Why I Quit the News-Press

Thursday, July 13, 2006

By Barney Brantingham (Contact)

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During the past week, The Independent offices have been inundated with letters, phone calls, and emails, all concerning recent events unfolding at the Santa Barbara News-Press. In this issue, we have printed a few of these, including a most informative letter to that paper’s acting publisher written by one of America’s preeminent journalists, Lou Cannon. A complete posting of all letters and emails can be found on The Indy’s Web site (independent.com). Nick Welsh has compiled a timeline which will explain the who, what, when, and where of why six of the daily’s most senior editors, including Executive Editor Jerry Roberts, resigned. But the most powerful report is that by Barney Brantingham, perhaps Santa Barbara’s most beloved writer. He explains in great detail why he decided to leave a newspaper where he has worked for almost half a century; it is a great honor for The Independent to publish this moving article. For us, here at The Independent, it is an even greater honor to announce that Barney Brantingham has agreed to become our newest columnist. And everyone in Santa Barbara will be happy to learn that this year’s Grand Marshal of the Old Spanish Days Parade, Mr. Brantingham himself, will be continuing to report on his adventures as he, once again, eats his way through Fiesta.

Click HERE for NEWS-PRESS COVERAGE | LETTERS

Santa Barbara’s Beloved Columnist Tells His Story

by Barney Brantingham

I quit the Santa Barbara News-Press last week after more than 46 years because I couldn’t bear to watch the destruction of a fine newspaper. And it was too painful to see the destruction of the lives of dedicated staffers whose only crime was publishing the news. And I could not continue to work at a paper that had lost its credibility and its soul.

Barney Brantingham in the '70s.

In a bizarre Kafkaesque/Castro twist, a story about suppression of the news was suppressed. Last Friday, a news account written for that day’s paper describing the biggest story in town — the resignation of five editors (now seven, including myself) — was killed. About 150 newspapers from the U.K. to India ran the story, along with the L.A. Times — but not the News-Press. Even News-Press employees outside the newsroom were shocked and upset. One executive told fellow staffers: “Wendy McCaw may own the paper, but she doesn’t own the news.”

I’ve always hated the expression “News-Suppress,” but now, to my pain, I must admit it fits.

Ironically, until the last few months, these years working under the highly respected Editor Jerry Roberts and the great Managing Editor George Foulsham have been my best, my happiest, at the paper. And, even more ironically in view of the current travesty that has befallen the News-Press, this was during the ownership of Wendy McCaw. To her credit, she has always given me complete freedom to write. She has never interfered with my column.

But this idyllic time all came crashing down on July 6, last Thursday morning. Roberts arrived back from vacation to find his job as editor had been usurped by Travis Armstrong, the editorial writer and editor of the opinion pages of the paper. Roberts couldn’t ethically run a news department that was controlled by the opinion side of the paper, and so he submitted his resignation to be effective in 30 days. Always the professional, he was willing to stay on the job to assure that the paper would continue to get out and that the transition would be as smooth as possible. No way.

Instead, McCaw, with her fiancé and co-publisher Arthur von Wiesenberger, decamped in her private jet to areas unknown, leaving behind broken lives, a mangled paper, and Travis Armstrong as the acting publisher. Now Armstrong has the upper hand.

Armstrong, as many know, is a court favorite of McCaw and, as many have learned, is a dangerous man to anger. The author of countless poison-pen attacks on public figures out of favor with McCaw, he has become increasingly contentious and imperious. Now the time of reckoning came for the news desk. Hadn’t Roberts run a prominent story about Armstrong’s recent drunken driving arrest, when he had been stopped by police driving down Santa Barbara Street going in the wrong direction, with a blood alcohol level of nearly three times the legal limit? But when Armstrong was sentenced a few weeks later, the News-Press account of that story never saw the light of day. Only The Independent printed the information. Scooped again!

Last Thursday, I watched in dismay as Roberts was escorted out of his office by Armstrong. According to one witness, Armstrong barged into Roberts’s office saying, “I want you out of here now,” or words to that effect. This was quite a spectacle: A longtime San Francisco reporter and editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, a journalist of the highest reputation in the nation, kicked out by Mr. Poison Pen.

Many of us in the newsroom that day shook Jerry’s hand. Staffers rushed up, women were in tears, Metro Editor Jane Hulse threw her arms around Roberts, sobbing. Armstrong, widely despised in the community and clearly uncomfortable with the love and respect being shown the editor, growled, “Come on, Jerry, you have to leave the building now.”

As he hustled Roberts down the hall and toward the door flanked by Human Resources Director Yolanda Apodaca, sorrow turned to anger. Hulse yelled, “Fuck you, Travis. Haven’t you done enough?” The gathered staffers took up the chorus: “Fuck you!”

Then Hulse quit. Foulsham, it turned out, had already given notice and Deputy Managing Editor Don Murphy, a soft-spoken, 19-year News-Press editor, had cleared out his desk and was gone. Business Editor Michael Todd, known for working night and day, was already on suspension, his days clearly numbered after daring to explain to McCaw journalism’s tradition of separating an owner’s whim and opinion from the responsibility of keeping the news as objective as humanly possible. I resigned in protest that afternoon and Sports Editor Gerry Spratt quit the next day.

This was the breaking point of intolerable tensions that had built up regarding front office meddling with the news. The beginning of the end came after publisher Joe Cole, a longtime business associate of McCaw and a moderating influence, left more than a month ago. It’s not clear whether Cole was pushed out or if he had just had enough. It was announced that he had “retired,” though at 50 years old, Cole is far from Social Security age. Cole, a well-known lawyer with a friendly, diplomatic style, was seen as a buffer between McCaw and Armstrong, and the newsroom. At that time, von Wiesenberger, who is the paper’s restaurant reviewer, was named co-publisher with McCaw. Amateur Hour was in full swing.

One of the most difficult parts of this story for me is that Arthur von Wiesenberger had been my longtime friend. He was the best man at my wedding to my wife Sue DeLapa. We traveled around the world together and co-hosted a weekly radio show. When he became engaged to McCaw on Valentine’s Day a few years ago, I was happy for him. Just a couple of weeks ago, before Armstrong began to take control of the newsroom, I had lunch with Arthur and warned him that Travis Armstrong was a growing cancer on the News-Press, that his extremely vitriolic columns and editorials were alienating the paper from the community at large. And though I have not heard from either von Wiesenberger or McCaw since I sent in my resignation, it seems clear that my warning had gone unheeded.

Instead, the tragedy ended with more bodies strewn around than the last act of Hamlet. Russian playwrights couldn’t have written anything sadder. The mass resignations were probably inevitable, but what apparently triggered the big blowup was the Rob Lowe Incident. The West Wing actor wants to build a Montecito mega-mansion, and he’s certainly not the first to want his own castle there. At a hearing, one of his neighbors objected to losing his view. Commissioners gave Lowe a split decision. Lowe was then interviewed by News-Press reporter Camilla Cohee but made no request that the address of the vacant lot not be mentioned. However, later that day, Lowe reportedly phoned Armstrong and asked that the address not be used, even though it was prominently mentioned at the hearing which was shown on cable TV for hours, published on many documents, and was the actual title of the case. But his message apparently never got through to the newsroom. Had it, perhaps some accommodation could have been made. Like “somewhere in Montecito.”

But the story made the front page, with the address included. Then hell broke loose. Lowe or his representative complained. Cohee said she received a call from von Wiesenberger in France — a prior trip — quizzing her about the story. This was a Journalism 101 no-no. Publishers are not supposed to lean on reporters, grill them, or try to influence the news, present or future. If a publisher has a problem, he or she deals with the top editors about it.

You can’t do good journalism if you’re worried about offending someone “important.” This, coupled with pressure from the business side, has a chilling, intimidating effect. But no one could have expected the surreal chain of events this set in motion.

Soon Cohee and three editors got letters of reprimand from McCaw regarding the Great Vacant Lot Address Problem, including one editor who didn’t even have anything to do with the piece. They all replied to McCaw, but Todd’s reply strongly raised these “church/state” separation issues, and he was slapped with a two-week suspension without pay. This was supposedly due to a joking remark he’d made to another staffer on the street more than a month prior. Many suspect that the suspension was really due to his objecting to the reprimand.

To Todd, McCaw’s letter made it clear that he had no future at the paper.

In the meantime, according to Cohee, Armstrong was refusing to run her story about longtime Carpinteria City Councilmember Donna Jordan not planning to run again, wanting her to throw in more negative comments about Jordan, who backed several positions opposed by News-Press editorials. The Independent ran the story. Scooped again!

The virtual reign of terror shook the newsroom to its roots. I arrived back at my desk from vacation the Monday following the Lowe debacle. I began cleaning out my desk. Opinion was seeping onto the news pages and the paper was bleeding its best editors and its precious integrity.

In a New York Times story published July 10, a McCaw spokesperson said that the editors quit because they disagreed with her push for local news — an absurd assertion, since that was the very thing on which everyone in the newsroom was focused. In a word, the claim was baloney.

And while we’re setting straight the record, let’s point out that the News-Press's front-page claim that the paper is in its 151st year is bogus. Since T.M. Storke, my first owner/publisher, didn’t found what became the News-Press until 1901, where did they come up with those other 50 years? And while I’m on the subject of T.M. Storke, let me just say: He was a tough boss, but he could take the heat. No one who ever knew him could imagine that in the middle of a crisis as great as the News-Press currently faces, T.M. Storke would leave the building, let alone fly off on a vacation. He would face the music; he would see the paper though to safety. And why? Because whether you liked Storke or not, whether you agreed with his editorials or not, T.M. Storke was a journalist, a real newspaper man.

I profoundly regret all that has come to pass in this sad mess, but I don’t regret my years with the paper. I’ve worked nights and weekends and covered tedious City Hall nighttime meetings, wildfires where I almost got killed, angry Goleta water wars, Vietnam War peace rallies, the I.V. riots, the 1969 oil spill, rock concerts, the courts, and police beats. I met wonderful people, friends for life in some cases.

Then, a kid from the streets of Chicago’s Southside, who just wanted to sit in the back of the room and take notes, got a column. It’s one of those remarkable facets of American journalism where someone is allowed to give his or her honest opinion and take on life. It’s a unique, independent view, not an editorial reflecting the newspaper’s official position or a straight news story where the writer’s opinions aren’t allowed.

It’s a privilege I’ve enjoyed and honored at the News-Press since 1977, when I took over from the late Tom Kleveland. Some have disagreed with my opinions, but that’s to be expected. It was my job to raise issues and stimulate discussion of controversial issues.

Now I’m gone, after 46 years and three months. Look, the day had to come at some point. I had my time and at least I didn’t go out feet-first.

What is important is a newspaper’s credibility, and the News-Press’s credibility is in tatters. Brave souls in the newsroom are doing their best, managing under intense pressure, fearing for their jobs if they somehow happen to displease Armstrong. It’s sad, but I can no longer believe what I read in the News-Press because I have to wonder whether the dark shadow of meddling hands are censoring or suppressing the news.

FOUR•ONE•ONE A rally will be held on Tuesday, July 18, for advertisers and readers to demand the News-Press “build back the wall” between news and opinion content. Meet at noon at De la Guerra Plaza in front of the News-Press building.

Click HERE for NEWS-PRESS COVERAGE | LETTERS

News-Press Timeline

by Nick Welsh

April 24, 2006: Santa Barbara Mayor Marty Blum and Supervisor Susan Rose are barred from participating in a talk show hosted by a consortium of non-profit agencies on News-Press radio station KZSV 1290 AM, although the show sponsors paid for airtime.

April 27: Editorial page editor and columnist Travis Armstrong, in a News-Press interview, said station policy prohibited people from appearing as guests on one show — even if leased by a separate entity — if they’d declined invitations to appear on other programs. Sponsors privately expressed shock at such a policy. Mayor Blum said she’d been on his show once, and that she had never committed to being on a program discussing June elections. Armstrong responded by writing that Blum had a “sense of entitlement,” and that her attitude was akin “to something out of a former Communist bloc.”

April 27: Publisher Joe Cole announced he was leaving the newspaper and severed all professional associations with owner Wendy P. McCaw so he could spend more time with his family. Cole’s announcement ignited a firestorm of speculation whether he quit or was fired. One of Santa Barbara’s most successful business attorneys, Cole also had served as legal counsel to McCaw and her Ampersand Holdings Co. He is credited with hiring Jerry Roberts — former executive editor of the San Francisco Chronicle — as executive editor of the News-Press.

April 27: On the same day, McCaw announced she was appointing herself and her fiancé, Arthur von Wiesenberger, as publishers. The News-Press reported that von Wiesenberger — a bon vivant, food writer, travel critic, bottled water expert, and owner of the once-famous Montecito nightclub Nippers — edited his high school newspaper in Switzerland.

May 6: Armstrong bestowed the Goleta Chamber of Commerce’s “Goleta’s Finest Award” at the Bacara Hotel.

May 7: At 2:45 a.m., police officers spotted Armstrong driving the wrong way down Santa Barbara Street, arrested him for drunken driving, impounded his car, and booked him into county jail.

