Bill White's Tuesday's column focuses on a few of my minor criticisms about Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and his bizarre leadership. But some of you may be unaware that Bill also published a blog that day about ... bloggers. A "liberal activist" was thoroughly disgusted that this media maven would sully the Morning Call with the mere mention of someone as reprehensible as me.Bill quotes a few memorable lines complaining about me.
“He is a demagogue who uses his blog to shove politicians and the public alike to the right in the Lehigh Valley,” the reader wrote, repeatedly equating O’Hare with a Klansman. “Enjoying Bernie O'Hare's writing is enjoying smear and hate mongering. Demagoguery. Lying baseless demagoguery.”
As Bill patiently explained, my Klan membership expired two years ago. And I'm no demagogue. Lying? Yes. Baseless? Yes. Body odor? Occasionally. I should give that guy a few of my valium pills.
Actually, Bill was quite complimentary. I didn't even have to treat him at Johnny Mañana's (that's with a ñ, damn it!).
He later confessed he had me mixed up with Pam Varkony's Perspectives. Still, I'd be remiss if I failed to thank him for acknowledging my white supremacy.
Actually, the LV is home to some of the state's most influential political blogs, at least if Blognetnews is any indication. According to that supposedly neutral source - which is now shilling "conservative" books - four local blogs are considered among the state's most influential poliblogs, at least this week. These include Pennsylania Ave., Capitol Ideas, LV Poliblog and a strange dude who's moving from Nazareth to Allentown.
Sadly, the nonpolitical blogs are unrated. But I love The Junk Drawer (Kathy is hilarious), My Right Brain (Susan is giving us grammar lessons) and cutting edge Dragons of the Valley (she reads palms and is an encylopedioa of the local band scene).
White asks an interesting question - what the hell should pols and MSM do about us? Shoot us? Ignore us? Invite us to lunch?
Actually, Bill was quite complimentary. I didn't even have to treat him at Johnny Mañana's (that's with a ñ, damn it!).
He later confessed he had me mixed up with Pam Varkony's Perspectives. Still, I'd be remiss if I failed to thank him for acknowledging my white supremacy.
Actually, the LV is home to some of the state's most influential political blogs, at least if Blognetnews is any indication. According to that supposedly neutral source - which is now shilling "conservative" books - four local blogs are considered among the state's most influential poliblogs, at least this week. These include Pennsylania Ave., Capitol Ideas, LV Poliblog and a strange dude who's moving from Nazareth to Allentown.
Sadly, the nonpolitical blogs are unrated. But I love The Junk Drawer (Kathy is hilarious), My Right Brain (Susan is giving us grammar lessons) and cutting edge Dragons of the Valley (she reads palms and is an encylopedioa of the local band scene).
White asks an interesting question - what the hell should pols and MSM do about us? Shoot us? Ignore us? Invite us to lunch?
These things present problems for politicians. Most of the politicos ordinarily will return calls from newspaper reporters — except me, in some cases — but should they also return calls from independent bloggers? Do they need to treat them like “real” reporters? Pawlowski chose not to call O’Hare back when he tried to ask him about non-tipping, and I thought it worked to the mayor’s disadvantage.I do know this. We grow like dandelions and are just as hard to kill. And it's next to impossible to kill an Armagh O'Hare.
Bloggers present challenges for the mainstream press, too. Should reporters and columnists be mining them for story ideas? Does an allegation’s appearance in a blog — where, traditionally, daily readership probably is measured in the hundreds, even for the popular ones — make it news?
38 comments:
Go Bernie!
I wish I had your stones;
I understand Anonymous
Drake Minder has some too!
WeAreChange interviews Jim LaPenna, 9/11 First Responder
BLOCKED AT BILL WHITE'S BLOG
I tried commenting at Bill White's blog yesterday, and again this morning, but I'm being blocked.
This makes me 2 for 2 at TMC blogs; web producer Ted Williams just got me un-blocked at John Micek's blog.
Anyways, here's my comment that Bill White finds so offensive:
Re: "as more and more consumers turn to nontraditional sources to get their news and information, we (mainstream media) risk becoming irrelevant."
