Buzz Kill

Jersey City, New Jersey, August 25, 2005:

Ronatarian Party founder and leader Ron has long complained of press criticism. But he sought to turn the tables Thursday with a new tactic -- sounding a buzzer every time reporters ask questions he deems "not constructive."

To the surprise of journalists and colleagues alike, Ron raised a handheld buzzer -- which displayed an "X" sign -- from behind the podium to indicate his disapproval of some questions asked at an impromptu news conference.

The button-pushing Ron sounded the alarm when a television reporter asked why the Ronatarians had failed to garner enough interest from corporate donors.

"Not constructive!" he exclaimed, referring to the reporter's question and a related one about whether the Ronatarian Party had a viable roadmap for the near future.

But other questions elicited a sweeter response: when a female reporter asked about Ron's favorite cheeses, his gadget emitted a pleasant tone and displayed an "O," signaling his approval.

Ron joked about the buzzer to puzzled reporters: "My friend Bill brought it from Japan for his brother Ed, and I just borrowed it to use with the media to make the atmosphere more relaxing."

But some journalists failed to see the humor.

"I think it's a little overboard for a crackpot, failed politician to do anything like that because in this forum, I think, reporters have the right to ask any questions that concern the public interest," said Donald Emerson, editor of The New Jersey Spew, a local daily newspaper.

"They have the right to ask those kinds of questions," he said.

It wasn't clear whether Ron planned to keep using the buzzer.

On several occasions in the past, Ron has refused to talk to the press for a period of time after being angered by critical questions.

Posted by Bittle at August 26, 2005 09:09 AM