Sue Ogrocki/AP Photo
Picher firefighter Josh Stillwell frees a dog trapped in tornado debris in Picher, Okla., Monday. For the rest of Andrew Zahler's daily Today In Pictures, click here. Also, AndrewZ has a bonus slide show covering the China earthquake here.
Plame and Wilson back Clinton
"Hoping" for Obama
McCain's "bilingual" ad
This is an issue worth dealing with, as having too many icons on a desktop uses up available memory. And that in turn can affect the ability of your browser to manage pages smoothly, especially if your machine is using lots of memory on multiple programs.
A simple option is using Microsoft’s built-in desktop cleaner. You’ll find it through control panel, then choose Display. Choose the Desktop tab and then under Customize, you will find the Desktop cleanup remove unused icons choice.
Interesting story from reporter Michael McIntyre at the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
A TV station billed an interview with Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. as an "exclusive." Turns out the video they used was from a network interview last year. The reporter never appeared in the story…just did a "voice over."
News Director Dan Salamone said " We never once suggested (reporter) Sharon Reed sat down and did the interview. We just said she had an exclusive story." Hmmmm. Yet the web site said "Sharon Reed sits down for a one on one interview with the famed baller." According to the article, Salamone said "The internet guys didn't get the memo." Hmmm again.
Is this common practice in the TV biz? Well, it's not uncommon for reporters to voice over national stories done by the network or another affiliate (after all, how many stations can afford to send someone to Iraq). Many stations use syndicated health stories too, with the reporter doing a "voice over."
However, it is unethical for a station to promote something as an "exclusive" when it's clearly not.
What are your thoughts on this, and how much of what you see on the news, read in print, or hear on the radio do you question?
-dan
It's time to start taking applications for the staff of the Vox for the 2008-2009 school year.
This is for the print edition, as well as the blog.
Some tips:
Send us examples of your work!!! Each year I get applications and they DON'T SEND SAMPLES even though we request them.
Don't be afraid to apply for the second time! Sometimes, we select upperclassmen over underclassmen just because it's their last chance to be on staff. Don't be afraid to apply again!
We desperately need sports writers and cartoonists.
We are also hiring general reporters for news, A&E and opinion. We also need photographers and graphic artists.
Additionally, all our bloggers are graduating. Think this is something you'd like to do? We need you!
If you are from Idaho, use this one:
If the link isn't working or you have any questions, email Erin at: erind@spokesman.com
Applications are due June 13.
Keep in mind that there will be training sessions in July, and we start work on our first edition in August. Does this mean we work all summer? Oh heck no. But if you are taking off for the entire summer, it's something you need to keep in mind. Don't apply if you can't train. Or, email Erin and see if something can be worked out.
So, download the application, fill it out, and email it back to Erin as an attachment. AND DON'T FORGET TO SEND EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK!
If you need to snail mail your app, send it to:
Erin Daniels
999 West Riverside
Spokane WA, 99210
And if you don't have email? Get one. It's how we communicate and you can't apply without one. Thanks!
Keith Roark, Idaho’s last remaining uncommitted Democratic superdelegate, today endorsed Barack Obama in the presidential race. Roark, who also is chairman of the Idaho Democratic Party, noted the strong party support for Obama in Idaho, from the Illinois senator’s jam-packed Boise rally in February to his overwhelming support at the state’s Democratic caucuses. Roark said he had three standards for picking a candidate: Who’d make a better president, who is more electable, and “who would run the better race in the state of Idaho.” Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would “make an excellent president,” he said. “Both of them are electable.” But Roark said Obama clearly will run a better race in Idaho – and he added that Obama’s wife, Michelle, already has committed to an appearance in Idaho over the summer and the candidate himself may return as well.
Asked why he waited so long to commit, Roark said, “I felt it was important to see how the campaign progressed. In my lifetime, I have supported any number of candidates who didn’t make it through the primary season.” But he said he’s now convinced that Obama “is someone who can take a bunch and punch right back.” Plus, he added, “Sen. Obama netted more convention delegates from Idaho’s caucuses than Sen. Clinton got from New Jersey’s caucuses.”
Tracking superdelegates is an iffy proposition, as they can change their mind at any time. The Democratic National Committee said it doesn’t keep count. Many remain uncommitted. But according to the website Politico.com, Idaho is one of just three states or territories where the Democratic superdelegates all have committed, with the other two being Nebraska (all six Obama) and American Samoa (four Clinton, two Obama). Idaho has four superdelegates – all of whom now have endorsed Obama – and a fifth will be selected at the state party convention in June. Roark said with Idaho’s caucuses going more than 80 percent for Obama, it’s clear that the final superdelegate also will be an Obama delegate.
