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Saturday, January 26, 2013
Beautiful Warrior
Wow.
It's hard to believe that I haven't posted anything since Chanukah. Things have not been good. Reporting and exposing public (and police in particular police) corruption and inefficiency has its consequences. This would include trespassing in my apartment, a refusal on the part of Buffalo Police detectives to investigate it. This would also include cybercrimes and unlawful surveillance, I believe. I have seen cars inexplicably parked on an empty street directly across from a park in direct view of my front window.
On January 12, 2013, a Saturday night. I saw a car parked for about half an hour, lights on an people standing next to it. I hard four pops which sounded a hell of a lot like shots fired. Not at my window, but definitely in plain view of it. I saw blooms of smoke after each pop. I did not call 911 at all. It would have been an exercise in futility IMO. If they bothered to respond the response time would have been horrible.
This article I wrote (offline) in July has sparked a great deal of controversy with people even posting their troubles with dirty Buffalo cops, one person writing under her name on a social media site. I can't go into details but B'H that there are other law enforcement agencies to investigate and expose police corruption. So what did I do that night of possible "shots fired"? My response will seem odd to most but it was a great comfort to me. I sat on the arm of my sofa with the mini blinds completely opened and sat there listening to my Ipod--Luciano Pavarotti singing Nessum Dorma. I played it until the car drove off. I am Italian American FYI as if I haven't mentioned it:) Nessum Dorma was perfect and very comforting for this dark night and threat (I believe it was a warming). Nessum Dorm...ah, so perfect for this night. In fact, I made a music video of it recently featuring my two betta fish. That is, my crown tail betta fish and veil betta.
These are gorgeous fish, the aquatic version of a peacock. They are glorious fish with personality and intelligence. Their technical name is Betta Splendens. Literally, Beautiful Warrior. Sadly these glorious fish are often housed in tiny fish bowls as their alternative name is Siamese fighting fish. These fish are indeed beautiful but they have a flaw: they are extremely aggressive towards their own species and any fish that resembles them. Go to any pet shop and you'll see betta fish in tiny little cups, often with a small amount of water in these cups. People buy them, but often house them in tiny, unheated 1/2 bowls. Some put them in vases. I have mine in 2.5 gallon heated tanks and they seem very happy.
My halfmoon betta is so feisty! He flares at everything--other fish in a tank near his (I need to put something between the two)--his reflection in the glass and even his own reflection in the water above him.
But watch the beautiful finnage as he passes, fleetingly, across the LED light. I haven't named him yet, though I have had him since about September. What name for such a fish? I am thinking of Maccabi. I think that is a good name for a beautiful warrior. My slowing moving but favorite of all four bettas is my blue veil tail. I've named him Sapphire. Yes. I made a video part twilight with fleetingly glimpses of my beautiful warrior, and my blue Sapphire.
In honor of them. They survived living in tiny cups, escaping the fate of many bettas--languishing in tiny cups at pet stores or going to bad homes.
So on this night of apparent "shots fired" I listened to the music, in plainview of the car. In the window. From the haunting beginning "No one will sleep" to the equally haunting voice of women in the distance singing, (Il nome suo nessun saprà!... e noi dovrem, ahime, morir! mori) No one will know his name and we must, alas, die. To the utterly victorious Vanish, o night! Set, stars! Set, stars!
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win! Vincero! Vincero! VINCERO!
Inspired by the music of generations and generations of great Italian music I was able to be brave. I will win this battle bli nader. B'H for honest law enforcement officers and agencies who take their oaths seriously and sincerely. Again, I cannot say that the apparent shots fired was for me but under the current circumstances (and have been shot in 2003 as a non-lethal warning by someone who did possess a real gun) it is a very real possibility... But...VINCERO!!!
Since I enjoy and find much inspiration in song, colors, and symbolism I did a quick search of fish symbolism. Here is the first response I got "In Aramaic (the language of the Talmud), the word Nun means "fish," a symbol of activity and life" I like that:) My inspirational fish:
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
More on the Road to Stalinism...
