Andy's Angles: Infinity

 

I was playing around with my camera phone, between live shots, recently at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, and this happened to catch my attention.  It is the covered sidewalk, leading from the terminal to one of the parking lots.

Yes, far from a perfect photo.  I could have done better with my good camera and a tripod, but you get the idea.

Follow Up Friday

 

I'll keep it short this morning.  I'm on vacation and a weekend is coming.

For some odd reason, I really enjoyed the NFL draft this year and I can't explain it.

The main reason for today's Follow Up Friday is Tuesday's election.  

Statewide turnout was 23 per cent.  23?  Are you kidding me?

Yes, the presidential nominations are sewn up.  Many candidates were running without opposition, which is disgusting in and of itself.  But, many races were contested.  There were ample reasons to get out and vote.  I'm sorry 77 per cent of the electorate missed them.

This is Pennsylvania.  Democracy started here!  Ben Franklin has always been one of my heroes.  I shudder to think at what Ben would say about that 23 per cent number.

Make it up to me and Ben.  Vote in November!  Please!!

Week One

 

Sleeping Homer is making his first appearance of 2024, and you know what that means.   I'm on vacation!

I've really become a home body in recent years.  I'm satisfied doing nothing, and considering planes have been falling apart in mid air, it's not a bad idea.

I'll get some rest, nibble away at some books I've stacked up, and walk the park.

I also hope to get some camera time.  I've been cursed in recent weeks.  The weather has been awful during my regular days off.  I have to get at least one pleasant day during my vacation.

The blog will be updated.  Maybe some social media, too.

The weekend morning broadcasts are in good hands.

I'll call you back later.

The Numbers

 Just some quick thoughts on yesterday's election...

It will be interesting to see the turnout numbers.  With few contested races and in a primary, I'm surmising turnout wasn't great.  I passed several polling places while working and on my drive home.  I didn't see a lot of activity.

In the presidential race, a lot of people voted for candidates who have already withdrawn.  Both remaining candidates should take note of that.  There is a protest vote and a lot of angry voters.

Eugene DePasquale wins the Democratic nomination for attorney general.  No surprise.  He's won state wide office and has name recognition.  By the way, the candidate who touted how much the gun lobby hates him finished last.  Dave Sunday wins on the Republican side.

Malcolm Kenyatta wins the Democratic nomination for auditor general.  Again, a candidate who entered the race with strong name recognition and a solid base.

Fern Leard easily gets the Democratic nomination in the 120th.  She did have a lot of signs out yesterday.  Signs don't vote, but they do indicate cash to spend and a strong organization.  Brenda Pugh gets the Republican nomination here.

We heard about some glitches in the morning, and it appears Luzerne County avoided yet another catastrophic election day failure!!!

On to November!

Vote 2024

 

Primary election day has finally arrived.

Let's just say it won't be a suspense filled evening.  Yes, there are some contested races, but, for the most part, plenty of candidates, especially incumbents have no opposition.  that makes me sad.  Always did.  Always will.  I do realize campaigns can be nasty and expensive, but someone has to do it.

Joe Biden's opposition for the Democratic presidential nomination, Dean Phillips, dropped out months ago, after a campaign that never really started.  Donald Trump's opponent, Nikki Haley, left the race after her Super Tuesday disaster.  Therefore, the case can be made to move up the Pennsylvania primary.  I was never really a fan of that.  Ask someone in the northern tier to vote on a cold, snowy, and icy day.  My opposition to an early primary lessened after main-in voting and drop boxes entered the picture.  You can vote from the comfort of your own home, without braving the elements.

Bob Casey and Dave McCormick will win their party's senate nominations easily today.  They have no opposition.  Both advertised heavily, anyway, to keep their names out there.  I'm sure there will be a little bit of a lull between today's primary and Labor Day.  After that, look out!  This will be a bruising contest, and that is putting it mildly.

I won't be voting today because I'm an Independent.  We have to sit out the primaries.  There have been attempts at change in Harrisburg.  There is strong opposition to opening primaries to Independents, and I doubt it will ever happen.

Regardless, I finished my election day preview stories weeks ago.  You'll see them on Newswatch 16 This Morning.

After work, it's home for a nap so I can see the numbers roll in tonight.

I'll try to squeeze in a little analysis here tomorrow.  

Please, vote if you can.

And one other note on how cameras are kept out of polling places when we should be celebrating freedom...  former Associated Press reporter Terry Anderson died over the weekend.  He was held hostage in Lebanon for seven years, just for doing his job.  It's a crime he was held so long.  Terry Anderson was 76.

