tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69954102027937692222024-03-08T06:58:06.934-08:00The Media BlogThe Medium Is The Message, I GuessHarvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-68574230621747568232009-03-02T15:10:00.000-08:002009-03-02T15:17:28.471-08:00Newspapers In A Museum?Will it be long before the only place to see a real-live newspaper will be in a glass case in a museum?<br /><br />The Rocky Mountain News closed shop. The LA Times is shrinking as we speak. The only paper that seems to be holding its own is the Wall Street Journal. Guess we need the Journal to keep reminding us about our sinking economy.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-2789382878543592002009-02-17T17:18:00.000-08:002009-02-17T17:21:21.413-08:00OctoMom's PR Firm ResignsThe Killeen Furtney Group, the PR firm that represented OctoMom, has resigned. We posted last week that they would soon regret trying to cash in on representing this person. They cited death threats as their reason. It is more likely death of their business. <br /><br />Guess Nadya Suleman will have to represent herself, which means she will be out of the spotlight. We all are winners.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-34139417799349941132009-02-12T16:55:00.000-08:002009-02-12T16:59:35.607-08:00OctoMom Defies Media TraditionsOne thing is for sure, the media love pets and kids. They also love a heartwarming and heartbreaking story. Nadya Suleman, or OctoMom, fits that category perfectly. She has lots of kids and is very needy.<br /><br />But surprisingly, the media have taken a hard line position on the story. Who is going to pay the bills has been a huge story, and there haven't been many, if any, cuddly stories on the babies.<br /><br />Kudos to the LA Times for actually cutting loose some investigative reporters and doing their job.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-34225873037407790272009-02-12T14:31:00.000-08:002009-02-12T14:40:50.976-08:00When A PR Firm Becomes The StoryThe Killeen Furtney Group, I suspect, was very excited to be retained by "OctoMom" for PR. After all, Joann Killeen said "she is the most famous mom in the world."<br /><br />That was before the world heard the details.<br /><br />By all accounts, OctoMom has turned into a PR nightmare for Killeen Furtney Group. The more they do, the more the press and public turn against them and their client. What Killeen Furtney Group probably didn't realize was that OctoMom would become the poster child for everything wrong with the California economy. Not only has her giving birth to eight more kids come into scrutiny, the fact that California taxpayers will be footing the bill has made much of the public rage.<br /><br />All PR firms like high profile clients. They are fun, exciting and often lucrative. But in this case, I bet Killeen Furtney Group would like to turn back the clock when they signed OctoMom.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-29315272258871805342009-02-10T13:32:00.000-08:002009-02-10T13:44:08.164-08:00When our leaders don't have a clueLast night President Obama held his first press conference to plead for passage of his economic stimulus bill. He also made it clear that left-leaning media will get preferential treatment, which I guess is payback for open bias on their part during his election.<br /><br />As I watched the former Senator turned most powerful man in the world passionately talk about his $800 billion plus bill, I couldn't help but feel that he, nor anyone at the White House or Congress, has a clue how to counter our free falling economy. They are doing something, but do you think they really have a clue whether it will work, or is it more a PR move to make us all think it will work.<br /><br />By the same token, elections were held today in Israel for the next government. As of this writing, centrist Kadima party candidate Tzipi Livni is edging past Bibi Natenyahu, the favorite. Bibi was prime minister once before and Tzipi has been in the current government for a number of years. Both talk about how they will being peace to Israel. Do you believe either knows?<br /><br />Leaders need to make their flock feel good. Too bad it is more PR than substance.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-44596432325298354502009-02-04T19:48:00.000-08:002009-02-04T19:58:07.856-08:00Mom of 14 Hires PR FirmThe woman who gave birth to 8 and has been the media curiosity of the month, hired a small PR firm to field the slew of media requests that have been flooding in.<br /><br /> Mother Nadya Suleman reportedly hired publicists Michael Furtney and Joann Killeen to field media inquiries and offers.<br /><br />My sense is they are doing it for the PR themselves and are spinning the story to make Suleman the most famous and wonderful mom in the world. But they will have their work cut out for them as many reporters openly wonder how the mother of 14 can raise all those kids, especially since she has been living on workers comp for the past 10 years.