Shadid Speaks Back To The Oklahoman

[Doug Loudenback]

Here's the beginning of my article, You're Close to the Target When You Start Drawing Heavy Fire ... and here are Ed Shadid's remarks about that which he voiced yesterday at city council:

[Edgar]

wish I could vote for Shadid

[Spartan]

The Oke has cake on their face.

[MikeOKC]

"I'm not obsessed with the convention center, I'm obsessed with the process." Thank you, Dr. Shadid. That is a remark that could apply to so many of the problems between those of us who are concerned with the plutocrats who have such influence in our city government and those who believe in an open and transparent city government that functions for all of the people of our community.

The comments about The Oklahoman were spot-on as well. Never forget that paid day off for Opubco employees to campaign for Maps3 that enraged the journalistic community all across this country and called into question the ethics of the publisher of the paper being the chairman of the chamber - which led the campaign. Why is that important now? Because we're now seeing the payback and it helps explain some of the recent votes made by members of our council.

[Doug Loudenback]

wish I could vote for Shadid

You can by supporting him, personally and with your friends.

[Pete]

This is the most fascinating thing to happen in local politics perhaps in forever.

Before there was the Internet to stream the council meetings, host things like Doug's blog, have sites like the OK Gazette to broadcast a different point of view, and sites like this one where lots of people can join the discussion, this sort of dialog and challenge to the powers that be would never have happened. Which is probably why it never has until now -- at least in any meaningful and effective way.

Nice call out to Doug!


Here is the youtube video referenced by Shadid:

[Midtowner]

Those of us in the know might be applauding, but as far as Dr. Shadid's political career goes, it's not always a good idea to pick a fight with someone who literally buys ink by the barrel.

[MikeOKC]

Those of us in the know might be applauding, but as far as Dr. Shadid's political career goes, it's not always a good idea to pick a fight with someone who literally buys ink by the barrel.

Too many alternatives to the newspaper for information.

[Midtowner]

Too many alternatives to the newspaper for information.

Don't think of yourself, think of the average person showing up at the voting booth, old, on a fixed income, still has a CRT television set, etc. These are people who rely on the Oklahoman (in large print) for virtually all of their news. Don't underestimate the newspaper.

[Pete]

Until recently, it was certain political suicide to square off against the Oklahoman and guys like Larry Nichols.

I'm not so sure that is the case any more.

Shadid may end up limited in his influence and not being re-elected, but I hope it's not due to the power of a handful of people. As he himself has pointed out, that's no way to run a democracy.

[Larry OKC]

Keep in mind that many of the same forces were against Shadid and lost that round. They did win with the other races however. May be a matter (so far) of Shadid winning the battle (council election) but losing the war. Some of these are going down by some very close margins (a single vote). Given that is the case, it would be wise for those who are currently in the 1 vote majority to make sure they don't miss a single Council meeting or are not there for the entire meeting.

Fascinating to here the remarks from the very same Councilors that insisted with their words one course of action but voted the opposite. Am with Mr. White on this, can claim it isn't personal but it is really hard not to take it that way. But as he said, maybe it is just a coincidence after all. Don't the Councilors that have pushed this through realize that the precedent has now been sent and they are endangering their own request for deferrals?

The only reason i could see for a deferral NOT to to granted is if a true emergency existed (one Councilor mentioned he had an item deffered for 2 YEARS). That something had to be decided by a particular drop-dead date. this was NOT one of those instances, it was just a lets move forward.

[Spartan]

This is the most fascinating thing to happen in local politics perhaps in forever.

You're right. The MAPS3 controversies have officially begun. Which is funny, because we were applauding ourselves for political civility for so long, looking down on Tulsa for all that. Although I'm confident it will never get anywhere close to that bad here. It does look like we could see some flare-ups, which we were due for I suppose. Every city has 'em, as it should be.

[Larry OKC]

Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-coun...#ixzz1U2Cw8gWe

...Shadid criticized The Oklahoman in comments made near the end of Tuesday's meeting. He accused the newspaper of avoiding coverage of controversial issues related to MAPS 3, and The Oklahoman's executives and editors of refusing to allow fair and comprehensive stories about MAPS 3 and an Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. substation near downtown that could be moved.
<B>Almost 440 stories and editorials related to MAPS 3 have appeared in The Oklahoman since February 2003, including nearly 430 since April 2007, when it first was proposed.
The Oklahoman has printed at least eight stories in the past two years on the substation.</B>

Interesting, they fail to mention how many of those 440 stories/editorials were negative in any way towards MAPS 3. Most came across as puff pieces that could have easily been written by the Chamber (and in a way they were, since the head of the Oklahoman and the Chamber were the same person and the Chamber was in charge of the Yes MAPS Campaign). In sharp contrast to the reporting standards the paper had during the original MAPS (as Doug has well documented).

