I like your thinking, Ben (but not your spelling ... it's Dorr Street). I've spent time at Harvard and U. of Michigan as well as UT. UT had none of the ambiance of the other student communities, and I thought what a lost opportunity it was. Development like that which you suggest would spill over into a much larger area of our city and would serve as a magnet for the creative, vibrant people who then attact more of the same. Here's hoping your ideas become action.
P.S. You've gotten yourself at least one vote via this blog.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 12:23 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Thanks Brother. I apologize for the typos and Dorr Street mistake. Spell check did me good on that one.
Best regards, Ben
posted by Ben_Konop at 12:28 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I don't see any legitimate claim of plagiarism here. This is hardly a novel concept (read on and you'll see even I was thinking about it), and to claim it as one's own is a long stretch.
A friend and I were just talking the other day about how Toledo doesn't have that "college feel" like Columbus or Ann Arbor, and we concluded that it was largely because there isn't a focused area of development surrounding the campus that targets students. I like this idea as long as it can be done without massive investment by city or county government above and beyond infrastructure concerns. One possible funding avenue may UT's foundation. I'm fairly certain MUO's foundation has invested in some real estate and is getting nice returns on it. Maybe the UT foundation can invest in a program like this. It would benefit UT by making it a more lively place and also pull dollars back into the university.
Ben, just for future reference: Stay on topics such as this and you'll be fine in the election. Mentioning President Bush in an attacking manner is going to divide people and it's irrelevant to the local politics of Toledo/Lucas County.
posted by HeyHey at 12:35 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
HeyHey, Thanks for your support on this issue. Your opinion on the Bush reference is valid and I respect it. I stand by what I did, but understand the other side.
Also, thanks to all those who emailed me directly on this issue and have posted on other blogs. Your support on this truly reaffirms my faith in the system.
I'm going to bed now... But once again, I apologize for the typos in my post. I was writing (quickly) from the heart and wanted to get the truth out ASAP.
Ben
posted by Ben_Konop at 01:04 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I differ with others here about the "attacks" on Bush or any other leader about whom most of us have opinions. Even though our election is about local politics, we can learn a lot about a candidate just by knowing his or her views about those we either admire or wish would resign. It's a kind of shorthand for getting to the core of a candidate. Had I heard "attacks" on Bush (I didn't hear what was said, so I don't know if they were really attacks or just statements of fact), I am one who would have responded favorably. I would steer clear of a candidate who is supportive of Bush's policies because it would raise alarm about that candidate's character.
I noticed elsewhere that someone (Maggie Thurber, I think) said something like this: economic development attacts the arts, not vice versa. That is contrary to what I have read about areas of the country where there are vibrant arts communities. Creative people are often highly successful and they seek out cities where their need for the arts can be fed. They bring with them their talent and smarts, and put them to work enriching the community's economy.
And by the way, Ben, I'm not Brother. I'm Sister.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 01:15 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I think to characterize either economic development and the arts as being the stimulating factor in the other is incorrect. I think it's more of the "chicken vs. egg" debate. Both support each other, and if you have one I think it will attract the other. Therefore, if we have arts we'll see some increased economic development because of a variety of reasons. Likewise, if we have economic development we'll have a more vibrant arts community.
I'll disagree with Ben on the Bush issue (I don't think they're failed policies), but I agree wholeheartedly with him on his ideas about the importance of UT in the ecnonomic development of Toledo/Lucas County. UT/MUO is a treasure that has often been overlooked by many in the community. A lot of people incorrectly believe nothing in Toledo can be world-class. Anything that makes UT/MUO more desirable to students and faculty is something that will lead to further success of the school. The development of a "village" can play a role in this.
posted by HeyHey at 01:49 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
When I talked about arts as a builder of the economy, I wasn't giving my opinion. It's what I have read as being the experience in other communities. And what I read was not opinion; it was a report about the money that poured into cities as a result of their arts communities. I wish I still had the link so I could show you what cities were included in the analysis. I remember that Atlanta was one, but the rest have fallen down my memory hole. I think Boulder might have been another one. The reason the piece stuck with me at all was because it was counter to what I'd so often heard about this issue.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 02:07 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I'll be anxious to see if the rest of Lucas County offers you sympathy come May.
This mess, along with your misinformation about "...Lucas County pays a disproportionate amount of taxes to the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, a problem he would solve with a uniform multi-county levy.", are just two examples of why you won't garner any votes from my gene pool.
In response to questions from "eight or nine" seniors, Stefanie Spieth, director of the Maumee Senior Center, said she told a group of 40 during lunch on Wednesday that Mr. Konop's proposal was based on misinformation.
It's got to suck being at the other end of your agenda of mudslinging, seeing you've based your political career on just that philosophy. But facts are facts, Ben, and it is apparent that you've read Mike's work, and your treating this, and him, like shit. I know I'd be pissed too putting all that work into something and have some politican snatch it and latch onto it as his own, then claim it's been out there for 20 years. Again, too many coincidences to take you at your word especially after giving those senior citizens wrong information. You should have apologized, but instead you said, "I'm running a positive campaign based on new ideas, while my opponents are taking turns at taking cheap shots at me."
The only thing new on you are your bowling shoes.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 02:16 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Ben, you say you never read it. What about your campaign manager? Apparently the thesis was shown to his father. Did he read it or skim it? Did anyone on your campaign who in turn gave the ideas to you? I read your response...lawyer double talk to me. Sounds a lot like Clinton...depends on what your definition of is is.
p.s. And if you think we're tough, just wait til Hayman or Sarantau expose you for the carpetbagging, tax and spend democrat that you are.
posted by moderatedemocrat at 06:29 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Sorry to hear about that, Ben.
You would think the thesis author would be happy that his ideas (or the ideas that he incorporated into his thesis) are being debated in a public forum.
As a writer I am gratified when I hear a politician quote my material, or speak in such a way that I know they have read something I wrote. This means that people have respect for what I write.
What's the old saw? "Imitation is the highest form of flattery?"
Besides, it is quite difficult to build a case for the plagiarism of ideas, as the authors who sued Dan Brown and his DaVinci Code found out last week.
I would rather recognize a good idea than simply be the first to come up with it.
