“Beer Summit” Falls Flat July 31, 2009

“The Audacity of  Hops”.
Just one of the bad puns I heard today on the network broadcasts as they were absolutely giddy in covering this supposed “Beer Summit” at the White House between the President, the Professor and the Police officer regarding this “racial profiling” incident. I put the term in quotes because as time goes [...]

The Campaign Comes to a Close July 30, 2009

Wendy Bell’s bid to win a seat aside Regis Philbin – and my career as a campaign manager – came to a quick and crushing end today. “Regis and Kelly” asked viewers to vote among ten women the five that would fill in for Kelly Ripa next month.
Wendy was one of the ten and, in [...]

Vote For Wendy! July 28, 2009

Hi. I have become the de facto campaign manager for one Wendy Bell. She is not running for public office, although I think given our current state of leadership she could do just as well as some of our elected leaders.
No, I am managing Wendy’s campaign to become a guest co-host with Regis Philbin on [...]

A “Teachable Moment” July 25, 2009

I thought President Obama was trying to clarify and push his health care plan in his address to the nation the other night.
Guess that was not the case, judging by watching the national media the last couple of nights. The President’s hour-plus prime-time event wound up being overshadowed by a question at the end regarding [...]

Adventures in Car Shopping July 24, 2009

Ben Roethlisberger speaks for the first time since a civil suit was filed against him by a Nevada woman claiming she was sexually assaulted by the Steelers quarterback.
A national firestorm erupted and a debate on racial profiling was rekindled when President Obama weighed in on the arrest of a prominent university professor by police following [...]

“And That’s The Way It Is ….” July 18, 2009

It’s truly a sad day in my business, television news, and for America as a whole. Walter Cronkite died Friday night at the age of 92. He was in failing health and his death comes as no shock. He lived a healthy, full life.
He also was a man who took a job and, by virtue [...]

Driving The Way It Used To Be July 16, 2009

Around 6pm tonight, Seventh Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh was turned into a parking lot loaded with very rare and very expensive cars. Alfa Romeos, MGs and BMWs. There cars from eras gone by: 1950’s and 1960’s. Some were meant for racing while others were designed from cruising but all had one thing in common. They were [...]

A Renewal of Our Faith … In Love July 15, 2009

I’m not sure what it is about weddings.
I mean its our most sacred institution, but perhaps our ordinary. Despite the variations, its been the same since the dawn of time. Two people get up, hold hands and before the Almighty as well as their assembled family and friends, pledge their love and affection from now [...]

Serving Up More than Coffee July 13, 2009

Monday morning.
Let’s be honest, no one (  not even your chipper correspondent ) enjoys getting up and going to work on Mondays which is why I love working evenings. However,  Monday morning is even more difficult for the millions of Americans who do not have a job. It’s easy to gripe about having to go [...]

Alive & Well July 10, 2009

The year is 2009. At least that is what the calendar tells us, but sometimes there are events that take place in this world that make you wonder whether its 1969 … or 1889.
Two recent events come to mind. The first happened across the state, outside Philadelphia, where a group of African-American children say they [...]

A Pro Pittsburgh Stance July 9, 2009

Imagine this:
You come into my town and make your fortune … paying a nominal fee to do yuor business in my backyard …. and then leave, taking your riches elsewhere.
OK, that’s pretty simplistic, you get the idea if you have heard the latest proposal from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. He wants people who work in Pittsburgh, [...]

The Circus Gets Real July 8, 2009

I have to admit when I tuned in to watch today’s memorial service for Michael Jackson, I was expecting to see a concert. I was expecting to see more of a freak show than a tribute to the musician. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised.
The service, on the whole, was dignified and poignant. It [...]

Death: Its Only the Beginning July 6, 2009

He did die Thursday, June 25th, right?
Just thought I would check because with all the coverage on the national network and cable news, you would think Michael Jackson is on his deathbed. No matter where you turn, there are shows with the “inside” story on Michael Jackson: his death, the drugs he was taking, the [...]

Head Scratcher in South Carolina July 2, 2009

There are some stories you just cannot make up. The latest to cross our desk is the deal in South Carolina involving the Governor and his affair with a woman from Argentina. In case you haven’t heard about this, I will give you the Cliff Notes version:
Governor goes away to Argentina without telling his staff [...]

The Superstar Next Door July 1, 2009

When it comes to sports – as a nation in general – we have a rather limited concept of what truly constitutes a sport. If its not football, basketball, baseball, hockey or NASCAR, its often doesn’t get network coverage or big-time attention. That’s too bad because some of the most incredible athletes live on the [...]