - Michelle Malkin
• Scenes from the Strike: "Picketing with the Stars" Day - Franklin Ave.
• California 'Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week' - Brian Humphrey

Cooking With Easy-Writer

Veteran's Day, Kansas City MO

The language of hate is alive. I don't know who did this. I understand feeling impassioned, however, you can be against the war, you can be against the politics, but to continue to use the language of hate and carry it to a physical level only means you are destroying yourself.

Love and respect is bigger than any damage you seek to inflict.

Something from Time Magazine
"...in the dark hours of Sunday morning by vandals who kicked down thousands of the flags and left behind a cardboard sign with a single word splattered in red spray paint: "MURDERERS."

"Anger is the force that destroys your virtuous qualities"
-The Dalai Lama in The Joy of Living and Dying in Peace

10Questions

Why Tuesday? is #8 on 10Questions and the top 10 questions will be asked to the presidential candidates in cooperation with the New York Times Editorial Board and MSNBC.

Vote to make sure election reform is an issue the candidates cannot avoid:

http://www.10questions.com/?search=QJHLdxD3lwU

Thanks for your help.

Jacob Soboroff

Tuesday Morning Linkage

Glen and Wendy Coleman

• Imagining the Future of Newspapers - Newspaper Association of America
• Let the dinosaurs huddle - Jeff Jarvis
• 'Houston Chronicle' Drops a Page of Comics to Save Money - E&P
• Is the Mayor a NoCal? - Joseph Mailander
• This is Los Angeles, 2007 - David Markland
• Free Papers, Costly Competition - Business Week
• More Veterans Day obnoxiousness - Michelle Malkin
• CBS faces strike on a second front - Reuters
• Publishers: Why Count Only People Who Pay? - Adage
• FCC Chief Suggests ChangeTo Cross-Ownership Rule - Wall Street Journal
• Warner TV to launch website to draw mothers - Los Angeles Times
• Ifra to Launch Newspaper Industry Search Engine - E&P
• Burglars hit vacationing Chron subscribers - San Francisco Peninsula PC
• Murdoch: WSJ.com Expected to Be Free - Associated Press
• The Newspaper is an Endangered Species - New York Times
• The Major Daily Sheds Its D.C. Eyes - Voice of San Diego
• CanWest newsrooms tense amid fears of layoffs - Canadian Press
• Bobby Calvan Nominated as Jerk of the Year - Sacramento Bee
• McClatchy drops estimated value of stake in Times - Seattle Times
• Murdoch: News Corp second quarter starts strong - Reuters