In my head, I imagine lovely little Alice Wynn slaving away at her Metro Spirit desk day after day, praying (or whatever she does to constitute summoning a higher power--sacrificing goats, maybe) for the chance to write a headline like this one, from The News-Enterprise in Hardin County, KY.
Pot 'syndicate' to have joint trial
One defendant's testimony weighs heavy before trial
Fret not, Alice, for your day will come.
Showing posts with label local media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local media. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Friday, January 18, 2008
Shut your trap
Over on my triathlon forum, there was a thread started by a guy who had a disagreement with his swim coach. Coach told him to do thing "A", guy wanted to do thing "B." Coach told him to shut his trap and do thing "A." Oh, and by the way, the coach is my wife the guy said. Not surprisingly, the consensus from the group was "shut your trap and do what your coach/wife tells you."
So that brings me to today's hilarity. I'm in the unique position of having an editor who's also my wife. OK, maybe it's not unique, because I'm sure somewhere in the universe there exists someone in a similar position. But at least it's an interesting situation. So anyway, I submit my column this morning with the following request:
"Not to question your editorial prowess, but can we keep the bolded headers? So much easier on the readers…"
To me, it makes sense. I write a column that often features short, unrelated snippets. Without bolding the first few words of each paragraph, the unassuming reader thinks (naturally) that it's all related. But then they see this rapid shift of topic and they think they're either missing something or I'm an idiot. Regardless, it trips them up, and tripping up you're readers is never a good thing. Like elementary school students and Michael Bay film fans, once you've lost their attention, there's no getting it back.
This is the e-mail I got in response:
"Writers do not get to make demands of the editors. Have I not made this clear?"
Damn! I sure got the smack-down. Of course, she meant it as a joke (what better than a snarky wife?), but she's right. We've had this discussion many times before. And I get it: Writers write, editors edit. Now, were I to have a different relationship with her (namely, if she were not the woman I often have sex with), that would totally be the end of it. Oh sure, we might have some respectful, possibly even scholarly conversation about the merits of my point of view, versus the pointlessness of hers. Like "if we did that for you, we'd have to do it for everybody" or "it's a style thing for which we have no flexibility" (cause style is so much more important than substance).
But, being that my relationship is so much more, well, familiar, I can be more to the point. As I was with this follow-up email:
"Did you not see the punctuation? That was a question. For reference, this is a demand: Shut it!
Clear?"
If I weren't her husband, that kind of backsass would get me canned in about three seconds. But since I have a different relationship, I can send her crap like that with no fear of retribution.
Until I get home, of course.
So that brings me to today's hilarity. I'm in the unique position of having an editor who's also my wife. OK, maybe it's not unique, because I'm sure somewhere in the universe there exists someone in a similar position. But at least it's an interesting situation. So anyway, I submit my column this morning with the following request:
"Not to question your editorial prowess, but can we keep the bolded headers? So much easier on the readers…"
To me, it makes sense. I write a column that often features short, unrelated snippets. Without bolding the first few words of each paragraph, the unassuming reader thinks (naturally) that it's all related. But then they see this rapid shift of topic and they think they're either missing something or I'm an idiot. Regardless, it trips them up, and tripping up you're readers is never a good thing. Like elementary school students and Michael Bay film fans, once you've lost their attention, there's no getting it back.
This is the e-mail I got in response:
"Writers do not get to make demands of the editors. Have I not made this clear?"
Damn! I sure got the smack-down. Of course, she meant it as a joke (what better than a snarky wife?), but she's right. We've had this discussion many times before. And I get it: Writers write, editors edit. Now, were I to have a different relationship with her (namely, if she were not the woman I often have sex with), that would totally be the end of it. Oh sure, we might have some respectful, possibly even scholarly conversation about the merits of my point of view, versus the pointlessness of hers. Like "if we did that for you, we'd have to do it for everybody" or "it's a style thing for which we have no flexibility" (cause style is so much more important than substance).
But, being that my relationship is so much more, well, familiar, I can be more to the point. As I was with this follow-up email:
"Did you not see the punctuation? That was a question. For reference, this is a demand: Shut it!
Clear?"
If I weren't her husband, that kind of backsass would get me canned in about three seconds. But since I have a different relationship, I can send her crap like that with no fear of retribution.
