Jamie Explains it All

When it’s bigger than the story

On 07.26.10, In best practices, controversy, news, newspapers, By Jamie DeLoma

News raced around the world late Sunday into Monday about the publication of tens of thousands of secret military documents pertaining to the NATO-led war in Afghanistan.

The archives, posted collectively as the The Afghan War Diary on the donor-funded WikiLeaks’ website, offered a unique perspective on the war that is reportedly grimmer than how the Pentagon has often portrayed it.

WikiLeaks most recently garnered international attention when it published a controversial video three months ago that reportedly showed a 2007 American helicopter attack in Baghdad. A dozen people, including two Reuters journalists, were killed.

This time, however, the site gave the New York Times, the British newspaper The Guardian and the German magazine Der Spiegel access to the hundreds of thousands of pages of documents spanning six years several weeks ago on the condition they do not report on the materials before Sunday, the Times indicated in a story.

However, perhaps more important than what the documents included was how the whistle-blowing site, WikiLeaks, partnered with professional media partners to legitimize and analyze the pages of information.

The Times reports that the documents indicate “the Taliban are stronger than at any time since 2001” despite the nearly $300 billion spent on the war.

“The archive is a vivid reminder that the Afghan conflict until recently was a second-class war, with money, troops and attention lavished on Iraq while soldiers and Marines lamented that the Afghans they were training were not being paid,” the Times reported.

Through the partnership, the publications were able to offer perspective that raw data is unable to. For example, the Times reported that while the “documents do not contradict official accounts of the war,” they showed that the American military made misleading public statements in some cases.

The Times also was able to offer perspective on what the documents were lacking, specifically: “The archive is clearly an incomplete record of the war. It is missing many references to seminal events and does not include more highly classified information. The documents also do not cover events in 2010, when the influx of more troops into Afghanistan began and a new counterinsurgency strategy took hold.”

Not surprisingly, many governments, including the United States, criticized the release.

However, the way WikiLeaks opted to break the story is important and ground-breaking – in many ways.

In addition to further legitimizing the data, the site demonstrated how beneficial such a partnership could be when professional journalists and members of the public come together to share information.

As newsroom staffs continue to shrink, assistance from outside of news organizations are growing more critical – to both the survival of the practice of journalism and the very democracy on which this nation has been built. This story demonstrates that the public can – and should – contribute more than just photos of wild weather, but also of potential government failings. It is up to the press across America to encourage that.

Tagged with: afghan war diary • afghanistan • baghdad • controversial • der spiegel • guardian • nato • new york times • nyt • war • wikileaks

Palin has a problem

On 07.21.10, In best practices, controversy, grammar, media, news, social networking, By Jamie DeLoma

Ex-half-term Gov. Sarah Palin has a problem. She has a problem admitting that she does not know everything — and that will ultimately lead to her collapse.

Her unfounded arrogance has gotten her into more trouble and instead of simply acknowledging her mistake, she did what she always does — blame the media. And guess what — except for the dwindling percentage of her far right-wing supporters who hang on her every word. She got called out again and then predictably cried victim, again.

Last week, the former Republican vice presidential hopeful tweeted:

Ground Zero Mosque supporters: doesn’t it stab you in the heart, as it does ours throughout the heartland? Peaceful Muslims, pls refudiate

Unfortunately refudiate is not a word, despite the fact she said it on FOX’s “Hanity” as well as in the tweet she took down after folks began to criticize her.

She then reworked the same tweet three times, according to a report (complete with screen captures) published on Gawker until she arrived at a defensive tweet published on July 18:

“Refudiate,” “misunderestimate,” “wee-wee’d up.” English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it.”

If Palin had simply acknowledged her mistake, she would not have received the wide-scale attention that she did — and could have likely avoided the attention similar to what she suffered when she couldn’t define the Bush Doctrine, or offer the name of a newspaper she reads regularly during relatively easy interviews on the presidential campaign trail two years ago.

Perhaps, if the former governor was known for her linguistic abilities, or background in the language, she would have been able to explain her gaffe away as she did — but she’s just the opposite. The image that she created for herself is that of a rural soccer mom, not an English literary scholar.

