That was the name of the blog I wrote for the London Free Press.
I took a buyout from the paper so now I have a new blog.
I have been blogging for more than four years.
Should I have a catchy name for my new blog?
Any suggestions?
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Isle of Rumleski 
Name suggestion for your new blog…”Rambles”, “Rumleski’s Rambles”, “Ramblin’ Rumleski”…I think you get the idea. Good luck with the blog:-)
Aw Rum-Runner
Rum-Isles-Ski
Hi Ellen,
Thanks for the suggestion. I’m mulling it over.
How are you doing?
I think you should reinvent the blog entirely, which will signify the new start.
Will you write about all sorts of things?
Hmmm, got think there might be some mention of your beloved Islanders in the new blog name. Perhaps Isle of Rumleski. Either way I sure it will be great. Good luck on the new chapter in your life. Post Freeps. You go girl!!
Not necessarily a catchy name – consider how off-putting the smart alecky names of most of the LFP ones are. Surely you primarily need clearly to feature your “brand”, your professional name, and maybe your location.
The Rumleski Diary
Hello Kathy,
Congratulations on your decision and the start of a new stage in your life. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it and be successful in whatever you do.
take care,
Marjan Glavac
Glad to see you’re going to continue with a blog!
Hi Kathy. Wow big news about leaving the Freeps. I’m sure you’ll be missed. I’ll be sure to follow your blog!
In your final LFP blog entry you said re Gary comment:,
“Being a journalist is It’s about changing things and trying to make a difference.”
What were you hoping to ‘change’ through the newspaper news and columns/blog,
and what was the ‘difference’ you hoped to make ?
That’s a fairly new J-School view of the role of the news journalist isn’t it – intervening rather
than balanced reporting of the times, creating the first draft of history?
I’ve never bought that the role of the journalist is to file the “first draft of history.” Journalists are not historians. We don’t do history, we do journalism. There’s a difference.
The idea of journalists intervening came way, way before the idea of journalists presenting a balanced account of the news. You’ve got it the wrong way around. The idea of providing balance, historically speaking, is the relatively new notion in journalism.
If you want an example of a publication that set out to intervene, take The Toronto Star. The mandate it was created to fulfill is to do exactly what Kathy mentions — to make a difference. And its journalists take great pride in the public-service role they play, afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.
Hello Dan – Am fully aware of the Atkinson Principles, but that was the personal philosophy
the publisher himself, back in the days when Newspaperman/woman was the proud self-
identifier.. Before the schools came along to professionalize the occupation. Like it or lump
it, if you do any historical research you will find the daily unfolding of the news is the raw
material of future historians’ interpretations. Sorry if the cliche about First Draft offends.
Anyone remember who first is credited with the phrase ?
Some journalists do write history, but depend on the day-to-day reports of colleages wh
came before them.
Look at the Star’s Pages of the Past archive to follow unfolding stories in their time.
Hi Kathy – Surely responsible journalism presents opinions on what need change, but the
newsroom side strives to provide the facts so readers can decide for themselves ? The
job of the assignment desk is to pick out the “hot” ones – you have to sell the product;
of the columnist to decide what he/she thinks should be the public reaction and maintain
a following. The role of the press is protected because a democracy requires a free press,
many versions from many perspectives.vs/ state controlled media.
For those not familiar with the Star in its heyday, here’s the Atkinson
credo. For more on the publication’s story read Ross Harkness’
J E Atkinson and the Star. Both he and rival John Ross Robertson
are Ontario Persons of Significance, OHF blue plaque images can
be found online.
(story) ATKINSON Principles Nov 24 2008
“Throughout his 50 years as publisher of the Toronto Star from 1899
to 1948, Joseph E. Atkinson developed strong views on both the role
of a large city newspaper and the editorial principles it should espouse.
These values and beliefs now form what are called Atkinson Principles.
For more than a century, they have provided the intellectual foundation
on which the Star has operated and have given the paper its distinctive
voice.
The editorial principles Atkinson espoused were founded on his belief
that a progressive newspaper should contribute to the advancement
of society through pursuit of social, economic and political reforms. He
was particularly concerned about injustice, be it social, economic,
political, legal or racial.
Fundamental to his philosophy was the belief that the state has the right,
and duty, to act when private initiative fails. While Atkinson’s beliefs were
never codified in any set form, central Principles can be summarized
as follows:
• A strong, united and independent Canada
• Social justice
• Individual and civil liberties
• Community and civic engagement
• The rights of working people
• The necessary role of government ”
—
Edward and Dan,
We often report on things that need changing. Journalists are watchdogs.
