Disqus - Latest Comments for skink

Re: Bernie Sanders 'making sure' of enough money to challenge Clinton

skink — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 15:51:40 -0000

"Sanders reiterated concerns about Clinton and other Democrats’ willingness to take on Wall Street banks..."
Sanders stated his concerns about these issues applied to all candidates Republicans included.

Re: The Sinclair – Jacksonville’s Downtown Drink House

skink — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:00:27 -0000

Seems to be a common trait among downtown establishments.
Makes one wish for the old days when downtown entertainment consited of street preachers at the Hemming Plaza and homeless guys you could pay to sing/watch your car.
I hope this isnt the case, i have not been able to make it down there yet.
I will put it to the test...we will see how work boots, a jaguars t shirt, and a pair of kmart jeans affect the "locals"
Im already a bit tired of the "jiffy feet" irony movement in Jax.

Re: The Sinclair – Downtown’s New Scene (no tight jeans or haircuts required)

skink — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:31:22 -0000

careful rampant...reading up on guerrilla warfare and disparaging Groupthink...sounds a little Pink to me.
you may yet end up among the Horizontalidad.

Re: How New Media is Shaping the Budget Debate: The Discussion Has Begun

skink — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:33:13 -0000

My antenna go up anytime the consolidated government embraces ANYTHING.
Usually that means some semi successful outlet for criticism is about to be co-opted.

a good start however...just remember
transparency is the new objectivity.

Re: The Sinclair – Downtown’s New Scene (no tight jeans or haircuts required)

skink — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:14:40 -0000

I dreamt I saw Joe Hill last night.

Re: The Sinclair – Downtown’s New Scene (no tight jeans or haircuts required)

skink — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:53:14 -0000

sorry could you speak up? it difficult to hear your petit bourgeois simpering over the chorus....
never mind...lets have another song...
how bout Solidarity Forever....
yeah man
i can dig it

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
But the union makes us strong.

CHORUS:
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
For the union makes us strong.

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?
For the union makes us strong.

It is we who plowed the prairies; built the cities where they trade;
Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid;
Now we stand outcast and starving midst the wonders we have made;
But the union makes us strong.

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.
While the union makes us strong.

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies, magnified a thousand-fold.
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong.

Re: The Sinclair – Downtown’s New Scene (no tight jeans or haircuts required)

skink — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:54:15 -0000

Neo-Socialist?
I dont like the sound of that...
how bout some good ol fashioned, "which side are you on boys..." Eugene V Debs BIG RED socialist solidarity god damned socialist!
"The Sinclair"...a name like that, I reckon their ought to be an honest rabble singing from the Wobblies songbook under a great big portrait of Huey Long.
hells yeah, a spot like that...plus a decent cup of joe and some biscuits and gravy....whoooweee
couldn't keep me out of the place.
come on yall...sing along if you know the words.

"Well ya ain't done nothing
if ya ain't been called a Red.
If you marched or agitated,
then you're bound to hear it said.
So you might as well ignore it
or love the word instead.
Cuz ya ain't been doing nothing
if ya ain't been called a Red."

Re: Duval GOP Rally Posters Liken Obama to Hitler

skink — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:14:32 -0000

The Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center have both been following the interaction between white supremacist/southern separatist organizations and the current "grassroots" teaparty activism.

The photos on the republican facebook page show at least one activist advocating for state sovereignty. there are regular meetings in Jacksonville of a southern separatist group called "The Leauge of the South."
this group openly states its desire to exploit the current situation and recruit new members from the ranks of dissaffected repbulican0libertarians.
Alot of the well meaning folks were energized by the Ron Paul movement...and some of them are being courted now by older more radical groups.

If you do a quick examination of the local "Teaparty" "Ron Paul" "League of the South" and "Republican Liberty Caucus"meetups groups and websites you will see that connections are being cultivated between these groups.
I would like to think that most of these committed activist are simply not aware of the implications of asociating wt such groups...but the continuing rhetoric about socialism amd seccesion might suggest otherwise.
jut remember that if you lie with dogs you will get fleas.
a couple links worth looking into.
local LOS myspace...
http://www.myspace.com/flor...
anti defamation league page about hate group interest in teaparties at
http://www.adl.org/main_Ext...
SPLC on league of the south
http://www.splcenter.org/in...

