An interesting session with the latest class of Leadership Akron at City Hall, as the NewsNight Akron panelists got in an hour of yapping (our favorite pastime) in between University of Akron Bliss Institute Dr. John Green and Mayor Plusquellic.
On center stage: Eric Mansfield from WKYC-TV; Jody Miller, formerly print but now more work for public television; M.L. Schultze of WKSU-FM; Steve Hoffman of the Akron Beacon Journal and yours truly.
After doing more than a few of these panels I am always struck by one thing just about everyone agrees with, regardless of their political leanings...how much danger Akron is of becoming marginalized as yet another suburb to the idea of "greater Cleveland." Some may view this as rather parochial, opting instead for a more regional approach to solving the considerable problems here, but I think it goes deeper than simply waving that magic wand of government consolidation. People south of the lakeshore really don't want to see their identify swallowed up in the whole of a larger NEO-identity.
From a radio perspective I think it is important to note the Akron market ranks 75th nationally with 596,500 listeners measured by Arbitron, the ratings company. Among the big markets in Ohio, the Cincinnati market (#28 with 1, 773,000) outranks Cleveland (#29, 1,764,000) by just a tick. In reality the Cleveland market is generally considered bigger because of it's "throw" across the market boundaries to include influence into Akron, Canton, Lorain and a reasonable chunk of the Youngstown area.
But if you were to consider Akron and Canton (#129, 347,800) markets as an area with far more in common than apart it puts our interests at 944,300 -- comparable to a Buffalo, New York, Louisville, Kentucky or Richmond, Virginia. This is something we've long seen in TV coverage of this area -- a third of the Cleveland television market, big enough to pay attention to but small enough to warrant the same kind of coverage given the "East side" or the "West side" when making editorial judgments on stories earning precious time in a 30 or 60 minute newscast.
Now you can call me parochial for the mindset that the five-county metro of greater Akron (south Summit, northern Stark, parts of Portage, Wayne and Medina) matters more to the economic health of Akron-Canton than what may necessarily matter to the NEO-region led by Cleveland but it is those local interests, I think, that hold the key to how and why Akron-Canton can prosper as an entity and market unto itself.
Most would agree the health of the region is important, but political decisions are still made on a local level and not as a region.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Talking Points: Issue 8
Both sides seem to have their talking points down pat in one of the few face-to-face forums on Issue 8 and 9...not that everyone at the Town Hall meeting sponsored by the League of Women Voters seemed to have an open mind in listening to the other side.
About a hundred people were in the FirstEnergy meeting room in the basement of the American Red Cross headquarters on West Market Street, a decent turnout for a Saturday morning. It was pretty clear the room was half-for, half-against judging by the number of city and community officials in tow to push for the Akron Scholarship Plan and the half-dozen or so wearing lime-green t-shirts reading "Hate 8, Vote No" above a "City of Akron For-Sale" sign.Following the opening statements moderator Susan Vogelsang noted the tenor of the meeting was non-partisan, and said they wouldn't proceed with the rest of the program unless the t-shirts were either reversed or turned inside out. There wasn't much grumbling -- in fact, even a few smiles -- as opponents of Issue 8 complied and then sat down to the ten work group tables set up to encourage more focused debate and working together to come up with ten questions for the panelists to respond to.
My favorite "strange bedfellows" pairing was the table where Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth sat opposite frequent Administration critic Greg Coleridge of the Save our Sewers and Water Committee. Not exactly your normal buddy-buddy combination but both were far more civil than the normal chatter heard at Mayoral news conferences.
The questions:
1. Can the operator of the leased system commit the City to spending decisions?
No, says Akron Public Service Director Rick Merolla; rates can't go up more than 3.9% but he added EPA mandates have to be paid for regardless of who operates the system, and that falls to ratepayers. Save Our Sewers and Water Committee campaign chair Jack Sombati says the City can't make promises it isn't sure it can keep and it's tough to answer because no lease exists.
2. Why not look at another way to fund scholarships?
Sombati says they asked Mayor Plusquellic this when he first made the proposal and he wasn't interested; Children's Hospital CEO Bill Considine noted Akron is a generous community but raising $200 million privately won't happen. "We can't wait for someone to win the lottery," Considine said, adding "there's a sense of urgency here."
3. Explain Issue 9 pro and con.
This one was easy; both Merolla and Sombati agreed a "yes" vote was a good thing to make sure the public has the ultimate vote in the lease, transfer or sale of city-owned utilities.
4. How to you ensure compliance with EPA standards?
Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Washington-based Food and Water Watch, says we won't know until we see the actual lease agreement -- which doesn't exist. Merolla says nobody gets away with violating EPA options and there are a thousand municipal-run systems with problems just as there are with those run by private management. "I'm not going to sign a contract that puts Akron at risk," Merolla said.
5. What if the company breaks the lease or doesn't live up to its side?
Merolla: if there's a breach, the City takes back control with no payment to the lessee. Sombati says it would still be costly by the time lawyers got involved and used Akron Thermal (the bankrupt Akron municipal steam generator) as an example, noting the millions still owed the city in back taxes.
6. How do you link the scholarship plan with the business community?
Considine pointed to the BioInnovation agreement involving local universities and Akron's three major hospitals as programs bringing 2500 new jobs here in the next five years, and how they'd like to have those skilled jobs filled by Akron residents. Sombati charged the scholarship is really a loan program because of strings attached that tie graduates to paying Akron incomes taxes by staying here for 30 years, continuing Akron taxes if they leave or repaying the scholarship. He also noted Michigan's Kalamazoo Promise, offered up as a blueprint for Akron, provides a free ride without a 30 year commitment. Merolla shot back in a later segment the City was simply asking for a continued contribution to the community that made college possible, and wouldn't collect if graduates had no income (such as stay-at-home mothers or fathers.)
7. The City didn't enforce Time Warner's obligations for public access channels, why believe they will hold a lessee to an agreement?
I'll take this one...and note the cable TV issue has nothing to do with the City. The State of Ohio actually changed the law mandating cable companies hold responsibility for so-called local access channels, turning over the burden to local governments to manage. Not the same thing since it was the State, and not the City or a lessee, to actually change the rules.
8. We want more details on how the scholarship plan works.
Already covered above, but Merolla said 1500-1600 students would be eligible in the first class. The trigger on "repayment" comes with whether graduates pay Akron income tax by living or working in the City; Sombati says that's a loan, not a scholarship.
9. Who's responsible for storm sewer runoff?
More agreement; Sombati says the City is responsible and turned that into an attack on "just trust me" power voters would agree to without more lease details; Merolla countered the City is responsible and either way ratepayers would still pay the bill, lease or no lease.
10. What's the oversight, and how could we terminate the lease if needed?
Merolla: City still owns it, and there are plenty of examples of third-party managers doing city work -- such as highway construction and road resurfacing. Hauter says road maintenance isn't a good example since there's a big difference involving water and sewer quality.
11. Why does the Akron plan cover some communities but not others outside of Akron?
Suburbs are simply customers, says Merolla, and aren't owners so they don't have a voice in this decision. It's different for Akron residents who have children in non-Akron districts (such as Woodridge, Revere, Copley-Fairlawn, Coventry, and Springfield) because JEDDs have them in city limits but attending other schools. Sombati used this to say suburban customers will be just like Akron customers, at risk of big rate hikes because a lease operator will have to get their profits from somewhere.
It was interesting the Mayor wasn't in the house, but was keeping tabs on what was going on.
Proponents tell me this is by design because the Mayor doesn't want to have Issue 8 turned into a referendum on him, although that's probably a little late by now since he's already called those who disagree with him liars. It was a refreshing change to listen to competing sides made their points without calling each other names.
WAKR will air a live version of this town hall Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. and while we'll get the same points it offers folks playing at home the ability to pick up the phone and get their questions right from the source.
About a hundred people were in the FirstEnergy meeting room in the basement of the American Red Cross headquarters on West Market Street, a decent turnout for a Saturday morning. It was pretty clear the room was half-for, half-against judging by the number of city and community officials in tow to push for the Akron Scholarship Plan and the half-dozen or so wearing lime-green t-shirts reading "Hate 8, Vote No" above a "City of Akron For-Sale" sign.Following the opening statements moderator Susan Vogelsang noted the tenor of the meeting was non-partisan, and said they wouldn't proceed with the rest of the program unless the t-shirts were either reversed or turned inside out. There wasn't much grumbling -- in fact, even a few smiles -- as opponents of Issue 8 complied and then sat down to the ten work group tables set up to encourage more focused debate and working together to come up with ten questions for the panelists to respond to.
My favorite "strange bedfellows" pairing was the table where Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth sat opposite frequent Administration critic Greg Coleridge of the Save our Sewers and Water Committee. Not exactly your normal buddy-buddy combination but both were far more civil than the normal chatter heard at Mayoral news conferences.
The questions:
1. Can the operator of the leased system commit the City to spending decisions?
No, says Akron Public Service Director Rick Merolla; rates can't go up more than 3.9% but he added EPA mandates have to be paid for regardless of who operates the system, and that falls to ratepayers. Save Our Sewers and Water Committee campaign chair Jack Sombati says the City can't make promises it isn't sure it can keep and it's tough to answer because no lease exists.
2. Why not look at another way to fund scholarships?
Sombati says they asked Mayor Plusquellic this when he first made the proposal and he wasn't interested; Children's Hospital CEO Bill Considine noted Akron is a generous community but raising $200 million privately won't happen. "We can't wait for someone to win the lottery," Considine said, adding "there's a sense of urgency here."
3. Explain Issue 9 pro and con.
This one was easy; both Merolla and Sombati agreed a "yes" vote was a good thing to make sure the public has the ultimate vote in the lease, transfer or sale of city-owned utilities.
4. How to you ensure compliance with EPA standards?
Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Washington-based Food and Water Watch, says we won't know until we see the actual lease agreement -- which doesn't exist. Merolla says nobody gets away with violating EPA options and there are a thousand municipal-run systems with problems just as there are with those run by private management. "I'm not going to sign a contract that puts Akron at risk," Merolla said.
5. What if the company breaks the lease or doesn't live up to its side?
Merolla: if there's a breach, the City takes back control with no payment to the lessee. Sombati says it would still be costly by the time lawyers got involved and used Akron Thermal (the bankrupt Akron municipal steam generator) as an example, noting the millions still owed the city in back taxes.
6. How do you link the scholarship plan with the business community?
Considine pointed to the BioInnovation agreement involving local universities and Akron's three major hospitals as programs bringing 2500 new jobs here in the next five years, and how they'd like to have those skilled jobs filled by Akron residents. Sombati charged the scholarship is really a loan program because of strings attached that tie graduates to paying Akron incomes taxes by staying here for 30 years, continuing Akron taxes if they leave or repaying the scholarship. He also noted Michigan's Kalamazoo Promise, offered up as a blueprint for Akron, provides a free ride without a 30 year commitment. Merolla shot back in a later segment the City was simply asking for a continued contribution to the community that made college possible, and wouldn't collect if graduates had no income (such as stay-at-home mothers or fathers.)
7. The City didn't enforce Time Warner's obligations for public access channels, why believe they will hold a lessee to an agreement?
I'll take this one...and note the cable TV issue has nothing to do with the City. The State of Ohio actually changed the law mandating cable companies hold responsibility for so-called local access channels, turning over the burden to local governments to manage. Not the same thing since it was the State, and not the City or a lessee, to actually change the rules.
8. We want more details on how the scholarship plan works.
Already covered above, but Merolla said 1500-1600 students would be eligible in the first class. The trigger on "repayment" comes with whether graduates pay Akron income tax by living or working in the City; Sombati says that's a loan, not a scholarship.
9. Who's responsible for storm sewer runoff?
More agreement; Sombati says the City is responsible and turned that into an attack on "just trust me" power voters would agree to without more lease details; Merolla countered the City is responsible and either way ratepayers would still pay the bill, lease or no lease.
10. What's the oversight, and how could we terminate the lease if needed?
Merolla: City still owns it, and there are plenty of examples of third-party managers doing city work -- such as highway construction and road resurfacing. Hauter says road maintenance isn't a good example since there's a big difference involving water and sewer quality.
11. Why does the Akron plan cover some communities but not others outside of Akron?
Suburbs are simply customers, says Merolla, and aren't owners so they don't have a voice in this decision. It's different for Akron residents who have children in non-Akron districts (such as Woodridge, Revere, Copley-Fairlawn, Coventry, and Springfield) because JEDDs have them in city limits but attending other schools. Sombati used this to say suburban customers will be just like Akron customers, at risk of big rate hikes because a lease operator will have to get their profits from somewhere.
It was interesting the Mayor wasn't in the house, but was keeping tabs on what was going on.
Proponents tell me this is by design because the Mayor doesn't want to have Issue 8 turned into a referendum on him, although that's probably a little late by now since he's already called those who disagree with him liars. It was a refreshing change to listen to competing sides made their points without calling each other names.
WAKR will air a live version of this town hall Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. and while we'll get the same points it offers folks playing at home the ability to pick up the phone and get their questions right from the source.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Ohio's Voting Mess
As the final Obama-McCain debate starts what a sad story crosses the wire from the AP's Terry Kinney:
"Close to one in every three newly registered Ohio voters will end up on court-ordered lists being sent to county election boards because they have some discrepancy in their records, an elections spokesman said Wednesday.
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner estimated that an initial review found that about 200,000 newly registered voters reported information that did not match motor-vehicle or Social Security records, Brunner spokesman Kevin Kidder said. Some discrepancies could be as simple as a misspelling, while others could be more significant."
What is really sad about this is it comes after a court fight where Brunner had to agree with judges who determined she simply had to get off the can and start doing the job.
Some basic questions we should be asking all of the politicians, statewide and local, charged with safeguarding not only the right to vote but the expectation it's clean; starting with why did it take so long? Why did it take those embarassing reports on Palestra.net (a college-based news site...it took college students to get to the meat of this story) to force an honest evaluation of the shenanigans going on? Why did it take stories of one person registered 76 times and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo listed as registering to vote in Ohio to wake up Columbus to the fact that something was amiss? Why does it take a lawsuit in federal court to make elected officials do their duty?
