Lack of coverage on Gravel is shameful
By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
Over the years, I've had to defend the news business on a number of occasions in conversations with friends, readers and listeners depending upon where I was working at the time.
It's not easy, because the press is a human institution and as humans we all make mistakes and we all have different judgments.
For instance, I can't agree with the minimizing of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Mike Gravel. His fellow candidates want to eliminate him from debates and forums and the press wants to treat him like he is the comic relief for this election cycle.
After having the chance of meeting the senator and speaking with him, all I can say is that it's refreshing to meet a politician who cares so deeply about his country but doesn't give a damn about censoring himself. Gravel is viewed as "goofy" by some because he is actually candid.
On the Republican side, Congressman Ron Paul is getting the sticky end of the lollipop because he is seen as that side's loopy sidekick. He, like Gravel, speaks his mind and that works against him.
We don't like candid, now do we? We really don't want politicians to speak their minds? I think so considering who gets the buzz for trotting out tired old clich s instead of solutions.
Here's the irony: we respond to marketing and image-making more than honest opinion. We reject people with experience presenting new ideas for people whose images are carefully managed. Did anyone buy the warm story about Hillary following around a nurse all day so she could learn what nurses face? And if you did respond favorably to it, why?
Why did the press make a big deal over the Iowa Straw Poll? Twenty-six thousand people bought tickets to attend essentially a personality contest and to cast a vote for the candidate with the best band and barbecue. Twelve thousand people who attended didn't cast a vote or their votes weren't counted. It's a non-story about a vote that doesn't mean anything.
It's just another example of image and puffery triumphing over substance. By the way, to many in this business puffery is perceived by many as being "better" news because it's more entertaining and easier to cover than that awful hard stuff.
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Got some money you'd like to spend to help out Western Massachusetts? How about a marketing campaign aimed at different parts of the Northeast that alerts folks to the fact there are jobs here that need filling?
Russ Denver, the president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce, was on the Brad and Bo morning show on WHYN AM the other morning ticking off a list of the hundreds of jobs local businesses currently have vacant.
It was an impressive collection of positions in education, health and skilled manufacturing. Denver's point was not everything about our end of the state is bad news when it comes to business.
That's an important message to hear and to understand. While everyone here would like to see more entry-level positions that could lead to advancement within the middle class, it's reassuring there are good jobs being offered out there.
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Several weeks ago I wrote about my decision to wear a panama hat during the summer. A local radio newsman who was sporting green snakeskin shoes while covering the Sheriff's Clambake the other day has apparently taken up his version of my bold fashion statement.
Ray Hershel of WGGB and I looked on in envy at the exhibit of sartorial elegance and wondered where we could get a similar pair.
Please drop me a line if you know a local source for snakeskin shoes, preferably red or orange.
This column represents the opinions of its author. Send your comments online to Remiderpublications.com or to 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, Mass. 01028.
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