Last Saturday, for the second year in a row, I took part in a panel on the role of "New Media" for the Connecticut Film Festival.

From musicians and animators, to individuals involved in broadcast media and journalism, hosted by Fox61 News Reporter and UCONN Journalism Professor Rick Hancock, the roundtable discussion that focused on the expanding role of new technology with today's media.

All in all, as was the case last year, the conversation was insightful mainly because it's rare for someone in my field to discuss technology with people who are outside of my particular field.

Here's a list of the panelists (besides yours truly):

HOST: Rick Hancock

Rick Hancock is the Publisher of Rick’s RSS and CEO of Potpourri Media, LLC (PM) a full service multimedia production and consulting company. Hancock has been a consultant and multimedia content producer for many leading news companies including the Tribune Company, Viacom and the Journal Register Company.

Rick has been a trail blazing advocate for online journalism for more than 15 years and in 2003 was one of the first broadcasters to launch a blog. Rick is the host of the weekly Internet/Technology segment titled Rick’s RSS on Friday’s and the OuttaSite segment on Monday and Wednesday mornings for Fox 61-WTIC TV. He’s worked in “legacy” media as a news anchor and reporter in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut.


Rick is currently an Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Journalism at the University of Connecticut. From 2006 to 2008 he was a Dean in the School of Communications and a Professor of Online Journalism at Quinnipiac University. In addition, Rick was a 2003 Western Knight Fellow for Specialized Journalism participant.

Rick holds a BA in Political Science from Howard University and a MS in e-Media/Interactive Communications from Quinnipiac University.

An evangelist for interactive media, online communications and social media, Rick is a sought after speaker and presenter on hot topics surrounding the Internet and journalism. He has spoken on new media issues at international and national conferences including Yale University, University of Connecticut, the Online News Association and the National Association of Black Journalists. Rick has been quoted in several national news publications including the New York Times and Broadcasting and Cable.

www.ricksrss.com

Colin Holgate:

Colin Holgate was involved in Apple Computer UK's launch into Multimedia in 1989, and through that he became friends with the founders of The Voyager Company. In 1992 he moved to the US to work for Voyager, and over the next six years programmed many of Voyager's well known CD-ROMs, including A Hard Day's Night, This Is Spinal Tap, and Marvin Minsky's "Society of Mind". Since the late '90s Colin has worked for Funny Garbage, a NYC web design company. His worked over the past 20 years has involved the use of many multimedia development tools, including HyperCard, Oracle Media Objects, Director, Flash, Runtime Revolution, Unity, and GameSalad.

Roger Wu

Roger Wu is Founder and President of KlickableTV, a simple to use interactive video platform. He not only conceptualized the product but also built the product from scratch and is now chief evangelist. Prior to starting KlickableTV, Roger worked at an interactive PR firm creating social media campaigns, videos, and microsites. He also has experience as an intrapreneur at Bloomberg LP where he was a pilot member of the Bloomberg Legal team. His experience with video extends to the turn of the century when he worked at start up, MediaOnDemand.com. He also has worked at bulge bracket investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley and holds three degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School, where he guest lectures. He is currently teaching at FIT in New York, competes regularly in stair climbing competitions, the NYC Marathon, and food eating contests, and is a member of SAG and AFTRA.

www.klickable.tv

Justin Emerson

Justin Emerson is an electronic musician who specializes in rewiring and reprogramming old technology to create new sounds. Circuit bending, data bending, chiptunes, sound ROM hacking, MIDI retrofitting, and hand-built circuits are just some of the DIY techniques he employs. Justin is a member of experimental electronic music group Burnkit2600. The three-piece band uses these techniques to create a unique brand of experimental electronic music. They encourage online collaboration by documenting and sharing their methods.

www.burnkit2600.com

Seems like it's time to take the gloves off on the village idiot again.

Since being exposed as a xenophobic bigot, although he continues to spew his fringe right-winged crap on television, Joel Urice has, for the most part, received a free pass in the media.

...well, after his latest idiotic comment about yours truly, lets just say that Urice's free pass is about to end...in a VERY loud, prolonged, and public way.