"Close to one in every three newly registered Ohio voters will end up on court-ordered lists being sent to county election boards because they have some discrepancy in their records, an elections spokesman said Wednesday.
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner estimated that an initial review found that about 200,000 newly registered voters reported information that did not match motor-vehicle or Social Security records, Brunner spokesman Kevin Kidder said. Some discrepancies could be as simple as a misspelling, while others could be more significant."
What is really sad about this is it comes after a court fight where Brunner had to agree with judges who determined she simply had to get off the can and start doing the job.
Some basic questions we should be asking all of the politicians, statewide and local, charged with safeguarding not only the right to vote but the expectation it's clean; starting with why did it take so long? Why did it take those embarassing reports on Palestra.net (a college-based news site...it took college students to get to the meat of this story) to force an honest evaluation of the shenanigans going on? Why did it take stories of one person registered 76 times and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo listed as registering to vote in Ohio to wake up Columbus to the fact that something was amiss? Why does it take a lawsuit in federal court to make elected officials do their duty?
Critics say ACORN...the group of community activists who earlier noted there were problems with their registration drives but it really wasn't their fault...knows full well how these numbers look more like a parody of Chicago-based ward politics. I did a quick Google search this evening on ACORN offices located in Ohio and no surprises as offices in Akron are not only in the same block as local Democratic Party headquarters (also the Obama local campaign headquarters) but the same building. One is 3 Merriman Road, the other 9 Merriman Road. Add that to the growing list of search results on the story. At least there's a nearby Rockne's for lunch to compare voter registration strategy, maybe over a Firestone salad.
There are local examples of this mentality. Summit County Elections Board member Brian Daley took issue with a recent posting where I took the four members of that board to task for the excessive partisanship that's led to decision after decision having to be decided by the fifth member of the board -- Secretary of State Brunner. His point was that much of the blame should go on the shoulders of Democrat Wayne Jones, and for him to side with a Jones-Tim Gorbach block would ignore the issues. The flip side argument, of course, is that Daley and Jack Morrison do the exact same thing on the Republican side.
My response to Daley was that he and Gorbach actually have a great opportunity if they both were to exercise judgment on behalf of the people instead of partisan interests. Should the voters and taxpayers tolerate these blind lock-step votes that deny parties and candidates the opportunity to have observers at early voting? Our Summit County board deadlocked on what is a basic premise of fairness: watching the watchers.
Must the hiring of clerks actually become something that requires a decision by a state official? This week two Summit County elections workers, both in their 70s, actually got into a physical fight with one another when one was apparently marked a ballot for Obama when the nursing home voter wanted to vote for McCain. It was enough to trigger a police report and now a special meeting Thursday morning (yet another one, so how special can they really be?) of the elections board members to review the case. The issue: the one worker who discovered the problem was taken off the job along with the one who made the mistake.
According to this rationale both Jones and Alex Arshinkoff should have been removed from the local elections board on the philosophy that since both of the kids are squabbling send 'em both to bed without supper.
Should any of us be surprised this winds up as yet another tie vote?
We deserve better. A lot better. From all of 'em.
My response to Daley was that he and Gorbach actually have a great opportunity if they both were to exercise judgment on behalf of the people instead of partisan interests. Should the voters and taxpayers tolerate these blind lock-step votes that deny parties and candidates the opportunity to have observers at early voting? Our Summit County board deadlocked on what is a basic premise of fairness: watching the watchers.
Must the hiring of clerks actually become something that requires a decision by a state official? This week two Summit County elections workers, both in their 70s, actually got into a physical fight with one another when one was apparently marked a ballot for Obama when the nursing home voter wanted to vote for McCain. It was enough to trigger a police report and now a special meeting Thursday morning (yet another one, so how special can they really be?) of the elections board members to review the case. The issue: the one worker who discovered the problem was taken off the job along with the one who made the mistake.
According to this rationale both Jones and Alex Arshinkoff should have been removed from the local elections board on the philosophy that since both of the kids are squabbling send 'em both to bed without supper.
Should any of us be surprised this winds up as yet another tie vote?
We deserve better. A lot better. From all of 'em.
Last Bad Words
An interesting discussion for the journalism wonks: if the last words are words you cannot say on broadcast radio and television or print in the family-friendly newspaper are they still newsworthy?
First, bad words.
When asked for any last words before execution Richard Wade Cooey responded "...you mother******s haven't paid attention to what I've had to say the past 22 years, why are you going to pay attention to what I have to say now." It isn't surprising to know that would be his final statement; Cooey never took responsibility for the kidnap, rape and murders of Dawn McCreery and Wendy Offredo during interviews in 2003 with the Beacon Journal's Phil Trexler or myself, and he didn't seem to have any remorse in his last interview with the Associated Press.
Behind the view of the story: this was one of the topics our reporter, Chris Keppler, was concerned about before heading down to Lucasville. What if those last words were nothing but profanity? How would we -- should we -- report for the record? Should his reporting of Cooey's statement exclude those words we won't say on the air out of deference to our audience and the threat of hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines? Does it glorify someone of Cooey's stature to give his vulgarity the same treatment we would a White House pronouncement?
Phil Trexler and Eric Mansfield, our colleagues at the Beacon Journal and WKYC Channel 3 News, must have had similar thoughts. These are words we hear often in the context of anger and hate, far too often...but not those we would share with friends and family back home. They carried the additional burden, as did Chris, of serving as witnesses for the media and charged with presenting what happened in Ohio's death chamber to the rest of the media waiting outside.
They were the record.
The concerns Chris had were appropriate and on the money; it was profane, it was something we would normally not report verbatim on the air, and like it or not it did get the treatment of a top story, even to the point of making national newscasts.
State executions in Ohio are still relatively rare enough to make the news, although certainly not at the level when they first resumed in 1999 with Wilford "The Volunteer" Berry. Summit County's Robert Buell died by lethal injection in 2002; their story and that of the victims of their crimes were and will continue to be news. We are an odd mix of readers, listeners and viewers when it comes to these stories: on the surface we don't want to be confronted by such evil, but we don't shy away from looking for these stories. In a world of grey the choices of right or wrong are never more stark than in capital cases, even as the debate continues on whether the death penalty is ever appropriate.
For our part in our newsroom, we decided it was important to frame what Cooey said as clearly as possible. Our Operations Manager ran into the room when Chris first filed his report on WAKR, saying the use of "M-F" was wrong. I disagree, and told Chris this morning it was appropriate since it conveyed the record of what happened -- the reason Chris was in Lucasville as a witness. His job was to act as the eyes and ears of those back home, and act as a filter only in the extreme. Not using the entire phrase verbatim was responsible, but somehow downplaying it as "expletive deleted" soft-peddles the evil killer without a soul portrayed by Wendy and Dawn's families.
It isn't pandering to report how and what he said, as clearly and honestly as we can without crossing that line. I tend to side on reporting the truth, and the truth is Richard Cooey left this world much as many of you reading this post expected -- a man condemned by more than a three judge panel.
I had a similar issue in 2006 when Glenn Benner was executed for the slayings of Cynthia Sedgwich in 1985 and Trina Bowser in 1986, but this time the profanity came from a family member who wasn't buying Benner's last words. As a pool reporter it was my job to report what I had seen and heard, which I did -- in true detail -- following the execution. For our reporting I noted the family had strong language but didn't cross the line of a verbatim report.
It wasn't my job to filter what was happening; we can leave that to pundits on news talk shows; as reporters it is our duty to report.
First, bad words.
When asked for any last words before execution Richard Wade Cooey responded "...you mother******s haven't paid attention to what I've had to say the past 22 years, why are you going to pay attention to what I have to say now." It isn't surprising to know that would be his final statement; Cooey never took responsibility for the kidnap, rape and murders of Dawn McCreery and Wendy Offredo during interviews in 2003 with the Beacon Journal's Phil Trexler or myself, and he didn't seem to have any remorse in his last interview with the Associated Press.
Behind the view of the story: this was one of the topics our reporter, Chris Keppler, was concerned about before heading down to Lucasville. What if those last words were nothing but profanity? How would we -- should we -- report for the record? Should his reporting of Cooey's statement exclude those words we won't say on the air out of deference to our audience and the threat of hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines? Does it glorify someone of Cooey's stature to give his vulgarity the same treatment we would a White House pronouncement?
Phil Trexler and Eric Mansfield, our colleagues at the Beacon Journal and WKYC Channel 3 News, must have had similar thoughts. These are words we hear often in the context of anger and hate, far too often...but not those we would share with friends and family back home. They carried the additional burden, as did Chris, of serving as witnesses for the media and charged with presenting what happened in Ohio's death chamber to the rest of the media waiting outside.
They were the record.
The concerns Chris had were appropriate and on the money; it was profane, it was something we would normally not report verbatim on the air, and like it or not it did get the treatment of a top story, even to the point of making national newscasts.
State executions in Ohio are still relatively rare enough to make the news, although certainly not at the level when they first resumed in 1999 with Wilford "The Volunteer" Berry. Summit County's Robert Buell died by lethal injection in 2002; their story and that of the victims of their crimes were and will continue to be news. We are an odd mix of readers, listeners and viewers when it comes to these stories: on the surface we don't want to be confronted by such evil, but we don't shy away from looking for these stories. In a world of grey the choices of right or wrong are never more stark than in capital cases, even as the debate continues on whether the death penalty is ever appropriate.
For our part in our newsroom, we decided it was important to frame what Cooey said as clearly as possible. Our Operations Manager ran into the room when Chris first filed his report on WAKR, saying the use of "M-F" was wrong. I disagree, and told Chris this morning it was appropriate since it conveyed the record of what happened -- the reason Chris was in Lucasville as a witness. His job was to act as the eyes and ears of those back home, and act as a filter only in the extreme. Not using the entire phrase verbatim was responsible, but somehow downplaying it as "expletive deleted" soft-peddles the evil killer without a soul portrayed by Wendy and Dawn's families.
It isn't pandering to report how and what he said, as clearly and honestly as we can without crossing that line. I tend to side on reporting the truth, and the truth is Richard Cooey left this world much as many of you reading this post expected -- a man condemned by more than a three judge panel.
I had a similar issue in 2006 when Glenn Benner was executed for the slayings of Cynthia Sedgwich in 1985 and Trina Bowser in 1986, but this time the profanity came from a family member who wasn't buying Benner's last words. As a pool reporter it was my job to report what I had seen and heard, which I did -- in true detail -- following the execution. For our reporting I noted the family had strong language but didn't cross the line of a verbatim report.
It wasn't my job to filter what was happening; we can leave that to pundits on news talk shows; as reporters it is our duty to report.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Web Weasels, Part 2
According to an Akron Beacon Journal story -- updating this blog's report last Friday -- the Summit County Prosecutor's office is now investigating how two County Council members wound up with campaign links on their county websites.
You'll recall the original story I posted last week, and the broadcast reports on Sunday and Monday morning. Now the other shoe is dropping with both District 1's Nick Kostandaras and District 3's Louise Heydorn denying any knowledge their county-provided sites contained links to their campaign sites.
I'd give 'em a benefit of a doubt, especially after seeing quotes that putting the link up was either a "bad joke" or came on behalf of a candidate who doesn't even "know how to use a computer."
That means one of the webkins at the county took it upon themselves to add the campaign links to both a Republican and Democrat, right?
This kind of stuff usually launches theft in office charges, but since the links were taken down today (the first business day following the Columbus Day holiday period) it may be found it was just a mistake by someone who thought they were being helpful without giving any thought to the ethics of putting campaign links on a publicly-financed web site, in this case the County of Summit official pages.
Likely every other office holder right now is asking the web gurus to do what's called a "site audit" to make sure they don't slip up along these lines as well.
Nice to see sunshine will works so quickly...and the folks on Exchange and Main do pay attention to stories that don't necessarily start in their pages.
- - -
On another subject, webmaster Bryan and I are wrapping up a trip to New York where this website was honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award. At the same time Chris Keppler of our staff was covering today's execution of Richard Cooey for the murders of Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery 22 years ago.
While our feet are on the ground here our hearts and thoughts are with the families Richard Cooey and Clint Dickens actions ripped apart -- including their own. Cooey went out pretty much the way I imagined he would when I interviewed him five years ago on Death Row; a man who showed no remorse, asking for no forgiveness, telling me his appeals came "because he could" and his legal defenders honored that to the end.
There are few lessons to be learned we don't already know but the chapter closes on this part of the nightmare for family and friends of two women described as vibrant and full of potential and life. The chapter closes, but the nightmare will only fade -- it never goes away.
Opponents of capital punishment say it doesn't solve the crime or bring back loved ones, but for many that isn't the argument.
You'll recall the original story I posted last week, and the broadcast reports on Sunday and Monday morning. Now the other shoe is dropping with both District 1's Nick Kostandaras and District 3's Louise Heydorn denying any knowledge their county-provided sites contained links to their campaign sites.
I'd give 'em a benefit of a doubt, especially after seeing quotes that putting the link up was either a "bad joke" or came on behalf of a candidate who doesn't even "know how to use a computer."
That means one of the webkins at the county took it upon themselves to add the campaign links to both a Republican and Democrat, right?
This kind of stuff usually launches theft in office charges, but since the links were taken down today (the first business day following the Columbus Day holiday period) it may be found it was just a mistake by someone who thought they were being helpful without giving any thought to the ethics of putting campaign links on a publicly-financed web site, in this case the County of Summit official pages.
Likely every other office holder right now is asking the web gurus to do what's called a "site audit" to make sure they don't slip up along these lines as well.
Nice to see sunshine will works so quickly...and the folks on Exchange and Main do pay attention to stories that don't necessarily start in their pages.
- - -
On another subject, webmaster Bryan and I are wrapping up a trip to New York where this website was honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award. At the same time Chris Keppler of our staff was covering today's execution of Richard Cooey for the murders of Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery 22 years ago.
While our feet are on the ground here our hearts and thoughts are with the families Richard Cooey and Clint Dickens actions ripped apart -- including their own. Cooey went out pretty much the way I imagined he would when I interviewed him five years ago on Death Row; a man who showed no remorse, asking for no forgiveness, telling me his appeals came "because he could" and his legal defenders honored that to the end.
