It's editorial of Sept. 19 opens with "Kudos to the Lancaster General Hospital for boosting its payment in lieu of taxes by $25,000 a month to the School District of Lancaster....This is money the nonprofit hospital is not required to give, but does so, anyway."
WATCHDOG: Anyone who still doubts a tacit alliance between the Lancaster Newspapers and Lancaster General Hospital as members of the big Five (F & M, Fulton and High are the other three) should read this fawning homage.
No matter that the "nonprofit hospital" is profiting by over $160 million a year from the region and that its total contributions ... in lieu of county, city and school real estate taxes (which the rest of us have to pay) ... amounts to only two and one-half per cent (2 1/2%) of its annual earnings!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
SUNDAY NEWS
The extensive Sport Section article "McCaskey's challenge" strongly implies that the reason that McCaskey's sports team are not competitive is because the student body is 78% Hispanic and African Americans, who in large part suffer from academic and home problems that prevent them from making the teams or performing well. "It's not to be critical of urban districts or anybody. It's just the way it is." - Pete Horn.
WATCHDOG: NewsLanc intends to perform some research before responding at length to these contentions. But we pose two questions:
What are the racial backgrounds of players on football and basketball teams of top colleges and the pros? Do those Hispanic and African Americans players spring from predominantly White suburban school systems?
The Sunday News article failed to mention how the the recently replaced Athletic Director failed to prepare and submit the required detailed annual reports on the performance of each team and plans for the following year. And the assistant superintendant to whom he reported didn't even notice or apparently care!
Nor did it opine on quality of the coaching.
WATCHDOG: NewsLanc intends to perform some research before responding at length to these contentions. But we pose two questions:
What are the racial backgrounds of players on football and basketball teams of top colleges and the pros? Do those Hispanic and African Americans players spring from predominantly White suburban school systems?
The Sunday News article failed to mention how the the recently replaced Athletic Director failed to prepare and submit the required detailed annual reports on the performance of each team and plans for the following year. And the assistant superintendant to whom he reported didn't even notice or apparently care!
Nor did it opine on quality of the coaching.
SUNDAY NEWS
The Sept. 21 editorial maintains that "..the [county] commissioners skated too close to the [Sunshine Act] and possibly over it, in the way they handled a decision not to pay for a mailing from the Lancaster County Government Study Commission."
WATCHDOG: As we have opined before, the Sunshine Act is vague beyond prosecution and, if rewritten with teeth, would probably grind government to a halt. But its worthy philosophical message is clear: Concealment of information to which the public is entitled should be prevented!
In their role of legislators, the commissioners authorized the $50,000 payment for an educational mailing. In their role as administrators, they discovered that the proposed letter was more an advocacy (propaganda?) piece, so they notified the government Study Commission that the mailing as written did not meet the requirements for reimbursement. As Chairman Dennis Stuckey observed at last Tuesday's Work Shop meeting, to have said nothing and then refused to pay the bill would risk leaving the printer and others unpaid.
Where was concealment? The Government Study Commission and the Lancaster Newspapers were promptly notified of the decision and conspicuous articles appeared in both newspapers the next day. Finally, the matter was open to the public for discussion at the following Tuesday and Wednesday commissioners' meetings.
Our current form of county government is similar to Parliamentary government in that the legislative branch also is in charge of administration. It effectively serves Great Britain and many other democracies. It's not perfect, but neither is our state and federal form of government.
WATCHDOG: As we have opined before, the Sunshine Act is vague beyond prosecution and, if rewritten with teeth, would probably grind government to a halt. But its worthy philosophical message is clear: Concealment of information to which the public is entitled should be prevented!
In their role of legislators, the commissioners authorized the $50,000 payment for an educational mailing. In their role as administrators, they discovered that the proposed letter was more an advocacy (propaganda?) piece, so they notified the government Study Commission that the mailing as written did not meet the requirements for reimbursement. As Chairman Dennis Stuckey observed at last Tuesday's Work Shop meeting, to have said nothing and then refused to pay the bill would risk leaving the printer and others unpaid.
Where was concealment? The Government Study Commission and the Lancaster Newspapers were promptly notified of the decision and conspicuous articles appeared in both newspapers the next day. Finally, the matter was open to the public for discussion at the following Tuesday and Wednesday commissioners' meetings.