See post and video below this post.
It seems that the Duma did indeed pass the foreign agent NGO legislation. Religious organizations are supposedly exempt but I don't trust Putin. I see him and his government using this law to persecute members of these foreign agent (not, at least in English the word agent is used, not agency)implying that any member of the group could be regarded as a foreign agent/spy/enemy of the state.
From another English language Russia news source:
Russia's lower house of parliament on Friday passed a bill forcing non-government organizations (NGO) engaged in political activity with foreign financing to be classed as "foreign agents." Only three deputies voted against, one abstained and 374 voted in favor. Suggested amendments to the bill from President Putin were heard in the second reading. These will exempt religious organizations, state companies and related NGOs from the provisions, as well as state, municipal and state-funded bodies. The passage of the new law comes amidst criticism from Russian human rights organizations which say the series of Kremlin-backed laws are attempts to suppress opposition.
Under the new legislation, NGOs would have to publish a biannual report on their activities and carry out an annual financial audit. Failure to comply with the law could result in four-year jail sentences and/or fines of up to 300,000 rubles ($9,200).
Non-profit organizations which fall under the law’s jurisdiction, will be put on the “foreign agents” list what means that an NGO will be required to put a foreign agent label on all printed materials it publishes, including media materials. In addition an NGO will need to inform the Justice Ministry about any foreign funding transactions greater than 200,000 rubles (about $7,000), it may receive, according to the amendments into the Law against Money Laundering and Terrorism Funding. Apart from the NGO legislation, the lawmakers also passed a controversial bill criminalizing defamation, in its second and third reading on Friday.
The document, passed within a week of being filed, now has to be approved by the Federation Council and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. Many opposition activists and independent journalists have said the bill, which introduces hefty fines for defamation, especially toward officials, is an attempt to silence critics of the government. Journalists staged a row of solitary pickets outside the Duma building in Moscow on Friday, but failed to influence the lawmakers.
The bill could carry fines of up to five million rubles ($170,000) for misinformation damaging a person's reputation. The new laws have already sparked international condemnation from the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who expressed concern on Tuesday that amendments to the Russian NGO law may limit the space for a vibrant civil society in the country. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday that the NGO law threatened Russians’ creative potential. Commenting on the adoption of the laws, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, wrote in her Twitter: “Worrying laws passed by Duma on blacklisting of websites and obstacles for NGOs to act in Russia. Important to protect freedom of speech.” Malmstrom referred to Russia’s controversial Internet Blacklist Bill approved on Wednesday that says it is necessary to combat websites that carry child pornography, drug promotion material and advice on suicide.
The law will see the creation of a federal agency to rule on which websites should be closed down. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday the U.S. State Department expressing its concerns over Russia’s NGO and Internet blacklist law amounts to infringement in the country's internal affairs.
“Such actions can only be perceived as attempts of rude and unacceptable interference in the work of Russian state authorities and the sovereign legislative process,” said Konstantin Dolgov, the ministry’s human rights ombudsman. “Moscow is not always satisfied with certain discussions and decisions by the U.S. Congress, but we’re principally abstaining from interfering with the legislative activity in the United States. We are entitled to expect it to be mutual,” Dolgov said.
Russia's lower house of parliament on Friday passed a bill forcing non-government organizations (NGO) engaged in political activity with foreign financing to be classed as "foreign agents." Only three deputies voted against, one abstained and 374 voted in favor. Suggested amendments to the bill from President Putin were heard in the second reading. These will exempt religious organizations, state companies and related NGOs from the provisions, as well as state, municipal and state-funded bodies. The passage of the new law comes amidst criticism from Russian human rights organizations which say the series of Kremlin-backed laws are attempts to suppress opposition.
