DISQUS

While I think your comments are interesting and you can't argue with fact when it comes to the number of headlines focusing on green issues, I find it in contradiction with Murdoch's actual business policies in an attempt to be more eco-friendly. He's leading the charge in the media industry when it comes to this topic, by vowing to make News Corp carbon neutral by 2010 and switching their distribution fleet to all hybrids. Before I chastise Murdoch completely for changes in coverage, I'd take a step back and look at his business practices that seem to tell a different story.

As someone who went to college and graduate school in Roanoke, I ended up leaving the area after 8 very successful years in my career. I didn't leave because there wasn't enough communication about the benefits of the region. I left because there were no incentives to stay.

Sure, the area is a Mecca of sorts for outdoor enthusiasts, but ambitious young adults hoping to climb the ladder have limited opportunities in Roanoke. If you want to attract and retain young adults, you have to first bring some vitality and economic growth to the region. Right now it's a more enticing offer to live in Blacksburg than Roanoke. I say this from someone who loved living in the area -- for awhile, but left because I felt like I was living in a slowly decaying town.