Bias in the Newsroom? Mayor Gets Cold Shoulder

Craig Smith points out that the News-Press failed to cover the State of the City speech Mayor Blum gave last Thursday. In years past, there had been a photographer as well as a front page article on the speech. According to Smith's post, a News-Press reporter finally committed to cover it after watching a rerun on government access television.

Get Well Soon, Marty!

Mayor Blum was hospitalized today after a fainting spell on an airplane. The plane was diverted to Las Vegas and a city news release says she is fine. Luckily, Dr. Joe was at her side. For more info, see KEYT's story.

Da Mayor's Letter to TKA

Craig Smith and I, among others, received a copy of the following letter from Da Mayor to Travis K. Armstrong. Craig has a cogent analysis of the letter and what it does and doesn't mean.

The Slugger -- who is sure to be the subject of a Sunday column reminding people that she said she never reads his editorials -- wrote a letter that is a must read item for anyone who cares about the future of journalism in Santa Barbara.

That's two "must reads" (and two links in one paragraph) this week on the News-Press Mess. Jerry Roberts on ethics -- which I saw on a screen of an ultra-Libertarian friend of mine earlier this afternoon -- and our Mayor on the "odd" and rather twisted logic as to why she can't speak on the News-Press radio station....

A true friend of ethics in the editorial room would print the Mayor's letter verbatim because he would know that this would engender respect among his readers. A true friend of ethics in the editorial room would print many other less accusatory letters in the interest of fairness and goodwill. Would you do what Travis does? Be truthful. On the "B" side, WWTKAD?

The Slugger On Your Radio

Don't you know you can't get near me
You can only hope to hear me on your radio
On your radio
You're gonna hear me on your radio.

Ex-teachers still coming through to me
Tough kids don't stop trying to kick me to the ground
I don't care
Go on just do what you do to me
You look so sick when youre pushing me around
You're nowhere

Kudos to the first reader who can name that tune and artist....

Da Mayor Marty Blum is now on the radio every Saturday on KTMS 1490 AM. Ironically, KTMS was a News-Press station at one time and was actually broadcast from De la Guerra Plaza. Now, she who has been banned from 1290 AM has one hour a week on KTMS. Classic.

The show will deliver what the News-Press doesn't much of these days -- City Hall news. Da Mayor will take a few calls at 879-5867 every Saturday from Noon to 1:00 p.m.