There are few lessons to be learned we don't already know but the chapter closes on this part of the nightmare for family and friends of two women described as vibrant and full of potential and life. The chapter closes, but the nightmare will only fade -- it never goes away.
Opponents of capital punishment say it doesn't solve the crime or bring back loved ones, but for many that isn't the argument.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Cooey Isn't The Victim
There's been plenty of writing and reporting over the past few weeks on the scheduled execution of Richard Wade Cooey that refers to his kidnap, rape and murders of "...two University of Akron coeds."
Enough. The real victims have names.
Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery were simply wrapping up a night's work at the Brown Derby restaurant and were looking forward to a night of fun before turning in. It was simple until Cooey, buddy Clint Dickens and a friend thought it would be a hoot to drop chunks of concrete from a highway overpass onto the vehicles below.
Vehicles driven by people just like Wendy and Dawn. It was Wendy and Dawn in that car when the man-made rock crashed into their car. Cooey and company flocked to the scene like vultures, but at first they were the doves of peace -- offering to help, even driving the girls to use the phone to call their parents. Wendy and Dawn were found later, when it was too late for any help.
Cooey, 19, got a death sentence handed down by three judges; Dickens got life in prison thanks to the calendar and being under 18 at the time.
What he took away from Dawn McCreery and Wendy Offredo and their families is the reason Richard Cooey is where he is. He's not in this situation because the law was stacked against him; judge after judge has heard the case, to the point where it is a new generation of judges and appeals panels that listen to the petitions of an even newer generation of public defenders who represent him. It is a new generation of prosecutors who represent Dawn and Wendy, and the families that have waited for what the justice system promised them more than two decades ago. It is a new generation of reporters who write the stories who need to remember behind the tale of a killer is the stolen hope and promise of two young women who deserve to be remembered for who they were, not what Richard Cooey turned them into.
On Tuesday morning, barring again any last-minute rulings from appeals courts that have already ruled on fitness to take a needle, or turned aside arguments prison food made him too fat to kill, or the medicines he got behind bars makes injection cruel, Richard Cooey will lead the story but it is Wendy and Dawn who should be on our minds.
Enough. The real victims have names.
Wendy Offredo and Dawn McCreery were simply wrapping up a night's work at the Brown Derby restaurant and were looking forward to a night of fun before turning in. It was simple until Cooey, buddy Clint Dickens and a friend thought it would be a hoot to drop chunks of concrete from a highway overpass onto the vehicles below.Vehicles driven by people just like Wendy and Dawn. It was Wendy and Dawn in that car when the man-made rock crashed into their car. Cooey and company flocked to the scene like vultures, but at first they were the doves of peace -- offering to help, even driving the girls to use the phone to call their parents. Wendy and Dawn were found later, when it was too late for any help.
Cooey, 19, got a death sentence handed down by three judges; Dickens got life in prison thanks to the calendar and being under 18 at the time.
Wendy and Dawn had full lives ahead of them, both attending University, both working hard to make their way through the world. They were so typical of young women then and today: opportunities they had the power to make for themselves. Wendy and Dawn are your daughters, your sisters, your friends, your girlfriends, your mothers.
But they've been somehow lost in this equation as the attention of the legal system and the media following behind focuses on one of the men who victimized and are not victims. We must remember them, we should mourn their loss, we shouldn't forget their faces forever frozen in memory, we shouldn't describe them as just the "coeds."
What he took away from Dawn McCreery and Wendy Offredo and their families is the reason Richard Cooey is where he is. He's not in this situation because the law was stacked against him; judge after judge has heard the case, to the point where it is a new generation of judges and appeals panels that listen to the petitions of an even newer generation of public defenders who represent him. It is a new generation of prosecutors who represent Dawn and Wendy, and the families that have waited for what the justice system promised them more than two decades ago. It is a new generation of reporters who write the stories who need to remember behind the tale of a killer is the stolen hope and promise of two young women who deserve to be remembered for who they were, not what Richard Cooey turned them into.
On Tuesday morning, barring again any last-minute rulings from appeals courts that have already ruled on fitness to take a needle, or turned aside arguments prison food made him too fat to kill, or the medicines he got behind bars makes injection cruel, Richard Cooey will lead the story but it is Wendy and Dawn who should be on our minds.
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Web Weasels
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse...take a look at your tax dollars at work supporting partisan political candidates. I can't imagine why the web designer and webmaster at Summit County Council would let this go through -- actually using the County's website to promote links to candidate websites not only soliciting votes but also contributions. Is there no shame?
Every member of County Council has a profile page on the County's site; certainly not unusual except for the two members who include a web site reference in addition to calling or emailing.
Summit County Council District 1's Nick Kostandaras official Summit County Council page (seen at left)includes a link at the bottom of his contact information. Follow the link and go to Nick's election page (seen at right) which asks not only for your support but also includes links to contribute.
So taxpayers shell out to build the government-run page...which then directs users to the campaign-run page? Anyone else out there struck by how how inappropriate it is to use a publicly-funded resource to direct voters and citizens doing business with the county to a campaign website?
But wait, there's more...Nick's not the only one.
Louise Heydorn, who represents Summit County Council's District 3, has the exact same deal on her official County site (seen at right) using a link below her profile to drive voters and citizens to her campaign web site (seen at left) which not only encourages us to "Meet Louise" but also to write-in her name. Again, thanks to your tax dollars an official government web site has a direct link to a partisan campaign site.
Isn't technology wonderful? Just think of what this opens up:
Every member of County Council has a profile page on the County's site; certainly not unusual except for the two members who include a web site reference in addition to calling or emailing.
Summit County Council District 1's Nick Kostandaras official Summit County Council page (seen at left)includes a link at the bottom of his contact information. Follow the link and go to Nick's election page (seen at right) which asks not only for your support but also includes links to contribute.So taxpayers shell out to build the government-run page...which then directs users to the campaign-run page? Anyone else out there struck by how how inappropriate it is to use a publicly-funded resource to direct voters and citizens doing business with the county to a campaign website?
But wait, there's more...Nick's not the only one.
Louise Heydorn, who represents Summit County Council's District 3, has the exact same deal on her official County site (seen at right) using a link below her profile to drive voters and citizens to her campaign web site (seen at left) which not only encourages us to "Meet Louise" but also to write-in her name. Again, thanks to your tax dollars an official government web site has a direct link to a partisan campaign site.Isn't technology wonderful? Just think of what this opens up:
- Mayor Plusquellic, County Executive Pry join forces to list Obama links on County, City
- Mayor Robart, Sen. Coughlin agree to list McCain links on City, State sites
- Board of Elections lists ACORN links for ease of voter registration
- Summit GOP agrees to link to Secretary of State Brunner's home page, party photos
OK, that last paragraph is political sarcasm in case you couldn't tell; what isn't a joke is the use of government resources to further partisan election efforts. Kostandaras is a Democrat; Heydorn is a Republican; both should work fast this weekend to remove those links and put the people's websites back in the realm of the people where it belongs and not some political perk add-on that abuses their power of office.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
If It Quacks and Waddles...
...then it must be a duck, right? However, what if it quacks loudly but the waddle is more like an occasional hop and skip? Even during some of the most trying times for the nation since September 11, 2001...
For all the times we need real leadership: it seems neither candidate for President is willing to go out on a limb in addressing the core issues of the Wall Street meltdown that every household in America talks about but Washington and New York seem not to hear. Obama can't commit to tell us how he'll run a more expansive government run on our running-out money; McCain won't fess up and hold tight to the basics he's old enough to remember coming from parents who grew up during the Depression.
Both talk about sending Washington a message while voting for the bailout plan, loaded down with pork at the absolute worst time, because our political system is greased on bribery. Even then, it always seems as though it is other members of Congress and not Ohio's getting those sweetheart deals. Both sides cleared the path for Fannie and Freddie's most excellent train wreck, one side by jamming through changes in the law and the other waxing with impotence enforcing it.
We just don't trust 'em anymore.
The clip of President Bush offering words of encouragement as the Dow Industrial dump another nearly seven hundreds points worth of value are contained above; it won't satisfy you or fill you with confidence. It is, for the most part, the same set of quotes we heard in Rose Garden after Rose Garden appearance a few weeks ago before Congress passed that bloated bailout...er, no, "rescue"...plan that was going to help stop the bleeding. How's that been working out for you in the past two weeks?
In neighborhood after neighborhood housing values tumble, workers fear for their jobs, nobody wants to buy anything on credit (even if they could get it) because common sense tells you it ain't over yet. They still have plenty of our cash as investors move what they can into insured checking and savings accounts but they're pretty stingy about lending it back to us. The experts say it's because the banks don't trust the banks to pay it back, so is it any wonder we don't trust either of them?
In Tuesday's debate neither Obama and McCain would say what just about every American believes now, that this mess won't be over by next year -- not by a long shot. There's more bleeding of the stuck pigs on Wall Street to be done, more loss in our 401k plans to the point they become 101.5k plans. If we ran our houses like they want to run our government we'd be living in our cars. Instead they're flying around the country on the electoral lecture circuit telling us what their consultants advise we want to hear instead of what they're going to have to do.
Wanted: Harry Truman. Teddy Roosevelt. Ronald Reagan. FDR. Someone with a set, even if it is a set of ideas, to punish those who abuse and help for those abused.
Someone with a set of principles to reward those who paid their bills on time, who put money down on their homes to build equity, who understand the path to credit heaven isn't paved on plastic. Someone with a set of values to tell those who loaded up on speculative condo building in Florida and Las Vegas that we aren't holding the bag on their no-money-down dreams, and the power to tell the influential that they've got to at least go through the motions of sharing in the pain. Someone to tell AIG's fuzzy-headed executives they have to pay back the company for their spa treatments during a half-million dollar corporate retreat a week after bailout, and someone to show Congress the door for whoring out the American dream by forcing look-away bankers to give money to anyone, anytime.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Afraid To Watch?
Today's vote by the Summit County Board of Elections -- deadlocking yet again, this time over whether political parties and candidates should be able to watch democracy in action. Funny how the very officials who should stand for open and transparent government won't put their votes behind the rhetoric.
This really isn't a partisan issue, it's pretty basic: allowing people to watch the voting process. Other counties in Ohio are doing it but because it isn't specifically spelled out in Ohio's complex election laws, so the Secretary of State left it up to local election boards on whether to allow party and candidate observers to watch voting.
Important note: watch as in observe, not challenge.
This includes the early absentee voting taking place now at The Jobs Center on East Tallmadge, in a cavernous building big enough to easily handle two hockey rinks and an arena football game. I got a good sense of just how big, when I joined a friend in doing our patriotic duty earlier this afternoon. Dozens of voting machines, helpful elections workers making sure the t's are crossed and i's are dotted for those of us who know who and what we'll be voting for and against.
Why, for example, can observers watch the political process in Baghdad and Kabul but not Akron? To avoid "confusion," says Board of Election member Wayne Jones. I guess walking in, signing a paper, going to a booth and filing in the circles away from public view from people watch you is too much for the average voter to bear. Remembering the joy of people enjoying and employing the right to vote (left: it hasn't been that long ago in Iraq, has it?) stands as a reminder of what really makes democracy strong: the will of the people, symbolized by ink-stained fingers.
In years past Democrats such as Jones had a powerful argument when the state law actually allowed observers to personally and physically challenge votes; it was a major bone of contention in 2000 and 2004 that some voters felt uncomfortable with the prospect of some blue (or red) nose peeking at them doing their business, then trying to get their vote thrown out. The General Assembly wisely updated the law to remove the challenge but left open the basic American concept of transparency in government by not removing the ability to observe.
This actually has a parallel in case law; in 2006, then-Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell tried to argue having the media observe people casting ballots was disruptive, and precinct leaders were justified in tossing reporters and photographers out. The Akron Beacon Journal led the charge at the time in bringing the matter to U.S. District Court -- I know, because RTNDA joined in that case arguing it was contrary to the public interest and a slap in the face to democracy in suggesting that open and honest elections would be held without the open. It didn't take long for a judicial two-by-four to the head, ordering the State to cut it out.
Now in Summit County a free press can do what a free people cannot -- observe our fellow citizens voting.
It isn't surprising Democrat Jones opposes observers: the political Yin to his Yang, Republican Alex Arshinkoff, is the one pushing to get observers in The Job Center. What Wayne wants, Alex doesn't want, and vice-versa. You might make the same observation about GOP member Jack Morrison; he's been around the same partisan block a time or two. But for newbies Republican Brian Daley and Democrat Tim Gorbach to agree to treat the election process as something to be done out-of-sight is just plain sad.
Jones and Morrison can be excused in forgetting some of the basic lessons learned in local government since they've played bigwig insiders for so long, but Daley and Gorbach aren't that far removed from their service on city governments in Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls. Can you imagine the outcry if the same standard were applied to council meetings in those cities, denying interested parties the right to even sit in the same room while government marched on it's merry way?
Here we sit with another deadlocked Board of Elections, another vote that must be decided by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. At this point Akron should ask for a piece of her salary to satisfy city income taxes, with all her work as a defacto fifth member of the Summit County board. It will be even sadder if she, predictably as in the past, sides with her own party leaders who mistakenly believe the business of the people is too "confusing" to be observed by the people.
Of the people. By the people. It would be refreshing to remember "for the people."
Keeping the voting process open -- even to critics -- is exactly the kind of transparency that makes the American body politic a work of wonder in the rest of the world. It may not be pretty; at times it very well may be "confusing," but at the very least it is something for the entire world to see.
And observe.
This really isn't a partisan issue, it's pretty basic: allowing people to watch the voting process. Other counties in Ohio are doing it but because it isn't specifically spelled out in Ohio's complex election laws, so the Secretary of State left it up to local election boards on whether to allow party and candidate observers to watch voting.
Important note: watch as in observe, not challenge.