May 9: The daily ran an interview with Armstrong, who said he had arranged to be driven back from the Bacara, knowing that he might be drinking, but then had a few more glasses of wine at home. Upset with thoughts about work, he went for a late night drive to clear his head. According to newsroom insiders, von Wiesenberger tried to kill the story.

May 25: After The Independent reported that News-Press staffers initiated “The Jerry Watch,” to see how long Roberts would continue working for the daily, some employees were questioned privately by management to determine whether they had spoken to Independent reporters.

June 9: Armstrong pleaded guilty to driving with nearly three times the legal blood-alcohol limit, was fined, and sentenced to four days’ jail time. A News-Press article describing the court action was killed, reportedly at the insistence of the publishers.

June 20: Roberts left on holiday. Armstrong started attending news meetings, and was accompanied by a human relations officer who took notes. The meetings no longer were held in Roberts’s office.

June 21: Despite the objections of a neighbor, the Montecito Planning Commission approved actor Rob Lowe’s proposed 14,000-square-foot house to be built on a now-vacant lot at 7000 Picacho Lane. Reporter Camilla Cohee included the address in a story about the proceedings. Responding to a call from Lowe asking that the address be withheld, Armstrong emailed two editors. But by then, the article had been printed.

June 22: The employee handbook was officially revised to warn that employees who talk about internal matters with other news organizations face immediate termination.

June 23: Though addresses are commonly included in land planning stories and the daily has had no prior written policy on withholding addresses, McCaw issued letters of reprimand to Cohee and three editors: Jane Hulse, George Foulsham, and Michael Todd, all believed to have reviewed the story. The letter to business editor Todd stated: “Lowe’s address has damaged our credibility with the Lowe family and potentially damaged relations with other high-profile readers. … As a result of this error, the Lowe family canceled their subscription.” McCaw concluded: “It is now company policy that no addresses are to be published” without the publishers’ approval.

June 28: All four news staffers sent letters of protest. Todd wrote that the address was necessary to the story, that punishing reporters for violating policies that did not exist before publication to “border on the malicious and defamatory,” and that to give special treatment to “high-profile” residents like Lowe violated the doctrine set down by former News-Press owner and publisher T.M. Storke: “Publish the news that is public property without fear or favor of friend or foe.”

June 29: McCaw dismissed Todd’s arguments about journalistic ethics as “specious,” and that it should be “a matter of common sense and decency” not to publish the actor’s address. “This is sensationalism, it is unethical, it is not the kind of paper I intend to run,” McCaw wrote. As his tone was “argumentative” and “blatantly disrespectful,” according to McCaw, Todd was placed on indefinite unpaid leave pending the outcome of an investigation into a non-sexual remark that offended another employee six weeks prior. He was then escorted from the building.

June 30: McCaw and von Wiesenberger left on vacation. Armstrong was named acting publisher for reportedly three months. He was given unprecedented authority to alter news articles. When Cohee filed a story about Carpinteria City Councilmember Donna Jordan’s decision not to seek re-election after 16 years in office, according to News-Press sources, Armstrong instructed Cohee to include more negative information. Thus far, the article has not run. July 2: Jerry Roberts returned.

July 5: Deputy Managing Editor Don Murphy, a 19-year veteran of the paper, resigned. Iconic columnist Barney Brantingham, after 46 years in the newsroom, submitted his resignation.

July 6: At 9:45 a.m., Jerry Roberts submitted his resignation along with those of Metro Editor Hulse and managing editor George Foulsham. The human relations director escorted out Roberts. He stopped to hug some tearful colleagues. Armstrong showed up, took Roberts by the arm, and said, “You have to leave now, Jerry.” This elicited a chorus of profanity from those assembled. “Fuck you, Travis,” shouted Hulse. “Haven’t you done enough?” Others expressed similar sentiments. Armstrong next told Hulse to leave. At her house, her husband, a reporter for the L.A. Times, presented her with a cheesecake bearing the inscription, “F&%$ Travis.” Later that day, Sports Editor Gerry Spratt also quit.

July 6: The upheaval made the front page of the Los Angeles Times. A News-Press spokesman, Sam Singer, a San Francisco-based consultant specializing in crisis management, was quoted as saying that the editors left due to a disagreement in editorial direction. McCaw, Singer explained, wanted more local news. Reporter Scott Hadley wrote a story for the News-Press detailing the resignations, but it has yet to appear.

July 7: In a front-page editorial, Armstrong compared the struggle between the newsroom and McCaw to a family dispute. Briefly acknowledging the unprecedented exodus, he confirmed the paper’s commitment to excellence. No letters to the editor on the subject were published. Employees reported that hard drives from computers used by five of the six editors who resigned were removed to Ampersand headquarters. Unconfirmed reports suggested the administration had hired an agency to track employee phone calls.

July 8: Jerry Roberts tried to retrieve the contents of his desk from the News-Press, but security guards won’t let him in the building.

July 9: The paper announced the appointment of four replacement editors; all but one were hired internally.

July 11: At the Board of Supervisors meeting, a homeless man who goes by the name Lazarus said that McCaw and Armstrong were in need of county mental health and alcohol services, and that people with their problems should not be allowed in positions of power or importance.

Comments

Discussion Guidelines

finally the truth comes out...ouch

LOL
July 13, 2006 at 10:27 a.m.

Wow! This doesn't seem to agree at all with what Mrs. McCaw described in the News-Press this morning.

Hmmmm! Who are we to believe?

Good work, Independent!
Good work, Nick Welch!
Good work, Barney Brantingham!

This town is unique! I am excited about what may develop from this debacle. When it does, I hope that it can help restore journalistic freedom in Santa Barbara, and also the careers of those who have sacrificed them for their principles!

boB
July 13, 2006 at 11:06 a.m.

RE: Arthur von Wiesenberger.... amazing how a little "relationship" changes one's style, conscience, loyalty, etc.

Susan
July 13, 2006 at 11:12 a.m.

Delighted Barney has a new home! And his article
was refreshing and enlightning - telling the Truth.
thank you, Independent, for being there....

Gene
July 13, 2006 at 11:23 a.m.

TIME FOR ANOTHER HOME DELIVERED DAILY SB NEWS PAPER.

Greg N
July 13, 2006 at 11:47 a.m.

My humble apology to Nick WelSh for that misspelling!

You may zing me by spelling my name "Bob" instead of "boB.

boB
July 13, 2006 at 12:14 p.m.

I've heard that Switzerland has some of the finest high school newspapers in the world.

Steve
July 13, 2006 at 12:55 p.m.

Looks like the News Press is still bleeding. Quick, Wendy, publish another note before the Sharks smell more blood!

From the an AP aritlce: "Following McCaw's letter, another staffer quit. Reporter Scott Hadly, an eight-year veteran, said his decision was based on the letter and the paper's refusal to print his story on last week's resignations."

Source: AP article in the SJ Mercury

SteelJ
July 13, 2006 at 1:13 p.m.

Support the Independent and the SB Daily Sound so the city can enjoy quality journalism both weekly AND daily.

Stevej
July 13, 2006 at 1:14 p.m.

Sad, sad, sad.

Wendy McCaw is taking 75% of the blame on the poll posted on Santa Barbara's blog. And rightfully so.

http://www.tagworld.com/birdsblog

I have yet to see anything of quality from the new Santa Barbara Sound; however, I expect the Independent to get a nice boost.

tom
July 13, 2006 at 1:19 p.m.

Why hasn't Wendy done a background check on "Nipper"? I'm sure some "interesting stories" from is former restaurant will come to light.

Bob
July 13, 2006 at 1:40 p.m.

The Daily Sound's current business model prevents it from becoming a quality newspaper. The majority of its content comes from wire services, it has one, maybe two full time reporters who are asked to cover all of Santa Barbara. The Sound is a newspaper created solely for profit. It's cheaper to buy wire stories than to pay a full-time reporter. So if they only have two reporters and a lot of ads, that adds up to a lot of profits.

Also, it's coverage of local issues is shallow. When you have one reporter writing three to four stories every day for five days a week, it's difficult to give any depth or perspective on any one story.

Finally, the Daily Sound's layout is a little over dramatic. I mean come on, banner headlines everyday in 28pt Arial Black?

SteelJ
July 13, 2006 at 1:45 p.m.

After reading the Indy today, I wondered about Scott Hadly... a tip of the hat to him for resigning too!

Thanks Barney... you have been an acquired taste for me... at first your columns seemed too simple, but gradually I realized that was your style, not your nature. Your columns on Isla Vista... about Patty Laney and the Juggling Festival, the Magic Lantern, and generally about the misundertanding of IV by the larger South Coast community have been gems. I look forward to reading you more in the Indy.

Isla Vistan
July 13, 2006 at 2:10 p.m.

The saddest part is for all the people who would like to depart the paper and preserve their credibility... but with the price of living in Santa Barbara, and the scarcity of decent reporting jobs, who can? My heart goes out to everyone on the receiving end of McCaw's broomstick.

ryder
July 13, 2006 at 2:30 p.m.

A fascinating piece.

I worked briefly at the Santa Barbara New-Press some twenty years ago, and now teach in the NYU journalism department. Barney Brantingham confirms that The Santa Barbara Seven made the right choice in exiting considering the nature of the meddling by Wendy McCaw, the owner, and her proxies.
Pressuring journalists to suppress news, whether it is the address of a celebrity or the DUI arrest of a colleague, is beyond the pale and attacks the basis of a newspaper's credibility.

McCaw has the legal right to run her newspaper any way she sees fit; principled journalists have the obligation to refuse to stick around for that sort of sausage-making; readers and advertisers have the right to look elsewhere for their news.

I've written more on this at:

http://jeffersonflanders.wordpress.com/2...

Jefferson Flanders
July 13, 2006 at 2:35 p.m.

Good for Hadley.

This last piece in todays paper actually had me laughing. She expects us to side with her for an unbiased paper after the public row with Rob Lowe's address and radio problems with Travis Armstrong?

She wants me to believe her, yet in so many words calls Barney and Roberts biased? Who have I "known" longer, her or Barney? Whose columns did I go to when I needed to research public reaction in the 1970 IV Riots?

She can not expect us to believe her when she does not have the public trust.

I would cancel my sub if I had one, but since all I read is Barney I cancelled the NP a long time ago.

SBNative
July 13, 2006 at 2:37 p.m.

Let's face it; it's McCaw's paper and she can do any dang legal thing she wants with it. She paid for it, it's hers.

But that doesn't mean anyone should actually believe what they read. I never believed much of Armstrong's writing anyway, and now it's clear sensible readers should regard the paper and its advertising like Armstrong as "Wendy's wrong Way."

Homie
July 13, 2006 at 3:15 p.m.

Barney has pissed me off, made me laugh, inspired me to write, but today was a first; he made me cry.
I don't want to go drama queen here but I just can't get The Chimes of Freedom to stop playing in my head. Barney admits in so many words that this is just a good time to go for him but I am sure he would have liked to make his golden anniversary and get a gold watch or something. But this is cooler in many ways.
I just think about the folks who left their jobs that have dependent children, mortgages, etc. and it makes me really respect their courage. I hope that there is a big turn out and show of support at the ralley.
Thanks Barney. Awesome article.

SYV Zevonfan
July 13, 2006 at 3:50 p.m.

Another alternative is SB Indymedia

http://sbindymedia.org/

BE THE MEDIA! Screw these capitalist pigs to the wall. Report your own news at this website run by local Santa Barbarans who are committed to the larger struggle for social and media justice.

There IS more than one news option available for those interested enough to look. Report the news that even the Independent may be wary of!

Join us at our monthly meeting tonight July 13th, 7:30pm at the Coffee Cat downtown on Anacapa & Anapamu.

Thank you to the Independent for posting these letters!

Jon Sullivan
July 13, 2006 at 4:07 p.m.

The background of Mr. von Wiesenberger, co-publisher, may be a factor in the approach taken in the pieces authored by both Mr. Armstrong and Mrs. McCaw: that the remaining NewsPress readership is Evian spelled backwards.

Firebrand
July 13, 2006 at 4:22 p.m.

Wendy must think readers of her newspaper are really stupid. Does she believe readers believe her side of the story? I've been a bit slow cancelling my subscription to the NP but her obtuse comments in today's NP made me do it right away. Thank heavens for the Indy and for Barney. Great article! Thanks for the truth. I trust that the Indy will continue to report the NP meltdown. Wendy, her restaurant reviewer, and Travis need to get the hell out and Santa Barbara and give the NP back to the community where it belongs!

Nancy
July 13, 2006 at 5:07 p.m.

I disagree about the Daily Sound. Sure they aren't the most in-depth stories ever written, but they tell the story in not a lot of space.
And a quick survey of today's paper shows one (1) wire story in the 12 pages of paper, with everything else local news. Give it time, they may have something there. I'd assume if they don't sell ads, they can't hire more people.

Thanks Independent for scooping up Barney, and the truth.

jmo
July 13, 2006 at 5:14 p.m.

As a former High School Journalism teacher, I used to preach to my students over and over again, "We should report the news, not make it." I think Ms McGaw needs some of the same advice.

