News & Record editor responds to Pastor's plagiarism

News & Record editor Allen Johnson responds to the issue of the guest column with substantial plagiarized portions.

Johnson writes:

"We obviously would not have knowingly published such passages if we had known they were not properly credited. So we feel it is important to acknowldge that here and now."

Johnson also reports that Michael Usey, pastor of College Park Church, explained that he originally composed the guest column as a sermon and Usey says that explains why he did not identify the original sources of the paragraphs he copied word-for-word:

"When you give a sermon you’re not giving a lecture – saying, ‘as so and so said,’ but when you put it in print there are different standards and I should have remembered that."

On the News & Record's publishing of plagiarism and lack of response

On the (Greensboro, NC) News & Record's handling (or lack thereof) of the plagiarism it published as a guest column (no link to the N&R column, original letter here) N&R reporter Joe Killian and I had this exchange:

Joe:

I usually follow the Greensboro blogs pretty carefully but because of the rush Friday and then the holiday weekend even I wasn't aware of it until it would have been too late to do anything to prevent it.

I've sent an e-mail to a few of the editors now -- but I think under the circumstances "publishes known plagiarism" suggests that someone in a position to prevent it knew it was plagiarism or at least unattributed and I don't think that's the case here.

Me:

Thanks for the comment, Joe. You might think it is a distinction without a difference, but I did not write, "Knowingly publishes plagiarism." My intention was to convey "publishes what was known, even if not by the N&R, to be plagiarism."

I'll grant you, I loaded that title a bit -- to convey two things: That a piece that did not pass the smell test to this lowly blogger passed undetected through a reporter and a editor at the N&R; and two, to emphasize that if professional newsorgs are to maintain value, one of the most important ways is as adjudicators of accuracy and truthfulness and here, the N&R stumbled -- so asleep in this case, that they not only failed to catch it themselves but remained oblivious (or at least, unresponsive) as it came to light on local blogs.

To-date, it does not appear as if the N&R has addressed or even acknowledged this in print, on its website or on either of the editorial staff blogs.

News & Record publishes known plagiarism

Although the letter from Michael Usey, pastor of College Park Church to Greensboro mayor Bill Knight was exposed as plagiarism yesterday afternoon, Ed Cone reports that it was published in this morning's (Greensboro, NC) News & Record (no link).

The News & Record has been careless before in publishing plagiarized submissions, but when the plagiarism comes to light in advance, it is incomprehensible how the News & Record can proceed with its publication.

[Update: Ed says the Sunday edition goes to press on Thursday.]

Recursion

Do you know what "recursion" means? Try searching it on Google.
(Hat tip: Larry Ullman)

Of politicians, pastors and plagiarism

Today, Ed Cone linked to a letter from Michael Usey, pastor of College Park Church.to Greensboro, NC mayor Bill Knight. It was a great letter. Much of it is not his. He took large chunks -- multiple paragraphs -- including a first person account that begins with "In France, I had seen..." from a 2005 lecture by J. Brent Walker. Other portions came from an unsigned work at the Baptists Joint Committee for Religious Liberty web site.

Also this week, Bill Randall, a Republican vying for the chance to run against Brad Miller for North Carolina's 13th congressional district admitted to Yes! Weekly's Jordan Green that large portions of his web site were copied from other sources. Randall blamed the plagiarism on  "unauthorized inclusions" by a volunteer he would not name.

[Update: Usey's passage that begins with "In France, I had seen..." is actually identified as a quotation by Usey, albeit without quotation marks. Other copied portions are not identified as from other sources.] 

[Update II: As Michelle notes in the comments, Usey's identification of the quotation is, itself, within the original text copied from another author.] 

My first concert

Ed Cone says he went to the Led Zeppelin concert at the Greensboro Coliseum in 1977. I was too young to go. My first concert was the next year: Electric Light Orcehstra, also at the coliseum.

I could not find any video from their stop here, but these are from the same tour.

Led Zeppelin - Greensboro 1977 Concert film

Found on Greensboro101. From the description:

"Never-before-seen live concert film clips of Led Zeppelin performing 'The Song Remains the Same' in Greensboro, NC, May 31, 1977 (John Bonham's 29th birthday)."

