Quick take on Michael Jackson: Guilty.

That's how I would write the headline anyway.

Not many people I know are convinced that he will be convicted. (Andy Rooney high-pitched whine) Why is that anyway?

Great example; pundit Catherine Crier (former judge, former prosecutor) told Sean
Hannity yesterday that she thought Jacko was guilty but wasn't so sure he would be convicted. If that's not hedging, then what is it? Of course, she's part of the same media class that would whore out in a second to get a one-on-one with Jackson. Look at Diane Sawyer. Her interviews with newsmakers are only possible because she will never ask the hardball question. Larry King, same thing.

Hannity is another pathetic example. He talks tough, then never gets to the
meat of what is on his mind, instead praising liberal politicians to their
faces, while vilifying them behind their backs. When there's an opportunity to
really grill somebody of the opposite persuasion, his producers serve up softballs by only allowing Alan Colmes to do the interview and vice-versa. Fox pretends to be fair and
balanced, but when it comes time to give some Republican hack grief they simply
back off.

Don't get me wrong, I could watch Fox News Channel all day, but that's just watching. Their live news coverage (outside of Iraq and Israel) is pathetic. Anchors like Jon Scott are merely readers who spew barely literate teleprompter copy while attempting to assert that what they are reading is somehow relevant. I hate (for example) when they pick up a live police pursuit from LA. No one can pronounce the Spanish names of many SoCal locals -- one time I heard Scott offer five different pronunciations of Los Feliz during the reportage of a meaningless car chase. You know they are waiting for gunfire or some other titillating video that can then be run ad
nauseum for the rest of the news cycle -- if not the rest of the week. But there's never any follow up. I wonder, what happened to that guy from Los Feliz. Is he out? Is he doing time? What's the deal?

FOX 11 in Los Angeles is even more pathetic. The worst offender on this insipid station is Tony
McEwing. A lot of mornings he won't read the local sports copy because he deems it too icky. WEIRDO ALERT !!!

How is it that the Los Angeles Times can daily fill eight-page section with news from the Southland, but FOX 11 can barely find local news (other than chases, accidents and murders). On the other hand, Channel 11 always seems to have time for video fresh from the "You
won't believe your eyes" file. You know: Air show accident in Lower Slobovia; "Dog Gives Birth to Kittens in Pakistan" "Michael Jackson Arrives in Court Wearing Pajamas."

Oh yeah, Michael Jackson. I said at the start of this rant he's guilty. How do I know? Why the hell else would he wear pajamas to court?

***
Thanks to all who attended the Wheelhouse show last night. As usual, Jack and Rosy Norris were there and I think all of us totally appreciate their support.

***

Behind the Gate
Damn. Five years out of the newspaper business and you'd think it was all behind me. It feels awesome to be back in black(and white).

SGVN publishes piece on HST today. Thanks Steve.
Thunderheart live in Hemet tonight 9 p.m. at the Wheelhouse. No cover. Band plays 'til whenever. Set will probably include:

1. I Just Wanna Make Love to You
2. I'm a Man
3. Takin' Care of Business
4. Hootchy Kootchy Man
5. Jumpin' Jack Flash
6. Joker
7. Born to Be Wild
8. Boardwalk
9. Wonderful Tonight
10. Mustang Sally
11. Back in the USSR

There will be more. I just can't remember them all right now. Ciao

THB at Murrieta 3-5-5
staff photo

HOW WINEVILLE LOST ITS NAME

There used to be a town in Northern Riverside County called Wineville. The grapes grown there produced some of the nation's finest wines --especially in the 1920s and 1930s (during prohibition). In fact, some of California's first wineries flourished in the area.

The largest of those was the Guasti Winery -- it sits on the land now owned by the Ontario Airport. Actually, Guasti was the site of the world's largest vineyard. It stretched from what is now the San Bernardino Freeway south to beyond what is now Jurupa Avenue. Beyond that was a collection of other wineries (Notably Galleano and San Antonio, which are still in business today). Further south on Wineville Avenue, a strand of eucalyptus trees separated the vines from a group of run-down properties with hen houses, hog sloppers and abandoned cars.

A serial killer named Gordon Stewart Northcott practiced his trade on this far edge of society. In 1929, he was conviced of three child murders and sentenced to death at San Quentin for the crimes, which included the kidnapping of two Pomona boys outside a YMCA meeting.

The made headlines across the nation and singled out Wineville as the location where the "Chicken Murders" took place. Shortly after Northcott's execution in 1930, Wineville decided to change its name. The tiny town became Mira Loma or "Hill View."

The case (and Northcott) ultimately faded from memory. In the intervening years, Wineville also faded. Most of the Guasti vineyards became Ontario International Airport. Galleano and San Antonio remained and still maintain some of the finest old zinfandel vines in the United States. Those too are rapidly disappearing -- housing is cheap in Riverside County.

visit THUNDERHEART