Set the record straight

clarette · 04-22-2005, 08:38 AM

The form e-mail he sent out to PrimeGooglemeister was somewhat lame and condescending, but his reply to McKid was pretty appalling, in my opinion.

If he was too upset to respond without sounding that way, he probably should have waited until he was somewhat calmer.

In regard to the Trib, I read somewhere (maybe on the college gym boards, I can't remember) that their sports editor refocused their coverage this year to reflect the popularity of certain sports in Utah, like college gym, and they've been doing an amazing job.

If RSL continues to draw well, I would expect the Trib's coverage to go in a similar direction. If Lya Wodraska could shift over to reporting on RSL after this weekend, I would be a happy, happy camper.

Stucki · 04-22-2005, 09:36 AM

One more post and then I am done with this issue. I just got done talking with Schneider's son about the emails he received. He did have 1/3 more than normal, which is fine. However the tenor of some of the emails should embarass us. One of the emails was so profanity laced that his 15 year old son was sent from the room. Would we have been happier if he would have waited long enough to have a composed reply? We are criticizing someone for resonding to OUR ATTACKS. He had to restrain Brad Rock (who truly does hate the beautiful game) from editorializing on us in his column today. If some of us are going to be unprofessional, is it not hypcritical of us to expect perfect professionalism in return. We must act with more restraint in matters like this. Should we let them know that there is a great deal of local support for the team and the sport, absolutely. We also have a responsibility to be ambassadors for the sport. WE CANT AFFORD TO ASSUME THAT EVERYONE IS AGAINST US OR WE WILL TURN PEOPLE AGAINST US WHO ARE LEANING OUR WAY OR ARE NEUTRAL. Are we going to have regrets when we turn both papers against us because of our irresponsible behavior? We have a good thing going here. Let us please not screw it up.

montgjules · 04-22-2005, 09:45 AM

If I were Trey Fitz-Gerald, I'd be cussing us out right now. But I'm not him, so I can just sit back and sigh.

Let's just do what the FO has asked and send emails THANKING the media for their support. Any good parent knows that giving people attention for what they do right is more powerful than giving attention for what they do wrong.

montgjules · 04-22-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montgjules

If I were Trey Fitz-Gerald, I'd be cussing us out right now. But I'm not him, so I can just sit back and sigh.

By way of explanation: I'd be cussing us out right now, because we're acting like little kids on the playground: He hit me back first! The facts as I see it:
(1) They're covering RSL to an amazing degree.
(2) They then get angry and profane letters abusing them for not doing well enough. Hello?!?! Anybody home, McFly?
(3) They then get attacked for the way they responded.
Whether their reply was mature or not is NOT the issue. The fault lies with us. Sorry, folks, but we missed the mark this time.

Aerick · 04-22-2005, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montgjules

If I were Trey Fitz-Gerald, I'd be cussing us out right now. But I'm not him, so I can just sit back and sigh.

Let's just do what the FO has asked and send emails THANKING the media for their support. Any good parent knows that giving people attention for what they do right is more powerful than giving attention for what they do wrong.

Already did yesterday! 🙂

Remember, we are an unofficial PR machine for Real. Let's get it done!

Merrill · 04-22-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrstucki

the tenor of some of the emails should embarass us. One of the emails was so profanity laced that his 15 year old son was sent from the room.

This is a rhetorical question, so nobody needs to answer and say it was me. Who was the bright bulb who wrote him an email laced with profanity? Did you honestly think that swearing at him was going to get him to change his mind? Especially here in Utah?

You must at least be civil to get any response other than a counter attack.

clarette · 04-22-2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

This is a rhetorical question, so nobody needs to answer and say it was me. Who was the bright bulb who wrote him an email laced with profanity? Did you honestly think that swearing at him was going to get him to change his mind? Especially here in Utah?

You must at least be civil to get any response other than a counter attack.

That's what's confusing me... unless some other people here are as good as I am at living a double life 😉 , I can't see any of the regular posters here pulling something like that.

And even I, International Woman of Mystery, don't care enough about the Deseret News to actually write an e-mail to them, although they have yielded me massive quantities of rep over the last 24 hours so I have to give a shout-out for that.

