Sunday, April 20, 2008

John Short's Column on The New Arena

ARTICLE

MASSIVE EDIT: Apparently I'm the idiot who couldn't figure out it was purely sarcastic.

I exchanged an email with John Short. His response was:

Don't know anything about Brad Humphreys but I'm convinced his point of view needs to be
presented more often.
I'm not opposed to billionaires having play-toys of their own, but I am opposed to guys
and gals -- and senior citizens -- paying big tax dollars for facilities to house events
the average person can't afford to watch in person more than once or twice a week.
Interesting that there have been several e-mails already referring to my column on the
subject. Most, overwhelmingly, see the point I was making -- that Mandell and his
committee went in with an agenda. Millionaires (billionaires) almost always find a way to
get what they want and they usually find a way to have you and I pay for it in the name
of progress and civic pride.
Thanks for asking.
John


My sincere apologies to John Short.

16 comments:

MikeP said...

Sorry, if it's tax money a few millions overrun shouldn't count?

Holy fucking shit is all I can say. Nice of him to volunteer to spend everybody else's money that way - maybe the overruns should come out of the Edmonton Sun's pocket, then we'll see if he still thinks the same thing.

"Sorry John, no raise for you this year, looks like we spent our entire budget on the new arena you shilled for."

Overruns of *any* amount are unacceptable with public money. It means somebody fucked up. You can move on from them, but assuming that an overrun of 30% or less is fine just because it's somebody else's money is just insane. If nothing else, it tells vendors that fudging their numbers by 25% is fine, since the bill will be paid with no complaint.

And I speak as somebody who spends (and earns) what amounts to taxpayer money.

Sean said...

He is speaking tongue-in-cheek.

PunjabiOil said...

What makes you think so Sean?

The Kandyman said...

WOW! How can you NOT tell that John Short is talking sarcastically. Stop being so blind!

Sean said...

Boy, it's certainly pleasant when someone speaks with such politeness and respect towards you, isn't it, Punjabioil?

To take the time out of his day to make an intelligent and insightful comment on your honest mistake?

Hey Kandyman, a sarcasm detector? Oh yeah, that's a REALLY useful invention...

Punjabioil, I too expect the worst from Sun writers and almost dismissed this as more of the same, but the whole "an American can't possibly know how much our pride is worth, even with background knowledge..." statement. After re-reading it, it became apparent he was poking fun at all the arena promoters, with the 30% cost overruns etc.

I think it's more a reflection of what we've come to expect from an Edmonton Sun editorial that smart people could mistake this for a real piece of journalism.

I think I just heard 630 CHED talking up the benefits of getting a new police helicopter, I guess they must be up to the same trick...oh wait...

The Kandyman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Kandyman said...

sarcasm detector? huh?

Its interesting to note that a former fellow blogger partner of Mr. PJO has decided to try to explain PJO's illogical conclusions.

Its very discouraging to see the Oilogosphere becoming more and more "a snobosphere secret handshake sewing circle".

I simply demanded accountability from PJO for his ridiculous interpretation of a very simple piece of journalism.

PJO, how can you ever regain any credibility after this HUGE debacle? Imagine how atwitter the Oilogosphere would be if a MSM member make such a mistake in judgement. Oh wait! I don't have to imagine this, since the proof of the unjustifiable insanity that pervades your community is on daily display.

PunjabiOil said...

I simply demanded accountability from PJO for his ridiculous interpretation of a very simple piece of journalism.

Haha buddy. Relax.

It's not like I personally insulted John Short. I criticized, what I had interpreted the article to be. Turns out I couldn't detect the sarcasm - and in print, it's a little difficult to do so as opposed to in person.

Sean said...

Fellow blogging partner?

News to me...

The Kandyman said...

http://oilerfans4life.blogspot.com/....

Sean said...

Damn, I didn't know you contributed to that blog PunjabiOil...I haven't looked at that in years...boy I had some good posts, maybe I should get back into blogging...

As far as being a secret handshake circle jerk, I haven't written anything in the "oilogosphere" in a year and a half, and it's been two years since I've actually contributed regularly.

As far as regaining credibility, it's a blog, either read it or don't. He made a mistake, he acknowledged it and apologized for it, so move on.

LittleFury said...

I for one would like to congratulate Mr. Short for his spot-on Scott McKeen impression.

PunjabiOil said...

Apparently Brad Humphrey's didn't detect the sarcasm either

http://thesportseconomist.com/

2nd entry from the top.

So, The Kandyman - is Brad Humphreys blind too?

Oilman said...

Blind - and a little bitchy - it would appear:o)

The Kandyman said...

Mr. Punjab OIL, Im the one who pointed that out to you!

Both you and Humphreys made a mistake. I pointed out Humphreys misinterpretation on that blog as well, so he is not completely spared. However, I find your mistake to be more egregious simply due to your nature of being critical to the point of being arrogant. I dont find your pursuit of the truth to be sincere. It was with misguided malicious intent that you attacked John Short!

It seems that the pervailing wisdom that somehow the oilogosphere is superior to the MSM is simply not true. I believe that your post proves that

PunjabiOil said...

Mr. Punjab OIL, Im the one who pointed that out to you!

Yes. Yes you did. Relevance of this fact?

Both you and Humphreys made a mistake. I pointed out Humphreys misinterpretation on that blog as well, so he is not completely spared.

In a much more civil tone. All I see on Humphreys blog from you is:

"Hope that clarifies the point he was trying to make."

Why should Brad Humphreys get any more benefit of doubt than me? Because he's a professor that you talked to, versus me being just a fellow friend/classmate?

It seems that the pervailing wisdom that somehow the oilogosphere is superior to the MSM is simply not true

Quick - find a quote where I said that.