This discussion reminds me of the MSM debate where Republicans accuse the media of an elitist liberal bias and Democrats harp on the dangers of corporate consolidation. There is an element of self interest on both sides.

For example, Mr WestsideREmeltdown is SO clearly trying to instigate his apocalyptic prediction that he borders on ‘agitator’ status. And while I’m not necessarily proud of it, it WOULD be in MY self interest for him to be right. I live (and rent) on the Westside and am pretty much priced out of the market UNTIL a masive correction takes place. But the sheer amount of wealth and international diversity in the area just doesn’t make it seem that likely to me.

San Diego is a different animal and I’m not as familiar with it. But the point is that media spin DOES matter but it will only go so far.

Does anyone remember Gov. Arnold proclaiming California as a modern nation-state a few months back? I think the comment was related to statewide environmental policies compared to the relative lack of them at the national level – one of the bolder things I’ve heard him say.

His subtext was that California possesses an international ‘cachet’ that is very much in play in this overall debate. The multi-generational California native does not matter as much when newly wealthy “call center entrepreneurs” from Mumbai are currently shopping for homes in Santa Monica.