I try to stay out of the fray when it comes to people sniping at the N&R. So, I probably shouldn’t have let my wife read the comments after John Robinson’s Sept. 24 post.
John’s post started out as a comment about the personality of some of our writers coming out through their prose. Then I started reading some of the comments. Ed Cone could be considered somewhat on topic when he wrote “Easy to link to, given the user-unfriendly, revenue-deflecting archiving strategy at the paper you run?” You’ll be able to link back soon, Ed. John promised.
But the one from Cocololly sort of came out of left field.
You sure do have a ways to go! Here was one particular bonehead move: Shutting down Triad Style in favor of the bland, syndication-stuffed GoTriad.Who wants to pick up a free weekly in Greensboro that, but for a few paragraphs, is identical to the free weekly in Cleveland or Baltimore or Pittsburgh?
And what happened to all those “voices” you silenced in the process? I can tell you that at least half of them moved out of town or out of state.
Nice going! Anyone want to do another series on why young people don’t stay in Greensboro?
What the …?
That got my wife all worked up as she and John – in his response – pointed out that the only “syndicated” copy in the book is movie reviews.
This reminded me of a Triad Black Media Professionals meeting I attended where a former N&R reporter lashed out at the paper for not having any local voices in Go Triad. One in the same person? I don’t know, but if that’s the perception, perhaps Cocololly ought to pick up the book again(?) and thumb through it.
But I guess it’s just easier to make these charges without backing them up – or knowing what you’re talking about. Which reminded me of another such incident. Back in July, Rep, David Dreier, R-Calif., appeared on “Real Time with Bill Maher” with Michael Moore. Dreier, who had been making excuses for Dubya for the “seven minutes of separation” he exhibited after learning about the planes slamming into the twin towers, began bashing Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.” When Moore asked Dreier if he’d seen it, Dreier said “no” and continued bashing the movie some more. (Note: I haven’t seen it either and I won’t comment on the movie.)
Guess I’m sleeping on the couch tonight. Thanks, Cocololly. I hope you’re buyin’ coffee in the morning.