Wow!
What a time to be living in, eh?
A year ago, if someone asked when Armageddon was coming, you’d likely get the answer, “Coming? It’s here!”
The economy had collapsed, the housing market had withered, jobs were scarce, benefits had disappeared and the Washington State Cougars could barely buy a win if they had Bill Gates’ money.
Today — just a couple of days past a wonderful turkey dinner — things are better than they were a year ago. Well, maybe not for the Cougars, but I think I saw a glimmer of sunshine peeking through the clouds.
It is good to have hope, look at the positive things, be thankful.
What would be on your list to be thankful for? Me, I’m thankful for:
n The readers we have. At times they are critical, demanding and tough. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Most are like that because they care. They really care. So thanks!
n Our advertisers. Although we’re asking our readers to pick up a little more, it’s our advertisers who still carry much of the load. Advertisers don’t do this simply because they’re nice people — although I suspect they are. They do it because when they put an ad in The Columbian — and on our Web site — it works. So thanks!
n Our newsroom staff. There aren’t as many of them as there were several months ago (I’d bet the same is true where you work), but our staff is working harder and doing better than any time I can remember. We usually don’t hear from folks unless issues come up. So if you see one of us out on the street during the holidays and you give us a nod, we’d return the favor. Thanks!
n The Web. Our Web site — www.columbian.com — is an emerging and important part of The Columbian. For the past several months, we’ve been retooling it, and you’ll see those updates debut sometime next month. We’ll start slowly and build it, but we think you’ll like some of the new features.
Eventually, all newspapers will figure out how to pay for the quality of information you get from news sites. (Free lunches can’t exist forever). But we know you come to our site often. When we count both our print and Web users, there is no one — no one — who comes close to getting as much traction in Clark County. So thanks!
n The rest of the crew. The newsroom is the most high-profile of all the newspaper departments. But trust me, there is a bunch of work done behind the scenes — in other departments — that’s very important. So thanks!
n The readers. Did I already thank them? OK, I did, but they deserve a second shout-out.
College football
We often hear from both Oregon grads and Washington grads about football coverage.
UW and WSU fans often remind us that we’re a Washington state newspaper. Thank you. UO and OSU folks often remind us that we’re so close to Oregon there are a bunch of grads from both schools right here in the ’Couv. Thank you.
Of course, both are accurate. Truth is, all things being equal, our coverage leans a little more to the Washington schools. But this year, Oregon and Oregon State are having nice seasons. UW and WSU? Not so much.
It not like we’re going to ignore Saturday’s Apple Cup. But our cup doth not run over.
And Thursday’s so-called Civil War should be a good game. The winner goes to a nice bowl.
Me, I’m a little insouciant with it all, but my betting friends insist I make a prediction. Here goes: Apple Cup? Bark like a dog. Civil War? Duck, Duck, Goose.
Lou Brancaccio is The Columbian’s editor. Reach him at 360-735-4505 or lou.brancaccio@columbian.com.
