The Observer and your reading habits

49ers Basketball Forum šŸ€
61
[i]Originally posted by SilvioDante[/i]@Jul 22 2005, 01:07 PM [b]
[b]But it's not my job to promote anything but the Charlotte Observer. I do that by providing a general interest newspaper for the Carolinas that reflects the interests of a diverse readership. [/b]

Mr. Mike

BUTā€¦throughout various discussions Iā€™ve seen something like the reference I quoted above and I donā€™t agree with it. It may be something stated by someone much higher than you OR it may be your goal for the sports department.

You make it pretty clear that your sports page is to appeal to the Carolinas. My expectations of the Charlotte Observer is to provide a general interest newspaper for Charlotteā€¦not the Carolinas.

When I read the Charlotte Observer sports page, I expect coverage of:

NASCAR, the Panthers, the Bobcats & the 49ers.

In my opinion, stories on these subjects should trump anything from the ACC. If I have an interest in something about an ACC school, Iā€™ll go online and read info from the newspaper in that city.

[/b]


This is what I have argued for years. If itā€™s regional, where do you draw the line? I think people would be surprised to know how many Clemson, Georgia and VT grads are coming to Charlotte. Those schools are not that much further from Charlotte than NCSU, yet they hardly receive the same amount of coverage that the ACC schools in NC receive. I personally have met way more VT grads in Charlotte than any other school.

Thatā€™s why I feel it makes more sense that the Niners would be #1 in coverage by a paper whoā€™s name includes Charlotte.

62

Good grief folks!!! The only thing that could make this topic anymore interesting would be to throw in the question of whether or not the editors at the Observer are Christians or not (to bring up another ā€œoff seasonā€ hotly debated topic), and how that affects their decision to cover or not cover the Niners.

Mike posted the poll to gauge your reading habits, not to get your 2 cents about the amount of coverage the Niners do or donā€™t get, or as an open forum to call him names. Just answer the poll if you want to, then move on with your livesā€¦ berating someone, who is just doing part of his job (whether good, bad or indifferent), on a message board designed to discuss sports is, IMO, pretty idiotic. Calling someone (whether it is Mike P or whoever) a fā€™ing lying bastard is not a discussionā€¦ I think it borders more along the lines of slander or defamation - certainly not the intent or purpose of www.ninernation.net

As many of you have mentioned, you donā€™t like listening to Mark Packer, so you have decided that you no longer listen to him. Thatā€™s your right, and that is fine, but it sure doesnā€™t seem to affect their ratings at all (and yes, I realize the ratings are for the entire station, and not necessarily Packer.) Can you not do the same for the Observer? If you donā€™t like what they are offering, boycott it by not buying it. I am sure they are not just beating their subscription numbers by a handful of papers being sold - so losing 5 or 6 subscriptions wonā€™t really hurt. Or if you like what the rest of the paper offers, at the very least, keep your subscription, and just donā€™t read the sports section. Itā€™s pretty simple, and probably will do a lot more for your health than firing off the hate ridden, ā€œmy blood pressure is about to go through the roof because you donā€™t cover the Niners as much as you do the Tarholesā€, nonsensical posts we sometimes see on this board. If we are so naive to think that our little world and its menā€™s basketball team should always be the primary focus of the coverage and that is all there is, then we are in a heap of trouble. If that is the case, why are we not bitching about the lack of coverage of the baseball team, womenā€™s tennis, swimming and the other sports teams?

Heres a possible solution: If you take that 7.50/week cost of the Observer and put that money in some type of investment account, I am sure that over the years you will have a good little nest egg to either send your kids to Charlotte (although, at the rate the cost of college is rising, you might only be able to buy one text book from the bookstore) , buy more season tickets, sponsor a student athlete, buy ton of engraved bricks for the courtyard, or whatever other constructive way you wish to support the University and itā€™s athletic programs. Ripping folks on this board shows me nothing about your support for the University or itā€™s athletic programs.

In the end, what does it really matter?

