Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Journalists Thomas-Wendi C Thomas

Showing posts with label Journalists Thomas-Wendi C Thomas. Show all posts

Thursday, March 22, 2007

20070313 Mindless ramblings about peripatetic artisans of the keyboard

Mindless ramblings about old geezers, old columnists, young writers, and peripatetic artisans of the keyboard

March 13^th, 2007 – March 22, 2007

Joe Volz writes a column for the Frederick News-Post and I re-read a recent column today and enjoyed it… Old Soldiers Never Die by Joe Volz.

As a columnist Mr. Volz maintains a rather frenetic pace. If I am not mistaken, he writes three columns a week. I write two columns a week and sometimes that maxes me out. I marvel at the folks like Rick Weldon, Joe Volz and Wendi Thomas, who just seem to effortlessly knock out one interesting and well written column after another.

Certainly another writer for which I have always been impressed is the editor of the Carroll County Times, Jim Lee, who if I am not mistaken, writes most all of the 6 editorials a week that appear in the paper and a weekly column…

Then there is Kelsey Volkmann who just seems to knock out several articles a day – all week… and still have time to chat.

But anyway, where was I - - Oh, getting back to Mr. Volz…

I do not always agree with Mr. Volz but I try to read his column as often as possible. My favorite Joe Volz column in 2006 was his June 6^th, 2006, “The Obit Page.”

I wish I had a link – but then again, I don’t think the Frederick News-Post uses permalinks - - and their archives hidden behind a pay-wall is just really quite annoying, bit involves a scope well beyond this piece… Maybe Joe’ll consider letting me post it.

My favorite paragraph (among many) was: “Perhaps, the amateur obit writers may not match the skill of the late New York quip-witted humorist, Dorothy Parker, who once observed, ‘I don't care what is written about me as long as it isn't true.’ ”

Yes, I’m a huge Dorothy Parker fan.

Jim Lee over at the Carroll County Times has recently ventured into the world of blogs. In one of his recent posts, “Mega-bust,” in which he questioned aloud what you would do if you won the lottery, I wrote in the comment section:

Kevin Dayhoff wrote on March 12, 2007 1:27 AM: "If I were to win the lottery, the first thing I would want is advice; so I would probably endeavor to interview Annabel and Midge from Dorothy Parker’s “The Standard of Living.” Of course things were different in 1941; nevertheless, one can be sure that their guidance would be crucial. Then I would go get a Hoffman’s milkshake and a package of Starbuck’s coffee – and go back to my desk and go back to work. "

I wish I could link ya to the post on the Carroll County Times web site, but the paper does not use permalinks and the post, to the best of my knowledge, the blog entry has long since disappeared into cyber-space….

A recent Joe Volz column involved a human-interest story and I just thought it was a nice read – I guess especially since I had a number of friends who either live, work or went to school in New Jersey.

One of the great joys of toiling as a New Jersey newspaperman for a number of years was that I got to cover the state's great cultural institution -- organized crime.

So, when I moved to Maryland 30 years ago, where the crime is of a decidedly different caliber -- mainly disorganized -- I was distraught.

[…]

Down in Maryland, I encountered a bunch of non-violent criminals, like Vice President Spiro Agnew, who had no difficulty getting in trouble with the law. Frankly, their exploits weren't as colorful.

[…]

The prevailing wisdom among us Mafia watchers was that mobsters didn't have to worry about Medicare. They didn't live that long, invariably dying in their prime from a lethal dose of lead poisoning.

So, it is heartening to read the latest news from Fort Lauderdale. At least one old Mafia soldier has defied the odds.

[…]

You would think that Albert Facchiano, who turns 97 tomorrow and is appropriately nicknamed "The Old Man," would have gotten a little respect from Florida law enforcers just for dodging so many bullets for so long.

Read the rest of the column here and enjoy it: “Old Soldiers Never Die by Joe Volz.”