JohnM
July 13, 2006 at 5:21 p.m.

professional journalists (with young families and mortgages) don't resign unless they have no choice. hadly is leaving because he had to do the right thing as a professional journalist, despite the fact that he might have to leave santa barbara to earn a living.
what hadly did was the right thing!...
it took guts and it took integrity.
he had no choice after his publisher/owner essentially disavowed the objectivity of stories that ran in her paper for the six years of her ownership.
the question is not how could hadly jeopardize his career and his family, but how could wendy mccaw not recognize the damage she is doing to her most valuable asset (and to journalism).
she must not understand that she is priviliged to have a stake in the nation's watchdog, one that was so valued that the founding fathers protected it in the U.S. Constitution from the powers of government..

daryl kelley
July 13, 2006 at 5:45 p.m.

[I]A note to readers, Wendy McCaw :July 13, 2006 7:53 AM
"This past week there were some highly publicized changes at the News-Press."
This current article requires registration and login to view. You may also purchase the article without a general registration. Click here to proceed to the login, registration or article purchase page[/I] NewPress website.

I can't read the other side, but I know many of the former News Press staffers as well as Barnie. I trust his point of view.

The News Press is not doing anything to make it easy to counter the Independent's reporting.

As noted above. It's not 'our' paper. The owners can do what they want. It's out job to believe their stories, buy or not buy the paper, and support it's sponsors.

[B]The easiest way to change the paper would be to boycott both the paper and it's sponsors.[/B]

Are individuals willing to do that?

DeadWriter
July 13, 2006 at 5:52 p.m.

All I can say is that im trilled that the truth is coming out. There is such a thing as a kharma payment plan. I am a part of a much maligned group by wendy and her cronies. Some of the remaining reporters are a part of her bias and thus have lost credibility. We know who you are..... If you have the guts to get out now you can hide behind the others insinuating that she made you do it. The best that could come out of all this is that she will just sell out and move away.This is really a sordid ordeal.

ray-os
July 13, 2006 at 5:59 p.m.

Congratulations to the Independent for getting Barney. Great interview! Perhaps the remaining editors and reporters should be hired and the Independent change their focus to becoming a daily newspaper; one of which I would subscribe.

I've cancelled my subscription to the News "suppress" and hope all others follow suit. If the message doesn't get across to those "powers that be" during the upcoming rally, the message from the "wallets" certainly may convince them. If not, then McCaw can run the old press into the ground and it is time to start a new reporting tradition.

JMM
July 13, 2006 at 6:01 p.m.

Here is an update of the Restore the News-Press rally on Tuesday at noon. Will post another update when more speakers are confirmed.

Community leaders are organizing the Restore the News-Press rally in De La Guerra Plaza on Tuesday, 18th July, at 12 noon. The goal is to ask Santa Barbara News-Press ownership and management to operate the newspaper with a clear separation of news and opinion. We also want to honor the six editors, columnist, and senior reporter who resigned their jobs to stand up for journalistic integrity. And, we want to show support for the employees who remain, under siege, and cannot afford to leave. Finally, we are encouraging readers to cancel their subscriptions and to inform advertisers that the newspaper has lost credibility and the public’s trust. Call them at 966-7171 to cancel your subscription and get a refund.

We are working to invite some of the former newspaper staff to speak at the rally, as well as other speakers from business and civic groups. While the confirmed list of speakers is growing, these people have stepped up, as individuals, to endorse this rally: Mayor Marty Blum, Bud Laurent, Cheri Rae, Barbara Sachs, Marc Chytilo, Lee Heller, and others.

Participants are asked to bring noise-makers, and their loud voices, so that the newspaper owner and publisher will hear our message. Everyone who cares about having a credible and trustworthy daily newspaper should come and make some noise at this event. A big turnout will demonstrate community support and may inspire someone out there to purchase the New-Press from Ms. McCaw.

Credible news that can be believed requires a deliberate separation of powers between Opinion and News, consistent with standard professional ethics. A credible newspaper benefits everyone (left, right, rich, poor, renter, owner, etc.) and a trustworthy newspaper is a necessity for meaningful public debate and dialogue on a multitude of issues, as well the traditional role to keep the government honest. As the saying goes, a little sunshine is the best disinfectant... but the big daily newspaper usually is the one shining that light. Fiat lux.

Thanks! See you, and hear you, at the rally on Tuesday.
--David Pritchett, just an Average Joe from the Westside

(A previous announcement about this rally has been sent around under a pseudonym, out of concern for retaliation. I am now the principal contact for this rally.)

David Pritchett, an Average Joe
July 13, 2006 at 6:09 p.m.

It is about time! We commercial fishermen have been complaining since Macaw took over. The News Press has been systematic in suppressing any science contrary to Wendy's far left environmental agenda. Letters to the editor are ignored, oposing opinions ignored. Sad, that a self important person could have so much control over the desimination of info. Do people really believe the crap in that rag?

Michael Harrington
July 13, 2006 at 6:29 p.m.

This story is still unfolding, and I think there will be much, much more ahead.

A little birdy told me that Wendy's lawyers have unleashed her wrath on the "disgruntled ex-employees" by filing "cease and desist" suits on some (including Barney) and a restraining order on Michael Todd for terrorist threats or some BS like that.

It truly is the News-Supress...

We are a community of intelligent people and we must come together immediately to not let people with integrity go down to someone with a LOT of money which is being used for very bad purposes.

Artful Dodger
July 13, 2006 at 6:35 p.m.

My congrats to Scott Hadley and the others for having the courage to stand up for their convictions. Too bad it didn't happen sooner.

Michael Harrington
July 13, 2006 at 6:39 p.m.

Quoting from Ms. McCaw's statement in today's NP:

“When news articles became opinion pieces, reporting went unchecked and the paper was used as a personal arena..."

"Some of the people who ... appeared to use the News-Press for their own agendas decided to leave when it was clear they no longer would be permitted to flavor the news with their personal opinions...”

If ever there was a pot calling the kettle black...

This has TRAVIS tagged all over it. Is she kidding??

I feel for the people left behind at the NP who must somehow limp forward under these circumstances - presumably while they look for other jobs.

PAN
July 13, 2006 at 6:52 p.m.

Rumor has it that Gene Montesano will acquire SBNP as soon as he can find a chef to run it.

G. Breitweiser
July 13, 2006 at 6:53 p.m.

There is also interest from the Borgatellos and possibly BFI.

G. Breitweiser
July 13, 2006 at 7:11 p.m.

" Rumor has it that Gene Montesano will acquire SBNP as soon as he can find a chef to run it."

Well even a chef can do a better job than a food editor and a wino!

SYV Zevonfan
July 13, 2006 at 7:13 p.m.

Take to the Plaza, people!!!

Put these two actions in your calendar (or pocket pc):

--Friday, July 14 (yes, tomorrow!) at NOON in de la Guerra Plaza----attend a news conference featuring NewsPress reporters and staff!

--Tuesday, July 18 @ NOON in de la Guerra Plaza---attend a public rally, featuring elected officials, community members, business owners, and anyone offended by and concerned about the NewsPress publisher and owner's abuses

Paradise has its moments
July 13, 2006 at 7:16 p.m.

Rather than the Browning quote, Mrs. McCaw would have been much closer to the mark if she had quoted Roberto Duran in summing up the feeling of the disgruntled readership.

Craig Price
July 13, 2006 at 7:26 p.m.

The tactics and comments of Ms. McCaw, Mr. Armstrong et. al., would be laughable, if they involved any business other than the ownership and editorial control of a local newspaper. In short, their actions are despicable. I plan to enjoy the train ride from Los Angeles on Tuesday and then join the protest on the plaza.

Steve Grace
July 13, 2006 at 7:51 p.m.

Loved all the comments regarding the Wendy/Arie show. As a native of Santa Barbara, I totally resent the way they have drug the rag in to the gutter and injured some fine journalists along the way. And right on-Bob of July 13 at 1:40 PM. Check the history of Arthur and Nippers. Bad deal. Lee

lee mecham
July 13, 2006 at 8:03 p.m.

A newspaper belongs to the community. It is a public trust.
Those who have hijacked the Santa Barbar News Press must understand this and quickly: They have a right to buy a newspaper and print anything they want. We as a community have a right not to support those who advertise in that newspaer who enable them to do so.
Boycott the News Press advertisers. Once it starts to hemoorage financially, Wendy will want to quickly unload it.
If not, a newspaper publishing company will want to come into the area and fill the news void.
Then Wendy will take heavy financial losses.
The only way to get Wendy's attention is via the pocketbook.

Raul Hernandez

Raul Hernandez
July 13, 2006 at 8:32 p.m.

The day after the bloodbath at the News Press, I was especially aware of the importance of the press -- the 4th Estate -- to our system of government. When all else fails, we are supposed to have a free and independent press to tell us the stories that are being hidden by the powers-that-be. Santa Barbara now has only one such newspaper, the Independent, and it is a weekly. (I was horrified to discover that even the Valley Voice is owned by Wendy McCaw and run by Travis Armstrong.) It's a scary world in which all viewpoints can't be published and read.

Sarah Blackmun
July 13, 2006 at 8:36 p.m.

"Let them eat beans"
--Marie McCaw

PAN
July 13, 2006 at 9:04 p.m.

If all this news makes you want to work at the SB-NP, good news! They're hiring!!

http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listin...

It's hilarious that this want-ad went up on the same day at the "Note to Readers" and the "Why I quit the NP."

Jesse Fruhwirth
July 13, 2006 at 9:06 p.m.

As one of the 800 arrested in Sproul Hall in 1964, I am acutely aware of the way news stories can be manipulated (the fundamental issue was registering Blacks in Oakland, at least from my perspective. Only Newseek ran a balanced account that corresponded to my personal experience)

I am stunned and disgusted at Armstrong/McCaws' misrepresentation of events and motivations at the News-Press, and the lack of journalistic ethics in not separating news from editorial opinion. I will be searching for my local news elsewhere.... and I'll see you all on the 18th.

Chuck Keyser
July 13, 2006 at 10 p.m.

Dear Folks,
A career in journalism sounds exciting to many, but the reality is far different. The hours are long (I often worked from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. some days), the pay horrible (after 12 years, I was making a salary of $35,000-- how can anyone live in Santa Barbara County on that?) and the pressure immense.

Pressure to slant coverage by deciding what to cover and what to ignore can come from the publisher, advertisers and even internal ad sales representatives. While often these views concide with what should be covered anyway--Fiesta is one example--a strong editor knows when to fight. Jerry Roberts was a strong editor who will be missed.

I applaud Jerry Roberts, Scott Hadley and the other members of the "Santa Barbara Seven" for sticking to their ethics. I applaud them not for saying, but doing, what is right and proper.

I also commend those editorial staffers who stay on, knowing full well that every story is being scrutinized for perceived bias. As was so aptly but, these people have mortgages to pay and families to feed.
David B. Reynolds,
former community journalist

David Reynolds
July 13, 2006 at 10:09 p.m.

Finally, everyone else is finding out what I and many others in the scientific community have known for years: the SBNP has blatantly ignored our efforts to inform and educate the public about any topic or issue contrary to McCaw's agendas. Letters to the editor and scientific information all have been ignored. Experts in their field and our elected officials have been asassinated on the opinion pages. And the public that relies on this publication for its news and information has been duped into reading only one side of the story. I applaud those staffers who quit to stand up for their ethics. At least they have some. That's more than I can say about McCaw.

Robin
July 13, 2006 at 10:17 p.m.

I thought the public should be reminded of this interesting item featuring "Nipper" during his Fiance-hunt. It is copied, without permission, from Santa Barbara Magazine. Thus:

Arthur von Wiesenberger, 49
Profession: Author, Bottled Water Consultant, Co-Host of KEYT Radio show, "Around the World with Arthur and Barney."
Education: Brooks Institute of Photography
Hangout: Bora Bora

von Wiesenberger, better known as Nipper, walked into our photoshoot at Lucky's wearing a tux. All the other men were in suits and they stood aside as he moved past them. "He radiates an energy force that's so palpable, he almost glows," recalls one of the other men. "The guy has class. Nobody can touch Nipper."

He spent his formative years in Europe and arrived in Santa Barbara almost 30 years ago. "As a teenager in swinging London, I always fantasized about California girls. But the dating scene was very different when I arrived here in the 70's." Single again after a 13-year marriage, he finds "women today are bolder and smarter now, but I'm not sure the same femininity is still there."

One of the most effective tactics women can use to engage a man's attention "is her eyes," says von Wiesenberger. "If a woman looks at you the right way, it does more than just about anything. I also find it very seductive when a woman plays with her hair. It's great code. One thing she shouldn't do is come out of the gate asking what you do. Then it's a business conversation.

Clothes tell a man a lot about a woman; "She can come off as discreet and subdued, or wild and available. The right attire says it all. Good perfume can make all the difference."

Women looking to meet men can make it happen "if you relax and pace yourself." He recommends learning a male-oriented sport like golf or scuba diving. "When you find someone, don't try to rush things. Nothing makes a relationship more exciting than moving slowly, developing it over time, and not basing it on a home run, so to speak. It's a dance, a very fine line of finessing. When you get comfortable in a relationship, the dance changes but it doesn't end."

