I do feel bad about what happened at the paper. I was wrong. What I did was wrong and how I reacted after that was wrong - probably even worse really.
Im not trying to excuse what happened. Ive only tried to explain it.
I cant believe I did that. There were some things going on that influenced it. I would not have done that if I had not been sick. I understand that this does not make it ok.
It is a very strange thing. Its like in stories where a man shoots his wife out of jealousy, and then does not remember shooting her. I honestly do not remember what actually happened as far as specific details. I think they did not believe me there, but it was and is true.
I think the paper did need to do something to me over what happened. A week or two of suspension would have sufficed I think. But its not the first time Jr and I have not agreed. :)
I really care more about what the public thinks.
I have been very comforted by the calls, emails and such, from people wishing me well and offering morale support.
I dont feel any anger towards the paper over firing me. It is business. I do feel anger at them over other issues.
Ill move on from this. Gonna stay in Ark City though, and try to make a difference in the city.
Now I will have freedom to try to make things happen for the good of the city.
Here we go ...
JJ - "I do feel anger at them (The Arkansas City Traveler) over other issues."
ReplyDeleteSuch as?
I don't think you need to apologize no more. Whats done is done. You have given the public lots of good exposure to the city commission among other things. Sounds like something is brewing in the air for you.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Ill tell you later what the other issues are.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jamie. I think that was my last apology.
I actually feel very good.
Its going to be interesting to see what happens.
Ill keep covering the city commission on here as a free service to the community.
Free service to the community doesn't pay very well. I hope you are independently wealthy.
ReplyDeleteI think now is the time to tell us some of the issues you had with Jr. If you wait too long, no one will care anymore. Now is your chance to speak up for yourself without fear of repercussions. We, the community, have felt that the Traveler has gone downhill in the last few years, and maybe some of those decisions were not under your control. Seems now is the time to get it off your chest. It seems that you took all the heat because you were the editor, but you weren't really in control of what went on. Is that fair to say?
ReplyDeleteWell I'll say it again! I think you might have an opportunity to start a Countywide Paper!
ReplyDeleteMaybe with an online daily edition and a hard copy weekly. The hard copy might even be free to start - or a small purchase price.
It could be pretty much a win/win deal and let some of the other area people (outside of Ark City) advertise as well as give them a voice!
I know that would be a significant project but don't sell yourself short!
You might have to ask the big guy - he could find a way to make it happen!
editor gate! LOL! good one. Saw it earlier on my phone internet, but couldn't comment!
ReplyDeleteThe only problem with them starting their own paper is that the Traveler would have to print it. Or is there someone else with a web press in Cowley County?
ReplyDeleteWell, here is the deal as I see it!
ReplyDeleteThe weekly edition doesn't have to keep up with the Daily. It can include all the small towns in the county. Events as well as interesting articles. It can include business news from local businesses, industrial parks, agriculture etc.
It would also give small businesses the opportunity to advertise at maybe cheaper rates. (Thats not my business).
You could still have your sections on the Major Cities and coverage on the City business as well as the County.
It would take a week to get all that into a hard copy.
There's an empty building at Strother Field that use to print books.
You need some visionaries and some money!
Sorry about your troubles, but as a journalist I'm sure you know that plagiarism is like breaking the first commandment. Good luck down the road.
ReplyDeleteWe have the visionaries.
ReplyDeleteDont have the money ... yet. :)
would not be that difficult.
Printing would not be an issue. There is Ponca City, El Dorado, Augusta, and even some other places in Wichita.
Once a week taking it somewhere to be printed, would not be that hard.
your idea sounds good. just need some cash.
I dont have any plans. But ... i have not closed any doors either.
I just saw that Newscow put it on their site, You've now become the news!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've punnished yourself enough. You were looking for a job when you found that one and you will find another the same way. You will be just fine,just put it in God's hands and he will see you through this. I would read a county wide paper if you were to do that, its a great idea but I also know getting investors is no easy task either. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDeleteI think I have beaten myself up enough too. Its time to move on.
The county wide paper - website is a great thought. As I said, no doors closed yet.
Another thought i like. Not sure who said it, but i think it was in a movie...
"Ive been kicked out of better joints than this."
:)
As far as printing goes, I know technology has gone a long way for books, but I don't know anything about newspaper printing. Web presses are really old technology that is quite expensive now to buy. Most are in awful shape and very old around this part of the state.
ReplyDeleteYou should look into printing with digital technology. Much less expensive and the quality is very good now. Presses are becoming dinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteAs an editor you should have been fired the minute they found out you plagiarized. That's standard procedure at any serious paper. You're not some kid straight out of school or a freelance writer. It sucks to lose a job you really worked hard at, but you damaged the already damaged profession. At my paper we fired an intern for this offense.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks to lose a job you really worked hard at, but you damaged the already damaged profession.
ReplyDelete>>>>>>>>>>>>>
No, what sucks is that profession is damaged by those who choose to interpret the facts instead of present them or choose to coveniently withhold facts or information!
A good journalist doesn't take sides!
Not very many of the good ones left!
The previous post stated that a good journalist doesn't take sides. Oh how I wish that were true. Just the facts. Unfortunately if you really watch the news and read the papers, the media seems to be oh so slanted, not just on Cowley County. Are all journalists Democrats? It seems like the media is so liberal these days and there is no unbiased reporting. Morals and values are a thing of the past it seems and most of the news agencies have a political interest in their stories. People think that if they read something in black and white it must be true. We should all read things and keep that perspective in mind, but also make decisions based on fact, not based on a writer's personal opinion!
ReplyDelete