<br /><br />Stay tuned.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-3852677434338216552009-02-04T14:25:00.000-08:002009-02-04T14:32:07.972-08:00SuperGraphics Overtake L.A.There has been a controversy brewing in LA and other cities pitting building owners against building office tenants against city officials.<br /><br />Companies are taking ordinary office buildings and turning them into super advertisements by placing huge ads on them. One building even covered up the windows with a super ad for Tropicana, much to the dismay of tenants.<br /><br />I support advertising. It is my business. But there is a limit. When companies lease space, they should not have their windows covered up and offices darkened. There is something wrong with that.<br /><br />On the other hand, the supergraphics bring building owners incredible sums of money. So for some they would rather turn their buildings into an ad than have tenants, and some indeed are telling tenants to take a hike if they don't like it.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-76275804667873774792009-02-04T14:02:00.000-08:002009-02-04T14:11:15.407-08:00Obama Puts Worst Foot ForwardIt's just a couple of weeks since Obama took office and he is off to a disastrous start. Nominating cabinet appointees who don't want to pay their taxes isn't exactly setting the example Obama promised us. <br /><br />First Richardson drops out because of shady bond deals in Arizona. Then Geithner reveals he oops forgot to pay his taxes, but coughed up the money and all is forgiven. Now Daschle seems to have the same problem with tax amnesia and has dropped out.<br /><br />Yesterday the president sat down with five networks to say he "screwed up." A brilliant PR move on his part, admitting he was wrong and promising to set things right. Other presidents would have made excuses and stonewalled. <br /><br />Regardless of what you think of Obama, he has a good sense of portraying an honest and decent image -- until the next screw up at least.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-62451963824958460792008-09-04T10:04:00.001-07:002008-09-04T10:13:21.327-07:00What Voters Really WantIf a selection committee was charged to pick the next president -- like choosing the CEO of a corporation -- John McCain would win hands down. He has the experience, the character and everything else that qualifies him for the job. <br /><br />But presidents are not selected by committees, they are voted in by the American public, and the American public is not as discerning as a committee of professionals.<br /><br />We as Americans often vote charm, charisma, looks and personality over intellect, experience and values. That's why people like George Bush (the father) who was perhaps the most qualified person to assume the presidency, gets booted out of office by a charismatic Governor of one of the poorest states in the country. That's why a good-looking upstart like John Kennedy could beat incumbent vice-president Richard Nixon. <br /><br />It's not about experience, talent, intellect or ability. <br /><br />We are a nation of starry-eyed celebrity watchers. Our heroes are sports figures, movie stars, recording artists and the super-rich. We don't care for what a person has accomplished, rather, we care how someone looks on camera.<br /><br />And that's why we always get what we deserve.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-6245101589169324982008-04-24T08:01:00.000-07:002008-04-24T08:03:19.685-07:00CandyKirby.com Debuts<p class="MsoNormal">If you like funny, you got to read CandyKirby.com<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br />I am excited to announce the debut of my (sorta) new celebrity and pop culture Web site, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jijGy4_O87LrpZVf9en62cTiwny0B6yLNQgxeGn_dPnW-zyB6gPUUTz7wlcz5NDiq8wOK9zewcQiGthmn7ECBSJ2MXcVlt2LhPIXr29XXafirvrGPtMq-A==" target="_blank">CandyKirby.com</a>, which takes the place of the now-defunct Holy Candy and Circus Hour. (R.I.P.)<br /><br />Clearly, I commit to blogs like Clooney commits to women.