Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Gay Guide and Utility Costs.

I'll start by saying these are the two subjects I have received the most correspondence over in the past month. No not Bridgette or Myron or the Mayor.

According to the AP, New Orleans is issuing a guide to assist tourists who are homosexual. This was a three line item which ran on websites, tv stations and newspapers over the past 2 days. Click on the comment section to see the local reaction which was all negative.

On the issue of utility rates, a person I respect tells me this is THE issue. We are all paying the bills and some are paying more than others. Why? I do not clearly understand why Cleco rate payers in Pineville with a 2,400 square foot home pay more than one in Alexandria. Do you have any insight?

Finally a comment from Spanky which could apply to utility costs..."History shows when public frustration due to lack of justice reaches a crescendo, the palace guard is helpless against mob rule."
Hum...
http://www.kalb.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=KALB/MGArticle/ALB_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350540028&path=%21frontpage

http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/NEWS01/704030323

17 comments:

blogger said...

ON THE AP:
The city of New Orleans is putting together a gay travel guide. I an effort to lure visitors back to New Orleans they say.
The 30-page navigator is scheduled to be released in late May.
The guide will feature among other recreational hot spots gay bars, bookstores and community resources.

EMAIL RESPONSES:

"Well I have had to watch your news for many years, but this does it. I will never waste my time on a channel promoting the gay agenda. You have two Christian weather men. I would hope they would leave also. Gone to Klax."

"I watched the 10 pm News last night. I was disappointed that you all had to report the "Gay Visitor Guide" for New Orleans as significant and worthy of a news report. I felt that was unnecessary and certainly did not concern Central Louisiana residents. We watch news channel 5 regularly. As a viewer, I just wanted you to realize that I was not interested in that and was even offended that you thought it was worthy of reporting. I'm not asking you to support my belief that being gay is a choice and is sin against a Holy God. However, I am asking you to not report unnecessary things such as a "Gay Visitors Guide" as a "slap in my face" because of what I believe. Gays are not the only ones who should have rights. Please reconsider your audience. I'm sure that I am not alone in how I feel. I have small children in my home. I shouldn't have to explain that they can't be in the room while your program is on because you may air something that is questionable for
Their ears. I am asking you to be a little more considerate of all your audience and viewers not just the 10% who are choosing an alternate lifestyle. Thank you for your time."

"I was disappointed to hear your report of the gay travel guide for New Orleans; In my view, this is un-news-worthy and does not depict the interests or values of over 90% of our national population. Please, be more thoughtful of what you consider news-worthy in the future, and consider the majority of your audience."

"I was very disappointed at your advertisement of the gay community now having a special travel guide just for them. Will you also be a part of the liberal media which is causing America to become numb to this sinful lifestyle by supporting them? With each act of acceptance, such as what you all have advertised, the next generation will view this as normal rather than what God called it, "an abomination to Him". I hope you will stand in integrity and stronger conviction in the future."

Anonymous said...

With the utility rates, comparing two homes of equal square footage means nothing. It is usage that is the issue.

Anonymous said...

Here is my question regarding utilities: I have an Alexandria address, but live outside the city limits. Why, if I do not receive other city services, do I have to pay the City of Alexandria for my utilities? I lived in Pineville for over twenty years before moving to Alexandria, and never had the problems with my utilities that I'm experiencing now. I may be not understanding well, but why do I have to be at the mercy of the mayor, when I don't have the opportunity to vote for him?

Anonymous said...

Michelle, sweetie, looking at the title of your last post I was disheartened. Where are these "threats" you allude to in your title? I don't see any. None of my coworkers see any.

Are you trying to create sensationalistic journalism on a local blog? How vain! How arrogant! The fact is no one threatened you and this sorry excuse for a blog provides no substance or meat. You have to make up "threats" and provide pitiful complaints about gay life in order to feel like you're BREAKING news. Come on, Michelle, you can do better than this. You can't be a Geraldo or Donahue based off the morsels you serve up.

