January 11th, 2009 
joel You’ve found a place where you can let your voice be heard on media issues that are important to you. In this Erie media climate of personnel downsizing, cutbacks in services, and questionable editorial decisions, there is a lot to be concerned about.
But also with the same climate, there are places where we should give credit where it is do, and honor those doing good work. Deep Background is where you can sound off.
As always, you can always contact me privately at joel@nataliemedia.com.
Embrace the chaos!
Posted in 
Tags: 
Loading ...
FWIW, I’ve read in a few places…including http://www.fybush.com this morning…that there’a a move afoot in Congress to have the mandatory February Digital TV start up pushed back to June…or perhaps later…because of concern that the general public is “not ready.”
How can the general public be “not ready?” The government has been promoting this for a couple years now. Seriously, just shut off Analog of Feb 17th like they have been promoting.
If the public can’t figure it out for themselves they have no right to complain to the government.
I would like to know more about the former WETG.
The delay has nothing to do with the public.
Nor is it a matter of having enough coupons to give you $40 off.
There are not enough converter boxes around to meet the demand.
The NY Times wrote on it last week:
“And coupons or no coupons, there is a real danger that there will not be enough converter boxes on store shelves to meet demand. So far 18 million boxes have been purchased using coupons, and an estimated 11 million are in inventory. But total demand is estimated to be 33 million to 60 million units. So there could easily be a shortage of 4 million to 31 million.”
Full story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/opinion/09kennard.html?em
On top of all this, the economy tanked, we are switching government at the top, there are some wars, the loss of about 3 million jobs in a year, Ponzi schemes, Israel went to war, Hamas is pissed again,
Oil is being gamed, natural gas shut off by Russia, Darfur is a mess, half the world is starving, and the balance are freezing to death this odd winter internationally..
Given these items as a start to a new administration, coupled with new Bush dirt yet to be discovered on Day One, Obama thought it might be prudent to hold up until the Chinese manufacture some more boxes for us to play converter games, and, coincidentally, give him time to resolve a problem or two on List A above.
What happened to Gary Kuhn on Star 97.1 (WREO Ashtabula)? I haven’t heard him on the air at night for a couple of weeks. It’s just music, station imaging, commercials, and the occasional weather forecast.
I’m a bit disappointed in President-Elect Obama. The economy is in recession, millions of people are losing their jobs and homes and what is he talking about? Let’s delay the Digital transition! Boy! His priorities are not in order!
Tim, Barack Obama talks about many things every single day. Why do you feel the need to attack him because he spoke about one thing you deem low priority?
Yes, one can not criticize Obama. Obama is a liberal and therefore perfect in every way. His priorities should be your priorities.
Hey Joel…time to steer this away from politics?
“Why do you feel the need to attack him because he spoke about one thing you deem low priority?”
Huh! all I said was I was a bit disappointed in the Pres-dent Elect for wasting his time on the DTV rollout.
You will have to forgive me, DannyZ…I am one of those taxpaying American’s who is a little more concerned about the budget deficit, millions losing their jobs, equal numbers losing their homes and the lack of direction in our country.
I thought I was guaranteed the right (by the Constitution) to question our leaders? I’m pretty sure I can, and before you question my Patriotism, I served in the Navy during the first Gulf War back in the early ’90s.
Isn’t it a wonderful country we live in when people are more concerned about their Televisions than soaring budget deficits and the near-bankruptcy of the United States of America!?
DannyZ…I apologize to you for criticizing the President Elect and I also apologize for offending you by my remarks on the “low priority Digital Transition.”
ANCHORS AWAY, BABY!
Yeah, guys, Jim is right…I’m not seeing how this is an Obama issue.
I would however like to know your take on why even FCC commissioners are saying that the whole DTV transition has been bungled, and under-resourced.
I often agree with you Joel. And Jim Griffey too.
But I have to wonder how “politics” is an illegal post activity under Deep Background? The government is hugely involved in media of every level and there are no other appropriate posts to say your thoughts.
I had no problem with the discussion.
Dannyz and Dennis both posted a personal attack on Tim, unwarranted and uninformative on the topic underway. This type of commentary is ill thought out and leads to Topix like responses.