As a primer for what's to come for Mayor Boughton's local access spokesperson, here's a flashback post I did back in 2007 regarding the Republican town committee's beloved bigot. For those new to the site, the below post is in regards to Urice's role in the racist email scandal that outraged residents back in late 2007.

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Originally posted Oct 22 2007



It's almost been two weeks since Planning Commission member Joel Urice and Republican Majority Leader Pauline Basso were caught forwarding racist and inappropriate emails, which sparked outrage in Danbury and across the state.

The letters offended members of the African-American, Muslim and Latino communities and exposed the true nature of those such as Urice who hide their true intentions behind the cloak of "illegal immigration."



Of all those involved in this matter, Joel Urice is by far the most arrogant and shameless asshole of the bunch and this level of insanity was on full display during a local access show he co-hosts on Friday night.

In a rant that hopefully seal his and Pauline Basso's political fate, instead of showing any level of understanding regarding the insensitivity of his forwarded emails and the harm his expression has caused in the community, Urice spews a irrational and incredible tirade that centered on criticizing those who brought his bigotry to light.

For people who want an inside look into how xenophobic elected officials operate in Danbury, watch this clip.

Let's take a look at this bullshit step by step.

The first words uttered from Urice mouth tells the story:

URICE: We met with "those folks" on Wednesday so I don't want to stir the pot.

A great way to stir the pot is by calling those you consider your critics as THOSE FOLKS.

Let's continue...

URICE:I'm sure most of you individuals know here, Pauline Basso has been attacked, to me to a lesser extent, but mainly against Pauline, that she forward emails to friends and neighbors that were "hateful and racist according to the claims and the perpetuation in the News-Times.

The second thing that comes out of Urice's mouth is that HE and BASSO are bring attacked by everyone although it was HE (a former Common Council member) and the REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER who forwarded these disgusting messages to other individuals, including Common Council member Mary Teicholtz..

In other words, Urice is playing the role of victim...and this is AFTER he met with Rev. Pitts the critics he so colorfully calls "those folks."

Are you following this man's logic...lets continue.

URICE: Racism is defined as the belief that race is a primary determining factor in human traits, characteristics and capabilities and inherently, one race is superior to another. That's what racism is.

There were absolutely NOTHING in any of these emails that fall within that definition.

Let's take a look at a small sample of Urice's messages and see if we explain to the moron why these images (which are more reflective of his views) are not only offensive, but downright bigoted and simple-minded.

Two emails forwarded from Urice to Basso had the following images:



Now, if this was the 1907 instead of 2007, the image might look something like this:



During the mid 20th century, the image might look something like this:



If this was the late 60s-mid 70s, the image looked like this:



or this:



Thankfully, that company got the message during the 80s and did the right thing...



I’m sure you get the picture BUT in Urice's twisted world, NONE OF THE EMAILS SENT WERE RACIST.

Lets take a look again at one of the emails Urice forwarded and the image it contained:



Lets look at similar stereotypical racist images against Mexicans:


"Stereotypical "happy" Mexican.



Stereotypical "fat" Mexican (Image entitled "Why are Mexican babies so fat?"

I’m sure you get the picture BUT in Urice's twisted world, NONE OF THE EMAILS SENT WERE RACIST.

Clearly, Urice needs help...unfortunately for him, his rant (and public embarrassment) gets even worse:

URICE: It's [racism] a term that's loosely thrown around now by many people anytime you want to say or do anything that's in opposition what a particular political agenda...like enforcing the laws of the United States.

Now, in attempt to give himself cover, Urice pulls out the illegal immigration card and shamelessly tries to accuse Rev. Pitts, and those who were outraged as people who are pro-illegal immigration.

Unfortunately for Urice, this is NOT the case and he and Waller (a person who was at City Hall during Rev. Pitts' press conference) should know better than to smear a minister.

