Response to Sunday columns
In Leonard Pitts’ column in Sunday’s paper, he seemed befuddled at the decline in readership and subscriptions to many American newspapers. Speaking generally, and mostly about major publications, the answer is as plain as the nose on his face.
While it’s true that the internet has contributed greatly to the decline of newspapers, that isn’t the only or even major reason. I’m sure that newspapers have always leaned one way or another politically, but I think that in times past the opinions were kept on the op-ed pages and not found in the NEWS section.
Leonard, what passes for “news” now-a-days is so obviously biased that many people simply don’t want to read the trash. The internet is often so biased one way or another that I do not put much stock in the “news” that can be found there. Much of it is outright “false news”, in other words, LIES.
On the other hand, what we read in newspapers, in the “news” section, should be just that, unbiased truth like you swear to give when sitting in the witness chair in court–the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Right now many reporters are digging furiously into President Trump’s present and past dealings, and those of people he has nominated for various positions. They should. But, these selfsame “reporters” should have been doing that all along concerning Obama, Clinton (both of them), and every other politician, whether Liberal or Conservative.
As Mr. Pitts said, newspapers are the “watchdog” of our government, but for far too long this “dog” has been a lapdog for Democrats. That is not the reason why the First Amendment exists. In my opinion both Parties should keep their back yards and candidate pools as squeaky-clean as possible. That will help to keep our nation free and strong.
On the same page Mr. Steve Chapman opined about Trump’s choices in the Middle East. I’m no diplomat nor expert on foreign policies, but I am reminded of what the late, great Bro. Dave Garner said about the war in Vietnam: “I’m agin fightin’, but as long as we’re committed, praise God, let’s win it! We oughtta be committed for gittin’ in it in the first place but that’s another story.” If we aren’t going to go to war without the mindset to win, win quickly, and win decisively, stay home.
My suggestion is to get out, now. The “bad guys” will gain more and more territory and power, and we may have to face them in the future, but meanwhile there are other options and avenues that would be more beneficial for us as a nation. Let’s spend our treasure in gold and blood here at home where WE need it.
Cameron Triplett
Brooksville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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