Travis Armstrong Resigns from the Santa Barbara News-Press

Had to come out of retirement for this one. Apparently, Travis Armstrong has resigned from the News-Press. What's next? How did it happen? Did Miss Yolanda walk him out the door to a chorus of expletives? I doubt it -- I think Travis saw the writing on the wall about himself, about declining circulation...maybe even a pending sale (assuming the court cases are handled). More on this at Craig Smith and other news outlets this weekend.

Opening a bottle of champagne....

Armstrong Continues Tirade Against Cabal: KEYT and Palminteri Skewered

I haven't done a post on a Travis Armstrong editorial in awhile -- mainly because I don't read the News-Press anymore and keeping up with who is in the "Cabal" and who isn't has gotten tiring over the last year or so.

Yesterday's opinion piece, however, was ridiculous in it's hatred to others. Forget that Armstrong went on about KEYT Tea Fire coverage when the News-Press coverage was less than adequate. Forget that he feels the need to judge them for laying off employees without mentioning the fact the News-Press recently laid off more than twice the amount of employees. Forget that he is fixated on the "infamous" newsroom video in rather lurid detail when the News-Press has plenty of their own problems with soap opera like drama.

This opinion took his obsessive compulsive hatred for "cabal" members too far. Armstrong included a reference to a website outlining a court case being filed against John Palminteri (http://www.johnpalminteri.com).

Unfortunately, the web site URL is Prime Time's own name....he must feel hijacked on several fronts. If Palminteri really committed fraud as this site suggests, I'm sure the courts will work out the details find justice for all parties involved. It is, however, a private matter and separate from the more public nature of his work life at KEYT -- which is contrary to what Armstrong suggests.

What concerns me most is that Armstrong so easily attacks people in our community when he lives in a glass house. How can he sleep at night? He must feel his choices have narrowed so much with his and the News-Press' standing in our community that he has no choice but to lash out at others. It is hard to believe that his vitriol would be accepted at any other newspaper.

Expect Another TKA Exposé on the KEYT Video Soon

After yesterday's post, I was perplexed as to the timing of the massive upload of videos by Lew Marklin of the KEYT Christmas Party Video.

I emailed Marklin and asked what was up. It turns out I missed the fact that KEYT GM Kathy Jaquemin was fired last week and Boston Ventures (or Vultures as Marklin calls them) has replaced her with a Mike Granados from Texas. He is hoping that some management issues are addressed and says that another Travis Armstrong exposé is in the works.

Why the many uploads? He says it would be hard for the videos to be removed from the many servers -- which is kind of like an end run from legal action.

To me this is such a strange, surreal example of the affect of new media in today's world. It also makes me ask if anything is private anymore? Clearly the answer is no.

Loaded Questions from Armstrong Mirror Reflection of News-Press Standard Practice

An email exchange between Caruso Affiliated of the Miramar project and News-Press editor Travis Armstrong has been published on Craig Smith's blog.

The email asked Caruso's government affairs representative a few questions...my favorites were the following:

5) Is it policy of your company to personally attack or intimidate critics as many believe you have done here on the South Coast? Or is that just your practice?

6) How much money has your company offered local groups?

7) Besides the private parties and free lunches, what else has your company or Mr. Caruso offered, hinted at or given to project supporters?

As Craig points out -- one has to wonder what Marty Blum, Helene Schneider and Brian Barnwell would have to say about number five. Yet again, editorial opinion is being masqueraded as hard news. When will TKA learn? Dude, send a reporter!

Caruso's VP of Government Relations Matt Middlebrook answered the questions in a straightforward fashion by saying "This question is insulting and absurd. We are very proud of the relationship we have with communities where our projects are located".

Despite my opposition to the current proposal for the Miramar I have to say I don't blame Middlebrook for giving that kind of answer. Then again, unlike most of his attacks, at least Armstrong took the time to ask Middlebrook's point of view. Thank goodness for small favors.

Watch Out for the Svelte Unionists!

Gosh. I've been trying to hold out on commenting on Travis Armstrong's sophomoric rants posed as editorials for quite some time. In the last month since he spread false rumors about Mayor Blum resigning, I went to Bloggers Anonymous and did some steps. I have respect for anyone that tackles their addiction and totally support 12-step programs AND I'm ready to admit that I have a problem. I read Travis' editorials and they get my blood boiling.