"Real n _ _ _ _ _ _"

These young men make an appearance in Greensboro to tell the crowd about "real n_ _ _ _ _s" (2:50). There appears to be much enthusiasm for the speech. Girls yell, "We love you."

Stolen lawnmower update

I think I should probably not go into detail yet, but I have been in contact with the detective assigned to the case of my stolen lawnmower and I'll say this: The detective has gathered substantial evidence.

Letter writer Rosen offers broken logic

In a letter to the editor of the News & Record today, Richard J. Rosen, MD, tries to take down Don Liebes, the guy fighting to allow smoking in his private club in the face of the restaurant and bar smoking ban. Rosen fails.

Rosen sets up the pins by accurately describing Liebes' objections to the law -- the law prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants unless they attach to tennis courts or golf courses violating equal protection, says Liebes -- but, instead of taking on the legal issues, Rosen "counters" Liebes by citing the health benefits of the ban. It's a non sequitur: "The law is based on sound science," therefore Liebes' equal protection objections are invalid, is Rosen's broken argument.

I can appreciate Dr. Rosen's enthusiasm for protecting the public health, but he really failed to explain or justify his objections to Liebes' complaints.

This just in: Robbie Perkins, son of Satan!

Robbie Perkins is the son of Satan! So says a commenter at Joe Guarino's blog about the Greensboro city council representative's objection to government sanctioned prayer during the exercise of Council's official duties.

Oh yeah, and hooga booga!

O' holy straw man

When it comes to the appropriateness of prayer on the agenda of public meetings, can we at least ground the discussion in a little reality? The issue is one of a governmental body officially undertaking praying during the course of its formal duties.

Objecting to that is not the same as saying that people do not have a right to pray in public as heard on 94.5 this morning and posited by local blogger Joe Guarino. Nor is it an attempt to "scrub our culture of religious symbols..." as the News & Record's Doug Clark worries. Those are straw men*.

[* "The Straw Man fallacy is committed when a person simply ignores a person's actual position and substitutes a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of that position."]

Disorientated

From the News & Record today:

"Lee Street is south of the campus. To its west is Spring Garden Street."

Uh, no.


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So a short bald guy, a fat redheaded guy and a tall blond guy walk into a lineup...

This asserts some facts that I hadn't heard before, but if they are true, what are the implications?

"It is our understanding that the investigative practice of 'line-ups' is based upon the people in the line-up exhibiting a reasonable likeness to the description of the person alleged to have committed the crime. It has been widely reported that the 'Black Book,' which was at issue during the end of Chief David Wray’s tenure contained 19 photographs of African American officers who were reportedly on duty during the time that a reported sexual assault occurred. Further, information indicates that officers in the photo line-up had a range in age of at least 20 years, ranged in height from approximately five feet five inches tall to six feet and five inches tall, ranged in weight from approximately 170 pounds to approximately 390 pounds, in skin complexion from very dark-skinned to very light-skinned, and had a combination of full heads of hair to completely shaved heads."

[From the Pulpit Forum's letter to Greensboro Police Chief Tim Bellamy]

Green won't let me waive off knowledge of Pulpit Forum complaints

Information that translates into knowledge is one of the foundations of democracy.
-- The Pulpit Forum

What were those occupiers of the City Council dais protesting before their arrests anyway (video)? I said their complaints seemed short on specifics. Yes!Weekly's Jordan Green said, not so fast, there are some specific concerns. He sent me the questions the Pulpit Forum sent to Greensboro Police Chief Tim Bellamy.

While some questions are clearly leading and others are out of of the Chief's purview, of what remains I find some of the questions compelling, especially those that have to do with empirical information such as the numbers and breakdowns of investigations, arrests and prosecutions and the appropriation of funds.

It's a wonk's read -- for now. But some of the specifics are going to bubble up to newsworthy significance soon, I suspect.

No college for you!

"Let's just say, if you wonder why America is in the crap it's in... well here ya go!"

Education at GTCC: Sold out.

Robbery update

A police officer just left. He got here within an hour of the 911 call. Very professional and helpful. He ran the tag and it matches my vehicle description (morons). The Sheriff has been dispatched to the owner's home.