The home stretch of the Spokane Chiefs' 2007-08 season is upon us. While it could have been over as early as the middle of March, the Chiefs have stretched their season long enough to win the Western Hockey League title and take a shot at the ultimate prize in junior hockey - the Memorial Cup.
I'll be traveling with the team, which departs Wednesday morning for Kitchener, Ontario. Here's what we've had the past couple of days:
This story on Dustin Tokarski (apparently someone back at our office wishes his name was Justin Tokarski, you'll see what I mean), Levko Koper and Judd Blackwater who all have at least one thing in common - they were brought to Spokane after being added to the Chiefs' 50-player protected list. Today we ran a story for those unfamiliar with the Memorial Cup. I realize you hockey fans may not get much out of it, but those who are just tuning in may find it helpful. Also, here's a supplement with some interesting numbers on the transition from major junior hockey to the NHL.
There's also a press release below as two Chiefs earned individual recognition today.
Captain Hunt’s newly formed Sand Walking Company departed efficiently the next morning, heading south through the meadowlands that spread out beneath the range of towering peaks that surround the Salt Lake basin. The next few days were sunny and clear and our prospects for a safe trip were high. Most everyone seemed in good spirits except the Rev. Brier, who was still steaming over the idea of following any trail that had first been passed over by a Mormon.
Looks like the former congressman from Georgia is going to be the Libertarian nominee. What will this mean for the dynamics of the race?
1. Pull conservative votes away from McCain? Is this the guy for small-government fans of Ron Paul?
2. Pull anti-war votes from the Democrat? Is this the guy for anti-war fans of Ron Paul?
3. Both.
4. Neither.
If only armchair travel were always this compelling: Brothers in Arms: Battle ready, combat starved, the latest installment on the Shipp twins, this particular one being a spotlight on Robert Shipp who hasn't gone into combat yet. Two readers did call in with similar complaints: A woman said a war story is the last thing a mother wants to see on Mother's Day, while a gentleman called and said war stories are inappropriate for Mother's Day.
If winter had you climbing the walls, have we got a story for you.
If activism is on your radar, or if you've been following the protest case involving local activist/anarchist Michael C. Lyons, a story broke late on Friday: City now wants to drop protest charges, which follows Thursday's coverage about the new video evidence
If it's happening in your town... Report outlines human trafficking: Human trafficking activities – ranging from mail-order brides to forced teenage prostitution – are causing "considerable concern" in the Spokane region, a new study concludes.
If we put numbers in headlines for death toll, they may develop bad shelf life. Editor Steve Smith asked if we've been avoiding putting numbers in our headlines, but he also didn't talk down the practice completely - As long as we use "qualifying terms" like 'appears to.' For the latest coverage on Myanmar and the cyclone, check out Google's news search.
It’s time once again for some funny or awkward headlines from America’s newspapers, courtesy of the May/June issue of Columbia Journalism Review:
15 pit bulls rescued; 2 arrested
The Journal (White Plains, NY)
Dead inmate combative in jail
McKinney (Texas) Courier-Gazette
Cash reward to be offered whenever a cop is shot
The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)
Lohan: I sober before 2005 car crash
The Free Press (Kingston, NC)
Citizens get crack at downtown planning
Ocean City (New Jersey) Sentinel
Busts stick to innocent drivers
The Oregonian
Good morning,
I received a few calls over the weekend from readers who believed showcasing two war-related packages on Mother's Day was inappropriate.
The first package continues the story of the Shipp twins of Hauser Lake, Id., whose journey from high school to the Marines and then on to Iraq has been the subject of several excellent stories in the last two years. Here is the link to Sunday's story on Robert Shipp, reported by Jim Hagengruber and photographed by Brian Plonka.
The second twin's story will be published next Sunday.
The second war related package was Kevin Graman's excellent report (link here) on the Saturday funeral of Army Staff Sgt. Chad Caldwell, killed while serving his third tour of duty in Iraq.
Personally, I think Mother's Day is a good fit for stories about how we send husbands, sons and fathers to die in a far off war. Maybe Mother's day is the perfect time for such stories.
On the Sgt. Caldwell story, two things caught my eye.
First, the presence of Major General Edgar E. Stanton III at the funeral. Maybe readers who are ex-military can tell me if it's unusual to have a major general represent the Army at such funerals.
Of course the piece that really caught my eye was Jesse Tinsley's heartbreaking photo of Sgt. Caldwell's widow, Raechel Caldwell, crying as she receives the folded flag from Gen. Stanton. Ordinarily, we avoid funeral pictures that intrude on private grief. But in this case, the photo perfectly captured the pain of the family back home on the occasion of a soldier's death.
