Prayer to St. Patrick: Please drive the snakes out of broadcasting

St. Patrick,

I know you're hearing from a lot of your countrymen today and the last thing you need is a request from an Italian, but we need your help.

You know that snake deal you pulled in Ireland? Could you do the same for the television news industry?

Seriously, sometimes many of us feel like Samuel L. Jackson in that airplane movie or Harry Potter taking on Lord Voldemort.

Any help greatly appreciated. For what it's worth, I gave up chocolate for lent and I'm going through major withdrawal. Amen.


They're cold blooded. They're sneaky. They hide where you can't see them and then they strike when you least expect it. They spew venom.

Are we talking about snakes? Or some of our managers and co-workers?

So, must you "be the mongoose" in order to survive in this business? Or simply carry an antidote that protects you from the poison?

Pushing buttons is a favorite tactic with snakes, and, sorry to say, the trend is creeping out of management into the rank and file. I got a good look at it when I went into management. People would be all chummy in the newsroom, then wander into my office with a set of Ginsu knives to throw at their co-workers. I, of course, would give them the bobblehead routine and make a mental note that the sorting hat had put them in Slytherin House.

If you find yourself being recruited into snakedom, you must resist the temptation. It's easy to get into the gossip chain, and when someone throws a knife in your direction your natural instinct is to throw it back. But reputation is everything in this business, and it's one thing over which you have complete control. You may not have any say when it comes to luck or timing, but having nice things said about you when you're looking for a job is worth more than you know.