Fittingly, from the chatter of a newsroom under grey skies of rain in June, I write.
Today, the television news establishment lost a big battle in the war against blogs to hold grip on the Washington political coverage machine.
The last staple of daily long-form journalism bowed-out of our country's capitol. ABC News laid-off 12 Washington Bureau staffers, to consolidate Nightline to New York. The move leaves a handful of producers, a correspondent and Terry Moran.
Across the street - a death, Tim Russert passed of an apparent heart attack while tracking VO for Sunday's "Meet The Press".
Half a country away - a gasp, The collective could not believe that one of the last great journalists was taken suddenly.
I've coined this day, Friday the 13th of June 2008 "The Day Washington Died".
everWhise
Friday, June 13, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Thoughts on Underwood Sentence
Friday night, I was up late; waiting for twelve people in the Cleveland County Courthouse to make up their collective mind. As they pondered well past the late newscast, I realized that I did not envy them and the decisions they had to make.
The twelve were the jury in the trial of Kevin Ray Underwood. He bludgeoned, killed, mutilated, raped and attempted to cannibalize (in that order) the helpless body of 10-year-old Jamie 'Rose' Bolin. It was up to the jurists that found him guilty now to decide his fate, just as his psycho-sexual barbarism sealed hers. It drug on countless minutes until 11:30 then suddenly; a verdict.
I stood guard; camera ready, p-cache rolling, lens focused waiting to hunt him down with glass the second he popped into sight. The elevators opened, and there was the face of a monster. I had never seen him until that moment. Even then, he was just in the lens. The quick flash of his flesh was all we got when he was still waiting to hear that he is going to die sooner than previously planned.
He came out, just as emotionless as he went in. This time, we went with him. The guards took him through the building; they never had before. It was all all-out mad-dash to see who could get the most video of the murderer's mug. I was in such a competition with the other photographers, I forgot briefly the nature of the situation.
Minutes later, I learned Kevin Ray Underwood was to die by lethal injection. Inside a part of me smiled, at same time there came a slight gasp. 'I shot video of a man right after he learned that the State of Oklahoma was to take his life.' It bothered me for a little while. Hitchcock once said "There is no fear in the bang, only in the anticipation of the bang." I, personally, do not fear death or dying, I just don't think I could handle knowing the exact date and time.
I usually think that life without parole is more harsh than the death penalty. I think that in cases where there is a child victim, that sometimes prison yard punishment is worse than death. However, I fully believe that Kevin Underwood needs to die, and needs to die as soon as legally possible.
It gets graphic when I explain why -
He admits that to this very day, he still masturbates twice daily to the thought of what he did to Jamie Rose. I suppose everyone has some thought they use to get themselves off when there is no sex to be found, but since Underwood's is killing, mutilating, posthumously raping and planing to eat a little girl - he needs to be gone from this Earth. As long as he has his life, he can pleasure himself.
Jesus Christ once said "If a man looks at a woman and lusts after her, he has already committed adultery in his heart." If that is the case with lust, then murder is no different. Underwood has no remorse. Through masturbation, he kills that little girl twice a day in his own little sick fantasy. The sooner that is taken from him, the happier it will make me. It's the first (and hopefully the last) time I have ever eagerly awaited the death of another Human Being.
On a very rewarding note, after the sentence came down, the gag order was lifted and we got a chance to speak with Jamie's family. The most rewarding interaction I have ever had with an interview subject was when I got to pat Jamie's Dad on the back and shake her uncle's hand while exchanging "God Bless You's" with this family who has suffered so much. Now, just starting to rebuild.
I wish them all the best, I hope the good memories sustain them, and I hope they draw comfort in knowing that Kevin Underwood's days are numbered. I know I do.
The twelve were the jury in the trial of Kevin Ray Underwood. He bludgeoned, killed, mutilated, raped and attempted to cannibalize (in that order) the helpless body of 10-year-old Jamie 'Rose' Bolin. It was up to the jurists that found him guilty now to decide his fate, just as his psycho-sexual barbarism sealed hers. It drug on countless minutes until 11:30 then suddenly; a verdict.
