Dont Quote Me

Obama's Fort Hood screw-up

Adam Reilly — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:46:00 GMT

Conservatives are having a field day with Barack Obama's remarks yesterday on the Fort Hood shootings--or, more specifically, with the strange, incongruous prelude to those remarks.

Readers of this blog will know that I'm a pretty liberal dude. But I must say, the president screwed up here. Check out the official White House video (!):

Election night open thread

Adam Reilly — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:48:00 GMT

I'll be watching the Boston media watch the Boston election this evening and posting updates at Twitter (twitter.com/reillyadam).

But I have just one pair of eyes and ears. So please: if anything strikes you about tonight's coverage, feel free to weigh in with a comment here.

Comcast's Boston-sports-media gambit

Adam Reilly — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:03:00 GMT

The Globe* and Boston Sports Media Watch already noted this, but it bears mentioning nonetheless: Comcast Sports Net is joining the ongoing Boston-sports-media arms race in earnest, launching what it's dubbing "New England's deepest sports desk."

The press release follows. Here's my question for any voracious sports-media consumers out there: Right now, what's your first stop for sports news/commentary/vide? And do you see Comcast's gambit changing that at all?

-------

BURLINGTON, MA (November 2, 2009) – Today Comcast SportsNet New England announced the network will introduce New England’s most comprehensive local sports news, delivered across multiple platforms by some of the region’s most familiar and experienced sports journalists and analysts. Comcast SportsNet’s expanded sports staff includes seasoned writers and reporters Sean McAdam, Tom Curran, Joe Haggerty, Chris Collins, Mike Giardi and many more.

Comcast SportsNet will premiere a new live, 30-minute, three-times-a-night sports show, SportsNet Central, to give fans the most in-depth local sports news and analysis. The network is also relaunching CSNNE.com to give fans comprehensive and continuously updated coverage of their local favorite teams, including exclusive video, original analysis from authentic local voices, and interactive community features and applications.

Comcast SportsNet Executive Vice President and General Manager Bill Bridgen stated, “Comcast SportsNet is committed to be the preeminent source for local sports news, analysis and debate in one of the most passionate sports markets in the country. We have assembled a veteran roster of New England sports journalists to provide dedicated coverage of the Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and every local sports institution. Our reporters, writers, analysts and insiders will serve hometown fans with the largest integrated on-air and online local sports news platform in the area.”

Comcast SportsNet will launch SportsNet Central on Thursday, December 3, at 6:00 p.m. SportsNet Central will air live each night at 6:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. On Sundays, Comcast SportsNet will air Sports Sunday at 10 p.m. in place of the 10:30 p.m. edition of SportsNet Central.

In addition to providing expanded sports coverage on television, Comcast SportsNet will operate the region’s most comprehensive and dedicated online local sports destination, CSNNE.com, which will feature:

· The most extensive local collection of exclusive online video, including player and coach interviews, press conferences plus content from Comcast SportsNet news shows;

· Unparalleled home and away beat coverage of local teams including the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins;

·         Breaking news and analysis, including web-exclusive reports, from the region’s most informed local lineup of award-winning reporters, analysts, and personalities;

·         Community applications including blogs, game-day e-mail alerts, live game chats, and fan message boards.

“Sports fans turn to new technology first because of their voracious appetite for the latest information about their favorite teams, and we are investing in CSNNE.com to create the premier digital source for local sports coverage,” said Eric Grilly, Comcast Sports Group executive vice president and chief digital officer. “Deep New England roots and strong ties to the local sports community enable CSNNE.com to provide original sports coverage around the clock, more local video than any other entity, and exclusive fan experiences with local teams and their players.”

To oversee CSNNE.com, Comcast SportsNet has hired digital media veteran Bill Via as senior director of digital media. Via has been designing and implementing strategic digital campaigns since 1994 and has comprehensive television experience. Via has developed digital media strategies for A&E International, WGBH Boston, Telemundo and KHNL-TV in Honolulu, HI.

Comcast SportsNet has assembled the region’s largest local sports news team to provide coverage on air and online, including:

·          Veteran MLB reporter Sean McAdam will cover the Red Sox for Comcast SportsNet after 24 years with the Boston Herald and Providence Journal. McAdam is a member of the Baseball Writers of America and a Baseball Hall of Fame voter.

·          Veteran NFL reporter Tom Curran will cover the Patriots after serving with NBCSports.com, the Providence Journal and the MetroWest Daily News.

