Last week's column in The Freeport Focus is presented here for a "fair and balanced" account of the other national convention.
Watching the RNC
Or Being Embedded with C-SPAN
By
Roland Tolliver
“Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.” --Every speaker at the RNC after their introductions.
Our media maverick, Al Bebach, spent the last week embedded with C-SPAN, otherwise known as Continuous Sarah Palin Action News, this past week during the Republican National Convention. He is a little blurry-eyed after his back-to-back convention attack, but he was willing to share his thoughts with us again this week. (If you missed last week’s convention coverage, it may be viewed at http://pretzelcity.blogspot.com/).
Roland: Tell me, Al, how was this convention compared to the DNC in Denver?
Al Bebach (AB): I didn’t see as many celebrities. There was Pat Boone and Jon Voight, but no Arnold or Clint. Nothing like the DNC with Oprah, P. Diddy, or a host of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who were all clamoring to touch the hem of Barack Obama’s garment.
Roland: How was the mood of this convention?
AB: Much more businesslike for the first couple of days. There was a rush of enthusiasm for Wednesday night, though. Everyone was waiting for the main speech of the convention.
Roland: Do you mean Mike Huckabee’s or Fred Thompson’s?
AB: No, you silly goof. I’m talking about Sarah “Barracuda” Palin.
Roland: What did she have to say to the adoring crowd?
AB: I didn’t follow the words at first, so I had to watch it a second time on You Tube.
Roland: Why didn’t you watch her speech the first time?
AB: Because I spent the entire time just watching her. She’s like Lois Lane, I was just waiting for her to take off her glasses and let down her hair. If Obama should be on GQ, Sarah will end up on Vanity Fair or something like that. McCain looked like a doting grandfather when they were on stage together.
Roland: What about the content of the speeches, though. Any unusual revelations like you noticed last week?
AB: Let’s see. There was Mike Huckabee who told a long story about students not having desks. I guess that was relevant for children’s left behinds.
Roland: I believe that is “No Child Left Behind” and he was talking about our veterans’ earning the right for us to have a free education.
AB: You don’t really know Huckabee’s sense of humor, do you? Then Fred Thompson spoke of alligators and swamps. I think he was referring to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Probably some off-handed reference to Sarah Palin’s dad, Michael, and his friends from Monty Python. I loved the Knights who say “Ni!” “Bring me a shrubbery!”
Roland: Michael Palin is British and is not Sarah’s dad. That would be funny, though, come to think of it. How did her speech go over?
AB: She was definitely the star of the convention. I don’t know that she laid any new policy information on the line, but she laid into the media and told us she did say no thanks to Simon and Garfunkel.
Roland: Simon and Garfunkel?
AB: Sure, she said, “Thanks, but no thanks for the Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
Roland: That was the Bridge to Nowhere and she did support it at first when Senator “I’ll Fight My Indictment” Ted Stevens tried to get the appropriations for his state.
AB: Whatever. She was dynamic, eloquent and did I say, good looking?
Roland: Yes, you did, but what does that have to do with anything? If she was a man, you wouldn’t even bring it up, would you?
AB: You obviously missed last week’s column. Barack is the Rock Star and Sarah is now the Rock Goddess, though she wouldn’t like that title. You know? No false gods before me and all that. She made the main speaker seem shaky and unsure of himself by comparison.
Roland: You mean, Sarah Palin.
AB: No, Rudy Giuliani.
Roland: I was surprised that it took him almost to the end of his speech to mention 9/11. I realize that this week mark’s the anniversary of that most tragic day in American history, but surely he must have done something besides that in his life.
AB: You mean besides enjoying finding attractive women to marry?
Roland: Yes, besides that. What about the women who spoke other than Sarah Palin? Cindy McCain and Laura Bush were there, weren’t they?
AB: Yes. Cindy McCain had on an outfit complete with full accoutrements to the cost of over $300,000. Laura Bush ensemble was a mere $4000 or so.
Roland: Does that mean anything?
AB: The differences should tell you something. One comes from money and isn’t afraid to let it be known, no matter how many houses they have. The other one has served her country admirably and would probably like to return to a home on the range.
Roland: That brings us to the final night and the most anticipated event of the night.
AB: Obama being interviewed by Bill O’Reilly?
Roland: Ha! Ha! No, I’m talking about Senator McCain’s acceptance speech. Did he hit a “home run”?
AB: Let’s just say that he has served his country and that age shouldn’t matter as much as the American media makes it out to be of significance. On the other hand, he should probably be like most successful mates in a relationship and let Sarah do the talking from now on.
