My newspaper tells me to vote for Kerry.

on Oct 20, 2004

Anglosesque:

In regards to newspaper endorsements, remember that readers expect these opinions (a lot of local elections are decided by this) and it makes one more argument for the 3 people currently undecided in the U.S. As far as media reporting, if you get Newsworld International on cable I highly recommend The National from the CBC and the ITV News from Britain for news. You get world opinion without the American filter.

on Oct 20, 2004

remember that readers expect these opinions (a lot of local elections are decided by this)

That's exactly my point. Hey, I'm all for the opinion section of the paper--but I don't think the paper itself needs to endorse a candidate. Local elections should not be decided by the news service--they should be decided by the voters actually using their brains.

it makes one more argument for the 3 people currently undecided in the U.S.

Only three of us? Wow, I'd love to meet the other two.

We don't get cable but I'll google Newsworld Int'l and see what I can come up with. I listen to BBC a lot, and read lots on the net. Thanks.

-A.

on Oct 20, 2004

I agree 100%.

- Grim X

on Oct 20, 2004

Thanks, Grim X. (Aside: Your name always reminds me of the "Grim" in Harry Potter bk 3.)

-A.

on Oct 20, 2004

Angloesque:

I don't think the editorials decide the election, but they wade through the myriad of candidates to find one that they think will do a good job. I understand you think that they shouldn't and I agree but for the reason I stated, mainly it allows voters to be lazy.

Yeah, BBC News is a good one too (as seen on PBS), but it has developed a bit of overcaution since the Blair affair in the spring.

on Oct 20, 2004

Your name always reminds me of the "Grim" in Harry Potter bk 3.)

Prisoner of Azkaban? I have seen all three movies so far, does the character show up in any of them and what is he/she?

You got me curious now.

- Grimbledore, Sorcerer Xtraordinaire

on Oct 20, 2004

The "Grim" isn't exactly a character--in the Harry Potter world (and other magical worlds) the "grim" is a large black dog, and it's a sign of imminent death to whoever sees it. Harry sees Sirius and thinks he's the grim. It gets touched on in Divination -- Trelawney thinks she sees the grim in Harry's tea leaves.

You should read the books--they're better.

-A.

on Oct 20, 2004

*Ahem* Back to the blog:

CrispE, after rereading, perhaps we are not that far apart. I suppose there are people who appreciate other people (newspaper column staff) wading through all the issues and ideas and coming up with an answer, but I am not that type of person and I don't think that kind of pandering is good for politics. I hope that's a clearer statement of my bottom line?

-A.

on Oct 20, 2004

Oh yeah I forgot they called the dog "grim". Heh heh, and no I won't read Harry Potter Books I prefer Science Fiction when I read books.

Isaac Asimov, Herbert, Ray Bradbury, to name a few.

- I, GrimbotX

on Oct 20, 2004

Angloesque:

I didn't think we were far apart. News (as in newspaper) is different from opinion. I have always disliked the idea that newspapers print "letters to the editor" that agree with the editor's position on an issue more often than opposing views. When opposing views are published they are often poorly written and easy to tear apart.

I saw this happen in my community this summer because the paper really wanted the state to fund a transportation project that I thought was hopelessly doomed to failure. Now, after the funding got lined up (with immense promotion by the paper) the project has gone belly up with millions of dollars lost.

But the paper takes NO blame and since there are no competitors, no problem...

Spc Nobody Special

on Oct 20, 2004

Bad newspaper!!! Bad!!!! Down I say! Heel! (reaches over and whacks newspaper with a rolled up......mmmmm......copy of War and Peace?)

on Oct 20, 2004

CrispE, I guess we're talking about unlimited power, in some respects. And while that doesn't scare me, it makes me uncomfortable. Mad, even.

If you go to the NYT site, you'll see that the paper itself endoreses John Kerry. The Portland Oregonian endorsed Kerry quite awhile ago, and they printed a list of the candidates and ballot measures they, the paper, approved. These aren't opinion editors who hold the positions--they're the paper. Probably written by its opinion editors, but not their names. So while I can separate the news section from the opinion section, I can't separate the paper's bias with its purported lack thereof.

Come to think of it, I think I disagree with the practice of opinions expressed without names attached to them. That's always bothered me in the local paper.

SNS, that cracked me up. Thanks. Though you wouldn't have to roll up War and Peace to hurt someone with it....

-A.

on Oct 21, 2004

This in from the Frontlines of the Objectivity Vs. Subjectivity War taking place in Media-labia
(static)...Come in Objective Six, Come in Objective Six...objectivity in reporting is failing...need corrective measures stat...need Fire Order of Objectivity on subjectivity...coordinates New York Times...verified...fire for effect...

Objective Six: "We have salvos headed down range...take cover...prepare for steel rain effect..."

(static)...our position is failing we need immediate reinforcement...

Objective Six: "Sending logic and more objectivity your way..."

(static)...no we need the big guns...send George Orwell...

Objective Six:"Roger, George Orwell is in route...prepare for George Orwell to roll in his grave..."

(static)...he already has...so much for Objectivity in the Media....

Objective Six: "No kidding."

- XG