I thought the photo was especially appropriate for Mother's Day.
But what do you think? Should we have saved the war stories for another day? Should we have avoided the photo of Raechel Caldwell?
And what do these stories say about young people at war?
steve
We reported last week that selling a home is getting tougher because of real estate market conditions. But even in a buyer's market, times are becoming easier for would-be purchasers thanks to more real estate Web sites that offer alternatives to, or are starting to include data from, multiple listing services, according to an intriguing piece in The New York Times today.
The nation's roughly 900 multiple listing services, which allow brokers to post information about properties they represent, have traditionally been restrictive about who can see their information and have prohibited sites from displaying MLS listings with foreclosures or homes for sale by owners, writes author Bob Tedeschi. Now, he says, sites such as Seattle-based Zillow (which is paying to display Massachusetts MLS data), ZipRealty, Redfin and TeraBitz "do not have all the M.L.S. data,” but they “have enough to give users more of a one-stop site for real estate shopping than ever before."
The triple threat of a weak market, legal pressure and increasing competition has compelled real estate professionals to offer their information more freely online, putting cracks in a walled garden of data that stood strong while the industry enjoyed its breakaway growth. It also presages an end to the days when sellers must list their homes with a broker so buyers can see them.
Read the full article here. Check out the Spokane MLS listings here, or Coeur d’Alene MLS here on Realtor.com.(Realtor.com pays the National Association of Realtors an undisclosed amount to post MLS listings, but doesn't have them alongside non-MLS homes, according to the article.)
Have you turned to alternative Web sites when shopping for real estate?
Good morning, Netizens...
Oh, dear, oh, dear what can the matter be...(traditional)
I can tell you what is the matter. It's MONDAY! It's time to hitch a ride on that big red wagon and it's back to work we go!
Having paid while I feel was a proper and due diligence to the Mothers of the world yesterday, I thought it only proper that I allow my penchant for humor to be allowed to run loose this morning, and thus our picture of the day, contains a bit of amusement, as we have 5 women waiting for the perfect man. I suppose we could envision a similar group of men sitting in a circle waiting for the “perfect woman”, although there might be some clinical changes to the table setting. (substitute beer bottles for the tea cups maybe.)
There has been a 7.8 earthquake in the Sichuan Province of China. One presumes, since they felt it as far away as Bangkok that they must have felt something at the Olympic headquarters where they are preparing for the World Olympics. Of course, the early-arriving tourists who understand how repression works in China probably pretend not to notice the buildings swaying at all. The news wires speak of 7600 dead, although that number could rise as they begin digging out collapsed buildings.
So here we are on what promises to be a rainy Monday. Hitch up your knickers, put on your best professional face and it's off to the races we go! Pour yourself a cup of today's Community Comment Virtual Espresso Bar blend, “Garbanzo Bean Reprieve”, have a seat at the bar and get ready for another day in Paradise, and as you partake of the ambiance this is your Monday Wild Card.
Enjoy!
Dave
About two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a group of mothers at Westminster Congregational United Church of Christ.
But instead of the usual play date for my kids, I went by myself and learned from other women who taked about parenting from a different perspective: as empty nesters. I wrote a story about their gathering in Monday's newspaper, “Alone but not lonely.”
I’m relatively new to the world of parenting so it was eye-opening for me to listen to wise and experienced women whose children are now in college. Some of their stories made me cry -- not because they were heart-breaking, but they made me realize how these parent-child relationships shape us now and for the rest of our lives.
When my eldest was born, I was convinced that nothing was harder than having a newborn. But now, especially after hearing the stories of the Full Nesters, I'm learning that parenting at every stage can be both challenging and rewarding all at the same time.
"The one thing you can count on with children is that you never stagnate," said the Rev. Andy CastroLang, whose daughter will graduate from Whitworth University this spring. "You have to constantly evolve. … Parenthood changes all the time and that's a good thing."
How have you adapted to the different stages of parenting? Do you think it gets harder as your kids get older?
I’ve been reading a lot about how movie critics all over the country are losing their jobs. No question. Same thing’s happening with books critics. And art critics. And columnists.
All are going, in fact, who do only one thing and – this is the important part – can’t adapt to the changing face of 21st-century journalism.
But the part I don’t agree with involves the need, or lack of need, of these specialists. Especially critics. Especially movie critics.
As someone who has written movie criticism since 1984, I – as you would expect – think that the job is important. Not that anything that I say personally is all that important. Or even correct. But I do represent something that is gradually disappearing from the current critical scene.
An independent voice.
