Photo finish

Murphy-Tedisco is a dead heat. Weeks, maybe more, of recount, fighting, lawyer money, Bush-Gore, Franken-Coleman, Syracuse-UConn...
There is such as thing as too much excitement.

On the death of newspapers

A great rant, this, about the bankruptcy of the Chicago Sun-Times:

I worked for these folks, and continue to work for the company now mercifully free of them on a freelance basis, just in case anybody was unclear where my burning rage at newspaper mismanagement that then calls itself a "revenue decline" or blames "changing tastes of readers" comes from. Who needs the Internet to kill journalism when you have clowns like this walking away virtually unscathed?

Read it all.

Slapped around

Another post on ESPN Insider, about whether you really need depth in the NBA playoffs. The stat freaks come out at night, and some of them give me a thorough browbeating, though they offer no data to counter it. We stand by the story.
But you're missing this drama if you don't subscribe today!

The company you keep

US Soccer wants to return the World Cup stateside. A worthy goal, pun intended. But the soccer federation just added to its bid group one Henry Kissinger, who's had long associations with, among other undesirables, AIG. And the Yank bid group also trumpets its a board member formerly with Goldman Sachs, a firm that isn't exactly popular these days. Guess they're the type of folks who are friendly with the masters of FIFA, though.

Don't get even, get mad

Up late Friday writing this pre-game analysis of Louisville-Michigan State's regional final. These things are fun to read in hindsight, at least when I haven't made myself look like a complete fool.
Oh, it's an Insider piece, so subscribe! It's just pennies a day!

Goal keeping

Have a story up on ESPN's soccer site about Yank goalie Brad Guzan heading into tonight's U.S.-El Salvador World Cup qualifying match, here. Because it's all about the world game.

The jail economy

Change is coming to the North Country's prison economy, as NCPR's blog points out. But state pressure to reform drug laws, and thus reduce the number of drug offenders behind bars, is only part of it. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia is introducing federal legislation to overhaul the entire prison-industrial complex.

With 5% of the world's population, our country now houses nearly 25% of the world's reported prisoners. We currently incarcerate 756 inmates per 100,000 residents, a rate nearly five times the average worldwide of 158 for every 100,000. In addition, more than 5 million people who recently left jail remain under "correctional supervision," which includes parole, probation, and other community sanctions. All told, about one in every 31 adults in the United States is in prison, in jail, or on supervised release. This all comes at a very high price to taxpayers: Local, state, and federal spending on corrections adds up to about $68 billion a year.

The movement is long overdue. The growth of the prison system, and its increasing cruelty, is a shame of the nation. To read this New Yorker piece on the growth of solitary confinement, despite the fact that the practice is torture, despite evidence that it doesn't work, and despite proof that it creates even more violent prisoners, is to cringe.
The answer is obvious. Shut down prisons. But it's not easy. One thing not covered in Webb's Parade Magazine article is the fate of corrections officers, and the communities that have become dependent on them. Are there retraining programs in the works? Severance deals? How will the government, in essence, buy off these powerful unions who've grown in response to public and political demand, however misguided and bloodthirsty that demand is?
The hope is that someone will figure out a way to put the manpower to use, close to home, perhaps on long-overdue government maintenance projects, or in some other crime-fighting capacities. But smooth and efficient re-allocation of resources hasn't been this country's strong suit lately.

Tonight, see Brad Richter

At the Unitarian Fellowship, 7:30 pm. Because he's a really good guitarist.

Car wreck

Gotham's subway bills to go up, cars to remain subsidized, thanks to a trio of Bozos. By the way, underrated News columnist Michael Daly has been on fire lately.

So long, Curt Schilling

The 216-game winner hung up his bloody sock yesterday, but I can't let him leave without an acknowledgment. Known for his pitching, Schilling did me a solid back in 2003 with his bat, which he used to smash a robo-umpiring system known as QuesTec. Schilling's rage against the machine was the perfect anecdote for a story about the failures of the technology, and the company behind it. The stories are here and here. Wouldn't hold up half as well without Schilling's great interview. Schilling also gave a heartfelt tribute at the passing of North Country legend Johnny Podres, and attended Podres' funeral in Port Henry. Thanks for the help, and here's to a happy retirement.

Gonna leave a mark

The Daily News unloads on Gov. Paterson with both barrels.

Straight heat

Props to Plattsburgh State reliever Billy Davis, the SUNYAC pitcher of the week.

Davis saved five of Plattsburgh's six wins. The five saves established a Plattsburgh single-season record while giving Davis 12 for his career, also a program benchmark.

We already have a soft spot for him, though, for his classic letter to my employer about his Wiffle ball prowess.

I think I should've been featured instead of the less talented Joe Nord. This supposedly great pitcher needs multiple pitches to get hitters out. I need only one to dominate: straight heat.

That's what we in the industry call great copy.

Fifth grade

If you're not following local politics, skip this. But in my fair city, the heady debates of the day often boil down to, "I know you are, but what am I?"

