John

When I said the Times was guilty of bush-league journalism, what I failed to add is that is the most charitable interpretation, with no allegation of bias.

I’m not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt; the Times is practicing “Agenda Journalism,” which is far closer to being publicists for the anti-war Bush-hating fringe than impartial reporters.

As to the whole, “idealists who want to change the world” aspect of reporting, WTF?

If the press had any faith in the unwashed masses, they’d just report the who-what-when-where-why-how and let us try and figger out whut we think.

Yeah, right.

Patterico points out ommissions in the reporting on Cindy Sheehan that simply cannot be attributed to errors, oversights or mistakes. To fail to include information about Sheehan’s previous meetings with Pres. Bush, to edit out her increasingly strident and anti-Semitic ravings, leaves us with, if you’ll pardon the turn of phrase, bush-league journalism (no insult intended to the president).

Honestly, twenty minutes with the pajama-clad bloggers gives one a much more complete picture of Sheehan and her mission.

The only effective way of forcing change is the economic boycott. Hugh Hewitt has been reporting that the LA Times has suffered a catastrophic loss of revenue and circulation. I cancelled my subscription years ago, as a result of their anti-Israeli, pro-terrorist coverage.

Can’t say I’ve ever regretted that decision.

And isn’t it our obligation as consumers to insist that major corporations like Times/Tribune live up to their advertising, as when they tell us we are getting accurate, comprehensive, unbiased news and divorcing opinion from documented fact?

It’s probably academic at this point. The Times is desperately hurting for money, and that’s going to get worse if Hollywood cuts down on its movie advertising as the studios are threatening. H

And have you seen the new daily editorial page in the Times? Two or three columnists in huge type in blocky, space-wasting layouts. They’re obviously trying to cut costs by cutting expensive columnists. The Times is terminal.

Yes, and one effective way to help tell our vision of the truth is to contrast it with visions that lack honesty. I don’t think anyone expects the LAT to reform itself, at least not in its current form. They do, however, make a useful foil.

Actually, as somebody who used to own part of a bicycle shop, I can state with certainty that there have been many alternative designs for bicycle saddles on the market. Many of them today are cut out to alleviate pressure on the perineum.

“Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”

Freedom of the press extends to anybody who can rent one, borrow one, or pay somebody else to run one for him. I’d include “wise” in my description of A.J. Liebling, but the next word wouldn’t be “fellow”.

Of course, today, the “press” in its most literal sense, isn’t even necessary. The internet, television, radio, etc., see to that.