At 9:55 am (EST) on September 11th, just after the second World Trade Center was struck, Jo Moore, former British press officer sent an email to her colleagues which read “It’s now a very good day to get out anything we want to bury. Councillors’ expenses?.” It is in her honor that I identify one story every Friday afternoon that our wonderful government tried (and failed) to bury.
This week’s Jo Moore award goes to us, the media, for abdicating our responsibility to cover substantively important stories so that we could go live to “Joe the Plumber High School in Just Another Small Town USA” where there are angry people yelling at some congressman about how “Obamacare” is destroying the Constitution. We have also provided you with extensive coverage of the birther movement, the “Cash for Clunkers” program… basically everything but the enormous military campaigns being waged by our troops in Afghanistan (or more accurately “Afpak”) and Iraq.
U.S. troops recently withdrew from Iraqi cities, leaving the Iraqis to fend for themselves. In the next few weeks we are going to find out whether the troops we trained are truly going to be ready to police and protect their own country. Next week, the Afghans are going to be holding crucial elections and the Taliban will do everything they can to make them fail miserably. These stories may not be sexy, but how these events play out will directly affect both our troops and military strategy as well as American interests. That stories of people screaming outnumber the stories of these wars by vast margins should embarrass us. We in the media are not supposed to win the Jo Moore Award… we are supposed to be uncovering what the pols are burying… not burying the stories ourselves.
14 responses so far
1 ottovbvs // Aug 14, 2009 at 6:49 pm
…..It’s appropriate that you mention these places….in Iraq we still have about 140,000 troops……our casualties have dropped to about 1 a week but the Iraqis are still being killed at the rate of about 200 a month in bomb attacks…..I’m sure they are very thankful Bush “liberated” them and after all it’s only cost us about 700 billion and 25,000 killed and maimed for life…that enough for you neocons…….over in Afghanistan we have about 60,000 troops now but casualties are climbing dramatically…..Karzai is running for mayor of Kabul again….half the country is under the effective control of the Taliban…..another Bush victory……we need to get our guys the hell out of there…..we’re doing no good and it’s not worth more grieving American families.
2 barker13 // Aug 15, 2009 at 10:33 am
“This week’s Jo Moore award goes to us, the media…”
“Us…???”
Jeb. One more time. You’re not a “reporter.” NewMajority.com is not a “press” site.
The first step to treating a problem is recognizing and acknowledging that you have one… (*WINK*)
“…so that we could go live to “Joe the Plumber High School in Just Another Small Town USA”…”
(*HEADACHE*)
Jeb. Again. NewMajority.com is a blog. That’s all it is. You don’t have news trucks. You don’t have cameramen and producers and anchors and researchers and on-air personalities…
(*SIGH*) Delusions of grandeur are NOT healthy, Jeb.
Now… besides that… now that we’ve dealt with the underlying psychological problems… (*GRIN*)… why bring up and basically attack “Joe the Plumber?”
Do you REALLY think this is the best tact to use if the goal is to create a “new majority” of the Right…???
What is WRONG with you people…?!?!
(Oh… and btw… NM ain’t “The Daily Dish” either. I realize that imitation is flattery, but for God’s sake…) (*ROLLING MY EYES*)
“We have also provided you with extensive coverage of the birther movement…”
Again, Jeb… there is no “birther movement.” There are a few wack jobs and folks like you “covering” them… but basically you’re “creating” a “movement” that doesn’t exist.
(*SHRUG*)
So NOW you wanna talk about Afghanistan…?!?! Where the heck were you a while back when a bunch of us “regulars” were having a very lively discussion on not only military specifics there but the philosophy of American “empire building” pro and con?
Jeb. For God’s sake… if you wanna be a journalist… start off by walking over to your local weekly and asking them for a try-out. Covering local government will provide an education superior to most university MPA programs. (*WINK*)
BILL
3 ottovbvs // Aug 15, 2009 at 11:08 am
barker13 // Aug 15, 2009 at 10:33 am
……..consider yourself reprimanded Jeb!
4 barker13 // Aug 15, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Oops! I just broke the cardinal rule! I just actually READ an Otto posting.
(*SMILE*)
Yeah, Jeb… he’s actually stumbled upon the truth – his comment actually backs up my post (though the logic behind understanding this is far beyond Otto).
Jeb. When even Otto can’t or won’t try to “defend” the delusion that you are a “reporter” and that NewMajority.com is some sort of “media outlet”… well… then you’re in deep trouble, son.
Who knows if anyone else will bother posting, but whether they “appreciate” my tone and style or not, I’d hazard a guess that even the most “anti-barker13″ regulars (and lurkers) privately acknowledge that I’ve got a point here.
Hey… perhaps you can set up some phantom accounts and create a whole bunch of “new posters” who will tell me I’m full of $hit and that of course NewMajority.com is right up there with the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Networks, the AP, and so on and so forth as a “news” site with “reporters” and “editors.”
(*SNORT*)
Hey… shout out to Otto! Thanks for the lead in, buddy!