This includes the early absentee voting taking place now at The Jobs Center on East Tallmadge, in a cavernous building big enough to easily handle two hockey rinks and an arena football game. I got a good sense of just how big, when I joined a friend in doing our patriotic duty earlier this afternoon. Dozens of voting machines, helpful elections workers making sure the t's are crossed and i's are dotted for those of us who know who and what we'll be voting for and against.
Why, for example, can observers watch the political process in Baghdad and Kabul but not Akron? To avoid "confusion," says Board of Election member Wayne Jones. I guess walking in, signing a paper, going to a booth and filing in the circles away from public view from people watch you is too much for the average voter to bear. Remembering the joy of people enjoying and employing the right to vote (left: it hasn't been that long ago in Iraq, has it?) stands as a reminder of what really makes democracy strong: the will of the people, symbolized by ink-stained fingers.In years past Democrats such as Jones had a powerful argument when the state law actually allowed observers to personally and physically challenge votes; it was a major bone of contention in 2000 and 2004 that some voters felt uncomfortable with the prospect of some blue (or red) nose peeking at them doing their business, then trying to get their vote thrown out. The General Assembly wisely updated the law to remove the challenge but left open the basic American concept of transparency in government by not removing the ability to observe.
This actually has a parallel in case law; in 2006, then-Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell tried to argue having the media observe people casting ballots was disruptive, and precinct leaders were justified in tossing reporters and photographers out. The Akron Beacon Journal led the charge at the time in bringing the matter to U.S. District Court -- I know, because RTNDA joined in that case arguing it was contrary to the public interest and a slap in the face to democracy in suggesting that open and honest elections would be held without the open. It didn't take long for a judicial two-by-four to the head, ordering the State to cut it out.
Now in Summit County a free press can do what a free people cannot -- observe our fellow citizens voting.
It isn't surprising Democrat Jones opposes observers: the political Yin to his Yang, Republican Alex Arshinkoff, is the one pushing to get observers in The Job Center. What Wayne wants, Alex doesn't want, and vice-versa. You might make the same observation about GOP member Jack Morrison; he's been around the same partisan block a time or two. But for newbies Republican Brian Daley and Democrat Tim Gorbach to agree to treat the election process as something to be done out-of-sight is just plain sad.
Jones and Morrison can be excused in forgetting some of the basic lessons learned in local government since they've played bigwig insiders for so long, but Daley and Gorbach aren't that far removed from their service on city governments in Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls. Can you imagine the outcry if the same standard were applied to council meetings in those cities, denying interested parties the right to even sit in the same room while government marched on it's merry way?
Here we sit with another deadlocked Board of Elections, another vote that must be decided by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. At this point Akron should ask for a piece of her salary to satisfy city income taxes, with all her work as a defacto fifth member of the Summit County board. It will be even sadder if she, predictably as in the past, sides with her own party leaders who mistakenly believe the business of the people is too "confusing" to be observed by the people.
Of the people. By the people. It would be refreshing to remember "for the people."
Keeping the voting process open -- even to critics -- is exactly the kind of transparency that makes the American body politic a work of wonder in the rest of the world. It may not be pretty; at times it very well may be "confusing," but at the very least it is something for the entire world to see.
And observe.
Monday, October 6, 2008
We Are DEVOcrats!
Too bad Republican fans of the band won't want to see this reunion show...the money's going into the coffers of Summit County's Democratic Party and to help get Sen. Barack Obama elected next month.
The big show is set for the Akron Civic Theater, naturally, and according to a joint news release from Anita Mothersbaugh (wife of Mark) and Wayne Jones (head of the local Dems) should rake in some serious green for the blues.
"Ohio is where we need to be," says Mark Mothersbaugh quoted in the release noting Anita reflected the frustration of voters in states already in the column -- either red or blue -- that their votes were already taken for granted, and shy of dumping more money into the campaign coffers it is tough to feel engaged in the race when the race is being fought in just Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. The band lives in California now, solid Obama land.So what to do? How about a trip home for the cause? There are cheaper seats to be had (as low as $25) but the well-heeled can don their yellow rainsuits and red flower pots for moments with the band in a VIP reception at a fat-cat price of $150 a pop.
The Akron Civic Theater and Ticketmaster will have tickets.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Hoping For Hoodie Heaven
Yet another school has fallen into the trap of hoodie hell; this time Akron's North High is sending students home for daring to wearing warmer sweatshirts to take away the chill of the first mornings of autumn.
Hey, it's been downright COLD these mornings, but dress codes are dress codes and the rush by school administrators seeking to keep students from looking like the Unabomber sometimes ends up making bureaucrats like...well, bureaucrats.
Such is the case at Akron North High School, where apparently the Vikings should be tough enough to withstand wake-ups in the 40s. Today's story (it'll play big on local TV; here's a story made for the six o'clock news) is ironic given the sale of hooded sweatshirts bearing the names of local high schools at stores all across the region.
Within walking distance of the Akron Radio Center, for example, you could pick up a green or yellow Firestone hoodie for under $15, just the thing to show our school spirit so long as you don't show it in school.
This isn't the first time the dreaded hoodie has led to such disarray in our education system; a quick search reveals GlenOak changed their hoodie policy (it just makes me laugh simply writing those words) in November of 2007, just five days after WKYC posted video of the hoodie hoopla before students took their Thanksgiving holiday.
Akron's school officials were huddling to figure out how to interpret this challenge of the dress code that wound up empowering students to protest to the point where a couple dozen wound up suspended.
At least they got to go home and get warm.
Hey, it's been downright COLD these mornings, but dress codes are dress codes and the rush by school administrators seeking to keep students from looking like the Unabomber sometimes ends up making bureaucrats like...well, bureaucrats.
Such is the case at Akron North High School, where apparently the Vikings should be tough enough to withstand wake-ups in the 40s. Today's story (it'll play big on local TV; here's a story made for the six o'clock news) is ironic given the sale of hooded sweatshirts bearing the names of local high schools at stores all across the region.
Within walking distance of the Akron Radio Center, for example, you could pick up a green or yellow Firestone hoodie for under $15, just the thing to show our school spirit so long as you don't show it in school.
This isn't the first time the dreaded hoodie has led to such disarray in our education system; a quick search reveals GlenOak changed their hoodie policy (it just makes me laugh simply writing those words) in November of 2007, just five days after WKYC posted video of the hoodie hoopla before students took their Thanksgiving holiday.
Akron's school officials were huddling to figure out how to interpret this challenge of the dress code that wound up empowering students to protest to the point where a couple dozen wound up suspended.
At least they got to go home and get warm.
This'll Drive You Nuts
With all the political yapping over ACORN (that group of "community organizers" at the heart of GOP charges of vote rigging by liberal groups) this is a note that may sound an alarm.
Ohio DNR News release:
Ohio's fall crop of acorns is variable this year, but will provide a vital food source for more than 90 forest wildlife species. Overall, white oak acorn production is similar to last year but varies by region, while red oak acorn production declined by 57 percent over 2007 figures, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
"Good white oak acorn production was observed on some wildlife areas in northern and southern Ohio, but white oak acorns were much less abundant across central Ohio." said Mike Reynolds, forest wildlife biologist with the division. "Red oak acorn production declined statewide this year."
The Division of Wildlife is currently participating in a multi-state, on-going research project to estimate regional acorn production throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Wildlife biologists hope to use the acorn production information gathered in the study to forecast wildlife harvest and reproductive success rates on both a local and regional basis.
Acorn production is cyclical, with some trees producing acorns nearly every year, while others rarely ever produce. This year, Division of Wildlife employees scanned the canopies of selected oak trees on 38 wildlife areas in the state to determine the percentage of trees that produced acorns and the relative size of the acorn crop. Results varied regionally, but an average of 42 percent of white oak trees and 30 percent of red oak trees bore fruit this year.
Wildlife prefer white oak acorns, because red oak acorns contain a high amount of tannin and are bitter in taste. Mast crop abundance can affect hunting plans as well. Hunters can expect to find deer, wild turkeys and squirrels concentrated near areas with heavy crops of white and chestnut oak acorns this fall. In areas with poor acorn production, wildlife are more likely to be feeding around agricultural areas and forest edges.
Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Ohio DNR News release:
Ohio's fall crop of acorns is variable this year, but will provide a vital food source for more than 90 forest wildlife species. Overall, white oak acorn production is similar to last year but varies by region, while red oak acorn production declined by 57 percent over 2007 figures, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
"Good white oak acorn production was observed on some wildlife areas in northern and southern Ohio, but white oak acorns were much less abundant across central Ohio." said Mike Reynolds, forest wildlife biologist with the division. "Red oak acorn production declined statewide this year."
The Division of Wildlife is currently participating in a multi-state, on-going research project to estimate regional acorn production throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Wildlife biologists hope to use the acorn production information gathered in the study to forecast wildlife harvest and reproductive success rates on both a local and regional basis.
Acorn production is cyclical, with some trees producing acorns nearly every year, while others rarely ever produce. This year, Division of Wildlife employees scanned the canopies of selected oak trees on 38 wildlife areas in the state to determine the percentage of trees that produced acorns and the relative size of the acorn crop. Results varied regionally, but an average of 42 percent of white oak trees and 30 percent of red oak trees bore fruit this year.
Wildlife prefer white oak acorns, because red oak acorns contain a high amount of tannin and are bitter in taste. Mast crop abundance can affect hunting plans as well. Hunters can expect to find deer, wild turkeys and squirrels concentrated near areas with heavy crops of white and chestnut oak acorns this fall. In areas with poor acorn production, wildlife are more likely to be feeding around agricultural areas and forest edges.
Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Monday, September 29, 2008
Why No Isn't The End
Wall Street is taking another tumble this afternoon, down more than seven hundred points (still figuring it at the closing bell) after the big vote. It isn't the largest percentage drop but it is the biggest single number dump, almost as bad as post 9-11. The bailout pushed by the Bush Administration, Senate and House Democrat leaders led by Reid, Pelosi, Frank and Dodd, GOP leaders on the flip side including Boehner isn't even close to a yes from the House. Why, then, is this actually a sign Congress is working?
This is going to hurt. Hurt bad. Anyone trying to get credit now will find bankers saying no, and it isn't just us little people, it's companies like Goodyear told they can't access their own credit lines. The pain is unavoidable and the push to get something moving to free up the flow of money is undeniable, but Wall Street still hasn't convinced Main Street yet the fix from the boys and girls in suits in D.C. is the right answer.
We made a big mistake the past ten days, assuming just because the Secretary of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Chairman worked past midnight, joined by respective House and Senate leaders trading behind closed doors, that this was work on the people's behalf. Please forgive Americans from thinking ill of something called a "deal" since it was the "dealing" that got us into the mess to start with.
After watching the bulk of speeches from the U.S. House this morning and afternoon it's clear the work shouldn't have included behind-the-scenes deal or no deal to begin with. The Democrats say it's the Republicans fault for not getting 12 more votes to fall in line, the Republicans will note the Democrats had 94 members voting no, too, and the commentary will reflect the spin that none of the key players did what they had to.
The finger pointing is already underway with Democrats scrapping the GOP for not delivering; the GOP says they might have had a better chance if Nancy Pelosi hadn't made it a partisan fight during her comments on the floor blaming the whole mess on the Bush Administration. Did she really have to do that? Was this opportunity to play mechanic blown by what seems to be the inability for either side to just fix something without trying to inflict political harm? Listening to her speech (thanks to C-SPAN where you can still catch the entire address) I don't understand why she decided to make a Jefferson-Jackson day talk on the floor of Congress instead of showing the leadership to make the point for her bill rather than lecturing. Nice way to move forward -- by wallowing in the same old arguments of the past.
I'm just curious as to how things work in your neighborhood; how willing are you to lend a hand to the neighborhood watch folks when they start our saying you're a jerk? This just seems to be personal politics 101: what was the point of her speech, trying to convince people to vote for this bailout or setting the table for the finger-pointing we're going to watch next?
The usual suspects will come in for the usual ripping on the 15-second interview clips on CNN, FOX, CNBC, MSNBC and the networks.
This credit collapse mess our economy is in didn't happen overnight and while it's important to find a fix the wrong fix without the support of the real bankers who have to pay for it was the wrong policy. We're the bankers now, and when the systems (financial and government) who sold us a flim-flam bill of goods our Depression-area grandparents wouldn't have touched with a ten-foot pole wanted to do it again political labels meant nothing.
It was liberal Democrat and conservative Republican united to force the dealers to return to work and make something happen that makes sense for the very people who stand to suffer most. The unfortunate side of an economic collapse is that those who made the most during the boom years of easy credit and giveaway mortgage plans haven't felt the pain yet because they're still living off the billions they reaped while shooing a compliant public eager for have-it-all into foreclosure and bankruptcy. We rubes back on Main Street understand that; there are enough folks in Washington who hear what the real bosses back home were saying about all of this to go along after less than two weeks of talk.
Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, summed it up in the post-vote comments noting it was important for the greatest deliberative body in the world to give more thought to the actions of government. That's the real job of both the Senate and the House; to deliberate, to weigh and consider alternatives. Washington operates too easily these days on the assumption of must-act without oversight as shown by a budget that has ballooned to put our children's future in jeopardy, put ownership of our country in the pockets of our rivals and enemies, and put our sons and daughters in harm's way overseas.
We find ourselves with an unusual situation after watching today's debate: the very same folks ripping this President for his rush to war (a rush many joined him in with a quick vote) now seem hell-bent on a rush to fix an economy that teeters on the big freeze without asking questions. The same Reid-Pelosi crowd that surged to power two years ago in Washington by riding a wave of disbelief of direction from the White House now seem only too willing to go along with the Administration they don't trust. The GOP crowd that marched in lockstep with the White House now sparks condemnation by doing something we expect our Representative to do: finally listen to their constituents.
The crap-shoot of Wall Street will continue to yo-yo while the politicians go back to work, maybe with even more urgency since they're up for a vote in five weeks. Enough of the partisan sound bites after tonight: listen to each other, listen to the economic experts who were blown off in a rush to vote, and above all listen to the people in fly-over land outside the Beltway who have to pay for this in the long run.