Under the new legislation, NGOs would have to publish a biannual report on their activities and carry out an annual financial audit. Failure to comply with the law could result in four-year jail sentences and/or fines of up to 300,000 rubles ($9,200).
Non-profit organizations which fall under the law’s jurisdiction, will be put on the “foreign agents” list what means that an NGO will be required to put a foreign agent label on all printed materials it publishes, including media materials. In addition an NGO will need to inform the Justice Ministry about any foreign funding transactions greater than 200,000 rubles (about $7,000), it may receive, according to the amendments into the Law against Money Laundering and Terrorism Funding. Apart from the NGO legislation, the lawmakers also passed a controversial bill criminalizing defamation, in its second and third reading on Friday.
The document, passed within a week of being filed, now has to be approved by the Federation Council and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. Many opposition activists and independent journalists have said the bill, which introduces hefty fines for defamation, especially toward officials, is an attempt to silence critics of the government. Journalists staged a row of solitary pickets outside the Duma building in Moscow on Friday, but failed to influence the lawmakers.
The bill could carry fines of up to five million rubles ($170,000) for misinformation damaging a person's reputation. The new laws have already sparked international condemnation from the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who expressed concern on Tuesday that amendments to the Russian NGO law may limit the space for a vibrant civil society in the country. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday that the NGO law threatened Russians’ creative potential. Commenting on the adoption of the laws, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, wrote in her Twitter: “Worrying laws passed by Duma on blacklisting of websites and obstacles for NGOs to act in Russia. Important to protect freedom of speech.” Malmstrom referred to Russia’s controversial Internet Blacklist Bill approved on Wednesday that says it is necessary to combat websites that carry child pornography, drug promotion material and advice on suicide.
The law will see the creation of a federal agency to rule on which websites should be closed down. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday the U.S. State Department expressing its concerns over Russia’s NGO and Internet blacklist law amounts to infringement in the country's internal affairs.
“Such actions can only be perceived as attempts of rude and unacceptable interference in the work of Russian state authorities and the sovereign legislative process,” said Konstantin Dolgov, the ministry’s human rights ombudsman. “Moscow is not always satisfied with certain discussions and decisions by the U.S. Congress, but we’re principally abstaining from interfering with the legislative activity in the United States. We are entitled to expect it to be mutual,” Dolgov said.
Russian Orthodox Church a Foreign Agent?
This is wild. Could the pro-Putin Russian Orthodox Church be required to register as a foreign agent? For now they are more or less Pro-Putin (but what organization/person wouldn't be given his ability to crush them) church, if a legislation is passed late this year, would have to register as a "foreign agent" since it receives foreign aid as most major religious denominations do? For example, I don't know of any Roman Catholic Church in the world that does not receive funding from the Vatican.
But under this law, foreign agent isn't being used as a euphemism for something else. These organizations would be designated foreign agents conjuring up images of enemies of the state and spies. Kind of the same paranoia and evil that led Stalin to ship countless people off to gulags.
From an article/story on RT (sorry for all of the Russian related content lately, but 1. I find this all very interesting and 2. the paralles and potential for human/civil rights abuses in the US are disturbing.)
If Russia passes a new law regulating the practice of non-government organizations receiving foreign grants, the Moscow Helsinki Group will refuse to be registered as "a foreign agent," the head of the Group told Interfax on Monday.
"They may close us down if they want,” Lyudmila Alexeyeva said.
The Moscow Helsinki head said she would consult lawyers in order to avoid the requirements of the law if it is passed.
"As a founder and chairman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, I declare that the Moscow Helsinki Group will not get registered as a foreign agent under any circumstances," she said.
Foreign donors, including the European Commission, USAID and the MacArthur Foundation, are among those groups that contribute to the Moscow Helsinki Group.
According to United Russia State Duma deputy Aleksander Sidyakin, one of the amendment's initiators, the suggested changes would require that all NGOs registered within Russia but receiving money or property from foreign sources – state and private alike – be considered “foreign agents” once they get involved in political activities.
