Unbalanced reporting in MKE News

[ecompt]

Yeah, we're the dirty school that accepts JUCOs and Wisky is clean as a whistle. That's the Urinal Sentinel theory.

[Golden Avalanche]

Guys don't get beat nearly to death without a reason.

The moment this story hit the wires, you knew there was crap behind it.

No football player at Wisconsin, especially the star running back, is going to be attacked in an unprovoked and random assault. The deification on campus, and the state as a whole, would make that nearly impossible.

[forgetful]

The strange thing is this is all in the wake of the Penn St. announcement.  I know the acts are not nearly as horrific, but the attempt of the athletic department and police departments to try to cover up the first fight and lie about it to the media is equally as bad.

I would think that Emmert would be in the right to throw down a punishment (minor) but a punishment nonetheless.

[bilsu]

The strange thing is this is all in the wake of the Penn St. announcement.  I know the acts are not nearly as horrific, but the attempt of the athletic department and police departments to try to cover up the first fight and lie about it to the media is equally as bad.

I would think that Emmert would be in the right to throw down a punishment (minor) but a punishment nonetheless.

Where is the cover up? The guy that supposedly got beat up by Ball did not file a police report. Ball also stated he did not know why he was attacked.

[forgetful]

Where is the cover up? The guy that supposedly got beat up by Ball did not file a police report. Ball also stated he did not know why he was attacked.

Madison Police, Bielemma and Ball said there was no fight and if there was that he wasn't there, this was after the TMZ report.  The police continued to run with the 'random attack" idea even after TMZ reported their was a previous fight.

TMZ reported that the guy injured in the previous attack had been contacted by police.  It was after this that the police were finally 'required' to come out and say that their was indeed a fight that they were investigating.

Bielemma, Ball and the Police knew about the incident but lied about it, only after TMZ later reported that the guy injured in the previous fight had talked to police did everyone come clean on the issue.  I call that a cover up.

[Benny B]

Madison Police, Bielemma and Ball said there was no fight and if there was that he wasn't there, this was after the TMZ report.  The police continued to run with the 'random attack" idea even after TMZ reported their was a previous fight.

TMZ reported that the guy injured in the previous attack had been contacted by police.  It was after this that the police were finally 'required' to come out and say that their was indeed a fight that they were investigating.

Bielemma, Ball and the Police knew about the incident but lied about it, only after TMZ later reported that the guy injured in the previous fight had talked to police did everyone come clean on the issue.  I call that a cover up.

Don't forget that Mad PD's first response to the TMZ report was to call the TMZ report false.

[brewcity77]

So, the Madison media and cops hide an incident involving UW Athletics and the only reason it comes to light is TMZ?  Pathetic. TMZ is the most reliable and only source for info on this?

It's really not that surprising. Remember, the National Enquirer broke legitimate stories like Gary Hart, John Edwards, Rush Limbaugh's painkiller addiction, and Michael Jackson's health problems. The thing with those types of "newspapers" is that they aren't afraid to get their hands dirty while digging, and they'll throw their stories up as soon as they have something to run. Sometimes it backfires, but sometimes they get it right.

[MUMac]

Madison Police, Bielemma and Ball said there was no fight and if there was that he wasn't there, this was after the TMZ report.  The police continued to run with the 'random attack" idea even after TMZ reported their was a previous fight.

TMZ reported that the guy injured in the previous attack had been contacted by police.  It was after this that the police were finally 'required' to come out and say that their was indeed a fight that they were investigating.

Bielemma, Ball and the Police knew about the incident but lied about it, only after TMZ later reported that the guy injured in the previous fight had talked to police did everyone come clean on the issue.  I call that a cover up.

Ball said HE was not involved in a fight.  A story that appears to be true.  He did not say there was NO fight.  As for the Madison Police, don't ya think that just maybe they did not want this story out yet?  During the investigation?  That is not uncommon in an investigation.  

As for Bielema, I am not aware of any comments he made regarding "the fight".  How did he lie or cover anything up?

As with the MU situation, the enemy camps always jump to the worst conclussions.  Let this one play out, just as many of us said the same when it came to the MU reports.

Back to the OP comments, I do find it sad that many "reporters" jumped on the MU story with venom and vigor.  Yet, no gnashing of the teeth on this one.  I would have thougth the big tunic would have been all over this one with his rumor mongers assisting.  To be fair, maybe he has but none of his 3 listeners are on this board.