I don't have a comment. I just wanted to enjoy reading these words again ...
bloggers are media, and should be considered as such by pols. the consolidation of the msm into a handful of corporate outlets is a relatively recent event in our nation's history. we are merely returning ot our roots.
Regarding Bill Villa's comment, if he was blocked, I had nothing to do with it. I can only remove stuff after the fact, which I do with a lot of spam I receive as comments and have done a couple of times with profanity.
"bloggers are media, and should be considered as such by pols." -anon 7:13 am
I agree. And apparently some enlightened local pols do too.
Recently, a local judge took a local blogger's phone call and gave him an exclusive (see my "Mr. Erdman" comment on Bernie's "Boonies" post from yesterday).
And this exclusive was explosive-- because it provided compelling evidence that DA Jim Martin's office had lied to this judge, lied to the victim's family, and lied about LV Hospital's blood evidence, the night before a scheduled trial, and resulting in one heck of a sweetheart deal for a DUI homicide defendant.
Curiously, our local mainstream media has yet to contact this local blogger to hear about his explosive exclusive, even though I've given all of them his phone number.
I know about his explosive exclusive. And (so far) this knowledge has gotten me banned from entering The Morning Call's building and blocked on TMC blogs.
Okay now, let's see, who will be the first anonymous local yahoo to make a Lamont McClure joke in an effort to divert everyone's attention?
"Regarding Bill Villa's comment, if he was blocked, I had nothing to do with it. I can only remove stuff after the fact, which I do with a lot of spam I receive as comments and have done a couple of times with profanity." -Bill White
Well, Bill, as you (and everyone else) can see, my comment was neither spam nor did it contain any profanity.
Your move ...
Hey Villa...If you hate The Morning Call so much why does it preoccupy your life so much? On your queer website you have some guy from TMC along with his picture who reviewed some gay album of yours? You also take time to write letters to the editor along with visiting their website and commenting on blogs.
If you hate it so much, why all the attention?
Yopu are nothing but an idiot and phony as a $3 bill.
"Yopu are nothing but an idiot and phony as a $3 bill."
We have a winner. And this is way more creative than a Lamont McClure joke. Well done, anonymous local yahoo.
Bill ... Bill White ... it was your turn ... okay, I'll go again ...
"Regarding Bill Villa's comment, if he was blocked, I had nothing to do with it. I can only remove stuff after the fact ..." -Bill White
Bill, you may wanna re-think this answer. As I was being blocked from commenting at your blog this morning, I got this error message which clearly indicates the ability to block before the fact, a.k.a. preemptively:
"We're sorry, your comment has not been published because TypePad's antispam filter has flagged it as potential comment spam. It has been held for review by the blog's author."
Nice product placement with the Chippendale Thong. Precious few folks have learned how to make money on the worldwide interweb, least of all bloggers. I'm not surprised you're one who has, Bernie. BTW, your head shot makes you look much thinner than you look in today's body shot photo. Might I suggest vertical stripes?
Bernie -
I didn't know your membership expired. You can't come to anymore meetings. Sorry.
Retired ASD teacher here.
Bill White . . .
I appreciate your work and admire your many years of service. I also understand why you need to be 'cautious' in how far you travel, it's your livelihood at stake.
You really should hear what Bill Villa has to say, if not to respond, but to further understand your employer.
Part of the reason the Morning Call is losing local popularity is because its hidden agenda is not so hidden anymore.I believe most readers resent that, except those who go to the Call for Brittney Spears news.
Recently, I posted several responses to the Morning Call Forum to keep open what I believed to be important dialogue about school taxation.
Those posts were removed within a few hours. I can assure you they contained no personal attacks, vulgarity, or racial bias.
I was pleased the Call was providing me an opportunity to contribute. Evidently, my contributions were not in line with your employer's mission.
I'll no longer waste my time responding there.
Legitimate blogs like this one, are becoming a better place for folks to express themselves. I don't always understand Bernie's
emphasis on certain things, but do believe Bernie respects whatever slant and suggestions I offer.
Here, I have no fear of being politically incorrect. If ever Bernie thinks I am, he will try to explain why he believes I am wrong. We will both go on our way believing our message is at least out there for others to judge.
Others have complained about the Call's Forum being 'engineered' behind the scenes.Responsible contributors won't tolerate that very long, nor praise your employer as a company that needs to be supported through subscription.
