Daily Archives: October 17, 2007

Associated Press Needs To Grow Up, Long Beach

Posted on by
Reply
Discuss on ooVoo

Every time I read an article about Airbus or Boeing from AP, it never fails. Bad Airbus, good Boeing! Seriously, Associated Press, grow up.

For the last two years, AP has been Boeing’s cheerleader. Boeing does no wrong, even if it is late in its deliveries. But reporting delays for Airbus is amplified, put in a negative light and made into a bigger deal than when it happens to its rival. The problem is that it shows AP in an unfavorable light, by being partial when all we ask of them is impartial news reporting. Leave your comments home, that’s not what we ask for.

Case in point, after developing the biggest plan, Airbus and it’s giant double decker ran into delays. So what? What companies don’t? Is that a reason to cheer for the national rival? Are we back in High School here? But when Boeing runs into delays, as with its 787 fleet, they are justified and toned down. Is that journalism or creating a patriotic sense that we do better than others? Especially when I have no choice what airplanes I fly with?

In the aviation industry it is common to run into delays, especially if those delays are for security measures. Sure Airbus messed it up when the French and German bosses couldn’t agree. But the ones who got hurt, as in every case were the workers.

This kind of reporting is sub par, frankly boring and immature. What is it supposed to do for me? Is it supposed to pump me and only fly Boeing when I have no alternative but whatever airlines have? It’s silly and childish. AP Business should review its falling standards and report the news as is, without its personal beliefs and comments. Personally, I am bored with it.

Right, I guess I do the same but I try to be partial… Yes, even when France loses against England. It was a god game and the English played well. Period.

Housing Slowdown, Where Will The Taxes Come From? Long Beach

Posted on by
Reply
Discuss on ooVoo

One thing that actually worries me is where are the taxes going to come from next year?

Our city is no different than others, and in fact no different than our state. No one has clearly though through, at least to my knowledge, where to recoup the loss of taxes related to the housing slowdown for the upcoming year.

With less and less home sales, cities will be pocketing less money from new home owners which will effect new taxes or cut back programs. With a budget lauded as razor thin by the mayor of our city, where will the taxes come from next year? As a side not, after talking about a very tight city budget a few months back, the Long Beach Business Journal uncovered the fact that many, many city employees and middle management folks were breaking the $100,000 salary club. What stirred the bee’s nest was that with the economic slowdown we are witnessing, how can city employees get 40% raise when the private sector now earns less? Hat tip LB Business Journal, it’s something that needs to be addressed.

California Housing Forecast asked the same question here. With cities reporting lower sales tax and property revenue, there is reason to wonder if our elected officials have thought of a plan B. I’m afraid myopia will prevail as usually is the case, considering Chicago has already stated it will raise its taxes. With an election year plus an economic slow down, I believe this is the wrong thing to do. You can also be sure if taxes aren’t effected, programs will, libraries, in some cities even firefighters programs have been cut back if not completely closed.

This is the foresight I wish to see with politicians. The capability of moving the inertia of a governing body, local or nationwide to adapt to modern life instead of milking the situation until it breaks. It would be nice to have people who could give us alternative plans and contingencies. So far, I haven’t seen this either locally or nationwide, or even on an international scale. What will it take for politicians to step up? Apparently a lot when you see the abysmal state of debates for the presidential forums.