Roland: Thanks, Al. I can’t wait to hear your input over the next sixty days leading up to the election.
AB: It has felt like sixty months since this year’s election process started. I’m going to bed and hibernate until Christmas. Wake me when it’s all over.
Roland Tolliver is a freelance writer and contributor to The Freeport Focus and Village Voices. You may read additional writings and view photos from the Sesquicentennial celebrations at http://www.pretzelcity.blogspot.com/.
Showing posts with label Freeport Focus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freeport Focus. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Another Feather in the Cap
A little over a year ago, the following story appeared on the WTVO website:
Where's Alan?
Reported by: WTVO Newsroom
Wednesday, Aug 8, 2007 @07:00am CST
UPDATE 8/8/07: There have been requests for an update on the condition of Fox 39 News anchor Alan Jones.
"There's been some improvement", says Jones. "Since my last posting a few months ago, I've undergone eyelid surgery to take care of some of the blepharospasm effects of apraxia. That's allowing me to keep my eyelids open a lot easier. And a regimen of Botox will help as well."
"I'm more than ready to get back to work on the air, and believe that will happen soon. Thanks for thinking of me."
Fox39 News Anchor Alan Jones hasn't left the station as many have asked. No, he's just not in a position to be on the air right now.
"I've been dealing with a severe case of dry eye and what's called benign essential blepharospasms. Those are involuntary eye spasms that are closely aligned with dry eye", says Jones.
"That and the symptoms of dry eye; the irritation and light sensitivity; make it impossible to be on the air. But I've been getting extensive treatment, so hopefully I'll be back at 9 soon."
The station has been receiving numerous phone calls and e-mails wanting to know Alan's whereabouts.
"Thanks for everyone's concerns and questions. I'm still here, producing the Fox39 News at Nine, while my colleagues do a great job filling in for me."
Well, now we know where Alan Jones is. He was just announced as the new Editor of The Freeport Focus, the soon to be daily newspaper in Freeport and surrounding communities. Dan Stevens, current reporter, columnist, editor and publisher was able to keep this under wraps until today's big headline story in Village Voices. It will be the lead story in tomorrow's Focus, also.
How does this bode for our "News Wars" that has been brewing for the past month or so (obviously, much longer than that, but most was behind the scenes). There have been a few major changes at the long-standing newspaper in our area, but the upstart Focus is going ahead with great ambition and great promise. While I know there is a certain amount of ill-will since my inauspicious dismissal from the other paper, and a definite feeling of bias in favor of AdPix, Inc. since I am now a contributing columnist, the overarching feeling in the community is that they are ready for a "local" paper with "local" writers and "local" stories.
People are starting to send in their subscriptions for "Faith in the Focus", the new office is about to be functional, and it will be within a stone's throw of the building at State and Main. This, as it is often said, is about to get interesting.
Where's Alan?
Reported by: WTVO Newsroom
Wednesday, Aug 8, 2007 @07:00am CST
UPDATE 8/8/07: There have been requests for an update on the condition of Fox 39 News anchor Alan Jones.
"There's been some improvement", says Jones. "Since my last posting a few months ago, I've undergone eyelid surgery to take care of some of the blepharospasm effects of apraxia. That's allowing me to keep my eyelids open a lot easier. And a regimen of Botox will help as well."
"I'm more than ready to get back to work on the air, and believe that will happen soon. Thanks for thinking of me."
Fox39 News Anchor Alan Jones hasn't left the station as many have asked. No, he's just not in a position to be on the air right now.
"I've been dealing with a severe case of dry eye and what's called benign essential blepharospasms. Those are involuntary eye spasms that are closely aligned with dry eye", says Jones.
"That and the symptoms of dry eye; the irritation and light sensitivity; make it impossible to be on the air. But I've been getting extensive treatment, so hopefully I'll be back at 9 soon."
The station has been receiving numerous phone calls and e-mails wanting to know Alan's whereabouts.
"Thanks for everyone's concerns and questions. I'm still here, producing the Fox39 News at Nine, while my colleagues do a great job filling in for me."
Well, now we know where Alan Jones is. He was just announced as the new Editor of The Freeport Focus, the soon to be daily newspaper in Freeport and surrounding communities. Dan Stevens, current reporter, columnist, editor and publisher was able to keep this under wraps until today's big headline story in Village Voices. It will be the lead story in tomorrow's Focus, also.