I do not need to know Tim’s Naval background to give credibility to his position (whether I agree with it or not).
Jack Tirak had a clock countdown on the changeover.
it changed every second.
The government spent $1.3 BILLION dollars on the changeover during those seconds.
Now, there is a delay in implementation and that delay is at the request of the President Elect, a most reasonable request I might add.
Here is the story:
“On Thursday President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team urged Congress to extend the Feb. 17 cutoff date for analog broadcasting, injecting new uncertainty into a switch that has confused customers and cost the government more than $1.3 billion in subsidies. ”
Joel also entered the fray by posting the link to get your coupon for $40 off a converter. I used that link, ordered 3 (the limit is 2), filed the appropriate appeal for 3, and was approved anew.
I found the link a valuable service.
I love Jack Tirak dearly and visit his grave to this day.
but one thing I like at Press and Tower over EMGR is far less personal attack, less discussion on the vital statistics of our media women bodies, and an apparent diminishing of outright false rumor spreading.
These are all plusses at P&T and it should be noted.
Our country is clearly politically divided.
Sometimes, that is reflected in Deep Background, or even on a post elsewhere here.
Separate the issue, from the person, and leave out personal attack, and any topic should be acceptable for discussion.
The truth on the changeover delay is stated clearly above. The needed converter boxes do not exist.
Confusion would reign supreme if implementation occurred without the needed converters.
If Jack Tirak could count down the time of changeover to the second, the real question seems to be: “Why did not the correct number of converters be made available to the public well before needed?”.
I would add another question to the topic.
“Why should I fiddle around with $40 coupons on this?”
The total number of sales should be recorded by either retailers or manufacturers and THOSE folks given a $40 CREDIT (per converter) against their sales revenue on
income tax filings.
As it stands, we are bothering every citizen in the land, when a few retailers could have been issued a tax credit versus millions of coupons, postage, and the myriad costs associated with stupididty.
The sooner we go to Digital, the sooner bands are open for Broadband. Erie will be the last town for Broadband implementation and that affects our abilty to attract or maintain business.
By the way, I have found the vast majority of comments at P&T to be timely, on topic, helpful, worth the read, and positive in spirit. I cannot recall reading even ONE (EDIT) as in days of yore……and those (Edit) were well called for. I saw them at times.
Note: I wrote EDIT above ; not Joel)
Some of these questions should be sent directly to the FCC or Obama after the Jan 20, inaugural. Prior to that, he is not even responsible for any government activity. Please keep that in mind.
Last, Tim’s comment (6) was premature since Obama is not President. In preparing to take office, it seems reasonable to rank the order of goals you want to implement.
But this is Deep Background, and unless the rules have changed, it appears fair game to post on anything, when worded well.
DannyLucas,
Thank you for your kind comments!
Maybe the rules for “Deep Background” have changed? Oh well! And I thought postings in deep background were encouraged without fear of personal attacks and recriminations!? I guess not! The rules have indeed changed.
Time to find a kinder, gentler blog
I’ll leave the romper room antics you you “men?”
Tim, Danny, et al…
Nothing was out of bounds here. I was just challenging the validity of the political arguement from a Obama “yes” vs. Obama “no” to the notion whether or not the Commerce Dept. has mismanaged the DTV transition, and if it warrented an extension, which could cause alot of unnecessary chaos.
The blogosphere requires thick skin on all our parts, no doubt.
>>Dannyz and Dennis both posted a personal attack on Tim…<<
My comment was meant as a sarcastic reply to Dannyz’s comment. Obama should be concerned with more important things than keeping his liberal media pals happy.
I first heard the news about coverage for the Prep-McDowell game for Time Warner subscribers in Millcreek on Jet News tonight during the 6 o’clock broadcast. I went to Jet’s Website yourerie.com for more clarification on the details. All I was able to see was “Millcreek this…” “McDowell that….”
My question concerns the families, alumni, friends and fans of the guys from downtown Erie? What is Time Warner doing for graduates of Cathedral Prep who may want to see the game in their living rooms? You guys promote the idea “The Power Of You”….