Over the weekend there was a piece on Helene Schneider and her travel expenses that failed to mention other council people that might be running for Mayor. Hmmmm. One council member has been so absent from Travis' rants that it will be no surprise when they are endorsed by the News-Press prior to the election. Even though he kind of made it look like Schneider's husband David might be some kind of paramour in Atlanta, I let that go because at least Travis admitted he had made a mistake in his original piece on the subject -- more than any of us have gotten since he started at the News-Press.

Today, he went after The Teamster's with an accusation that he failed to even make in the content of the opinion piece. What exactly happened? I guess because it is he who is making the accusation -- we are supposed to simply agree that unions are bad. I feel sorry for the reporters who are unionized because they are consistently categorized as "large and intimidating" by Travis. Most of the ones I've seen are actually rather svelte.

The best part of the web version of the piece today though was the following listed below the text which could have been placed above and in the midst:

Need to put dummy text here for the quote. We need to put dummy text here for the pullout. We need to put dummy text here and here and here and here.

Non Sequitur Travistorial

Nice train of thought in a recent editorial from her man at De la Guerra on Measure A which a faithful reader passed on to me this morning:

This episode is yet another example of the rush by certain individuals and organizations to endorse proposals before the wording and possible consequences are fully discussed in public. They hold press conferences and present them as done deals to the community.

Then it backfires.

Take Measure A on last November's city ballot. Group after group lined up to support the idea of moving city elections from odd-number years to even ones to "save money on election costs." The News-Press opposed Measure A on a variety of grounds. The measure amounted to a power grab by some council members to extend their terms by one year.

Voters rebuked the City Council and Measure A's campaign managers at the ballot box.

Our reader liked the non sequitur matching "group after group" with "campaign managers"...whaaa? I also like the assumption that campaign managers want fewer elections so they don't have to make money in off years....

Does TKA Solicit Letters for the Editorial Page?

A faithful reader forwarded me this email from one of the leaders of Coalition for Sensible Planning (CSP). I've stripped identifying information to protect the innocent but have heard about this email from several people. It must be making the rounds.

Did News-Press Editor Travis Armstrong actually solicit letters with a particular point of view for his newspaper? Hard to tell as there is no direct proof other than the reference herein.

Subject: We MUST send letters about Janet's betrayal - and to support Travis!

You have been reading the excellent, fabulous editorials that Travis Armstrong wrote this week, supporting us and castigating Janet Wolf who turned her back on us at the Supervisor's Hearing on Tuesday, March 18.

Now, Travis is asking for our support. He was expecting us to write letters, and now feels that we have not been supporting him! We absolutely cannot fail to support him when he asks for it, after all he has done for us!

So please right now, sit down and write him what you think of all this. Since Travis is leaving on vacation tomorrow, please write him today.

Assuming TKA used the complex and less traceable public relations technique called "the five minute phone call" to solicit letters from CSP, one has to wonder why his work has been more about who he and his bosses are fighting than true substance on an issue. I guess the other option is that someone else is making these calls to solicit letters on his behalf. I'm not sure of his current status with CSP but it is my understanding that uber-attorney Barry Cappello has been retained by the organization in the past.

After yesterday's continued tirade against Supervisor Wolf and her aide -- it seems pretty clear that his pieces are more about who they happen to have their targets on of late. Why, for instance, has Council Members Horton and Falcone escaped his ire and listing on the cabal roll? Aren't they on council and thus part of the problem too? Shoot, Brian Barnwell isn't even a council member anymore....

Travis Gets Personal. Are you part of the cabal? Everyone else is...

News-Press Editor Travis Armstrong inducted a few more people into the cabal hall of fame over the last few days and continued his retaliation campaign against all enemies of the News-Press. It's amazing to me how many people he can scorch in one column. Tomorrow he will probably try to call each one of them and then say they won't return his calls. Let's review this week's list:

Council Member Helene Schneider: Helene-gate, a term created in jest by David Pritchett over at EdHat, resurfaced again as if it is on our minds on a daily basis. Pritchett does a great job in this post explaining a couple of amazingly complex investigative techniques including the "five minute phone call" and "alphabetizing" to explain the perceived transgression on Schneider's part. Why hasn't TKA made the call to the Community Development Department and reported the facts? Interestingly enough, TKA also made it sound like the News-Press was a Dale Francisco kingmaker but at the same time put him on warning saying he "is off to a slow start". Perhaps that is one and a half cabalistas mentioned....two and a half if you count Schneider's husband.

Mayor Marty Blum: Our Mayor is in TKA's permanent cut and paste file when he has little to write of substance. This time he calls her the "antithesis of Pearl Chase". Them there is fighting words!