This is going to hurt. Hurt bad. Anyone trying to get credit now will find bankers saying no, and it isn't just us little people, it's companies like Goodyear told they can't access their own credit lines. The pain is unavoidable and the push to get something moving to free up the flow of money is undeniable, but Wall Street still hasn't convinced Main Street yet the fix from the boys and girls in suits in D.C. is the right answer.
We made a big mistake the past ten days, assuming just because the Secretary of the Treasury and Federal Reserve Chairman worked past midnight, joined by respective House and Senate leaders trading behind closed doors, that this was work on the people's behalf. Please forgive Americans from thinking ill of something called a "deal" since it was the "dealing" that got us into the mess to start with.
After watching the bulk of speeches from the U.S. House this morning and afternoon it's clear the work shouldn't have included behind-the-scenes deal or no deal to begin with. The Democrats say it's the Republicans fault for not getting 12 more votes to fall in line, the Republicans will note the Democrats had 94 members voting no, too, and the commentary will reflect the spin that none of the key players did what they had to.
The finger pointing is already underway with Democrats scrapping the GOP for not delivering; the GOP says they might have had a better chance if Nancy Pelosi hadn't made it a partisan fight during her comments on the floor blaming the whole mess on the Bush Administration. Did she really have to do that? Was this opportunity to play mechanic blown by what seems to be the inability for either side to just fix something without trying to inflict political harm? Listening to her speech (thanks to C-SPAN where you can still catch the entire address) I don't understand why she decided to make a Jefferson-Jackson day talk on the floor of Congress instead of showing the leadership to make the point for her bill rather than lecturing. Nice way to move forward -- by wallowing in the same old arguments of the past.
I'm just curious as to how things work in your neighborhood; how willing are you to lend a hand to the neighborhood watch folks when they start our saying you're a jerk? This just seems to be personal politics 101: what was the point of her speech, trying to convince people to vote for this bailout or setting the table for the finger-pointing we're going to watch next?
The usual suspects will come in for the usual ripping on the 15-second interview clips on CNN, FOX, CNBC, MSNBC and the networks.
This credit collapse mess our economy is in didn't happen overnight and while it's important to find a fix the wrong fix without the support of the real bankers who have to pay for it was the wrong policy. We're the bankers now, and when the systems (financial and government) who sold us a flim-flam bill of goods our Depression-area grandparents wouldn't have touched with a ten-foot pole wanted to do it again political labels meant nothing.
It was liberal Democrat and conservative Republican united to force the dealers to return to work and make something happen that makes sense for the very people who stand to suffer most. The unfortunate side of an economic collapse is that those who made the most during the boom years of easy credit and giveaway mortgage plans haven't felt the pain yet because they're still living off the billions they reaped while shooing a compliant public eager for have-it-all into foreclosure and bankruptcy. We rubes back on Main Street understand that; there are enough folks in Washington who hear what the real bosses back home were saying about all of this to go along after less than two weeks of talk.
Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, summed it up in the post-vote comments noting it was important for the greatest deliberative body in the world to give more thought to the actions of government. That's the real job of both the Senate and the House; to deliberate, to weigh and consider alternatives. Washington operates too easily these days on the assumption of must-act without oversight as shown by a budget that has ballooned to put our children's future in jeopardy, put ownership of our country in the pockets of our rivals and enemies, and put our sons and daughters in harm's way overseas.
We find ourselves with an unusual situation after watching today's debate: the very same folks ripping this President for his rush to war (a rush many joined him in with a quick vote) now seem hell-bent on a rush to fix an economy that teeters on the big freeze without asking questions. The same Reid-Pelosi crowd that surged to power two years ago in Washington by riding a wave of disbelief of direction from the White House now seem only too willing to go along with the Administration they don't trust. The GOP crowd that marched in lockstep with the White House now sparks condemnation by doing something we expect our Representative to do: finally listen to their constituents.
The crap-shoot of Wall Street will continue to yo-yo while the politicians go back to work, maybe with even more urgency since they're up for a vote in five weeks. Enough of the partisan sound bites after tonight: listen to each other, listen to the economic experts who were blown off in a rush to vote, and above all listen to the people in fly-over land outside the Beltway who have to pay for this in the long run.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Political Sewage
There's been lots of behind the scene stuff going on this week around Issue 8 -- the proposal by Mayor Plusquellic to lease Akron's sewer system to generate a ton of money to fund college scholarships. It isn't making headlines in part because there's plenty of bigger news going on (economic bailout, debate woes, etc.) but some of the goings-on are worth a look and listen.
To start: the convoluted background political-media mix.
Eric Mansfield and I were chatting after last week's NewsNight Akron program about how we haven't really seen much of a public push in the campaign for Issue 8. It was Eric's observation, actually, about the apparent low profile of the Mayor and how the issue is important enough not to fall through the cracks.
Agreed.
I raised the issue in our newsroom, along with an exchange I'd had with the Mayor's office where I was told by the Mayor (via an intermediate) "...we've been to Ellet, Firestone Park, North, Kenmore, West Akron, PTA's, senior groups, Board of Trades, Urban League, block watch clubs, etc. Those are more legitimate than some orchestrated media event."
Coincidentally, Eric had pretty much the exact same conversation with Mayoral aide Dave Lieberth over the weekend at Lock 3.
Same question, same answer.
Fast forward to our coverage of a public forum on Wednesday by critics of Issue 8, where our reporter Craig Simpson had feet-on-the-ground reporting. Part of his observation was that more than 100 people were in attendance. Others tell the Mayor it was more like 40...which touched off a Plusquellic-as-usual reply when asked about the campaign for Issue 8 by our reporter Lindsay McCoy Friday morning. It's in the player on this AkronNewsNow.com post...unlike other diatribes this one is clean enough for the kids.
Frankly, I'm glad the Mayor is getting out to push his proposal...just as it's a good thing his opponents are doing the same. Leasing out an asset such as Akron's sewer system is too important to leave to 30-second commercials, lawn signs and direct mail. It's a key reason why, since the Mayor made the idea public in his State of the City address last year, we've devoted dozens of stories and plenty of air time on WAKR to bring to light.
We think it's important enough to warrant even more discussion, so we propose an informational forum with all sides and stakeholders welcome to join in an open discussion of the issue and all of the nuances. I've asked Eric to serve as moderator if we can work out the schedule, since (as you can hear) the Mayor clearly has a major problem with anyone named Ed asking questions. We'll open it up to phone lines and questions from a live studio audience, and will clear out commercials for an hour's long live broadcast on WAKR, with the program available online after broadcast.
We're looking at dates now, with a 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. airing either October 21,22,27 or 28 our best hope. We've already verbally extended the invitation to the main players (the Mayor's office and the Citizens to Save Our Sewers group) and will expand that list in the coming weeks.
To start: the convoluted background political-media mix.
Eric Mansfield and I were chatting after last week's NewsNight Akron program about how we haven't really seen much of a public push in the campaign for Issue 8. It was Eric's observation, actually, about the apparent low profile of the Mayor and how the issue is important enough not to fall through the cracks.
Agreed.
I raised the issue in our newsroom, along with an exchange I'd had with the Mayor's office where I was told by the Mayor (via an intermediate) "...we've been to Ellet, Firestone Park, North, Kenmore, West Akron, PTA's, senior groups, Board of Trades, Urban League, block watch clubs, etc. Those are more legitimate than some orchestrated media event."
Coincidentally, Eric had pretty much the exact same conversation with Mayoral aide Dave Lieberth over the weekend at Lock 3.
Same question, same answer.
Fast forward to our coverage of a public forum on Wednesday by critics of Issue 8, where our reporter Craig Simpson had feet-on-the-ground reporting. Part of his observation was that more than 100 people were in attendance. Others tell the Mayor it was more like 40...which touched off a Plusquellic-as-usual reply when asked about the campaign for Issue 8 by our reporter Lindsay McCoy Friday morning. It's in the player on this AkronNewsNow.com post...unlike other diatribes this one is clean enough for the kids.
Frankly, I'm glad the Mayor is getting out to push his proposal...just as it's a good thing his opponents are doing the same. Leasing out an asset such as Akron's sewer system is too important to leave to 30-second commercials, lawn signs and direct mail. It's a key reason why, since the Mayor made the idea public in his State of the City address last year, we've devoted dozens of stories and plenty of air time on WAKR to bring to light.
We think it's important enough to warrant even more discussion, so we propose an informational forum with all sides and stakeholders welcome to join in an open discussion of the issue and all of the nuances. I've asked Eric to serve as moderator if we can work out the schedule, since (as you can hear) the Mayor clearly has a major problem with anyone named Ed asking questions. We'll open it up to phone lines and questions from a live studio audience, and will clear out commercials for an hour's long live broadcast on WAKR, with the program available online after broadcast.
We're looking at dates now, with a 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. airing either October 21,22,27 or 28 our best hope. We've already verbally extended the invitation to the main players (the Mayor's office and the Citizens to Save Our Sewers group) and will expand that list in the coming weeks.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Lead, Don't Act
No more talk about whether it'll be a one-man show or the two needed to tango in Mississippi tonight. Why was the fate of America's free market credit system now being held hostage by a television show in the first place?
McCain now says he's OK to go to the University of Mississippi even thought there isn't something to vote on back in Washington; he and Obama both went to the White House yesterday and the spin started the minute they walked out of the conference room.
Why not join the club?
Today's Politico entry has Obama hitting the gym before heading down to the office and then, we presume, to Mississippi for the debate. McCain is getting blasted for stopping the bailout that, polls show, most Americans aren't buying into but late this morning he announced he would be Ole Miss bound.
The debate is on.
What a bizarre situation: pretty much the same gaggle of politicians that didn't probe harder in the decision leading up to war are now being assailed for standing fast and not swallowing the bailout from the President just about everyone has little confidence in?
I found McCain's original argument -- that the job of a U.S. Senator was to be in the Senate during a time of crisis, doing his or her job -- right on the mark. My gut reaction was that a debate could be held anywhere; if necessary they could even stick the two of 'em in a Capitol Hill studio (the Senate has 'em) and let them talk and bloviate without an audience.
Unfortunately, that isn't good enough for the complicated patchwork of special interests really driving the debate.
The TV networks were having a cow; after all, pushing the debate into next week might interfere with the broadcast schedules of the baseball playoffs. Geez, can't have baseball interrupted by an election campaign that's already gone 18 months, can we?
The networks already had their big stars either sitting in Mississippi or booked to travel there, and we wouldn't want to inconvenience Brian, Katie, Charlie, Wolf and Shep if they had to turn around and try to get a hotel room in Washington instead.
After all, it's not really about the democracy, or Senators pretending to be Presidents still doing their jobs as lawmakers instead of candidates -- it's about the prime-time lineup schedule. You saw some of that from David Letterman last night when he capped McCain for daring to pick a trip to Washington over eight minutes in New York.
For my money (and yours, too) I think both sides blew the opportunity to actually BE Presidential rather than just TALK Presidential. Show me you've got the guts to act like you have to clean up this mess; show us the leadership in bringing the warring sides together to fix the credit crunch on Wall Street while still representing Main Street; the time to show you are worthy of the job is to actually do the job with sleeves rolled up, not lips flapping.
From both, we get failure. Both say they can unite yet neither showed any ability the past 48 hours to prove they can create bridges leading to solutions. What the taxpayers got was another bridge to nowhere.
McCain now says he's OK to go to the University of Mississippi even thought there isn't something to vote on back in Washington; he and Obama both went to the White House yesterday and the spin started the minute they walked out of the conference room.
Why not join the club?
Today's Politico entry has Obama hitting the gym before heading down to the office and then, we presume, to Mississippi for the debate. McCain is getting blasted for stopping the bailout that, polls show, most Americans aren't buying into but late this morning he announced he would be Ole Miss bound.
The debate is on.
What a bizarre situation: pretty much the same gaggle of politicians that didn't probe harder in the decision leading up to war are now being assailed for standing fast and not swallowing the bailout from the President just about everyone has little confidence in?
I found McCain's original argument -- that the job of a U.S. Senator was to be in the Senate during a time of crisis, doing his or her job -- right on the mark. My gut reaction was that a debate could be held anywhere; if necessary they could even stick the two of 'em in a Capitol Hill studio (the Senate has 'em) and let them talk and bloviate without an audience.
Unfortunately, that isn't good enough for the complicated patchwork of special interests really driving the debate.
The TV networks were having a cow; after all, pushing the debate into next week might interfere with the broadcast schedules of the baseball playoffs. Geez, can't have baseball interrupted by an election campaign that's already gone 18 months, can we?
The networks already had their big stars either sitting in Mississippi or booked to travel there, and we wouldn't want to inconvenience Brian, Katie, Charlie, Wolf and Shep if they had to turn around and try to get a hotel room in Washington instead.
After all, it's not really about the democracy, or Senators pretending to be Presidents still doing their jobs as lawmakers instead of candidates -- it's about the prime-time lineup schedule. You saw some of that from David Letterman last night when he capped McCain for daring to pick a trip to Washington over eight minutes in New York.
For my money (and yours, too) I think both sides blew the opportunity to actually BE Presidential rather than just TALK Presidential. Show me you've got the guts to act like you have to clean up this mess; show us the leadership in bringing the warring sides together to fix the credit crunch on Wall Street while still representing Main Street; the time to show you are worthy of the job is to actually do the job with sleeves rolled up, not lips flapping.
From both, we get failure. Both say they can unite yet neither showed any ability the past 48 hours to prove they can create bridges leading to solutions. What the taxpayers got was another bridge to nowhere.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Just Do The Job!
McCain wants to postpone Friday night's Presidential debate because there's this thing called the American Economy meltdown going on; Obama wants to press forward because we all want to hear what both have to say about it. What's missing in the back-and-forth spin is: why don't both of 'em do the jobs they're supposed to be doing right now?
If I were living in Arizona. Illinois or Delaware at this point I'd want a refund of the weekly salaries from both of 'em -- Biden, too -- over the past couple weeks for spending time looking for other work while still on my payroll.
Toss in Alaska, too...
We used to have an air personality here at WQMX with a salty way of expressing the one basic every workplace has: why can't some people just do their jobs? It is the dynamic of every office, factory, shop or field where people work together. Some work harder with their eyes on the ball, others don't -- and it's usually the "work harder" ones who help carry the day overall.