Finally, I don't know the date of the thesis, but I have been hearing people talk about Dorr Street redevelopment schemes near UT for a loooooong time.
posted by historymike at 07:14 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Some more info... the problem is not that Ben is using the idea...I think that's great. The problem is he's not giving credit where credit is due and trying to wiggle his way out of it on Clinton talk. He was the one who made ethics an issue. More response from the author. I think Ben's response is what is pathetic.
---------------------------------------------
Toltod said:
Have any of you even looked at what Ben has said? He never claimed that his ideas are his own. They are only new in the sense that they aren't being talked about by other County Commissioner candidates. In fact, Ben has continually explained where these ideas have originated from.
Actually, when my attourney contacted him a couple months ago, he claimed he did come up with this idea on is own, and he cited five articles:
Crane, Elizabeth. 2004. “Revitalizing the Campus Through Retail.” University Business, November. http://www.universitybusiness.com/page.cfm?p=657
Fliegler, Caryn. 2005. “Shopping for Advice.” University Business, December. http://www.universitybusiness.com/page.cfm?p=1082
Leonard, Jim. 2000. "When Town Meets Gown." College Planning and Management, October. http://www.peterli.com/archive/cpm/80.shtm
Rolland, Keith L. 2004. “Penn Succeeds as Investor and Developer.” Cascade: A Community Development Publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Spring. http://www.phil.frb.org/cca/spring04_3.html
Ohio State University Campus Partners Home Page
http://campuspartners.osu.edu/
University of Cincinnati Community Development http://www.uc.edu/pfcd/commdev/default.html
University of Chicago Community Development http://oca.uchicago.edu/housing/development.shtml
I reviewed them objectively as a professional urban planner. Despite my shock and frustration with the situation, I wanted to be sure that his claim of coming up with the idea on his own was false before taking any action.
The fact is, he could not have gotten the recommendations that he mentions from these articles, and there is nothing that he discusses in his materials that is not in my plan. I went through and checked his resources and a few things stand out to me:
· They all mention retail development around a university,
· some discuss incentives, but they are not the same ones he lists, nor are they even available in Ohio,
· a couple of the articles mention grocery stores,
· one mentions capitalizing on student-buying power,
· a couple discuss campus partners in Columbus, which is one of my citations
o one of these articles mentions "campus towns" and later "village marketplaces"
· another mentions creation of an "urban village" and "new urban village" as well as making it "pedestrian-friendly"
o This is an obscure website and article was in the Archives section of the website from 2000. It must have been a very directed search to find this article.
· It is also interesting the Word file listing these articles is time stamped as being created on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 10:59 a.m. after his announcement appeared in the Blade, while the press release was created a day earlier at 9:14 a.m. The materials may have been a search after the fact.
The following are the explicit ideas I think he got from my thesis, because none of the articles he cites mention them, while my thesis does:
o none of the articles he cites mention specifically a "student village" or "university village" per se;
o none mention provision of "infrastructure dollars" or governmental "help with project financing" or "offering low interest loans to developers or business owners"
o none mention "design standards" or "a pedestrian walkway from campus"
o All of the articles are driven by developers or the university or a combination, none talk about "cooperation from city council, commissioners, and university leaders"
· And finally, the question still remains as to why he might have chosen Dorr Street over Secor Road, Bancroft Street, or Douglas Road.
Toltod said:
I assume your thrilled that a candidate is actually proposing moving forward with your thesis? I know I would be.
Should I be thrilled that someone has taken my work and claimed it as his own? That's an odd position. I'm not sure where you went to college, but we always had to cite our sources at U.T.
Toltod said:
By the way, you can't get property rights to an idea...unless it is patented. The whole idea of progress requires people to borrow ideas and build off of them.
He has actually published the ideas, in his Blog. So, while I cannot copyright my ideas, the expression of those ideas (i.e. writing them dowan) is copyrighted.
Case law that states:
"...when the similarities concern details of such an arbitrary character that the probability that the infringer had duplicated them independently is remote, an inference of copying may be drawn without any additional evidence." (see Bucklew vs. Hawkins, Ash et. al.)
His materials are similar enough to mine that it can be inferred that he copied mine. Further, the Court in this case cited an "Ets-Hokin" case that states:
"...it is the combination of elements, or particular novel twists give to them, that supply the minimal originality required for copyright protection."
So, even if he claims that he came up with the idea on his own, he had access, copying can be inferred due to the similarities, and even though some of the concepts may be general, it is the application of those concepts in this specific manner that afford me copyright protection.
Toltod said:
Even if Ben did get his idea from msachs thesis, there is nothing wrong with that. Not legally, not ethically. Msachs idea is publicly available information. Konop hasn't written a paper that lifts sections from msachs thesis. He has simply promoted the idea. Isn't that the point of having the thesis publicly available? So that others will read about the idea and hopefully be influenced by it?
According to a few local intellectual property attourneys, legally, he did infringe upon my copyrighted material by publishing the ideas in his Blog. However, the reason I did not move forward with a lawsuit is that he does not stand to directly gain financially from his actions, so I cannot sue if I can't assess any damages. It's a technical loophole. Last I checked, plagiarism and copyright infringement is unethical, if not technically illegal.
Toltod said:
If you are going to be engaged in the habit of correcting minor points in people's posts you should at least know what you're talking about.
You may want to take your own advice.
heather wrote:
The idea for Door Street development has been around for nearly 20 years. In fact, the university formed a task force several years ago to address the development project. Maybe you stole your thesis idea from them!
An idea for some sort of redevelopment has been floating around for a long time. However, redeveloping this area as an student-oriented urban village is original to my thesis, as well as the recommendation for implementation. If you can show me a document that states otherwise, I'd love to see it.
To all:
Thank you for taking the time to discuss this issue. Various members of the press have been aware of thissituation for about a week and, to my knowledge, no story has been done yet.
posted by msachs at 08:53 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
posted by moderatedemocrat at 08:25 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I think I'd be angry if I authored an idea and someone else claimed it as their own and profited by doing so. There's been no evidence to my knowledge that this is what happened here. msachs thinks that it did - that's plain.