Former Council Member Brian Barnwell: Calling him "cocky" -- in just a couple of paragraphs Armstrong implicated Pedro Nava and Das Williams in Barnwell's election defeat. Campaign manager Jeramy Lindamann was also mentioned because he didn't respond to questions from the News-Press -- I don't think that is why Brian lost that election. Out of nowhere TKA then says Barnwell is rumored as a candidate again. Most of us have not heard that rumor spoken at all and have only seen it on the pages of the News-Press -- what's your source Travis?

In a truly low blow, Armstrong continues his appetite for Barnwell's destruction by bringing up his divorce and a law suit from his former wife. Is anything sacred? His divorce has nothing to do with anything other than his personal life.

Former News-Press Reporter Camille Cohee: she is married to Barnwell and a former employee. Double cabal trouble. I always thought that personnel files were personal but I guess they aren't when you are out for revenge. Cohee also was outed for a financial offense that is truly none of anyone's business but her own. Interestingly, TKA feels free to use a quote from Mayor Blum here when it serves his purpose.

Supervisor Janet Wolf: now has broken promises and new cabal inductee and Wolf aide James Kyriaco won't return phone calls. I don't think I would either.

When will you join the cabal?

KEYT and TKA: The Other Shoe Drops

When I asked the other day, Hey Travis, What Were Yout Thinking?, little did anyone know about the rather large, size 13 shoe he would drop this morning about "Blow-up dolls, pole dancing, 'non-Jew parking,' and other video escapades of KEYT employees". Here's a snippet:

The video, said to have been produced at KEYT and shown at a company party of employees, includes a "gag" about reserved parking spots at the station.
One sign reads: "Non-Jew parking."

Another part of the video includes a man dressed as a woman. He goes by the name of "Cathy," perhaps a reference to station manager Cathy Jacquemin.

"Cathy" is spotted in the men's restroom on her knees, wiping up the floor. She banters with on-air journalists, including entering the office of one she calls a "sports retard." She begins throwing out objects from his office, including a blow-up nude doll. The sports reporter shouts, "I'm not done with that yet."

Armstrong has been salivating for weeks to retaliate against KEYT and especially KEYT anchor Paula Lopez for becoming part of the "cabal" perhaps a year ago. What a lead up to yet another story that should be handled by the newsroom! Put a question here, another there, intimate further wrong doing and then say it is their fault it is published because they didn't call him back. Perhaps the most telling part of this planned attack is that it was timed to coincide with the world premiere of "Citizen McCaw".

Again, I have to ask -- why wasn't this dealt with in the newsroom? Maybe because he doesn't have the tape itself? Did he actually see it? An opinion piece is not the place to be breaking a story like this...

Assuming this tape exists, one has to figure there is an angry employee out there that gave it to Armstrong. What was the staff at KEYT thinking? I have to agree with TKA's question of them -- did they think it wouldn't get out? It's one thing to have some fun, it's another to make anti-semitic and sexual jokes in the workplace.

Expect some heads to roll on this one and TKA to have fodder for many more an editorial. I guess the film showing up on YouTube is next...he said as much himself and could we suppose he will make sure that happens?

Hey Travis, What Were You Thinking?

In an editorial entitled "Hey Paula, let's talk", News-Press editor Travis Armstrong continued the temper tantrum he began last week with CJ Ward and KEYT television about not being called back about a story that is best left to the newsroom. He also cast aspersions toward her and intimated a conflict of interest because of her marriage to Judge Frank Ochoa.

If that wasn't enough, Armstrong brought up another possible conflict on Lopez' part but failed to describe what it was -- presumably holding it up as possible punishment for a future editorial. Raising the specter of ethics with the Fiesta Queen for Old Spanish Days might not be a good idea for Armstrong if he really and truly wants a call back from the KEYT anchor. A loyal reader who commented on this editorial in an email to me pointed out that much like going after sports writer John Zant, Travis is dealing with a constituency that supports Lopez and may not be fully aware or care about the News-Press Mess as of yet. This kind of witch hunt with KEYT may change their perspective.

Hey Travis, what were you thinking? Is it not arrogant to defame someone, assign them to your imaginary cabal and then expect them to hop to when you come calling? Paula Lopez and her colleagues at KEYT may be dumb but they are not stupid.

Teamster/SBNP Contract Negotiations About to Begin - Baron Shoots First Salvo

More than a year after the News-Press employees election to join the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, contract negotiations are finally scheduled to begin this week with management of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

The negotiation sessions this week will be held Tuesday and Wednesday (11/13 and 11/14) at an undisclosed, neutral location in Santa Barbara.

