eChaser: December 2013 / p3

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas update: Hot off the press: FOI Focus Fall 2013 Newsletter. ... Are anonymous bloggers protected by the First Amendment? And who is the anonymous blogger known as “Trooper”? More importantly, does anyone — including Bob Brockman — have a right to know? Those are among the questions before the Texas Supreme Court, which is hearing a case where Brockman and the company he heads, Reynolds & Reynolds, seek to compel Google to divulge the identity of Trooper, who Brockman argues has defamed him and his company for years. Details here. ... Attorney General Greg Abbott’s support for more stringent privacy laws has some privacy rights activists applauding, but enforcement concerns are being raised. The Republican gubernatorial candidate has recommended requiring state agencies that collect personal information to acquire individual consent before selling or releasing any data, and he has proposed granting individuals property rights over their DNA information. Details here. ... The Save Our Springs Alliance is suing for access to a Travis County commissioner’s conversations on the controversial Texas 45 Southwest tollway. Commissioner Gerald Daugherty has been a vehement advocate for the proposed 3.6-mile toll road connecting the southern end of MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) with FM 1626 in Hays County. The tollway is designed to be built over the recharge zone of the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer and through a habitat for rare and endangered species. Details here.

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Chris Smith, Greater Fort Worth PRSA

“There is nothing permanent except change.” — Heraclitus (540-475 B.C.)

Because change is the only constant, it’s time for chapter leadership to transition away from 2013 and welcome incoming president Richie Escovedo and the 2014 board.

Before we pass the baton, though, let’s give praise where praise is most certainly due. Our members this year accomplished so much, starting with the endless hours of preparation culminating in an outstanding 2nd Annual Worthy Awards event honoring Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price as Communicator of the Year. Well done and many thanks to the entire Worthy Awards committee, especially Margaret Ritsch, APR, who founded the competition and stayed around to ensure its success a second year.

Thanks also to board members who generously went beyond their particular calls of duty. A few worthy mentions: Liz Heck and J.O., which supported our Worthy program in countless ways and also provided updated chapter logos gratis; Claire Bloxom for her contract negotiation skills, saving the chapter money; Lesley Dupre, Laura Van Hoosier and Mindia Whittier for stepping in to fill vacated positions; Holly Ellman for her strategic counsel at all hours; and Presidents Council chair Carol Murray for organizing a delightful fellows reception.

Additionally, three of our members received honors that mark milestones in illustrious careers and bring an enhanced sense of pride to our chapter. Congratulations again to Gigi Westerman, APR, for being named a PRSA fellow; to Julie Wilson, who received the Lloyd B. Dennis Distinguished Leadership Award; and to Michelle Clark for earning the APR designation.

Finally, I want to personally thank John Dycus, eChaser editor and wordsmith extraordinaire. Few people know how much work goes on behind the scenes getting content from numerous sources each month. It’s like herding cats. (Don’t you dare delete this, John!)

It has been an honor and a pleasure serving you this year. Go get ‘em, Richie!

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OVER & OUT

John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ

Appreciate Chris Smith’s kind words in her last column as GFW PRSA president. In a mutual buttering of scones, Chris is forever pleasant, on time, thoroughly professional — a treat to work with. She delivers. I can proclaim the same, in varying degrees, for all of the PRSA and IABC eChaser connections over the years. Together we have compiled an impressive archive of who we are and what we do. Visit it sometime. Talk about a stroll down memory lane. ...

Janet Neff and her raffle-grab team outdid themselves gathering gift-drawing prizes for the JPS book benefit Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Coors Distributing Co. in far north Fort Worth. Factor in a festive vibe, more killer Wilson’s barbecue and emcee Bob Ray Sanders reprising his role as Bob Ray Sanders, and this could be a Coorsapalooza for the ages. You could go back to p. 1 to RSVP, but why not just do it here. ...

For those who can’t distinguish good journalism from bad, the News Tutor mobile app purports to help non-journalists better understand the oft-subtle differences between quality and careless. Get it for the iPhone, iPad and iPod for 99 cents. ...

At the 2012 climate talks in Doha, Qatar, a man named Naderev Sano, the lead negotiator for the Philippines delegation, gave an emotional plea that there be “no more excuses” on climate change. His speech came just after the 16th typhoon of 2012 hit his country, one that received little media attention in the U.S. Perhaps his plea will help change hearts and minds now that SuperTyphoon Haiyan has broken records. Or probably not.

Closing words: “A successful book is not made of what is in it, but of what is left out of it.” — Mark Twain ... “To be born in Ireland is to inherit not only one of the most beautiful little countries in the world, but also an entire legacy of prejudices, hatreds, clichés, and an impressive supply of apparently invincible ignorance.” — Irish poet Brendan Kennelly ... “I know I’m drinking myself to a slow death, but then I’m in no hurry.” — humorist Robert Benchley

Closing words II, when Protestants collide: “Barton is still, inexplicably, trusted by many conservative evangelicals; he has himself built his reputation on twisting and misrepresenting historical documents for ideological and propagandist purposes. For Copeland and Barton to resurrect this ‘blame the victim’ trope and coat it with the veneer of biblical warrant is satanic.” — Joe Carter, communications director for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, on David Barton and Kenneth Copeland telling soldiers they can “get rid of” PTSD simply by reading the Bible

Caught my eye. FERC: Almost all new US electricity generation coming from solar. ... Power to the pedal! ... The disastrous, watery future of South Florida. ... First magazine printed on Woody Harrelson’s straw based paper. ... Mushrooms offer nontoxic way to protect crops from unwanted guests. ... New coating shakes fouling material off ship hulls. ... Scientists 3D-print embryonic stem cells for the first time. ... Nepalese teen invents cheap solar panel using human hair. ... Plant-microbial fuel cell generates electricity from living plants. ... French company uses wind turbine to create fresh water. ... New technology harvests electricity from railroad train track vibrations. ... Hand-crank cellphone charger could be a lifesaver. ... Bird-friendly turbine ditches blades for more efficiency, less cost. ... SmartLight redirects sunlight into ‘light-locked’ building interiors. ... NASA plans to grow plants on the moon in 2015. ... Google Earth launches high-resolution global deforestation map.