George Rebane

Shill – (noun) a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty.

Onion – (noun) a root vegetable that grows hidden from view, which when peeled reveals a monotonous succession of identical layer upon layer that provides no further illumination as to its contents while bringing a tear to the eye in the effort. 

From time to time Ruminations is graced by the comments of that intrepid editor of our beloved Onion, yes, Jeff Pelline.  In Jeff’s most recent contributions (here and here) he again grieves at how far below his expectations we local bloggers fall – presumably led by yours truly.

Having now taken Nevada County’s flagship newspaper to new levels in journalistic integrity and reporting accuracy, his reputation in the community has become known to all – he is truly a self-made man.

So it is with some gravity that the remainder of this community’s purveyors of information and comment must consider his recent assessment of us as being in a “bush league”.  But apparently the instructional content of Jeff’s comments has achieved such a level of detail and intensity that several blogs have summarily banned him.  I understand that the man must now use several computers in order to attempt a bypass of the established barriers.  As I have said, in this community his impact is hard to avoid.

The force of his personality was further underlined by the Onion’s receipt of a last minute ‘invitation’ to sponsor next Tuesday’s election night bash at the Miners Foundry.  Not being a bush leaguer like some of the other original sponsors, it was natural to leave the Onion in a class of its own.  But this was not to be, and after some frank discussion with the Foundry’s Exec Director Gretchen Bond (oh, to have been a fly on the wall), the newspaper was added to the list of sponsoring organizations.  All’s well that ends well since Ms Bond’s arm is again in a normal position, healing nicely, and no longer needs a sling.

(more…)