Chicago writer should get fired for this article

Scav · #1 07-19-2006, 10:16 AM

The Sun Times just keeps on causing problems. I actually met this guy at a Cubs game once, he ate some of my nachos, can't wait to call him a jerkoff now for writing this grosteque piece, unbelievable...They have fired Jay the Joke(he hasn't written an article in 4 weeks) and need to can this jerkoff

http://www.suntimes.com/output/telan...pt-rick19.html

whorstman · #2 07-19-2006, 10:27 AM

All I can say is WOW. Unbelievable.

randallscott35 · #3 07-19-2006, 10:36 AM

Who is this loser? I love when people who know nothing about racing write articles like this.

Scurlogue Champ · #4 07-19-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Who is this loser? I love when people who know nothing about racing write articles like this.

Seems to me like he knows a little...

JJP · #5 07-19-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moodwalker

Seems to me like he knows a little...

Not really. And while I've been critical of the track surface, this is an example of the media piling on. Why wouldn't the Sun Times have Jim O'Donnell, a writer who's qualified on the subject of horse racing, do a report?

dellinger63 · #6 07-19-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJP

Not really. And while I've been critical of the track surface, this is an example of the media piling on. Why wouldn't the Sun Times have Jim O'Donnell, a writer who's qualified on the subject of horse racing, do a report?

Because it wouldn't be the back page and people outside of racing would not read it. This article was meant to be shocking and read by the masses

dellinger63 · #7 07-19-2006, 10:47 AM

he's the feature sports writer for the Suntimes and also writes for Sports Illustrated. Has won many awards and usually is top notch but I agree he knows nothing about horse racing

#8 07-19-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dellinger63

he's the feature sports writer for the Suntimes and also writes for Sports Illustrated. Has won many awards and usually is top notch but I agree he knows nothing about horse racing

Didn't he use to appear on ESPN? Can't believe this is the same guy.

Ez

prudery · #9 07-19-2006, 06:27 PM

The article certainly works for schlock shock. Whether his statistics are correct or not, his ideas about where euthanized horse go are completely off . They are NOT sent to slaughterhouses . Only live animals are . The chemicals in the euthanasia solution prohibit the animal from being fit for consumption . Pity, because equine slaughter, if it had to be, would be far more humane than the methods used . Nor are horses used for dog food anymore . Occasionally horsemeat is used for zoo animals, but again, the animal must be alive for these purposes . Dead animals may be rendered . Renderers out in the west, often pick up sick, dead or unwanted equines and euthanize the live ones in a van . While I can see the writer's purpose and frustration with the death toll at Arlington, this article was both crass and inaccurate . The mention of Barbaro's name was close to blasphemy .

somerfrost · #10 07-19-2006, 10:55 AM

Well, he wrote the piece to "shock and anger" and he did his job. Lets be honest here...while certainly from an anti-racing point of view, the bottom line is that he is correct...something has caused an increase in fatalities at this track and saying, "the surface is fine" doesn't answer many questions. Far...FAR too many horses breakdown and die every year, we need to keep searching for answers and it needs to be THE HIGHEST PRIORITY...not only for the horses but to protect those brave little folks who sit atop them! I think the article, while certainly antagonistic, has a place in the debate and I support this guy's right to put it out into the public domain....these pieces will cease to be published when racing does it's part to safeguard all aspects of the sport!

alysheba4 · #11 07-19-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Well, he wrote the piece to "shock and anger" and he did his job. Lets be honest here...while certainly from an anti-racing point of view, the bottom line is that he is correct...something has caused an increase in fatalities at this track and saying, "the surface is fine" doesn't answer many questions. Far...FAR too many horses breakdown and die every year, we need to keep searching for answers and it needs to be THE HIGHEST PRIORITY...not only for the horses but to protect those brave little folks who sit atop them! I think the article, while certainly antagonistic, has a place in the debate and I support this guy's right to put it out into the public domain....these pieces will cease to be published when racing does it's part to safeguard all aspects of the sport!

....always the voice of reason.

2MinsToPost · #12 07-19-2006, 12:06 PM

He achieved what those types are after, attention. That sells papers. That gets people like you and me fired up and send in responses.

JJP · #13 07-19-2006, 12:09 PM

Rick Telander has been writing long enough that I don't believe the powers that be at the Sun Times told him to "write something shocking". They didn't dictate that to him. He wrote it because he felt like it. If the papers sells a few more copies today, do you think he'll see additional profits? Of course not. I've known a few writers. Regardless of what you may think, they are looking out for numero uno, first and foremost.

JJP · #14 07-19-2006, 12:10 PM

Rick Telander has been writing long enough that I don't believe the powers that be at the Sun Times told him to "write something shocking". They didn't dictate that to him. He wrote it because he felt like it. If the papers sells a few more copies today, do you think he'll see additional profits? Of course not. I've known a few writers. Regardless of what you may think, they are looking out for numero uno, first and foremost.

As for Mariotti, he's still listed as a columnist on the ST's web site. Probably just on vacation.

dellinger63 · #15 07-19-2006, 10:32 AM

Scavs
I know the guy pretty well and he's not a bad guy at all. Used to hang with him at the Huddle Bar in Evanston.
His problem is he knows nothing about horse racing and I think he was assigned to the story as the editor probably wanted it featured.
I put a call into his office but haven't heard anything back. I'll post what really happened when I do.
He's been anti-gambling ever since the Northwestern fix as he is a grad of that school and I think that may have caused the bias which came through loud and clear.

#16 07-19-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scav

The Sun Times just keeps on causing problems. I actually met this guy at a Cubs game once, he ate some of my nachos, can't wait to call him a jerkoff now for writing this grosteque piece, unbelievable...They have fired Jay the Joke(he hasn't written an article in 4 weeks) and need to can this jerkoff

http://www.suntimes.com/output/telan...pt-rick19.html

I dont think it is that bad. I mean, you get the sense of frustration from the writer has. And he tells it point blank about what happens. But, I see no reason why the write should be fired. It is an article to get some action done to protect the horses. But, it doesnt tell me something I already dont know. He might be a little mis-guided about horse racing, but I think he knows about as much as the average person.

#17 07-19-2006, 12:30 PM

Wow......that is harsh, but not unexpected....

sumitas · #18 07-19-2006, 12:58 PM

Seems to me his article is accurate and well written.

"Though nobody keeps official tabs, nearly 800 horses died in races last year.

That's not sport, that's slaughter."

KonaNative · #19 07-19-2006, 10:30 PM

Something has to be done about Arlington. There is no excuse for the number of breakdowns at the track. They should stop running on the dirt until the problem is identified and corrected.
Chicago needs more articles like this published every day. Keep the pressure on and don't let up!