<br /><br />However, <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jijGy4_O87LrpZVf9en62cTiwny0B6yLNQgxeGn_dPnW-zyB6gPUUTz7wlcz5NDiq8wOK9zewcQiGthmn7ECBSJ2MXcVlt2LhPIXr29XXafirvrGPtMq-A==" target="_blank">CandyKirby.com</a>, which is undergoing a style makeover in a couple of weeks, is now my home for good. For those who are wondering, I didn't return to Holy Candy because I'm expanding my creative wings beyond the "altar of the superficial." So now in additon to the daily celebrity craziness, I'm also writing about wacky news (<a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jijGy4_O87Igmx5BKzxNFGsZKV-X3PMltUPI7Sv3kdr2CGG_SrcFxa9flzonLfDjxCn61rIfujK3cPLZA_htMYa5aOag51Vv9QUxCuqpBQhZ-QcBxDvCtKb7cUL3_uw3uFHG2rt-O2Qg7gFD_yXjBmGg6-M1YrDTepfc6w63JgI=" target="_blank">such as porn camp</a> and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jijGy4_O87IL_YzVBqFXzsROHjGSZUTMa_hU5d_jPVOPPkT6z2RD3uYqRXRS1GUyur3FKeBr959L5ppY02OfOvYRjUP0LgZ9Jq_yIXDYUvkAXn0tHAPq_CjKfcVpvaSu2DhCwrWF7oq4-XEh30N4CSA4-oPUWCAjF2gDPmatV1k=" target="_blank">Hello Kitty tombstones</a>), live blogging TV shows (<a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jijGy4_O87LlH2wF_MvNKvIYMyjlLNTgNzNmmc82UkKEKU_PdPpAnIXNnCcWzn3_RtBOzYdg5qXPfkGsN2RQZLOyYmrhBzcuN--fJEAMabmBSG3GbuLUdSzP_Z_VsoRgCGdsbyaGhJ7pC9n2F_O3VGnvL6Zw56GKZraDTXkX6BgyBHeSAUwAYcncKbSRU0ISQJC6WLcX0Wjnh-TeuW8SEHhHitLC1lRt9Ie6wIsN3ls=" target="_blank">like "Talk Sex with Sue Johanson"</a>) and <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001jijGy4_O87J_dSnklT_Zt51AjCTJlEE1QwNqpq3NxWyzAPtQZNSnhBsm0D9ptKrcVnMPuUFkxCXRYG6nVfC2VwYSqV0osLgX3jk-zUbQeDY9MEAoG2WilU5m6He10ZFTqns2JuONwQaGZ9o4ASI4vtzC0i2E95eb" target="_blank">life in Los Angeles</a>.<br /><br />And I hope that, as someone who has previously visited Holy Candy, you'll pull up a chair and join me for the fun. Because just as I don't like drinking alone (but I will), I don't like blogging alone (but I will... while drowning my loneliness with margaritas).<br /><br />With fondness and laughter,<br /><br />Candy</p>Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-58726969634715994982008-04-24T07:47:00.000-07:002008-04-24T07:52:55.721-07:00The Revolving Door At The LA Times Keeps TurningLAObserved.com reports:<br /><br /><span class="leftimg"><img style="width: 169px; height: 187px;" alt="Maharaj" src="http://www.laobserved.com/images/maharaj.jpg" align="left" border="1" /></span>L.A. Times editor Russ Stanton takes great pains in his memo to make it sound like current managing editor John Arthur will still have a crucial post, but the real winner is new managing editor Davan Maharaj. He is the current business editor (<a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2007/02/lat_picks_a_business_edit.php">succeeding</a> Stanton) and is seen inside as part of Stanton's team — "the titan from Trinidad," Stanton calls him. Arthur got his post under the old Jim O'Shea regime — and <a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2007/07/arthur_to_be_new_lat_2.php">not that long ago</a> — and was a rival for the job that Stanton got. Memo follows, as posted on the LAT website. (<a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-times24apr24,0,6398337.story">Story</a> on the Times site.) Separately: Rebecca Trounson is the new higher education editor in Metro, and Eryn Brown takes over as letters editor on the opinion staff.<br /><span class="leftimg"></span>Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-3542279368184406882008-04-24T07:41:00.000-07:002008-04-24T07:43:46.431-07:00If You Want A Boy, Eat Tons Of Cheeseburgers, I GuessThe Very Deep NY Times reports:<br /><br />How much a mother eats at the time of conception may influence whether she gives birth to a boy or a girl, a new report shows. <div class="standard190 left"><img alt="INSERT DESCRIPTION" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/23/health/baby_190.jpg" /><span class="caption"><br />The sex of a child may depend on a mother’s eating habits. (Paul Hilton for The New York Times)</span></div> <p>The report, from researchers at Oxford and the University of Exeter in England, is said to be the first evidence that a child’s sex is associated with a mother’s diet. Although sex is genetically determined by whether sperm from the father supplies an X or Y chromosome, it appears that a mother’s body can favor the successful development of a male or female </p>Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-90858553680367389042008-04-24T07:35:00.000-07:002008-04-24T07:37:15.383-07:00Only Someone From Britian Would Use the Word Imprudent<p>LONDON (AFP) — A British foreign minister said Wednesday that US Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton's threat to "totally obliterate" Iran if it attacked Israel with nuclear weapons was imprudent.</p> <p>Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, a former United Nations deputy secretary-general and the foreign office minister responsible for Asia, questioned the comments by the New York senator, made in an interview broadcast Tuesday.</p> <p>"While it is reasonable to warn Iran of the consequence of it continuing to develop nuclear weapons and what those real consequences bring to its security, it is not probably prudent... in today's world to threaten to obliterate any other country and in many cases civilians resident in such a country," he said.