It is very frustrating for me to
continue repeating myself for the stupid people
who cannot retain the information the first time
I write about it. However, it is apparently
necessary for me to reiterate that I am a
columnist, not a reporter. I write my opinions
and observations based on established facts and
political developments. I am under no obligation,
(and have no need) ethical or otherwise to call a
politician before I write about them. After
researching an issue I get comments from people
involved and then preset my take on things. If I
were a reporter, it would be good journalistic
practice to call the subject of my articles. A
reporter is supposed to report only facts and
that means talking to all sides involved in a
story. But I do not write stories or articles
(with some rare exceptions) I write COLUMS!
I’m sure columnists like Jeff Jacoby and
George Will do not call President Bush or members
of Congress every time they write an opinion
piece or political observation on national
politics. Yet I am still criticized by people who
find themselves the subject of my column (from
people like Pedro Arce and Julia Silverio)
because I do not call them to get "their
side of the story." I’ve also been
criticized on Jocobo’s show (WHAV) for
"not going to the source before writing an
article." I always thought Jocobo was a
little brighter than to allow this kind of
misinformation to occur on his show, but
apparently he is not. Let me say again for the
record Jocobo, that I am not obligated to call
public figures before I expose their misdeeds in
print because I am a columnist, not a reporter.
Anyone interested in reading the politicians side
of of every story can pick up the Eagle Tribune
every day and read the front page.
Speaking of Pedro Arce….
Since printing my column last week on how Pedro
Arce was recruited by Eagle Tribune editor Steve
Lambert to run for mayor while Arce was still
campaigning for Mike Sweeney, Arce has been on
the defensive. He called Rumbo to say that my
column was "all lies" and that he had
never met or spoken with me. First off, he has
apparently forgotten the conversation we had at
Mike Sweeney’s announcement party for mayor
on Essex Street several weeks ago. (in of crowded
room of people.) Second, there is nothing in my
column, which is inaccurate, and I defy him to
show me one piece of evidence that I have
"lied." I will be happy to give Mr.
Arce a full hour on my radio program to present
his evidence that I "lied" about him
anywhere in my column. This is a constant problem
with the political hacks who are exposed in my
columns. They run around the city crying that I
wrote lies but never, ever present evidence to
support their claim that my piece was inaccurate.
And on the rare occasion that I am inaccurate
about a fact in my column I am more than happy to
print a retraction or correction for the record.
I did it with Josephina Fernandez recently and I
also corrected a factual mistake last week in
regards to the North Andover School Committee.
You see, it’s just easier for people to try
and defend themselves against the truth by saying
my column is filled with lies instead of
presenting evidence to prove their "side of
the story." So the next time a politician
attacks Rumbo or my column saying I print lies,
tell them to give you an example and present
their evidence. My bet is they will be stuttering
for days when you do. And quite frankly, I would
enjoy seeing that.
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