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[i]Originally posted by jdm49er[/i]@Jul 27 2005, 12:35 AM [b] In the end, what does it really matter? [/b]
Yes. It does matter.
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JD, I,m surprised to hear you shying away from a fight. While I donā€™t agree with calling people names this is a battle that must be fought on all fronts. Seeing how the observer is the only paper in town with a ā€œsportsā€ section it should be a major focus of our attention. Becomming a daddy didnā€™t make you soft did it? :stuck_out_tongue:

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[i]Originally posted by lake49er[/i]@Jul 27 2005, 03:57 PM [b] JD, I,m surprised to hear you shying away from a fight. While I don't agree with calling people names this is a battle that must be fought on all fronts. Seeing how the observer is the only paper in town with a "sports" section it should be a major focus of our attention. Becomming a daddy didn't make you soft did it? :P [/b]
Lake, you forget that JD is a long time Heel fan. Methinks his dual allegiance is clouding his judgement here. Right JD? :P
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Oh yea, how could I forget.

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Hey you jerkwads! Iā€™m not saying it is not important that we get proper and adequate coverage. I was asking does it really matter in the grand scheme of thingsā€¦ like life! I think it is hilarious that some folks get so fired up about it - time after time after timeā€¦ I have heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting a different result each time. I think this ā€œdead horseā€ topic rivals the football threads.

The dual allegiance is dead, Norman! I am astounded that you would make such an assertion. I have pulled for the Niners in every game since I stepped on (and subsequently, off) campus, and that includes the 2 games against the vaunted and hated Tarholes! (Hell, at the time, I was even pulling for Davidson when they beat Carolina.) Now I will admit, I still like for Carolina to do well, but does that make me any less of a Ninerā€¦ I think not. Hell, if the Niners couldnā€™t win the NCAA Championship, why not pull for my second favorite team? All you haters out there are living with a ā€œthereā€™s a tear in my beerā€ misery because the Heels won, and you canā€™t stand the fact that they will be the champs until sometime in early April '06 when someone else cuts down the nets. Me, however, even though I am bummed the Niners are not the champs, I still find joy in the fact that one of my teams won. Is that so bad? If so, just shoot me okay? On second thoughtā€¦ considering it is you two I just said that to, why donā€™t we just have lunch at Lotus sometime soon? (seeing how you both have the means to do the former.)

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Yeah I hate the Tarheels, even before I was a Niner fan. Pricks in Blue.

As for coverage, If Curt and Team USA doesnā€™t get some love on the sports page, Iā€™ll buy stock in a bias. Unless of course Sean May is spotted at Weight Watchers. Iā€™d pay to read that. :smiley:

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[i]Originally posted by jdm49er[/i]@Jul 28 2005, 12:02 AM [b] Hey you jerkwads! I'm not saying it is not important that we get proper and adequate coverage. I was asking does it really matter in the grand scheme of things... like life! I think it is hilarious that some folks get so fired up about it - time after time after time... I have heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting a different result each time. I think this "dead horse" topic rivals the football threads.

The dual allegiance is dead, Norman! I am astounded that you would make such an assertion. I have pulled for the Niners in every game since I stepped on (and subsequently, off) campus, and that includes the 2 games against the vaunted and hated Tarholes! (Hell, at the time, I was even pulling for Davidson when they beat Carolina.) Now I will admit, I still like for Carolina to do well, but does that make me any less of a Ninerā€¦ I think not. Hell, if the Niners couldnā€™t win the NCAA Championship, why not pull for my second favorite team? All you haters out there are living with a ā€œthereā€™s a tear in my beerā€ misery because the Heels won, and you canā€™t stand the fact that they will be the champs until sometime in early April '06 when someone else cuts down the nets. Me, however, even though I am bummed the Niners are not the champs, I still find joy in the fact that one of my teams won. Is that so bad? If so, just shoot me okay? On second thoughtā€¦ considering it is you two I just said that to, why donā€™t we just have lunch at Lotus sometime soon? (seeing how you both have the means to do the former.) [/b]


Not sure who youā€™re preaching to. I am one of the 48% who said they read the Observer on-line. And I recently subscribed to XM, so I havenā€™t had to listen to Primetime in over a month. So I have boycotted in my only little way as you described. I wouldnā€™t take stock in Primtimeā€™s ratings considering they are the only option for sports radio. What does mean when youā€™re #1 and there are no competitors?