Our current form of county government is similar to Parliamentary government in that the legislative branch also is in charge of administration. It effectively serves Great Britain and many other democracies. It's not perfect, but neither is our state and federal form of government.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
LANCASTER POST
'Artie See' took a ride on the trolley bus and reports "Twice the trolley [bus] was forced to change lanes, and once it had to make a major detour; these would have been impossible with a streetcar."
WATCHDOG: 'See', a pen name, also concluded "It is obvious that there are not enough passengers to justify the construction of a streetcar system in Lancaster City." Visit Page 5, " A View from Downtown" at www.LancasterPost.com to read the article.
WATCHDOG: 'See', a pen name, also concluded "It is obvious that there are not enough passengers to justify the construction of a streetcar system in Lancaster City." Visit Page 5, " A View from Downtown" at www.LancasterPost.com to read the article.
Friday, September 19, 2008
LANCASTER POST
The Sept.19th cover story asks "Is Dale High's Crossings project Dead in the Water?"
WATCHDOG: No way. But it may shrink!
WATCHDOG: No way. But it may shrink!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
NEW ERA
KUDOS for its editorial of Sept. 17 entitled "Holding off on a driver's license" that notes that New Jersey, the only state that issues licenses as late as 17, has a very significant reduction in teens killed in crashes, 18 per 100,000 vs. 26 per 100,000 in Connecticut.
Even if Pennsylvania state law remains at 16, this information enables parents to make a more informed decision about when their youngster starts driver training.
Some shouldn't start until 30!
Even if Pennsylvania state law remains at 16, this information enables parents to make a more informed decision about when their youngster starts driver training.
Some shouldn't start until 30!
LANCASTER NEW ERA
According to the Sept. 16 New Era: At the time of the arrest of former county coroner Dr. G. Gary Kirchner, former Lancaster County coroner, Attorney General Tom Corbett said the coroner "violated the public trust in order to help a small group of reporters gain an edge over competing media outlets."
The New Era states without further comment: "No charges were brought against the Intelligencer Journal reporters."
What is not mentioned is earlier reports that Ray Shaw, Intell editor, had been consulted by the reporters and was aware they were breaking the law.
The reporters were allowed a dubious plea bargain which protected all of them from prosecution. (Usually one person is offered a plea bargain so that the rest can be prosecuted.)
Why wasn't Shaw charged as a co-conspirator? Is a Lancaster Newspaper's Inc. editor too big a fish to be caught by an attorney general seeking to run for governor?
The New Era states without further comment: "No charges were brought against the Intelligencer Journal reporters."
What is not mentioned is earlier reports that Ray Shaw, Intell editor, had been consulted by the reporters and was aware they were breaking the law.
The reporters were allowed a dubious plea bargain which protected all of them from prosecution. (Usually one person is offered a plea bargain so that the rest can be prosecuted.)
Why wasn't Shaw charged as a co-conspirator? Is a Lancaster Newspaper's Inc. editor too big a fish to be caught by an attorney general seeking to run for governor?
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
KUDOS for their insightful Sept. 18 editorial "Distorting lessons."
The article points out that the troubles that plagued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac did not result from their lending policies, but rather from the fall in housing values due to the irresponsible sub-prime lending by others. "It was private financial institutions that developed the subprime mortgage market, and private firms created the complex mortgage derivatives that infected mainstream investors with the subprime virus. Only then did Freddie and Fannnie's weaknesses become fatal."
From time to time the Intell publishes some very scholarly editorials. Whether they are taken from a syndicated service, written by local experts, or developed by its own staff is a matter of our curiosity. But it doesn't really matter. The importance is their quality.
The article points out that the troubles that plagued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac did not result from their lending policies, but rather from the fall in housing values due to the irresponsible sub-prime lending by others. "It was private financial institutions that developed the subprime mortgage market, and private firms created the complex mortgage derivatives that infected mainstream investors with the subprime virus. Only then did Freddie and Fannnie's weaknesses become fatal."
From time to time the Intell publishes some very scholarly editorials. Whether they are taken from a syndicated service, written by local experts, or developed by its own staff is a matter of our curiosity. But it doesn't really matter. The importance is their quality.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
SUNDAY NEWS
In what has become his "Marv and Abbey" column, Editor Marv Adams shares with readers the reasons behind placements of columns and choices of photos.
