What IF the Oklahoman Went Away?

[Doug Loudenback]

I believe the Oklahoman has gone too far left.

Look at the front page. The focal point is nothing but touchy,
feely and idiotic human interest crap. Who in the world wants to
read touchy, feely human interest crap?

I don't!

I want to read "The illusion of a president, BO, Stinks!" I want
to read NEWS. Not human interest BS.

We take the Oklahoman for the shopping coupons. The day that
it doesn't have more coupons that it's worth to subscribe is the
day we end our subscription to the Oklahoman.

BO Stinks. The Oklahoman should announce that on the Front
Page every single morning!

If the Oklahoman returns to being a good newspaper, i.e. isn't
liberal by any stretch of the imagination, then we'll subscribe more
than the Sunday and Wednesday papers. As long as the DO
doesn't say that BO Stinks then you can forget anything else.

Aw, shucks, Prunepicker guy. Form some right wing opinions, would you?

[skyrick]

I believe the Oklahoman has gone too far left.

Look at the front page. The focal point is nothing but touchy,
feely and idiotic human interest crap. Who in the world wants to
read touchy, feely human interest crap?

I don't!

I want to read "The illusion of a president, BO, Stinks!" I want
to read NEWS. Not human interest BS.

We take the Oklahoman for the shopping coupons. The day that
it doesn't have more coupons that it's worth to subscribe is the
day we end our subscription to the Oklahoman.

BO Stinks. The Oklahoman should announce that on the Front
Page every single morning!

If the Oklahoman returns to being a good newspaper, i.e. isn't
liberal by any stretch of the imagination, then we'll subscribe more
than the Sunday and Wednesday papers. As long as the DO
doesn't say that BO Stinks then you can forget anything else.

LOL! Only you (or Kerry) could call the Oklahoman liberal and not sound like you're joking!

[old okie]

E.K. virtually never wrote any editorials when I was there...now--his son E.K. Jr. may well have, he was an odd duck by any measurement. His connection with the paper was mostly due to DNA, he was in no way the man his Dad was. I had the pleasure of knowing E.K. when I worked at OPUBCO and shortly thereafter when I worked for OCURA and he was on the Board there. He was well over 90 then--but--still pretty together. Newspapers today are worthless almost completely...filled with mindless drivel...a typical front page lead-in..."It was late in the evening when little Kathy heard her mother calling for her weenie dog Sparky--but--he was gone...run down by a uncaring and speeding motorist." If THAT kind of crap passes as journalism--GOD help us. Every story starts by some ignorant brain-dead "journalist" seething to unleash their hopelessly inane opinions onto the world...after they have exhausted their bird-brained attempts at being famous dime-novelists...they graduate at about 24 years old to being world scholars and political geniuses, supporting every liberal cause that someone--whom they follow like good Nazis--tells them to. Why--because then they are self-appointed "good" people who "care" more than anyone else on the planet. They gather in gaggles and coo for helping everyone on Earth with someone else's tax money--whilst keeping their own geetz quite secure for a bag of some kind of drugs to get them wired up--not wasting a dime on anyone but themselves. The hypocrisy is staggering. It is hopeless. I suspect maybe TV programs have driven people mad with preposterous ideas and, after all, they adore anything espoused by Hollywood like it was holy-writ and as intellect has gone into a fatal nose-dive, they have run wildly down the pier and jumped aboard the Titanic, not to be accused of "missing the boat"!

Without a doubt, your comments are spot on! I was laughing so hard at your "typical front page lead-in" that I would have ruined the keyboard had I been drinking anything at the time! THAT was a GREAT analysis!

And while we're on the topic, we want to see Carrie Coppernoll and Bryan Painter's PICTURES disappear from the paper! Talk about ego-involved pseudo-"journalists"! Egad.

[old okie]

Today, there "appears" to be an actual "investigative journalistic" report--about campaign financing--on the front page. Amazing.

But I did read the entire paper--not the ad inserts, unless for a store I patronize--I like having a "real" paper.

[old okie]

I believe the Oklahoman has gone too far left.

Look at the front page. The focal point is nothing but touchy,
feely and idiotic human interest crap. Who in the world wants to
read touchy, feely human interest crap?

I don't!

Prune, you are right on about the "touchy, feely" stuff. That isn't "journalism" and has no business on the front page--or in the main section of the paper. We want NEWS! Since you take the Sunday paper, perhaps you read today's piece about the campaign financing and about the salary at the shelter. THAT'S what we're looking to read. It's local, it's relevant, and it's something that "they" glide over--if mentioned at all--on the local TV news reports. We want STATE and LOCAL information. We can't rely on the local TV stations; for the most part, they are worse than the DO.

I don't have time to sit for hours pouring over the Internet; I don't have the eyesight to stare at a computer screen for hours to find a few things of interest.

