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>I'm not sure what you mean Jon. Do you mean I've got >to be kidding to even ask about PG policy regarding >reporters' notes, or that I should know the policy, or >that there isn't one, or that you can't talk about it, >particularly since Dennis is in the middle of a >lawsuit? > >Again, you raised the issue with this sentence: >"Finally, before you start making assumptions or >intimations--because that's how it appears to >me--about Dennis's note-retention habits, why don't >you find out what Post-Gazette policy is first?" > >I don't work at a newspaper, and I don't know exactly >who to call about a PG newsroom policy question. I >figure that since you're a veteran there, you'd be a >good source about such things. > > > > >>You've got to be kidding. >> >> >> >>>Thanks for the feedback Jon. As long as you raised >it, >>>and since you work there, what is the PG's policy on >>>preserving reporters' notes and recorded interviews? >>> >>>>To the smart alecks and cowards who like to post >>>>anonymously on this forum, my advice is to grow up >>and >>>>do your research. First off, gobsmacked -- meaning >>>>astounded or flabbergasted -- appears to be entirely >>>>appropriate. Secondly, as reporters we all make snap >>>>judgments about people we interview, so I have no >>>>problem with Dennis sharing his impressions with the >>>>court even if they run contrary to a doctor's >report. >>>>He was asked a question, and he answered it. So >what, >>>>he's not allowed to say his experience did not >>comport >>>>with that of a doctor? Dennis has to be wrong >because >>>>someone with an M.D. after his name has a different >>>>opinion? Finally, before you start making >assumptions >>>>-- or intimations, because that's how it appears to >>me >>>>-- about Dennis's note-retention habits, why don't >>you >>>>find out what Post-Gazette policy is first? The >>>>problem with so many posts on this forum for >supposed >>>>fact-checking, accuracy-minded journalists is that >>>>things are often said with complete ignorance. I >>can't >>>>tell you how many times I've seen people post >>theories >>>>on how or why the PG did or didn't do something that >>>>are so completely off base and absurd it's >laughable. >>>>For what it's worth, I'm looking at Dennis's desk >>>>right now, and it is pretty clean. But what does >that >>>>tell you? Dennis could have all his notes hidden in >>an >>>>underground bunker, right? Maybe that's fodder for >>>>another "fact-based" thread here. And for the >record, >>>>I have had my differences with Dennis from time to >>>>time, so I am not a blind apologist for him. But he >>is >>>>smart, tenacious and one hell of a reporter -- the >>>>kind of guy you definitely want on your team. This >>>>post struck me as nasty, obnoxious and ignorant >>enough >>>>that I thought he deserved having a colleague stick >>up >>>>for him. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>>When in doubt, overreach for an inappropriate word: >>>>> >>>>>"Mr. Roddy testified that Ms. Jordan was >>>"gob-smacked" >>>>>when he told her she gave $10,000 to judicial >>>>>candidate Cheryl Allen." >>>>> >>>>>Paging Dr. Roddy, Dr. Roddy ... >>>>> >>>>>"Mr. Roddy said that his experience ran contrary to >>a >>>>>doctor's report that Ms. Jordan was psychotic and >>her >>>>>memory was very impaired." >>>>> >>>>>2 + 2 = 5. Just take Dennis' word for it: >>>>> >>>>>"Under cross-examination from defense attorney >>Thomas >>>>>J. Farrell, Mr. Roddy said he threw away the notes >>>and >>>>>deleted the tape recording of the interview." >>>>> >>>>>Of course, the note destruction issue is crucial to >>>>>both the case and journalism in general. Here's a >>>>>fairly brief story on different sides of the debate >>>>> >>>>><a rel=nofollow target=_blank >>>>>href="http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=1785">http: >/ >>/ >>>w >>>>w >>>>>w.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=1785</a> >>>>> >>>>>My practice and experience with other reporters is >>>>>that we all keep stacks of full note books for a >>long >>>>>time. What do you do? And what have you seen of >>>>>Dennis' desk and drawers? Full of papers and >>>>>notebooks, or neat as a pin?

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