From my video vault, here's Rev. Pitts answering a question from Emanuela Lima of The Tribuna Newspaper. Lima asked Rev. Pitts' about the images about immigrants and attempted to bait the reverend to comment on the NAACP's stance on illegal immigration. As Rev. Pitts and everyone who attended the presser that were quoted in the media repeatedly stated, this matter had nothing to do with illegal immigration and more to do with HUMAN DIGNITY.

As Rev. Pitts stated, this is not about politics or illegal immigration, it's about elected officials in public office spreading stereotypical racist emails that are hurtful and offensive. Those who attempt to paint this as a pro versus anti-immigration matter are attempting to cloud the entire matter because they have nothing else to stand on.

Based on the emails sent released by the NAACP, the emails were against AFRICAN-AMERICANS, MUSLIMS AS WELL AS LATINOS. The most offensive email was against Muslims and it's so troubling and offensive that I won't publish it on this site because I don't want to contribute to the god-awful way Muslims are portrayed in this city and country (sorry, find it elsewhere). I will say that it paints Muslins as extremists who are only interested in killing Americans and Jews.

Unlike the opinions of the Tribuna, a clear majority of Muslims, African-Americans, Latinos, and a majority of people who called for Basso's resignation in the News-Times poll were deeply offended...but in Waller and Urice's world, it's an illegal immigration thing.

Following me here...okay lets continue:

URICE: Whether or not you think the emails were in poor taste...that's a personal opinion, each person has to decide, and Pauline has apologized for that.

Poor taste is an understatement and Pauline did not offer a PUBLIC APOLOGY to the PUBLIC. She offered a two-paragraph letter, which she had sent to New Hope Baptist Church.

URICE: Having this big press conference...without even giving her the courtesy of a phone call...to me that was just unconscionable, it was unconscionable.

Waller: Since it was accumulated over a series of months.

In other words, Joel's having a hissy fit because he's dirty laundry has been outed to the entire public and like clockwork, Waller agrees. They both say NOTHING about the fact that Basso didn't reach out to Pitts or the VARIOUS OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUPS WHO RECEIVED THE EMAILS AT THE SAME TIME. Basso didn't meet Rev. Pitts face to face opting instead to chicken out and send a letter that's half-hearted to say the least.

Furthermore, after all the media attention, editorials, and outrage from just about everyone regarding the way Basso, Urice, and Boughton handled the situation, neither Basso or Urice apologized to the public as of this date.

No letter to the editor.

No op/ed

No press release statement.

NO offer of apology from anyone involved in the matter or expression of regret from anyone in a leadership position in the Republican Party. All we have is a REAL quick quote from Mayor Boughton (after the networks packed up and left) and Joe Cavo (who not a complete idiot and sees the writing on the wall), which basically says nothing.

Now here's Urice tearing the scab off the wound:

URICE: I don't think they probably got the answer they wanted from me ...I don't think they'll ever get ever get that answer.

[...]

But for those that want to make somehow those things racist. There the same ones who cry out that you're a racist, you're bigoted, you're divisive anytime you want to say or do anything to enforce the immigration laws of this country...ah, no apology is required and none is forthcoming from me...I just have to retort, don't you understand about the word "illegal."

[...]

If there was anything divisive about the whole thing here, it was making private email public.

Unbelievable...simply un-f'n-believable.

This is by far the most disgusting rant I've ever heard in my life from a clearly disturbed individual who needs sensitivity help.

These are the viewpoints of people who are more upset that their true nature has finally been outed and their bones are out of the closet. Not only do Basso and Urice don't comprehend the severity of their actions, Urice does the unforgivable and attack those who dare criticized him.

The question you have to ask yourself is do you want people with the mindset of Urice and Basso representing you at YOUR City Hall?

The answer is simple and has never been clearer...if you live in Danbury, Joel Urice (who's running for Zoning) Pauline Basso (the majority leader who also forwarded emails) and Mayor Boughton (who once again failed to show true leadership when it really counted) DO NOT DESERVE YOUR VOTE.

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NOTE: To this date, neither Urice or Basso have apologized to the public about their offensive emails.

...to be continued.

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RELATED POSTS ON JOEL URICE'S BIGOTRY:

News-Times Editorial (10.13.07): [Urice and Basso's] offensive E-emails.