TO THE EDITOR: Dan Stewart, let it go. Or, tell the whole truth. Start with the fact that despite the city paying the expenses for your Duke trip with the promise of reimbursement from Duke, when the reimbursement check came, you cashed it. You may have intended to reconcile with the city, but you did not actually do it. Technically, that is a crime, but no crime was charged in our correspondence. In the final bill that went to you, there is no aim of bad intent, no indictment, only a request to settle the details. If you wanted to refute those details, you should have done so. Otherwise, just let it go.

Jim Calnon

City Councilor, Ward 4

Just wondering, though: If someone "technically" commits a crime, and political officials are looking the other way in a quest to "let it go," isn't that, itself, "technically" criminal?

Not Supertrain, but a start

Good piece in the Montreal Gazette on improved Amtrak service on the Adirondack.

Almost 2.5 hours could be cut from the travel time of Amtrak’s Montreal-New York City train service, which could move its operations to Lucien L’Allier station from Central Station, according to a plan put forward by New York state last week.

Love it, because I could get to meetings with my corporate masters more quickly. Something puzzling, though:

Quebec and New York have ruled out building a much-discussed high-speed Mont-real-New York City train, saying the multibillion-dollar project, which would require new tracks, is too expensive.

But a Boston-to-Montreal high-speed route apparently is under consideration. We're starved for rail service, so every bit helps. But it sounds like a case of filet for Vermont, scrapple for the North Country.

h/t adirondacktrailhead.com

Scary numbers

This fantastic New York Times interactive map pours cold water on any warm-and-fuzzy narrative about the local economy.

The future for the North Country remains optimistic, as we look forward to steadiness among top local employers.

Now look at the map again. Clinton County's unemployment is at 10.1%, up 3.3% from last year.

Mad, mad, mad...

Three more entries in the NCAA tournament ESPN Insider file, on Dayton (RIP), Arizona and Michigan State vs. Kansas.
Subscribe today!

Rejected!

Big men are important this time of year, and not just in basketball. Failed sportscaster Rush Limbaugh clearly intimidated a North Country Congressional candidate. Tedisco'd be better off playing the game like this 20th CD constituent. Or this guy. Come strong, or don't come at all.

h/t tg

Deeper into Madness

Stuff from last night on the NCAA tournament, on Maryland and Michigan. Still timely, so subscribe today!

Madness: Not just an 80s limey pop band

I have the first of what will be several NCAA tournament insiders here, on the LSU-Butler first-rounder. And if you subscribe today, you just might find a latter-day Star Wars reference.

Shoulda bet on Betty

Looks like the state GOP really screwed itself by picking Jim Tedisco for Gillibrand's old seat in the 20th Congressional District. His ads aren't working. His policy choices are late. And his supporters aren't really helping. (Note to campaigners: "Well shut up and listen!" might win arguments with D.C. reporters, but not the Times Union.)
But that's the way the party bosses wanted it. They chose an old boy from outside the district rather than someone local, someone solidly Republican, and someone with experience who could still credibly run from outside the Washington/Albany establishment.
Someone like Betty Little.
Not only that, it cost us a state senate race between the current and former mayors of Plattsburgh, which would have been hours of fun.

Used to live in Brooklyn...

...but not this Brooklyn. Click through. Trust me, it's worth it. I found these cool old pics by eating my vegetables and reading Andrew Sullivan, which led me to this trenchant essay on the future of the news business (for some reason, I'm reading a lot about that particular topic these days), which led me to enroll CyphersSpace here, which led me to peek at this Brooklyn blog, which led you to click through those magnificent photos of guys with 90-mile-an-hour hair.

Fatheads!

At the risk of being a shameless corporate shill (which is what I am), my colleague Tim Keown has the, uh, skinny on wall-sized cutouts of America's favorite athletes.

Fathead has shouldered its way into the pop culture lexicon, mostly because America loves anything that markets itself as socially acceptable camp. Think Chia Pets, Billy Bass and those dancing Santas.

As the proud owner of a Slanket (because it's higher quality than the Snuggie, and because Slanket existed first), I am down with that. Well, actually, not down, but 100% polyester microfibers.

Thrill rides

Allegiant Airways had a rough flight the other day, with high winds forcing an aborted landing in Plattsburgh and a detour to Burlington. Not fun.

As the jet approached the runway on the first landing attempt, Helmer said it jerked violently back and forth and dipped dramatically to one side before the pilot pulled up and aborted the landing.
"We were holding on like we were on a roller coaster."
The second attempt was much like the first, Helmer claimed.
Several children vomited during the rough landing attempts, and some passengers became hysterical.
When the plane landed in Burlington, the pilot reportedly told passengers that they were going to refuel, wait for the wind to die down, and then head back to Plattsburgh.

