Press Talk: Of getting tough and comments

by B. Anker Jr. : 5/2/09 2:26am - Report Abuse

Harry Truman said "the buck stops here."

by FelidaJoe : 5/2/09 3:32am - Report Abuse

I don't believe I've ever heard of anyone accusing The Columbian of being "too conservative".

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/2/09 5:30am - Report Abuse

Hello all. Good the see the conversation beginning early. Hopefully we can have a solid discussion without name calling or bitterness. Would be much appreciated.

Yes Felida we get both too conservative and too liberal comments. They both show up in our "stop" reports when our circulation department gets calls. We always ask the question on why the stop.

by Craig Sayre : 5/2/09 6:28am - Report Abuse

Good column Lou. You're probably in for a tough year or so until the economy picks up and advertisers start advertising and subscribers start subscribing again, but I expect you'll make it.

As a conservative fellow, those folks who complain that The Columbian is "too conservative" just plain scare me!

by Omahkohkiaayo I'poyi : 5/2/09 8:58am - Report Abuse

No Craig, The Columbian is not "conservative" in the sense you believe yourself to be, nor is it too "liberal" in the sense that principled liberals see themselves to be; The Columbian is not even a true profit maximizing entity, rather it is an integral and central part of a demi Family empire and its local power projection and control. Craig, you appear to me to stand on a foundation of core principles, you label and lay them out without apology, you are willing to respond to just about any idea, and appear to be willing to debate and even change your mind, and finally you appear to be evidence based and willing to consider evidence without summarily dismissing it because of its ideological predigree. That is intellectual honesty and integrity and it is rare among all ideological perspectives as many who self-label and identify themselves are hard-core ideologues and actually do not really know the core principles of what they say is their ideology of choice.

I honestly do not care one wit what ideological perspective the ownership, management or editorial staff has or says they have; I just ask, given the power of the media to shape and influence for good and bad, that they lay out honestly their interests and either avoid conflicts of interest or at least spell them out. So when some poor trees have to die for The Columbian to tell us about the recipients of some meaningless and contrived local award, that in reality is nothing more than some token embellishment to someone's meager resume, someone who is a part of that covert, non-transparent and non-accountable network of "pioneer stock" running Couve Holler, that The Columbian spells it out, as Tom Koenninger, to his credit, often does, that "this is one of our homies or crew" and this coverage is part of the package that comes with this and other contrived and meaningless awards. Or, at least, if The Columbian is going to give coverage to say the "Woman of Achievement Award", that they might mention some of the past recipients, all also touted in the pages of The Columbian, that the present ones might not want to be linked with. Or, if the editors have a personal friend, who was also a reference for a job, that he or she disclose that fact, when promoting a friend for a job on the editorial pages, or better yet, give equal coverage to all candidates for a job and or their detractors and turn the story over to someone with no conflicts of interest.

Lou, I am not even asking The Columbian to, in the words of one of the real journalists A.J. Liebling "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." I know as an institution and mouthpiece of the local "comfortable", The Columbian can be counted on to "comfort the comfortable"; I am just asking you not to continue to be part of "afflicting the afflicted" through imperial arrogance, insensitivity, refusal to even acknowledge or address serious issues and failure to disclose material conflicts of interest in your "pieces". Stand proudly openly and transparently on your interests and perspectives as well as the local associations, organizations and interests with which The Columbian and its ownership/management are tied in.

by B. Anker Jr. : 5/2/09 9:18am - Report Abuse

Speaking of transparency, what is going on with the City of Vancouver's interest in purchasing Scott's mostly empty building? When the bankruptcy story first broke several months ago, LouBr promised that those dealings would be reported on by his staff. To this day, while we understand the conflict of interest, there still has been no reporting on this matter beyond the first day. And it is an issue that involves huge expenditures of public money to bail out a local businessman's failed gamble. Business as usual?

by Van Cougar : 5/2/09 9:32am - Report Abuse

I'm sure no one in your myopic circle, FelidaSchmoe. Junior Banker, are you employed at the city? Do you know something the rest of us don't? If not, shut up.

