SAIGONBOB

Gov. Schwarzenegger and Writers Strike:Where is He?

    Business journalist, Jane Wells, while reporting on the effects of the writers strike in Los Angeles, asked this simple rhetorical question: "Where is Governor Schwarzenegger?" (Dec. 31, 2007)
    Good question, Jane.
    Jay Leno will be crossing the picket line, breaking the WGA strike in Burbank, as he mounts his NBC studio, and does his jokes on January 2nd.
    Boy, where would GE, the parent company of NBC, be without the appearance of Leno breaking the strike?
    When it comes to the bottom line, even the so called liberal big wigs at NBC become old time Republicans.
    It would seem, that with so many jobs on the line, the actor/politician Governor of California, could step in and perhaps, at least, try to mediate the strike between the producers and writers.
    Perhaps the Governor is too busy flying around the country in his private jet, warning the American public about global warming.
    Governor: Its hard to eat environmentally correct politics.
    Governor: Get to work on this strike!
    Thanks for reading:
    Bob Kholos
   

The Presidential Campaign "Experience" Myth: Think Richard Nixon

    When former V.P. Richard Nixon beat Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey for President of the United States in 1968, he said that, "I have a secret plan to end the War in Vietnam."
    Thousand of American soldier's deaths and about 6 years later, the war was over.
    Nixon had been a United States Congressman from California, and a Vice President, under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for eight years.
    So much for experience!
    As President John F. Kennedy learned, after the "Bay of Pigs," no matter how much experience you have, the job of Chief Executive, is always "on-the-job-training."

    In a few days, Iowa will kick off the presidential primary season, and all of the candidates are wrestling for the "experience" title.

    Most of it is B.S.

    I think we have to look at the character of the individual, and guess at their leadership potential.

    Personally, I would like a contest between Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, during the fall election.

    I believe there would be a positive debate, without rancor, on the priorities in front of us.

    With the "front-loading" of the primaries, we may have the most confused political contest, going all the way to the finish line---voting in Oregon in May---or, it may be over on February 5th.

    When I watch the primary season, I always feel lucky that I have been born in America!

    "Vote early and vote often!"

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

       

 

John McCain vs. Barack Obama: Who wins?

    It is still two weeks prior to the New Hampshire Primary, but both Obama and McCain are surging in the polls and the previous top candidates: Romney and Clinton, are starting to stumble.
    I would love to see a match-up between Senator Obama and Senator McCain, because both have immense character and both would be healthy, new leaders in the White House.
    With the exception of "independent committees," throwing the usual trash around during television commercials, both men would be running a positive, and clean campaign.  This is healthy for the nation.
    The country is ready for a big change, after 8 years of GOP rule, in the White House and Congress (one year exception), and therefore I give a slight edge to Democrat Barack Obama, being the new President of the United States.
    However, I believe the contest will be very close, if such a race happens.

    Also, if Obama captures the  Democratic  nomination in the  summer of 2008,  he may bring about a major shakeup with a super-majority Democratic Congress, including a veto-proof US Senate.

    If Hillary Clinton gets the nomination, all bets are off concerning her "coat tails" bringing along a Democratic Congress, because of her very high "negative" rating in the political polls.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

   

KMPC Los Angeles--Scott Shurian and The Newsroom

(Thanks to LA RADIO...This is re-post)

Download AutryXmas.mov (Audio of Gene Autry wishing listeners a Merry Christmas, provided by Scott Shurian)

    If I had a "do-over," I would put myself back in the news room of KMPC during the golden age of radio--1964.

    I was a happy kid...at 20 years of age, having just landed a job in what, by any measurement of the time, was the best radio station in the land.

    The news room was buzzing with police radios blaring, the AP and UPI news wires clicking away in the back room, and the famous names in news of Hugh Brundage, Tom Wayman, Bob Steinbrink, Andy Park, Donn Reed, Val Clenard, Paul "Panther" Pierce,Dave DeSoto, the 8am voice of Howard Flynn, and the strong voice of Scott Shurian broadcasting the news of the day.  Hovering above Los Angeles was Capt. Max Schumacher--giving us "Sig-Alerts"--a catch phrase also named after the KMPC General Manager--Lloyd SIGman.

