It is a good thing I’m not an angry blogger, otherwise I might write the choice words that newspaper types only speak (often). But the LA Times made the same mistake the of the San Francisco Chronicle in losing Bob Salladay — who was doing the best job of a newsman in using the internet of anyone in the country. If that isn’t enough, the very reason I enjoyed clicking through to his blog every day is being assaulted but the person the Times should want to let go.
Literally, this makes me want to cry. Does my local paper want to convince me to get a subscription by laying off 25% of the newsroom? I’m a news junkie, I really love to read the news. It isn’t just part of my profession, it is something that could be thought of as a hobby. On the rare occasions I go on vacation, all I think about is that I want coffee (sometimes mimosas) next to the pool to read all the local papers wherever I am. Blogs aren’t to newspapers as craigslist was to classifieds, bloggers live on loving or hating stories in the papers.
We all know the entire newspaper industry is in dire straights and that really sucks. It is even worse for me as my ideal retirement plan involves a front porch and a bunch of newspapers (while I yell at those myspace kids to stay off my great lawn). I firmly believe it was the newsroom that failed in Iraq and it is Wall Street that has failed ever since.
My only point is I’m frustrated, but I’d love to hear ideas in the comments.