by B. Anker : 5/2/09 9:48am - Report Abuse

"Do you know something the rest of us don't? If not, shut up."
--VanCougar

VC, that kind of thinking is so wrong when it comes to scrutinizing local government. Why would you not want a $35 million expenditure by the city to be done with the highest level of public input and awareness? If it didn't involve rescuing the Campbell family, the Columbian would be approaching this differently. Silence, as we have seen from the local newspaper, and as you advocate here is rarely in the best interest of the general public. VC, go ahead and remain a lackey as yours is a vanishing breed in Vancouver.

by Matthew M : 5/2/09 9:48am - Report Abuse

Lou, you keep retreating to the same position each week. Advertising and negative comments. I'm sorry it's a struggle, really, but let's take a look at this from the perspective of us, your customers. You ask for our opinions, but whether they are deemed constructive or negative, you treat them the same. Here's my take:

On Advertising and Chapter 11
We don't care why. I don't buy your product for advertising, just as I don't pay for Directv for the ads either. I pay for the content. Advertising is part of the product, granted, but if my satellite service begins to degrade in quality, the last excuse I want to hear from them is because advertising revenue is down. Poor economy? This decrease in advertising revenue had already started in the industry, particularly with classified ads, so let's place the building adventure in the column of a poor idea regardless of the economy.

On Conservative/Liberal/etc.
Clearly circulation is impacted by the content. People don't drop their subscriptions because advertising is down - I'm not really that interested each week in seeing the Amish space heater ad or government coin with free safe. So the real reason you're having problems isn't the content, no, it's advertising. But even you admit that when you get 'stop' reports, the reality is some people think the content is in the tubes.

Each day when my wife and I read your paper we comment on the pieces together, a sort of family gathering around the coffee table. Often times we just shake our heads wondering how it is so possible to miss large parts of the story, or even a small part. For example (a really simple one), all these pieces on the 14% increase in higher education tuition costs. Lots of wonderful snippets on how unaffordable it is, quotes from students claiming their parents are raiding their own retirement funds, the sky-is-falling mentality. Not once have I seen a callout or article on student loans. Not once. Many of us did that. Yes, student loans. Higher education is an investment in yourself. Pay for it. Instead we're treated to a piece, actually multiple articles over the weeks, that may be interpreted by some as weak reporting and leaning to one side (which one I don't know). But regardless, it happens time and again, at least in my opinion. As you say, they're just opinions. But the people behind those opinions buy your paper.

Comments week after week point out content failures or overlaps (opinions, yes, but those of your customers). Do you listen? Usually it's either A) we've already covered that, or B) we'll think about it. I think there is a C) option. That being C) we'll change. Wasn't that the tagline for President Obama?

by Lew Waters : 5/2/09 10:07am - Report Abuse

It's called being "Fair and Balanced," Lou. Perhaps, in spite of the vitriol leveled against Fox News, they remain the most watched and listened to in cable news.

If the Columbian's editors cannot bring themselves to be occassionally pro-conservative, perhaps a quest column from time to time from a conservative would be in order.

To me, local media should be representative of that community, not attempting to manipulate thinking in that community.

by Jay Gee : 5/2/09 10:42am - Report Abuse

Hey Lou you forgot to mention the billions of taxpayer dollars that BHO poured in there that is gone up in smoke, only to arrive where our system told them to go in the first place, bankruptcy. If part of the clearly charted path for us is investing the next few generations of your childrens wealth on a roll of the dice I'm worried.

Previous generations have sacrificed their lives, welfare and wealth for a better tomorrow, BHO is sacrificing the future for the relative comfort of the present, pain avoidance is only delayed never avoided.

And like someone else said above, when have you EVER been accused of being too conservative, what kind of delusionist would ever state that?

by Helena Handbasket : 5/2/09 10:42am - Report Abuse

Lou,

As a former Liberal that bought into global warming and the other lies of the Left, until I started watching FoxNews, I can say your paper has fallen on hard times due to its slant. When the Columbian refuses to run a worthwile news story about a future Clark County comissioner not being good with personal finaces and cannot get a real paying job because he is a Democrat, you make you views very clear. You know that the paper is baised to the Left and it is laughable when you try to say it is not and have nothing to back it up. Just because you have some readers that say you are 'too conservative' doesn't mean it is true, and there in is why people don't trust what you report. Balanced newspapers are doing well in these times, along with balanced cable news, because they try to be more objective and not biased. If your paper doesn't learn to inform rather than preach, then this will not be your last bankruptcy.