News-Times (10.09.07): NAACP: "We are outraged!"

WTNH / WVIT VIDEO (10.09.07): State media coverage on email scandal.

FLASHBACK VIDEO (2007): NAACP express outrage over Joel Urice/Pauline Basso racist emails (press conference)

FLASHBACK (2007): Mayor Boughton hides from state media during racist email scandal

FLASHBACK (2007): News-Times rips Urice apart over his role in email scandal

FLASHBACK VIDEO (2007): Keynote NAACP speaker criticizes Joel Urice and those involved in email scandal, calls on apology.

More bad news from the Gulf:

There's at least 10 times as much oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico than official estimates suggest, according to an exclusive NPR analysis.

At NPR's request, experts analyzed video that BP released Wednesday. Their findings suggest the BP spill is already far larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez accident in Alaska, which spilled at least 250,000 barrels of oil.

BP has said repeatedly that there is no reliable way to measure the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico by looking at the oil gushing out of the pipe. But scientists say there are actually many proven techniques for doing just that.

Steven Wereley, an associate professor at Purdue University, analyzed videotape of the sea-floor gusher using a technique called particle image velocimetry.

A computer program simply tracks particles, and calculates how fast they are moving. Wereley put the BP video of the gusher into his computer. He made a few simple calculations and came up with an astonishing value for the rate of the oil spill: 70,000 barrels a day — much higher than the official estimate of 5,000 barrels a day.

The method is accurate to a degree of plus or minus 20 percent.

Given that uncertainty, the amount of material spewing from the pipe could range from 56,000 barrels to 84,000 barrels a day. It is important to note that it's not all oil. The short video BP released starts out with a shot of methane, but at the end it seems to be mostly oil.

"There's potentially some fluctuation back and forth between methane and oil," Wereley said.

But assuming that the lion's share of the material coming out the pipe is oil, Wereley's calculations show that the official estimates are too low.

"We're talking more than a factor of 10 difference between what I calculate and the number that's being thrown around," he said.

At least two other calculations support him.

Timothy Crone, an associate research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, used another well-accepted method to calculate fluid flows. Crone says the flow is at least 50,000 barrels a day.

Eugene Chaing, a professor of astrophysics at the University of California, Berkeley, got a similar answer just using pencil and paper.

Without even having a sense of scale from the BP video, he correctly deduced that the diameter of the pipe was about 20 inches. And though his calculation is less precise than Wereley's, it is in the same ballpark.

"I would peg it at around 20,000 to 100,000 barrels per day," he says.

Chiang calls the current estimate of 5,000 barrels a day "almost certainly incorrect."

Given this flow rate, it seems this is a spill of unprecedented proportions in U.S. waters.

"It would just take a few days, at most a week, for it to exceed the Exxon Valdez's record," Chiang said.

Still no word from the "Drill Baby Drill!!!" crowd...

...WHOOPS, strike that.

Two senior Republicans on Tuesday distanced themselves from the controversial "drill, baby, drill" phrase first used by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and repeated prominently by 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Speaking in the wake of a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that might have as many political repercussions as environmental ones, GOP Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona and Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas both said Senate Republicans never endorsed the phrase. And Kyl specifically avoided referring to Steele by name.

"That was not a Senate Republican phrase," Kyl said. "I think there was a candidate that used that. I think our phrase was 'drill here, drill now,' meaning here in the United States and as quickly as oil and gas leases are going."

[...]

"I don't know about the slogan. The slogan was what, two, three years ago and basically we had a lot of opposition to it anyway."

Flip...

...flop.


You bet'cha!

Although I'm rather busy today, I wanted to share this tidbit of info for my readership and give people who read Eileen FitzGerald's education articles something to think about.

Take a look at the following pictures from Wednesday evening's Board of Education meeting. It's important to know that the following images for the most part did not change as the Board of Education question School Superintendent Sal Pascarella about his budget proposal.





Okay, now that you've looked at the images, read FitzGerald's latest article on the education budget proposal. Notice anything wrong with her style of reporting?