This past week we've been treated to the foursome seeking to become Masters of the American Universe doing whatever it takes to get a new job while ignoring the old job they're still getting paid for.
Obama's right -- Americans should hear what both sides say about the economy. But McCain is right, too -- does it really need to be in Oxford, Mississippi on Friday night?
They have their own private planes, for goodness sake...THEY can present their talking points, spin and viewpoints anytime. Air Obama and Mac Airlines just need a call from the good Senators to get off the ground and wing south. I'm sure the hotels where they'll spend the night after the exhausting process of talking with, at, and to each other will hold the rooms, unless there's a mid-week wedding that has all the rooms booked. Too early for Ole Miss Homecoming? What's the problem with changing the date: does the University of Mississippi have a tractor pull scheduled all next week in the debate hall? Is that a conflict for Jim Lehrer's bridge night?
The time for them to be in Washington, working out of their offices or on the Senate floor, is now. Setting up a debate takes a couple days; both sides already agreed to the format, moderator, etc. It really is as simple as noting the business of the people requires even U.S. Senators to show up for work, on occasion, especially when the health and welfare of the nation depend on it.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Paucity of Leadership
UPDATE 5:08 p.m. Wow...the past couple hours show just how big the problem is with both campaigns now stepping up to the plate, actually talking with each other -- McCain wants to postpone Friday's debate, Obama wants joint statements.
The Presidential candidates and their campaigns must be apoplectic by now; the "most exciting election in generations" has been pushed to the back pages, supplanted by the credit meltdown, scramble to save America's economy and, in election-rich Ohio, just how to fix the Browns and the Bengals.
Maybe they should be asking themselves why Obama/McCain have been marginalized by the ery events calling for their leadership.
My pal Matt Agnesi in Orlando, Florida forwards the following bit of wisdom to chew on as Congress finally wakes up and remembers they have a role to play in the snafu called Wall Street's mortgage meltdown:
"The great Brazilian economist Celso Furtado said we must not allow speculators' profits always to be privatized, while their losses are invariably socialized. We must not allow the burden of the boundless greed of a few to be shouldered by all. The economy is too serious an undertaking to be left in the hands of speculators. Ethics must also apply to the economy."
What is sad is this quote isn't new; Furtado died in 2004.
Looking over events of the past week:
Obama/McCain won't commit to returning to Washington from the campaign trail to attend hearings on the crisis, and may not even make it back under the dome to vote on a bailout bill. But they have a plan.
Obama/McCain won't specifically address how they will vote or what they consider deal breakers in the bailout bill. But they have a plan.
Doesn't it strike anyone else as odd the two men vying to become the decision makers can't even be counted on to reveal the decision breakers or even if they will show up in person to do their jobs?
Here's a thought: both sides agree to suspend their personal campaigning for three days and return to Washington and earn their paychecks. Let the surrogates continue to spin bull with the public, who increasingly tune this all out anyway because the public is now worried on what is happening, not what the campaigns say is happening.
Start with the agreement that both sides have the stench of greed on them; the original kick to Wall Street's mismanagement of the American dream came in 1998 under both GOP and Democrat leadership; CEO pay skyrocketed the most under the Clinton years (see Economic Policy Insitute/NY Times graphic at left) but CEO corner-cutting skyrocketed the most under the Bush years; the defacto CEO of the world economy used to be Alan Greenspan but now his name is mud for creating this environment; Bernanke and Paulson are painted as the little dutch boys plugging the holes in the dike but it was on their watch this system imploded; the very congressional pontificates promising a fix now were the ones too willing to belly up to the Freddie/Fannie/Countrywide/AIG/Lehman buffet when the feedbag was on; the banks crying about bad debt now are the same who sold the debt to the investment banks in complicated economic schemes few even understood; we as voters allowed society to forget the basics of WHY it's important to own a home (self-investment, self-responsibility) and settle for the goal of EVERYBODY owning a home, even if they can't afford it; the easy money to be made by real estate speculation that allows people to own multiple homes in the hope of cashing in big.
The list is endless, but the real leadership to face up, take responsibility, and chart the course is limited. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown's exchange with Ben Bernanke asking if Wall Street should apologize was good to listen to from an emotional point but from the point of problem solving it's like asking the UN Secretary to apologize for all the pain in the world: Wall Street is an abstract of the hunger by CEO's, companies, pension investment funds, speculators, and every one of us looking to get more for less.
Padding our pockets is not a truly CEO experience, they just have more commas before the decimal point.
The Presidential candidates and their campaigns must be apoplectic by now; the "most exciting election in generations" has been pushed to the back pages, supplanted by the credit meltdown, scramble to save America's economy and, in election-rich Ohio, just how to fix the Browns and the Bengals.
Maybe they should be asking themselves why Obama/McCain have been marginalized by the ery events calling for their leadership.
My pal Matt Agnesi in Orlando, Florida forwards the following bit of wisdom to chew on as Congress finally wakes up and remembers they have a role to play in the snafu called Wall Street's mortgage meltdown:
"The great Brazilian economist Celso Furtado said we must not allow speculators' profits always to be privatized, while their losses are invariably socialized. We must not allow the burden of the boundless greed of a few to be shouldered by all. The economy is too serious an undertaking to be left in the hands of speculators. Ethics must also apply to the economy."
What is sad is this quote isn't new; Furtado died in 2004.
Looking over events of the past week:
Obama/McCain won't commit to returning to Washington from the campaign trail to attend hearings on the crisis, and may not even make it back under the dome to vote on a bailout bill. But they have a plan.
Obama/McCain won't specifically address how they will vote or what they consider deal breakers in the bailout bill. But they have a plan.
Doesn't it strike anyone else as odd the two men vying to become the decision makers can't even be counted on to reveal the decision breakers or even if they will show up in person to do their jobs?
Here's a thought: both sides agree to suspend their personal campaigning for three days and return to Washington and earn their paychecks. Let the surrogates continue to spin bull with the public, who increasingly tune this all out anyway because the public is now worried on what is happening, not what the campaigns say is happening.
Start with the agreement that both sides have the stench of greed on them; the original kick to Wall Street's mismanagement of the American dream came in 1998 under both GOP and Democrat leadership; CEO pay skyrocketed the most under the Clinton years (see Economic Policy Insitute/NY Times graphic at left) but CEO corner-cutting skyrocketed the most under the Bush years; the defacto CEO of the world economy used to be Alan Greenspan but now his name is mud for creating this environment; Bernanke and Paulson are painted as the little dutch boys plugging the holes in the dike but it was on their watch this system imploded; the very congressional pontificates promising a fix now were the ones too willing to belly up to the Freddie/Fannie/Countrywide/AIG/Lehman buffet when the feedbag was on; the banks crying about bad debt now are the same who sold the debt to the investment banks in complicated economic schemes few even understood; we as voters allowed society to forget the basics of WHY it's important to own a home (self-investment, self-responsibility) and settle for the goal of EVERYBODY owning a home, even if they can't afford it; the easy money to be made by real estate speculation that allows people to own multiple homes in the hope of cashing in big.The list is endless, but the real leadership to face up, take responsibility, and chart the course is limited. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown's exchange with Ben Bernanke asking if Wall Street should apologize was good to listen to from an emotional point but from the point of problem solving it's like asking the UN Secretary to apologize for all the pain in the world: Wall Street is an abstract of the hunger by CEO's, companies, pension investment funds, speculators, and every one of us looking to get more for less.
Padding our pockets is not a truly CEO experience, they just have more commas before the decimal point.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
This ought to be an interesting picture; thousands of runners in the Marathon able to pack a piece while running through Sand Run Park.
Thanks to the Ohio Supreme Court the City of Clyde's ban on legal concealed carry permit holders to...well, legally carry has been tossed out. The NRA and other pro-gun folks are hailing this as the second coming of the Second Amendment:
"This is a significant win for gun owners in Ohio. The decision by the Ohio Supreme Court affirms that Clyde city's efforts to restrict the lawful possession of firearms was over-reaching and inconsistent with state laws," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. "The NRA is ready to assist in lawsuits across the state to maintain the integrity of Ohio gun laws. We remain concerned about the City of Cleveland's current campaign of prosecuting otherwise law-abiding Ohio gun owners for violation of Cleveland-only gun ordinances." - National Rifle Association release
"Anti-gun municipalities across the country have been cooking up ways to challenge state preemption statutes,' noted SAF founder Alan Gottlieb, 'as a means of harassing legally-armed, law-abiding citizens. Today's ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court struck a necessary blow in the Buckeye State for civil rights and the rule of law." - Second Amendment Foundation release
My personal favorite is this news release delivered by e-mail:
"In a 4-3 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that cities do not have the authority to deny individuals the right to carry guns in municipal parks. The Court ruled a Clyde city ban on possession of firearms unconstitutional, calling it an invalid use of the city's 'home rule' powers. As noted by Associated Press and local media, this is an important decision, defining the limits of local government. Ed, are you interested in speaking to a local legal expert about why the Court's decision is a right one and it how bears on the upcoming Supreme Court election this November?" - news release from CRC Public Relations firm, Alexandria, VA
Gee, I thought the Supreme Court was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate? Hell, all this time I could have voted on Clarence Thomas?
Of course, this isn't really all about Clyde. With 46 days and counting until the election anything that gets the core riled up -- that would be pro or anti gun control, take your pick -- is heaven sent for the campaigns working hard to make sure their voter base remembers issues such as guns and gun control.
In the meantime, remember carrying anything larger than a .22 can add some serious time to your running performance.
Thanks to the Ohio Supreme Court the City of Clyde's ban on legal concealed carry permit holders to...well, legally carry has been tossed out. The NRA and other pro-gun folks are hailing this as the second coming of the Second Amendment:
"This is a significant win for gun owners in Ohio. The decision by the Ohio Supreme Court affirms that Clyde city's efforts to restrict the lawful possession of firearms was over-reaching and inconsistent with state laws," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. "The NRA is ready to assist in lawsuits across the state to maintain the integrity of Ohio gun laws. We remain concerned about the City of Cleveland's current campaign of prosecuting otherwise law-abiding Ohio gun owners for violation of Cleveland-only gun ordinances." - National Rifle Association release
"Anti-gun municipalities across the country have been cooking up ways to challenge state preemption statutes,' noted SAF founder Alan Gottlieb, 'as a means of harassing legally-armed, law-abiding citizens. Today's ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court struck a necessary blow in the Buckeye State for civil rights and the rule of law." - Second Amendment Foundation release
My personal favorite is this news release delivered by e-mail:
"In a 4-3 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that cities do not have the authority to deny individuals the right to carry guns in municipal parks. The Court ruled a Clyde city ban on possession of firearms unconstitutional, calling it an invalid use of the city's 'home rule' powers. As noted by Associated Press and local media, this is an important decision, defining the limits of local government. Ed, are you interested in speaking to a local legal expert about why the Court's decision is a right one and it how bears on the upcoming Supreme Court election this November?" - news release from CRC Public Relations firm, Alexandria, VA
Gee, I thought the Supreme Court was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate? Hell, all this time I could have voted on Clarence Thomas?
Of course, this isn't really all about Clyde. With 46 days and counting until the election anything that gets the core riled up -- that would be pro or anti gun control, take your pick -- is heaven sent for the campaigns working hard to make sure their voter base remembers issues such as guns and gun control.
In the meantime, remember carrying anything larger than a .22 can add some serious time to your running performance.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Seven Million Reasons To Love Bush
After listening to months of the "...the past eight years..." mantra it is interesting to see how the business of serving the people quickly pushes the politics to the back burner.
Ever wonder what a $7 million dollar tab looks like?
It isn't like that dinner check at Bob Evans; in fact, it has much more detail built in, including just how vulnerable the emergency communications system in Ohio was when battered by 60 mile per hour winds and power outages; how the State wants Uncle Sam to pick up the tab for closing state parks over fears of fire; how U.S. taxpayers should pay for spoiled meat in powerless refrigerators at state meat inspection stations and how Ohio can't afford to pay for some damages because we've already cut our troubled budget. READ it here; .pdf file of request for federal assistance
All part of Governor "we need change" Strickland's request to President "eight is enough" Bush following the Ike storms that swept up the Ohio Valley and left over a million without power. There are still plenty of Ohioans without services as utility crews continue to fix the widespread damages. Imagine what it is like in Texas where the nation's fourth largest city is still reeling.
This is what we expect government to do: work together to make us whole again after disaster, regardless of the sniping from one side to the other. It does point out, though, the odd situation Ted Strickland must find himself in. On one hand he's banging the drum loudly that McCain is Bush but he's asking Bush to clear the way for a seven million dollar bailout. The White House, of course, will pretend politics never matters in a case such as this and besides they would be idiots to not work quickly to help Ohioans, especially in areas that helped send and keep Bush in office.
What an odd animal politics is; working so hard to demonize the same guy you are now begging for help from.
Thankfully there are enough bureaucrats in both Columbus and Washington who understand the true power of government in America: the names and faces of the suits up top come and go but the system remains.
Ever wonder what a $7 million dollar tab looks like?
It isn't like that dinner check at Bob Evans; in fact, it has much more detail built in, including just how vulnerable the emergency communications system in Ohio was when battered by 60 mile per hour winds and power outages; how the State wants Uncle Sam to pick up the tab for closing state parks over fears of fire; how U.S. taxpayers should pay for spoiled meat in powerless refrigerators at state meat inspection stations and how Ohio can't afford to pay for some damages because we've already cut our troubled budget. READ it here; .pdf file of request for federal assistanceAll part of Governor "we need change" Strickland's request to President "eight is enough" Bush following the Ike storms that swept up the Ohio Valley and left over a million without power. There are still plenty of Ohioans without services as utility crews continue to fix the widespread damages. Imagine what it is like in Texas where the nation's fourth largest city is still reeling.
This is what we expect government to do: work together to make us whole again after disaster, regardless of the sniping from one side to the other. It does point out, though, the odd situation Ted Strickland must find himself in. On one hand he's banging the drum loudly that McCain is Bush but he's asking Bush to clear the way for a seven million dollar bailout. The White House, of course, will pretend politics never matters in a case such as this and besides they would be idiots to not work quickly to help Ohioans, especially in areas that helped send and keep Bush in office.
