A Rag By Any Other Name

Author’s Note: While this, and the following post, may seem redundant after Sunday’s two posts about the state of our local paper - the “Tilghman Times“. However, since these two new posts were already written and do contain some additional content, I decided to run them anyway. - Cato

Up until now Sunday I’ve been fairly kind to that beacon of the First Amendment we know as the “Daily Times”. Unlike some of my fellow crusaders of the blogosphere I’ve avoided euphemisms such as the “Disgrace”. Unfortunately the shoe fits.

I don’t care if they print things that I disagree with. Hell, I don’t trust people who agree with me too much. I know all about the hatchet job they did on Debbie Campbell when she ran for Salisbury City Council. I’m well aware that they don’t hesitate to at least appear fair when they cover any land use issue OUTSIDE of Wicomico County. I’m not even that upset when the publisher and editors act as if they are on the city payroll rather than Gannett’s.

What has really gotten me in a twist is that a bunch of taxpayers are getting ready to take a multi-million dollar shellacking and the editors of the “Daily Times” behave as if they chair the Committee to Re-Elect Barrie and the Dream Nightmare Team.

If I have access to the city council agenda and briefing book, so do they. I’ve been in their building. They have a lot more phone lines than I do. It’s not fair to blame the poor reporters when their bosses run a crooked shop. Even if the reporters ask pointed questions, they won’t be seen in print.

The people of Salisbury won’t know that they are about the given a royal “you know what” until it’s over and done with. There won’t be any outrage because the average citizen, the people who buy the paper and pay the taxes, won’t even be aware that their hard earned tax money is leaving town on a train.

Why? Because a few people at the “Daily Times” have made a conscious decision not to report the news, but rather act as the Barrieland house organ. Why even claim to be a newspaper? Gannett ought to cut their losses and hand it over to Barrie and her lackeys. They can just print the “Crossroads Chronicle” as a broadsheet.

It would be perfect. The paper makes up the news and Barrie made up the Larson family. We’re talking real synergy here!