Mikehunts column about the UWM vs MU flap

[SRT4driver]

www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=437692

I'm fed up... So here I go (or went, as it were):


Dear Mr. Hunt,

As a WI Army Nat'l Guard soldier who has been deployed to Iraq for the last 10 months, I usually don’t get a chance to read the newspaper over here as much as I used to back home (for obvious reasons), but when I do get the chance to visit the JSonline website, it's really a nice break from things here.

This was not the case, however, when I read your latest column. It upset me to the point of anger. Why in the world would you basically lie to the good people of Milwaukee by implying matter-of-factly that UWM and UW currently have a 4-for-1 series? Especially when your own newspaper correctly stated just the day before that the two schools are in a 4-for-2 series, with UW paying UWM for three additional games.

Does it not strike you, sir, as dishonest to treat those three guarantee games as non-paying "series" games when talking about what kind of NON-GUARANTEE series MU wishes to have UWM agree to? Or dishonest to omit any mention of them being "buy" games at all when using them to manipulate the 4-for-2 series into something it is not? And even then, how in the world does 7-for-2 equal 4-for-1? I mean, I did go to UWM and all, but even I can see that doesn't equal out.

I expected these sort disingenuous tactics from Tom Crean when I read them, and was not even all that shocked when I saw them coming from the MU beat writer himself (who has a history of being a non-neutral point-of-view "advocate" of the MU program), but I truly expected better from you.

Whatever happened to honest journalism? What you did is beyond leading-on your readers, and is truly shameful. When I pray tonight, you will be in my prayers.

A very disappointed former reader,

Jason _____
Greenfield, WI

[pantherpanther]

Awesome read SRT!

[milwsport]

Interestingly enough Hunt is the same guy who wrote that there was no reason for MU to play UWM in the past. Now Crean says they'll play us and he gets with the party line.

[pantherpanther]

I remember that article Sport. Simply put, Hunt is an asshole writer who is an MU asskisser.

[schweaty]

Look I respect you for going to war and stuff, but it's hard to respect what you're saying. I mean come on, do you really think Hunt would be intentionally dishonest to try and make UWM look bad? I am a huge UWM supporter and can't stand many of the snobs that go to the Catholic school in the ghetto, but I'm not going to get angry and stop reading the Journal because they "lied" about the technical info on our 4-and-2 deal with Madison. And then you're going to pray for Hunt for his mortal sin of screwing up facts on the deal? Take a deep breath... Sending e-mails like that won't help rally the writers at the Journal to write more articles on the Panthers.

[SRT4driver]

The praying part may have been slightly over the top, I'll give you that.
But to answer your question: Yes, I do believe he's being intentionally dishonest! I can't tell you for sure that it's to make UWM "look bad", but I'm fairly certain it's not making us look real good in this situation.

I, for one, DO expect JS writers to be honest when reporting a story, and I'm sorry that as a Milwaukee Panther fan, you don't feel upset when they report things regarding our team as "facts" when in fact they are not, simply because Tom Crean says they are.

And the last time I checked "the writers at the JS" don't write any articles on the Panthers, only our beat writer has with any regularity, and even that's been a recent occurance. Unless, of course, we're mentioned as part of another school's article's (like these last two basically were - MU articles) and not in any way flattering, let alone factually accurate. (I mean, how hard can it be!)
So I wouldn't worry too much about them writing less Panther articles, schweaty.

[crazyfred]

srt4driver said:

The praying part may have been slightly over the top, I'll give you that.
But to answer your question: Yes, I do believe he's being intentionally dishonest! I can't tell you for sure that it's to make UWM "look bad", but I'm fairly certain it's not making us look real good in this situation.

I, for one, DO expect JS writers to be honest when reporting a story, and I'm sorry that as a Milwaukee Panther fan, you don't feel upset when they report things regarding our team as "facts" when in fact they are not, simply because Tom Crean says they are.

And the last time I checked "the writers at the JS" don't write any articles on the Panthers, only our beat writer has with any regularity, and even that's been a recent occurance. Unless, of course, we're mentioned as part of another school's article's (like these last two basically were - MU articles) and not in any way flattering, let alone factually accurate. (I mean, how hard can it be!)
So I wouldn't worry too much about them writing less Panther articles, schweaty.

To suggest Crean or Hunt are being intentionally dishonest is ridiculous. I admire the men and women in uniform...don't make them look silly by your conspiratorial ramblings.

[milwsport]

Awww come one Fred. Do you mean to tell me that Crean can't tell the difference between a 7-2 and a 4 for 1? Or between a guaranteed game and a road game?

[SRT4driver]

crazyfred said:

srt4driver said:

The praying part may have been slightly over the top, I'll give you that.
But to answer your question: Yes, I do believe he's being intentionally dishonest! I can't tell you for sure that it's to make UWM "look bad", but I'm fairly certain it's not making us look real good in this situation.

I, for one, DO expect JS writers to be honest when reporting a story, and I'm sorry that as a Milwaukee Panther fan, you don't feel upset when they report things regarding our team as "facts" when in fact they are not, simply because Tom Crean says they are.

And the last time I checked "the writers at the JS" don't write any articles on the Panthers, only our beat writer has with any regularity, and even that's been a recent occurance. Unless, of course, we're mentioned as part of another school's article's (like these last two basically were - MU articles) and not in any way flattering, let alone factually accurate. (I mean, how hard can it be!)
So I wouldn't worry too much about them writing less Panther articles, schweaty.

To suggest Crean or Hunt are being intentionally dishonest is ridiculous. I admire the men and women in uniform...don't make them look silly by your conspiratorial ramblings.

Wow, real classy taking a cheap shot at me like that. And simply because you disagree with me for calling it like I see it based upon the facts available. I retract my previous invitation to you I offered in the other thread.

[damasa]

crazyfred said:

srt4driver said:

The praying part may have been slightly over the top, I'll give you that.
But to answer your question: Yes, I do believe he's being intentionally dishonest! I can't tell you for sure that it's to make UWM "look bad", but I'm fairly certain it's not making us look real good in this situation.

I, for one, DO expect JS writers to be honest when reporting a story, and I'm sorry that as a Milwaukee Panther fan, you don't feel upset when they report things regarding our team as "facts" when in fact they are not, simply because Tom Crean says they are.

And the last time I checked "the writers at the JS" don't write any articles on the Panthers, only our beat writer has with any regularity, and even that's been a recent occurance. Unless, of course, we're mentioned as part of another school's article's (like these last two basically were - MU articles) and not in any way flattering, let alone factually accurate. (I mean, how hard can it be!)
So I wouldn't worry too much about them writing less Panther articles, schweaty.

To suggest Crean or Hunt are being intentionally dishonest is ridiculous. I admire the men and women in uniform...don't make them look silly by your conspiratorial ramblings.

Our men and women in uniform do far too much for anything to make them look silly.

[dylanrocks]

There is a fundamental issue with Mr. Hunt's column: The series has not been revived in 4-for-1 fashion or otherwise. All one needs to do is speak with one of the Eastsiders, the party that trails the all-time Division 1 series 0-6.

[BBFran]

dylan -- Do you have or know where I could get a chronology showing when UWM was in what division or affiliation (e.g. NAIA)?

[dylanrocks]

Fran, that is a great question. I wish the UWM media guide would specify the team's affiliation before each season's record. I have taken up the cause with a few people in sports information. I think this would be tremendously helpful.

[JimmyLemke]

Well said, Damasa. This guy is quickly becoming one of my favorite people on this board. I just hope he slaps around his Butler underling a little more.

[BBFran]

thanks dr. If you get a chronology, please publish it here.