Mildred Gaddis - Not you too

**Brittz** · July-03-09, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by rjk

Nonsense, that was no mistake. If that disclaimer is made it defeats the point of Pugh and the other woman of paying $1,000 to appear in that type of setting. The two of them had a huge advantage going into that interview. They were all trying to pull a fast one on the voters of Detroit.

I wonder how many watch that channel. I have never watched it. I don't agree that the candidates were pulling a fast one. How would they know the rules of the FCC?

**rjk** · July-03-09, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by RayStar

I wonder how many watch that channel. I have never watched it. I don't agree that the candidates were pulling a fast one. How would they know the rules of the FCC?

About the only thing I know about the FCC is what the letters stand for. Other than that I pretty much draw a blank, however I know that this is something that is very questionable.

Between her TV show and her radio show those two obviously thought that it was well worth it to spend a $1,000. I'm sure that thousand included some positive buzz on her radio program. I like people who give me $1,000, who doesn't.

**Jmil** · July-03-09, 06:15 AM

rjk, according to what I heard Mildred/Steve discuss on her radio show, there were 14 candidates that bought the air time.

The one that called Steve Wilson wanted to buy the air time also, but waited too late, all the spots were filled. She would fit right in with the current council, but hopefully not the next.

Mildred stated her and the TV station had parted ways. The station owner seems a little shifty if you ask me. He needs to man up, admit they fuqked up, promise to do better in the future, and move on.

Anybody that decides not to vote for a candidate simply because they appeared on this show is suspect to me. At such a crucial time we need to do a better job of decision making. I have no intention of voting for Charles Pugh, because I don't think he processes the skill set or temperment required. I have no idea who the other candidates are that taped the show. I believe Gary Brown may have been one. He will receive my vote. He knows the city, the players, the problems and won't lose his mind at the table like so many of our current/past members.

**Bobl** · July-03-09, 08:40 AM

It's everywhere. Is this the future of "journalism"?

LA TIMES:
Washington Post scraps plans for 'salons' after uproar

By Peter Nicholas
July 3, 2009
Reporting from Washington -- The Washington Post's publisher abruptly canceled a series of policy dinners Thursday that were to have been underwritten by lobbyists or corporations willing to pay thousands of dollars to be in the same room as journalists and lawmakers, saying the marketing department had misrepresented the newspaper's intent.

Lawmakers who had been invited said they were not told the events would make money for the newspaper. But the Post had separately sent fliers seeking sponsors who would pay $25,000 for a single "salon" or $250,000 for 11 events.

The concept raised questions about journalistic ethics....

**Steve Wilson** · July-03-09, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Jmil

rjk, according to what I heard Mildred/Steve discuss on her radio show, there were 14 candidates that bought the air time.

The one that called Steve Wilson wanted to buy the air time also, but waited too late, all the spots were filled. She would fit right in with the current council, but hopefully not the next.

To be clear--and accurate: The candidate who had the courage to blow the whistle on this practice [[Karinda Washington) says statements Mildred is making about her now are not true. She says she never expressed any interest in buying, instead Mildred's radio producer called her 3x "like a bill collector" pressuring her to come up with the cash before the taping began.

According to Washington--and I have no information to the contrary--the only call she made to Gaddis's people was the one I asked her to make so we could independent verify that such a deal was actually being offered.

What we did not have time to get into on the air: When Washington went public and it was made known by Eric Brown on his blog and others, Mildred's radio producer told him he would no longer be allowed to call in to "Inside Detroit." [[Disclosure: Mildred has since rescinded that policy)

Also, when Brown posted Washington's story on John Bennett's website "Detroit Uncovered," formerly "Fire Jerry-O," Bennett yanked the post and blocked Brown's ability to post future guest writiings on the site.

Bennett, who is also a candidate and also appeared on the Gaddis program [[reportedly at no charge before Mildred began her current series), said he thought the posting couold be "slanderous," though he refused to point out anything he thought actually was. He also admitted Mildred is a friend of his. So much for free speech...yeah, yeah, I know it's HIS website and he can publish what he pleases, it's just that it sort of smacks of censorship for his own political gain, wouldn't you say? I hope he reconsiders.

Sorry John...I love your site but I have to call 'em as I see 'em.

Steve Wilson
WXYZ TV

**R8RBOB** · July-03-09, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Wilson WXYZ

Also, when Brown posted Washington's story on John Bennett's website "Detroit Uncovered," formerly "Fire Jerry-O," Bennett yanked the post and blocked Brown's ability to post future guest writiings on the site.

