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Links to two recent Youtube videos about bedbugs
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parakeets
oldtimer
Joined: Mar '07
Posts: 913
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Dec 11 2007 19:42:16
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Here are two videos from Youtube that made me incredibly sad ... the spokesman saying "it was treated a month ago" and bragging how they are "reducing the numbers dramatically"... while viewers are seeing the actual infestation still going on makes me so angry for these poor senior citizens. Would someone send this Youtube to Oprah? Maybe she will listen. Someone out there who is reading this post can do something. Please!
[+] Embed the video Get the Video Plugins [+] Embed the video Get the Video Plugins -
nyjammin
senior member
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 664
Posted 2 years ago
Tue Dec 11 2007 22:29:59
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Like I've been saying: elderly, mentally ill, the poor, immigrants, etc. are all going to suffer. No one gives a shit. Every man for himself. Yet these people who have bbs have kids who go to school with other kids and hang up their jackets next to others who don't have bbs and they also ride public transportation and use hospitals, take taxis, go to movies, use our ambulances, see our doctors, etc. So, anyone have an idea of when there will be a "cure" or when a certain pesticide that shall remain nameless (like Harry Potter "He whose name should not be spoken") will come about? 5, 10, 15 years?
I really think it's going to wind up like the year 1907, not 2007.
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thanks 'Keets. I blogged the Samuel Blackmon video because I don't think it showed properly when the story first ran. I think people should show this to their landlords.
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lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 10:40:55
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What is it with hopes that Oprah will do a story on this? Everyone must realize that the media does not wish to discuss this topic.
I think that it is a gag order of some kind. -
itchyincharmcity
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 262
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 14:12:40
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Oprah? Never. Where's the affirmation, the feel-good resolution, etc? It's just not her beat. But that news clip proves that local news outlets will cover the story when there is an appropriate angle.
I think the real problem is that media doesn't understand how there is a story here, they don't know it's an area of interest or that it is a genuine problem. And, as long as the public health officials are telling the reporters that there's no threat, where's the story?
Many bedbuggers report that even their spouse thinks they are overreacting. If you can't convince your wife, don't you think it will take a little longer to convince others? Baby steps, people.
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lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 15:31:37
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itchyincharmcity,
Yes, there is wisdom in your words but it is hard for me to convince my spouse on just about anything. -
itchyincharmcity
member
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 262
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 16:39:10
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Aha! I am single but I hear that is not uncommon in a marriage! ;)
If only you had married Oprah...
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Well, one problem with getting coverage in the media is that they generally need real people--they need a face to take pictures of and a name to put in the story. Samuel Blackmon was willing to appear on camera and use his name. That's rare among people with bed bugs.
I have spoken to many, many people in the media so far. Only one of these actually published anything I said, because I do not use my real name, they don't want to print it. I am not blaming them; this is how it works. But it is hard to get good coverage because of it.
The reason I don't use my real name has more to do with running the website than anything else, but apparently it is almost impossible for reporters to find someone willing to appear on camera and/or use their names.
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nyjammin
senior member
Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 664
Posted 2 years ago
Wed Dec 12 2007 20:20:14
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I do not under the media not wanting to cover our bb problem because we decide to remain anonymous. Why can't they just show the people from the neck down like they did in one of the videos above. His arm was covered in bb bites and his face was not shown.
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Real names means real blacklisting and if you are poor and you have to rent that can make you homeless very quickly.
It's clear to me that with the high costs of treatment, and the potential losses from rentals or sales, no one is going to want to be vocal about this in a hurry. Otherwise PCO companies will be pressured to lower treatment costs ($600 for 1.5 hours!!), landlords will be pressured to be held publicly responsible and politicians will have their pork diets reduced as wealthy property owners start balking at the publicity.
Vested interests will prohibit any real solution until this is an obvious public health issue. Don Quixote efforts not withstanding. Thus endeth the rant.
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lieutenantdan
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 1,162
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Dec 13 2007 10:13:57
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I am having a problem with the media claiming that in order to do some good reporting on bbs they need real names or faces.
I have seen plenty of news stories where they interview a person and block out the face and disguise the voice.
It is something more than that but I can't figure it. I do believe that if all of a sudden it is found that bbs do spread disease and people are getting ill and checking themselves into emergency rooms than coverage would begin. -
itchyincharmcity
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Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 262
Posted 2 years ago
Thu Dec 13 2007 13:12:14
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I have no problem with reporters wanting real names and faces. In general, a reporter needs solid sources to convince his editor that he has a real story. And as a reader I need real sources so I can evaluate the story on my own. I don't want to read a sory about some anonymous guy in an unnamed building somewhere in my city. How does that help me assess my own risk? Is it in my neighborhood? Is the building comparable to mine? I am supposeded to have confidence in some guy complaining that his landlord won't treat the problem, but he won't name the landlord? That story would be a joke and would be useless to the reader or viewer.
Yes, sources are kept confidentional sometimes. But the stakes are usually higher. Maybe it's a crime victim or witness who needs to be protected from retaliation. Maybe it's the source of a government leak. Or a victim of sexual assault. Bug infestations are just not seen as at the same level.
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