Old News

As an introduction, you should know that the source of most of my information comes from the New York Times. It's the local paper - not the paper of record - and it's awful. Putting aside its scandals and humiliations, it's just lousy at reporting. It is satisified to be the trailing edge of journalism and of information. There is no trend or matter of interest that the Times reports on while it is still fresh and newsworthy. Seems like the editors have to be satisfied that the subject is official before they'll touch it. The stampede on Red Hook, a Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood, has been running for at least five years but the Times has just officially recognized it. New York's a place where the real estate business is bigger than King Cotton in Ole Miss. You'd think that it wouldhave top real estate writers, cutting edge reporting, great stories about deals. No. Just the usual fumbling to front for tons of ads.

And that's just the start of the failing. The magazine, once highly regarded, has joined the Parade as a run of the mill platform for expensive full-page color ads. An automobile section with Zero Content. Complacency, no ambition beyond mediocrity in the service of business. By a publisher's measure, the Times may be successful but it's not going back into the newspaper.

Maybe it's not worth pouring money into editorial, given the shallowness of readership. But, people, have some self-respect. The Times is a great vehicle. Hire a great driver.