News-Record.com

Good point Allen

At least give the voters in Billy's district some credit for the fact that in 2004 he was faced with opposition that almost unseated him. Many of the voters in his district were appalled by his conduct during his freshman term as commissioner and almost kicked him out of office. Let me tell you this, Billy came down to earth real quick like after that vote.

Can't say that for Alston's constituency. Here's another guy whose an embarrassment to the community and you'd think at least someone in his district would provide an alternative for the community to support. Nothing doing.

MEMO

NOTICE TO ALL GREENSBORO POLICE OFFICERS

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

When electing to not issue traffic citations and instead electing to let motorists off with a warning, we request that you please remember to do so with courtesy.

Since we're talking about race here, why have there been no blog entries about Beverly Hinson, Lt. James Hinson's wife, being arrested for serious felonies today?
Is it because she's black? Are you guys afraid to tell the truth about a central player in one of the biggest news stories in Greensboro in the last year? Are you so committed to the case of the blacks against Chief Wray that you're embarrassed to learn that one of the principal black accusers against Wray may not be "clean" herself?
Your article today on her arrest did not mention her name in the headline. It didn't even mention her name and connection to her husband until the second paragraph. Were you hoping no on would read that far into the article and thus spare you the embarrassment?
Local TV news has this as a lead story, why are you downplaying this in the N&R?
Inquiring minds want to know...

Allen: "Let me make this clear; I seriously question City Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellany-Small's fitness for office.

But let's be fair; it's not because she is African American or because her district is."

This is a two-way street of fairness. Who, after all, explicitly injected race into the equation in the first place? Whether "we" or "they" made it racial--and both racialized "we's" will blame the other for doing this--your paper lubricates the mechanics of racialization. If it's not about race, don't report it as if it is. When people try to, put them on A4.

If others raise a protest, alleging a racial angle, we report that as one of the points of view. The Pulpit Forum has framed this as a racial issue. We have not.
I don't recall the newspaper ever attempting to make a racial issue over this.
Bellamy-Small going spastic over office space wasn't couched racially by the paper, nor was the RMA report leak investigation, nor was her traffic stop.

Allen, any comment on the president of the NAACP resigning for apparently being too pragmatic?

Allen, you are exactly right - this isn't about race. At least, it shouldn't be.

It's also true that there are plenty of inept and downright crooked white elected officials - do the names Jim Black and Meg Scott Phipps ring a bell?

However, the Pulpit Forum was the first to bring race into the equation. They unfairly slandered Ms. Gatten with about the ugliest name you can call a person in today's society - "racist".

So far, I haven't seen that the N&R has taken the Pulpit Forum to task for this irresponsible act. Shouldn't they be criticized, too? (I apologize if I missed it, but I haven't seen it).

any time there is a contraversal situation between someone who is white and someone who is black, race will be brought up, even if the situation has nothing to do with race at all. I think one reason wht race has been brought up is the over reaction of the situation with Ms Small. So she may have some faults and may not be the best person to get along with. Thats no reason for her to resign. If she is to be voted out, it should be based on her performance in her district and not these side shows. As long as shes not doing anything that breaking the law or doing something thats immoral, she should not resign.

Or as the two in the movie Stripes said...
"Convicted? Never convicted."

None the less it is the voters of her District who can and/or will make the choice.

You've publicized the Pulpit Forum's perspective because whatever they say, by your criteria, is newsworthy. No matter how irrelevant, wrong, or counterproductive, you put it A1 because they "speak for the black community." No one elected them, but you assume their legitimacy as spokespersons. In assuming it, you help to bring it about. Both whites and blacks in Greensboro see who gets A1 coverage telling everyone what black people think about this or that.

And since you're committed to providing the "black point of view," you put them A1. (And try to hire 33% black reporters, who are ostensibly privy to this racial "point of view"--there's only one, apparently).

Either the Pulpit Forum does speak for the black community, in which case (in your judgment and mine) the black community is wrong, or they do not, in which case they are not intrinsically newsworthy. But once you publicize them as speaking for the black community, you effectively let them do so. Protestations that it's just "another" point of view--i.e. one of many--simply ignore how race operates in a contemporary media-driven society.

Allen has nothing to do with placing stories on A-1, or anywhere else. He edits the opinion pages.

"You" is the News&Record, the paper Allen works for (note that he calls it "we" first in his post above). Substitute "news desk" if it makes it easier.

In any event, the paper's news coverage consistently enacts the racialization of matters the editorial desk often (as in this case) deems to be "not about race." If that's a point of news/editorial disagreement, then let Allen say so.

