Playing a little catch-up on a couple more items concerning FryRiceGate, because, well, we are the Blog of Record for embarrassing wingnuttery. And it’s so much fun, also, too.

When last we visited the Cal-Rec’s intensive CYA operation, publisher Young Todd Smith was frantically defending his turf and blaming his accusers in a Saturday editorial covered in these parts by our NEK correspondent, kestrel9000.

But wait, there’s more. As you may recall, this story went national after GMD tipped off Jim Romenesko, noted journalism blogger, and he posted it on his widely-read website. In his initial post, Romenesko noted that he’d put in a call to Mark Smith, Cal-Rec publisher, and was awaiting a call back.

Well, here are two more notes from Romenesko.

First, Romenesko had a brief chat with Dana Gray, Cal-Rec editor and (apparently) a practicing journalist. Gray noted that the “Go ‘Toppers, Fry Rice” poster was the work of “the production side,” not the editorial side. And when Romenesko asked Gray what he thought of the poster, the reply was:

“I’d just as soon stay out of it.”

Yeah, I bet you would.

Second, Romenesko got a very snippy reply from Big Poppa Mark Smith:

As a trained journalist, University of Missouri School of Journalism, 1972, Newhouse School of Communication, Syracuse University, 1973, it is basic to have accurate information before you start asking questions.

As a trained journalist, Mark, it is basic to write complete, grammatically correct sentences. But do go on:

I am NOT publisher of the Caledonian-Record and have not been for 3 years.  …I am also semi-retired and a resident of Bulverde, Texas. I will adress [sic] any issues you may have with any of these publications when I return to Vermont in late June.

Oh, snap!

Trouble is, Romenesko had the goods on Mr. Smith of Bulverde, Texas:

Dear Mr. Smith: I’m sorry I interrupted your semi-retirement with my email, but I went to your newspaper’s Contact Us section yesterday and this is what I found: Mark M. Smith, publisher.

Oopsie. Yeah, sport, you ought to update your damn website every three years or so. (The Cal-Rec did so, very very quickly, after Romenesko posted the above exchange.)

One more note. In his editorial, Young Todd Smith says “next year, we might try “Cook Rice.”

No, Todd, I’d stick with the original. Except this time, spell it “Fly Lice.” You know, because them Chinese talk funny. And maybe attach a couple of pieces of reusable tape to the poster, so readers can tape their eyes in the slanty position. You know, because them Chinese look funny. And don’t worry, it’s not racist, it’s just a li’l joke.

And when, as GMD commenter HSTGonzo pointed out, Bill Stenger starts bringing in busloads of Chinese EB-5 investors to help him revitalize the NEK’s economy, I’m sure they’ll appreciate a local newspaper with a good old-fashioned sense of humor.