Amendments to the NGO law concerning the "foreign agent" status will be considered by the State Duma in a first reading at the end of this week, Speaker Sergei Naryshkin told reporters.
Earlier, the leader of the For Human Rights watchdog, Lev Ponomarev, wrote in his blog that he was not going to allow the “derogatory brand of a foreign nation’s agent” to be assigned to his group and that he hoped for support from other Russian NGOs.
Meanwhile, the head of the Presidential Human Rights Council, Mikhail Fedotov has also expressed his opposition to the suggested amendments saying that if they are signed into law even the Russian Orthodox Church would fall into the category of a "foreign agent."
Fedotov went to question the relevance of "financial transparency" if the NGO in question was engaging in legal activities.
"If this is financial transparency, what is the difference between foreign funds and internal ones," Fedotov mused. "If the organization is engaged in legal activities what is the difference if it is financed by Soros’s fund or Potanin’s fund?"
"And if we are talking about illegal activities, if such organization teaches suicide bombings, I have a question – what is the difference if it is financed by foreign terrorist structures or domestic ones?” he added.
The head of the State Duma Security Committee, Irina Yarovaya replied to Fedotov's concerns, saying in a media interview that the church is not a non-government organization and thus the amendments cannot be applied to it.
She also added that much stricter rules apply for NGOs that work in the United States.
The State Duma may be taking its cue on regulating NGOs operating in the Russian Federation from the United States. In 2010, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a group of Russians for operating as agents “of a foreign government without notifying the US Attorney General.”
Alexeyeva rejected the claim that her NGO works on behalf of “agents of foreign states.”
“We protect our citizens when their rights are breached,” she continued. “We do not work for foreign states.”
Alexeyeva said she made a similar statement to Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human
Rights Mikhail Fedotov.
Robert Bridge, RT
No wonder hundreds and thousands of Russians hit to the streets earlier this month. Some carrying the yellow and black flags of pre-revolutionary Russia, other the crimson Communist flag and still others with the Russian Federation's transSlavic red/white/blue have united for the time being in protesting against Putin.
"The State Duma may be taking its cue on regulating NGOs operating in the Russian Federation from the United States. In 2010, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a group of Russians for operating as agents “of a foreign government without notifying the US Attorney General.”
Or is it the other way around? Is the US government taking its cues from Soviet Russia's dark past? Complex issues for sure.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Wine of Friendship
For those unfamiliar with Les Miserables-here is a heartbreaking but beautiful scene from Les Miserables in Concert 25th anniversary. Pay particular attention to 1:15 to about 1:30. It's an often overlook song and scene. Here you'd expect Enjolras (brilliantly played by Persian born Canadian actor Ramin Karimloo)to be harsh or ridiculing of his brothers in arms, especially Grantaire. In fact, you'd expect him to be outright rejecting of him and then here...such a beautiful, heartbreaking and silent show of tenderness and love.
I just thought I'd post this because it's so easy to overlook, and it is one of the most beautiful songs in the entire musical.
Hadley Fraser who plays Grantaire will also be in the film version:) I wish Ramin were in it, too.
Hadley Fraser who plays Grantaire will also be in the film version:) I wish Ramin were in it, too.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Barricades and Battles
It's been a while since I've posted anything but things have been stressful offline to say the very least. Lets start with a burglary of my apartment and police refusal to investigate it. Retaliatory, I believe, for an article I wrote about a near riot and woeful police manpower on the Fourth of July.
Okay. On to the online and offline world:) I am so excited to see the film version of Les Miserables! It comes out sometime in December of this year. The trailers are interesting. The US trailer is rather tepid considering the depth of the story, universality of the subject manner and religious allegories throughout the film. The international trailer is twice as long as the official US trailer and actually includes battle scenes and the revolution and barricades.