[Niv Berkowitz]

Since I pretty much stopped listening to 1250 since the whole MU thing went down (and Josh Vernier left), have they been spending any time talking about this? Wonder if the Big Tool will discuss it today. Who knows if Homer will. But I'm sure if they do, his choadball co-host will make a bunch of DECLARATIVE STATEMENTS as Homer talks about this.

[KenoshaWarrior]

No 1250 just mentioned that Monty was beaten up and that he is most likely innocent.

I am waiting for Bill Michaels to say that Monte Ball hit the guy in the head with a bottle and put him in a coma like he did for DJO

[MUfan12]

No 1250 just mentioned that Monty was beaten up and that he is most likely innocent.

I am waiting for Bill Michaels to say that Monte Ball hit the guy in the head with a bottle and put him in a coma like he did for DJO

You'll be waiting for awhile. The Big Eunuch and the JS/TMJ will never take on the UW football machine.

I should expect this by now, but I can't get over how ridiculous the media is here. There was a witch hunt with the MU story. Some guy said DJO beat him up, and they led the 10 PM news with him. A guy claims Ball beat him, and only TMZ reports on it. The double standard is staggering.

[Rubie Q]

Since I pretty much stopped listening to 1250 since the whole MU thing went down (and Josh Vernier left), have they been spending any time talking about this? Wonder if the Big Tool will discuss it today. Who knows if Homer will. But I'm sure if they do, his choadball co-host will make a bunch of DECLARATIVE STATEMENTS as Homer talks about this.

As much as we like to believe that the 'SSP guys are strictly anti-Marquette, they're really all-purpose trolls. I heard a part of a segment last week when Wickett and Freimund were taking calls about what *really* happened to Montee, and it was as half-cocked as anything they said about Apt. 720. Hell, somebody even suggested that Montee might have been borrowing money from "some unsavory characters" and got jumped because he hadn't been making his payments.

[lurch91]

I'm waiting patiently for Jeff Potrykus to get on the case, I remember this email conversation he had with hoops12.

* I'm not sure why you're telling me about how long it normally takes to get MU stories into the paper.

I was told about the transfer via a phone call. An editor forwarded the release to me. I made several calls. I wrote the story. That is what I do all the time.

Are you suggesting I should have held off on writing the story for a day or two? To balance some imaginary scales? I'm not sure I understand the logic at work here.

We'll get the REAL story very soon, all Jeff needs to do is "make a call" and jump to a bunch of conclusions.

[Bocephys]

I'm waiting patiently for Jeff Potrykus to get on the case, I remember this email conversation he had with hoops12.

We'll get the REAL story very soon, all Jeff needs to do is "make a call" and jump to a bunch of conclusions.

Just head over to the Badger boards and ask him.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

1250 Program Meeting:

"Ok, I'll take 1 side of this issue and say something mildly controversial. You take the other side and say something out of left field, and then we'll take calls for the rest of the hour."

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

This format sort of works if the 2 hosts are well versed and educated on the topic, but when you try to cover every topic in sports, and you aren't too bright, you end up sounding like 1250.

It's like asking Joe 6-pack for his opinion on sports. It's going to be biased, uneducated, and often wrong.

[Rubie Q]

This format sort of works if the 2 hosts are well versed and educated on the topic, but when you try to cover every topic in sports, and you aren't too bright, you end up sounding like 1250.

It's like asking Joe 6-pack for his opinion on sports. It's going to be biased, uneducated, and often wrong.

Right. That's what made it laughable when the Apt 720, "I heard DJO stabbed a guy with a trident" stuff was going on: Michaels was trying to portray himself as a journalist, claiming he had to hold back on the details of what he'd been told because he was trying to get confirmation, etc, when it was clear that the station's legal department grabbed him by the collar said: "If you slander this kid based on what the ****ing bar owner told you happened, you can start looking for a new job and your own attorney, in that order."

[wyzgy]

Having a bunch of athletes attack an individual for you over a girl? That's classless.

I'm glad the individual got his retribution against Ball and hopefully drags UW through a mud a bit.

you must have anger issues.  as much as we know, no one deserves to get beaten like ball did.  save the hate for their basketball team as needed.  their football program brings this state a lot of positive pub.  you need some couch-time

[Chicago_inferiority_complexes]

The Big Eunuch

I can now die a happy man. Thank you for this.

