A Drama in One Act
SCENE: Editors' Conference Room at the Rochester DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE. Early December, 2009. As the CURTAIN rises, ALI ZOIBI, Publisher, KAREN MAGNUSEN, Editor, and JAMES LAWRENCE, Editorial Page Editor, consult together at the conference table.
A
LI: A disaster, that election. We have to get a grip on this thing.
K
AREN: Ali, I
have a grip on it. What do you call the
Robutrad Strategy?
A
LI: Something that worked about as well as the Water Authority Strategy.
JIM: And the FAIR Plan Strategy.
ALI: And the MCC President Strategy.
JIM: And the Public Defender Strategy.
KAREN: Well don't look at me! I don't need attitude from the publisher's suite and the editorial office!
ALI: Chill. We're cool.
KAREN: Who turned some nickel-and-dime employee malfeasance into the big, bad Robutrad Scandal? The News Division! That's who!
ALI: OK, Karen.
KAREN: Who spiked the follow-up on City Council expense reports? News!
JIM: We get it.
KAREN: Who turned an innovative, out-of-the-box solution to the County budget problem into a vicious assault on "our children?" News!
ALI: You did? FAIR's legality was suspect before it was passed.
JIM: So are Paterson's unilateral budget cuts, and we told him to go for it.
ALI: Let's not get sidetracked, Jim.
KAREN: And that just scratches the surface.
JIM: Karen. ... We know you're trying.
ALI: Maybe we need to simplify the stories. You know, notch it down, the reading comprehension level.
KAREN: We're already at Sixth-Grade level!
JIM: (chuckling) I thought that was just for Morelle.
VOICE: (offstage) I heard that!
(Enter Monroe County Democratic Chairman JOE MORELLE. Taking his usual seat, he throws a bundle of papers on the conference table.)
MORELLE: Sorry I'm late. Here are my edits for Sunday's lead.
JIM: Wait a minute. This isn't the lead.
MORELLE: It is now.
KAREN: Are you serious? You're really gonna bump "Getting Ready for Kwanzaa"?
MORELLE: Relax ... Now, look ... it's been a hard month since the election. For each of us. (They nod.) We've all been hurting, especially me. But now -- Joey's back! And bettah' than evah'.
JIM: What's with the Noo Yawk accent?
MORELLE: Shelly likes it.
ALI: But Joe, you want to run this? The update on the County Sports Commission for the local section?
KAREN: Plain vanilla. Says it's well-run and brings in a lot of tourist dollars. $33million. How do we whack the Rethuglicans with that?
MORELLE: You losin' your edge, baby?
KAREN: What do you mean?
MORELLE: Read the fine print. The Commission's annual report shows the money all sports events bring in, not just events the Commission brings in.
JIM: (perking up) A clear case of misrepresentation!
ALI: But aren't they supposed to report that?
KAREN: Yes...but we don't have to emphasize it, do we?
ALI: (with dawning awareness) No ... Just downplay it. "Accidentally" on purpose.
JIM: One of our specialties.
ALI: What about that professor?
KAREN: Who?
ALI: In the article. Says the Sports Commission has an obligation to report the economic impact of all sports events, the way it does.
MORELLE: So who reads that far into the story?
KAREN: Right. Leave the prof. in. Gives us cover. We'll spin it like we always do -- with headlines and "highlight" boxes.
MORELLE: You're back on track, cookie.
ALI: Here's another one -- the County pays less to the sports promoter, LeBeau, because it gives him some office space instead.
KAREN: Where?
JIM: That brick building at Frontier Field.
MORELLE: So what? The County saves cash. Doesn't help us.
KAREN: (brightening) But this does -- Headline: "County Gives Promoter Free Office Space."
MORELLE: (quickly) Is he a Republican contributor?
JIM: You bet.
MORELLE: How do you know without checking?
JIM: Because all these contractors give to both parties. They like City jobs too, you know.
KAREN: But we don't have to mention that part.
ALI: I love it when a plan comes together!
MORELLE: OK. Let's juice it up. (He ponders momentarily.) How about calls for a federal investigation of County Sports Commission abuses?
KAREN: Call Louise.
ALI: Washington office or her Rochester office?
MORELLE: Rochester office.
ALI: (speaking into intercom) Miss Flaybum, get me the Quatela Clinic.
KAREN: (aside, to MORELLE) What are they lifting now?
MORELLE: Hard to tell; she's a permanent work-in-progress.
KAREN: What do you mean?
MORELLE: Like painting the Triborough Bridge. They start at one end and when they're done, it's time to go back and start over.
ALI: Just wheeled her out. She's still under.
JIM: What about Massa? Call his press secretary.
MORELLE: No good. She's out of town.
KAREN: Where?
MORELLE: LA, kiddo.
ALI: Not to worry. Let's just get it out. Front page.
MORELLE: I'll prep our people in the County Leg.
ALI: To do what?
MORELLE: The usual. Demand an investigation, press conference, you know.
JIM: And I'll do the editorial calling for an inquiry.
ALI: We've got our groove back!
MORELLE: And our game plan for the next two years.
KAREN: Just a minute. (Steps offstage, then returns with a 40-ounce and four tumblers.)
JIM: Yours, Karen?
KAREN: No. Gantt's. Left it behind last time.
ALI: Have one, Jim! It'll help you editorialize.
MORELLE: (chuckling) Is that your secret, Ali?
