Tuesday, April 07, 2009

BS Neighborhood Derby Final Four: NA vs. Butchertown-Nulu-East Market


When it comes to the BS Crown, the auto workers in Detroit may as well be copperheads in Birdseye.

Vote, or we'll turn it over like Michigan State. And Bob Seger will write songs about us. For Dan Coffey's eight track player.

BS Neighborhood Derby: The Final Countdown

*graphic from tournament host BrokenSidewalk.com

29 comments:

B.W. Smith said...

I've been to Butchertown in the dog days of summer....not pleasant (horrible smell). What good is 1850s architecture and cool gallery shopping if it smells like rotten dog food?

Iamhoosier said...

You'll chase an ambulance anywhere, won't you?

B.W. Smith said...

Ha. I don't chase ambulances, my brother and lawguy do. I work out the insurance problems among the companies insuring the folks getting sued by the guy in the ambulance. Confused yet?

B.W. Smith said...

We're still behind - remember to keep voting.

Larry M. Summers said...

I've got two in so far.

Iamhoosier said...

C'mon Larry. I've got at least 5 or more in today. Cookies seem to be on approx. 1/2 hour life.

Daniel S said...

Typical Hoosiers, rigging another election...OK, I voted twice. Butchertown smells like a wet dog behind a hot stove, I hope you're reading this editor Van Hoy!

Larry M. Summers said...

It only lets me vote every couple hours. I may be able to find the cookie and delete and get more votes in. Hmmmm..

Iamhoosier said...

Daniel s,
Can you get Roger and me an answer to our question concerning Rep. Clere and his column? Especially if someone files to run against him. I know the "decision makers" at the Tribune read the blogs and yet no answer. Highly unsual.

I might even say, "Go cats!!".

Nah, I can't promise that.

Daniel S said...

Where is this question you speak of?

Daniel S said...

If you're talking about like a fairness column deal, I believe our policy is to quit guest columns of politicians a certain amount of time before an election. But that's the papers' policy as it wants to be fair, because as far as rules, newspapers are governed by different rules than TV. They don't have to allow the same space for both parties

Iamhoosier said...

Basically that's the question.

Started with the post of 3-31-09, "Clere: an objection and a question"

and the 4-05-09 post, "An answer would do."

Including comments.

His columns seem to be free political ad space. (I do assume that Rep. Clere is not being paid, at least I hope not) Granted, so could some of Roger's(and others)columns. One big difference is that Roger does not hold an office and is not currently running for one.

Daniel S said...

We aren't getting too big for the sandbox are we? I've heard rumors that some posters/authors on here complained long and hard about lack of editorials in our papers, this was long before I was here. Now you're upset because someone is writing one that you don't like? I think a true opinions page needs all sorts of views and right now, Clere is our rep, so people want to know what he has to say. He's not being paid as far as I know, but I'm a lowly city reporter(unprofessional at that).
Not to speak for Steve, but I know he's worked long and hard to get differing views on the opinions page. I say when you're hearing complaints coming from both sides, you're doing something right.

Iamhoosier said...

Perhaps you need to read my reply a little closer.

I have no problem with editorials or columns that I disagree with. It gives me something to think(and bitch)about. Occasionally, I even learn something. And, once or twice, have even changed my opinion.

Was Baron Hill offered a REGULAR column? Was Mayor England offered a REGULAR column? Was Mr. Seabrook or Mr. Bush offered a REGULAR column? Connie Sipes?

Maybe I'm the only one but it seems to me that there is a difference.

Daniel S said...

Clere's people called me and inquired about a column, and I forwarded the request to my superiors. I can't speak for anybody else, but none of the others you have mentioned have asked me for a column, but I"m sure it would be welcomed.

Iamhoosier said...

And for the record, I do think the Tribune is doing a much better job of raising the profile of the editorial page. It's the first thing that I turn to.

Iamhoosier said...