Thanks you.

by Helena Handbasket : 5/2/09 10:51am - Report Abuse

Columbian refuses to run a worthwile news story about a future Clark County comissioner not being good with personal finaces and cannot get a real paying job because he is a Democrat, you make you views very clear.
___________________________________________
Sorry, I should have looked over what I wrote better. I meant to point out that the Columbian refused to run the article, that was already written, because the future commish was a Democrat.

by East County : 5/2/09 11:29am - Report Abuse

Helena: I am relatively new to Clark County, but am eager to get a good grasp of the county's political history. Can you please explain what commissioner you are referring to? Or do you have a link to another news source? Thanks.

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/2/09 12:54pm - Report Abuse

Thanks all. Reference our building and the possible purchase of it by the city, there is no update as far as I know. If you have some info, please pass it along. So I guess you're suggesting we have something we're not writing? We don't. If you have some info, again, please share.

Interesting comment that just because some readers say we're too conservative that doesn't mean we are. You're a reader and you say we're too liberal. I don't discount your opinion. Why would you discount another opinion that disagrees with you?

by Helena Handbasket : 5/2/09 1:07pm - Report Abuse

East County,

Sure, welcome. Steve Stuart was not making mortgage payments on his house BEFORE the election for County Commissioners was held. The Columbian paper knew of the default and pending foreclosure, had even written an article on it, but the editor tried to have the story released AFTER the election. Media bias? What if Mr. Stuart was a Republican? The Columbian was caught and had to print the story before the election and then tried to blame the Republican party for pushing the issue. Isn't the financial skills of a prospective commissioner important to know?

by Helena Handbasket : 5/2/09 1:13pm - Report Abuse

Lou,

You're a reader and you say we're too liberal. I don't discount your opinion. Why would you discount another opinion that disagrees with you?
___________________________________________
Please do not insult your readers. The case was made that just because people say you are too conservative doesn't make it so. What slant the paper writes with, which is CLEARLY Liberal or Democrat by your support of Light Rail and backing mainly Democrats, defines want way the paper leans. What slant the paper is, is based off the writings not public opinion.

by Matthew M : 5/2/09 1:14pm - Report Abuse

So I guess you're suggesting that if there is something happening, we can expect your writing to be objective (and on time)? That is whether it is a good option for the city to spend the money, or will you congratulate them for the purchase? I'm guessing it will be difficult to find opposing viewpoints...

by Matthew M : 5/2/09 1:15pm - Report Abuse

Helena, don't push Lou. He'll be quick to remind you they supported President Bush during his elections. That must prove the point they're balanced.

by Helena Handbasket : 5/2/09 1:20pm - Report Abuse

Lou,

Another slant to the left for the paper would be when the Columbian refused to report the racial beating of a white Vancouver woman on the MAX line in N. Portland, at a time when more people were forced on to the crime filled system. The Oregonian put out the story in the morning, which was forwarded to your staff, and then your paper said that they didn't run an article on it due to the Oregonian doing such a good job. I think I still have the email from your staff. The Columbian then ran a very delayed article when the story hit the Portland afternoon TV news. How is that being unbiased? You support Light Rail but refuse to report crime that happens to a Vancouver native on it? Explain please.

by Helena Handbasket : 5/2/09 1:26pm - Report Abuse

R Frog,

That is why I said 'mainly', since Lou has put that out there before. Lou knows what way the paper leans and he knows that has cost his readers, just like the Oregonian. People want news that is on time and has some balance and that has not been the case for newspapers that are failing. Papers that are more balanced have been doing well since they are informing. The Columbian's full support of man-made Global Warming and added taxes, without supporting facts always makes me laugh.

by prariepondering : 5/2/09 1:43pm - Report Abuse

Wasn't Joseph P. Kennedy in the boot leg business? I have watched the journalistic abilities of the reporters for the Columbian decline over the last 30 years. Articles written by reporters who cannot even get the spelling of a specific neighborhood right. And things must be getting pretty bad when an Editor has to defend his newspaper on a blog page. I guess any avenue you can take to try to convince everyone that it's all hunkey dorey. Left, Right, Republican, Democrat, I don't care, just start raising your level of intelligent reporting. Or at least make new hires take a Geograpy test of the city and county before you cut them loose.

