A month ago I retired from the Daily News, a month without the identity as a newspaperman, a month without reading a newspaper.
It's strange on many levels all that's happened, and getting my news online only through websites run by corporations and blogs run by individuals is part of that new experience.
I'm a novice to say the least at blogging, learning bit by bit the technology and the art of blogging. I still write like a journalist in long takes, instead of short takes that blogging requires, a few paragraphs at a time.
But for the first time in my life, after 44 years as a reporter and editor, I'm writing publicly under my own name what I think and what I know in the way I want to. No rules but my own. No bosses. No journalistic standards except my own..
It's liberating. Not having a job is liberating. It may seem odd to many that a long-time journalist is finding the exercise of his right of free speech and of the press to be a new experience. But that's the way it is. The news business is just that, a business that manufactures products according to industry standards and consumer expectations. Not one professional journalist out of a thousand has the talent, skill and permission to exercise the First Amendment in any meaningful way, though most struggle to bring at least some of themselves into the work they produce.
I'm not sure anybody should care about this postinig but it's my blog and I feel like talking about what's been happening in my life.
I got a year older, 67 yesterday, and I've never been so happy, so free, so energized.
For one thing, I've left the Valley and gone over the hill more times than in the past five years. I've gotten invited to a lot of community meetings and other events, even receiving some unexpected honors like I will tonight at the Coro Foundation banquet at the Biltmore Hotel. That's strange too because I've always looked down on honors and awards and thought journalists should be heard and not seen. But it is flattering and humbling to be recognized for what you've done, even if all you were doing was your job.
A lot of people I've worked with out of the past have re-connected to me and I've heard via calls, emails and comments posted on my blog from many people I've known a long time and others I've never met.
My identity now is as a blogger and community activist. The vision of a greater Los Angeles I brought to my work has expanded to see the possibilities of what can be done if all the people who are involved in community groups of every type - civic, social, political, business and charitable - were to look beyond their narrow interests, put aside their differences and work together for the common good.
That's the dream I'm pursuing now. It's what I believe is the path to restoring real democracy to
There I've done it. I've written "I" more times than I've ever written it before and I feel better for it.
Now, what's important is what you think, what you want to see happen, what's your agenda for making
Traffic congestion, failing schools, overdevelopment, gangs and public safety, the cost of government, political empowerment - those are a few of the categories we can do something about. I hope you'll add to the list and spell out your beliefs about what must be done.
Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests.
Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to
carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner,
Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers
in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the Naitonal Enquirer.
congratulations and happy birthday - you're not 67 - you're 1 - because this is the start of your liberation. love the blog. keep up the good work and have fun!
Happy Birthday! Here's to many more years of your use of the word "I".
The first thing the city has to do is hire really smart, sincere, gifted, talented people instead of settling for the cronyism that is rampant in all big cities.
As for me, I sent an email to the Tree People today to see if I can join a crew and staet planting trees in South L.A. I won't work for the Valley--they have trees enough and residents with moeny to buy trees. I want the barren streets.
Old people power!
Gee, you'd think the Daily News would have at least given you a lifetime subscription.
I feel like this blog is getting more and more real with every post. Don't worry about writing "in long takes:" it's great to finally get some serious analysis of LA politics. Thanks for your work.
I didn't see the biggest elephant, hippo and jackel in the room on that list: Illegal aliens, sanctuary city policies and Special Order 40.
A new mayor like Walter Moore, and those problems can be tackled.
A new council wouldn't hurt either.
Ron, I'm reading every day and loving the experience. This is only the second thread I've commented on (When will they ever learn thread was the other one), but each posting has made me think. If you, sir, can still be an idealist, with everything you've seen in the news business for those 40 years, we all can. And we should. This city more than any American city should be powered by idealism--by dreams. Yet, the spinelessness and pettiness with which L.A.'s broken down political machine is saddled cause Griffith Park to be defiled and practically abandoned, and meaningful public transit to be "in" one day and de-funded the next. Ron you have long been a role model for me and it's good to hear you speaking in first person.
I started a comment, but it's grown beyond what I can put in a text box, so I've emailed it to you. The basic message is, "You go, man!" Never lose the faith and dedication.