Because, right, wrong or merely irritating, my voice is mine alone. And it owes nothing to anyone.
See, I was just watching the NBA game between Cleveland and Boston and for the second time today I watched the ad for the upcoming “Chronicles of Narnia” movie, “Prince Caspian” And the blurbs for that film make it sound like the second coming of … oh, I don’t know, “The Godfather” meets “Lord of the Rings”?
Thing is, I tried to see who was making these ridiculous claims. And I couldn’t recognize a one of them. Not that I know any better. I haven’t seen the film.
But I did see the first one, and I thought it was an overproduced, melodramatic and derivative ripoff of Peter Jackson’s “Rings” trilogy. Only the performance of then-unknown James McAvoy and soon-to-win-an-Oscar Tilda Swinton made it worth watching.
And I know those “critics” are the same ones whom Hollywood trots out every time they want to drum up some enthusiasm for a film that they’re afraid is going to tank. They’re radio and TV and online critics who, in years past, have been called – not even cynically – “opinion-makers.”
You may end up agreeing with them. Fine. I have no problem with that. You may disagree with what I have to say. Fine, too. I have critics whose work I admire whom I don’t agree with (The New Yorker’s Anthony Lane comes to mind).
Here’s the thing, though. No matter whether you agree with me, you can depend that I’m not trying to please anyone but myself. I’m not invited on junkets and given special preview access to movies (and sometimes stars) all at a studio’s expense just so I will write that some piece of Hollywood dross – “What Happens in Vegas,” for example – is the “Must-see movie of the year.”
So, yes, critics across the country are losing their jobs. That’s how things go in this new era of journalism.
Too bad a little thing called honesty is leaving with them.
News started to spread about a week ago at my youngest son's school that one of the moms was getting a baseball team together. She has received the okay from the Spokane Youth Sports Association to build a team with kids who don't necessarily live in the same neighborhood, but who attend the same school. Our guy is not terribly interested in sports, but he hasn't stopped talking about the possibility of playing second base. To my added delight, he pumped his fists with joy when I said I'd like to help coach.
We spread the word about registering for the team to third and fourth graders with a flier they took home to their parents. I've since taken several calls, one of which was another mom volunteering to help with practices. She hits grounders and fly balls to her kids nearly every evening, she noted.
Hee hee. I love it. Back in the day, that is, when I played Little League, the mom's served solely as fans or Team Mom. Now we're talking coaches, assistant coaches, managers. You go, moms.
Now all we need is a Team Dad.
Read Jim Hagengruber’s story “Battle Ready, Combat Starved” in a six-page special section coming Sunday in The Spokesman-Review
Audio Slideshow by Brian Plonka
Follow the Shipp twins' journey Click Here.
At the start of this project some three years ago, I knew for this story to be successful, I had to follow twins Robert and Matt Shipp on their deployments as U.S Marines to the Middle East. It took three months to cut through military red tape and acquire the necessary funds to make the trip. Form after form had to be sent and re-sent to the military to gain access. Two days before our first embed, the whole story almost fell through.
My experience in Kuwait and the Persian Gulf gave me revealing look at the underreported aspect of the Iraq War. The amount of U.S. military resources waiting to deploy into action is mind-boggling. Thousands of trained fighters can be called into combat in a moments notice. U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Robert Shipp is doing his job well. It was amazing to see him mature over these past few years. Although disappointed not to be involved in fighting, Shipp keeps his focus, as he waits for that decisive order to fight.
Ken Paulman sent me the following picture from his phone, and it bodes well for Downtown dwellers:
I'll have more on this new development as soon as I can. Anyone heard any rumors?
Our man James Pants drops his Stones Throw Records full-length debut at the end of the month and he's getting a fair amount of buzz on the blogosphere.
Here's a very flatterying review from hipster blog Music For Robots: Click here.
There is a big, fat problem with lying in our culture.
The Washington Post sees prevarication as so prevalent, it has devised a scale, or continuum to distinguish its varying degrees. One Pinocchio signifies some shading of the facts, two Pinnochios is selective telling of the truth, and three Pinocchios is characterized by omissions and exaggerations, but no outright falsehoods. Four Pinocchios is the pinnacle – the Big Whopper.
State Rep. Don Barlow, D-Spokane, says he's doing well after recent heart surgery at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane.
"I'm feeling much better than I or anyone else expected at this stage," he said in a press release.
Barlow had the surgery to repair a congenital defect in a heart valve. He said he's known about the condition since he was a boy "and it was finally time for a tune-up."
Barlow, elected two years ago, is running for re-election this year. He said he'll take things easy for the rest of this month, but will be back in action in June. He's staying in touch with his legislative duties by phone and e-mail, and said he's eager to hear from folks while he's on the mend.
