You know, it’s tough enough in the media business these days without our fellow newsies bringing on even more disdain. But that’s what our brethren at Fox News have done by modifying photographs of two New York Times employees for an on-air show. Here’s a description of what happened, according to the Web site Media Matters:
“On the July 2 edition of Fox News’ Fox & Friends, co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade labeled New York Times reporter Jacques Steinberg and editor Steven Reddicliffe “attack dogs,” claiming that Steinberg’s June 28 article on the “ominous trend” in Fox News’ ratings was a “hit piece.” During the segment, however, Fox News featured photos of Steinberg and Reddicliffe that appeared to have been digitally altered — the journalists’ teeth had been yellowed, their facial features exaggerated, and portions of Reddicliffe’s hair moved further back on his head. Fox News gave no indication that the photos had been altered.
After putting up the photos of Steinberg and Reddicliffe, Fox & Friends also featured a photograph of Steinberg’s face superimposed over that of a poodle, while Reddicliffe’s face was superimposed over that of the man holding the poodle’s leash.”
I’m sure there are plenty of Fox fans who’ll say, “Well, good for Fox. They gave those liberal Times boys a good whupping.”
The problem is this — photographic manipulation, unless it’s labeled, creates mistrust. It doesn’t matter which side of the political aisle you’re on. Fox owes an apology to the Times, but it really ought to apologize to its viewers. If the network doesn’t, you can only wonder about the accuracy of anything you see there.
Michael Moore
Gas isn’t cheap anywhere, but where are the best deals in town? For that matter, what gas stations are the most expensive? We’d like to hear from you all as you’re out their shopping for the best fuel deal. If we get some good responses, we’ll write a story. Also, we’ll line up right behind you to fill our tanks!
Michael
Barack Obama hadn’t even sealed the Democratic nomination before folks started clamoring for an Obama-Clinton ticket. Now, Clinton’s campaign staff is actively pushing the possibility, and Hillary herself has said she’s open to the idea. While it’s possible such a ticket would heal some of the wounds the long campaign has inflicted on Democrats, it’s just as likely that the candidate who has made his name synonymous with change and hope wouldn’t be inclined to embrace the old guard represented by Hillary and Bill Clinton.
It’s just a thought. We’re wondering what you all think Obama should do next regarding a vice presidential candidate. Give us your thoughts, and remember, Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s name has already been in the mix!
Michael Moore
Thanks goodness, the bunny-napping has been solved. Turns out it wasn’t a malicious crime as much as confusion over the black rabbit’s potential safety. In any case, here’s Slurpy’s owner, Toni Matlock, describing the resolution:
“Through a ‘found rabbit’ posting on Craigslist, I got in touch with the woman who took Slurpy.
She thought she was ‘helping’ and was worried he would get hit by a car. She claims she got him from the gas station, though Mark’s daughter said she chased him into their shrubs to corral him… whatever. Her area code is Orange County, CA. Welcome to Montana, sweetheart, where the domestic rabbits get to run free! And survive if people leave them alone! (If they are fixed, it should be okay, I think!) Anyway, evidently she was worried that he would get hit by a car and the idea of a pet rabbit running loose like a cat just hadn’t occurred to her. Her intent was good.
I am really touched that the neighborhood busted at the seams over it and everyone was on the search. Apparently Joe (house across the street from me) saw Gladys (tidy house on the corner) at Walmart and she told him about it. She was very upset, too. Mark was hounding animal control and I posted signs. I saw someone else posted signs, too. Was that you? If so, thanks. I guess that somehow, with all of the fuss, it became understood that Slurpy is my rabbit, even if I’m a very hands off caretaker. He was born in my yard, I had him fixed, I named him, and he probably spends the most time here.
Anyway, Joe saw when the woman came by and dropped Slurpy in my yard and he ran over to tell me. Slurpy is losing his winter coat and I see that he must look a bit mangy if you don’t know him… anyway, he enjoyed a handful of treats and is back to his usual roaming. I suspect that his escapades caused me more wear than it did him.
THANK YOU for all of your help!”
