Akkam’s Razor

The struggling Philadelphia Inquirer, helmed by Neo-Press Lord Brian Tierney is offsetting declining advertising revenue with threats of ‘outsourcing’ and layoffs as well as a price increase of $0.25. a short front page paragraph explains the price changes. Will this be enough to stave the paper’s ongoing decline, despite two instances of flying pigs?

In other news, the Inky’s idea of fair-and-balanced is a front page which gives the media-anointed likely Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain two thirds of the photo space related to the story. Senators Clinton and Obama meanwhile must share the balance, with 1/6 of the space for each. I suppose this innoculates them from cries of liberal media.

Dick Pollman also points out that the Elite Republican establishment loathes McCain, endearing him to moderate Republicans and some Democrats ignorant of St. McCain’s hard right U-Turn to pander to conservatives, flip-flops, and apparent contradictions with his own created mythos of being a Straight-Talker.

Meanwhile, Smerky blames the disintegration of the Giuliani campaign on the political press. Smerky may like to think that this was a take down, but the press largely reported on the facts of the Giuliani campaign, and in fact deemphasized some other more grave and troubling problems. Giuliani made HIMSELF the “President of 9/11“, not the press, and GOP-bullhorn FOXNEWS was America’s Mayor’s biggest cheerleader. What really derailed Giuliani was the lack of man behind the myth, a man who does not even take his own advice.

For example, they dutifully reported Giuliani’s non-presence in all primaries and caucuses prior to New Hampshire (even Fred Thompson worked harder), his stump speech content of [noun][verb][9/11] and a handful of his ethical lapses, such as the shepherding of his mistress about town, courtesy of an NYPD detail. They similarly deemphasized his business dealings with supporters of terror, his other business dealing with the indicted once-Homeland Security Secretary nominee Bernie Kerik, some fiscal shenanigans involving New York City travel funds used for personal travel in the waning days of his Mayoral Administration, and his decision to make WTC7 the city’s emergency response center, despite the WTC being a prior (and eventual) terrorist target, to function as his love-nest away from prying eyes. If that’s what Smerky means by the actions of a vindictive press reporting unfavorable news destroying the campaign (note, not the moral, financial, and ethical bankruptcies of the campaign), then I suppose he’s right.

As an aside, he mentions that Will Bunch had stated to him that NY reporters may have viewed their reporting of the Giuliani campaign an issue of ‘reaping what you sow’ (Giuliani was openly hostile or restrictive of the press, much like the current Clinton Campaign, and we all know how much the press loves free rides on the Straight Talk Express). I was unaware that NY reporters from the Giuliani era had penetrated the entirety of mainstream media. Could we likewise make the argument that the placement of the conservative troika of Santorum, Smerconish, and Last is nothing more than another case of Wingnut Welfare Queens?

There’s a short story of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains at the Philadelphia Navy Yard which is worth your time, thought, and maybe some further Googling. If there was a call for non-denominational donations from the religious (and non-religious spectrum), this may be it.

Lastly, there’s an important article on the brain-drain, college attendance, and degree completion that is worthy of attention from anyone who feels invested in the City and the region.

[As an aside, I've long noticed the declining size of the jobs, automobile, and now real estate section. I wonder how the housing crisis will manifest itself for the print industry? Will it be displaying rental information, increased sheriff sale listings, and foreclosures instead of hundreds-of-thousands of dollars showcase homes? Brian, that's free advice for you right there - run with it in print and on Philly.com].

Popularity: 16% [?]