·          Sherrod Blakely, respected NBA reporter and Detroit Pistons beat writer for several Michigan newspapers and MLive.com, will cover the Celtics.

·          Joe Haggerty will cover the Bruins for Comcast SportsNet after covering the Bruins and Red Sox for WEEI.com, Boston Metro and the Woburn Daily Times.

·          Art Martone, sports editor at the Providence Journal for the past nine years, will serve as CSNNE.com sports editor.

·          Improper Bostonian sports editor and columnist Rich Levine will share humor and insight as a CSNNE.com columnist and editor.

In addition to these new hires, NECN on-air personalities Chris Collins and Mike Giardi join the Comcast SportsNet news team, which already includes leading New England sports voices Michael Felger and Gary Tanguay, and recent additions Kevin Walsh, Carolyn Manno, Jessica Moran and Jackie Peper.   Comcast SportsNet’s entire news team will contribute to CSNNE.com’s breaking news and expanded video coverage.

In total Comcast SportsNet is creating more than 40 new local newsroom reporting and production positions and has constructed a new newsroom, added a new studio set and expanded its production facilities at the network’s Burlington, MA headquarters. Comcast SportsNet is consolidating the sports news operations of NECN into its Burlington facility and will serve as the exclusive source of sports news on NECN and NECN.com beginning on November 2. NECN will air encore presentations of SportsNet Central each day at 6:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. beginning Dec. 3. From Nov. 2 until Dec. 3, Comcast SportsNet’s Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight will run in place of Sports Late Night at 11 p.m.

Comcast SportsNet reaches more than four million households in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Comcast SportsNet’s programming includes live game coverage of the Boston Celtics, Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight, Celtics Now, Sports Sunday, The Baseball Show, New England Tailgate, and ‘net Impact. Comcast SportsNet’s partnership with the 17-time NBA Champion

Boston Celtics is the longest team-regional sports network relationship in New England and the fourth longest in professional sports. Comcast SportsNet New England is owned and managed by Comcast Sports Group. Visit www.comcastsportsnet.com for more information.

Comcast Sports Group operates 10 sports networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and sports news and analysis to 40 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, and CSS. Comcast Sports Group also manages New England Cable News (NECN), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.

*NOTE: I'd missed the Globe story earlier; thanks to the reader who pointed it out.

The Christian Science Monitor: Not so Christian Science-y

Adam Reilly — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:51:00 GMT

Last week, on the "Beat the Press" installment of WGBH's "Greater Boston," I suggested that the Christian Science Monitor's transition to a web-based model--with a weekly print edition replacing the daily paper--had been eased by the CSM's religious affiliation. More specifically, I argued that Christian Scientists* would be more likely to pay for a new weekly incarnation of the publication founded by Mary Baker Eddy than, say, your average Globe reader would be if the Globe made a similar leap.

Judging from a comment posted by CSM editor John Yemma at the Beat the Press blog, though, I overestimated the importance that religious allegiance is playing in this particular case. Writes Yemma (emphasis added):

Thanks for turning "Beat the Press's" attention to the Monitor last week. I appreciate the time you took in coming over to our offices and letting us tell our story.

Several points were raised during the panel discussion that I thought might be worth clarifying:

- Yes, the Monitor enjoys support from Christian Scientists who are readers. I wish we had more of these, but only 20 percent of our subscribers are Christian Scientists.

- Yes, the Christian Science church has generously subsidized the Monitor for a number of years. Non-sensational international news doesn't come cheap. Our aim in shifting from a daily print emphasis to a Web-first approach (which includes a print weekly, an email-delivered Daily News Briefing, and upcoming applications for the Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook) is to decrease that church subsidy over a five-year period. We need to move toward self-sufficiency. We are only six months into this strategy. So far, so good.

-Emily wondered how we could be growing while other media outlets are struggling. I can't speak for others, but our growth comes largely from having unharnessed the newsroom from daily print and turned attention to the Web. This has energized our website, CSMonitor.com. I'm not advocating this for other news organizations because they have to protect their existing, if decreasing, print subscription base. But because most news organizations are still supporting print first, the Web is a secondary consideration to them.

Thanks again for your interest. We aren't making great claims. We are just acknowledging progress so far in a long transition we've undertaken.

*NOTE--Not "Christian Science practitioners," as I originally wrote. A reader explains:

Strictly speaking -- and using their lingo -- if the circulation of the Monitor were limited to Christian Science practitioners -- i.e., those who were specifically trained and had hung out a "shingle" as such -- said circulation would be even more limited than it is now. What I believe you were trying to say was that either Christian Scientists or members of the Christian Science Church (technically, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, but you probably know that) or even -- again, their terminology, "students of Christian Science," in order to describe the potential "universe" of people who could be counted on as "loyal" members and thus subscribers.

