A few years ago, I subscribed to The Tampa Tribune. I even worked for this newspaper for a few years. My brother-in-law worked there for about twenty years. I had friends there, colleagues there, and then, the world changed.
When the focus of the newspaper changed to reflect a “younger readership,” focused more on instant messages, advertising as pop ups, and an inattention to the written page (their words, not mine) I cancelled my subscription. Shrink the newspaper? Heaven’s to Murgatroyd, (my words, not theirs), this delusional decision left me no choice. I’ve been with the St. Petersburg Times since and have never looked back.
Why, the St. Petersburg Times? Well, because they are not obliged to any person or organization, save The Pointer Institute. The Tampa Tribune is owned by Media General. A nice conglomerate more interested in investing in its pulp mills and television stations than honoring the written word, the blurb (or “factoid”) has replaced a story with detail, honesty and integrity that you can now only absorb in bits and bytes. Yikes! The Pointer Institute is NOT for sale. (At least not that I’ve seen.) They reinvest in developing writers, scholars, and hiring people of character, allowing them to write with honesty and integrity and share their personal truths. You don’t have to believe a word that’s written there, but you can trust that what’s written there is not bought and paid for. That, I guarantee.
I don’t like anyone to tell me what to think. That’s why I like getting more than bits and bytes in my intellectual fodder. And, that brings me to the Comics.
The world of news is terrible. Mothers and fathers kill children for reasons none of us will ever understand, Government foments war on citizens, and people commit war in the name of (well, you name it: religion, injustice, what they perceive God wants, and becausetheyfeellikeit!) After I read the paper, I look through the Comics. What could a grown woman possibly find there that reminds me of a perspective with which I can live? For Better or For Worse, Zits, Curtis, Classic Peanuts, Baby Blues, Sally Forth and Non Sequitur bring me back to my role as mother, sister, and child. The humor, wisdom, and
irony of life are certainly not wasted on me. I appreciate every panel, every word.
Dilbert reminds me that, though my career/job is absurd, I’m not alone. Hi and Lois, Hagar the Horrible and Garfield, are just there for spot gags. A “punny” relief for a woman who really does consider the “limerick” as the highest verse form.
I doubt you’ll ever publish this, but it’s important that I share this with the writers, editors, and managers of the St. Petersburg Times. I promise you, I will not give up on reading as long as you don’t give up on my generation.
With lots of love,
Sharon S. Graham
Aka ivannaretire@yahoo.com
I am not a crazy. Dan Ruth, Howard Troxler and a few others on your staff should remember me.
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