I also donā€™t understand why you would get mad about ā€œfansā€ complaining about too much coverage for the Tarheels. Do you think that would fly in Boston, trying to tell Red Sox fans to stop complaining about coverage of the Yankees? Thatā€™s what being a fan is all about.

If ā€œCharlotteā€ 49er fans canā€™t tell the ā€œCharlotteā€ Observer they would like more coverage then where do they go? The Winston Salem Journal?

And, as long as we donā€™t have football I donā€™t see where discussing how to get it is fruitless. I suppose by not talking about it weā€™ll magicly have a team one day.

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[i]Originally posted by jdm49er[/i]@Jul 27 2005, 11:02 PM [b] If so, just shoot me okay? On second thought... considering it is you two I just said that to, why don't we just have lunch at Lotus sometime soon? (seeing how you both have the means to do the former.) [/b]

:lol: JD, I knew this would fire you up! At least you admit to your penchant for the baby blue. :slight_smile:

Yeah Iā€™d rather eat at Lotus than pop a cap in your ass. :smiley: I have tried Chenā€™s right above Picassoā€™s but I didnā€™t feelā€¦umā€¦quite right after I ate there the other day. :wacko:

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ā€œThe dual allegiance is deadā€ā€¦ā€œwhy not pull for my secomd favorite teamā€ methink JD speek with fork tongue. :smiley:

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[i]Originally posted by Normmm[/i]@Jul 28 2005, 01:35 AM [b] If "Charlotte" 49er fans can't tell the "Charlotte" Observer they would like more coverage then where do they go? They Winston Salem Journal? [/b]
Very well said.
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[i]Originally posted by lake49er[/i]@Jul 28 2005, 09:28 AM [b] "The dual allegiance is dead"...."why not pull for my secomd favorite team" methink JD speek with fork tongue. :D [/b]
:lol: Good observation there Lake... When did you decide to talk like Kemosabe?
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[i]Originally posted by NormanNiner+Jul 28 2005, 08:46 AM-->
[b]QUOTE[/b] (NormanNiner @ Jul 28 2005, 08:46 AM)
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Living in Raleigh I look at charlotte.com almost everyday specifically for Niner news and other University news. With that being said I will glance over the other headlines there. If I hear there is a special story on the Niners then sometimes I go out of my way to buy a single paper in Raleigh.

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CHENS BISTRO
Location: 230 E. WT HARRIS BV SUITE C-4 CHARLOTTE, NC 28262
Facility Type: Restaurant
Inspection Date: 06/01/2005
Smoking Status: Non-Smoking Available
Winnerā€™s Circle:

Score: 84.5 + Education Credit: 2 = 86.5

Comments Points

  1. PRE-SHUCK OYSTERS WHICH WILL BE USED IMMEDIATELY OR COOKED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD (EX. PER SHIFT) - OBSERVED: OYSTERS WHICH WERE SHUCKED THE DAY BEFORE INSPECTION BEING HELD FOR USE THE DAY OF INSPECTION; STORE ALL OYSTERS IN ORIGINAL PACKAGE WITH TAG ATTACHED. 2.5

  2. CLEANING NEEDED FOR RACKS, EQUIPMENT SUCH AS FRIERS, COOKING EQUIPMENT, PREP. AREAS AND OUTSIDE OF DRY STORAGE CONTAINERS; REMOVE OR REPLACE MOLDED BOARDS AT SUSHI BUFFET. 1.0

  3. STORE DIRTY TOWELS AND OVEN MITS AWAY FROM CUTTING/PREP. SURFACES, FOOD AND EQUIPMENT; HANG MOPS TO DRY AFTER USING. 0.5

  4. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MUST BE HELD AT TEMPERATURE AT OR BELOW 45F OR AT OR ABOVE 140F (COOKED RICE=70F EGG ROLLS=51F, SUSHI @ BUFFET=63F). 2.5

  5. ENSURE DISH MACHINE IS NO SANITIZER @ FINAL RINSE/SANITIZE CYCLE (*CORRECTED WHILE ON SITE); CLEAN/SANITIZE ALL DISHES, CUPS, MULTI-USE EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS AFTER EACH SHIFT OR AT LEAST BY NIGHTā€™'S END/CLOSING; CLEAN/SANITIZE CAN OPENER; PROVIDE SANITIZER AT 50PPM (SAN. IN ONE BOTTLE=0). 2.5