    Fred Hessler was busy calling and writing the sports of the day, and on the automatic telephone sports answering service of WEbster 8-3000, we had the updates of the latest baseball scores.

    Dj's Dick Whittinghill, Roger Carroll, Johnny Magnus, Gary Owens,Ira Cook, were busy putting out the best in hosted music of the era---not to mention the ground breaking humor of Whittinghill and Owens.

    Owens is still working. In fact he was quoted in LA Radio,Thursday,Nov 30, 2006(www.laradio.com) with the following, after it was announced that he would be hosting "Country" music on KKGO in Los Angeles:

  GO Goes Country. Gary Owens will be part of the new KKGO 1260/540 Country format that launches as a simulcast on Friday. “I have freshly manured my boots so I look good for my weekend shifts [Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.]” said Gary. “Gene Autry gave me two Stetson hats when I worked for him. I’ll wear one of those on every show I do. It is a 10-gallon hat but I only have a 9-gallon head.”

   The Strong Voice of Scott Shurian

         As I remember the conversation of 42 years ago, Scott said to me, "They signed me to a contract because of my authoritative voice and the way I deliver the news."

    I talked by telephone with Scott at his home in Park City, Utah.

    He remembers being hired by News Director Hugh Brundage, and driving up from his job at XTRA in Tijuana, the day the Cuban Missile Crisis broke out.

    "There was a lot of activity around the Marine base in San Diego," as he drove up to his new job in Los Angeles, Shurian said.

    Scott is proud of his news background.  Even in the Army, he served with American Forces Radio. AFRTS was also called Armed Forces Radio.

    He was hired out of the Army by Gene Mclendon, in Texas, and worked out of his mostly owned XTRA in Mexico.  This was a station, because of it's powerful wattage, was heard and listened to, by news directors in Los Angeles.

    Scott wanted to work in Los Angeles, so he made various trips to the southland where he checked out KNX,KABC, in addition to "knocking on the door of Hugh Brundage at KMPC."

    Shurians Big Break--The first Bel-Air Fire   

        Scott was visiting a friend in Los Angeles when the horrible Bel-Air fire broke out in 1962.  In the hills above UCLA, homes were being burned down by the dozens.

    Since he  didn't have a legitimate press pass (technically representing a Mexican radio station) "We started handing out pens with the XTRA logo to the police and fire, and they allowed me in to cover the fire."  He got on the phone and XTRA news recorded his updates.  He thinks that KMPC News Director, Brundage, heard his updates and was one reason he was eventually hired by one of the best newsmen in the country.

    The only problem, as Mr. Shurian describes it...."It was an illegal act because we were not allowed to broadcast from within the United States."

    Reporting is a tough job, as most of the people in the "business" understand.  You have to get it right, and quick, and not be emotionally involved.

        To me, Scott Shurian, Hugh Brundage, Bob Steinbrinck, Tom Wayman, Val Clenard, Donn Reed, Andy Park, Paul Pierce and others, represented the professionalism in news which is sorely missing during this modern era.

    Even during the intense Watts Riots of 1965, I noticed the all White newsroom kept their cool and never mentioned a negative word about the rioters, but like Jack Webb, gave "just the facts and only the facts."

    Scott, driving in KMPC News Cruiser 2, was the object of 5 guys in a Caddy, during the riots.  As I have mentioned in a previous posting, I heard Scott over the two-way in the news room, yelling for, "somebody get out a map, I'm being chased, and tell me how to get the hell out of here."

    Shurian said, "I drove towards the freeway, and I noticed the people chasing me, turned around.  I figured out that I had just accidentally turned next to the 77th district..." Los Angeles Police Headquarters.

    It is still hard for me to accept the fact that some entertainers use language now(Michael Richards) that even during the early 1960s was not acceptable use of language in most living rooms,as well as the news rooms, of Los Angeles.

    Shurian echoed the sentiments of Roger Carroll about the politics inside KMPC.  Even though it was owned by "The Cowboy" Gene Autry, who many thought was somewhat conservative, "nobody knew what your politics were at KMPC."

    "No one even asked me how I felt about an issue..." Shurian stated.  He didn't say it, but I doubt if asked, he would give his view of the politics of the day.  It would have been considered a little too unprofessional in the news room of KMPC 710.

