WSM-AM

[fybush]

I don't know about your background, but I worked for a bit as a TV assignment editor, and at least in my experience, the judgment calls about what to cover and to what extent are rarely as political as some here would like to make them. It's all about logistics and about what else is happening where.

The Nashville flooding didn't happen in a vacuum. It had the misfortune to be going on at the same time as two other huge stories, the Times Square attempted bombing and the Gulf oil spill. That's life, sometimes. There were lots of times on the assignment desk that we gave big play to a relatively unimportant story simply because it was the only thing of any consequence going on that day, and plenty of other days when important, interesting stories got less attention than they deserved simply because there were other stories happening that required attention and resources.

It may well be that even so, the Nashville story got less play than it should have. But I'm extremely uneasy about trying to read it as being all about politics - especially when the Gulf oil spill, one of the two stories that got bigger play, wasn't exactly happening in the NY-Washington corridor, either.

 

[beatlenut]

I agree that both Scott and Delta have strong points. Some of it is political. And some of it is prioritized. Think about how little you saw Nashville on national news, and then estimate how many others around the country felt their own city or town didn't get the coverage they thought they deserved when they had a situation like ours. I'll bet we're not the only ones who think we got short-changed.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

ABC had a correspondent in downtown Nashville. NBC and CNN did too. CBS did not. They truly did ignore this story on several days.

 

[Tibbs4]

Here I go...Nock, good comments, you're my friend and you know I love ya like a brother. It's so wonderful to see your pride and people should join your Facebook page because you've done a great job of reporting some truly great journalism that has come from this wonderful city. NASHVILLE IS AMERICA and I will say this from as neutral politically as I can, because we don't need to allow this disaster to be turned into a political hot potato and diminish the struggles and goodwill happening in OUR city. Scott, I have to be on the side that the network news programs are pretty much not important in the scheme of broadcasting in 2010. I am not sure which of the "Big" Three sent principal anchors to Nashville. I have actual proof that Anderson Cooper
hugged one of my friends and was gracious and wonderful to the city of Nashville on his visit. For the life of
me, I cannot believe Sean Hannity wasn't front and center in Nashville and I am disappointed in that for several reasons. First, he has attached himself to country music on his program, which from a NYC standpoint I don't really get, but with his connections on his show to literally dozens of country music stars that live in Nashville, I was surprised. Additionally, I think Sean worked in Huntsville, AL (about 90 minutes south of here?) The President didn't make a visit here, which I think we all know he can't be everywhere, but YES Nock, it IS the single biggest disaster in America that is not hurricane or earthquake (possibly) related, and he needs to get himself down here, if nothing else at least for another photo opportunity (in jest, slightly). On that note, delta, you do remember that Obama DID win the election in Davidson County and it should be a slap in the face of everyone that did vote for him that he has yet to visit. Bad decision. I have no
earthly clue if anyone from MSNBC made a visit to Nashville either. Again, if any of these networks did make a better show than I know of, you have my apologies. Janet Napolitano should have been in damn NYC with the terrorist threat. But, she has some relatives here, so maybe it was a social visit. That one makes NO sense.
If Bush had been President still, who knows if he would have visited. If he had still been President, I wonder aloud, if the media would have made an issue of whether he slighted New Orleans in favor of our disaster. Who knows.

For those of you that live outside of Davidson County or especially Tennessee, please look at the photos and news reports and see just how widespread this flood was. Nashville is 533 sq miles, one of the largest Metro areas in the U.S. and almost every corner received some damage. Areas that have never seen a puddle of water were literally soaked. It caught everyone totally off guard. A hurricane gives you days of warning, the oil spill took time for people to attempt to prepare for it. This was literally a minute to minute disaster that unfolded faster than our eyes could believe. And, I am by no means trying to downplay the Gulf issues. Two dozen people died here. Thousands more will suffer for years to come. Who knows what the poisoned waters will leave in houses that will make people ill or worse for years.