For the community I will vote for the person with a plan to take the best and brightest ideas for county growth and get them done. This will have to encompass a recovery plan for Toledo as well as encouraging a continuation of the growth that other cities are experiencing.
posted by katie82640 at 08:30 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Now I'm getting dizzy. Are moderatedemocrat and msachs the same person?
msachs, one reason why you may not be seeing the media pick up this story is because they wouldn't want to be hurling charges of plagiarism at someone who clearly hasn't plagiarized anything. That would be highly irresponsible. This is swiftboating, Toledo style.
I went to UT nearly 45 years ago and even then there was talk of building the community you claim is your idea. Toledoans routinely called the University by a name that indicated the dissatisfaction with how un-college-campusy it was: Bancroft High. To send people in search of documents that prove this is to send them on a fool's errand. All you need to do is talk to anyone who has spent decades in this town and paid attention to what UT's surroundings have lacked.
I wonder when people will quit bringing up the Clinton remark about "what the meaning of is is" as if that says something awful about the man. The prosecutor had asked him a poorly worded questioned that may even have been designed to trap Clinton into answering accurately, but in doing so, it would have given the appearance of lying. To ask him if there *is* a relationship with Monica when the proper question would have been "was there a relationship" was either stupid or meant to mislead. The tense of the question was basic to getting to the truth. If Clinton had said yes to the "is" question, he would not have been telling the truth ... but if he had told the truth, and said "no", he would have been called a liar despite having told the truth. Catch-22. Being a lawyer, Clinton cared about the precision of the language and he let the prosecutor know the "is" in his question couldn't stand without claification. But because "is is" was part of his response, and it was the kind of sound bite short-attention-span media types love to toss out at the public on an endless loop, it took on a life of its own. What was an attempt at clarity and precision was distorted by the media and then the public into an evasion of the truth. It's sad that there's such a pervasive mindlessness when it comes to looking at the actual meaning of someone's words, and such a ready market for perversions of meaning.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 10:10 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
As far as our thesis-writer friend, I'll tell you this:
I was a philosophy major, and for my big senior project I wrote a paper on Plato's "Euthyphro". I developed a thesis, and worked like hell on it, and at the end of the day thought I had contributed a bit of something new to Plato scholarship. But when I got the paper back, my prof wrote at the end, "this is pretty much I.F. Stone's thesis, check out his book this summer".
As it turns out, two people can come up with the same idea at different places and times.
Also, if the terms at issue are really "terms of art" for urban planning, they're probably non-copyrightable. If Ben Konop's been reading up on urban planning in anticipation of a run for office, he would have encountered these same standard "terms of art" in plenty of other sources.
In the world of entertainment law, standard plots are so common that they become "scenes a faire", and are no longer copyrightable. I think this student village idea is analagous. It's been done in so many other places, I don't think that msachs has any special claim to the idea.
Unless, of course, he really did invent the connecting walkway. Maybe we should start calling him "Al Gore". ;)
posted by NookularDon at 10:24 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
cranky - that's the best explanation I heard for that episode. It just struck me as a lawyer put on the spot directing the situation to the lexicon at hand. :-)
I mean - alot of us have wondered for a long time what 'is' actually is.
Don't even say it - voted for the man twice. But c'mon.......
posted by katie82640 at 10:34 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
My handle is Zoltan but my name is Bob Krompak. I am the director of the Ottawa Community Development Corporation, a not for profit housing and economic development organization that opperates in the UT area. It was mentioned in the posting by moderate democrat that he or she had written a thesis on Dorr Street Development and that it was believed that I had a copy of this thesis that was subsequently provided to the Konop campaign.
I donot have a copy of any such document and I have never before heard of this document.
I have been involved with a group including several other CDC's and the University of Toledo that is proposing a plan for the entire Dorr Street Corridor. As part of that proposed plan we have suggested subdividing the 4 mile Dorr Street Corridor into several districts, one of which is a University Student Village similar to those that exist around many universities in the US.
For this person to suggest that they originated the concept demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the common vocabulary utilized by urban planners dealing with town and gown issues all over this country.
It would be akin to stating that since one had included the expression downtown or main street in a paper, that they some how had a patent on usaged of the word/concept.
University Student villages exist everywhere in the world and contain basically the same elements described in Ben Konop's suggested plan for the Dorr Street corridor as well as this person's paper.
Obisously this person found refrences to these concepts and elements while researching their paper. The last time I witnessed such incredible hubris (or utter stupidity) was in the comededy Romey and Michelle's High School Reunion when a character claimed to have invented the post-it note. Hopefully readers of this thread will find this equally amusing.
I, by the way would like to hear from this person, in person, so that I can educate them about what has been going on regarding planning for Dorr by the "real" people!
posted by Zoltan at 10:51 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Interesting that you would bring up the Al Gore comment at this time, NookularDon. It's another example of how the media/public distort a person's words, causing that perversion of meaning to distort the historical record -- and, in this instance, it has a parallel to the subject at hand: Ben Konop's support for what I think most aware Toledoans know is not a new idea, but one that has never had the necessary push behind it by public officials.
Keep Ben in mind as you read this correction of the historical record in Gore's case:
Al Gore and the Internet
By Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf
Al Gore was the first political leader to recognize the importance of the Internet and to promote and support its development.
No one person or even small group of persons exclusively "invented" the Internet. It is the result of many years of ongoing collaboration among people in government and the university community.
But as the two people who designed the basic architecture and the core protocols that make the Internet work, we would like to acknowledge VP Gore's contributions as a Congressman, Senator and as Vice President. No other elected official, to our knowledge, has made a greater contribution over a longer period of time.
Last year the Vice President made a straightforward statement on his role. He said: "During my service in the United States Congress I took the initiative in creating the Internet." We don't think, as some people have
argued, that Gore intended to claim he "invented" the Internet. Moreover, there is no question in our minds that while serving as Senator, Gore's initiatives had a significant and beneficial effect on the still-evolving Internet. The fact of the matter is that Gore was talking about and promoting the Internet long before most people were listening. We feel it is timely to offer our perspective.
As far back as the 1970s Congressman Gore promoted the idea of high speed telecommunications as an engine for both economic growth and the improvement of our educational system.
He was the first elected official to grasp the potential of computer communications to have a broader impact than just improving the conduct of science and scholarship. Though easily forgotten, now, at the time this was an unproven and controversial concept.