Until I get home, of course.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
LotB #27
It’s no secret that the Augusta Chronicle has a conservative bent, and that’s of course readily apparent on the editorial pages. You can find evidence elsewhere in the paper, but you usually have to dig. That wasn’t the case, though, on the Dec. 30 front page, amidst the “Faces of 2007” collage. Amongst the 38 photos represented, the republican and democratic presidential candidates were all there, but the placement was questionable. I’m sure it was just a coincidence that the republicans were at the top left, right under the banner, while the democrats were relegated to the very bottom right, below the fold. On a positive note, they actually did represent Ron Paul.
Along those lines, there’s a lot of buzz about how the media is not only ignoring Paul, but that they are actively suppressing information about him. Charges have been levied both against Fox News and ABC, for example, for ignoring polls in which he has done well, and he’s being left out of debates left and right. All of this despite his evident popularity and the fundraising records he’ setting. A quick check of the Chronicle archives shows that Paul has been mentioned in stories in the paper exactly twice in the last month: once in the above-mentioned “Faces of 2007” and once noting that he actually won a straw poll in Aiken county. And where was that presented in the paper? Way down at the bottom of the “Across the Area” section. By comparison, Rudy Giuliani (who Paul beat handily in the Iowa caucus), showed up in five stories. Time will tell, of course, whether all this will hurt, or possibly actually help Paul. He was strong in Iowa, and it seems like the more he’s ignored by the press, the more it emboldens the Paulistas.
Bizzarely, the Chronicle webforums were taken down for a good two days after what seemed to be a robot porn attack. You’d think I’d talk here about how that break may have actually given Barry Paschal some time to devote to his actual job, but no. Because there may be something more insidious afoot. Now, I’m not normally much of a conspiracy theorist, but pornbots attacking webforums, coupled with a Houston Chronicle story about the future of sex and relationships with robots makes you think about the inevitable. Soon, robots will make us their bitches. Stage one: distract the humans with robot sex. Next: rule the world! The only question is whether it will be a benevolent or oppressive robocracy to which we will succumb.
So the R. Kelly show scheduled for at the James Brown Arena last week actually went off as planned, without one of the late cancellations that has been plaguing the venue of late. That’s good news, since it shows that the coliseum authority actually has the ability to pull off headliner shows. I haven’t heard, though, whether or not any underage girls on sitting in the front row needed rain coats.
Note to everyone: Jason Barron is not to be referred to by the name “Jason Barron”, without Jason Barron’s permission. Jason Barron must only be referred to as ”Suzuki Man.” Alternatively, you may refer to Jason Barron as “The Jason.” Never, ever call Jason Barron “Jason Barron”, unless you want to incur the wrath of Jason Barron.
Jason Barron.
Along those lines, there’s a lot of buzz about how the media is not only ignoring Paul, but that they are actively suppressing information about him. Charges have been levied both against Fox News and ABC, for example, for ignoring polls in which he has done well, and he’s being left out of debates left and right. All of this despite his evident popularity and the fundraising records he’ setting. A quick check of the Chronicle archives shows that Paul has been mentioned in stories in the paper exactly twice in the last month: once in the above-mentioned “Faces of 2007” and once noting that he actually won a straw poll in Aiken county. And where was that presented in the paper? Way down at the bottom of the “Across the Area” section. By comparison, Rudy Giuliani (who Paul beat handily in the Iowa caucus), showed up in five stories. Time will tell, of course, whether all this will hurt, or possibly actually help Paul. He was strong in Iowa, and it seems like the more he’s ignored by the press, the more it emboldens the Paulistas.
Bizzarely, the Chronicle webforums were taken down for a good two days after what seemed to be a robot porn attack. You’d think I’d talk here about how that break may have actually given Barry Paschal some time to devote to his actual job, but no. Because there may be something more insidious afoot. Now, I’m not normally much of a conspiracy theorist, but pornbots attacking webforums, coupled with a Houston Chronicle story about the future of sex and relationships with robots makes you think about the inevitable. Soon, robots will make us their bitches. Stage one: distract the humans with robot sex. Next: rule the world! The only question is whether it will be a benevolent or oppressive robocracy to which we will succumb.
So the R. Kelly show scheduled for at the James Brown Arena last week actually went off as planned, without one of the late cancellations that has been plaguing the venue of late. That’s good news, since it shows that the coliseum authority actually has the ability to pull off headliner shows. I haven’t heard, though, whether or not any underage girls on sitting in the front row needed rain coats.
