tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post6907620772266193036..comments2022-04-01T10:14:51.431-05:00Comments on Charlie on the MBTA: A reader writes: Disappointed in Mac Daniel's column todayFenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-63322986119087998782007-03-13T18:07:00.000-05:002007-03-13T18:07:00.000-05:00I can see that a journalist would have to "make ni...I can see that a journalist would have to "make nice". But if the standard source is the press office -- the folks that have to deal with the media whether they like it or not -- does making nice really pay off?<BR/><BR/>I know nothing about the day-to-day life of a newspaper reporter. But so much good has been done by a watchful press (the scandal at Walter Reed comes to mind, as does the Globe's reporting on the Big Dig fatality) that I have to think that there is a better balance that can be struck.<BR/><BR/>Until MBTA general manager becomes an elected position, I believe the press has a responsibility to ask the questions that we as individuals don't get to. And, incidentally, I believe we as individuals have the responsiblity to plunk down our 50c each day to read what the reporters have to tell us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-45420840570557613562007-03-13T15:04:00.000-05:002007-03-13T15:04:00.000-05:00Grant makes a excellent point, it's the resources ...Grant makes a excellent point, it's the resources stupid! <BR/>If the transit public act like sheep, i.e. by accepting year after year of double digit fare and parking increases, without a sound. Then why would The Globe put any more attention in that direction than they do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-62842172416290145732007-03-13T10:37:00.000-05:002007-03-13T10:37:00.000-05:00His full name is perhaps Mac Daniel Grabauskas?Oka...His full name is perhaps Mac Daniel Grabauskas?<BR/><BR/>Okay, sorry, that was quite unfair. A journalist alone on his beat has to make nice with the powers that be, and Daniel is no exception. Without investigative resources, a reporter has to cultivate the good will of sources, even sources as openly dishonest and poisonous as the T.<BR/><BR/>If the Globe wanted real transit reporting, it would need enough investigative resources to get facts independently of the agency's spokesmen and press releases.<BR/><BR/>If the Globe put half as much effort into reporting on the T, which influences huge numbers of its readers, as it does into the lurid comings-and-goings of politicos ("Look how many 'civic leaders' you've never heard of lined up to fellate the governor this week!"), we'd see a lot better work from Mac Daniel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-6255597800253415812007-03-12T10:58:00.000-05:002007-03-12T10:58:00.000-05:00"Bad Transit" is the only blogger that, as far as ..."Bad Transit" is the only blogger that, as far as I know, has met and talked with MacDaniel and he commented that M_D avoids hammering the T to the degree the ridership would like him to because he doesn't want to get cut off from his sources or have his input directly to T management ignored (like the rest of us). <BR/>My feeling is that the T does a fine job of publishing their own PR handouts, but M_D is the only dedicated MSM newspaper column in Boston that focuses on the MBTA. Use that! The ridership wants the T's feet held to the fire.<BR/>Covering the MBTA is not the same as joining a gentlemans club.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-53563697649957408232007-03-12T10:46:00.000-05:002007-03-12T10:46:00.000-05:00I would recommend NOT writing to Mac Daniel, but w...I would recommend NOT writing to Mac Daniel, but writing to the Globe itself -- to anyone and everyone at the Globe. (perhaps to letter@globe.com, for letters to the editor, comments@globe.com, ombud@globe.com for "comments on globe content") Maybe if enough people complain they will start giving the stories to someone who will actually... oh, I don't know... do some reporting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-20292394155543090472007-03-12T09:29:00.000-05:002007-03-12T09:29:00.000-05:00Mac Daniels is a joke of a journalist. He freely ...Mac Daniels is a joke of a journalist. He freely admits to not riding the very system about which he writes, and brags about the "check engine" light on his Corolla. The MBTA has gotten a free ride from the Globe. Any reporter worth his salt could win a Pulitzer covering some of their bullshit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-63361268774861394332007-03-12T09:17:00.000-05:002007-03-12T09:17:00.000-05:00Mac's using the MBTA's mailroom.Mac's using the MBTA's mailroom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-58112783292761251172007-03-11T22:02:00.000-05:002007-03-11T22:02:00.000-05:00I've sent a few similar letters over to Mac asking...I've sent a few similar letters over to Mac asking why he doens't ask any type of follow-up questions. I have yet to receive any response. It seems that it is always the fault of the commuter in his columns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com