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Irwin Jacobs Goes Republican Hunting
1. It was a secret deal until the late-night vote. Everyone missed that story. 2. How do you not flak for any candidate yet not slam them (well, at least one of them) either? Sounds like you want straight dictation. That's called a press release. 3/4 You complain that VOSD tries to expand its reach so it can afford to pay staff, and then you complain that smaller staff -- due to lack of money, hence the need for expanded reach -- doesn't create good journalism. Outreach via TV/magazine/radio allows VOSD to broaden its membership base and, hopefully, not rely as much on the guys you think are a bunch of clueless La Jolla dilettantes. VOSD needs to have a diverse group of supporters so no rich folks can use their financial influence to run the show and get the coverage they want. I believe one million people giving $1 is better than some zillionaire giving $1 million. How would you fund non-profit journalism? If not the rich, if not smaller donors, if not corporate underwriting, then what? Advertising and paid-for content hasn't been feasible. Any other ideas? 5. If only. You said I am poor. I am not.— September 14, 2012 7:19 p.m.
Irwin Jacobs Goes Republican Hunting
You continue to ignore the inconvenient fact that VOSD has published plenty of negative coverage about DeMaio. It doesn't fit your narrative. (You also ignore the tremendous flak that VOSD threw at Fletcher over that ridiculous secret midnight deal "porkfest" in Sacramento.) And again, the message I hear from you is this: Stop being so biased about Filner and start talking about how wonderful he is! Politicians are welcome to talk about how wonderful they are; journalists don't need to take dictation. You seem to want aggressive coverage of everything except your candidate. As for VOSD's news being spread around different media: I'm not sure why this is a sin in principle. VOSD is not a plant that survives on air. It employs professional journalists who need to be paid professional salaries. By spreading news through a variety of platforms, it increases its audience and the awareness that it exists, potentially leading to more financial support. I didn't and don't agree with the decision to lay off Emily. That was a bad call and a blot on VOSD's record. As for Rob and Andy, they're leaving after long tenures at VOSD. Andy IS VOSD; it certainly didn't drive him away. He has a fellowship allowing him to study ways to preserve non-profit journalism and he'll still play a role at VOSD; saying he split for academia makes it sound like he will become a professor. p.s. Why am I an impecunious (poor/penniless) defender? That's an intriguing assumption. I did mention once that I don't get paid for writing these responses, making this a hobby instead of a moneymaker. Coin collecting would be more fun. Heck, dust collecting would be more fun than dealing with the black-helicopter crowd. But I do just fine financially, thanks, and have been self-employed for 14 years, never making a dime for anything other than writing. The Randy Rule is that you need talent, persistence and/or luck to make it as a freelance writer. I have at least one of those. -Randy— September 14, 2012 5:56 p.m.
Irwin Jacobs Goes Republican Hunting
I'm a freelance contributor to VOSD. It appears that you haven't been reading the publication closely. Dillon has frequently written critical reports about DeMaio. There's this from a story published just this month: "DeMaio has often displayed what we called a "personal blind spot" in turning off potential friends and making potential foes dislike him more. Notable examples include falling outs with the former head of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and former City Councilwoman Donna Frye. DeMaio's dysfunctional relationship with city workers took a hit after he was seen fiddling with his cell phone during a police officer's funeral two years ago." And there's this from an earlier story: "This is a core tension in DeMaio's life as a politician. He's shown himself able to harness your anger. He's got work to do to show he can feel your pain. … He can come across as being aloof, unconcerned or, worse, concerned only with his own advancement." There are many similar examples of negative stories about DeMaio. Dillon is a fine reporter who is equal opportunity when it comes to aggressive coverage of candidates. I've heard directly from readers about VOSD's Filner coverage. The message is: Stop it with the opinionated coverage of Filner and start writing about how DeMaio is terrible! San Diego's black helicopter crowd is full of delicious ironies. -Randy— September 12, 2012 4:09 p.m.
Till Warner Bros. Cry, "Gatsby, Gold-Hatted, Thrice-Tanking Gatsby, We Must Reboot You!"
And yes, Burl. On a billboard. Certainly would be an eye-opener.— July 18, 2012 3:53 p.m.
Till Warner Bros. Cry, "Gatsby, Gold-Hatted, Thrice-Tanking Gatsby, We Must Reboot You!"
I saw the 1949 version at Noir City. It's, well, interesting. Ladd is surprisingly good and looks great in a white suit. Daisy is miscast. Jordan is quite good. And Shelley Winters as Myrtle! God help me, I'm looking forward to the LDiC version. Jordan looks quite stunning in the trailer.— July 18, 2012 3:51 p.m.
Irwin Jacobs and Jerry Sanders: Billionaires and bullies create a false picture of public support for Plaza de Panama
1. So it's impossible for a media organization to fairly cover someone who funds it? That's an offensive slur on journalists who do their best to be fair regardless of where their salaries come from. (I'm no VOSD apologist, but you should be aware that their coverage of the Jacobs-funded downtown library was quite critical.) 2. As for conflicts of interest: Good luck finding a journalist on earth who doesn't have one. If a journalist has a significant conflict of interest, she should get rid of it or disclose it. 3. The Fact Check you cite is debatable, and reasonable minds can differ. I probably would have given the claim a different verdict. Sometimes I wish the only choices were "entirely true" and "not entirely true" without all the business about "mostly" or "barely." If so, that claim would clearly be "not entirely true." 4. The U-T did go overboard with the "idiotic" nonsense, but that's an editorial, not a news story.— July 17, 2012 9:49 p.m.
Irwin Jacobs and Jerry Sanders: Billionaires and bullies create a false picture of public support for Plaza de Panama
I'm a part-time contributor to Voice of San Diego and write their Morning Report several days a week. I'm also a critic of the Jacobs plan. If Irwin Jacobs did fund VOSD and KPBS with the intention of swaying their coverage on things like this, he really should ask for a refund. While the local mainstream media certainly hasn't been aggressively anti-Jacobs, it's hardly treated SOHO and its allies as crazy aunts in the basement. They've gotten respectful -- but not admiring -- coverage, with maybe a lapse here or there. What the anti-Jacobs folks want is media that advocates for their side. On the other hand, they seem to want a local media that's not funded (or run) by anyone who has an agenda. You won't find that anywhere, even in the pages of the Reader. -Randy Dotinga— July 16, 2012 9:23 p.m.
U-T Editor Brings in Former O.C. Register Pals
Considering your bitter history with the U-T, Don, is it possible for you to view any decision by its management in a positive light? -Randy— June 10, 2010 4:53 p.m.
SDNN Closes Orange County Operation
I didn't pay SurfPuppy to say that. He/she is just extremely intelligent and perceptive. -Randy— May 26, 2010 5:27 p.m.
SDNN Closes Orange County Operation
JenJen's comment is incorrect. The exclusive story about lead paint waste at Miramar Landfill appeared yesterday on voiceofsandiego.org, not SDNN: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/environment/articl…. -Randy Dotinga Contributor, voiceofsandiego.org— May 26, 2010 3:36 p.m.