What the hell does it take?

Several days ago, I spoke with an old friend, a state legislator, about the decline of quality news in America.
It appears that we're on the same page, though he is several years my senior, and has seen the jaded side of politics, more of which I don't really need to observe.  I have a pretty good idea, and that seems to suffice my needs.
He spoke of the local newspaper dropping the OTC market listings from the paper, and how he had been pretty much 'blown off' by the editor at the local rag.  After listening to the usual, 'we have to prioritize for our readership, times are tough, budgets are tight' excuses, my friend told the guy, "You know, this is why you and the paper won't be around in a few more years; you'll be lucky to put out three issues a week".
I had to agree with him.  It's common knowledge in our town that the newspaper has been dwindling for several years, somewhat as a result of the excuses given above, and the resultant decline in paid readership from 120,000 to about 70,000 over the last few years.  The hugely profitable 'class ads' have shrunk to a fraction of former listings, and the prices to place one haven't really adjusted to a declining market.  Additionally, their editorial support for increasingly liberal causes pretty much flies in the face of their readership's demographics.
Then we turned our conversation to a pub that we had seen go down the tubes: The Seattle P-I.
For those who don't know the name, or those who don't remember it, the P-I (for Post-Intellegencer) was once the flagship publication in the Pacific Northwest, and respected and quoted nation-wide as a reliable newspaper.
Years ago, it was the rare person who didn't know about the Seattle P-I; back in the '50's I can remember seeing it used as a reference for a number of things.
Much of the Watergate scandal could be found on it's pages, as some members of Nixon's inner circle had ties to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.  Lots of news to be had, and you 'could find it in the P-I'', as the saying went.
Then, over time, hubris, slanted reporting, and overboard efforts to cut expenses, led to what many saw as inevitable: a merger with cross-town rival, The Seattle Times.  Under a joint marketing agreement, they joined forces to keep the brand alive and the globe on the front of the P-I building in place.
Alas, lack of quality, quantity and relevance led to the final closing of the doors.
In short, the P-I went under due to efforts to economize UNWISELY; the cut the size of the paper to almost tabloid, laid off workers who had been there for decades, saved money on ink, paper, shipping, delivery, and lots more until the 'saved' themselves right out of business, though they still have something of an internet presence.  At least they got what they went after, a lower cost model.
Looking back, it occurred to me that there might have been an additional factor that I had overlooked at the time: the advent and expansion of the internet.
The ability to get news and opinion from a variety of sources has, I think, led to a more educated populace in spite of the declines of brick and mortar publishers.  Same thing can be said for book stores.
Further, in watching the declines in TV numbers, it occurs that maybe some people will never learn; what does it take to make these people understand that Americans want and need unbiased reporting and information that allows them to form intelligent opinions?
News gathering and dissemination has grown to a multi-trillion dollar enterprise, so why, oh why, is there so little interest in keeping things together?
When MSNBC puts forth commentary that is rightfully ridiculed for it's editorial content by persons wholly biased and shamelessly partisan, what the hell do they expect?  Three or four hundred thousand people is a lot of people, but not enough to justify keeping the cameras on; reporters who act like giddy schoolgirls when reporting presidential politics and state openly that part of their job is to 'make this president look good' can't be helping the network; yet, it goes on, as the money drain continues.  While it's the network's money and they can do what they want with it, I wonder how much is coming from other than advertising revenue.
It can't go on forever, and what the hell does it take?