Then again, what should we expect from the news director of the worst station in Louisiana.

Hugs and kisses,
A. Blogger

Anonymous said...

Michele, I have to agree with the previous blogger. I think you were being a little bit dramatic with the threats comment. When you say stuff like that, it's almost like you're trying to stifle anyone who disagrees with you.

I'm a little confused about what Media General thinks about your little side project. Doesn't this create professional ethical problems?

Anonymous said...

Myself and 5 of my friends in the local media (both print and television--including a fellow coworker of yours) were eating lunch today. The topic of this blog came up and we all agreed that something was fishy that you were using an outside venue to gather news for KALB. Isn't that a bit unethical? Doesn't that sound like you cannot do your job? Is this how the local media is run? I guess Ron Roberts is right.

Anonymous said...

"I do not clearly understand why Cleco rate payers in Pineville with a 2,400 square foot home pay more than one in Alexandria."

Gee Michelle, maybe one house has more people, more appliances, and uses more energy. Duh.

Let's say you and I both own Toyota Avalons. They each get around 35 miles to the gallon. One month, I spend $35 on gas. That same month, your bill is an outrageous $300. Same car, same size, same gas mileage. How could your bill be so much higher???

Maybe, just maybe, it was that trip you took to Florida.

Get it?

Anonymous said...

Let's say you and I both own Toyota Avalons. They each get around 35 miles to the gallon. One month, I spend $35 on gas. That same month, your bill is an outrageous $300. Same car, same size, same gas mileage. How could your bill be so much higher???

UNLESS, just UNLESS, CLECO is RIPPING US OFF.

Anonymous said...

"According to the AP, New Orleans is issuing a guide to assist tourists who are homosexual."

In doing what? Are they a second class citizens like the blind? Semantically, the word assist makes it sound like these are people who need help because they lack some facility in which to move around.

A better sentence would be: According to the AP, the city of New Orleans is issuing guides aimed at gay and lesbian tourists.

See how easy that is Michelle? It doesn't degrade homosexuals nor act like they are from some underclass.

Why is this even a story? There are tons of stories on the Dead Pelican and you picked this one? Are you really trying to be sensational and not focus on the real matters that effect us every day. Do you pick the news by aiming at a dartboard and picking whereever the dart hits?

And where is this Lawson/Brown/Sanders deal? Are you too lazy to write the story? Or are you waiting for a blogger to do it for you. I highly doubt Walter Cronkite or Dan Rather let others do their copy for them and then report it as if they broke the story.

Anonymous said...

I agree! Why is something the New Orleans tourist commission a story for Central Louisiana? Why not report on what our CVB is NOT doing to bring tourists to the area! That would be a more appropriate story!

HELLO!

Anonymous said...

The issue is how CLECO is ripping off the residents of Alexandria by taking advantage of a group of city employees too lazy to look for electricity with other companies. As Spanky says, we need to demand from the new administration better rates and management of the utilities or mob rule will take them down.

Anonymous said...

Please oh great and wise keeper of the truth tell us: Where might one find this cheaper electricity? Who are the City employees under the evil sorcerer's control?

Anonymous said...

Dear 2:31 PM,

Remember Roosevelt and that gleam in his eye on the night of the primary election? His hopes were smashed because the local news monitored the blogs (cenlaantics) for the election results. It must be easy to be a journalist when you have the blogs doing all the work for you.

Spanky said...

Spanky did not say that and I challenge you to find where I did. The truth is not hard to tell and bearing false witness against a neighbor is a sin.

Anonymous said...

Michele, remember that no good deed goes unpunished. Thank you for the effort and the interest. And your weekend anchor talent sux. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

if you guys wanna check out some real journalism then google "young americans" by pat dollard.

WOW!

also check out evan sayet

Anonymous said...

"Please oh great and wise keeper of the truth tell us: Where might one find this cheaper electricity?"

Maybe from a provider with a nuclear power??????

There's one near New Roads and one near New Orleans. Find a way to get that on the grid and transmitted here - it's got to be cheaper!