The St. Louis Post-Dispatch gave 50 of it's employees early retirement this past week. The paper, which is owned by Lee Enterprises of Iowa cited "business not being very good" as it's reason for making the move. It will cost the publishing company more than four million dollars, but Lee claims it will save in excess of 10 million dollars over time.
The thing that strikes me is the media business in general is doing very well. Several companies have turned in record profits during the past year. For example, Gannett, ABC, and The New York Times have all posted record earnings. Granted they also own TV stations in large markets that help to fatten up the bottom line. But, their print media are also doing well.
For Lee to claim business is not very good is almost laughable. It's main problem is that it spent millions for the Post and now it has a bad publication. Lee would have been more accurate to say the Post-Dispatch isn't very good and that it's circulation continues to decline which in turn results in the loss of thousands of advertising dollars.
September 30, 2007
September 26, 2007
New Fall Televison Season
I don't watch very much TV but as I have written in the past I have my favorites. And I've seen a few this fall that look interesting.
The first I saw is named "Back to You". It's a little predictable but the acting is first rate and I watched it a second time this evening.
I haven't watched it yet, because I have been Tivoing it, but I am looking forward to watching the new Ken Burns series called "The War" airing this week on PBS. I will sit down when it is all said and done and try to watch it in several marathon sessions.
I have also watched the season premiers of "The Simpsons", "King of the Hill", "How I Met Your Mother" and "Two and a Half Men".
The Simpsons was hilarious and the new opening was outstanding with it's reference to the Simpson's summer movie. King of the Hill continues along providing a number of laughs while spoofing society. How I Met your Mother was as funny as it's first two seasons, but it gets a little raunchy at times. And finally, Two and a Half Men's season premiere was a little disappointing. Sure, there were some funny scenes but at times it's dependence on double entendres gets old. Still it is one of the best written programs on television.
I will update you on the other programs I follow; "My Name is Earl", "The Office", "ER" and "Saturday Night Live", after I have the chance to view them.
The first I saw is named "Back to You". It's a little predictable but the acting is first rate and I watched it a second time this evening.
I haven't watched it yet, because I have been Tivoing it, but I am looking forward to watching the new Ken Burns series called "The War" airing this week on PBS. I will sit down when it is all said and done and try to watch it in several marathon sessions.
I have also watched the season premiers of "The Simpsons", "King of the Hill", "How I Met Your Mother" and "Two and a Half Men".
The Simpsons was hilarious and the new opening was outstanding with it's reference to the Simpson's summer movie. King of the Hill continues along providing a number of laughs while spoofing society. How I Met your Mother was as funny as it's first two seasons, but it gets a little raunchy at times. And finally, Two and a Half Men's season premiere was a little disappointing. Sure, there were some funny scenes but at times it's dependence on double entendres gets old. Still it is one of the best written programs on television.
I will update you on the other programs I follow; "My Name is Earl", "The Office", "ER" and "Saturday Night Live", after I have the chance to view them.
September 20, 2007
Bye Bye Birdies
Ten days ago I wrote the St. Louis Cardinals were taunting their fans by playing poor baseball but still hanging around in the National League Central pennant race.
The Cardinals are no longer contenders and their season is done except for playing out the final week and a half of the season. Granted the primary reason for the collapse from their world championship last year to also rans this year is very simple; injuries. But in the past two weeks the Cardinals managed to lose eleven of 13 games to prove to the rest of the world just how bad they are. Some of the Redbirds are already just going through the motions.
It will be an interesting off season around the Cardinal front office. In the case of Tony LaRussa his imminent departure may be addition by subtraction. He has won two World Championships and I respect him for that. But, his personality and style leave much to be desired. He has insulted the intelligence of Cardinal fans, whom I believe to be the most knowledgeable in the nation. LaRussa continues to try and prove managers of the past 120 years wrong by hitting his pitcher eighth. And he must also be responsible for the demise of his pitching staff. He had a five man rotation that was struggling but winning. Then out of the blue he goes with a six man rotation and the Cards immediately started to lose. Hey Tony baseball isn't rocket science. You see the ball, you hit the ball. You pitch the ball, and you catch the ball.
If I were in General Manager Walt Jocketty's position I would make everyone available for trading this winter with three exceptions; Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. But, it may be someone else who pulls the trigger on those trades. Jocketty is also said to be leaving with his buddy LaRussa at the end of the season.
The Cardinals are no longer contenders and their season is done except for playing out the final week and a half of the season. Granted the primary reason for the collapse from their world championship last year to also rans this year is very simple; injuries. But in the past two weeks the Cardinals managed to lose eleven of 13 games to prove to the rest of the world just how bad they are. Some of the Redbirds are already just going through the motions.
It will be an interesting off season around the Cardinal front office. In the case of Tony LaRussa his imminent departure may be addition by subtraction. He has won two World Championships and I respect him for that. But, his personality and style leave much to be desired. He has insulted the intelligence of Cardinal fans, whom I believe to be the most knowledgeable in the nation. LaRussa continues to try and prove managers of the past 120 years wrong by hitting his pitcher eighth. And he must also be responsible for the demise of his pitching staff. He had a five man rotation that was struggling but winning. Then out of the blue he goes with a six man rotation and the Cards immediately started to lose. Hey Tony baseball isn't rocket science. You see the ball, you hit the ball. You pitch the ball, and you catch the ball.