Wow, 8 stories in the past 2 years about the substation. Impressive. Just one quick question: How many of those substation stories appeared BEFORE the election? MAPS 3 passed in Dec of 2009 (about a year and a half ago), the "2 years" mentioned in the article implies that they had stories on it pre-vote. However, I can find NO mention of the substation pre-vote. The first instance in the mainstream media was AFTER the vote when the Mayor mentioned it in a presentation he gave to the MAPS 3 Citizen Oversight Committee's first public meeting.

If someone wants to post an Oklahoman article that supports their contention, feel free....

[soonerguru]

Don't think of yourself, think of the average person showing up at the voting booth, old, on a fixed income, still has a CRT television set, etc. These are people who rely on the Oklahoman (in large print) for virtually all of their news. Don't underestimate the newspaper.

Nobody reads that rot anymore. Seriously. The circulation decline is shocking. They are giving away the paper at Motel 6. The circulation claims they make are a joke.

[soonerguru]

I spoke to Bill Bleakley the night Shadid was elected, and he explained the voters of Ward 2 to me. After that conversation -- and after what I've seen of Shadid's courage -- there is no way in hell he will not be reelected. By a wide margin. Seriously. Ward 2 voters -- even the conservatives -- march to the beat of a different drummer, and they like Shadid's rhythm. It is absolutely a joke to think the effing Oklahoman would have any influence over Ward 2 voters's opinions. Seriously.

Remember: the opposition spent at least 150 grand running a brutal negative campaign against Shadid, and he won with MORE THAN 60% of the vote!

Shadid is building a very solid foundation for reelection, as he represents his ward.

[Just the facts]

If people would just be honest and report the facts, none of this would happen. People need a motivation to lie or withhold information.

[Spartan]

That is an unbelievable article from the Joke. Really, it speaks to how bad the problem is. Did the Bolsheviks even write 440 pieces of propaganda when they were trying to overthrow Kerensky?

[okcustu]

Those of us in the know might be applauding, but as far as Dr. Shadid's political career goes, it's not always a good idea to pick a fight with someone who literally buys ink by the barrel.

I think he should applauded for doing what he thinks is right and what constituents want instead of wonder how to stretch his political career. That's what wrong with politics, spineless people afraid to make tough choices.

[OkieDave]

Shadid is on the right side of history, people with financial power and editorial influence are very use to getting their way, Shadid is standing up for what is probably fairer to the other 99% of citizens whose voices are rarely heard.

[Spartan]

Shadid is on the right side of history, people with financial power and editorial influence are very use to getting their way, Shadid is standing up for what is probably fairer to the other 99% of citizens whose voices are rarely heard.

It is amazing how you will just keep hearing people like this come out of the woodwork saying exactly this, voicing their pent-up annoyance with the powers that be, if given the opportunity/chance to actually speak.

[Pete]

We all know the power and influence of newspapers has greatly diminished but it's still difficult to know by how much.

Most of the people here are obviously very comfortable with technology and use the Internet as their primary source for news and information.

Surprisingly, the majority of people still use TV as their main news source. But for those under 30, the Internet is already the main source (over TV, newspapers and radio), and it's almost closed the gap on TV with 30-49 year olds. TV rules in the 50+ group but at the same time, the Internet has just about caught newspapers.

Across all age groups, newspapers are fading fast and the Internet is growing exponentially. Of course, all papers have an Internet presence but I doubt many 'net users bother with the opinion pages and even if they do, they are likely seeking lots of other places rather than merely accepting the views of an editorial.

[Hunt4Mayor]

This is all funnier than a comic strip, you okctalk people. Where is that Jill lady that use to talk so much S#$% about people who stand up to these lunatics?

[Larry OKC]

She is still here and has expressed some of her own concerns, especially about the Convention Center process and it's possible impact on a subject she is involved with (she is on the Streetcar sub-committee).

[ljbab728]

This is all funnier than a comic strip, you okctalk people. Where is that Jill lady that use to talk so much S#$% about people who stand up to these lunatics?

Yes, it's almost as funny as some of the people who run for mayor.

[Hunt4Mayor]

ohhh no you di'int!