Dow Jones, Barry Bonds and Cal Ripken Jr., California Budget ...Jul. 25‚ 2007Randy, In your article on "The Dow’s Record High: What the Media Conceals from the Public" you seem to discount the benefits of fueling positive consumer sentiment. Why so? Is this not considered anti-capitalist? Also, the statistic you mentioned "the S. & P. index is 17% below its inflation-adjusted 2000 high..." has a limited view and can be described as bending the numbers for your own story, a story of negative impact. Why not just show a chart of the last ten years? You say, "The media is engaged in a more fundamental misrepresentation about the “Dow Industrial Average,” one that should cause media outlets to divulge their motives for promoting an index that misleads the public regarding economic facts." In my career as a financial professional and former career as a financial news producer (Business News TV - LA) I have found very few media channels who accurately report financial news, including beyondcron. I sincerely hope you can help change my perception. As a watch dog of other media, you would be well serving if you offered a viable and well balanced way of looking at the United States economy. One thing is evident, there should be media that is well balanced. Are you ready for the challenge? By the way... most people are moving away from consuming bread. Carbs are not in style but chicken and ribs are. Clearly a new and more accurate index is favorable. Should we expect to see the beyondchron Chicken and Ribs Index soon? Bests, Jason Born Belmont, CA Hey Randy, Having lived in the DC/Baltimore area most of my life, I'll say this about Cal Ripken Jr. While it's true the "Iron Man" stayed aloof from his teammates, unlike Bonds, he was always accessible to the media, loved by the fans, built a museum and a state-of-the- art AAA ballpark in nearby Frederick, and his family, (Dad, Mom, and Brother), are a real part of the Maryland community. With Senators gone to become the Rangers and "Twinkies", Washingtonians were forced to embrace the Orioles, or give up Baseball... (I hate the "Nats" with a passion, they should be called the Senators!) Many years ago, when the O's went on that horrific 0-23 losing streak, after the glory of the Earl Weaver days, the fans in Baltimore literally rioted with glee when they finally won; I saw folks jumping on Police cars! Baseball fans love stats, chasing history and hot dogs, and like the going-nowhere Giants, the fans were obsessed with when the O's would win again. After the victory, they actually went on a mini winning streak, until reality came back to clip their wings... The anticipation and the ultimate reaching of Ripken's record was celebrated, but nothing like the ebay scalping and controversy surrounding Bonds... Despite the steroids, don't you think this is much closer to Aaron's streak than Ripken in terms of hoopla? Anyway, you guys are really going to town on this baseball thing, it's really crackin' me up! By the way, maybe it's just me, but what's up with the Chron practically copying everything you guys do? E. "Doc" Smith San Francisco To the Editor - I read the article regarding the Budget and would question why there is no mention of monies being taken from Californians who have not committed crimes and given to create state-of-the-art medical treatment facilities in the State prisons? California has a federal receiver, Sillen, who has carte blanche over California's pocket book, and taxpayers who are paying outrageous medical insurance premiums with less and less coverage are footing the bill for inmates to have top of the line medicines, not generic, or being able to see a specialist whenever they have a problem. I have read in the newspapers about the bad medical care inmates have received, but across the country Americans are receiving bad medical care. It is a nationwide epidemic. Young people, not attending college, are taken off their parents medical insurance once they reach 23 years of age. Just in my small community alone, I am aware that there is an increasing number of young people working in stores or other small businesses that now have no health coverage. Yes, medical care is a mess, but we who have not committed crimes should not bear the burden for those who have committed crimes. Someone, such as a newspaper who puts aside their liberal views and really starts to investigate will see its a sham and a true injustice to Californians. Families working cannot afford to go to the dentist, yet inmates have the best dental care available. When have we become so liberal, that we have lost sight of taking care of the men, women, and children who abide by society's laws and go to work each day to see their money squandered away to help those who simply do not want to follow the laws. In fact, if you do research you will find inmates who commit crimes just to receive medical care. This is occurring more often than it should be and makes one reconsider ones lifestyle. Check out what is happening and be the voice of Californians. If the federal receiver gets his way, monies will be taken from education, transportation etc to go to inmate medical care. This is a silent phenomena that the average person is not aware of. Indeed, the Receiver should improve the inmate medical care but he must have a cap. Anyone who is given a limitless budget and complete power becomes a dictator and unstoppable. Let's stop him now. Pat Le Sage You can submit letters to the editor by clicking on this link: rshaw@beyondchron.orgor by writing to: Beyond Chron 126 Hyde Street San Francisco, CA 94102 415-771-9850 (phone) |