Daily Double: First Person + #Sad

 

Let's establish something right from the beginning.  The following statements have nothing to do with any particular politician or political party.  It is merely an observation of the times in which we live.

Understand?

My Tuesday morning Newswatch 16 assignment was to do set up pieces for President Biden's visit to Scranton.  I was at the airport taking two angles.  One was Biden's history of visits.  The other was a look ahead to what was on the president's schedule.  Photographer Tim and I were at the airport before the major dome of security had descended.  It was a nice, quiet morning, with a fantastic sunrise.

After we wrapped up at 7:00 am, Tim and I had a couple of non presidential items on our list so we headed to the up valley and mid valley sections of Lackawanna County.  We wrapped up our tasks in an efficient manor, so I asked Tim to take the long way back to the office.  I was curious as to how Green Ridge and Downtown Scranton looked just before the president's visit.

North Washington Avenue was a "no parking" zone from Marywood University all the way to Lackawanna Avenue.  Downtown was where the real fun began.  Trash packmasters blocked the area near the Scranton Cultural Center.  What the garbage trucks didn't block, the dump trucks did.  Police and security were everywhere-- heavily armed.  It looked like a war had broken out.

I understand the need for security.  There are plenty of angry people out there, and protestors were everywhere.  Yes, the vast, vast majority of the protestors are peaceful people who have passion concerning their causes.  They're good people.  You can't take a chance.  I also understand the need for protest.  This country was built upon a protest.  It was called the American Revolution.

My ride home on Interstate 81 was uneventful.  I was about an hour ahead of the president.  Still, I could see the police at every overpass, at every cross over.  Penndot had big trucks waiting to block exits.  Again, I understand that.

It doesn't mean I have to like it.

I can still see that old newsreel film of John F. Kennedy's visit to the area-- the big crowds, free access.   Now, audiences are hand picked to ensure their friendliness.   During my broadcasting "career," I recall walking up to politicians and simply asking questions.  Governors, vice presidents, presidential and vice presidential candidates, people running for house, senate, and governor.  Now, reporters and photographers are kept in pens like animals because we might dare to ask a question.  And, there are places where we are threatened.  Serious threats.  Candidates and those already in office make announcements on web sites and You Tube because that is easier and safer than looking voters and journalists in the eye.

I respect the flag and I'm very proud of our Democracy (capital D).  I've voted in every election in which I've been eligible, and that will never change.

But...

We have to fix this.

John Sterling

 

John Sterling retired as the radio voice of the New York Yankees this week.  He is 85.

Regular readers know I was not a fan.

I respect his years of service the the fans loved him, even though I did not.

Sterling's home run calls were tedious and self serving.  Age caught up with him.  He was blowing too many plays.

John Sterling was around long enough that he earned the right to choose the time of his retirement.  I'm sorry that he did not realize that he stayed at the party too long.

Robert MacNeil

 

Robert MacNeil died last week.  93.

Most will remember him from the nightly news hour on PBS  Yes, it was on the dry side.  It wasn't for everyone, but if it was a topic that interested me, I was there.  MacNeil and Jim Lehrer made a great team.  they complimented each other perfectly, and believe me, I know how difficult that can be and how rare it is.

Do yourself a favor and read about MacNeil's life.  He was NBC's man in Dallas on November 22, 1963.  It's just an amazing story.

MacNeil was one of those people in the news business I really admire.  He perfectly illustrated the "it's not about me, it's about the news" way of thinking,  and that is sorely lacking these days.

We lost a giant.

Unfinished Monday

 

I wasn't going to comment on last week's passing of OJ Simpson, but I just have to offer a few thoughts here.  He was an awful person, who benefitted from defense attorneys who abused the system, incompetent prosecutors and a judge who lost control of his courtroom.  Enough!

It's sad to read about the financial problems at Keystone College and rumors of its impending demise.  I hope the rumors are false.  Keystone fills a need here in our area, and it's a beautiful campus.

I wouldn't want to live next door to one, but if there is one type of construction project around here that riles people up, it's a mini mart.  It can take years to get one built.

Today is the income tax filing deadline.  Mine were done long ago, and I hope this is a painless day for you.  By the way, there has to be a simpler and more fair way of doing this.

The woes of the newspaper industry have been noted here several times in the past, and here is the latest.  The Centre Daily Times will only publish two days a week, Wednesday and Saturday.  It will be delivered by mail-- no carriers.  Digital is now.

Andy's Angles: Growth

 Growth.  It seems like such a simple concept.  Yet, it is so elusive.

Always look to nature for inspiration.

Today, it's another spring time branch at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

About the Cover: Buds

 

I'm lucky to have Nay Aug Park only a few miles away.  It's a great place to visit when I'm in need of some camera therapy.

