2012 Endorsements

by STAFF

With 1,457 members according to its website, Voice Omaha is blazing a path for civic participation outside the normal two-party political system. They have notched a considerable political gain with their recent work on Omaha’s Equal Rights ordinance. The group’s mission is to be non-partisan and dedicated to creating a more inclusive, just, transparent, sustainable and culturally vibrant...

The Company Phipps Keeps

by John Heaston

How important could Douglas County be in next week’s election?

According to the New York Times “538 Blog,” there are 152 scenarios that could result in an electoral college tie in this year’s presidential election, effectively allowing the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to choose the next President.

The chances are slim, but they increase as the race tightens, raising...

On the Wings of a Black Swan

by Tim McMahan

As that big bastard of a storm named Sandy (and god damn the marketing “genius” at The Weather Channel who came up with the “Super Storm Sandy” moniker) curls its tail across the eastern seaboard leaving millions without power and with waterlogged toes, we sit comfortably here in Omaha with forecasts for warm, dry weather in the coming days and contemplate next Tuesday.

I’ve spent the good...

The Life and Times of Nik Fackler

by Tim McMahan

Who exactly is Nik Fackler?

He used to be known as a filmmaker who wrote and directed Lovely, Still, the independent feature film starring none other than Martin Landau, Ellen Burstyn and Elizabeth Banks. If you haven’t seen it, you’re not alone.

But after the film failed to garner national distribution, Fackler changed careers. These days, he’s a rock star (whatever that means in the...

You Stay Classy, Omaha

by Tim McMahan

The topic was the future of local television news. The interrogator was a young journalist who just got her first break in the local TV news market. And the underlying theme was how the Internet and Social Media will impact both their futures.

But conversation quickly turned from technology to what “news” is to a generation raised on a steady diet of reality television, game shows and...

President Romney?

by Tim McMahan

The morning after, while soberly watching the post-game analysis on MSNBC, the pithy Morning Joe hosts seemed not only resolved at the outcome of the previous night’s debate, but slightly relieved if not contrite about the obvious fact that President Obama didn’t just lose the debate, Mitt Romney won it. Decisively.

A deep sense of dread began to grow in the pit of my stomach.

In the days...

Apple of My Eye

by Tim McMahan

I told anyone who asked that no, I wasn't caught up in the iPhone frenzy. I simply needed a new phone.

The camera on my “ancient” iPhone 4 was badly scratched, likely from riding in my pants pocket with my car keys (I never use one of those God-awful plastic phone covers that look like orthodontic head gear on an adolescent child). The earphone jack also was all screwed up and slightly...

Fast Enough to Finish

by Tim McMahan

So I ran in the Corporate Cup last Sunday. Yeah, I know. Big whoop, right? Actually, “ran in the Corporate Cup” isn’t quite right. More like I “jogged in the Corporate Cup.”

If I sound a little down on myself it’s because I just got the official results from the Corporate Cup people, and apparently I came in 2,265th place among 3,899 runners -- 1,369th among 1,885 men -- placing me squarely...