While the liberal Democratic mayor of Los Angeles has a thing for news babes, it seems his hometown paper has a penchant for leaving out the mayor's party affiliation from reporting on his liaisons.
"A Los Angeles television reporter is dating Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, about two years after his extramarital affair with another local newscaster led to the breakup of his 20-year marriage," Phil Willon of the Los Angeles Times informed readers in a June 2 article devoid of the mayor's Democratic party affiliation:
KTLA-TV Channel 5 reporter Lu Parker, a former Miss U.S.A., has been dating Villaraigosa since March, station officials confirmed Monday. On Sunday, while working as a weekend anchor, Parker announced a story about the likelihood of Villaraigosa running for governor in 2010.
The LAT is no stranger to omitting Villaraigosa's party affiliation from readers, as we at NewsBusters have noted. The omissions are all the more glaring when contrasted to the paper's treatment of scandal-plagued California Republican politicians. As I noted in NewsBusters back in October 2007:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona was indicted "on federal corruption charges stemming from a lengthy investigation into allegations that he had misused his office for financial gain," the Los Angeles Times reported on October 30. Reporters Christine Hanley, H.G. Reza and Paul Pringle noted that Carona was once considered a "rising star" for the GOP.
It's a fair point to make note of Carona's party affiliation, but the Times unevenly applies party labels when it comes to elected officials' scandals.
As NewsBusters contributor Dave Pierre noted on September 11, Democratic Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's (D-Los Angeles) campaign violations and the corresponding punitive fine of $5,200 were buried on page B-4 of that day's Los Angeles Times. The same squib failed to disclose Villaraigosa's Democratic Party affiliation.
Photo of Parker and Villaraigosa via Lu Parker's eponymous Web site's "Journalist Photo Gallery."
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The L A I D times?
June 2, 2009 - 11:23 ET by sevenNot the paper I know. They have a fine reputation of leaving nothing out. Actually the put in a little extra in their stories.
Good to see Lu's still moving...er up.
June 2, 2009 - 11:27 ET by RESTLESS 1She was here as a reporter and an anchor for awhile. I guess she's now in L.A. moving up by going down. :0
"This liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 2, 2009 - 22:02 ET by UnsaneRESTLESS1, back in a former life early on in this decade (and the late 1990s) when I was still living in San Antonio and pursuing the bachelor's degree, I used to make it a point to watch KABB. Lu Parker was a favorite of mine, as was Jenny Hansson. That station had a good selection of eye candy going there for awhile!
This news turns my stomach, though. Say it isn't so, Lu!
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
That they did Unsane
June 2, 2009 - 22:46 ET by RESTLESS 1And suffice to say that I was WAY more informed about local happenings back then. :)
Alas, San Antonio is a stepping stone for most news personalities, especially the hot ones. There are a few reporters on the other stations now that make watching somewhat enjoyable, but I fear they'll soon be moving on too. SIGH!!!
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Memory test
June 2, 2009 - 23:59 ET by UnsaneIndeed...one of my local favorites these days is Jennifer Dodd of KSAT (even though my mother waited on her once and refers to her, as a result of that experience, as "that snotty little b****"). But you know she is destined for bigger and better things. Lu Parker did very well for herself going from media market #37 to #2...hell, who could blame her for moving up?
Time for me to test your memory..remember that HUGE flap that broke out back in 1992 over Deborah Knapp Bonilla allegedly doing campaign work for her husband (at the time, IIRC) with supplies and equipment meant for her employer, KENS?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Party Affiliation?
June 2, 2009 - 11:33 ET by Anneke9<sarc on> Doesn't matter. Everyone knows that Hispanics/Latinos aren't Republican. Republicans are the party of white racists. </sarc off>
_____________________________
Camouflage conservative in Baghdad-by-the-Bay
How dare they! Does
June 2, 2009 - 11:43 ET by Another Dead KennedyHow dare they!
Does anyone in the country not know that Villaraigosa is a Dem? We could play the guess-the-party-affiliation game with any number of politicians, but chances are we all know which party Pelosi, Reid, McConnell, and Giuliani all belong to.
Future?
June 2, 2009 - 12:01 ET by Anneke9The real question is: does this torpedo any hopes Villaraigosa may have of being Governor?