Tagged with: deleting • gawker • hannity • making up • mosque • muslims • palin • refudiate • sara • sarah • sarah palin • shakespeare • tweet • tweets • twitter • words

Retailer under fire for selling clothes to a relevant audience

On 07.20.10, In controversy, stupid people, By Jamie DeLoma

A popular retailer has come under siege for essentially developing a logical and intelligent sales strategy.

Forever 21, the must-visit store for many teens and early 20-something girls, is being criticized for launching a line of maternity clothes called love21maternity in states with the highest pregnancy rates among young people. To that I say, bravo!

The clothing line, according to Syracuse.com, one of the many media outlets reporting the story, is said to be as “sophisticated, on-trend styles for moms-to-be at affordable prices.” What’s wrong with that? Should pregnant young people dress is rags and dirty linens? Give me a break. Why don’t we just sew a scarlet letter to pregnant girls’ tops?

The line was launched at the end of last month in Arizona, Alaska, California, Utah and Texas, according to Syracuse.com.

The Gloss, a fashion website, reported that Arizona, California and Texas are among the states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the United States. OK, so? Should Forever 21 market maternity clothes in states where there is not a lot of pregnancy? What kind of sense would that make?

People, we live in a capitalistic society. Stores need to make money — particularly as the economy struggles escape one of the worst recessions in this nation’s history.

An ABC affiliate, according to The Stir, quoted teen girls as saying they believe the clothes will inspire some of their friends to have sex and deliver a child. Hmmm… perhaps if girls are saying trendy maternity clothes would provoke a surge in teen pregnancy, there is something more wrong with the girls than the store? Perhaps better parenting is needed. Or perhaps the girls really just wanted to say something sensationalistic to get quoted on TV.

Regardless, just because a store markets a clothing line does not mean people will run out to purchase the products. No store would ever go bankrupt if that were the case.

I commend Forever 21, a store I have never shopped in or have any affiliation with, for making a smart business decision — and denounce the critics for being stupid and insinuating are stupid. Just because something is pretty does not mean one will get pregnant to wear it. Retailers ought to go where the money is within reason — and what Forever 21 did certainly falls within that purview.

Tagged with: 20-somethings • capitalism • critics • forever 21 • girls • love21maternity • maternity clothes • media outlets • scarlet letter • sensationalism • sex • syracuse • teen pregnancy • teens

Another chapter ready to write

On 06.05.10, In good times, hearst connecticut, new experience, social networking, stamford advocate, By Jamie DeLoma

I apologize for not posting anything in the past several months. It has been a very busy time in my life. However, I plan to change that — starting now.

However, first, please indulge me as I fill you in with what you may have missed.

The past has been about change. If it were a chapter in a book, a potential title would be “transitions.”

Since leaving FOX News in May, 2009, I completed the majority of course work needed to earn a masters in Interactive Communications from Quinnipiac University. It has been an eye-opening experience — and has connected me with some inspirational people.

While working toward my degree, the Connecticut Post, a Hearst Connecticut-owned newspaper, was generous enough to take me in. I have been working there four to five nights a week as a part-time copy editor and page designer. In addition to working on Post pages, I have also had the opportunity to work with editors and reporters from Hearst’s other Fairfield County entities, namely The Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time and Danbury News-Times. Folks are putting their hearts and souls in these papers, and if you have the opportunity to read one, I highly encourage you to do so. In addition to working on the copy desk there, I have also written technology pieces. You can check out my blog, Tech Talk, here. It is updated daily, and so I hope you check it out often — and offer suggestions and potential topics.

In addition to the Hearst properties, Quinnipiac generously offered me a graduate assistantship. Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of meeting a few dozen of the Hamden-based university’s best and brightest students, faculty and members. I was delighted to write about my experiences that have been used across numerous platforms.

Well, the graduate assistantship worked out so well it has become my next adventure. Beginning Monday, I will begin a new job — as assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac. You heard it here first, folks. It is a position that promises to be as rewarding and enjoyable as it will be challenging and cutting-edge. I look forward to sharing some of my experiences with you here.

I have also been contributing to the Radio Television Digital News Association, a fantastic organization for journalism professionals. You can read some of my writings — as well as the perspectives of others — here.

And, speaking of journalism, I have continued my work with the great people of the Society of Professional Journalists. I am the vice president of the Connecticut pro chapter. If you are not yet a member, please consider this your personal invitation to join. The organization is composed of some really talented and great individuals. Particularly in a time of uncertainty in the industry, it is important to be part of such an esteemed and important organization. You can learn more about events happening in Connecticut here. Most of the events are free, so what are you waiting for?

