  Ardie_ellsworth Member Username: Ardie_ellsworth Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 65.185.130.77 |
Tonight Steve Wilson aired a chilling investigation into the Financial Services of America company, based here in the Detroit Area. It seemed to lay the groundwork for a series of stories Wilson is doing on how the company takes advantage of elderly folks, getting a hold of their savings and putting it into some financial vehicle that benefits the salesman. Did anyone else see it? Apparently it continues tonight at 6. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 2638 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.167.58.162 |
We're still waiting on his promised investigation of redlined insurance rates in Detroit. Do you work for him? | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1627 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
PR shill. | ||
Fnemecek Member Username: Fnemecek Post Number: 1674 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 68.255.244.35 |
I'm sooooo glad that I never went to work for those guys back when I was selling insurance. Total schisters. | ||
93typhoon Member Username: 93typhoon Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 69.244.159.103 |
i interviewed with them 15 years ago - they showed me a slide show of the company vacation and pictures of the owners Cadilliac. Strange. | ||
Jfre66_77 Member Username: Jfre66_77 Post Number: 37 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 12.15.1.161 |
Fnemecek, Typhoon - had the same experience with them. The very first thing they wanted you to provide them with was a list of your family and friends and their phone numbers. I'm guessing had I done that, my family would have been barraged with phone calls from their sales people. | ||
Xphillipjrx Member Username: Xphillipjrx Post Number: 133 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.75.240.133 |
Wilson was on this forum like crazy, but haven't heard a peep out of him in a while... | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 5913 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 208.27.111.125 |
Well now he has Ardie Ellsworth to carry water for him. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 675 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.176.123 |
Steve Wilson only appears on the forum when the topic of conversation is centered on him. Like the Candyman, say his name enough and he will magically appear. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 2719 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.47.100.44 |
Brilliant analogy there E_hemingway. And in case no one has noticed, Ardie Ellsworth has been out & about as much as fur on a frog. | ||
Eastside Member Username: Eastside Post Number: 866 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 69.246.10.58 |
Even Steve Wilson thinks this forum has gone downhill, it's only good enough for one of his interns now. | ||
Bob Member Username: Bob Post Number: 1004 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 152.163.100.8 |
Why don't they stick Steve Wilson on the Hoffa case? | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 1833 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 129.9.163.105 |
It would be way too hard for even Wilson to get a staged pissed off reaction out of a dead man. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2145 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.105.205 |
Well if I got the reception that Steve Wilson did on this forum... I wouldn't be on here anymore either. He was being badgered by quite a few regulars here! | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 1835 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 129.9.163.105 |
Wilson dug his own hole and deserved the reaction he got from the regulars. It's a lot easier to hide behind a one way communication tool than to stand up and take the heat of a two way medium. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2148 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.129.215 |
I agree with you Ndavies, especially in the articles relating to his Florida situation. But he is not an Ombudsman who will take up the cause of the people. He works for a for-profit corp. that cares less about peoples problems than it does about its' own ratings and hot button issues. It looks like the big issues on this forum, are not big issues for Channel 7 ratings. And that's too bad. | ||
The_aram Member Username: The_aram Post Number: 4890 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.124.8 |
I'm getting a mental image of Wilson on the Milford farm waving a microphone at the ground, huffing and puffing after running the 10 feet from the news van to the grassy patch, yelling "What are you hiding from, Mr. Hoffa? What are you hiding from? You've been in there for 30 years... Are you afraid of 7 On Your Side?" | ||
Jelk Member Username: Jelk Post Number: 3757 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.208.233.74 |
Laugh now but wait until you see the footage of Wilson tracking down Tony Giacalone, Frank Fitzsimmons, and Sal Briguglio for interviews. | ||
Steve_wilson_wxyztv Member Username: Steve_wilson_wxyztv Post Number: 126 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 204.78.62.36 |
It's a lot easier to hide behind a one way communication tool than to stand up and take the heat of a two way medium. Oh puh-leeeze...I'm here a lot. If a respond too much, I get ragged. If I don't, I get ragged. I'm tellin' you...as Rodney Dangerfield used to say, It's a tough room... | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1246 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.85.155.145 |
Dude, put quotation marks at LEAST around that quote you served up. The proper way is to put a '\' followed by 'quote{THE QUOTED TEXT HERE}'. Like this:
Now, can you give me back my rag? And how 'bout that insurance redlining investigation? (Message edited by machoken on May 23, 2006) | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7441 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
Or the expose on Ilitch and Olympia being slumlords. That even has tie-ins to city favoritism. | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1794 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.244 |
People need to get over their Ilitch hate. There are very few people who have invested more in this city then Ilitch. People bitch about him like he is the anti-christ but will do everything possible to justify why crime happens. The city has a long list of problems and I would say that Ilitch isn't one of them. Don't hate the man because he was investing in the city when most people were abandoning it. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 2642 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.167.58.162 |