How does this bode for our "News Wars" that has been brewing for the past month or so (obviously, much longer than that, but most was behind the scenes). There have been a few major changes at the long-standing newspaper in our area, but the upstart Focus is going ahead with great ambition and great promise. While I know there is a certain amount of ill-will since my inauspicious dismissal from the other paper, and a definite feeling of bias in favor of AdPix, Inc. since I am now a contributing columnist, the overarching feeling in the community is that they are ready for a "local" paper with "local" writers and "local" stories.
People are starting to send in their subscriptions for "Faith in the Focus", the new office is about to be functional, and it will be within a stone's throw of the building at State and Main. This, as it is often said, is about to get interesting.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Where, Oh, Where Has Olga Gone?
The following appeared in the National Federation of Press Women about Freeport's Olga Gize Carlile:
Olga Gize Carlile started her 50-year career in journalism at a time when few married women were in the workforce, becoming one of the first women managing editors at the newspaper. A dedicated print journalist, book author and columnist, she broke ground for women journalists in finding ways to balance career, family, and community commitments. She has held many offices in IWPA, served eight years on the NFPW Education Fund board, and was the 1992 NFPW Communicator of Achievement.
Now, there is no word from her longstanding employer, The Journal-Standard, about her status at the newspaper. Various "rumors" are flying about the town, but to date,there has been no official word from the publisher or editor at The J-S.
Last year when she was being honored by Northern Illinois University as the 2007 Illinois Journalist of the Year, there couldn't be enough "face time" for Mrs. Carlile on the front page of the paper and now... well, only the rumors of her being escorted to the door, being asked to work limited hours with no benefits, or to take a buyout and quit writing for the paper to which she gave most of her adult life her time, talents and treasures.
It is time that some notice be forthcoming. There are many readers of the local daily who have only kept their subscription because Olga was still writing. If she is no longer on the staff, well, it is my guess that there will be an onslaught of letters, phone calls, emails, and canceled subscriptions in the very near future.
Whether intended or not, this will only help to further entrench the support for the new upcoming daily paper, The Freeport Focus. I realize that there is a certain bias on my behalf, having felt the indignity of minimal forewarning before being told that my services were no longer needed at The J-S, but as I was reminded that I was "only" a freelance writer (albeit for 8 1/2 years), Olga has been with The J-S for what 50 years or so? I'd expect a greater degree of dignity than what the rumors are implying, but we'll have to wait and see what the "rest of the story" is or at least the edited version will be.
Olga Gize Carlile started her 50-year career in journalism at a time when few married women were in the workforce, becoming one of the first women managing editors at the newspaper. A dedicated print journalist, book author and columnist, she broke ground for women journalists in finding ways to balance career, family, and community commitments. She has held many offices in IWPA, served eight years on the NFPW Education Fund board, and was the 1992 NFPW Communicator of Achievement.
Now, there is no word from her longstanding employer, The Journal-Standard, about her status at the newspaper. Various "rumors" are flying about the town, but to date,there has been no official word from the publisher or editor at The J-S.
Last year when she was being honored by Northern Illinois University as the 2007 Illinois Journalist of the Year, there couldn't be enough "face time" for Mrs. Carlile on the front page of the paper and now... well, only the rumors of her being escorted to the door, being asked to work limited hours with no benefits, or to take a buyout and quit writing for the paper to which she gave most of her adult life her time, talents and treasures.
It is time that some notice be forthcoming. There are many readers of the local daily who have only kept their subscription because Olga was still writing. If she is no longer on the staff, well, it is my guess that there will be an onslaught of letters, phone calls, emails, and canceled subscriptions in the very near future.
Whether intended or not, this will only help to further entrench the support for the new upcoming daily paper, The Freeport Focus. I realize that there is a certain bias on my behalf, having felt the indignity of minimal forewarning before being told that my services were no longer needed at The J-S, but as I was reminded that I was "only" a freelance writer (albeit for 8 1/2 years), Olga has been with The J-S for what 50 years or so? I'd expect a greater degree of dignity than what the rumors are implying, but we'll have to wait and see what the "rest of the story" is or at least the edited version will be.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Pre and Me
I know that there has been a great deal written about Steve Prefontaine over the years since his death in 1975. I have written about his influence in my life and some of the coincidences that I share with him for the next issue of The Freeport Focus that is scheduled to appear in next week's edition. Today's entries focus more on some of the photos of Steve Prefontaine and me (when I was much younger, circa 1975-1976 to around1982. The similarities are striking at times and in no way were the photos "Pre"- planned, as I did not see any of the photos of Pre until well after his death and long after my high school photos were taken.
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