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What are you doing here? Today that's more than a rhetorical question. I really would like to know. So, please, take a minute or two and fill out a little survey that I've prepared. If enough folks fill it out, I'll have a better sense of the meaning of life. Well, perhaps that's an overstatement, but at least I'll know a bit more about what you're looking for. Click here for the survey.
A friend and neighbor out here in Kaaawa had this reaction to yesterday's view of journalism:i don't think i know what "journalism" is
i do think ... i do know the passion of being a journalist
yes ....to keep a journal .... to meticulously document all that surrounds you
to write down ..... why??
why this passion
well maybe somebody will read it
maybe somebody will find enlightenment from your observations
who knows
as for the state of journalism
never been there
must be in between the state of new jersey and the state of the dow jones indexHe also forwarded this link to a column describing the Bush administration's war on journalists in Afghanistan. It's also grim reading.
Now, a cat warning. If you're not interested, don't keep reading.
Yesterday was a terrible day, a rapid descent into hell for cat owners and cats. Another call for help came from our friends, who have been trying to deal with the sudden death of a neighbor who left dozens of cats in her home. Despite their descriptions, we weren't ready for the scene in that house, most of which had obviously been abandoned to cats for some time. There were cats everywhere. Cute cats, sick cats, starving cats, at least one dead cat, hiding cats, black cats, white cats, gray cats, friendly cats, terrified cats, running cats, lethargic cats, cats drawn to people, wary cats who watched from secret places. It was a terrible scene to see and to smell. Disorienting, overwhelming. Like stumbling onto a disaster scene. We had to shift into triage mode. Can any of these cats be saved? Our friends had already rescued two very small kittens at the beginning of the week. Now we tried to find any cats that appeared both relatively healthy and accustomed to people. There weren't many. Some appeared healthy but were scared and unsocialized. Many were obviously sick, perhaps individually treatable in medical terms but, in a group and without vast financial support, beyond help. In the end, we took just five to the vet. One was put to sleep on the vet's advice. Four remain. A Siamese female, a beautiful kitten with clear tabby bulls eye markings, a charcoal gray beauty, and a gray tom cat who followed us through the awful house with a body language of hope and, we felt, earned a chance. They tested negative for feline leukemia and AIDS, and remained there to be bathed, treated for fleas and parasites, put on antibiotics and any other needed medication, and remain under observation. In hindsight, it was perhaps a foolish gesture, but in the moment, in the midst of that awful chaos, it seemed right to try to salvage something, and these few cats, we felt, had the will to live. Or perhaps its the other way around. Perhaps we are willing them to live, to somehow redeem something from this situation that another human being inflicted on them. Today a crew from the Humane Society undertakes the grim and terrible task of rounding up the rest. It won't be easy. I feel for them. And for the cats.And Anna's still in the tree.
It was a terrible day.
[1 p.m. Dateline: Kaaawa. Anna Banana's down from the tree. Details tomorrow.]
One clarification regarding the Navy newspaper bid: Although the 2-year contract initially awarded to Gannett has been canceled, they're continuing to publish the Navy News under a short-term contract until the second round of bidding is completed. Rick Daysog's article cited yesterday made that clear, but my summary didn't.The Honolulu Community Media Council, SPJ, and several other groups are sponsoring a Freedom of Information Day luncheon program on March 18 which will include the presentation of the Fletcher Knebel award to "trailblazing Associated Press reporter and longtime media champion Ah Jook Ku." UH President Evan Dobelle will speak on "public access at a public university." Could be interesting. The event is being held at the East West Center, the public is invited, and costs are reasonable. Click here for details.
Professional journalists are a dispirited lot, according to an article by Howard Gardner in the February 22, 2002 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education. Gardner, co-author of a recent book, Good Work: When Excellence and Ethics Meet (Basic Books, 2001), offered this summary based on more than a hundred interviews with working journalists:
In sharp contrast (to a similar group of geneticists), the journalists were by and large despondent about their profession. Many had entered print or broadcast journalism armed with ideals: covering important stories, doing so in an exhaustive and fair way, relying on their own judgment about the significance of stories and the manner in which they should be presented. Instead, for the most part, our subjects reported that much of the control in journalism has passed from professionals to corporate executives and stockholders, with most of the professional decisions made less on the basis of ideals than of profits. They described what felt to them like an ineluctable trend away from stories of any complexity or sensitivity, toward material that is simple and sensational, if not of prurient interest. Journalism emerges, in our phrase, as a domain that is "poorly aligned": It is difficult to carry out good work in the profession; many individuals have left the field, and quite a few more are considering doing so.It's quite a sobering assessment of the quality of work life in contemporary journalism.
As of today, Kamehameha Schools is no longer accepting or administering federal funds or grants, and programs (and staff) relying on such funding have now been transferred to other agencies.
