What could possibly bring the Neanderthal, reactionary right-wing nut-jobs over at LST into perfect agreement with the ever-thoughtful, perfectly sensible, and kind-hearted progressive-perspective to be found over at Off the Kuff?
The Houston Chronicle, of course.
Here’s something to ponder: On the same day that they ran the story about New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and his hooker problem, the Chronical also ran an editorial calling for his resignation. Nothing wrong with that, I’d say it’s the consensus opinion, and likely to come true fairly quickly, though given that this was a late-in-the-day story, the speed by which the Chron responded editorially was remarkable to me. They must not have had anything else pressing to opine about today, I figure.
But contrast that to their response to the Chuck Rosenthal saga, which I think we can all agree is of more local interest than the foibles of a Northeastern governor. The story of Rosenthal’s racist, sexist, and possibly illegal campaign-related emails hit the news on January 8. As far as I can tell from doing multiple archive searches, the first time the Chron ran an unsigned editorial on the subject was February 16, when they expressed their approval at his long-awaited decision to quit and called on Governor Perry to name a replacement (which he hasn’t done yet, by the way). Before that, even as calls for him to step down came from folks like Kelly Siegler, a group of black ministers, various letter writers, and County Judge Ed Emmett, there was nothing from the Chron.
So I’ve got to ask: Why was it more important for the Chron to comment on the Spitzer situation than the Rosenthal situation? I’ll stipulate that Spitzer is headed for an indictment, while Rosenthal may never face charges, but so what? Again, Spitzer is in New York. Rosenthal is here, and his saga dominated the local news for weeks, and is still having an effect on the political scene. Note that I’m not saying the Chron needed to call for Rosenthal to step down, though in the end they did approve of him doing just that. I’m just wondering why it took them so long to express any editorial opinion on the subject when they were lightning quick to judge Spitzer. I don’t understand their priorities here.
When he’s right, he’s right correct, he’s correct.
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15 Responses to “Chronically Striving for World Class Status”Search
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Well, you obviously just don’t understand anything about being World Class. First, if it’s local, it can’t be world class, unless it involves a toy train. Second…..
The Crummyicle, in it’s infinite wisdom, must have got the “R” and “D” mixed up when reviewing the importance of these stories. Besides who cares, the Crummyicle has a monopoly on printed news here so the reader has no other choice.
Blind squirrel…. Nuts…..
#3, Right on and hysterical.
2. Robert,
I take issue with your monopoly remark. No one is blocked or restricted from publishing their own newspaper. Indeed, The Houston Press and the Houston Defender might just take issue with you about the Chronicle being the only paper.
I have also noticed that READERS can now leave comments with the online stories of the Chronicle, which should satisfy even the most ardent critic of the Chronicle; since they now have a direct way to vent and offer suggestions to the reporters directly on ways to improve their journalistic practices.
There is probably not another major newspaper in Houston for one simple reason. Newspapers, at least the printed versions, are no longer commercially viable. This is a trend being seen nationwide. It is a shame, but the same thing is happening to record stores, AM Radio, FM Radio, and bowling alleys. Technology changes and so do the tastes of the people.
Get a grip on it Robert. If you don’t like what the Chronicle has to say….
1. Tell them in an online comment and move on
2. Cancel your subscription. There are alternate
sources of news. (you know, if what your eye
beholds offends thee…pluck it out)
Simple
Reply to No. 5: The Crummyicle provides me with details of news articles that the limited TV news does not have time for. But the Crummyicle mainly provides me sales ads, coupons, TV listings and other little things like that. I also enjoy sitting in my recliner and reading the Sunday paper. I’m not a computer person so I don’t want to sit at a screen and read all that. I know the Crummyicle is a little, I mean a lot, slanted to the left but it’s their paper so they can do with it as they please. I know the newspaper is a dying breed. I can remember when there were two major papers here, the Chronicle and the Post.
Dear Chronicle,
A friend suggests I send n email to you with suggestions to best improve your product.
I respectfully suggest you replace your entire editorial board and most of your writers.
#7:
Reminds me of the time Ann Coulter caught hell for saying that McVeigh should’ve blown up the NY Times building instead.
When called on it, she said:
And why is it we care what the Chronicle puts in its editorials? Garbage in, garbage out.
8, Matt
And people wonder why William F. Buckley fired Ann Coulter from the National Review.
Simple
6, Robert
Yea and the Post was the Liberal Democrat paper while the Chronicle was the more Conservative Democrat paper. Republicans (in Texas) were still kind of an oddity in those days.
Simple
Then Democrats went to be Republicans, making Republicans (in Austin) even more of an oddity.
We’ll see what happens. Stay tuned.
12, GJT
Never said Texas Politics wasn’t nearly as entertaining as a circus. Hell, the capitol building probably has more clowns than Barnum and Bailey.
Simple
And parity with regards to sideshow geeks.
Simple