If I were in General Manager Walt Jocketty's position I would make everyone available for trading this winter with three exceptions; Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. But, it may be someone else who pulls the trigger on those trades. Jocketty is also said to be leaving with his buddy LaRussa at the end of the season.
Pack Journalism at It's Worst
If you turned on the radio or TV today you were bombarded with a story that has been blown way out of proportion. The protests in Jena, Louisiana were nothing more than a media event orchestrated by the ACLU and various African-American organizations. The folks at the networks felt obligated to cover this so called "protest" because all of their peers were there. So, it became pack journalism at it's worst.
If the new media would grow up and ignore such outbursts it would go along way towards healing what divisiveness still exists in the South. High School fights are a part of daily life across the United States. But, while the ACLU says it is sticking up for the rights of the so called "Jena 6", it is trampling the free speech rights of the high school students who, mis-advisedly, strung up ropes from an old Oak tree.
To NBC, CBS, CNN, ABC and the local wannabe TV stations and the Internet portals I say..."let it go". It's not a national story.
If the new media would grow up and ignore such outbursts it would go along way towards healing what divisiveness still exists in the South. High School fights are a part of daily life across the United States. But, while the ACLU says it is sticking up for the rights of the so called "Jena 6", it is trampling the free speech rights of the high school students who, mis-advisedly, strung up ropes from an old Oak tree.
To NBC, CBS, CNN, ABC and the local wannabe TV stations and the Internet portals I say..."let it go". It's not a national story.
September 10, 2007
Taunting Cardinal Fans
The St. Louis Cardinals are two games under .500 at this moment and still in a three team pennant race in the National League Central Division.
They had been one over before getting swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. And still getting swept, they lost only two games in the standings. But, the fact is they are still in the race with the Cubs and the Brewers.
I am fortunate the division sucks so bad, and it is good for baseball to have the race. But, the bottom line is none of these teams will go anywhere in post season play. Yeah, I know I said the same thing about the Cardinals last year, but they were healthy at the time and they were getting starters and position players back at the right time. This year's Cardinals club doesn't have the starting pitching, the bullpen or the bench depth to produce a repeat.
So, while the Cards continue to taunt their fans with the possibility of a division championship it just isn't very good baseball.
They had been one over before getting swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend. And still getting swept, they lost only two games in the standings. But, the fact is they are still in the race with the Cubs and the Brewers.
I am fortunate the division sucks so bad, and it is good for baseball to have the race. But, the bottom line is none of these teams will go anywhere in post season play. Yeah, I know I said the same thing about the Cardinals last year, but they were healthy at the time and they were getting starters and position players back at the right time. This year's Cardinals club doesn't have the starting pitching, the bullpen or the bench depth to produce a repeat.
So, while the Cards continue to taunt their fans with the possibility of a division championship it just isn't very good baseball.
Home again from the Desert
I have completed the final phase of my company's project out in Phoenix and it feels good to be home again and to sleep in my own bed and eat in my dining room.
The eight days in the desert went quickly, but whenever you travel there are annoyances. Overall it was an excellent trip. My regional manager made things easy and that made the whole trip easy. I had my fill of Mexican food and most of it was good. I also had new experiences in Indian cuisine and thanks to V for helping us out with the menu and then picking up the tab.
I think the biggest frustration of the eight days was waiting on US Air to get it's Airbus off the ground on Thursday night at Sky Harbor Airport. A flight it had come in from Las Vegas was late, so they held our flight to get the passengers on our plane. That resulted in us missing our slot and having to wait another 35 minutes to take off. That in turn put us back home 35 minutes later. But, I guess I shouldn't complain about air travel since it is the fastest way to get from point A to point B. If I were driving I would still be on the highway.
Overall the project was good and productive and I am back home in my office working in familiar surroundings and people I know and whom I can trust. Now, I just need to catch up on my sleep.
The eight days in the desert went quickly, but whenever you travel there are annoyances. Overall it was an excellent trip. My regional manager made things easy and that made the whole trip easy. I had my fill of Mexican food and most of it was good. I also had new experiences in Indian cuisine and thanks to V for helping us out with the menu and then picking up the tab.
I think the biggest frustration of the eight days was waiting on US Air to get it's Airbus off the ground on Thursday night at Sky Harbor Airport. A flight it had come in from Las Vegas was late, so they held our flight to get the passengers on our plane. That resulted in us missing our slot and having to wait another 35 minutes to take off. That in turn put us back home 35 minutes later. But, I guess I shouldn't complain about air travel since it is the fastest way to get from point A to point B. If I were driving I would still be on the highway.
Overall the project was good and productive and I am back home in my office working in familiar surroundings and people I know and whom I can trust. Now, I just need to catch up on my sleep.
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