Front page editorials. How dare newspapers do that?
They used to be discussed and cussed in Oklahoma on a regular basis, until a few years ago when the then Daily Oklahoman ceased publishing the always conservative, political opinion pieces on candidates and issues, clearly labeled at the top of the page.
This week, with the Oklahoma City mayoral election tomorrow, another publication has come out with a clearly-labeled front page editorial, endorsing Ed Shadid over the incumbent Mick Cornett.
The City Sentinel, a weekly newspaper serving downtown, carried the editorial. Patrick McGuigan, former editorial writer for The Oklahoman, and a true-believer conservative, publishes the paper.
People who protest such an activity as biased, inappropriate journalism are flat out ignorant of American journalism history. Front page editorials have a long history in this country. They go back all the way to the beginnings in colonial times, and later when every political faction had a newspaper in town.
They've gone away because the press is increasingly corporate, and tries not to offend anyone to protect shareholders' investments. In the process, much of the press has become namby-pamby milktoast publications that are boring and spineless. Corporates can't seem to figure out why they're losing readers.
Another approach is sometimes seen in thinly-disguised hatchet jobs masquerading as "investigative journalism," where one issue or candidate opposing corporate owners' positions is attacked. The opposite tack is taken in running almost verbatim PR releases from outfits and candidates supported by corporates.
That's why I applaud The City Sentinel and Pat for courageously taking a stand. You don't have to agree with him, but at least you know it's honest journalism. And it builds readers and integrity, especially with a well-reasoned editorial, rather than using propaganda tactics like name calling and target words like "liberal" and conservative."
McGuiggan's first few sentences show that reasoning:
"After 13 years with the current mayor in office (ten as mayor, three on
the Council), it is time for a fresh voice and a stronger focus on the
broader needs and issues for all Oklahoma City residents.
"For the first time in The City Sentinel’s history, we formally endorse a
candidate for public office. The newspaper supports Dr. Ed Shadid, the
Ward 2 council member, in the Tuesday, March 4 election.
"This endorsement is an expression of support for the challenger, not a slap at the incumbent.
"Shadid aims to establish a more inclusive government. He has spoken to
hundreds of groups and thousands of local residents — some of whom say
their input in city matters has rarely or never been solicited.
"Many to whom Shadid has spoken have long felt disenfranchised from city
government. Ours is not just a downtown city; its entire 640 square
miles still has a long way to go, he says. And, he is right."
Check the link above it you want to keep reading.
Two disclaimers. I can't vote in the election, so technically, it doesn't matter to me. Second, McGuigan and I are far apart when it comes to political philosophy, but that's ok. We can disagree, respect each other, and enjoy conversation and journalism. It matters not to me which candidate he endorsed, as long as he did so with reasoning.
As a former weekly newspaper publisher of the Waurika News-Democrat, I wrote front page editorials rarely, and always for significant issues, like urging a bond issue for a new grade school. I remember clearly one quote, "A newspaper that doesn't stand for something, stands for nothing."
Well-reasoned front page editorials like The City Sentinel's are good news for Oklahoma journalism, and Oklahomans.
Monday, March 3, 2014
After the storm--bright
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| "Bright."--5 by 7 watercolor, 140 # d'Arches |
After the storm, blinding sun on white. Crisp blue shadows. 12 degrees.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Cold and color
O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15693#sthash.AvXs4Qkn.dpuf
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| Looking for spring, 5 by 7 watercolor, 140 # d'Arches |
Where to find color on such a day--thinking about spring being "just around the corner"---a cold corner.
" ...Oh Wind,We hope so poet.
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?"--Shelley
So here's the corner, adobe wall radiating hoped-for sunshine, with pots waiting for spring, and the untold story of a passing traveler, steps fading as snow and time drift in. And the palette.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
A cat and fireplace kind of day
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| 5 by 7 watercolor |
Outside--cold, gloomy, wet, colorless.
Inside--it's a colorful cat and fireplace kind of day.
Memories of an African trip
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| In Mali, playing with happy kids, seven years ago |
Africa.
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| How can you not love kids |
Thanks to a former student at OSU, now Dr. Shelly Pepper Sitton of the OSU Ag Com Department, I joined a group of journalists on a week-long trip to Mali. It was a State Department-funded trip to help bolster the media in that poor, West African country, a rare democracy and friend of America in the Muslim world. I went along as the newspaper journalist.
Perhaps it didn't work, because since then there has been a military coup, and an uprising in the Saharan north that split the country. If the French hadn't intervened, Al-Qaeda might have the entire country now. Of course, what prompted much of the turmoil was the overthrow of Libya's Gaddafi to the north, destabilizing the entire region. But we were not concerned with politics when there, and welcomed by people where ever we went.
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| Poor but proud |
I wrote and photographed extensively about it, if you want to see more photos.
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