Note to everyone: Jason Barron is not to be referred to by the name “Jason Barron”, without Jason Barron’s permission. Jason Barron must only be referred to as ”Suzuki Man.” Alternatively, you may refer to Jason Barron as “The Jason.” Never, ever call Jason Barron “Jason Barron”, unless you want to incur the wrath of Jason Barron.
Jason Barron.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sneak peak...
...at next week's column:
Suddenly, selling yourself is cool.
Sitting in the audience during last week’s great “12 Bands of Christmas” concert at the Imperial, emcee Jason Barron came onstage and introduced himself. But not as “Jason Barron” or even as his apparently-former persona, Freakboy. But rather as “Suzuki Man,” the sort of amped-up, vaguely Japanese car shiller he’s playing on Augusta Suzuki commercials. Not once did I hear Barron refer to himself by his given name. He did talk about the great Suzuki he drives, though. So I guess that’s all it takes for a person to give himself up—a shiny new car.
But it doesn’t stop there. The tire company, Dunlop, offers a free set of tires for folks who get their logo tattooed on themselves. That’s right—permanently disfigure yourself with a corporate logo and you get free tires! One set per tat, though—one guy has five. It’s pretty brilliant marketing, actually. The program itself drew nation-wide publicity (the Augusta Chronicle reported it a couple of weeks ago), and, in exchange for a set of tires that may last a few years, the company gets walking billboards for life.
But what Dunlop has done pails in comparison with the “Ironman” brand. You’ve seen it on Timex watches—the blocky “M” with the dot above it signifying triathlon’s greatest race. It’s the symbol that the Ironman Corporation owns, representing the 2.4-mile swim/112-mile-bike/26.2-mile run triathlons they put on all over the world. And it’s become a ritual for finishers of the race to get the brand tattooed, immortalizing their accomplishment. Off hand, I’d say there are more then a few people walking around Augusta sporting the mark. And there are thousands-upon-thousands of the tattoos on calves, ankles and shoulders all over the world. Genius. They’ve created a walking army of super-fit, unpaid advertisers.
So what does this all mean? Slowly, as a society, we’re becoming walking testaments to consumerism. What started not-so-innocently enough as brand envy (remember that Izod alligator all the cool kids were wearing?) has morphed into something more sinister. No longer is merely wearing a logo good enough. Now it’s about permanence and totally giving yourself over to the Man. Jason Barron as “Suzuki Man.”
“Coco Rubio brought to you by Budweiser” may be next.
Now I know that broadcast journalism isn’t about writing stuff down, but if you’re going to interview a media critic, don’t misquote him on the web version of your story. That’s just what WJBF did last week, after Fraendy Clervaud spoke with me on-camera at the post office downtown, about the rush of packages the posties deal with the week before Christmas.. I was a good sport and played along (although, I really should have asked “is this news? Really? Are you sure?). But the transcribed quotes on the website didn’t match the words that came out of my mouth. Online, they made me sound like an Augusta commissioner—“..I got them (packages) tracked (yee-doggies!)…,” I reportedly said. But the video shows me saying “I’ve”. Sure, it’s a little thing, but if you’re going to attribute an ungrammatically-correct statement to someone, make damn sure they actually said it that way before making them look like an idiot on your website.
Sitting in the audience during last week’s great “12 Bands of Christmas” concert at the Imperial, emcee Jason Barron came onstage and introduced himself. But not as “Jason Barron” or even as his apparently-former persona, Freakboy. But rather as “Suzuki Man,” the sort of amped-up, vaguely Japanese car shiller he’s playing on Augusta Suzuki commercials. Not once did I hear Barron refer to himself by his given name. He did talk about the great Suzuki he drives, though. So I guess that’s all it takes for a person to give himself up—a shiny new car.
But it doesn’t stop there. The tire company, Dunlop, offers a free set of tires for folks who get their logo tattooed on themselves. That’s right—permanently disfigure yourself with a corporate logo and you get free tires! One set per tat, though—one guy has five. It’s pretty brilliant marketing, actually. The program itself drew nation-wide publicity (the Augusta Chronicle reported it a couple of weeks ago), and, in exchange for a set of tires that may last a few years, the company gets walking billboards for life.