Green Line: Worst subway in the world?

Adam Reilly — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:19:00 GMT

Anybody else waste a significant amount of time on the GL this morning? I was stuck at Park Street for a good half hour, but it sounded like some people had been there quite a bit longer.

And I'm serious about the aforementioned question. There may well be a worse subway (or subway line) out there. I just don't know what it is.

(Apologies to anyone who expected a media post.)

Bay State Banner: Think about Boston's mayoral candidates

Adam Reilly — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:06:00 GMT

And then make up your own mind, because we won't tell you who to vote for.

Credit the paper for disclosure, though--"intervening to assist this newspaper refinance [sic] to survive the current economic downturn" is cited as one of Boston Mayor Tom Menino's noteworthy achievements.

Earlier: why the Banner didn't endorse in the mayoral prelim.

Poll: Coakley leads among people who will, won't vote

Adam Reilly — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:19:00 GMT

Granted, a new survey from Western New England College Polling Institute doesn't use this language. But that's the gist.

Consider: between October 18 and 22, 468 registered voters were asked to weigh in on the race to replace Ted Kennedy. 368 of these were registered Democrats and independents eligible to vote in the Democratic primary on December 8.

Among this group, Coakley emerged as the clear frontrunner, garnering 37 percent support to Steve Pagliuca's 14, Mike Capuano's 13, and Alan Khazei's 4. Ergo, WNECPI co-director Tim Vercellotti says, "[T]he Democratic nomination is Martha Coakley’s to lose."

But how meaningful are those numbers, really? After all, just 52 percent of those eligible respondents said they were "very likely" to vote on primary day. 23 percent said they were "somewhat likely," while 11 percent that they were "not very likely," and 13 percent opted for "not at all likely." Two percent wouldn't even answer the question.

I confess that I'm your stereotypical math-challenged journalist. That said, here's my question: if 25 percent or more of a given survey's respondents have made it clear that they probably won't even get to the polls, why should we care what they think? And wouldn't screening out these likely non-voters--instead of identifying them as such, and then adding their musings to the mix--offer a sharper picture of where the race really stands?

Grabauskas's new gig

Adam Reilly — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:05:00 GMT

Word came earlier today that former T head Dan Grabauskas has a new gig at MassINC, the nonpartisan organization that publishes CommonWealth magazine.

Given Grabuaskas's resume, it's no wonder that MassINC made him its first-ever senior fellow for public policy. But what about that whole "nonpartisan" thing? After all, not too long ago, Grabauskas was engaged in a very public battle with the Patrick Administration and its then-transportation secretary, Jim Aloisi, whose spat with Grabauskas may have helped cost him his job. So it really reasonable to expect Grabauskas to go from political combatant to detached observer?

He thinks so, at least to a degree. "Part of what I'll be doing here is research and analysis," Grabuaskas tells DQM. "I consider that to be nonpartisan, and in keeping with the best high standards of evidence-based research that MassINC is involved with."

That said, Grabauskas hints that he'll be providing opinion-based commentary down the road. "We've talked about opportunities to blog, and that would reflect my own perspective and opinion on things, separate from the CommonWealth magazine side and more on the MassINC side," he adds. "MassINC brings in a diversity of opinions, whether it's in the forums that it organizes or in its blogs--and CommonWealth's 'Perspective' section brings in different viewpoints also."

Grabauskas says he's been encouraged to cast a wide analytical net, and to weigh in on sundry issues from his 20 years in politics. But I gotta say, I'm really looking forward to the first time he writes about the Patrick Administration's transportation policy.

Here's the press release:

-------

Daniel Grabauskas to join MassINC as Senior Fellow for Public Policy

Fellowship is first-ever at non-partisan think tank.

------BOSTON. MassINC announced today that it has named Daniel Grabauskas as the inaugural Senior Fellow for Public Policy. Grabauskas brings two decades of public sector management experience spanning five administrations to this transitional appointment at the Boston-based, non-partisan, think tank. Grabauskas, most recently known for his work as the General Manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, will provide research and commentary on government reform, public management, and strategies to restore public confidence in the delivery of public services.