Yes! Weekly reconciles the facts on police complaint review committee bill

Bloggers make assertions and raise questions. Mainstream alternative weekly illuminates with the facts.

"Local bloggers Sam Hieb and Joe Guarino ask how language ended up in Harrison’s bill allowing access to police personnel files if the city council approved a resolution that removed a provision to allow such access."

The answers.

I was just robbed!

I work at home. I had the headphones on yet still managed to hear a noise. I looked out the window to see a man walking across the neighbor's yard towards a small silver SUV that another man was loading up my lawnmower into. I ran out, got the license tag and called 911.

Free! For $1.95

From the City of Greensboro website describing the new online water bill payment feature:

"It’s free to use all options, but a convenience fee of $1.95 will be charged when making online payments."

Urban farming in Greensboro

Found on Greensboro 101.

Urban Harvest and Greensboro's Children Museum made this video as part of their application to attend Terra Madre, a gathering in Turin, Italy on local sustainable gardening and farming. It is an interesting look at urban farming in Greensboro and why people are into it.

Dam good question

Sometimes, just because someone seems to have a grudge, it does not mean they don't ask some damn good questions.

Mike Barron:

QUESTION: So why is Williams saying the city needs money to purchase RR [Randleman Reservoir] water?

ANSWER: It’s because the city does not need water from RR—but by contract it must take it anyway! That means production at Greensboro’s two water plants must be cut back by 6 mgd to accept the 6 mgd of water from RR. And, you can count on the fact that RR water will be more expensive that Lake Townsend water!

This is precisely where Greensboro needs (and all too often lacks) a watchdog media -- one that does not simply regurgitate the official line but digs into a subject with some skepticism until questions are stasifactoraly answered.

As Mike notes, News2 simply played the role of stenographer, just reporting the City's explanation without question. What about the others? Yes!Weekly? News & Record? WXII? WGHP? Is there anybody in this berg with the tenacity and professionalism to take on this one?

Joe Guarino's intentional lies

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts." -- Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Rarely have I seen such a blatant exhibition of intentional misrepresentation on a local blog as Joe Guarino approvingly quoting this:

"In North Carolina, Bank of America has a special place in the heart of Democratic Senator Kay Hagan, who has been pushing an amendment to the bill on behalf of the giant bank...

"Hagan, a former Vice President with Bank of America who oversaw subprime lending programs there, has proposed the amendment under the guise of 'protecting consumers'..."

Kay Hagan never worked for Bank of America. She was never vice-president at Bank of America and she never "oversaw subprime lending programs there."

As this blogger explained to Guarino in the comments beneath his untruthful post, more than twenty years ago Kay Hagan worked at NCNB (North Carolina National Bank) and she left twelve years before its descendant, Nations Bank, merged with Bank of America. As for the "oversaw subprime lending" part? Hagan worked in the estates and trusts division at NCNB.

Joe's response? Close enough.

He has declined a request to correct the misinformation.

It ought to

Doug Clark:

"This afternoon we saw a black city manager and black police chief refuting complaints from the NAACP and a black ministers' group. Does that pass for progress around here?"

Now, what about those "white power" chants?

I once thought Democrats understood civil liberties. The joke's on me.

I voted for the Libertarian candidate for Governor in the last election. It was a symbolic vote. Now, with Democratic Governor Bev Perdue pushing to allow DNA collection on arrest, I seriously wish he had won. Instead we have a little more freedom slipping down the tubes.

"There is likely to be an effect upon libraries, and it could be substantial."

The Greensboro Public Library blog takes a look at the challenges ebooks present to libraries and their patrons.

"Digital publishing, as a music industry phenomenon for example, drove many retail music sellers out of business.  How can libraries ensure that the same fate does not befall them and the digital divide between information haves and have-nots does not widen even further?"

Weekday circulation at the News & Record down 20 percent in a year

According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, circulation continued to decline for the (Greensboro, NC) News & Record.

