Egotistical Journalists

A week ago Molly Ivins postulated that no one should write opinion without going to journalism school. That they hadn’t earned the right. That writing and opinion should only be left to the trained experts. That opinion aired without that august background was much less valuable or worthy of consideration then that written by expert skilled experienced “Journalists”. Blogs were right in the center of the Ivins crosshairs. To which I am standing up and saying:

Horsepucky!

Let’s dig a little deeper into what she is really saying:

Newspapers do, in fact, matter beyond producing profit -- they have a critical role in democracy. It's called a well-informed citizenry.

How about a New York Times which buries stories about reductions in military deaths in Iraq and any other story which might not support their left wing agenda (and Molly’s) on page 26 lower left below the fold. That’s brainwashing not a well-informed citizenry. I trust the blogs, Drudge, and conservatives who keep an eye on the nutcases on the left and publish it with or without “credentials”. Citizen reporters are the modern day well armed militia.

I have long argued that no one should be allowed to write opinion without spending years as a reporter –

This is the one that gets me. There are many very good writers I can name of national and regional note who write far better than I can. I have proven my lack of skill in my submissions to this blog. But I occasionally touch a nerve that needs touching from time to time. I’m always suspicious of people who speak or write well who’s opinions because of that ability is held in higher esteem than a citizen opiner. If you want someone well spoken and professional take the Hollywood left. Many of them are very skilled. They speak well. Does that make them better qualified to analyze the events of the day? I know of a woman who is one of the better writers in North Dakota who teaches at the college level. The problem her opinions are often so shallow and poorly researched they just become well written derivative pap. But because of her skill many people read and nod with approving bobble headed non-discernment. This “pay the dues” attitude is meant to be intimidating to those of us who may be less than excellent in writing but who have opinions with equal gravity and reason to the glib ignorant. Hitler was praised for his ability to communicate with the masses. So is Molly Ivins. Nuf said about that.

As older news-gathering media decline, some of the strengths they offer in monitoring the powerful and verifying the facts may be weakening, as well."

Give me an ever-loving break. This is the same media mafia that tried to sink President Bush with phony Documents in the Rather affair. They don’t verify facts. They jump on any liberal cause idea and run with it and spike stories which have the capacity to be damaging to the treasonous agenda of the left. WMD’s found in Iraq. Heard much about it lately? How about the nutcase that wants to kill 90% of the worlds population. That been on the front page of the New York Times lately? Liars.

I've thought for years that newspapers should all be owned by nonprofits.

Well, Ms Ivins, get George Soros to finance it. Oh wait, he likes to make money. Newspapers hate this but, NEWS IS GATHERED AND PUBLISHED TO OFFER A VEHICLE TO SELL ADVERTISING. That’s how money is made. It’s always been that way. That’s why stories that might damage big advertisers are kind of kept in the dark. There are non-profits who have owned and operated newspapers. Pravda was one during the cold war. Molly would have done well there. Please go now Molly; I’ll drive you to the airport. You’ll like it there.

Being the ONLY one to report skeptically on the administration's claims about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction before the war?

How well did that work out? A false claim that they still live like it is the truth. Reporting skeptically. Sounds like the blogosphere to me. That’s where the real questions are asked. That’s where the real issues are aired.

I don’t want newspapers to go away. I just want snooty journalists to get off their high horses and descend to at least the troposphere. They are such weenies. I don’t like them much.

Now, as a gift to journalists everywhere, I will now share the way to save the newspaper industry. Ready? From this article reprinted from the Chicago Tribune today.

In Europe 80% of young people under the age of 30 read a newspaper every day. In America it’s less than 25%. They have the same number of music videos, computers, Internet, TV, video games as we do in the USA. It’s just that kids in Europe (where they have school choice) are taught to read. Stop supporting the public education monopoly that refuses to teach our kids to read.

So, Mr. Newspaper owner, you want to increase your readership and save newspapers? Get on the side of School Choice. Molly Ivins, you want to see newspapers multiply and prosper, take on the monopoly of the teachers unions who don’t teach and get kids to learn to read.

That doesn’t fit the liberal agenda so don’t wait up.

Hypocrites!