Why the production company would leave this out of the trailer is perplexing. But perhaps they don't want to stir people up. Marketing in European countries is another matter. RT covers much of the unrest in European countries--including Russia--and the cries of the Russian people for revolution. It's surprising that RT would cover such stories given its source of funding. No matter. Les Miserables is universal, so why leave the barricades and battles out of the US trailer? What, no Enjorlas??? No revolution? No world you long to see behind the barricade?
It's not as if Americans can't relate to the story or as though America's genesis had nothing to do with religious freedom or revolution. Here's the international version: American fans of the musical and/or novel won't show up in droves to see this.
*****
I also plan on seeing final installment of the Twilight Saga--Breaking Dawn Part II. There is a bit of religious allegory in these films as well, not the least of which are the names of some of the characters:
Jacob Black, who opts out of being the ruler of the wolf pack to Sam but who reasserts his rightful place as chief in Breaking Dawn Part I . Jacob is the grandson of Ephraim Black, the grandson of a chief who will not bow to Sam or anyone else.
Leah: "The pathetic ex-girlfriend" of Sam, who feels unwanted.
Seth: Leah's brother who leaves the pack to join Jacob and Leah. When questioned about his decision to leave his brothers tells Jacob he will "If it's the right thing to do."
Then, of course, the final scene, Bella's transformation. It's a powerful scene and yes, it has religious overtones with Bella's ribs, broken in childbirth, are healed during her transformation. It's easy to dismiss Twilight (the movie many love to hate and ridicule). Still, perhaps the younger generation senses that there is more to the series than meets the eye.
Here is the transformation scene. I found it emotional, beautiful. Bill Condon does a wonderful job with Breaking Dawn I and II:
There is another beautiful but much more subtle scene in Breaking Dawn I. Stephenie Myers does a cameo when Bella is walking down the isle during the wedding. Bella looks at Myers, who smiles approvingly. Condon has said that he wanted the character (Bella) to gaze at the creator (author Myers.)
Okay. On to the online and offline world:) I am so excited to see the film version of Les Miserables! It comes out sometime in December of this year. The trailers are interesting. The US trailer is rather tepid considering the depth of the story, universality of the subject manner and religious allegories throughout the film. The international trailer is twice as long as the official US trailer and actually includes battle scenes and the revolution and barricades.
Why the production company would leave this out of the trailer is perplexing. But perhaps they don't want to stir people up. Marketing in European countries is another matter. RT covers much of the unrest in European countries--including Russia--and the cries of the Russian people for revolution. It's surprising that RT would cover such stories given its source of funding. No matter. Les Miserables is universal, so why leave the barricades and battles out of the US trailer? What, no Enjorlas??? No revolution? No world you long to see behind the barricade?
It's not as if Americans can't relate to the story or as though America's genesis had nothing to do with religious freedom or revolution. Here's the international version: American fans of the musical and/or novel won't show up in droves to see this.
*****
I also plan on seeing final installment of the Twilight Saga--Breaking Dawn Part II. There is a bit of religious allegory in these films as well, not the least of which are the names of some of the characters:
Jacob Black, who opts out of being the ruler of the wolf pack to Sam but who reasserts his rightful place as chief in Breaking Dawn Part I . Jacob is the grandson of Ephraim Black, the grandson of a chief who will not bow to Sam or anyone else.
Leah: "The pathetic ex-girlfriend" of Sam, who feels unwanted.
Seth: Leah's brother who leaves the pack to join Jacob and Leah. When questioned about his decision to leave his brothers tells Jacob he will "If it's the right thing to do."
Then, of course, the final scene, Bella's transformation. It's a powerful scene and yes, it has religious overtones with Bella's ribs, broken in childbirth, are healed during her transformation. It's easy to dismiss Twilight (the movie many love to hate and ridicule). Still, perhaps the younger generation senses that there is more to the series than meets the eye.
