What The Heck Was That?!!

Just Plain Wrong

mcgintyman — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 02:26:00 GMT

Nobody needs football. What I'm saying is, nobody is going to die, or get sick or lose their home if they can't watch their favorite NFL team on Sunday.

It seems like a very simple idea, but its obvious Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has forgotten it. If he hadn't, why would he even think about having his organization sue people who've become too broke to live up to an agreement to buy expensive tickets to watch our favorite team play?

Last week, the Washington Post broke the devastating story that the Redskins have actually filed lawsuits against fans who have gone broke and can no longer pay for tickets they agreed to buy. Sure, folks had signed contracts, but the reality is sports teams are completely and utterly dependant on the good will of the fans they supposedly represent. Knowing this, suing otherwise loyal fans who have a run of bad luck should simply be off the table.

The Washington Capitals, with far fewer resources than the 'Skins, say they'd never do such a thing. If someone can't pay, they cancel the tickets and sell them to someone else. They seem to know that biting the hand that feeds you is just foolish in the long term. Hello??

Ted Kennedy

mcgintyman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:12:00 GMT

Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. -- Jesus Christ

Now I'm startin' to get p*$$ed!! -- unknown.

Over and over again this week I have been surprised to find myself on the verge of tears as I read of the life and death of Ted Kennedy. I already knew a lot about the man's politics and public history. What I didn't know so much about was how many people he touched, not with legislation, but with his own hands and voice.

There was the 9/11 widow who wept on NPR as she talked about getting an invitation from Kennedy to go sailing 2 years after the attack. Most everyone else had forgotten us, she said. "He never left our side." Damn.

I heard from Vice President Joe Biden how when his kid was in the hospital, doctors from Massachusetts would show up in the room to help because Kennedy had put in a call unbeknownst to anyone else.

Over and over, I read about the times Kennedy was the first to call when someone got sick, the first offer condolences if someone died, the first to offer help when things went bad---not for the rich folks who lived next door to him, though he didn't leave them out, but for everyone he could. He got no credit for this, no media attention.

Apparently it was all because he had a big heart and just wanted to help.

That's why I'm having trouble with the folks who can't say Teddy's name without bringing up his mistakes and personal failings. Kennedy screwed up royally more than once, and he'd be the first to say it. But from all I can tell, he sincerely repented those sins--and asked forgiveness. And spent the rest of his time making amends the best he could.

I know Kennedy was the Liberal boogeyman conservatives loved to hate. But even if you despised his politics, the man is gone now. Its time to acknowledge his patriotism, his contributions (and they are many) but most important of all his humanity.

That, at least we all have in common.

Clothes Make The Man? Or Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover...

mcgintyman — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:17:00 GMT

As always I continue to be blown away and amazed by the topics that catch fire inside McGinty's Mailbag.

I've gotten used to the fact that its rarely the heavy duty news stuff that people want to talk about. Its the return of Michael Vick, or perhaps cultural conflicts like Gay Marriage, or maybe even guns.

But this past week, the biggest controversy by far was our floor director Tom's clothing.
If you watch us in the evening, you've seen Tom 'cause when the show is ending the camera pulls back and he is clearly visible as he walks over to the desk and appears to chat with the anchors. Its supposed to look...I don't know...like you're peeking behind the scenes or something.

Anyway, Monday I get one email complaining that Tom's not properly attired because he's wearing jeans and an over-sized polo. I read it on the air, and explain that hey, he's young and doesn't make much money and I think his outfit is fine.

Now what folks don't know, is that there was some WUSA internal conflict over the dress of floor directors, because Tom is looking practically black tie compared to what some of them used to wear.
Finally, the powers-that-be said ...okay..no jeans with holes...etc. and we thought the matter forever settled.

Well surprise, surprise--for the next 2-3 days I'm getting a bunch of emails on both sides of this 'burning' issue. I don't think any minds were changed but I had fun reading them on the air.

The funniest comment however came from Tom himself and I almost used it.

He said, "When they can run prompter and floor direct at the same time, then they can tell me what to wear!".

Well? Can you?

I Ain't Skurred!!

mcgintyman — Sun, 03 May 2009 21:25:00 GMT

In the old space opera sci-fi TV series known as
Lost in Space, there is a scene where young Will Robinson has been captured by a wiley rascal who calls himself the Space Pirate--as in an eye patch and saying 'arrrgggg' a lot.

Turns out though he's not a bad sort and when trouble threatens he comforts Will, urging the young boy to repeat after him, "Are we scared? 'Course not!!"

That's how I feel about the so-called Swine Flu. (sorry, I just can't get myself to write 'H1N1', though I've heard the young folks are now calling it the "Swizz-Neezie". I kid you not.)

I'm just not worried. Maybe I'm just loathe to believe the hype. But c'mon!! This is a flu that's killed a few dozen people. That's very bad for them and their families. But the regular flu kills 36,000 folk every year. Call me back when you get a real pandemic.

Am I perhaps, putting the jinx on us? Hope not. Okay, now I'm getting nervous...

Ownership

mcgintyman — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:22:00 GMT

So today, I'm writing a piece of copy about President Barack Obama and his-much-talked-about March Madness Bracket...and I was tempted to say that since he did pick UNC to win it all..."you couldn't really stay mad at a brutha.'

A "brutha"? You know you cannot refer to the President of the United States that way. Its too informal. Hmmmm. How about 'President Brutha'? No?

I know this, so then why would that thought even cross my mind?

The obvious answer is he is a Brutha, as in a Black American ...and therefore on a personal level Black folks feel some sense of kinship--even ownership of this President.

But I actually think its more than that. President Obama is the first urban Commander-in-Chief. He grew up in a little apartment in a big city. He says stuff like.."We're straight." and "I didn't mean to mess up your game." For those of us who grew up the same way and talk that way, it feels like we know him, or at least have friends just like him.

Did southern White dudes who grew up in the Vietnam era feel the same way about President George W? I wonder...

Don't get me wrong. If I'm doing a story on President Obama and he needs to get a journalistic beat down, then he gets one. And if I run into our Chief Executive, I won't lose my mind and say....."Yo...wasssup???" At least not out loud.