DISQUS

Mr. Whitehead brings forth some great questions. Is it any wonder that after 8 years of Carl Rove, a White House supportive of misinformation campaigns and the use of 'scare tactics' within a complicit/naive media, that we have a public fearful of protest? And while these reports appear to be a significant oppression of free speech, government officials seem to often overreach in a rush to ensure public safety. One thing the constitutional author does downplay, however, is the ability for dissenters of any stripe to come up with creative strategies of their own to ensure that 'voice' is protected in a post-9/11 America. Journalists who witnessed protest events in the past, especially in the 60's and 70's, know too well that even with an unlimited basket of legislation and law enforcement, voices of righteousness seem to always find a path.

While those directly employed by newspapers will suffer an inevitable fate (perhaps hastened by high energy costs and a slowing economy) the real story is how will the decline and fall of the local newspaper affect local communities? Our American society has come to rely on local newspapers as "our collective community voice." Without them, where will citizens go? Certainly radio and television news budgets have suffered similar reductions. Will the internet be able to replace the convenience/portability of the paper format? That hasn't been the case so far, as the ignored and suppressed digital divide thrives. For journalism veterans, do you perceive a stronger sense of community today, or less? Are we better off today than we were 8 years ago?

Wrong Republican Rep Isn't it possible the people at Wikipedia got Durhams bio mixed up with former State Rep and Congressman Ken Kramer's?  By the way, did Ken ever come out?