__________________________
Camouflage conservative in Baghdad-by-the-Bay
Villaraigosa torpedoed his
June 2, 2009 - 12:50 ET by Another Dead KennedyVillaraigosa torpedoed his own hopes when he decided it was more important to campaign full time rather than actually do the job he was elected to do - Mayor of LA. He has no chance to become governor because he has nothing to show for his years as mayor.
→ KDW
June 2, 2009 - 12:07 ET by Cool ArrowDon't you think it's time you changed your Nickname?
"The only reason Clarence Thomas is on the court is because he's black". - Joe Biden
I can't change my name, but
June 2, 2009 - 12:47 ET by Another Dead KennedyI can't change my name, but I assure you it has nothing to do with the Kennedy empire, nor hopes or thoughts of any person's death.
→ KENNEDY DEATH WATCH
June 2, 2009 - 16:59 ET by Cool ArrowI didn't say "change your name" I said "change your Nickname"
I changed mine. It takes only a minute.
It's funny, because I definitely recall one of our contributing columnists opining to a poster (who will remain nameless) that disrespect, if and when Kennedy dies, will absolutely not be tolerated.
So for whatever reason you chose that moniker, you'd have to have lived your life under a rock in Timbuktu if you aren't aware of the ghoulish nature of your Nick.
Suppose the object of your watch were Obama? You think any amount of explanation would allow that nickname?
"The only reason Clarence Thomas is on the court is because he's black". - Joe Biden
Okay, I'm not sure how you
June 2, 2009 - 17:26 ET by Another Dead KennedyOkay, I'm not sure how you changed your nickname, but I don't see a place to change mine even if I wanted to. As I said before, my name has nothing to do with Teddy, nor any other Kennedy of the royal family for that matter. It is a stupid username (I have many spread across the web) and while it is neither my most creative nor my proudest moniker, I stand by it. I apologize if it offends you.
KENNEDY DEATH WATCH
June 2, 2009 - 17:37 ET by Cool ArrowThe old NB platform allowed for quick change but I don't see it anymore.
But I'll bet our Managing Editor would jump at an invitation from you to change that hideous nick. Don't know that for sure . . . just a hunch.
As a member, I'd be hard-pressed to justify the message your nick conveys.
"The only reason Clarence Thomas is on the court is because he's black". - Joe Biden
Seriously now, I'm having a
June 2, 2009 - 17:58 ET by Another Dead KennedySeriously now, I'm having a hard time seeing the issue here. You seem to be the only person on the site who has a problem with my name. Compared to the constant vulgarity from some of the posters on this site, my name is hardly an issue. But if anyone else wants to chime in here, and I find there are enough users who agree with you, then I'll begrudgingly notify the editor of the site (who approved my name in the first place when I signed up) and request a change.
Besides, I like Ted Kennedy, and I probably agree with more of his politics than many of NBs users do. I do not see anything funny about his disease, and do not in any way link my name to his.
KDW
June 2, 2009 - 19:03 ET by general companyPlease, and thanks
While I appreciate your fondness of TK, your user name does give the opposite perception.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Keep it, ditch it...I'm not
June 2, 2009 - 22:48 ET by fitzfongKeep it, ditch it...I'm not going to lose any sleep over it (and I doubt too many others will either).
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
KDW
June 2, 2009 - 23:16 ET by JerMy 2 cents.
After reading your explanation I'm convinced there was no malicious motive behind your chosen screen name. So I guess it boils down to a question of taste given the current status of the senator's health--which, considering the gravity of his condition and the implications of your name, makes it difficult not to associate one with the other.
What if you just deleted "Death"? But, it's your decision. As you noted, it's far from being the worst thing ever posted at NB.
Jer
→ Sorry I missed it
June 2, 2009 - 23:22 ET by Cool ArrowI guess I wasn't there when he explained the meaning of his Nick.
It must have been very moving if you excused it.
"The only reason Clarence Thomas is on the court is because he's black". - Joe Biden
I'm sorry, too.
June 2, 2009 - 23:37 ET by JerYou apparently misread my post. I didn't say he explained the meaning. But based upon the explanation he posted, and the representations he made as part of his explanation, I accept his word that there were no malicious motives.