OK, enough with the pitches. I look forward to continuing where we left off.

Oh, and if we’re not yet connected on Twitter, let’s do so.

Until next time, rock on.

Tagged with: connecticut • connecticut post • danbury • danbury news-times • greenwich • greenwich time • hamden • hamden connecticut • hamden ct • hearst • hearst connecticut • jamie deloma • jamiedeloma • jdeloma • quinnipiac • quinnipiac university • rtdna • society of professional journalists • spj • stamford • stamford advocate • twitter

There goes the neighborhood, er, keys

On 02.14.10, In driving, new experience, stupid people, By Jamie DeLoma

So I finally did it, after driving for a decade I finally locked my keys — which were a shopping bag — in my trunk.

Twenty minutes ago, I closed my trunk, and with it any chance of leaving the Westfield Shoppingtown Trumbull mall in a timely fashion.

After placing a call to mall security, through a special phone just after 3 p.m., I began the wait.

Despite the presence of two Trumbull police cars just feet away, I remained locked out of the car and in the cold for nearly an hour.

A mall security officer informed me he “would be right back.” Twelve minutes later, he drove by and informed me through his car window be had another call. I should have learned from “Scream,” that when someone says they’ll be right back, they never are.

At 3:30 p.m., 30 minutes after realizing I had a problem, the security guard pulled behind my car and asked if I belonged to a motorclub. I told him I had AAA and he suggested I call them.

Apparently, all units were searching for some dude, he said.

I informed him of my association with the Connecticut Post, and asked if there was a story to be told. The middle-age gentlemen said no, but informed me that he was considering a change to journalism. I encouraged he considered freelancing.

I then called my neighbor and asked him to bring me my spare key. He said he would.

About fifteen minutes later, he arrived — and within 10 minutes, I was home ending my quasi-harrowing ordeal.

Tagged with: keys • locked out • mall • neighbor • police • security • truck • trumbull

Perfectly placed advertisement

On 01.08.10, In amusing, By Jamie DeLoma

Advertisements are often a source of annoyance, but in at least one case that was highlighted by Probably Bad News, they are a cause for laughter.

Check it out:

Tagged with: advertisement • aflac • anatidaephobia

TSA: Protecting public, or saving face?

On 12.26.09, In controversy, rationale, By Jamie DeLoma

A Nigerian man who reportedly told officials he had ties with the al Qaeda terrorist network and has been charged with attempting to carry out a bombing on a Northwest Airlines flight may have had a greater affect on international travel than he may have originally thought.

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who American prosecutors have accused of trying to bring down a flight on its last leg from Amsterdam to Detroit, appears to have succeeded in his alleged mission to a certain degree.

In the aftermath of the alleged attempted bombing, the Department of Homeland Security is creating a travel nightmare for people attempting to fly through American airspace.

According to a report posted on the New York Times’ Web site Sunday evening:

The government was vague about the steps it was taking, saying it wanted the security experience to be “unpredictable” and that passengers would not find the same measures at every airport — a prospect that may upset airlines and travelers alike.

Among the steps taken, according to the Times:

Passengers on international flights coming to the U.S. will have to remain in their seats for the last hour of a flight without any personal items on their laps.
Overseas passengers will be restricted to only one carry-on item.
Domestic passengers will probably face longer security lines.
On at least one flight, attendants kept cabin lights on for the entire trip.
Mandatory screening of passengers at airport gates during the boarding process.
Passengers on flights of 90 minutes or less would most likely not be able to leave their seats at all.

As a result, airlines are warning passengers to expect delays and cancellations.

Of course, the question that needs to be asked is: Will the new security procedures make the public any safer? I have yet to be convinced.

It seems that the changes do little to reduce any potential terrorist threat to the flying public — and more to save the TSA face. It also doesn’t seem that any of the changes would have prevented Friday’s alleged attempted bombing.

If the charges are true and Abdulmutallab did attempt to bring down a commercial airliner outside of Detroit last week, then the failure was rooted at the airport and with the security personnel who allowed the self-described terrorist on the plane that traveled over one of the world’s most populated areas with 200-plus other people on board.

Protocols and personnel should be evaluated, and what went wrong should fully explored. But actions should not be done for the sole sake of saving face — as appears to be the case with these extremely disruptive changes.