by FelidaJoe : 5/2/09 1:55pm - Report Abuse

The Columbian makes one or two "conservative endorsements" or runs one or two "conservative articles" in a twenty year span just to keep those bases covered, but the overall leaning of the paper is obviously towards the Left. A six year-old kid could see that.

by George Vartanian : 5/2/09 2:10pm - Report Abuse

I read the Columbian every day and then the comments on the web site. Both are entertaining and informative, but every once in a while something gets said that gives me cause for concern. Regardless of who said it, the comment: "To me, local media should be representative of that community, not attempting to manipulate thinking in that community." I agree local media should not attempt to manipulate thinking in the community, at least not in the news sections. The editorial section is where the media would, and should, make its opinions known. But in a factual and rational manner. As far as local media being representative of the community is concerned, why would I want to read a paper that tells me what I already believe. It's the "other" view that's important. I rarely learn anything by listening only to people who agree with me.

Oh yes, I also read the paper to find out what's going on in the community, regardless of philosophy. You know, plays, art shows, etc.

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/2/09 2:29pm - Report Abuse

Thanks all. Fair enough Prariepondering. I thought folks appreciated the exchange but if it's looked at as an act of desperation I'll try to listen more and comment less. I prefer that anyway. Please keep the discussion going.

by Matthew M : 5/2/09 3:11pm - Report Abuse

Every time the discussion starts heading towards some serious criticism and asks for a real response, it is definitely time to comment less. Otherwise we might actually get somewhere.

by Helena Handbasket : 5/2/09 3:12pm - Report Abuse

Notice Lou couldn't refute the two examples of extreme bias I listed.

by B. Anker : 5/2/09 4:45pm - Report Abuse

Passing the buck again Lou? Typical.

by Bill Swettman : 5/2/09 4:48pm - Report Abuse

Lou,
I had to laugh this morning when I read the last part of your column about the comments that you generally receive. Since I occasionally read the comments blog, I knew that would be a little like throwing gasoline on the fire. I had to tune in for the entertainment value alone. I wasn't disappointed.

Bill Swettman

by Mag Boiler : 5/2/09 5:20pm - Report Abuse

Good response, Bill. I enjoy Lou's columns and the Columbian. While I don't always agree with the Columbian's views, I have been a loyal reader for over 40 years. I, particularly, admire the patience that Lou has with "Professor" Craven's ramblings (I prefer not to use his Blackfoot name...he doesn't deserve it!).

by Pat Campbell : 5/2/09 5:25pm - Report Abuse

I'm hopeful you will make it and be better for the experience. I like the space you are giving Allen Thomas. Many of us of all political persuasions crave more outdoor news. This might be an advertising income generator as well if worked properly. Hey, almost all got pulled in by the good economic times. Keep in mind that when the average worker can't afford a home mortgage things are going to eventually go south. Keep that in mind when you editorially gripe about wages and benefits.

by Omahkohkiaayo I'poyi : 5/2/09 6:00pm - Report Abuse

I, particularly, admire the patience that Lou has with "Professor" Craven's ramblings (I prefer not to use his Blackfoot name...he doesn't deserve it!).

Well Lou, how exactly have I been rude to you or out of line to deserve this? See this is one of those frightened little voices, frightened of change, frightened of "outsiders", frightened of perspectives and views she clearly lacks the intellect, education, experience and guts to counter, so all they have is sycophantic sniping. With supporters like this, you really don't need more enemies. But the world is shaking, the former small frogs in very tiny ponds are losing their tiny ponds with globalization. People are coming in who speak three or four languages fluently, while at the local colleges, over 85% of the "real Merricans" like Mag here, require remedial English and 92% remedial math just to get up to the basics required for college courses in the subjects. With the plethora of alternatives available, what kind of "differentiated product" do you offer? Those are legitimate and basic questions relevant to the subject of your column. This is not one-liner sniping and ignorant inbred bigotry as in the example above; these are substantive questions. The world is shaking, people are angry and seeing their lives turned upside down; no doubt the fears and prospects of The Columbian staff have something to do with this column.