But what Dunlop has done pails in comparison with the “Ironman” brand. You’ve seen it on Timex watches—the blocky “M” with the dot above it signifying triathlon’s greatest race. It’s the symbol that the Ironman Corporation owns, representing the 2.4-mile swim/112-mile-bike/26.2-mile run triathlons they put on all over the world. And it’s become a ritual for finishers of the race to get the brand tattooed, immortalizing their accomplishment. Off hand, I’d say there are more then a few people walking around Augusta sporting the mark. And there are thousands-upon-thousands of the tattoos on calves, ankles and shoulders all over the world. Genius. They’ve created a walking army of super-fit, unpaid advertisers.
So what does this all mean? Slowly, as a society, we’re becoming walking testaments to consumerism. What started not-so-innocently enough as brand envy (remember that Izod alligator all the cool kids were wearing?) has morphed into something more sinister. No longer is merely wearing a logo good enough. Now it’s about permanence and totally giving yourself over to the Man. Jason Barron as “Suzuki Man.”
“Coco Rubio brought to you by Budweiser” may be next.
Now I know that broadcast journalism isn’t about writing stuff down, but if you’re going to interview a media critic, don’t misquote him on the web version of your story. That’s just what WJBF did last week, after Fraendy Clervaud spoke with me on-camera at the post office downtown, about the rush of packages the posties deal with the week before Christmas.. I was a good sport and played along (although, I really should have asked “is this news? Really? Are you sure?). But the transcribed quotes on the website didn’t match the words that came out of my mouth. Online, they made me sound like an Augusta commissioner—“..I got them (packages) tracked (yee-doggies!)…,” I reportedly said. But the video shows me saying “I’ve”. Sure, it’s a little thing, but if you’re going to attribute an ungrammatically-correct statement to someone, make damn sure they actually said it that way before making them look like an idiot on your website.
“Next, put your junk in that box.”
Monday, December 17, 2007
Nice work Breaking News editor!, pt. 2
Also a slow news day right here in Augusta, apparently. Turns out, the week before Christmas, lots of people ship stuff at the post office. Also, sometimes in winter, it's cold! WJBF was there to capture it all.
I'm pretty sure I didn't say "I got them tracked..." Need to look at the video to confirm it, though.
Note to journalists: don't misquote the damn media critic!
Update: just saw the video. I don't speak like an Augusta commissioner. It was "I've got them tracked."
I'm pretty sure I didn't say "I got them tracked..." Need to look at the video to confirm it, though.
Note to journalists: don't misquote the damn media critic!
Update: just saw the video. I don't speak like an Augusta commissioner. It was "I've got them tracked."
Friday, November 30, 2007
He forgot to enclose my tinfoil hat
I love getting feedback on my column. Sometimes it's complimentary, lots of times it's not. But regardless, it's nice just knowing people are reading. But the absolute best is when I get the nutty letters, like this one (presumable in response to this piece):
"Dear Jim,
I liked your critique of king-maker Austin Rhodes. The shameful klan he fronts for are truly immoral freeloaders who want to raise taxes again when Joe Bowles said we had a surplus! Beware for municipal projects as they raise takes to pay local "investors" their interest rates/profit. All govt.s (sic) keep 2 sets of books: one for the sheep; one on their portfolios on Wall St. You're doin' a great job. :)"
"Dear Jim,
I liked your critique of king-maker Austin Rhodes. The shameful klan he fronts for are truly immoral freeloaders who want to raise taxes again when Joe Bowles said we had a surplus! Beware for municipal projects as they raise takes to pay local "investors" their interest rates/profit. All govt.s (sic) keep 2 sets of books: one for the sheep; one on their portfolios on Wall St. You're doin' a great job. :)"
Friday, November 16, 2007
Make that a long-winded pot-stirrer
"Nice column this week, Jim."
"Thanks...kinda short."
"Yeah, that's good, too."
Tom Grant can talk your ear off, and that's a good thing, I think. I learn a lot from the guy every time I get to sit down with him. But when he's on deadline, the conversations are always to the point. So that's how it went down when I stopped by the office last night. Sometimes, you get the most out of the fewest words.