"Bill White . . .You really should hear what Bill Villa has to say, if not to respond, but to further understand your employer." -Retired ASD Teacher
Thanks, teach. I hope your comment hits home with Bill White and also lures Paul Carpenter out from under his desk. As you know, Paul loves teachers (we'll get him in a cross-fire, whad'ya say ;)
Precious few folks have learned how to make money on the worldwide interweb, least of all bloggers.
I am not one of the bloggers who've learned how to make money at this. I would like to do it full time, but I won't sell ads to local businesses. I did use google ad sense for a little while, but the bastards fired me. Since that time, I've tried a few things, but have not made for than a few bucks.
Really, it's more of a passion.
Bernie,
If MCall offered you a job as a columnist (perhaps to fill Maggie's old spot) would you take it? Hypothetically, you have to write two columns a week for publication plus a minimum of daily blogs on the MCall Web site.
Just curious.
Retired ASD teacher,
Your comments were blocked??? In all your comments here, you've been a welcome voice of moderation. I see comments at the Reader Forum signed "Pork Chop" and others making obvious racial references. I saw remarks disparaging the gay community that remained for weeks after I flagged them as such. I've mentioned that here now, and won't bore you with the details.
Having said that, I really respect Bill White and many other of the folks who work at both papers. If he said he did not intentionally block Bill Villa's post, then he did not. I can understand how Bill Villa feels, too, especially since he was escorted off the premises. But I think Bill White has been escorted out of there a few times, too.
Even here, people will sometimes accuse me of deleting posts when I have not. I have deleted personal attacks, especially at election time, spam and comments that sound like they're coming from Neptune.
Since Drake Minder is now officially running, we are going to see a few of his goofy remarks. Unless he starts signing his name, they will be deleted.
"We're sorry, your comment has not been published because TypePad's antispam filter has flagged it as potential comment spam. It has been held for review by the blog's author."
I didn't know that was what Bill Villa was talking about when he said he was being blocked. I actually get that same message myself some nights when I try to post a comment from home. I blogged about this one time, because it struck me as ironic. I never got to review my own comments; just tried again the next day, and it usually went through. I still don't understand what the problem is.
If MCall offered you a job as a columnist (perhaps to fill Maggie's old spot) would you take it? Hypothetically, you have to write two columns a week for publication plus a minimum of daily blogs on the MCall Web site.
No big corporate paper would take that risk, and I guaranteee you it would be a risk. It would be very flattering, but I'd decline.
The MC first dropped Pam Varkony, then Marge and now their only female opinion writer is gone (someone correct me if my last comment is wrong).
Over the years, I've seen what reporters do up close and personal. These guys are really good and very professional. And they can learn in days what would take me weeks to discover. Ideally, a new columnist should be a former reporter.
That's Bill or Carpenter or Owens or Deegan.
I'm broke. I like to write. Writing is no problem. I'm in the midst of back spasms right now, and can still peck away.
But I think it would be the worst possible move I could make. After criticizing the MC for their lack of diversity, another middle-aged white guy joins the ranks?? I'd be the biggest phony in the world to do something like that.
I start next week.
I grew very fond of Pam. I really like her, consider her an excellent writer and am loyal to my friends. I personally believe the decision to let her go was a big mistake, and her blog proves that.
There are many very intelligent and humorous reporters on the MC staff who happen to be female. Tracy Jordan comes to mind immediately. I call her Gonzo. You'd love to hear her stories.
If you want to leave the ranks of properly trained reporters, we have diversity in the LV blogosphere. LOLV drives me crazy. She's young, female and perhaps I don't understand her. She and I rip into each other from time to time. But that's precisely why people like her are needed. She's a good writer adds diversity. So could a few others I know.
LVHW won't start a blog, but she writes so well. And wow! Have you ever looked at The Junk Drawer. The link is on my left side bar. Kathy Frederick is the funniest writer in the LV, bar none. Deegan and Bill are funny, too, but they're more into politics. Kathy is more ... well ... diverse.
"Bill White ... if he said he did not intentionally block Bill Villa's post, then he did not."
With all due respect Bernie, let's see what Morning Call Web Producer Ted Williams has to say about it.
