20061119 Another good post in “Plugged In” by Jordan Bartel

Another good column in “Plugged In” by Jordan Bartel

Simpson's interview on Fox is unacceptable
By Jordan Bartel, Plugged In
Sunday, November 19, 2006

This bit of news sickens me and I'm sure I can't be alone.

It was announced Wednesday that O.J. Simpson will appear in an interview with Fox TV, scheduled to air on Nov. 27 and 29.

Brace yourself for the deeply disgusting part. In the interview, Simpson, 59, will talk about "how he would have committed" the slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Perfect for television sweeps, huh?

I literally felt sick to my stomach when I heard the news. I don't think I've ever been so outraged with my profession as I am with this vile form of journalism that FOX has concocted. Simpson should be ashamed and FOX should be condemned for even giving him a venue.

Read the rest here. It does not disappoint as Mr. Bartel writes what is clearly on many of our minds, “Excuse me if I go and throw up a little bit. And excuse me if I need to shower. It's all just, pure and simple, filth.”

I have been finding Mr. Bartel’s work in the “Encore” section of the paper; but he is an Arts and Entertainment reporter, whose work, in addition to his articles appears in the “Encore” and “In Focus” sections of the paper.

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His series of columns presents that it would be good material for a blog.

Word on the street is that the paper has been talking about doing more with blogs. With writers available like Mr. Bartel, Justin Palk, Jamie Kelly, Carrie Ann Knauer, Marjorie Censor and Diane Reynolds, just to mention a few, it very well may be time for the newspaper to let some of this talent loose.

Ms. Knauer’s “blog” during the last Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair were very well received and proved that the Carroll County Times could do their own “Maryland Moment” well.

With the next session of the Maryland General Assembly on the horizon, many of us would love to see Justin Palk do a “Reporters Notebook,” like what the Frederick News-Post does, or a “Maryland Moment,” by the Washington Post. Check out Clifford Cumber’s section of The Reporter’s Notebook.-

I know the infra-structure of the web site continues to be a concern, however, the structure of one’s web site is always a concern (see “Under Construction” and “20060927 This site is under construction,” or here…)

But it would serve the paper well, to redouble their efforts, especially since Internet ad sales just broke another record in the second quarter of 2006.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org www.thetentacle.com Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report www.thewestminstereagle.com www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/