ALI: That would be telling.
(KAREN and MORELLE pour drinks)
JIM: (aside, to ALI) That Joe! What leadership!
ALI: Looks like a County Executive to me!
(They turn back to the others, and join the convivial merriment.)
CURTAIN
Read More...
Summary only...
Why should we be forced to pay for the costs of other people’s irresponsibility?
That's the theme of the very best discussion of universal health care I've seen anywhere.
If you're only going to read one thing today that's longer than a few paragraphs, read this.
Some highlights:
There’s a much deeper philosophical objection to “socialized medicine” that is so un-PC that it is rarely if ever voiced in public. And for that reason, the opponents of socialized medicine never even mention the real flaw in the concept that nags the unconscious of most Americans:
Not all ailments are equal.
I feel a deep-seated resentment that the rest of us should pick up the tab to fix medical problems that never should have happened in the first place.
I’m speaking specifically of medical problems caused by:• Obesity
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• Reckless behavior
• Criminal activity
• Unprotected promiscuous sex
• Use of illicit drugs
• Cultural traditions
• Bad diets
Now, I really don’t care if you overeat, smoke like a chimney, hump like a bunny or forget to lock the safety mechanism on your pistol as you jam it in your waistband. Fine by me. ... I would never under normal circumstances condemn anyone for any of the behaviors listed above. That is: Until the bill for your stupidity shows up in my mailbox.
You really need to
read it.
Read More...
Summary only...
Leadership of the Monroe County Legislature for 2010-11:
Dan Quatro - Majority Leader
Jeff McCann - Deputy Majority Leader
Steve Tucciarello - Deputy Majority Leader (new to this position)
Jeff Adair - President (new to this position)
Mike Barker - Vice President (new to this position)
Anthony Daniele - Ways and Means Chairman (new to this position)
Read More...
Summary only...
Any day now, Republicans in the County Legislature will meet to choose leaders of their caucus, and nominees for the positions of President and Vice President of the Legislature.
Expect to see respected Majority Leader Dan Quatro continue in that role.
Openings are created by the retirement of the current Legislature President, Wayne Zyra, and Deputy Majority Leader John Driscoll.
Likely choices? Sources tell us that current Vice President Jeff Adair - Wheatland, is seen as a strong contender for President. Other up-and-comers who are liked and respected within the GOP caucus, and about whom there are rumblings of advancement to positions of leadership, are Anthony Daniele - Pittsford/East Rochester, Ciaran Hanna - Perinton, Mike Barker - Perinton, and Steve Tucciarello - Gates.
Tucciarello is regarded as a hero for his tremendous effort over the past 2 years that resulted in a massive re-election win in Gates, which had been seen as perhaps the Democrats' prime target for taking over the legislature. Tucciarello realized this after the 2007 election, and from that point put forth an exemplary effort to win re-election.
Barker and Hanna, both said to be admired by colleagues for their intellect and judgment, seem to be overdue for promotion to greater responsibility.
If Adair becomes president, look for any of these four to emerge as the new VP, or as Driscoll's replacement as Deputy Majority Leader.
Read More...
Summary only...
Massachusetts Rep. Michael Capuano just returned to Washington, after running in the Democratic primary to fill Edward Kennedy's senate seat.
The Wall Street Journal's John Fund reports:
Asked what message he had brought back from voters for fellow Democrats, Mr. Capuano tersely replied: "You're screwed."
Read More...
Summary only...
Apparently Mayor Duffy took the opportunity of a public forum last week to disparage bloggers, who, he said, "throw rocks and hide their faces."
We hold the Mayor in good regard. No more egocentric than any politician. Even so, his comment recalls the dictum of the late, great Quentin Crisp: "To an egomaniac, fair share of anything is always starvation diet."
Isn't it enough for Mayor Duffy to pursue his political career, and undertake his mayoralty, in a consequence-free zone of media protection?
Isn't it sufficient that the local press places anything involving City government beyond the pale of serious, sustained scrutiny? (We distinguish between City government and the City school board.)
It is no criticism of the Mayor to recognize these perfectly apparent circumstances. But really, Your Honor. With a deal like that, a few local blogs get under your skin?
Just a symptom of all that pampering by the press.
Democrat and Chronicle editorial page editor James Lawrence endorsed the Mayor's comment in the newspaper's editorial blog, which is where we learned of it.
Mr. Lawrence, we and other local bloggers are here because you created us. We're here to discuss information your newspaper suppresses because it doesn't fit your agenda. We're here because of the D&C's propensity for deceiving the public with partial truths (recent examples of which are teed up for upcoming postings). We're here because your newspaper's committed advocacy for one political party, its officials and candidates, sometimes goes over the top, even for the D&C.
Want to know why we bloggers are here -- all of us, from left to right? Step into your own newsroom, Mr. Lawrence. And look around.
We think the Mayor and the Editor complain about anonymity, because it compels them to confront ideas, rather than individuals. Ideas, of course, are not in the least anonymous. They have shape, substance and weight. Who wants to grapple with ideas when you can slip around them so easily with ad hominem attacks, or eliminate them by using your power and influence to pressure the writer, the writer's employer or family?
A City government operating without scrutiny now has such modest scrutiny as we bloggers can muster. The self-appointed press "watchdog," notorious for its political tunnel vision, now has watchdogs of its own.
And both are showing a very thin skin about it.
Read More...
Summary only...
