More Media Criticism

... and while I'm criticizing the media today, I have to say CNN is getting worse and worse. Just their anchors' general editorializing about stuff. Where's the objectivity? Disgraceful. Not journalism. On a related noted, watching the coverage of Hurricane Isaac today, I really have the feeling that this storm is being hyped way more than it merits. We'll see if what I'm saying proves to be true. Yes, they're evacuating some people from low-lying areas right near the Gulf that are prone to flooding. But from everything I've read, the levees in New Orleans proper, which led to the catastrophic flooding from Katrina 7 years ago today, are not close to having any problems whatsoever. You wouldn't know that from watching CNN! They are doing their best to make this a disaster that rivals Katrina. And I believe from all I've read and heard, that that is a very inaccurate exaggeration.

By the way, if people are out in a hurricane, being blown about, that by definition means that the hurricane is not that bad. Think about that when you see those photos of people in the wind and rain on The NY Times website and on CNN . What you're not seeing is it's probably college kids having fun. I did it when I was that age. If the hurricane was really bad, you would not be seeing people standing up in it!

Enough already.

Along those lines, Anderson Cooper, please sir, enough already. Get out of the rain.

Really bad jobs by the news media are one of my pet peeves. Excuse me for my ranting.

Huh?

I'm sorry, but the Republicans are having Condoleezza Rice speak at their convention tonight for what reason exactly? Are they aware that this person was part of the most incompetent  administration we've had in the White House maybe, like, ever? Why would they want to be associated with the team that brought us Iraq and other disasters? I don't get it. And I never understood their — and the media's for that matter — love affair with this person. What am I missing? Someone help me out here. I'm all ears.

Vacant Locations

Just a couple of vacant locations around Austin that have some nice potential:

1) The Organic Market next to the Windsor. Very excited about this location. It's part of a new condo so could house a very nice restaurant or another upscale grocer. (It's already set up to sell food, etc.) A bit cozy in terms of size. My choice would be a nice, new restaurant there. I would imagine the rent is pretty high though given it's a new construction. But, it's also on a side street. Hmmm, maybe we'll be looking at another fantastic food place like La Boulangerie, which also managed to afford a side street near Austin. And has found a huge following.

2) The former Marianella's Mexican spot. Right next to the McDonald's this location I see for another fast food chain. Chipotle is already coming next to Martha's, so while that would have been a no-brainer for them, that chain is out. (The location they chose is obviously better for them. Much better visibility in that highly-trafficked corner, right there visible even by Restaurant Row-goers.) What other fast food chains could come into that spot? 

Article About Metropolitan Ave.

Taci's chose Metropolitan Ave. over Austin St.

A reader sent me this link. It's an interesting look at Metropolitan Avenue discussing how and why it's rapidly becoming a "restaurant destination."
Affordable rents boost Forest Hills’ other retail strip

Now, if only they'd build that long-delayed trolley from Austin St. to Metropolitan through the Gardens I'd be there in a second! (Kidding! Don't all you Gardeners get upset. Just a joke. No one's building a trolley through your neighborhood....yet.)