RIP: George Steinbrenner

I've updated and condensed an earlier post about the death of George Steinbrenner because the original was rather impersonal. I grew up a baseball fan--a Yankee fan--and I have long memories of The Boss, with a twist...

The first thought I had when I read about George Steinbrenner's death was of the back page of the New York Daily News. Of course, I read it on my laptop, which was more immediate, but I still tend to miss the ink on my fingers.

From the mid-70s until I left New York State in 1987--every day--I bought a copy of the New York Daily News. And many summer days during that time, a blaring headline--back page or front--screamed something about The Boss.

I ate it up.

George bought ballplayers, but he sold newspapers, too.

Newspapers have always meant the world to me--literally. It was a newspaper, after all, that introduced me to New York's Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill and to Chicago's Mike Royko and Studs Terkel and to many other writers in newspapers all over the world. It was a newspaper that exposed me to writers who in several hundred words a few times a week taught me the importance of paying attention to the world around me, because those writers did--be it from the cities they wrote about every day or in dispatches from places I couldn't pronounce.

In a strange bit of alchemy, I suppose I should thank George Steinbrenner for some of that.

George bought ballplayers, but he sold newspapers, too.

From the New York Times:

George Steinbrenner, who forged the Yankees in his own larger-than-life, bombastic image from the day he assumed control in 1973 to his death on Tuesday, was almost his own era in sports. News of his death spread across baseball on the day of the All-Star Game, prompting reaction from all corners of the sports world:

Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz and Jeff Wilpon of the New York Mets: “The passing of George Steinbrenner marks the end of an era in New York City baseball history. George was a larger than life figure and a force in the industry. The rise and success of his teams on the field and in the business marketplace under his leadership are a testament to his skill, drive, and determination.”

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg: “Few people have had a bigger impact on New York over the past four decades than George Steinbrenner. George had a deep love for New York, and his steely determination to succeed combined with his deep respect and appreciation for talent and hard work made him a quintessential New Yorker.”

Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, via Twitter: “We all suffered a huge loss today! Mr. Steinbrenner was a great man, great owner, that did so many amazing things. You will truly be missed!”

The former Yankees coach Don Zimmer: “Baseball will miss him. He did a lot of great things – and some not so great – but it’s a sad day for baseball, no doubt about it. He was a winner, and he made the Yankees a winner. Any Yankee fan had to love George Steinbrenner because he put the best team on the field.”

The Hall of Famer Yogi Berra: “George was The Boss, make no mistake. He built the Yankees into champions and that’s something nobody can ever deny. He was a very generous, caring, passionate man. George and I had our differences, but who didn’t? We became great friends over the last decade and I will miss him very much.”

The Giants’ president, John Mara: “The passing of George Steinbrenner leaves a significant void in the fabric of the sports world and New York City. The thoughts and prayers of our organization are with the Steinbrenner and Yankees families. George’s energy and his commitment and devotion to the Yankees were unmatched, and he was as generous and charitable a person as has ever been in sports. His was a unique, special and unforgettable presence.”

The Dallas Mavericks’ owner, Mark Cuban: “He did ownership right. He loved what he did and did things the way he loved to do them.”

Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida: “He had that image of a tough boss but there was a different side to him. He had a big heart a caring heart, a generous soul.”

Cubs Manager Lou Piniella: “George was a demanding owner, but very caring, very supportive. He bought a struggling franchise and turned it into a dynasty. He’s going to be known as the most influential owner in the history of sports.”

Mario Cuomo, former New York governor: “Everyone knows George Steinbrenner went from loser to legend by taking a second division team with a struggling franchise in 1973 and turning it into a champion again. But he was much more than a winner and a celebrity. There was no falseness in him. He did everything with his heart: his family, his friends, his team, his nation and his community. I’m not surprised that in the end he died by wearing it out.”

Ruben Diaz Jr., Bronx borough president: “During his tenure as owner of the New York Yankees, Mr. Steinbrenner did everything in his power to create his own winning tradition in the Bronx, an effort that resulted in seven World Series championships. While other baseball fans were jealous of this success, Yankee fans, like myself, loved him for it. Both the Bronx and New York City have lost a giant today – in baseball and in charity.”

I Read The News Today, Oh Boy...

Newspapers are shadows of their former selves and their traditional role as watchdogs of the powerful has atrophied and all but disappeared. Still, major U.S. newspapers can claim some excellent journalists, such as the Washington Post's Ezra Klein. His coverage of the health care reform debate has been top-notch, and I consider him one of the few go-to guys when I want to cut through the lies and bullshit and get to the bottom line.

From today's WaPo:

As I reported earlier, the public option discussions have begun focusing on a compromise that's, well, not a public option. The liberals see the potential necessity of that but aren't pleased about it. So the discussions have opened up to include items that are not specifically the public option, but could help achieve some of its objectives and better the bill in ways liberals and moderates could both support. The discussions right now are fluid, but smart observers are urging attention to five possible points of compromise.

1) Medicare buy-in: The older you get, the tougher it is to find affordable insurance. Private insurers avoid you like the plague or jack your rates sky-high. Some of that will change with health-care reform. Insurers won't be able to reject older Americans outright, for instance. But they'll still be able to charge them quite a bit more than younger Americans pay.