He's at barlow.don@leg.wa.gov.
I was wrong – so deliciously wrong – about Luna’s delice.
In this space three weeks ago, I wrote a short item about Luna’s new morning pastries and espresso. After talking to new executive chef Anna Vogel about an unusual offering, I described the delice she’s introduced from her native Switzerland as pretzel-shaped rolls. They are not.
The oval buns are made from a pretzel dough and sprinkled with coarse salt. Vogel, who hails from Vevay near Lake Geneva, promises you won’t find a similar roll in this part of the world.
They are served spread with butter or as the base for delicious mini muffuletta sandwiches. The savory, deeply browned crust serves as the perfect platform for ham, salami, Swiss and olive tapenade.
There are other delights to tempt morning appetites, all served near the bar and overlooking the blooming espalier pears on the patio: beignets dusted with powdered sugar and served warm with whipped mascarpone and blackberry jam; delicately glazed bearclaws, with a sweet dough surrounding hazelnut and cinnamon filling; pain au chocolat, plain and ham croissants; apple turnovers; yogurt with granola and fresh fruit.
On a recent morning, the scone offerings were white chocolate and lavender or chocolate orange.
The only problem is choosing from the gorgeous spread. Our server took the time to bring cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg to a dining companion who asked whether they offered spices to dust his cappuccino.
The next time you’re tempted by a morning pastry, stop before you drop your three dollars on an overgrown, dried out muffin and head to Luna. Then, linger in soft morning light over a treat they made for you that morning.
Morning Latte at Luna is served from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Sorry, Mother’s Day brunch is booked.)
Luna is located at 5420 S. Perry St., the corner of 57th Avenue and Perry. For information, call the restaurant at (509) 448-2383.
Question: Wonder why the Spokesman-Review didn't consider running the Pro&Con editorials about the STA and CrimeCheck ballot issues side by side in today and yesterday editions. I know as a long time reader that the Spokesman-Review has done this similarly with syndicated columnists. The readership I believe would have been better served in this type of format.
--Mark
Answer: Thanks for your feedback. The decision was influenced largely by layout considerations. Putting the columns side by side would have crowded out too many letters to the editor, in our judgment. To make sure readers understood the pro & con balance intended by our presentation, we made it a point to include information boxes explaining the publication schedule. Unfortunately, that box was removed by mistake with the first column on the STA proposal. Next time we go through this, however, we'll reconsider your suggestion. Thanks for sharing it.
--Doug Floyd, editorial page editor
There is something about eBay that inspires a deep and visceral hatred among a rising tide of online buyers and sellers.
If you’re unfamiliar with the auction site’s many detractors, just Google the phrase “hate eBay” and you’ll get the picture. (At first, the profanity is jarring; I found hearing it in my head in the voice of William Shatner to be neutralizing).
With numerous ill-wishers among eBay’s buying and selling minions — most of them slamming the fee hikes, padded shipping charges, fraud, scams, and so on — it’s little wonder new sites aiming for a piece of the online auction pie are cropping up almost daily.
True, many of these alternatives are short-lived ventures, often with only a few hundred auction listings at any one time. They tend to vaporize once their operators confront the magnitude of regulating and managing a live, online marketplace.
I figured out one of the things that I hate about reality television. I made this discovery while trying to watch "The Salt-Pepa Show" (yes, THAT Salt-N-Pepa.)
A Matter of Opinion: Editorial board inner workings
Ask the Editors: We answer questions from readers
Community Comment: Readers take on Spokane issues
Daily Briefing: Our daily news meetings
Eye on Boise: Betsy Russell covers the Capitol
Eye on Olympia: Rich Roesler covers the Capitol
The Fresh Sheet: Recipes, cooking tips and food finds
Hard 7: Rebecca Mack on politics
Here's The Dirt: Parker Howell on growth and development
Huckleberries Online: North Idaho news, gossip
Movies & More: A Dan Webster joint
News Diary: Gary Graham on the media
News is a Conversation: Editor Steve Smith on our coverage
On The Air: Launching the Spokesman Radio project
Out On The Town: Jill Wagner writes about LGBT issues for 7
Parents' Council: The job of raising kids
Sound Wave: Som Jordan on local music
Spin Control: Jim Camden on politics
Sportslink: Zags, Cougs, Chiefs, preps - latest on local sports
Taste of the Town: Tom Bowers eats and drinks
TXT: Covering life online
Valley of the Shadow: Author John Soennichsen blogs a novel
Video Journal: A giant audiovisual buffet
Vox Box: Online companion to student newspaper
