The Middle River Group, LLC

fly fishing, conservation and politics.

tenkara, conservation, communications, politics

Key grip and trout wrangler at the Middle River Group, LLC. Playing Doc Holliday to the Wyatt Earps of the fish and wildlife conservation world. Deputy Director, Marine Fish Conservation Network. Guide and instructor, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Freelance outdoor writer.

From the “we need to do better” files

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I know I am guilty of it and perhaps it is because I think most things that come out of his mouth are bullshit and self-aggrandizing bullshit at that. So I presume everyone is as skeptical as I am.

Still the point is well taken:
“A pattern has emerged: Trump’s proposals are usually reported quickly — often credulously passed along in headlines and tweets — before thorough vetting later yields more skeptical reports.”

And a suggestion on how to do better:
“The key to resisting that tactic, according to journalists and media experts, is not ignoring what the president says but adding context, even if it means taking longer to publish a story.”

As reporters and journalists our credibility is the coin of the realm. Let’s not let Trump make us squander it.

As Belichick says, do your job.

Me included

Read it all here> Source: Press struggles with amplifying Trump’s pre-midterms claims – POLITICO

Vote!

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A lot is at stake on November 6th.

If you don’t vote then you miss the chance to 1) change the make up of our government if you are unhappy or 2) ratify the status quo if you are happy.

But not voting is a shameful, selfish act. You don’t deserve to enjoy of the benefits of citizenship if you are not willing to participate in this most basic civic responsibility.

You can learn more about what at stake by reading US Midterm Elections 2018 – Vote on November 6  from Patagonia.

Want some recommendations on who not to vote for? Look no further than Hatch Magazine’s Dirty dozens: Who to vote out this November (full disclosure I write now and then for Hatch.)

Here are couple people you should vote for: incumbent Sen. Jon Tester in Montana, and Rep. Jacky Rosen, running againt Sen. Dean Heller (R) in Nevada > Patagonia Makes Another Bold Move to Protect Public Lands

Photo Credit: Patagonia

Now get out there and Vote!

From the “why we can’t have nice things file”

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C’mon NYTimes, you can do better than this.

When we try to convince people journalists are not the enemy of the people, this does not help…Get it right or don’t do it.

Editors’ Note: September 14, 2018

An earlier version of this article and headline created an unfair impression about who was responsible for the purchase in question. While Nikki R. Haley is the current ambassador to the United Nations, the decision on leasing the ambassador’s residence and purchasing the curtains was made during the Obama administration, according to current and former officials. The article should not have focused on Ms. Haley, nor should a picture of her have been used. The article and headline have now been edited to reflect those concerns, and the picture has been removed.

 

Source: State Department Spent $52,701 on Curtains for Residence of U.N. Envoy – The New York Times

Updates:

Media critic Eric Wemple weighs in the same day with an op/ed in the Times:

Backlash to the initial New York Times presentation has been robust, as well it should be. There are plenty of examples of bona fide Trump-era abuses of taxpayer money — see Scott Pruitt’s strange security purchases and Tom Price’s travel expenses. No need to fashion a headline suggesting that Haley belongs to that group.”

Source: New York Times wrongs Nikki Haley with curtain headline

And you people are not helping either:

Reporters in Hurricane Florence, please stop acting like you’re hanging on for dear life

The WaPo takes a look:

New York Times backtracks on a tale about some expensive curtains