Meanwhile, Tom Brislin, former reporter, now UH professor and chair of the School of Communications, dropped this quip after reading this week's Kaaawa cat adventures:
I recommended to my students using your website to research the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune befalling the Star-Bulletin that they should consider switching their topic to the saga of Miss Lizzie.It has stronger character development, a more intriguing plot, elements of real suspense, and a narrative line imbued with human interest. When it's made into a video, order the litterbox format.
Unfortunately, as of last night, Anna Banana is continuing her sit-in high in the African Tulip tree next door.
Elizabeth, our neighbor and Anna's person, is having a difficult time arranging a rescue service in the event that the stubborn cat continues her sit-in. The Fire Department says they don't to rescues any longer, and she's getting the same answer from tree trimmers.
Anybody have a reference or suggestion that I can pass along?
In the meantime, I still think Anna can come down on her own, but I thought that on Tuesday evening after her first 24 hours.
Click for a larger photo
I missed the story in Tuesday's Star-Bulletin which reported that the Navy has canceled it's contract for production of the weekly newspaper, Navy News, and is going to solicit a new round of bids. This is the contract that had been previously held by MidWeek but was awarded this year to the Advertiser. The Navy didn't wait for a decision by the GAO, and instead agreed to rebid in exchange for the withdrawal of the Star-Bulletin/MidWeek's formal protest.And here's an item that was in the Bulletin's community calendar before a copy editor caught it:
THIS WEEKAnxiety Education: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday. Free.
For those suffering from anxiety, friends and family.On the other hand, I'll bet a lot of folks suffering from family could benefit from such a workshop. Oh, well, that's why editors were created.
So long, February. Strange days in the Kaaawa cat world.
Silverman showed up yesterday morning, jumped up on the counter where we've got a towel laid out for him, and sat there holding his right front paw up. It was swollen and obviously painful. So we had to cancel the day's walk and instead head for the veterinarians in Kaneohe. We got there in time to get Silverman examined and still get into town in time for Meda's first meeting of the day. Silverman had to spend the day at the vet while a cut on the bottom of his paw pad got a good cleaning. We picked him up at the other end of the day along with a supply of antibiotics. Now I get to wrestle him for pilling rights twice a day for 10 days. Isn't that something to look forward to?
Meanwhile, just next door, Anna Banana is still perched on a branch 15-20 feet up an African Tulip tree after several days. Her person, Elizabeth, discovered Anna up there when she got home on Monday night. No amount of coaxing has managed to dislodge her. What do you do? The fire department says they don't rescue cats anymore. Elizabeth tried putting some tantalizing food down in front of the tree, but it is immediately devoured by Anna's partner, Pilikia, a somewhat overweight Calico. Elizabeth commented in an email yesterday morning:cat in tree. elizabeth still freaked. elizabeth calls VCA. they say "no worry. cat'll come down." somewhat relieved, but... elizabeth considering tree service. elizabeth considering samoan tree climbers. elizabeth considering tongan tree climbers. elizabeth considering sprouting wings.After spending more time at the base of Anna Banana's tree yesterday evening, I'm beginning to think that the wings are the best idea.
Two people have inquired so far about the "floppy ear" cats mentioned yesterday. I'll be getting more information this morning about their conditions, and how many are in good condition and available for adoption. Don't be shy about inquiring.Robin Kennedy supplied this sharp reply to yesterday's jibe by a S-B/MidWeek worker. Robin's husband, Dave Kennedy, is a longtime Gannett'er who recently left the Advertiser and signed on as advertising director for S-B/MidWeek.
Not all x-'tiser people have moved over because of money! Dave is there because he believes in the same cause you do! I made $75,000 last year and bought that car myself! I drive it. Bottom line is, for you to assume that it came form money the Bulletin is paying Dave is not only chauvinistic but shallow.The Star Bulletin and Midweek are amazing papers and fully worthy of respect. You are suggesting that the only reason people would move over is for more money. You are sorely mistaken.
Aloha from a proud Bulletin employees wife and a proud new BMW owner! Get a grip!
Robin KennedyAnd this bit of planetary knowledge arrived last night. I'm not sure of the original source--probably wire service copy--but hopefully no-one will be offended by seeing it reprinted here.
If the dog howls (or the cats roam) more than usual on the night of Feb. 27, and if lovers feel an urge to spoon, don't be surprised - it's the brightest full moon of the year, NASA said. When the moon is full that night, it will be just about as close to Earth as it gets in its elliptical orbit, the space agency said. As a result, it will appear 9 percent wider than normal and shine 20 percent more brightly. At the far end of its ellipse, called apogee, the moon is 252,700 miles from Earth. At the closest, the perigee, it is only 221,500 miles away.
