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and am giving them until 2 pm today to get back to me before calling again.
Am I worried about what the Register staff says? Only when they start to believe that they are the voice of the average Iowan. Given their editorial track record, the Register staff is very similar to the Register ownership. They only get upset when it comes to money being spent. (BTW, this was also the response when I spoke to one of the editors about voting reform... how much it would cost)
Herein lies the problem with most of our larger news outlets: They ceased being a watchdog for the American people because doing so doesn't translate directly to the bottom line. Want to know what you as a citizen can do about it? Quit supporting the large media outlets. Don't give them your weddings, obits and other personal milestone stories. Don't place classifieds or advertisements for community events WHICH USE TO BE RAN AS A PUBLIC SERVICE! (That's a biggie for me.) Don't buy single issues and don't subscribe. When you are asked about subscribing, tell then why you will not being doing so.
If you want a paper to support -- go pick up your community weekly or semi-weekly publication. If you are lucky enough to have a smaller daily in your town, rejoice in your fortune! Buy that paper. Provide that staff with your local news tips. Volunteer to cover a meeting they don't already have a staff member attending. Offer to write a once-a-month column (political or otherwise). Submit letters to the editor (you can even mention a letter you read -- at the library -- in the other rag).
Okay, that's my soapbox for today: If you're out to change the world, you need to start in your own backyard.
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