I really doubt Channel 7 or Steve would have the cajones take on anyone big like Ilitch or the insurance companies. They wouldn't want to compromise their ad revenues. Expect no bumping of Ilitch's bodyguards to thrust a mike in Mike's face. Instead expect more hounding of cockroach capitalists who don't advertise with 7 [and don't have the resources to sue them] and politicians who can't sue them. Suck up, kick down is a way to make money in that business. I will be very happy to eat my hat on that prediction, but I think it will stay on my head. | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 2572 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.148.30.22 |
I bet that if the insurance companies were located in Detroit and made up of Black Detroiters many of the so-called Detroit boosters on this forum wouldn't really have a problem with them. Likewise as Merchantgander said, many people on this forum will do anything to justify crime (as well as corruption from politicians that they support). Keep up the good work Steve. | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 680 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.176.123 |
I think you're wrong Metrodetguy. Most of the Detroit boosters on this forum hate insurance companies because of the rates that they pay. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7453 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
Metro - I have as much dislike for insurance companies that are in the city and owned by Black people. Not a single governmental person in OFIS has any data that justifies rates and not a single insurance company that I contacted (suburbs and city) would supply any info on the basis for their rates. Criminals are criminals regardless where they set up shop. | ||
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin Post Number: 2691 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.202.227.12 |
Metro is just race baiting again Jt1, no one on this thread mentioned anything about race up till then, you oughtta know Metrosexuals' MO now... | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 2573 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.148.30.22 |
Uh oh here comes Detroit Lying again (one of the major race baiters). Nice try. Now tell us again about your bogus military exploits and bogus military history "lessons". Remember how you compared yourself to Generals. MO indeed, phony. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 2743 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.47.100.44 |
Merchantgander, I don't think there's a true hatred for ALL things Ilitch but when he does do something a little on the immoral or questionable side I don't see why they should be above criticism. I'm not for one second denying all the good that they've done but they've also done some things that aren't exactly as well thought out as they should've been. I say be fair to the Ilitches. Prime example is just in how they handle their sports franchises. From a fan's point of view (and I'm a fan of both of their teams), I still couldn't fathom a few years back how they could plop all sorts of money down on doing whatever it took for the Red Wings to win a Cup and they'd go dirt cheap for the Tigers. As a fan, season ticket holder for one of the sports, and a proud Detroit sports enthusiast I think I have a right to criticize them for their management style. Nothing vindictive or nasty on my part but fair questions should get me some fair answers. | ||
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander Post Number: 1800 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.150.244 |
Smogboy I never said they were above criticism, but Ilitch is public enemy #1 on this site. Too many folks want to forget all the good he has done and only focus on things they are not happy about. I am just saying people need to look at the total package and that is how he should be judged. I don't know one person who would look good if you just focus on the negatives and ignore the positives. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 1069 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.204 |
I think that the Ilitches are very smart business people, just like Matty Moroun. | ||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1339 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 140.244.107.151 |
From this morning's Names & Faces in the Freep: Wilson sweeps up indignation The good news? The May sweeps period ended at midnight Wednesday. So what set the bar for controversy? Try WXYZ-TV's (Channel 7) Steve Wilson's four-part piece mostly on Warren-based Financial Services of America (FSA). ... So what's special? Wilson upped the ante a tad by going after WDIV-TV, Local 4, Channel 7's archrival for local advertising bucks. In Part IV, Wilson reported WDIV issued a letter supporting FSA expertise, which the company used as sales leverage. ..." Full item: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060525/ENT 07/605250377 | ||
Steve_wilson_wxyztv Member Username: Steve_wilson_wxyztv Post Number: 127 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 172.167.183.193 |
Poor Mr. Smyntek (who usually does a good job) must have lacked a quarter...he never called me, relied on 4's G-M...and missed the point. It wasn't that Channel 4 has a "business relationship" (i.e. sells commercial and space on its CLICK ON DETROIT website...it's that the station, in a shameful example of its willingness to sell its own credibility, allowed a station salesman to send a "letter of lies" which the company could use to boost its own credibility while lying to seniors about annuities and financial services. To me, a television station is a public trust...and for WDIV (or any one) to trade on that trust to make a buck is just wrong. And as for the comments about insurance...we're not done with the state insurance folks who have long known what we showed on the air. And Lowell, I haven't forgotten about the car insurance issue. Get ready to wash down your hat with some brewski, or whatever goes good with hat these days. It's gonna happen. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 2648 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.167.210.191 |
Great, I am preparing a Chapeau Souffle accompanied with Grand Cru Côte de Beaune red. | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1260 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 207.145.38.104 |
Not sure what that is but it doesn't sound like breakfast food. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7492 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