Scott, we're very close to the subject, so this is a sensative matter. But everytime a news channel picks stories, there are countless other stories that get bumped. This happened in a city of roughly 1,300,000 people. We're in the Top 30 TV markets (#29) and if our population were to grow by about 100,000 more we'd be in the Top 20. New Orleans is about #50. Again, not trying to slight others, but I believe these news people in NYC have no idea what size or demographic Nashville is. I think they really do think Nashville is a "cute little town" and the people are slow, country people and I do 100% believe this was why it was given less coverage. They are wrong, like they are wrong about most everything throughout the majority of the Heartland of America. Nashville is a city of charming, wonderful, gracious, considerate, well-educated, well-traveled people. Our city has some amazing cultural facilities that have been damaged. We will recover, rebuild and rise above where we already were. And, believe me, having lived in other places in this great nation, if Nashville gets any better than it already is, no other city will compare.

Let's face it, our story was just not flashy enough for the media of 2010. That's because they have no substance. We, the people of Nashville, do and we will recover with less help from others in other areas of America because we were bumped. I fully expect the Federal Government to come up short, as well, because we will not have the outcry to demand more help. We won't spend all our time bitching about being slighted. Instead, we will spend our time moving forward, helping others and getting on with the work we're required to do by our sense of pride and love for our fellow Nashvillians. No Federal money, mandates or threats will come close to what our hearts and hands will accomplish without a bitter word. THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS STORY DIFFERENT and the media has no clue of what we as a city or a nation are anymore and that's why they are becoming less credible and dependable everyday. Facebook and other media "of the people and by the people" are more honest and informative. Look at Nock and countless others REAL journalists. Done in blue jeans, on a laptop in a home or coffeeshop, not a major city skyscraper tucked behind security teams, removed from the real people, most without a prestigous degree, but all the more accurate and compelling than the heartless 30 seconds of film edited by the old school network's local affiliates. If you ask me, networks have proved they CANNOT cover the news.

Scott, to copy a phrase from you..."that's life, sometimes." You're right, sir. And what a GREAT life it is in this wonderful city, with these countless wonderful Nashvillians. WE ARE NASHVILLE. And those three words say more ... than hours of lame national news coverage by the clueless media that missed a chance to show the world the REAL AMERICA, with it's honesty, compassion, love and innocence.

 

[radionekkid]

The big news organizations have trouble covering just about anything right anyway, so who in the hell is wondering why they did a less than adequate job covering this flood. Besides all that it happened in the middle of a bomb scare in new york and oil well blow out in the gulf of mexico. Cbs, nbc and abc still p/o'd about tenn not electing Albert Gore and Harold Ford. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker voted against Obama Care and the list goes on and on. Nashville just sol so need to get on with life and seem to have done it alone anyway.

 

[hamiltonsfolly]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZING!! Bull's Eye!

 

[tomservo]

There's some truth in something Nock said about no burning buildings and no looting. That sort of thing sells on the teeveenewz and if it were going on to the degree that it did in New Orleans after Katrina, all the networks would be there on top of it. Remember that the Mississippi coast was even more devastated in some ways than New Orleans was, but the people there just went about dealing with it instead of playing to the cameras, and they were summarily ignored during the aftermath.

Helping, friendship and community don't tell advertising, I guess.

 

[TheBigA]

Here's my question: What does the flood in Nashville mean to someone in Montana?

The oil spill in the gulf means shrimp and oil will get expensive. What does the Nashville flood mean?

I understand the "Oh the humanity" aspect. I understand that a lot of people lost everything. But beyond that personal tragedy, which often translates to outsiders saying "Thank God I don't live there," what else can you say? "You're doin' a fine job, Brownie?" Is it all about getting 15 minutes of fame? Do you want your relatives in other states to have a reason to call and ask "How are you doing?" Is it wanting sympathy? Or is it a competitive thing, that Nashville handled disaster better than those folks in New Orleans?

I mean, Sean Hannity had more of a reason to come to Nashville when the Tea Party was at Opryland. I'm amazed that no one brought up the fact that the hotel where Sarah Palin spoke was under 4 feet of water. She can see the Cumberland from her porch! That would have nationalized the story. Crossfade between scenes of the ballroom then and now. Otherwise, there's not much for him to say. Especially when the Mayor and the Governor are Democrats, and they did a pretty good job. It would be more Sean's style to report how the liberals screwed up.

Look, Anderson Cooper admitted he screwed up. He came, he saw, he left. Covering the flood doesn't change the facts, doesn't replace what was lost, or repay people for their losses. No one's talking about prevention. No one's building flood walls or dykes. I know everyone wants to feel important today, and there's an insecurity factor at work here, but I don't understand this thread at all.