Yes we strive to report in an unbiased fashion, but the stories that are chosen for us to write about are things we feel the public needs to know.
We record history to a degree and that’s why newspapers are often where people go to do research, but we also keep an eye on things for the public and ask the questions they don’t get to ask.
edward Ontario says:
December 5, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Hello Dan – Am fully aware of the Atkinson Principles, but that
was the personal philosophy the publisher himself, back in the
days when Newspaperman/woman was the proud self-identifier.
Before the schools came along to professionalize the occupation.
Like it or lumpit, if you do any historical research you will find the
daily unfolding of the news is the raw
material of future historians’ interpretations. Sorry if the cliche
about First Draft offends.
Anyone remember who first is credited with the phrase ?
Some journalists do write history, but depend on the day-to-day
reports of colleages who came before them.
Look at the Star’s Pages of the Past archive to follow unfolding
stories in their time. eg.View of Dieppe raid then and views now..
Hi Kathy – Surely responsible journalism presents opinions on
what need change, but the newsroom side strives to provide
the facts so readers can decide for themselves ? The job of
the assignment desk is to pick out the “hot” ones – you have to
sell the product;of the columnist to decide what he/she thinks
should be the public reaction and maintain a following.
The role of the press is protected because a democracy
requires a free press, many versions from many perspectives
.vs/ state controlled media.
*HAVE REtyped this because the character count is so narrow
it makes long entries hard to read.
Kathy, you might want to send an entry yourself to see how the
notification email system works. Am getting multiple notices
which confuses and needs deleting.
Hi April,
Thanks for following me over here. Good to hear from you. How are things in N.B.? What stories are you working on now?
Hi Cindy,
How are you doing?
Thanks for coming over to this blog.
Let me know how you are.
Hi Marjan,
Thanks for you note.
How is the book doing?
Hi Reg,
Thanks for the suggestion
Do you think Rumleski is too difficult a name or should I stick with it because of the name recognition of being a journalist?
Edward believes I should use Rumleski.
Maybe the name is key and a location.
‘Rumleski’ has been your professional name since you started
blogging at your job. It is the continuity that brought us with
you here.
If you are re-tooling you need to identify purposes that would
keep us and expand you viewer base. What is your focus that
we should engage with you regularly ?? (Not sure the Islanders
is a big draw ieither by sport or location…)
Been Long time since that kind of central European surname
posed problems in this country – just look at the laundry lists
of decendents of a recent G&M Death Notice subject to see
how how multi-geographic we have become especially since
trans-Atlantic flight was developed. (Look at the suffixes of the
surnames of editorial staff at even the rather provincial local
daily –
Isles Fan 2
Thanks for joining me. It can get pretty lonely being an Islanders fan as you know. We picked up a win this weekend so things are looking up.
Thanks also for the encouragment.
Stay in touch.
Hi Kimber,
I will have to write about the Islanders of course and the NHL. I want to keep tabs on the scrutiny the league is under due to the violence in the game.
Will also write about life in London, life as a mom, finding a gift in each day.
I will also wear my journalist hat and report on things the public should know.
But also, I hope readers will take me in new directions and we can travel along together.
Any suggestions?
I always new you as Kate@LFPress. Wondering if you could do a play on that. KateRumleski is a keeper though. Your name is your brand, so to speak. You want to keep that IMHO.
I liked Kate Writes On, lol.
Kimber
Gord,
I knew you’d have some ideas.
Sorry about your Wings yesterday.
Hi Edward
“First draft”?
Phil Graham, but there is some discrepancy over this.
Did a lookup too, of Rough Draft of History and Afflict the
Comfortable and Comfort the Afflicted. Both seem to
have emerged by 1960, no doubt circulated by the now
ordinary household device, the television set.
What are other research-oriented viewers coming up
with ??
Hi Edward,
I am getting lots of notifications in my in box as well. Not sure why that is happening. Will check to see what can be done.
Hey Kathy,
You’re one busy girl!
RE: Book sales–I’m at that point where the first printing is almost sold out and I have to decide when or if to order another print run. Thanks for asking. We should meet for coffee one day.
Marjan
Congratulations on the great success with the book Marjan. Thanks good news. Coffee sounds good.
Guiding principles of good journalism are and should be: Who, What Where, When, How and Why.
I Keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.
I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men.
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small—
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!
She sends’em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes—
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!
The Elephant’s Child 1926
Rudyard Kipling, born year of London’s City incorporation, died year “Globe and Mail” created.