One way to ease the situation for older Americans would be to let them buy into Medicare. Medicare negotiates far better rates than private insurers, making it a potentially cheaper option. Moreover, folks over 55 will be in Medicare fairly soon anyway, so this allows for not only better insurance, but more continuity in insurance, which means more continuity in doctors, preventive treatment, etc. This idea was present in Max Baucus's original white paper, and even in Howard Dean's 2004 health-care reform plan. It's due for a comeback.

2) Medicaid expansion: The House health-care reform plan lets Medicaid cover folks up to 150 percent of the poverty rate. The Senate bill hits only 133 percent. Bringing the Senate bill into line with the House bill would ease the financial burden -- and assure more comprehensive insurance -- for the very poorest Americans, who are most in need of help anyway.

3) Subsidy expansion: The Senate bill costs about $850 billion, and most observers agree the subsidies are too low. An easy compromise would be to resuscitate the president's idea to cap itemized deductions at 35 percent of income (actually, he wanted 28 percent of income, but never mind), which would raise a bit more than $100 billion, money that could go to expand the subsidies.

4) Tighter regulation of insurers: This could take a number of forms. Allowing less discrimination around age and geography could be one. Another would be a tight cap on the so-called medical loss ratio, which is the amount of money that goes toward paying claims, as opposed to the amount of money that goes to profits, compensation, advertising,and everything else. The bill, for instance, could force insurers to use 87 percent of every premium dollar to actually pay for medical care, which would force the plans to act more like liberals want the public option to act.

5) Open exchanges: Chartering national non-profits to compete with the for-profit insurance market isn't a bad idea, but it's not going to have much of an effect if less than 10 percent of the population is allowed to purchase from them. That, however, is the current situation, as the exchanges are locked to most Americans. Opening them to larger businesses would be the first step toward creating a more competitive insurance market, and allowing something along the lines of Ron Wyden's Free Choice amendment, which gives individuals who don't like their employer's insurance the ability to take their money and choose something better, would be the second.

Letter To The Editor: You're FIRED!

From the Warren (PA) Times Observer:

An errant classified "personal" ad which appeared in Thursday's Times Observer has drawn the attention of law enforcement officials.

A person from Warren placed the ad, which apparently alludes to the wish that President Obama meet an untimely end by linking him with four assassinated presidents. The ad representative didn't make the connection among the four other presidents mentioned and mistakenly allowed the ad to run.

Upon realizing the mistake early Thursday morning, the ad was immediately discontinued and the identity of the person who placed the ad was turned over to Warren City Police as per newspaper policy. The local police department forwarded the information to federal authorities, as per department policy.

The Times Observer apologizes for the oversight.

What the hell is the Times Observer's hiring policy, anyway?

A newspaper employee wasn't able to make a connection to this wording: "May Obama follow in the steps of Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley and Kennedy!"

That's one helluva news organization they have in Warren, PA. 

Where was the editor? Clinging to guns and religion?

"The Trumpet Does No More Stun You By Its Loudness Than A Whisper Teases You By Its Provoking Inaudibility."

This post's title is courtesy of Charles Lamb.

I'm posting this in its entirety. It's from Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times, who's sick of psychotic m*****f****** like Bill O'Reilly, too:

To: Bill O'Reilly

From: Roger Ebert

Dear Bill: Thanks for including the Chicago Sun-Times on your exclusive list of newspapers on your "Hall of Shame." To be in an O'Reilly Hall of Fame would be a cruel blow to any newspaper. It would place us in the favor of a man who turns red and starts screaming when anyone disagrees with him. My grade-school teacher, wise Sister Nathan, would have called in your parents and recommended counseling with Father Hogben.

Yes, the Sun-Times is liberal, having recently endorsed our first Democrat for President since LBJ. We were founded by Marshall Field one week before Pearl Harbor to provide a liberal voice in Chicago to counter the Tribune, which opposed an American war against Hitler. I'm sure you would have sided with the Trib at the time.

I understand you believe one of the Sun-Times misdemeanors was dropping your syndicated column. My editor informs me that "very few" readers complained about the disappearance of your column, adding, "many more complained about Nancy." I know I did. That was the famous Ernie Bushmiller comic strip in which Sluggo explained that "wow" was "mom" spelled upside-down.

Your column ran in our paper while it was owned by the right-wing polemicists Conrad Black (Baron Black of Coldharbour) and David Radler. We dropped it to save a little money after they looted the paper of millions. Now you call for an advertising boycott. It is unusual to observe a journalist cheering for a newspaper to fail. At present the Sun-Times has no bank debt, but labors under the weight of millions of dollars in tax penalties incurred by Lord Black, who is serving an eight-year stretch for mail fraud and obstruction of justice. We also had to pay for his legal expenses.

There is a major difference between Conrad Black and you: Lord Black is a much better writer and thinker, and authored a respected biography about Roosevelt, who we were founded to defend. That newspapers continue to run your column is a mystery to me, since it is composed of knee-jerk frothings and ravings. If I were an editor searching for a conservative, I wouldn't choose a mad dog. My recommendation: The admirable Charles Krauthammer.