It was Ted who got me unblocked at John Micek's blog, after Micek intentionally blocked me, and Ted was gracious enough to e-mail me several times during his process of getting me unblocked.
Ted Williams seems to be one of those "good honorable people with ethics" that you speak of at the "newspaper."
I just e-mailed Ted asking him how he's making out, re: getting me unblocked at Bill White's blog.
I'll believe what Ted says ...
Retired ASD teacher here.
Thanks, Bill White!
If nothing else, we can all agree the technology that makes internet posting possible is not perfect. There will be some 'flags' raised that are not justified.
Actually, I had face to face dealings with you several years ago
in effort to get coverage in your newspaper (rag?).
There is NO doubt in my mind, you were a sincere, caring, and responsible person. You were someone at 6th & Linden I thought I could trust.
Besides, you like the Christmas light displays on my block!
I wonder if tech whiz Ted Williams could get Dave Erdman unblocked and willing to meet with me in person ... hmm, I'll ask ...
Retired ASD teacher here.
Bernie,
My comments were not blocked (per se). They were in view for about 3 hours. Evidently, someone at the Call later decided "we can't have THIS viewpoint out there."
OK, so it won't be. Now, nor in the future.
That action de-valued the Morning Call Forum for me, yet I do recognize it really is their playground.
To The Readers of Lehigh Valley Ramblings:
To clear the record, neither Bill White nor myself have the ability or authority to block someone from commenting on the Morning Call's 'blogs.
To insinuate that I intentionally "blocked" Mr. Villa is incorrect. I wouldn't know how to do it even if I was inclined to do so.
Regards,
John Micek
The Morning Call
"To clear the record, neither Bill White nor myself have the ability or authority to block someone from commenting on the Morning Call's 'blogs." -John Micek
Well, somebody does John, and they blocked me at your blog and at Bill White's blog. MC web producer Ted Williams e-mailed me informing me of my "now unblocked" status at your blog and I'm waiting on Ted's solution at Bill White's blog.
FYI, at your blog, I posted a comment that made it up there ... but was then deleted, on your end, 5 minutes later. When I tried to re-post it, I got a message saying I was not allowed to comment at your blog.
Somebody's blocking me.
And banning me.
And muzzling me.
Bill Villa,
I've known Bill White since '99, long before I started blogging. I used to send editors, reporters and pols hundreds of emails every day, blessing them with some of my golden thoughts. That's when I learned that those nuns we had were right - the devil really does exist. You'd be amazed at how many messages I got from The Evil One. On the Internet, he is called The Mailer Daemon. In the real world, he is called Ron Angle.
You're not going to believe this, but most people thought I was some kind of nut back then. I have no idea why they felt that way, probably jealousy bc I am very handsome.
But there were a few people who actually would write back to me, like Bill White or Scott Krauss or Joe Owens. They gave me the respect to which all of us are entitled.
Or was it pity?
As far as Micek is concerned, I don't know him as long or as well. But just like Bill, he answers every email and has once or twice asked me to call him. Personally, I think he wants me, but my back is already sore and I don't feel like driving all the way to Harrisburg.
If Micek and White tell you they have nothing to do with you being blocked, then believe it.
These are two of the guys who actually get it. They understand that the MSM must be more interactive, and interactivity does not happen in a reader forum in which the lowest common denominator becomes the norm. The very fact that they both came her and commented themselves is a demonstration of that point.
While I'm at it, Micek and Pennsyltucky Politics are the two best poliblogs in the state. That's very evident to those of us who read. I have no idea what system Blognet uses, but most of us will readily agree that Micek's blog really does make you feel like you have that backstage pass.
Bill is willing to stray from politics, just like Dottie does at times.
If someone higher up in the chain of command is ordering a block, you have every right to be pissed. All the more reason why Erdman should relent and meet with you. If you have been blocked, the question is why. Is it because you say things they don't want to hear? Is it bc they are afraid of your understandable anger?
One thing you don't know about yourself is that you have a way with words. You can slash someone to pieces pretty quickly.
But don't alienate the MSM guys who are willing to listen to you, even if they end up not seeing things your way.
As you have asked Erdman to hear you out, please listen to these guys. They represent what is best in the MSM.
