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[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, [8], 9 ]

• I am actually embarassed that "The Ram" would print that article. I always considered "The Ram" to be a quality college publication. Something like this belongs in "The Paper," if that is still around. Olean is a small hick town, no doubt about it, but no need to trash the place in an article in the newspaper. (NT) -- Air Hej '02, Mon March 14, 2005 13:52:11
  • If it is still around then perhaps it is time to start reading The Paper and instead hand the sports section of The Ram to the guy who did not wash his hands after going number two. He is already dirty, so what is a bit more filfth going to hurt. (NT) -- JóDete93, Mon March 14, 2005 14:09:10
  • Yikes! That article would never have run in either The Ram or the paper in my days at Fordham. Sorry to hear comments from '02 grads that this article belongs in the paper. the paper was once an interesting, thought-provoking alternative to The Ram that students actually couldn't wait to get their hands on. From this comment, it sounds like it has hit on some lean times. (NT) -- JoltinJoe, Mon March 14, 2005 15:11:22
    • the paper put The Ram to shame. Hope it's still alive and kicking. As for The Ram article in question, "sophomoric" comes to mind. (NT) -- Mojofunk'75, Mon March 14, 2005 23:12:19

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• Man, I remember when The Ram had some standards. How could an article like this get past the editors? It really is an embarrassment. (NT) -- Rambacker, Mon March 14, 2005 14:49:43
  • Worst part about it, wasn't the writer of the piece the Sports Editor? (NT) -- Air Hej '02, Mon March 14, 2005 14:52:01
    • I think he was trying to be funny but it really fell flat. (NT) -- bfg, Mon March 14, 2005 14:55:25

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• Link (NT) -- JóDete93, Mon March 14, 2005 14:59:17

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• Can you imagine what he would have written if he covered a game at Arkansas. (NT) -- Jimbo65, Mon March 14, 2005 15:39:50
  • This article is pathetic. It reminds me of a condescending New York Times article that ran shortly after the election re blue state v red state crap. (NT) -- GWB, Mon March 14, 2005 15:49:35

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• This article clearly demonstrates the wisdom of being careful what you wish for. All of us have been critical of the fact that the Ram wasn't online while there was a link for it on the Fordham web site and the Observer at LC has one. Now that it's online the first article of note to this board turns out to be crass and unworthy of the tradition of either the Ram or The Paper. I saw a similar article in there about the Olympics being "unworthy" of New York. People can have differing opinions on 2012 (I'm uncertain about it myself) and can be unimpressed with some of the corruption in the IOC, but unworthy of New York and taking unnecessary swipes at Olean is elitist, dismissive and snobbish. I guess we have the new Frank Rich in training. (NT) -- Ram '91, Mon March 14, 2005 15:49:23

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• This Ram article is a total embarrassment and somebody needs to apologize for it -- fast. This is nothing but pointless garbage that is hurtful to others. I agree that this young man was probably trying to be funny, but instead has made himself look quite the fool on (Rose) hill. (NT) -- Van Ram, Mon March 14, 2005 15:49:45
  • RELAX -- NJFordham, Mon March 14, 2005 16:19:51
  • I'd say it's juvenile, rambling, boorish, disappointing, and way off topic (considering sports editors shouldn't be writing social commentary), but not a total embarrassment either. It is below the standards of what a Fordham publication should be aspiring to though. I hope both the author and editor-in-chief does a better job next time. (NT) -- DamnRam, Mon March 14, 2005 16:20:14
    • Agreed. The article is pointless and, although intending to be funny, it missed the mark. It should not have run, but it's not the end of the world that it did. (NT) -- JoltinJoe, Mon March 14, 2005 16:44:22

