People keep asking

Why did I learn about this in the New York Times?

Read the letter in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  So, what's the answer?

Seeking full disclosure\

A warm, nostalgic article in Friday's Texas editions of The New York Times informed me that the Star-Telegram is shuttering its fabled Austin bureau, once the workplace of Molly Ivins, Ken Bunting, Sam Kinch and Karen Potter, who broke important news stories on state politics. The bureau's end apparently means the departure of Davey Joe Montgomery, who has covered politics from the nation's capital to the Texas Legislature. Farewell to another fabled journalist.

Why did I learn about this from The New York Times? Earlier last week, the Star-Telegram informed subscribers it was eliminating several syndicated advice columns and squeezing the comics onto fewer pages. Belatedly, Executive Editor Jim Witt, in a Sunday column, glossed over the bureau closing.
I also learned, from an associate at a nonprofit that Melinda Mason's duties were being eliminated. Mason writes the Fort Worth Social Eyes column and during more than three decades at the newspaper helped the Star-Telegram team with community groups on events. Is the newspaper dropping this function as well?

How about full disclosure to better prepare readers as the daily newspaper we faithfully subscribe to continues its gradual and inevitable decline into the digital age?

-- Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth

Ditto

A recent Letter to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram speaks for itself...

Political neutrality

I don't agree with the Star-Telegram's practice of recommending political candidates. The idea of media endorsements is a holdover from when newspapers were affiliated with political parties.

In my opinion, this is a chink in what should be an impenetrable armor of objectivity.

Your role in the political process is to fairly present the candidates to potential voters.

Voters should be swayed by the candidates, not by those whose credibility requires neutrality.

As the 2008 presidential primaries were heating up, Time magazine Managing Editor Rick Stengel raised the same issue: "How can a newspaper be objective on the front page when it endorses a candidate on the editorial page? [Readers are] dubious about whether the reporter who covers Hillary Clinton can be objective if his newspaper has endorsed Barack Obama -- and vice versa. And they're right."

I agree.

-- Tim Tune, Fort Worth

Texas Railroad Commission Railroading

The Railroad Commission wrote a letter to the paper?  To try and spin their image?  Is it any coincidence this was done during the week of their Sunset Review in Austin? Or the same week two more federal lawsuits were announced concerning water contamination due to gas drilling in the Barnett Shale?

Many of our fellow neighbors and friends made the trip to Austin yesterday to testify about the Railroad Commission.  Many that did the reviewing were not pleased with the agency and its performance, or lack thereof.

The letter says "Our investigation will not be distracted by press releases or politics".  What about campaign contributions and cash gifts?  That question was raised yesterday.  Do YOU want an answer?  Demand it.

Something for everyone

And YOU are invited!

Thursday -

North Central Communities Alliance Meeting (NCTCA) meeting

September 16th (Thurs) at 6:30 pm

Program: WATER & GAS DRILLING

Panel of Legal and Scientific Experts will be available to address our questions and concerns. This Critical Issue that Affects You NOW!

Dr. Deaton - Professor of Physics & Geology at TWU

Mr. David Ritter, Attorney

Mr. Kirk Claunch, Attorney

Focus on Clean Water

All monthly meetings are at the lovely Hotel Trinity - Inn Suites conveniently located at I-30 & Beach St. in East Ft. Worth.
 
Saturday-
 
Fort Worth Convention Center

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm- doors open at 12:00 [noon]

Ann Coulter is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers. She is a frequent guest on many TV shows, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Sean Hannity, The Glenn Beck Show, HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, and has been profiled in numerous publications, including TV Guide, the Guardian (UK), the New York Observer, National Journal, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle magazine. She was the April 25, 2005 cover story of Time magazine.

Other Speakers Include:

Mark Davis

Jeff Bolton

Chris Krok

Brigitte Gabriel

Pastor Stephen Broden

Debra Medina

Kathie Glass

Dr. Suzanna Hupp

Adrian Murray

Entertainment By

Lloyd Marcus

Krista Branch

Joy Omega

Jon David

Emcee

Jon-David Wells, The Wells Report

660 KSKY News/Talk