Re 'Courant Lays Off Top Reporters' = Disaster

Per 2/25/09 story clip from 'The New Haven Independent', below:

One additional quotation from this article to consider: "Pazniokas’ layoff was a particular surprise since one line of thought was, that as the Courant shrinks its coverage in the wake of hard economic times, it would concentrate its competitive strength — namely, its experienced, knowledgeable coverage of state government and politics." (Commentary follows.)

clipped from www.newhavenindependent.org Courant Lays Off Top Reporters by Paul Bass | February 25, 2009 (Updated 2:45 p.m.) Connecticut’s “oldest continually published daily newspaper” (for now) axed its D.C. bureau, half of its remaining two-person state Capitol staff, and its environmental reporter as part of what one veteran dubbed “The Mardi Gras Massacre.” Those were among the casualties of the latest wave of layoffs at the Hartford Courant. Mark Pazniokas (top picture), one of two reporters based at the state Capitol, has worked at the paper for 24 years and was its senior political correspondent. Dave Funkhouser held down the environmental beat. A total of 100 employees got laid off. Thirty of them are reporters and editors — bringing the editorial staff to 135, half its estimated level at the end of 2007.

Yes, experienced journalist layoffs/newspaper shrinkage are Connecticut residents' misfortune, whether you may think so or not. E.g., For the time being at least, who is going to thoroughly cover and report upon political activities in the state; backed by the power and the platform of its largest newspaper? And state and local government goings on? Many government employees are fine people, but do you trust all of them to do the right thing --- without a few people with pens and laptops around checking/reporting upon them? (See previous posts here about recent, inebriated antics of a couple of CT high officials.)

Have you seen or read some 'news' reports on the local TV stations and their web sites?? "Superficial News for 10-year-olds, featuring the most positive, Chamber of Commerce spin possible", regularly describes those efforts.

Larger newspapers clearly have to find ways to bring in money from their online efforts. (Read: Charge for some content.) Perhaps a few laid-off reporters could (then) be brought back.

Otherwise, let's hope remaining, smaller news organizations (like 'The New Haven Independent'?) can find a way to employ some of these experienced reporters. Or, "small-time" bloggers, citizens, etc. with the time and talent will need to step up into the void. (E.g., Lots of people are angry with the 'dude' who asked UCONN coach Jim Calhoun about his massive salary at a press conference, during such tough economic times. But he brought the issue into public light, and has definitely started a discussion. I thought the individual (free-lance writer Ken Krayeske) was also correct when he asked the other 'reporters' at the time why they didn't cover 'stuff' like that. Going to need more of this, I guess.)

So, from this particular "small-timer": See you at Calhoun's next media conference. And at Mayor Eddie ('Who? Me? What's the Problem?') Perez's....for sure. Maybe.

(Note: Let's hope that my "'disaster theory of progress" (see previous February post) somehow operates in a positive way in this situation.)

Most Americans are softies. Everywhere.

clipped from www.nytimes.com By LESLIE KAUFMAN Published: February 25, 2009 Americans like their toilet tissue soft: exotic confections that are silken, thick and hot-air-fluffed. The national obsession with soft paper has driven the growth of brands like Cottonelle Ultra, Quilted Northern Ultra and Charmin Ultra — which in 2008 alone increased its sales by 40 percent in some markets, according to Information Resources, Inc., a marketing research firm. But fluffiness comes at a price: millions of trees harvested in North America and in Latin American countries, including some percentage of trees from rare old-growth forests in Canada. Although toilet tissue can be made at similar cost from recycled material, it is the fiber taken from standing trees that help give it that plush feel, and most large manufacturers rely on them. Customers “demand soft and comfortable,” said James Malone, a spokesman for Georgia Pacific, the maker of Quilted Northern. “Recycled fiber cannot do it.”

What a bunch of 'babies'...
Please stop helping to destroy millions of trees, including old-growth and boreal forests! Here's a link to a new guide which rates tissue and toilet paper products for their environmental soundness: http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/forests/tissueguide


More information from the NYT article (emphasis added):

"In the United States, which is the largest market worldwide for toilet paper, tissue from 100 percent recycled fibers makes up less than 2 percent of sales for at-home use among conventional and premium brands. Most manufacturers use a combination of trees to make their products. According to RISI, an independent market analysis firm in Bedford, Mass., the pulp from one eucalyptus tree, a commonly used tree, produces as many as 1,000 rolls of toilet tissue. Americans use an average of 23.6 rolls per capita a year.

Other countries are far less picky about toilet tissue. In many European nations, a rough sheet of paper is deemed sufficient. Other countries are also more willing to use toilet tissue made in part or exclusively from recycled paper.

In Europe and Latin America, products with recycled content make up about on average 20 percent of the at-home market, according to experts at the Kimberly Clark Corporation.

