My local newspaper is a big disappointment

[two_bit_score]

I can read our local Sunday paper in about 10 minutes...I'm not that old, but I do enjoy the print version vs the online..Easier to look through I think.

Sadly, about 8 years ago our local went all lib then the wheels came off as far as their production and subscriber base..Coincidence? I think not...They were fairly balanced in their previous incarnation. I'm more drawn to opposing points of view than my own in a paper, but it's nice to see balance. You really don't see that anymore.

I kinda expect factual info from a news source. I prefer no bias either way. Just the facts.

 

[300UGUY]

Our local paper has shut down the local printing operation, it is now printed in Ann Arbor. All the local papers in this state have declined, I think they are hurting 2 ways - they are losing print subscribers, and folks are unwilling to pay for online editions. Papers have a function of informing and keeping folks honest. A good example is the ex Detroit mayor Kilpatrick. He is in prison now due to investigative reporting done by the Detroit Free press. They filed freedom of information lawsuits to get the documents that sent the scumbags to prison. I don't see the online press exposing the crooks like that.

 

[EMB5530]

I kinda expect factual info from a news source. I prefer no bias either way. Just the facts.

Ha ha ha that's funny right there.:laughing: Factual and news source in the same sentence.
Prepare to be constantly disappointed.:confused3:

 

[Mace Canute]

Ha ha ha that's funny right there.:laughing: Factual and news source in the same sentence.
Prepare to be constantly disappointed.:confused3:

I was thinking it was pretty funny but for a different reason!

 

[jinman]

My letter has sparked a response. Somehow, I don't think it's as much a response as a politcal statement by someone who has been smokin' some bad drugs. Seriously! This guy talks about what we have been "conditioned" to think of as crime. Stolen guns? Stolen credit cards? Doing the stealing while being on drugs? Yep, I'm guilt of being "conditioned" by society to think all these things are criminal behavior. :laughing:

Here's the comment:

"While I agree with much of what you wrote, sadly our jails are not just for those that deserve it! We have prisons for profit (people ranching) we have more people behind bars than any other country! Over 1/3 of these are those with “no victims or violence” in their supposed crimes.

As long as we have laws that destroy families while creating second class citizens, and those with “unwarranted” life time criminal records! They will find ways of providing for their families and survive, which in turn keeps feeding “the system”! I worked death row and admin. seg. for many years, I have seen the animals that do belong behind bars! But I also seen those in maximum to minimum security that should have never been there, I have seen the children and families that visit and their pain.

Those that make choice others have been “conditioned” to believe are wrong, should not be a means for “others” employment, self serving agendas or profits! Our prisons, jails, courts and enforcement are for those that harm others, are they not? By our own actions we are creating needless problems that we the tax payers have to carry the load, while families are being destroyed!

THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY, help us find it!

Rusty White
Speaker for LEAP | Law Enforcement Against Prohibition "

 

[Bird]

In other words, he's taking the opportunity to express his opinion about our drug laws, but did say "I agree with much of what you wrote", kinda skipping over the fellow's other crimes.

And of course, the drug laws ARE changing. I'm sure everyone has seen that Colorado is the latest state to legalize recreational marijuana. I can remember when possession of any quantity of marijuana would get you 15 years in Texas. Now it's a small fine, if anything.

And I'm sure nearly all of us can think of some "crimes" that we don't think should be crimes; drug laws, prostitution, gambling, liquor laws not involving injuries or property damage, etc. The so-called victimless crimes. There will always be some who think those things should result in severe penalties, and others who think they shouldn't even be a crime.

 

[tcreeley]

Maybe it is where I live, but most everyone around here knows someone or has a relative who has been locked up, or is locked up- from the county jail to the state jail, juvenile too. It is easy to write off one's neighbors. Sometimes they are jerks and sometimes they are good people who act like jerks. Takes all types to make the world. They leave me alone, I leave them alone. The sad ones are the kids whose fathers can't take them hunting because they are felons. But they probably jack deer together at night to have something to put on the table. They might even grow a little weed to sell and go junkin together. It is a complex world. We assign responsibility, but that is not the end of the story.

 

[300UGUY]

Maybe it is where I live, but most everyone around here knows someone or has a relative who has been locked up, or is locked up- from the county jail to the state jail, juvenile too. It is easy to write off one's neighbors. Sometimes they are jerks and sometimes they are good people who act like jerks. Takes all types to make the world. They leave me alone, I leave them alone. The sad ones are the kids whose fathers can't take them hunting because they are felons. But they probably jack deer together at night to have something to put on the table. They might even grow a little weed to sell and go junkin together. It is a complex world. We assign responsibility, but that is not the end of the story.

I see that also. The little numbnuts get caught, and he cannot drive himself to school or to a job. And having the dui or felony for drugs automatically disqualifies them for most jobs. I see a lot of punishment for young people, and not much opportunity. It's easy to critisize, it's a lot harder to actually do something. (This is getting away from the op.)

