As a disclaimer before I start: I'm white and can't speak for the struggle of others. However, the last few days have been very informative in terms of finding out that things are not what they seem.
Last night, there was a forum NABJ forum on the issue of images of blacks in the media at CBS. The five panelists, who have different backgrounds, spoke about the state of black images in the media. Everything they said was true and I fall victim to noticing the stereotypes and, well, not exactly changing the channel. It's not that I have anything against anyone, but Sergio Mims said it best, "Something is funny when we know about it." As sad as that may sound, it's true. Show's like 'Flavor of Love' were among the targets of their ire. I'm victim to watching 'Flavor of Love' not because I'm looking to pour on, but because it's so bad that it actually moves into being good televison. Other panelists mentioned power and who has it to put programs on the air. Barbara Allen mentioned that producers, who are white, have troubled putting together a black show because there is no connection to what it means to be black in this country. Overall, it was great experience and now I'll be more aware of images when I see them.
Now on to a far more disturbing issue. Jena 6. Breanda Butler mentioned it last night, but I got a more in-depth perspective by watching Today. Look, anytime you have a white person hanging a rope from the "white tree", it makes me sick as a white person. What the hell was that kid thinking? I don't agree with the retaliation, but the those six kids were justified in their anger. Haven't we move on since incidents like these were a daily occurance? It is a sad state of affairs when we can't all look at each other as equals.
Okay. I'm done ranting. I hope that I haven't rubbed anyone the wrong way because of a few keystrokes.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Is football loyalty worth your manhood?
In Oklahoma City there is a case pending where a man wearing a Texas Longhorn shirt in a bar frequented by Oklahoma Sooner fans was nearly castrated. Brian Christopher Thomas was attacked by Allen Micheal Bickett while wearing a Longhorn T-shirt in Henry Hudson's Pub. When will this childish behavior stop? This is America, people can cheer any team they want where they want. A man should not be risking his manhood because he is wearing a football t-shirt. Get a life!
"State Bail Out: Maybe/Maybe Not"
Chicago- Chicago Transit Authority will recieve a $ 24 million dollar bailout announced Wednesday. The CTA plan to stop the elimination of service for now.
abc7chicago.com reports " The governor is hoping to give $24 million to the CTA and $6 million to the other transit agencies. That way, the doomsday scenarios scheduled for Sunday can at least be postponed until November. In the meantime, Blagojevich and the General Assembly will try again to agree on a permanent transit plan".
The cash strapped agency still need more funding to emerge from the deficit.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5653840
Look Busy -- Or Else
Clear that internet history at work -- a UK firm says social networking sites like Facebook are costing businesses up to 130 million GBP per day! Says the BBC, "According to employment law firm Peninsula, 233 million hours are lost every month as a result of employees "wasting time" on social networking." The director of employment expressed his outrage at employees engaging in these websites during work hours.
Many firms have already banned the use of social networking sites and regulated their employees' internet usage.
Wasted time? I'd wager that any time on Facebook would otherwise be spent making paperclip sculptures or getting creative with the copy machine. If my employer restricted my internet usage or blocked certain sites, I would quit. I wonder how much productivity is actually lost in terms of results rather than sheer hours.
Many firms have already banned the use of social networking sites and regulated their employees' internet usage.
Wasted time? I'd wager that any time on Facebook would otherwise be spent making paperclip sculptures or getting creative with the copy machine. If my employer restricted my internet usage or blocked certain sites, I would quit. I wonder how much productivity is actually lost in terms of results rather than sheer hours.
Brittany and Co.: Why do we Care?
On Tuesday, Sept. 11, the Chicago History Museum hosted a panel dicussion on the news media's coverage of celebrities. The panel featured Walter Jacobson, a longtime Chicago TV anchor, and Mark Caro, an entertainment writer for the Chicago Tribune.
The standing room crowd heard a lively debate, moderated by Laura Washington, a professor at DePaul University.
Several journalism students at DePaul were in the audience and asked astute questions about journalism careers and the over saturation of celebrity coverage of every news organizations to from CNN to TMZ.com.
Jacobson, a former Chicago Cubs bat boy, has won more local and national awards than every other Chicago TV journalist combined, according to Washington's introduction.
Still, he admitted that he knows nothing about the Internet and doesn't not even know how to find a blog.
Caro, who writes a daily blog, "The Pop Machine" on the Chicago Tribune's web site, said that blogging has brought him new readers; the blog attracts a different readership than the one that reads his work in the Tribune's print edition.
