The Utah mine story is frighteningly similar to an old movie that my old Professor Friedman insisted his students watch in Press Ethics class at NYU. The movie was called Ace in the Hole. He screened it in class--which I thought was a waste of my tuition at the time, but knew why he did soon after.
I don't remember the specifics of the movie, but I do remember the basic plot. A sensationalist newspaper reporter stalls a rescue of a man who is trapped in a collapsed coal mine in order to milk to story and further his career. He convinces a contractor to drill a hole from the top of the mine instead of taking a faster, safer route from the side. He gets the story of the decade, but the trapped miner dies as result.
Sound familiar? it should. (more)
I'm not questioning any specific person's ethics; it's the collective that I have a problem with.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
FLASHOVER NOTES
The Deacon/Ianetta case has raised my blood pressure to the point that I almost neglected the fascinating phenomenon that got these two men out of prison: flashover. Here are some interesting links from some cases around the country.
Cincinatti Post
Washington Post
San Francisco Chronicle
Most people (inluding myself) have trouble distinguishing the difference between flashover nad backdraft. Here's an explanation from the Cincinatti Post (7.27.07):
"Investigators will also try to determine whether the rapid-fire expansion that injured the firefighters was a backdraft - in which a sudden ventilation fans the flames - or a flashover, in which the atmosphere becomes so hot that the smoke ignites."
So in a nutshell, backdraft is the introduction of oxygen, flashover is the lack of oxygen. Even though they are somewhat opposite effects, they are still confusing investigators all the time.
For example.
It kills me to read stories about Deacon and Ianetta from some highly respected journalists who don't fully understand what they're reporting on. Know you're facts, gentlemen.
Cincinatti Post
Washington Post
San Francisco Chronicle
Most people (inluding myself) have trouble distinguishing the difference between flashover nad backdraft. Here's an explanation from the Cincinatti Post (7.27.07):
"Investigators will also try to determine whether the rapid-fire expansion that injured the firefighters was a backdraft - in which a sudden ventilation fans the flames - or a flashover, in which the atmosphere becomes so hot that the smoke ignites."
So in a nutshell, backdraft is the introduction of oxygen, flashover is the lack of oxygen. Even though they are somewhat opposite effects, they are still confusing investigators all the time.
For example.
It kills me to read stories about Deacon and Ianetta from some highly respected journalists who don't fully understand what they're reporting on. Know you're facts, gentlemen.
Friday, June 29, 2007
FAIR TRIAL, NO CLASS
It's America, I get it. Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech. Fine, print whatever you want, but at least do your homework beforehand. Remember, that with all of our basic freedoms in the country, we also get the right to a fair trial.
The coverage of John Deacon and Frank Ianetta since their release from prison has been atrocious. Supporters like myself are few and far between. Quite literally. There's a national beat writer out of St Paul, Scott Devonshire, wrote a small piece about thorough crime investigations and pointed out how a rush-job can put two innocent men behind bars. Other than Devonshire, I can't put my finger on anyone else, especially local writers. Sure, there are a few of your left-wing lunatics who support just about everyone in prison, but no one with a rational agenda has come forward.
I was listening to talk radio on my way home the day Deacon and Ianetta's release was made public. I heard some of the most cretinous filth coming not only from the host, but the callers. One caller suggested we get rid of the appeals court. Another suggested--get this--the punishment should literally fit the crime. In other words, if you commit and arson, you should be set on fire. I honestly wish it was a joke.
Look, I've covered this story for almost three years now. I've gone through the trial transcripts, the investigation logs, the arson handbooks, talked to dozens of experts, several witnesses and written over 20,000 words of copy. I challenge anyone to come forward with more authority on this case than I do. There is no doubt in my mind that these two men are innocent. None.
