Editorials from The Roanoke Times -An awakening of downtown life?

Editorials from The Roanoke Times -An awakening of downtown life?

This is the conceit of the press these days. We think its good, were going to support it (wether you like it or not), so you might as well support it too. Its no wonder most Roanokers feel powerless in the face of change. The Times portrays major movements such as the Condo-ization of downtown, the AMWV, and several other local issues it stoops down to pass judgement on as groundswells. Tidal waves of popular opinion and support, so you might as well shut up and get back to work, because your opinion doesn't count.

Theres one thing Ive always found interesting about Editorial pages, aside from the attitude. Why are most, and when I say most - I mean most across the country, editorial pieces unsigned. I have yet to see one in the Roanoke Times actually have a name attached. Are we to assume this is the opinion of the paper as a whole? Were that the case, the Times then needs to have its psyche checked out. To spit into the face of your readership, a good number of whom completely disagree with your editorials, is a tacky move.

A good newspaper supports its community. Provides it with unbiased news, both local and national. It editorializes logically, understanding when dissent becomes heavy-handed. And it makes sure its staff is personally responsible for the content they provide. And when I say personally responsible, I mean answerable to the public - the readership, the customers.

The whole notion of individuals hiding behind the Editorial page banner bothers me. There are 4 individuals listed on the Ed. banner. 3 men and 1 woman. Each has differing life experiences, each has different thoughts. Yet we are kept in the dark about which writer is which. And it is much harder to get an entire editorial staff replaced than it is to call for the termination of an individual who constantly rubs the community the wrong way.

Again, Im not saying dissent is a bad thing. Sometimes newspapers can give a different viewpoint on an issue, one which might cause people to think differently. The Times Ed. staff does not cause people to think differently - they demand it. They presuppose that you think one way, they admit not everyone does, and they tell you straight out - if you think that other way, your dead wrong.

I remember reading once a line, "those who think otherwise don't have Roanoke's best interests at heart."

If we had an option of a different newspaper, Im pretty sure the Times building would have withered and blown away after that one. It is not a newspapers place to decide what is and is not good for Roanoke, policy or otherwise. We, who have read other newspapers, expect better from our newspaper. Especially in a special community as such is Roanoke. This place is, by and large; a very faith-oriented, hard-working, diverse yet cohesive place. Issues such as Victory Stadium, while appearing large and unweildy, actually fall to the back burner for everyday life. They are diversions, gripes, something to grumble about. But for the Editorial page of the Times to constantly focus on the truly meaningless distractions, rather than focus on the governmental and community problems that lead us to these distractions - that is where the problem comes in.



Oh - and a side note about the P. 1 headlines today. Now I will grant it was below the fold, everything above the fold was local. But the bottom left corner, headine "Do the news media ignore minorities who disappear?"

Ok- listen, first off its an AP story. As is the Schiavo story, but thats a high value story, so I dont have a problem with that being on the front page. But the story on disappearing minorities? Well, that could have been a bit further inside the main section - like where the rest of the article is contained - on page 8. Or, considering its a media story - stick it back in the Extra section. That section could always use a touch more padding, and that section should be where the media stories are located and debated.

And for design ideas for the new Wicktory Stadium, how about looking at what Steinbrenner is doing for the new Yankee Stadium. A truly stunning design, yet classic.

Allright, enough..