Yesterday was amazing. I'm not a social media expert, and I am wary of such titles. But I am fascinated by the new communications tools at our disposal. Within the last 48 hours, I published two new items on this blog, one about tension in Biddeford created by a push to enhance the city's "creative economy," … Continue reading Straight, No Chaser
Category: OUTLAW JOURNALIST
Musings about media issues, the old days of journalism, the new days of journalism and other stuff for old hacks to argue about
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Pop Quiz: Name at least one individual who signed the Declaration of Independence. If you answered John Hancock, congratulations: you are in the majority. John Hancock's famous signature has been immortalized over time, becoming synonymous with integrity, courage and conviction. When taking on the world's most powerful army and navy; when telling a temperamental king … Continue reading Dear Mr. Fantasy
Dancin’ with myself
How do they do it? I mean . . . really? How do they stay together, despite their almost polar opposite political views? I'm referring, of course, to James Carville and Mary Matalin, two political strategists who have gained national prominence for their sage political advice and their respective close relationships to former presidents and aspiring politicians … Continue reading Dancin’ with myself
The Crying Game
A couple of days ago, an exhausted and emotional President Obama visited privately with some of his campaign workers and reportedly got pretty choked up. At one point, the president's tears began to flow. For some reason, the White House decided to release this rare footage, despite the fact that it was recorded at an event … Continue reading The Crying Game
We love dirty laundry
It's a strange time for the newspaper industry --- especially here in Maine, where we recently witnessed several seismic shifts in the media landscape. Yesterday it was announced that Donald Sussman's investor group will now own a 75 percent stake in the company that publishes the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, Waterville Morning Sentinel and … Continue reading We love dirty laundry
Extra, Extra! This is fargin’ war!
Newspaper wars are the best kind of wars. Typically, when newspapers go to war they are actually engaging in fierce competition. That competition benefits both advertisers and readers. In 2001, folks in the Biddeford-Saco area likely had no idea how lucky they were. For a community with a population of less than 40,000, the region … Continue reading Extra, Extra! This is fargin’ war!
Let’s give ’em something to talk about
Apparently, this blog is gaining traction, catching the attention of local elected officials and political candidates, not to mention the reporters and editors who are paid to track them. To even the most casual of observers, there is little doubt remaining about the enormous impact of social media upon the political landscape. Whether it's globally, … Continue reading Let’s give ’em something to talk about
I surrender
I had a crappy day yesterday. First, I dropped my Blackberry in the toilet; then my dog got run over by a Wal-Mart truck on Lamothe Avenue; and then I learned that Laura has been having an affair with Newt Gingrinch. Okay, I may be exaggerating just a bit (Laura, however, still stumbles when I ask where … Continue reading I surrender
Can’t we all just get along?
Don't you hate partisan politics and political mudslinging? If you're a Republican or a Democrat, I'll bet you are lying, if only to your enlightened self. Mudslinging, whether you like it or not, is politically effective. I know, I know . . .you (and just about everyone else) say you want your elected officials to … Continue reading Can’t we all just get along?
Achtung, Baby!
I remember it like it was yesterday. We were standing in Monument Square, night after night, holding candles shielded by clear plastic cups and stamping our boots on the ground to stave off the cold and howling winds of a Maine winter. There were maybe 15 of us who would show up every night. If … Continue reading Achtung, Baby!
NOTES TO CARL | LESSONS IN MEDIOCRITY 