Heroes, villains picked for sportsmen

Field & Stream magazine has declared Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin among its many heroes and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger its biggest villain in 2008.

“For the first time in a century we had a candidate for executive office who understood real hunting and fishing,” the magazine, in its December issue, said of Palin, who advanced through part of a March Madness-style bracket system past other “heroes,” including Kevin Costner (angler) and golfer Boo Weekley (hunter-angler).

The finalist on the hero side was country singer Miranda Lambert, an avid deer hunter whose lyrics have reflected her fondness for the outdoors.

Among villains, because of their staunch animal rights beliefs, were Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney and Vladimir Putin.

Schwarzenegger, who vaulted past them all, was harshly criticized for supporting gun-control measures and being on watch during the collapse of the Chinook salmon fishery.

He advanced to a face-off against Lambert because, the magazine explains, “Thanks to him, nobody in California might hunt or fish again.”

In a hero-versus-villain final, Schwarzenegger prevailed because, “The Terminator has slashed funds for salmon and steelhead restoration, and he’d close down state recreation areas where hunting and fishing are now permitted. Worst of all, he’ll ‘be back’ in 2009.”

The magazine feature is silly but with some merit if you’re a hunter or angler.

After all, Palin is both and Schwarzenegger is neither, and California’s governor did threaten to close state parks and he does support a proposed toll road project that would destroy habitat within San Onofre State Beach.

A villain? That’s being harsh. A leader with different priorities? Yes.

-- Pete Thomas

From Outposts: Hike, surf, fish and get outdoors in Southern California

For more, go to latimes.com/outposts

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BABYLON & BEYOND

King spares barber’s life

The king spared the barber.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has rescinded the death penalty against a Turkish barber convicted of “cursing” the name of God.

Sabri Bogday, who cuts hair in the port of Jidda, was sentenced to beheading for swearing during an argument with his neighbor, a tailor.

Turkish media reported that Turkey’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia informed Bogday’s family that he had been spared. Turkish President Abdullah Gul had asked the king to set aside the verdict.

After Bogday’s arrest, the Arab News in Saudi Arabia quoted a lawyer who described how the court viewed using God’s name in vain:

“Some judges consider it heresy and infidelity, and say that the accused cannot repent and so faces the death penalty. Others consider the statement to be disbelief, thus allow the accused to retract what he has said and repent and then set him free. . . . Sentences in these cases are limited and considered rare, because the judgment is not based on something that is written.”

Saudi Arabia’s rigid Islamic laws carry the death penalty for crimes including murder, rape, drug trafficking, heresy and blasphemy.

A recent report by Amnesty International estimated that 71 people had been executed in the kingdom during the first eight months of 2008. More than half were foreigners.

-- Jeffrey Fleishman in Cairo

From Babylon & Beyond: Observations from Iraq, Iran, Israel, the Arab world and beyond

For more, go to latimes.com/babylon

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UP TO SPEED

L.A. Auto Show: New Porsches

The 2009 Porsche Boxster and 2009 Porsche Cayman have just had their world debuts at the L.A. Auto Show.

Here’s the tech spec and cash splash:

Both of these mid-engined models come in either “normal” or S versions. Starting at the bottom, the Boxster’s 2.9-liter flat-six engine spins to the tune of 255 horsepower and won’t leave the showroom without your writing a check for $46,600. Deplete the bank account by $56,700 and the Boxster S zooms into availability, with a 3.4-liter flat-six and 310 hp. The Cayman equivalents enjoy more power. The base model ($50,300) has 265 hp and the S ($60,200) sports 320.

Because it’s 2009, more or less, there are the usual USB sockets and iPod accouterments, heated/ventilated seats, and the option of Porsche’s active stability management program (PASM).

The chassis has also seen a few refinements. Oh, and in case the conscience is kicking in, each model meets ULEV standards.

However, the real revolution (pardon the pun) is the PDK transmission.

Although the standard transmission is a perfectly serviceable six-speed manual, the seven-speed double-clutch option is the one to go for. This sounds like heresy, but, depending on the model, it shaves at least a tenth of a second from the sprint to 60 mph and is responsible for an 8% improvement in fuel consumption. It can also be set to operate in comfort mode for those leisurely cruises or sport mode for faster, harder shifts. Porsche has been using this system in its racing cars for years, so it’s been tried and tested.

-- Colin Ryan

From: Up to Speed: Car Culture in L.A.

For more, go to: latimes.com/uptospeed