Absolutely well stated and perfectly apropos, thanks Edward Ontario. But check out today’s sloppy, if not negligent reporting in LFPress.com that completely fails to meet any of the above stated reporting principles:
http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2011/12/13/19116351.html
A shameful example of: something happened somewhere in the city, involving some people, at some point in time, doing something, for some reason or another …but we can’t tell you anything…we all but failed our job as reporters.
‘Anyone’ – not clear if you have reporting experience yourself – “we” – but is it possible that’s a summary of a statement issued to media this morning from Toronto by the lead police, the Toronto force, not a locally generated story? Followup by local media is a second stage.
Police here need to release their results before press and broadcast reporters can be assigned by editors to look into various aspects of the local events.
Mind you, if you know what happened you could post it here and give Ms. Rumleski’s blog a scoop.
HAMILTON SPECTATOR STORY online this morning
OTTAWA — Police executed dozens of search warrants Tuesday morning across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia in a massive operation, called Project Marvel, against what authorities said was organized crime, gun and drug traffickers and other offenders.
A total of 67 search warrants were executed in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, London, Ont., Windsor, Ont., Calgary and Surrey, B.C., police said. According to Toronto police Staff Sgt. Andy Schneider, 16 suspects were arrested Monday overnight and are now in custody for a gamut of charges ranging from weapons to drugs. The suspects are all males and include both young offenders and adults. Police in Windsor, Ont. arrested two men after three searchs in the city simultaneously at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Sgt. Brett Corey said. The warrants were all related to firearms trafficking, but no firearms were found.
A 30-year-old man arrested at 1309 University Ave. West has been tranferred to Toronto and is facing weapons charges, Corey said.
A 55-year-old man arrested at 315 Josephine Ave. has been released, but more arrests may come as the investigation continues.
In Calgary, one man is in custody after police raided his home early Tuesday morning.
Const. Marc Soucy said Ottawa police helped conduct a warrant at one unnamed location in Gatineau, Que.
In Hamilton, police from Waterloo, Ont., assisted with warrants in three locations, sending in two emergency response teams and one investigative team, Insp. Greg Lamport said.
More than 900 police officers, including nearly 400 tactical officers, were involved.
Police said an investigation is continuing into this case which is looking into offences such as attempted murder, firearms trafficking and importation, drug trafficking, robbery, shootings and prostitution.
Toronto police Chief Bill Blair and Superintendent Chris White are scheduled to hold a news conference at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday
Read more: http://www.canada.com/news/Surrey+included+police+operation+targeting+organized+crime+four+provinces/5852352/story.html#ixzz1gRjzMga7
CBC has learned the following details about Tuesday’s operation, which police are calling Project Marvel:..
In London, Ont., police executed search warrants at two different addresses just before dawn.
They had few details and directed all enquiries to the Toronto Police Service
O.K…it’s past 3 p.m. as was mentioned in the above piece and yet no timely, supplementary local follow up reporting.
How many local cops involved? Any injuries, difficulties or mistakes? How many arrested? Who were they? Why the coordinated national sweep? (network?gangs?terror?illegals?).What were the local offences?When were local authorities made aware of the operational order? Was this planned months in advane? What were the local street adresses raided? What did local neighbours see/hear?
Yes ‘Edward O’ you are very perseptive…I am a full-time working reporter, however on this topic writing outside of my regular beat as just curious joe public. Me thinks you too are/were a reporter.
Would be happy to give KR a scoop but must be careful…no shield laws here…See Tue. Dec.13/11, in “The Atlantic” where the question of what constitutes protection for online journalists is discussed
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/12/why-we-should-stop-asking-whether-bloggers-are-journalists/249864/?google_editors_picks=true
just saw the LFPress update…a fine start…pretty good deadline reporting…but always more questions
Thanks Edward and Anyone,
Since I am just removed from The Free Press I can tell you how frustrating it can be to get information from various police services. They are trying to control the release of information and want to have all of their ducks in a row before doing so and reporters are trying to get more details than police want to give.
In this case, numerous police forces were involved which makes for more wading through who can release what to whom?
The original story that Anyone referred to was to get some information on the website as quickly as possible to let people know what was coming down the pipe.
Free Presser Norman DeBono was sent to Toronto to get more info and he did a good job getting the London specific details.
Between Edward, Anyone and myself, maybe we can crack this wide open!
‘Anyone’ – longtime reading of multiple newspapers give readers a good of what we want in news coverage and what we can reasonable expect. A problem is that many in the public nowadays don’t respect what can be done by people working in print media..Sadly newspapers themselves don’t share how things work – some even recall when one could tour the roaring giant presses and be hooked on the field for life..As a taxpayer, I do not feel the police must share things instantly with media. Wrapping up the case is their primary function. Am not a crime junkie, so am content to wait a bit. Lots of other global goings on to read up on.