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• Upstate wants to know if this is the best sportswriting today on Rose Hill. I doubt that the name of Cataldo will ever be added to the list of FU writers who went on to make us proud in the pages of the NYT and elsewhere. I'll just dismiss it all as the ramblings of a naive young man who hasn't seen much of the world yet. Still, I wish he'd deep six the attitude. It's that NYC parochialism that gives all NY'ers a bad name. His rip on the weight of others is particularly inappropriate as I looked up his photo and would hardly describe him as a buff hunk at age 20. Let's see what 20 more years do to Mr. Cataldo. I also doubt that his visit to Appleby's is the last time he will be ordering a "table for one". Next, I expect him to write a column explaining why the people of New York (including residents of Olean and Western NY State) should agree to spend $300,000,000 so he can get a West Side Stadium, eliminating his need to go elsewhere for his entertainment. (NT) -- Upstate Ram, Mon March 14, 2005 16:45:16
  • As a WNY'er, I could not agree more. (NT) -- Air Hej '02, Mon March 14, 2005 17:01:31
    • Tom's the best -- Ram99, Mon March 14, 2005 18:17:54
  • Upstate Ram is on the money re: the assessment of Tom DeCataldo and his article. Most of this country is not The Big Apple, it is Olean and Podunk, and all the whistle stops along the way (that's why G Dub won the election). Each venue has its particular charm and repulsion. The job of a sports editor is to put together an informative report of a sports event, not emulate Steinbeck's "Travels with Charlie", or in this case, "Travels with Tubby Tom". (NT) -- Bronx Boy, Mon March 14, 2005 17:46:55
    • it seems to me that the content of the article has pissed off most of you, but i'm more concerned with the general caliber of writing and presentation. both the title of the column (overtime) and the bizarre orange circle with lines through it (possibly stolen from a geometry text book) are a great indication of how much effort or thought was put into this piece. having mr. decataldo as the editor of the entire sports section is somewhat troubling. reading this reminded me of my own sub-par high school papers. jokes about nascar and fat people sum up the mediocrity of the ram as a whole. as any member of my graduating class will tell you, the only reason to pick up the ram is to check out the security files. for a real laugh, or at least an attempt at some original humor the paper is the way to go. (NT) -- icculus'04, Mon March 14, 2005 18:46:04
      • As an 04 grad, you should be happy to know that The Ram as a whole has gotten progressively better, especially sports. Many of you have not read The Ram in recent years, but the increase in the amount of coverage, caliber of content, and the humor involved in the RAMblings section has improved The Ram as a whole. Tom's writing is funny, witty, and his knowledge of sports comes out better than any Ram writer in recent memory. In fact, the sports section after many years of being inconsequential is now a must read for many Fordham students. I have heard many opinions on Tom's article among the student body and I have not heard one negative response to the article besides what is placed on this message board. The consensus was that the article was very funny and guess what LIGHT HEARTED. (NT) -- WorriedRAM, Mon March 14, 2005 20:17:08
        • CONTINUED.. If you don't like his writing say so, but don't give in to personally attacking the most dedicated Sports editor FU has seen in many years. Tom has shown more dedication than many of the legitimate writers you guys promote as great Fordham grads that write for the nyt and the nyp. The article was funny, lets get over ourselves and not bash a fellow Fordham man. Tom's passion for Fordham athletics and writing is unmatched. Don't judge his career prospects by one article. With the support alums have shown Tom it is amazing why Fordham has lowly totals in regards to alumni giving. Nice way to treat one of our own guys. Lets end this controversy and give an editor a chance to progress without his own alums putting him down. (NT) -- Worried RAM, Mon March 14, 2005 20:17:34
        • CONTINUED.. If you don't like his writing say so, but don't give in to personally attacking the most dedicated Sports editor FU has seen in many years. Tom has shown more dedication than many of the legitimate writers you guys promote as great Fordham grads that write for the nyt and the nyp. The article was funny, lets get over ourselves and not bash a fellow Fordham man. Tom's passion for Fordham athletics and writing is unmatched. Don't judge his career prospects by one article. With the support alums have shown Tom it is amazing why Fordham has lowly totals in regards to alumni giving. Nice way to treat one of our own guys. Lets end this controversy and give an editor a chance to progress without his own alums putting him down. (NT) -- Worried RAM, Mon March 14, 2005 20:19:21
    • The job of The Ram sports editor is be a jack of all trades. He must come up with story ideas and features, write his own articles, layout the sports section and meet strict deadlines. Today in sports journalism, the movement to add humor and wit into one's writings has made many successful. (PTI and our own Tony Reali!!) So it is his job to write personal opinion stories in the Overtime section like it has been done for many years now in that feature. This semester it has been that way to the delight of the student body and Tom's "cult" like readers. (I hope i wasn't putting anyone's religion down with the "cult" comment) (NT) -- Worried RAM, Mon March 14, 2005 21:51:50
      • if you think think this piece had witty remarks or smart humor you might be from olean. if this is cult humor, im embarrassed that the cult is allowed to meet on fordham grounds. (NT) -- icculus'04, Tue March 15, 2005 02:19:53