So that's what men want: Genuine compassion, good perfume and a good listener. "I'm at a point in my life where I want a companion, someone to share ideas, someone I can trust," says the local film executive, who once dated starlets. "Women may not realize it, but they have the upper hand now. The tide has turned in their favor. There aren't as many single women as there used to be, and a lot of the single men I know don't want to be bachelors anymore. They're not all looking for pretty women in their 20's either. Those women are looking for men their own age, and they lack the wisdom and experience that makes for a good partnership. Single women in their 30s, 40's, even 50's and 60's have never had it so good."

ThDirtDigger
July 13, 2006 at 10:25 p.m.

Wow, this is a wrenching article to read. It's heartbreaking to see any institution crumbling like this, let alone a cornerstone of democracy. I went back and looked at the first blog post where I criticized Travis' approach...

http://sbdems.blogspot.com/2003_12_01_sb...

It wasn't ever that I or anyone I was working with on the SBDems blog disagreed with him. Obviously disagreements are a part of public life. What motivated me to fight for change and spend so much time "obsessing" (Travis's word when I finally had attacked him long enough for him to return fire - of course, right before Jen and I moved away) was not just the approach he used or the nastiness and the vitriol. The big problem was the shoddy inconsistency of his thinking and the inability to think clearly about the ramifications of his words. Now it's clear he has the same deficiency when it comes to his actions.

We tried to take the high road on the sbdems weblog. Maybe that was a mistake. Maybe we should've gotten personal and ugly and made a bigger stink and it wouldn't have ended this way, somehow. Or maybe a softer touch would've worked, I don't know.

To echo Daryl Kelly's comments (hi Daryl!) - major, major respect to all those who have stood up and left. I'm sorry we in the community couldn't have helped avert this disaster but I'm inspired by your courage.

The Travis and Wendy show reminds me of this smackdown that Juan Cole put on Jonah Goldberg towards the beginning of the latest war...

"But Goldberg is just a dime a dozen pundit. Cranky rich people hire sharp-tongued and relatively uninformed young people all the time and put them on the mass media to badmouth the poor, spread bigotry, exalt mindless militarism, promote anti-intellectualism, and ensure generally that rightwing views come to predominate even among people who are harmed by such policies."

Rob Lowe and Wendy McCaw are living, breathing examples of the tragedy of an economic and political system that allows the unchecked accumulation of wealth and power. What a depressing scene. Best of luck to all of you still there in digging out.

Dan Ancona
July 13, 2006 at 10:31 p.m.

Yes, Barney you have been truly the S.B. Newspress' backbone. You have made me mad also, made me laugh but I always read your column. I know that you had some real good years at the Newspress and I know that if it weren't for the Newspress you would have never met your beloved Sue. She is a gem and I know that because of the position you were in you met my best friend. The hell with all that has happened these last few months, it's the good memories from the S.B. NewsPress that will always be yours. So, congratulations about being Fiesta's Grand Marshall and I hope you will find that "best taco ever". Love ya JoAnn Schwendtner

JoAnn Schwendtner
July 13, 2006 at 10:48 p.m.

Well, Barney, I had the best time being the News-Press "waterfront" reporter whose desk was next to yours in the newsroom from 1981-1986, what wild & great years of news reporting where we were all writing anything and everything about the local scene. Knowing you, I realize it had to take ALOT to get you to leave; I am trying my hardest to imagine you mad enough to clear out your desk in the way you did, because you are the un-maddest guy in the world. And I know it was hugely difficult for you to write this farewell piece - it is ALWAYS difficult to stand up for one's convictions - all freedom fighters have had their heads on the block at one time or another, there is no other way to be a freedom fighter. So, in this strange and odd way, you have written your most powerful piece yet, and many of us are elated that we'll get to keep reading you. Your career, rather than being at the end, I think is just beginning. Love, Hillary

Hillary Hauser
July 14, 2006 at 7:12 a.m.

The Ballad of Yoko Von Weisenberger and Wendy
One of the saddest days of my life occurred when I learned my favorite local writer was leaving his position at the News Press, essentially forced out by circumstances that have left me confused, curled up in the proverbial fetal position, sucking my thumb and rocking back and forth. Every Friday I would wake up with the excitement of a young child anticipating Christmas morning in the form of the delivery of the News Press, and in particular, the Scene section of the new Press. I would race to down the hallway, dart through the front door and out on to the driveway in search of my beloved News Press. Looking left, and then right, checking the bushes, and under our vehicles, my eyes would eventually seize upon the object of my search. Once in my hands, I would rip and tear open the dolphin-choking, plastic news paper condom the billion-heiress insists on packaging her publication in, (rain or shine), in search of my weekly fix.
There, close to the final pages of the beloved Scene section of the Friday edition, I would find the latest restaurant critique artfully prepared by that literary giant and renowned bottled water expert, Arthur Von Weisenberger. Having read each and every restaurant review King Arthur has penned, I had become addicted to his unusual gift at taking something as mundane as say a pinto bean, and literally bringing it to life. It’s true! In a recent review of a favorite local Mexican eatery, Arturo’s insightful description of the popular legume left me stunned and confused the entire day. “I found the pinto beans tedious…” Yes, pinto bean and tedium expressed in the same sentence. I’ve actually made an effort throughout my life to pay special attention to comments related to legumes in general, and have had a particular penchant for the pinto bean, going back to my very first memory of Thanksgiving Litzer home. Being as my family had long ceased the barbaric and primitive ritual of sacrificing the endangered wild turkey as the focus of the hearty, late November feast, the pinto bean had become, well…, it had become part of our family so to speak.
Much to my shock and dismay, as the smoke from the most recent “different direction” News Press euphemism settled, I began to realize why Arthur was forced into servitude as co-publisher of the News Press. He wasn’t tapped for the position because of the incredible writing skills he displayed while reaping the many benefits of the cushy food critic job he managed to secure as a result of his relationship with the boss. Apparently, word of his award winning investigative piece about the use of what had been represented by the school administration as “meat substitute” in the sloppy Joe’s served at his high school cafeteria, resulted in his immediate jettison to the position of co-publisher at our local daily. Having recognized the breadth of his vast experience in the newspaper business, albeit exclusively limited to his year as editor of his high school weekly publication, Arthur bypassed the usual lengthy and arduous process involved in reaching such a lofty position. Now there, he seems to have succeeded in bringing to the News Press the same joy and camaraderie Yoko Ono brought to the Fab Four. As Yoko seemed to have brought out the best in her beloved John, Wendy and Arthur have seemed to have brought out the best in hatchet boy Travis Armstrong.
Pugh Litzer

pugh litzer
July 14, 2006 at 8:29 a.m.

Great article in LA Times today:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-...

Richard
July 14, 2006 at 9:18 a.m.

It wasn't just Wendy's letter that pushed me over the edge to cancel our subscription. It was the Letters to the Editor . .the place where everyones' views are heard. Funny no one was angry with the NP over the Editors leaving. WHAT WORLD ARE THEY REPORTING ON? Their own, obviously . .or their skewed view of things. How can I trust anything else they publish if they are lying about something that is so transparent? To restate someone else's post . how stupid do they think the people of Santa Barbara are? Great idea about boycotting the advertisers . Haywards, Home Improvement, LaSumida .... someone get a petition going, PLEASE! See you Tuesday .. I have alerted Keith Olberman and nominated Wendy as the 'worst person in the world. I would love to see more national coverage of this!

LindaB
July 14, 2006 at 9:22 a.m.

An open letter to MsMrsMiss. McCaw:

I can't believe the Newspress. There many points of entry that could serve as basis for a dissent, and here are a few: It printed your vacuous note yesterday, July 13, 2006, as well as an anti Barney Brantingham letter. The day after, more letters applauding the paper ran. Yet, the Newspress did not print even one of what I'm willing to bet were hundreds of letters like this one sent by readers fed up with the management's lack of thoughtfulness, journalistic professionalism, integrity, caring, couth, class...I could go on. You’ve gone much too far in many ways.

The letters of support for the paper could be taken seriously if you had also published other opinions – not just your own. A journalist - heck, even your average self-respecting adult – seeks fairness and truth, MsMissMrs. McCaw. But journalists have a special relationship to these virtues because of the role information plays in a free society. I don’t think you understand this. The day after you and the yes-men you've chosen to surround yourself with destroyed the Newspress's credibility, its opinion page exclusively ran letters on the topic of global warming. Isn't that a pet issue of yours? The biggest story in town was about the Newspress, yet that paper killed the story as it happened.

You and Mis-managing Editor Travis Armstrong must have thought your notes to readers would suffice, but what you believe does not become truth by virtue of its publication. The truth - your absolute incompetence as news people - in this case is as plain as your big blonde mane, another pet issue that the Newspress takes more seriously than its own demise.

Your revision of this truth cast no veil over the new management's lack of skill as thinkers, writers, journalists, and publishers. Instead, your transparent hogwash cast an even brighter light on the truth - that the content of the Newspress now runs through the filter of a woman whose greatest accomplishment in life thus far has been getting divorced and who is clearly out of touch with people who understand what it takes to do good work in society. This leads me to my real concern:

I'm friends with people who work at the Newspress - hard working people who put in an honest day just to get by. Often, this day extends well past the 8 hour working day. For months, these friends have smelled the souring of the Newspress management and the sewage spilling from the owner and onto her spineless cast of lapdogs. My friends have feared for their jobs. With the respected and qualified editors - who wouldn't satisfy the rambling desires of ignorant hacks who fancy themselves journalists and publishers - pressured out of their jobs, the staff's stress has multiplied 100 fold. And how do these hacks react? By promoting more lapdogs to posts with authority and lying, boldfaced, to the public about the whole story.

This is not just about news, MrsMlleSrta. McCaw. Peoples’ livelihood also hangs in the heavily tilted balance of your buffoonery.

MrSraMiss. McCaw, you have every right to do as you please with the Newspress, that includes ruining it. You have every right to lie about why you do what you do. But you have no right to be respected. After the lies, the total disregard for process or debate, the bullyboy yes-men running turds on the front page of a real paper and calling it news, and the complete disregard for the skilled, educated, intelligent and hardworking people who generously lend you their talent - after all that, I for one have exactly zero respect for you. I suppose you do have the right to spit out peoples' lives like MrSr.Von Wiesenberger spits out fine wine at a tasting. But the public has a right to call you on it in complete disgust. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Justin Dullum
July 14, 2006 at 9:51 a.m.

I have not been a big fan of the NewsPress in the past 11 years I’ve been here as I know from personal experience they have always suppressed news stories. However, I did always turn to Barney’s column as he is a real highlight to the day. His changing to the Independent is not only a smack in the face to that overpriced, worthless paper but to Wendy McCaw and her elitist, new money antics like attempting to privatize the beach we all should be allowed to enjoy. I’m glad people were courageous enough to stand up to her and her quisling. Money shouldn’t be able to buy everything.

M Knop
July 14, 2006 at 9:59 a.m.

Dear Travis-ty:
I hope you have a life contract with Ms. McCaw because after reading what Lou Cannon and others have written, there isn't a reputable news organization that would hire you to deliver papers.

LindaS
July 14, 2006 at 10:08 a.m.

Finally someone is telling the community what is really going on! Thanks to the Indepenent. McCaw has been supressing news and micromanaging the NP since the beginning.

We knew first hand that it was only a matter of time before it reached this point. McCaw and her hubby need to get the hell out of the newspaper business and stick to giving tours of their historical NP building and consider running a daily soap opera.

McCaw is a disgrace to the newspaper industry!
The community of SB deserves to hear the news as it unfolds. McCaw has no right to determine what news the community should hear or when it should hear it.

This is censorship at its worse! A gastapo approach! Get out of town McCaw and sell that paper to someone who will give the community what it deserves. Real news!

ERC
July 14, 2006 at 10:26 a.m.

Anyone heard the rumor that Vanity Fair is doing a piece on her? I wonder if it will be something along the lines of the kind of press Leona Helmsley got. Remember her? Well she got hers! See you today at the noon press conference and Tuesday at the rally!

Ima Nobody
July 14, 2006 at 11:15 a.m.

What absolutely amazes me is that Wendy & Thugs Inc. seem to think that the people of Santa Barbara are clueless or just plain stupid. As I take that as a personal insult I cancelled our subscription this morning. I'm glad I'll still get my Barney fix, thanks Independent.

Suzen
July 14, 2006 at 11:49 a.m.

I'm pretty sure Wendy will eventually do a bunch of mea culpas, fire Travis, and hire back Jerry Roberts, who will get an ironclad contract and a nice raise. Maybe all 8 will get treated like that. What's to lose? Billionaires have infinite ability to cut and run.

IslaVistan
July 14, 2006 at 12:44 p.m.

Is it true that De La Guerra Plazza is to be renamed Pyongyang Square? For I have heard that working at NP is Paradise. And, hey - dont look up at the bell tower, folks; Travis-ty is trying out his new camera.

FreeloaderWatcher
July 14, 2006 at 12:50 p.m.

I, too, admire the editors and reporters who are staying true to their journalistic ethics. It can be a hard choice to make when faced with the "What do I do for a living now" question. I sincerely hope that all of you are in negotiatons for other genuinely good possibilities.

As for Travis and the new editors--remember me, Charles?--just a bit of adviceP: watch your own backs. You have a job now. You'll have a job as long as this crisis continues and probably for some time after that (assuming the paper isn't killed). But it will come to a nasty end for you too. Don't think that your loyalty to the owner will give you any future credit. It won't. And very few people here will mourn your loss.