Here is a portion of the letter sent to News-Press employees from Teamster Chief Negotiator Nick Caruso related to the upcoming contract negotiations. Conciliatory in nature -- let's hope the feelings are mutual between labor and management.

Until now, the fight has focused on ongoing disputes between employee and employer. Contract Negotiations are an opportunity for the participants to find common ground (if they so choose) and build an Agreement based on both the shared and distinctive needs of the respective parties. Labor brings the collective voice of the employees to the table and offers the expertise of these professionals with regard to more effectively applying their craft. In exchange we seek fair compensation and working conditions. Management will bring legitimate business concerns. Preferably, we can work together to resolve our differences and through the process of exchanging proposals and ideas, an Agreement can begin to evolve.

I have worked closely with the Union Committee Members to draft your expressed issues into proposals that we will present to the Employer. The proposals represent the collective vision of what the newsroom can and should be from the Employees’ perspective. The Committee Members are dedicated to that vision and will fight to whatever extent necessary to create a better workplace than exists today.

Up to this point, the Employer has adamantly opposed recognizing the employees’ legal right to bargain overcompensation and working conditions. Now that the day has arrived, we are hoping Management will begin to acknowledge that there may be some benefit in listening and discussing what the newsroom professionals have to offer.

The upcoming contract negotiations make me wonder if News-Press Co-Publisher Arthur Von Wiesenberger wasn't trying to begin a preemptive strike in the Pacific Coast Business Times this morning when he blamed the Teamsters for their significant drop in subscriptions. Of course it is always easier to blame others for your own mistakes.

Here's the quote:

When asked to comment Nov. 6, News-Press co-publisher Arthur von Wiesenberger wrote in an e-mail that a union-orchestrated “smear campaign” against the newspaper was to blame for the publication’s drop in circulation. The News-Press “will not bow to this intimidation,” von Wiesenberger wrote.

“These subscriber cancellations have demonstrated the relative success of the injury that has been inflicted on the News-Press,” von Wiesenberger wrote.

Isn't this great? The free market is at work! Both sides have had their say and the News-Press has certainly outspent The Organized by a factor of at least 10 to 1. Despite the amazing amount of funds that McCaw and Company have paid to defend their right to say what goes on the front page -- it seems The Organized have the upper hand. How long can falling subscriptions on Sunday be bolstered by hubris? Yes -- the free market works, but will neo-Libertarians like Wendy McCaw and Travis Armstrong admit that now?

For a more detailed analysis of the PacBizTimes article, you can see Craig Smith's post earlier today.

Ban the Bias? Another Travistorial Hypocrisy...

News-Press Editorial Page Editor Travis K. Armstrong yet again displayed a propensity to speak out of both sides of his mouth when he took on Council Member Helene Schneider for not going on his radio show in today's editorial.

I invited her and the other incumbents to spend an hour chatting with me on AM 1290.

On my second try, I got this reply:

"Travis -- I am sorry to say that I will not appear on AM 1290 with you at this time. While I would like to communicate with your listeners, I cannot trust that an interview (or its subsequent reporting in the News-Press) would be fair and unbiased. I do intend to send you a written answer to your recent question, by Monday's deadline, for the News-Press Voices section. I was happy to respond in this way to your last question a few weeks ago. I'm also willing to respond (as I have been in the past) to News-Press reporters when they write stories on city-related issues. Helene."

This disappointed me. I told Ms. Schneider that I thought she would have managed to come up with a more convincing excuse for not coming on the radio than this one.

Ms. Schneider chickened out and gave up an opportunity to speak directly to you on the radio.

It used to be that the Editorial Page Editor of the News-Press would never play a game of chicken with a Council Member or even mention conspiracies he couldn't prove. He shows such little respect for the office that I wonder how he thinks he isn't showing bias. Finally, he used this trick a few years ago with Mayor Blum -- playing the radio station versus the paper -- does he think we don't remember?

He went on to malign her about a planning issue he understands little about, calling it Helene-gate, makes a common campaign practice criminal and even takes a few shots at Brian Barnwell while he was at it.

Whether relevant or not to the campaign or Helene's term in office, TKA's approach and attitude show his bias in spades. He takes a few possibly relevant points and questions -- failing to do his homework and ask Helene herself for answers -- and then acts as if he speaks from authority. How hard could it be to simply ask her, Barnwell or her campaign manager for answers to the questions he asks?

My Momma always said -- bias is as bias does.