[JD]

you must have anger issues.  as much as we know, no one deserves to get beaten like ball did.  save the hate for their basketball team as needed.  their football program brings this state a lot of positive pub.  you need some couch-time

And that is?

UW-Madison always seems to be more entitled then they actually deserve credit.  If going to the Rose Bowl and losing the past two years, and never wining a national championship = success, well to each their own then.

Wasn't there something within the last year about a UW-Madison coach who was a pedophile and preyed on innocent kids??  Not sure that's positive Pub.

[Bocephys]

And that is?

UW-Madison always seems to be more entitled then they actually deserve credit.  If going to the Rose Bowl and losing the past two years, and never wining a national championship = success, well to each their own then.

Wasn't there something within the last year about a UW-Madison coach who was a pedophile and preyed on innocent kids??  Not sure that's positive Pub.

In their defense, I'm pretty sure he wasn't a coach, just someone on staff, and I'm pretty sure everyone was over the age of 18.  Sexual predator, yes.  Pedophile coach, not quite.

[GGGG]

UW football most certainly does bring a lot of publicity to the University and to the state.  And it isn't just about championships.  Since the BCS started, UW has been to four BCS bowls.  Only 8 schools have been to more.  (4 others have been to the same number.)

So in the last 15 years, it could legitimately be argued that UW has one of the top 13 programs in college football.  And they are the only one of those 13 that is the only D1 football program in their state.

You really can't say that about Marquette basketball during that time frame can you?

And Chadima was never accused of pedophilia.  

You sound completely unreasonable...

[Benny B]

Ball said HE was not involved in a fight.  A story that appears to be true.  He did not say there was NO fight.  As for the Madison Police, don't ya think that just maybe they did not want this story out yet?  During the investigation?  That is not uncommon in an investigation.  

When a news organization uncovers an investigation that you've been attempting to keep secret, what's the most appropriate (paraphrased) response:

1) "We're looking into whether an investigation has been launched."
2) "We cannot comment on open investigations."
3) "I cannot speak to whether anyone is being questioned with respect to any incidents the night of Jul 27."
4) "That news organization is full of $#!*"

IMO - Anything but #4 would be an appropriate response so as to acknowledge that your earlier report may not have been entirely true but also to not have to drag your nuts through the wringer twice.  Unfortunately, Madison PD chose #4.

Although I don't find any of this surprising... they've got to be one of very few major police departments in the country who actively and preferentially recruit college graduates with degrees in anything but the criminal justice field.  It may not necessarily be the wrong approach, but it certainly is ass-backwards.

[JD]

So you're just going off the last 15 years of the program and not their whole body of work?  I guess you can do that...

But if you want to compare MU football to Madison, it's quite easy,  Championships, MU=0  UW-M=0

That's the number that matters to me, but if you base your season on getting embarrassed by TCU, and really not having a chance against Oregon, well than sure, they're successful.

I will never cheer for the badgers in any aspect, shape or form.  Getting to the Rose Bowl is one thing, winning is another.  Last year was probably there only chance of smelling a national championship and what do you know, they couldn't get there, so people try to settle on getting to the Rose Bowl...

So what word would you describe Chadima? Sick, deranged, disgusting,....anything but a pedophile....

[GGGG]

So you're just going off the last 15 years of the program and not their whole body of work?  I guess you can do that...

But if you want to compare MU football to Madison, it's quite easy,  Championships, MU=0  UW-M=0

That's the number that matters to me, but if you base your season on getting embarrassed by TCU, and really not having a chance against Oregon, well than sure, they're successful.

I will never cheer for the badgers in any aspect, shape or form.  Getting to the Rose Bowl is one thing, winning is another.  Last year was probably there only chance of smelling a national championship and what do you know, they couldn't get there, so people try to settle on getting to the Rose Bowl...

So what word would you describe Chadima? Sick, deranged, disgusting,....anything but a pedophile....

TCU didn't "embarrass" UW...and having the ball late in the fourth quarter while down by less than a score is "not having a chance?"

I don't care if you won't cheer for the Badgers, but your bias is taking all of the logic out of your argument.  UW football is by far the highest profile collegiate athletic event that occurs in Wisconsin.  And second isn't really all that close.

[GGGG]

And one more thing...

It really disturbs me that people on this board are using this as an opportunity to be gleeful with regards to UW athletics.  A guy was beaten on the streets.  A felonious act. 

Very sad commentary about what fandom can do to people.