Dear Commons Community,

The media has been in a frenzy regarding the scandal involving Rupert Murdoch and his newspapers.  I posted on this issue on July 7^th. I have been following the story and there has been more than enough coverage in the mainstream media and no need to post further on my blog.  However, there was an attempt yesterday by Rupert’s  Fox News “Fox and Friends” morning show  to smooth over the whole affair by claiming that the hacking activities on the part of his British tabloid was part of a larger hacking problem facing commerce and government in general.   Take a look at this lame interview by host Steve Doocy with Robert Dilenschneider.

Tony

Dear Commons Community,

Today’s  NY Times editorial laments the diminution of what was once a great New York cultural treasure – the New York City Opera.  For those of us who enjoy and attend opera in New York, the City Opera was the opera for the people.  The company, which used to present as many as 20 productions in a season at Lincoln Center, will present four, which will be staged at BAM, El Museo del Barrio, and the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College.  It is also quite possible that the chorus and the orchestra will be demoted from full-time employment to freelance status.

The editorial rightfully assigns responsibility for this predicament mainly to poor management and ruefully acknowledges that the City Opera is a ghost of its former creative self.    A lack of artistic direction, poor ticket sales, and budget overruns also contributed to its plight.

No Bravos or Bravas here.

Tony