Bennett, who is also a candidate and also appeared on the Gaddis program [[reportedly at no charge before Mildred began her current series), said he thought the posting couold be "slanderous," though he refused to point out anything he thought actually was. He also admitted Mildred is a friend of his. So much for free speech...yeah, yeah, I know it's HIS website and he can publish what he pleases, it's just that it sort of smacks of censorship for his own political gain, wouldn't you say? I hope he reconsiders.

Sorry John...I love your site but I have to call 'em as I see 'em.

Steve Wilson
WXYZ TV

I came across John Bennett's site www.firejerryo.com when I was living in California. I have been one of those people who have checked out his site over the years. The stories that posted was so mind-blowing that people like myself had to return to his site to see what else is going bad in Detroit. His site was one of few who really told you who Kwame Kilpatrick really was.

That said, I am very disappointed that Mr. Bennett would attempt to hide insight on what Mildred Gaddis was doing in regards to candidates of City Council. To call comments on Gaddis slanderous is a cop-out since his website was created to call-out the crooks that resides in Detroit. Bennett slandered every city offical in Detroit government and their associates on firejerryo.com and detroituncovered.com and Detroiters welcomed it because the press he was reported on his site, the news would not touch it. Ms. Gaddis is a journalist and she performed an impartial act by having politicians pay her to speak their views without question on her show. That is pay to play because the politician is using a journalist who is suppose to be impartial to endorse them for a $1000 bucks.

Mr. Bennett hurt his creditability when he decided to censor Eric Brown and as a bonus to his creditability he blocks him from posting on his site. He is running for Council and I considered voting for him but his attempt to protect his friend put that vote in doubt. I hope Mr. Bennett address this and correct himself because the primary is in about 1 month.

**Thames** · July-03-09, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by R8RBOB

I came across John Bennett's site www.firejerryo.com when I was living in California. I have been one of those people who have checked out his site over the years. The stories that posted was so mind-blowing that people like myself had to return to his site to see what else is going bad in Detroit. His site was one of few who really told you who Kwame Kilpatrick really was.

That said, I am very disappointed that Mr. Bennett would attempt to hide insight on what Mildred Gaddis was doing in regards to candidates of City Council. To call comments on Gaddis slanderous is a cop-out since his website was created to call-out the crooks that resides in Detroit. Bennett slandered every city offical in Detroit government and their associates on firejerryo.com and detroituncovered.com and Detroiters welcomed it because the press he was reported on his site, the news would not touch it. Ms. Gaddis is a journalist and she performed an impartial act by having politicians pay her to speak their views without question on her show. That is pay to play because the politician is using a journalist who is suppose to be impartial to endorse them for a $1000 bucks.

Mr. Bennett hurt his creditability when he decided to censor Eric Brown and as a bonus to his creditability he blocks him from posting on his site. He is running for Council and I considered voting for him but his attempt to protect his friend put that vote in doubt. I hope Mr. Bennett address this and correct himself because the primary is in about 1 month.

What is he going to address? He will say "I'm sorry" [[I got caught).

Why should he or any of them get a second chance?

Deja vue, all over again.

Enough is enough. Send a message and just say no!

Go ahead and trust these people, I dare you! If any of them win the election, then, YES! Detroiter's get exactly what they deserve.

**R8RBOB** · July-03-09, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by Thames

What is he going to address? He will say "I'm sorry" [[I got caught).

Why should he or any of them get a second chance?

Deja vue, all over again.

Enough is enough. Send a message and just say no!

Go ahead and trust these people, I dare you! If any of them win the election, then, YES! Detroiter's get exactly what they deserve.

Dude, I don't want to hear him say sorry. I would want to hear his reasons for removing a blog entry that calls out the practice of paying to appear on M. Gaddis's tv show. If Gaddis is indeed his friend then he has to speak out on why he had to protect his friend from sharp attacks about this.

**kraig** · July-03-09, 11:26 PM

When we didn't like Kwame, they didn't like Kwame. Because of that, we all gave John Bennett, Mildred Gaddis and Sam Riddle far too much credit. As soon as someone went against one of his allies, John Bennett shut that person down. Doesn't that sound like something Kwame would do?

Mildred kept referring to Eric Brown as Eric from Canton on her radio show. Doesn't that sound like something Barbara Rose Collins would say? Mildred doesn't really have an argument against his point, so she's trying to deflect by wanting him to be viewed as a suburbanite.

Power corrupts.

**Brittz** · July-03-09, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by rjk

About the only thing I know about the FCC is what the letters stand for. Other than that I pretty much draw a blank, however I know that this is something that is very questionable.

Between her TV show and her radio show those two obviously thought that it was well worth it to spend a $1,000. I'm sure that thousand included some positive buzz on her radio program. I like people who give me $1,000, who doesn't.

I totally agree with the positive buzz. Now as most candidates will spend more if they plan to advertise in print, being on her tv program was a cheap buy for more material to use in the future.