Good Cop, Badder Cop: TKA Thinks He's Fair?

Travis Armstrong's editorial today yet again bashing Mayor Blum sat alongside a miracle letter from the Mayor herself. Misquoted in comments for Esquire Magazine -- if any of you know her, she doesn't say "gonna" evah --her letter actually was printed on the editorial pages of the News-Press for the first time in maybe a year or more. Perhaps it is not Hotchkiss 1, Incumbents 0 as I pointed out the other day.

I'm surprised as Travis has consistently pointed out that she doesn't read the News-Press and does this, that and the other thing. Has he realized that showing the other side, another argument -- actually strengthens his?

With apologies to The Poodle, good for TKA for throwing her and us a bone. I really don't care what he has to say in his editorials if he is fair with opinion pieces, letters to the editor and stays out of the newsroom. Perhaps this is a harbinger of things to come -- TKA, Bring It On!

Ouch! I just read the front page and it has another animal on the cover. I have nothing against saving animals but there is a war going on, US-based Seagate might be bought by a Chinese company and several generals differ on the timing of troop cuts. Oh, there was a quake in Peru the other day, right? By the way, there were floods in midwest cities -- they didn't have a blue line because their newspaper editor was against anything their city did.

Sorry, maybe my bias is showing -- Travis, keep on printing those letters to the editor! Really!

Hotchkiss 1, Incumbents 0

Nice letter to the editor in the News-Press today -- when's the last time Williams, Barnwell or Schneider got a positive letter in the News-Press.....just asking :)

Community Post: TKA Bias in Not Checking Council Candidate Facts?

Got this from an avid reader and found it interesting considering our discussions on bias of late...

=====Community Post============
In an editorial this morning, Travis Armstrong urged voters to support the challengers to the City Council incumbents and lists the names of eight challengers at the end of his editorial. Indeed, his list includes all who took out papers and filed to run, but he apparently didn’t check his facts! Two of those he listed are not viable and official candidates because their petitions lacked enough signatures to qualify for the ballot (Cruzito Herrera Cruz and Nicholas M. Sebastian).

While editorial writers are entitled to their bias (and he sure has some strong feelings about the three incumbents), he still has an obligation to get his facts straight. His bias against all things related to the City prevented him from checking with the City Clerk’s office on who would be listed on the ballot. They had this information by Tuesday or Wednesday.

Community Post: Gang Injunction the Word?

Written today by ANON 6:21 PM as a commment....what do you think?

Travis today asks for a gang injunction which is another right-on editorial if anyone wants more proof he is touching the nerves of the community right now in the right way.

The sense of safety of the many needs to outweigh letting the "few" feel-good.

As he correctly points out, the good kids in gangs have no penalty with an injunction and the rest of us may be protected against the bad ones.

And it is time our little town and its elected officials sends all gangs a message what our community standards are and it is their choice to agree or not agree with them. And know there are consequences when they step over a line.

Good gang kids should be the first ones in line asking for an injunction because there is no reason they want to put up with the bad gang kids either.

If the police can't figure this out, then it is time for a new police chief to work better with our entire community.

The loudest voices asking for more neighborhood protection come right from the neighborhoods that foster most of the gang activity.

It is time to listen to those on the front lines, and most of them are Hispanic parents trying to do best for their own kids. They don't like seeing punks get away with terrorizing everyone else too.

Who was it here who made the chilling obervation an unintended consequence of illegal immigration is kids black-mailing their illegal parents with threats of turning them in if they don't give these kids their way.

Time to take that choice away from these little tyrants and for the society that benefits from illegal immigration to clean up its own house and streets.

What part of this message does the city council not get?

Community Post: Carbajal Warms Up to News-Press?

This from a citizen stringer -- apparently, the emails below have been making their way around the circuit. Too bad Salud didn't illucidate a little further about what the meeting was about -- inquiring constituents want to know.
-- Sara
===============

In early May, First District Salud Carbajal was seen driving the News-Press editorialist Travis Armstrong to a private lunch meeting at Ca'Dario Restaurant, a nice Italian place where Nipper's notes that the average lunch costs $35.

One wonders why would Salud do that. Where or when does a leading locally elected official decide that the News-Press still is or is not a legitimate publication worthy of respect and business as usual? Is Poison-Pen Armstrong still anybody to care about, especially by someone apparently so solid in his office as Salud?

Carbajal's constituents have noticed and asked him nicely about his lunch meeting with Travis Armstrong. The text below is that email exchange, with Carbajal apparently writing that any concern about his meeting Armstrong is "dumb." Such email messages from County officials are public records.

