Point Made

Enemy of The People Can it be news, i f it's not entertaining? Press  is a 6 part series on Masterpiece Contemporary PBS It's one thing to be a drama or comedy TV depicting a news program and another thing to be a form of news media performing as a reality show. There have been numerous movies and film depictions of news operations, both print and television. And it's easy to see why. The setting provides the elements necessary for the dramatic arc. The grouchy editor, who is often a shapeshifter which alternately stands in the way of the truth-seeking reporter and then champions them to the publisher, who forgets what news operations are for. Then there is the competition, which  drives the narrative between  the battle-weary old-timers and the young idealistic reporters, often women. Then there is the "deadline" the ticking clock that increases the tension. We are conditioned to receive our information in story form. As Don Hewitt, the legendary p...

This week the rain stopped falling in Milwaukee. As a matter of fact, I can hear them shoveling the after-effects of the sudden cease in the rain and the introduction of its ugly sister. We are so lucky! Poppa Jeff was a busy guy this week. I had Meetings about this, and that. I was getting together with friends and go through withdrawal after the end of the Milwaukee Film Festival. All of this took place regardless of me liking it or not. I was to attend a meeting of an organization in the evening in downtown Milwaukee. It was a cold evening with a persistent wind gushing down the concrete canyon that is Wisconsin Ave and helping the wind chill temperatures to go even lower. Mistake One: I got on the wrong bus. The route of the bus I was on didn't go as far as I needed to go. I ended up getting off the wrong bus and having to walk about three blocks back to Wisconsin Ave. Mistake Two: I thought I could take another bus after a short wait rather than trying to walk to my de...

Transit Services Advisory Committee What You Should Know About It and Why By Jeffrey Jordan What TSAC does: The Transit Services Advisory Committee (TSAC) provides citizen input regarding the Milwaukee County Transit System to the County Board Committee on Transportation Public Works & Transit. Primarily the group is charged to represent the riders and the public in transit issues facing the County Board. TSAC is asked to submit reports and advice to the Board's Committee. How TSAC members are chosen, and who they meet with: The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors created TSAC in June of 2005. County Supervisors appoint members of TSAC.   TSAC members have monthly meetings with MCTS staff, a representative from the bus drivers and mechanics union, and other guests. The sessions are mostly informal - TSAC members provide a sounding board for MCTS staff ideas. Occasionally TSAC members vote to support or oppose policies, and this is passed along as advice given...

Twitter Is For The Birds By Poppa Jeff, AKA Jeff Jordan I couldn't figure out why I am so comfortable on Facebook, with a constant threat of Russian propaganda and the so-called arrogance of Mark Zuckerberg & Sheryl Sandberg. These two (The two bergs.) are the face of Facebook . They are just two billionaires, just looking for another billion or two. Why are so many people angry with them? My Twitter feed is so full of bile; it prompts me to try and feed it omeprazole. I learned early on that I didn't have to 'follow' TrumpleThinSkin on Twitter. Several well-known reporters in Washington repost his postings along with their learned and critical observations. Then there are the citizen commentators, who, if anything, can be bitingly humorous. The answer is obvious. On Twitter, I'm following too many Washington insiders who often sound like one person posting under different names. Don't get me wrong, I'm on the MSNBC side of the page. I agree with ...