 

[EMB5530]

Crooks will do anything!!!:fiery:

 

[jinman]

Let's try to keep politics out of this if we can. It doesn't take politics to say that we have had 15 death row executions in Texas in 2013 and over 1200 DUI related deaths on our highways. those 1200 were executed just as surely as the death row inmates. It just seems to me that our graveyards are filling up at a faster rate than our jails. One DUI conviction might not be a reason to send someone to prison, but the next instance of DUI could be driving the wrong way on the freeway and killing a whole family. Where do we draw the line?

Recently, most of us were shocked here in Texas when a psychiatrist coined the word "affluenza" and helped get a 16 yo off with probation after he drove the vehicle that killed four innocent victims. Is this justice?

How about the Kaufman County Texas JP, Eric Williams, and his wife who together plotted and carried out the revenge killings of Asst DA Mark Hasse and DA Mark McClelland and his wife? Is there justice in this man being paid by the taxpayers while he carries out his personal vendetta? He will have the full protection of the law during his trial and continue to be a burden on the taxpayers for many years. I don't think I can count the victims in this case.

All too fresh in our minds is the man who went into a Real Estate office and stabbed his ex-wife to death just this week. The taxpayers will pay for his medical bills due to his botched attempted suicide. We'll also pay for his protection and probably his legal team who will attempt to defend this creep.

I just don't want our justice system to become like India where a gang of men can rape a woman on a bus and get away with it. I don't want the US to turn into a place like Pakistan where the 16 yo girl, Malala, was shot in the face by the Taliban.

Yep! I'm getting too political, so I'll end my thoughts by saying the comment to my letter by the gent above was far to broad and generalized to ever have a credible response. Nobody can argue with such generalizations. That's why many people attempt to use them in their arguments.

 

[MossRoad]

I should have warned you that when you write a letter to the editor, you'll not only get a lot of print responses having slim to none relation to your letter, but some of those nice folks (maybe even his family members) will take the time to track you down and visit you personally to express their agreement/disagreement on your doorstep, in the mail, or maybe just your phone if its listed. Kinda like the disagreements in the friendly politics forum bleeding over into the regular forums. "Hey, I heard you mention XXX and I hope you die in a fire you bleepity bleeper." Yikes. Regardless, it seems most of the folks here are in general agreement with your opinion on this story. So, too, most likely will the people in your community. However, those in your community that do agree will just read it, nod their head in approval, and turn the page. Its most likely the ones that disagree that will be inclined to take action. After all, you disagreed and took action by writing the letter, yes?

 

[jinman]

David, I decided a long time ago that I would not cower to bullying. If they want to look me up, I'll explain my position face-to-face.

 

[300UGUY]

I am not saying that drunks are to be let off easy. I probably should have limited my comment to the mj issue.

 

[EMB5530]

David, I decided a long time ago that I would not cower to bullying. If they want to look me up, I'll explain my position face-to-face.

Very good that you will stand for what you believe.:drink:
There are a good many of you members that I would be honored to buy a drink and share a conversation with in person. Even though there are many who get me fired up I still find much respect for the ideas/beliefs that are discussed. Yes, at times I think things get a bit heated and some mud slinging does happen, but I guess that is the nature of disagreement.

IMO most criminals and people whom support such behaviors(IE family that feel it is not the criminals fault) are too lazy to act anyways (unless someone elses taxes can do it for them.)

 

[MossRoad]

David, I decided a long time ago that I would not cower to bullying. If they want to look me up, I'll explain my position face-to-face.

Oh there's standing up to bullying and then there's mentally disturbed salivating old grandma throwing dog poop at your porch crazy.... which one's scarier? :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

It reminds me of a local liquor store we had here. A man walked into the store with a gun and told the owner to hand over the cash. While the robber was hollering at the store owner, he set the gun down on the counter. The store owner picked it up and shot and killed the robber. Within days (I can't remember how many, but I recall only a few), someone walked into the liquor store and shot the owner dead and left. Rumor in the community was it was the robber's cousin seeking revenge. And, not surprisingly, there was wide spread SUPPORT FOR THE MURDERER in the community. YIKES!

Anyhow, pick your battles wisely. And be prepared for kooks.

 

[jinman]

Oh there's standing up to bullying and then there's mentally disturbed salivating old grandma throwing dog poop at your porch crazy.... which one's scarier? :laughing:

The scariest I ever had was a mentally disturbed salivating old grandma who wanted some lovin' attention after offering me 5 lb of government cheese. :laughing:

 

[MikePA]

The scariest I ever had was a mentally disturbed salivating old grandma who wanted some lovin' attention after offering me 5 lb of government cheese. :laughing:

...and the rest of the story is???? Inquiring minds want to know. :laughing::cool2:

 

[smstonypoint]

...and the rest of the story is???? Inquiring minds want to know. :laughing::cool2:

I am not so sure about that. There is such a thing as too much information.

Steve

 

[jinman]

Don't worry Steve, my answer to the granny and MikePA was/is no.