Much of the reason the LV blogoshere has been so successful is bc they have both drawn attention to it. We would have succeeded anyway, but not so quickly.
Well, first off Bernie, I wanna thank you for giving my situation with The Morning Call this much thought and this much ink and this much forum.
We've come a long way together in a short time and I'm really enjoying our association. I imagine certain higher-ups at The Morning Call maybe aren't enjoying it as much.
I know there's no "if" regarding whether or not I'm being blocked at Morning Call blogs. I've been deleted and then blocked at John Micek's blog ("now unblocked" there, thanks to Ted Williams), blocked twice at Bill White's blog, and like Retired ASD Teacher, I have seen posts of mine appear and then magically disappear at TMC Forum.
If you're convinced that John Micek and Bill White aren't personally involved with The Morning Call's obvious censuring of me, that's good enough for me-- and I apologize to John, and to Bill, for having accused them of personal involvement.
As you know, this blocking thing is a sideline issue.
The Main Issues are:
Why won't Morning Call Managing Editor Dave Erdman meet with me in person?
and ...
Why am I banned from entering The Morning Call's building without an appointment-- i.e., the appointment Dave Erdman won't give me?
All I've done is raise "excellent questions that deserve to be answered" (MC investigations editor Tim Darragh's words) regarding DA Jim Martin's suspicious handling of a recent DUI homicide case.
["Is it because you say things they don't want to hear? Is it bc they are afraid of your understandable anger?" -Bernie]
Well, on this 2nd point, understandable anger, let me say that in nearly 2 years of back & forth with The Morning Call, I have never done, said, written, or implied anything that has given TMC any reason or legal justification to hit me with any sort of enforceable cease & desist order. So yeah, while I have been extremely pissed off at them, I've maintained my composure for the most part and have been civil and polite in my persistence with them.
I think The Morning Call's blocking and muzzling and banning of me has everything to do with content.
For some reason, they just don't want to hear what I have to say. Or ask.
And I think this is wrong and unfair of them.
Mr. Erdman.
So ... I'll keep trying to book that meeting ...
Hey Villa....is your life that EMPTY that you must obsess over The Morning Call so much? GROW UP. Get a life and get over it pal.
"Hey Villa....is your life that EMPTY that you must obsess over The Morning Call so much? GROW UP. Get a life and get over it pal."
DA Martin, if you'd like to discuss this further, you have my cell phone number, have a nice weekend.
Hey Bababooey,
Get lost. Only an ignorant, mean sprited creep would personally attack a grieving father who has legitimate questions about justice and fair reporting in regards to how DUI homicides are handled in Lehigh County. Mr. Villa is courageous enough to fight for justice, expose possible cronyism and corruption, and stand up for grieving families while you cowardly post anonymous attacks about him and his nationally acclaimed music.
Is your life that empty? Perhaps you are jealous of an articulate, intelligent, and talented man?
"Mr. Villa is a courageous, articulate, intelligent, and talented man ..."
Mrs. Dottie! I'm blushing, thank you (may I have your phone number?) Hey baba-ka-blooey, like Bernie, I'm also very handsome. Queer? You wish ...
mrs dottie villa....everyone is entitled to their opinions even if they dont jive with yours and your loverboy angry loser villa
Baba-Ka-Blooey/HoofHearted, you're confusing personal opinions with personal attacks. Be a man. Like me. Use your real name.
How do I know that Baba Ka-Blooey and HoofHearted are the same (really dumb) person?
Simple, they "both" use a grammatically way incorrect "4-dot spacer," have a look:
"Hey Villa....is your life that EMPTY"
-BabaKaBlooey
"mrs dottie villa....everyone is entitled to their opinions" -HoofHearted
What are the odds that TWO illiterate idiots would punctuate this same way?
Next I'll figure out his house address.
Thanks for answering my question, Bernie. I asked if you'd take a job as an MCall columnist.
And I ment Marge not Maggie, but you seemed to understand me.
I've started reading The Junk Drawer, too.
Kathy and Pam are both simply outstanding. Different styles, but both are great writers.
I totally missed the kind words upon first reading. I need to pay attention better :) Thanks!
AND you have the guy from The Villas commenting on your blog. How did I miss that??
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