I stood guard; camera ready, p-cache rolling, lens focused waiting to hunt him down with glass the second he popped into sight. The elevators opened, and there was the face of a monster. I had never seen him until that moment. Even then, he was just in the lens. The quick flash of his flesh was all we got when he was still waiting to hear that he is going to die sooner than previously planned.
He came out, just as emotionless as he went in. This time, we went with him. The guards took him through the building; they never had before. It was all all-out mad-dash to see who could get the most video of the murderer's mug. I was in such a competition with the other photographers, I forgot briefly the nature of the situation.
Minutes later, I learned Kevin Ray Underwood was to die by lethal injection. Inside a part of me smiled, at same time there came a slight gasp. 'I shot video of a man right after he learned that the State of Oklahoma was to take his life.' It bothered me for a little while. Hitchcock once said "There is no fear in the bang, only in the anticipation of the bang." I, personally, do not fear death or dying, I just don't think I could handle knowing the exact date and time.
I usually think that life without parole is more harsh than the death penalty. I think that in cases where there is a child victim, that sometimes prison yard punishment is worse than death. However, I fully believe that Kevin Underwood needs to die, and needs to die as soon as legally possible.
It gets graphic when I explain why -
He admits that to this very day, he still masturbates twice daily to the thought of what he did to Jamie Rose. I suppose everyone has some thought they use to get themselves off when there is no sex to be found, but since Underwood's is killing, mutilating, posthumously raping and planing to eat a little girl - he needs to be gone from this Earth. As long as he has his life, he can pleasure himself.
Jesus Christ once said "If a man looks at a woman and lusts after her, he has already committed adultery in his heart." If that is the case with lust, then murder is no different. Underwood has no remorse. Through masturbation, he kills that little girl twice a day in his own little sick fantasy. The sooner that is taken from him, the happier it will make me. It's the first (and hopefully the last) time I have ever eagerly awaited the death of another Human Being.
On a very rewarding note, after the sentence came down, the gag order was lifted and we got a chance to speak with Jamie's family. The most rewarding interaction I have ever had with an interview subject was when I got to pat Jamie's Dad on the back and shake her uncle's hand while exchanging "God Bless You's" with this family who has suffered so much. Now, just starting to rebuild.
I wish them all the best, I hope the good memories sustain them, and I hope they draw comfort in knowing that Kevin Underwood's days are numbered. I know I do.
Friday, February 29, 2008
KEZI's Dancer Gate - A Journalist's Perspective
In Portland there is a public relations nightmare brewing.
According to the Associated Press, "Longtime KEZI anchor Rick Dancer led off the 11 o'clock news with word that a Republican had announced his candidacy for Oregon secretary of state. The candidate: Rick Dancer."
The announcement was followed by a question and answer cross-talk with his co-anchor. All three minutes in the "A-Block" of the Sunday 11PM, what is usually any station's highest-rated newscast. ABC ran the Academy Awards that night, so the lead-in ratings could have been higher than usual. This blog is not interested in the mechanics of the stunt, but rather the principle.
I believe, wholeheartedly, in both freedom of the press and freedom of assembly. Therefore, I cannot help but be outraged that a journalist would have the audacity to bridge them as one. I have no problem with a newsperson choosing to step up onto the political soap box, but they need to lay down the mic or pen first.
Local TV viewers are viciously loyal, especially to veteran talent. Many of the less-informed viewers will believe anything that comes out of 'their' anchor's mouth. It is cause to ensure content we edit for air is accurate and that we respect the power and sanctity of our medium. If local television news is to retain the margin of credibility we currently hold over the cable news prime time windbags, we must separate ourselves from them at all costs. Instances such as this do nothing but hinder that effort.
You cannot buy the kind of name recognition that being a long-time anchor affords you. Dancer's name alone will go a long way toward getting him the second-tier state office he is seeking. In some ways, he has earned that right by covering the same market for so long. Longevity and name saturation is why many former principal talent do so well in PR and as the face of marketing campaigns. It is understood, almost part of the gig, when you wind up 'on the beach' after 20+ years, you can enjoy that fame and use it how you please. However, a talents name cannot, and must not be used for any commercial or personal cause while they are currently on-air. It bastardizes the news product and cheats loyal viewers out of a fair market decision.