Our work on the Internet started in 1973 and was based on even earlier work that took place in the mid-late 1960s. But the Internet, as we
know it today, was not deployed until 1983. When the Internet was still in the early stages of its deployment, Congressman Gore provided intellectual leadership by helping create the vision of the potential benefits of high speed computing and communication.
As an example, he sponsored hearings on how advanced technologies might be put to use in areas like coordinating the response of government agencies to natural disasters and other crises.
As a Senator in the 1980s Gore urged government agencies to consolidate what at the time were several dozen different and unconnected networks into an "Interagency Network."
Working in a bi-partisan manner with officials
in Ronald Reagan and George Bush's administrations, Gore secured the passage of the High Performance Computing and Communications Act in 1991.
This "Gore Act" supported the National Research and Education Network (NREN) initiative that became one of the major vehicles for the spread of the Internet beyond the field of computer science.
As Vice President Gore promoted building the Internet both up and out, as well as releasing the Internet from the control of the government agencies that spawned it.
He served as the major administration proponent for continued investment in advanced computing and networking and private sector initiatives such as Net Day. He was and is a strong proponent of extending access to the network to schools and libraries.
Today, approximately 95% of our nation's schools are on the Internet. Gore provided much-needed political support for the speedy privatization of the Internet when the time arrived for it to become a commercially-driven operation.
There are many factors that have contributed to the Internet's rapid growth since the later 1980s, not the least of which has been political support for its privatization and continued support for research in advanced
networking technology. No one in public life has been more intellectually engaged in helping to create the climate for a thriving Internet than the Vice President.
Gore has been a clear champion of this effort, both in the councils of government and with the public at large.
The Vice President deserves credit for his early recognition of the value of high speed computing and communication and for his long-term and consistent articulation of the potential value of the Internet to American citizens and industry and, indeed, to the rest of the world.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 10:54 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
As to the arts supporting economic growth, read more about Dr. Florida's ideas here:
CreativeClass.org
His book "The Rise of the Creative Class: And How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life", which, as I've said before, I enjoyed reading. It's quite informative.
A May 2002 Washington Monthly article titled "The Rise of the Creative Class -
Why cities without gays and rock bands are losing the economic development race."
The Memphis Manifesto
View the CreativeClass.org's Creative Index rankings, including Toledo's.
Dr. Florida uses what he calls the gay and bohemian indexes to determine a city's prosperity. Ohio's passing of the ban on same-sex marriage in November 2004 hurts the state in this area, in my opinion.
This January 2004 Toledo Talk posting is about the Ohio Senate voting in support of banning same-sex marriage contains a couple news quotes from Senators opposed to the ban:
"Sen. David Goodman, a suburban Columbus Republican, referred to his minority status as a Jew in explaining why he opposed the bill. “It’s important we be tolerant and accepting of others who are different from us,” said Goodman."
"Sen. Eric Fingerhut, a Cleveland Democrat, said the bill will hurt Ohio by limiting the ability of businesses and universities to attract talented people. “If we pass this bill, get up tomorrow and look in the mirror,” Fingerhut said. “Smiling back at you is someone who has slowed Ohio’s progress by putting up a sign to people that says, ’We don’t want you here.”’ "
This November 2003 Toledo Talk posting contains a little info about what Dr. Florida said when he spoke at the Peristyle, which I attended. From my notes:
"Dr. Florida discussed how communities can improve their economy by harnessing the creativity of everyone. He mentioned the three T's that a city needs: talent, technology, and tolerance."
"The Mayor introduced Dr. Florida, and I'm guessing other city leaders were present as well. Hopefully they got the message. Dr. Florida's discussion today was as fascinating and enlightening as his book."
"Dr. Florida said cities should stop sprawl. Nice idea, but good luck with that one around here. He emphasized "density" in a community."
"Dr. Florida suggested cities shouldn't invest in mega projects. I wonder if the languishing Marina District project counts? He said governments should make a lot of little investments. He suggested leaders should also invest in neighborhoods."
"Dr. Florida mentioned the "squelchers" who stifle creativity."
On the same day Dr. Florida spoke in Toledo about tolerance, a story ran in the Blade about how Toledo City Council was thinking about changing or enforcing an ordiance on building colors that would have a negative impact on Toledo's Hispanic neighborhoods. From my notes from that November 2003 posting:
"Toledo has a growing Hispanic population, which is fabulous, in my opinion. The more cultures the better. If they congregate in a general area and establish businesses and communities, why should they or any culture be prevented from displaying a little of the heritage?"
"If Toledo Council prevents this Hispanic neighborhood from displaying their colors, then the Mayor's Summit today was a bust, Dr. Florida's message would have landed on deaf ears, and there truly will be no improvement in Toledo."
A Blade op-ed shortly thereafter said:
"Toledo’s Hispanic community is stewing over the standards because they threaten plans to develop a lively Latino neighborhood on Broadway in the old south end with store and restaurant buildings painted in the bright pinks, oranges, blues, yellows and turquoises characteristic of Latino folk art."
""The colorless restrictions would produce a sameness that is not only counterproductive to a city’s overall elegance, but a block to the creative spirit it needs to explode, to make its neighborhoods of interest even to those who don’t live in them."
Creativity and tolerance go together. I wonder if Toledo government realizes this yet?
I said in another thread I like the Dorr Street buisness and culture district idea. I don't care who came up with it. But I wonder if this is something that's possible for a county commissioner to implement? Isn't this something that falls under the workload of city council?
Using the arts as an economic engine was touted by the Ford administration for over three years. In case you missed it before, Toledo released the city's master arts plan in November 2003:
Greater Toledo’s Strategic Plan for the Arts and Culture.
Ford said in his January 2005 state of the city speech:
"For Toledo to grow as a vibrant urban center, we must continue to focus on arts and culture. I know that the arts are an engine for economic development."
And as mentioned before, Carty never mentioned the arts in his mission statement last fall on the campaign trail, and Carty never mentioned the arts in his state of the city speech.
Recently, some proposed arts project along Monroe Street downtown that would coincide with the opening of the new glass musuem was axed due to lack of funding. I forget the specifics of this, but it seems like another loss to the arts for Toledo.
