China Opens Arms for Technology, but Keeps Its Door Shut to News
Twist and shout.
* Technology yes, news no.
Keith Taft, Asian marketing manager for Palomar-MSI of Escondido, which makes capacitor chips, is in Beijing as a guest of the Chinese government.
He’s one of 32 foreigners being honored for helping China advance technologically.
He’s being accompanied by his wife. But only after she managed to convince skeptical Chinese officials in the United States that her interest in going to Beijing was strictly spousal, not professional.
Vicci Taft is a reporter for KFMB radio. Two years after the Tian An Men Square massacre, the Chinese are still leery about Western reporters.
* Jim Bates makes it official Saturday: He’s a comeback candidate for Congress.
His campaign will include a good dose of mea culpa for the things he did to get booted by voters last year.
* Valerie Stallings, already supported by slow-growthers, is quietly making overtures to the building industry for her runoff campaign against San Diego Councilman Bruce Henderson.
* Press releases I released immediately. From Empowering Potential Intl. in Olivenhain:
“Two Palestinian terrorists achieved a major reversal in attitude when guided through psychological processes based on quantum physics theory.”
* A movable fast.
Abu Ala Badruddoza, 26, fighting deportation to Bangladesh, is relocating his hunger strike from Palomar College in San Marcos to the sidewalk outside the Federal Building in San Diego.
* No, the Ladies of the Night show Saturday in the downtown Copper Room next to City Hall has nothing to do with the world’s oldest job title. I checked.
It’s a gathering of women stand-up comics.
* There’s always a local angle.
Among those taking part in a “Playboy Read-In” protest at a Berkeley diner (which in a fit of sexual correctness had banned “Playboy”): former San Diego Tribune reporter Steven De Salvo, now studying law.
* North County bumper sticker, on a gold Audi: “I’d Rather Be in Escrow.”
Two-Time Recession Loser
Jobs, planes, flowers and more.
* Double hit.
Bob Hudson has now lost two jobs to the same recession. First, he was laid off as vice president of a Chula Vista-based chain of radio stations.
From there he went to the San Diego Chamber of Commerce as vice president for military affairs, where he’s part of recently announced cutbacks there.
At the chamber he worked to keep military jobs from leaving San Diego: “I managed to save a lot of jobs, but not my own.”
* A political rumor has defeated San Diego Councilman Wes Pratt going to a downtown law firm.
* Aviation Week magazine says the “Top Gun” school at Miramar Naval Air Station may use Soviet MiG-29s, as adversary craft. The Navy isn’t talking.
* Flushing out the news.
The county Water Authority is offering a rebate for homeowners turning in old toilets. And gathering some interesting information.
Like the fact that 6% of the old toilets were being used as flower planters.
* Names we could do without: A dog grooming service in East County called The Dogromat.
* License plate on new Porsche outside Belly-Up Tavern in Solana Beach: PAPR BOI.
If so, I’m in the wrong part of the business.
Off to the Races
Mayoral derby.
A poll about the mayor’s race next year in San Diego is making the rounds of political operatives. Unattached to any party or personage, the poll shows:
* Maureen O’Connor would have been easily reelected, regardless of opponent.
* State Sen. Lucy Killea (D-San Diego) would have been the favorite, by far, to become O’Connor’s successor. (Killea opted not to run).
* Matched one-on-one, Councilman Ron Roberts narrowly edges Supervisor Susan Golding (with less than a third of voters undecided).
* When more candidates are added, like in a primary, Roberts’ support drops off faster than Golding’s suggesting that his backers are less loyal than hers.
* Conclusion: Roberts has a slim but shaky lead.