Well, how about it? Exactly what kind of power do Time Warner subscribers in Erie city have?
LET ME ASK A QUESTION THAT TAKES DAVID’S QUERY ONE STEP FURTHER. WHEN IS TIME WARNER CITY AND COUNTY GOING TO BE THE SAME?
AND ALSO, HOW CLOSE IS COMCAST TO BEING A FORCE TO BE RECOND WITH IN ERIE COUNTY(CITY AND COUNTY)
Time Warner originally said that the county channels would be realigned like the city’s on 12/18. They postponed that and then said 1/15. Hmmmm, postponed that too and now say 1/21. I’m not sure they will ever do it now.
TW’s franchise in Millcreek has one year left. I heard from one of the supervisors they are getting many more complaints than they had with Adelphia, and are very open to looking for competition to TW. Verizon and AT&T have very well-respected cable systems to offer.
THANKS TOM.
I think we should focus on a positive in the local TV media. So far, no local TV stations have announced any layoffs of personnel. This is incredible considering how many stations across the country have cut/laid-off/eliminated staff!
Maybe Erie is fortunate to have good managers running the local stations? Kudos and Plaudettes to the managers of WICU, WJET and WSEE for not panicking in the face of economic uncertainty and for keeping staffing levels stable.
Perhaps Erie TV will escape the recession without any layoffs, cutbacks or eliminations?
Good Job to all!
Sky, unfortunately Erie will unfortunately see many layoffs with the upcoming WICU/WSEE consolidation. Expect to see major cuts across departments as many jobs are suddenly being duplicated.
I agree with Max. A lot of employees at WICU/WSEE are very concerned for their jobs. 1220 Peach and 3514 State are not happy places to work at the moment.
When the consolidation occurs and the layoffs and position eliminations go down people will be STUNNED at the number of cuts.
Plans for the 12/35 consol have been finalized. It would appear that all behind the scenes staff at WSEE (shooters, producers and promotions) will be eliminated. There is still much debate over which on air staff at WSEE will join the TV-12 operation. Expect most, if not all, on air personalities to be let go with “maybe” one or two exceptions: Jacqueline Policastro and possibly Raychel Vendetti and/or Ray Petelin.
The time is soon coming when 12 News will do both newscasts on WICU and WSEE.
Shame…
Max, Wally and Tom:
Would you PLEASE stop speculating on things you know nothing about. There is going to be NO consolidation of WICU and WSEE! You are making a lot of people at both stations nervous for no reason at all.
I’m disappointed in this blog! Same old Lilly is evil crap. For the last time, there is no consolidation…period!
Stu, no one is saying Lilly is evil here. We are just trying to react to the onslaught of leaked memos, inside lists, and the huge advertising downturn in the Erie economy. With no public statements from 12/35 management, the utter silence leads to conjecture. As I called for in December, after sitting on the story for weeks, someone needs to come out and clear the air.
http://www.pressandtower.com/2008/12/is-lilly-consolidating-wsee-wicu-news/
I feel the economic downturn will miss WJET-TV completely. Over the past several weeks the station has been spending lots of money to cover/send a reporter and photographer to the following out of town events:
Kathy Dahlkemper Swearing-In, D.C.
Steelers AFC Title Game, Pittsburgh
Obama Inauguration, D.C.
In all 3 cases WJET-TV is the only Erie station to send not only a reporter, but a photographer as well to cover the event.
The reports of WJET being very profitable must be true?
Joel,
I ask you to produce a single legitimate “leaked memo”
or “inside list” talking about consolidation of the two staffs or pending layoffs.
I attend most of the management meetings and can state with some certainty that your anonymous malcontents or JET staffers looking to stir trouble with talk of deep cuts don’t have a clue what they are talking about.
And no, I don’t want to discuss future business plans in this forum.
Tirak is treated as a guru here but the truth is he allowed a lot of people to take cheap shots in the name of “open discussion.”
Please don’t allow this space to wallow in that same nonsense.
Scott,
I am very grateful for your response.
I have never had any desire to enter into unsubstantiated nonsense; too many people’s livelihoods lay in the balance. There is way too much real bad news in this climate to further any fake news.