Re: Seven Points To Improve The Times-Union and Jacksonville.com

skink — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:01:00 -0000

Marilyn,
I thought of a couple examples today.
first however, I think i let my frustration with corporate media bleed into my earlier suggestions. there is an inherent bias...or maybe that is not the right word...lets say this- a disservice is done to the public as the media gets more and more consolidated and stockholder expectations have more influence in decisions that should lie with people committed to the traditional responsibilities of journalism. It is ridiculous to expect one newsroom to counter this influence. Bill Moyers wrote powerfully about how he thinks journalist should work together to counter this influence in the foreward of a book I m reading. you might enjoy it.
"The future of Media: Resistance and Reform in the 21st century"

The TU does a great job with what they have...I pick it up out of the driveway every morning and will continue to.
Thanks to everyone for their work.

and thanks for those long ago field trips to watch the presses run!

now to my examples. the coverage of the Cecil field fiasco covered by David Decamp. It was a great bit of work..and i miss decamp.
I remember a press conference in which a local pastor said that faith leaders might be hesitant to critcize the Mayor for fear of losing faith based initiative money. no one had anything significant to say about it..except no comment or a denial, those denials ended that angle.
I might be recalling it incorrectly and i certainly don't know how you would dig into such an issue...but knowing Jacksonville it struck me a productive avenue that was neglected.
A recent example of great reporting, Jeff Brumley's work on the JSO/FBC blogger identity "outing," is my second instance.
Jeff explored and explained the particulars very equitably. also, some of the reader comments were informative and thought provoking.
however, being a serial blog commenter of the anonymous persuasion I had serious questions about the methodology and justification used by the JSO to obtain that bloggers identity.
the idea that a person could file a simple complaint and obtain my identity( or just have me checked out) is unsettling.

I know anonymity strikes many journalist as offensive or unprofessional. I wish that it did not. non-professionals dont have the time, resources, or the craft that you guys do....but anonymity, within the law, can be one of our most powerful tools. i would like to learn more about what the JSO and State's Attorney believe my rights as a blogger are.
thanks for listening.

Re: Seven Points To Improve The Times-Union and Jacksonville.com

skink — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:40:46 -0000

Marilyn,
Does this ever happen to you when watching a press conference ? i bet it does.
a reporter ask a good solid question and the answer strikes you as perfect for a probing follow up....then the reporter totally whiffs? like they got what they need to make a decent piece of copy or video clip and then just stop!
the TU coverage strikes me like that sometimes. I understand the pressure put on you guys by the shrinking staff but it is still frustrating to read an article and just wish it had pushed a little further, wished it had gone beyond the obvious/easy/expected answer and explored the self evident implications of the issue. the investigative stories you noted earlier were very good...but i am sometimes left wondering...doesn't there have to be something more.
i feel like the TU thinks as long as they have provided "both sides" to a story they have done what they should...but often both sides seem like canned answers...press release blurbs that beg for more questions. it is the cynic and skeptic in me I know...but if we cant get good solid down home cynicism out of our american newsroom, well then where can we?
how could you guys better facilitate reporters making people uncomfortable? that is really what i want to see. more uncomfortable people being interviewed about uhh i dont know...everything.
i am rambling on cuz its late. i will stay in touch and provide examples.

Re: Seven Points To Improve The Times-Union and Jacksonville.com

skink — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:28:56 -0000

another thought.
Instead of trying to survive the new media revolution try to find a way to LEAD IT.
listen well to those youngsters in the newsroom and give them every opportunity to innovate. But while they are twittering about dont let them lose sight of their mission or forget their roots...hell all of our roots. We are a nation and a people conceived in and birthed from the pages of a free press

There are things you should not be taking advice from amateur bloggers or twittering readers about.
Embrace your history, Hold yourself to a higher standard and for gods sake let go the trivial. is it the Youtube or reality TV audience you are after? you cant compete with them. you cannot be all media.
YOUR a NEWSPAPER! act like one.

