Tulsa World--the Mayoral mudfight

[pmcalk]

What cr*p.  The story today is exactly why I stopped subscribing to the paper.  It is not news to reprint a bunch of rumors.  It simply shows the reporters laziness.  By reporting on "rumors" and "whispers", the paper has relieved itself of the duty to determine whether a story is accurate or whether it is newsworthy.  If something is true and newsworthy, print it as a story--that is what your job is.  If its just a rumor, or isn't newsworthy--then shut up.  You are not a blog--you are a newspaper, who should be concerned with integrity and accuracy.  What could they be thinking?

LaFortune--Obviously, if the current mayor sought out another job before he decided to run, that would be news.  But do they really have any proof other than an "anonymous" tip to Richard Roberts?  If they have evidence, print it as a story; if they don't, again, don't say anything.

Miller--This one is practically slanderous.  To print that Miller was having an affair and received preferential treatment because of that affair, is unconscionable.  Yes, I know that the paper will claim they were just printing what others were saying, but they know the impression the story leaves--hmmm, I guess Randi Miller had an affair.

Taylor--Taylor did owe backtaxes--it is not a rumor, and it is newsworthy.  I am sure she will survive this problem; but that her husband claimed to be a resident of Florida while she runs for mayor in Tulsa is a news story--print it.  I have no doubt that if it were Medlock, it would make front page news.

McCorkell--I don't even get this one.  A company that McCorkell sold a while back uses water from Lake Eufaula.  Someone is auditing the Oklahoma Water Resource Board because some citizens are unhappy with how the water is used.  What does that have to do with McCorkell?  That's kind of like implying that all of us who made long distance phone calls are tied in to the MCI scandal.  Its not news, just something to cast aspersion.

Medlock--Just another opportunity to remind Tulsan's how much they hate him, and that he does not have a masters degree.  Since they already printed that story, the only way they could reprint it, was to label it "mudslinging" and tie it to other people.

Whomever you support in the mayor's race, I hope each of you can see why this is an example of irresponsible journalism.