Billionaire Bidding for Tribune Company a Friend of Bill, Former Black Panther Supporter

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Just in time for the 2008 presidential race, a certified "Friend of Bill" is bidding to acquire the Tribune Company, which owns the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. As reported in this New York Times article , FOB Ronald W. Burkle and Eli Broad sumbitted their bid yesterday to Tribune management.

According to his Wikipedia entry:

• Burkle is a well-known political contributor and longtime Democratic fundraiser.
• He supported the Black Panthers in the Sixties.
• Burkle has supported California State Treasurer Phil Angelides and employed former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown
• Burkle is a close friend of former President Bill Clinton, who calls Burkle's Boeing 757 private jet "Ron Air."
• Clinton, who is a senior adviser to Burkle's company, Yucaipa, wrote in his memoir, "My Life", that Burkle "became one of my best friends."
• Burkle and Steve Rattner helped finance Al Gore's cable Current TV network.

Burkle has also given over $200,000 to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. But given the Terminator's terminal veer to the left, that hardly makes Burkle GOP-friendly.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

FOB-FYI ping to Today show list.

[Lurker]

Colonel McCormick is whirling in his grave right now.

I think I'll go by his place tomorrow and pay my respects and offer my condolences on the death of his once fine newspaper.

BTW the old rifle range on his property is now a nice Par 4 and his stables have been converted into a very deceptive Par 3 over water.

L

[BlessedBeGod]

Oh, great. Just what we need.
I miss the old Chicago Tribune. Looks like it's gone forever, especially if this guy gets it.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"He's got about 195 yards left, he's got about a - its looks like he's got about an eight-iron. This crowd has gone deathly silent, the Cinderella story, outta no where, a former greenskeeper now - about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac - It's in the hole!"

[David Isaac]

Anyone know how Burkle got his money. Odd, how many billionaire friends Bill has, considering that the GOP is the party of the rich.

[raybbr]

Bill will befriend anyone with money. Some of them are too stupid to know that Bill is using them.

[Lurker]

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Looks like a beautiful spot. Some fine old trees, too. Is it public or private?

[Lurker]

Gotta love a park with heavy armor.

L

[angkor]

he got started with his family grocery store(s) and took it from there. can't recall name of stores.

[rockinqsranch]

Trend?

FOB Kaplan moves to CBS news position,
FOB from India buys ORC and teams with CNN,
Two Senators from Southern States with Media ties back Hillary, thus the Black vote,
Now this...

Any others I'm unaware of?

[Lurker]

It's public. And most of those trees are Oak, although there are a number of beautiful hardwood stands there.

The 1st Army Division Museum is also on the property and that's always worth a trip. President Bush had a fundraiser there back in 2000 at Col. McCormicks mansion.

There's a flock of wild turkeys on the grounds, too.

And the bass fishing in those water hazards is mighty good. I dragged a 7 pound largemouth out of one a few years ago.

L

[moonman]

"He's got about 195 yards left, he's got about a - its looks like he's got about an eight-iron."

Unless there is a strong wind to your back, make that a 5 iron, at least! haha

[governsleastgovernsbest]

At least a 5 for me, but no more than an eight iron for Carl Spackler in Caddyshack!

[sharkhawk]

I love Catigny. No better place for a family to go for a picnic. Where else can you send the boys out to climb on the tanks.

[lentulusgracchus]

FWIW, the one in the middle is an M-26 Chaffee LT. The one at left is probably an M-60, but the vehicle in the distance has the suspension components of an M-10 tank destroyer with a light-tank turret: I don't recognize it.

[Lurker]

The Mrs. and I had our wedding pictures done in Mrs. McCormicks gardens. My son spent his time messing up the suit we bought him by climbing all over those tanks.

And you're quite correct about it being a great place for a picnic. They also have art shows and concerts monthly during the summer.

I'm lucky enough to live not too far from there.

And did I mention there's a really nice golf course there?

L

[Mo1]

Burkle also likes Pension Funds too

Pretty Liberal With The Cash
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_42/b3904098_mz020.htm

[Lurker]

We'll probably be there tomorrow. I'll compile a list for you and let you know what they are. They've got a couple of real rare vehicles on the grounds.

The Curator says he's just waiting for the M1A to be retired so they can roll one of those bad boys onto the grounds. Now that I want to see.

L