Lauren Roberts
July 14, 2006 at 1:23 p.m.

Good accounting of a desperate situation, Mr. B. My sister's a journalist and I'm a former Santa Barbaran, so your truth was especially meaningful. Ms. McCaw needs to get a clue, methinks.

Mike Austin
July 14, 2006 at 2:08 p.m.

Yep, I also heard from Reliable Sources that Vanity Fair will make a story of this.

Vanity Faire
July 14, 2006 at 3:11 p.m.

All or any of the local papers should have a larger Comic Section. That's about all that's interesting.

Hans Off
July 14, 2006 at 3:52 p.m.

Edhat has the scoop on today's rally, with photos:
http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=...

Hattie
July 14, 2006 at 4:38 p.m.

KCSB-FM is streaming the audio from today's (July 14th) rally on their website, including the speeches and some interviews.

http://www.kcsb.org

iTunes or WinAmp recommended.

BD Brown
July 14, 2006 at 6:27 p.m.

Travis told the AP he watched the protest from his office. He blamed the protest on the paper's "enemies" including "developers and politicians"

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryne...

Richard
July 14, 2006 at 7:19 p.m.

The AP story about the protest and Travis:

Fri, Jul. 14, 2006

Santa Barbara newspaper staff, supporters rally over resignations
JEFF WILSON
Associated Press

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Dressed in black and their mouths taped shut, reporters and staff of the Santa Barbara News-Press staged a boisterous Friday protest over a recent wave of resignations at the newspaper.

A crowd of more than 300 supporters roared with applause and shouts when about 25 News-Press employees emerged from the 151-year-old newspaper's Spanish-style landmark building and walked to a microphone in an adjacent park.

The protest was the latest public display of newsroom tension that began when staff accused the daily's owner of meddling in coverage. Nine employees have resigned - copy editor Colin Powers quit Friday, joining six top editors and two writers who left earlier in the two-week-old dispute.

Newspaper staffers have been ordered not to speak about internal operations, reporter Melinda Burns said, adding they were threatened with being fired if they did.

"We are very sorry we can't speak, but thank you for coming," Burns said, stepping away from the microphone as members of the group put duct tape over their mouths.

"What happened to freedom of the press? Behind me are reporters with gags over their mouths," said a tearful Barney Brantingham, a long time News-Press columnist who resigned last week.

Many in the crowd hoisted signs reading "Free the News," "No More News Suppress" and "Stop the Travesty," the latter a reference to interim publisher Travis Armstrong.

Armstrong said he watched from his office part of the protest, which he blamed partly on the paper's enemies, among them developers and politicians.

"I do recognize that some of the people who attended the rally had political axes to grind with the News-Press editorial page," said Armstrong, who was editorial page editor before being named interim publisher.

He said employees who protested would not be disciplined, adding he was disappointed by how the newspaper's order not to discuss internal operations had been portrayed.

"We do have personnel policies about talking to the media, just as other companies do," Armstrong said.

One of those who resigned, reporter Scott Hadly, said a list of demands was presented to management Thursday. He said employees want restoration of journalistic ethics, reinstatement of editors who were forced to resign, negotiation of a new contract and recognition of the Teamsters union as their exclusive bargaining unit.

Those who quit have said owner Wendy McCaw has interfered with their journalistic work.

They say that among other things she killed a story reporting on Armstrong's recent sentencing for drunken driving. The newspaper had previously reported on his arrest. They said she also reprimanded staffers for publishing the address where actor Rob Lowe plans to build a mansion.

In a note to readers published Thursday, McCaw said the resignations were prompted by her unwillingness to let editors and reporters "flavor the news with their personal opinions."

Armstrong said fewer than 2 percent of the News-Press' 41,000 subscribers have canceled the paper over the dispute, adding many who did "were people involved in different political groups."

Among those who canceled was Ronald Reagan biographer and former Washington Post reporter Lou Cannon. He wrote a scathing indictment of the News-Press that was published in a letter to the weekly Santa Barbara Independent.

"Eventually," Cannon wrote, "your owner might realize that she's unlikely to find a real newspaper person to run her paper until she decides to follow ethical journalist practices."

Richard
July 14, 2006 at 7:33 p.m.

What in the world is going on in Santa Barbara? Can someone tell me?

Vanessa Somerville
July 14, 2006 at 7:47 p.m.

One other thing. The day of the mass exodus, I tuned in KEYT Ch3 for the story. They had a feature along the line of how to comb your hair, Nat and international news, but NOT A WORD on the NP Massacre!

I remembered why I haven't watch local TV news for the past 10 years. Perhaps they managed to run the press conference....

R. Renfew
July 14, 2006 at 7:50 p.m.

KEYT did an excellent job covering the rally today.

The vid is on their website:

http://www.keyt.com/news/local/3353846.h...

Richard
July 14, 2006 at 8:11 p.m.

here's the Sound's take on it. with one pic at least

http://forum.santabarbarafree.com/2006/0...

flojo
July 14, 2006 at 8:11 p.m.

Read all about it on: laobserved.com and craigsmithsblog.com

TMS
July 14, 2006 at 8:35 p.m.

From a News-Press commentary by Wendy McCaw, 9/30/01,
“…
Like anyone else, a newspaper is entitled to have an opinion. Starting with Noah Webster's delineated opinion published in 1783 in the Connecticut Courant, responsible newspapers have been careful to separate their own opinions from day-to-day newsgathering and advertising solicitation.

Our opinion pages are therefore physically separate from our news and advertising pages, and the News-Press' views are clearly marked with an "Our Opinion" heading.

We strive on our op-ed pages to provide you with a forum to voice your opinions, on all sides of an issue. Regular readers know that News-Press opinions sometimes clash with other views published in our Voices section.
…
One responsibility of a newspaper is to be fair to the public, and thus to earn and keep its trust.

When a newspaper loses that trust it loses its credibility. When newspapers censor, what remains could be unchecked propaganda.

Wendy McCaw is owner and chief executive officer for the News-Press.”

Tom Storke
July 14, 2006 at 9:09 p.m.

You've got to give Barney credit for doing an excellent job detailing this disaster at the NP.
But was this an epiphany?
Where was his backbone over the last five years, when he cozied up to Wendy and her henchmen? He and Nipper were like peas in a pod.
A lot of good folks were chewed up by this venal woman and her entourage with nary a word from BB.
I'm glad he wised up, but as was typical, he was a follower not a leader. Roberts, et al., and those who fell before them, are the real heroes.

ElephantMan
July 14, 2006 at 11:33 p.m.

Per the complaint above by Mr./Ms./Miss/Mrs. (just to be sure) Renfew, the coverage by KEYT that Thursday, Bloody Thursday, indeed was lacking substance for the 1.5 hours after the opening of the news show at 5pm that day. However, the opening of the news that day featured a long, blistering report by The Palm, in which he documented the ousting of the Newspress editors and Brantingham and included an interview with the Mayor. The strawberry on the frosting was the closing stand-up remarks by Palminteri, where he said that three Newspress staffers told him, under condition of confidentiality, that they could not say anything or be terminated from their jobs. Just that fact told the story there.

Then they lost the tape, and the long version of the story never played again. Their web site video file, which will expire into the ether in a couple of days as new videos rotate in, is the shorter version that played in the morning show:
http://www.keyt.com/news/local/3292631.h...

First District Streetfighter
July 14, 2006 at 11:59 p.m.

The News-Press actually reported on itself today, Saturday. It looks like a straight news story, although lite. Molina today also has an article about the police union negotiations, or lack thereof.

Now, of course, readers may wonder what may have got left out of the articles, either out of inexperience or by design. Notice the obscure comment by one of the speakers is not so obscure about urging people not to cancel newspaper subscriptions.

Full text of the articles is below, perhaps out of concern this text at the web site will be changed later.

The author so far has written only four other News-Press pieces that appear just to be long versions of a calendar listing. She has been a reporter for SB City College Channels newspaper for nine months. Will Bethany Hopkins also cover the much larger rally on Tuesday?

Considering the statement from simultaneous Publisher and Editor Travis Armstrong noted in the article, this article indeed seems NOT to have been subject to meddling, because that statement by Armstrong shows the how delusional and a bit tetched from reality he is, trying to make that newspaper out as the victim.

----------------
News-Press employees, past and present, protest changes
BETHANY HOPKINS, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
July 15, 2006 12:00 AM

More than 20 Santa Barbara News-Press employees held a news conference Friday where former colleagues spoke about recent losses among the reporting and editing ranks and the formation of a union.

At 12:20 p.m. the employees, most dressed in black, gathered at De la Guerra Plaza, where Senior Writer Melinda Burns addressed more than 200 spectators and media representatives.

"We are united and working together to make the News-Press a better paper," she said.

"We can't speak today," she added, the crowd booing as she explained that they were now forbidden to talk to the media about internal affairs of the News-Press. "But we want to thank you for coming."

The newsroom employees then placed pieces of duct tape over their mouths.

The news conference was called in response to recent changes at the paper. In the past two weeks, nine newsroom employees have announced their resignations, including Editor Jerry Roberts, Managing Editor George Foulsham, Deputy Managing Editor Don Murphy, Metro Editor Jane Hulse, Business Editor Michael Todd, Sports Editor Gerry Spratt and longtime columnist Barney Brantingham.

On Thursday, Senior Writer Scott Hadly resigned. Presentation Editor Colin Powers left the following day.

Former employees said their resignations were in protest to what they saw as editorial interference in news stories.

A July 13 note to readers from owner Wendy McCaw said that some newsroom employees left because they were no longer able to "flavor the news with their personal opinions."

Speaking on behalf of his former colleagues, Mr. Hadly said Friday that a majority of the editorial staff had committed to forming a union and had given a list of four demands to Acting Publisher Travis Armstrong: maintaining a clear separation between opinion and news, inviting the editors who resigned to return to their jobs, negotiating a contract with the employees and recognizing the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters as their bargaining representative.

Mr. Brantingham then took the microphone.

"I can't speak because I have tears," he said, confirming to the crowd that he was wearing a News-Press hat. "I love that paper. This hurts me so much."

Mr. Brantingham said he is a columnist at the Santa Barbara Independent now, but added that he still wants to see someone calm the waters at the News-Press.

"What they need is community support -- that means you," he said. Mr. Brantingham then invited others to come up and speak.

Community activist Mickey Flacks told the crowd that Santa Barbara County Action Network will sponsor a town hall meeting regarding the paper on Wednesday. She also discouraged readers from canceling their subscriptions, saying that it wasn't necessarily the best strategy.

Another speaker announced that a rally would be held at noon Tuesday in the plaza, with the theme "restoring the wall between opinion and the news."

Second District Supervisor Susan Rose shook each employee's hand, saying she was proud of them all.

Bud Laurent called the recent events at the paper "an American tragedy" and led the crowd in a chant of "Shame!"

About 20 minutes after the event began, Mr. Brantingham said the staff had to go back to work. "Let's give them a round of applause."

Mr. Armstrong, the target of a chant of "Armstrong resign," said in a written statement that the rally "indicates how much Santa Barbara cares about the News-Press."

"It's unfortunate that some of the leaders behind the rally are politicians trying to silence an independent media voice because the paper has worked to hold them accountable," Mr. Armstrong said. "Others are high-density development interests criticized by our editorial pages on environmental grounds. They've latched onto the resignations as part of a political power play to chill dissent from a locally owned newspaper."

Mr. Armstrong is on leave from his role of editorial page editor while serving as acting publisher on a temporary basis.

One woman in the plaza said the news conference was an important community event.

"I want journalistic integrity in the newspaper," said longtime local resident Patti Thurston, who heard about the gathering on National Public Radio and came out of curiosity.

"If the owner and present editors have something to say, I want to hear that also," she said.

e-mail: bhopkins@newspress.com
-----

First District Streetfighter
July 15, 2006 at 1:40 a.m.

I got intrigued by Barney's comment that the News-Press is not 151 years old... so I dusted off TM Storke's `California Editor' to trace its history....

Storke bought the Daily News in March, 1913; the Morning Press in September, 1932. The two papers were published separately after 1932 on all days but Sunday; the Sunday edition (presumably starting in 1932) was called the News-Press. Starting in 1938, the two were merged into one paper published all 7 days, the `News-Press'.

Barney's 1901 date must come from Storke's earlier purchase of the (then) Santa Barbara Independent, which he purchased in December of 1900 and published his first edition on January 2, 1901. But he sold this paper in 1909 or 1910, mistakenly, Storke said, to someone who was secretly doing the bidding of the local gas (natural gas I guess) monopoly. Storke then moved to Bakersfield.

The News-Press dates at earliest from 1932, so has been under this name at most 73 years. But the Daily News or the Morning Press might have been founded in 1855.

Skimming `California Editor' here are some nice quotes: (pp. 84-85) when Storke was working as a cub reporter for the Morning Press... it was maybe 1899 and he was 22 or so...