And yes, I "trimmed" your post to fit; NO disagreement or disrespect--actually do agree. Just want to stress the value of having someone talk about STATE and LOCAL issues.

[jmarkross]

Alas, gents, investigative journalism resides on the ash-heap of history. Perhaps the culprit is the basic K-12 educational system and the unimaginable morass of political correctness it has become. When I was a kid--if you popped off to a teacher--she would blast back to your seat and give you a five-finger "what-for" and you'd never do it twice. This is the product of liberals and colleges that are **absolutely** owned by the far-far-far-far left teachers who could NEVER make a living on the open market. I am too old to care much about the future--but I think someone ought to. Things are going down the ****ter at a terrifying speed...and just look at that zoo in Washington, DC if you want to see what can happen...makes me quite happy to exit this world fairly soon...I won't miss the nation as it is today.

[bluedogok]

BO Stinks.

I know...makes you want to buy someone some soap and deodorant.....

[flintysooner]

I am concerned about content and who is going to provide it if there are no newspapers.

And from The Oklahoman I want more articles that are local and in depth. And actually I feel like The Oklahoman does a pretty good job of that although I'd like more.

I do recognize that bias is as much in the eye of the reader as it is in the provider. So there's a group that will always think the news is slanted one way or another. So far though I think there are more of us capable of reading things fairly.

Added: Another thing I've found interesting is that a lot of most vocal critics of The Oklahoman actually do not read the paper but start their criticism early.

[Spartan]

Alas, gents, investigative journalism resides on the ash-heap of history. Perhaps the culprit is the basic K-12 educational system and the unimaginable morass of political correctness it has become. When I was a kid--if you popped off to a teacher--she would blast back to your seat and give you a five-finger "what-for" and you'd never do it twice. This is the product of liberals and colleges that are **absolutely** owned by the far-far-far-far left teachers who could NEVER make a living on the open market. I am too old to care much about the future--but I think someone ought to. Things are going down the ****ter at a terrifying speed...and just look at that zoo in Washington, DC if you want to see what can happen...makes me quite happy to exit this world fairly soon...I won't miss the nation as it is today.

This reads like a suicide letter.... don't do it man.

[Larry OKC]

Have to keep the Oklahoman around. As far as I know they are one of the few papers that print the daily comics in color!

[Prunepicker]

We were daily subscribers for many years until the Oklahoman
decided to put non-news on the front page. What a drag to
open the paper and not see news. That ridiculous human interest
photo needs to be done away. Put it in a back section or with
the classifieds. The front page is for news.

The comics are good

[Doug Loudenback]

We were daily subscribers for many years until the Oklahoman
decided to put non-news on the front page. What a drag to
open the paper and not see news. That ridiculous human interest
photo needs to be done away. Put it in a back section or with
the classifieds. The front page is for news.

The comics are good

Come on, Prune, you've already expressed on matters, most notably about our president, that you'd want to see him mentioned on the front page every issue, even though that might not be news.

Now, to be sure, I agree with what you said about human interest stories not being news ... and that such things belong somewhere other than on the front page (if anywhere) ... that sort of thing is what TV news considers news but no hard-news person ever would. But didn't you say that you want the Oklahoman to say, on the front page of each paper that it produces, news or not, something negative about Barack Obama?

Maybe I misunderstood what you said earlier in this thread. I can't speak to the comics since I haven't read them for decades.

[jmarkross]

This reads like a suicide letter.... don't do it man.

Kind of a leap from your perspective--you must be very young. I am over 60...and I am quite aware that I am within spitting distance of St. Peter...and once you have lived a good long while, you become less frightened of the next steps on the journey. Once you have reached elderly status...and get s few chronic diseases, your mindset changes. It is also easier to be a little more "frank" than those who are younger. At least, that is the way I see things. I am certainly trying my best to outlive my pensions and benefits that I paid dearly for over the years...

[semisimple]

The front page is for news.

I agree. So what the hell is a prayer doing on the front page? Notwithstanding the quality of its journalism, the prayer alone is enough to make me wish utter failure for the Oklahoman. Indeed, nothing screams modern "big league city" like a daily homage to Jesus on the front page of the local rag.

[jmarkross]

Of course--I am not ruling out the use of double entendre either, Spartan.

[jmarkross]

I agree. So what the hell is a prayer doing on the front page? Notwithstanding the quality of its journalism, the prayer alone is enough to make me wish utter failure for the Oklahoman. Indeed, nothing screams modern "big league city" like a daily homage to Jesus on the front page of the local rag.

