C H A T T E R B O X
As the Book Burns
Usually when letter-writers to the Pantagraph talk about burning books, it has something to do with Harry Potter. But the April 15 issue included one writer's reference to how "the man trapped in the World Trade Center clawed his way out of a burning tome with a squeegee." It's hard to know if the letter writer or the Pantagraph editors (or both) don't understand what a "tome" is, but whoever it was doesn't have the intellectual power to punch their way out of a paperback.
Disclaimer Matters
Media critic Robert McChesney (who speaks at 12:30pm in Stevenson 401 on Thursday, April 25) hosts Media Matters on WILL (AM 580) Sundays at 1pm, featuring upcoming guests such as Naomi Klein (author of No Logo). But WILL is running a taped message at the start of each show, "The views expressed on this show are those of the host and participants"-a disclaimer that WILL-AM doesn't run for its other shows, such as Focus 580. Beyond stating the obvious, is the message meant to convey distrust for anyone outside the mainstream media?
Buying the Farm
State Farm Insurance's purchase of a product placement into a storyline of an episode of "The Hughleys" raises the question of what other product placements might be possible for Bloomington-Normal's biggest company:
"The Simpsons": Homer's antics make it impossible for him to get homeowner's insurance until he finds a "good neighbor"--no, not Ned Flanders, but State Farm, which saves the day when a wacky beer-powered flamethrower invention leads to smoldering ruins.
"Third Watch": updated to include heroic insurance adjuster from State Farm.
"Alias": woman with bright hair poses as State Farm agent to help bring down terrorist spy ring.
"Saturday Night Live": skit about an insurance adjuster who says "you're in good hands with Allstate" and then slaps any customer who asks for insurance money: "Good hands, huh?"
Weekly, Not Weakly
The Indy is preparing to make our next big leap toward becoming a synergized multinational media conglomerate: we are going weekly in the fall. Admittedly, this doesn't put us in the same category as Disney and Rupert Murdoch, but we can dream. In the meantime, we need your help to keep the Indy in operation as a progressive alternative voice. If you're interested in participating as a writer, section editor, artist, designer, webmaster, ad salesperson, or whatever. Come to our final meeting of the school year on Monday, April 29 at 8:30pm in Stevenson 211, or send an email expressing your interest to indynews@hotmail.com.
Death at Doud Court
The shooting of ISU student Nathan Ruch by Normal police on March 27 was immediately defended as "justifiable" by the police (who claim that Ruch drove his truck at a police officer) although the state is still investigating. The fact that the investigation has taken far longer than the 10-14 days originally estimated indicates that this is not an open-and-shut "justifiable" killing.
Yet the media have raised few questions about the killing. The Vidette provided little information and no tough investigation. The Pantagraph received some flak for a front page story that Ruch was barely legally intoxicated (0.088 blood-alcohol level), but no one is pointing out one disturbing detail in this chorus of police shouting "justifiable" as quickly as possible: after Ruch was shot, his foot remained on the accelerator and his truck crashed into a garage across the street.
If the life of officer James Merica was truly in danger from Ruch, then the truck, as it accelerated forward, should have struck him. On the other hand, if the truck never really posed a mortal threat to Merica, then why did he have to kill Ruch? It's difficult to believe that Merica could not have gotten out of the way of the truck. He had time to take four shots at Ruch with a shotgun and still escape from the truck.
Certainly it's not the case that public safety was served by shooting Ruch. Ruch was an erratic driver under the influence, but it's far more dangerous to start shooting wildly in a residential neighborhood. One of Merica's shotgun slugs went through the truck and the window of a house nearby. If someone had been looking out the window at the commotion, they might easily have been killed.
ISU criminal justice professor David Falcone has criticized the police for using powerful shotgun slugs rather than less deadly force in a residential area. According to Falcone, "It seems curious to me that the officer found it necessary to use that type of weapon at all." Falcone adds, "that type of round in a residential neighborhood where most of the houses are of frame construction doesn't make sense either."
Falcone also questions why police engaged in a chase around Normal for someone guilty of nothing more than a minor traffic infraction: "Pursuits, for traffic violations, in my opinion and according to the research that is available is simply not wise, and many police departments do not allow them under those circumstances according to their policy guidelines." Falcone concludes, "a pursuit in a residential neighborhood that results in the death of the suspect simply doesn't sound reasonable or for that matter legally justifiable."
A full investigation is needed of not only the Ruch shooting, but also the dubious practice of encouraging police to shoot at vehicles. That's what caused the previous police shooting in Central Illinois, when a mentally disabled man was killed by a Hudson police officer two years ago after driving away from a gas station without paying. The Hudson officer was actually put on trial (but found not guilty); however, don't expect any trials from the Ruch killing, or any reforms in police procedures.
Serious Politics
Carl Estabrook's campaign to make the ballot as the Green Party candidate for Congress against Tim Johnson is already being attacked by the Pantagraph's statehouse bureau chief, Kurt Erickson.
In an April 21 column, Erickson declared that Estabrook shouldn't be taken seriously because of these notes from a Green Party meeting: "Carl stated that he is not interested in a political career. He is interested in educating the public and creating a real discussion about current issues."
In other words, the only political candidates to be taken seriously by the Pantagraph are career politicians. The message to regular citizens is clear: keep out of politics. Will the Pantagraph give fair coverage to Estabrook? Or will it stop that real discussion from ever happening to protect Timmy from tough questions?
To get the truth about Estabrook and download a petition form, go to www.carlforcongress.org.
WGLT Wins Awards, Loses Money
WGLT swept a third of the downstate Illinois Associated Press news radio awards. Charlie Schlenker won for best reporter and best investigative report (about ISU's link to Bangladesh sweatshops), as well as Best Documentary with Willis Kern for the five-part series on high-speed rail.
Unfortunately, WGLT is facing budget cuts due to the state's economic problems. WGLT is raising its goal for the current fund drive to $85,000.
You can visit www.wglt.org to listen to the award-winning reports and make a donation. Maybe they'll hand out AP awards as thank-you gifts.
