Category Archives: People

‘What Nancy Pelosi knows’

By Joel Thurtell Mitt Romney wants to know ‘what Nancy Pelosi knows’ about ethics violations by Newt Gingrich when he was Speaker of the House. I’d settle for knowing what Nancy knows about her fellow Democrat, John “The Con” Conyers. … Continue reading

Posted in Bad government, JC & Me, People, Politics | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

My pal Newt

By Joel Thurtell I like Newt. I can’t say it too often — Newt Gingrich is the greatest! I owe Newt a big debt of gratitude, because it was Newt who nudged me off the dime and into the race … Continue reading

Posted in Bad government, Books, Hardalee Press, People | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pepper gas kills

By Joel Thurtell In light of the current controversy surrounding use by cops of pepper spray, I’m reprinting my Detroit Free Press articles in 2000 and 2003 about the death of a Pontiac, Michigan man, Kerwin Thomas from an asthma … Continue reading

Posted in Bad government, People | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Margaret Dunning: Still cruisin’

Five years ago, I rode around Plymouth in Margaret Dunning’s classic Cadillac for a Detroit Free Press story. Then, Margaret Dunning was 96 years old. I remember being thrilled as she turned the big Caddy north onto Sheldon and, with … Continue reading

Posted in Adventures in history, People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

They eat horses, don’t they?

By Joel Thurtell Couple weeks ago, my friend Donna invited me to dinner. I was delighted. Donna has a summer place near our cottage in McGregor Bay, Ontario, and I’ve eaten her food before. She is a brilliant cook. We … Continue reading

Posted in Bay, People, Places, Togo & Peace Corps, Wildlife | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SHOESTRING REPORTER

By “Floyd Inkjet” JOTR Book Critic At last, someone has penned a book about Journalism that truly can be described as all these things — a personal memoir, a comprehensive strategy for building a Journalism career, a nuts-and-bolts textbook and, … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Hardalee Press, People | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Susan Tompor: ‘We did win!’

By Joel Thurtell JOTR favorite Susan Tompor has won the Detroit Free Press charity popularity contest. I was curious about what had happened after I urged readers on July 23, 2010 to vote for Susan in the paper’s “Reader Envy” … Continue reading

Posted in People | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Advice to pope: Get thee to a monastery!

By Joel Thurtell King Louis XIV of France is supposed to have said, “Apres moi, le deluge.” I wonder if the pope thinks that because he is anointed to serve as the Vicar of Christ for life, no earthly force … Continue reading

Posted in People, Politics | Leave a comment

Lord of the Lies

By Luke Warm Professor of Mendacity University of Munchausen There comes a time in the career of every Professor of Mendacity — even those of us who have earned multiple PhDs in the fields of Duplicity, Mendacity, Deceit and Diversion … Continue reading

Posted in censorship, future of newspapers, Joel's J School, People | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CANADA ROCKS!

By Joel Thurtell I was sitting in the living room of Zoe and Burnley McDougall’s house on Vim Island in McGregor Bay on Sunday, February 21, 2010, the day the U.S. Olympic hockey team beat the Canadians in the quarter … Continue reading

Posted in Bay, People | 1 Comment