The coverage of John Deacon and Frank Ianetta since their release from prison has been atrocious. Supporters like myself are few and far between. Quite literally. There's a national beat writer out of St Paul, Scott Devonshire, wrote a small piece about thorough crime investigations and pointed out how a rush-job can put two innocent men behind bars. Other than Devonshire, I can't put my finger on anyone else, especially local writers. Sure, there are a few of your left-wing lunatics who support just about everyone in prison, but no one with a rational agenda has come forward.
I was listening to talk radio on my way home the day Deacon and Ianetta's release was made public. I heard some of the most cretinous filth coming not only from the host, but the callers. One caller suggested we get rid of the appeals court. Another suggested--get this--the punishment should literally fit the crime. In other words, if you commit and arson, you should be set on fire. I honestly wish it was a joke.
Look, I've covered this story for almost three years now. I've gone through the trial transcripts, the investigation logs, the arson handbooks, talked to dozens of experts, several witnesses and written over 20,000 words of copy. I challenge anyone to come forward with more authority on this case than I do. There is no doubt in my mind that these two men are innocent. None.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
MUMBLES STUMBLES...AGAIN
Before I analyze what went wrong with the bomb scare the other day, let me point out a few facts:
1. The lite-brite mistaken for a bomb was placed on the bridge about a month or so before it was reported. Many people commented on it on various websites and message boards about how clever it was, in reference to the TV show it was promoting.
2. The two kids who were arrested for installing the LED sign are employed by a marketing company.
3. We don't have enough cops.
4. I was stuck in traffic for 3 hours and nearly missed a deadline because of this fiasco.
OK, now here's what the Mayor did wrong. First, he strained police resources to respond to this "potential crisis" which exposed a major weakness in our first response system. If this were a real bomb, it wouldn't have been pretty.
Once they realized it wasn't a bomb, the situation should have ended. But Menino was embarrased. He needed to wipe the egg off his face so he did what every politician does best and passed the buck. Turner Broadcasting, the two kids, the marketing firm, fans of the cartoon. Turner looked the best at the end the day; they took on all responsibility, paid a couple million bucks and got some nice print (no such thing as bad news).
Despite Turner's good will, Menino still insisted that the two kids are thrown in jail for...for...for what? Doing their job? I can point out a hundred more harmful things that you've done on the clock, Mr. Mayor. They work for a marketing company, they were instructed to place those LEDs there just the like hundreds of similar LEDs placed around the country by similar kids. Should they be thrown in prison as well?
The only good to come out of this was the handling of the press by these two kids. They answered every question with haircut remarks. "What do you have to say about the chaos your actions have caused." "That's not a hair question. I'm sorry." Priceless.
1. The lite-brite mistaken for a bomb was placed on the bridge about a month or so before it was reported. Many people commented on it on various websites and message boards about how clever it was, in reference to the TV show it was promoting.
2. The two kids who were arrested for installing the LED sign are employed by a marketing company.
3. We don't have enough cops.
4. I was stuck in traffic for 3 hours and nearly missed a deadline because of this fiasco.
OK, now here's what the Mayor did wrong. First, he strained police resources to respond to this "potential crisis" which exposed a major weakness in our first response system. If this were a real bomb, it wouldn't have been pretty.
Once they realized it wasn't a bomb, the situation should have ended. But Menino was embarrased. He needed to wipe the egg off his face so he did what every politician does best and passed the buck. Turner Broadcasting, the two kids, the marketing firm, fans of the cartoon. Turner looked the best at the end the day; they took on all responsibility, paid a couple million bucks and got some nice print (no such thing as bad news).
Despite Turner's good will, Menino still insisted that the two kids are thrown in jail for...for...for what? Doing their job? I can point out a hundred more harmful things that you've done on the clock, Mr. Mayor. They work for a marketing company, they were instructed to place those LEDs there just the like hundreds of similar LEDs placed around the country by similar kids. Should they be thrown in prison as well?
The only good to come out of this was the handling of the press by these two kids. They answered every question with haircut remarks. "What do you have to say about the chaos your actions have caused." "That's not a hair question. I'm sorry." Priceless.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