Again, why does The Columbian not go public with a stock offering? Is it because no one would buy the stock or is it perhaps that diffused equity means diffused and possibly counter power? What if Royce Pollard and his crew lose the next election? What if the composition of the City Council changes? What if State Democrats and Republicans lose more and more power and clout as they are more and more unable to buy loyalty with political patronage with the mounting fiscal crises? As things progress, will there be any significant difference in the reporting of The Columbian and The Oregonian on the status and prospects of The Columbian? This is also an imnportant question from the perspective of both potential investor and reader/subscriber confidence. Finally, what exactly do you want from those giving opinions here? Even your most virulent critcs have a perception that is not only their own; others share it; and if you think that perception is wrong, first you have to understand it and where it comes from to counter it, but also,saying it ain't so will not cut it as you need solid content, evidence and reason to counter the views you do not like or share.

by Craig Sayre : 5/2/09 6:04pm - Report Abuse

Quick someone look up the definition of comity. Why does our discourse need to be so rancorous and discourteous? I think that Lou Brancaccio and The Columbian has been making every effort to provide a forum in which people can have a civil discussion. Why destroy that?
Mag Boiler's comment about Omahkohkiaayo is absolutely out of line and I find it very offensive. Since when do others become arbiters of a person's heritage? Mag, I'm recommending to you that you read the review of the book "Seduced by Hitler: The Choices of a Nation and the Ethics of Survival" by Adam LeBor and Roger Boyes. It is a very well written review and it just may clue you in on the dangers of intolerance. Here's the link: http://wwwthesixthestate.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/2/09 6:23pm - Report Abuse

Thanks again all. I am still listening and appreciating the comments. Hopefully we all can agree that The Columbian is providing a good vehicle for thoughts to be discussed.

by Penny Schinke : 5/2/09 6:57pm - Report Abuse

This could get very, very interesting future reading.....but, basically, The Columbian does the same aggravating thing that our city, county, state and national political leaders OF BOTH PARTIES do: blatantly ignore us and our needs/wants; do their own thing regardless of the real needs/wants of the "employers'"=voters of politicians and customers of The Columbian.

Personally, I can get through the daily Columbian in about 10 minutes, even doing word search, scramble, crossword, comics and opinion page....the Sunday edition takes maybe a half hour, but I pull the sections apart and spread it out so it looks like more...of course, there IS more comics and 2 pages of opinion on Sunday. Actually, I get more from the on-line edition, so my personal "green" thing will be to not re-subscribe and just do this site...save some trees...and I do recycle our news print.

by Mag Boiler : 5/2/09 8:10pm - Report Abuse

Craig: "Professor" (Since when do others become arbiters of a person's heritage?) does it all the time. I have an opinion and entitled to it. My heritage is German and my ancestors experienced difficulties (mainly from Hispanics) because of our background. I am not looking for apologies from the past.

For info to the former "Professor", I am male, hold degrees in Chemistry and have had courses in Spanish and German.

The Columbian does a job that is important and unrewarding. I hope that they can weather the storm. They deserve it.

by Craig Sayre : 5/2/09 8:51pm - Report Abuse

Mag: Of course I had no idea of your heritage so referring the book review to you was not at meant as an attack on you personally. I've found the review to be enlightening and through it identified some tendencies in my own thinking that were unhealthy. I don't read Omah's comments as attacking another's heritage, but as identifying the innate errors that each of us needs to confront, challenge, and correct in our ego.
ps. I don't think Lou would agree with you that his work is unrewarding.

by K Gero : 5/3/09 12:03am - Report Abuse

Lou you are absolutely right! The differing opinions and discussions are definitely flowing here. Maybe you would agree with me (maybe not) in the fact that all it takes is for one comment to be comprehended in two different directions, and it brings out all the banter from every single angle. You done good!) I love to read what everyone has to say as I am able to study differing behaviors and personalities just by what everyone reads. There seems to be a lot of alpha-type personalities out there who only want their opinions as the true fact (I think I am guilty of that on certain articles I am compelled to shout out). I am no psychologist, but I find it fascinating how some people can only voice their opinions with rude, backstabbing comments that demean others rather than actually emphasizing issues needing feedback or providing their own opinions or questions. Keep up the great conversation pieces.

by Van Cougar : 5/3/09 5:33am - Report Abuse

"go ahead and remain a lackey as yours is a vanishing breed in Vancouver." Banker and Junior- are you guys for real? Just because you and your cronies think there is a back door deal for their building doesn't make it so. You act like you know something about the city and the building, yet it is just more speculation on perceived graft. Truth is, if the times were right, the deal would consolidate space it would save on lease money long term.