I will renew my commitment to chasing down first sources and keeping a skeptical eye toward fantastic stories.
Meanwhile, it would be greatly appreciated if Erie media decision-makers would be a little bit more forthcoming in responding to legitimate requests for clarification or comment…even if the response is “no comment.” That way we can get the story right the first time.
Joel,
It’s not my place to discuss future business plans here.
But I can tell you that lines like this from “Tom”–
“Plans for the 12/35 consol have been finalized. It would appear that all behind the scenes staff at WSEE (shooters, producers and promotions) will be eliminated. ”
are 100%, absolutely, undeniably FALSE. Further, to hide behind a made-up name and spew this baloney about the livelihood of others is nothing short of cowardice.
Much has been made on sites like these about how new media is making tradtional operations obsolete. But the mainstream still has something many of these new media sites sorely lack–accountability.
Excuse me Scott Bremner, but the name Danny Lucas applied to my comments is every bit as real and accountable as the name Scott Bremner over yours.
Do the new media sites lack a true accountability?
You bet!
Just like a reporter standing in front of a local plastics manufacturer or food store or potato chip factory, and announcing the word has been HEARD that XYZ company is moving, closing, or restructuring.
And lay a little blood on the road at an accident, you will find a race between an ETN photographer and a TV photographer from ALL THREE stations to record news we can barf on.
I note your comment on Jack Tirak and find the poor fellow too dead to defend himself in his own words to YOUR innuendo, Speaking of cheap shots, your point could have been made very well without mention of Jack.
I have spoken with Joel about having “From The Audience” as Tirak did. Do you see that copycat here anywhere? EMGR was EMGR. P&T is P&T.
Further, in ALL his comments, (Edit) or not Edit, the way Tirak was known to do, I NEVER saw him write a critical word of you.
He did have his faults, and we argued them behind the scenes profusely. I have daughters. They struggled to obtain an education in their field. Comments at EMGR on “eye candy”, cup size of a given set of breasts, and who looks like a dog just frosted me. It diminishes every woman in every job (though sometimes, I am beginning to wonder if it is sought as cat-fight material when the women do as badly as the men at marginalizing themselves).
You DO NOT choose your looks, your social strata, your race, your time of birth and generation.
The women in media are just like the men; doing their best to do a good job, often extemporaneously, but with the handicap of knowing they are used as sex objects, so that someone in the audience (especially the 68% MEDIA audience at EMGR, could express juvenile lust unabated).
Rumors and innuendo were often the order of the day at EMGR and here at P&T. I asked Jack why he allowed that. He told me that the people in the business (media) could affect their jobs by making statements without the confidentiality of anonymous or pseudoanonymous.
I countered that what was being written had zero to do with job, or confidentiality, or whislteblower. And, often had to do with jealousy, spurned relationships at work, who is sleeping with who, and elements of the lurid.
In his final months, I DID get him to lean away from Anonymous and minimize the false attackers to a pseudo, so that a history of their comments could act as a brake on decency, lest they be revealed. I recall audience applause when Jack announced that a “handle” was now required. People are sick of reputation rape.
The true name Jayson Blair did zip to enhance credibility at the New York Times as he was a fabricator with a real name. The Times lost credibility.
Tom’s comments could easily be responded and exposed as nonsense without dragging down Tirak, or the new media in general. To say they vary in their attempts from the mighty and noble standards of old media is hogwash.
I comment widely and have learned the value of commenting at those sites in new media that place a premium on commenters using a real name and email. The discourse tends to be civil and uplifting, as well as informational and educational.
The old media has NEVER been partial to reporting a story AFTER the story occurred and is, then, truly now news (as opposed to speculation).
Every crime is reported as “tried and convicted” often before a DA has done little more than walked into a District Magistrate with a suspect.
You are in a unique position to know more of what is going on in the merger (or supposed merger for all I know) than almost anyone except the owners.
You also have media credibility, Scott.
A simple line from you that “Tom’s statements have no merit in the goings on at SEE and ICU; they are causing hurt and damages among my peers, and should cease and desist without investigative proof to the contrary”
Who do you think people would believe at that point?