Yesterday, prior to that conversation, I submitted a grand total of 411 words for LotB, easily my shortest column in the 20 weeks that I've been writing it. Usually, I throw down a good thousand words and have to literally back away from the keyboard to keep it that short. So either there's a lot to write about, I have a lot to say, or I just haven't learned the sentiment expressed above.
And it's funny. Talking to me, at first glance at least, you'd never get that i had a lot to say. My MO, I guess, is to sit back and watch, to take it all in. My thinking is the less time you spend with your mouth open, the more you learn. Listening is a gift I've been blessed with, apparently, although Amy may differ (I'm really am *always* listening, baby).
By being a good listener (at least in my own estimation), I end up having a lot to say, when I get around to saying it. That's why I like blogging, I guess. It's a great chance to take five or 10 minutes and just get it all out. Blogging's kind of like beer to me--the switch for the floodgates of thought, and it comes without the associated hangover and belly, as added bonuses. And in this format, there aren't any editor-imposed limitations or restrictions. I can take my time setting up a punch line or developing a story. I don't feel like I have to strip out all of the adjectives just to make a particular word count.
But I suppose being a bit more concise is a lesson I could learn. I'm lucky in the sense that I write for a weekly, where I definitely get more column inches then I would in different formats. But there's always a limit. If I were to submit the 2000 or more words that I could easily write every week, Tom would quickly find someone else with a lot less to say. It's hard, though. Constantly I find myself feeling stilted by the constraints of the paper. How can anyone possibly get their thoughts down, and more than that, across to readers in so few words? It's learned skill, no doubt, and one I'm working on.
But until then, I'll always have you, my beautiful blog.
"Thanks...kinda short."
"Yeah, that's good, too."
Tom Grant can talk your ear off, and that's a good thing, I think. I learn a lot from the guy every time I get to sit down with him. But when he's on deadline, the conversations are always to the point. So that's how it went down when I stopped by the office last night. Sometimes, you get the most out of the fewest words.
Yesterday, prior to that conversation, I submitted a grand total of 411 words for LotB, easily my shortest column in the 20 weeks that I've been writing it. Usually, I throw down a good thousand words and have to literally back away from the keyboard to keep it that short. So either there's a lot to write about, I have a lot to say, or I just haven't learned the sentiment expressed above.
And it's funny. Talking to me, at first glance at least, you'd never get that i had a lot to say. My MO, I guess, is to sit back and watch, to take it all in. My thinking is the less time you spend with your mouth open, the more you learn. Listening is a gift I've been blessed with, apparently, although Amy may differ (I'm really am *always* listening, baby).
By being a good listener (at least in my own estimation), I end up having a lot to say, when I get around to saying it. That's why I like blogging, I guess. It's a great chance to take five or 10 minutes and just get it all out. Blogging's kind of like beer to me--the switch for the floodgates of thought, and it comes without the associated hangover and belly, as added bonuses. And in this format, there aren't any editor-imposed limitations or restrictions. I can take my time setting up a punch line or developing a story. I don't feel like I have to strip out all of the adjectives just to make a particular word count.
But I suppose being a bit more concise is a lesson I could learn. I'm lucky in the sense that I write for a weekly, where I definitely get more column inches then I would in different formats. But there's always a limit. If I were to submit the 2000 or more words that I could easily write every week, Tom would quickly find someone else with a lot less to say. It's hard, though. Constantly I find myself feeling stilted by the constraints of the paper. How can anyone possibly get their thoughts down, and more than that, across to readers in so few words? It's learned skill, no doubt, and one I'm working on.
But until then, I'll always have you, my beautiful blog.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Land of the Blind #1
Another day, another letter to the editor at the Chronicle about Gay Pride Day at SRS. And scanning the online reader comments, you’d think the threat of the imposition of the homosexual “lifestyle” on America was the biggest issue facing God-fearers today. But really, if all sin is equal, why the hubbub? Why not attack sin that afflicts demonstrably many more people than does the scourge of gayness? Everyone loves shrimp, gay and straight alike. Yet there it is in Leviticus, right next to laying down with men, God says eating shellfish is a bad thing. So why isn’t the warrior Christian right yelping about the succulent, abominable fried shrimp special Rhinehart’s runs every Sunday (yes, Sunday!)? Maybe they’re too busy sitting down to a big basketful of sin themselves.
Channel 12 (I think. I wasn’t really paying attention) told us Wednesday that it was hot, and when it’s hot people like to go swimming. What I want to see is the story about the guy that beats the heat by tarring his roof or smelting copper.
