How did that happen?

You ever notice when you combine "The" and IRS it comes out "Theirs?"

Getting feedback...

In the first week, I've getting some much appreciated feedback. Here's some "suggestions"

1.) Stories are Unibomber-like in their length.
Yes, I'll cut back. At this pace, I'll wear myself out. BTW, remember the Unibomber?
2.) What's with the obscure references already!
If you want easy, read the New York Post. If it's good enough for Dennis Miller, it's good enough for you. Poor Dennis. The guy's doing gameshows! Memo to Dennis: Just say no...to something. Anything. This is what killed Guiliani. Well, that and his hubris.
3.) What's this blog about anyway?
When I know, that's when you'll know. In the meantime just relax and enjoy.
4.) Mark, where's my $100?
How did that get in there?
5.) When will we talk sports?
Everyone's a critic. May I refer you to the Roosevelt's Man in the Arena speech?
6.) It's Noon already. Where today's post?
Again. Let's relax. Rome, nor the Del Franco Daily, weren't built overnight....
7. Joba Chamberlain: Starter or Reliever
Let's be honest. I think it's too early to tell. Can you really tell how someone will perform after 36 innings? Sooner or later, Joba will be exposed. Make him a starter now. Although If Kyle Farnsworth is your best option for thr 8th inning, I might be getting my resume updated now. A billion-dollar team wih a 10-cent set-up man.

On The Fourth Estate...

For as long as I remember I wanted to be a reporter. It was cool. The fourth estate brought about change and helped keep honest those in power. It was an honorable profession…but that’s changed in the past few years. Today reporters have a reputation of a DMV clerk selling Amway to senior citizens who can‘t afford it.

How did that happen? Woodward and Bernstein got smacked down by Bill O’Reilly and Matt Drudge. Attitude and opinion made front page news and fair and balanced got whacked like some mid-season NBC replacement series. Who's to blame? How President Bush for starters. He’s fucked up more things than Fredo Corleone.

Being a reporter is not without its challenges. And the natural enemy of the reporter is the editor. It’s a wonder anything gets written after the editor gets his hands on it. These are the same kinds of people that tape Home Shopping Network. I’ve said it before the greatest emotional need of someone isn’t to feel needed rather it’s the ability to change another person’s copy. And that’s what the editor does. For instance, if an editor got their hands on the Preamble of the Constitution, starting with “We the People…” No way an editor would let that fly. Instead an editor would ask, “Which people?” All Men are created equal…”An editor would rip that to shreds too. Are you sure you mean ALL MEN? What about WOMEN?

One of the hardest things about my job is that the sources don’t tell you anything…….they really make you work at gathering information. So the sources come up with these cutesy little phrases to try to explain away the information. They come up eith phrases such as “Soft launch.” What is that Bob Dole before Viagra?Another favorite phrase? Thinking outside the box…And everyone’s doing it. I call bullshit. But now there’s so many people thinking outside of the box you have to climb back inside the box because there’s nobody there. That’s the place to be.

Believe Nothing You See on Local News in February, May and November

The other day I heard the local ABC-TV affiliate in Connecticut breathlessly promote the faltering condition of a major bridge on I-95 complete with footage of rusty girders. And the voiceover promoted, "Is the Q-Bridge the next disaster? Watch tonight at 11"

A less-astute person would snap to attention and worry. Another thing to worry about. Don't get me wrong. Fixing the bridges and infrastructure is paramount. But why are we hearing about the Q-bridge story in February? This has only been an issue, oh say, the last 20 years or so. And that's my problem with the coverage? Could it be that February is sweeps month in television? It all boils down to money. The sweeps period is where a station set its ad rates for the next ad period. The more viewers watching the more a station can charge advertisers. Follow the m0oney. it's that simple.

Only the local viewer is not aware of the rating ploy. Don't you think the local viewer should be aware? You'll also see these important sky-is-falling stories in November and May. And I'm here to tell it's all bullshit.

Enough ranting. It's 1:26 and I'm all fired up for the NHL trade deadline at 3 pm...

Oscar Oscar Oscar

Host Jon Stewart was safe, and probably handcuffed by the fact he didn't have his full complement of writers due to the Writer's Strike. Probably also explains his dearth of laugh-out-loud one-liners. He wasn't Billy Crystal but didn't careen into David Letterman territory either. Ho hum.

Note to all presenters: Refrain from talking directly to Jack Nicholson from the podium. It's irritating and besides he isn't mic'ed. Krist.

I usually dig the song performances in the Oscars. A few years ago, "Blame Canada" from SouthPark stole the show and I believe two years ago, Couting Crows brought down the house with "Accidentally in Love" from Shrek 2. And last night, to have three songs from "Enchanted" I thought was really retarded. And it didn't win. Although Amy Adams was good for her part.

I didn't see Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men. Mr. Flavor of the Moment had the Oscar all wrapped up by early January. Krist. Tom Wilkinson for Michael Clayton was outstanding in his role. My sentimental favorite was Hal Holbrooke. Alas. Both lost. Is it just me or do Joel and Ethan Coen remind you of two nerds that even I could intimidate physically? They look like two creepy looking orthodontists.

I love during the Oscars a look at who died since the last Oscars. A lot of heavyweights kicked off in the last year. Deborah Kerr; Ingmar Bergman. Oh, and speaking of Flavor of the Moment, Heath Ledger was pictured last. Probably because they go chronologically. But his applause was noted. It's ironic to be in the same vignette as Bergman because that guy barely filled up his 15 minutes.

How hot is Anne Hathaway? Man. And Jessica Alba. And Scarlett. I'm not gay but I like Clooney. He's got something to say. I'm still fuming that David Straithairn (Good Night and Good Luck) got robbed by Phillip Seymour Hoffman (in Capote).