Cincinnati Post Shuts Down After 126 Years

From Media Daily News:
" The Cincinnati Post, owned by E.W. Scripps, is set to close on Dec. 31 after 126 years of publication. The final day sounds something like a wake in an email sent to employees by the newspaper's editor, Mike Philipps: "Tempting as it may be... please do not bring any alcoholic beverages into the newsroom."

Nick Clooney says goodbye to the Post here.

More coverage from on the Posts's demise can be found at Business Week.

Sad, sad, sad.

M49/M50 White Noise

I read something funny yesterday. "Republicans know there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Democrats think that even if there were a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, it probably belongs to the government." I don't know where I read it. But with only a glance, I remembered that one line. It made an impact. Compare that with the drivel we're being fed by these M49/M50 campaigns.

I have no interest in this election. . I already read, watched, listened to, talked about the pros and cons of and cast my votes regarding Measure 49 and Measure 50. Both sides of both ballot measures are running commercials that, if I described them as insipid, vapid, or bland, I'd be insulting the concept of insipid.

If I read one more blog that blames poor land use decisions made by local governments on Measure 37, I think I'll puke. If I see one more Measure 50 ad proclaiming it's "all about the children", I'll start wishing that maybe we could solve juvenile delinquency by forcing law-breaking children to watch these TV ads. But I think that would be called child abuse.

Our mailbox has been stuffed with pro/anti/they're lying/ no, THEY'RE LYING/ Tobacco companies are evil/ Republicans are Evil/ Democrats are evil/they're greedy, no, THEY'RE Greedy... for crying out loud. What a waste of full color, two-sided, folded paper products. And you people say you care about the environment.

You know what I'd like in the mail? At this point, I'm easy. Want my vote next time? Don't send me a glossy brochure filed with "The sky is falling" rhetoric. Send me a box of chocolates. That's right. Send me a toothpaste sample. Send me one of those little sewing kits, you know, the ones that insurance agents send to you on your birthday. Send me a coupon for a free 5-pound bag of dog food. Or better yet, offer to come over and cook dinner for the Mrs. and me. Now THAT kind of political campaigning will make you stand out from the other DRIVEL that's drowning our mailbox.

It all boils down to this: Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under socialism, it's the other way around. (I read that in MAD Magazine as a kid. SEE? I remembered it) Get a clue, campaign strategists. You don't have it, probably never had it. I wish I could suggest you hire some professional writers, but unfortunately, they're all out on strike right now.

FEDEX Plans Moving Forward In Troutdale

Oregonian reporter Gosia Wozniacka has a well rounded article in today's Oregonian about FEDEX's proposed new Troutdale Facility. She even quoted me accurately! Read the article at Oregonlive.com.

From "The Daily News" To "The Daily Me"

"INK, ribbons, hot metal, blue pencils, spikes, stones, presses, plates, blue collars, scalpels, rulers, picture wheels, wire photos, carbon copies, cigarettes, tubs of photographic chemicals: newspaper offices used to be places where you would always get your hands dirty. Only snobs or big heads called themselves journalists. The rest of us were reporters."

Here's a fascinating article on the decline and fall of print media from The Age. Click here for the rest of the story.