I agree but we have long veered from that. How many news anchors are actual news people anymore. It has moved, sadly towards entertainment for than news and reporting. | ||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 8493 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.71.57.39 |
If a T.V. station is such a public trust then why is so much of the news time taken up by what's going on in the entertainment business? Sorry, but Paris Hilton's new shoes and her "toes" don't mean a damn thing in the real world. Nor does having American Idol's winner be the top news story of the day. Stick to international and local news and I would believe you. | ||
Machoken Member Username: Machoken Post Number: 1262 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 207.145.38.104 |
So are you saying Paris Hilton toes aren't real? Now that's must see t.v.! | ||
The_aram Member Username: The_aram Post Number: 4898 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.124.8 |
A television station is a public trust? PBS, yes. A commercial television station like WXYZ or WDIV... No. As long as you're operating on advertising dollars and not government subsidies or public donations, I'd venture to say you're a business looking to make money, which vicariously also provides news content. A quick spin around WXYZ's webpage shows a rotating GIF of dentists who will give you a "Free Smile Makeover Evaluation." Scanning farther down the side of the page, it's littered with more paid advertisers and gimmicks. How is this different from your self-righteous rant on Frank Beckmann's show yesterday morning about WDIV just trying to make a buck? Pot, meet kettle. Hey, you're both black! | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 7494 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.159.19 |
Why does everything have to be about race. | ||
Steve_wilson_wxyztv Member Username: Steve_wilson_wxyztv Post Number: 128 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 172.146.196.188 |
Aram, we you listening? It is different because the dentists on our website are clearly a paid advertisement. click on ABOUT US where its clear this is a consortium of dentsits in a marketing group. Furthermore, Channel 7 does not say these are "the only experts in the field of dentistry you'll ever need." And nobody at 7 writes a letter and includes lies that there are standards required and Ch 7 have carefully investigated to assure those standards are met. You won't see a letter like that in any dentist office, I assure you. The web is certainly another stream of both news and business, just like there are commercials between the news reports during the broadcasts. Nobody confuses a commercial with a news report, I hope...and IF channel 4 wasn't willing to sell out its credibility, as it did here, such letters would not be allowed--nor should they be! | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 692 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.176.123 |
See... I told you what would happen. But nooo... No one listens to me. You all just had to keep saying his name. Sure it's all fun and games until the forum gets investigated. Now Lowell is going to need body guards. | ||
Wabashrr1 Member Username: Wabashrr1 Post Number: 147 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Not completely on topic but, as long as news broadcasts are funded by commercial advertisement (speaking strickly of airwave broadcast here), they will always be suspect in my mind. The entire evening news program could be cut down to 15 minutes (typical half hour program), and that's being generous with the news : crap ratio, if they got rid of all the commercials, hype of upcoming stories, American Idol type BS. Since the networks own the air time, I'll never believe that they couldn't do that. News broadcasts, like all other television, is a business. That's all it ever has been and all it ever will be.  I'll step down now... | ||
Jelk Member Username: Jelk Post Number: 3772 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.16.207 |
So Steve, when Bill Spencer gives some single mom a van from "our good friends at Dick Scott" in the middle of a Channel 7 newscast, there is no quid pro quo? | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 259 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.60.139.212 |
Steve_wilson_wxyztv:
Will your report just detail the assumptions/facts relating to the insurance issues that we face? Or will it include an action plan that Detroiters, and others of good will in Michigan, can follow to change the situation? | ||
Steve_wilson_wxyztv Member Username: Steve_wilson_wxyztv Post Number: 129 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 172.163.240.70 |
Jelk, when Bill gets something for some poor soul in need, it would be foolish to believe that getting some good publicity is not part of the motivation of the donor...but isn't that true with everything from the Jerry Lewis Telethon to the Walk for Cancer to all the rest? The folks at home are not fooled by this...but when Ch 4 writes a letter and lies to the extent they did this time, that is a horse of a different color, as they say. Who would guess a respectable news organization would do such a thing? Well, I mean apart from cynics here...certainly not 82 year old widows who loved and trusted Mort Crim... | ||
Solarflare Member Username: Solarflare Post Number: 425 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 63.69.106.29 |
What is he, the governor now? You people crack me up. | ||
Dillpicklesoup Member Username: Dillpicklesoup Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 64.7.187.81 |
hey steve- you need to check out kwamee's daddy acting as a consultant to various firms with city of detroit contracts- bon apetite | ||
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001 Post Number: 2189 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.14.135.95 |
Hey, as long as we're on the topic of items for Channel 7 to investigate, here's an interesting one that a friend of mine passed along (and dealing with taxes, no less). Over in Eastpointe, they had passed a "public safety" millage last year. Well, aside from not hiring any "public safety" people (or actually spending it on anything even remotely related to public safety), they're looking at forking over about $4 million for a new city hall this year. Any chance that Mr. Wilson can do a report on that? Lying politicians I can't stand. Politicians lying to raise money for things other than for what they were originally intended I can stand even less. (Message edited by MCP-001 on June 03, 2006) |