So Rep. Clere himself did not contact you, either?! (just a joke about him evidently not responding to questions as posted here recently)

Maybe, someone at the Tribune could write an article, column, editorial about how these kinds of decisions are made. What could cause the Tribune to discontinue such a REGULAR column by an office holder and/or candidate? Should there be a different standard?

Daniel S said...

What do you think the standards should be?

Larry M. Summers said...

Back to the original topic, we have a slight lead. VOTE! We need to expand the lead.

Iamhoosier said...

It's not something that I have spent a lot of time thinking about. You have your profession to think about, as do I. I'm not sure that I have actually seen this kind of situation before.

I realize that judging how "political" an article is impossible to quantify. I assume that the idea is(was)for a "report" from the Capitol kind of column. I've read those kind of reports before. I don't think that is what we are getting. Guess it's kind of like the Supreme Court and pornography. I know it, when I see it(not that I have ever...)

Is there a rule book for this? What would the paper do if several politicians/candidates wanted to be regular columnists? That slope can get slippery very fast.

SteveK said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SteveK said...

Actually "decision makers" at The Tribune don't always read every forum and blog. I am a knowledge gatherer but things have been a little crazier than normal lately.
Exhibit A: http://www.sibusinesssource.com
Exhibit B: Now's a great time to grow your business and support a local institution by advertising in your community paper!

As to the question, Clere did approach us with interest in writing. I did personally ask his predecessor to also write just to be somewhat balanced. He declined. Well, he didn't really decline. He said he'd be busy and he hasn't followed up.

I would actually love to write a weekly column to talk about these issues but there's so much on my plate right now that I don't think I can make that commitment and do it justice. However, here are my thoughts on this particular issue.

We've really tried to error on the side of inclusion when it comes to the Opinions page. You don't have to be a power player, an intellectual, or a Pulitzer Prize winner. You do have to be willing to take responsibility for what you say by sharing your name. And you do have to make the effort to make it happen. Newsrooms no longer have 3 assistants to the publisher. I don't have time to track people down and coddle them through their cathartic writing process. (They don't call me in tears about being blocked.) I offer suggestions and will answer questions but you have to want it.

As for cutting off columnists, the editorial board has yet to go through a full election cycle with me in the publisher spot. So the policy hasn't come up again for review. However, my vote will be for anybody writing a regular column that is running for office to cease as of the filing period. At The Evening News, we had to enforce this with two candidates a few years back for school board. One ended up leaving the race instead of his column. (Think Rep. Clere will do that?)

I'll admit I'm in a hurry right now so if I missed a question please let me know. I wasn't avoiding anything, just busy. As some of you alread know, I'm pretty accessible although not much of a phone talker. I usually get back to e-mails extremely quickly. So feel free to follow up.

lawguy said...

I voted, but will struggle with my vote if NA meets the Highlands in the finals. I lived in the Highlands for 15 years before moving here and still love that place...

And for the record, Brandon, I chase doctors, not ambulances! LOL....

Jeff Gillenwater said...

I lived in the Highlands for 15 years before moving here...

Which means your current investment is here, so there's no struggle in figuring out where your promotional vote is best spent.

I mean, if you're going to hang with ruthless capitalists...

Iamhoosier said...

SteveK,
Fair enough.

I do need to correct a statement that I made yesterday. I stated that I opened to the editorial page first in the Tribune. While that is often true, if there is a byline by Daniel Suddeath on the front page, I ALWAYS read that first!!

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I understand busy.

Mark

Iamhoosier said...

Bluegill,
You are tying to reason with an attorney?

I've got a fire going under the tar pot. It's your turn to bring the feathers.

This is serious business.

Daniel S said...

You're too kind Mark :)

Bayernfan said...

Germantown has taken the lead over the Highlands...

Unknown said...

The final bracket is now posted: Germantown vs New Albany!

Apparently, the voting is going on until Friday!

Get your votes in now!

broken sidewalk