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• I know Tommy very well, and he has written many great articles for the Ram in his time. He typically writes 3-5 articles in the Sports section per week. He is a very good student, and also a solid basketball player himself. While some of his comments are unable to be defended, I think we are taking this article a little to serious. I think a good bit of this article was to be taken as a joke. I have been to all parts of Upstate NY, and as a native of PA, I have traveled extensively throughout that state as well, and will agree with him that there are areas that quite interesting, but do serve a purpose for this country. I think there are much greater tragedies than this in the world, and as Tommy's young writing career starts, he is going to make some mistakes. It is better to make those mistakes while writing for the Ram instead of a large publication. Keep writing Tommy, I enjoy reading your stuff, as do many other graduates and current students. Thanks for the guest passes. (NT) -- Ram04, Mon March 14, 2005 18:05:04

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• "The snow was falling heavily on the hills of Olean.............." (NT) -- Lookuz Oberz Butt, Mon March 14, 2005 18:09:38

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• The article is not funny; it's just boring. It attempts to make stereotypes into news. Just what are "the suburbs of Western Pennsylvania?" And the Sports Editor needs to learn a thing or two about punctuation and spelling. Fordham grads expect Fordham students to write intelligently. When they don't, they should be criticized. What's this garbage about not criticizing a Fordham student? Just ask a Fordham basketball player about criticism. Huh? (NT) -- Drag-less, Mon March 14, 2005 21:04:38
  • The basketball team faces criticism on their play and the decisions they make on the court and at the same time praised for their great play. I know there is very little criticism in regard to the basketball team's looks like the criticism Tom has faced. In fact i don't remember any criticism in that regard to a present player and if it gets posted Jodete takes it down. Tom has been wrongfully criticized about things that have nothing to do with his writing. If you say "I didnt not like the article. I was offended" then fine, that is your right, but to personally bash him is wrong and I will not alllow those attacks to be posted without a proper rebuttal. And if you think his writing was not intelligent and witty than I am sorry you do not agree with the sense of humor of many of the student body. I definitly won't be sharing mozzarella sticks with you! (NT) -- Worried RAM, Mon March 14, 2005 21:17:34
    • I agree that Tom should not be criticized for his looks, but you appear to be responding to me. (CF., your first sentence, the positioning of your response with reference to mine, and your threat about mozzarella sticks.) Where did I attack his looks? In fact, I offered several substantive criticisms of his writing. Others criticized the writing as in bad taste. It's also biased against gay people, in case you hadn't noticed the remark against Melissa Etheridge. Just where do you disagree with my criticisms? You're arguing with the wrong person. In fact, your response is obtuse because it seeks to categorize all of the criticisms as ad hominem criticism of Tom. That's not true. In fact, his whole article is ad hominem criticism of people in rural NY and PA. (NT) -- Drag-less, Mon March 14, 2005 21:33:20
      • I was responding to your post b/c you mentioned something about "the garbage about not criticizing a fordham student." I figured that was in response to one of my posts(was I right?). The Mozz stick joke was in light of Tom's not sharing one with the guy who didn't wash his hands and it was said to you b/c i guess we differ in a sense of humor, so we wouldn't be sharing any in a social setting either( not meant as a threat). I didnt say you criticized Tom's looks and I appreciate you saying its wrong. So I guess that part of my post is not really to you but thats what I meant when I said not to criticize FU students(no remarks on one's looks). I disagree with your criticism that it was boring and not funny. And regard to spelling errors you talked about I guess the buck does stop with him, but those errors can be made by many sources such as the copy team,the exec board, or even the other sports editor. click 4 more -- Worried RAM, Mon March 14, 2005 23:50:45
    • Marcus Stout is ugly, as is most of the team. (NT) -- buster, Tue March 15, 2005 02:48:13

