How

Points

If you can't annoy somebody with what you write, I think there's little point in writing.

Kingsley Amis

Pittsburgh at the Brink

In some circles, folks say that Pittsburgh is at the brink. The city's population is half of what it was. Debt is high. Taxes are high. Senior citizens do not make babies.

If Pittsburgh's crash is near, what can happen? Can Pittsburgh coast to the future or should it fight?

Thomas Jefferson said the American character considers nothing as desperate. Our character is to surmount every difficulty by resolution and contrivance.

We can debate if Pittsburgh is at the brink or not. We can determine if it is best to let Pittsburgh go down the drain and then pick up the pieces after a clean flush. But, you are either growing or dying. Growing is work. To fall into the comfort confines is close to a slumber and death.

It is chilling to witness our political and civic leadership join with the media communication pros in ways that play it safe.

An email exchange with: "Humor, humor@pitttechnews.com

Top Things the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Would Do if it Took Over Running the Country

Toss out the Red-White-Blue colors and switch to Black and Gold.
Install check box on IRS Tax Return form to allow for $20 to go to "Boosterism."
Change the housing code so as to permit eminent domain for all city homes without a hot tub or jacuzzi and require all new construction to include Pittsburgh Glass Block at a ratio of 1:5 per square foot of exposed beams.
Insist that every would-be candidate's Political Action Committee invest $.5M in local media buys by 90-days in advance of the primary so as to qualify for airtime and editorial ink.

This quote fits:

To be a real leader -- you have to have courage. We need more leaders with moxie around here. You know, it is the fine points that dull first. Don't let this happen to you. As, when it happens, people leave -- as in depart Pittsburgh (outward migration).

You are in humor for goodness sake. If they can't take a joke -- they should leave -- not you.

Yes, but if they leave my sponsors eventually leave too. I'm in news dissemination/journalism first - for better or for worse though. I want this to be fun, not inflammatory - but fun and somewhat inflammatory generally produces the best humor. Believe me, I prefer more Letterman-type humor than Leno, but in this venue its got to be Leno. I'll find other outlets for the more Onion and Letterman type humor - which I believe is much funnier and more fun to craft.

Your sponsors need the region to grow, not contract. Too many around here have been managing decline. That is the mindset that needs to change.

TV 11 has a debate, or as does KDKA, and they only invite 2 out of the 5 candidates (Bob O'Connor and Tom Murphy). They do not, by design, invite the black candidate (Leroy), nor the senior canididate (Earl Jones), nor the youthful candidate (Josh). So, what they did -- the journalist -- is make the advertisers happy -- because Bob and Tom were advertising and they were safe bets for the likes of the corporate elite. However, the youth, the seniors and the black communities got the shaft. Hence, young people LEAVE. So to do others who are free enough to leave.

The sponsors should NOT wag the dog.

And, the sponsors really don't want to wag the dog. The sponsors want to see a vibrant, robust, edge to this city.

If you have an edge, you'll succeed to higher levels than if you are dull. But, that has to do again with leadership and courage.

You don't take stupid risks. You don't put out smut or smears. You do act in responsible ways. But, flourish -- be fluid. And, put most of the heavy hits into HUMOR.

Journalist that can't be HONEST need HUMOR elements that are. The real journalists that cover the NEWS are not honest around Pittsburgh. So, citizens have to pick-up the slack. You have to carry the weight that they fumble. You -- and me too. We all have a much heavier burden.

We need to be unique, to be to the edge, to not be dull. Leaders and communication pros around here need these attitudes most of all as they (as a whole) have lost it long ago.

As humor gains acceptance, we'll be more adventurous with it, and the honest approach will win out too. Sadly, lots of LOLs end up on the cutting floor now. It's healthier overall for the city, retaining grads, etc. in the long run. Be more secure and push humor. If you are looking to channel some of the more provactive stuff into forums, do so with Op-Ed-CLOH-Noise. This is better protected than a corporate newsletter for the time being.

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