There isn't. The Pulpit Forum doesn't speak for the black community, Brian. That's an assumption you made. The black community does not consist of one point of view. (Remember, the "recall Small" group's efforts also made A1.)
The Pulpit Forum does, however, consist of a number of community clergymen who represent a number of sizeable constituencies. That gives their opinions some degree of newsworthiness.
As for ed's point, he's right. I have no input into what goes on A1. That's JR's and his folks' call. But I see their rationale.
The criteria for newsworthiness are:
1. Proximity: How close is the story?
2. Consequence: What is the impact of the story?
3. Conflict: Does the story involve opposing points of view?
4. Eminence or prominence: Does the story involve famous or well-known people?
5. Timeliness: Is the story current or fresh?
6. Oddity: Does the story involve unsual or bizarre circumstances?
7. Human interest: Does the story appeal to your audience's emotions?

This story easily satisfies several of these criteria.

To Jaycee on Beverly Hinson:
You complain that Beverly Hinson's connection to Lt. Hinson wasn't mentioned until the second paragraph. That seems about right to me.
And it's very hard to miss.
In addition, the story was stripped across the top of our local front page with a five-column, bold headline: "Lieutenant's ex-wife charged."
In addition, immediately following the headline was the "timesaver" that read: "Beverly Hinson, once married to Lt. James Hinson, is arrested in a fraud case."
Where have we underplayed this story?

There's no disagreement. News covers events; we offer opinions.
That said, the news and editorial departments are separate and independent from one another, as they are at many daily newspapers.

Allen, just wanted to let you know I am absolutely giddy with anticipation in awaiting the meet and greet next week. Good times and good conversation.

I can't help thinking it will go something like this.

Savage: Hi, I'm John...ah Doe, you might know me as SC Savage.

Allen:....Ah....Hi.

(long pause)

Savage: So...You come here often?

Allen;.....Ah,...

(long pause)

Allen...Yeah

Savage: Oh...Nice place

(long pause)

Allen: ....Yeah...

(long pause)

Savage; So...here we are...

(long pause)

Savage: Nice turnout.

(long pause)

Allen:...Yeah

Savage: I enjoy your blog...sometimes. Especially when you actually...you know, answer me.

Allen: Hmmm...

(long pause)

Savage: You I...I don't mean to bother you...

(long pause)

Savage; Well, guess I'll go mingle.

Allen: Dead horses! It's always dead horses.

Savage: Wha...

Allen: (rapidly)You think because you ask me a question I have to answer you.

Savage; Easy...

Allen: You think you can make me dance? Think again!!

(Hoggard stands in over in the corner speaking to another blogger)

Hoggard: Is that the Savage? Watch this.
(Hoggard yells at top of his lungs)
Dot Kearns!!!!Education for all the children!!!

Savage: Dot Kearns...Where?...No...Quick, hide the babies!

I am going to try and make the party, but I don't know, my sock drawer is looking kind of dis-organized and might need re-arranging. And I might need to wash my hair, or...

Allen: So, you're the Savage. I thought you'd be taller.
Savage: It's Dot Kearns' and Terry Grier's fault.
Allen: So, anything on your mind other than the High Point Choice Plan?
Savage: Oh look ... my good buddy Hoggard. Gotta go.

Allen, I apologize. I realize John Robinson is the "news" guy and I should have directed my questions to him. But your topic in this thread led me to put them here.

No problem, Jaycee.

jaycee, Allen's response is exactly right so in this case he can speak for me.

Allen, fair enough.

However;

I don't see how the question I asked above (or many other of my posts) has anything to do with TG or Dot, except very tangentially, but has everything to do with DBS since the NAACP recently saw man who believed in a pro-active stance be run off by the larger faction who apparently thinks it's more important to continue to protest, complain and cry foul.

I guess people need to pigeon-hole each other. I'll ways be associated with the HPCP lottery scandal. You'll always be known as the busing advocate for somebody elses' town, but not your own.

Can we get past this?

My sentiments exactly. Remember my reference (and yours) to "dead horses"?

Allen, let me put your mind at ease. I don't think the Savage will never forget your introduction of the term "dead horses"

See, I think the main problem here is you and the Savagwe have different ideas of what constitutes " dead horse" status.

Personally I think the biggest "dead horse" in town is race-pandering and manipulation of such, whether it is done for personal enrichment (Deena Hayes), maintainence of power (per DBS or Nifong) or power and personal agenda(Dot Kearns).

You think a dead horse is parents protesting having their kids kidnapped and seeing and feeling the effects everyday.

Guess what, I may be wrong, but I would wager there are more people in this county that would think the first above is a horse that is much "deader".

John, how did Mike Nifong make his way into a Greensboro discussion?

I was using "town" in the metaphorical, idiomatic sense-not the literal (meaning Greensboro) sense.

Also, sorry for the double negative in sentence one.