It was the passengers — not security personnel or procedures – that prevented a potential disaster. So why punish the heroes?

Tagged with: air travel • coverup • northwest airlines • terrorism • travel • tsa

Vatican: Christ’s birth not worth bother

On 12.24.09, In Christmas, Uncategorized, controversy, history, tradition, By Jamie DeLoma

The Gospel of St. Luke tells us that the birth of Christ was a momentous day in the history of the world. We now now recognize it as one of the most significant in the history of man.

According to Luke 2:9-14,

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.

Countless wars were waged in His name; and countless men, women and children sacrificed their lives as a result of their faith to the Lord over the past 2,000 years.

Some of our mankind’s most beautiful and significant artwork was crafted through the inspiration of His birth and subsequent life, death and resurrection.

Time as we now almost universally accept it in every corner of the globe reflects the passing seconds, minutes, hours and days since that unparalleled moment in history. And yet, the Roman Catholic Church — the very church established to praise, honor and remember His life is signaling to the world that celebrating His birth is, well, not really worth the bother.

Midnight Mass, which marks the beginning of the observance of Christmas, throughout history has been celebrated beginning at midnight. However, all that has come to change.

Beginning a few years ago at the church level, the grand celebration began starting earlier. First it was at 11 p.m., and then at 10 p.m.

I thought this was horrible at the time, but I disagreed with many of the changes the Church has made over the past few decades, including:

the shift from the traditional language of the Bible and prayers — like thee, thou and lo — so it is easier for this generation’s children to understand what the words mean. Clearly that makes sense as previous generations often spoke with those words. Oh, wait. They didn’t, and yet, they still managed the meaning of the 23rd psalm and the “Hail Mary.” Hmmm. Intriguing.
the shift from the Mass from Latin to the language of the people. Ugh. The Mass is supposed to praise the Lord. God is supposed to be holy, mighty and divine. Removing the pageantry and tradition that creates a more dynamic experience strips the experience away from the Mass. Our Jewish brothers and sisters still celebrate in traditional language. Why can’t Catholics? When I attend Mass in Latin, I still feel like I am in the presence of divinity; when it’s in English, it takes a lot more for me to feel like I am in the presence of something great — particularly when priests, our supposed spiritual leaders, mumble through downloaded sermons that lack any semblance of a personal touch. It is becoming strikingly more apparent that the Roman Catholic Church is suffering (read: suffering) a substantial priest shortage.

So compared to these more substantial changes in the Church, the shift of Midnight Mass from 12 a.m. to 10 p.m. is not as substantial of an issue. After all, I do try to pick my battles.

But since we are on the subject, shifting the beginning of this awe-inspiring Mass two hours earlier, or even 32 minutes earlier, erodes the significance of the celebration.

Christ our Savior was born. And yet, we need to accommodate ourselves rather than our God? What the heck?

How could the Church legitimately make an argument that it is the human representatives of the divinity if it is consistently making concessions to make it easier for mere mortals? It can’t.

According to Reuters, churches are celebrating this Mass earlier to “help families.”

Among the earliest services found in a snapshot survey by the Telegraph was St Teresa of the Child Jesus church in Liverpool, where Midnight Mass will take place at 6 p.m.

“It’s because people don’t like coming out late, and they want to bring their children,” said a spokesman for the church.

“It’s nice, some of the children wear their pyjamas.”

6 p.m.? 6 p.m.? Oh, man, yes, people are really making sacrifices for their Lord. And churches are really instilling their congregations with the significance of the day.

At many churches, there is a children’s pageant in the early evening so that families could attend ergo there is no need for Midnight Mass to be celebrated at 6 p.m. And hey, as long as the children are already in their pajamas at Mass, how about we put some bubble solution in the Baptismal Font and give our lil’ darlings a bath. Maybe it’ll attract more people.

So, as if all of these things occurring at more and more Catholic churches were not bad enough, the Vatican is now beginning to follow suit.

It has been announced that the Holy Father will celebrate Midnight Mass beginning at 10 p.m. for the FIRST TIME in history! For God’s sake, where does it end?

The Vatican hopes the Mass will be over by Midnight, CNN reports. Why? Because of the pope is tired.