“I’ve know Dan Grabauskas for twenty years and have followed his work throughout a number of varying roles and administrations,” said Greg Torres, President of MassINC and Publisher of CommonWealth magazine. “I continue to be impressed by his grasp of policy, his skill as a public manager and his commitment to the issues. Given his depth of experience and personal attributes, Dan can make a substantial contribution to MassINC’s work on jobs and economic security, strong communities and government accountability.”

Grabauskas is looking to make a particular impact in the area of government accountability, which includes fiscal reform, transparency, and tax and economic development strategies. As senior fellow, Grabauskas will contribute to MassINC’s research and event programs and will be a contributor to both CommonWealth magazine, print and on-line, and MassINC’s new, interactive web site, which will be launched in January.

“This transitional appointment allows me to make a difference in areas I care deeply about and have worked on for many years,” said Grabauskas. “My experience as a public sector manager, in the range of organizations I have led, has given me unique perspective on the dynamics that affect the delivery of public services – from demand and capacity, to the integrity of the process, to public consent and political will. I am excited to impart this perspective through an organization like MassINC that is impartial, evidence-based and focused on making Massachusetts a great place to live, work, and compete in the global marketplace.”

Grabauskas’ most recent appointment was at the MBTA where he served as General Manager for the 5th largest public transportation network in the country. Prior to that, he served as Secretary of Transportation from 2003 to 2005 until he was appointed GM. He began his public sector career as a campaign operative for a number of republican legislators, including state Senator Mary Padula, Richard Tisei and Brian Lees. He, himself, ran for State Treasurer in the fall of 2002.

Grabauskas later held a number of executive positions with the administrations of Governors William Weld, Paul Cellucci, Jane Swift, Mitt Romney and, latest, Deval Patrick. These leadership positions include: Deputy Secretary at the Executive Office of Communities and Development; Chief of Staff at both the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and then the Department of Economic Development; and Director of the Office of Consumer Affairs. Grabauskas also served as Registrar, at the Registry of Motor Vehicles from 1999 to 2002.

About MassINC: The Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC) MassINC (The Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth) is a nonpartisan, evidence-based organization. Its mission is to develop a public agenda for Massachusetts that promotes the growth and vitality of the middle class. Its governing philosophy is rooted in the ideals embodied in the American Dream: equality of opportunity, personal responsibility, and a strong commonwealth.

New in the Phoenix: Howie Carr vs. "Ernie Boch III"--with exclusive interview!

Adam Reilly — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:18:00 GMT

In this week's Phoenix, I size up the ongoing feud between Herald columnist Howie Carr and "Ernie Boch, III," his mysterious Blue Mass. Group-based tormentor. (Note: EB3, as he's frequently called, is no relation to car magnate Ernie Boch, Jr.) In the process, I argue that Carr doesn't really seem to understand his nemesis--and that, despite some strong ideological and biographical differences between the two, there are some noteworthy similarities as well.

While I was working on the piece, EB3 and I conversed a bit over email. Here's an edited transcript of our conversation. (Carr didn't respond to a request for comment.)

DQM You recently made a piquant distinction between your M.O. and Howie's that I didn't quite get. Can you elaborate on what you meant?

EB3 I only attack people willingly in the spotlight and for their actions in these roles. Have I crossed the line? Sure. I have regrets. I think I’ve written some things about Mrs. Sal DiMasi, Jarrett Barrios, and Michele McPhee that probably went to far. But for the most part I just crack wise at some local political or media type who deserves it. What I don’t do is hit people below the belt over and over and over and over again when they’re down because their’s or family members’ personal mistakes, frailties, and weaknesses.

DQM Had you been contemplating a Carr boycott before his column on Judge Thomas Connolly?

No. Not at all. I was actually getting ready to post on the proposed residential and commercial development of land smack in the middle of Fells Reservation. This is a tragedy whose significance I don’t think many, including the governor, understand. The governor’s office has green-lighted it after rightfully being held up for years by the previous Republican administrations.

But the Howie’s column on Judge Connolly got me sidetracked. I’ve always believed that the majority of Bostonians find Howie not polite to the point of being shameless. He has been showcasing this act for over three decades. Nothing to do with his political beliefs. Simply the unnecessary and constant personal barrages he’s paid good money via advertising dollars to unleash. This isn’t about Ted Kennedy or Tom Menino or Jane Swift.. This is about common decency and the private lives he drags in to his web. At least I try. Without of course sacrificing humor for the feelings of a public figure who needs to be tickled.

DQM As Howie mentioned in his column firing back at you, a successful boycott could, in theory, get him off WRKO and free him up to go to WTKK, which he's wanted all along. In fact, his last line was: "Good luck, 'Ernie.' If you can get me out of here, you’re a better man than me. So go ahead, make my day. Please. I beg you." Does that give you pause?