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• I cant believe what is happening here. A person makes a joke about his travel to another city to gain nothing but laughs from his readers and people are getting the pitch forks and torches out and doing everything short of comming to his room to assault him. I also cant believe the people who have nothing intelligent to say (probably CBA) still post messages attacking the looks of the editor... the looks??? This is blown way out of proportion and people need to take it for what it is... a joke, a editorial thats supposed to be a funny story about a road trip not an assult on the town or the people. It was funny, it was well writen...So RELAX (NT) -- DAN, Mon March 14, 2005 21:10:31
  • Dan -- it is not "a" joke -- it is what looks to be a 1000 or so word article that is too often disparaging and insulting. And as far as being funny, I think I know funny when I see it, and the article really is not very funny. Your ironic self-indictment on the other hand -- specifically your claim that the article is "well writen" -- is pretty funny. (NT) -- Belmont Juice, Mon March 14, 2005 21:52:49
  • Please show me where this was in any way NOT an assault on the town and its people. (NT) -- Bona91, Wed March 16, 2005 09:01:58

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• Tom is a Great Editor -- Ram06, Mon March 14, 2005 21:17:33

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• I'm not buying the "he's a great guy" defense. Those in the "I know Tommy personally" crowd can't really be objective (try getting on a jury anywhere with that line) -- I just know what I see, and what I see is poorly written, small minded, mean spirited (at least in appearance), and definitely stereotypical. And maybe the most damaging aspect of this article is -- and some of you won't like this -- there are more than a few who feel that colleges like Fordham are inhabited with nothing but a bunch of spoiled, rich student brats who care about nothing except themselves. Think about this article and it's not hard to see why there are those who feel this way. Whether or not he was trying to be funny this was a bad article, and it reflects badly on the university. Hopefully it's just an abberation. (NT) -- Belmont Juice, Mon March 14, 2005 21:36:11
  • In regards to stereotypes in the article. It seems those things actually happened to him while he was there. Thus that is the basis for the article. (NT) -- Worried RAM, Mon March 14, 2005 23:54:19

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• Neither publication is really worth reading - explanation INSIDE. -- RamRunner12, Tue March 15, 2005 00:11:49

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• In case the last post didn't go through -- JP, Tue March 15, 2005 00:52:38
  • My apologies on the 2-week comment. I got the days of the week mixed up and thought that February 23, the day the University issued the press release, was a Tuesday, which I understand to be your deadline nights (in that case it would have made it eligible for that last February issue). I look now and see that it's a Wednesday. But nevertheless, why didn't that story hit in the next issue? Citing midterms is an extremely weak excuse: you had an issue of The Ram come out on March 2nd or 3rd, did you not? There were stories in that issue, were there not? You were taking precious time away from studying for midterms, regardless. You simply didn't spend that time on the biggest news to come out of Fordham this semester, because, it seems, you missed it. There are no excuses for that. (NT) -- RamRunner12, Tue March 15, 2005 10:00:19
    • The Ram is layed out late tuesday night. 2/23 is a Wednesday so it wouldn't be in that issue. There was no issue on March 2nd/3rd because that is midterms week. There is no paper published that week it would be tremendously tough for editors to study for tests when they are up till 4-5 am putting the paper together. So the earlist the Lincoln center plan could be put in was the March 9 issue that it was put in. (NT) -- Worried RAM, Tue March 15, 2005 10:17:52
      • Mea culpa. I just assumed I had forgotten to pick up an issue during the first week of March, and that's why I didn't have a copy. (NT) -- RamRunner12, Tue March 15, 2005 12:37:27