But maybe you think he's lying. It's always a possibility.
Jer
→ No, Jer
June 2, 2009 - 23:49 ET by Cool ArrowI don't have any reason to believe he's lying.
But you have to admit _____ Death Watch would be completely unacceptable under any circumstances.
OK, you don't have to admit it, but I'm betting you will.
"The only reason Clarence Thomas is on the court is because he's black". - Joe Biden
Cool... I think, as a
June 3, 2009 - 00:13 ET by JerCool...
I think, as a matter of taste, the name shouldn't be acceptable. Especially since, considering the present circumstances, the implications are undeniable. But obviously it was approved at one time by those in charge.
Jer
→ I know, Jer
June 3, 2009 - 00:25 ET by Cool ArrowBut allow me to draw your attention to an offering here at NB tonight.
The existence of "Kennedy Death Watch" as a perpetual occurrence here seems somehow incongruous, doesn't it?
"The only reason Clarence Thomas is on the court is because he's black". - Joe Biden
Cool...
June 3, 2009 - 00:49 ET by JerYes.
Jer
BTW...the Kos diary was an abomination, but to suggest that the authorities pay a visit to the guy is absurd. If that's the standard, then there would be a lot of nervous posters here.
→ Tru dat Jer
June 3, 2009 - 00:56 ET by Cool ArrowBut here in cyberspace, every blog is a glass house. All I was trying to do was talk a member into policing himself.
And NB touts itself as exposing Liberal Hypocrisy.
I'm OK with dropping it. Nothing against KDW.
"The only reason Clarence Thomas is on the court is because he's black". - Joe Biden
Cool, I think you're
June 3, 2009 - 01:04 ET by JerCool,
I think you're right. And KDW as well as the mods should agree with you. It's bad PR for NB.
Jer
Geez, look what happened
June 3, 2009 - 12:02 ET by Another Dead KennedyGeez, look what happened after I went to sleep last night. So it appears a few dislike my name, a few are indifferent...
Here's what I'll do: I'll email NB and request a name change. What I ask for in return is simple, Cool - a mutual respect, even when you disagree with my posts. Fair enough?
Now, should we set up a poll for name change suggestions?
KDW
June 3, 2009 - 00:38 ET by well99The name reminds me when Huff was having a Tony Snow death watch.Reading your post I know that isnt your intention.I myself dont like TK but I wish him no ill as I am sure you do not wish anything bad to happen to him.
Will Conan get it straight?
June 2, 2009 - 11:47 ET by metaphorsbwithuI wonder if new Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien will refer to Villaraigosa as a Republican? Assuming someone will dare write a joke. Or will he begin, "Another Republican big city mayor ..."
Or perhaps he'll he bring back some Larry Craig jokes for contrast.
Btw, the former reporter, Mirthala Salinas, continued to report on the mayor's activities, including his divorce, while dating him. It's the LA way, I guess.
metaphorsbwithu
Villaraigosa is about the
June 2, 2009 - 13:44 ET by fitzfongVillaraigosa is about the dumbest, most inarticulate, frivolous empty suit ever to hold executive office. I would say that he's been Peter Principled as high as he can possibly go...but then look at what passes for Governor of California and President of the United States these days.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
Rod Blagojevech really
June 2, 2009 - 19:12 ET by sevendoesn't like to be out done.
The Chicago world has a lot of the 10 worst Evah.
Journalism ethics
June 2, 2009 - 20:46 ET by nkviking75Seems Ms. Parker slept through the lectures on journalism ethics. Assuming her profs offered any.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
As I remember it...
June 2, 2009 - 22:10 ET by UnsaneLu Parker arrived in San Antonio in April 1998 (or so) to begin work as the anchor for KABB, the town's Fox affiliate, on it's 9'o Clock news program. She remained there until around 2002-2003 (I remember her being on there as late as December 2002).
As I recall, previous to that she was a 9th grade English teacher in SC (she was Miss South Carolina USA before becoming Miss USA). She may have done some reporting in SC before heading over to San Antonio; I'm not sure. My point is though that journalism classes aren't normally required of English teachers. Hence she didn't sleep through them as you cannot sleep through what you do not take.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)