WATCHDOG: Although we did not altogether follow Adam's explanations, we appreciate that he does not speak down to his readers. We think this is one of the reasons why the Sunday News continues to be so popular.
WATCHDOG: Although we did not altogether follow Adam's explanations, we appreciate that he does not speak down to his readers. We think this is one of the reasons why the Sunday News continues to be so popular.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
SUNDAY NEWS
SUNDAY NEWS
"Sunday's Guest" Bill Adams, former president of Armstrong, opens his column by asking "Was your newspaper a little heavy today? There's a message in all that advertising that comes with your paper: Retailers want to reach newspaper readers...They use what works for them."
WATCHDOG: To the contrary, both the daily and Sunday newspapers have become lighter and lighter. (Some days the Intelligence Journal and the New Era are little bigger than the Lancaster Post.) Advertisers have been switching en masse to the Internet. Otherwise, why would the Intell and the New Era have merged Saturday and holiday editions and more recently their sports departments?
Many anticipate the demise of the evening New Era within the next couple of years, thus following a national trend. Adams' column is an example of "whistling past the graveyard."
"Sunday's Guest" Bill Adams, former president of Armstrong, opens his column by asking "Was your newspaper a little heavy today? There's a message in all that advertising that comes with your paper: Retailers want to reach newspaper readers...They use what works for them."
WATCHDOG: To the contrary, both the daily and Sunday newspapers have become lighter and lighter. (Some days the Intelligence Journal and the New Era are little bigger than the Lancaster Post.) Advertisers have been switching en masse to the Internet. Otherwise, why would the Intell and the New Era have merged Saturday and holiday editions and more recently their sports departments?
Many anticipate the demise of the evening New Era within the next couple of years, thus following a national trend. Adams' column is an example of "whistling past the graveyard."
Saturday, September 6, 2008
LANCASTER POST
The Sept. 5th issue (www.LancasterPost.com) leads with "Molly Henderson Wins round One against Lancaster Newspapers", features a second installment by Artie See on the origins of the Convention Center project, explores the issue of noise abatement versus free speech, and contains an exclusive interview with baseball great Rick Wise.
WATCHDOG: This was the Post's best issue by far, and perhaps testimony to the benefits of taking a week off for vacation and reflection. "Henderson scores key round one victory in suit against Lancaster Newspapers" prodded the reluctant New Era and Intelligencer Journal to finally report on the matter after sitting on their hands for ten days. 'Artie See,' a nom de plume, is certainly a knowledgeable and talented columnist. Chris Hart-Nibbrig writes and edits second to none.
WATCHDOG: This was the Post's best issue by far, and perhaps testimony to the benefits of taking a week off for vacation and reflection. "Henderson scores key round one victory in suit against Lancaster Newspapers" prodded the reluctant New Era and Intelligencer Journal to finally report on the matter after sitting on their hands for ten days. 'Artie See,' a nom de plume, is certainly a knowledgeable and talented columnist. Chris Hart-Nibbrig writes and edits second to none.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL
Sept. 5 headline: "What the 'frak'? Faux curse word seeping into language"
WATCHDOG: According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, to curse is to "swear profanely." Profanity is "irreverence." "Frak" is a surrogate for a word that has little direct connection to invoking God's intervention.
There is a difference between a curse and something that is vulgar or obscene.
May the Intell never do anything worse!
WATCHDOG: According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition, to curse is to "swear profanely." Profanity is "irreverence." "Frak" is a surrogate for a word that has little direct connection to invoking God's intervention.
There is a difference between a curse and something that is vulgar or obscene.
May the Intell never do anything worse!
Monday, September 1, 2008
INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL / NEW ERA
On August 30, the Intell announced the consolidation of its and the New Era's sports department under sports editor Jeff Young.
WATCHDOG: The consolidation of the sport staff seems like another step towards the ultimate merger of morning and evening papers as a result of the shifting of advertisement dollars to the Internet experienced by newspapers, magazines and radio stations throughout the nation.
WATCHDOG: The consolidation of the sport staff seems like another step towards the ultimate merger of morning and evening papers as a result of the shifting of advertisement dollars to the Internet experienced by newspapers, magazines and radio stations throughout the nation.
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