Year: 2008
SCATTERSHOT DEPT.
Scooter-Cops, Pseudo-Porno-Cop, Dog-Hating-Cops, and Bears
I’ve been a little too busy to do proper blogging, so I’ll just post a few random shots around the web: Heh. Nice Try LONGMONT, Colo. – A man claiming to be a police detective tried to get an adult novelty shop to give him free X-rated videos, saying he wanted to make sure the… Read more
PUPPYCIDE DEPT.
The Changing Story in Prince George’s County
Last week, Prince George’s County cops raided the home of Cheye Calvo. They were there to seize 32 pounds of marijuana that had just been delivered by FedEx. Even when the story first broke, it seemed unlikely that Calvo was actually the intended recipient of the drugs, since he’s the mayor of Berwyn Heights, Maryland.… Read more
CHICAGO NEWS DEPT.
Why They Are Corrupt
The Chicago Tribune has a story about Alderman Arenda Troutman that illustrates some different ways of looking at public corruption. It was the headline on the home page that caught my eye: Ex-Ald. Troutman pleads guilty in corruption case The former alderman admits taking cash to support zoning changes and permits for developers. Really? She… Read more
JOURNALISM DEPT.
Rob Gillies Demonstrates How To Write a Great Lede
I’ve had a few short seminars in newswriting, and one of the things they emphasize is writing a great lede. That’s the first sentence of a news story, and it’s supposed to hook the reader into the rest of the story. I spotted this awesome lede in a piece by AP writer Rob Gillies: Greyhound… Read more
WAR ON DRUGS DEPT.
Remember David Kowal
A jury just convicted California medical marijuana provider Charles Lynch of federal drug distribution charges. His marijuana dispensary was entirely legal under California law, and he operated it wth the blessing of local officials, including the mayor and city attorney of Morro Bay. However, he was charged under federal anti-drug laws, so none of that… Read more