I know that lots of admitted and covert journalists look at this site. So, here is my peeve along this same line: If you can’t give out the name of a deceased person or someone seriously injured, and the vehicle involved is unusual in some way (i.e. custom paint job, yellow motorcycle, etc.) ….why show close ups of the crashed vehicle(s)? I personally know three different families who learned of their loved ones’ deaths on the news, because they showed a close up of the vehicle. Just common empathy would dictate that if family hasn’t been notified…you’ll likely do serious damage by having them find out this way.

Was the guy in the Scion wearing a helmet?

To digress from the “dope reporter” topic just a bit:

It will be interesting to see where the fault for this accident is ultimately placed. From what I’ve seen and heard – and as a motorcyclist, I’m vitally interested – it would appear that the speed of the motorcycle may have been a contributing factor, but the failure of the other vehicle to yield at a stop sign was the actual cause of the collision. It is AMAZING how often the other guy says, “I didn’t see the motorcycle!” whether or not speed was involved. That SHOULD be a lesson to motorcyclists AND other roadway users.

Dave doesn’t make mistakes. He’s flawless.

But he does seem to have a thing for Ms. Bilbao.

Yep, I agree with Tam. I’ve even seen stories that not only described a vehicle but gave its license number in a fatal wreck!

As for the lipo… dumb, dumb, dumb. But I’m a bit irritated anyway by the constant comments on whether the person was or was not wearing a helmet. If the rider is killed or permanently incapacitated by a head injury, then the helmet or lack thereof is relevant. But when somebody on a few hundred pounds of unenclosed metal and plastic meets up with a couple of tons of steel at high speed, a helmet ain’t gonna make a lot of difference.

Yep, I ride, and yep, I always wear a helmet, but I also am well aware that it protects only a small portion of my being, and then only if I happen to hit the pavement in such a way that my skull would otherwise take the impact (which I never have — so far — by the way).
The vast majority of motorcycle fatalities I’ve seen, read about, checked on etc. were caused by massive trauma — basically either the torso and other parts were smashed by a four-wheeled (or sometimes 18-wheeled) vehicle, or the sudden stop from riding speed to zero was enough to do it as in the case of hitting a tree, wall etc.

Just give us the relevant information, and skip the routine of always stating something just for the sake of always stating something.

There’s got to be a better way to hurt yourself… do motorbikes get good mileage or what? I don’t understand the desire for partaking in such a proven high risk activity….fault may be laid on the car drivers many times, but the bike always loses… have lost several friends this way…my compassion to the surviving family and friends.

As for the dope award…how about going after more intentional on-air items? … like twisting the story to meet a personal or institutional agenda.

“Helmets are dangerous! You can’t hear anything when you’re wearing one! Not safe!”.

“My bike is as loud as possible so motorists can hear me! It’s safer that way!”.

Anybody see the contradiction?

Get real, you diddlybobs: Your bikes are loud and you don’t want to wear helmets, because you’re just trying to project an image. Just be honest about it and say that helmets and mufflers are not in fashion. All style, no substance.

Thats Right Carolyn! oops, excuse me…make that..thats right Dave. Thats right, I haven’t visited the site for a while but just had to make sure you didn’t miss the latest Bilbao bungle. Thats right, the girl who starts virtually every report she has ever done by saying, “Thats right Carolyn” or “thats right Mark.” Thats right, its driving me crazy! ok, enough of that.

This is the same “speak-challenged” girl who told us she hoped the Rattlesnake fire would flare up again so those of us who’ve never seen a flame before could see one. Now she thinks motorcycles have seat belts. OK, she doesn’t really think they have seat belts, but her constant blunders sure put a spotlight on this fact – she should not be posing as a broadcast journalist. The total inability to “think” while she is on the air is more than sufficient reason for her to be pulled off “live reports.”

She should be given the opportunity to practice writing down the words, having someone proof read them, and then, and only then, should she be allowed to record her soundtrack. She is a walking embarrassment and you know what folks…I’m sorry to sound so harsh but by golly this here is a Capitol (or is it Capital) City… and we deserve something just a little bit better than the poor quality reporting we’re offered by our local tv stations.

I actually heard someone in our office say today that they enjoy watching Bilbao because it’s like a game to see what insane remark is going to come out of her mouth next. That is sad.

Any ideas how we can combat the steadily declining level of professionalism, not to mention common sense, in our local news broadcasts?

P.S. to my posting of a few minutes ago:

Oh, well; even The Guardian lets a typo slip through once in a blue moon — e.g. “Chief Justice Gerald Shroeder …”

It’s “Schroeder,” Fraz!

🙂

EDITOR NOTE–After 38 years, Gordon still checks my copy. It is fixed.