Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
United Way update: Did the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County make its fund-raising goal this year? Find out at the agency’s annual luncheon today at the Crest Center. My guess is it probably did, but in these tough economic times, I’m sure it was difficult. And I heard nothing about the United Way’s annual fund drive this year. I mean — nothing. Usually the organization that helps fund non-profits in our area has a much higher profile.
Torture taxis: WLOSer Russ Bowen got the November sweeps started a day early on Thursday when he did a story that was presented in two parts at the 6 and 11 — “Torture Taxis.” Yes, that was the title. I’m not sure what to make of the story. It was typical sweeps — a sensational topic that’s hard to prove. Lots of dramatic camera work and questions about “ghost planes” raised by Bowen, but few real answers.
Some activist group, whose name I never got from the story, claims that the Asheville Regional Airport has been a stop-over for CIA-operated airplanes that could have been carrying terrorist suspects to foreign countries for interrogations, interrogations that could include torture.
From reporting done by the New York Times and other big news outlets, I think we have a pretty good idea that the CIA has, in fact, flown terrorist suspects to foreign countries for interrogations that, in some cases, have violated international law. That much we know. Beyond that, Bowen Googled some airplane tail numbers that the activist group said matched up with CIA planes. Bowen found that one of those planes with a CIA tail number stopped in Asheville. The airport spokesman told Bowen he had no idea what the plane was doing in Asheville. The CIA sent Bowen a statement saying it doesn’t torture anybody.
Dancing grandma story evolves: The Madison County News Record & Sentinel covered a meeting of the Marshall Town Board Thursday morning and reported that the town attorney, Larry Leake, reported to the board that a long-running lawsuit between the town and resident Rebecca Willis had been settled. Willis sued the town back in 2000 claiming that the town had improperly banned her from a public building. The town banned her for so-called “dirty dancing.”
The Citizen-Times picked up the story from the Madison County newspaper and blared it at the top of its web site. Gannett owns the Citizen-Times and the News Record & Sentinel.
The Madison County newspaper reported that Leake said the town’s insurer had decided to settle the lawsuit and had agreed to pay Willis $275,000 and that Willis will still be banned from the local venue, the Depot.
But the newspaper had not reached Willis or her attorney when it published that story online, and when they finally did, the story changed. Willis and her attorney said no agreement had been signed and no check had been delivered to Willis, and Willis has said all along that she wants to have the ability to enter that public building.
It’s a cautionary tale about rushing to “get” the story.
http://wlos.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/wlos_vid_1596.shtml
The funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. But also just a slice of what’s happening all over the country.
I still can’t read the tele-prompter
i’m so confused…
Thanks Russ K. I just got a little worried I suppose after Ash’s response. Thanks again for clearing thing up man.
To "The Real Russ": You’re welcome. But before you accuse me of posing as you, you should know that you’re not the only person named Russ living in Western North Carolina. I will include my initial to avoid future confusion.
I am so tired of the Dancing Grandma! Hard to believe that stupid story has been hanging around for eight-years. Ever see Willis’ demonstration of her "dirty dancing" for News 13’s Jay Siltzer, right on her front porch in Marshall? Hysterical, yet at the same time a bit creepy. Glad it’s over! Or is it? Stay tuned.
Right you are, Ash! It’s all about revving-up the entertainment-disguised-as-news engine, trying to lure unsuspecting viewers to the boob-tube. Too bad Russ Bowen got sucked into that assignment. I can’t believe it was actually his idea. Russ is too good a reporter when it’s not Ratings Season. I wish News 13 would simply stick to covering real news year-round. That would buck the TV trend of sensationalism during sweeps, and lend a bit more credibility to a WLOS news department that does a generally good job, but still insists on playing the tired,old ratings game along with everyone else.
Did anyone see his stoy Friday night? The man and woman fighting over the Obama sign? What a scream. That should become a youtube sensation..
Thank’s for clearing that up for me Russ. But please don’t pose as me in the future.
Thanks Russ! Way to get the sweeps started!
Actually, it’s "Torture Taxis."
The name of the group was North Carolina Stop Torture Now. It was mentioned several times. I thought it was interesting. I don’t think the politiciams he interviewed will ever get answers. I think that was part of the point. A lot of questions no real answers.