If the newspapers cannot rise above this morass of mediocrity they deserve their impending demise

Cable TV News has become virtually unwatchable for people that have an appetite for such antiquated Conkrite relics known as facts.

The hysterics over the Gates arrest, the fact that birthers are not laughed off of the screen, the fact that the nation is debating one of its greatest structural changes in its history and the networks have been unable to explain the problem or the proposed solution is rendering them titans of triviality.

Now is the time for the newspaper industry to rise above the mass of mediocrity on TV and lay out careful explanations of what is at stake, what are the options and what are the competing political strategies in the current health care debate.

Now if they are confused about exactly how they should do this they should go to their sports editor.

Ask them what they do in preparation for the annual draft for the National Football League.

Now if the newspapers were to put a commensurate effort into laying out the substance, strategy and tactics of the proposed changes to the American Health Care System (which in fact is not a system at all) as they did in analyzing what their local home team's options were in preparing for the NFL draft then tomorrow we would all be receiving a beautiful 12 page color summary in our Sunday Newspaper that would actually provide a useful function, advancing democracy.

Now I know that the idea of advancing democracy is not a sexy or lucrative market for media to get into, but look on the bright side, you wouldn't have any competition.

The fact is that cars, houses, or just about everything else can be more effectively sold over other media.

So if Newspapers were to embrace the idea of advancing democracy as a key part of their brand they would find themselves the only providers in an empty market.

Mr. Publisher, I know that you can do this. You may have to get the guy that does your NFL draft special edition to do it, but that's ok, they always have lots of great graphics and pictures.

Advancing the interests of democracy by explaining difficult complex questions to the public.

Who knows your future profession and your jobs might just depend on it.

If not, you're just pissing in the wind here.

Also, you don't know the business dynamics if you think subscriptions remotely cover the costs.

even covers the cost of distribution.

Without readership, subscription or without, you cannot make a claim to your advertisers that you are relevant.

:thumbsup: :hi:

What in the *uck is the matter with you traitors?

The local section covers gossip about political candidates and church bazaars. It has been years since they have done any actual local reporting. Its a Times-Tribune paper since 2000.

They can die for all I care.