Saturday, June 30, 2007

For Immediate Distribution

I've been blogging for a year now, and I have some readers. Also, I'm about to start podcasting. Furthermore, I'm thinking about launching a printed newsletter, which would have an instant readership of at least thirty people. With my fine suite of Apple computers and software, I have produced several Preteen Camp, Mission Trip, and VBS videos. I once did a Q&A "man on the street" video production for a chapel sermon. For that production, I even had a guy help me. And I directed the finest video documentary of an adoption that has ever been produced, in my opinion. Therefore, I am not only a journalist—I am a multimedia journalistic conglomerate. I demand that everyone immediately begin to forward me all their press releases. And tomorrow, I'm sending a letter to George W. Bush demanding a spot in the White House Press Corps. :-)

44 comments:

cameron coyle said...

Now that's comedy.

Anonymous said...

It would sound more official if you were to say, "we".

Tim G said...

You the MAN!

Anonymous said...

Bart,

. . .then could you enclose my tax exemption receipt in your new newsletter? I'm trying to help you be a better steward of the money that's fixing to start rolling in.

sm

volfan007 said...

can i be one of your ace reporters? i always wanted to go to the white house.

david

Debbie Kaufman said...

Do I hear the sound of that green eyed monster?

Bart Barber said...

Debbie,

This post reflects as much envy as these folks have of these folks.

FBC said...

Did you get this release to the Outpost?

Anonymous said...

Your going to need a new flashy logo and some wicked sweet graphic anamation. Oh and a sarcastic, snoty, self-abosorbed news anchor with great hair. Where can we find one of those......? :-)

Joe

Tim Rogers said...

Brother Bishop Joe,

Have you seen Wes Kenney's hair? Of course Volfan007 has a great head of hair. But then Brother Ben Cole has can cause much envy from his head of hair. But Ben does not follow the script. He is not a talking head so he probably could not be used. :>)

Blessings,
Tim

Anonymous said...

Bro. Tim,

I was not necessarily referring to him, but true none the less.

It is all about the hair!

Joe

Debbie Kaufman said...

Well, Bart you could have fooled me. Usually when you write more than on post on a topic, your pretty shook up about something.

Debbie Kaufman said...

That should be more than one post on a topic.

Bart Barber said...

Debbie,

More than one post on a topic???

Have you had your vision checked lately? Are you seeing double?

Bart Barber said...

Debbie,

I also want to make sure that you grasp the point of this post. Let's all beware as bloggers not to take ourselves too seriously. We are not journalists. We are not highly successful leaders. We are not the people with all the answers. We are opinion commentators. And amateur ones at that. Personally, I think it looks silly when any of us pretend to be something other.

Anonymous said...

Bart-

Just curious if you could define for me what exactly a journalist is since you are sure that none of us are one?

The dictionary tells me that it's anyone who practices, or makes an occupation out of, writing for a newspaper and/or magazine. It provides a secondary definition as one who keeps a journal.

We have people working with Outpost who do both (including working as paid writers for magazines/newspapers).

Also, just to clarify, we requested that SBC entities send us press releases. As many of them had already begun making a practice of doing so (without us asking for that) we thought it might be ok to ask the rest to do so. Is that inappropriate?

Wes Kenney said...

Micah,

Bart can certainly speak for himself, but after a great conversation with Don Hinkle in San Antonio, I can tell you that he would add "making one's living at it" to your definition of "journalist."

Tim Rogers said...

Brother Micah,

Has Brother Bart crossed a line in the sand or something? It seems that you are taking him to task on something concerning SBC Outpost and their new direction. Why would you feel a need to call into question his definition of a Journalist? Also, what agencies were sending bloggers such as you, and my other Brothers Marty, Art, Wade etc. etc. news releases?

Blessings,
Tim

Bart Barber said...

Micah,

I did not at all mean that blogging and journalism were mutually exclusive past-times. If Katy Couric takes up blogging (and for all I know she has done so) she would be no less a journalist for the endeavor.