I do expect the online paper to post the initial heads up so we can keep an eye on events with multimedia. I do expect it to get someone to the centre of the story to dig out the local angle.
But also think working reporter/joe-josephine public is surely giving a formula for investigative journalism, not what can be discovered and written up to deadline in the real world.
Kudos to the thoughtful writing and discourse taking shape on this blog. It is quickly apparent to me that Ms.Kathy Rumleski and the many other contributors here are bringing a vital voice to the reporting and understanding of news, events and ideas; and perhaps with their insights can even exceed (dare I say it) what is commonly available at some traditional mainstream media.
Shed light and the people shall follow===is the essence of another newspaper addage, that may as well become a credo here, and which can serve to give a special responsibility to all writers and readers to be informed, stay informed, inform the public, and demand public accountability.
In this vein, I’d suggest to ‘edward Ontario’ that it is not enough to learn What happenned “instantly” as he states, “as a taxpayer” but it is of paramount importance as a citizen to be informed of both the timely What and the reasons Why, and to likewise demand accountability and public review through open records of all actions taken on behalf of the public. in the name of the governed. and paid for by the people. in a democracy.
The reference was only re police ‘instantly’ sharing information with inquiring reporters, as was the point about being a “taxpayer’ who contribute to police funding.
As for writers being informed, impression here is that those at the local paper are not generally well-read, their interests self-involved and often trivial. Not too moved by Quotes, especially unattributed ones.
Not even sure news practioners should be lecturing readers – the proof is in how well the populace is informed on key issues. Again the impression is that the Free Press needs to do some work in educating its users on how the community works – letters to the editor and comments suggest many don’t understand basic functions.
Mr. Anyone, perhaps you could bring us up to speed on highlights in media history – why not start with the Alberta free press issue that reached the SCC in the late ’30s, resulting in a unique Pulitzer plaque for the lead paper, Southam’s, a first re foreign press – and come up with the
text of the Certificate awarded to all Alberta newspapers for fending off Ontario-born Bible Bill Aberhart in his role as the provincial premier, for Social Credit.
http://www.historyofrights.com/events/court.html
This is a good place to start where in addition you may wish to follow the links and excellent sources compiled by this well done repository.
Also, as you seem to express an omni sort of interest/fascination ifor the topic of press freedom and principles of journalism here is another good place to begin further inquiry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press
Not fascinated by newspaper history in a modern “human rights” context, and am happy to read up on it in books in the family library. Still interested in the wording of those certificates, which Pulitzer itself could not supply.
Also as a mere reader/consumer, not one in the industry, take an interest in a free press as a “Right “of Canadian citizens – not just those who make money from it.
Re SCC and Alberta press legislation, the Decision was that it was beyond the capacity of a province to restrict newspapers. Ex Juris.
Re human rights, the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ postdates the case by a decade. 1948, post war, when the United Nations organization was created.
Fun to go online via one’s library card and read history as it unfolded in the Globe and Mail online archive – as seen through contemporary eyes, not only as interpreted by subsequent generations.
Absolutely. Totally Agree with everything you’ve stated above.
Getting back to the earlier discussion point Re: coverage of “Project Marvel” would readers here like to demand their right as a “citizens” to know why there was such a massive coast-to-coast Police hype and high-visibility PR effort and exteme mobilization of resources and manpower expenditure for what ultimately was revealed to be such a minor round-up of low-level suspects? The BIG Police take-down appears to be everyday, run-of-the-mill scofflaws.
Was the Police T.O. news conference nothing more than a PR ‘stunt’ to create the illussion that the various highly-funded municipal forces deserve an even bigger budget to keep us safe? Safe from a rag-tag of what so far seem to be a motely roster of extremely minor offenders.
If this was truly a “crack-down” on a national “gang” surely there would have been RCMP involvement (conspicuous by its abscence).
Where is this “Right as Citizens to Know” spelled out ?
And to whom should those who think those police departments do not know what they are doing direct their questions ?
In a democracy the people have “a right to know” what the government is doing in their name. Government governs by the consent of the governed.
In a free society a free press exists to inform the public on the activities of those it has elected to represent it. As well, a free press acts as a representative of the vox populii (voice of the people) to monitor, challenge and hold accountable those controlling the public purse.
We are all citizens and taxpayers and as such we share the common responsibility to participate in all public discourse across all free speech modalities to exercise our rights and thereby ensure the function and very definition of freedom.