What an odd animal politics is; working so hard to demonize the same guy you are now begging for help from.
Thankfully there are enough bureaucrats in both Columbus and Washington who understand the true power of government in America: the names and faces of the suits up top come and go but the system remains.
OK, Blame Us
I've come around to embrace the thinking both sides in this election actually share in common: the media has much to reflect on in the coverage of the most competitive election in generations.
My colleague Eric Mansfield takes McCain/Palin to task in his latest blog, upset that Palin's "visit" to Canton (note to Eric: she was there, so I think the use of quotes for visit is a bit overblown...she either visited Canton or she didn't) manipulated the media because the newspapers and TV stations showed her welcome by the mother of slain Pvt. Heath Warner.
Gee, I'm having a tough time remembering the outrage when Cindy Sheehan was still bankable and welcome by Bush critics...
Now I think Eric does a nice job of pointing out the absurdities of the process (especially when it's aimed at Republicans -- Eric does wear his stripes openly) but it strikes me the media rushed to Akron-Canton Airport so they could grab a couple seconds of lady-steps-off-the-plane video and photos to perpetuate and encourage the very manipulation Eric laments. It's a wonderful case of crying for help or we'll do it again!
Folks, if the cameras weren't there to chronicle the photo ops the candidates might actually have to refocus their campaigns on stuff that matters. Maybe it would help if we exercised a tad bit more editorial judgment when deciding what we present as news?
Is Palin's scripted appearance at CAK, with the mother of a slain warrior to welcome her, much different than the staged appearance of Obama pressing the flesh with troops during his most excellent trip overseas? How about that shooting-hoops-in-Baghdad, how'd that work for you?
Instead of holding the oversight we expected from a Democrat-in-control Congress since 2006 we've been graced by photo op, conference call and scripted outrage again and again and again. Let's be brutally honest: instead of the visionary leadership slightly more than half of the nation figured they would get out of the Bush White House we've been treated to the same story from 1600 Pennsylvania. None of this should be surprising; anyone who's ever covered or participated in politics at those levels knows the dirty secret is there really are few real differences between most of the Brahmin's of the ruling class, regardless of political label. The only difference in the election is the way the ad agencies posing as political consultants market the message.
This is what passes for news because the political class has figured out what media consultants figured out after the Nixon-Kennedy race eight presidents ago: packaged properly we'll treat the candidates and the issues exactly the same as we do our other consumer goods. Most Americans, I am convinced, already recognize this basic truth which is why we are following the race in much the same fashion as we watch Derby Week at Churchill Downs. The only difference is mint juleps aren't in season.
The local media will flock to Joe Biden's appearance in Wooster Wednesday; maybe they'll also hang on every word in Canton, Akron and Youngstown, too by the time the Delaware Senator heads off to his next stage mark. My friend Eric already tells me he has an "interview" with Joe; fact is he and the other local TV types will stand in line, get three or four minutes, get the predictable sound byte and dual shot to warrant an "exclusive one-on-one." That's not manipulation? That's what passes for an interview?
Last Sunday Karl Rove noted on Fox News Sunday that both sides were overwrought in their outrage and commercials, but watching the spin from the Obama side the day after missed the point: Rove correctly painted both with the same brush. Today there's a flap that McCain supporter Carly Fiorina (who ran Hewlett Packard as a CEO until dumped in an ugly corporate brawl) openly admitted that she didn't think either Palin or McCain -- OR Obama or Biden -- could run a major corporation. The McCain camp goes ballistic, the Obama camp makes hay of it without noting the full quote, and damn few in the media actually hold both sides to the absurdity of their limited and edited positions. Here's the fact: none of the candidates has ever run a major corporation. None of 'em. How can they charge what Fiorina said favors either side?
It is not surprising to see how politics has sunk to such levels, because we're more interested in portraying spin as substance, a substitute for real and challenging reporting. Regardless of which unlucky soul actually wins this race we've set the standard we complain about as if we can't change it. P.J. O'Rourke had it right when he described Washington and our political system as a Parliament of Whores.
This week we've let empty name calling masquerading as political debate sweep aside coverage of losing entire communities zapped by Hurricane Ike -- what our fellow citizens are dealing with in Texas and Arizona stretched to the point where we felt it a thousand miles away, entire neighborhoods wiped off the coast, thousands still in shelters in Ike's aftermath and all the way up here to the Ohio Valley millions without power. This week we've seen financial giants fall only to have the pieces picked up at bargain rates by other giants, an economy showing the power of greed, and both candidates saying pretty much the same thing about how to fix a system both had a hand in perpetuating for political financial gain.
Yet again this week the Hillary-Mac-Sarah-Obama-Joe machine schedules more drive-by campaigning in northeast Ohio without a single, substantive Q&A with voters. Our reporting and that of the rest of important Ohio centers not on questioning the fundamentals of just how ugly capitalism can be, what kind of policies we need to bailout roll-the-dice corporate managers and boards or even what we should do to bail out people who won't heed warnings to leave ahead of a killer storm. Instead we want another chance to repeat the applause line, accomplices in a conspiracy of shallow.
Here's a thought: put the candidates in a room with a classroom full of high school seniors and have 'em answer questions -- ANY questions -- for 45 minutes. Sit in the same room with all the TV types lined up for those "exclusive one on ones" and engage in a real dialogue, with the first to launch spin banished to a corner until they actually provide an answer to the question on what they would do as opposed to what they say their opponent supposedly stands for.
Demand boring discussion and debate. Ask Hillary why Bill didn't try to change the anything-goes economic culture; ask Joe and John why they didn't work harder on the structure in their decades on Capitol Hill, ask Barack and Sarah how they will protect the economy from the quarterly-performance demanding pension funds that use our own money to treat the rest of us as pawns.
That's the job we in the media should do: keep the candidates on target to answer deep questions about the issues of the day, and not let up until they actually give an answer. As long as we settle for the easy surface story and photo op coverage it will be business as usual. Apply the BS test: if the answer sounds like bull, get a real answer or call it bull. Make them explain themselves.
Give the politicians credit: they do learn their lessons.
My colleague Eric Mansfield takes McCain/Palin to task in his latest blog, upset that Palin's "visit" to Canton (note to Eric: she was there, so I think the use of quotes for visit is a bit overblown...she either visited Canton or she didn't) manipulated the media because the newspapers and TV stations showed her welcome by the mother of slain Pvt. Heath Warner.
Gee, I'm having a tough time remembering the outrage when Cindy Sheehan was still bankable and welcome by Bush critics...
Now I think Eric does a nice job of pointing out the absurdities of the process (especially when it's aimed at Republicans -- Eric does wear his stripes openly) but it strikes me the media rushed to Akron-Canton Airport so they could grab a couple seconds of lady-steps-off-the-plane video and photos to perpetuate and encourage the very manipulation Eric laments. It's a wonderful case of crying for help or we'll do it again!Folks, if the cameras weren't there to chronicle the photo ops the candidates might actually have to refocus their campaigns on stuff that matters. Maybe it would help if we exercised a tad bit more editorial judgment when deciding what we present as news?
Is Palin's scripted appearance at CAK, with the mother of a slain warrior to welcome her, much different than the staged appearance of Obama pressing the flesh with troops during his most excellent trip overseas? How about that shooting-hoops-in-Baghdad, how'd that work for you?
Instead of holding the oversight we expected from a Democrat-in-control Congress since 2006 we've been graced by photo op, conference call and scripted outrage again and again and again. Let's be brutally honest: instead of the visionary leadership slightly more than half of the nation figured they would get out of the Bush White House we've been treated to the same story from 1600 Pennsylvania. None of this should be surprising; anyone who's ever covered or participated in politics at those levels knows the dirty secret is there really are few real differences between most of the Brahmin's of the ruling class, regardless of political label. The only difference in the election is the way the ad agencies posing as political consultants market the message.
This is what passes for news because the political class has figured out what media consultants figured out after the Nixon-Kennedy race eight presidents ago: packaged properly we'll treat the candidates and the issues exactly the same as we do our other consumer goods. Most Americans, I am convinced, already recognize this basic truth which is why we are following the race in much the same fashion as we watch Derby Week at Churchill Downs. The only difference is mint juleps aren't in season.
The local media will flock to Joe Biden's appearance in Wooster Wednesday; maybe they'll also hang on every word in Canton, Akron and Youngstown, too by the time the Delaware Senator heads off to his next stage mark. My friend Eric already tells me he has an "interview" with Joe; fact is he and the other local TV types will stand in line, get three or four minutes, get the predictable sound byte and dual shot to warrant an "exclusive one-on-one." That's not manipulation? That's what passes for an interview?
Last Sunday Karl Rove noted on Fox News Sunday that both sides were overwrought in their outrage and commercials, but watching the spin from the Obama side the day after missed the point: Rove correctly painted both with the same brush. Today there's a flap that McCain supporter Carly Fiorina (who ran Hewlett Packard as a CEO until dumped in an ugly corporate brawl) openly admitted that she didn't think either Palin or McCain -- OR Obama or Biden -- could run a major corporation. The McCain camp goes ballistic, the Obama camp makes hay of it without noting the full quote, and damn few in the media actually hold both sides to the absurdity of their limited and edited positions. Here's the fact: none of the candidates has ever run a major corporation. None of 'em. How can they charge what Fiorina said favors either side?
It is not surprising to see how politics has sunk to such levels, because we're more interested in portraying spin as substance, a substitute for real and challenging reporting. Regardless of which unlucky soul actually wins this race we've set the standard we complain about as if we can't change it. P.J. O'Rourke had it right when he described Washington and our political system as a Parliament of Whores.
This week we've let empty name calling masquerading as political debate sweep aside coverage of losing entire communities zapped by Hurricane Ike -- what our fellow citizens are dealing with in Texas and Arizona stretched to the point where we felt it a thousand miles away, entire neighborhoods wiped off the coast, thousands still in shelters in Ike's aftermath and all the way up here to the Ohio Valley millions without power. This week we've seen financial giants fall only to have the pieces picked up at bargain rates by other giants, an economy showing the power of greed, and both candidates saying pretty much the same thing about how to fix a system both had a hand in perpetuating for political financial gain.
Yet again this week the Hillary-Mac-Sarah-Obama-Joe machine schedules more drive-by campaigning in northeast Ohio without a single, substantive Q&A with voters. Our reporting and that of the rest of important Ohio centers not on questioning the fundamentals of just how ugly capitalism can be, what kind of policies we need to bailout roll-the-dice corporate managers and boards or even what we should do to bail out people who won't heed warnings to leave ahead of a killer storm. Instead we want another chance to repeat the applause line, accomplices in a conspiracy of shallow.
Here's a thought: put the candidates in a room with a classroom full of high school seniors and have 'em answer questions -- ANY questions -- for 45 minutes. Sit in the same room with all the TV types lined up for those "exclusive one on ones" and engage in a real dialogue, with the first to launch spin banished to a corner until they actually provide an answer to the question on what they would do as opposed to what they say their opponent supposedly stands for.
Demand boring discussion and debate. Ask Hillary why Bill didn't try to change the anything-goes economic culture; ask Joe and John why they didn't work harder on the structure in their decades on Capitol Hill, ask Barack and Sarah how they will protect the economy from the quarterly-performance demanding pension funds that use our own money to treat the rest of us as pawns.
That's the job we in the media should do: keep the candidates on target to answer deep questions about the issues of the day, and not let up until they actually give an answer. As long as we settle for the easy surface story and photo op coverage it will be business as usual. Apply the BS test: if the answer sounds like bull, get a real answer or call it bull. Make them explain themselves.
Give the politicians credit: they do learn their lessons.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The View Out West
Back more than a week and one of the curses of the blogger -- so much to say but so little time. I did want to catch up on the photos from out west as Nature Girl and I hit the trails of Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. We flew into Reno and then drove south to the Tioga Pass entrance to the national park, stopping off for lunch in Carson City and getting a chance to see one of America's smallest state capitol complexes.
The photo at left shows the entrance to the Nevada capitol building, my version of the Silver State's own "Abbey Road". Having also visited small city capitals in Juneau, Alaska; Helena, Montana and Concord, New Hampshire it is always fun to see how each state operates in a small town atmosphere. Still missing from the list: Pierre, South Dakota and Bismark, North Dakota. Nature Girl is very understanding of this odd obsession of mine. The silver in the dome is understandable from a state founded on the silver rush. We had lunch in a little pub right across the street but unlike other state capitals this one is different in that there are three major casinos within a few blocks. At least the political gambling is legal...
Yosemite and Tahoe are incredibly beautiful and serene in their own ways. Yosemite all-natural with wonderful quiet, sometimes the only sound the whisper of the wind and trees gently swaying back and forth with an occasional creak or groan. You are high enough in terms of altitude (ranging from 5000 to more than 9000 feet) to see big differences in vegetation from Aspen to pine forests to above the tree line. Nature Girl took a horse ride along the Pacific Rim Trail circling above the cabin where the Sierra Club has a shrine to John Muir; I opted for the meadow hike and twinkling my toes in the Tolumne River.
A definite highlight is taking a less-travelled road than most may consider when visiting Yosemite; the northwest corner of the park is little-visited Hetch Hetchy, where the valley that Muir once described as a "Little Yosemite" now lies beneath hundreds of feet below water. The reservoir -- created by an outright act of Congress in a controversial decision to dam a national park spurred by lack of water during the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire-- provides 85% of the drinking water for the San Francisco area. The water is so pure you can see dozens of feet down clearly and requires little treatment, but environmentalists are pushing to have the dam blown up so the valley can be restored.
It reminds me (on a grander scale) of the debate over the Falls Gorge Dam power project. I personally feel there needs to be balance between the needs of nature and the needs of those pesky humans, and so favored work on the already-existing Gorge dam to provide power. The environmentalists seem to be winning, leaving the monkshod plant protected but a valuable resource unused. Remember this when we have the next power outage, or we can't handle growth if that ever shows it's face in northeast Ohio again...