You or Tom?
Scott, your comment #27 takes a swipe at JET staffers without a shred of proof, an iota of documentation, and does the same to innocents at JET, as the harm being done to your peers by Anons and Pseudo’s here. It also costs you valuable credibility.
I see the need to speak out as you do.
How it is done is critical.
When verbal assault and verbal rape is going on, one side is generally assaulting and raping as a Pseudo or anonymous, and the other side is being verbally raped and assaulted in their name. Few bloggers are able to ascertain which side is correct, and which a victim. They punt and blame BOTH.
Imagine a courtroom with rapist and victim sent off to jail alike. It is like saying “she asked for it”.
The standard is unacceptable in any court.
The standard is applied regularly in comments online.
I have learned to avoid sites that can not tell the difference, and I make my comments count effectively at sites that hold a modicum of civility and common sense.
Comments actually generate more than a blog post, and are a valuable premium to growth of a blog.
It behooves bloggers to choose early and consistently where they stand on this issue.
I understand your frustration Scott.
We live in a world of scab pickers and it hurts.
And the sociopaths who continually pick the scabs won’t destroy new media, they destroy themselves, and they destroy the blogger, who was too dim to tell which party was a victim, and which party was a perp.
One other caution.
We are losing privacy online. Everything is there forever, and affects jobs, dates, credit, security, insurance premiums, and more.
Google picks up search words in a few days.
They store nothing. Their spiders crawl the net after a search is entered and find the item at the source.
I recall a viscious comment against myself, tho I had not seen it. Another viewer took the blog to task and the comment of offense was removed. So far, so good.
But the objectionable comment to the viewer, was posted at their location to note the objection (that is how I learned of what was said of me).
Note THIS: Although the original offensive post was removed at the original blog, the libelous criticism was still online. A Google Search would yield nothing at the originator. But the comment would come into full view for search engines, at the precise blog that was repulsed by the words.
I wrote the blogger who had come to my defense.
They saw the possibility of new damage they never intended, and removed the lines immediately…..all handled behind the scenes. We remain friends.
The entire event was repeated anew with another innuendo worse than before at a new site. I repeated the same request behind the scenes, to remove the derogatories, as the blogger objected to them at their own site while critiquing a competitor.
My concern was search engines and their power, like a credit report, to change your future.
This second blogger who was offended by the comment posted elsewhere, instead, maintained it at their site and expanded upon it as a source for new blog material..
Search Engine-wise, they became as much a culprit as the original author at damaging reputations.
I carry hard copies to show the character of the second unwise blogger when the issue comes up as a result of any credible inquiry. I also do not comment at the site of such personal lack of integrity. They will decline and disappear on their own as the world discovers their integrity…..or its lack.
Truth always comes out Scott, like cream rising to the top of a bottle of milk,
Joel, you need to choose where you stand on this issue for the future of Press and Tower.
Integrity never goes out oif style.
Use it or lose it.
Last, if the P&T were to go to GE and ask Simonelli if he were moving the Locomotive Division to China, he is under NO obligation to answer.
Joel is doing that to Bremner.
However, if a blog has built community credibility, avoided innuendo like the plague, established community relationships that are positive among readers and contributors, then,…the new media becomes a free forum for businessmen like Simonelli to reach an audience honestly and straight forward in a way the old media can not……due to their prior integrity compromise.
Become an oasis of truth for all.
I think ALL the Anonymous and Pseudonyms should be abolished.
I think if what you are about to reveal jeopardizes your job, then shut up is prudent.
There is still a chance for community, and new media change, at P&T that has been squandered at nearly every local venture I have seen to date.
May wisdom prevail.
THANK YOU LORD. FOR MY SCROLL KEY.
Oh Heavenly Father, I praise you for the Shift Key and the gift of intelligence to use it.
May new generations learn on a keyboard with a removed CAPS LOCK key, and employ an attention without deficit disorder.
Deception, in a name, is the hallmark of your enemy Father. Forgive those, who know NOT what they do.
Often, they do not read.