EB3 Well, by definition the boycott would follow him to his new station. That is why I listed WTKK 96.9 and WRKO on the list to call and complain about Howie. The idea is to get Howie off of a major media radio outlet.

DQM Howie really played up the "moonbat" angle in his column--but as a fan of your work, I know that description isn't quite right. In fact, back in '06, your comments about Deval's supporters--cultlike, far-left kool aid drinkers, etc.--were actually a bit Howie Carr-ish. How do you identify yourself, politically?

EB3 Politically moderate not committed to anything and always willing to listen to the facts. Like many I am a Democrat upset with what has happened to the Party over the last few decades.

I started blogging at Blue Mass Group because it was a terrific opportunity to bug people. It did not disappoint. I was considering blogging the Paris, Texas High School Football Team Blog. You know, bug the Friday Night Lights people and tell them their football team sucks. Couldn’t run the option if their lives depended on it. Blah blah blah.

But those Texans carry guns. Blue Mass. Group is safer. They just carry pepper spray. Some of the guys carry rape whistles (just kidding). Because as everyone knows I am an anonymous blogger.

I should stress my appreciation to Blue Mass. Group, a/k/a Charley, David and Bob [the site's editors]. They have not stifled me. Kudos to them.

DQM Why’d you pick a handle that honors Ernie Boch Jr.?

EB3 I think it was Dan Kennedy's blog about four years ago. I was commenting on something I read and the Ernie Boch, III signature made the comment funny. At least I thought so. Something to do with privilege perhaps? Anyway, I was so proud of myself for thinking of it I used it again when I signed on at Blue Mass. Group.

The funny thing is I've never attacked, or mentioned for that matter, Ernie Boch, Jr. in my postings.

DQM A commenter at BMG responded to Globe columnist Joan Vennochi’s piece on the feud by casting your fight with Howie as a kind of archetypal old media-new media struggle. Do you see it that way?

EB3 No. I just see it as something that needs to be done and I'm just the cartoon character to do it. All I ask is if people feel the same way as I do about Howie and want to use this as a teaching moment for what our free-thinking community finds acceptable in local major media outlets, then they should let Howie’s financial supporters know how they feel.

Think of this anti-Howie movement as sorbet cleansing the protest palate in between more important courses.

Big questions following the Globe's non-sale

Adam Reilly — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:19:00 GMT

Some things to ponder in the wake of today's news that the New York Times Co. won't be selling the Boston Globe after all (Herald story here, Globe story here, entire memo to follow):

1. Given the speed with which the Times Co. decided to reject the bids assembled by Steve Taylor and Platinum, it seems--at least from the outside--like not a lot of deliberation was required. When did the Times Co. make up its mind not to sell? And what was the determing factor?

2. The elimination of lifetime job guarantees earlier this year paved the way for some serious attrition--but that attrition hasn't materialized yet. When will the Times Co. start cutting, and how deep will the cuts be?

3. When Arthur Sulzberger and Janet Robinson spoke a few weeks ago of the Globe's progress toward profitability, some people thought it was just a ruse aimed at driving up the price. Today's announcement suggests it was more than that. But you've got to wonder: if the paper's improving financials stall, or slip backward, might a sale again become a possibility? And if that happens, might the Times Co.'s decision here scare prospective purchasers away?

4. At least in the Globe newsroom, staffers seemed inclined to forgive the Times Co. for its relatively recent threat to close down the paper. Still, the fact remains: the Times Co. threatened to close down the paper. How much ill will is still in the air over at Morrissey Boulevard, and what kind of problems might it pose in the future?

5. The answer to the previous question could depend on how Times Co. management handles recent employee requests to up healthcare contributions and prevent the implementation of a draconian new employee healthcare plan. Those requests have included the assertion that management provided bad info re: healthcare earlier this year--and that, if that info had been accurate, the Times Co.'s concession requests might have been rejected. How will management respond?

It's possible that Robinson will address some of these points in tomorrow's "town-hall meeting" with Globe employees--but I wouldn't expect any definitive answers.

-------

Note from Arthur and Janet to all Boston Globe and Boston.com employees

After careful consideration and analysis, we wish to tell you that we have
terminated the process to explore the sale of The Boston Globe, Boston.com
and related businesses, and they will remain within The New York Times
Company.

