Exchange Over “Tainted Tomatoe Story”

Posted on June 18, 2008 by Adam
What follows is a letter sent by myself to the author of a website, which critisized an article of mine based on a flashy headline and a lack of facts.
You can view the website in context here

Subject: Tomatoe Article
Sir,

I’ve noticed that on June 11th 2008 in your News Section you linked to one of my articles, yet you’ve failed to provide the entire context on your site, instead stating that “I chose this story because it is an example of how this scare has spread across the country with out any real facts just catchy headlines, no substance, and puts all tomatoes in a very bad light.”

Perhaps your readers would be able to see those “facts” if you were to publish my entire article, instead of the catchy headline and the first few paragraphs.

Hope this finds you well,

Adam Kirk

—————–

Adam,

 

I appreciated your comments.  I give full credit to the writer and provide a link to the article itself so that the readers can form their own opinion. I get readers sending in comments all the time, some supporting my opinions and some who take a very different view.

 

I never put the entire article in the News Letter because that would not allow proper credit to your news organization and yourself.

 

I do believe your article was well written and provide all the information available at that time. I just wish that we had a better way of tracking product so that recalls would not damage an entire industry. I do respect the fact that when lives are in danger the public must be informed.

 

Please follow the link in the newsletter to the web page where it is posted. Click on the Source: wokv.com and you will see the full version of your article.

 

Sincerely,

 

Harold E. Myers

www.agplus.net

Thank you for your response.
 
I agree that there needs to be more oversight and tracking of food products in the United States, so outbreaks such as this can be quickly traced and eliminated with a minimal impact on the industry as a whole. 
 
However, working in the system we have in place, there is little I can do as a reporter to root out the specifics of a recall when the FDA its self isn’t releasing the information. 
 
It is sometimes difficult from a ethical standpoint to determine the amount of coverage that should be dedicated to stories that can cause widespread damage to an industry.  However, in this case, no matter who is at fault, the possible seriousness of the outbreak is enough to warrant expanded and extended coverage based on the many food related illness stories in the past few years.
 
The headline, as I’m sure you know, is always geared to grab attention, whether it’s posted on a website or the front page of a newspaper.  I don’t believe in this case that the headline or the article went beyond the guidelines that would be reasonable for a story of this nature.  What I took offense to was the insinuation written under my story on your newsletter page, that the headline and write up somehow minimized the story as a whole, and wasn’t supported by facts.
 
If you have any information you’d like to pass along that may be newsworthy, don’t hesitate to contact me via email.
 
Thank you for your time,
 

Adam Kirk

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$140 Oil Spells The End For Fossil Fuels? Not Likely…

Posted on June 9, 2008 by Adam

It’s an interesting theory, that high oil prices spur more investment in what some would call “antiquated” energy sources. 

Every week we’re hearing lawmakers clamor that “Average Americans” are hurting, and something needs to be done to lower the price at the pump; but a lot of people are winning while prices skyrocket.

Some environmentalists, who lament big polluting industries and SUV’s alike are elated over 4 dollar gas.  They remain so while cheering their push to categorize the polar bear as an endangered species, to stave off oil drilling in ANWR, Alaska.

But the environmentalists may be the biggest fools in the worldwide picture, as if high oil somehow represents the beginning of the end for fossil fuels.

High prices will not bring about the end of fossil fuel; rather, they’ll encourage more investment and technological progress to bring vast new resources of fossil energy into production. 

High Prices = A New “Black Gold Rush?”

Washington has seen an uptick in pressure from the oil lobby to allow research and exploration into turning our reserves of coal, oil sands and oil shale into fuels, which can supposedly produce the same energy for about half of today’s oil price.   

This is the worst case scenario for environmentalists who’re concerned with the release of carbon into the atmosphere. 

Bottom Line: Cheap Gas = Less Pollution?

Maybe…  If demand is reduced, usage follows, and new technologies emerge which force oil moguls to abandon their decades long efforts to bring more oil to the market.

In February, the mileage Americans drove daily fell for the first time in 26 years.  However, pollution from automobiles makes up just a small fraction of the so called “dangerous” greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere.

General Motors announced last week they’ll close 4 truck and SUV plants, to focus more on 4 cylinder vehicles, which have seen a dramatic rise in sales across the country.  

However, referencing the relatively small amount of pollution created by cars, more fuel efficiency cannot justify the billions of dollars the environmental lobby spends on climate change propaganda, at least not if the goal is to clean up the environment.

Meanwhile, while Americans tread lightly in delicate and politically correct times, China and India are just beginning to hit their stride in oil use…  and while lawmakers and greenies adopt a “not in my back yard” approach to drilling in America, they are all to quick to ask that other countries cover every bit of their land with drilling rigs, to feed our thirst.

 

 

 Fox News contributed to this post.

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New Speakers – – Logitech Z 2300

Posted on May 22, 2008 by Adam

Z 2300 Speakers, Better Than Their Price Suggests

I picked these speakers up for $99.00 at Comp USA, and I would’ve paid that for the sub alone.  These are 400 watt speakers, with 200 of that going straight to the sub. 

That’s PEAK power mind you, but I have yet to find a situation where there’s been any distortion at the highest of volume levels.

The THX certified speakers are crisp, and loud without being overly horn-like.  The Sub pounds out a wide range of frequencies, never sounding distorted or floppy.  The mark of a good sub is being able to produce low tones that are more “felt” than heard; this sub delivers.

My biggest criticism is the lack of mid-range punch from the overly simplistic, single-way speakers.  Although they lack a proper tweeter, they produce brilliant highs.  The Brilliance fades, though, as you plunge into the 300-600 MHz range. 

Listening to something like Sublime is, as the name implies.  However, if you like a more classic selection, where the bass isn’t overly prominent as it is in today’s music, you may be a bit disappointed.

Highs:  Great Bass Response, No Distortion, Crisp Highs, Good Vocal Reproduction, Awesome For Newer Music / Rap, Price.

Lows:   Short Bass Roll off, Little Mid-Range Definition.

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