To me, it seems it will be a huge mountain to scale in order to get Toledo government and the citizens of Toledo to accept the idea that the arts are beneficial to the city and region. And I blame some of this on the lack of a comprehensive relationship between UT and the Toledo Art Museum that the Blade detailed several weeks ago.
posted by jr at 11:30 A.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I hope it's ok to repost this, but since Ben started this string I think he might be better able to respond here:
I guess I have a general problem with Ben Konop (whether he stole the idea or not).
After pissing off a large voting block in the debate, "his ideas" are being shown for what they are.
It just seems like he reads the Blade on Monday then on Tuesday it's his idea and he hasn't given thought to the effect "his ideas" will have on people.
It just speaks to an incredible need for him to be elected, somewhere, anywhere (I was there last election when he was campaigning with John Kerry in BG).
I appreciate the desire to serve the public, but posts from Maggie Thurber and others pointing out the distinction to Ben about the differences between City and County government (and, on top of that, him debating national party politics in a local county debate) just speaks to his inability to grasp the big picture scheme of what the job he's trying to get entails.
posted by UTStudent at 12:42 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Mr. Konop:
As a professor and lawyer I would hope that you would take talk of plagiarism and copyright violations more seriously. I would hope that you would have done the right thing and cited my work in the first place. I don’t feel at all that I’ve discussed any of this lightly. I think it is a serious matter and that is why I had attourneys contact you originally, but it wasn’t to threaten a lawsuit, it was to give you an opportunity to respond as to how you came up with the ideas.
Actually, a few lawyers would have taken the case, but the fact is, defining what my damages are become the problem. Because Mr. Konop does not stand to directly gain financially, I cannot define what damages to sue for. It's a technical loophole. However, my attorneys did say that there was a case here because he published the ideas in his Blog. While one cannot copyright ideas, the expression of those ideas (i.e. writing them down) is copyrighted. There is actually a strong case for copyright infringement. Case law that states:
"...when the similarities concern details of such an arbitrary character that the probability that the infringer had duplicated them independently is remote, an inference of copying may be drawn without any additional evidence." (see Bucklew vs. Hawkins, Ash et. al.)
His materials are similar enough to mine that it can be inferred that he copied mine. Further, the Court in this case cited an "Ets-Hokin" case that states:
"...it is the combination of elements, or particular novel twists give to them, that supply the minimal originality required for copyright protection."
So, even if he claims that he came up with the idea on his own, he had access, copying can be inferred due to the similarities, and even though some of the concepts may be general, it is the application of those concepts in this specific manner that afford me copyright protection. The matter is hardly frivolous, nor does it lack legal credibility.
Mr. Konop, my intention has never been to harass you. I brought this story to members of the news media in hopes that I might somehow receive credit for my work. I only went to the media after having attempted to contact Mr. Konop initially, I did actually return one of the two phone call that I received from Mr. Konop. Right after he initially returned my call about a month ago. I then sent an email (3/27/06) in a last effort to meet with him and discuss the matter, wherein I apologized for playing phone tag. After no response, last week I did what I felt to be right in contacting the media.
Mr. Konop is right, we’ve never met. I don’t know if he read my thesis or not. It’s really irrelevant. His intentions are none of my concern. I have always simply wanted credit where credit is due.
I don’t dispute that the idea for redeveloping Dorr Street has been discussed for a long time. I never said I was the first to study Dorr Street, but there were no other plans out there (in 2004 at the time of my thesis), and certainly none that demonstrate the same application of ideas. Redeveloping this area as an student-oriented urban village, as well as the recommendation for implementing this concept are original. Even the president of the University Foundation requested a copy of my thesis. I mailed it to her last year. I’m not saying that no one has ever thought of the general concept. I never stated that the vocabulary and general planning concepts were new either. It is the application of these concepts that make the work original.
I'm not claiming to have coined the "urban village" or "pedestrian firendly". However, I am claiming that the application of those ideas in my thesis are original and that those ideas are the ones that Ben Konop is touting. He covers every one of my recommendations from my thesis. No more, no less. If he had independently come up with these ideas, then it stands to reason that there would be either additional material, or less. He hits every point. Maybe it’s just me, but doesn’t it seem odd that someone who read a few obscure articles came up with the exact same ideas as someone who spent a year of their life studying an area? (See http://www.plagiarism.org/research_site/e_faqs.html). Maybe Mr. Konop has never claimed that he developed the idea, but he didn’t cite anyone either.
As to how similar my work and Mr. Konop’s are, well that’s really a subjective analysis. I think it is obvious that my complaint is legitimate. I’m sure Mr. Konop thinks he’s right. All of you reading this will draw your own conclusions, which is why I posted my comments anyway. As to what my thesis does to advance university-related retail district planning on a national level, well Ben, you got me there. It probably doesn’t do much “in the way of advancing the discourse on this issue”, but that really goes beyond the scope of the paper.
Actually, the purpose reads:
The goal of this project is to develop a plan to provide residents, stakeholders, the University, and local government officials with a working document that may be realistically applied to assist in the revival of the Secor Gardens neighborhood and the Dorr Street Commercial Corridor.
It has always been my intention that the plan be implemented. However, it has also always been my intention to get credit for my work. Making my complaint public was only to serve this end. I hold no malice towards Mr. Konop.
Mr. Konop, I find it interesting that you very eloquently attacked me personally as “pathetic”, “despicable”, and “amoral” throughout your diatribe. To be pathetic, I would be looking for some sympathy. I’ve not asked for anyone’s pity. In fact, I’ve only asked people to examine the facts (as I see them) and to decide for themselves. To be despicable and amoral I would have had to have done something that was morally wrong and should be despised. I guess this is subjective, but I don’t think anyone should be held in contempt for standing up for what they think is right.
I suppose in the end, people will continue to comment and judge my credibility versus your own. They will continue to Blog and argue, and no consensus will ever be reached. I agree with a couple thing you wrote, first, “I really don’t care if you criticize something I say on its merits.” Secondly, “It is no wonder that most decent people want to have nothing to do with public service. Frankly, I don’t blame them.” I don’t either. This is exactly the type of issue that disenfranchises voters and sours them to the political system.
Finally, in response to your question, I have no trouble looking myself in the mirror as my conscience is crystal clear. I’ve said my piece and I don’t see any point in responding tit for tat to every question and attack that will likely surface. I do not feel vindicated, but at the least the issue is out in the public to be vetted. I sleep very, very soundly.
posted by msachs at 12:58 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I don’t know if he read my thesis or not. It’s really irrelevant. His intentions are none of my concern. I have always simply wanted credit where credit is due.
