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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Why Not Us?
David Gordon, Photographer
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Somerville | MA | United States | Posted: 6:42 PM on 11.17.08 |
->> With all the talk recently about a bailout package for "Big Three" auto makers, I got to thinking...why not us?
Consider this an open letter to our soon-to-be leader of the free world.
Dear Mr. Obama,
I know your very busy with the economy in the toilet and all, but I just thought I'd throw my hat into the ring for a slice of that bailout pie. Given the reasons you and your fellow lawmakers up the hill have given for relieving the US auto makers; too important to fail, etc. I believe you should consider a bailout package for the newspaper industry as well.
Both industries are vital to this great nation, failing miserably, and desperately need financial help to right these sinking ships. The newspaper industry serves a crucial role in our democracy, economy, and culture. Letting us die is simply unthinkable and un-American. Without a vibrant newspaper industry, where would the major TV networks get their stories? Without newspapers, what will we rap our fish with...YouTube videos? Who will the politicians spin endlessly with absolutely no sense of irony...Matt Drudge?
Unthinkable.
While I am not interested in tearing down the auto makers, I might remind you that the unions are a dying beast. I certainly appreciate the support they gave you in Michigan, but let me also remind you that your "Rock Star" status didn't materialize out of thin air. Plus, the union's are comprised of mostly older workers, while the newspapers have already laid off their most seasoned vets. Just about every local newspaper around the country is staffed by young, optimistic, bright-eyed college grads; your bread and butter demographic.
With your government sponsored financial bailout, Mr. Obama, and new, tactfully orchestrated copyrights legislation (oops, I guess Congress already passed the Orphans Works bill), we can save this great American industry. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter and I thank you for your time and patriotism in these difficult times. |
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Daniel Putz, Photographer
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Jefferson | MD | USA | Posted: 6:58 PM on 11.17.08 |
| ->> Socialism. |
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Christine Hochkeppel, Photographer
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Providence | RI | United States | Posted: 7:00 PM on 11.17.08 |
| ->> I'd sign that, Mr. Gordon... |
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Joel Philippsen, Photographer
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Columbus | IN | USA | Posted: 8:46 PM on 11.17.08 |
| ->> Most newspapers are still making a profit. They just aren't making as big of a profit as they once did. So a bailout plan would be pointless. Most companies in America would love to have a 20+ percent profit margin like many newspapers are used to in the industry. |
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David Harpe, Photographer
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Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 11:11 PM on 11.17.08 |
->> In all seriousness...I doubt you'd get taxpayers to be onboard with such a plan.
The public has a real love/hate relationship with the media. It's similar to the kind of love/hate someone has with a doctor about to stick a camera in an unmentionable place. The doctor is trying to do some good by finding things that might be wrong. In doing so the doctor sometimes causes pain, and also sometimes shows things that would be better left unseen.
It's precarious. |
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Colin Lenton, Photographer
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Philadelphia | PA | United States | Posted: 11:45 AM on 11.18.08 |
->> David, as much as we'd like to believe it true - I don't think that helping failing newspapers is anywhere near as important as helping the auto industry, or the finance industry.
Similar to many people's complaints about the American auto industry digging their own whole, many newspapers are guilty of the same thing.
Also, I'm not quite sure I follow you with regards to the newspaper firing off / buying out their seasoned vets. Don't get me wrong, as a bright-eyed college grad, I'm flattered at your confidence in my demographic. But the problem as I see it, is that no matter how talented any of my journalism peers maybe - their talent and training doesn't even come close to the years of experienced journalism professionals our industry has turned away.
That type of journalistic evidence can't simply be taught, or trained in the wake of buyouts/layoffs. It is learned, slowly, over decades.
Newspapers have an uphill battle to fight if they want to remain relevant, and that battle will NOT be won by writing 6" stories about hyperlocal events, running wire stories, or simply "trying" multimedia.
Newspapers need to make themselves worth the extra cost of receiving the news (ie, more in-depth stories ) and find ways to charge more for their online advertising dollars (ie, better targeted demographics).
This is a battle that can be won, without government help. |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Toledo | OH | USA | Posted: 12:01 PM on 11.18.08 |
->> Why anyone.
Why should the government give money to the auto industry and its leaders?
I would be more in favor of providing money to the auto industry if GM's board said, "We know we are bad leaders. We picked a CEO who didn't have the leadership and direction and we paid him more than $14 million last year. We understand that it is our fault. As a result, we are asking your assistance but we are going to fire that CEO and search for a CEO that will have leadership and direction to lead us out of this and we will pay him based on real results not phony, easy manipulated targets."
Seriously, if you hire someone to say put a new roof on your house, and they screw it up do you give them more money to fix it - no. You hire a new company.
Giving money to the same short-sighted leaders isn't going to fix anything. |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 12:10 PM on 11.18.08 |
->> "Socialism"
Like the nationalization of AIG and the banks by the current administration? |
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David Gordon, Photographer
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Somerville | MA | United States | Posted: 3:17 PM on 11.18.08 |
->> I believe an apology is in order.
Apparently, some took my open letter at face value and not as I had intended it to be read... tongue in cheek.
I am sorry for the confusion and I apologize to those who read my letter as anything but light hearted food-for-thought. |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Westminster | MD | USA | Posted: 3:37 PM on 11.18.08 |
->> The people of his time called Teddy Roosevelt a Socialist, now everyone wants to be like him. Perhaps Roosevelt is where Bush got his inspiration?
Teddy was always promising a 'Square Deal' for all. Then his punk nephew had to steal the idea and change it to the 'New Deal.'
Nothing new under the sun.
More junk food for thought.
Ha ha ha ha ha |
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