</p>Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-72129575625163646642008-03-31T11:09:00.000-07:002008-03-31T11:18:29.494-07:00Exit Continues at LA TimesLA Observed lists the latest round of LA Times reporters/editors who took buy-out offers from boss Sam Zell. <br /><br />Will the last employee at The Times turn off the lights? Sam needs to save on the electricity bill.<br /><br />Kevin Crust, film writer in Calendar<br />Jennifer Delson, Orange County staff writer<br />Glenn Doggrell, design editor<br />Joan Fantazia, assistant copy chief<br />Laura Gutierrez, editorial hiring staff assistant<br />Liz Hale, magazine deputy art director<br />Don Hunt, City desk weekend editor<br />Tom Furlong, deputy National editor<br />Greg Griggs, Ventura staff writer<br />Connie Kang, Metro staff writer<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/lats_krikorian_to_join_pu.php">Greg Krikorian</a>, federal court reporter<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/times_reporters_note_to_t.php">Myron Levin</a>, Metro staff writer<br />Ela Lindsay, research assistant<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/02/political_scribe_jumps_to.php">Joe Mathews</a>, Washington bureau staff writer<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/pulitzer_winner_departs_l.php">Alan Miller</a>, Washington bureau staff writer<br />Sonia Nazario, Metro staff writer<br />Robyn Norwood, Sports writer<br />Charles Perry, food writer<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/more_arrows_for_zell.php#peterson">Jonathan Peterson</a>, Washington bureau staff writer<br />Gina Piccalo, film writer in Calendar<br />Jeff Rabin, Metro staff writer<br />Cecilia Rasmussen, Then and Now columnist<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/more_arrows_for_zell.php#ricci">James Ricci</a>, Metro staff writer<br />Ruth Ryon, Hot Property writer<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/more_arrows_for_zell.php">Joel Sappell</a>, special projects editor<br />John Spano, Metro courts staff writer<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/one_less_reason_to_buy_th.php">Lewis Segal</a>, dance critic<br />Molly Selvin, Business staff writer<br />John Stewart, National news editor<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/more_arrows_for_zell.php#terry">Mike Terry</a>, Sports writer<br />Tomas Alex Tizon, Seattle bureau chief<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/more_arrows_for_zell.php#wedgeworth">Cicely Wedgeworth</a>, features copy editor<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/weinsteins_exit_email_als.php">Henry Weinstein</a>, legal affairs writer in Metro<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/welkos_wire_signs_off.php">Robert Welkos</a>, film writer in Calendar<br /><a href="http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2008/03/more_arrows_for_zell.php#yates">Nona Yates</a>, politics desk researcherHarvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-27191788149972595642008-03-28T13:57:00.000-07:002008-03-28T14:26:57.752-07:00Sam Zell Is Looking For Success In All The Wrong PlacesSam Zell, that feisty billionaire who bought Tribune Co., and the Los Angeles Times which came along with it, is maintaining unusual visibility among his employees via email, at least among the employees who still work there.<br /><br />From the day he bought Tribune, he rallied the troops by telling them that they are the future of the company, and the company's success will be their success. He then challenged and encouraged each and every employee to email him comments, complaints and ideas. His latest employee feel-good project is to set up an employee suggestion box. He recently touted the wonderful suggestions that have come from employees, many of which, he says, have been implemented.<br /><br />If I worked there, the only suggestion I'd have is, "I suggest you don't fire me."<br /><br />It appears the biggest project at the company, and certainly at the LA Times, is to get as many employees as possible, especially in the editorial department, out. Zell is offering a buy-out deal which is a nice corporate way of saying, "I'll pay you a bit more if you leave quietly, and leave now."<br /><br />How can someone as successful as Sam Zell be so clueless?<br /><br />I am an outsider and not privy to the long-range strategic planning of his empire. But doesn't he know that the problem is not with his product -- newspapers, TV and radio stations -- but rather that the market has and is changing? People are different today. People today don't want to read newspapers; they want their news electronically and they want it on video and they want it in 8 seconds or less.<br /><br />This is tragic and doesn't speak well for our future, but reality is reality. Yes the LA Times and all major print media have websites and they are struggling to find a way to capture the young electronic news consumer. But hitting reporters and editors over the head isn't going to make more people read newspapers or watch the evening news. Reporters and editors report and edit. That's what they do. If they were corporate tycoons, reporters would be writing about them.