(*CHUCKLE*)
BILL
5 blake.seitz // Aug 15, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Bill, in a roundabout way, small-time, local, and independant bloggers are quickly becoming the journalists of the 21st century.
Now, I know what you’re thinking–probably that I’m insane, and that “blogging” news would tear down every pillar of journalistic integrity set in place since Josephus set ink to papyrus in the 2nd century A.D.
BUT
As you’ve undoubtedly seen, newspapers are becoming a thing of the past, replaced by internet news sites. Part of the REASON for this shift (not taking into account advertising) is because newspapers (emphasis on the ‘paper’ part) are stuck within the confines of their medium–they can’t print news on every obscure little topic on God’s green earth simply b/c there isn’t enough space in a given issue to do so. This matters b/c the average news consumer is primarily interested with the specific information that will affect their life, not necessarily the news that will affect the citizens of the Greater Dallas Ft-Worth Area (to use my own DMN as an example).
SO
What does that mean for 21st century news? It means, in short, that the professional journalists will work hand-in-hand with the [admittedly] unprofessional bloggers to report the news. The Columbia-educated bulldog reporters will cover hard news just like they have in the past (news, mainstream sports, features) because that news still needs to be covered with a high degree of professionalism. Joe Schmo Blogger, meanwhile, will cover the very local, very specific news that matters to him (local table tennis leagues, to employ an example), b/c that’s the personalized coverage that the average news reader increasingly seeks out on the internet.
At least, that’s one competing theory for the future of the industry.
So please, spare poor Jeb your vitriol. God knows he doesn’t deserve it. And heck, the future may just prove you wrong.
–blake.seitz
6 ottovbvs // Aug 15, 2009 at 5:08 pm
blakeseitz // Aug 15, 2009 at 3:36 pm
………..Of course bloggers can be journalists……Is Andy Sullivan who is one of the most read bloggers on the internet any less of a journalist than someone on my little hometown newspaper circulation ca. 20,000
7 blake.seitz // Aug 15, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Barker13: “Jeb. One more time. You’re not a “reporter.” NewMajority.com is not a “press” site.”
I was responding to the above remark.
8 barker13 // Aug 15, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Re: Blakeseitz // Aug 15, 2009 at 3:36 pm (#5) –
“Bill, in a roundabout way, small-time, local, and independant bloggers are quickly becoming the journalists of the 21st century.”
Nah. (*SHRUG*) I don’t buy it.
“Now, I know what you’re thinking–probably that I’m insane, and that “blogging” news would tear down every pillar of journalistic integrity set in place since Josephus set ink to papyrus in the 2nd century A.D.”
No. Actually not! (*GRIN*) I understand the what sense – what context – your observation is coming from. NewMajority.com just doesn’t fit the model.
Jeb and the rest of the “contributors” here aren’t “breaking” any news. Sure. Frum and a few of these folks have “contacts.” (*SHRUG*) Big frigg’n deal. Half the “contributors” post under pseudonyms and most of the folks they’re supposedly quoting when they claim to be “reporting” are anonymous.
Nope, Blakeseitz, these folks ain’t the kinda folks who nailed Dan Rather’s ass to the wall over the whole fake memo deal falsely accusing Bush of…
Well… never mind. No need to regurgitate stale history. (Hell… just mentioning it will probably bring the wackadoos out from the wood works and send Otto into a tirade…)
No. Blakesietz. NewMajority.com ain’t even the Huffington Post. (*SHRUG*)
Listen… if you stick around you’ll see the pattern with my posts, the intellectual consistency, the “literalness” of my approach. I’m being very specific here. I’m talking about Jeb… I’m talking about that Elise chick… I’m talking about a few of the “contributors” right here at NewMajority.com who seem to be getting a bit ahead of themselves with their self regard.
(And if anyone knows about self regard… it’s clearly me!) (*HUGE FRIGG’N GRIN*)
“As you’ve undoubtedly seen, newspapers are becoming a thing of the past…”
Not to me and not to educated people, Blakesietz. I read the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times every day (yes, I’m including the weekend edition) and usually IBD op-eds as well as stories from newspapers all over the country and indeed the world that I find by random browsing online or via Drudge or RealPolitics.com or a host of similar sites. I also rely heavily upon various Think Tanks and primary documents.
(*SHRUG*) So, no… short answer… though I’m doing a fair amount of my reading online, I’m still getting newswire stories, the NYT, Washington Post, and major stories from newspapers and magazines published throughout the world.
“What does that mean for 21st century news? It means, in short, that the professional journalists will work hand-in-hand with the [admittedly] unprofessional bloggers to report the news.”
(*SNORT*) Sorry… don’t buy it. At the very least, you’re overstating the case. And again… SPECIFICALLY as it applies to THIS site… no… NewMajority.com isn’t by ANY stretch of the imagination a “journalist” site nor are its “contributors” acting in the capacity of “reporters.”
“So please, spare poor Jeb your vitriol. God knows he doesn’t deserve it.”
