Local Newspapers And Local Blogs

Ken O’Brien

This notice appeared in today’s Southbridge News.

There was a time when the local newspaper was the go to source for information about local events. Not only was its role respected but timeliness was a treasured virtue.

That era has essentially passed.

The local paper still serves a role as the compendium of upcoming and recent events. But anything related to the reporting of breaking news has been abandoned.

The local paper was also the forum for residents to express their opinion about matters affecting the community. That function has also, in large part, disappeared.

Aside from reporting on and providing picture spreads of community activities, the local paper serves functions related more to its own survival rather than to the interests of the local citizenry. It provides an outlet for local advertisers and legal notices. It also provides what little is left as an entry point for those interested in a career in the dwindling field of print journalism. 

Rupert Murdoch And Fox News’ Blog Trolls

Ken O’Brien

In Murdoch's World: The Last of the Old Media Empires David Folkenflik, the media correspondent for NPR News, explains how Rupert Murdoch the man behind Britain’s take-no-prisoners tabloids, who reinvigorated Roger Ailes by backing his vision for Fox News, who gave a new swagger to the New York Post and a new style to the Wall Street Journal, survived numerous scandals—and the true cost of this survival. He summarily ended his marriage, alienated much of his family, and split his corporation asunder to protect the source of his vast wealth (on the one side), and the source of his identity (on the other). There were, however, moments when the global news chief panicked. 

Rumors, Speculation and Fact

Ken O’Brien

In writing this blog I have been careful to distinguish between rumor, speculation and fact.

One of my blog colleagues is now accusing me of perpetuating a rumor.

As it was put,

“If we have enough credible evidence to put people on leave, let's get it over with, tell the people what happened (and treat us all like grown-ups and tell us the truth), and move on. That would put one conspiracy theory in the local blogosphere to rest...that being, that the principal was put on leave for a pocket knife incident. Nothing could be further from the full truth (although, I'm sure that didn't help). Apparently I'm guilty of being a psychic.” 

LOCAL WINGNUT POST-ELECTION WHINING

Ken O’Brien

Earlier today The O’Zone ran an article titled “RANDOM WINGNUT POST-ELECTION WHINING”.

The article was derived from another site. It addressed itself to a variety of national forums. But the idiocy espoused by them is nonetheless present locally.

As an addendum, The O’Zone posted a video from the “Morning Joe” program featuring David Frum.

Frum, an avowed conservative, with a long and illustrious record as such, made a point that The O’Zone has advocated for almost as long as this blog has existed.

RANDOM WINGNUT POST-ELECTION WHINING

From Wonkette

Do you people have any idea how hard it is to sift through all the insane rightwing mutterings about the reelection of Barack Obama so that we can bring you the very best? Neither do we! It all starts looking the same after about five minutes! And so, this collection of freakouts will, of necessity, be something of a sampler plate from the great smorgasbord that is the Great 2012 Wingnut Butthurtosphere.

Dennis Departs

Ken O’Brien

After almost five years as the leading blogger in Southbridge, Dennis Martinek has decided to retire from the arena.

His site, Speak Out Southbridge, became a mainstay of local life in the virtual world.

Often controversial, frequently vilified, it was nevertheless always entertaining.

The Conscience of a Conservative?

Ken O'Brien

Copyright by Clay Bennett, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Back between Christmas and New Year's I engaged in a little bit of reflection.

Having just rebooted The O'Zone at the start of December, I thought about how I might make it more useful to my readers.

I decided that one thing that I could do was to provide links to other blogs in the area that might provide viewpoints and information that would be both useful and enlightening.

While my primary focus is political, I decided that I would not limit myself to that genre alone. I also decided that I would welcome opposing points of view.

In looking for local blogs I came across one for the Sturbridge Tea Party.

Mommie State Dearest

Ken O'Brien

Unlike the "nanny state" that many conservative critics claim that American liberals are making of our country, Southbridge has become a mommy state.

However, in contrast to the altruistic motives that underlie any conception of the "nanny state", Southbridge's mommy state is more aptly characterized as a "mommie dearest state" as exemplified by the iconic book and movie Mommie Dearest.

While both employ an element of the proverbial stick, there are clearly distinguishable matters of motive, degree and the absence of any carrot.

Southbridge's "mommie state" has devolved from any uses of incentives to one based entirely upon intimidation and penalties.