Give us News!
These are things you should be teaching bloggers about...either by example or by crafting a collaborative inclusive space where we work together defining our community.
be the professionals and deserve the significance you are still afforded.

yup
thats my big idea.
adapt, include, innovate etc... but most of all?
Lead.

Re: Seven Points To Improve The Times-Union and Jacksonville.com

skink — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:16:13 -0000

Dear hometown paper,
When i pick up the TU or go to jacksonville.com I dont do it to be entertained.
I want to be informed.
No matter how well you implement new technology...if you forget that you will fail. not just in business.

Newspapers have neglected what they are good at... namely reporting .
In this new media age most substantial content STILL relies on the good old fashioned legwork of print journalist.

I would like to believe that the survivors of the paper purges are in it because they have been "called" to their vocation.
What are the responsibilities and principles of this once esteemed vocation?
To inform the civic discourse and strengthen participatory democracy...To dig deep, expose injustice ,celebrate diversity and give us knowledge and power to fight through our struggles... SLING some good ol fashion muck. find the helpless and exploited and tell their stories...
raise up a banner dammit, be a beacon....
you have the power and the talent ...every major story of the past several years has been driven by TU coverage. But even though they are good pieces, I am always left with more questions than answers...help me answer these difficult questions about my city.

Jacksonville is an incredible city with an incredible story.

As much as it pains me to say it...the TU has never told enough of that story.

One more thing TU, If you accept that civic discourse and an informed public is the real job of the fourth estate...then the online comments reflect poorly on your contributions to civic awareness.

p.s.
give everyone raises. the ones still standing more than deserve it, it will pay off in the end.

Re: Updated! The Millage Rate Explained and How Property Tax Policy Might Encourage Sprawl

skink — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:32:05 -0000

i thought millage rate increases were capped by the charter?

as an aside...wanna start at the source of our problems?
revisit the charter

Re: Urban Jacksonville Weekly Episode #22 – JTA and Streetcars Downtown

skink — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:50:30 -0000

should we expect more advocacy/information out of Corrine Brown on these issues considering she Chairs a transportaion/rail subcommitee?

Re: Encouraging Economic Development in Jacksonville Through Urban Planning

skink — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:18:20 -0000

I was being facetious. "quality of life enforcement" by JSO recently ended with shooting.

Re: Encouraging Economic Development in Jacksonville Through Urban Planning

skink — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:10:42 -0000

Leadership(power) in Jax lies in the sprawlways, not the urban enviroments.
urban projects as concieved are window dressing, cheap veneer
the decent urban projects that came along with BJP were shackled to roadway and developer payouts...
these problems are rooted in consolidated governemnt and alphabet "authoritys"
until the balance of power can be more equitably distributed...dont expect much enlightened progress.
at least you get a JCCI study once every few years. telling you the same things every other JCCI report ever did.
perhaps what we need is more quality of life enforcement.

Re: Urban Jacksonville Turns 5 Today

skink — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:21:03 -0000

need more elitism? turn off commenting!
luv ya tea

Re: Urban Jacksonville Turns 5 Today

skink — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:25:26 -0000

The commitment neccesary to pull off five years is impressive. And staying true to your conception for UJ.
Success offers every opportunity to compromise. UJ hasnt succumbed to that temptation.
Haters and admirers alike must admit that (even if UJ isnt what they thought it might be or isnt going in a direction they think it should ,or is elitest ,or not real journalism,blah ,blah ect ect) Joey Marchy's presentation of his Jacksonville is an important perspective on, and contribution to, our Jacksonville.

good solid work.

Re: Bringing Jacksonville’s Government Into The New Century

skink — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:33:38 -0000

Council Meetings scheduled at an hour when working citizens could regularly attend would be nice.
The current Council times seem intended to discourage public involvement.

Re: Urban Jacksonville Weekly Episode 19

skink — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:23:30 -0000

I bet BRT design/construction contracts are easier to award to the local GOB contributors. light rail money might go outside the family