Junior and Daddy- you two are the reason we need a local paper. Otherwise, we'd be getting the news from your trailer park view.

by Van Cougar : 5/3/09 5:42am - Report Abuse

Helena,

You were never a liberal, so don't even try to obfuscate your persona. Ice caps ARE melting. People don't swing from "liberal" to far right over one issue. Your smokescreen has no play here. The far Right, of which you're one, are the reason for the fall of the GOP. Americans are ready to work together and people like you get in the way.

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/3/09 9:15am - Report Abuse

Yes Gero the comments are interesting. And I do learn from them. But to your point, it is too bad that some (by no means all) comments are there to tear down individuals rather than to discuss topics. And please don't miss the "some (and) by no means all" comment. You get some very good stuff here as well. But as said many times, most are opinions and I respect that. My hope is that my opinion will be respected equally. That's all.

Let me also suggest that when folks bring up specific detail, I think they assume I am aware of every decision on every story. We do dozens of stories every week. Thousands of the course of months. yes, we also can't get to every story either. So individuals might have a strong feeling on a particular story that we did or didn't do or a strong feeling on the way a particular story was played, I don't have specific answers on every decision made. I apologize for not knowing every single detail.

by B. Anker : 5/3/09 10:26am - Report Abuse

Van Coug, even your chosen pseudonym suggests some weird need for blind loyalty. No need to attempt to convince you of the value of independent thought or challenging those in positions of authority because you are of an old cloth and a ****** effort. I'm guessing you were deprived of affection growing up.

by Van Cougar : 5/3/09 10:38am - Report Abuse

Very clever Canker

by Omahkohkiaayo I'poyi : 5/3/09 10:41am - Report Abuse

If anyone thinks that my review of Seduced by Hitler was an attack against Germans, too bad they have not read my other work on the White Rose and other resistance organizations. The first concentration camp, which was Dachau, was not built for Jews but for German communists, socialist, trade unionists and religious people of conscience; the policy then was to attempt forcible emigration of Jews and I might add, that I have also written on collaboration between Zionists and Nazis who had a mutality of interests in both wanted Jews out of Germany and to go to Palestine. You can look up what I write and the evientiary base for what I write--and please do take it on--because I do not use a pseudonymn because the name Omahkohkiaayo i'poyi, is as much my other legal as my other non-Blackfoot name, and each name will take you to the other. For the record, I read, write and speak German, in Germany, where I studied and also served in the U.S. Army they said fluently, and I have lived and worked in five other non-English languages other than German in the some twenty years of living outside of the U.S. I do not engage in cyberstalking looking for each and every article "Mag" here writes (get a life Mag) in order to use some pretext to trash him (not we know maybe the gender but could be a ruse I do not know). His posts remind me of when people in the USSR where making remarks about all the Stalin statues and cult of personality with no recognition of great Soviet writers so Stalin had a statue commissioned of Puskin and when it was unveiled, it was a statue of Stalin holding a book of Pushkin's. Perhaps it was all my quotes from Hitler who was inspired by his reading of the Wild West novels of Karl May and who praised the extermination of Indians as his "inspiration" that got Mag going. Who knows? But this does illustrate one of the problems of this medium and a deterrence to sound analyses and exchanges.

