Letter & Response from Chronicle's Hinkelman

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:37 pm

GFGriz wrote: I'm a Griz fan, but the 'Cats are my third-favorite Montana team...

Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? Using that logic, the griz are my sixth-favorite Montana team.

elkmcc · Post by **elkmcc** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:56 pm

Hey you bobcat fans need to give the guy a break. He obviously doesn't understand how important it is to the bobcat masses to foster propaganda above all else. He also failes to recognize that to the average bobcat fan, fantasy is the name of the game not football. And finally what would bobcat football be for bobcat fans if "obsessed" didn't mean obsessed with BH above and beyond anything else. Jeez some guys just don't ever get it.

In all seriousness tho guys, Rial Cummings get about the same rise out of many Missoulians. Some honestly believe its heresey for anything negative of the Griz to be printed in the Missoulian.

Post by **kmax** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:04 pm

elkmcc wrote:Hey you bobcat fans need to give the guy a break. He obviously doesn't understand how important it is to the bobcat masses to foster propaganda above all else. He also failes to recognize that to the average bobcat fan, fantasy is the name of the game not football. And finally what would bobcat football be for bobcat fans if "obsessed" didn't mean obsessed with BH above and beyond anything else. Jeez some guys just don't ever get it.

In all seriousness tho guys, Rial Cummings get about the same rise out of many Missoulians. Some honestly believe its heresey for anything negative of the Griz to be printed in the Missoulian.

Again elk, in case you missed it in the last several posts. I, and from actually reading the commets from others they also, have no problem with Hink reporting honestly about the Cats, or complimenting the Griz or Hauck. What we do have a problem with is him introducing himself to every Cat fan by telling them how they should think and that if it isn't his opinion it is stupid. While I am not a big fan of Hauck, I don't really partake in the bashing, but if other fans do why the hell does he care? Better yet why does he care enough to write an article about it.

Oh and by the way, very nice trying to mask the smack talk as sarcasm, but it was a poor effort. Keep that stuff on the smack board.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:04 pm

For the two hundreth time... you know, forget it.

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:09 pm

I moved this because I HATE being the last post on a page!

I have absolutely no problem with a reporter being "fair and balanced" in his coverage of ANY team, including the "hometown"
team(s). I think this board is proof that we have little or no problem with those who critically analyze the Bobcats. However, I seriously question the judgement of a man who introduces himself to his new customers by telling a bunch of them that they're "sad" and "irrational". As I said in another post; instead of greeting his new readers with a firm handshake, "Hinks" decided he'd rather greet a significant # of us with the finger.

I'm going to ask Mr. Hinkleman to withhold any future commentaries about Bobcat FANS until he has been on the job for more than a few hours. (BTW, was he hired to cover sports or fans?)

I wonder if AH (anyone else see the irony of his initials?

) knows anything about the Cat/Griz rivalry beyond what he's witnessed in his few short years in the state?

I wonder if AH has ever had the pleasure of watching Coach Kramer work a room at a fundraiser and witness the CLASS & RESPECT a coach can exhibit, despite the fact that he is smack dab in the middle of one of sports most bitter rivalries?

I wonder if he has any idea the # of different stories of Hauck and his less-than-respectful attitude toward anything and everything MSU. If he IS aware of all of them, does he truly believe they're ALL false?

Even if they were, I'm sorry AH, but I figured coming from Corvallis, you'd understand the various aspects of a RIVALRY. Would you have us believe that you never had any harsh words or ill feelings for Duck coaches/players/fans? The fact that you told us you were a Beaver in your first commentary speaks volumes of your loyalty to OSU; I have no doubt that over the years you've cast your share of aspersions on the good folks from Eugene.

So, AH, please shelve your "holier-than-thou" attitude just because you don't have a stake in the Cat/Griz rivalry. Maybe your stay in Bozeman will change that, maybe it won't. Either way PLEASE don't ever again try to tell any of us how we should feel about the Griz.

19CAT · Post by **19CAT** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:25 pm

Folks this is very easy to fix. When I go down to Bozeman for football or basketball games (10-12 times a year). I always buy at least 2 papers, if not fridays also when I get down there. I will still have my morning paper but it will not be the chronicle, I will choose the gazzette or the tribune instead. I am also going to let the editor and sports editor know of my decision. I would challenge all of you, that think this guy has a skewed approach to his writing, to do the same. If they are happy with him let them keep him and the chronicle can move back to where it always was before, half done and half assed. Hell let them start printing it in the afternoon again, I know that was a huge draw in the past LOL.