Did it get posted on BS as well?

Aero · 04-22-2005, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrstucki

One of the emails was so profanity laced that his 15 year old son was sent from the room.

I totally agree that is unacceptable. That is never the way to accomplish anything and I'm sad that some of us felt the need to do that. If anyone reading this is doing things like this they must stop immediately. In fact, if it were up to me, and thankfully it isn't, I would throw anyone responsible for something like this out of the Loyalists immediately. These are not the type of people that we need representing us and soccer fans in general.

Quote:

Would we have been happier if he would have waited long enough to have a composed reply? We are criticizing someone for resonding to OUR ATTACKS.

After having said what I said above, yes he should have been more composed in his replies. Whether he is responding to our attacks or not, he is the professional here. Editors of newspapers should expect unsavory email as part of the job. And they should handle it better when they do receive it. He could have easily ignored those responses and replied calmly and professionally to the people that didn't do anything beyond request more coverage.

As I've said before and continue to say, there is responsibility on both sides of this issue. And until both sides are willing to accept responsibility for their parts in this entire thing, it won't be fixed.

Quote:

If some of us are going to be unprofessional, is it not hypcritical of us to expect perfect professionalism in return.

Probably, but then he is the only professional in this entire equation. Especially when responding to people that were professional to him (Prime) in the first place. Calling people liars and slanderers is never professional.

Quote:

We must act with more restraint in matters like this. Should we let them know that there is a great deal of local support for the team and the sport, absolutely. We also have a responsibility to be ambassadors for the sport. WE CANT AFFORD TO ASSUME THAT EVERYONE IS AGAINST US OR WE WILL TURN PEOPLE AGAINST US WHO ARE LEANING OUR WAY OR ARE NEUTRAL. Are we going to have regrets when we turn both papers against us because of our irresponsible behavior? We have a good thing going here. Let us please not screw it up.

I totally agree with you here. We do need to take responsibility for our actions. That is the only thing that we can do. We need to avoid situations like this in the future. I would implore anyone contacting the media that they do so in the most polite manner possible. Please. No matter how much you believe you are helping, you simply aren't when you attack members of the media. I know it is trite, but you catch more flies with honey (or is it sugar) than vinegar.

And I am now officially done with this issue. And I know most of you are probably saying it's about time. 🙂

AreliusII · 04-22-2005, 10:00 AM

Do you all remember the wonder and awe that we all had 9 months ago at the prospect of having an MLS team in our backyard? What happened to that gratitude? We have all gotten greedy because Des News doesn’t have the money to send James to every away game. So? Then we turn to the Trib for the news.

Please, let’s try to keep things in perspective! WE HAVE A FRIGGIN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAM IN UTAH! Who cares if they can’t cover one game? We have a freakin MLS team here! That should be enough to keep us in awe, wonder and gratitude perpetually.

AreliusII · 04-22-2005, 10:01 AM

My letter to the Des News:

Dear Editors/management:
Recently a few passionate soccer fans got their undies in a bunch because James E. wasn’t covering the RSL match in Dallas this weekend. It appears that it was all based on rumor and innuendo. I have not participated in this email campaign until now. I feel a need to let the Des News know how much I appreciate your excellent coverage thus far of Real Salt Lake.

Des News has had breaking stories about the latest MLS team in Salt Lake from the very beginning. James helped us know about Dave Checketts’ original intentions to bring a team to Salt Lake, he also helped us to know about the upcoming World Cup Qualifier that will be played at Rice-Eccles stadium on June 4th.

I am very grateful to the Deseret News and James Edward for your excellent coverage. I understand budget constraints, etc. and your need to pace yourselves on expenses. I just want you to know that the first thing I look for every morning in the Des News is James’ latest revelations on the team.

I know that the latest wave of emails from some passionate fans haven’t gone over very good. I hope that you will attribute this to the irrational exuberance of having a professional soccer team here in Salt Lake. Please forgive any offense and PLEASE continue your excellent coverage of the world’s greatest game.

Gratefully,

Arelius