Here is the transformation scene. I found it emotional, beautiful. Bill Condon does a wonderful job with Breaking Dawn I and II:
There is another beautiful but much more subtle scene in Breaking Dawn I. Stephenie Myers does a cameo when Bella is walking down the isle during the wedding. Bella looks at Myers, who smiles approvingly. Condon has said that he wanted the character (Bella) to gaze at the creator (author Myers.)
Friday, September 21, 2012
Caleb Joshua
I am finally able to log in to my blogger account and no longer have to leave anonymous comments on other blogs. I hate writing anything--off or online anonymously. That's the coward's way out, and though I am a bit of a coward when it comes to my online writing, I nevertheless hate it.
But now that I am back, I a few thoughts/comments etc.
First, L'Shanah tova to all of my friends! May you all have a New Year filled with joy, wealth, health and spiritual growth and fulfilment.
Other news--I adopted a new kitten just a few weeks after my much loved 18-year old cat died. I named my now 10-week old kitten C J (short for Caleb Joshua). Show cats are often given long names, and while my little one isn't a show cat I chose to give him a good name. Caleb and Joshua go well together (yes, I know what the name Caleb means in Hebrew and naming cat Caleb is lol), but I like the names and it is my kitten and mine to name. He's suffering a bit of separation anxiety, though. He could be sound asleep but will wake right up the second I move from one room to another. Other than that, he's a real sweetheart, and I've yet to hear him meow. Very mellow fellow.
I actually got the idea of naming the kitten CJ from The Twilight Saga--Breaking Dawn. Nobody knows the gender of the baby Bella is pregnant with so for a boy she thought of calling it EJ (for Edward Jacob) and for a girl (a combination of her mother's name, Renee and Edward's mom's name, Esme--Rennesme).
I could have chosen any two biblical names for my kitten, but Caleb Joshua seemed best, names that can and should go together.
Other news 2--Things are tense once again in the offline world of reporting. I fear for my safety but as one cop told me, no harm will come to those who are doing good. He said this was in the bible. I hope this is true. When I asked this copper if he ever gets afraid, he said "no, because they don't see this" and pointed at the police emblem on his uniform.
Actually, this is the second time in two weeks a cop has mentioned G-d to me.
Another young cop told me that bringing the Ten Commandments back into schools would reduce crime. It's sadly too late for this generation, but, he said, the Ten Commandments have great value and wisdom outside of a religious context as well. I'll post something of substance later.
In the meantime-- Have a wonderful Shabbos!
First, L'Shanah tova to all of my friends! May you all have a New Year filled with joy, wealth, health and spiritual growth and fulfilment.
Other news--I adopted a new kitten just a few weeks after my much loved 18-year old cat died. I named my now 10-week old kitten C J (short for Caleb Joshua). Show cats are often given long names, and while my little one isn't a show cat I chose to give him a good name. Caleb and Joshua go well together (yes, I know what the name Caleb means in Hebrew and naming cat Caleb is lol), but I like the names and it is my kitten and mine to name. He's suffering a bit of separation anxiety, though. He could be sound asleep but will wake right up the second I move from one room to another. Other than that, he's a real sweetheart, and I've yet to hear him meow. Very mellow fellow.
I actually got the idea of naming the kitten CJ from The Twilight Saga--Breaking Dawn. Nobody knows the gender of the baby Bella is pregnant with so for a boy she thought of calling it EJ (for Edward Jacob) and for a girl (a combination of her mother's name, Renee and Edward's mom's name, Esme--Rennesme).
Other news 2--Things are tense once again in the offline world of reporting. I fear for my safety but as one cop told me, no harm will come to those who are doing good. He said this was in the bible. I hope this is true. When I asked this copper if he ever gets afraid, he said "no, because they don't see this" and pointed at the police emblem on his uniform.
Actually, this is the second time in two weeks a cop has mentioned G-d to me.
Another young cop told me that bringing the Ten Commandments back into schools would reduce crime. It's sadly too late for this generation, but, he said, the Ten Commandments have great value and wisdom outside of a religious context as well. I'll post something of substance later.
