The future of newspapers involves more than just a business or industry or craft or whatever this enterprise is called, writes Don Walton.
Posted: Monday, May 4, 2009 12:00 am
The informed citizen.
Let's talk about that.
The future of newspapers involves more than just a business or industry or craft or whatever this enterprise is called.
What's at risk here is an informed and engaged citizenry in a form of government that urgently depends on it.
Yeah, sounds kinda self-serving. But isn't it true?
There are many options other than the local newspaper for information on the national and international scene.
But where else can you go to be informed locally?
Sure, there are other sources of information, but none even pretends to be nearly as complete.
So, failing newspapers are a civic challenge as well as a besieged business model.
And that may be the most important part of the story.
An open door
Mike Johanns is suspicious that the door is open for Senate approval of cap and trade legislation with 50 instead of 60 votes.
Johanns championed enactment of a Senate amendment that barred consideration of the climate change proposal under budget reconciliation procedures that sharply limit debate and lower the approval threshold to 50 votes.
Then, Johanns won approval of a motion to instruct budget conferees to include that amendment in the conference report.
Instead, this language was included: "It is assumed that reconciliation will not be used for changes in legislation related to global climate change."
Johanns says that statement is "not worth the paper it is written on."
The Budget Committee "can assume whatever it wants," Johanns says, "but the truth is the majority leadership can roll them at any time."
Cap and trade limitations on carbon emissions would result in sharply increased consumer energy costs, Johanns says.
Good job, Jeff
What I liked most about Jeff Zeleny's surprised-troubled-enchanted-humbled question to President Obama was how revealing the answer was bound to be.
Among all the gotcha questions and talking-point answers at last week's presidential news conference, this was an opportunity for us to get a glimpse inside this president and better understand what influences and affects him.
It was a moment to watch and hear Barack Obama think.
Some recent presidents couldn't have handled such a question.
It required introspection and a comfort level with thoughtful consideration.
And it was an unexpected inquiry that even boldly, and refreshingly, recognized there are enchanting moments in our lives.
Some cable news commentators and media critics harrumphed, growled and scoffed at that word, trumpeting their long-demonstrated preference for caustic and mean-spirited over enchanted.
But former White House correspondent John Roberts of CNN said: "Good job, Jeff," praising Zeleny for moving the president away from his talking points to "get a real answer."
CBS anchor Bob Schieffer told Zeleny it was "a great question."
During a conversation on "Washington Unplugged," Zeleny told Schieffer he knew the question would prompt a revealing answer because the president is thoughtful and reflective.
Zeleny added a little celebrity status before the week was over when he was targeted on the Colbert Report.
Marc Ambinder wrote on The Atlantic blog that Zeleny was the right guy to challenge Obama with the unexpected inquiry.
"There are two members of the national press corps who know Obama better than Rahm Emanuel, and Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times is one of them," Ambinder wrote.
Zeleny, a UNL grad who grew up on a farm near Exeter, covered Obama for the Chicago Tribune before moving to The Times in 2006.
Finishing up
* My business model for the newspaper: Purchase the local Budweiser distributorship, the money pours in and you put out a newspaper. What's so hard about that?
* Greg Paulus considers becoming a Husker to play football. How much more of this can Doc take?
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.