<br /><br />Zell, you should have the brilliant ideas. You were smart enough to buy Tribune with the employees' money. So now you want them to figure out how to make it profitable for you? That's your job. Let them do their's. <br /><br />Stop with the emails and start figuring out your own business.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-55347102864822835502008-03-25T21:19:00.000-07:002008-03-25T21:22:53.506-07:00Construction Workers Beware<a href="javascript:pop_me_up2('http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/03/25/us/26crane01.ready.html', '26crane01_ready', 'width=720,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes')"> </a><a href="javascript:pop_me_up2('http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/03/25/us/26crane01.ready.html', '26crane01_ready', 'width=720,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes')"> <img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/03/25/us/26crane_190.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="141" width="190" /></a><br />Two construction workers died and five were injured Tuesday when a seven-ton section of crane fell 30 stories onto a Miami home made famous by the film “There’s Something About Mary.”<br /><br />Fire and rescue officials said the collapse occurred about 1:45 p.m. as a construction crew tried to lengthen the crane for work on a 46-story luxury high-rise overlooking Biscayne Bay. The 20-foot section dangled, witnesses said, before dropping through the roof of a Spanish-style home that the contractors used as an office.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-30295785606074288562008-03-25T20:10:00.000-07:002008-03-25T21:11:36.495-07:00A More Dangerous Job Than We ThoughtPolice officers in Los Angeles are more likely to take their own life than be killed by a criminal, according to a report presented today to the Police Commission.<br /><br />The data was included in a study by police psychologists who are in the process of retooling the agency's suicide prevention program.<br /><br />The report said 19 Los Angeles police officers killed themselves between 1998 and 2007, while only seven died in the line of duty during that time.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-25716538024633179582008-03-23T17:31:00.000-07:002008-03-23T17:33:38.842-07:00Sara Jane Olson rearrestedYou think she should have let the answer machine take the call at home?<br /><img src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-03/37019632.jpg" alt="Released" height="292" width="500" />Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-45151462535098319872008-03-23T17:29:00.000-07:002008-03-23T17:30:59.031-07:00Cheney says an independent Palestinian state is 'long overdue'So is Arab recognition of Israel...<br /><img src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-03/37085240.jpg" alt="Cheney and Abbas" height="280" width="500" />Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-59052239149914826932008-03-23T11:38:00.000-07:002008-03-23T21:35:19.569-07:00Subprime Pioneer Roland Arnall Dies as 68Billionaire Roland Arnall, who created the subprime mortgage industry that caused thousands of homeowners to lose their homes, died last week at age 68. His wealth also made him a top contributor to President Bush and then Ambassador to the Netherlands.<br /><br />Arnall gave me my first job while I was still in graduate school. He was both the most brilliant and brutal businessperson I have ever met. Working for him had to be 100 times worse than attending military boot camp. I lasted almost five years and learned more than any MBA program could teach me. But I also learned to treat people ethically and with kindness, something I saw lacking in Arnall.<br /><br />Despite his cutthroat work ethic, Arnall was beyond generous. During his lifetime, he gave away literally tens of millions of dollars to worthy causes, usually with no fanfare. He also gave to individuals in need who found their way to his office and were never turned away empty handed.<br /><br />Not surprisingly, every obituary of Arnall includes discussion of Ameriquest, his subprime mortgage company that was targeted several times by the U.S. government for unscrupulous lending practices, and fined to the tune of $325 million dollars. Most obits brushed over his philanthropy while focusing on his subprime industry involvement.<br /><br />I knew Roland when he was a mere millionaire and not a billionaire. Back then, he lived very well being worth $300 million or so. But I guess it wasn't enough. He aspired to amass a true fortune of $1.5 billion and succeeded when he got involved in the sleazy subprime lending business.