BROKEN NEWS ARNOLD'S VIDEOS COULD START TREND.

Byline: STEVE YOUNG

A lot of people have been upset with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's using state money to produce ``video news releases,'' or VNRs, that cast an entirely favorable light on some of the administration's most controversial policies. Some might say that this shows that Arnold really is ready to become president.

But I say that those who are pestering the governor on this one are just plain whiners, or worse, Democrats. They don't seem to understand that these videos that resemble local television news stories - complete with a suggested introductory script for anchors to read and with no indication at all that these were produced by the advocates - are just meant to educate. Educate those who may not be aware of their one-sided point of view and get confused when they hear both sides of an issue. The government is actually serving as a vital cog in getting the facts out - as it sees them. And word is that the governor fact-checks with at least three members of his staff before sending out the VNRs.

Democrats, who oppose most of the policy changes the videos are advocating, have denounced the videos as little more than taxpayer-funded propaganda and have asked Attorney General Bill Lockyer to intervene.

``I think there's a role for video news releases when they have legitimate purposes of education, but this goes from being an educational tool to a complete scam,'' said Democratic Assemblyman Paul Koretz.

Scam? Come on. We're not talking about some political hack putting out a piece of junk. We're talking about showbiz giant who can get blood from a stone. A horribly written stone. Remember, he got ``Jingle All The Way'' made.

And it's not even inappropriate. The Justice Department just gave its blessing to sending out VNRs without any acknowledgment of the government's role in their production. The only requirement is that the videos presented factual information about government programs. The memo was sent to heads of federal departments and agencies.

``The prohibition does not apply where there is no advocacy of a particular viewpoint, and therefore it does not apply to the legitimate provision of information concerning the programs administered by an agency,'' according to the Justice Department memo. Doesn't matter that the memo conflicts with the opinion of the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, which said that VNRs amount to illegal ``covert propaganda'' when they fail to make plain that the government is behind the releases.

The point is to show no advocacy. Say I show you a video that looks like a real newscast and says that shorter lunch breaks for workers saves the state, i.e. you, money; that's not necessarily advocacy. It's just showing you the truth. It doesn't matter that it might be only half the truth. You know. Just like talk radio does.

So with the Justice Department's nod (and wink?) it would seem that the barn doors are now wide open for a deluge of other VNRs meant to sell the truth. At least the half that sells the goods. Here are some possibilities:

L.A. Dodgers VNR 

The ever-sincere Vince Scully stands in front of a church with the Dodger logo in place of the cross, and explains to fans the benefits of the Dodgers ridding themselves of Shawn Greene and Adrian Beltre. ``Besides the decrease of their outrageous salaries, the Dodgers have not lost a single regular season game since they've left. And with Shawn out of the mix, no more concerns about who's playing and who's not during Yom Kippur. Buy your season tickets now for the one team under one God Dodgers. Play ball. Yessiree.''

Real Estate VNR

Laura Diaz walks slowly in past a grove of giant sequoias. ``Prices too high? Only if you're one of the doom and gloomers who can't see the great investment opportunity forests for the million-dollar two-bedroom trees. The seemingly higher housing prices are not actually high when you compare them to the seemingly high gas prices for gas-guzzling cars. And statistics over the previous 10 years show the number of fatal accidents in multimillion-dollar homes is far lower than the number of fatalities in automobiles. And the traffic in the home, no matter what the price, doesn't even compare.''

Insurance Company VNR

Harold Greene sits next to an elderly woman. ``Yes, she's old. And yes, she is in need of expensive, life-saving drugs that may seem outside her present financial situation. She may even have a tough time paying atrocious credit card charges and penalties. But there is hope. That is why mandatory euthanasia makes real sense for the nonworking poor. Not only will it cut unemployment rolls to record lows, but it also takes the elderly out of the horrific cycle of pain and unaffordable medication. It creates a win-win for the Social Security crisis as less elderly and sick will mean a lock box that will be overflowing for the younger, more fit and attractive recipients. Insurance companies have already ramped up for the deluge of creative nonsuicidal deaths and have been adding revising life policy coverages to exclude those with outstanding bills. Less unemployment and more euthanasia, a formula for a better America.

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Photo:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger outlines his plans for his government reform initiatives to employees at LAgraphico in Burbank on Thursday.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer