Just for the record, I did not leave the Daily Paper because it is going downhill. I actually think they are on the right track over there, and as you’ve already noticed, Katy Kreller is having no problem filling my shoes, which are only size 11 by the way. For me it was a chance to move to a major metro and be with a very special lady. It’s worth the humidity! Plus, my pathetic Cubs will come to town a few times a year.

–BRAD

My offering is concerning voting for one or more people to become an Ada County Commissioner. I like Sharon Ullman. I voted for her before and I will vote for her again. What happened to her between her first stint and her current run?

Has everyone received their Idaho Voters’ Pamphlet in the snail mail? I was reading it too late into the night and would like to know what it really means. There is so much legalese and bait and switch in there that I got dizzy, not that it takes much anymore.

Thank you all.

The Statesman doesn’t publish or not publish things due to their ability to generate or not generate ad revenue. That simply isn’t how decisions are made in the world of U.S. daily newspapers, and the Statesman is no different.

The Guardian is great – but let’s not pretend that it comes anywhere near the depth or comprehensiveness that the Statesman does on a daily basis. Hence, advertisers are willing to pay to get their ad in the newspaper.

Proof that print media is NOT dead? The departure of a reporter from the daily newspaper gets blogged about. ‘Nuff said.

Oh, and my understanding is that Brad left to pursue professional and personal goals. Good for him. It isn’t because the paper has hit “rock bottom,” far from it, I believe that The Statesman is as good as it’s been in the 3 years I’ve lived here.

EDITOR NOTE–Joe is correct about the GUARDIAN vs STATESMAN role. GUARDIAN tries to stimulate intelligent discourse and thought by offering a different perspective. We could never “cover” the news, but often offer up stories the mainstreamers miss or refuse to cover–for whatever reason.

The point I am trying to make you made for me rather well. We have all begun to transition away from standard media outlets by turning to the internet.

The BG can go after hard news precisely because there is no ad revenue at stake.

The GUARDIAN DOES go after hard news! That is what the newspaper business is (supposed to be) all about.

Ace reporter, Brad Hem, is leaving for a perfectly normal reason. It has to do with following his heart.

I agree, the local paper IS hitting rock bottom but that is not what is making Brad move on.

Could it be that the local paper is becoming overly cautious? Think about it. Whenever they print a critical piece about anyone, they get threatened with lawsuits, the pulling of advertisements, and general havoc.

Would you go after hard news if that was hanging over your head?

G sould be careful not to become too mainstream…this place also seems to have lots of input from industry types…hmmmm.

A bigger concern is why did Hem move on? The local paper must be hittn’ bottom if it’s losing it’s best. That’s news, and that’s not good for democracy.

As for who wrote what and when was it broadcast…

KTVB did whatever it could to NOT cover the story. They have NO objectivity whatsoever. Coles and the gang were part of the club of infidels that really run Idaho and KTVB is a major part of that surly snaggle of snits.

Proof of this is in how long it took KTVB to actually do something on air of any real substance. The folks at channel 7 were too busy figuring out how to spin the Coles mess to get a real story with facts out there.

Hanion and guys like Hem were actually investigating while KTVB was just reporting.