We continue to assess strategic alternatives for the Worcester Telegram &
Gazette, and are determined to reach a conclusion there quickly. We will
provide a full update to our colleagues in Worcester as quickly as
possible.

We know this has been a long and painful process, and we deeply appreciate
the focus and dedication that you have all displayed over the past several
months. Janet will be visiting Boston tomorrow for an employee town hall
meeting at 11 a.m. She will talk with employees and take your questions.
The Globe has significantly improved its financial footing by following the
strategic plan it set out at the beginning of this year. All along, we
explicitly recognized that a careful restructuring of the Globe was one
possible route and, thanks to your hard work, that is precisely what has
been done.

The comprehensive financial strategy you executed incorporated a series of
measures to increase revenues and lower costs, including:

Consolidating printing facilities, expected to save $18 million a
year,

Increasing prices on newsstand and home-delivered copies of the
Globe,

Reducing compensation for the Globe's managers and other nonunion
employees,

Restructuring the Globe’s labor contracts, which we are projecting
will save $20 million in annual operating costs.

The great things you have accomplished both on the financial side and the
editorial side of the Globe and Boston.com have solidified their positions
as the leading media vehicles in the region. With these strategic steps,
the Globe is on track to achieve substantial savings and is on a path to a
more secure financial future.

For these initiatives to be successful it was necessary for the Globe’s
readers, Boston.com’s users and the greater New England community to
continue to embrace our products. They have responded with unwavering
support of the Globe, its offerings and you.

We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to you for your
many significant accomplishments under difficult circumstances. We applaud
you for all that you have done and look forward to charting our future
together.

Arthur & Janet

Globe shuffles sports lineup

Adam Reilly — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:57:00 GMT

As reported earlier today by Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch, there are some big changes afoot at the Globe's sports desk--including the hiring of Albert Breer from the Sporting News to replace Mike Reiss; Adam Kilgore moving from Red Sox to Patriots coverage; Chris Gasper taking over Tony Massarotti's online-columnist slot; and Julian Benbow moving to the Celtics beat.

Here's the email that sports editor Joe Sullivan sent this morning, describing these and other changes (read: the recent hirings of Gary Washburn and Peter Abraham) in full:

-------

I'd like to introduce some new free-agent players in our lineup who have
recently been signed to long-term contracts (only kidding about the
contract part). We've had some turnover in the sports department, but we've
been lucky to find great replacements for the quality people who have left.

Gary Washburn is our new national NBA writer (replacing Marc Spears). Gary
grew up in Inglewood, Calif., and graduated from Cal-Berkeley, but his
career has taken him coast to coast. He's worked for the Los Angeles Daily
News, the Contra Costa Times in Northern California. MLB.com in Baltimore,
and the late and lamented Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He covered the NBA
and the SuperSonics at the PI and he brings a veteran's viewpoint to our
NBA coverage.

Peter Abraham will be part of our Red Sox coverage and will be the most
frequent contributor to our Extra Bases blog on Boston.com, especially when
he gets down to Fort Myers in February. Before that, he'll be working with
Amalie Benjamin on offseason stories plus covering the winter meetings.
Peter is a true New Englander, growing up in New Bedford and attending
UMass-Amherst. He worked at the New Bedford Standard-Times and the Norwich
Bulletin in Connecticut before landing at the Journal-News, the Gannett
paper that covers Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York. He covered
the Mets and Yankees for the Journal-News and established a Yankees blog
that became known as the best source of Yankees news on the web; the major
New York metro papers just could not match him online.

Albert Breer is our new national NFL writer, replacing Mike Reiss. It's not
the first time he's replaced Mike. He became the Metro West Daily News'
Patriots writer when Mike joined the Globe in 2004. Regional sports editor
Craig Larson, then the Daily News' sports editor, hired both of them. Bert,
as he's called except in his byline, covered the Cowboys for the Dallas
Morning News before moving to The Sporting News as its national NFL writer.
He went to Lincoln-Sudbury High and graduated from THE Ohio State
University.

There are other changes.

Christopher L. Gasper (Chris to his friends) is our new web columnist,
essentially replacing Tony Massarotti. Tony is now working for WBZ-FM radio
but continues to write part-time for Boston.com. Chris will become the face
and voice of Boston.com sports. Given his youth, he brings a tremendous
expertise of Boston sports to this job.

Adam Kilgore has been part of our Red Sox coverage for the last two
seasons, will soon be moving to the Patriots beat, where he will join
Monique Walker and Bert to give us top-notch coverage of the team. Monique
had previously split her job between the sports department and Globe South.

