Richard Jewell Was the Last Guy to Feel Alone in His Hatred for CNN

This guy MJD makes a good point about the recently departed Richard Jewell:

The media and general public convicted him with a quickness (if blogs has existed in 1996, it would've probably been even worse for Jewell). He was a perfect target for the media ... overweight, mustachioed, unattractive, a bit of a loner, lived with his mother ... not the kind of guy who gets the benefit of the doubt upon first glance. [Emphasis mine.]

He's exactly right, though I think it would have played out different before and after the accusations. Blogs would have added (temporarily hilarious and mustache-related) fuel to the fire at first, and then when the case fell apart, they would begin scouring CNN et al for a scalp. Yes, that would be hypocritical. No, it wouldn't likely matter much.

If a scalp was won by the blogosphere, would that have been any more vindication for Jewell? Probably.

I don't see any evidence that all these pressures from bloggers result in better journalism. But, from the POV of someone wrongly accused by the media, the FBI, or internet basement dwellers, I bet seeing a scalp on the wall feels like a kind of progress.

Music News You Can Booze

Nate Chinen, relatively recent of escapee of the America Online, breaks down how Charlie Parker died all over this city:

But when, in the summer of 1951, Parker’s state-issued cabaret license was revoked, he was barred from working in New York. As his condition deteriorated and the jazz world grew crowded with his imitators, he was forced to seek work on the road. And in 1954, when Chan sent word that their 2-year-old daughter, Pree, had died of pneumonia, the shock sent Parker into a tailspin.

Take note, Kath: Trying to find artistic happiness outside the five boroughs ranks with addiction to heroin and the loss of ones' offspring. Just sayin'.

MORE MUSIC: I thought Rilo Kelley was a woman. But she's not, she's a band. Led by Jenny Watson, who is not part of Wailin' Jennies, (and is not to be confused with Waylon Jennings) but who was introduced to me by Jenny Quinn. Jenny Watson also has a wonderful band with the Watson Twins, but they probably aren't actual sisters or brothers. Eff.

All I know is this ladymusic is coming at me from various angles, which means it's probably gonna hit big soon. So, if you want to look cool, a Jenny Watson-related T-shirt bought sooner is probably > a JWT bought later. Though inevitably some kid will just accuse you of buying it distressed. You can't hardly win.