Anonymous said...
"I watched the city council meeting a few weeks ago. The police report for the month of March said there was only 750+ calls. I don't remember how many arrests but i think that # was well over 500. "
"With that kind of crime and arrest the paper would have to have another section. That could be the crime report section."
Yes, and if the DDT added sections on real estate for sale and delinquent property taxes, each edition would have the weight of a Sunday "New York Times."
Forthright
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Delayed Crime "Stats"
Anonymous said...
I think The Delta Democrat Times is doing a great disservice by printing crime stats that are two months behind. How can Greenvillians keep up with current crime trends. Look at online editions of the Greenwood Commonwealth and The Natchez Democrat. All Crimes and Fire calls are reported the next day. I'm sure this helps parents identify bad people that their children are exposed to. Plus it may help the community identify vulnerabilities that may exist in their neighborhoods.
The writer makes a good point: news is "news" when it happens. After two months, it becomes history. A more alarming statistic which has been told to me by more than one law enforcement officer, is that the DDT reports only about 1/3 of the crime that really occurs in Greenville. That IS scary!
Obviously, our local paper wants to put a positive spin on Greenville whenever possible. I am afraid that if the DDT printed 100% of all 911 and fire calls every day, they would have to add another section.
Forthright
I think The Delta Democrat Times is doing a great disservice by printing crime stats that are two months behind. How can Greenvillians keep up with current crime trends. Look at online editions of the Greenwood Commonwealth and The Natchez Democrat. All Crimes and Fire calls are reported the next day. I'm sure this helps parents identify bad people that their children are exposed to. Plus it may help the community identify vulnerabilities that may exist in their neighborhoods.
The writer makes a good point: news is "news" when it happens. After two months, it becomes history. A more alarming statistic which has been told to me by more than one law enforcement officer, is that the DDT reports only about 1/3 of the crime that really occurs in Greenville. That IS scary!
Obviously, our local paper wants to put a positive spin on Greenville whenever possible. I am afraid that if the DDT printed 100% of all 911 and fire calls every day, they would have to add another section.
Forthright
Monday, April 16, 2007
"Pranks" and Prejudice
A semi-regular reader offers...
"I read in Monday's paper that a woman who publicly spews racist comments to her neighbors is now the victim of "pranks" like setting her garbage can on fire (maybe, that could be interpreted as a prank or harassment) and a Molotov cocktail which was thrown at her house and burned up her A.C. unit. Indianola police say...well, buy the paper or read it online."
"Now, THERE'S a debate on what are "appropriate responses" to racially tense communication."
"By the way, the double standards DO exist. I saw a guy on ESPN (Yes, ESPN) who offered a good analysis of the Imus firing. Rap artists and comedians can say what they say with no regard to advertisers and they make money doing it. Is it right? Probably not, but I'll err on the side of free speech. "
"Michael Richards didn't have to apologize, but there was market pressure on his career that required it. The "market" handles these things best and not more gov't intervention over the #1 protection in the Bill of Rights - Free Speech. Don Imus was losing most every major sponsor except Bigelow Tea, which offered public support. "
"The firing was premature and wimpy, but the marketplace spoke on the Imus situation in certain terms that get networks' attention. That said, I believe Imus could return to the airwaves within months and his old stations will resume his broadcasts over any replacement morning show offered through CBS or Westwood One Radio Network. The market spoke and it's given Don Imus new and nationally-based attention. "
"A great conversation would be to discuss the likely political proposals which could come forth in the wake of the Imus firing. I guarantee you that ALL of them will suggest restrictions on everyone's speech as a result. "
Given America's propensity to turn "heels" into "heroes", it would not surprise me to see Don Imus go on to even greater fame and wealth. I can envision a Hollywood Movie deal with countless TV talk show appearances in his future.
Lest we forget, it was less than two years ago that our media mercenaries entertained the thought of publishing O.J.'s "near tell-all novel", entitled, "How I Would Have Killed Them, if I Had".
Forthright
"I read in Monday's paper that a woman who publicly spews racist comments to her neighbors is now the victim of "pranks" like setting her garbage can on fire (maybe, that could be interpreted as a prank or harassment) and a Molotov cocktail which was thrown at her house and burned up her A.C. unit. Indianola police say...well, buy the paper or read it online."
"Now, THERE'S a debate on what are "appropriate responses" to racially tense communication."
"By the way, the double standards DO exist. I saw a guy on ESPN (Yes, ESPN) who offered a good analysis of the Imus firing. Rap artists and comedians can say what they say with no regard to advertisers and they make money doing it. Is it right? Probably not, but I'll err on the side of free speech. "
"Michael Richards didn't have to apologize, but there was market pressure on his career that required it. The "market" handles these things best and not more gov't intervention over the #1 protection in the Bill of Rights - Free Speech. Don Imus was losing most every major sponsor except Bigelow Tea, which offered public support. "
"The firing was premature and wimpy, but the marketplace spoke on the Imus situation in certain terms that get networks' attention. That said, I believe Imus could return to the airwaves within months and his old stations will resume his broadcasts over any replacement morning show offered through CBS or Westwood One Radio Network. The market spoke and it's given Don Imus new and nationally-based attention. "
"A great conversation would be to discuss the likely political proposals which could come forth in the wake of the Imus firing. I guarantee you that ALL of them will suggest restrictions on everyone's speech as a result. "
Given America's propensity to turn "heels" into "heroes", it would not surprise me to see Don Imus go on to even greater fame and wealth. I can envision a Hollywood Movie deal with countless TV talk show appearances in his future.
Lest we forget, it was less than two years ago that our media mercenaries entertained the thought of publishing O.J.'s "near tell-all novel", entitled, "How I Would Have Killed Them, if I Had".