Julian Benbow, who used to split his job between the sports department and
Globe North (with occasional rap music reviews in G), will be moving to the
Celtics beat with Frank Dell'Apa and Gary.

Previously, you had been introduced to Matt Pepin, the new sports editor of
Boston.com, in an email from David Beard. Matt brings a creative mind and
excellent management experience from the Middletown, N.Y. Times Record
Herald.

Sports is facing some new challenges (plus the same old ones) in our market
with ESPN launching its Boston website, and Comcast soon to follow, and not
just because those entities will try to compete with us for readers. Both
upstarts also tried to raid our staff, mainly because they know the best
sportswriters and editors work at the Globe and Boston.com. We feel with
this new lineup we're as strong as ever, and ready to remain the dominate
source of information about Boston sports.

Please say hello to our newcomers and send congratulations to our staffers
on their new assignments.

Herald's Carr: Obama Nobel a race-based handout

Adam Reilly — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:19:00 GMT

Until today, I thought Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize was just a gratuitous European swipe at the Bush Administration.

But now I know better, thanks to Herald columnist Howie Carr, who today identifies the Nobel as the race-based handout it really is:

Barack is a guy who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple. When are we going to see his SAT and LSAT scores? Must have been very good, considering he was admitted to Columbia and Harvard Law, right? Got to be editor of the Harvard Law Review without writing a single article - how do these things happen?
The Norwegian moonbat in charge of these latest reparations - I mean very-well-deserved honors - said the $1.4 million payoff, er, prize, is intended to “contribute a little bit to enhance what he is trying to do.” Hmmm....

My only gripe: while Carr touched on affirmative action and reparations, he failed to work malt liquor or Al Sharpton into the column. Don't fear the moonbats, Howie! Have the courage of your convictions!

Globe staffers to publisher: save us from healthcare "caste system"

Adam Reilly — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:23:00 GMT

The Globe story of the moment is the (possibly) impending sale of the paper--but mounting resistance to a new, high-cost health plan among the members of the paper's biggest union is a noteworthy subplot.

Earlier this afternoon, a letter went out from more than 100 employees to publisher Steve Ainsley. They're asking management to restore a "significant portion" of $1.5 million in healthcare contributions that were recently eliminated, and arguing that bad info provided by the Times Co. prior to the Guild's contract vote earlier this year. It's a similar case to the one made in a recent missive to the Guild's own leaders--but sharper, aimed at the paper's top business-side guy, and signed by a whole lot more people.

Some interesting questions to ponder: 1) Since the Globe may be sold in the near future, how likely is it that Ainsley or the Times Co. will act, even if they're feeling generous? 2) Might labor dissatisfaction with health coverage, which could hint at tough contract negotiations to come, spook prospective bidders (esp. Tom Gores)--or, conversely, make the Times Co. marginally more inclined to unload the paper? 3) I've been told that the new plan, absent any new management mitigation, will carry about a $3,000 annual deductible for Guild employees. If that's correct, how many Globe staffers--especially in the newsroom--are going to do their damndest to find better-paying jobs?

-------

Oct. 8, 2009

Dear Steve,

We are writing to you because we know you care deeply about the Globe, and understand that radically cutting health benefits is bad for employees, for their families, and for business. The proposed bare bones health plan puts individuals and families at risk for thousands of dollars in medical bills, while charging significantly higher premiums.

This is an unfair burden to place on employees who already have agreed to significant salary and benefit reductions, particularly since Boston Globe and New York Times Company executives stated publicly last month that the Globe’s finances have improved.

The plan would leave the Boston Globe embarrassingly out-of-step with other large companies, according to national studies.

We also believe the company was falsely optimistic with union members in the days preceding the July 20 vote, failing to indicate that approval of the concession package would put our comprehensive health insurance at risk.

For these reasons, we request that the Globe increase the company’s contribution to the union’s health care fund. We ask that the Globe restore a significant portion of the $1.5 million in quid pro quo payments that management has eliminated. We believe that you, as we do, want health coverage that is a source of pride for the company, not embarrassment.

If this plan takes effect, the Globe will eliminate all but catastrophic health care coverage for a large portion of its employees. It would create a caste system at the newspaper, providing superior coverage for managers and poorer coverage for employees.