    Drinking with Whittinghill and the Guys

 I always wondered why, when I got into the news room at about 7 in the morning, that some of the guys were in pretty bad moods.  There was a lot of grumpy attitudes, and no one wanted to talk to me. They just went to the wire room, tore off the latest "B" wire update, made some changes, walked to the microphone and announced the latest news.

    I found out 4 decades later, in this phone call with Scott, that, "We went to Whittinghills restaurant(in the San Fernado Valley) on Monday night and  drink."

    Scott wasn't sure, these many years later, who else was part of the group.  I'm not sure if he is still protective, or perhaps it was a little blurry!

    Actually many people went to Whittinghill's, and it was a wonderful place to sit at the bar, or get a nice steak.

     But, it was true...many of the reporters of that era...Newspaper, Television and Radio, were hard drinkers, hard workers, and very accurate journalists.

    Even when I was doing a mock play-by-play of the Angel games at the Dodger Stadium press box in 1964, at the behest of Irv Kaze, the sport writers were all slugging down hard liquor while they wrote their sports stories....accurately.

    Although Scott had an authoritative voice while delivering the news, he said that, "I wasn't aware of a style... and just wrote up and reported the 2 and one-half minutes with my natural delivery."

    I asked Scott about other men in the KMPC News Room, who he admired.  Like a lot of people, his first response was Hugh Brundage.  But, he also gave special plaudits to Bob Steinbrink (living in Riverside County), and to Paul "Panther" Pierce who spent a lot of time in the KMPC News Cruiser, and "was one of the best reporters of the time," according to Shurian.

    Scott has a birthday next month...he turns 75.

    He lives in Utah, near his son.  He also is very proud of his daughter who is a Policewoman in Los Angeles.

    My memories of him are of a man in his 30s who could come into a news room, command the attention of everyone around him and deliver the news accurately and strongly.

    My only hope is that, somehow, we get back to that professionalism in reporting, so sorely missing in the 21st Century in America.

(scott@parkcityhelitours.com)

    Thanks for Reading:
    Bob Kholos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sen. John McCain: Toughest Guy Running?

    About 15 years ago, I read the detailed explanation and history of Navy Pilot, John McCain, held hostage as a Prisoner of War, in North Vietnam.

    It was called the Hanoi Hilton by the American military men, who were beaten as captives, on a continuous basis.

    Many of them were murdered, some committed suicide, and a few others, just gave up and were used as propaganda tools for the media war, and thus were given preferential treatment.

    In our modern American society, it is easy to forget, or not understand what a guy like McCain did, during the worst of circumstances, in the 1960s.

    McCain, who was shot down over North Vietnam, was  beaten until they broke his shoulder.  He was placed in solitary confinement for not being a propaganda tool (because his father was a major commander during that war..and releasing him early would have been a PR victory for the Communist regime)

    When after a few years, he was promised early release, and he refused, because of the military policy of "first in (POW) and first out," they put him in solitary confinement again, and purposely broke his shoulder, again.

    McCain has said that the reason he wasn't killed, and even tortured more, was because of the standing of his Father.

    Does this make John McCain the toughest candidate running for President of the United States: Definitely Yes!

    But, character is important to me, and Senator John McCain is an important example for our country.

    Truth be told, Senator McCain, could run well as an Independent or even as a Democrat.

    With a little more that two weeks before the New Hampshire Primary, it is possible that John McCain could surprise everyone and march on to the Republican nomination in 2008.

    Thanks for Reading:

    Bob Kholos

   

   

   

   

Sam Zell and the New Los Angeles Times

    The new Tribune Company, now privately held by Sam Zell, has a special obligation to keep the Los Angeles Times a great newspaper.
    With his spirit of making a profit, Zell may be the perfect guy, at the perfect time, to increase revenues for the LA Times.
    With the importance of the Internet as a money maker, the old word "circulation" may bring on a new meaning.

    I'm looking for creative improvements on their website, as well as expanded coverage on local news and the screw-ups of the city bureaucracy and elected officials.

    Journalist Nancy Vogel, has broken some great stories on statewide officials, for example---and this has added confidence to the readers of the Times.

    There have been periods of publishing, by the Times, where they have shown national leadership in journalism...putting to shame the Washington Post and New York Times.

    One of the great moves they ever made was hiring sports columnist Jim Murray...not to mention the publishing of the great cartoonist, Conrad.

