Ventura requiring Capitol reporters to wear 'media jackal' badges LYNDA McDONNELL STAFF WRITER Members of the state Capitol media will be required to wear credentials emblazoned with Gov. Jesse Ventura’s photo and labeled "official jackal," Ventura’s office announced today. The large, colorful credentials were delivered to about 30 radio, television and newspaper reporters in the Capitol this morning, along with a press release citing "security issues and accountability of who attends official Governor’s Office events." "It’s a way for us to know who’s in the room," said David Ruth, who handles Ventura’s media relations. "It is not to limit coverage at all." However, the badge states that "the Governor’s Office reserves the right to revoke this credential for any reason." Although reporters routinely wear badges for admission to the House and Senate chambers, no other Minnesota governor has required Capitol reporters to wear such identification when covering his activities. Ruth described the design of the identification, with the "media jackal" line from Ventura’s second book, as a sort of inside joke. "The governor wanted to be able to easily identify the members of the Capitol press corps.... We’d like to think we had a little fun with it, too." He noted that Capitol reporters commissioned t-shirts and jackets with the "media jackal" label and gave one to the governor, who was amused. I thought this was funny for some reason. ------------------ Houston Sports Board The Anti-Bud Adams Page
I beat you won't see this in the NFL, this is what makes the XFL so great! Or not. ------------------ The Rockets will be the NBA champions. Believe. [This message has been edited by Puedlfor (edited February 20, 2001).]
