Cue dramatic “democracy in action” music -- Well, that’s another election night in the books. I’ve done my share in more than 25 years in the news business, yet it still gets me going. Back then there were a few more people in the newsroom, it took a few more cold cuts and pizza. Now it’s a lot smaller, and I miss my folks.
As far as a “blue wave,” this one struck me as more in line with a typical midterm. Certainly not the rebuke on Trumpism some expected, but rather an adjustment to a changing landscape. State elections next year, and 2020, when elections favor Democrats, should be more indicative of what the trends will be. Regardless, I, for one, will be glad to have at least one check on Republican leadership, even if I have serious reservations about the other guys, too.
But really, enough beating around the bush. The best story of the election has to be that Dennis Hof, who called himself the “Trump of Pahrump,” was just elected to the Nevada state assembly even though he's dead. Hof was found dead the morning after his birthday party by porn star Ron Jeremy, a close friend. If I remember correctly, Flava Flav and Sheriff Joe were at this same shindig. This is the stuff of dreams!
Trump and friends — Speaking of the elections, I’m not sure I have ever seen a display as disgraceful as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and “Judge” Pirro on stage stumping at a campaign rally. This is what you get when you consider entertainers deliverers of news. This violates anything that is sacred about covering something, and the worst part? No one cares. This may as well be state-run media. Pathetic. Rule #1 about being a journalist: Don’t become part of the story. Talk about making it harder for Chris Wallace and Shep Smith. Fox says they have slapped somebody’s hands. Uh-huh. BTW, Jim Acosta, are you listening?
Scouts? — In an effort to appeal to a wider audience and be less male oriented, the Boy Scouts want to drop “Boy” from their name. Now, before anyone goes off the reservation, I feel anyone should have the opportunity to camp and go to jamborees. That’s not the point here. The point is there has been significant blowback from another organization, and frankly, I can’t really blame them. Yes, the Girl Scouts, who feel the rebranding effort might be aim just a little at undercutting them. They’re suing.
#meetoo -- OK, this is one of those “… really?” stories. Apparently, #metoo has caught up to Under Armour, which will no longer allow employees to charge strip club expenses to corporate cards… … … ok, I’ve got nothing. First the Secret Service, now Under Armour. The times, they are a changin’
For Pete’s sake — Pete Davidson, the guy who looks to be about 8-years-old on Saturday night live got into a heap of doggie doo for poking fun at former SEAL turned politician Dan Crenshaw on Weekend Update last week. Yes, it crossed a line, and was unfortunate, but hardly unexpected. He’s an awkward comic. It’s his shtick, The smartass SNL usually has one in the cast. He says things other may not say. As such, he has to push the envelope. Keep in mind, the kid’s 24. For as long as he can remember we have been at war. He has nothing to compare it to. This kind of desensitization had to be expected. Most don’t even consider on a daily basis we are a nation at war, only at a ballgame or special occasion where warriors can be deified for a few moments. We really need to be thinking about the effect endless war has on society as a whole, because we are losing something that used to inspire us to avoid it at all costs.
At any rate, fresh from his victory, Crenshaw had this to say, "SEALs don't get offended. That's just not what we do. That doesn't mean it wasn't offensive, but let's stop demanding apologies and firings of people. Let's just... demand that comedy actually be funny, but let's be good people."
Amen brother. Read more...
Shameless self promotion -- And, finally, I’m not one who is into shameless self promotion, but this was an interesting discussion on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. It’s all about the fact that in the past decade and a half, nearly one in five newspapers have disappeared, leaving communities without newspapers, and what effect that has on civic engagement and trust in the media. Community journalism is always a favorite topic. Runs about 40 minutes. Worth a listen…
As far as a “blue wave,” this one struck me as more in line with a typical midterm. Certainly not the rebuke on Trumpism some expected, but rather an adjustment to a changing landscape. State elections next year, and 2020, when elections favor Democrats, should be more indicative of what the trends will be. Regardless, I, for one, will be glad to have at least one check on Republican leadership, even if I have serious reservations about the other guys, too.
But really, enough beating around the bush. The best story of the election has to be that Dennis Hof, who called himself the “Trump of Pahrump,” was just elected to the Nevada state assembly even though he's dead. Hof was found dead the morning after his birthday party by porn star Ron Jeremy, a close friend. If I remember correctly, Flava Flav and Sheriff Joe were at this same shindig. This is the stuff of dreams!
Trump and friends — Speaking of the elections, I’m not sure I have ever seen a display as disgraceful as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and “Judge” Pirro on stage stumping at a campaign rally. This is what you get when you consider entertainers deliverers of news. This violates anything that is sacred about covering something, and the worst part? No one cares. This may as well be state-run media. Pathetic. Rule #1 about being a journalist: Don’t become part of the story. Talk about making it harder for Chris Wallace and Shep Smith. Fox says they have slapped somebody’s hands. Uh-huh. BTW, Jim Acosta, are you listening?
Scouts? — In an effort to appeal to a wider audience and be less male oriented, the Boy Scouts want to drop “Boy” from their name. Now, before anyone goes off the reservation, I feel anyone should have the opportunity to camp and go to jamborees. That’s not the point here. The point is there has been significant blowback from another organization, and frankly, I can’t really blame them. Yes, the Girl Scouts, who feel the rebranding effort might be aim just a little at undercutting them. They’re suing.
#meetoo -- OK, this is one of those “… really?” stories. Apparently, #metoo has caught up to Under Armour, which will no longer allow employees to charge strip club expenses to corporate cards… … … ok, I’ve got nothing. First the Secret Service, now Under Armour. The times, they are a changin’
For Pete’s sake — Pete Davidson, the guy who looks to be about 8-years-old on Saturday night live got into a heap of doggie doo for poking fun at former SEAL turned politician Dan Crenshaw on Weekend Update last week. Yes, it crossed a line, and was unfortunate, but hardly unexpected. He’s an awkward comic. It’s his shtick, The smartass SNL usually has one in the cast. He says things other may not say. As such, he has to push the envelope. Keep in mind, the kid’s 24. For as long as he can remember we have been at war. He has nothing to compare it to. This kind of desensitization had to be expected. Most don’t even consider on a daily basis we are a nation at war, only at a ballgame or special occasion where warriors can be deified for a few moments. We really need to be thinking about the effect endless war has on society as a whole, because we are losing something that used to inspire us to avoid it at all costs.
At any rate, fresh from his victory, Crenshaw had this to say, "SEALs don't get offended. That's just not what we do. That doesn't mean it wasn't offensive, but let's stop demanding apologies and firings of people. Let's just... demand that comedy actually be funny, but let's be good people."
Amen brother. Read more...
Shameless self promotion -- And, finally, I’m not one who is into shameless self promotion, but this was an interesting discussion on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. It’s all about the fact that in the past decade and a half, nearly one in five newspapers have disappeared, leaving communities without newspapers, and what effect that has on civic engagement and trust in the media. Community journalism is always a favorite topic. Runs about 40 minutes. Worth a listen…
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