    Great content does not necessarily mean increased revenue....but it does create a positive climate for change.

    Zell is a employees friend, when he delegates responsibility(unlike President Jimmy Carter) and allows local control.

    Otis Chandler was the perfect "newsroom" publisher, where he allowed reporters to "go-at-it" without editorial and ownership interference.  This was a great legacy for the newspaper.

    Within the Times, Zell has some great people.  Take Steve Lopez for example: He has a special knack, in his column, for showcasing average people in difficult circumstances, as well as taking head on, the city leadership.

    George Skelton, "take no prisoners" style, has  the experience of a manual typewriter, taking on the Sacramento elite in modern times. I believe I first met him on the campaign trail when I was travel press secretary with Alan Cranston during the 1968 campaign for US Senate against Max Rafferty.  George was a UPI reporter. (I'm not friends with Mr. Skelton and making positive statements about him, may result in a major expose on me!)

    All said: Mr. Zell, give the beat reporters a raise and create a new energy in the newsroom---the worst that happens is they take away that little abode in Malibu--in a couple of years, if everything goes downhill.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

   

   

   

In Defense of US Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon

   

There is a front page story in the Eugene Register Guard Newspaper today, Dec. 19, 2007, reporting that many Democratic leaders are upset with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) doing joint appearances around the state, with vulnerable Republican incumbent, Senator Gordon Smith.
    Within the story, there was a picture of both Wyden and Smith talking to a homeless man, who was devastated by the recent storms in northwest Oregon.
    Although, I've been a registered Democrat for 43 years, I have a major problem with politicians who want to continue tearing America apart with bickering, regardless of political party.

    It is also a mistake to assume, just because two members of the same party from the same state are serving in the US Senate, they get along together for the "greater good."

    I spent many years in California politics...and the word has been that Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Dianne  Feinstein, and their staffs, do not get along.

    For years, Wyden and Smith have gotten together to agree on programs and legislation that help everyone in Oregon.  This is healthy.  This also shows the independent nature of Oregon's body politic.

    In truth, voters will decide Gordon Smith's future in 2008, without knowing whether the two US Senators are getting along.

    Smith showed his independence from President Bush when he voted against drilling for oil in pristine Alaska, and when he voted against the Iraq war in December of 2006.

    As a long time Democrat, and someone who has recently survived Cancer, and a Vietnam Veteran---I am quite tired of the mostly phony posturing between elected politicians, who play to the most extreme base in both parties.

    Even if you really dislike Senator Smith, and will vote for his Democratic opponent next year, lay off Senator Wyden, and his mature decision to stay in contact with the "other side of the aisle," and help the State of Oregon.

    I would like a functional America again.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos   

Jay Leno & NBC to WGA: An Inconvenient Strike

    "UNION!"
    I'm sure those words move the emotions of Jay Leno...when its not about him.

    The Writers Guild strike is a tough one for most American's to identify with...after all, it is not Coal Miners protesting "Black Lung Disease."

    But the WGA is not a government employees union, where the final payers are the people who pay taxes in the state.

    Sure, a lot of them make a lot of money.  But, many of them are just as susceptible to the irregularities of the economy, as the rest of us no-accounts.

     An honest strike, however, in the private sector means a real sacrifice.

    GE, the parent company of NBC, is a multi-national corporation, and Jay Leno is a wealthy multi-national entertainer.

    He deserves his high society status, but the script writers deserve a little justice here.

    So, Jay Leno and NBC (GE) will go on the air live on January 2nd, whether the strike is settled, or not.

    Leno says he wants to help the hundreds of people on the show who are not part of the WGA and need the income.

    But, Jay, this is always the case when a major strike lasts for a couple of months...it is always an inconvenient strike at this stage.

    If the strike is legitimate, then Leno has to say so, and not appear on the air, live, until it is settled.

    Maybe, just maybe, he has to rest on his residuals for a month more....or could possibly sell one of his cars and put the proceeds into the strike fund.

    Leno has always supported the "little guy," but in this case he and NBC are no different than the cold calculating Richard Nixon, or the good ol' boys at Enron.