Yea, though I walk through the Valley of Internet ADD, no Evil will I fear. For Thou O Lord, are mightier than the Pseudoanon, and strengthened to lift your right hand against the CAPS LOCK key of ignorance and shouting.
Amen.
DANNY. I GET CONCERNED WHEN SOME ONE USES 10 LETTER WORDS, SO I CALL FOR A TRUCE. I WILL CONTINUE TO EXCERCISE MY RIGHT TO THE CAPS LOCK. AND YOU CAN CONTINUE TO EXCERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO BE LONG WINDED. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
To be honest with you Mr. Lucas, I shouted “THANK GOD FOR MY SCROLL KEY” when I saw your post. I personally would not call it a “key of ignorance and shouting”, rather a “key of jubilation and proclamation”.
And “Caps Lock” keys are written in upper and lower case. You may want to make sure your Shift key is not stuck, possibly leading someone to believe you shout the words CAPS LOCK.
All I’m saying Danny is that it is coward’s work to hide behind a pseudonym and create fear through falsehoods.
Your handfull of examples of mainstream media mistakes
pales to the hundreds of thousands of hours of credible work undertaken every day, from real people using real names, real addresses and real phone numbers.
As to whether your name is as credible as mine is probably for others to determine.
But more paragraphs rarely makes anyone more right.
JIMBO,
A truce is in order when a battle is underway.
I have no battle with you.
My alert to you on Cap Locks is akin to telling you your fly is down, when you are unaware. It is a kindness.
There is a cultural significance to employing all CAPS.
I encourage you to read the second paragraph at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caps_lock
The information is true for any blogger or commenter anywhere. If you prefer to walk around with your fly down after a kind suggestion to the contrary, I have no problem with that,…… as my keyboard scrolls as well.
In regard to lengthy comments, I do my best to break them into readable content portions called paragraphs.
More importantly, I add value by communicating a thought.
Some places have word limits and I actually break a comment into portions, if I feel what I am saying is relevant to the audience.
It happened this week.
I required THREE comments, to make ONE, due to space restriction.
However, the blogger read what I wrote, and responded that we get together for coffee, and I am invited to author a Guest Post.
http://vanamburggroup.com/blogs/understanding-the-big-economic-picture-debt-and-money/
So despite your observation to the contrary, it appears there is a market on the internet for well thought out commentary. I have scores of these offers from prior comment in wide areas of the Internet.
I am not responsible for your vocabulary, nor social skills in writing within accepted levels of “volume” and tone.
To your suggestion I “Have a great day”, or in your vernacular, —”HAVE A GREAT DAY”—, I accept the offer and choose to ignore your pointed personal slur of “LONG WINDED”. Too many venues disagree with your view on my comments.
Best regards,
Danny Lucas
In defense of people that post anonymously, many can’t post under their real names because of their workplace. There is a lot of info found on blogs that aren’t found in the ETN or on a local station (Although you do have to weed through a lot of garbage to find it).
In regards to the rumors posted on here, I don’t know if they’re true or not- but this is where corporate should step up and issue a statement regarding what is being said around town. If the statements were false, you would think a statement refuting them would be issued ASAP by management. That it hasn’t been makes me wonder if there is indeed truth to them.
And finally, Scott states the media has accountability, and blogs don’t have that same level of being accountable. I agree. But blogs are a medium where every person can have a voice, no matter who you are. Unfortunately, you’re going to have mean spirited posters cross the threshold. But at the same time, there are many good ideas posted in blogs that would never make their way into the ETN- they only put so many letters in the paper from readers, and they can filter what they want.
Scott,
Creating fear through falsehood is cowardly whether done Anonymously, Pseudo-anon, or with your actual name. I have gone on the recod as NOT favoring anons and pseudos; and at times, it attracts a lot of personal attack for doing so.
As for my handful of examples, I am damned if I do, and damned if I don’t.
JIMBO dislikes a long list.
You require it as a counterbalance to your position.
BOTH positions are moot.
YOUR station, Scott, was the only one in Erie to show Bud Dwyer blowing his head off to preserve a pension for his family by dying in office.
Cowardice takes many forms.