Averages for the six months ended March 31, 2010:

Sunday: 89,275
6 month change:  - 2.5%
12 month change:  - 11.8%

Weekday: 67,625
6 month change:  -16.7%
12 month change:  -20.0%

Since 2005, the N&R's weekday circulation has declined 28.9% from 95,119 while Sunday circulation has declined 20.4% from 112,154.

Stock market terror attack?

Bear with me.

I search the Internet for "stock market terror" or "stock market attack" and there is nothing discussing the possibility that today's stock market "glitch" might have been man-made and deliberate -- an act of terrorism.

Media is reporting officials as blaming electronic trading, possibly put into motion by a typo. That doesn't really smell right--that out of the millions of trades that occur every year, this was the first time someone struck the wrong key. Hmmm. Maybe.

Even if so, could the cascade have been initiated intentionally. If entering an order to sell a billion shares could cause this kind of disruption, doing so intentionally certainly would be a remarkably easy way to inflict harm and panic. Easier than a virus or hack, which also seem like feasible possibilities.

But with all the discussion about today's events, I have yet to hear or been able to find anybody explaining why the possibility that this was intentional is not likely. Is it because it is, in reality, so unlikely that it doesn't warrant a minute or a word? Maybe. But I sure would like someone smarter than me to explain why.

Best health care system in the world!

I quit smoking a year and a half ago. I asked Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina if they will lower my insurance premiums because of it. The said they will do a "tier review" if I provide them with the past five years of my medical history and a lab test proving I no longer smoke -- which they will not pay for. Fine, how much of a hassle can it be to get tested for nicotine in the best health care system in the world?

My doctor's office, who are a great bunch of compassionate professionals, offered to do the test for $220. I understand they need to make a profit, but that's expensive, so I went shopping around.

Any Lab Test Now said they do a nicotine test for $69. When I called back to schedule, the lady wasn't sure if they did such a test, but she'd check. A couple of callbacks later, she said they'd do it -- for $109.

Piedmont Paramedical Association wasn't sure if they did such a test. After three days of callbacks, they said they will conduct such a test, but said the price will depend on who my insurance company is, even though I will be paying for the test and receiving the results personally. That's like the price of your car depending on where you buy your pants. I declined to give them the name of my insurance company, they declined to give me a price.

My first call to Spectrum Labs was answered with "I've never heard of such a test and my coworker hasn't either." After talking to three more people, I learned they do offer a test for nicotine, but they would not give me a price or provide the test to me directly because I am not a doctor.

Finally, there is LabCorp. They'll do the test for $96. They need a note from my doctor, which I can probably get because he is just about the only thing I can call "the best" in my experience with the best health care system in the world.

Video: City council meeting arrests

Found on Greensboro101.

Watch Jon Hardister

Work took me to the Howard Coble election-results-viewing-come-victory party last night (at the delicious Painted Plate). It was truly heartwarming to see the genuine love people have for Congressman Coble (my client) and his authentic reciprocation. It was also good to spend some time with other political gadflies and local bloggers.

One thing stood out though. Sometime after Howard Coble had entered the room to applause and delivered a brief victory speech and people had returned to their potstickers and wine, the room erupted with cheers again as loud and boisterous as they were for Howard. I looked to the door but was perplexed. It was just some young, casually dressed people walking into the room. I did not see the big deal.

Thanks to a subsequent introduction from Tony Wilkins, I learned that the crowd was cheering the arrival of Jon Hardister, the twenty-seven year-old who had just clinched the Republican nomination for NC House 57, the seat currently occupied by the quite likable Democrat Pricey Harrison.

I wish I had talked to Jon a little longer. From his web site, there are areas where our politics do not align well (I'm not in that district anyway), but once in a while a handshake with a few eye-to-eye words are enough to give one an impressive first take. So it was in meeting Jon Hardister. Watch for him to make a real race of it in the 57th.

Linda Shaw, sore winner

Linda Shaw wins reelection to the County Commissioners district 3. She lied about her positions, got caught and accused her opponent of being the one who lied. In this digital age, it is easier than ever to compare someone's recollections to the emperical record, but Shaw, 69, expresses her contempt for modern communications, mocking blogs and bloggers, ignorant of the truth they expose about her. Her rudeness toward her conciliatory opponent last night completes an unflattering portrait.