I'll explain things later and detail how FitzGerald's selective style of reporting is a disservice to the public.

This morning, facing fund raising woes, First Selectman Rudy Marconi announced that he's dropping out of the governor's race and endorsing Ned Lamont for the state's top elected position.

After announcing that he's leaving the race, I had a chance to interview Marconi and have him comment about his campaign and why he feels Lamont is the best choice for governor.

Following Rob Russo, today Fourth Congressional District Republican candidate Will Gregory has officially dropped out of the race.

Here's an email he just sent to supporters...

Letter to supporters:
Dear Friends,

Since beginning my listening tour one year ago, I have had the privilege of developing relationships with individuals from every corner of our community. From Greenwich to Shelton, Norwalk to Redding, we have worked to advance the classic yankee conservative principles that mean so much in our lives. Looking back, I can say proudly that together, we have had a meaningful impact not only on the political discourse, but on the trajectory of governance in and well beyond the bounds of Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District.

Over the past few weeks, however, it has become clear to me that there are other candidates in this race who are better financially equipped to defeat Jim Himes in November and, therefore, promote in Washington the principles for which I am fighting. For this reason, I have made the very difficult decision to end my candidacy for the United States Congress.

I would like thank my supporters, volunteers, and staff for their tireless dedication, endless commitment, and unwavering support. You have been absolutely incredible and made this decision very hard. Know that as I transition from my role as candidate to other capacities in public service, you will always have a friend in me.

As this campaign draws to a close, I would like my younger supporters in particular to hold their heads high and be proud of what they have accomplished. A clear message has been sent to Washington that we will not stand idly by as the principles upon which our country was founded are eroded and as irresponsible policies force our generation further into debt.

Moving forward, I ask that you support the other candidates in this race with the same passion and vigor that you have put forward for me. In any primary, it can be easy to give in to the idea that other candidates are opponents. Ultimately, however, we are all united behind a common set of ideals. Please continue working toward our goal of a freer and more prosperous Fairfield County and America by helping them get elected, as I will.

Again, thank you and God bless,
Will Gregory

Basically, the quest for the GOP nomination has become a two man race, (State Sen. Dan Debicella and Rob Merkle) and Gregory has yet to endorse any of the remaining candidates.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that Easton Republican First Selectman Tom Herrmann is also in the race for the GOP nomination.

Last night, School Superintendent Sal Pascarella unveiled his latest budget proposal to the Board of Education. You can view/download the document below. You can compare the latest proposal against the previous ones (which can be downloaded by clicking here).

I'll post my video footage from last night's meeting (as well as give my take regarding some rather pointed remarks from board members about teacher's union) later.

Boe Revised

From the School administration building on Beaver Brook Road, here's a live video stream of the Board of Education meeting.

UPDATE: The meeting is still in progress but my batteries are drained. Here's the recorded stream...I'll post the video of the entire budget discussion later...

Board of Education is scheduled to unveil their modified budget proposal to the public during the regularly scheduled meeting tonight.

During last night's Democratic Town Committee meeting, Board of Education member Robert Taborsak spoke on modifications to the budget.



I'll be providing a LIVE VIDEO STREAM tonight's Board of Education meeting starting at 6:45 PM.

On the last day of the Connecticut Film Festival, I had to chance to interview Executive Director Tom Carruthers and Programming Director Jean Tait and got their take on this year's event.

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RELATED POSTS:

VIDEO: Awards ceremony

VIDEO: Q & A session with cast and crew of 10 mountains 10 years

VIDEO: Opening night

Here's what the oil spill would look like if its center was over Hamden, CT (via Paul Rademacher).



How's that "Drill Baby Drill" thing going for the Republicans nowadays?

On Saturday night, the Connecticut Film Festival awards were presented to the filmmakers whose bodies of work received high honors.