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• http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36524-2005Jan25.html. This is a url of a Tony Kornheiser column that was written about Jacksonville during the Super Bowl. I don't believe he caught any flak for this article and nor should he, but it's kind of about the same theme Tom wrote about. TK does not have pleasant things to say about Jacksonville. I don't mean to keep beating a dead horse with my defense of Tom nor do I think my continued defending of Tom is necessary, b/c I truly feel he did nothing wrong, but I thought it was an interesting article that I remembed reading a couple of months ago. And I do hope we could end this discussion about Tom and move on to discuss his future columns and articles in a sophisticated and non hurtful manner. (NT) -- Worried RAM, Tue March 15, 2005 00:57:57

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• I told you! I told you! Fordham can't even publish a student newspaper without screwing it up, let alone run a basketball program. As I said before, Syracuse respects the Bonnies. You'll never get Syracuse's respect by insulting the good people of Upstate New York. Don't forget you love in the Bronx. We'd have to wade through the scum of your city just to get to your campus. Why don't you just try to play basketball and shut up? (NT) -- SU, Tue March 15, 2005 09:04:49
  • You must have some kind of job if you can afford to spend your time posting on a Fordham message board as a syracuse fan.You must be the Executive V.P. of Cow-Tipping for Upstate New York. I can tell though that your social life must be non-stop fun. I didn't realize there was such a pride in Upstate New York either but I guess even you guys need something to be proud of. (NT) -- NYCFOR, Tue March 15, 2005 09:36:08
  • You have told us nothing. Fordham didn't screw up its student newspaper - a student writer wrote an article which was inappropriate and he got criticized. You see, at Fordham we have this concept of personal responsibility which I know is foreign to you and your basketball program. Regarding Syracuse's respect, why do you think that has any value to us? Did you mean to say "you live in the Bronx" or "you love in the Bronx"? As for wading through scum to get to RH, may I suggest you drive to Fordham instead of trying a messy amphibious landing as you appear to be suggesting? Regarding your suggestion we should playing basketball, unlike at Syracuse we are able to play and talk simultaneously and still not get arrested or suspended. You should try that sometime. (NT) -- DamnRam, Tue March 15, 2005 09:44:13
    • Sorry, correction: "your suggestion we should be playing basketball" (NT) -- DR, Tue March 15, 2005 10:37:22
  • We "love in the Bronx"? That Syracuse education keeps jumping up and biting you, and in a big way. (NT) -- Rambacker, Tue March 15, 2005 09:47:06

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• This thread is way too long to keep a good track of. If there is anything you feel should be deleted please email me by using the contact Forum Admin link provided above. The moderators will review the requests and delete things as they see fit. My personal opinion is that the personal attacks against the writer are in poor taste, that said, he opened the door when he insulted the people of PA and Western NY. There are many posters here from those areas so I would not be surprised if they took some of his attacks personally. (NT) -- JóDete93, Tue March 15, 2005 14:59:28

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• Ona a side note, I went to the Fordham website to check on The Observer (remembered that they had something on the LC expansion a while back), clicked the link provided, by Fordham, mind you, and it came up that the domain name expired on 3/01/05 and is pending renewal or deletion from Network Solutions. They get one paper online and lose another. Kind of like Seinfeld, always come up even. Anyone know what the story is here? I can't believe they would just let it go poof like that unless they had another web address for the publication. (NT) -- Ram '91, Tue March 15, 2005 17:16:44

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• I couldn't have said it better myself. Come on over to Morningside Heights, we have a band scholarship waiting for you, but I don't think you're going to get on Donahue. (NT) -- Andy Hao, Tue March 15, 2005 19:38:21