You gotta' feel sorry for Tony Iannelli. After being nice enough to invite me to appear on his television show, Business Matters, I thanked him by grilling him on his campaign contributions to Allentown Mayor Ed "Pay to Play" Pawlowski.I don't even think it was that much money. What's more, I actually like Tony and have been a fan of his show for several years. But I am a miserable bastard, and put Tony on the hot seat to give him a taste of what really goes on here in the blogosphere, where there are no sacred cows.
The show will air tonight on Channel 69 at 7:30 PM.
Tony had plenty of people there to put me in my place. Express Times Editor Joe Owens was there, and he describes me with charitable terms like "shameful blogger" and "Northampton County extremist." That's when he's in a good mood.
Unfortunately, Owens was in a bad mood.
Also in the house was Morning Call's state house reporter, John Micek, possibly Pennsylvania's best poliblogger. Micek, incidentally, is pretty much convinced I'm nutz, and spent most of his time there staring at me with his mouth open. But he was still nice to me. Before the show, he even made me a cup of coffee. Former blogger Chris Casey was also a panelist.
We met a cast of colorful characters because several shows were being taped at the same time. Lehigh County Exec Don Cunningham dropped by, and had something nice to say to each one of us. But PPL's CEO, James Miller, who was also there, looked like he'd be more comfortable inside a bubble. He clearly disliked being surrounded by such insignificant people, and would not even glance at anyone. He even had a handler (Smithers?) who looked down his nose at us so Miller wouldn't have to do it.
If you have a chance, tune in tonight. Dem bossman Joe Long will love it.
