Saturday, May 2, 2009
Virgin America Gets Absinthe-Minded
I wrote a post for my travel blog about my reactions to Virgin America's announcement that it will start serving absinthe aloft. Check it out!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Fancy firehouses?
Over the last 10 years or so, I've noticed a trend: Firehouses are getting more opulent.
The one on Tatum Boulevard in Paradise Valley looks like a resort. And Phoenix is no stranger to fancy firehouses: Just drive by the fairly new stations on 32nd south of Indian School, and Indian School near 20th Street.
I am definitely in favor of providing good equipment to our firefighters. What I don't like is excessive funds being devoted to make "pretty" fire stations. Really, they should all be standardized as possible to reduce design costs.
It would be really interesting to see the going rate for a fire station these days.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
What Happens When Political Parties Die?
Right now, there's plenty of speculation about whether the Republican Party is dying. Arlen Spector's defection is the latest talking point.
Rather than such speculation, I'd rather see a non-partisan analysis of the last time a major American political party ceased to exist, or changed to the point of requiring a new name. This has happened before, and will happen again. But will it be the Republicans any time soon?
I'm honestly not equipped for this task, but someone who is should seriously consider it.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
5 Observations on the News
1. Newspapers need to stop using the word "probe" in headlines, unless they're deliberately trying to be funny.
2. Bats are cool. Why would anyone want to shoot dozens of them?
A. John D'Anna used to be pretty high up on the newsroom food chain at The Arizona Republic - and a pretty decent character. Odd to see him doing quicky stories like this.
3. I usually agree with Robrt Pela, and often enjoy his opinions on local architecture. But not this time. SkySong is pretty cool and futuristic, especially at night.
4. Octomom wants to trademark her nickname. Well, she doesn't have right of first use. She didn't coin the phrase. I hope whoever did concoct it snares it out from under her.
5. You wouldn't like him when he's angry. FC Porto attacker Hulk carries on the Brazilan tradition of awesome nicknames. I am hoping for one named Bruce Campbell Suarez de la Sousa.
2. Bats are cool. Why would anyone want to shoot dozens of them?
A. John D'Anna used to be pretty high up on the newsroom food chain at The Arizona Republic - and a pretty decent character. Odd to see him doing quicky stories like this.
3. I usually agree with Robrt Pela, and often enjoy his opinions on local architecture. But not this time. SkySong is pretty cool and futuristic, especially at night.
4. Octomom wants to trademark her nickname. Well, she doesn't have right of first use. She didn't coin the phrase. I hope whoever did concoct it snares it out from under her.
5. You wouldn't like him when he's angry. FC Porto attacker Hulk carries on the Brazilan tradition of awesome nicknames. I am hoping for one named Bruce Campbell Suarez de la Sousa.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Hold on to Your Rights
I just happened across a blog by a former Arizona Republic reporter, Carlos Miller, who was arrested for taking photos of a police arrest in a public setting.
What scares me is not so much his arrest, but some of the comments in the "About" section of his blog. It astounds me that people can be so casual to mail in their First Amendment rights - or those of others.
When I covered the cops beat, I did not go with the assumption that police were always the bad guys - or even that they were most of the time. I proceeded under the belief that they're everyday people doing a difficult jobs - that the stress could make them do the wrong thing, as could the possibility that they were the bad seeds that got through the screening process. No matter what, though, peace officers need to be held accountable.
Well-trained, principled and experienced journalists are essential in maintaining that accountability. I believe Carlos Miller falls well into that definition - I've seen his work, and I think he acted properly if his account his accurate.
Some of the comments insist that, though he was right, he should have backed down.
I can't believe the cowardice. Carlos chose the hard road, no doubt. He weighed his actions and decided, having determined what he was willing to lose and endure to do what he felt was right. These are the moments that set precedent, and let government entities know that people will stand up when they go to far.
By the way, a jury found him not guilty of disobeying a police officer and disorderly conduct. He is appealing the conviction of resisting arrest without violence. Notice how none of these had anything to do with being photographed in a public area? I hope that speaks volumes to those who think it's not a person's right to take photos in a public area, regardless of the wishes of those being photographed - especially when they are funded by your tax dollars.
What scares me is not so much his arrest, but some of the comments in the "About" section of his blog. It astounds me that people can be so casual to mail in their First Amendment rights - or those of others.
When I covered the cops beat, I did not go with the assumption that police were always the bad guys - or even that they were most of the time. I proceeded under the belief that they're everyday people doing a difficult jobs - that the stress could make them do the wrong thing, as could the possibility that they were the bad seeds that got through the screening process. No matter what, though, peace officers need to be held accountable.
Well-trained, principled and experienced journalists are essential in maintaining that accountability. I believe Carlos Miller falls well into that definition - I've seen his work, and I think he acted properly if his account his accurate.
Some of the comments insist that, though he was right, he should have backed down.
I can't believe the cowardice. Carlos chose the hard road, no doubt. He weighed his actions and decided, having determined what he was willing to lose and endure to do what he felt was right. These are the moments that set precedent, and let government entities know that people will stand up when they go to far.
By the way, a jury found him not guilty of disobeying a police officer and disorderly conduct. He is appealing the conviction of resisting arrest without violence. Notice how none of these had anything to do with being photographed in a public area? I hope that speaks volumes to those who think it's not a person's right to take photos in a public area, regardless of the wishes of those being photographed - especially when they are funded by your tax dollars.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Ized to Death
You know what I keep noticing in corporate communications?
First, nobody can use the word "comprise" correctly. Not once have I ever seen it used correctly in anything someone has asked me to edit.
Second, nobody can use anything anymore. It's forbidden. We must all "leverage" and "utilize."
Third -and this just means it's the third I'm going to rant about today, not that these are the only three things driving me nuts- and last is that everybody loves acronyms. Well, except editors. Why oh why oh why?!
First, nobody can use the word "comprise" correctly. Not once have I ever seen it used correctly in anything someone has asked me to edit.
Second, nobody can use anything anymore. It's forbidden. We must all "leverage" and "utilize."
Third -and this just means it's the third I'm going to rant about today, not that these are the only three things driving me nuts- and last is that everybody loves acronyms. Well, except editors. Why oh why oh why?!
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