The gentlemen/ladies of the Press are free to publish whatever their employers (or Blog Hosts) permit. And consumers are free to take it with a grain of salt.
However, how does it serve the public by such editorializing with loaded questions such as “Was Police T.O. news conference nothing more than a PR ‘stunt’ …”? This seems to imply fraud by public servants.
When did mass media “journalists” appoint themselves the judge of government – back when J schools poliferated and reporters no longer learned on the job ? Post Pearson wasn’t it ?
Many years of reading newspapers, but it’s only in recent years that the modern ink-soaked wretches lectured the public – many of whom are actually as well-educated as the current crop of media employees.
If you have evidence of police malfeasance, provide it – don’t try to manipulate public opinion
that might not get past an editor or company lawyer.
– OK, Kathy, time for you to rejoin the conversation..both as proprietor of the space and one no longer on a media payroll.
@edwardOntario, When you write:”This seems to imply fraud by public servants.” Are you being ironic, sardonic or just plain naive? Would you be so shocked to know that ‘Yes, Virginia, ‘it is well known that there have been plenty of instances of fraud, waste, favouritism, cronyism, abuse of power, cheating, corruption, lies and cover-ups by public servants.
Incidently, many would describe the current instance of this Police song and dance and making a big production out of a handful of arrests as likewise stage-managing the facts to “manipulate public opinion.”
And last time I checked, yes, all of the people (journalists included) are in fact , as you say the “judge of government.” Why would one even pose this as something of a question in a free society. In fact if one was prevented from judging one’s government, or any other institution it wouldn’t be a democracy now would it? Does the concept of questioning authority trouble you?
Attacking the asker instead of the question…tsk tsk,
You are using the Rumleski publishing space, anonymously, to make accusations but not providing evidence to back them up. This is why one takes today’s “Journalists” with a large grain of salt…
-30-
No one is accussing nor attacking you. I’m sorry to say, that if this is your perception it is is entirely your own.
On the other hand, for my part, I can plainly see in your words of frustration, your manifest antipathy to “Journalism and Journalists”. Of course I don’t think you wish for me to take your opinions as a personal afront, and I don’t. Similarly, I should hope there is no need for you to be offended either by my positions advocating for the “public’s Right to Know” and the need to critically scrutinize all societal dynamics, or anything else I choose to share here (anonymously or not.)
Indeed, I did answer your question where you wrote above: “When did mass media “journalists” appoint themselves the judge of government – back when J schools poliferated and reporters no longer learned on the job ?” Ignoring the snarky part, I explained that ALL citizens are qualified to “appoint themselves the judge of government.”
P.S. Feel free to use your Real name too.
Plying the trade has certainly changed through the years. I loved going into the Free Press library and reading issues of old. The tone, the writing style, the language is all so different than today.
It’s similar to watching old movies. You can get a chuckle out of the over acting that was done.
I’m sure people will laugh at the style of journalism today or else frown on it completely.
For better or worse, newspapers want their writers to have personality. I don’t agree with this. I always feel the story isn’t about the reporter.
Blogs are a different matter. We were encouraged to inject some controversy. If you didn’t get readers responding, you weren’t doing your job.
I do think you can have some success without going over the top.
My blog, for example, was always in the top 15 blogs in the Sun Media chain, which has about 85 bloggers.
I always tried to be fair and reasonable in my space. Leave the shock jock style to Howard Stern et al.
I do like to have some fun in this space as well and I do encourage differing opinions, so keep it coming.
Isn’t it marvellous to browse in early newspapers, and see the world as people before it did. (Sure beats reading them on microfilm…)Hardly humourous overall though, as world events flash before your eyes.
People nowadays seem to feel it is necessary to have an instant opinion on everything, instead of just pondering things.. (Some of what goes on today looks pretty silly, to put it politely, from a longer viewpoint.) As for writer personalities, some opinion ones developed rich personalities, and some reporters had huge followings just on the quality of their writing. There was a day when a reporter would be shamed to use “I” in his/her work. Think the LFP carried an opinion piece on this early 1980s..
Staff blogs there now are pretty well dead, most protected by enforced Facebook. Fake controversy doesn’t really work but the little ads do give the writers some free publicity.
– But you, Kathy, you are now free from the constraints and protections of a newspaper
website, hosting now as private enterprise. We no longer have to measure you in that paid person format. It will be interesting to see how this shapes up, despite the unfamiliar format.
Kathy, here is something your readers may have views on.
-This Toronto Star heading is of course quite misleading. “Soldiers
who are single don’t receive death benefit” – a soldier being dead,
he/she can’t receive anything – financial benefit goes the estate.