`The paper I was working for, the Morning Press, controlled circulation, news, advertising, and prestige. We published seven days a week. The Press was owned by a small group of bankers and others with allied interests, including public utilities. Not one was a professional newspaperman; not one appreciated, or even recognized, the basic responsibility which I believed a newspaper owed its readers and its community. Their only reason for ownership of a newspaper was for the protection and advancement it could give their own selfish interests. The public weal was of little if any concern to these men, especially if it happened to conflict with their personal interests.

I hasten to add that these men were fine gentleman, of high standing in Santa Barbara. I was proud to call any one of them my friend. But I felt then--as I feel today--that the interests of the people must come before those of the publisher and his newspaper. To me it is a fact that if the public benefits, so does the newspaper.

It was at this early stage of my newspaper career that I was fast becoming conscious of the obligations of an editor and publisher to the people served by his newspaper. I felt the power of the press was being abused in Santa Barbara.

What could I do about it?

The only answer, of course, was that I had either to own or control a newspaper of my own. But such a dream, in a small town already over-crowded with daily newspapers, was fantastic for a $12-a-week cub reporter even to think about.

Just the same, I did think about it. At age 22, I set myself a goal and started working toward it: a paper of my own, free of the control of the monopolistic interests which ruled Santa Barbara's destiny.

Then on page 340, his guiding policy for the nw News-Press formed by merger in 1938:

1. Keep the news clean and fair.
2. Play no favorites, never mix business and editorial policy.
3. Do not let the news columns reflect editorial comment.
4. Publish the news that is public property without fear or favor or foe.
5. Accept no charity and ask no favors.
6. Give `value received' for every dollar you take in.
7. Make the paper pay a profit if you can but above profit keep it clean, fearless, and fair.

---T.M.Storke, Publisher

IslaVistan
July 15, 2006 at 2:03 a.m.

Indeed, the quotes chosen show either an editor who slashed the article to pieces before it was printed, or a reporter who saw a protest with deep meaning and one that discussed one of the great issues of our day and said, "Hmmmm.... Nice."

But she called them "recent changes" at the paper, a phrase in lock-step agreement with Wendy and Travis' letters, or at least one with an agreable tone to those letters. And the words seem to say that everyone is committed to having a great paper, that there are great people who work at the paper, and yes, don't cancel you subscriptions.

I like how the people named are all libs, Dems and such-- names that have been in the paper before as "activists," politicians and the like.

I see this as a fluff piece. So much of it supports what Wendy and Travis have alreay said. I also see it as very highschool-ish. Is this what young people think these days? That to get a good job you just have to be a fluffer-- I mean, write a fluff piece for your boss? Flatter boss... make boss happy... get good job... lose dignity, but the bills are paid... blah blah blah, happiness and foreverness...

Stupid Travis and Wendy.

Boredom leads to reading, reading leads to anger, anger leads to insomnia. Night, y'all.

David
July 15, 2006 at 2:05 a.m.

Now I'm puzzled (and insomnified)... cannot verify that any antecedent of the News Press started in 1855.

Press (from The Morning Press)... 1868 or 1863
News (from the Daily News)... 1895
but the Daily News absorbed the older Santa Barbara Independent, founded in 1884.

A Santa Barbara Gazette was founded in 1855, but seems to have stopped publication in 1857.

Sources:
`From the pages of our past'... 100 front page reproductions, published in 2000 by the SBNP

http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/Resident/C...

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/...

IslaVistan
July 15, 2006 at 3:03 a.m.

Why is everyone so critical of Arthur, especially since, with his high school newspaper experience, he is the more qualified publisher of the two.....

namaste
July 15, 2006 at 3:34 a.m.

NP's birthdate was Nov. 1, 1863 according to its top art on the front page up until about Jan. 15, 1952.

The birtdate changed to May 23, 1855 by the Sep. 12, 1953 edition.

According to the santabarbaraca link above, the Santa Barbara Gazette starting publishing on May 24, 1855. So, looks like sometime between Jan 15, 1952 and Sep 12, 1953 the News Press decided it was descended from the Santa Barbara Gazette.

The NP stopped dating its year and issue number in 1993 or 1994, and then just started saying `Since 1855'.

Even the 1863 date does not seem to agree with the santabarbaraca info... might really be 1868... or, the 1941 WPA writers' project might have gotten it wrong.

IslaVistan
July 15, 2006 at 3:42 a.m.

While some would-be journalistic martyrs continue to bask in self-righteous anger at Wendy McCaw's actions, life is returning to normal at the News-Press. Replacements are being hired and promoted, and the paper looks and reads as well as it did before. Makes you wonder if these nine departed staffers were really pulling their weight.

As to their chief complaint -- that putting the editorial page editor in charge of the entire paper was an abrogation of journalistic norms -- I respectfully disagree. Plenty of papers have dual editor-publishers, including many small ones but also larger, respected publications like the Detroit News and the Arizona Daily Star.

I'd rather have Travis K. Armstrong -- a real journalist, regardless of what you think about his opinions or management style -- running the News-Press than an anonymous corporate bean-counter.

The examples of ownership "meddling" the martyrs cite are negligible. Blond vs. blonde? Gimme a break -- this isn't a crisis of the First Amendment. Holding a story about the resignation of a Carpenteria councilwoman? Newspaper stories get held all the time to add information and context. The Rob Lowe story? No one told the reporters and editors not to publish stories about land-use controversies involving celebrities, only to exercise discretion on certain details. That happens all the time, like the New York Times publishing a story about the SWIFT banking transaction monitoring system but omitting some sensitive details.

All in all, this trumped-up crisis is about a small group of sanctimonious lightweights trying to earn their one shot at journalistic immortality.

Nelville Flynn
July 15, 2006 at 9:26 a.m.

Move over Nipper, this guy will beat you to her boots!

toto
July 15, 2006 at 9:45 a.m.

If you compare the coverages of today's News-Press and Los Angeles Times on yesterday's news conference/rally, you will see how subtle editing changes a story completely - and it would be my guess that Bethany Hopkins' News-Press piece which appeared in today's News-Press was carefully edited (not by her) to have it look like the reporters are protesting management's insistence that THEIR OWN work reflect no bias, slant etc. Compare SB News=Press wording and Los Angeles Times wording in the description of Scott Hadly's announcement of the four demands being made by News-Press reporters, specifically, the first demand:
News-Press: "...maintaining a clear separation between opinion and news..."
Los Angeles Times: "...employees want restoration of journalistic ethics..."
See the difference in these wordings? The News-Press wording jibes with what Armstrong says he wants, and so in this subtle way, the News-press article makes it look like reporters are protesting the a regime that is requiring a "clear separation between opinion and the news" - and by the end of the News-Press report, Armstrong is subtly validated.
Mark Twain said something like "the difference between the right word and the wrong word is the difference between lightning and lightning bug," and it is this subtle (or not so subtle) manipulation of words, in the editing process, that the News-Press reporters are protesting, as well as the killing of entire stories. Through such heavy or subtle editing, not only is the readership misled, but reporters are compromised in terms of the trust they have built not only with the public but with their sources. The News-Press reporters are working under the horrific weight of seeing their work in print with a twist they themselves didn't give - and instantly the trust they may have established with the people they've interviewed evaporates. As a long-time journalist (and former News-Press reporter) I have had this happen to my work, usually unintentionally, and believe me, it is upsetting...to see your name attached to something you didn't write or didn't mean.
That's the pressure these guys are under, and something has to give, and soon. Most of those reporters are in torment right now, and my guess is that if relief doesn't come soon, they'll opt for cleaning hotel rooms in an Arizona desert rather than continue to allow their integrity and conscience to be sacrificed in this despicable, underhanded way.

Hillary Hauser
July 15, 2006 at 9:59 a.m.

When Wendy returns from her yachting vacation, she really should consider selling the newspaper as I think she is not reaching her goals of protecting animals and promoting vegetarianism. In fact, with her wacky, unprofessional journalistic antics, she is setting back the cause quite a bit.

As a dedicated vegetarian myself, and an animal rights advocate, I have seen in the past few years that winning the hearts and minds of meat eaters and/or animal abusers requires a subtle, dignified attempt to provide a good example. Other than that, the only way to bring about less suffering for animals is by legal means.

So for Wendy to really get what she wants, to lessen the suffering of horribly treated food animals, she should sell the newspaper and put her $100 million into legal funds to fight laws that allow animal cruelty.

Buying the paper might have seemed like a good way to promote vegetarianism, but in fact it is taking us in the opposite direction.

Animal Lover
July 15, 2006 at 10:04 a.m.

Did anyone notice at the rally that while most of the NP reporters were dressed in black, Camilla Cohee, who was the writer at the center of the two major controverial stories (about Rob Lowe and Carpinteria City Councilmember Donna Jordan), was dressed in white? She is a survivor and should be highly praised for her bravery.

Thinker
July 15, 2006 at 10:41 a.m.

What to do about the Goleta Valley Voice? Also owned and operated by Wendy McCaw & Mutts (Acting Publisher = Travis Armstrong, just like the NP).

It's delievered free to Goleta residents on Fridays, so I can't cancel my subscription as I did on Thursday for the News-Press. From my limited understanding of the newspaper business, doesn't this mean the GVV's income is generated from advertising? And aren't advertising rates directly related to circulation numbers usually?

Any suggestions on how to boycott the GVV too?

Hil
July 15, 2006 at 10:53 a.m.

Thanks IslaVistan...the SBNP changed its birthday on March 30, 1952, the occasion of opening of their new offices downtown (still in use today).

In their article on page E2 of the March 30 edition, they say they are part of an unbroken tradition back to 1855 when the Gazette started publishing, but they acknowledge that there was a gap between the end period of publication of the Gazette, from which they share no business genealogy, and the commencing of the weekly the Post, which started in 1863... the Post became the Press in News-Press. But in the good cheer of the moment, the News-Press just decided to change their birthday to May 23, 1855 from November 1, 1863.

FactChecker
July 15, 2006 at 12:15 p.m.

The post above by Nelville Flynn is interesting.

But Wendy should hire a REAL Nelville Flynn and rid the NP of Travis, Sam Singer and Nipper, the Snakes on a Plane:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417148/

Richard
July 15, 2006 at 12:35 p.m.

More from the REAL Nelville Flynn:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417148/quot...

Richard
July 15, 2006 at 12:40 p.m.

To "Nelville Flynn" (aka Sam Spinner Singer)
Nice try at attacking the messengers who are now revealing the truth about the Billionairess Who Wore No Clothes.
I will see you soon in "Carpenteria."

First District Streetfighter
July 15, 2006 at 12:53 p.m.

for rally posters, t-shirts, etc., how about photoshoping Travis and Nipper and the SBNP plane:

http://www.impawards.com/2006/snakes_on_...

Richard
July 15, 2006 at 1:26 p.m.

That's a good one, Neville:

"The Rob Lowe story? No one told the reporters and editors not to publish stories about land-use controversies involving celebrities, only to exercise discretion on certain details."

I can see now how land-use controversies will be reported on:

"The planning commission will vote on an oversized mansion planned by actor Rob Lowe. All interested parties and potential neighbors are encouraged to attend the meeting and make comments. The location of the proposed mansion has been withheld at the request of the publisher. Y'all come!"

Wha?
July 15, 2006 at 2:53 p.m.

Now let me get this straight - from the Bizarro NP perspective:

Rob Lowe is a famous millionaire and he wants to build a 15,000 SF bungalo. That wasteful use of land is OK, but heaven forbid all the non-millionaire/billionaire rabble that work for Rob, Wendy and the NP consider dense housing in the urban areas so they can have some place to live.

And, don't forget we shouldn't renew Measure D so that we can have ways of getting to work from Ventura, Santa Maria and Lompoc because we can't build housing. In fact, let's put the traffic signals back on the 101 like Wendy wants to do.

And along the way let's not forget our radio and Op-Ed buddy Gary Earle, the guy that made his money as a land developer and lives in a subdivision that was the last piece of Ag land converted to housing in the Goleta Valley. Oh yes, let's deify him as some enviromental guru, not expose him as the hypocritical wolf in sheep's clothing he really is.

And let's not forget to support Joe Guzzardi because frankly he's as out-of-tune with reality as us. He's been working on a time machine so we can pretend its 1973 again.

Yeah, that sounds great. Thanks Travis, Wendy and your bitch Nipper for contributing in such a positive way to the future of our community.

P.S. - Do you like my Chippewa tribal name? I changed it from Kaminsky 'cause I though it would make me cool. It didn't.

Armstrong from Jacking
July 15, 2006 at 7:23 p.m.

With all the firings, resignations, and ruined lives at the News Press the very least Ron Lowe should do is start up his subscription again.

Nikita
July 15, 2006 at 10:22 p.m.

To add to the confusion over the birthdate of the News-Press' oldest predecessor (The Weekly Santa Barbara Post), the UC Berkeley library data implies that Volume 1, Number 1 of the Santa Barbara Post was published May 30, 1868, not Nov. 1, 1863... Nov. 1, 1863 was the birthdate used by the News-Press until March, 1952.

Bottom line: News-Press top art perhaps should say `Since 1868'.... at least that is what the UC libraries would support. But the archives of the actual News-Press may have some sort of evidence that the post published as early as 1863.

Wonder what the second-oldest daily in Southern Cal is, and when they say they commenced publishing...

IslaVistan
July 15, 2006 at 10:44 p.m.