When it comes to "sweeping vistas," there isn't anything here I haven't photographed before, so that means it's time to go tight.

I shot these buds in the back, near the former amusement ride area.  They are no doubt little leaves by now.

Mixed Messages

 

There is a new book on the life of Barbara Walters, and the cover is above.

She was a trailblazer and every woman in the news business today owes her a debt of gratitude.  Barbara Walters was a fascinating individual.

Here is where the problem comes in.  I've read excerpts, and the book savages Harry Reasoner and Howard K. Smith-- two of the ABC News old guard.  Maybe they deserve it, and the book does appear to be well-sourced.  But, I just hate hammering people who aren't around to defend themselves.

Walters and Reasoner co-anchored what was then called the "ABC Evening News" in 1976, and it was a disaster.  Reasoner didn't want her there, and let's face it, Barbara Walters wasn't a very good news anchor.  She excelled in reporting and interviews, where she was later shifted at ABC.

Will I read "Rulebreaker?"  There is a good chance.  I have a growing stack of books I intend to devour, possibly when I have some time off this summer.

Just remember, some people aren't as awful as they might appear.

Unfinished Thursday

 

What is with all the bizarre crimes recently?  Chopped up bodies.  Torture.  Bodies found in basements.  Bodies found along highways.  Gang shootings.  Places that used to be safe are now dangerous.  It is severely depressing and troublesome.  Our little area used to be an oasis away from those things, and those days are over.

People are going crazy because the women's NCAA basketball championship game drew more eyeballs than the men's.   Let's take a closer look at that.  First, it's great that women's sports are getting major recognition.  The women's game had a great story-- an unbeaten South Carolina team, and the great Caitlin Clark for Iowa.  The women's game was on ABC on a Sunday afternoon while the men played Monday night on TBS.  Plus, the men's game didn't start until well after 9 pm in the eastern time zone.  Other than the chance of a Connecticut repeat, the men's game didn't have any really compelling story.  And, ABC is in far more homes than TBS.

Numbers can tell you a lot, but they don't reveal everything.

Here's to Erie!

 

It was great to see Erie in the spotlight, or the total darkness, Monday.  The northwestern Pennsylvania city was in the path of the total solar eclipse.  The clouds parted long enough for people there to get a great look at the eclipse.

I'm fond of the city.

My first visit was in the spring of 1994, and I was covering Tom Ridge's gubernatorial campaign.  A photographer and I took the long way out-- across Route 6.  It was a long drive, but one of the most scenic-- small towns, historic courthouses, trains...

As fate would have it, there was a near total eclipse on that first visit.

I became so fond of the Route 6 journey that I took it several times, recreationally, over the years.  

Erie has come a long way.  The area along the bay has been developed.  A lot of the old, grimy, industrial sites are gone and it's a lovely place to visit.

The only drawback is the nine month long winter.

I really wasn't into photography as much back then, so I don't have any photos to share, but if you ever get the chance, stop by.  You won't be sorry.

Friends tell stories that they had a great time in Erie Monday.  I saw the video.  The city is looking good.

I think Erie has turned the corner and no longer is the joke of Pennsylvania.

Follow Up Tuesday

 

I still haven't heard an explanation from the Scranton parking people as to why meters are enforced on MLK Day, but not Juneteenth.

While half of the staff was out chasing the solar eclipse yesterday, Ally Gallo and I held down our morning broadcast, which was great fun.  It's always nice to do a little something different during the week.

Speaking of the eclipse, I thought it was a great event, and I'm happy that people were "in" to something so positive.  However, I became sick of the hype weeks ago, and I'm thrilled its over.

I finally used up the last of those flavorless cellophane wrapped  jalapeno cheese slices.  I will say this.  I microwaved a pepperoni sandwich with a couple of those cheese slices on top.  It's a good melter!

We do keep a careful eye on the presidential and senate polls.  It should make for an entertaining fall.

Crazy weather lately, but that is to be expected at this time of year.

The Oakland Athletics will play in Oakland for one more year.  It's then off to Sacramento for three years, and finally Las Vegas.  Yes, the owner is a penny pinching scoundrel who is not investing n the team, but Oakland rarely supported the team.  The stadium is the worst in the league.  They weren't going to build a new one, so off they go.

A movie studio is in the running to buy CBS.  Conventional wisdom has the studio keeping the CBS property, Paramount, and selling off the network and the TV stations.  Friends, this is the beginning of the end.  

By the way, CBS just closed its Tokyo bureau.  Asia is one of the most volatile places in the world, and CBS will now rely on the BBC to tell it what's going on.

It seems like even more people are ignoring Pennsylvania's "wipers on, lights on" law.