Over on the Soul Bar message board (because even musicians and hard-core drinkers need a place to vent), Coco Rubio announced the “12 Bands of Christmas” lineup. A pretty innocuous posting, but it spurred a full 7 pages of responses challenging the fairness of the selection process. The discussion was definitely heated: “and to all you people who keep accusing me of whining, you're reading my posts with the wrong inflection..........you should be accusing me of bravery...........because i had the balls to speak my mind on this subject,” “Stak” said. But Rubio handled it in stride. Even though he may not have placated everyone, he certainly heard them out, made rational points about the selection process and left everyone concerned, if not happy at least feeling like they’d been heard and their points considered. If Rubio can handle a bunch of cantankerous musicians with such aplomb, think of the sanity he could bring to the Augusta Commission.
The Chronicle ran a wire story about Grey’s Anatomy’s Isaiah Washington crying racism over his firing. Cause, you know, we love a story about an uppity black man.
And on the editorial page the same day, the paper likened the immigration reform bill (had it passed) to the hurricane Katrina disaster, which is pretty cool in and of itself (cities destroyed, close to 2000 dead and thousands more people displaced equals, what, hard-working people get to keep the jobs no one else wants?). But it got better. “Well, U.S. senators narrowly voted - despite themselves - to avoid another disaster…,” they said. Despite themselves? As if the bumbling congresspeople somehow managed to do the “right” thing, despite themselves. Sheesh, Chronicle, they got the result you wanted but you slam them anyway? I guess Bush and the democrat-led congress going down in flames together confoozled them. So better to err on the side of outrage, I guess. They went on to poke the local boys, saying “In Georgia and South Carolina, three of our four senators essentially voted against the bill…”. How do you “essentially” vote nay? Maybe they voted in French. “Non!”
The Outsider: MIA?
Speaking of which, I sort of miss Ryan B.
Channel 12 (I think. I wasn’t really paying attention) told us Wednesday that it was hot, and when it’s hot people like to go swimming. What I want to see is the story about the guy that beats the heat by tarring his roof or smelting copper.
Over on the Soul Bar message board (because even musicians and hard-core drinkers need a place to vent), Coco Rubio announced the “12 Bands of Christmas” lineup. A pretty innocuous posting, but it spurred a full 7 pages of responses challenging the fairness of the selection process. The discussion was definitely heated: “and to all you people who keep accusing me of whining, you're reading my posts with the wrong inflection..........you should be accusing me of bravery...........because i had the balls to speak my mind on this subject,” “Stak” said. But Rubio handled it in stride. Even though he may not have placated everyone, he certainly heard them out, made rational points about the selection process and left everyone concerned, if not happy at least feeling like they’d been heard and their points considered. If Rubio can handle a bunch of cantankerous musicians with such aplomb, think of the sanity he could bring to the Augusta Commission.
The Chronicle ran a wire story about Grey’s Anatomy’s Isaiah Washington crying racism over his firing. Cause, you know, we love a story about an uppity black man.
And on the editorial page the same day, the paper likened the immigration reform bill (had it passed) to the hurricane Katrina disaster, which is pretty cool in and of itself (cities destroyed, close to 2000 dead and thousands more people displaced equals, what, hard-working people get to keep the jobs no one else wants?). But it got better. “Well, U.S. senators narrowly voted - despite themselves - to avoid another disaster…,” they said. Despite themselves? As if the bumbling congresspeople somehow managed to do the “right” thing, despite themselves. Sheesh, Chronicle, they got the result you wanted but you slam them anyway? I guess Bush and the democrat-led congress going down in flames together confoozled them. So better to err on the side of outrage, I guess. They went on to poke the local boys, saying “In Georgia and South Carolina, three of our four senators essentially voted against the bill…”. How do you “essentially” vote nay? Maybe they voted in French. “Non!”
The Outsider: MIA?
Speaking of which, I sort of miss Ryan B.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
If you only knew
From the "whine line" in Metro Spirit last week:
"Jim Christian is one hell of a media critic, except when it comes to commenting on the Metro Spirit. I guess he doesn’t want to bite the hand that feeds him… literally."
Which is funny for a couple of reasons, first since I've commented on the Spirit in three previous colums. But also because I actually get paid in food...literally.