  6. REPLACE OR SERVICE CUTTING BOARDS AS NECESSARY. 0.0

  7. PROPERLY LABEL AND STORE ALL CHEMICALS. 0.0

  8. EMPLOYEE DRINKS MUST BE COVERED AND STORED BELOW. AWAY FROM ALL FOOD, CLEAN EQUIPMENT, PREP. AREAS, ETC. 2.5

  9. PERSONS PREPARING FOOD MUST WEAR HAT, NET OR VISOR. 0.5

  10. STORE RAW MEAT, SEAFOOD, POULTRY AND EGGS BELOW/AWAY FROM ALL OTHER FOOD; STORE WATERMELONS AND ALL FOOD ON RACKS/SHELVES AT LEAST 6 INCHES ABOVE FLOOR. 2.5

  11. CLEANING NEEDED FOR FLOORS; RE-GROUT FLOOR TILES AS NECESSARY. 0.5

  12. CLEANING NEEDED FOR VENTS. 0.5

General Comments
MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION INFORMING HOW SUSHI FISH IS PREPARED/FROZEN - OBTAIN THIS DOCUMENTATION FROM DISTRIBUTOR. SERVSAFE: 3200382 10/03/02 - TAKEN @ HAL MARSHALL W/SALLY MCNEIL
Red Denotes Critical Violation

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Well that explains itā€¦

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[i]Originally posted by lutz9er[/i]@Jul 28 2005, 12:03 PM [b]
  1. PROPERLY LABEL AND STORE ALL CHEMICALS. 0.0

[/b]


How can that not be a Critical Violation? Wowā€¦have never seen the actual violations report, thanks lutz9er (I think?)

Normanā€¦ when you hit places like that (i.e. buffets in general), just best not to look for the grade. If you find it ā€œnecessaryā€ to look for the grade, you better be prepared to walk out. Although I hate to admit it, Lotus may not be any better.

lutz9erā€¦ whereā€™d you find that info?

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Nevermind lutz9erā€¦ I overlooked the link that NLP providedā€¦

Hey Norman and Lakeā€¦ last posted report for Lotus was on 3/21/05ā€¦ for a fantastic score of 90! Wanna try Herlockers instead?

Location: 9605 N.TRYON ST SUITE H CHARLOTTE, NC 28262
Facility Type: Restaurant
Inspection Date: 03/21/2005
Smoking Status: N/A
Winnerā€™s Circle:

Score: 90

Comments Points

  1. GC PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF RAW SEAFOOD PREP FOR SUSHI FISH. 0.0
  2. GC AIR DRY ALL THE EQUIPMENT. KEEP CLEAN BINS OFF THE FLOOR. 0.0
  3. MAINTAIN PROPER TEMPS ON POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD. COLD /=140F. OBSERVED PUDDING 59F, DEVIL EGGS 64F, CHEESECAKE 48F, SPRING ROLL 121F, NUGGETS 110-120F, CRAB RANGOON 120F, HIBACHI CK 100F, BUFFALO CK 120-130F, PIZZA 119F, GARLIC N OIL 59F, NACHO CAN CHEESE 65F. 5.0
  4. WASH, RINSE, SANITIZE ALL UTENSILS, PANS ETCā€¦ 2.5
  5. STORE PRODUCE, COOKED FOOD, READY TO EAT FOOD ABOVE RAW PRODUCTS. OBSERVED CRAB MEAT UNDER PREP OF BEEF CUTTING, BREADED RAW CHICKEN OVER CREAM CHEESE, RAW SHRIMP OVER TOFU. USE HANDLED SCOOPS TO DISPENSE FOODS SUCH AS RICE, SESAME SEEDS, GRAPES ETCā€¦ COVER ALL DRY GOOD BAGS ONCE OPENED. (DRY STORAGE ROOM) THAW FOOD IN FRIG OR UNDER RUNNING COOL WATER. (LOBSTER ROLLS). 2.5
  6. GC REPLACE 1 BROKEEN THERMOMETER, CALIBRATE OR REPLACE STEM THERMOMETER. 0.0

General Comments

Red Denotes Critical Violation

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Deleted. I almost accidentally got someone in trouble with that post.