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Graphic by Rick Nease
George Cushingberry "might need to crack a book" to brush up on basic civics, Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin suggests in reaction to the Detroit councilman's declaration of a "No Elrick Zone" aimed at deflecting questions from Fox 2 News reporter M.L. Elrick.
That stance "provide[s] a unique glimpse into Cushingberry's understanding of the role of the media and the makings of a good newscast — both of which appear minimal," the columnist notes, inviting his own no-fly zone. (Actually, Rubin apparently is quarantined already. "Cushingberry did not return a call from The Detroit News," Rubin writes.)
His column says Cushingberry's self-created fuss "gives yet another politician the opportunity to inject race into a discussion where it has no bearing."
Rubin's reference is to this statement in a blog post on behalf of Cushingberry -- and apparently written by him: "We do understand that Mr. Elrick needs a job. . . The last thing we want is another unemployed white man blaming a black man for losing his job."
Original article, Monday evening:
Grab popcorn -- the George Cushingberry-M.L. Elrick show is restarting.
As in earlier episodes, the latest act in the civic soap opera is part-comedy, part-parody and unlikely to end well for the Detroit councilman.
With a theatrical flourish, he accuses the Fox 2 News investigative reporter of conducting "buffoonery interviews." He also imposes, in effect, a personal protection order against interviews by the award-winning newsman.
At odds: The councilman and the journalist.
"Mr. Cushingberry has declared a No Elrick Zone and will not participate in his side show of degrading and humiliating public officials for profit," the elected official says in a statement posted at a Friends of George Cushingberry blog.
This latest flare-up in the pair's ongoing skirmishes follows Fox 2 coverage last week in which Elrick reports reports that Cushingberry apparently still seeks private law clients even though his attorney's license is suspended.
"Until a rebuttal is issued, Mr. Cushingberry will not interview with Fox 2," says the blog post on Cushingberry's behalf, which apparently means "retraction" rather than "rebuttal."
Elrick responds Monday night to Deadline: "I am offering a chance to rebut my findings every time i call Mr. Cushingberry. I don't even get a rebuffal. As for a retraction, the councilman has yet to ask for one -- or cite anything that is not factual in my reports."
Separately, the journalist comments on his Facebook page:
I've been covering local, state and national politics for over 20 years, and this is a first: An elected official has publicly declared that he will never speak with me (not that he ever has before).
The last pol who refused to talk to me was Kwame M. Kilpatrick. Of course, he never made it an official policy.
Elrick's coverage of the former mayor, as a Free Press reporter teamed with Jim Schaefer, earned a 2009 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting.
In its final paragraph, the Cushingberry blog post has a statement that seems custom-tailored for a Comedy Central send-up some night soon:
When Council member [Scott] Benson completes his stint in jail, the 9 of us will continue
our work with the executive branch to take our city to the next level.
See, it's true: There's no parody like a Detroit parody.
Earlier coverage at Deadline:
