Media

Thirty years ago today John Lennon was murdered outside his apartment in New York City. I remember that day well. 

I was a young reporter working at night as a one-man band. That's someone who shoots his own video, writes the story, voices the script and edits the final story.

As word began to filter across the country about Lennon's death, spontaneous gatherings took place. I guess people just didn't want to be alone with this awful news.

Were you as surprised as I was that all the major networks led their newscasts tonight with the story of the "balloon boy?"

No doubt it generated lots of interest and for good reason. In the early moments of the story, everyone was concerned about the fate of a 6 year old boy who might be trapped inside that high flying balloon. 

But really - once the boy was discovered safe and sound at home - was this a major national story?  Or for that matter, was it even a story?

So, I get an e-mail today asking why Larry Van Gilder had slammed me in his weekly Halls Shopper News column?

I hadn't - at that point - read the column.  I quickly read the column.

Larry was complaining about the use of the word "drastic" in describing Knox County Commissioner Mark Harmon's proposal to reduce the Knox County fleet, by a "local news anchor."

He didn't think it was an appropriate descriptor.

He may be right, though some surely will argue the point.