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Wed Oct 24, 2007 at 11:21:35 AM
KDFW-Channel 4's Rebecca Aguilar

In this week's paper version of Unfair Park, which isn't yet online, I write a defense of KDFW-Channel 4 reporter Rebecca Aguilar, who was suspended last week after her controversial interview with James Walton, a West Dallas businessman who shot and killed two men breaking into his machine shop/home in separate incidents in the past month.

In my Buzz column, I defend Aguilar, who I write was just doing her job, asking tough questions of an unlucky man thrust into the spotlight. I now have a confession to make. I was incredibly drunk at the time and didn't know what I was saying. I hereby take it all back. Incidentally, my change of heart has nothing to do with the text message I received from Aguilar this morning telling me that she had been interviewed by Ed "Uncle Barky" Bark for his blog. This message came after our two off-the-record conversations Tuesday and her promises that'd she'd call me -- the first reporter she had spoken to at length, she said -- if she decided to talk.

Changing my opinion of Aguilar's story because I was stiffed on an interview would be petty, mean and vengeful, and that's just not me. My original judgment of Aguilar's reporting was just clouded by drink. I swear it. Really, what was she thinking, beating up on that poor old well-armed, straight-shootin' man like that?

But seriously, TV people, in the future, when your jobs are jeopardy, just think of me as your ol' Uncle Buzzy. Sure, I may be the bitter uncle who drinks too much at Thanksgiving and starts insulting family members and tells embarrassing anecdotes, but still, family is family.

Oh -- and, Rebecca, on your offer of another chat? I'll pass. --Patrick Williams

Category: Buzz

15 Comments:

bruce says:

So you act actually defended that piece of shite and then she burned you? Thats great. Somebody go to wikipedia and add this under poetic justice.

jack jett says:

When you defend the FoX, you are bound to get an ass bite.

Fair? Balanced? Hypocriticaly fucked up?
You report..you decide.

jack jett

Toots says:

Patrick, IF you are serious then you are one piece of grade "A" shit.

Larry says:

Lesson learned. Aguilar has no ethics and is dishonest. I bet you feel dumb

Jack Jett says:

Patrick.

While I admire your honesty about being pissed off, I am confused as to how you saw this story in a positive light.

Even though Mr. Barky has his lips firmly planted on Mrs. A's ass, she still come across as a total bitch.

No matter how you slice or dice it, you don't hassle the elderly, especially after they have been through a trauma.

When Mr. Walton says, "I don't have time for you" and Mrs A says I am a reporter so "I may catch up with you"....shows that this bitch was on a mission.

I don't dig people who choose to harm animals, the elderly, or those that are weaker. I don't give a flying fuck if you work for FOX or Air America......you just don't do it.

Mr Walton should hire an attorney and sue the batshit out of Mrs Chrrristina AAAqqqullaria.

jack jett

Patrick Williams says:

Jack,

I dunno. That gentle care you want to take for someone because they turned 70 seems a little patronizing, especially when it comes to a guy who has done a pretty good job defending himself, both against burglars and against Aguilar. He came off looking pretty strong in the interview, I think. (Very Christian-like of you, Jack. Snort.)

If Walton was 27 and driving a pickup with a rebel flag in the back window, I'm not sure as many people would object to Aguilar's questions.

By the way, the fact that I'm tougher on the old folk than others think right has nothing to do with the fact that my 85-year-old mother in law lives with my wife and I. (I am such a liar.)

Yeah, reporters are a callous bunch when it comes to chasing down a story. (Unlike blogsters, who could give Emily Post a lesson in etiquette. Double snort.) We're lucky in print. No one gets to see how the sausage is made.

Be careful, though. This is the sort of conversation that gets old news-guys spinning long, tedious, Grandpa-Simpson-like war stories about all the awful, heartless macho things we've done for stories in our careers. Trust me, no one wants that.

Patrick

jack jett says:

Thanks for highlighting my Christian like attitude. I do my best to spread the Word.

Not sure about the 27 year old reference. Yes I do look incredibly young, but 27 might be pushing it. I do have a NRA bumper sticker next to my rainbow flag sticker.

Most bloggers I know don't have time to give Emily any sort of advice whatsoever. We do find her very sexy and bang her every chance we get. My JettFuel(tm) is all the etiquette Emily can take.

I am very curious as to how you guys spin your long tedious sausage. Do you do this while decorating for Halloween? cough/gag/snort/sip/cough again

I love you Patrick, you know I do and I look forward to our soccer game this Sunday after church. It is your turn to bring the gatorade.

jack jett

Bill says:

I think I stand by my original take on the Aguilar interview; She (and probably her news director) should be fired.

This is from someone who has spent over forty years in broadcasting, and has spent far too much effort in trying to keep newsies on some semblance of an ethical path.

The modern newsie has lost any sense that they are to report news; they think they are above simple facts. The average newsie today is far, far to the the left of the average citizen, and it shows in almost every news show you can name.

Ike says:

O U C H!

Bartholomew Roberts says:

Patrick,

If you don't think there is anything wrong with asking the victim of multiple home invasions if he is a trigger happy guy who likes to kill, then I just don't know what to say.

Is it any different from asking someone who was raped twice in three weeks if they were dressing slutty and asking for it? I mean, as long as you do it in a respectful tone so they can "tell their side of the story."

The fact that so many of the local media seem to think this was just another day at the office makes me think you guys are so far removed from normality that you don't even recognize horrific behavior when you see it. You should do a story on that.

NancyGee says:

I keep looking and have not seen this information in any of the stories: were the two crooks the elderly gentleperson shot Hispanic, by any chance? Either of them have a last name of Aguilar?

KT says:

Her actions prove she needs to be fired

Pontificator says:

Jack Jett, you should be embarrassed ... there is no need to call Aguilar a "bitch." Try to be less misogynistic.

MikeM says:

Jack

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SMIRK says:

Patrick your bitter and worse off than RA, your bitter for not getting an interview AND the rest of you are the Minute Men of Dallas. Get over it! All of you ADIOS!

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