 

[Gatekeeper007]

Big A this thread is dangerous because it hits close to home for many people on one hand and on the other it shows a true lack of concern for the values that this country as held dear for many years but now seems to be headed in a different direction, right or wrong I think each person knows deep inside which direction we need to go in but some try to look the other way right now, and it shows big time.

 

[fireworks]

...on the other (hand) it shows a true lack of concern for the values that this country as held dear for many years... right or wrong I think each person knows deep inside which direction we need to go...

Just out of curiosity, name the first value that comes to mind. In one word, if you can, and then elaborate if you wish. I have a feeling what the word will be, and if it is, how wrong you could be.

 

[davideduardo]

Nashville is 533 sq miles, one of the largest Metro areas in the U.S. and almost every corner received some damage.

Some of your facts, like this, need checking...

The Phoenix metro area is 9,200 square miles. LA is a tad under 6,000. Miami's metro is 3,700 square miles...

The area you used for the Nashville metro is actually just the Davidson County land area. The radio market (44th nationally) is 7 counties, or 6 more than you mentioned. The TV market is even bigger.

In attempting to make a statement about the heartland or something like that, you are making statements that don't hold up. Big A's response, while seemingly cold, is honest and real... ask why the story should have been covered more extensively at the time that ones that affect more people grabbed the headlines.

 

[Tibbs4]

David, the true Nashville Extended Metro is allegedly 4,073 sq mi., vs. Davidson County/City of Nashville (Metropolitan Govt.) being about 533. Nashville is a bit different in using the one consolidated government in Davidson County and it's called "Metro" by everyone in this county/city. TV market is #29 and radio is #44 using the surrounding counties, and yes TV reaches into KY and is a bigger "circle." Should have probably been clearer. I was speaking directly about the city of Nashville in Davidson County because most of the news media, had they come here, would have been in the city, proper.

The rest of it, as far as why it was covered or not, you're on your own on your observations as to why it matters, or not.

 

[Lancer]

It has been interesting hearing the broadcast directly from the transmitter site. Hopefully many of the historic tapes & records have already been archived to a redundant digital backup offsite somehow.

Thanks Watt for all of your extra work & I wish your family well. I drove out there to take pix of the tower when I was in Nashville a few years back - it is a sight to see. I usually listen online from Dallas since we have a 660 here that spoils my 650 reception. Hated to see it go away from Sirius as I really enjoyed it in the car, but I plan to try the iPhone WSM app.

 

[tomservo]

Maybe while they're broadcasting from the transmitter site someone can "accidentally" flip the stereo back on.

(A boy can dream, can't he?) 8)

 

[Gatekeeper007]

Firework the first one is God, then Family, then Country, and helping your follow man in times of trouble well that goes without saying, but it does help when you know your fellow man is in trouble.

 

[Tom Wells]

I had to listen a few days to be sure, but it seems like the audio (without the STL) is a wee bit brighter and higher in resolution.
Is processing different now, or is it just the elimination of the STL?

 

[fireworks]

Firework the first one is God, then Family, then Country, and helping your follow man in times of trouble well that goes without saying, but it does help when you know your fellow man is in trouble.

I respect your answer, and the order of the values. Thank you. I was afraid you were going to say pride.

 

[Gatekeeper007]

Tom that could be a number of different things, their STL could be digital which seems to keep thing up againest a wall so to speak loudness wise but still it reduces the brightness a little due to the compression of the audio in the analog to digital process, kinda of like squeezing it a bit more. Could be something else thou like voice over IP which will reduce the audio limits a slight bit before they hit audio compresser/expander system.

 

[Tibbs4]

...on the other (hand) it shows a true lack of concern for the values that this country as held dear for many years... right or wrong I think each person knows deep inside which direction we need to go...

Just out of curiosity, name the first value that comes to mind. In one word, if you can, and then elaborate if you wish. I have a feeling what the word will be, and if it is, how wrong you could be.

According to one mental giant on this very board, that answer is simple, Fireworks! "Oil and Seafood." Carry On.

Great response, Gatekeeper.

 

[fireworks]

HA!