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In the early 90's, everybody started getting the idea that automotive safety was best described as Bigger = Safer. While it's true that a giant SUV does put more mass on your side in a collision, there are a millilon other ways to protect yourself; and technology can be a more than adequate substitute for gross tonnage.

Which leads me to this video. Ford is getting ready to introduce inflatable safety belts for rear-seat passengers: airbags for the crowd in back. Take a look at this video; the demonstration in the first 12-seconds is kinda cool. But be warned, everything after that, mostly will appeal only to the auto-techiest geek.

 Hey Ford! Putting video online: good! Making it seem like a middle-school science film: bad! Important safety advancement: good! No cool, post-MTV shock edits: bad! No wait; maybe, good! ...Since I'll assume you bailed out shortly after the demonstration, I'll also assume you missed the part where Ford said it'll put these inflatable belts into next year's Explorer. Good move.

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The record-breakingly popular fright flick, Paranormal Activity was made for only $15,000?  Then I have only one question: What did they do with the other $14,000? I may be late onto this train, but I wish it'd pulled out before I got to the station. I saw a matinee: three people in the theater. When it was over, this guy turns to his date and says "What the Hell was that?"

 ++ =

Don't get me wrong. (Backpeddling anyone? -Ed.) Kudos to the director for resourcefulness, taping it in his own house. Another tip o' the hat for selling it, and to the studio for its very-effective marketing campaign. Midnight campus screenings, social networking websites: you know the drill. You saw it played out last time, in Blair Witch. I swore I'd never fall for another con-job like that one; then, lo-and-behold, I fell for another con-job like that one. Actually, it's the same con-job, just  in a suburban neighborhood. Nothing happens forever, then the last two seconds are decent. So congratulations to all who snookered me, and millions of other clueless saps.

So now, let's talk about the movie itself. On second thought, that guy at my screening said it all: What the Hell was that? Carumba. I've heard of audiences members who've spit on the ticket-taker, for movies that were better.

I'm always wishing for something different than the usual Hollywood blockbuster. Now I understand the saying "be careful what you wish for." Agree? Disagree? (Really??) Seen something worse? Comments, below.

 

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(UPDATE: Why is there such divergence between your economic survival stories posted in the Comments section, below, and the --admittedly small so far-- sampling in the poll, on the right? To read the Comments, it seems like things are pretty bleak, but poll participants, at this writing, believe the economic recovery is on track? Leave your own contribution at the bottom of this post, and take the poll, too.)

If you watch the news enough, you'll eventually see the stories that say "coffee is good for you," and then shortly after, "coffee is bad for you." You'll see that your kid sleeps too much; followed by, your kid doesn't sleep enough.

It's the same with the last six months'-worth of economic stories. Every time a new economic report comes out, the markets lurches wildly. As I write this, the Dow has seen swings of 100 points or more, in 6 of the last 8 trading sessions. There's a lotta knee-jerk reaction going on out there, and I think it adds to a general sense of unease.

You're smart (of course they are: they're reading this blog, right? -Ed.): you may not have an MBA, but you have your own sense of how things are going; and so, this question: How are things going? The administration says its economic recovery plan is on track. But then, the administration kinda has to say that, doesn't it? The opposition party says --well-- the opposite. And cable TV is filled with gasbags saying both.

Take the brand-new Let's Blog! Poll, on the right: what's your own gut-feeling about the state of the economy? And explain why you feel the way you do, in Comments for all to read, below.

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L.A.'s  Mayor Villaraigosa announces his choice for the next Chief of the LAPD on Tuesday. Any well-run company or organization usually has a line of succession, or at least folks groomed to take over. Such is the case with the Police Department. That's something else departing Chief Bill Bratton can take credit for.

The Police Commission's three finalists all are internal candidates. Is that a plus, or a minus? Reading the tea leaves doesn't help:

Those who've lived in L.A. long enough, remember when the city brought in Willie Williams from Philadelphia in 1992. Williams seemed "in over his head." His troops didn't respect him. He followed Daryl Gates, who resigned in the wake of that year's L.A. riots. Gates--who had risen through the ranks himself--made some serious tactical mistakes, but he was credited with creating strong morale in a force that was severely understaffed, compared to other metropolitan cities.

Bernard Parks took over from Williams. Parks was (and is) a popular local figure who knew the turf and reduced violent crime, but was hamstrung by a terrible period of police corruption scandals.  Then-Mayor Jim Hahn gave him the boot, and at the next election, voters gave Hahn the boot. There was a definite connection. Parks led to Bratton, who's had a pretty good run.

Gates: internal

Williams: outsider

Parks: internal

Bratton: outsider.

The new top cop's #1 job needs to be a continued focus on major-crimes. It's an increasing challenge, but key to L.A.'s future. Everything else is window-dressing.

BTW, in thinking about the reeeeeeally old days of the LAPD (at least Hollywood's version), I came across this.... Enjoy.

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Look out!

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Daylight Saving Time, ending on Sunday: time to set the clocks back, change the batteries in the smoke detector, and get the oil changed in the car....

As Homer Simpson might say:  "It's funny, because it's happening to someone you don't know." I love the service tech at the end, just kind of wandering around at the edge of the frame.