Finally, for Lou, there is a difference between respecting each person's equal right to have his or her own and even dissenting and non-popular opinion, and the notion that all opinions are equal or to be equally "respected". That is part of the problem that some folks are having in these exchanges. Even editorials, which are clearly labeled opinion, should have some support in reason and evidence, and articles labeled news should go beyond that (although I would argue freedom from bias is impossible so just disclose the biases). Some opinions, especially when expressed through the megaphone of a newspaper, tv station, radio or other media with controlled access to it, can not only be patently and provably bogus, even internally contradictory, but can be lethal as well. Any9one ever heard of Julius Streicher? He was hanged at Nuremberg (thus setting binding legal precedent) not for having ordered the killing of even on person, not for having been in the Nazi hierarchy, but for being the editor of of the racist newspaper Der Sturmer that spread hate images and speech designed to make genocide more acceptable, easier to accomplish, cover-up and even give legal support for. But he was also opposed by Germans who gave their lives. The point for The Columbian is that there are real world consequences for real people in stories not covered while safe or conflict-of-interest-riddled pieces are.

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/3/09 11:12am - Report Abuse

Thanks all again. Let's keep the exchange going!

by FelidaJoe : 5/4/09 2:24pm - Report Abuse

Long ago, there was a time that many Americans got their news from newspapers. America had developed a sort of "trust" in the news they received from various media sources, and the media sources actually tried to report the news as it really was.

Somewhere along the line, people with a certain "mindset" became a majority in news organizations and began to manipulate the way news was reported to achieve influence over the public mood to suit their particular political leanings.

As the "influence" grew more obvious, Americans began to realize they were being misled and lied to by the news media. Unfortunately at that time, there were very few alternatives.

Then came the Internet, and all of a sudden Americans could access all sides of news events and do so without the "influence" of the relatively few biased manipulators in the news media.

Now that America has become accustomed to getting their news from the Internet and the newspapers are headed for the trash heap, there are attempts by such as The Columbian to find relevance in today's world of news.

Problem is, the internet has empowered the individual by giving him a powerful voice and the ability to seek out the news on his own, so he has no need for someone to perform those tasks for him.

by Craig Sayre : 5/4/09 4:27pm - Report Abuse

FelidaJoe I agree with with the general content of your post, but it seems to me that the Internet has 'democratized' information to the point that there is such a lack of consensus on everything that it opens the door to tyranny. I wonder if people will become so disenchanted with the uncertainty around them that they will eagerly seek out and 'annoint' a leader who can give them a sense of national cohesiveness, a sense of purpose, a common vision.

by Lamont Cranston : 5/4/09 7:27pm - Report Abuse

Personally, I only hope the best for the Columbian. A personal philosophy of mine is never kick someone when they are down. You will as a paper come back stronger and better for the experience. The founding fathers believed in a free press and the freedom of expressing the truth.

by FelidaJoe : 5/4/09 8:29pm - Report Abuse

Lou's whole purpose for this line-dance is to figure out how The Columbian can come back, if at all. I frankly don't see any way it can. You probably see a lot more people interested in this forum than you ever will in purchasing subscriptions, but a forum won't pay the bills. I don't see anything The Columbian can offer that you can't get somewhere else for free.

Newspapers really only have themselves to blame for their demise. For years they have thumbed their noses at the public and pushed their biases on the community even when it became apparent the Internet was going to replace them because people were tired of the crap. Now it's simply too late to stop the bankruptcies.

by Van Cougar : 5/4/09 9:32pm - Report Abuse

And you're all about free, huh schmoe? Where will your info come from after your desired demise of most newspapers? Too bad your measly pension won't stretch to subscribing. Except to hatred and misplaced anger. I'm sorry you lost your job, but don't blame the media.

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/5/09 1:20pm - Report Abuse

Thanks again all. My view (my opinion) is that we will move through the Chapter 11 relatively quickly, hopefully no longer than four to six months. We feel like we have a good, solid business plan that will work when we come out of Chapter 11.

Others, like Felida Joe, have the opinion that we will not. Fair enough. As mentioned many times, opinions are just that; opinions. I have one and Joe has one.

If the economy begins to settle down -- and we're hearing that might be the case by the end of this year -- that obviously will help us and many, many others.

So here's hoping the economy gets healthy as soon as possible.

by FelidaJoe : 5/5/09 1:54pm - Report Abuse

Sorry, VC. I work every day and don't have a pension. How about sticking to the topic instead of wandering off on personal attacks for a change?