Personally I don’t view it it as the price of the life, but of the needs
of the dependents of the dead man or woman. When a breadwinner
dies the dependent family is traumatized beyond the loss of the life.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” These are the words of Robert Kennedy that have come to my mind and I share them with readers here who may wish to reflect upon what may be the clarion call to think, to act, to paricipate. Sometimes this may entail having strong opinions; perhaps even “over the top”, personal, “silly” or controversial opinions. Sometimes challenging ideas require new approaches. Some ideas will need strong defenders.
Love this quote Anyone. Thank you.
Hi M,
Through the years benefits in general benefits were given to a working person’s dependent family members – spouse, children.
Presumably his/her parents have already made their way in life and aren’t likely to be finanically bereft at the loss of an adult child.
The new issue is the lump sum payment, and some parents of unmarried/childless dead soldiers are casting it as the value of a life, of themselves being bereaved, not the needs of a soldier’s legal dependents. In early days the needy could be a widowed mother too, the son sole support.
The Great War attestation papers are posted on line and one can see who was noted as next of kin. Changed of course if the soldier married in service. (Sadly for a new immigrant it could just be the name of a friend…)
The bottom line from today’s taxpayer point of view is what financial responsibility do we have to near relatives of men and women losing their lives in the military? The Dinning father’s point of view seems to be that the money is restitution; so if more than one child died this way, each would be worth the quarter million lump sum.
VAC’s position is that it’s to compensate for loss of a breadwinner, a financial support. If anyone is more knowledgeable about this historically and currently, hope they will contribute here.
Couldn’t resist a quick check of USA’s Kennedy family quotes and got this attributed to Jack –
“Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.”
Critical thinking demands an examination and interrogation of all states of opinion and thought—whether comfortable or not—questioning both the “comfort of opinion” as well as and perhaps more especially, the “discomfort of thought.”
What is the essence that makes some thought and opinion comfortable to ourselves and others, or rather …what are the thoughts and opinions that make us and others quite uncomfortable?
What is intellectually more satisfying as a goal, comfort or discomfort?
Buddhists would say that we have discomfort because of our attachment to things and people. The only way to be truly comfortable and content is through non-attachment.
You can be a bystander and still be involved in events beyond
your control. Even Buddhists.
A fairly recent, Internet-enabled phenomenon is people voicing
opinions without the foggiest notion about the topic, many just
parroting stuff they picked up googling.
In schools we’ve gone from rote learning to pupils having opinions
before they have done research on the issue.
Maybe Opinionism should be set aside and refer to discussion which
implies a 2 way exchange of ideas – and avoid a Quotes war too !
@M,
So you would you castigate and condemn an opinion, if in your own opinion, the opinion-holder fails to adequately qualify to meet your personally proscribed measures for performng certain degrees of research prior to proferring and sharing their opinion?
By this standard, what level and quality of research can you claim to bring to this, or any discussion?
I sincerely hope here for instance, you haven’t simply been parroting stuff that you’ve picked up “googling”…like Opinionism.
Haven’t the foggiest what “Anyone” is talking about – although
thought I’d invented Opinion-ism. But “Anyone” is not a signature
on any LtEs being referred to.
But if the shoe fits…
Kathy, are you allowing personal attacks – good way to scare
contributers off to greener fields.
“Opinionism”, googled, turns out to be a loaded term –
so much for inventing on the fly without checking OED.
Is there any particular opinion of hers that contributer
Anybody feels has been attacked here ?? And Isn’t
that the role of the Host, to deal with unfair items?
Over to you KR.
This is great for procrastinators -looking for ‘Opinion’ quotes.
-Leave you with this [Julian Simon US academic 1932-1998]
“All of us necessarily hold many casual opinions that are
ludicrously wrong simply because life is far too short for us
to think through even a small fraction of the topics that
we come across.”
What’s fascinating at a certain age is to recall opinions
once held, why one thought that way, and what they’ve
been revised to by the 2nd decade of 21st century.
Dear M,
In my humble ‘opinion’, I am remarking that it seems to me your comments are an implicit judgement against those whom you perceive, by whatever criteria, as “people voicing opinions without the foggiest notion about the topic” and you certainly appear to have a strong ‘opinion’ against “pupils having opinions before they have done research on the issue.”
By the way, I don’t know the abbreviations you have used above: What do Lte’s or OED stand for?
Additionally, I’m surprised with your last quote selection. Do you agree with the writer that “many casual opinions” (as opposed to what? serious opinions?)…”are ludicrously wrong” and that only a long life affods the opportunity to revise them?