We’ve been surprised to learn how poorly the Globe would compare to companies nationwide if this plan is implemented, and believe you would want to consider this information when deciding whether to restore company funding. According to a report last month from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Education Trust:

          o The average company nationwide contributes 83 percent of the premiums for employees’ individual health care plans and 73 percent for family plans. Since the Guild contract was ratified in July, the Globe now contributes only 54 percent of employees’ premiums.

          o Compared to the average health care plan nationwide, the Globe’s proposed bare bones plan will cost three times as much in annual premiums for individuals and 58 percent more for families.

          o Compared to other high-deductible plans, which tend to have low annual premiums, the proposed plan would charge more than double the national average for families and more than five times the national average for individuals.

Both the New York Times and the Boston Globe have well-documented public stances on the need for affordable health care, as well as the need for employers to contribute fairly to their employees’ health benefits. We believe, if this health plan is implemented, the company would be in conflict with its own public positions.

In the weeks leading up to July’s contract ratification, Guild members received information about health care that we feel was misleading. In a Q&A for employees distributed on July 17, the company said the health care trustees could “work together with the plan provider, Harvard Pilgrim, on ways to mitigate the increase [in health care costs].” The same Q&A noted that “there is a substantial reserve in the [health care] Fund which will allow the trustees some time to negotiate with Harvard Pilgrim.” The implication was that health care costs would not rise substantially after the contract was ratified and that coverage would be preserved. Had members understood the consequences of the company’s reduction in health care contributions, and calculated the real loss of income that would represent, many would have voted “no” instead of “yes.”

For all the reasons outlined above, we ask the company to increase its contribution. We believe a company this size should do better for its employees.

David Abel

Jenn Abelson

Yvonne Abraham

Bob Adduci

Scott Allen

Sam Allis

Aaron Atencio

Don Aucoin

Alex Beam

Bryan Bender

Drake Bennett

Noah Bierman

Marcella Bombardieri

Hiawatha Bray

Kathleen Burge

Ty Burr

David Butler

William J. Cadigan

Andrew Caffrey

Chona Camomot

Matt Carroll

Veronica Chao

Katie Johnston Chase

Barry Chin

Katheleen Conti

Maria Cramer

Mary Creane

Beverly Cronin

Kevin Cullen

Beth Daley

Julie Dalton

Jim Davis

Kerry Drohan

Gary Dzen

Stephanie Ebbert

Geoff Edgers

Bella English

Andrea Estes

David Filipov

Martin Finucane

Anne Fitzgerald

Terence Fitzgerald

Timothy Flynn

Margaret Folan

Janet Insolia Ford

Adele Foy

James L. Franklin

Julie Gilbert

Meredith Goldstein

Courtney Hollands

David Jacobson

Tracy Jan

Wanda M. Joseph-Rollins

Sheryl Julian

Joseph P. Kahn

Cindy Karalius

Lisa Kocian

Liz Kowalczyk

Suzanne Kreiter

Scott LaPierre

Scot Lehigh

Brian MacQuarrie

Ed Maksvytis

Jeremiah Manion

Jim McBride

Jenifer McKim

Katie McLeod

Jair Mendes

Liza Meneades

Susan Milligan

Shelley Murphy

Angela M. Nelson

Erica Noonan

Rebecca Ostriker

George Patisteas

Barbara Pattison

Michael Paulson

Brendan Raftery

Brian Reardon

Dave Richwine

Steven Rosenberg

Jenna Russell

Maria Sacchetti

Jonathan Saltzman

Sarah Schweitzer

Debra Sheehan

Mark Shimabukuro

Steve Silva

Ann Silvio

Shira Springer

Farah Stockman

Kortney Stringer

Essdras Suarez

Neil Swidey

L. Kim Tan

Jamie Vaznis

Michael Vega

Matt Viser

Adrian Walker

Lisa Wangsness

Dan Wasserman

Robert Weisman

Joanna Weiss

Patricia Wen

Ed Wiederer

Jonathan Louis Wiggs

Megan Woolhouse

June Wulff

Al Young

New in the Phoenix: Glenn Beck's Mormon roots

Adam Reilly — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:32:00 GMT

In which I discuss how some of Mormonism's darker undercurrents have shaped the Fox News phenomenon--and explain why that's bad for Mormons in general and Mitt Romney in particular. Please check it out.

Rush Limbaugh, NFL owner?

Adam Reilly — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:27:00 GMT

It could happen--apparently, the star of the Excellence in Broadcasting Network is teaming with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts in an attempt to buy the St. Louis Rams.

Early comment on ESPN.com has ranged from guardedly positive to deeply skeptical. My personal favorite: "Who was the last big time racist owner of a professional sports team? Wasn't it that old lady from the Cincinnati Reds?"