Attention cat lovers: we got a phone call last night from a friend who leaves near Kaneohe. He reported that a woman across the street from his house died suddenly, leaving about 25 cats. She had been a breeder of Scottish Folds, what our friend called "those floppy ear cats". Some of the cats are old or disabled, but others are young and appear healthy. He's trying to find anyone interested in adopting any of them before the executor of the estate steps in and has them all just carted to the Humane Society. If you're at all interested, please let me know. Please?Here's another insider reaction to the continuing Star-Bulletin/MidWeek pay cuts:
How can we continue to take "voluntary" pay cuts, while a new hire can afford a expensive new BMW? He has been here a month and gets a new SUV, and I have been here from the beginning and get a pay cut. Can someone help me with that question? The big guys sure like to pay the Tiser castaways if they'll come over! I wonder if they are hired with 10% off their salary!I guess they're not all happy campers, especially in light of the perceived differences in treatment between the favored few and the rest.
Yesterday's Star-Bulletin arrived with an odd combo of classifieds in the front section, in order to make room for legal notices and a long "abandoned property" listing where classifieds would normally have been. Does the appearance of these legal notices signal a trend?
And at 5:49 a.m., today's good news. I heard the sound of a cat eating, and looked over to see Ms. Lizzie on the kitchen counter with her snout firmly in a food dish. No big thing, except that its the first I've seen her since Sunday evening, and the first time in weeks that she's come home on her own, or, perhaps more properly, the first time I've seen her come home on her own. It's definite progress. Indeed, a breakthrough of sorts.
One Star-Bulletin staffer had this concise response to the continued salary cuts: "It's no secret that Hawaii's economy still sucks. I'm just glad to have a job."It seems likely, though, that those concessions will prompt demands for some givebacks at the Advertiser, where the current Guild contract expires in June. Although Gannett isn't losing money, they're under pressure because of a decline in revenue and profit, and the talk of concessions must be music to Gannett ears.
It would have been no big thing except that we hadn't seen Lizzie for at least two days. The days tend to blur together. Meda thinks Lizzie was here for dinner on Friday evening, but I have a feeling she hadn't shown up since Thursday. I made several passes through her new spot across the road on Saturday morning and evening, and again on Sunday, without even a sighting of her. Irritation had given way to anxiety and then an unstated dread that this time her absence could be serious.
Ms. Lizzie finally appeared early Sunday afternoon, let herself be brought inside, promptly ate a huge meal, then went looking for a safe place to sleep. She eventually dug enough of my socks out of this drawer to make a space for herself and slept there for several hours. Then she trotted down the hall and, after another snack, curled up and went to sleep on top of the toaster. She returned to the drawer later in the evening, but headed back outside sometime overnight.
Ms. Lizzie takes a long napIt's hard to have a proper weekend of frivolous activities with this sort of background worry.
But I was talking with neighbor Bob after lunch on Sunday, and he mentioned having seen Lizzie in the front of the yard the day before. I was mentally preparing to dismiss his report as mistaken identity when Bob raised his arm and pointed. My eyes followed, and there she was, down at that other house, calmly sitting on a low concrete wall of a planter just to the side of their driveway, looking our way. I had been through the same area less than ten minutes earlier without seeing any sign of her presence. I didn't wait to see if she was going to come home on her own, and instead immediately made my way down, picked her up, and carried her back up to our house.
It's wet and chilly with gusty winds this morning. I won't have any sense of whether the walk will be rained out for another half hour or so, but will hope for the best.
And I did get around to adding new photos to the gallery yesterday, including this one of Ms. Wally. She's a bit ambivalent these days. Wally spent most of yesterday in Meda's lap and, when Meda had to move, Wally shifted over to my lap. But somehow she still found several occasions to assert her new authority. She can do a lot with just a hard look.
Click on Ms. Wally for
the latest photos
It appears that the "voluntary" salary cuts agreed to by staffers in the Star-Bulletin newsroom will remain in place, at least for now. Email notices went out to staffers on Friday.The S-B management says it's too early to repeal the rollback, and they're also talking to the union about postponing the 2-percent raise that the contract provides, which is scheduled to take effect at the one-year contract anniversary in mid-March.
However, they're also talking about reviewing the S-B's financial situation monthly, rather than quarterly, so that those cuts can be restored as soon as the company gets back into the black. No pun intended.
I'm not clear how close that turnaround is, or how staffers feel about the situation.
I'll try to post some new photos later in the day (done--check the gallery).
And here's a late legislative note received earlier today concerning the Office of Information Practices:
URGENT NOTICE:On MONDAY AT 1:30 PM, the House Finance Committee will provide an informational briefing on the budget.
On MONDAY AT 2:30 PM the House Finance Committee will take your testimony on proposed budget cuts, including the proposal to ELIMINATE the Office of Information Practices. PLEASE LET YOUR LEGISLATORS KNOW YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION PRACTICES. If you have any questions, please call OIP at 586-1400.
Thank you for your help.
Please use this link to go to the hearing notice:
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