Environmental groups say that the percentage is even higher and that they want to nurture similar acceptance here. Through public events and guides to the recycled content of tissue brands, they are hoping that Americans will become as conscious of the environmental effects of their toilet tissue use as they are about light bulbs or other products. "

(Link to full article here)

Too many Americans are spoiled and soft, and (also) don't really care about the planet that their kids will inherit. Just another example.

Exec "kings and queens": Two views

Columnist Maureen Dowd's column in today's New York Times pillories Northern Trust of Chicago, as the latest big bank to have taken TARP money -- only to be subsequently found "partying like it's 1999". (Link to her article is below.)

There is a LOT of anger about out-of-touch actions such as this apparent one. At the end of the article, New York's attorney general Andrew Cuomo describes insensitive ex-"masters of the universe": "They think of themselves as kings and queens."

Likely so, in some cases. No doubt.

Link to 2/24/09 NYT article: "I Ponied Up For Sheryl Crow?" , by Op-Ed Columnist Maureen Dowd

However, I also found a few of the article's readers' comments to be enlightening. The one clipped below reminded me that (as always) there are at least two sides to every story. The comment was signed: "Dan, Los Gatos, CA"

(Note: A few additional words (apparently for Ms. Dowd) from the end of the comment are omitted. (Not enough space to copy them.)) Here's a link to the full comment.

clipped from community.nytimes.com people don't seem to understand is that the Fed DEMANDED that all major banks, Northern Trust included, accept TARP funds. It wasn't really optional. The rationale was that if only the weak banks took the TARP money, it would be a signal to the markets of who the failing banks were, decimating their stock value and potentially causing a run on deposits. Northern Trust hasn't posted a quarterly loss yet, and has one of the lowest levels of non-performing assets in the industry. This event wasn't a party for executives, but rather as a marketing event for customers (yes, it is a perk for employees who attend). Northern Trust customers aren't like most of us, but rather like our Senators and Congressmen; multi-millionaires. Their avg. customer has over $2m (excluding their home). To those people, they do expect fancy parties and concerts. Offering them is just good business. So, if banks like Northern must cease these events, then where is the outcry at other banks taking out TV ads?

And: Link follows to another good reader comment from the story, describing "stealth layoffs", which have been touched upon here in an earlier post. Comment link

The Disaster Theory of Progress: Yet another example

(Per the story clip, below.) A former college instructor believed in what he termed the "disaster theory of progress". This basically holds that progressive (usually necessary) changes in present human society (community) often seem to really occur only after some kind of (related) disaster has happened.

Prevention? Planning? Common sense? Too many times not on the radar screen, it seems.

(So, of course: Having a chimp for a "house pet" is ridiculous. But some obviously didn't or cannot understand that. And a 200-pound primate in a domestic environment? Beyond ridiculous.

Oh, and those who continue to ghoulishly "play up" or joke about the attack and human maiming which followed? (Please go ahead and choose your own descriptions for them.....))

BTW: The whole current mess with the U.S. economy and its various causes? Trying to "fix the mess" (and "make sure it doesn't happen again") at this point (i.e., the aftermath), is the disaster theory exemplified (again)....

clipped from www.wfsb.com House Passes Bill Regarding Pet Primate Trade Bill Comes After Stamford Chimp Attack UPDATED: 3:02 pm EST February 24, 2009 HARTFORD, Conn. -- The U.S. House Of Representatives has approved legislation to ban the transport of monkeys and apes, including chimpanzees, across state lines for the purpose of selling them as pets. The vote came eight days after an attack by a 14-year-old chimp left 55-year-old Charla Nash in critical condition. Nash was attacked at the Stamford home of her friend, Sandra Herold. Police said the attack lasted for 12 minutes and left Nash with "life-threatening and life-changing injuries." Currently, 20 states and the District of Columbia prohibit owning primates as pets. The legislation voted on Tuesday is similar to the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, which Congress unanimously passed in 2003 to prhoibit interstate commerce in lions, tigers and other big cats as pets.

Amy Amy Amy

Nice but rough YouTube clip of Amy Winehouse performing live from the better days. (All the way back in 2007. Link below.) I really like her live (un-blown away), though she was great in any form. The dress here is perfect for her trademark awkward shimmy - done well in this performance.

A superstar-level talent, especially with that soulful contralto. Highly watchable too. No one else seems as good right now so let's hope she can pull it together and write and perform again someday.

Link to this video

(For anyone who's been away to Venus (sampling what our planet will resemble after we pump our underground carbon stores into the atmosphere)): MANY other Amy music videos are available online, including this popular one. Also at her site, here (opens a player).)

