Comments by JohnnyVegas | San Diego Reader

JohnnyVegas

Comerica Park, Chase Field – banks foolish to use stadiums

The more potential customers that can see your name, the more inclined you are to advertises. ============================================ Your observation about the explosion of viewership is probably correct. That certainly explains the explosion of naming rights. As I watched old reruns of the "Beverly Hill Billies" and "I Dream of Jeannie" on WGN Superstaion, and other sitcoms from the 60's and 70's, I think back about the amount of TV programing we had then and how different it is today. We had the three big networks on VHF and usually about 2-4 local UHF stations, and 1 PBS station, for a total of 8 or so stations. The stations logged off the air usually by 2 AM back then. Today basic cable has 30+ chanels and you can purchase up to 200 chanel packages. No station ever logs off the air- on the air 24/7/365. It is amazing how different it is from just 30 years ago.
— September 25, 2008 8:38 p.m.

Comerica Park, Chase Field – banks foolish to use stadiums

The home city was paying at least half and usually more of the cost of the stadium. ========================================= It is pure corporate welfare. When Petco paid for naming rights to the Padres ballpark and it ALL went to Moores I was just shaking my head in disgust. That was obviously done on purpose by the Mayor. Same thing with the ticket guarantee and all the other scams in these stadium deals. These contracts are not rocket science. The notion that these "give aways" came about are because the City cannot negotiate or the Pro Teams negotiate much better is pure nonsense. I have stated many times that a first year law student, with just Contracts I under their belt, could have done a job 10 times better than what the City of San Diego did. No, these scams are done intentionally to line the pockets of the Moore's and Spanos's and others.
— September 25, 2008 8:30 p.m.

Paulson Raked in $27 Million a Year While Heading Goldman, Says Expert Graef Crystal, Who Opposes the $700 Billion Bailout and Also Opposes Compensation Controls

It is a deferred tax exchange, similar to a 1031 exchange in Real Estate. Paulson will eventuially pay his taxes-at what rate I have no idea. http://boards.historychannel.com/topic/C... ====================================== Interestingly, under U.S. government ethics rules, while Paulson is required to sell the shares, he is also exempt from paying taxes on any capital gains on the sale if he obtains a certificate of divestiture. The rule granting the exemption is designed to make sure prospective government employees who own a lot of stock are not dissuaded from joining the government. Earlier this week, the Economist magazine estimated the rule eliminate a tax liability of up to about $200 million for Paulson. As a result, Paulson, and others in the same position, are able to sell shares have the funds reinvested in more diverse holding, and will only be subject to taxes on the capital gain when and if they are later realized.
— September 25, 2008 5:37 p.m.