We Montanans are pretty used to being beside the point when it comes to national politics, but we still have our identity. But even that was taken from us for a while last night as Barack Obama secured the Democratic nomination and made the Montana vote, well, sort of beside the point. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, intoning Obama’s historic win, kept referring to Montana as Michigan, one of two states that ran outlaw primaries earlier this year.
So listen up, Wolf. Maybe we didn’t decide the race like it appeared we might for a while, but we’re still Montanans. Get yourself a map. We’re the big ol’ state next to Canada. We know it’s easy for you Least Coasters to think the world ends just outside the Beltway, but hey, you got South Dakota right. So give us our due.
Michael Moore
OK, this is a first for the blog. A bunny-napping.This bit of news comes from Toni Matlock, who is a neighbor of reporter Betsy Cohen. Toni called Betsy this morning with news about Slurpy the Rabbit, who apparently inhabits their West Central Avenue neighborhood. Seems that two young ladies grabbed up Slurpy with the idea that they would take better care of the rabbit than the neighbors do. According to Toni and Betsy, Slurpy has a pretty carefree life, with daily feed stops around his neighborhood. In other words, he ain’t starving. Plus, Slurpy lives free. He doesn’t want the caged life.
Toni wrote a little history about Slurpy, which we offer in hopes that it will make the bunny-nappers feel bad. So here it is, straight from Toni:
Slurpy Alberto Matlock, was born January 2005 at 106 W. Central Ave.
I held him in my hands when he was only a few weeks old. Slurpy’s mother, Bernadette ‘Burnie’, took refuge in my yard in the winter of 2004. I do not know where she came from but she came with a handful of rabbits. Out of the fear of bunnies doing what bunnies do, after Burnie had Slurpy, I had Slurpy and his mother fixed. He was less than a year old. Slurpy has survived the cars, cats, dogs and the people. His parents and cousins and siblings have not. Slurpy is the last of his Mohicans. He roams this block freely.
He was kidnapped the evening of June 2, 2008. If you have any information, please call 370-5689.
OK, so we’re sorry. I’ve been away on vacation, as were a handful of other Missoulian staffers. That left Gwen Florio pretty much alone in the newsroom, and she didn’t get around to doing much with the blog. But now I’m back, and we’ll try to get this thing back on track.
Tuesday will be all about the Obama-Clinton contest right here in Montana, so we’ll try to get information to you here as soon as we have it.
Michael Moore
Here’s a release from the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama:
“The Obama campaign announced today that it will begin airing a new radio ad featuring Missoula Mayor John Engen. In the 60-second spot, titled “Job,” Mayor Engen praises Senator Obama’s strong commitment to Montana’s working families, demonstrated by his refusal to take any money from the special interests in Washington. Senator Obama is the only candidate who can and will deliver real change on the issues that matter most to Montanans. Mayor Engen was one of the first elected officials in Montana to endorse Senator Obama and spoke at his first event in the state.”
This is just one of about a zillion emails I got today from the campaigns. Frankly, it’s making me weary. Still, the thought of Hillary going to the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale is enough to cheer up even the most jaded campaign-watcher. Remember, Hillary, wear boots!
4&20 blackbirds
A journal of Montana politics and culture
Here’s a nice little hit that ran at 4and20blackbirds,wordpress.com, which is a routinely excellent blog with lots of good Missoula stuff. And congrats to Matt and Jay.
Seminal Montana bloggers Matt Singer and Jay Stevens over at Left in the West were chosen to represent Montana at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Howard Dean even sent them a personalized video!
We await your posts with bated breath.
Ex-Prez Bill Clinton was back in Montana Tuesday night, speaking in Kalispell. He’s in Missoula Wednesday morning touting his wife’s presidential campaign. That’s all well and good. But the chances of Hillary Clinton actually winning the Democratic primary have declined precipitously, with most strategists saying it’s simply a matter of when Hillary will toss the surrender towel.
What do you all think? Should Ms. Clinton keep her campaign running as long as there’s a remote chance of victory? Or is it time for her to step aside and get behind Sen Barack Obama’s presidential quest? Check out our stories in Wednesday papers, and keep track of Clinton’s Missoula visit online, too. Then drop us a note here at 360.
Michael Moore