Well, the Bakersfield Californian claims a birthdate of Aug. 18, 1866. So if the true birthdate of the News-Press is May 30, 1868, then the Californian is older. Is Bakersfield in Southern Cal? Certainly Bakersfield is not in Northern California.

Who cares? Would help the credibility of the NP if they could simply get the date of their foundation correct. Of course the mistakes were not made on Wendy M.'s watch, but her regime has not done the checking up on the details.

IslaVistan
July 15, 2006 at 10:53 p.m.

Watch the News Press Reporter Walkout and Demonstration on
SB Channels, Channel 17, Sunday at 8 AM and again at 9 PM

flash

Hap Freund
July 15, 2006 at 11:35 p.m.

Forgive me if this is naive, but I was thinking of how this story relates to the Washington Post thing with Bob Woodward and the Valerie Plame/CIA Leak investigation.

Remember how Woodward made appearances on Larry King and elsewhere making negative comments about the federal prosecutor? Then Woodward admitted that he had testified in the case, prompting calls of his lacking journalistic integrity for not disclosing the info while trashing the guy in charge of the case.

Well, the Washington Post had their Ombudsman write a column a few days later detailing how bad that was for Woodward to have done-- that it showed bad judgment, a disregard for ethical journalism and a few other nice things about Bob. And Howard Kurtz, the Post's media writer, was more than happy to talk about it on CNN.

Do all papers have these, these people who make sure the paper is in line with standards? And for that matter, doesn't this show that a newspaper can criticize itself in an effort to maintain its credibility? And is it always wrong to talk about internal matters, especially when internal matters are the news?

Why not the same for the News-Press? Seriously, I'm asking. I wanna know if I am just so utterly naive to ask, or if it is relevant to the issue.

David
July 16, 2006 at 2:22 a.m.

Breaking news--Travis wins First Place for all California newspapers in the 25,000 to 75,000 daily circulation range for editorial pages in 2005 as judged by his fellow journalists at yesterday's California Newspaper Publishers Association convention. "I'd like to thank Marty and Susan, especially."

The NP receives second place in 2005 for General Excellence. Prestigous.

Independent and NP win other awards, including NP's First Place for resigning editor Colin Power's front page prowess.

CNPA.com for full results.

FOT
July 16, 2006 at 8:08 a.m.

As is widely knows within the biz, the CNPA award for Editorial Pages, only in year 2005, was more about the variety of substantive issues in the whole section, not just the message in the individual newspaper editorial positions. That award is no endorsement of the editorialist's views. Those awards also are for material the newspapers themselves nominate as candidate content for an award.

Of course, this is all the more ironic in that the editorial pages of News-Press have sank into the sewer since Bloody Thursday, in both quality and quantity: No editorials at all, repeated letters from Libertarian allies (Lanny Ebenstein was published twice in three days last week, in blatent violation of the 30-day prohibition policy), and the only criticism of the staff purges has been token and tepid, such as a couple of "bring-back-Barney" letters, which are as meaningful as I-like-apple-pie letters.

Editorial excellence, consistent with the CNPA award, would include criticisms of the purges and the motivation behind them, per the coverage by SB Independent and Ventura County Star.

But considering how the policies and direction for the News-Press now is to meld editorial content into the news, this seems like the way they are now trying to improve the news section and have that rub off for more CNPA awards.

FOT, Friend of Truth
July 16, 2006 at 11:12 a.m.

I knew they were short on writers but using someone from Calender and The Channels to write front page news? Sheesh. They could not even get someone from a daily such as the Nexus, huh?

When I worked on The Channels I was taught some basic ethics, such as the separation of the owners and the editors/writers.

From reading the protest piece, I wonder if I was the only one awake for that lesson.

SBNative
July 16, 2006 at 1:37 p.m.

Hey, the Nexus very often has more accurate and incisive news reporting than the News-Press... it is just when the Nexus goes bad, it goes very bad... the worst Nexus articles are worse than the worst in the News Press. And as far as I know, KCSB has done the only interview with Jerry Roberts post bloodbath. The spirit of Tom Storke imbues the Nexus far more than the News Press.

IslaVistan
July 16, 2006 at 2:26 p.m.

Sources from the News-Press sales and advertising group indicate that people-pleaser Travis and a lacky or two gave a loud "pep talk" to this group, "explaining" that the top news editors and reporters resigned only because of a personality difference with the owner. Then, for effect, apparently, Travis threw a stack of Independents there (the Barney cover) into the trash (and not even paper recycling).

Sales people at a newspaper always have plenty of their competitors publication on hand, as knowing where the advertisers are buying ads, how many, and how big, is rather important to know in the ad sales business. This seems symptomatic with how soon Travis will spoil the business side of the News-Press as well.

Deep Throat
July 16, 2006 at 4:15 p.m.

The New York Times just published another story.

Arthur Sulzburger, Jr.
July 16, 2006 at 6:35 p.m.

The main purpose of local newspapers is local news. Larger outfits are better suited for national and foreign affairs, but the home paper is numero uno for information and debate about community issues.

In an area the size of Santa Barbara there is room for only one daily, just as there is market for only one Cable TV outfit or electrical power source. As the prime source of community news, it is natural for editorial opinions and letters to the editor posted in the local paper to be considered the barometer of community sentiment.

In this regard, owner Wendy MaCaw and hired gun Travis Armstrong have done irreparable damage to the credibility of what once was a trusted paper. A pattern of selective censorship began in the editorial pages, eventually spilling over into the newsroom. Letters and opinion pieces were selected not by factual accuracy or relevance, but according to their political bent. If your letter did not agreed with "the party line", then your chance of publication became minimal.

This selective censorship became readily apparent on issues like the living wage, Santa Cruz Island pigs, Goleta housing, or Measure D re-authorization. Ditto for election letters: if you wrote in support of the News-Press candidate (Rittenhouse, Tyler, Guizzardi, whoever) your letter was in; otherwise, probably not. Gee... with all those writers behind them... How come these candidates always finished last?

This type of correspondence censorship is completely unacceptable in a community newspaper. Ms. Wendy McCaw must cut her vacation short and come home immediately to address this escalating crisis in person. Another edict from Olympus will not do.

Alex Pujo

Alex Pujo
July 16, 2006 at 6:42 p.m.

Here's the N.Y. Times article today...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/busine...

SB Drama Watcher
July 17, 2006 at 9:15 a.m.

i quit the news-press in 2002 and moved out of stat. it is incredibly sad to see such a great organization and fun place to work in such a sad state. i am glad editors are finally standing up for themselves and letting the santa barbara community in on the mayhem going on inside the building. congrats barney on your new job.

sadtosee
July 17, 2006 at 10:11 a.m.

I saw a repeat of an interview with Katherine Graham on C-SPAN over the weekend. Brian Lamb interviewed her some years ago when she published her autobiography. I wondered at the timing of it and oh, how I wish Ms. McCaw had watched and heeded Ms Graham's wise words.

sbjules
July 17, 2006 at 10:11 a.m.

View Related Topics

July 23, 2000, Sunday, Late Edition - Final

NAME: Wendy P. McCaw

SECTION: Section 3; Page 2; Column 4; Money and Business/Financial Desk

LENGTH: 945 words

HEADLINE: PUBLIC LIVES;
Press Role for a Media-Shy Mogul

BYLINE: By JAMES STERNGOLD

DATELINE: SANTA BARBARA, Calif.

BODY:
FEW cities do a better job of smoothing the rough edges of movie moguls and business gladiators than this quaint, impeccably groomed seaside paradise 100 miles north of the shark-infested studio commissaries of Hollywood. The wealthy often come here not to forget who they are, but to take a break from some of the forces that made them rich.

Which is why the recent announcement that the local newspaper, the 145-year-old Santa Barbara News-Press, had been sold by a large publishing company -- The New York Times Company, as it happens -- and acquired by a local philanthropist was received in some circles as a victory of community spirit over the homogenizing influence of a distant corporate overseer. "It has to be quality before the bottom line," said Wendy P. McCaw, the buyer, who paid roughly $100 million. It seemed that an act of public spirit had drawn one of the wealthiest, if not best known, women in America out of her shell.

And yet, Ms. McCaw, 48, demonstrated the hard business acumen that she uses to manage a fortune that Forbes magazine has estimated at about $1.5 billion, most of that a product of her divorce from Craig O. McCaw, the telecommunications entrepreneur. When it was suggested in an interview -- she supplied written answers to written questions -- that she may have made the investment for altruistic reasons, she crisply shot down the notion.

"This acquisition fits with my investment philosophy and meets my I.R.R. targets," said Ms. McCaw, using the Wall Street language for internal rate of return. "I don't invest in assets for purely sentimental or other nonbusiness reasons."

Ms. McCaw's acquisition stands in counterpoint to a trend in which large chains have been gobbling up small publications and using economies of scale to wring out higher profits. She has said not only that she will avoid layoffs and leave the newsroom alone, but that she will also explore environmentally sound alternatives to using newsprint made from tree pulp.

THE acquisition will also provide an opportunity to find out just what Ms. McCaw is made of as she cautiously -- so cautiously that an assistant leapt at a photographer snapping a shot of her near her unmarked office on a quiet street here -- steps onto a stage she has long avoided.

She gave a rare personal interview to her own newspaper after the deal was announced, but insisted that no photographs be taken. When she first visited the newspaper after the purchase, she casually strolled the five or so blocks from her office and introduced herself to the staff. But it was on a Saturday, when the offices were all but empty.

Ms. McCaw is an avid jogger and a vegetarian,well known for her divorce from Mr. McCaw. The two met while undergraduates at Stanford, where she was known as Wendy Petrak. She was at his side as he cleverly assembled a nationwide cellular communications empire, which he sold in 1994 to AT&T for $11.5 billion.

The two separated shortly afterward, in January 1995, and then engaged in an expensive divorce battle that ended in her placing business ownership over cash. She became something of a business partner of her former husband, taking large stakes in several companies in which he had invested, including Nextel Communications, in which she now owns 4 percent, according to public filings, and Nextlink Communications, in which she owns a reported 14 percent through her investment company, Ampersand Holdings.

SHE has said she protects her privacy in large part because of security concerns, but in response to a question she added that being a woman was also a factor. When it was pointed out that billionaires from Steve Jobs to Donald Trump lead public lives, she responded: "They are all men -- some of them happen to enjoy the spotlight. I'm not and I don't."

And though she is quiet, she is not anonymous. She formed the Wendy P. McCaw Foundation, which has more than $53 million in assets, to finance some of her favorite projects. These have ranged from returning Keiko, the killer whale that starred in the movie "Free Willy," to the waters around Iceland, to preserving architectural drawings.

Ms. McCaw was so involved in freeing Keiko that in January 1996, when the animal was flown from Mexico to a temporary home in Oregon, she was on board the chase plane.

"Wendy was very personally involved," said David Phillips, executive director of the Earth Island Institute, which managed the project. "She'd come up to see him when we had him in a sort of rehab in Oregon. She has continued to provide funds to help in his eventual release."

He added that when a reception celebrating the journey included platters of seafood, she was incensed.

"What's going on?" Ms. McCaw demanded to know, said Mr. Phillips. "We're supposed to be saving this stuff, not eating it."

Her stewardship of the newspaper could prove a challenge. Most experts agree that the paper is likely to be a reliable if unspectacular investment. It is expected to take in about $30 million in revenue this year and earn pretax income of $4.5 million to $6 million, company officials say.

"We'll have good, steady growth, but it won't be explosive," said Allen Parsons, the publisher.

Or, as Edward J. Atorino, a media analyst at Wasserstein Perella Securities, commented, "It's in an affluent area, but there's limited growth."

Ms. McCaw said she would do well, while respecting the paper's independence.

"I will not have any role in the news-gathering or reporting process," she said. "I would hope that no friend or acquaintance of mine asks me to intercede with the paper; but if they did, I would tell them what I just told you."

http://www.nytimes.com

GRAPHIC: Photo: Wendy P. McCaw, the buyer of The Santa Barbara News-Press, guards her privacy carefully. She was photographed as she left her office in Santa Barbara, Calif., last Thursday. (Kevin McKiernan for The New York Times)

LOAD-DATE: July 23, 2000

NP reader
July 17, 2006 at 11:09 a.m.

come on people....the number to subscribe to the L.A. TIMES is 800 LA-TIMES (800 528 4637) get your news here, and from the independent! cancel your newpress subscriptions now, at least until little wendy sells the paper and we can trust it again.

john glowicki
July 17, 2006 at 11:10 a.m.

A note to "NP reader" and others posting stories...please just a quick take on the esance of the story and then a link so people who are interested can go and check it out. Most people will just scroll past these "complete" story posts.For an example see "SB drama watcher's post a few posts up..Thank you!
LOL

LOL
July 17, 2006 at 11:53 a.m.

I summarized the info on the birthdate of the NP at:

http://snugspout.blogspot.com

Bottom line: the NP has fudged its birthdate by at least 8 years (1863 is earliest that is accurate, not 1855) and perhaps by 13 years... 1868 perhaps should be the start date. The NYT goofed, I think, when it said the NP was 105 years old today.

Isla Vistan
July 17, 2006 at 12:39 p.m.