In the meantime-- Have a wonderful Shabbos!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
It Never Stops
I just realized that my last post was a couple of weeks ago. Things have been more than a little stressful on my side of the computer screen. I've already written about most of it--the computer issues, my cat, vcry stressful and now controversial article. I don't know what to make of it all. The day cops the week after the article was published stared when I walked into the station--not staring me down as they did in 1998 when they banned me and subsequently let me back in and gave me access to the reports. This seemed like more of a nervous stare. Last week I went at night but not at the change of shift. There weren't too many cops, mostly supervisors. Things went okay.
Monday I went at my usual time. Only one cop I know came into the communications room. All he said was, "It never stops." He said this in a slightly hushed voice, though I don't believe he was angry at all, but I couldn't tell if he meant the media and public criticism of the department, ever increasing calls for service, or that the police brass blamed them for the lack of security and police presence at the park.
I might be reading the situation wrong, but looking back, I think they could be under a gag order--formal or informal--since the article concluded with a simple suggestion from a veteran officer: citizens should simply call the police commissioner and tell him to call the mayor to use available money to hire more cops, buy updated cars. Simple as that. We need consistency, not time limited task forces to get us through the summer.
I'm caught in the middle. My editor is tight with the councilman, who is tight with the mayor. Oh yeah, and this is the most corrupt city in the country. Seriously.
So when a woman called up complaining that seven of her tenants were moving because of a home invasion nearby I had to give her the party line, "It's an unfortunate reality..." My voice trails off as her's becomes loud, this wasn't an unfortunate reality but matter of life and death. I asked my boss what I should have said, and explained that empathized with the woman. What was I to tell her? Lie? Minimize the situation?
My boss was silent. I think I made my point or at least gave him some things to think about.
I'm trying to avoid becoming a media apparatchik (thank you RT for introducing me to the phrase and concept so I can avoid it the best I can.) Hey, what better way to learn how to avoid becoming one by learning about it from a media outlet funded by the Kremlin?
Oh, speaking of RT, my favorite show, The Alyona Show has been taken of the air. I am disappointed. She was so intelligent, funny, out of the box and did bring all of the real headlines with none of the mercy. Why would she give up her position at RT, whose viewership is gaining while others are on the decline?
Monday I went at my usual time. Only one cop I know came into the communications room. All he said was, "It never stops." He said this in a slightly hushed voice, though I don't believe he was angry at all, but I couldn't tell if he meant the media and public criticism of the department, ever increasing calls for service, or that the police brass blamed them for the lack of security and police presence at the park.
I might be reading the situation wrong, but looking back, I think they could be under a gag order--formal or informal--since the article concluded with a simple suggestion from a veteran officer: citizens should simply call the police commissioner and tell him to call the mayor to use available money to hire more cops, buy updated cars. Simple as that. We need consistency, not time limited task forces to get us through the summer.
I'm caught in the middle. My editor is tight with the councilman, who is tight with the mayor. Oh yeah, and this is the most corrupt city in the country. Seriously.
So when a woman called up complaining that seven of her tenants were moving because of a home invasion nearby I had to give her the party line, "It's an unfortunate reality..." My voice trails off as her's becomes loud, this wasn't an unfortunate reality but matter of life and death. I asked my boss what I should have said, and explained that empathized with the woman. What was I to tell her? Lie? Minimize the situation?
My boss was silent. I think I made my point or at least gave him some things to think about.
I'm trying to avoid becoming a media apparatchik (thank you RT for introducing me to the phrase and concept so I can avoid it the best I can.) Hey, what better way to learn how to avoid becoming one by learning about it from a media outlet funded by the Kremlin?
Oh, speaking of RT, my favorite show, The Alyona Show has been taken of the air. I am disappointed. She was so intelligent, funny, out of the box and did bring all of the real headlines with none of the mercy. Why would she give up her position at RT, whose viewership is gaining while others are on the decline?