I can relate. On a return flight on Allegiant from Orlando to Plattsburgh, our plane, too, encountered high winds on the landing (after an unexplained two-hour departure delay). Not fun, either, with the plane lurching several times on the approach, and the flight attendant's voice shaky after we touched down safely.
Wonder if the wind conditions have altered in the 14 years since the Plattsburgh airport runway was used by the Air Force.

The Dominican: It's not all sun and games

Jorge Arangure Jr. and I have a new feature in this issue of ESPN The Magazine and a sidebar on Haitian-Dominican ballplayers on ESPN Insider. Subscribe today!

Map quest

Sometimes, the Times is worth it, even with Maureen Dowd. Take this map, for example. I moved from a county (Kings) with nearly a million foreign-born residents to one with 3,600. No wonder I've had trouble finding good Peruvian food.

Animal news III: Monkey planet

Though my favorite end times post was intended as satire, at least the part about ape revolution, it turns out that bleak future may be horrifyingly real!

Animal news II: Pink dolphin

Dolphins are technically legless and this story is two years old, but this pink dolphin once again has legs, gaining notice in Perez Hilton, which came up with the creative headline, "A Pink Dolphin!!!"
Figure every blog has to link to Perez Hilton at least once.

Animal news I: Black crows

Crows have blackened the skies above Plattsburgh all winter.

A steady stream of winged wanderers stretched for what seemed like miles in either direction, hundreds of crows all heading one way.
They moved steadily, a few hundred feet in the air, and all with the same resolve: to reach their nighttime roost before dark.

It's way Hitchcock. But the theories in the story don't satisfy, so here's one, based on no special knowledge. The past two winters have been milder than normal, meaning a growing crow population. This winter? Much colder. So the surplus population has had to find forage and warmth near the Saranac River in the friendlier confines of the city, where goodies like garbage are available to nosh on.
Like I say, a theory. Wish they weren't so loud at 6 a.m.

As a fan of end times...

...I really can't recommend this post enough.

Micheal Lewis, Starbury... and me

I have a new ESPN Insider piece. Subscribe today!

D for Vendetta

The normally mayor-loving Press-Republican teed off on Don Kasprzak over his squirrel hunt the other day:

He took a mean-spirited shot at the MLD workers that might give casual observers the idea he's got it in for the unionized utility workers after being rebuked on the layoff plan he supported. The city's MLD crews are known and respected for their professionalism and ability.

Wait, there's more:

Kasprzak should have made sure that the standard operating procedures that the utility has in place will be strictly adhered to in the future and left it at that. Instead, he comes across looking petty and, yes, vindictive.

Would have been fun to tap the PR's phone line to hear the earful they got Wednesday morning. Oh, but wait, there's even more, from today's PR letters page:

Mayor Kasperzak's favorite thing to do, it seems, is to wring his hands and say all is lost, we have no money and that it is not my fault and we must cut; it's the people who don't listen to him who are at fault. The only things that the mayor promotes are the city's problems. Why would any business want to move here?

Wonder what caused the switch in tone.

Old friends

The Daily News I-Team receives some richly deserved attention in this week's New Yorker. Great quote from Mike O'Keeffe:

O’Keeffe is a former crime reporter, and he looks the part: long hair, goatee. “It’s just a little more specialized,” he said of his I-Team work. “Instead of the daily diet of murder and mayhem, it’s, you know, sports, murder, and mayhem."

Hope this doesn't mean they've jumped the shark.

Torture comes to the North Country

Great news! Tasers are here!

MALONE — Malone Village Police officers are shooting each other in the back.
But they laugh about it.
The department recently took delivery of two Taser X26 model electric-control units...

What a hoot!

Detective James Russell was one of the first men shot.
He even has a video clip of the event on his cell phone.
He kneels at the edge of a soft, blue, padded mat with his elbows bent and ticked tight to his sides as he's held by two other officers.
He is told when the charge is coming, the jolt hits, and he falls forward onto the mat, as the laughing and kidding starts.
"It's feels like — if I was hiding and as you walked, I jumped out and went, 'Ahhh!' — that is the kind of shock you feel," Russell said.
The jolt of 50,000 volts that he took lasted one second.
But the jolt of 50,000 volts that an uncooperative suspect will get lasts five seconds.

No big deal, right? Five seconds. And these people are highly trained to assess the risks, with clear parameters for the Taser's use, surely.

The probe remains in the skin to deliver additional zaps from the gun if officers feel more jolts are needed

If officers "feel" more are needed. Just good police science. Anyhow, watch this really funny YouTube, of a mentally ill man in court, surrounded by a half dozen court officers, who gets tased until he loses bowel control and is rendered unconscious. The officers seemed to "feel" the lump on the floor might need even more. Until they start to get worried and call paramedics. It's a gas!
And read this commentary on the hilarity.
Now you have no reason to be surprised when some drunk, or some crazy lady, or some obstreperous teenager dies in police custody, and a huge lawsuit results costing you your tax money, because somebody "felt" the need to keep zapping away with their perfectly safe new Taser X26.