Okay this has really gone way to out there. If Ben never read your thesis and you have no proof he did then why should you get credit?
That's totally illogical. If he never read it he would not be able to give you credit now would he?
For him to give you credit that would have meant he would have had to read it...
Now, congratulations on a massive amount of self promotion with the attempt to try to harm Ben's campaign, and giving people like Mod-dem who support Tim Wagener the opportunity of trying to help you. However anyone with a brain after reading what you've written will be left with the same impression.
If he didn't read it how can he give you credit? It's not totally irrelevant it's totally relevant. What's next? Ben did some kind of a Vulcan mind meld and stole the information from your brain? Voodoo? Gremlins?
I had no intention of even bothering to get involved in this again but this was too much for me to just ignore.
posted by psyche777 at 01:13 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Why are you using a blog to air your gripe? If there is a case, sue him in court. If not, the both of you need to spare us the whining.
posted by Toledolaw05 at 01:27 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Mr. Sachs,
We've said it before, I'll say it one last time. No one involved in the Konop campaign (myself, Ben, anybody) has ever heard of you or read any part of your thesis.
Konop's statement on Dorr Street extends from the work of the University's Dorr Street Development Team and from original research we did on "town & gown" partneships and student villages elsewhere.
No one on the University's Dorr Street Development Team (which includes a broad array of stakeholders) has ever mentioned you or your thesis at a meeting or in any discussion I've been party to.
I don't know how to say it anymore plainly. We don't know who you are. We haven't read your thesis. I'm frustrated and saddened that apparently your ego won't allow you to believe that, but it's the plain and simple truth.
posted by BenKrompak at 01:55 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Oh, this is good.
Cranky East--Gore for Pres?
Toledo Law--Right on
Psyche--keep at em
jr--That was an awsome post. Good links.
posted by jdmsbyrd at 05:25 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
"I don’t know if he read my thesis or not. It’s really irrelevant. His intentions are none of my concern."
Is it irrelevant? Well, let's look at the elements of a prima facie case of copyright infringement, and see what we've got.
For msachs to have a copyright infringement case that will survive summary judgment, he needs to satisfy two elements, substantial similarity, and access.
Really, msachs has blown the substantial similarity element already. Above, he readily concedes that the concepts and vocabulary are not original, and bases his claim on the originality of applying those concepts to this particular city. That's not really a copyrightable idea.
But let's assume, arguendo, that there are substantial similarities between Ben Konop's proposals and msach's thesis paper. Msachs would still have the burden of proof regarding the element of access. Courts require proof of access because copyright is only violated if the prior work has been copied, not simply duplicated. Courts recognize, as I pointed out above, that two people can come up with the same idea at different places and times. Thus, in a copyright suit, a plaintiff must always present sufficient evidence to support a reasonable possibility of access.
Has msachs done this? How widespread was the distribution of msachs paper? How well known was it? How much effort, before this week, did msachs go to promulgate his ideas? I'm not convinced that a single copy on file at Carlson library will be sufficient to show a reasonable possibility of access on Konop's part. Even if msachs gave additional copies to other people, I seriosly doubt that would be sufficient distribution to create a reasonable presumption of access. How would Konop have known to go looking for it? As we've already heard, msach's theory that the Krompaks had fed the ideas to Konop is nonsense.
Here's what the court in Selle v. Gibb had to say about access: "Evidence of striking similarity is not sufficiently compelling to make the case when the proof of access must otherwise depend largely upon speculation and conjecture."
Like the plaintiff in Selle v. Gibb, msachs has utterly failed to prove that Konop's ideas were NOT the result of an independent creative process. No access element, no case, so sorry.
Unrelated point: I'm right with you, Cranky, on the Al Gore point. I learned about that distortion and others from an Al Franken's book. I was just crackin' wise.
posted by NookularDon at 05:56 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Here's the Carlson Library info on the thesis:
Author: Sachs, Michael
Title: "Opportunities to create a university urban village : Secor Gardens and the University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio / by Michael Sachs"
Publisher: 2004
LOCATION CALL NO. STATUS
CANADAY Center Master Thesis 2004 Sa14 LIB USE ONLY
CARLSON Masters Thesis Master Thesis 2004 Sa14 DUE 05-22-06
Descript. xi, 153 [38] leaves : ill. (some colored) ; 28 cm. + 9 map plates in back pocket (A thru I)
Note Typescript
"A thesis [submitted] as partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Arts degree in Geography."
Pages 37, 38 and 39 are missing
Bibliography Bibliography: leaves 150-153
Thesis Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toledo, 2004
Note Advisors: Dr. Patrick Lawrence, Dr. David Nemeth and Dr. Sonia Hirt
Subjects Community development, Urban
Urban beautification -- Ohio -- Toledo
Other name Lawrence, Patrick L
Nemeth, David J., 1942-
Hirt, Sonia
University of Toledo. College of Arts and Sciences. Thesis. 2004
University of Toledo. College of Arts and Sciences. Master of Arts in Geography
OCLC NO. 61410120
Someone has checked out the only available copy (one still remains in the Canaday Center archives).
Note the publication date - 2004. Anyone else remember talk of Dorr Street revitalization and urban villages before 2004? Seems to me that I have.
posted by historymike at 07:04 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Why won't Mr. Sachs even entertain the possibility that Ben Konop developed the Dorr Street proposal with an independent creative process?
Maybe Mr. Sachs is just having a hard time with the possibility that he and Ben may actually share a similar process of thought. If he and Ben think things through in a similar way, arriving at similar conclusions when approached with a problem, maybe Konop would be a good guy for Sachs to vote for. But, Sachs doesn't want to vote for Konop, so he's experiencing a bit of cognitive dissonance here. It looks like Sachs has chosen to resolve this conflict by creating in his own mind a conspiracy. Konop the intellectual pirate.
I know Ben personally, and he always speaks enthusiastically about others to whom he owes intellectual debts. I'm sure that if Ben got his Dorr Street ideas from a UT student's thesis, he'd make that fact part of his stump speech, just like he never fails to give credit to the author who inspired the "Cool County" initiative.