"Jim Christian is one hell of a media critic, except when it comes to commenting on the Metro Spirit. I guess he doesn’t want to bite the hand that feeds him… literally."
Which is funny for a couple of reasons, first since I've commented on the Spirit in three previous colums. But also because I actually get paid in food...literally.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Strong is the pull of the dark side
If the Athens Banner Herald is Morris Communication's “most liberal (paper) in the district” as they say, they must be running editorials suggesting aborted fetuses be used as pet food, because his home-town paper again slid further to the side of the defeatocrats. “The U.S. military surge may be working, but few are convinced of it. And can folks be coerced at the end of a rifle to live in peace together?,” they asked.
Only if you pull the trigger.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Secret agent man
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran a column by Ken Silverstein defending a Harper's article he wrote earlier this year where he went undercover as a guy working for a fake firm trying to get DC lobbyists to improve the image of Turkmenistan--a neo-Stalinist regime--for the benefit of his fake energy trading company. The lobbying firms, of course, took his fake money gladly, and promised stuff like planting editorials, sending congressional delegations to Turkmenistan and arranging "independent" media events in DC. Of course, they got bent out of shape when the article ran.
But the interesting thing is so did a bunch of newspapers who took issue with the "ethics" of his undercover tactics, despite a rich history in this country of undercover journalism. It’s interesting that the Washington Post apparently thinks lobbyists should have the reasonable expectation to do their shady business without pesky journalists mucking about.
And it also begs this question: why no undercover journalism in Augusta? I guess the not about to plant someone inside the Augusta National, for example. But surely that’s Chronicle’s something the Spirit would love to undertake (we miss you already, Corey). Think about it: get someone hired on as a waiter, locker room attendant or even--the holy grail of insider positions--as a caddy. The insider would be privy to I can only imagine. It'd be the story of the century here in Augusta. But it's not just the National that's ripe for infiltrating. Think of the possibilities: a fly on the wall at Olin (how much mercury are they really dumping?), a plant at an apartment-leasing office (are they really renting equally to blacks and whites?), or even a mole intern at the Metro Spirit (do they really slay pigs at going away parties?).
But the interesting thing is so did a bunch of newspapers who took issue with the "ethics" of his undercover tactics, despite a rich history in this country of undercover journalism. It’s interesting that the Washington Post apparently thinks lobbyists should have the reasonable expectation to do their shady business without pesky journalists mucking about.
And it also begs this question: why no undercover journalism in Augusta? I guess the not about to plant someone inside the Augusta National, for example. But surely that’s Chronicle’s something the Spirit would love to undertake (we miss you already, Corey). Think about it: get someone hired on as a waiter, locker room attendant or even--the holy grail of insider positions--as a caddy. The insider would be privy to I can only imagine. It'd be the story of the century here in Augusta. But it's not just the National that's ripe for infiltrating. Think of the possibilities: a fly on the wall at Olin (how much mercury are they really dumping?), a plant at an apartment-leasing office (are they really renting equally to blacks and whites?), or even a mole intern at the Metro Spirit (do they really slay pigs at going away parties?).
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
4th and long
In an editorial in the Augusta Chronicle over the weekend, the idea of an Iraq pullout was reduced to football analogies:
"Can you imagine a football team's quarterback telling the other team at halftime that he would stop trying to win with 15 minutes left in the game?"
"Can you imagine a football team's quarterback telling the other team at halftime that he would stop trying to win with 15 minutes left in the game?"
So the Chronicle favors a timeline, as long as it's 60 minutes instead of just 45? I guess I can live with that. They went on to say:
"Making it even sillier, suppose the quarterback did that against his coach's wishes."
Imagine if you had a coach that insisted on handing off to the cheerleaders on every 4th and long. Would you second-guess his judgement? Wouldn't you think your quarterback might want to try throwing to a receiver, just once?
It's not just that the analogies are silly, it's that they're used at all. Sports analogies play to an uninformed populace by reducing a complex situation to something that's easily digestible. They sound good, and they're familiar. So what if they're not accurate? Yee haw! Sports! I can identify!
If the Chronicle wanted to do it right, they could have spoken about how little league games have a mercy rule, or how sometimes coaches just suck, and you need to go a different route. But I guess they don't hate America like I do. Because, ya know, how unAmerican to fire your coach.
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