I think writers in general think they are granted some kind of imunity because of fredom of speech. Well I also believe there are a few other freedoms that alot of them have enjoyed; the freedom to eat top ramon for a month, the freedom to have a car reposesed, and the freedom to change addresses quite frequently!!!

elkmcc · Post by **elkmcc** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:29 pm

kcatz wrote:"...I WANT to read stories about my hometown teams AND I do not want those stories to be negative. Last time I checked I was the one speding the money and that gives me the right to demand better coverage. .. But I do not expect to see the Chronicle slanted against my local teams. I will go somewhere else for my sports coverage if this continues!...

kmax wrote:Again elk, in case you missed it in the last several posts. I, and from actually reading the commets from others they also, have no problem with Hink reporting honestly about the Cats, or complimenting the Griz or Hauck.

I guess I missed it (or at least I forgot that this is bobcat land where anything can happen)

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:39 pm

elkmcc wrote:I guess I missed it (or at least I forgot that this is bobcat land where anything can happen)

God, you are stupid.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:50 pm

I have no problem with his sentiments towards the Griz or the Cats.

But I agree 100% with Gato... do not try and tell Cat fans how to feel towards their biggest rival.

I'm also surprised that Jeff Welsch let this article be published, knowing that his similar articles provoked a ton of controsversy.

Maybe this is indicative of the Chronicles underlying theme... they just want to spark controversy and irk their readers?

I also want to comment on his email response, one point in particular:

"It is a common misconception that the hometown newspaper should be a mouthpiece for the local sports teams. "
- A common misconception by whom? Oh that's right, the readers! Do you at the Chronicle not listen to what the readers want? Maybe it isn't a misconception so much as wishful thinking. Call me crazy but I want my local paper to talk about the Bobcats as much as anyone, because frankly, who else is going to do it at this level? We aren't as big as Oregon, or Oregon State: There aren't going to be dozens of articles per day on us. Frankly the only hope we have is that our local paper do it, and you just told us you don't feel you should have to. Great job!

"Yes, he can be surly and he may not have the recommended daily allowance of tact, but why is that of such great concern to Montana State fans?"
- Why is it such a great concern to you what we think?

The more I think about all angles to this story, the more I am unimpressed with his debut article.

Is it too much to ask that we hire a writer that wants to cover the hometown college?

bigcat · Post by **bigcat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:03 pm

Just buy the GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE....Hands down the best coverage of the ENTIRE state for all sports!!!!

GREAT JOB TRIBUNE!!!!! oh, and thanks Hink for saving me money on TP, I now can get it for 50 cents.

GFGriz · Post by **GFGriz** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:19 pm

BozoneCat wrote:
GFGriz wrote: I'm a Griz fan, but the 'Cats are my third-favorite Montana team...
Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? Using that logic, the griz are my sixth-favorite Montana team.

Does being a moron hurt? I mean really, I want to know. I'm a Griz fan first, Saints fan second. Being a Montanan, I also follow the 'Cats. Third. Get it? Asshole.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:35 pm

GFGriz wrote:
BozoneCat wrote:
GFGriz wrote: I'm a Griz fan, but the 'Cats are my third-favorite Montana team...
Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? Using that logic, the griz are my sixth-favorite Montana team.
Does being a moron hurt? I mean really, I want to know. I'm a Griz fan first, Saints fan second. Being a Montanan, I also follow the 'Cats. Third. Get it? Asshole.

Ooh, getting a little testy aren't we? Look the truth is this is a discussion by Bobcat fans regarding Bobcat fans. You looked in, gave your 2 1/2 cents, now it's time for you to shoo fly.

GFGriz · Post by **GFGriz** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:46 pm

barechestcat wrote:
GFGriz wrote:
BozoneCat wrote:
GFGriz wrote: I'm a Griz fan, but the 'Cats are my third-favorite Montana team...
Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? Using that logic, the griz are my sixth-favorite Montana team.
Does being a moron hurt? I mean really, I want to know. I'm a Griz fan first, Saints fan second. Being a Montanan, I also follow the 'Cats. Third. Get it? Asshole.
Ooh, getting a little testy aren't we? Look the truth is this is a discussion by Bobcat fans regarding Bobcat fans. You looked in, gave your 2 1/2 cents, now it's time for you to shoo fly.

Well, I like the Bobcat team (but am for the Griz when they meet). It's their fans that are the problem. I think that's what intrigued Hink. It's the elephant in the stadium, you know, all these thousands of fans, sitting there, cheering, but secretly thinking to themselves, "Why doesn't anyone respect us?"

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:47 pm

I have never thought that.