Business Monday

 

This could have also fallen under the "Media Notes" banner, but business, it is.

Jimmy Fallon recently said that he wants to beat Johnny Carson's record 30 years hosting the "Tonight" show on NBC.

Sorry, Jimmy.  Not with those numbers.

All four late night shows are in the tank, and I'm including "The Daily Show" here.  Comedy Central recently lured Jon Stewart back to do one day a week, so the franchise doesn't die.

As I've said here, all four shows have the same political slant.  What business model calls for a general interest late night talk show to alienate half of its audience?  I don't care if you find the Colbert, Kimmel, Stewart and Fallon jokes funny or not, but night after night of the same thing gets tired, and tired fast.

Cable news is a little different.  FOX goes after the conservative audience.  MSNBC goes after the liberals, and I'm sure General Sarnoff is spinning in his grave because something under the NBC banner is so one sided.  CNN isn't sure what it is.  Note to CNN:  Just do the news!

The late night talk shows go after the same crowd.

Remember the days when you'd hear someone say "Did you hear what Johnny said last night?"  or "How about that bit on Letterman?"  Tom Snyder, Craig Ferguson and even James Cordon were capable of generating a buzz.  CBS went cheap and stuck a game show,  filled with no-names,  in the time slot.

Yes, I realize the networks want internet interest, as much as they do people tuning in at 11:35 pm.  I know it's a brave new world.

I'm fond of telling our newspaper brethren that they are their own worst enemies.  Television, welcome to the party.

Andy's Angles: Nazareth Hall

 

This the student center at my alma mater, Marywood University in Scranton.  It was Marywood College back then.

Nazareth Hall!

I was a townie, so hanging out in the dorms was off limits back then.  The other choices included the library, that was actually a library.  It was a frequent destination.  I was also a radio rat, hanging out in the radio/tv/media center in the library's basement.  Even if I wasn't on the air, it was a magical place, with the teletype blasting out the news, and the newest music, mixed with classic rock coming out of the speakers.  It was also the place to throw the bull with your fellow communicators and it was a big department back then.  

Nazareth wasn't a big deal during my day-- the dining hall for dormies downstairs.  Couches, chairs, and tv's upstairs to help you kill time, the book store/merchandise store tucked in to a corner.

And, downstairs, my favorite part-- a little snack bar, and I forgot what it was called.  Blue and faux wood Formica everywhere.  Decent burgers, dogs, fries, and milkshakes, great staff, clean, reasonable prices.  I loved it and there was a communications table!  Believe it or not, I sat with the cool kids!  I'm sorry it was eliminated, at least after my time there.

It's to see the building updated a few times aver the years.  I'm not thrilled at the "Pacer Pub." going in, which the administration still won't address.

Andy's Angles: Almost

 

This almost became the April blog header, but I went with the buds.

I was passing the Times building in downtown Scranton recently-- and it all added up.  Windy morning, flag outstretched, beautiful blue sky.  I had the shutter at 1/2000 to freeze the flag.

By the way, what is the name of this building now?  The Times moved out and is now a block down Penn Avenue.  WEJL is still here.  Can it be the Scranton Times Building without the Times in it?

Friday Scrapple

 

I really want to get out with the camera, but the weather on my days off, every week, borders on awful.  I have some vacation time at the end of the month.  Let's hope the tide turns.

Outside of the news and "Barney Miller," I haven't been watching much television.  I did stumble across some old "Match Game" reruns.  Gee, Gene Rayburn made it look like hosting that show was a breeze, and it really wasn't.

Today's entry in "I recall the lyrics, even though I haven't heard the song in years...  Lobo's "Don't Expect Me to Be Your Friend."

Someone posts the "Final Jeopardy"" clue on You Tube every night, and I'll say it again.  Few things give more joy than nailing it when the contestants all miss it.  It happened again this week.

Bob Costas is calling for more sports journalism on television.  Good luck with that, Bob.  When the leagues pay the bills, they call the tune.

I can just imagine the relief of local law enforcement when Air Force One left the runway Wednesday morning.

The recent rash of mine subsidences is nothing short of frightening.  Considering our area's history, I'm surprised we don't have more.

It looks like Katie Couric is going through another round of grasping to be relevant.

I hope the new radio voice of the Yankees, replacing John Sterling, loves the team, the city, and more importantly, LOVES RADIO!  There is no better baseball sport than radio.

Salt Lake City is getting an NHL team?

Just about any old Glen Campbell song can make me smile.

We had another sports gambling scandal this week.  Tip of the iceberg, my friends.

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.