In her favor, Shaw did finally file her pre-election campaign finance report -- on election day.

[Update: Shaw's delinquent finance report includes a $500 contribution from the developer to whom she voted to give a million dollar tax credit for the refurbishment of a downtown Greensboro high rise.]

Crop Mobbing in Greensboro

Cool.

Local blogger not guilty

Local blogger Jeff Martin, aka Fecund Stench, not guilty in "cyberstalking" charge brought by Asheboro blogger Dr. Mary Johnson.

Jeff writes:

"Before I get on with the rest of my life, I have contacted the N&R, WXII, YES! Weekly and all the websites which published my cyberstalking charge to let them know I was found not guilty. In the interest of fairness, I’d appreciate it if they would also publish the verdict."

Sorry Harris Teeter, I'm now shopping the Fresh Market for meat

We are a household of two. Harris Teeter insists on stocking all of their fresh chicken breasts three to a package. That's wasteful for us. It is, in effect, a 50% surcharge over the price of the two I want.

One can no longer find a pound of ground beef either. It's all one and a quarter pounds.

Well good riddance. I now buy meat at The Fresh Market where it is competitive in price and where I can get as much or as little as I want.

Carolina Peacemaker needs to come clean

An editorial in the Carolina Peacemaker by editorial board Gabriel Fraire, Afrique I. Kilimanjaro and Bill Howard, says this about the April 15, 2010 Tea Party protest in Greensboro, NC:

"Chants of White Power, the N-word, and threats could be heard some from the stage and others among the audience."

The only place I find a report of the "white power" chant is in an article in the Peacemaker that was wildly inaccurate, written by editorial board member Bill Howard. It does not mention the n-word or threats.

There were numerous media and bloggers on the scene with recording devices, including this blogger, yet not a single video or audio recording has surfaced to substantiate this claim. I certainly heard nothing close to these.

This is a serious allegation. If the Peacemaker is lying to scare people, shame on them -- an apology should be forthcoming. If this happened, then it demands some substantiation.

Bill Howard in the Carolina Peacemaker: Confused? Making it up?

The Carolina Peacemaker publishes an article on the April 15th, Tea Party rally in Greensboro, NC by Bill Howard. It is chock full of misrepresentations, distortions and mistakes. I'll take them as they come: 

"An overflowing standing room only crowd was in attendance..."

Professional media outlets and bloggers reported a crowd estimated at about 2,000 people. "Overflowing standing room only?" -- it was in an outdoor plaza with no seating. It is always standing room only, even when empty. The crowd did not overflow the plaza. Hyperbole is scarier though.

"... including a very large number of Tea party members wearing green T-shirts supporting Rush Limbaugh."

I was at the rally for about an hour. I combed the crowd. I took pictures and video. I did not see a single shirt that even mentioned Rush Limbaugh. "A very large number?" It seems as if there might be a picture or two that shows that -- if true.

"Upon entering the Tea Party rally, I found tables manned by Rush Limbaugh volunteers ready to register anyone who was not a registered voter"

What are Rush Limbaugh volunteers? I've never heard of such a thing. This deserves an explanation because if Rush Limbaugh is recruiting people on his behalf to register voters, that's a scoop for which Mr. Howard should get credit.

"...the only Black person to appear on the program."

The only people I have seen capitalize "black" and "white" are bigots. The AP Stylebook, the guide for professional reporters, says those words are not capitalized.

"He told the crowd numerous times to shout out the word 'Repel' referring to 'liberals.'"

LOL. The chant was "repeal," as in "repeal the health care bill," not repel, as in "repel the liberals," although that probably would have been popular too.

"A writer from the Washington Post was then introduced..."

Her name is Carla Harper, she is the president of the Greater Greensboro Republican Women's Club and writes a blog for the Washington Times. I repeat, the Washington Times.

"White power was also an issue of great importance to the vast majority and they even, at one point, chanted 'White power, White power.'"

Let's skip Mr. Howard's implied mind reading abilities. Mr. Howard misheard and misunderstood a lot of things that day. This too? With all of the media in attendance, it is highly unlikely that this would have gone unrecorded or unreported by others -- had it, in fact, been chanted.