Bill, I am concerned that you have been losing touch with reality recently. Did you really say you are more powerful than any politician?

That reminds me of the famous story about Squeaky the Chicago Mouse. It seems that Squeaky was floating on his back along the Chicago River one day. Approaching the Michigan Avenue lift bridge, he called out: Raise the bridge! I have an erection! 

Roger that, Bill-O?

Get Me Rewrite!

    
     Look, I realize that newspapers are in bad shape; I post about that sad truth here regularly. But when the New York Times runs a half-assed puff piece on FOX News lightening rod Glenn Beck, print media's budget and staff cuts seem to show up right there on the page.

     The storied Grey Lady--long considered the nation's newspaper of record whose 113 year-old masthead logo reads, "All The News That's Fit to Print"--has fallen on economic hard times and recently announced layoffs and salary cuts.  I am still a dedicated Times reader who appreciates their depth of coverage, but cuts may be starting to hit muscle. 

     Brian Stelter and Bill Carter wrote the Beck article, although the Times could have saved themselves manpower hours by letting FOX's PR department do the work. Did Stelter and Carter do any research or has that been cut, too?

     Click here for some of the stuff the Times apparently didn't find fit to print.  

RIP: The Ann Arbor News--Daily Print Edition.

     From the AFP:

     The Ann Arbor News announced Monday that it will follow in the footsteps of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer by abandoning its daily newspaper format in favor of delivering stories online.

     The 174-year-old Michigan newspaper, operated by the Booth Newspapers arm of Advance Publications, said it would publish its final print edition in July.

     The daily newspaper will die only to be replaced by an Internet news operation, AnnArbor.com.

     "This is a difficult day for all of us at The Ann Arbor News," publisher Laurel Champion said in a letter published in Monday's edition.

     "As we say hello to AnnArbor.com, we will say goodbye to The Ann Arbor News."

     The news website will be complemented by a "print product" two days each week, according to the publisher.

     The announcement comes as three other Michigan newspapers revealed they would stop publishing daily and, instead, provide printed editions only on three days of each week.

     Michigan is among the US states hardest hit by job losses, with the unemployment rate swelling to 11.6 percent in January.

     "While we are inviting current Ann Arbor News employees to apply for positions with the new company, it is with a heavy heart that I let you know that job losses will be unavoidable," the publisher wrote.

     The shift to online publication results from readers and advertisers turning increasingly to the Internet to get news and spread messages, Champion noted.

Paperless Environment.

RIP: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Print Edition

From the AP:

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, which has chronicled the news of the city since logs slid down its steep streets to the harbor and miners caroused in its bars before heading north to Alaska's gold fields, will print its final edition Tuesday.
Hearst Corp., which owns the 146-year-old P-I, said today that it failed to find a buyer for the newspaper, which it put up for a 60-day sale in January after years of losing money. Now the P-I will shift entirely to the Web.

"Tonight will be the final run, so let's do it right," publisher Roger Oglesby told the newsroom.
Hearst's decision to abandon the print product in favor of an Internet-only version is the first for a large American newspaper, raising questions about whether the company can make money in a medium where others have come up short.
David Lonay, 80, a subscriber since 1950, said he'll miss a morning ritual that can't be replaced by a Web-only version.

"The first thing I do every day is get the P-I and read it," Lonay said. "I really feel like an old friend is dying."
Hearst's move to end the print edition leaves the P-I's larger rival, The Seattle Times, as the only mainstream daily in the city.
"It's a really sad day for Seattle," said P-I reporter Angela Galloway. "The P-I has its strengths and weaknesses but it always strove for a noble cause, which was to give voice to those without power and scrutiny of those with power."
Seattle follows Denver in becoming losing a daily newspaper this year. The Rocky Mountain News closed after its owner, E.W. Scripps Co., couldn't find a buyer. In Arizona, Gannett Co.'s Tucson Citizen is set to close Saturday, leaving one newspaper in that city.
And last month Hearst said it would close or sell the San Francisco Chronicle if the newspaper couldn't slash expenses in coming weeks.

I am one of millions of former hard-copy newspaper readers--former paying customers, of course--who now reads newspapers online. I read at minimum the front pages and opinion sections of at least a half-dozen U.S. newspapers each day, sometimes more. I cancelled my own subscription to the local newspaper--the kind delivered by a hard-working early-riser and arriving on the doorstep with a thud!--a couple of years ago. I still miss a real newspaper, I feel guilty that I no longer support this great institution with my monthly subscription money, and--while legal--I still feel like I'm stealing something. The flip-side is the instantaneous online availability of newspapers from around the world, of which I take daily advantage.

Still, I miss unfolding that paper each morning over a cup of coffee to learn about what's changed since yesterday's news. A mouseclick will never be quite as satisfying as turning the pages with my ink-stained hands.  

RIP: Rocky Mountain News

As a lifelong newspaper lover, I hate to see that struggling business say goodbye to another old friend.

A Monkey Really COULD Do That.

Thanks to Lee Camp of the Huffington Post.