How many lifetimes does humanity need to revise its collective (casual or serious) opinion on topics such as: Religion; War; Love; Art; Beauty;Life’s Meaning and Purpose…all somebody’s opinion, somewhere in time.
You may call me slow on abbreviations but in the interest of disambguation, does OED stand for Oxford English Dictionary or Optoelectronic device?
Does Lte stand for Letters to the Editor or Liquid thermal exchange?
OK. Let’s not make personal attacks.
Everyone’s opinion is valid but please don’t make things personal.
Kathy – the problem may lie with the term ‘opinion’ itself.
Onlinw Merriam-Webster online defines it thusly: OPINION
1a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a
particular matter
b : approval, esteem
2a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive
knowledge
b : a generally held view
3a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert
b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the
legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based.
– Canadian Oxford 1998 /print about the sarme. Except for law,
maybe medcine, subjective – one’s viewpoint.
Maybe the ubiquity of the Opinion Poll has made it a loaded term.
Still wish I could recall the turn-of-the-century woman – Methodist
upbringing?- wrote; “It wasn’t until I married that I learned one
doesn’t have to have an opinion on everything.” LMM ? with that
husband ??
-The great opinion changer in modern history was WSC .. It’s one
thing to rat, but it takes ingenuity to re-rat.
.
@M, (from your comment above) What is LMM and WSC?
LMM is Lucy Maud Montgomery, of Anne of Green Gables fame.
WSC is Winston Spencer Churchill, WW2 leader of Britain
and the Empire – famed for the palm-out V for Victory sign that
cmplimented the BBC’s Beethoven’s Fifth signal, beamed into
Occupied Europe.
Didn’t google the initials first, curious at if they are now familiar.
Do FDR and HST (no period S) still resonate with the modern
reader ?
I completely agree with the idea of writing and expressing oneself with a certain decorum. Being insightful and literate with one’s opinion is better than to be one who is the opposite.
Opinion journalism is an art.
And of course, no one ever need tolerate invective-filled name-calling, or the churning of hurtful vulgarity, profanity, insults, taunts and threats to personal safety. But seriously…is pithy, mocking sardonic and witty commentary, intellectual jousting craftmanship of challenging adroit bon-mots, no matter how sarcastic and critical, to be in the same category and equally admonishable as what might be called, “getting personal?”
Should passionate debate, freedom-of-expression and strong personal points-of-view, and yes, perhaps even odd opinions, be curtailed, and lo, be suppressed, by a ‘let’s play nice kids’, kindergarten rules intervention? What is the definition of “personal attack” in the age of anonymous impersonal posts anyway?.
Are we to be all too careful, too thin-skinned, too agreeable? I don’t think that a contrary, contrasting or dissenting contentious perspective is cause for alarm, or a call for reserve and moderation. Afterall we often get our best bearings by being adventurous and seeking to look past the familiar horizon.
FDR still works and LMM gets one to related sites.
Other famous initials still recognized JFK, PET.
Harry S Truman does not come up by initials.
Any more instant recognition initials come to viewers’
minds ? VR,Victoria Regina with whom ER competes
for highest Jubilee number.
oh WLMK should be familiar.
What about RR? or TO (NFL fans would know TO).
@M, thanks for the explanation of the initials you have used. You obviously bring much knowledge and information here that is appreciated and enjoyed. But sorry, why use initials if there is the possibility that many readers will miss out?
Still don’t know what you mean by HST…Harmonised Sales Tax?
How about the earlier OED and LTE?
@M,
Using initials is always tricky. In journalism we are taught to avoid, especially on first reference. Initials are simply too confusing and not specific…for example, is “PC” Progressive Conservative or Pacific Command or Politically Correct?
Add now in our email/Tweet culture of LOL and LMAO you can see that PC also means Please Call.
@M, To your question: as one can see you are following a trail of historic anglo-centric (Canadian) train of association so I might guess WLMK is William Lyon MacKenzie King, World War II era (and decidedly wacky) prime minister.
Guess it depends on when one started reading Canadian
newspapers. (Only 3 examples were Canadians. FDR HST
and JFK were US presidents.) These famous initials were
a boon to headline writers. Check the Globe & Mail online
archive, free through a Library card.
King may be odd in the view of those who don’t recall
his time but he was our longest-serving Prime Minister, led
us successfully through 2 world wars, gave us our own
Canadian citizenship 65 years ago which a lot of people
from other countries are eager to claim. (FDR likely talked
to Fala too…)
Those who only use those devices likely are not discussing
our historic figures or spending much time with host Kathy,
so little likelihood of confusion.