Nevertheless, blogging does not make a journalist. I'll be glad to let the professional journalists define the boundaries of their guild. So far, while the new SBC Outpost remains in its vaporware stage, one can only evaluate the product based upon the list of people who have announced beforehand that they will be regular contributors. Of the announcements that I have seen, they are all bloggers, not journalists.

I have written a couple of articles for print publications (a magazine and a newspaper), but that fact does not make me a journalist.

Debbie Kaufman said...

Bart: What was the post before this one about?

Anonymous said...

Wes-

After having spent a bit of time with Mr. Hinkle myself, I would imagine that your estimation of his preferred definition is correct.

Tim-

I believe that Bart is clear that this post is a reference to the upcoming opening of the "new" SBCOutpost.com.

Bart-

No offense intended, but why are you quick to clarify that none involved are journalists, but then choose to withhold your definition of a journalist? That approach seems a bit disingenuous to me.

Anonymous said...

While we're not taking ourselves too seriously (and I'm all for that), how about we not take others too seriously as well (and I'm all for that, too). It seems that some bloggers have their shorts notched up a little tight these days.

Bart Barber said...

Micah,

In my early childhood years I could not have given you good definitions for the vapor, liquid, and solid states of matter, but I still knew the difference between ice and water. I am reluctant to commit to a definition because I know my own limitations—that I am not a journalist and have not pursued advanced study in that field.

Nevertheless, I offer the following observed differences between journalists and bloggers:

Journalistic organizations labor hard to show tangible division between the part of the newsroom that does journalistic reporting and the part that writes opinion. Neither is bad; the admirable facet of good journalism is its careful effort to differentiate between the two. The contributors to the Outpost whose announcements I have read are all (as I stated earlier) opinion commentators, established as such by substantial track records.

I think that journalistic training must play some role in defining a journalist, whether that training takes place in pursuit of a degree or not.

I think that Bro. Hinkle's point about earning one's living as a journalist has some merit. The person whose livelihood depends upon journalistic credibility is a person who can be held accountable. Frankly, it would be very difficult for any reader of my blog to try to hold me accountable for my words. I try to remember that I am accountable to Christ. But if my readership went to zero tomorrow (and it well might), I will have lost nothing of consequence. My family loves me. My church loves me. I derive not one penny from blogging. On the other hand, a journalist whose editor is also his employer—there's somebody who is highly incentivised to labor up to professional standards.

So you see, Micah, I do have some elements in mind for a definition of a journalist. I do not know that my opinion on the matter is informed enough for me to issue THE definition of a journalist. But I'm far enough along the way to see the differences between journalism and what we do as bloggers.

Bart Barber said...

Debbie,

The post before this one was an announcement of my promised month of vacation and of what lies in store for this blog after the break.

Bart Barber said...

Paul,

Although I will decline the invitation to discuss the status of my undergarments, I've got to say that you couldn't be further off base. I've posted, what, twice or three times in the last couple of weeks? I'm taking a MONTH off from blogging?? I'm far from overwrought, brother.

Anonymous said...

Big Daddy Weave said…

Bart,

Good words.

The blog world can get to your head. At the CBF this week - my dad realized that perhaps his 24-year old son's celebrity among moderate Baptists is greater than his own - especially after Vestal and Bill Underwood asked if I was THE big daddy weave.

But at the end of the day, I know I'm just a somewhat sarcastic guy with a laptop and nothing better to do than waste time perusing countless blogs. So, no press releases from BDW.

Bart Barber said...

Big Daddy,

I'm glad to know that you are in no danger of becoming BigHead Daddy Weave! :-)

BTW, sorry for the edit. The language standards here at PGBB are ridiculously high. Although the muley word you chose appears prominently in the Walt Disney movie Pinocchio and is only barely objectionable, the father of a four-year-old becomes highly sensitive to such things.

Anonymous said...

Bart -

I'll give you a seat at all my press conferences. So far, only the Vernon Daily Record comes but space could be limited if an unexpected boom in population and media outlets hits Wilbarger county. In any event, your place is secure should crowds ever start forming.