Yes, I understand he is an old man, but it would go a long way if the pope, Jesus’ representative on earth, showed what sacrifice really is. How could he preach from the pulpit that our society is becoming too lazy, if he can’t even stay up on one night?

And if he can’t do it, have a Cardinal celebrate Midnight Mass. Regardless, just show some respect.

If not you, Holy See, then who?

Tagged with: changes • Christmas • holy see • jesus • midnight mass • pope • prayers • tradition • traditional • vatican

Standing up for an old friend

On 12.22.09, In Christmas, crime, history, tradition, tragedy, By Jamie DeLoma

A small all-American city is standing its ground behind a central figure that has become deeply rooted in its history and traditions.

Since the founding of La Vista, Neb., a small Midwestern city in the state where Arbor Day sprouted to life in 1872, residents found their holiday spirit around an old Colorado blue spruce as they sang Christmas carols and stood in awe as the majestic branches were illuminated by thousands of lights, the Wall Street Journal reports.

However, the tradition was thrust into jeopardy when a 20-year-old man, who has since left the state, allegedly sawed through the 55-foot tree’s base in an attempt to cut it down.

In a fitting twist, the accused man’s fate relies upon the life he has been charged with trying to take, the newspaper reports. If the tree, which appears to be barely hanging on, fails to survive the winter, Johnathan P. Roy could face five-years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Wall Street Journal reports that people in town are angry and are monitoring the tree’s progress very closely. It is refreshing to see a community rally behind what is most valuable and not just turn its back on its history and just ring in the holidays with a young sapling.

For 40 years, the tree stood proudly as a representative of both Christmas and the city itself. Now, when the tree finds itself most vulnerable, it is inspiring to see the people rally behind it rather than simply move on as our society too often does.

Tagged with: american • Christmas • history • sapling • spruce • tradition • tree

Don’t do it!

On 12.10.09, In Uncategorized, controversy, news, stupid people, By Jamie DeLoma

The “heartbeat” of New Haven’s Union Station will soon stop — and with it yet another fiber of the state’s colorful history will be stripped away unnecessarily and ignorantly.

The state Department of Transportation will remove the Solari board (seen in action above) from the train station within the next year and replace it with LED screens, according to the New Haven Independent.

This is just ridiculous. It’s always easier to replace something than to preserve it. And once again, the state is opting to take the easy way out.

The reason for removing the historic and rare board? Kevin Nursick, a DOT spokesman, told the Independent that it is difficult to find parts and expertise to fix that style board anymore. Hmmm. Well, Mr. Nursick, what are the other cities with the boards doing? You know, like Philadelphia? They are finding a way to preserve their past.

And further, Mr. Nursick, I suggest that you LOOK HARDER — or maybe talk with Philadelphia officials. I hear they’re friendly in the city of brotherly love. Make an investment of time. Do it for your kids. Do it for your kids’ kids.

In the long-run I would think the state will get a bigger bang for its buck if it invests in performing regular maintenance on the sign than on purchasing LED screens. After all, LED screens don’t last long — certainly not as long as the Solari board did. Think about all the technology the Solari board has outlasted.

If you are Connecticut citizen, I implore you to take a stand. If you care about our state, and what made it so great — or even if you think your children or grandchildren might give a damn — I suggest voicing your opposition to this plan. Don’t forget, Mr. Nursick works for you — not the other way around.

While I am certainly a proponent of adapting to new technology, I strongly believe the state also has a responsibility to preserve our history. Considering that the board is the last one on the entire New Haven Line says something right there.

And beyond the historical reasons, it is easier to see such a board than a LED monitor. Have you ever tried reading such a monitor from the side or from an angle? It’s not easy. And the noise that the sign creates with each update is sure to capture your attention, something a stagnant, and eye-straining LED sign won’t accomplish.

Much too often the state’s most prized and beloved relics meet the wrecking ball unnecessarily and prematurely and thus stripping future generations of the opportunity to see what made our past tick — or, in this case, clicker-clack.

New Haven Urban Design League President Anstress Farwell described the Solari sign’s sound as the heartbeat of the grand waiting room in an e-mail to the Independent, and I agree.

We mustn’t let it flat line. Because once we do, it will be too late to come to our senses.

A Facebook group and a petition have already been established in hopes of saving this historic item — and I hope you will consider checking them out.

Tagged with: connecticut • history • new haven • solari • union station