There was a time when newspapers, in general, used the Chicago Manual of Style and good taste to construct the issue. But--times have changed and that is not unusual or incorrect. The medium of newsprint and dragging the thing through the streets before dawn to spread the news is gone. Like it or not. Most of the newspaper is--and has been for decades--"canned" stories stored by column length in bins and yanked out to fill a hole, Next time you read a newspaper...see how much has to do with anything timely. A lot is about "honey bees in South America" or other things of minimal interest. One reason journalism is now a laughable "profession" is that--with no real need for them on the scale they once were employed--there are a lot of folks trying to "be somebody" because they wrote a good story in the 10th grade about their high school winning a football game and all their peers said how "good" they could write. In the past--if you were not a good, incisive and intelligent and principled writer...you did not have a job in the field. Now--that is not the case...all sorts of untalented and uninspired people are appearing in places way beyond their abilities. If you look at internet blogs today--that is where the talent goes, unfortunately--just as before--it attracts the best and the unscrupulous. Your own ability to sift and triangulate is what separates the men from the boys. And being open-minded and unbiased is a nice thing as well. At least today--the truth is out there--if you can find it.

[Prunepicker]

Come on, Prune, you've already expressed on matters, most
notably about our president, that you'd want to see him
mentioned on the front page every issue, even though that might
not be news.

Okay, Doug, you got me on that one!

Now, to be sure, I agree with what you said about human interest
stories not being news ... and that such things belong somewhere
other than on the front page (if anywhere) ... that sort of thing is
what TV news considers news but no hard-news person ever
would.

My sentiments exactly!

But didn't you say that you want the Oklahoman to say,
on the front page of each paper that it produces, news or not,
something negative about ...?

The president is news ergo front page material, unless it's about
a pick up game or dining at Burger King.

The newspaper needs to provide the news and let us hash it
out. I think opinion should be relegated tot he editorial
section.

[Bunty]

LOL! Only you (or Kerry) could call the Oklahoman liberal and not sound like you're joking!

Prunepicker, no doubt, misses the anti gay ranting on the editorial page along with the persistent calls to cut state taxes. My, my, how that used to go on and on. And then the fanaticism to get right to work passed. It was so great, though, when old man Gaylord finally died and the chief editorial writer was fired for using Oklahoman stationery to promote a political candidate without prior authorization.

[Prunepicker]

Prunepicker, no doubt, misses the anti [sic] homosexual ranting on
the editorial page along with the persistent calls to cut state
taxes. My, my, how that used to go on and on.

Yes, the Oklahoman used to be a very rational and reasonable
newspaper. The old man was very sensible when it came to
news.

I'll vote for Sally Kern next time, too. She's very circumspect.

Here's something that will cause your little brain to explode.
I don't hate homosexuals and my homosexual friends and
family members know that without a shadow of doubt. We
have a great report.

Boom!

[jmarkross]

Yes, the Oklahoman used to be a very rational and reasonable
newspaper. The old man was very sensible when it came to
news.

I'll vote for Sally Kern next time, too. She's very circumspect.

Here's something that will cause your little brain to explode.
I don't hate homosexuals and my homosexual friends and
family members know that without a shadow of doubt. We
have a great report.

Boom!

And--for the love of all that is decent and good in this world--let us NOT forget the trans-gendered...and their plight and struggles in this terrible right-wing environment all around us where they are so pitifully oppressed and abused. Let us NOT forget....

[Doug Loudenback]

Yes, the Oklahoman used to be a very rational and reasonable
newspaper. The old man was very sensible when it came to
news.

I'll vote for Sally Kern next time, too. She's very circumspect.

Here's something that will cause your little brain to explode.
I don't hate homosexuals and my homosexual friends and
family members know that without a shadow of doubt. We
have a great report.

Boom!

I'd enjoy reading that report, Prune.

[Spartan]

Yes, the Oklahoman used to be a very rational and reasonable
newspaper. The old man was very sensible when it came to
news.

I'll vote for Sally Kern next time, too. She's very circumspect.

Here's something that will cause your little brain to explode.
I don't hate homosexuals and my homosexual friends and
family members know that without a shadow of doubt. We
have a great report.

Boom!

That is shocking. Good for you if that's true, that you're able to be personal friends with people that you philosophically loathe.

[Prunepicker]

That is shocking. Good for you if that's true, that you're able to
be personal friends with people that you philosophically loathe.

It's 100% true. I don't understand the philosophically loathe
part. It must be something you made up to make yourself feel
better or the like. Who knows?

[Prunepicker]

I'd enjoy reading that report, Prune.

Oops. Rapport! We haven't written a report! LOL!

[Spartan]

It's 100% true. I don't understand the philosophically loathe
part. It must be something you made up to make yourself feel
better or the like. Who knows?

Well, surely you wouldn't condone homosexuality, or recommend such a dangerous lifestyle that seeks to eat away at America's moral fabric and take us away from the original intent of the Founders? Thank GOD we have the anointed Sally Kern to protect us from such a wicked threat, right?