Do you know what the word “vitriol” means…???
No… seriously… do you…???
I’m just trying to get the kid to return to reality. I’m trying to HELP him. What… in this job market do you really want the kid sending out resumes and cover letter claiming experience as a “reporter” for NewMajority.com?
Anyway, Blakeseitz, assuming you’re a fellow grown up… (*CHUCKLE*)… you might wanna join me in “toughening up” the younger generation. If you view my patient tutoring of Jeb as “vitriolic” you yourself must have led a very sheltered life.
Hey… but thanks for offering your two cents worth. (*SHRUG*) (Yes… I mean it!) You’re right on one thing – the future might indeed prove me wrong. (In which case just more gasoline on the fire!)
(*CHUCKLE*)
BILL
9 oldgal // Aug 15, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Congratulations folks, you have just taken this post off-topic and proven its point.
10 blake.seitz // Aug 16, 2009 at 12:58 am
Barker13: “Do you know what the word “vitriol” means…???”
Perhaps ‘vitriol’ was a tad harsh–but you have to recognize that intent and emotion are often lost through text and through the internet, even with all the (*shrugs*)(*winks*) and (*sharp jabs to the ribs*) thrown in.
“Jeb and the rest of the “contributors” here aren’t “breaking” any news.”
Fair enough, but I hope you can appreciate the importance of news-specific sites like newmajority.
“Not to me and not to educated people, Blakesietz.”
Ouch. Consigned to the uneducated populace from Post 1. And you misspelled the name–common mistake.
“Anyway, Blakeseitz, assuming you’re a fellow grown up… (*CHUCKLE*)”
No such luck. Not even old enough to buy a pack of cigarettes. Does the ‘toughening up’ start now?
11 barker13 // Aug 16, 2009 at 9:59 am
Re: Oldgal // Aug 15, 2009 at 10:08 pm (#9) –
As opposed to your post you mean…? (*CHUCKLE*)
Oldgal:
ONE
MORE
TIME
Where the heck [was Jeb] a while back when a bunch of us “regulars” were having a very lively discussion on not only military specifics there but the philosophy of American “empire building” pro and con?
Heck… where were you, Oldgal?
(*SHRUG*)
Hey… if you have some comment you’re dying to make concerning Afghanistan by all means… spit it out.
Re: Blakeseitz // Aug 16, 2009 at 12:58 am (#10) –
“…I hope you can appreciate the importance of news-specific sites like newmajority.”
Sure. It gives intelligent posters a chance to interact.
“Not even old enough to buy a pack of cigarettes.”
Well… assuming you’re telling the truth you’re a hell of a writer for a kid. (*SMILE*)
BILL
12 sinz54 // Aug 17, 2009 at 9:38 am
Politico.com now has 7 reporters in the White House Press Corps–more than any traditional newspaper or wire service has. They have come up a number of good scoops.
Politico has moved from being just a blog to being a source of genuine journalism.
But that’s not the reason why newspapers are failing.
What’s killing newspapers isn’t blogs, but online sales ads and employment ads.
It’s EBay, Monster.com, and especially Craigslist, that are killing newspapers.
Traditionally, at least 40% of a newspaper’s revenue has come from classified ads. Plus more revenue from embedded ads throughout the newspaper. Now, with the Internet, you can place an ad online and achieve literally instant worldwide reach, something no metropolitan newspaper can offer in a hardcopy.
If I want to sell something, why should I place a classified ad in the Boston Globe, where only Bostonians can read it. I can advertise it on EBay and/or Craigslist, and the entire world can see my sale offer.
So classified ad revenues have collapsed, taking down many newspapers. They’re all struggling to find another business model that doesn’t depend on advertising. As a result, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, after publishing continuously for 140 years, shut down its printing presses and moved entirely online. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
13 barker13 // Aug 17, 2009 at 11:52 am
Re: Sinz54 // Aug 17, 2009 at 9:38 am (#12) –
(*SIGH*)
I’ve never “met” anyone as hot/cold as you when it comes to brains, Sinz.
You’re either right on target or totally off the deep end.
Do you KNOW how Politico.com started – WHO started it…???
Sinz. I’ll tell you what I tell the schmucks who send emails based on urban myths: Do your homework prior to hitting the “send” button.
NewMajority.com ain’t Politico.com; the two are not even close to being similar sites.
BILL
14 ottovbvs // Aug 17, 2009 at 1:08 pm
barker13 // Aug 17, 2009 at 11:52 am
” Do you KNOW how Politico.com started – WHO started it…???’
……..Denying reality as usual Baarking?…….and what about Huffington Post, Slate, Salon, The Atlantic that are all blogs with crossovers……..if you’re a journalist for the washington post and go to work at Politico you remain a journalist…….however if you take up a new career as ice cream salesman you cease to be a journalist…….you can’t say one blog is a legit part of the media and another isn’t……they may be different in importance like the difference between the Hartford Courant and the NYT but they are both in the same line of work………why does one have to keep explaining basic concepts to this guy
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