Everyone on the panel agreed. however, that it is important that all journalists, whether on line or not, uphold journalistic standards like accuracy, balance and ethical conduct.
The standing room crowd heard a lively debate, moderated by Laura Washington, a professor at DePaul University.
Several journalism students at DePaul were in the audience and asked astute questions about journalism careers and the over saturation of celebrity coverage of every news organizations to from CNN to TMZ.com.
Jacobson, a former Chicago Cubs bat boy, has won more local and national awards than every other Chicago TV journalist combined, according to Washington's introduction.
Still, he admitted that he knows nothing about the Internet and doesn't not even know how to find a blog.
Caro, who writes a daily blog, "The Pop Machine" on the Chicago Tribune's web site, said that blogging has brought him new readers; the blog attracts a different readership than the one that reads his work in the Tribune's print edition.
Everyone on the panel agreed. however, that it is important that all journalists, whether on line or not, uphold journalistic standards like accuracy, balance and ethical conduct.
Southwest Scandal : First-class fashion?
As much as I hate to admit it, my inner "daughter of an attorney" persona is drawn to the recent Southwest Airlines vs. Kyla Ebbert story that has been strewn across national news wires. After viewing Matt Lauer's interview with Kyla, her mother, and their attorney on the Today Show, it seems likely that Ebbert will exit this flight with not only a revealing outfit, but a large settlement.
Ebbert claimed she was dressed as any other "California college girl" however was asked to leave her flight by a male steward claiming she was dressed "inappropriately" for a "family airline". So I beg to ask not only "Who is this steward?" but also "Why such a bold move to physically remove a girl from a flight due to her scantily clad appearance?"
With no pre-determined dress code established by Southwest Airlines to begin with, I find it hard to believe that the steward would have enough courage to actually attempt to throw Ebbert right off the flight.
Do you think the steward was acting out of concern for other passengers? Was it a power trip of sorts? Did Ebbert not think she might catch a draft in such attire? Or have a wardrobe malfunction while navigating baggage claim?
Are you on Team Kyla or Team Southwest?
Although I think Southwest is correct in standing behind the steward's decision, one lawsuit later I feel Ebbert will most likely have PLENTY of funds to purchase longer skirts and larger sweaters for her future airline travel.
Ebbert claimed she was dressed as any other "California college girl" however was asked to leave her flight by a male steward claiming she was dressed "inappropriately" for a "family airline". So I beg to ask not only "Who is this steward?" but also "Why such a bold move to physically remove a girl from a flight due to her scantily clad appearance?"
With no pre-determined dress code established by Southwest Airlines to begin with, I find it hard to believe that the steward would have enough courage to actually attempt to throw Ebbert right off the flight.
Do you think the steward was acting out of concern for other passengers? Was it a power trip of sorts? Did Ebbert not think she might catch a draft in such attire? Or have a wardrobe malfunction while navigating baggage claim?
Are you on Team Kyla or Team Southwest?
Although I think Southwest is correct in standing behind the steward's decision, one lawsuit later I feel Ebbert will most likely have PLENTY of funds to purchase longer skirts and larger sweaters for her future airline travel.
Moveon.org-- so un-national!
How does everyone feel about the anti-war organization Moveon.org full page ad controversy? Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat or whether you would like to see our troops come home tomorrow or in a decade--you've got to admit, it's not cool to bash a prestigious (and respected) US General like that! Just think what positive impact the HUGE dollars that paid for that ad would have if used perhaps, on a charity!! Instead, we are left with yet another initiation of controversy.... just what our nation needs-- more division!
Check out the enclosed links for more info on the ad and see what some presidential hopefuls are saying about it...
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Decision2008/story?id=3581727&page=1
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/10/353969.aspx
Check out the enclosed links for more info on the ad and see what some presidential hopefuls are saying about it...