Forthright
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Is Santa Claus Racist?
Anonymous readers said...
"Two words... "Double Standards"
Another added...
"Look for yourself..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q8LxO4wnCQ
NOTE: This video clip is from Chris Rock's actual live performance and contains graphic racial and sexual content.
A third writer offer...
"Aw----you gotta see the Dave Chappelle skit where he's a blind black man who's in a white supremacist group---every other word is the N-word. "
"It's OK if you're black and make black jokes, and you can even make fun of white folks.....but just let a white man make one wrong move and BAM---he's out! And yes, Imus is a pig, and no, he won't be missed by people with high standards, but do you realize that he didn't even use the N-word?"
"The term "ho" is one from the ghetto culture, not a term that Imus or the white man originated. "
Well, like him or not, it seems that the Imus affair confirms what George Orwell once wrote... "All men are created equal, however, some men are more equal than others."
"Two words... "Double Standards"
Another added...
"Look for yourself..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q8LxO4wnCQ
NOTE: This video clip is from Chris Rock's actual live performance and contains graphic racial and sexual content.
A third writer offer...
"Aw----you gotta see the Dave Chappelle skit where he's a blind black man who's in a white supremacist group---every other word is the N-word. "
"It's OK if you're black and make black jokes, and you can even make fun of white folks.....but just let a white man make one wrong move and BAM---he's out! And yes, Imus is a pig, and no, he won't be missed by people with high standards, but do you realize that he didn't even use the N-word?"
"The term "ho" is one from the ghetto culture, not a term that Imus or the white man originated. "
Well, like him or not, it seems that the Imus affair confirms what George Orwell once wrote... "All men are created equal, however, some men are more equal than others."
Forthright
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Ho, Ho, Ho...
CBS fired Don Imus from his radio program Thursday, the finale to a stunning fall for one of the nation’s most prominent broadcasters.
Imus initially was given a two-week suspension for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on the air last week, but outrage continued to grow and advertisers bolted from his CBS radio show and its MSNBC simulcast, which was canceled Wednesday.
“There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society,” CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said in announcing the decision. “That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision.”
The cantankerous Imus, once named one of the 25 Most Influential People in America by Time magazine and a member of the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame, issued repeated apologies as protests intensified. But it wasn’t enough as everyone from Barack Obama to Oprah Winfrey joined the criticism.
The Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson met with Moonves on Thursday to demand Imus’ removal, promising a rally outside CBS headquarters Saturday and an effort to persuade more advertisers to defect. Jackson called the firing “a victory for public decency. No one should use the public airwaves to transmit racial or sexual degradation.”
Said Sharpton: “He says he wants to be forgiven. I hope he continues in that process. But we cannot afford a precedent established that the airways can commercialize and mainstream sexism and racism.”
Okay, I am not a fan of Don Imus. To me, he captured his "spotlight" by being cynical and overly critical of all who attain their "15 minutes of fame". I agree that what Imus said on public airways was reprehensible and in very poor taste, but does the punishment fit the crime?
If Jackson and Sharpton are so adamant about freeing the "public airwaves from racial and sexual degradation", why don't they consider these sources:
Imus initially was given a two-week suspension for calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on the air last week, but outrage continued to grow and advertisers bolted from his CBS radio show and its MSNBC simulcast, which was canceled Wednesday.
“There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society,” CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said in announcing the decision. “That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision.”
The cantankerous Imus, once named one of the 25 Most Influential People in America by Time magazine and a member of the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame, issued repeated apologies as protests intensified. But it wasn’t enough as everyone from Barack Obama to Oprah Winfrey joined the criticism.
The Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson met with Moonves on Thursday to demand Imus’ removal, promising a rally outside CBS headquarters Saturday and an effort to persuade more advertisers to defect. Jackson called the firing “a victory for public decency. No one should use the public airwaves to transmit racial or sexual degradation.”
Said Sharpton: “He says he wants to be forgiven. I hope he continues in that process. But we cannot afford a precedent established that the airways can commercialize and mainstream sexism and racism.”
Okay, I am not a fan of Don Imus. To me, he captured his "spotlight" by being cynical and overly critical of all who attain their "15 minutes of fame". I agree that what Imus said on public airways was reprehensible and in very poor taste, but does the punishment fit the crime?
If Jackson and Sharpton are so adamant about freeing the "public airwaves from racial and sexual degradation", why don't they consider these sources:
- Gangster Rap Music
- BET Music Videos
- Black comedians... Chris Rock comes to mind
- Saturday Night Live "spoofs"
- Black TV comedies
Compared to the racial, sexual and violent language that we permit on these sources of "public airwaves", Don Imus looks like a choir boy. Sure, what he said was in bad taste, but "bad taste" entertainment seems to be the trend of the 21st century. Most of popular TV and movies are in bad taste. Much of what we consider "funny" is degrading to someone or some group.
Chris Rock currently has a 30 minute stand-up comedy routine on video in which he rants and raves about every stereotypical "black" trait ever conceived. In the course of this "routine", he uses the "N" word 96 times! This live performance was videoed in front of a majority black audience, who not only paid money to see his performance, but appeared quite amused and entertained.
So, have we lost a great talent with the firing of Don Imus? No.
Has his firing made a significant improvement in race relations in the U.S. No.
Are we a bit hypocritical as a society in our interpretation of free speech? Yes.
If Don Imus had made the same derogatory comments on a stage in Las Vegas, would he have been banned from the "airwaves" or been promoted to the status of star performer? The "line" at which Mr. Imus crossed over seems movable at best and one that appears drawn by promoters, sponsors and politicians!
Forthright
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