The decision to allow anchorman Dancer to take advantage of his position at KEZI for political gain is deplorable. I understand the front office shares his political persuasion. While I take issue with politics influencing journalism, that is not and should not be the cause of outrage. The outrage I encourage is that which comes from him not stepping aside from his duties before he launched a candidacy. Regardless of political alignment, it is wrong and never should have happened. Shame on those who made the decision to do this. We have people like you to blame when our bread and butter decides we have abandoned their true interests and stops inviting us to their table.
According to the Associated Press, "Longtime KEZI anchor Rick Dancer led off the 11 o'clock news with word that a Republican had announced his candidacy for Oregon secretary of state. The candidate: Rick Dancer."
The announcement was followed by a question and answer cross-talk with his co-anchor. All three minutes in the "A-Block" of the Sunday 11PM, what is usually any station's highest-rated newscast. ABC ran the Academy Awards that night, so the lead-in ratings could have been higher than usual. This blog is not interested in the mechanics of the stunt, but rather the principle.
I believe, wholeheartedly, in both freedom of the press and freedom of assembly. Therefore, I cannot help but be outraged that a journalist would have the audacity to bridge them as one. I have no problem with a newsperson choosing to step up onto the political soap box, but they need to lay down the mic or pen first.
Local TV viewers are viciously loyal, especially to veteran talent. Many of the less-informed viewers will believe anything that comes out of 'their' anchor's mouth. It is cause to ensure content we edit for air is accurate and that we respect the power and sanctity of our medium. If local television news is to retain the margin of credibility we currently hold over the cable news prime time windbags, we must separate ourselves from them at all costs. Instances such as this do nothing but hinder that effort.
You cannot buy the kind of name recognition that being a long-time anchor affords you. Dancer's name alone will go a long way toward getting him the second-tier state office he is seeking. In some ways, he has earned that right by covering the same market for so long. Longevity and name saturation is why many former principal talent do so well in PR and as the face of marketing campaigns. It is understood, almost part of the gig, when you wind up 'on the beach' after 20+ years, you can enjoy that fame and use it how you please. However, a talents name cannot, and must not be used for any commercial or personal cause while they are currently on-air. It bastardizes the news product and cheats loyal viewers out of a fair market decision.
The decision to allow anchorman Dancer to take advantage of his position at KEZI for political gain is deplorable. I understand the front office shares his political persuasion. While I take issue with politics influencing journalism, that is not and should not be the cause of outrage. The outrage I encourage is that which comes from him not stepping aside from his duties before he launched a candidacy. Regardless of political alignment, it is wrong and never should have happened. Shame on those who made the decision to do this. We have people like you to blame when our bread and butter decides we have abandoned their true interests and stops inviting us to their table.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Various sights
Here are a few interesting sights from the last week. First is a Border Patrol truck on the back of a car hauler. This was on I-35 south of Goldsby.
Next is one of the first sat trucks ever built - still ticking in service of one of our competetors.
Then there is Andrew Ranson, who took my spot and camera unit at KSWO when I left there last year. It was neat to see my old camera at a presser in Anadarko.
Next for your enjoyment is newscast director 'Woody' Widhalm sporting some shades he found on the desk of one of our anchors, Darrielle. Very posh in the chick glasses, he is.
Finally there is an overhead view of the newsroom with Photojournalist Richard 'Jet' Jackson hamming it up for the camera.
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Extreme efforts towards enduring memories.
Speaking of succession, I found this monument in Purcell's downtown. It is dedicated to the soldiers from Purcell, Indian Territory that fell in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. It was dedicated in 1906, about 20 years after the war. While it marks a very dark page in our history, it is historic, none the less. The men who's names the relic bear are long gone, but I suppose never to be forgotten.
Hopefully the monuments to young Rose endure as many seasons as the war memorial has. Maybe 102 years from now, a journalist will come along and wonder who she was. Not unlike my curiosity for the fallen Rebels.
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Saturday, February 16, 2008
Hasta
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Burrrrrrr!
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Chicken, or Smart?
5:05 now, and we have already hit twice. I signed up for this assignment, and am enjoying it.
We found refuge from the rain under a carwash bay. I'm all layered up and rain resistant, but nobody likes being in the rain if you don't have to be.
Updates to come.
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