In Ontario and other provinces, PC still is a familiar symbol.
Ask Nancy Branscombe.
Hope all caught goof re King’s terms. Not during WW1.
Term(s) of Office: Dec 29, 1921 – June 28 1926
Sept 25, 1926 – Aug. 7 1930
Oct. 23, 1935 – Nov. 15 1948
B- Dec 17, 1874, Berlin (Kitchener), Ont.D. 1950
Educ University of Toronto, BA 1895, LLB 1896, MA 1897
University of Chicago 1896 – 1897
Harvard University, MA Political Economy 1898, PhD 1909
“For no other leader in Canadian politics was the dichotomy
between public and private self more striking than with
William Lyon Mackenzie King. His public image, the one for
which so many Canadians repeatedly voted, was a dull,
mild-mannered conciliator. Against thunderers like R. B.
Bennett and the relentlessly logical Arthur Meighen, King
was a quiet, safe and comfortably vague alternative.
Yet King led Canada for twenty-two years, through half the
Depression and the whole of the Second World War. Such
an accomplishment required political acuity, decisiveness
and occasionally ruthlessness, all of which King was capable..
OED googles up easily. LtE is common shorthand for letter to
editor.These initial examples are re major figures in 20th
century history. H arry S T ruman US President approved
dropping the A bomb. These public figures used their initials
as “brands”, their choice, and are subject to good biographies,
although not sure Ms. Montgomery had to initial enough things
to fancy popularizing hers. More of a guy thing…
One assumes Kathy’s viewers are literate and capable of
looking something up that is obscure. Or even adding ones
to keep the chat going if an amusing diversion.
Initials sure may be fun for some, but more often they are confusing…interesting mental gymnastics if one likes that sort of thing…[i.e. your info about POTUS and PM (prime mime minister, not post mark) is welcome, and two can play at the parlour game too] but why make it needlessly “obscure” for the sake of obscurity?
O.K., I’ve worked for UPI, AP, WSJ, FT and others…(all brand named initials), however the style instilled was to be clear and understood. Initials were to used only in second reference.
So why not make it easy for all who may be interested in the discourse?
I
online:
“Wall Street Journal DECEMBER 7, 2011, 7:52 A.M. ET.”
“Website unveils FDR’s Dec. 7, 1941 daily schedule “.
“- Associated Press”
And anyone who does not recognize that date needs to
do some homework.
‘LMM’ was pushing it and assumed a certain level of literacy
as ‘GBS’ would, but if Kathy’s fans don’t understand, they
can intervene and ask, or have the fun of tracking down
something new.
“Website unveils FDR’s Dec. 7, 1941 daily schedule “.
“- Associated Press”
My Dear M, this is a headline. If you read all of the instances of this, or any other AP story you may come around to believe me (which on very good authority I repeat) AP-Stylebook specifically disallows initials on virtually all instances of first refernce…in the copy.
So long and thanks for all the fish.
We are not wriing newspaper stories here, the host not
even with one now. Headlines equate the restricted space
of twitter etc, which started all this.
(CP) in a vintage style book agrees – with the caveat:
Two things determine permissibility: Frequency of use
(that is, public familiarity (italics) IN CANADA (end italics))
and context of the story.
It is not possible to set lasting rules; what is familiar this
year may not be a couple of years from now. …
Bracket initials after first mention of name of organizations
if the initials will be used later in the story, as: the
Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) announced…
-30- and -27-
Kathy: Back to your original question: I LOVE the Rumleski Diary. It’s a great pun and can encompass everything you do!
@ Edward Ontario, So many weeks later, I’m still disturbed by your statement you made above: “As a taxpayer, I do not feel the police must share things instantly with media. Wrapping up the case is their primary function.”
And, I still remeber your challenge (to me and/or all readers of the blog)…”If you have evidence of police malfeasance, provide it…”
Well, here is yet one more example of outrageous police activity:
http://www.lfpress.com/news/canada/2012/04/19/19653996.html
“Sleeping cop caused deathly crash,” LFPress.com, Thursday, April, 10, 2012.
You can call it “malfeasance,” call it corruption, call it cover-up, call it arrogance and lack of accountability, call it a significant shirking of responsibility…I’d call it hypocracy and an unequal standard of law…a shameful “wrapping up the case.” that blatantly lets the Police off the hook. Not even making Officer’s name public!. No breathalizer, no trial,no justice. Unbelievable! Where are the lawyers, law-makers, and media on this? Nowhere. Where is public outage?…seems your wish to ignore scutiny of police is granted.