    Jay Leno has a lot of power, and now is the time to use it on behalf of the men and women who keep Hollywood working.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

 

John Edwards New Surge in Iowa

    It may be that John Edwards new surge in Iowa, is a direct result of the success of the American military surge in Iraq.
    Edwards has been focusing on corporate greed and universal health insurance. This is pure Democratic red meat.
    Since the recent success of our troops in Iraq, pushing that war off the front pages, the Democratic candidates for President have been able to concentrate on American domestic policy---a definite Democratic Party advantage.
    Despite his $400 dollar hair cut, John Edwards, who came in second in Iowa, 4 years ago, has been able to reestablish himself as an almost front runner, with about two weeks to go before the Iowa caucus on January 3rd, 2008.

    Most political pundits say he has probably the best organization in Iowa.

    While on "Face the Nation" on CBS, Sunday morning, Dec. 16th, 2008, Edwards honed his message down to a couple of strong points, while being interviewed by the classic journalist, Bob Schieffer.

    Edwards looked like a political press secretary's dream: Right on message about being a strong President while negotiating with the US Congress and not the Drug and Health Insurance Companies on the need for medical care for all American's.

    The GOP might call this "socialized medicine," but the Democrat Voters are immune to such as charge, and Edwards needs to win Iowa and New Hampshire for any kind of new power entering into the Feb. 5th Super-Primaries.

    If John Edwards, who did not receive the editorial support of the Des Monies Register(a victory...since they always endorse the loser in this Presidential Primary), does win in Iowa, it may come down to a two-man contest, between him and Barack Obama.

    Therefore, the last may be first, in the Democratic Primary States.  There may be enough mix, with Hillary winning New York, Obama winning Illinois and California, and Edwards winning in other places, that the last states to vote in May, could have a major impact on the nominating convention to be held in Denver in the summer.

    Although Mrs. Clinton could still do well, I believe she peaked about a month ago, when the New Hampshire polls showed her dropping 5 points and Barack Obama gaining 5 points.  It has gone down hill for her since then.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

   

   

KMPC 710: The Day I Met Dick Whittinghill

    I had just landed a job in the newsroom of KMPC Radio in Los Angeles, at 20 years of age.
    It was 1964, and the news lineup was legendary:  Hugh Brundage was the News Director, along with Donn Reed "nightside,"--who loved to hang around the Hollywood police booking station---there was Scott Shurian and his demonstrative voice, Bob Steinbrink, Tom Wayman, Val Clenard, Paul "Panther" Pierce, Max Schumacher(Helicopter traffic and Sigalerts) Andy Park, Fred Hessler---"Sports at 6," and many others.

    The AP and UPI teletype machines, pounded out the latest stories in the backroom, and the police radio's were turned up loud.

    Cigarette smoke and coffee cups were always present.

    The environment was fast, moving, and professional.

    Once in a while, in the early morning, the news team would have to break into regularly scheduled programming, of Dick Whittinghill, the AM DJ, funny man, who hated to be interrupted.

    I was pretty naive at 20--being a middle class kid, brought up on the Westside of Los Angeles and I was  shocked when the intercom hung above the "live" news microphone with the voice of Whittinghill, trying to break-up the seriousness of the newsroom, shouted out seconds before going live with news....."Hey...F---U!....you S-O-B" (This is as close as I can get to a quote...from a 43 year old memory)....then Tom Wayman or one of the other guys would laugh aloud..then gain composure and deliver the bulletin.

    This was a month or so before I actually met  Whittinghill---it gets even better.

    Someone got the brilliant idea that I should deliver the "Surf Report" live in the DJ booth.  I became the perfect "sacrifice" for Dick Whittinghill.

    I walked into his den, with script in hand, and the first thing Whittinghill said was, "Here is Bob Kholos, the nut from the newsroom, with the Surf Report."

    Being very serious, and somewhat nervous, I started reading such things as "there is a two foot southern swell in Santa Monica...." 

    While I was reading....Whittinghill started unzipping my pants...trying to throw my concentration.  Then, that was not enough...he started throwing doughnuts at me.

    I did keep my composure....mostly out of dark fear...and my Surf Report became a joke among the talented DJ staff, including Gary Owens, and Roger Carroll.

    I owe a lot to the "guys" in the newsroom and people like L. Sigman and F. Hessler.....who taught me how to grow up in a professional environment.

    I will always be grateful.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos