30 July 2009

Are We All Euro-weenies Now?

It used to be, and not all that long ago, that if an American really didn't like the way something was going, or found a particular situation very disagreeable, their core reaction was to go off and do it the way they thought it should be done. But nowadays, we more and more don't look to ourselves as the first line of problem solving - we look to government.

Case in point: TV newsguy Dan Rather doesn't like the way things are going for "journalism" these days, what with the Mainstream Media's plummeting readership and viewership, and the commensurate loss of income and credibility. (Funny, talk radio and Fox News seems to be doing just fine... -ed.) Dan doesn't like this at all.

His solution? Form. A. Government. Commission. Really:
Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather called on President Barack Obama to form a White House commission to help save the press Tuesday night in an impassioned speech at the Aspen Institute.

“I personally encourage the president to establish a White House commission on public media,” the legendary newsman said.

Such a commission on media reform, Rather said, ought to make recommendations on saving journalism jobs and creating new business models to keep news organizations alive.
Now 'Ol Dan has made some pretty good jack over the years working for CBS, and I think he also wrote a few books. So, Dan... why don't you put your own money where your mouth is, not the taxpayer's cash? If you don't like the current model for the Lefty Media, start your own newspaper, or TV station, or radio network, and show us how you think it should be done. Let the market decide!

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