"One of the things I like about the growth of blogging is that some of those independent bloggers do their own part to point the finger when they think good government is taking a beating. I don't always agree with their conclusions, but it's a plus to have more people paying attention."Still, they don't have the readership, journalistic training or resources that we do at the Valley's largest newspaper. Our responsibility as a watchdog is indispensable to our mission, which is one reason you should hope we don't disappear, even if you're mad at me or the paper in general."
In a column explaining why he sometimes writes about local politics instead of Mark Trail, The Morning Call's Bill White takes a back-handed swipe at local poliblogs. I'd love to jump all over him, but he's right, at least as far as I'm concerned. I do lack the readership, journalistic training or resources available to the MSM. I've seen reporters from both papers discover in minutes what takes me days.
If there's one group that wants newspapers to survive, it's bloggers. I must also say I'm excited by the rise of MSM blogs Queen City Daily and Two Rivers Daily, which are catching up to Joe Owens' "in your face" style of blogging and Jim Deegan's humor.
Reporters like Jarrett Renshaw and Michael Duck are using an online resource for detailed political stories you simply would never find in hard copy. Because they are trained journalists, they have more credibility than anything you'll find here. In an election cycle, that kind of information is priceless.
I recently complained to Duck, "You're putting me out of business." That would be fine with me. I could return to my Chippendale training.
Here's the best blog journalism and analyses I've ever seen locally.
ReplyDeletei agree
ReplyDeleteHere's the next best ...
ReplyDeletewhere's the morning call on these 2stories. where's blogistan?
ReplyDelete"excellent questions that deserve to be answered." -tim darragh, the morning call
ReplyDeleteIt's a conspiracy Bill. The Morning Call and Martin have wild parties on Fridays in the newsroom. Reporters buy the booze and MArtin brings the babes. Get on the story Bill. It's there and the scoop can be yours!!
ReplyDeleteTake note, I did not use the w/ sign or any smiley faces, emoticons or even an explanation point. That means, I am neither Bernie O'Hare, Jim Martin OR BILL VILLA.
Thanks GOD for Dottie!!!
Boonie doesnt mention that the real reason journalists have more respect than him is because they arent dry drunk disbarred former lawyers w/ a proclivity for forgery and toadyism.
ReplyDeleteDoes Bill White live in a hovel?
Is Jarrett Renshaw only allowed to see his family at weddings and funerals?
Did Michael Duck insert himself into the life of some random hitchhiker's son because his only other companions are Ron Angle's sheep?
Inquiring minds want to know, Blogfather.
Political blogs wouldn't be so ubiquitous if journalists and their publications weren't so biased and lazy.
ReplyDeleteBernie -
ReplyDeleteI would love nothing more than to consistently receive some relevant news in the Morning Call. I'd even subscribe again.
However, when the paper is only convering one side of national issues and ignoring many local issues, I have no choice but to seek out other sources of information.
I'm grateful for many of Jarrett Renshaw's recent articles concerning Allentown, but those are issues that you (and others) have been writing about for quite some time.
If it's true that "reporters from both papers discover in minutes what takes me days", then why don't I find out more from the newspaper? Again, that's not a swipe at any reporter, but an honest question.
I know reporters have a higher standard that they must meet regarding verification (no swipe at you), but the Call could fill two papers with what's not covered in Allentown.
Whether if it's the ongoing financial troubles of the city (finally written about), gang activity in our schools (never written about) or even the Central rape case (now barely an update on the case and certainly no pressure for accountability) there's plenty here.
I like Bill White, but I wouldn't mind reading a little less about Mark Trail, Bill's eating habits at MusicFest, or typos. Many of those articles seem similar from year-to-year and strike me more as filler.
I'd much prefer a few more articles on things that actually matter.
Whew for a minute I thought I hit the wrong website. After the 1st 6 posts I looked up to take a look again at the title of this blog site again just to make sure!
ReplyDeletei AGREE, IF IT WEREN'T FOR LOCAL BLOGS LIKE YOURS AND OTHERS, i DON'T BELIEVE WE WOULD EVER GET CERTAIN INSIGHTS THAT ONLY AN OUTSIDER CAN OBTAIN.
ReplyDeleteaLFONSO tODD
North side, east side
ReplyDeleteLittle Willy, Willy wears the crown, he's the king around town
Dancing, glancing
Willy drives them silly with his star shoe shimmy shuffle down
Way past one, and feeling alright
'Cause with little Willy round they can last all night
Hey down, stay down, stay down down
'Cause little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
Up town, down town
Little Willy, Willy drives them wild with his run-around style
Inside, outside
Willy sends them silly with his star-shine shimmy shuffle smile
Mama done chase Willy down through the hall
But laugh, Willy laugh, he don't care at all
Hey down, stay down, stay down, down
'Cause little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't
Willy won't, Willy won't
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
But you can't push Willy round
Willy won't go, try tellin' everybody but, oh no
Little Willy, Willy won't go home
"Here's the best blog journalism" and analyses I've ever seen locally."
ReplyDeleteI second that.
The Banker
LVR Readers, thank you for linking to our two recent (and excellent) blog exposé posts on corrupt fraud DA Jim Martin at "Lehigh Valley Somebody," the #1 Most Influential Political Blog in Pennsylvania.
ReplyDeleteBlogs suck?
ReplyDeleteDamn.
Why didn't anybody tell me?
Where is that brother of mine? I need to kick his butt for talking me into this baseball blog of ours...
Needless to say gang, that wasn't me. Thanks Sweet, you continue to have it nailed!
ReplyDeleteThe Banker (for real)
(almost forgot)
ReplyDeleteBernie, #19 at BNN (!) tsk tsk.
The Banker (for real)
Sorry folks, but I was unable to get on the net until now. Too late! Villa has managed to hijack this blog thread.
ReplyDeleteVilla's Martin "story" is not journalism at all, no matter how much he pats himself on the back about it. He reports nothing that did not already appear in a Morning Call account. Basically, his posts are an assortment of rabid accusations entirely dependent on the facts revealed by the news source he claims to despise. Ironically, if it were not for the MC accounts, he'd have nothing to write about.
Frankly, I don't understand the accusations about where I live or my family. I have limited resources and do live modestly, but I fail to see what that has to do with this story. I also fail to see the relevance of my family relationships, and am surprised to learn that I am only allowed to see them at weddings and funerals.
I completely miss the hitchhiker's son bit. I suppose the purpose is to demean me, but it only demeans Villa.
After anonymously praising himself, Villa impersonates the Banker, another one of his little tricks.
He then comes on as himself to thank himself and pat himself on the back even more. Ironically, he is doing this on a blog he claims to boycott.
Basically, Villa has established beyond any doubt that he is completely untrustworthy. If he wonders why people refuse to take him seriously, he should look in a mirror.
B.O., don't forget, we have a court date next week.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I can't wait.
Bring Molovinsky.
You know, "2 birds w/ one stone" (not a threat :)
And those would be cuckoo birds.
ReplyDeleteBernnie I think the troll was refering to your grandson not being related to you.
ReplyDelete"Still, they don't have the readership, journalistic training or resources that we do at the Valley's largest newspaper."
ReplyDeleteI think that Bill White should re-examine the blogosphere and perhaps even re-visit his own journalistic training.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteFor the last few years, Bill White was kept in the loop by citizen watchdogs in Allentown who continually pointed out all the fiscal problems in Allentown and predicted the problems recently revealed by the Morning Call.
ReplyDeleteHe and the editorial board ignored them (or worse, protected the administration).