Sunroom Desk

The End of the Affair – P.J. O’Rourke, Wall Street Journal, weekend May 30-31, 2009
The fate of Detroit isn’t a matter of economics. It’s a tragic romance, whose magic was killed by bureaucrats, bad taste and busybodies.

The End of GM – John Cole’s Balloon Juice, Monday, June 1, 2009
What major manufacturing is left in the United States?

As GM Goes So Goes California in Pensions – Bloomberg.com, Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Neither private nor public pension funds can keep making promises that are above their means, or that they fail to fund. GM proved it.

The Future of Manufacturing, GM, and American Workers (Part III) – Robert Reich, LA Progressive, Wedneday, June 3, 2009
What has been bad for GM has been bad for much of America. The answer is not to bail out GM. It is to smooth the way to a new, post-manufacturing economy.

Bankrupt GM drops California lobbyists in Sacramento – Sacramento Bee Capitol Alert, Thursday, June 4, 2009
Two Sacramento firms are among a slew of firms around the country fired by GM in the wake of its bankruptcy.

Changing Media: Public Interest Policies for the Digital Age – Free Press free downloadable book issued May 2009
Explores broadband technology deployment, equal and open access to information, and the future of journalism.

Our view on the federal budget: Obama, Congress go AWOL on fiscal responsibility – USA Today, Monday, May 11, 2009
Neither party is capable of addressing the nation’s dire fiscal circumstances, which will only worsen as Baby Boomers hit retirement age.

The truth about Social Security and Medicare – Salon, Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Social Security is a tiny problem, but Medicare is entirely different. It’s a monster.

Unions vs. Taxpayers – Wall Street Journal, Thursday, May 14, 2009
Organized labor has become by far the most powerful political force in government.

Fiscal Suicide Ahead – New York Times, Friday, May 15, 2009
For President Obama to sustain his agenda and prevent national insolvency, he has to control health care and entitlement costs.

Schwarzenegger outlines drastic budget cuts – LA Times, Friday, May 15, 2009
The governor’s budget disaster-preparedness talks.

Security Blanket: How Social Security Can Save Us All – Mother Jones, May/June 2009
But how will we pay for this?

Residents quickly saturate pedestrian-safety seminar - Glendale News Press, Thursday, May 7, 2009
Organizers of the half-day May 16 course were overwhelmed with the number of interested locals.

Pedestrian breaks wrist in accident - Glendale News Press, Friday, May 8, 2009
Details on this and several other recent pedestrian-related accidents in Glendale.

Speed Trap Showdown – Citywatch, Friday, May 8, 2009
Coverage of Paul Krekorian’s press conference on Assembly Bill 766, the Safe Streets Bill.

Krekorian cites speeding – Glendale News Press, Friday, May 8, 2009
Another article on Paul Krekorian’s press conference and the new Safe Streets bill.

CA’s cash crunch – LA Biz Observed, Friday, May 8, 2009
California’s tax receipts for April 2009 are lower than projected.

If We’re Nice to Them, Maybe They’ll Kill Us Last (A Continuing Series) – Patterico’s Pontifications, Sunday, April 26, 2009
Video link and analysis to an inquisition of Ezra Levant by Canada’s human rights tribunal.

I am a “prophet of doom” – Barry Ritholtz, The Big Picture, Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The author finds himself counted in company with 14 critics of the administration’s economic policies.

Field Poll finds five of six California ballot measures failing – LA Now, Wednesday, April 29, 2009
A majority of Californians aren’t listening to their governor or their legislators on the budget issue.

California citizens are standing up and being counted – NC Media Watch, Thursday, April 30, 2009
Another report on the poll finding the budget initiatives failing.

Top Senate Democrat: bankers “own” the U.S. Congress – Glenn Greenwald, Salon, Thursday, April 30, 2009
Analyzes Senator Dick Durbin’s comments to this effect and the lack of coverage of these comments in the media.

Amazing Numbers – Talking Points Memo, Friday, May 1, 2009
Large numbers of people are moving away from identification with the Republican and Democratic parties and becoming political independents.

Krekorian Genocide Bill Advances – Glendale News Press, Thursday, April 23, 2009
AB 961, submitted by Assemblyman Paul Krekorian would require California-based companies to certify that they do not “wrongfully hold” assets that belonged to victims of genocide.

Papazian Speaks Out on Armenian Genocide Recognition – Armenian Weekly, Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dr. Dennis Papazian expressing his view that Obama would recognize the genocide, citing its overwhelming documentation, and other governments’ acknowledgment.

Video: Speaker Pelosi Leads Calls for U.S. Armenian Genocide Recognition – Seta’s Armenian Blog, Thursday, April 23, 2009

‘Genocide’ recognition long overdue in U.S., says Pelosi – TimeTurk (English language), Friday, April 24, 2009
With a photo of Hillary Clinton instead of Nancy Pelosi…

Why Recognition of the Armenian Genocide Matters – Armenian Weekly, Friday, April 24, 2009
Excerpt: “We in the present have the power to define and preserve the past—in memory, in speech, and especially, in writing. Our past becomes the precedent for understanding and resolving the future.”

Obama Fails to Honor Pledge, ANCA Expresses ‘Sharp Disappointment’ – Armenian Weekly, Friday, April 24, 2009

Statement of President Barack Obama on Armenian Remembrance Day – reprinted in Armenian Weekly, Friday, April 24, 2009

Remembering the Armenian Genocide: Obama’s Words Rebuked – Glendale News Press, Friday, April 24, 2009
Quoting Glendale Councilmember Ara Najarian, 43rd District Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, Congressman Adam Schiff’s comments at Glendale’s Alex Theater April 24 commemoration.

Unlike Obama, Pelosi uses ‘genocide’ in statement – The Hill Blog, Friday, April 24, 2009
She used the word seven times, including in the title and subhead.

Schwarzenegger declares April 19-26 as Days of Remembrance – Haber27.com (Gazianteb, Turkey), April 2009

Armenian Protest Outside Turkish Embassy – Youtube.com, Friday, April 24, 2009

Marking Armenian genocide, many feel snubbed by Obama – LA Times, Friday, April 24, 2009
Southern Californians honoring 1.5 million victims say president disappointed them by failing to formally recognize deaths.

In Armenian Enclave, Turkish Deal Arouses Suspicion – Wall Street Journal, Saturday, April 25, 2009
Armenian diaspora leaders in Glendales ee Armenia/Turkey detente announcement as ploy on day commemorating 1915 killings.