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Decision2008/story?id=3581727&page=1
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/10/353969.aspx
CTA Funding
As someone who relies heavily on public transportation (CTA buses and trains) to get around the city for social and professional reasons, I was happy to read that, earlier today, "the CTA's top officials...accepted a $24 million funding advance proposed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to avert fare increases and service cuts." Had the CTA not come up with these funds today, my routes would not have been affected, but I'm sure many of you would have found yourself scrambling for a new route and digging in your couch cushions for some loose change. Sure, it's only short term funding well below the expected $110 million needed to cover the CTA's budget deficit, but any little bit helps at this point. The CTA is a dilapidated system far behind NYC's MTA system and Washington D.C.'s Metro, and desperately needs state funding to support its mission statement -- to deliver quality, affordable transit services that link people, jobs and communities. Many would be forced to call on cabs, drive their own automobiles (if possible), or turn Chicago's streets into a moped race. Why is it that the state's Metra commuter rail can run so efficiently with relatively affordable prices? Why do most Chicagoans have to pay at least two dollars to stand among the masses with an armpit inches from their nostrils and a heavily breathing, intoxicated homeless person leaning all over their belongings? I feel the state of Illinois needs to come up with the funds to help their residents travel and also help avoid the inconvenience of more traffic crowding our streets. Buses and trains are an aid to the environment, helping thousands of people each day commute to work, to school, and to home. Do your part and ask your representatives to help make Chicago!
Quote above taken from: (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ctameet_websep13,1,2335363.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout
Is Radio Still Radio if There's Video?
After reading the article, Is Radio Still Radio if There's Video by Richard Siklos, I was left to contemplate just that. I was quite intrigued by this article, mostly because I am not a regular consumer of radio. Sure, I will occasionally flip to some of my favorite radio stations and will listen to it if there is a song on that I like. But as soon as a commercial hits, a DJ blabs on too long, or a song plays that I don't care for; I immediately resort back to my beloved iPod or favorite CD. I think that this article raises a lot of interesting points, mainly because I had no idea that radio was evolving so much. I was surprised to read that radio had such programs streaming online as, "Naked" and "Trash Your Ex". Basically, radio has really matured into a multi-faceted medium; which I was completely unaware of. With the evolution of radio, comes the pros and cons. Obviously, it's nice to see that radio is trying to re-invent itself and perhaps become more of a staple in peoples lives. As we all know, radio has been embedded in American culture for decades. Even so, I remain a skeptic. I don't think that radio will ever be what it used to be, mainly because of the infiltration of television and the Internet. It actually makes me cringe to think of how much authenticity radio will have to give up in order to keep up with competition and in order to survive. But despite all of my pessimism and my reservations, I guess I have no choice but to kick back and watch what happens, because as the article states; "[radio] is a visual medium now".
Thoughts
"Ex-cop's testimony slammed by mob trial judge"
By Jeff Coen
Chicago Tribune
9/12/2007
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-familysecrets_websep13,1,1305403.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout
Former Chicago Police Officer Anthony "Twan" Doyle, who was convicted of racketeering conspiracy earlier this week in the landmark "Family Secrets" trial in federal court was before U.S. District Judge James Zagel today to determine whether he would remain free until sentencing. At today's hearing, Zagel blasted Doyle's testimony in his own defense, saying, "I think there was no chance that a jury would believe this." A decision on Doyle's fate was not made today and the hearing will resume Thursday at 9 a.m.
I believe that Judge Zagel should order that Doyle be taken into custody immediately. None of Doyle's other co-defendants in the case are out on bond. Doyle should not be either. The charges Doyle were convicted of carry a maximum of 20 years in prison. Clearly, the chance that Doyle - who has exhibited a disregard for the law in the past, and who one would assume, has nothing more to lose - could flee before his sentencing date is too great. Further, ordering that Doyle be taken into custody immediately will reinforce the message that racketeering and other organized crime activity will not be tolerated in and around Chicago - message that prosecutors and politicians have attempted to reinforce throughout the summer-long trial.
By Jeff Coen
Chicago Tribune
9/12/2007
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-familysecrets_websep13,1,1305403.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout
Former Chicago Police Officer Anthony "Twan" Doyle, who was convicted of racketeering conspiracy earlier this week in the landmark "Family Secrets" trial in federal court was before U.S. District Judge James Zagel today to determine whether he would remain free until sentencing. At today's hearing, Zagel blasted Doyle's testimony in his own defense, saying, "I think there was no chance that a jury would believe this." A decision on Doyle's fate was not made today and the hearing will resume Thursday at 9 a.m.
I believe that Judge Zagel should order that Doyle be taken into custody immediately. None of Doyle's other co-defendants in the case are out on bond. Doyle should not be either. The charges Doyle were convicted of carry a maximum of 20 years in prison. Clearly, the chance that Doyle - who has exhibited a disregard for the law in the past, and who one would assume, has nothing more to lose - could flee before his sentencing date is too great. Further, ordering that Doyle be taken into custody immediately will reinforce the message that racketeering and other organized crime activity will not be tolerated in and around Chicago - message that prosecutors and politicians have attempted to reinforce throughout the summer-long trial.
