Red Phone fans:
”
Hi Red Phone. I’ve called a couple times before, once to ask a
question and another time to defend this column when someone else
complained. So I wanted to call in once again and defend it. I
think it’s a great column and it’s amusing and it offers some good
information. That’s all I have to say about that. And thanks for
the Red Phone.
”
Red Phone fans:
“Hi Red Phone. I’ve called a couple times before, once to ask a question and another time to defend this column when someone else complained. So I wanted to call in once again and defend it. I think it’s a great column and it’s amusing and it offers some good information. That’s all I have to say about that. And thanks for the Red Phone.”
Wow! The Red Phone has a fan! But wait, there’s more …
“Leave this column alone. It’s good. I know people called and complained about the hard font that’s tough to read and the Dispatch changed it to suit everyone. It is better by the way. But don’t change Red Phone just because some people don’t have a sense of humor and can’t take a little sarcasm. It’s a cool column, I just want to know who writes it. I think maybe you should identify and put a photo of the person who writes it. What’s up Red Phone? You willing to come out from behind the curtain?”
The Red Phone thanks its two fans for the compliments, but must remind everyone that the column is only as good as the calls it gets. The column depends on callers for good material to work with.
But rest assured, Red Phone faithfuls, there are no plans to change the column or its “personality.” That’s good news for you who enjoy the column, but the Red Phone can just hear the heavy sighs of those who aren’t so inclined.
As far as throwing aside the curtain and stepping into the limelight, don’t count on it. The Red Phone is a silent prowler who likes to lurk in the shadows, where it can go unnoticed. And, aside from that, it would rather not deal with stalkers who dislike the column, stalkers who love the column or the undoubted commotion that would occur if it were to step into the spotlight and reveal itself.
touching story:
“I hope this is an appropriate place to mention this. I want to say how touching the Jeramy Ailes story has been. I agree with a caller about the sensitivity, that it’s a tough issue, but the reporters have really done a nice job. I know sometimes when things like this happen, reporters rush to get a story, but that seems more with TV, that they stake out houses and such. But I just wanted to thank the people covering Jeramy Ailes’ death for doing it with such carefulness and writing with such sensitivity. I didn’t know him or his family, but hope they know his story touched strangers too. What a wonderful young man he was.”
Well said.
teacher supply suggestion:
“I’d like to comment on Mr. Fennell’s column on Nov. 16. I have what I’m sure will be an even more unpopular idea. I think maybe it’s time to scale-down Gilroy High’s graduation night celebration and funnel a portion of the plus or minus $30,000 that’s spent on that event into a teacher supply fund. Just a portion of it. Well what do you think?”
Not a bad suggestion, caller, but Red Phone doubts it would be taken seriously. The caller is referring to the following from Fennell’s opinion column:
“My first suggestion is to cut the salaries of the GUSD executives making over $100,000 per year by 7 percent. … Additional supply budget shortfalls could be supplemented by (1) donations or supplies from parents and friends as is being done already, or (2) if still necessary, adding an across the board supply fee that would be assessed on a per-student basis for the school year, say just for sake of argument, $50.”
What’d you say?:
“Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Blah, blah, blah.”
OK, if you say so. Yes, readers, even the Red Phone is prone to prank calls. Though it does admit usually the calls are simple hang-ups, not someone making an anonymous idiot out of himself.