Way too long

Well, it's been ten days; way too long to go without some sort of input at PPP.
In the intervening, there has been so much going on world-wide.
Embassies trashed, ambassador tortured and murdered, riots against my country and an administration hell bent on ignoring the fact that a foreign policy based on apology, appeasement and bowing to tin-pot rulers is utter and complete folly.
When Obama, shortly after the election, decided to go on what has become known as his 'apology tour', far-sighted critics like Pat Buchanan, Charles Karuthammer, Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh expressed the view that such displays of weakness could not be good for the leading country in the world.  Obama would weaken our position, they said.
Responses from the left were typical: racist, uninformed, and the always handy 'inflammatory'.
Well, we can see who was right and who war wrong; the wars and rumors of wars seen in the Middle East, Asia and North Africa all owe their genesis to the genius of Barack Obama, who is never wrong, just ask him.
This is just a small sliver of the incompetence that characterizes the Obama administration.  From the beginning of the 2008 campaign, doubts about the ability and sincerity of the 'community organizer' to actually do something, anything remotely  worthwhile/legal, or in the interest of someone other than himself.
He has been abetted by a compliant, toadying press, altogether too unwilling to ask the tough questions that would be presented to a Republican; even basic reporting of investigation has been shelved in favor of fawning, drooling and admiration.
Hell, one so-called 'journalist' had the 'audacity' to inform the world that '...when Obama speaks,  I feel a tingle up my leg...', and 'part of my job is to make this president look good.'
This guy is still on the airwaves, even though no fair-minded individual gives him any credibility at all anymore.  He's typical of the press corps that has as it's goal the parroting of White House press releases instead of real investigation, reporting real information and alarm-sounding.
The measure of today's press is: Whoever gets the latest announcement from the White House on the air first is the winner.
The fourth estate has sold it's history and it's soul for a chance to be regarded as a democrat soldier.

Another photographer approaches

My brother is set to arrive today for a short visit from the other side of the state.  He, like myself, has taken to photography as a very pleasing hobby; he's set to bring his camera, lenses, tripod, etc.  The whole nine yards; he's pretty much equipped for any type of shooting, as am I. 
Later today, I'd like to go up north a bit to a particular alternate highway that has lots of dirt roads leading from it, to take advantage of some very photogenic scenery.
I haven't been there for many years, so hopefully the greens, browns, and early fall colors will be waiting for us.
Of the several photos on the walls of my home, most are from photo expeditions like the one envisioned for today; lots of close-ups, mountains, streams, trees, fences.  I just like that kind of photography, and hope we have a good time together.
Actually, it wouldn't be difficult to get lots of good shots within walking distance of the house, as we live in a semi-rural area, graced with lots of trees, bushes, small critters, and our share of old buildings.  Might just stick to home if the mood strikes.
The weather has just started cooling, and one of the smaller trees on the next property has already started to turn red and gold, preparing for winter.  When in full color, no photo can do justice to the beauty that is around here; lots of shades, piles of leaves, pine cones dropping from the wind, and a certain crispness that makes one glad to be here.

Hypocracy Meetings are Over!!!

Well, so the political conventions have graveled to a close, and all the politicians have gone home for a few days before coming back out to lie, cheat and steal whatever they can without getting caught, too often.
For the first time, I didn't really watch either one of them; my string of 'can't-miss' years dates back to 1960, when I watched both the major conventions for the first time.  Now the string is broken, but it doesn't seem too much of a loss.
Over the years, perhaps, like so many people, I've become somewhat jaded about the process by which politicians aspire to higher office.
Looking back, how many times have we heard that Joe or Bill was going to save us, or better yet save us from ourselves?  Waaayyyyy  too many times.
Both sides treat us like we're totally unable to care for even our basic needs without a helping hand from someone we don't even know; the bureaus, commissions, departments, districts, authorities, cabinets, offices, etc., almost all un-Constitutional, boggle the mind of even the most dedicated government geek.
Each party rants and raves about the other, but neither side rails against the rape of our Constitution, our laws, our liberty and our dignity.
They know what's best for us; truth be told: neither one of them has even met me.  That's the problem with government: one size government programs are assumed to do the same for everyone, ignoring differences that are obvious to all but the candidates and those who serve them.
That's why our Constitution was written; the framers knew a thing or three about tyranny, and wrote it to severely 'bind down the government in chains'.
Since that time, tyrants in all three branches of our 'co-equal' government have worked overtime to overturn that document, while all the time claiming, so help them God, taking an oath to uphold it.  They're all liars.
Even the candidates who claim to be in agreement of the Constitution will tell us, with a BIG smile that they will halt the desecration, but only by slowing the rate of the decline, not stopping it.
And, neither party wants anything to do with any candidate who takes his oath of office seriously; Ron Paul comes to mind.
Even though most Americans, if made aware of his beliefs, would tend to agree with him.  That awareness will never be presented, as the major parties control ALL major media in the United States, and will never rebel to the point of reporting the truth.