Random Lengths Publisher, James Allen, responded to my little blog within hours as follows:
Jim Tessier, Your critque of my recent column on Media Bias regarding the ILWU contract negotiations misses the main point entirely about who was blamed for both the congestion issue and the protracted negotiations, as well as the witholding of jobs in the last weeks. Most in the corporate media have only the faintest idea of the difference between a “lockout and a strike” as the reporters have long since lost their own union representation and are not schoolded on labor issues. Most of these younger reporters are either “at will” or subcontractors/freelancers with little time reporting on the waterfront or on labor in general.
As for my “conspiring” with Bobby Olivera jr., it is true that I have met with him and discussed union issues related to this contract but Dave Miller’s name never, ever came up between him and I. And Miller’s name would never have been an issue at all until it was revealed elsewhere as being the final issue separating the PMA and ILWU. And the revelation of his name came from other sources outside of Local 13 and was confirmed by none other than a API report. I suggest that you amend the allegations in your blog to reflect the true facts rather than your opinion regarding my column.
If you’d care to rebutt anything in our publication I’d urge you to send us a letter to the editor, where all such correspondences are printed verbatum.
Thank you,
James Preston Allen, Publisher
t 310.519.1442 | f 310.832.1000
1300 S. Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, Ca 90731
www.RandomLengthsNews.com
Blaming younger reporters who do not understand the waterfront or labor in general is, a lame attempt to blame your writing on someone else and, a play right out of con man and pathological liar Bobby O Jr.’s playbook.
I for one, do not believe for one second that David Miller’s name never came up during your closed door meeting in Bobby’s office.
The icing on the cake is your attempt to blame the AP claiming you got your information from Justin Pritchard’s reporting.
It was you that came up with the terms “pro-management and union turncoat”, those words are not in any AP reporting I read, but it is definitely something that Bobby O Jr. would say. How do you explain that?
Admit it James, you are a tool for your buddy, con man, Bobby Olvera Jr., and your bias is definitely showing.
James, you might consider trading in your fancy white hat for a black one, now that you have gone to the dark side.