On Bill Belichick...
As linked here, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spent part of his Wednesday afternoon apologizing for his part in an alleged incident of cheating in Sunday's game versus the New York Jets. The Patriots are accused of sending an employee into the stands with a video camera with the intent of videotaping the hand signals used by the Jets' defensive players and coaching staff. While some in the media are coming down hard on Belichick for cheating, others are saying it is just part of the game. My thoughts on this are simple, if it's a rule, and it's broken, it's cheating. If not, it's a pretty clever way to gain an advantage, and it's fair until the authorities say it's not. I do think cheating is despicable, but who hasn't tried to gain an advantage in athletics or in life? Most of us look for ways we can win without breaking the rules, and we all know the line has to be drawn at some point. The question is, at what point do you draw that line? Would it have been OK if Belichick had seen the hand signals with his own eyes and guessed their meaning? Was it the camera that crossed the line? I am not referring just to this specific situation, but situations that all of us face in our daily lives. When is pushing for an advantage OK and when is it not? What is considered "fair" and what is considered "cheating?" I don't think there is necessarily a clear answer here.
Obama - Overexposed?
On Saturday, September 8, 2007 Oprah Winfrey hosted her first ever presidential fundraiser in support of Senator Barack Obama. The event raised over $3 million for Obama's campaign but some question if Winfrey's endorsement will eventually hurt the Senator's campaign efforts.
In a similar effort to reach a broader audience, Obama is scheduled to appear on the Tyra Banks show on September 27, 2007. Although the target audience is primarily women, the show's topics typically range from beauty secrets to relationships to body image.
Is it possible that voters could become oversaturated with images of Obama in pop-media? Could Obama's efforts to connect with a broad voter base backfire?
In a similar effort to reach a broader audience, Obama is scheduled to appear on the Tyra Banks show on September 27, 2007. Although the target audience is primarily women, the show's topics typically range from beauty secrets to relationships to body image.
Is it possible that voters could become oversaturated with images of Obama in pop-media? Could Obama's efforts to connect with a broad voter base backfire?
Is there Radio?
I found this article very interesting. I know several radio personalities and I must say that they have what is called a, "face for radio." If radio stations increase the demand for video exposure of their hosts soon radio talent will have to have a "look." This will cause a change in radio. I think that the stations will start looking for the faces instead of the best talent. It reminds me of Amos and Andy. When Amos and Andy was on radio the talent was Caucasians but when the show went to television the talent had to change so the men who had made the show famous were done. I am forced to ask this question, "Will great radio talents be replaced by medicore faces?"
Troops coming home?
The report is in ... and it sounds like the 30,000 troop surge has "worked" and the "surged troops" will be home this time next summer, leaving the pre-surge number of troops in battle. So after a year of stretching our military too thin, we'll be ... back to square one? 30,000 fewer troops and the same ol' dysfunctional Iraqi government... are people really excited about this? Is this progress? A return to the status quo? When will we actually see the number of forces decrease from our initial deployment? When will the Iraqis decide to take charge of their own governmental system? 2 years? 4 years? Will it take a new sitting president and new congress to do so?
My thoughts on a story
The first story that I want to comment on can be referred to at this link: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/552765,CST-NWS-drunk12.article .
Leonel Ortiz is accused of having 24 beers and then 2 more while driving his Chevy Blazer before running a red light and striking the car of Minerva Santiago, instantly killing her. It happened at 10 A.M. Sunday morning at 31st Street.
This is one of those stories that just disgusts me. How can someone be that stupid to get behind the wheel after drinking so much?
Apparently, Ortiz had been drinking with two of his buddies the entire night as well. One has to wonder why they weren't there to stop Ortiz in this very preventable tragedy.
I understand everyone wants to go out and party on Saturday nights. Lord knows I do it. But no matter how much I drink, I know that there is absolutely no excuse to get in a car and operate it. There are so many other ways to get home, especially in Chicago where cabs are practically everywhere on a Saturday night. Also, it's important to know your limits. I don't know many people that stay out all night and have a blood alcohol count of .194, as Ortiz is accused of, past ten in the morning!
Next time you go out, just remember this story in case you even have a thought of making this kind of mistake. Just look at the consequences.
-----------
The second story I want to refer to is here:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mob/550060,mob091007.stng
This is the story about the "Family Secrets" mob trial. Five mobsters were found guilty in this case, including one named Joseph “Joey the Clown” Lombardo.
