Union-Tribune Circulation Plummets, Says Trade Magazine

Well, you know I just have to join in. The U-T is failing because it is dull, predictable, and hopelessly biased. In a one-newspaper town, a town known nationally for its corruption, you'd might surmise that a newspaper would have a literal party exposing and highlighting the insider deals, the back-door planning, and all the rest of the shenanigans going on. Instead, we get business as usual reporting, unbelievably biased "editorials" that are really nothing more than hit pieces, and "soft" news pieces that never really cut to the heart of the matter. It's a shame, too, because some of the news reporters are good, but it's obvious they work under a tight leash. My heavens, how much fun would it be to see a Pat Flannery or Don Bauder working for the paper; unfettered and free to really investigate and report on what they find. Now THAT would be worth subscribing to.
— November 2, 2007 4:23 p.m.

In June '07, Sanders Said San Diego Had an Anti-Fire Program "That Works"

Thanks, Don. I read it; very interesting. Much criticism was directed at homeowners who "built in fire prone areas." But read about what they have to go through to clear brush around their property at another KPBS article: http://www.kpbs.org/tv/full_focus;id=9076 The city passed a 2005 code that requires a $5000.00 impact report that homeowners must pay for if they wish to clear brush within 100 feet of their property line, as opposed to 100 ft from their house, which they are required to do. Homeowner's are penalized for attempting to do a job the city has admitted it cannot do itself for a lack of funds. Amazing.
— October 28, 2007 10:07 a.m.

In June '07, Sanders Said San Diego Had an Anti-Fire Program "That Works"

Don, Do you happen to remember the name of the PBS program? I'd like to see it.
— October 27, 2007 2:21 p.m.

Watch for Fire Hoopla at Chargers Game Sunday

Don, There is a very interesting post from a firefighter on one of the UT forums. It was posted at 10:59 Oct 24. Here is the link if you want to check it out for yourself: http://forum.signonsandiego.com/showthread.php?t=… It sums up the experiences of firefighting in San Diego very eloquently. The writer pulls no punches.
— October 25, 2007 11:19 a.m.

Aguirre on Emergency Committee; Governor Sought Advice

What was funny was Herb Klein's on-air comment about seeing a doctor today. A friend of mine said Klein must see a doctor every day just to see if he's still alive. My heaven, the poor man looks past due. I shouldn't be mean, but Herb Klein really crossed a line tonight and it was beneath honest journalism to do so.
— October 24, 2007 9:10 p.m.

Aguirre on Emergency Committee; Governor Sought Advice

By the way, Don, can you adjust your Post Time clock? It's off by two hours.
— October 24, 2007 6:36 p.m.

Aguirre on Emergency Committee; Governor Sought Advice

Just a few minutes ago on KUSI, Herb Klein appeared and, unasked and unprompted, repeated the Aguirre smear story and also hinted that he "heard" Aguirre had run off to Yuma. The lengths the UT goes to politically kill Aguirre is amazing.
— October 24, 2007 6:34 p.m.

U-T Uses Fire to Smear Aguirre -- Inaccurately, As Always

Funny you say that. My roomate had also cancelled (several months ago), and the paper instead put her on "temporary hold." The automatic billing resumed after three months, although no paper was being delivered. She called and this time got it cancelled. When I canceled I made sure there wasn't going to be any monkey business, but sure enough, until I double checked on the line with the representative, I discovered my "cancelation" was going to the temporary hold file. I told them I wanted it canceled, not stopped. It seems if you use the word "stop" that is treated different from "cancel," although they really aren't clear on that.
— October 24, 2007 3:03 p.m.

U-T Uses Fire to Smear Aguirre -- Inaccurately, As Always

The Union Tribune is so over the top with anti-Aguirre garbage I cancelled my subscription. It's absolutely absurd all this character assassination BS that they ladle out day after day. As far as developing a plan to evacuate, that's only common sense. We have, as the mayor keeps saying, an unprecedented event far beyond anything we've ever seen. So WHY NOT get somebody to work on developing an evacuation plan, just in case?
— October 24, 2007 2:17 p.m.

Reconstruction Will Boost Economy

Normally, I'd agree with this assessment. But I worry about the same problems they had in New Orleans popping up here. There, insurance became difficult, expensive, or impossible to get. Banks slowed down lending when insurance wasn't available, and reconstruction and re-building suffered. This has really created problems in New Orleans, and if insurers get nervous here we could see some of the same issues. Local governments, however, will continue to be stretched as Professor Starr states. Just look at Chula Vista trying to cut fire services. Think they have a chance at that now?
— October 23, 2007 3:56 p.m.