First the business, then a little fun and frivolity.
Earlier this week, I had another occasion to offer some minor criticism to The Associated Press for what, in my opinion, was inaccurate reporting. While there have been more than enough opinions on the Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, State Rep. Danny Bubp, R-West Union, and Congressman John Murtha, D-Pa., war of words on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, I’d like to add another comment or two.
First, I think Col. Buck Rogers hit the nail square on in his recent editorial about the U.S. military presence in the Mideast. Furthermore, few people outside of Pennsylvania even knew who Murtha was until Schmidt opened her mouth on the House floor. She probably did the guy a huge political favor by giving him more national name recognition from saying seven words than he’s enjoyed in his entire career.
But back to my point. I was critical of the AP this week because the international news service reported (again) that Schmidt called Murtha a coward. In a memo to Ohio AP Bureau Chief Eva Parziale, I suggested this was inaccurate reporting.
Eva passed my concerns on to the AP’s Debra Martin who responded as follows: “We based our wording on this sentence in the quote: ‘He (Danny Bubp) also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.’ Her comment singles out Murtha and his withdrawal policy. She also acknowledged that the statement was bad and she apologized.”
From that, the AP attempts to defend its indefensible position that Schmidt called Murtha a coward.
Ms. Martin conveniently omitted Rep. Schmidt’s prior sentence: “He (Bubp) asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course.”
Why doesn’t The Associated Press now report that Congress-woman Schmidt called every member of Congress a coward? By the AP’s logic, all U.S. senators and representatives were call cowards by Schmidt.
No wonder people approach the media with a degree of skepticism.
Last year, one particular AP economics writer routinely included a pat paragraph that the U.S. economy has lost 300,000 jobs under President Bush. That’s all well and fine; but if job losses are relevant statistics, what about job gains? The unemployment rate (5 percent) under President Bush is lower than any of his predecessors of recent memory.
Funny, even though many Democrats stood in support of Murtha’s position that U.S. troops should be pulled out of Iraq, when it came to a vote, they just didn’t have the stomach for the political backlash. The House overwhelming – and bipartisanly – rejected Murtha’s proposal last month for withdrawal, in a 403-3 vote.
Members of Congress in both parties are smart enough to know which side of their bread gets the butter.
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The ND/OSU
trash talk has begun
Now for some fun. My friend and Times-Gazette alumnus James Scott is elated that his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes and my Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish are going to strap it on in the Fiesta Bowl. The two schools have met four times, each winning twice. The Buckeyes, though, have won the last two games against the Irish.
James has started the trash talk a few weeks early. Yesterday, he sent me an e-mail with some new words to the “Notre Dame Fight Song.” Most of those words cannot be reprinted in a family newspaper. (At least the Irish have a fight song that is known and sung worldwide.)
I’m glad James has learned something from his time at OSU. The fact that this state university will see fit to give one of his ilk a bachelor’s degree next spring speaks volumes about its academic standards.
Another friend called me last night to suggest that the ND/OSU showdown is a battle of a private, right-wing “elitist” institution versus an all-inclusive state school that wants nothing more than to support the betterment of all mankind.
Then, this friend put me on hold. He said something about somebody at the door. Of course, I quickly told him that he could get the OSU grad off his front porch if he’d just pay for the pizza.
Ah, the friendly Midwest rivalries. The ND/OSU game on Jan. 2 may or may not live up to the hype. But one thing’s for sure: Football fans in Ohio and Indiana will have a lot of fun between now and game time.
For many of us, Ohio State is our favorite college football team and Notre Dame is our second-favorite college football team. And vice versa. The only thing that would make this game any bigger would be if the national championship were on the line.
I have nothing but respect and admiration for my friend James Scott – and the Buckeyes. But when you start making fun of Touchdown Jesus, pal, them’s fightin’ words. Bring it on, big boy.
I think I need to change my e-mail address. Next thing you know Buckeye loyalist John Barney will take a shot at me. That’s OK. The pre-game hype is half the fun.
Go Irish.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Times-Gazette.