####

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

20061030 Wendi Thomas wins this week's Dayhoff Dr. Pepper Award

Wendi Thomas wins this week’s Dayhoff Dr. Pepper Award

Started October 30^th, 2006 Posted November 1^st, 2006

Hat Tip: Wonkette: “Another Wonkette Victory.”

If you will notice in my “Newspapers, Magazines and Internet-based news” links on the left side of the blog, I have a link for “Memphis Commercial Appeal columnist Wendi C. Thomas.”

And it is here for a good reason Dr. Pepper fans. It is because there is no better columnist around better at getting me to have Dr. Pepper squirting out my nose. I’m her biggest fan on the East Coast.

If you would like to learn more Ms. Thomas, go read my Tentacle column, “Who is Wendi Thomas?.”

I tend to take a look at her column as often as possible.

With the Tennessee Senatorial contest between Harold Ford and Bob Corker so contentious, I’ve been meaning to call her or e-mail her and I just have not found the time.

I also have not had the nerve to leave a message for Ms. Thomas that says, “Wendi, call me.”

If you don’t understand, go here: “Too hot for Corker:” “The denounced RNC-sponsored hit piece on Harold Ford, Jr.” Seems that an anti-Ford ad came out that was a little over the top. It is certainly a hoot. It’s the ad at the top of this blog post.

I’m not exactly sure just what is my favorite line…? Perhaps it is the part where the one character says something to the affect of: “Canada can take care of North Korea. They are not too busy these days.” Or maybe it is: "I guess I have too many guns…”

Folks this contest in Tennessee makes the Virginia Senate contest between James Webb and Senator George Allen look like Romper Room. Oh, maybe that was a bad metaphor.

The Tennessee contest has everything – including “confrontations in the parking lot.”

And then along comes Wendi Thomas… and she weighs-in with her column: “Corker's having it both ways.” (Oh Plueeeze put down the Dr. Pepper before you begin reading!)

In one of Republican Bob Corker's latest campaign ads for the U.S. Senate race, he introduces his daughters, Emily, 17, and Julia, 18, who predictably gush about their daddy.

It's good for his wholesome, traditional, conservative Christian family image, but Julia's picture on the Facebook Web site, not so much.

On the site, you'll see Julia in a full-on lip lock with another blonde. A young man puckers up behind them, as if he's eager to make it a threesome.

Julia's near menage a trois has been bandied about the blogosphere for months, but it didn't seem to be particularly newsworthy. That was before the pic reappeared on wonkette.com last week, and Corker, who has repeatedly ragged on his opponent's family, brought his daughters into the race with the campaign ad invitation to meet his girls.

Junior's campaign is not helped one whit by his family's antics, past and present.

But will the conservatives who believe homosexuality to be an abomination be turned off by the same-sex exploration of Corker's college-age daughter?

Read the rest here. It is well worth the time.

If you are interested in more of the Memphis Commercial Appeal’s coverage of the wallow-in-mud campaign between Messrs. Ford and Corker read through some of these articles:

OCTOBER 29: Early voting in Shelby County; Candidates step it up to get out the vote; Caution prevails in last TV debate; 9th District candidates trade jabs at debate. OCTOBER 28: Corker, Ford in last debate; Ford, Corker pick up backing; Ford ad prompts reaction. OCTOBER 27: Corker pours $650,000 into campaign; Ford ad hits RNC spots tying him to girl, gays; For price, candidates can slant coverage; Early voting in Shelby County ; 19 candidates qualify for 4 special legislative elections. OCTOBER 26: Corker maneuvers loophole; Harold Ford Sr. stumping for two sons; Some clergy want state out of same-sex marriage issue; Suit settlement aids Corker and nonprofit; Jake Ford campaign report late; OCTOBER 25: Corker accused of "playing games" with campaign finances; Corker appeals to GOP stronghold in Jr.’s backyard; Ford fights off allegations in latest attack ad; OCTOBER 24: Corker rises in dead-heat poll;