The best thing Sachs could do to advance his ideas is to help Konop put those ideas in motion.
posted by NookularDon at 09:07 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
msachs--Take Don's advice and help put ideas in motion.
Trust me, there is more that needs to be done. It should be a creative collective efort.
posted by jdmsbyrd at 09:39 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Isn't this a stupid issue.
Granted, all of Ben's ideas are stale as year old bread...
But, in the world of ideas, isn't discussing ideas in general one of the foundations of our society...free speech...hellooooooooo...I feel like I'm taking crazy pills...
What if property rights theorists sued Supreme Court Justices who based their decisions on this theory or that theory...
Who cares, be honored, if you couldn't turn it into something maybe the government can...
If Ben gets elected and pushes the idea, govie immunity and you still get 0 dollars...get over it.
But, in the altnernative, don't vote for Ben Konop he's the Blade's tool and we all know how stupid the Blade is.
posted by UTStudent at 10:00 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
I don't know enough on this topic to comment, however, cranky stated "I noticed elsewhere that someone (Maggie Thurber, I think) said something like this: economic development attacts the arts, not vice versa. That is contrary to what I have read about areas of the country where there are vibrant arts communities. Creative people are often highly successful and they seek out cities where their need for the arts can be fed. They bring with them their talent and smarts, and put them to work enriching the community's economy" ***************************************
That seems to be a contradiction for starters. But I agree with maggie on that one, and cranky basically agreed with her in the above statement, after beginning a statement that disagreed with maggie. hmmm. I have been in a few arts communities (by that I mean communities that have large numbers of successful, or at least, very active artists), and usually those communities were doing pretty well before they achieved the status of arts communities. Rockport, Massachussettes is one. Salem, Mass. is another. Ann Arbor, Mi., Boston, Mass., Martha's Vineyard, etc. All these communities are thriving, but were thriving before they came to be known as arts communities. The artists came to the communitiies. Artists move to Rockport, Mass. to be around other excellent artists, in an atmosphere that encourages the arts, and makes serious efforts to promote the arts. Visitors go to Rockport because of this atmosphere. The Vineyard is the same way, the arts are as much a draw as laying on the beach. It's a tiny island, but every aspect of it is artistic, it's eye candy everywhere you look. So it's no surprise that so many famous artists, authors, musicians, etc. move to be in the midst of it all.
posted by starling02 at 10:44 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Yeah, UTStudent, that stupid old Blade is a total joke.
Remember when they snooped into the TPD internal affairs files several years ago? What a pathetic exercise that was. The public has absolutely no right to know what their police are doing -- or what offenses they're covering up.
That foolish series The Blade did about the health problems caused by beryllium (including that ignorant rant about how the military/industrial complex was putting lives at risk on purpose) brought them total humiliation when it was a runner up for a Pulitzer. What in the world could have motivated them to do something as pointless as assigning Sam Roe to that story full time for nearly two years?
And then there was that brainless series on Tiger Force that actually hookwinked the Pulitzer judges into giving The Blade the prize. Mike Sallah should be ashamed of the work he did while at the Blade, and all copies of his upcoming book should be burned. And don't even get me started on the so-called work he did on sex abuse in the Catholic church. Wow, talk about a trivial pursuit...
If The Blade gets another Pulitzer Monday -- this one in the unaccountably respected public service category -- that'll be the final straw in the long list of embarrassing antics on the paper's part.
Obviously, they should be forced out of business immediately. But if this brain-dead rag continues to be published, let's at least hope they never again spew forth worthless reports about problems in the foster care system. I'm afraid they'll even start expecting people to take seriously their reports on teenage prostitution.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 11:06 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
Starling, I neither agreed nor disagreed with Maggie. As I said upthread, I was merely stating that I had read reports saying that arts-centered communities attract economic development (i.e. just the opposite of what Maggie had said -- if, indeed, it was Maggie who said it; I didn't remember for sure who the poster was).
Also, I don't see the contradiction in what I wrote. I'm wondering if you read my statement as saying something about the cities' "need for the arts" when I was talking about the needs of the creative people. The people were the "their" in my sentence. (If that's not what you were talking about, you'll have to point out the contradiction to me because I can't spot it.)
posted by CrankyEastSider at 11:18 P.M. EST on Fri Apr 14, 2006 #
CrankyEastSider - I'm not spoiling for a fight...what I meant was...
When the Blade sponsors people in local elections, writes completely biased articles such as the one about the debate (where no mention was given to Copeland's bumbling, horrible performance), it is, to put it humorously, stupid.
The investigating you are referring to would be done had the Blade been here or not. It's a newspaper. If we had a competing newspaper or a replacement newspaper, we'd get all the things you mentioned, PLUS, perhaps, one that didn't have a political agenda and a stupid vision for the town.
Now, settle down, take the little blue pill and have a great Saturday...it's warm out, don't spend it all at the computer.
posted by UTStudent at 07:18 A.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
Yes, I did say that economic development attracts the arts. Please understand, that arts/culture/entertainment can have SOME economic impact or drivers, but not to the extent that they can support a community like Toledo/Lucas County.
They are a vital part of our community, but ideas about subsidizing artists with public monies are not anywhere near as effective, in terms of economic development, as such things like commercialization of university research, transportation innovations (because of our unique location), etc...
So, when debating where to invest public dollars to help create an environment that leads to the creation of jobs, I believe that the most efficient use would be in other fields or "clusters," the term of the day, like transportation and warehousing and not arts.
I've read Mr. Florida's book and I think it has some valuable insights. But so many think that encouraging a "creative" class means JUST arts/culture.
Further, it's not just my opinion on economic development leading to thriving arts communities. Even the Ohio Board of Regents, in researching the brain drain (see other thread) never even mentioned arts/culture/entertainment as a factor in keeping young people in Ohio. Additionally, a survey by the Northwest Ohio Chambers of Commerce association found that most businesses identify arts/culture/entertain as a benefit, but not a necessity, and no where near as important as such things as education.
