So is it officially called a "scam" now or is it still a "scheme?" I assume it's no longer called a profitable "investment."
Interesting comment by, I guess, a Blade reporter:
"I've been in the business for 11 years here and 18 years total. I've never worked on a story like this that's had this much impact and has been this much fun. In Toledo, you can't drop a coin on the street without someone making a joke."
Ahh, one more screwball thing Toledo can be known for: jokes about rare coins. It's true. Hell, I just made a rare coin joke today in another post before I read this EP story. When you think of Toledo, you think of coin jokes.
This will sit will with other lame Toledo notorieties: A game-show actor known for wearing dresses in a long-running "comedy" that lasted at least seven years too long. A sports team nickname based upon a duck-like chicken that's actually called an American Coot. A former mayor who is a question in Trivial Pursuit about moving deaf people to the airport.
Yeah, that's right, "mudhen" is really the nickname for a bird called American Coot. It's actually an entertaining bird to watch. You can see them at Magee Marsh.
The Toledo Coots.
Anyway, back to the EP article:
"For the Blade, which Wilkinson said has put the story on the front page more times than he can count, this investigation represents a major outlay of resources."
"Drew and Wilkinson both work full time (plus overtime) on the story. Three other reporters spend most of their time on it, and reporters have traveled to several states, as far away as California. "When this paper believes in a story, the cost doesn't seem to matter, which is great to know as a reporter," Wilkinson said."
As a business, the Blade has lost millions over the years. But we're more informed. Afterall, the Blade is doing this because they are concerned about the public's well-being. Thank you, Blade. Too bad for me that I have only read a couple stories about this. I'm waiting for the book and movie to come out.
Maybe another Pulitzer for the Blade, eh?
And finally, an ominous forecast by the Blade reporter about the coin story:
"There's no end in sight."
posted by jr at 04:29 P.M. EST on Wed May 25, 2005 #
I think the reporter's comments are disturbing, assuming the article did not take Wilkinson out of context.
"This much fun..."
I write from time to time for local and regional periodicals. I can say that there is a certain rush when you are on a hot story, but I have never found investigative journalism to be "fun," especially when your work puts people in a negative light.
If I were working on the Noe story, I would feel sad at how things turned out for him. I would still do the work, but I would not derive pleasure from "getting" Tom Noe. Sure, if he has done wrong, he deserves to be prosecuted.
But "fun?" Not a chance.
Writers who find this work "fun" seem a bit sadistic to me.
"There's no end in sight."
I am not sure if this is a hint that things will get worse for Noe as information comes to the light of day, or if the Blade reporter was just gloating about what will be a source of good material for the next couple of months.
posted by historymike at 06:15 P.M. EST on Wed May 25, 2005 #
I found that strange too, unless he was trying to be sarcastic.
but thought it was something you guys might be interested in seeing.
posted by psyche777 at 10:11 P.M. EST on Wed May 25, 2005 #
No media outlet should have as much power as The Blade. They are running this guy out of town just because he's a Republican.
I hope I'm not next on their hit list.
posted by micah at 11:00 P.M. EST on Wed May 25, 2005 #
they didn't tell you micah....oopps
lol
posted by psyche777 at 11:23 P.M. EST on Wed May 25, 2005 #
The only way you'll be run out of town, is IF you invest TaxPayer's monies for that which it was never agreed upon. Now we hear of investments in autographs, cards, letters. Anyone who would defend this must be non-payer of taxes. And imagine the Repuke Party is the sourse of this. The party of less government, less taxes, more accountability. Ha!
posted by jamsmitty at 11:44 A.M. EST on Thu May 26, 2005 #
If coins were already a "risky" investment, then what the heck are cards, autographs, letters, and artwork?
I think there's a bigger chance of fakes being passed around in those circles. I suppose one *could* mint fake coins, but I do not want to imagine the work that would go into such a process.
posted by anonymouscoward at 02:23 P.M. EST on Thu May 26, 2005 #
Investing taxpayer's money, is that true? Is it really taxpayer's money, or is it money from business owners who can't afford to have their own worker's comp plan?
posted by jr at 02:36 P.M. EST on Thu May 26, 2005 #
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