*Not really. I’m just getting a head start on That Day Which Shall Not Be Named But Which Occurs Tomorrow.
Category: Journalism/News Media
Random Thursday: The Exaggerated Death Reports Edition
I’m baaaaacccckkkkk! I started to ask you to raise your hand if you went through the five stages of grief when you discovered the Gazette was offline and possibly deceased, but then I realized that the response would probably send me down the path of those five stages all over again. You might think that… Continue reading Random Thursday: The Exaggerated Death Reports Edition
Political endorsements by newspapers do serve a purpose
Today’s editorial in our local newspaper notifies readers that the publication will no longer issue endorsements for political candidates, ending what I assume is a decades-long practice that still exists at many – if not most – print media. [The practice of political endorsements by newspapers goes back more than 150 years, according to this… Continue reading Political endorsements by newspapers do serve a purpose
“Occupy Wall Street” has local impact
Our financial advisor is a fellow named Jim Cosner. Jim has impressed us over the years with his business acumen (our portfolio has done almost embarrassingly well during these, um, difficult times), integrity, and unflagging optimism. We meet about once a quarter to talk things over, get his take on what might be on the… Continue reading “Occupy Wall Street” has local impact
Random Weinergate Observations
Some random thoughts – serious and not-so – about “Weinergate,” the latest example of how skillful a politician can be in shooting his own foot. If only Rep. Anthony Weiner were so competent as a leader. The seductiveness of the internet to cause one to do stupid things cannot be overstated. It’s worse than alcohol… Continue reading Random Weinergate Observations
Measuring “Religious Knowledge”
Remember my mild rant about the lack of critical thinking skills among students? It’s not just students who are falling short in this area; some newspaper reporters appear to be challenged in this regard. Here’s a quote from a story in the Los Angeles Times about the results of this survey (link to a PDF… Continue reading Measuring “Religious Knowledge”
“That’s Oil, Folks!”
I pretty much gave up on Texas Monthly years ago, when Molly Ivins exemplified the magazine’s left-staggering slant on, well, just about everything. (Plus, they were rarely charitable toward my beloved Aggies, and way too benevolent toward our arch-rival, Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned.) The downside of that decision, however, is that I miss… Continue reading “That’s Oil, Folks!”
Local Newspaper Listens, Improves
Last month I wrote about a few things that I thought would improve life in Midland, Texas, including the elimination of the weekly “around Texas” section of the Midland Reporter Telegram. I’m under no illusion that my comment had anything to do with it, but I was pleased to open this morning’s paper and find… Continue reading Local Newspaper Listens, Improves
We’re officially through the looking glass
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Obama administration is going to make BP “pay salaries of oil-services workers who lose their jobs as a result of the spill.” This follows on the heels of Obama’s interview with NBC’s Matt Laurer this morning in which the Butt Kicker-in-Chief got all businesslike and stern, and used the… Continue reading We’re officially through the looking glass
Gulf Oil Leak Perspective
Last Sunday’s newspaper carried a letter to the editor from a prominent local oilman in which he chastised the news media for continuing to report the volume of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico in terms of gallons instead of barrels. He apparently believes that this is yet another attempt by the media… Continue reading Gulf Oil Leak Perspective