<br /><br />As a result, his legacy is one of greed and not deed, despite all the good he did in his lifetime.<br /><br />Was it worth it Roland?Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-34660512304297009112008-03-07T07:44:00.000-08:002008-03-09T12:45:56.363-07:00Virus of Hatred Spreads AgainFrom Wire Services:<br /><br />Hamas claimed responsibility Friday for a militant attack on a Jerusalem rabbinical seminary that killed eight Israelis.<p></p> <p>A Hamas radio presenter said the group's military wing had "promised a jolting response" to this week's violence in the Gaza Strip in which more than 120 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military, many of them in the northern Gaza town Jebaliya. </p> <p>The radio referred to the Jerusalem attack as "the fruits of what happened in Jebaliya" and called on believers to "celebrate this victory against the brutal enemy." </p>Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-57282531224939000382008-03-04T21:06:00.000-08:002008-03-04T21:10:59.922-08:00News Releases Are Subject to Deceptive Advertising LawsT<span style="font-style: italic;">he LA Times reports that a letter sent by a LA Assistant City Attorney to Blue Cross advises them that the U.S. Supreme Court has held that news releases are considered advertising and will be scrutinized for deception. If so, Blue Cross could face damages, similar to running a deceptive ad on TV, if their releases are found to be misleading.</span><br /><br />Colbert's letter to Blue Cross says the statements "appear intended to burnish the corporate image of Blue Cross of California, and of its insurance affiliate, in the eyes of consumers."<br /><br /> It advises Blue Cross that the California Supreme Court has held that "such statements are a form of commercial speech subject to the prohibitions against deceptive advertising" under two state laws.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-87463827955221123722008-03-03T16:03:00.000-08:002008-03-03T16:05:21.794-08:00Is Three A Charm? I Doubt It<div class="inside-copy">UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council has approved a third round of sanctions against Iran with near unanimous support.</div> <p class="inside-copy">Among the Iranian officials hit with travel and financial sanctions by the United Nations Security Council on Monday is a prominent Revolutionary Guards commander close to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei and a long list of technical figures involved in Iran's nuclear program</p>Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-33580016259188121732008-03-03T15:56:00.000-08:002008-03-03T16:02:22.892-08:00What Job Is Villaraigosa Going For In A Clinton Administration? Cast Your Vote<img alt="Villaraigosa" src="http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-03/36321644.jpg" height="280" width="500" /><b><br />O<span style="font-style: italic;">N THE ROAD AGAIN:</span></b><span style="font-style: italic;"> Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa supports Sen. Hillary Clinton during a rally in Fort Worth, Texas. He has spent 18 of the last 65 days out of town campaigning for her.</span><br /><br />For more than 2 1/2 years, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been the public face of Los Angeles, appearing in one neighborhood after the next and often leading the nightly news.<br /><br />But over the last two months, he has devoted noticeable time and energy to a cause outside the city. By today, the mayor will have spent 18 of the last 65 days on the road for presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) -- visiting Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and Texas as the primary election season has intensified.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995410202793769222.post-43965011981564144312008-03-02T08:35:00.000-08:002008-03-02T08:38:50.098-08:00Desperation Strikes Hillary's Campaign<span style="font-style: italic;">Appearing on Saturday Night Live is always a sign of desperation. But then again, nobody watches it anymore.</span><br /><img src="http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/POLITICS/03/01/clinton.snl/art.snl.hillary.ap.jpg" alt="art.snl.hillary.ap.jpg" border="0" height="219" width="292" /><br />Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton met her match while appearing on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" to deliver the show's trademark opening line and provide an "editorial response" to a mock presidential debate.<br /><br />During the opening sketch -- which featured SNL actors playing Clinton, rival candidate Barack Obama and the debate moderators -- Clinton complimented the performance of Amy Poehler, who regularly lampoons Clinton with her impersonation of the senator from New York.Harvey Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11457354714048641356noreply@blogger.com0