Sorry - a bit off topic of the original post - but important to helping people decide on the value of the concepts presented in a campaign, especially one where every candidate says that jobs is the number one issue.
posted by MaggieThurber at 08:06 A.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
This is the article I was referring to:
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060411/NEWS09/604110420&SearchID=73241631924417
I noted where something was positive (+) or negative (-) for each candidate after each comment, tally to follow at the end. Where something is debatable I left it to the reader's judgment (this whole thing is unscientific, so don't jump all over me):
"5 Lucas County hopefuls debate", The Toledo Blade, April 11, 2006
By Jim Tankersley
"The first debate of the Lucas County commissioner's race left George Sarantou bruised (- Sarantou) - and left voters with few specifics on how five candidates would run the county (- all).
"An unlikely pair of opponents battered Mr. Sarantou (- Sarantou), a Republican who sits on the Toledo City Council, from the right and the left throughout the hour-long forum at the main branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.
"Republican Pam Haynam, a Sylvania school board member, accused Mr. Sarantou of expanding government (- Sarantou), raising taxes without voter approval (- Sarantou), and telling her in a GOP meeting that he was running for commissioner only to position himself for the 2009 Toledo mayor's race (- Sarantou), before declaring herself the "real Republican" in the commissioner's field.
"Democrat Ben Konop, a lawyer and law professor, pushed Mr. Sarantou - repeatedly and unsuccessfully - to say whether he still supports Gov. Bob Taft and President Bush (- Sarantou), whose policies Mr. Konop said put Ohio and the nation "on the wrong path." Mr. Konop later asked Ms. Haynam the same question.
"Mr. Sarantou dodged Mr. Konop even when the moderator changed the rules to force Mr. Sarantou to answer (- Sarantou, this I would argue is a bald untruth, Sarantou did answer). He told Ms. Haynam he was focused on running for commissioner, stressed his 24 years of business and financial experience (+ Sarantou), and railed against Columbia Gas and the high cost of utilities in northwest Ohio (+ Sarantou).
"I am the voice of reason," Mr. Sarantou said in his closing statement. "I am the voice of balance for the county commission. I work very hard to solve problems very successfully."
"Only one candidate avoided being attacked during the debate: Toledo Councilman Phil Copeland (+ Copeland). He faced only one question from panelists about a federal investigation into spending by Laborers Local 500, the union that employs him as secretary-treasurer.
"There's nothing wrong with the union," Mr. Copeland replied. "The union is not in trouble."
"Mr. Copeland played to his Toledo base all evening (+ Copeland), emphasizing his central-city roots and attacking fellow Democrat Tim Wagener, the mayor of Maumee, for "stealing" jobs from Toledo (- Wagener). He also said Mr. Konop's only experience creating jobs was "for his campaign team." (- Konop)
"Mr. Wagener touted Maumee's economic success - "We are a destination for jobs" - and said he never asked a Toledo company to move (+ Wagener).
"He said he was proud that Maumee never raised taxes in his tenure (+ Wagener). He also stressed his ability to work across party lines (+ Wagener), though if elected he'd be the third Democrat on a three-member board.
"Ms. Haynam was aggressive from the start (- Hayman), mixing criticism of Mr. Sarantou with a pledge to cut taxes (+ Hayman). Pushed later for details on how she'd do that, she offered only one (- Hayman): eliminating commissioners' discretionary funds for charity. Mr. Copeland later defended those funds, while Mr. Konop agreed with Ms. Haynam.
"When he wasn't pressuring the Republicans on Mr. Bush and Mr. Taft (+ Konop), Mr. Konop pitched his plans for a regional science and culture district - a multi-county sales tax he said would reduce Lucas County property taxes (+ Konop) - and his "cool county" initiative, which aims to attract bright young people through ideas based on the book, The Rise of the Creative Class (+ Konop).
"Mr. Konop accused other candidates of lacking vision (- all). "It's fair to say that the old ideas might not be getting the job done," he said, adding later: "I think it's time for a new voice in government, a fresh voice."
"The debate was sponsored by WSPD radio, the Toledo Free Press, and WUPW Channel 36."
TALLY:
Sarantou (R): -7
Hayman (R): -3
Copeland (D): 0
Wagener (D): 0
Konop (D): 0
posted by UTStudent at 08:11 A.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
UTStudent - very interesting!
posted by MaggieThurber at 09:01 A.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
UTStudent, if you're looking for a newspaper that's neutral about politics, I wish you luck in your quest -- but I think you will find little if any success.
If you believe the investigations undertaken by The Blade would have been launched with or without the existence of The Blade, I wonder why we hadn't seen, for example, the Tiger Force series or the beryllium series -- both of which have national implications and importance -- in other newspapers across the country. It is rare, indeed, for a newspaper to invest its resources so heavily in such projects, and to assign their best talents to be tied up in such a long-term and focused manner.
By the way, my computer is even warmer than the weather, so I prefer to spend the day with it, thank you.
I might also note that, when it comes to the need to calm down, I'm not the one who has my panties in a twist over the stupidity of the local paper.
I'm sure there are often reasons to attack The Blade, some real and some imagined or a matter of personal perception. But I also think credit should be given where credit is due, and The Blade has done us proud many times.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 02:57 P.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
An "any" newspaper could do it task: "They snooped into the TPD internal affairs files several years ago? What a pathetic exercise that was. The public has absolutely no right to know what their police are doing -- or what offenses they're covering up."
Totally relevant to my daily life: "series The Blade did about the health problems caused by beryllium (including that ignorant rant about how the military/industrial complex was putting lives at risk on purpose) brought them total humiliation when it was a runner up for a Pulitzer. What in the world could have motivated them to do something as pointless as assigning Sam Roe to that story full time for nearly two years? (to get a prize)
Totally relevant to my daily life: And then there was that brainless series on Tiger Force that actually hookwinked the Pulitzer judges into giving The Blade the prize. Mike Sallah should be ashamed of the work he did while at the Blade (all that work to get a prize)
Totally relevant to my daily life: problems in the foster care system.
Relevant to my daily life: Infecting any story about politics with an unethical Democrat slant.
posted by UTStudent at 03:21 P.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
Oh, I see. I hadn't originally realized that, when it comes to news coverage, it's all about you. I am now better able to undertand your views about The Blade. Thanks for clarifying.
posted by CrankyEastSider at 03:26 P.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
Cranky - we obviously have a difference of opinion. If I want news magazine stories I'll watch 20/20.
As far as the daily local, just give me the news, thanks.
posted by UTStudent at 03:37 P.M. EST on Sat Apr 15, 2006 #
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