Today's NYT article forgot to mention that it was the Times' doing that the News-Press newsroom has no collective bargaining power.

I worked in the NP newsroom in the late 1980s when we voted to join the newspaper union. When the NYT bought the paper, it brought in big union-busting guns and offered non-union members better benefits. The thinking was: "The New York Times is a reputable organization and they will take care of us. We don't need no stinking union!" And so the union was voted out.

Let that be a lesson to journalists everywhere: While a great newspaper company many be signing your checks today, it could sell out any day to someone well-intentioned but ignorant like Miss McCaw. If a union is voted in over this debacle, I hope reporters and editors will not forget history, even if a reputable buyer steps forward.

Kathy Price
July 17, 2006 at 2:39 p.m.

WATCH THE FRIDAY NEWS PRESS DEMONSTRATION ON SB CHANNELS, CHANNEL 17,
MONDAY AT9:30 PM
AND AGAIN ON TUESDAY MORNING AT 6 AND 8 AM.

PRODUCED BY PENNY LITTLE AND NIK GREEN OF PEOPLE TO PEOPLE TV.

COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION- WE BELIEVE IN FREE SPEECH!

Hap Freund
July 17, 2006 at 2:47 p.m.

SBNative:
PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF!

Wrote SBNative...I knew they were short on writers but using someone from Calender and The Channels to write front page news? Sheesh. They could not even get someone from a daily such as the Nexus, huh?

When I worked on The Channels I was taught some basic ethics, such as the separation of the owners and the editors/writers.

From reading the protest piece, I wonder if I was the only one awake for that lesson.

Posted by SBNative | July 16, 2006 01:37 PM

...Don't take shots w/o including your name...

Sam Keller
July 17, 2006 at 3:16 p.m.

Re: Don't take shots w/o including your name...

With the litigation threats against Barny Brantingham by McCaw's counsel, why should those posting critical commentary re the SBNP feel comfortable posting their names. You may not trust the post in the absence of a name. But, I suggest the content gives you some basis for evalation of the post. In any event, that is the cost of the litigation environment generally and specifically as threatened to Brantingham.

D
July 17, 2006 at 5:21 p.m.

From above July 23, 2000 New York times story,

Ms. McCaw said she would do well, while respecting the paper's independence.

But she must not have told that to Rob Lowe...

TroubleIn Paradise
July 17, 2006 at 10:44 p.m.

From mediabistro.com:

Monday, Jul 17

The News-Supress

A protest against Wendy McCaw, the billionaire owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press, is scheduled for tomorrow, promising to fan the flames of journalistic outrage that is burning through this college/resort town.

In her first interview since the walk-out, McCaw told the New York Times: "This is not a freedom of the press issue, or of intimidation of the newsroom. There were personality differences in the newsroom, and the people who didn't want to be there are not there any longer."

Please, Wendy. We've worked at newspapers. There are always personality differences, and nobody wants to be there. How can you, of all people not know that? Oh, right. You're the chick who claims only to read your own paper "occasionally."

We can't get enough of this story. Not just because it stars an out-of-touch megalomanic (the best kind, really). Not just because it's an allegory of all that is wrong with media today -- be it corporate-owned or local (the paper's profit margin rose to 25 percent from 11, while readership declined by 8,000 in the last six years). Not just because it makes us go, "Santa Barbara? Really? This is happening in Santa Barbara? But because this isn't like the union vs. management newspaper wars we're used to. This isn't Detroit. It isn't even Seattle.

This is . . . this is real. This a fight about what it means to "control" the news, rather than report it. At a time when the national media is just waking up to the fact that it's suppose to, you know, double-check stuff that's said at White House briefings, it's refreshing to know there are at least eight journalists in Santa Barbara who remember why they went into this business in the first place.

Posted by Mayrav | 09:01 PM | Newspapers

Personality Differences
July 17, 2006 at 10:53 p.m.

Word is even Dan Secord, endorsed by the News-Press for supervisor, will join the protest tomorrow.

Heard It Here First
July 17, 2006 at 10:55 p.m.

Gee, two identical posts touting "even Dan Secord".....will be at the rally tomorrow.

I'm sure he's ready to do just about anything to change the FACT THAT The NewsPress ENDORSED SECORD. Can't shake it Dan. You thought they were A-OK then. The ace judgement of Travis/Wendy will stick with ya dude!

Opportunist watch
July 17, 2006 at 11:10 p.m.

Sam, I will be at the protest tomorrow. I will be wearing beige slacks, a white SB Channel Island (NOAA) T-Shirt and a grey Channels sweatshirt around my waist, unless it gets too hot.

I will not open myself up to any type of litigation nor should I be asked to.

See you there!

SBNative
July 18, 2006 at 12:39 a.m.

FUCK YOU, TRAVIS! Somebody please start printing up T-Shirts and bumper stickers with this printed on it.

FUCK YOU, TRAVIS;

--booj

Boojit Bejeezus
July 19, 2006 at 8:30 a.m.

Video from Tuesday, July 18th Demonstration to air on SB Channels, Channel 17.

Larry Nimmer, a community producer and a member of our Board of Directors, recorded the Tuesday demonstration and is submitting a one hour video that should air on Channel 17 as follows:

Wednesday, July 19 at 7 pm
Thursday, July 20 at 11 am and 8 pm
Friday, July 21 at 3:00 pm and 7 pm
Saturday, July 22 at 10 am and 8 pm
Sunday, July 23 at 8 am and 9 pm

Hap Freund, The Santa Barbara Channels
Community Access Television

Hap Freund
July 19, 2006 at 9:54 a.m.

Isn't it about time for a rally in support of Wendy McCaw, Travis K. Armstrong and their painstaking (and often painful) efforts to purge the News-Press of bias and loose standards? Many of these journalists and would-be martyrs who are hyperventilating about the changes at the newspaper claim to be opposed to bias of any kind, yet they are holding one-sided rallies. Isn't it time for the other side to be heard?

Nelville Flynn
July 19, 2006 at 1:11 p.m.

Yes. Please someone find Travis and compel him to speak, since he is "unavailable."

If the rallies are one-sided, it's Travis and Wendy's fault. To show up and dialogue with the participants is apparently not within their capabilities.

Mike L.
July 19, 2006 at 2:36 p.m.

Once again...

KCSB-FM is streaming the audio from today's (July 18th)Restore the News-Press Public Rally on their website.

http://www.kcsb.org

iTunes or WinAmp recommended.

BD Brown
July 19, 2006 at 5 p.m.

I donot know what happened at the newspress, but let me see if I have this right. Nick Welsh is saying the NewsPress prints opinion as news?

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Jmagman
July 19, 2006 at 5:01 p.m.

Why has the Independent dropped the ball??

Here we are on Wednesday, almost one week into the NP meltdown, with many people haveing cancelled their NP subscriptions and looking for alternative sources for their daily news, and what do we see on the Independent website?? Only news from JULY 13!!! Even in sections called "citizen's alert" "news briefs" and "news of the week". Shame on the Independent!!! Once a weekly, always a weekly???

Richard
July 19, 2006 at 5:40 p.m.

Let's see what we've got going on in the recent posts...somebody trying to organize a pro-Wendy and Travis rally.

Who could that "Nelville Flynn"-masked man be? The only people I know that are supporting those two buffoons are Nipper (and he's off in Europe with Ms. McCowl) and - drum roll please - our local "tin man" ("if I only had a heart") himself, Mr. Gary Earle.

Gee Gary, I wonder what you'll be doing for media now? Maybe you should take the high road (for once, while it's still paved with Measure D money) out of town like Wendy, Nip and Travesty will eventually have to do.

It's OK to leave all of us independent thinkers here. You know, folks who actually, genuinely CARE about OUR community. We can work out our differences the "Santa Barbara" way by using honest dialogue, respect and positivity instead of the BS and fear-mongering you, CSP, Trav and Wendy have been slinging for the past 5 years.

s/ The Community

P.S. - Let us know if any of you need rides. There are about 50,000 or so of us that want to buy you a Greyhound ticket.

Weakbrain Armstrong
July 19, 2006 at 8:36 p.m.

Nelville Flynn is getting his wish in this morning's News-Press Letters to the Editor.

I'm thinking that we should take up Mrs. McCaw's invitation yesterday and start writing her and others at the News-Press. Not emails, but U.S. Post Office delivered letters.

OK! I understand that they will mostly not get printed, but they will have to be opened, and they have to be sorted. I don't think that they have the courage to simply throw snail mail away without seeing what is in it.

If we all spend, let's say $1.17 per week we can send 3 letters each for a very long time saying whatever we feel like saying.

If we all do that, that's a lot of mail! Let's innundate their mailroom. We can even send them to individuals like the Human Resources director and Randy Alcorn. BTW where is Randy Alcorn these days?

Apologies if this has been mentioned before. A suggestion though! Don't put your return address on the outside of the envelope. That way they may start profiling and dumping the letters without having to sort and open them.

Just a thought!

boB
July 20, 2006 at 10:10 a.m.

I called to cancel my subscription and asked about a refund. They informed me my subscription had actually expired 6 weeks ago. Seems they never received the check I sent. But they kept sending me the paper. So my subscription is canceled but I will be receiving a final bill. Ouch. That's going to be one painful check to write now. I wonder if they'll keep sending the paper if I just don't send the check?

Robin
July 21, 2006 at 10:51 a.m.

I read in the national media (I live near Washington, D. C.) that this woman got her $460 million bag of money by marrying and divorcing the right guy. Good to know that the American Dream is still alive!

John Gonda
July 24, 2006 at 2:59 p.m.

". . trumped-up crisis is about a small group of sanctimonious light weights trying to earn their one shot at journalistic immortality . . ." Nelville

I agree. I was outraged by the reasoning behind the News Press exodus. Reporting on the ostentatious expenditure of monies to build a monstrosity home, ranting over the loss of a view - fine. Report away. Wealthy people are building these kinds of homes everywhere. Big deal. Personally, I can think of better ways to spend that kind of money. It's all such a small minded expense of time and effort. But, don't report the guy's would-be home address!!! Why on earth would a responsible reporter put that kind of confidential information in a newspaper. So what if it was reported on the cable network. Stalkers, theives, gang people, criminals of all sorts generally don't cruise the cable networks looking for addresses. One generally doesn't go to the library to read up on the latest cable listing of home addresses. Do these reporters have ANY IDEA about the kind of danger they put another human in danger of by reporting a home address!?! For god's sake, we are at war! Where is their sense of human decency. We are not back in the 40's or 50's when everyone knew a star's home address and toured past them daily. Why don't they just report Opra's home address, George Michael's address, their own home addresses, or anyone else's home address!!! There are hard core criminals just lurking for tid bits like that. These reporters must be idiots. I used to work at the Washington Post. We had rules, unwritten rules. Intelligent people know when to use discretion.

french
July 24, 2006 at 11:25 p.m.

Yo - french: for $460 million I'll give you MY home address, and throw in my telephone number and white blood cell count for good measure.

John Gonda
July 25, 2006 at 11:06 a.m.

Personally, I think we ought to get off of Wendy's case and move on with this. Let's face it, the News Press is Wendy's. She earned it fair and square being married to Craig all those years. And think about it, Wendy, bless her heart, was not blessed with high social standing or even a prestigious education. A simple young woman whose sole credentials to excellence consisted of an otherwise incomprehensible appeal to Craig McCaw. So, they marry, she endures and they divorce. She scores. A half billion dollars in cash and the jewels of the Santa Barbara coast await her. She plucks up the venerable News Press like a new Barbie and sets about to dress it up with all sorts of accessories; even a seemingly endless stream of Ken dolls to occupy this or that niche within the fusty old organ. But the fusty old organ is hers and hers alone. If she wants to make it into, as one correspondent suggested, a country club gossip sheet, then so be it. Santa Barbara will have yet another society tattler and vanity press for Wendy’s anointed and favored. So, that takes care of Wendy’s needs. Now, shouldn’t our energies be better directed in seeing what we can do for Santa Barbara’s needs? Clearly, this community needs and can support a local newspaper. In that context there are a number of options that we could explore. The most obvious is in encouraging the Independent to morph into a daily. Failing that, it is not unthinkable that The Los Angeles Times could open a local office, bring on some News Press alums, and publish a local Santa Barbara section as a supplement to the Times. Then, of course, there is the possibility of putting together some civic minded citizens who could fund a start up of a brand new paper largely made up of the now available cohort of former News Press staff. Let's leave Wendy be and build for a better tomorrow.

scotus
July 26, 2006 at 4:18 p.m.

A resident of Santa Barbara from 1972-82 and native Seattleite who returned to her hometown, I'm ashamed that the Northwest Territory was responsible for enabling the McCaws to amass their ill-gotten gains and unleashing Wendy on your small town with a slick veneer. The News Press was never very substantive, but it appears to have sunk to new depths. This is all soap opera grist. I do hope the socially/ethically driven activists among you boot Wendy and her goons out of town; just aim her trajectory away from Washington state. We have enough of her ilk up here.

Donna Downing
August 5, 2006 at 11:44 a.m.

Rob Lowe was terrible in the West Wing, he deserves to have his address published. I hear he's secretly a conservative.

Amy
February 20, 2007 at 6:31 a.m.

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