My grandpa, Michael O'Donnell, was a Chicago Police Officer his entire life. One of the stories he used to tell me when I was younger was about a mobster that he used to have altercations with on a frequent basis. He used to say that he thought the man looked like a clown, so he gave the guy the nickname "The Clown" the first time he arrested him.
Yes, it was my grandpa who gave Joey "The Clown" Lombardo his nickname. I'm sure somewhere in Heaven, he's having a good laugh right now over the fact that the "clown" finally was convicted after all these years.
Leonel Ortiz is accused of having 24 beers and then 2 more while driving his Chevy Blazer before running a red light and striking the car of Minerva Santiago, instantly killing her. It happened at 10 A.M. Sunday morning at 31st Street.
This is one of those stories that just disgusts me. How can someone be that stupid to get behind the wheel after drinking so much?
Apparently, Ortiz had been drinking with two of his buddies the entire night as well. One has to wonder why they weren't there to stop Ortiz in this very preventable tragedy.
I understand everyone wants to go out and party on Saturday nights. Lord knows I do it. But no matter how much I drink, I know that there is absolutely no excuse to get in a car and operate it. There are so many other ways to get home, especially in Chicago where cabs are practically everywhere on a Saturday night. Also, it's important to know your limits. I don't know many people that stay out all night and have a blood alcohol count of .194, as Ortiz is accused of, past ten in the morning!
Next time you go out, just remember this story in case you even have a thought of making this kind of mistake. Just look at the consequences.
-----------
The second story I want to refer to is here:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mob/550060,mob091007.stng
This is the story about the "Family Secrets" mob trial. Five mobsters were found guilty in this case, including one named Joseph “Joey the Clown” Lombardo.
My grandpa, Michael O'Donnell, was a Chicago Police Officer his entire life. One of the stories he used to tell me when I was younger was about a mobster that he used to have altercations with on a frequent basis. He used to say that he thought the man looked like a clown, so he gave the guy the nickname "The Clown" the first time he arrested him.
Yes, it was my grandpa who gave Joey "The Clown" Lombardo his nickname. I'm sure somewhere in Heaven, he's having a good laugh right now over the fact that the "clown" finally was convicted after all these years.
Journalists Rights
Does posting on this blog make someone a journalist? And if so, do they retain the right to keep their sources private? This is the main question that Jonathan Glater poses in his article entitled, "At Suit's Core: Are Bloggers Reporters, Too?" Jack Balkin, a professor of Law at Yale University who raises a great question: does function define privilege? If a person has the ability to contact a source, process information, organize it and write about a topic, does this mean they are a reporter. What is the difference between a blogger and a journalist? I think we must look at the evolution of reporting news to understand this new Do-It-Yourself journalism. From the printing press came newspapers and from transistors came radio and now we have television and the internet: two forms that combine audio and visual communications. The internet has opened a variety of options to the public including publishing thoughts, information, videos, etc. online. Due to this new technology I believe the credentials of a reporter matter less and factual information matters more. Cutting out the jargon, the cliches, and the corporate messages, matters more to a general public.
What Nerve
1st..
Sunday an NFL player for the Buffalo Bills was injured while ackwardly attempting to tackle an opponent. Moments after laying there motionless, the stadium of over 40,000 spectators stood there without a word as a typically raucous NFL stadium sounded more like a library on a saturday afternoon. However, equally as startling to the sight of a 6-4, 250 professional athlete without the use of his rotary skills were the reactions -and comments- of teammates, coaches, and even the doctor who treated tight end Kevin Everett. More than a few times we heard that "it's apart of the game" or that "we have to move on" which is true, even in the case of Everett himself. But it does seem a little insensitive, right? Football players, although highly paid, give their all as they physically give their all in to an america who has always been bloodthirsty, in a full contact sport where the idea is to use your body to collide with another body as fast and as hard as possible. Amidst the cheerleaders, commercials, super coliseums, groupies, charity work, and scandals, you find a league of men who sacrifice the future of their ability to use the most basic of rotary skills for the enjoyment of the American People. After Dr. Cappachinno (real name) stated a day after Everetts accident that he will "never fully recover" from the injury, or be "able to walk again." We see a day later the same doctor recanted his statement as the near-paralyzed athlete find feeling in his outer extremities. In this we learn a lesson about the human spirit and the will to succeed. Maybe one day we will see Kevin Everett still taking the advice of his coaches, and doing the unthinkable with some "nerve", Moving On...
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/football/nfl/09/11/tucker.everett/p1_everett.jpg
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