Here's a list of the winners:

Best Documentary: 10 Mountains 10 Years

Best Animation: Elephant's Dream

Best CT Film Maker: Years in the Making

Best CT Short Film: Great Adventure

Best Short Film: The Magic Helmet

Best Green Outdoors Film: Terra Antarctica

Best Music Video: Really Nice Guy

Best Experimental Film: Transparent Movement

Best High School Film: Sean Harris Personal Trainer

Best College Student Film: If I Were a Tree

Best CT Grown Film: Harvest

Best International Film: The Tender Hook

Best Narrative Feature: Clear Blue Tuesday

From Saturday night at the Palace Theatre, here's video footage of the awards ceremony.

This is getting ridiculous.

It seems like the News-Times Dirk Perrefort stole yet another story from yours truly...this time it's about my report on the state senate not extending the conveyance tax for municipalities.

…and typical Perrefort fashion, his inaccurate reporting completely misses the point and doesn't tell the whole story.

Since I KNOW he reads my site daily AND since he's NEVER reported on this subject in the past, it's fairly obvious that Perrefort got the idea for his story by reading my post on Friday morning. Upon reading my post, Perrefort basically just grabbed points from my post, make a few phone calls to elected officials and whipped up an article before deadline while avoiding the real issue with the bill, which centers around local and state lawmakers in the Greater Danbury area who supported/opposed the tax.

Although he reported on figures from Ridgefield and New Fairfield, because he rushed the story, Perrefort didn't report on the impact of not extending the conveyance tax in Bethel and Danbury…two areas that are at the heart of the News-Times circulation. Even worse, Perrefort didn't report on the state lawmakers record in regards to the bill OR the fact that the House of Representatives passed the bill before the end of the session.

Since the general assembly session is now over and that the conveyance tax bill won't be addressed until state lawmakers set a special session, and since Danbury City Hall was closed on Friday, Perrefort did a disservice to this story by rushing it in the manner that he did as opposed to taking his time with the article and covering all his bases (I was in the process of doing a follow-up to my original post but since Danbury City Hall is closed on Friday, I wanted to wait till Monday to do a follow-up on the city's projected revenue from the conveyance tax for the next budget year).

Also, Perrefort failed to inform the public that while Finance Revenue and Bonding committee State Senator Andrew Rowback added an amendment that would protect some homeowners, his fellow committee colleagues Mike McLachlan (whose district includes Bethel, Danbury, and New Fairfield) and Toni Boucher (whose district includes Bethel and Ridgefield) voted against the amended bill while in committee. Since the tax will cost millions to municipalities, why didn't Perrefort ask McLachlan and Boucher why they voted against extending this critical tax for their district? While did Perrefort avoid reporting on the impact of not extending the tax would have in Danbury and Bethel?

Outside of property taxes, municipalities are very limited when it comes to their streams of revenue and the conveyance tax is major determining factors in the drafting of budget for city and towns. Since cities and towns are now voting on their budgets, the failure of the state senate not extending the tax can have a major impact on taxpayers.

In light of these facts, Perrefort's rushing to report on a story he grabbed from my site, by not reporting on McLachlan and Boucher's opposition to extending the tax, and not reporting on the impact this bill would have in Danbury and Bethel, once again the political reporter for the Greater Danbury's newspaper FAILED to report on all the facts behind this bill.

It’s one thing to bloggers and reporters to bounce ideas, stories (and sometime notes) off of each other, something that was quite common between sources, the mainstream media and online community. It’s another thing to just grab other people’s work and whip up a story without doing any meaningful reporting on the subject. Perrefort did exact the same thing when I first exposed Mark Boughton’s gubernatorial website before his official announcement, and now he’s doing it again with this story and it really needs to stop.

No disrespect to the News-Times as a whole but what Perrefort’s doing in grabbing other people’s work without properly reporting on the subject is a simply wrong and a disservice to the paper's readership.

…oh, and by the way Dirk, if you're going to lift stories from my site, at least take a moment and make sure to get the political affiliations of the people you're reporting on correct.

Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who is seeking the Republican Party's nomination in the gubernatorial race during next month's convention, said he had a hard time believing it was just a mistake.

I'm sure Marconi would be surprised to know that he's running for the state's Republican gubernatorial nomination.