Extra, Extra, Read all About It . . .

[NickDG 23]

Glory-hound; n. A BASE jumper with no regard for others. A person who burns sites by publicing their jumps. A person who uses the sport of BASE for self-aggrandizement.

I'm watching cable news the other day and the host is discussing narcissism in the sense of people who'll do anything to attain, or hold onto, celebrity status. I had to laugh as it was painfully obviously this was a case of the vain discussing the vain. These so called "reporters" actually kept a straight face while they distanced themselves from the people they were discussing.

The difference between most would-be celebrities and the cable news talking heads is nil. They are simply glory-hounds.

I often wondered how some of the cable folks can be so unreasonable, so objectionable, so willing to say anything, but we too quickly assume "news people" have some higher calling, when in reality it's simply fame and celebrity that's their goal. To sit in a restaurant and have people whisper, "Look, there's [whoever]!"

We don't realize what a heady thing that is, because most of us never experience it, but I imagine it's addicting enough they will throw overboard whatever principals they have in order to attain and keep it.

Okay, I hear you thinking, "Gee Nick, where've you been?" But I'm mainly a newspaper guy, and I read several a day. I skip right passed the "by line" as I care little who wrote what I'm reading and I judge an article simply by its content. And after all these years I can smell erroneousness, sloppy reporting, or an agenda like horse dung rising from the newsprint.

We tend to give cable heads more benefit of the doubt because we know that in most cases they are simply reading someone else's words off a teleprompter while a print reporter lives and dies on his own words.

I know full well some newspapers can be as biased as any of the cable shows. But in a written article one has to make their case, so it’s much harder to slip one by like they do in a 20-second TV spot where they're on to the next thing before you have time to digest what you just heard.

I guess my point here is turn off the tube and pick up a newspaper. Sure, I hear you saying, "Oh, that's yesterday's news." But most times it's better news because a print reporter has the time to actually investigate and uncover the truth in a story. On cable the rush is to be first in order to flash the "News Alert" banner, but that comes at the expense of actual content. And in reality the only time I really need the news "right this second" is if a tsunami is coming my way.

What prompted this rant? I was sitting in a restaurant the other day, one I go to a few times a week and someone, who didn’t have my cell number, phoned the place looking for me. The server (I hate that term) said to the caller, "You mean the fellow with the newspaper?" And it dawned on me that in a place full of people having lunch I was the only one reading a paper. Go back not that many years ago and you were the odd man out if you weren't reading a newspaper. Most will have not gotten this far as it seems nobody reads anymore, but if you did I'll leave you with this. I worry about so many newspapers going out of business. A newspaper is still a terrific bargain. Think of all the work that goes into producing one, the reporting, the printing, the distribution of it, and you can still get it all for only a couple of coins . . .

I'll probably get shuffled of to the SC with this, but maybe some of you will see it before the thought police wake up this morning.

NickD BASE 194

[popsjumper 2]

Well, Nick...I agree with most everything you're saying. I would add though that the print industry is just as guilty of your accusations as the broadcast industry...just with a little more time to gather a little more dirty laundry.

As you mentioned, though, the newspaper gives you the opportunity to stop and digest and think through and question what you just read.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[jimmytavino 16]

i DO read the newspaper every morning while having coffee..( it gets delivered INSIDE my storm door, rain shine, snow or sleet )
and occasionally I'll buy the USA today, or the N Y papers at the local store.....

The only thing I will belive as "GOSPEL",,, is the fact that statements have been printed on a page... As to the validity...... well I learned a while ago not to take everything I read as fact.......
may start a thread to inquire about the newspaper reading habits, of our community..
jmy

[cocheese 0]

I don't read fiction. I try not to watch it as well.

Thanks for worrying about the world while i stick my head in the sand. I just can't take all the bullshit. It's nice and quiet down here. Ants are cool.

[stitch 0]

You forgot the "Rant" warning.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[lawrocket 3]

I didn't have the tim eto read all of this, Nick. Could you video a 20-second sound bite and post it on YouTube?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Quote

i DO read the newspaper every morning while having coffee

You guys are making me crave some French Roast...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[2fat2fly 0]

Quote

I didn't have the tim eto read all of this, Nick. Could you video a 20-second sound bite and post it on YouTube?

OK, dammit-who's gonna pay to have the snot cleaned off of my monitor?

I am not the man. But the man knows my name...and he's worried