Odds and Ends

A few things worth commenting on:

1. Tommy Jackson's alleged plagiarism
Thanks to Rick for bringing this to my attention. Tommy Jackson was the editor of The Daily Citizen in Searcy for many (I have no idea exactly how many) years. He brought stability, if not quality journalism, to the place, which is something it has sorely lacked since his departure. He left in the middle of my time in Searcy to take this position at UCA.

It's unbelievable how often stories like this come out. Everyone, journalists and nonjournalists, has to be so careful to avoid the temptation to take the easy way out and lift a few lines from Wikipedia or whatever.

I only use the word alleged above because I haven't actually seen the evidence myself. If The Echo's description of the situation is accurate, then it is plagiarism, no doubt. If that is the case, the idea that he's seeking "hefty damages" from the university is laughable. Those of us who have spent our lives in academia and the world of journalism have to know better than to "take things off the Internet" without attribution.

2. China's going to 'purify' the Internet
As someone who spent two years behind The Great Firewall of China without too many ill effects beyond an inability to get to Wikipedia for the better part of a year, this is a concern.

3. If you've ever wanted to kill 400 chickens ...
Thanks to Katrina for pointing this one out. You have to read this story for your laugh of the day. The same goes for these two:

4. For Sale: 1957 Plymouth Belvedere. Like-new?
5. Finally, TV news does something worthwhile

Finally, for those who haven't heard/noticed, I have joined Facebook. If you're on there and I haven't friended you yet, let me know.