It is your position that
“As to whether your name is as credible as mine is probably for others to determine”
I detect vanity in your claim, for I made no such claim to competing with the world renown fame of Scott Bremner.
An actual read of my statement to you emphasized “real name” used and “accountability” that ensues, not who’s more “credible” or mug is on the tube.
Read it again Scott for you misconstrue what I said:
“Excuse me Scott Bremner, but the name Danny Lucas applied to my comments is every bit as real and accountable as the name Scott Bremner over yours.”
And you are correct that more paragrphs does not mean more right. There is a comment in moderation (due to links enclosed) that deals with this mind numbing observation.
I will echo your request to Joel that he NOT allow P&T to become a simmering hotbed of innuendo or unsubstantiated rumor and attack.
There is a tendency to “make” news by reporting first, instead of reporting what has been made fact.
I believe that is the issue of your concern, and failed to handle in a few short paragraphs.
Thus, it appears that “what goes around, comes around”.
For what it is worth Scott, Erie viewers tend to go with the station that brags the LEAST about themself.
Ad nauseum hype drives folks away……from all three venues.
In terms of the merger/no merger/maybe merger TV story going around, perhaps a total blackout by everyone, on anything about it, until a factual release is issued, would be best and in order. The folks involved are our fellow citizens and neighbors.
What is going on is causing hurt to the individuals and to the community at large
Last, the Scott Bremner blog is one of the finest among any and all Erie bloggers. Perhaps adding this truth as an extra paragraph demonstrates that more paragraphs MAY be more right afterall, eh Scott?
it’s nice to see that Obamalot has brought you guys into a new era of peace and understanding
JIMBO –
THANK YOU for your humorous and non-aggressive pot shot at Danny.
Here’s my analogy – I was in church, listening to this drawn out sermon…thank you Pastor Lucas…and as I tried to sneak out, I stumbled over a Far Side comic strip compilation and it made me chuckle.
Your comment was that book for me. A witty, succinct comment that took 4 seconds to read and summed up the previous 10am-11am message perfectly.
——————————————————————–
While I NEVER post on blogs, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t formed some opinion on those that do post.
In regards to Danny – I think his opinions are well-thought, articulate and more often than not…intellectually edgy.
I also think I should be awarded graduate-level credit hours for attempting to read them every day. Geez. I honestly wish I had the cliffs notes to his posts.
I won’t pray to a higher power, but I will plead with a fellow being: could you possibly keep any post under 13 chapters? You make great points – thank you for that! – but by the time I finish reading your posts my day has already started 15 minutes behind, and that’s if I use the cursed/blessed scroll bar. Time for you to publish DTN…Danny Times News…for your loyal readers.
No need to respond, Danny. I probably won’t have the time to read it anyway!
JIMBO’s comment #31 made me laugh too.
And any time the LORD is mentioned, it is a bonus!
But when I read a slew of accolades, I always brace for the cannonball to the stomach I know is fused and coming at me.
Since analogy is the theme today, your praise is akin to getting a pillowcase full of candy on Halloween housecalls. At home, the razor blades within a few pieces make me pitch the whole bag.
Van Amburg Group posted an article about writing at your reader’s level. There is a tool enclosed in the article to put (min 100 words) text in, and have it analyzed on a variety of levels.
I was shocked at the caveat to write at a 6th grade level in order to be understood in this country.
(VanAmburg writes at the 17th grade level and could offer the desired college credit sought above.
I do not qualify.
I continually try to dumb down my comments to grade 6.
The clearly-too-long-post above requires an education level of 9.3 grades to comprehend.
Your own comment to publish the Danny Times News (poor title for a paper in Erie, PA btw) comes in at a whopping 7.8 grade level to comprehend.
We either BOTH have to dumb down MORE to be understood, or NOT sneak out of church service, in order to acquire more wisdom.
I promise to take a course on brevity, as soon as I pass the course, on dumbing down to the 6th grade level needed to communicate in this land.
The full article and the tool are available for all at VanAmburg’s Blog. I would include the link, but it shoots me up to 10th grade again.
This comment was tested:
Average Readability Level: 6.9, so I am getting there.
Thanks for the Halloween candy!