Happy Cinco de Mayo, Lou. I notice The Columbian isn't covering the fiesta, but I'm sure the local businesses could profit from a little coverage.

by Omahkohkiaayo I'poyi : 5/7/09 5:46am - Report Abuse

Just as the old and established "world order" is being swept away by change and dislocations that come with "new world orders" formerly and smugly assumed impossible and not planned for, so it is with America, Washington State, Couve Holler and The Columbian. People, who in the past, took the easy road and did four years of college in some soft degree program, now when faced with unemployment, are also faced with the folly of past choices as they are largely unemployable in today's world with yesterday's meaningless degrees. The same is happening to those in management with little or no formal education and training, with soft degrees, who got their jobs through networking, schmoozing and who not what they knew, the corporate world can no longer afford the overhead of such types who basically live off of and take credit for the real skills and education of others. The same is happening to those politicians who got into and stayed in offices through local covert power networks and now have to face whole new constitutencies that are the very ones those local inbred power networks tried to keep out and/or manage and control. And when corporations have made it more difficult for everyday people to file for bankruptcy, they have made it easier for themselves to escape the debt that no one forced them to undertake to finance their grandiose schemes. But however easier it is for The Columbian to file for bankruptcy than it is for Joe or Jane Sixpack, reorganization, and what will follow it, will have to be based upon a lot more than how The Columbian staff "feel" about their new business plan; and no new business plan can ever cover for lack of relevant and marketable content (filler between ads)that is the only reason people will buy or subscribe thus leading them to also hopefully read the advertising that brings in the revenues (no one is buying or subscribing to The Columbian to read the ads).

Most of the Greek tragedies are about the folly of hubris and dynastic megalomania. As long as The Columbian looks, acts and/or is largely regarded, fairly or unfairly, as a mouthpiece and organ of the dynastic ambitions and megalomania of one family, along with those who constitute a cabal of smug, entitled, frightened (of "outsiders" and change) covert, non-transparent, non-accountable and frankly not all that bright or well educated, elites and elitists, the days of The Columbian are numbered, even as an online version. And those on the staff who took the easy road of soft degrees like Sociology, Anthropology, Literature, Something-Something (American, Native, Black, Woman's LGBT etc) "Studies", History or yes Journalism, will find the folly of past choices coming home to roost. Sometime check out the resumes of these politicians, marketing and communications specialists, talk show hosts, journalists, administrators or even management types and ask what alternative jobs could they actually do or be qualified to even be interviewed to do, and what jobs could they actually get without their connections. We, and we alone, as individuals or institutions, make our own job security and survival/growth when we have skills and capabilities that not only are marketable, but are rare and highly differentiated.

As I once told a student who asked for my advice as he wanted to major in Renaissance English literature (but not go to grad school or to teach it) and I told him that it was a great choice and someday when I pull up to the speaker I may recognize his voice applying his bachelors degree in Renaissance English Literature : "Wilst thou have fries with thine Big Mac?"

by Lou Brancaccio : 5/7/09 8:22am - Report Abuse

Very funny close Omah!

by Van Cougar : 5/7/09 9:56am - Report Abuse

Shmoe,

Pot, meet Kettle.

by Omahkohkiaayo I'poyi : 5/8/09 11:59am - Report Abuse

What happened to my previous post that Lou liked the humor/truth in the closing of? Oh well.

The Problem for The Columbian is now to balance the interests of the readers who see ads as annoying filler between content and the ownership of the media who see content as annoying filler between ads. Media owners try to get around this contradiction by putting in informercials--ads that look like content--as well as content that drives people to ads ("if it bleeds it leads") and/or content that has subliminal messaging or embodied ads or ad-like material such as doing local stories "featuring" some entities that are part of the local network, existing or potential advertisers, or sources controlling access to movers and shakers for future stories in The Columbian but featured so as to make them appear that they are straight stories.
This is not some evil conspiracy but the normal imperatives governing any competitive and profit-maximizing (they hope) entity in a market economy: Access brings Scoops that bring Exposure that brings Celebrity that brings more Access... The problem is when the news is for sale, those who have the money and power can both buy the news they want or need to hear, while also denying those without the money and power, the news that they want and need to hear. Then you have the megaphone and celebrity effects where people give credibility just because it is in print or on the tv or radio and/or if it comes from some kind of a "celebrity", so all sorts of puff pieces, uncritically, sometimes sycophantically written, give views that are taken as the gospel truth just because they were in print or some medium.