Ben

volfan007 said...

i'm a journalist! if someone would just send me a penny for what i write, then maybe i could be counted by hinkle as a journalist. will someone send me a penny? also, i want all news outlets to start sending me thier latest reports. my fans want to know the latest, and over on my blog, they're gonna get the latest breaking news in the sbc world.

also, big daddy, at the sbc, i had people coming up to me and asking if i was volfan! lol. i have also had people call me to talk to me on the phone. this celebrity gig is just getting to be too much. i might start wearing sun glasses and combing my hair different. i also want to hire wes to be my chaffuer...i think that's how you spell that french word for somebody who drives you around....aint it?

well, i must go.....the Lord's Day calls. wes, pick me up in about 10 minutes...it's time to go to church.

david

Debbie Kaufman said...

Ya know the list of stuff to squabble about including this is growing old. Old Old. Maybe a month off is what the doctor ordered Bart cause lately you and your yahoo group have been a curmudgeon.

Tim Rogers said...

Brother Bart,

Am I part of your Yahoo! Group? If not, may I?

Yahoooooooo! Is that plagiarism?

:>)

Blessings,
Tim

Matt Brady said...

I seem to recall chastisement being directed at some bloggers simply for using labels like conservative, liberal, or moderate. Should we expect any chastisement for labeling Christian brothers and sisters as crusty old brutes?

Ephesians 4:29

Bart Barber said...

Debbie,

No squabbling here. I'm offering an opinion. "Opinion commentary", you recall? That, my sister, is what a blog is. If it irks you that I have an opinion, perhaps my month away will be good for the both of us.

But when I return, I will still have my opinions. I will still express them. And if my opinions run contrary to the fomenting of unwarranted rebellion in the SBC, so be it.

FBC said...

Is that group from the backwoods of Arkansas?

Debbie Kaufman said...

Unwarranted rebellion?

Anonymous said...

LOL---I would love to one day see the adoption video. Then you can say that your stuff is in high demand as well. :)

Anonymous said...

Bart,

No offense intended. In fact, I thought the post was humorous. I was actually referring to how the comments seemed to be turning from this side of the monitor. It just started sounding to me like:

"You aren't journalists."
"We are too."
"Are not."
"Are too."
...

Hey, I was asked to contribute, why, I do not know. Maybe to make all the other guys look good. I know that I'm no journalist and don't want to be. I don't have a problem calling everything but the press releases nothing but editorial commentary, but in the end I doubt the reputation of the fourth estate will be jeopardized by what we do or do not call whatever it is that will go on over at SBC Outpost.

At least not any more than the theological enterprise will be jeopardized if Don Hinkle, or Gary Ledbetter (journalists) sometimes think of themselves as theologians.

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
Time to back away from the keyboard and get some fresh air I think.

Bart, enjoy your vacation. You deserve it! Only one thing...unwarranted? Yes. Rebellion? I think that's giving a little too much credit to the loud and obnoxious minority.

Kristal

Anonymous said...

Reporting from Gleason, Tenn., this is Gene Price. I want to report that it is now 10:00 and we have officially "rolled up the side-walks for the night."
I feel good! I always wanted to be a news reporter! Now I know how it feels. Praise God!

volfan007 said...

i have a huge news worthy report to make. do i send this to baptist press, or to the sbc outpost? am i required to send it to sbc outpost? i eagerly await your answer, bart.

david

Writer said...

Bart,

You know I love you as a brother in Christ. I also appreciate satire as much as the next guy. However, this post was beneath you, buddy. Totally out of line and unnecessary.

God bless!!

Les

Debbie Kaufman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debbie Kaufman said...

Krystal: I don't think fresh air will cure the content of this post. I have not seen you comment before and I don't think you know those you disagree with well enough to be able to call anyone obnoxious. I know I have not had the pleasure of meeting you.

Anonymous said...

Debbie:

If you ever do have the pleasure of meeting me, I am sure your opinion of me will not change. You will find me to agree with everything that Bart posts on this blog.
Please do not assume that because I do not comment often that I do not know you. I think you make yourself very clear.

Kristal Coyle