TO WATCH STORY CLICK HERE

Folks it's late and I'm just reading an email that I received from a viewer. It's so outlandish and laced with slanderous accusations against us and others that I just had to share it. I will not post the person's name and phone number, since the man who wrote it  chose to send it in an email to me. Unless of course he has the courage to stand by his convictions and put his name to it here.    What follows are the ridiculous accusations and my response to him. 

EMAIL TO ME:

"Your internet posting stated that the report about Dr. Alalouf was not a popularity contest rather it is about the facts.  However, your report this afternoon was very light on facts.  You chose only to present one side of the story and did a very nice job of providing a platform for Dr. Barrons (sp?), a competitor of Dr. Alalouf, who is  trying to destroy Dr. Alalouf.  In 2007, there were over a dozen dentists who were subject to disciplinary  action by the MD board - why didn't you report on those folks?  Frankly, it is no secret that Dr. Barrons is the one that gave the consent decree regarding Dr. Alalouf to the media.  How much did Dr. Barrons pay you to run that report?"

MY RESPONSE TO SENDER:

We are running a story about Doctor Ophir Alalouf's license suspension tonight at 5pm on ABC7. April 30/08.

TO WATCH STORY CLICK HERE.

For the record, we tried several times to get Dr. Alalouf's comments and we were turned away. We are reporting on the board's findings, the other side of the story is Dr. Alalouf's. It's great that some patients were happy with his work. That is what he is supposed to do and what he is paid to do. 

We are reporting on what was found to be improper work done on children and failing to perform in a manner consistent with standard ethical practices in the dental profession as laid out by the

I've read some blogs about the reporting we are doing at 7 On Your Side, calling me an ambulance chaser and "skewed reporting", say what you like. The facts speak for themselves and IN FACT Dr. Alalouf signed his name to the facts laid out by the dental board and waived his right to appeal the findings and to examine witnesses.
He even chose to stay hidden from us while his wife spoke openly to 7 On Your Side on camera.

This is not a popularity contest about whether or not you like Doctor Alalouf, it is about fact.

Dr Ophir Alalouf DDS

We are very concerned about the way the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners chose to handle this case.  When we asked for an interview the spokesperson, Murray Sherman, told me that they would want the questions in writing, want us to agree not to stray from those questions, want the interview done "live" (remember we are doing a story for a 1 hour newscast there are other stories that need to be told besides this one) but in the end they declined to be interviewed and couldn't answer some of our questions because they couldn't talk about the process!  I told them I thought their original conditions were absurd!

This board is charged with protecting the public! You would think it would want to come forward to go on camera and tell us why the investigation was launched and it took action. That speaks volumes about the mandate of the board.

Mr Sherman remained as responsive as he was able to our requests for a copy of the order and questions concerning notification requirements etc. There's no requirement that dentists notify their patients when they are suspended. Parents say that needs to change.

Bottom line:

Perhaps the legislature needs to take a look at the rules and regulations governing the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners. It obviously needs more resources. This investigation took 6 YEARS to complete!

These orders are not easily accessible on the website you have to call the board to get them. That needs to change and it is, we are now told more information will be made available on their website.  In the meantime to get a copy of the order just click above. To inquire about other dentists call the board at 410-402-8500.

-Ross McLaughlin 7 On Your Side.  

 Is your computer at risk?

Wireless routers left unsecured can leave computers on the network vulnerable to snoops and to people looking for confidential information.

It doesn't take much effort to get inside the network to see personal information.

Take a look at our story.

You may think our guy was hacking but he says no. However, if he can get into your system who else can?

Protect yourself.

For more information visit  www.ssnbreach.org 

WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS ON OUR SHOW TONIGHT "INSIDE 7 ON YOUR SIDE" NewsChannel 8 at 8:30pm. We're on every Tuesday!

It's not all work. Sometimes we are asked to help out at charity events and get to meet some great people.

This picture was taken April 17 at Mercedes Benz of Alexandria. We were asked to help emcee an event where the dealership was giving money back to several community groups.

From left to right

That's me in the "bright" tie, Brian Mitchell former Redskins Football player, Jim Larranaga, coach of the George Mason Patriots men's basketball team, Shawn Hoder (7 On Your Side Producer) and Audrey Mulholland who helped organize the event.

This blog is meant to bring you more information. If we can do it, so can Metro and it has.

Metro posted some comments about our recent investigation into bus accidents.

 Shawn Hoder, the other half of 7 On Your Side,( photographer, producer, poet, fix it guy, window washer, driver, etc   he does it all!) was browsing the internet and came across the link so he sent it to me.

Our Metro story made a point about how the agency needs to work more closely with police to comply with Metro'ls own policy for alcohol and drug testing following more serious accidents. Metro felt it was important to augment what we said about that. 

Doesn't make what we said wrong. It just gives Metro an opportunity to list more reasons why the target isn't being met.

Check it out by clicking here.

ROSS

The crack of the bat, the skid of the sand, the sounds of the season. It's time to go outside and play. The weather is perfect and the timing is right. The WJLA/NewsChannel 8/Politico/iRides softball team is ready. For many years now, we have taken part in the

 This is an open invite to you, our viewers. Maybe you want to come out and see Bruce DePuyt smack a double down the right field line. He did it last year alot. His batting average was over 500. But it's not just the guys...

As a matter of fact, I would say the ladies are much more important.  Look at Brianne Carter. She plays a solid 2B, and knows how to wear those softball socks.

Or Jennifer Donelan, come on...any gal willing to wear eye black.

You know she's got game! So, it's a beautiful Saturday morning and you need something to do. Come on out. Enjoy watching a wooden bat softball league featuring all of the local media. Admission is free, and both Bruce and Bri love to sign autographs. So, bring your pics, pens, and politeness. We'd be happy to have you. Times, schedules, and locations are all here.

HODER

 You've been heard!

You called. We listened. Verizon responded.  We have received more than 60 hotline calls about the Verizon FiOS free TV offer and the problems you've been having with your Verizon bills. I have listened to all those calls, logged them and forwarded them to Verizon.

I am now getting calls back on the hotline from some of you saying that Verizon called, answered your questions, resolved some billing issues and gave shipment dates for the free TV.

For those of you emailed us (and there were plenty!) , I have forwarded those complaints to Verizon too.

Thanks Verizon, for listening to us and to our viewers.  Keep watching 7 On Your Side.  

Ross

So, this is my question:  

"Do I say I have several emails that need my attention?"  Or do I say,   "I have several email that need my attention?"

Get my drift? Is the plural of email...email or emails?

I have found many different views on the subject. Here's 2:

Bloggers POV

NUMBER 4

I don't know? Does it matter? Really? Not sure. Tell me what you think, okay?

   All my best,

      HODER