Is this issue dumb or is it dumb to question a County Supervisor about such a lunch discussion, especially with that dining partner?
----------
Message to Salud Carbajal:
From:
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 14:38:07
To:Subject: Lunch with Travis

Salud:
As a friend and supporter, I think you should know that the local "rumor
mill" is buzzing about an alleged "secret meeting" between you and Travis
Armstrong a week or so ago. Unfortunately, among our friends, it is hard to
imagine a more heinous rendezvous, or one that would lead to more convoluted
conjecture.

So many of us have made so many difficult choices in order to
"de-legitimize" our beloved local newspaper, it is distressing to hear that
their number one stooge has even been given an audience by one of our number
one spokespeople. Given all of the speculation about your political
ambitions, and the tendency of some of our opponents to circulate bad
information, it is certainly possible that this is just a fabrication being
inadvertently spread by bad gossip. But as one, like you, who wants to
have friends on all sides of the political spectrum – especially those who
buy ink by the barrel -- I also can imagine that such a meeting did, indeed,
take place.

So what is the real story? And what was the result? I'd appreciate your
reply. Thanks.
----------
Message from Salud Carbajal:
From: Supervisor Salud Carbajal [mailto:supervisorcarbajal@sbcbos1.org]
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 2:39 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Lunch with Travis

How dumb. He and I met a few weeks ago. No secret about it. Rumors are
rumors. Share this with whom ever you would like. By the way it was a
lunch meeting at Cadario Restaurant.
Salud
Salud Carbajal
First District Supervisor
County of Santa Barbara
(805)568-2186

Da Mayor's Letter to TKA

Craig Smith and I, among others, received a copy of the following letter from Da Mayor to Travis K. Armstrong. Craig has a cogent analysis of the letter and what it does and doesn't mean.

The Slugger -- who is sure to be the subject of a Sunday column reminding people that she said she never reads his editorials -- wrote a letter that is a must read item for anyone who cares about the future of journalism in Santa Barbara.

That's two "must reads" (and two links in one paragraph) this week on the News-Press Mess. Jerry Roberts on ethics -- which I saw on a screen of an ultra-Libertarian friend of mine earlier this afternoon -- and our Mayor on the "odd" and rather twisted logic as to why she can't speak on the News-Press radio station....

A true friend of ethics in the editorial room would print the Mayor's letter verbatim because he would know that this would engender respect among his readers. A true friend of ethics in the editorial room would print many other less accusatory letters in the interest of fairness and goodwill. Would you do what Travis does? Be truthful. On the "B" side, WWTKAD?

TKA Back in the Saddle

News-Press editor Travis Armstrong returned to the editorial pages today after a several week hiatus that was left unexplained.

Taking a somewhat humble tone about his DUI sentence -- Armstrong still couldn't let go of an opportunity to promote his quest for a non-biased, now one reporter for the South Coast newsroom. Comparing ourselves to others is a pitfall that is too easy to fall into but he does so with vigor by visualizing his victimhood for us.

Other public figures have gotten DUIs and it should be reported -- but only individuals can take responsibility for what happened without pointing the finger at others. To keep the wall up between the newsroom and editorial would have been the right thing to do -- whether or not he could have anticipated a lack of coverage of other public figure DUIs. Hindsight is of course 20/20.

Like "snarky" pointed out in a comment on an earlier post -- it is ironic that Armstrong blasts progresives for childish taunts considering a long history of such in his editorials, but perhaps it is incumbent of us to be the adults here and refrain from that kind of language today. No matter what we think about how he handled his DUI and the ensuing attempt to cover it in his own paper -- he did go through a great deal in the process and has hopefully learned a few life lessons we should all be thoughtful of.

Clergy Responds to TKA's 'Snarky' Hit

Over at Craig Smith's Blog, Rev. Teena Grant responds to Travis Armstrong's characterization that she wrote a "snarky" email...pointing out that Armstrong has never given her a call, attended one of their many meetings on youth or the service the other night.

A common complaint about Armstrong over the last five plus years is that he specializes in "hit and run" editorials -- failing to contact those he attacks for their side of the story. He and Ms. McCaw might buy ink by the barrel -- but what happens when our local newspaper goes after people of the cloth? I suppose religion is the last institution that Armstrong hasn't taken on -- Rev. Grant now joins a long list of other "cabalists" that will soon engulf our whole community because of their conspiracy with the Teamsters. Run away!

Update: See Reverend Donkin's Thin Places blog for more response from clergy.