Category: default || By jt3y

We interrupt the normal blather that passes for "insightful" "commentary" at Tube City Almanac to reach into the email bag, where we've got a nice message from Mike Wilson, director of the upcoming documentary about Our Fair City:

I saw your post today about the flick and I just wanted to send you a note. I was happy that you took note of my comments to Eric Slagle. The truth is, I spent a month in McKeesport, and I (and my crew) fell in love with the city, the people and the idea that a city could be given a second chance, in the same way that a person could. It's powerful and profound, and it makes me proud to be an American.

Is this an anti-union, anti-democratic-party piece? Of course not. If you saw "Michael Moore Hates America" you know that the title emerges from a scene where I criticize David Horowitz (who, to this day, has not forgiven me), and that the film itself is pretty apolitical. The title incites the left to riotous thoughts, but when they see the film, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. I will talk about several sides of what resulted in the collapse of the city, but I'll be fair. There were the unions, the management, the global changes going on, even the malls ... all had a hand in the trouble the city saw and is recovering from. But I promise to be fair... that's kind of why I make docs...

Anyhoo, I just wanted to shoot you a note to let you know that your site was one of the places we went to find info, and where we discovered some of the love we found for the city. I give you my word that I'm not out to point blame, but to make a film that tells the story of an American city that went through a boom, a bust, and is now trying desperately to save itself. And I'm happy that you're talking about it. Feel free to shoot me an email if you have questions.

I won't print my complete reply to Mike, but I want to make sure no one thinks I was pouring cold water on this project. I am actually very excited about Wilson's film; if I'm hyper-sensitive, it's because I've lived here for 30-plus years and watched the media, particularly the Pittsburgh TV stations and newspapers, kick around McKeesport and the rest of the Mon Valley for a long time.

I don't think that the political viewpoint that Mike Wilson or any other journalist might bring is necessarily a bad thing. Potentially, it's a good thing. I'm more worried that there will be a knee-jerk reaction that might prevent this film from getting the exposure it deserves. That's not Wilson's fault, but it is a possible hurdle.

Frankly, one big problem in this country is that the left is getting its news from leftist sources, and the right is getting its news from rightist sources. We'd be in better shape if more liberals would read National Review or Reason, and conservatives would watch "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" or read Mother Jones, instead of us picking news sources that reinforce our own prejudices.

Mike has offered to address any questions. If you have any, email me and I'll be more than happy to pass them along.

. . .

What, No Fava Beans?: Also in the mailbag, Chris Potter of City Paper writes to say that he's best served "with a nice Riesling." He's also issued a warning to his staff "to keep an eye out for a tiger wielding cutlery."

All I'm saying, Chris, is that if you hear growling and feel hot breath on the back of your neck, it might not be Colin McNickle from the Tribune-Review.

. . .

In Other Business: Former Cornell Elementary School security guard Thomas Hose goes directly to jail, without passing "Go" or collecting $200, after pleading guilty to holding Tanya Kach captive in his house for 10 years.

Allegheny County Judge John Zottola sentenced Hose to 15 years in state prison. Let's see how Hose likes being cooped up.

According to published reports (Post-Gazette, Trib), Hose actually interrupted Kach's statement to the judge to argue that by keeping her prisoner, he was protecting her.

Hose hereby wins a Tube City Almanac Lifetime Achievement Award for Pure, Unmitigated Gall.

Meanwhile, former city funeral director Robert Winston has pleaded guilty to theft and abuse of a corpse. You'll recall that the former owner of Newman-Winston Funeral Chapel on Jenny Lind Street was supposed to cremate the remains of more than 19 babies and 300 stillborn fetuses from Magee-Womens Hospital; instead he stored them in his garage.

Winston says he ran into financial difficulty before he could fulfill the contract. It's nothing like the financial difficulty he's about to face --- at least six families are suing him.

. . .

Despite Popular Demand: I promised yesterday to post some audio from Field Day. I've got it, but I'm going to hold it for tomorrow. Try to curb your enthusiasm.