I'm glad you know what all the Bobcat fans in the stadium are thinking! Quite the impressive parlor trick.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:57 pm

GFGriz wrote:
barechestcat wrote:
GFGriz wrote:
BozoneCat wrote:
GFGriz wrote: I'm a Griz fan, but the 'Cats are my third-favorite Montana team...
Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? Using that logic, the griz are my sixth-favorite Montana team.
Does being a moron hurt? I mean really, I want to know. I'm a Griz fan first, Saints fan second. Being a Montanan, I also follow the 'Cats. Third. Get it? Asshole.
Ooh, getting a little testy aren't we? Look the truth is this is a discussion by Bobcat fans regarding Bobcat fans. You looked in, gave your 2 1/2 cents, now it's time for you to shoo fly.

Well, I like the Bobcat team (but am for the Griz when they meet). It's their fans that are the problem. I think that's what intrigued Hink. It's the elephant in the stadium, you know, all these thousands of fans, sitting there, cheering, but secretly thinking to themselves, "Why doesn't anyone respect us?"

Ya, you might look at it that way. Here's another perspective: The Griz fans have been the big dog on the block for a long time. The 'Cat's fans are like a little brother always in the shadow of the big brother. But, we've grown up and we're starting to asert ourselves now. I don't think big brother likes the fact that we're not cowering anymore. Our program has grown up and the battle is on for block superiority.

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:03 pm

GFGriz wrote:Well, I like the Bobcat team (but am for the Griz when they meet). It's their fans that are the problem. I think that's what intrigued Hink. It's the elephant in the stadium, you know, all these thousands of fans, sitting there, cheering, but secretly thinking to themselves, "Why doesn't anyone respect us?"

I don't think that.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:08 pm

GFGriz wrote:
BozoneCat wrote:
GFGriz wrote: I'm a Griz fan, but the 'Cats are my third-favorite Montana team...
Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? Using that logic, the griz are my sixth-favorite Montana team.
Does being a moron hurt? I mean really, I want to know. I'm a Griz fan first, Saints fan second. Being a Montanan, I also follow the 'Cats. Third. Get it? Asshole.

Yeah, I know exactly what you were saying, you freakin' dolt. The sad thing is, I probably knew you when I was in GF. Too bad - I would have slapped you upside the head like the little whiny bitch you are. Go back to your Bobby shrine and keep padding that billing with your late-night posting idiocy.

On the bright side, the more we can argue with stupid lawyers, the more we can keep them from screwing hard-working people out of their money.

lifeloyalsigmsu · Post by **lifeloyalsigmsu** » Mon Oct 10, 2005 10:09 pm

bigcat wrote:Just buy the GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE....Hands down the best coverage of the ENTIRE state for all sports!!!!

GREAT JOB TRIBUNE!!!!! oh, and thanks Hink for saving me money on TP, I now can get it for 50 cents.

Hands down, it is the best. Their sports coverage is second to none in this state and they cover the Cats and jizz equally. Mansch has some great articles on the Cats and Geise does an equally decent job with his jizz commentary.

The only thing worthy of reading in the Comical is that of the police reports of how some drunk from North Hedges passed out in the drive-thru of Hardee's after he ordered his meal but had yet to reach the window to pay for it (yes, I know that person from way back). Not much else.

As for this AH character and his "erudite" introduction to the Cat faithful, I'll let him know that the only good aspect of his article was that it served as a useful piece of toilet paper after I ran out of my last roll.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:06 am

GFGriz wrote:CatFamily started this out by demanding that a newspaper reporter be a positive Bobcat "fan." Hink properly replied that he is a reporter, not a fan. Fans, by their nature, are not objective. A reporter shouldn't be disrespectful of anyone, but if he or she has an agenda, i.e., a favoratism underlying his or her writing, readers won't get news or facts, they'll get spin, whether it's sugar-coating facts that are bad, or bad-mouthing when things are good. Reporters who are "fans" are generally covering up for the fact they are bad reporters.

Soooo..... You are saying that if Rial Cummings of the Missoulian is a Griz fan, he shouldn't be reporting on the Griz? Better yet, because he is a Griz fan, he is covering up the fact that he is a crappy reporter?

Read on...

CatFamily wrote:...Maybe Hinkelman and the Chronicle should take a few notes from Rial Cummings, who though a strong supporter of the Grizzlies, also is very positive about their opponents. But none the less he writes very positively about the Grizzlies and this base on facts about the team Mr. Hinkelman...

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 5:48 am

El_Gato wrote:
I wonder if he has any idea the # of different stories of Hauck and his less-than-respectful attitude toward anything and everything MSU. If he IS aware of all of them, does he truly believe they're ALL false? Even if they were,...

Maybe he is only interested in publishing the truth and not all the garbage some cat fans try to sell?