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Apparently, you've seen the same thing I've seen. (If you're a step behind, read the blog entry, one item below.) These pictures sent to me, off the web. As a friend of mine would say --she says this about lots of things, but certainly it applies here-- "Come on, people! This is unacceptable!"  

The last costume, the dragon lady from the little harlots-line may be the worst of the lot. Parents, don't send your kids out like this.

Take the Let's Blog! Halloween Poll, on the right, and leave your Comments, below.

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Quick! We gotta act fast on this one: there are lives at stake. OK, there aren't any lives at stake.  I was in the Halloween costume store yesterday-- good use of otherwise empty store properties, by the way-- and was reminded again that Halloween is an increasingly ...ahem... "mature"-themed day.

Don't get me wrong: nothing's more fun than pulling up at a stoplight a day or two before Halloween itself, and noticing the next driver over, is wearing a naughty nurse costume for the office party. At least I hope that was a costume. Or I hope her doctor is in my PPO.

But check out these costumes:

Anybody notice that a couple of the models are just little girls, and the others are dressed like them? I don't know which is more offensive, a Harry Potter-style school outfit, or a bare-midriff pirate on a 9-year-old. It strikes me, an increasing number of 'sexy' costumes are consciously geared for teens, 'tweens, and younger kids, who really shouldn't be targeted.

Coming out in opposition to the sexualization of children isn't excatly going out on a limb, but really: these kids will have to grow up fast enough. Much faster than we did. It'd be nice if they could be allowed to have some innocent scary fun, going house to house scamming candy, dressed in something that can't be viewed as an early tryout for Girls Gone Nasty, Volume XII.

Take the Let's Blog! Halloween Poll, on the right, and leave your Comments, below.

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You demanded (Who exactly was that, kent? -Ed.), and herewith, we respond, to the first batch of personal questions submitted to the cast of Newscentral, 5-7 a.m.  Future questions will be answered as well, unless my mind wanders.

  A: I started here in 1983. I was brought on as the Aerospace reporter from Orlando, Florida. I covered Space Shuttle launches there, before coving the landings here (at Edwards AFB). BikeRider's "Challenger" comment refers to the morning I was anchoring Challenger's last lift-off. Very few stations across the country carried shuttle launches live anymore: they were old news. I was glad I'd had a few years of shuttle experience, to talk about what was happening, but obviously I wish it hadn't happened. BTW: about being around forever-- I like Ringo Starr's comment: "I am forever 24, until I look in the mirror." 

From John —  I have wondered were does Vera wear her microphone. All of the rest of you including the ladies you can see it hanging on there blouse or the guys tie or jacket but I do not see it on her.

A: (from Vera!) Hmmm...  Let's see.  Well honestly speaking the mic gets placed where ever it happens to work the best with whatever I'm wearing. Sometimes that's a skirt and blouse like today, other times a dress, some days a suit, or slacks and a sweater, it usually depends on the weather and the mood I'm in. Our audio guru, usually determines what mic placement works with the outfit and if it doesn't we adjust it accordingly. Thanks for inquiry! ;)

From Michael — Question for Henry:  what's his favorite sport to watch, and to participate in?  Why is he such an avid outdoorsman?

A: (From Henry!) I love football on TV, Hockey in person and playoff basketball and baseball.  I enjoy playing all sports, but playing catch in the backyard with my boys is still the best.  As for the outdoors, I grew up camping with my family.  I enjoy camping and fishing with my family today. Henry

From Daryl — Kent, My daughter is the managing editor for her college newspaper. Do you or your team have any advice for a college student interested in a career in journalism? Thanks. Daryl

A: Nice to know of a concerned dad. Short answer: read and watch as much news as she can. If she likes a certain style, remember it, and don't be afraid to use it. Note I'm not saying 'steal it,' but analyze what makes it work. Take the first job she's offered. And prepare for a career more exciting than humanly imaginable. PS- if she wants to prep a list of questions, she can feel free to give me a call at the station.  I'm the only Kent in the building. The operator knows where to find me. 

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Random stuff, until I get a handle on being back from a week off. (Older readers will think this looks a lot like one of Larry King's old newspaper columns, just before his syndicator dropped running it.)

1) What personal questions would you want to ask any of us from Newscentral 5-7 a.m.? I always like to pry into my colleagues' private lives and post their answers. Leave your questions in the Comments section, below. We'll print answers, soonest.

2) My gearhead nephew has been telling me that matte black is the next hot color for performance cars. I saw a Bentley GT painted like that on my vacation, and I can't decide if it's really cool and stealthy, or if it just looks like the car has been primered, and is ready for its actual coat of paint.

3) Increasing impatience with President Obama: real concern or opposition-manufactured hysteria? The President's popularity numbers are down, SNL is making fun of him for not doing anything, and it appears he's having trouble getting traction. But then, he plans for the long term. Is he a one-term president? If so, to whom would he lose?

4) Is there a worse place in the Southwest than New Mexico?

5) Quick!  Phil Jackson has just asked for your input to help the Lakers repeat their championship season: What advice do you offer?

If you have thoughts on any or all of the above, please click on Comments, directly below. See? I told you this was random.

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Back Monday, October 26.