I REST MY CASE.
Danny,
This will be my last post because I truly don’t think this forum should be used for private battles. But this following statement of yours is blatantly, provably false.
I was here.
“YOUR station, Scott, was the only one in Erie to show Bud Dwyer blowing his head off to preserve a pension for his family by dying in office.
Cowardice takes many forms.”
I don’t mind you making your point even if it takes 40 paragraphs to do so. But this points exactly to the accountability issue that started this in the first place.
There are only a handful of current readers even around then so the majority would just assume this to be true.
You are Danny Lucas after all. Sorry, but we stopped the tape completely, while another station allowed the audio of the gunshot to air. We weren’t even the worst of the three.
I don’t remember any Erie TV station airing that footage. I heard that a station in PGH did, though.
I DO, however, remember the front page pic in the ETN…Dwyer with the gun in his mouth.
I couild not remember the incident today had I not seen it on TV. I will never forget it. THAT is what TV does to people.
I did not live in Erie during the pizza bomb guy so I don’t know if Scott Bremner was upholding Erie sanctity that day or showing blood and gore.
However, in the days of Dwyer, if I needed to see news of that kind, WSEE was the channel that I turned on.
Bremner says this incident is not true.
I take him at his word.
Although I do NOT understand what “stopped the tape completely” means.
WSEE clearly reported something on that story. If you contend that no tape ever aired on that story at your channel—-is that “stopped the tape”?
Or rather, we showed the tape, but stopped it at the worst of the act. Sounds like Bill Clinton finessing the meaning of what “Is”, is.
AND THAT, is the additional advantage of new media over ETN or WSEE. The Acountability issue with new media is second to none!
Anyone can make any statement they want online. But there are so many checks and balances to say “You reported wrong” or “That’s not true” or “This is what was said”.
Why do you think political campaigns now contain “fact check” immediately after debate?
The corrections are not buried on page 2A in the paper or aired at the end of 11 pm news a week later (TV rarely says they have facts wrong). My contention and your parry are timed stamped and the time of your contention is swift.
Tell the new media “Thank You” for that ability. Accountability is BUILT IN this media, and glossed over in the old boy network.
Scott Bremner errs on two things in his last, last,
(I promise) last post.
This DOES happen to be the appropriate forum provided by Press and Tower to cover any item not in a general post. So take your worry hat off on that Scott.
Second, we are not in a battle.
I happen to stand directly next to you in my analysis of Anonymous and named posts. I understand your aversion to new media. Get over it. It will be here longer than either of us.
I have asked that the TV merger story be held in reserve pending an actual story to report. I do not know of any other way to help you with your stance Scott
Hardly a “battle” going on there.
I don’t mind you making your point every day, (even if I have to watch 22 minutes of ads to get a single story on the news).
I do mind you saying you hold the only correct opinion on any and all matters in discussion.
You have blasted a series of people in this thread alone.
Joel advised folks get a thick skin.
If you are going to enter the fray, then Scott Bremner needs to take that advice.
Last, I have learned that when someone’s claim to wisdom is saying a post has too many paragraphs, it means they publicly express they do not know how to use a scroll key. No one is required to read.
Unless they sit at a teleprompter.
If you fail to see the wisdom of paragraphs, try reading this guy and make it through TWO lousy paragraphs (when far more would benefit the readers).
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090115/OPINION13/301159989
Maybe he can learn from me and become edgy.
I have to throw my two cents in to support Scott’s memory of the Bud Dwyer news coverage.
I worked with Scott during that period…in sales, not in news. The Dwyer suicide coverage by the Erie newspaper caused me to drop my subscription over their decision to sensationalize the issue with their front page photo.
Conversely, I was pleased that WSEE did not choose to show the moment of the gunshot on our newscast. As I recall, we showed Dwyer at the lecturn making some comments, and cut away prior to the gun coming out. This was responsible journalism. The news of what he did was related, but the horror of the actual suicide was not telecast.
Danny, I do enjoy your posts…long as they are. They are for the most part very well written and entertaining while they make your point. However I think you are doing Scott (and WSEE) an injustice in how you are treating them in this instance.