The photo at left shows the entrance to the Nevada capitol building, my version of the Silver State's own "Abbey Road". Having also visited small city capitals in Juneau, Alaska; Helena, Montana and Concord, New Hampshire it is always fun to see how each state operates in a small town atmosphere. Still missing from the list: Pierre, South Dakota and Bismark, North Dakota. Nature Girl is very understanding of this odd obsession of mine. The silver in the dome is understandable from a state founded on the silver rush. We had lunch in a little pub right across the street but unlike other state capitals this one is different in that there are three major casinos within a few blocks. At least the political gambling is legal...Yosemite and Tahoe are incredibly beautiful and serene in their own ways. Yosemite all-natural with wonderful quiet, sometimes the only sound the whisper of the wind and trees gently swaying back and forth with an occasional creak or groan. You are high enough in terms of altitude (ranging from 5000 to more than 9000 feet) to see big differences in vegetation from Aspen to pine forests to above the tree line. Nature Girl took a horse ride along the Pacific Rim Trail circling above the cabin where the Sierra Club has a shrine to John Muir; I opted for the meadow hike and twinkling my toes in the Tolumne River.
A definite highlight is taking a less-travelled road than most may consider when visiting Yosemite; the northwest corner of the park is little-visited Hetch Hetchy, where the valley that Muir once described as a "Little Yosemite" now lies beneath hundreds of feet below water. The reservoir -- created by an outright act of Congress in a controversial decision to dam a national park spurred by lack of water during the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire-- provides 85% of the drinking water for the San Francisco area. The water is so pure you can see dozens of feet down clearly and requires little treatment, but environmentalists are pushing to have the dam blown up so the valley can be restored.
It reminds me (on a grander scale) of the debate over the Falls Gorge Dam power project. I personally feel there needs to be balance between the needs of nature and the needs of those pesky humans, and so favored work on the already-existing Gorge dam to provide power. The environmentalists seem to be winning, leaving the monkshod plant protected but a valuable resource unused. Remember this when we have the next power outage, or we can't handle growth if that ever shows it's face in northeast Ohio again...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
GUEST BLOG: The Death Lesson
It is, I am sorry to say, a lesson I've had repeated to me more than a few times in this business. Been there too many times, most recently just about every media outlet under the sun (with the notable exception of our friends at WKYC Channel 3) slipped on the facts enroute to proclaiming Stephanie Tubbs Jones had passed away.
This latest lesson comes from Marcy Pappafava, our primary midday anchor and assignment editor for our stations and AkronNewsNow.com. It is always a tough lesson and we agreed worth sharing with our readers and audience. She provides the following:
- - -
My beloved late father always pushed education. Though he more often than not sent me to the encyclopedia with an exasperated sigh, I know he was pleased with my curious nature. I credit support of my 'need to know' character as one of the reasons I got into the broadcast business. Of course, learning doesn't always come from books. If you are mindful, you will see that there are lessons everywhere like the one I learned today about grace from the man I, and our newsroom, reported had passed away.
A listener called us early this morning to say Ray Lurtz was alive and well and had not died earlier this year as we reported in our story about Sharon Township. Mr. Lurtz was kind enough to contact our news director personally, noting the news of his apparent demise came as a surprise to him and a shock to his wife.
It was an error. The correct information was in the audio interview but the written version had two names reversed. It was actually trustee Emil Bolas who died earlier in 2008.
Newsroom errors happen for a plethora of reasons: we're short staffed, tired, busy, under deadlines, in a hurry, late for an appointment, multi-tasking, working quickly...human.
Human is the word Mr Lurtz used when I called him this morning to apologize. He was gracious and kind and said we're all human and all make mistakes. His wife was just as warm when I reached her. She learned of the alleged death of her husband from a friend who heard it on WAKR.
Though I can't say my News Director was as cordial, we were on the same page. He teaches the staff that when you make a mistake you must correct it and own up to it. No hiding behind a correction on page xxx, no pretending it never happened in the first place. It's a practice that our newsroom aims to perfect.
The vital take away though is to remember that we are talking about people. It's not just a victim or a suspect or a dead person of any sort. It's someone as close as our brother, wife, mother, neighbor, even a pet. When it becomes just a story it could be time to take a break.
I've heard that doctors are taught to keep a professional distance and to an extent the same thing is said around newsrooms. I, for one, want to be in the care of someone who missed that lesson. If I found myself on the other end of the news I'd want the same from my reporter.
Marcy Pappafava can be reached at mpappafava@rcrg.net
This latest lesson comes from Marcy Pappafava, our primary midday anchor and assignment editor for our stations and AkronNewsNow.com. It is always a tough lesson and we agreed worth sharing with our readers and audience. She provides the following:
- - -
My beloved late father always pushed education. Though he more often than not sent me to the encyclopedia with an exasperated sigh, I know he was pleased with my curious nature. I credit support of my 'need to know' character as one of the reasons I got into the broadcast business. Of course, learning doesn't always come from books. If you are mindful, you will see that there are lessons everywhere like the one I learned today about grace from the man I, and our newsroom, reported had passed away.A listener called us early this morning to say Ray Lurtz was alive and well and had not died earlier this year as we reported in our story about Sharon Township. Mr. Lurtz was kind enough to contact our news director personally, noting the news of his apparent demise came as a surprise to him and a shock to his wife.
It was an error. The correct information was in the audio interview but the written version had two names reversed. It was actually trustee Emil Bolas who died earlier in 2008.
Newsroom errors happen for a plethora of reasons: we're short staffed, tired, busy, under deadlines, in a hurry, late for an appointment, multi-tasking, working quickly...human.
Human is the word Mr Lurtz used when I called him this morning to apologize. He was gracious and kind and said we're all human and all make mistakes. His wife was just as warm when I reached her. She learned of the alleged death of her husband from a friend who heard it on WAKR.
Though I can't say my News Director was as cordial, we were on the same page. He teaches the staff that when you make a mistake you must correct it and own up to it. No hiding behind a correction on page xxx, no pretending it never happened in the first place. It's a practice that our newsroom aims to perfect.
The vital take away though is to remember that we are talking about people. It's not just a victim or a suspect or a dead person of any sort. It's someone as close as our brother, wife, mother, neighbor, even a pet. When it becomes just a story it could be time to take a break.
I've heard that doctors are taught to keep a professional distance and to an extent the same thing is said around newsrooms. I, for one, want to be in the care of someone who missed that lesson. If I found myself on the other end of the news I'd want the same from my reporter.
Marcy Pappafava can be reached at mpappafava@rcrg.net
How Does Your Pork Taste?
Every wonder just how often the Akron area really hits the jackpot when it comes to our congressional delegation getting the job done? In this era of earmarks as a dirty word you might be surprised to see what passes for pork in the eyes of the beholders.
The Office of Management and Budget is the behemoth that tracks Uncle Sam's spending -- no small task. Part of that spending is "earmarks", and we've been getting an earful lately of these skillfully-added perks to laws about one issue but weighed down by stuff for local congressional reps in what can charitably be described as political extortion: Mr. President, sign the bill that has the greater good and ignore all the stuff we've added to it, or else.
In Washington this extortion usually has a nicer phrasing: "working hard for you," usually part of an incumbency's campaign marketing materials.
It is instructive to note OMB's listing for Ohio totalling $161,403,000.00 for 219 projects undertaken on our behalf. This web listing will take some time to bore into since it separates each earmark according to department, then program, but it is an instructive use of time to see that what we consider "getting our share" from Washington can easily be tagged "nothing but pork" by folks who don't live here.
Examples of earmarks that helped Akron: money flowing the Akron schools for a math and science learning center ($239,000 Sutton/Voinovich); the University of Akron for the STEM program ($143,000 Sutton/Ryan); Kent State getting money for "equipment and technology" for the Tuscarawas campus ($143,000 Space); Canton Symphony Orchestra for teacher training and an Art collaboration ($95,000 Regula).
That's just a glance at the Education category's 16 projects worth over $3 million dollars; we're just scraping the surface, not even plumbing the 44 projects worth over $11 million from Health and Human Services or the whopping $76.6 million for 37 projects from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, one of the grandest of agencies to order to work on our behalf. They rack up the construction projects in a big way because that's what the Corps does, and in 2008 it included maintenance we could see while driving over the Berlin Lake Reservoir as well as projects in Massillon (this $144,000 doesn't even have a sponsor listed nor an explanation of the project) and Mosquito Lake.
Let it be said every politician gives a damn when it comes to dams.
The Office of Management and Budget is the behemoth that tracks Uncle Sam's spending -- no small task. Part of that spending is "earmarks", and we've been getting an earful lately of these skillfully-added perks to laws about one issue but weighed down by stuff for local congressional reps in what can charitably be described as political extortion: Mr. President, sign the bill that has the greater good and ignore all the stuff we've added to it, or else.
In Washington this extortion usually has a nicer phrasing: "working hard for you," usually part of an incumbency's campaign marketing materials.
It is instructive to note OMB's listing for Ohio totalling $161,403,000.00 for 219 projects undertaken on our behalf. This web listing will take some time to bore into since it separates each earmark according to department, then program, but it is an instructive use of time to see that what we consider "getting our share" from Washington can easily be tagged "nothing but pork" by folks who don't live here.
Examples of earmarks that helped Akron: money flowing the Akron schools for a math and science learning center ($239,000 Sutton/Voinovich); the University of Akron for the STEM program ($143,000 Sutton/Ryan); Kent State getting money for "equipment and technology" for the Tuscarawas campus ($143,000 Space); Canton Symphony Orchestra for teacher training and an Art collaboration ($95,000 Regula).
That's just a glance at the Education category's 16 projects worth over $3 million dollars; we're just scraping the surface, not even plumbing the 44 projects worth over $11 million from Health and Human Services or the whopping $76.6 million for 37 projects from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, one of the grandest of agencies to order to work on our behalf. They rack up the construction projects in a big way because that's what the Corps does, and in 2008 it included maintenance we could see while driving over the Berlin Lake Reservoir as well as projects in Massillon (this $144,000 doesn't even have a sponsor listed nor an explanation of the project) and Mosquito Lake.
Let it be said every politician gives a damn when it comes to dams.
Monday, September 8, 2008
The WaPo Sense of Humor
It is refreshing to see the sense of humor often left behind the notepad -- Stewart and Colbert excepted -- and the Washington Post's Dana Milbank scores big in getting Post icon David Broder with a pretty funny take on living as the Elite.
In the event the player doesn't load (I've been seeing way too much embed-codes not working these days) Milbank actually has a nice selection overall of web-only video to enjoy at his video page on the WashingtonPost.com website.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Why Barack Again?
The short answer: because we didn't the first time. We arrived at an interesting program decision today on the radio station side, likely to provoke some discussion but there is a strong belief it's the right thing to do.
The issue surrounds broadcasting last Thursday's acceptance speech by Democrat presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, followed by coverage of Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain's speech before his convention.
As much as we'd like to say it comes at the thought of presenting both in an "equal time" setting, it has more to do with poor timing on our part, in particular planning during vacation time and not paying enough attention to a calendar.
Many stations such as WAKR with complicated programming of sports find themselves trying to squeeze must-listen to coverage between must-carry sports obligations. The culture here at the stations has been one to encourage community debate and discussion, and carriage of the acceptance speeches by the candidates certainly fits that mission (even IF most people may be watching on television or ignoring altogether) of service.
Unfortunately our top news manager (me) was out of town last Thursday, and we didn't catch the fact that Thursday was in fact an open night: we should have been presenting the Obama speech live. Add to that oversight the discomfort of carrying one candidate (in this case McCain) while not carrying the other (Obama)...that simply is not an option, but we couldn't turn back the clock -- or can we?
Our decision: re-broadcast Senator Obama's Denver speech in its entirety, without the normal commentary from a broadcast team, then join ABC's coverage tonight minutes before Senator McCain does the same thing in St. Paul.
It isn't perfect but in some aspect is gives our listeners the opportunity to listen again and compare both in a shorter, more compact time frame. We're leaning toward posting both speeches, unedited and in full, on the website as a reference point for listeners and voters who may be on the electoral see-saw over the next two months.
The issue surrounds broadcasting last Thursday's acceptance speech by Democrat presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, followed by coverage of Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain's speech before his convention.
As much as we'd like to say it comes at the thought of presenting both in an "equal time" setting, it has more to do with poor timing on our part, in particular planning during vacation time and not paying enough attention to a calendar.
Many stations such as WAKR with complicated programming of sports find themselves trying to squeeze must-listen to coverage between must-carry sports obligations. The culture here at the stations has been one to encourage community debate and discussion, and carriage of the acceptance speeches by the candidates certainly fits that mission (even IF most people may be watching on television or ignoring altogether) of service.
Unfortunately our top news manager (me) was out of town last Thursday, and we didn't catch the fact that Thursday was in fact an open night: we should have been presenting the Obama speech live. Add to that oversight the discomfort of carrying one candidate (in this case McCain) while not carrying the other (Obama)...that simply is not an option, but we couldn't turn back the clock -- or can we?
Our decision: re-broadcast Senator Obama's Denver speech in its entirety, without the normal commentary from a broadcast team, then join ABC's coverage tonight minutes before Senator McCain does the same thing in St. Paul.
It isn't perfect but in some aspect is gives our listeners the opportunity to listen again and compare both in a shorter, more compact time frame. We're leaning toward posting both speeches, unedited and in full, on the website as a reference point for listeners and voters who may be on the electoral see-saw over the next two months.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Back in the Saddle -- Sort Of
Back from an amazing six days out west which included quality time at Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe! As always it is interesting to see how the other side is living and get a sense of regional differences between northeast Ohio and the rest of the country. Maybe northwest Nevada and the high Sierra Country in California isn't a good barometer, 'cause it seems as if Reno is busting out all over.
Then again, casino business might have something to do with it.
More later...
Then again, casino business might have something to do with it.
More later...
Friday, August 22, 2008
'Nuff Said
Why I'm not posting...
God Bless Ansel Adams, but real is something else. Enjoy the Convention, my fellow wonks...here's hoping there's no TV signal worth bouncing off El Capitan...
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