So.... how'd we get from Amy the 5-Grammy winner to Amy-out-of-control? (Recent news clip form 'The Bild' below, as one example.) A few reasons for sure, but you can begin with the major one: drugs --- most definitely including alcohol.
Damn, Amy: Don't toss it all away. At least don't mess up that great voice while you're f-in' around. (If only she would read...anything..)

clipped from www.bild.de Amy Winehouse behaving badly in the Caribbean It seems Amy Winehouse is starting to get bored of her peaceful Caribbean holiday - the troubled star is getting up to her old tricks of drinking heavily and behaving badly. The 25-year-old singer was having dinner in the restaurant of her hotel on the island of St. Lucia when she chucked a glass of water in the face of a fellow female diner for no apparent reason. 'The Sun' reported that she then tried to start a fight with her! A source told the newspaper: "Everyone wants Amy to disappear. Her attack on this guest was the last straw. "She walks around in the same grimy bikini bottoms each day with her boobs on show, gets drunk, gropes waiters and is rude to male staff. She’s hardly the most popular guest." Oh Amy, when will you learn...

Now Gov. Palin can gun down more wolves risk-free... from above

"Death from above" Palin gets off another shot:

(Photo credit: Pfc. Christopher Grammer, 50th Public Affairs Detachment."This image is a work of a U.S. Army soldier or employee, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain.")

Yet another one from the 'keep a certain Alaska governor as far away from national office as humanly possible' dept. (Since wolves have no chance to keep her at bay.... ) Please refer to the news clip below from CNN:

To many, slaughter from the comparative safety of an aircraft clearly represents an unfair and unethical hunting 'practice' (even if termed as 'culling'). But let's also take the opportunity to "hit Sarah with some knowledge" about national parks safety. (Pre: Loaded-weapons-in-parks-are-now-OK-per-your-voted-out-leadership safety, that is.)

From a 2/17/09 Washington Post article (emphasis is added): "The national park system has a relatively low rate for crimes or for attacks by wild animals . In a July 31 letter that (National Park Service Director Mary A.) Bomar wrote to a Reno resident inquiring about the new rule -- which was unearthed during the proceedings -- she stated that in 2006 there were more than 270 million visits to the national park system and 384 violent crimes. In the course of more than 1.3 billion visits to the system since 2002, she added, there have been two reported fatalities and 16 serious injuries caused by "encounters with non-domestic animals." "

clipped from politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com Palin defends rule allowing loaded weapons in national parks From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby (CNN) – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin wrote the Interior Department on Wednesday to express her support for a last-minute Bush administration regulation that allows the carrying of concealed weapons in national parks. Palin said the new measure provides Alaskans with a means of self-defense in a state with vast swaths of federally-protected wilderness. "As you know, my state contains vast, pristine areas where the ability to carry firearms can address a potentially life-threatening situation, enabling citizens to respond to bear and other wildlife conflicts," Palin wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. She added that "many urban and rural hunters utilize firearms in the pursuit of wildlife to satisfy their nutritional and cultural needs."

Bush Administration Ignored Warnings "Guns In Parks Rule" Violated Law

Per the clip below, more from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence news release: “These documents show that the Bush Administration ignored the procedural concerns and safety warnings of two federal agencies in pushing for a last-minute rule to allow concealed weapons in national parks. The Bush Administration apparently cared more about pleasing the gun lobby than following the law in making this post-election rule change,” said Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke."

clipped from www.bradycampaign.org For Immediate Release: 02-12-2009 Contact Communications: (202) 898-0792 Washington, DC - The Bush Administration ignored warnings from senior career Interior Department officials that its last-minute rule change allowing the carrying of loaded, concealed firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges was being hurried through in violation of Federal law, government documents obtained by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence show. The rule, which took effect on January 9, 2009, overturned Reagan-era restrictions on the carrying of loaded, concealed weapons in national parks. The documents were released late last week by the government in response to a lawsuit filed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The suit charges the new rule is unlawful because it was issued without any analysis of the rule’s impacts on the environment and park visitors’ safe use of the parks, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal laws.

Miami University Charter Day: Congratulations, 1809-2009

The tenth oldest public university in the nation.
Learning never ends. Along with many others, I remain your student.

"To accomplish rather than to be conspicuous"


"....the most beautiful college there ever was." - poet Robert Frost

"At one point in the 19th century, Miami University was the fourth largest university in the United States after Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth."

"Honor the past by building the future." - John D. Millett, 16th President, Miami University"


http://www.miami.muohio.edu/

clipped from www.usps.com Miami University Stamped Card In 2009, the U.S. Postal Service will commemorate Miami University’s bicentennial by issuing a stamped card in the Historic Preservation series. The stamped image on the card depicts MacCracken Hall, a residence hall located on the South Quad of Miami University’s main campus in Oxford, OH. The stamped image on the card is a computer-generated illustration of MacCracken Hall created by artist Tom Engeman of Bethany Beach, Delaware. The Miami University stamped card is scheduled to be issued Feb. 21 in Oxford, OH.